This year in the NFL, there were a number of crucial injuries throughout the season that many attributed to the fact that the players were locked out and were subjected to a shorter training camp. The NBA might have things even worse, as it had an even shorter preseason and an even longer lockout, and injuries are really starting to make matters difficult for some of the best teams in the league.
On Tuesday, we are going to see a number of these injury-riddled teams in NBA betting action.
We will start with the Miami Heat against the San Antonio Spurs. The Heat just endured a brutal three-game road trip on the West Coast in which they went 0-3 SU and ATS. To make matters worse, Dwyane Wade suffered an ankle injury that is going to keep him out of the lineup for at least this game against the Spurs, and the possibility is there that he could be in for a long hiatus.
Fortunately for the Heat, they are a lot deeper this season than they were a year ago, but can Norris Cole step into the starting lineup and really make the same sort of impact that D-Wade does on a nightly basis? That’s the big question in South Beach right now. If the rookie from Cleveland State can’t get the job done, the Spurs might be in line for their first road victory of the season, as they are 0-4 SU and ATS as visitors this season.
Remember though, that these Spurs are still playing without TJ Ford (hamstring) and Manu Ginobili (hand), and both are going to remain out of the lineup for at least another few weeks.
Tip time is slated for 7:30 (ET) on Tuesday night.
The Chicago Bulls have the best record in basketball at 12-2 despite dealing with their share of injuries as well. Derrick Rose missed a game with a toe injury last week but is back in the lineup, but neither CJ Watson (elbow) nor Richard Hamilton (groin) have been able to get back in the fold. These two have only combined to play in one game since New Year’s Day, and both are up in the air for Tuesday as well.
Chicago will play its fourth game in five days when the Bulls host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night. The Suns are struggling offensively, averaging just 93.8 PPG, and going against a defense that has held three of its last five foes in the 60s isn’t likely going to make matters any easier.
The Suns have dropped four in a row both SU and ATS, and this is the second game of a brutal five-game road trip through the beginning of next week.
The ball gets tossed at 8:00 (ET) at the United Center.
Another injury of note to keep an eye on this Tuesday is the hamstring injury to Chris Paul. The Los Angeles Clippers can ill-afford to lose CP3 for any period of time, and they have to be thrilled that his MRI came back negative over the weekend.
Tuesday’s game against the Utah Jazz is going to be the second game in as many days for the Clippers, who enter Monday having gone 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS in their last six games. This will be just the fourth road game of the season for Los Angeles, who is only 1-2 ATS as the visitor this season.
This 9:00 (ET) tip can be seen on local FOX Sports networks.
The rest of the NBA betting slate should be a good one as well on Tuesday. Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic engage in a Southeast Division battle with the Charlotte Bobcats at 7:00. The Golden State Warriors, who have already endured a huge injury of their own to Stephen Curry, have to come to Quicken Loans Arena for a fight with the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7:00. There are also two 8:00 tip times, as the Milwaukee Bucks host the Denver Nuggets, while the Houston Rockets look to improve on their 4-1 SU and ATS mark at home against the Detroit Pistons.