NBA picks and predictions for July 30

With Lou Williams quarantined and Kawhi Leonard not looking like his usual superstar self, Paul George will likely need to carry the offensive load for the Clippers on Thursday night.

Jul 29, 2020 • 05:30 ET

You can mark the restart of the COVID-crashed 2019-20 season as one of those marquee NBA betting days in the calendar, along with MLK Day and Christmas. 

It’s been a long and scary road back, but the NBA looks like the standard for pro sports, setting up shop in Disney World and building the bubble. And due to that, we get two exciting matchups on Thursday, with the New Orleans Pelicans playing the Utah Jazz and the L.A. teams – the Lakers and Clippers – doing battle in the late game.

These are our favorite NBA picks and predictions for July 30.

NBA picks for today

Utah Jazz vs New Orleans Pelicans

It looks like Zion Williamson is good to go after returning to practice this week. The Pelicans’ stud rookie had to leave the bubble to handle some family issues and missed all three exhibition games and all but two practices this month.

Zion has been in and out of the lineup for New Orleans this season, missing the start of the schedule due to injury and then sparking the team upon his return. And while he does look like he’s in good shape – considering the extended break from basketball – he’s nowhere near game shape.

Alvin Gentry runs one of the fastest offensive paces in the NBA and Zion could be left sucking wind and possibly playing limited minutes. On top of that, he’ll face the ire of one of the better defenses in the NBA. Williamson was averaging 23.6 points per game before the shutdown and we don’t see him getting past that bar Thursday.

PREDICTION: Zion Williamson Under 23.5 points (-110) 

 

Los Angeles Lakers vs Los Angeles Clippers

The Lakers offense has looked great in the exhibition games, exploding out of the gate for big scores in the bubble. 

LeBron James & Co. have scored 29, 35, and 39 points in opening quarters in those tune-up tilts and were one of the better first-quarter attacks in the NBA before the COVID-19 shutdown, averaging 29.4 points in the first 12 minutes.

The Clippers offense has hit its snags during exhibition games, scoring 21, 30 and 26 points in first quarters this month. With some key contributors and dependable defenders either out or working they’re way back from quarantine, we like the Lakers to set the pace early.

PREDICTION: Race to 25 – Lakers (-148)

Paul George could be the primary weapon for the Clippers offense Thursday night. 

Lou Williams is still in quarantine after his now-infamous chicken wings run and Kawhi Leonard hasn’t quite looked right in exhibition matchups, shooting just 24 percent the past two games. George, on the other hand, is fully healthy after the long layoff and it shows.

He’s put up scores of 18, 11, and 19 in L.A.’s three bubble scrimmages and has found his stroke from beyond the arc, shooting a collective 10-for-19 from 3-point range in those games. 

On the season, George was attempting nearly eight 3-pointers per game, averaging a little over three makes. We feel like he has the green light from deep Thursday night.

PREDICTION: Paul George Over 3.5 3-pointers made (+112)

Top NBA consensus for today

Want to know who today's biggest NBA betting and consensus bets are right now? Check out our top NBA consensus picks.   

NBA betting card for July 30

  • Zion Williamson Under 23.5 points (-110)
  • Race to 25 – Lakers (-148)
  • Paul George Over 3.5 3-pointers made (+112)

NBA Parlays

Did you know that if you parlayed today’s NBA betting picks, you could win $57.82 on a $10 bet?

Use our NBA parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.

Where can I bet on the NBA?

You can bet on NBA odds at every online and casino sportsbook, including NBA moneylines, spreads, Over/Under totals and a ton of NBA prop odds. Head over to our best-suggested sportsbooks for the top spots to bet on NBA odds in your area. **video

Pages related to this topic

Popular Content

Legal Canadian sports betting

Best Canadian betting sites Ontario sports betting
Covers 25 Years Logo Established in 1995,
Covers is the world
leader in sports
betting information.
Covers is verified safe by: Evalon Logo GPWA Logo GDPR Logo GeoTrust Logo Evalon Logo