NBA2K Simulated Games: Odds for All March 25th Matchups

• The coronavirus pandemic has forced the world of sports betting into an unusual place – as 2K simulated games are being hosted by sportsbooks to be bet on
• Five games are on the schedule tonight, featuring the Houston Rockets and Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks
• Check out the lines on the simulated games below

These circumstances are unprecedented. There’s an NBA-shaped void in every basketball fan’s life right now following the league’s suspension. Online sportsbooks are filling the void by taking a handle on simulated games of NBA 2K20.

Five games are set to be simulated on Wednesday, including the Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies, in what would’ve been a crucial matchup in the Western Conference’s playoff race.

NBA 2K20 Simulated Game Odds for March 25th

Odds taken Mar. 25th

Injuries Ignored

A recent stream of a simulation between the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks saw the Eastern Conference leaders start Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo, despite neither of the duo featuring in the Bucks’ last game. Rotations tend to be pretty accurate, but there obviously isn’t coaching influence or home court advantage.

Injuries have hit some players’ overall ratings, as mentioned in our preview for March 24th’s games. Blake Griffin is a good example of this, but that’s less of a concern on the 25th with key players retaining their high ratings. Luka Doncic, for instance, remains one of the best players in the game at 96 overall despite injury issues of late.

Been playing 2K for the first time in years. Luka Doncic might be the best player on the game somehow. 21 years old. He seems good.

— Jake Burns (@jake_burns18) March 22, 2020

Karl-Anthony Towns, in simulated action for the Timberwolves against the Blazers, is up at 90 overall, even though he’s missed Minnesota’s last 12 games.

Rockets Face Cavs

The Rockets’ super-small ball has reaped rewards in the real world, but their undersized team could struggle in 2K. Playing without a center against the massive Cleveland Cavaliers, who are a rebounding force, the Rockets might get battered in the paint.

Andre Drummond, rated 85 overall, and Kevin Love, 82 overall, are bigger than any Rocket. Rated at 80, Tristan Thompson would be the joint-third-best Rocket.

James Harden is one of three players at 97, and only 15 players on 2K20 are rated higher than Russell Westbrook. There’s no doubt Houston have the star power, but with Robert Covington as their third-highest rated player, the Cavaliers have more depth on 2K – Cleveland has five players rated 79 or higher.

It’s all about size for the Cavs, while Mike D’Antoni’s Rockets want to shoot the three and spread the floor. Love and Drummond could get dragged to the perimeter, but this one could be won on the boards. With the line at 11.5, Cleveland looks a good price.

Pick: Cavaliers +11.5 (-115)

Thunder vs Grizz

The Thunder have four of the five best players in this matchup. Chris Paul stands above the rest at 87.

Danilo Gallinari, Steven Adams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are all at 84, along with rookie sensation Ja Morant. It’s safe to work on the assumption that Jaren Jackson Jr., sidelined before the league’s suspension, will take the court in the simulation. Jackson is Memphis’ third-best player behind Morant and Jonas Valanciunas.

The Grizzlies are blessed with greater depth. They have 10 players rated 75 or higher, while the Thunder have just seven. Bench minutes could be key in this one. The Thunder’s three-guard lineup has been unstoppable this season, but it might not be used during the simulation, forcing OKC to delve into their underwhelming wing depth.

The top level talent of Paul has the potential to be a difference maker here. Oklahoma City’s starting five is a cut above Memphis’, as the regular season standings show us. Winning by eight or more seems a reasonable expectation.

Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder -7.5 (-115)