Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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12-04-23 | Pelicans v. Kings -150 | 127-117 | Loss | -150 | 9 h 38 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units New Orleans has had their issues on the road this season, going just 3-6 as the visiting team, including three straight defeats. The Pelicans dropped back-to-back games in Salt Lake City against the Jazz before getting dumped by the Bulls Saturday night. New Orleans beat the Kings twice earlier this season but both those games came at home. Sacramento is a stellar 6-2 at home on the season and they just downed the defending champs Saturday night. New Orleans got a boost to their rotation with the return of Murphy III Saturday night but their road woes against a confident Sacramento team burn them here. Take the Kings as they advance to the semifinals. |
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12-02-23 | Rockets v. Lakers -4.5 | 97-107 | Win | 100 | 15 h 54 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Houston Rockets are currently facing a challenging phase, having lost their last two games and conceding at least 121 points in each. This streak of losses has brought them down to a .500 record. In a recent matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers in L.A., the Rockets narrowly lost by just one point but managed to cover the spread. The Lakers, on the other hand, have a record of 6-4 against the spread and 7-3 overall when they score more than 107.3 points. Additionally, they are 5-5 against the spread and 8-2 overall when allowing fewer than 110.9 points. Despite LeBron James being listed as questionable, the Lakers are expected to perform strongly in their return home after a four-game road trip. The Rockets, who have not secured a road win this season, are likely to face another setback in this game. It's anticipated that the Lakers will excel on both ends of the floor, securing a win, covering the spread, and handing the Rockets their third consecutive loss. |
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12-01-23 | Nuggets -123 v. Suns | 119-111 | Win | 100 | 9 h 46 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Denver Nuggets have demonstrated a strong track record in their recent matchups against the Phoenix Suns, securing victories in 4 of their last 6 encounters. Additionally, from a betting perspective, the Nuggets have shown notable consistency, covering the spread in 7 out of their last 10 games against the Suns. Despite the potential disadvantage due to injuries, the Nuggets still hold considerable potential to cover the 2.5-point spread, especially if Devin Booker remains sidelined for the Suns. |
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11-30-23 | Hawks -7.5 v. Spurs | 137-135 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 52 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units San Antonio has lost 12 straight games and haven’t won since downing the Suns in back-to-back road games October 31 and November 2. The Spurs are a dismal 1-8 at home this season and they are trying to get their young players up to speed, which of course, leads to a lot of growing pains. Atlanta has been up and down this season but they have a variety of guys that can pile up points in a hurry. San Antonio has a generational talent in Wembenyama but he’s still adapting to the NBA style. Meanwhile, Atlanta is a team full of guys that have been around and contributed at this level for a while. Young and Murray lead the way as the Hawks cruise to a victory to get back to the .500 mark on the season. |
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11-29-23 | Rockets v. Nuggets -7.5 | 124-134 | Win | 100 | 7 h 56 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Facing a degree of uncertainty, the Denver Nuggets are dealing with the potential absence of key players Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, and Jamal Murray, all listed as questionable for the upcoming game. Despite these concerns, the Nuggets are still favored by 6 points in their home game, a confidence likely bolstered by the Houston Rockets' challenging schedule, as they enter this game without any days of rest. Denver's performance against the spread stands at 7-8, but they have an impressive 12-3 overall record when they score more than 105.5 points in a game. The Rockets, on the other hand, showed a strong effort in their last game against the Mavericks. However, their struggle on the road is evident, having lost all six away games this season. This pattern is expected to continue in their upcoming matchup. The Nuggets, coming off a solid win, are anticipated to maintain their momentum and secure another victory in this encounter. |
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11-29-23 | Lakers -7 v. Pistons | 133-107 | Win | 100 | 5 h 3 m | Show | |
Rating; 2 Units The Lakers come into Detroit with a chip on their collective shoulders following a 44-point loss to the Sixers on Monday night. James' cryptic response about the team needing changes quickly should put fear in the hearts of any Laker who doesn't have a firm spot on the roster. In the short term, the Lakers should be able to dominate a Pistons' team that has lost 14 straight games. The Lakers have struggled recently as well, mainly due to injuries to several key bench players such as Vanderbilt, Hachimura, and Vincent. Luckily, the Pistons are also banged up with two key shooters out in Brogdonovich and Harris. The loss of both players has hampered the team's shooting from outside and forced them to be a team that relies on points in the paint. The presence of Davis in the paint should hamper some of those plans on Wednesday night. The Lakers are 3rd in the NBA in field goal percentage and sixth in defensive field goal percentage. I expect them to dominate the game on both ends on Wednesday and pick up an easy win. |
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11-28-23 | Warriors +1.5 v. Kings | 123-124 | Win | 100 | 10 h 16 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units In their first matchup, the Golden State Warriors triumphed over the Sacramento Kings 122-114 without Draymond Green. In their second encounter, the Warriors narrowly won 102-101, but the Kings were missing key player De'Aaron Fox. Draymond Green's absence in the last five games has been felt by the Warriors, particularly in their defense, but his return is expected to bolster the team's offensive opportunities for players like Curry, Thompson, and Wiggins. In the previous games, Domantas Sabonis had a significant impact against the Warriors, and De'Aaron Fox scored 41 points in their first meeting. Both teams have been strong offensively, with the Warriors ranked 12th and the Kings 10th in offensive rating. However, the game's outcome may hinge on the Warriors' defense, currently 12th in the NBA, and the inconsistent performance of the Kings' role players. The return of Draymond Green could elevate the Warriors' defense. The Kings' bench struggled in both meetings, and they may be without starter Keegan Murray due to a back injury. Additionally, the Kings' defensive rating is only 21st in the league. The Warriors, aiming for a three-way tie for first place in In-Season Tournament Group C, will rely on Curry for another strong performance and plan to challenge the Kings by focusing on players other than Sabonis or Fox. |
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11-28-23 | Thunder +3.5 v. Wolves | 103-106 | Win | 100 | 8 h 18 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Thunder come in just a game behind Minnesota in this one and will not only cover the spread but will come out with the win too. The Thunder have been able to put it all together on both ends of the court and have the length to match the Timberwolves, which is something many others have struggled with. The Thunder have the best player in this game in SGA and with Holmgren coming along nicely too, especially from the perimeter, it gives this team quite a few more options to lean on. The key advantage for Oklahoma City is on the offensive end, where they are one of the league's most efficient teams, which translates well to success on the road. They have confidence and momentum, and their youngsters won't be daunted being on the road, while covering the spread in all but one of their last seven games, shows a trend building. |
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11-28-23 | Bucks v. Heat +3 | 131-124 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 41 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Milwaukee Bucks have had their difficulties with the Heat, going 2-2 last season during the regular season but losing in five games in the opening round of the playoffs to the Heat. In fact, the Bucks are now 0-3 in their last four games in Miami. The Heat have not just won the four games, they've done so handily in each case. The four home wins against the Bucks have come by an average of just over 12.5 points per contest. While Lillard's presence changes the dynamic somewhat, the Bucks lose a key defender like Jrue Holiday in the process. Holiday was capable of guarding both the point guard and Jimmy Butler at times but the Bucks won't have that luxury with Lillard, an inferior defender to Holiday. I like the Heat to exploit their matchup advantages in this game and pull out a win over the Bucks. If you are feeling aggressive, forego the points and take this game on the money line. |
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11-26-23 | Blazers v. Bucks -12.5 | 102-108 | Loss | -110 | 6 h 28 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Bucks have won six of their last seven games and six straight home games. They have played well offensively, scoring more than 121 points per game while making over 49 percent of their shots. They are one of the best rebounding teams in the league, and they’re very aggressive on the offensive glass, which will give them more scoring chances. They have also protected the ball well and won’t give the Trailblazers a lot of easy-scoring opportunities. The Trailblazers aren’t very good defensively and they play worse on the road where they are giving up more than 114 points per game, so expect them to have a hard time slowing down the Bucks in this game. The Trailblazers have lost eight of their last nine games and four straight road games. They have struggled offensively on the road, scoring less than 110 points per game. They don’t rebound the ball as well as the Bucks and won’t get a lot of extra-scoring chances against them. They’ve also been careless with the ball, which will lead to easy-scoring opportunities for the Bucks, who average more than seven steals per game. The Bucks aren’t great defensively, but they play better at home, so expect them to keep Portland’s offense in check. Go with Milwaukee to cover the spread. |
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11-22-23 | Clippers -8 v. Spurs | 109-102 | Loss | -115 | 5 h 0 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Clippers have won two straight games. They are playing well offensively, averaging more than 112 points per game. They are very good at rebounding the ball and very aggressive on the offensive glass, which will give them more scoring chances. They also do a good job protecting the ball and won’t give the Spurs a lot of easy-scoring opportunities. The Spurs have struggled offensively this season and they've given up at least 120 points in four straight games, so expect them to have a hard time slowing down the Clippers in this game. The Spurs have lost nine straight games and six straight home games. They have struggled offensively and scored less than 110 points in three of their last four games. They don’t rebound the ball as well as the Clippers and won’t get a lot of extra-scoring chances. They have also been very careless with the ball, which will lead to easy-scoring opportunities for the Clippers, who averaged more than 11 steals per game in their last three games. The Clippers have played well defensively, giving up less than 105 points per game in their last three games, so expect them to keep San Antonio’s offense in check. Go with Los Angeles to cover the spread. |
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11-20-23 | Clippers v. Spurs +8.5 | 124-99 | Loss | -115 | 10 h 50 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Los Angeles Clippers, despite being the superior team on paper, have faced their own set of challenges, losing 6 out of their last 7 games. Their sole victory in this stretch was clinched by a last-second three-pointer from James Harden. Adding to their woes, the Clippers haven't secured a single road win this season. While backing the San Antonio Spurs isn't particularly appealing, the prospect of favoring the Clippers with a significant point spread on the road (-9) is equally unenticing. In this scenario, opting for the Spurs with the points seems like the more prudent choice. It's noteworthy that when the Clippers score over 124.2 points, their record against the spread is 0-2, mirroring their overall record in such high-scoring games. |
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11-19-23 | Rockets v. Lakers -5 | 104-105 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 6 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Rockets dismantled the Lakers last week, but Los Angeles missed Anthony Davis. Houston outscored the Lakers 68-42 in the paint while going 14-for-33 from downtown, whereas Los Angeles made just seven of its 25 shots from deep. Since then, the Lakers have gone 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS, though two of those four wins have come against Portland. The Lakers should have learned the lesson, so I’m backing them to beat the Rockets and cover a 5.5-point spread. Davis has struggled a bit of late, but his presence should help the Lakers to outlast Houston this time around. This is not the same Rockets team that lost 60 games last season. But they are still young and inexperienced, and the Rockets have gone 0-3 SU and 1-2 ATS over their three road contests in 2023-24. |
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11-18-23 | Grizzlies -145 v. Spurs | 120-108 | Win | 100 | 10 h 49 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Spurs will have to deal with fatigue on the second night of a back-to-back set which is the only reason why am I taking the Grizzlies to cover. Frankly, this is the clash between a couple of slumping teams, and it could go either way, but the Grizzlies had three days to prepare themselves for the Spurs. In addition, Memphis looks like a better defensive team than San Antonio, though by a slight margin. Hopefully, the Grizzlies will extend their dominance over the Spurs and beat the number along the way. |
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11-17-23 | Lakers -8.5 v. Blazers | 107-95 | Win | 100 | 10 h 4 m | Show | |
Rating; 2 Units The Lakers are 2-0 in an inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, looking to make another step toward the knock-out round. The Trail Blazers have gone 1-1 thus far and will have a mountain to climb in this matchup given their injury woes. Portland has dropped five straight games by an average margin of 10.2 points. If Malcolm Brogdon misses his fourth straight game, the Lakers will have a nice chance to cover an 8.5-point spread. Los Angeles is 6-0 ATS in its last six games played on Friday, and I’m expecting the Lakers to extend this streak. |
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11-16-23 | Nets +3.5 v. Heat | 115-122 | Loss | -110 | 7 h 56 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units In a game that should be low-scoring, the Brooklyn Nets have an excellent chance of pulling off a road upset. Their offense is much better, especially when it comes to hitting threes. Brooklyn attempts a high volume of threes and is the league's third-most accurate team. The Heat have allowed opponents to hit 38.6% of their triples. Unless Miami takes fewer midrange shots, they won't shoot well in this one. The Nets are top 10 at forcing midrange misses and three-point misses. Both defenses are solid, so it'll come down to making shots. Brooklyn has that advantage, and it should lead them to a sixth straight win over the Heat. |
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11-15-23 | Wolves v. Suns -6 | 115-133 | Win | 100 | 8 h 25 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units I like the Suns to pull away in this game thanks to the return of Booker to the starting lineup and Gordon off of the bench. The duo should allow the Suns to spread the floor against a Timberwolves team playing the second game of a back-to-back and coming off a highly emotional game with the Warriors. Durant should get more minutes of rest in this one with his all-star teammate back and Beal should continue to improve as he gets his wind up after missing the entire season prior to last week. Minnesota has been red-hot but I think it will be too hard for them to muster up the emotions needed in this one. |
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11-14-23 | Clippers v. Nuggets -4.5 | 108-111 | Loss | -110 | 14 h 31 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Nuggets will be making do without point guard Jamal Murray for the rest of the month of November as he recovers from a hamstring strain. So far so good for the champs with Reggie Jackson filling in nicely at point guard, primarily as a scorer with Jokic handling the passing duties. The Clippers still look like a team trying to figure things out with just one ball for several aging stars. Tyronne Lue must determine the best rotations to get his four veterans on the floor in the right situations. Malone's job for Denver is much easier with everything going through Jokic. Jokic has two triple-doubles in the three games that Murray has missed thus far as he takes a more prominent role in distributing the ball. Denver's defense has also been excellent this season and they should be looking forward to defending a Clippers team that looks disjointed right now. The Clippers have also been sloppy with the basketball and that should also feed into the Nuggets' offense. The most disheartening thing for the Clippers thus far has been their feeble record despite having one of the easiest schedules to start the season, ranking 28th in the league. Go with the Nuggets who will have more possessions, ranking 6th in turnovers, and knock down more shots with the league's top field goal percentage. |
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11-13-23 | Cavs -142 v. Kings | 120-132 | Loss | -142 | 9 h 59 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Kings have been able to win each of the last two games without Fox but are just 2-3 overall without him this season. The Cavs offer a challenging matchup with a very quick guard in Darius Garland who can fill it up from long range and at the basket. He will force the Kings to offer help on him which should open the floor up a bit for Mitchell. The Cavs will also take advantage of a slower-paced Kings team without Fox. They are sixth in the NBA in fastbreak points and should be able to get up and down the floor against the Kings. The Cavs have also played the fifth toughest schedule in the NBA thus far compared to the Kings, who have played the 25th toughest schedule. |
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11-13-23 | Bulls v. Bucks -9 | 109-118 | Push | 0 | 10 h 50 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units This is a great spot to back Milwaukee. The Bucks just lost two gams on the road, and return home hungry for a win. You cannot keep Giannis and the Bucks down for long, and Giannis has proven he only needs a little help to get things done. The Bulls do not have an answer for Antetokounmpo, Lavine and DeRozan are too small, and Vucevic is not quick enough to stay with him. That leaves Patrick Williams, who was benched for his poor play, or Torrey Craig to matchup with the former MVP. Add on top of this, Chicago is on the tail end of a back to back. The Bulls play a home game on Sunday night, then must travel to Milwaukee for this game the next night. Teams rarely play well on the second night of back-to-backs, and Chicago has not been playing well this season to begin with. Bucks return to home, will face a tired Chicago team, and get back in the win column after a couple losses. |
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11-12-23 | Blazers v. Lakers -9.5 | 110-116 | Loss | -115 | 13 h 32 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The injury-depleted Trail Blazers will have a mountain to climb at Crypto.com Arena. I’ve mentioned their offensive struggles and if Malcolm Brogdon doesn’t suit up, the Lakers will come out on top with ease. Frankly, the Lakers have struggled so far this season, allowing 114.2 points per 100 possessions (tied-19th in the NBA). The Trail Blazers surrender 109.8 points per 100 possessions (9th) mostly because they defend the 3-point line well (33.7%, 7th), but the Lakers don’t lean on 3-point shooting and will attack the rim all night long in this matchup. |
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11-11-23 | Cavs v. Warriors -163 | 118-110 | Loss | -163 | 11 h 29 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Cavs won on the back of their defense, holding the Warriors to 36.2% shooting from the field. Golden State went 16-for-41 from deep but was outscored 58-24 in the paint. Furthermore, the Warriors missed ten of their 30 free-throw attempts, and they should improve in front of the home audience. The Cavs’ interior defense is one of the best in the NBA. But they struggle to defend the 3-point line and own the eighth-worst defensive rebound percentage (74.5%). The Warriors should’ve learned the lesson. They need to speed things up and force the Cavs to run up and down the floor. |
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11-10-23 | Lakers v. Suns -155 | 122-119 | Loss | -155 | 10 h 60 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Devin Booker will probably miss his fourth straight game due to an injury, but I’m still backing the Suns even if Anthony Davis suits up for the Lakers. Phoenix blew a double-digit fourth-quarter lead in that five-point defeat at the Lakers in Week 1, playing without both Booker and Bradley Beal, and I’m expecting the Suns to get revenge in front of the home audience. The Lakers are 2-8 ATS in their last ten games overall, 1-6 ATS in their previous seven contests against the Western Conference, and 3-9 ATS in their last 12 tilts against the Suns. Phoenix is 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS in its last five home meetings with the Lakers. |
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11-09-23 | Hawks -153 v. Magic | 120-119 | Win | 100 | 6 h 16 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Both teams come in off losses in their previous game and one has to wonder if the altitude of Mexico City will take a toll on them. If that is the case, Atlanta has the healthier rotation to work with as Orlando is without Carter Jr. while a trio of other contributors are questionable here. The Hawks are an explosive offensive team while Orlando has relied on defense to have success in the early going. This seems like one of those games where Murray and Young lead the way for Atlanta. The Hawks have eight guys averaging in double figures and with the Magic banged up, they don’t have the weapons offensively to keep up in this contest. |
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11-08-23 | Lakers -145 v. Rockets | 94-128 | Loss | -145 | 8 h 10 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Dillon Brooks told the media that he is ready to lock down LeBron James. Last time Brooks tried these mind games the Lakers sent Brooks' Grizzlies home from the playoffs, and the Grizzlies were so upset they said they would not take Brooks back under any circumstance. LeBron may not say it publicly, but he feeds off this stuff. LeBron is highly motivated to be recognized as the best player of all time, and goes hard whenever he is challenged. This is also a tough spot to catch the Lakers, they are healthy, on a two-game losing streak, and believe they got robbed in the last game by the refs. Referees are human, do not be surprised if they over-correct here and send LeBron to the line 16-20 times. The Rockets are not a deep team, they get barely any production outside of their starting lineup, and they gave everything they had to beat Sacramento twice. The Lakers are the better team analytically, their offensive and defensive efficiency ranks much higher than Houston's and they just poked the bear with the LeBron comments. |
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11-06-23 | Kings v. Rockets +2 | 97-122 | Win | 100 | 7 h 1 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 units Sacramento was a force last season as they won the Pacific Division title while their run and gun offense was a force. This season, they have had their struggles shooting the ball, entering Sunday fourth-worst in the league in field goal percentage as a team. Without Fox, it puts a lot of pressure on Mitchell to try and step up to be a facilitator. Houston has looked good in their last two games, wins over Charlotte and Sacramento, and look to make it three straight wins at home. This Rockets team won’t be the same pushover they have been in recent seasons. If Fox was playing, the Kings would be the easy call here but without him, Sacramento muddles their way through. Take the Rockets at home in this one. |
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11-06-23 | Celtics -138 v. Wolves | 109-114 | Loss | -138 | 5 h 49 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The league leaders in offensive rating will be visiting the leaders in defensive rating tonight as the Boston Celtics visit the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Celtics offense has been outstanding as they are averaging 126.4 points per game, nearly 4 more than the next best side. They also rank 3rd in 3-point shooting percentage, and that ability to attack from the outside is what will cause the Timberwolves the most issues here. With Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford both being effective shooters, it should help pull Rudy Gobert away from the basket, opening driving lanes. The hosts are also bottom of the NBA in 3-point percentage themselves. It has left them making close to 6 fewer 3-pointers per game than the Celtics, and that will be tough to overcome. The addition of Porzingis has turned the Celtics into a force on the defensive end too. The rim protection he provides has left them allowing fewer paint points to opponents than the Timberwolves currently do. With the visitors also in the top 10 in the league in fast break points per game, they should have success pushing the tempo and beating the hosts rim protectors down the floor. It looks like it could be a long night for the Timberwolves defense, so back the Celtics to cover the relatively small spread. |
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11-05-23 | Grizzlies v. Blazers +2.5 | 112-100 | Loss | -108 | 12 h 56 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Trailblazers have won three straight games. They don’t have a high-scoring offense, but they played better offensively during their winning streak, averaging 108 points per game. They’ve taken advantage of their chances at the charity stripe, making over 80 percent of their free throws. Their rebounding has been good and they’re aggressive on the offensive glass, which will give them more scoring chances. The Grizzlies were one of the best defensive teams in the league last season, but they haven’t looked good so far, and they’re giving up more than 120 points per game on the road, so expect them to have a hard time slowing down the Trailblazers in this game. The Grizzlies have lost six straight games and three straight road games. They have struggled offensively on the road where they are scoring less than 110 points per game. They also struggled at the charity stripe and barely made over 70 percent of their free throws in their last three games. They don’t rebound the ball as well as the Trailblazers and they’ve been careless with the ball, turning it over more than 15 times per game, which will lead to easy-scoring opportunities for the Trailblazers, who are averaging more than nine steals per game in their last three games. With the Blazers holding opponents under 105 points per game in their last three games, expect them to keep Memphis’ offense in check. Go with Portland to win outright. |
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11-04-23 | Bulls v. Nuggets -8.5 | 101-123 | Win | 100 | 12 h 8 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Both teams are playing the second game of a back-to-back situation here and their third game in four nights so fatigue could be a factor. Obviously, you’ll have to keep an eye out to see if any of the star players on either side sit out, which would obviously change the dynamic. With that said, the Nuggets are the defending champions and they have one of, if not the, top player in the league with Jokic. Denver is stingy defensively, extremely efficient on the offensive end of the floor and they have the better talent to work with compared to Chicago. We’ve seen the Bulls struggle to shoot the ball with any consistency this season. Look for the Nuggets to prevail at home for this contest. |
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11-03-23 | Mavs +7 v. Nuggets | 114-125 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 4 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units I'll gladly take Dallas to cover, with Denver coming off a blowout loss and dealing with injuries to stars Murray and Jokic! The Mavs have the third-highest schedule-adjusted offensive rating, including the fourth-highest effective field goal percentage (58.2%). They have been especially dominant in the paint (67.7 rim FG%) and from three-point range (41.0%). I expect Doncic (33.8 PPG, 10.5 RPG, and 9.8 APG) to have another monster game, leading the Mavs to an easy cover against the Nuggets. |
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11-02-23 | Magic v. Jazz +1.5 | 115-113 | Loss | -107 | 6 h 5 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Jazz will be rested and ready to go despite playing the second game of a back-to-back tonight. They will also challenge the Magic's preference for a slower-paced game won in the paint by spacing the floor and forcing Orlando to defend well outside the paint. Orlando is playing the fourth and final game of this trip and is 1-2 thus far, losing each of the last two contests. Orlando's defense has progressively gotten worse on the trip highlighted by the 118 points allowed against the Clippers. The Jazz were able to defeat the Clippers earlier this season because of their ability to match the scoring of LA from long range. Expect the Jazz to stretch the floor and keep the Magic off balance on Thursday night to pick up the home win. |
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11-01-23 | Bulls v. Mavs -185 | 105-114 | Win | 100 | 8 h 42 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Both teams could be without key players, as Irving and LaVine are questionable to play. That said, even without Kyrie, I believe the Mavs have the talent to cover at home. This season, Dallas is seventh in schedule-adjusted offensive rating, fourth in effective field goal percentage, ninth in rim FG%, and fourth in three-point shooting percentage. That is partially due to the great start by Doncic, who is averaging 39.0 points on 55.6 percent shooting, including 48.6 percent shooting from three. The 24-year-old is also leading the team in rebounds (11.7) and assists (9.7). The team is also benefiting from solid contributions by Tim Hardaway Jr. (19.0 PPG), who should fill in just fine if Irving can't suit up. Chicago is a pretty good team, but it's likely to struggle without its leading scorer, LaVine (24.5 PPG). Even with the veteran shooter, the Bulls are dead last in effective field goal percentage (46.5%), 24th in rim FG% (57.8%), 25th in mid-range FG% (35.7%), and 26th in three-point FG% (29.4%). That won't be easy to fix on the road, even if LaVine can play. |
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10-30-23 | Jazz v. Nuggets -8 | 102-110 | Push | 0 | 13 h 32 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Even playing for the second straight day, whereas the Jazz are rested, home-court advantage should neutralize that aspect. Then, it's simply a question of whether or not the Jazz defense can stop Denver's offense. The answer based on what has transpired this season is an emphatic no. The Nuggets offense, currently the best in adjusted offensive rating, won't struggle to score at all against Utah. Scoring won't come as easy for the Jazz, who won't get many good looks from deep against Denver. A 4-0 start comes easily for the Nuggets. |
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10-29-23 | Spurs v. Clippers -8.5 | 83-123 | Win | 100 | 11 h 35 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Spurs have been turning the ball over a lot thus far. Also, their defense has struggled a lot, so I’m backing the Clippers to bounce back from a tough loss in Salt Lake City. Los Angeles should play better defense in front of the home audience and take full advantage of the Spurs’ D. San Antonio has allowed a staggering 132 points in the paint through its first two outings in 2023-24, and the Spurs will struggle to contain the Clippers’ drives to the hoop. The Clippers went 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS against the Spurs last regular season. San Antonio has only covered once in its last four road games against the Clippers, who trounced the Spurs 138-100 in their previous encounter at Crypto.com Arena. |
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10-28-23 | Jazz +5.5 v. Suns | 104-126 | Loss | -105 | 9 h 30 m | Show | |
I'm going to assume that Booker misses this game, because there's no reason to play him with an injury that could linger and needs rest. In that case, Durant will have to score 40 in this one and while he might, his supporting cast is very weak without Booker and Beal. Markkanen, in a lot of ways, is a poor man's Durant, in the way he can score at that size and Collins gives them another capable big man scorer. That sizeable frontcourt will be difficult to defend for the smaller Suns. |
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10-27-23 | Nets v. Mavs -6 | 120-125 | Loss | -108 | 12 h 45 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Dallas has more weapons and has their identity figured out early in the season, while Brooklyn doesn't. The Maverick's backcourt of Doncic and Irving can be relied upon to score at least 40 points per night. Both guards have the ability to penetrate and draw the defense in, and that is why the front office surrounded the team with shooters. Williams, Kleber, Hardaway Jr. and Green all hit multiple threes in the opener. This creates more spacing and synergy in the offense. The Nets cannot rely on Cam Thomas to score 36 every night. Clearly, that is not the plan, but what is Brooklyn's identity? Ben Simmons no longer plays like an All-Star, and it has yet to be seen if Mikal Bridges can truly carry an NBA team as the top player on the squad. Dallas outrebounded the taller San Antonio in the opener, and can dominate inside here as well. Take the Mavericks as the better team in this early-season matchup. |
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10-26-23 | Suns +6 v. Lakers | 95-100 | Win | 100 | 10 h 28 m | Show | |
The Suns came out and took down the Warriors in game one on the road despite not having Beal available. While Beal's availability is still in question, the Suns should have enough fire to take down the Lakers. The Lakers will be a work in progress over the first part of the season. They have to adjust to James' playing time limitations and a roster full of new players. The loss of Jarred Vanderbilt to start the season is important to the Lakers' rotation. With Vanderbilt out, Prince has been put in a starting spot which weakens what could be a deep Lakers' bench. The Suns showed their own depth in the opener with 16 points off the bench from Gordon. Gordon will be a stalwart for the Suns' second unit and allow the team to thrive when either Durant or Booker is off the floor. The Suns also showed more toughness in the opener with Nurkic now at center. He earned a double-double on Tuesday night and helped to create space for Durant in the post. Word to the wise, jump on this line quickly. If Beal is cleared, this line will drop closer to one or two points. |
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10-25-23 | Mavs -160 v. Spurs | 126-119 | Win | 100 | 11 h 22 m | Show | |
Dallas is far from perfect, but they're a team that can score on anyone. Their two stars are playing, which will stress the rest of a Spurs roster that was the NBA's worst defensive outfit a year ago. The Mavs have won seven of the last eight meetings (four straight in San Antonio) and with a small spread, take them to win again |
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06-12-23 | Heat v. Nuggets -8.5 | 89-94 | Loss | -115 | 10 h 29 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The spread is pretty wide here, but after the last two games, where the Nuggets won by double digits on the road, I think it is warranted. The Nuggets came into this series as a heavy favorite and just a flat out better team. Miami has been overachieving all season and Erik Spoelstra h as been making the right adjustments, outcoaching everyone is his wake. But he met his match with Malone, who has been one step ahead of the Heat. First he used the Nugget's size to his advantage, and then when Miami adjusted, they went outside and punished them from three. The Nuggets also shut down the role players that killed the Celtics and let Butler and Adebayo do their thing. A championship is so close they can taste it, and they will take care of business in front of the home crowd. Take the Nuggets to cover. |
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06-09-23 | Nuggets -159 v. Heat | 108-95 | Win | 100 | 8 h 48 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Nuggets have dominated this series and they show no signs of slowing down in this one. Jokic remains the most dominant player on the planet and with Miami having no answers on either end for him, he's the perfect player for a road team to play through. Will Murray's absence is a slight concern, the Nuggets have been able to find plenty of scoring throughout the roster. The Heat continue to be cold from three-point range, especially front their backcourt, which won't serve them well in this one. Miami's offense has been brutal through the first three games and there's no doubt that Denver will run away with the game four win. Additionally, according to covers.com, Denver is 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall and are 4-0 ATS in their last four road games. On the other hand, the Heat are 0-5 ATS in their last five games following a double-digit loss at home. |
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06-04-23 | Heat +8.5 v. Nuggets | 111-108 | Win | 100 | 11 h 42 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Expect Erik Spoelstra to go back to the zone he used in most of the Boston series and that will help slow down the Nuggets. That defensive gimmick will help a lot more in Game 2 when the Heat have their legs back since they have Friday and Saturday off. There's no doubt that going seven games against Boston had an effect on their performance on Thursday along with the altitude. Strus, Caleb Martin and Robinson combined for 2-for-23 in Game 1 and all three will bounce back in Game 2. Martin has been terrific in the postseason, averaging 13.5 points and shooting 44% from beyond the arc. But the biggest factor is Butler getting a couple of days off to rest his ankle and he will be looking to get to the line a lot more in this game. The Heat will push the Nuggets to the limit in Game 2 and will shoot a lot more than two free throws. |
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05-29-23 | Heat v. Celtics -7 | 103-84 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 27 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units I'm usually not about chalk and big numbers in this situation, but Miami just had one of the most heartbreaking losses in the history of the NBA playoffs. Not to mention that they nearly won a game where Butler and Adebayo's jump shots were M.I.A. Butler's performance has regressed in the last two games where he's starting to show some fatigue. He's getting no lift on his jumpers and drives and it shows where Boston had blocked his shot 10 times in this series. Boston has also found a way to slow down Adebayo with the length of Robert Williams and the experience of Al Horford. Martin, Max Strus, Vincent and Duncan Robinson are not enough to defeat a more athletic Boston team even without Malcolm Brogdon. Tatum will go bonkers at home in Game 7. |
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05-27-23 | Celtics -140 v. Heat | 104-103 | Win | 100 | 9 h 13 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units With the series starting to trend back in Boston's direction, there's no doubt that the Celtics will be able to force a game seven. Beyond the depth advantages, this is a team that has shown playoff success on the road this postseason. For Miami, being without Vincent would be a massive issue, especially considering how strong he is on both ends. The last few games have seen Boston finding success again from three-point range and if that continues in this one, the Heat won't stand a chance. Additionally, Miami is 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight-up loss for more than 10 points. For Boston, they are 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings with the Heat in Miami. |
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05-22-23 | Nuggets v. Lakers -150 | 113-111 | Loss | -150 | 8 h 32 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units This series is over, for all intents and purposes, but I just can't see the Lakers getting swept. Veterans like James and Davis are too proud to let themselves get swept in front of Jack and the rest of their home crowd. The Nuggets are just a better team, and have been all season, and they'll make this interesting, but the Lakers will pull this one out down the stretch. The Nuggets are just 2-5 against the spread in the last 7 meetings in Los Angeles. But look for a gentleman's sweep and for this thing to end in game 5 back in Denver. |
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05-21-23 | Celtics v. Heat +3.5 | 102-128 | Win | 100 | 11 h 19 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Celtics are inexplicably three-point favorites in this one. What does Miami have to do to get some respect? I just don't see how you can favor the Celtics in this one, given that the Heat have not lost at home so far in the playoffs. The Celtics are the higher seed and the more talented team, but I have no confidence in their ability to close out a game in crunch time, especially against this Heat team, which has come up big time after time. The Celtics are 0-4 against the spread in their last 4 meetings versus the Heat. The Celtics could possibly win this but it would be only by a bucket late. Take the Heat getting the points. |
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05-19-23 | Heat +9 v. Celtics | 111-105 | Win | 100 | 23 h 60 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units I picked the Heat to cover in game 1 but I honestly did not expect them to actually win the game. Now they are 9 point underdogs and again, that feels like a lot. While I fully expect the Celtics to win in this game -- they have to or they are pretty much done. But Miami is not the type of team you blow out -- and 9 points is a lot. I just can't see the Celtics winning by double digits here. Miami won't shoot 52% from three again but they will play good enough defense and make enough big shots to keep this game close down the stretch. The Celtics will survive, but the Heat will cover. Take Miami getting the points. |
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05-17-23 | Heat +8 v. Celtics | 123-116 | Win | 100 | 14 h 41 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units For the third time in four years, the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics are squaring off in the Eastern Conference finals. Miami won the first go around in 2020 while the Celtics took care of business last year. Boston has had a tendency to play loose at home in the playoffs, and coming off that historic game 7 win, I see them having a letdown here. Miami will be rested and ready to go, looking to steal one here. In the four meeting between the two this year, three were decided by less than the spread for this game. This spread seems too big, so take the Heat here getting the points. |
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05-11-23 | Celtics -130 v. 76ers | 95-86 | Win | 100 | 6 h 35 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units In many sports, particularly the NBA, there has traditionally been a situation where a team has to get over that hump and beat their perennial rivals after many unsuccessful attempts in the past. All past champions have had to get over that hump, just go back over the years. For the Sixers, that hump has been the Celtics, which have owned them. Is this the series where they put that demon to rest? Maybe. But I just have to believe that the Celtics are too good and too proud to go out like that. Boston brings in Thursday and finds a way to win. Take Boston. |
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05-10-23 | Heat +3.5 v. Knicks | 103-112 | Loss | -110 | 4 h 48 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Heat have been beasts against the spread, going 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games overall. That includes all four games of this series. Also, the Heat are 13-5 ATS in the last 18 meetings in New York. Likewise, the Knicks are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest and 0-4 against the spread in their last 4 games overall. I have to stick with the battle-tested Heat in this one to continue their streak of ATS wins. They have been here before and know how to win on the road. Now, I actually think the Knicks find a way to pull this game out, but it will be a slim margin and the Heat will cover. Take Miami here. |
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05-09-23 | Suns v. Nuggets -5.5 | 102-118 | Win | 100 | 12 h 29 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Nuggets are primed to get back into the win column as they return home and there's little doubt that they'll return to their games one and two form. Denver has been dominant at home this season and considering how strong their depth has been in those home games, that is sure to be a massive advantage in this one. They won't let Booker and Durant continue to beat them and with little help beyond those two on Phoenix, keeping pace will be difficult for the Suns. Additionally, Denver is 6-1 ATS in their last seven home games and are 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings between these two teams. |
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05-09-23 | 76ers v. Celtics -7 | 115-103 | Loss | -110 | 5 h 19 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Celtics have largely outplayed the Sixers in this series, yet here we are, tied at 2 games apiece. The series shifts back to Boston and after a bitter, bitter defeat on Sunday afternoon in game 4, the Celtics will come out fired up and focused. They went from taking complete control of this series and having a chance to close it out to now facing a critical game where a loss would result in an elimination game in Philly. After losing game 5 at home to the Bucks in the second round last year, and needing to win games 6 and 7 to advance, I can't see history repeating itself here. Take the Celtics here. |
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05-08-23 | Warriors +3 v. Lakers | 101-104 | Push | 0 | 9 h 5 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Warriors might not win this game outright but they will find a way to be in it going into the final seconds. Curry continues to be elite but he'll find a way to get the supporting cast far more involved in this one. Steve Kerr did a great job after Davis' game-one dominance to make adjustments and there's no doubt that he'll be able to find a way to disrupt him again in game four. The supporting cast showed up for the Lakers in game three but given their own inconsistencies, it'll be expected to see a drop-off, especially with confidence high. Additionally, according to covers.com, the Warriors are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following an ATS loss and are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games following a straight-up loss. |
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05-08-23 | Knicks v. Heat -180 | 101-109 | Win | 100 | 6 h 28 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units This series is over, I believe. The Heat are just the better team right now and they have mostly dominated this series. The one game the Knicks won, it was home in a must-win game and they still barely won. I just don't see the Knicks being able to beat the Heat in Miami. The Knicks will keep it close because they play good defense and because this is another must-win game. But unlike Game 2 at Madison Square Garden, they won't be able to out Game 4 at the Kaseya Center in Miami. |
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05-07-23 | Celtics -135 v. 76ers | 115-116 | Loss | -135 | 7 h 47 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Celtics lost focus in game 1 in a game they thought they were going to win easily. We saw a different, more focused team in games 2 and 3. The fact of the matter is, the Celtics are the superior team. They tend to get upset at home because they lose focus, but on the road, as we have seen the past few years, they really lock in and get focused and a focused Celtics team is hard to beat. This will be another close game but I like the Celtics to execute down the stretch as they just have too many weapons that can hurt you with a big shot. Take the Celtics. |
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05-06-23 | Knicks v. Heat -172 | 86-105 | Win | 100 | 6 h 39 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The best players on both of these teams are listed as questionable, so, obviously, if one or both, are out, that could change things dramatically. But I'm going to assume both Brunson and Butler play. and they are going to be close to full strength. That said, I have to give the Heat the advantage here. This will be a close game, as both teams play excellent defense and tend to keep games close. But, given that the Heat almost won in NYC without Butler, I like them to take care of business in their first game at home. Take the Heat. |
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05-05-23 | Nuggets +4.5 v. Suns | 114-121 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 50 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Denver might be hitting the road but they have a great chance to make it a 3-0 series lead and will at least keep it close in this one. They have far too much depth for Phoenix to run away with the game, even at home. Jokic and Murray continue to be one of the best duos in the league and their ability to dictate the game and generate efficient offense, will keep them within a possession without a doubt. Expect the offensive and defensive glass to be key as well, especially considering how strong the Nuggets have looked in that department. Additionally, according to covers.com, the Nuggets are 8-1 ATS in their last nine Friday games and are 5-1 ATS in their last six games following a straight-up win. The Suns, on the other hand, are 0-4 ATS in their last four conference semifinals and are 0-5 ATS in their last five meetings against Denver. |
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05-04-23 | Lakers v. Warriors -5.5 | 100-127 | Win | 100 | 11 h 55 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The idea of the Lakers winning two in a row in such a short time frame, at the Chase Center, doesn't add up, as the Warriors will come away with the win to even the series. The Lakers had a great gameplan in using Lebron in unique ways but the Warriors now have that tape and there's no doubt that the defense will be better prepared. The frontcourt mismatch was expected to land in the Lakers' favor but with the way Looney has been playing, there's no doubt both teams have the ability to hit the offensive and defensive glass. Expect Golden State's depth to be too much for LA in this one. Additionally, according to covers.com, the Lakers are 1-5 ATS in their last six Thursday games, while the Warriors are 5-1 ATS in their last six games following a straight-up loss. |
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05-02-23 | Lakers v. Warriors -180 | 117-112 | Loss | -180 | 13 h 45 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Golden State may only have one day off since their impressive win over the Kings but their ability to build off of that momentum will be crucial to them grabbing the win. Curry and Thompson have massive matchup advantages, while Looney has impressed over the last few weeks and casts some doubt over how much Davis might be able to dominate the frontcourt for the Lakers. This will be a close one but the perimeter shooting for Golden State will prove to be a massive difference in this one. Additionally, according to covers.com, the Warriors are 8-2 ATS in their last ten home games against a team with a losing road record. |
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05-02-23 | Heat v. Knicks -5.5 | 105-111 | Win | 100 | 4 h 57 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Jimmy Butler injury looms large and given how much he has met to this team, his absence would be too much to overcome for this team. The Heat have struggled on the road overall this season and grabbing a win for the second-straight night in Madison Square Garden will be asking too much. For the Knicks, they have a few injuries of their own that they're worrying about but with their scoring depth at hand, finding success on the offensive end will extend this game and make things difficult for Miami to keep pace. Additionally, according to covers.com, the Knicks are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following an ATS loss and are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings between the two sides. |
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05-01-23 | Suns v. Nuggets -175 | 87-97 | Win | 100 | 12 h 8 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Murray forged his playoff reputation in the 2020 Orlando bubble with multiple 50-point games to lead Denver to the Western Conference finals, and this postseason, his first since that run three years ago, he has again become the team's catalyst. He had 34 points -- including six 3-pointers -- to spark the Nuggets' relatively easy win on Saturday night. He has scored 34 or more points in half of Denver's six playoff games this year, taking a lot of the offensive burden off Jokic, who had to carry the team in two short playoff runs in each of the two previous postseason trips. While some might be surprised at how the Nuggets manhandled the Suns on Saturday night, Murray is not. The Suns also have to figure out a way to stop Murray. Contesting shots wasn't a problem in Game 1, so one strategy will be to deny him the ball as much as possible. The Nuggets have been stellar at home, posting a 34-7 record there during the regular season. |
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05-01-23 | 76ers v. Celtics -9 | 119-115 | Loss | -110 | 7 h 41 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Celtics will roll in Monday's matchup and with the advantages across the board, there's no doubt that they'll start this series strong. Being without Embiid is going to be too much for the 76ers to overcome, on both ends of the court. The 76ers will match the scoring to keep pace with Tatum and Brown, let alone one of the deepest backcourts in the league. Their frontcourt will also have the advantage against Paul Reed. Add in a road game and have to shake some rust off, and it makes sense that this one is determined to be a double-digit win for Boston. Additionally, according to covers.com, Boston is 7-0 ATS in their last seven games against a team with a winning straight-up record, are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 meetings against the 76ers in Boston, and is 5-0 ATS against the 76ers in the last five meetings. |
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04-30-23 | Heat v. Knicks -190 | 108-101 | Loss | -190 | 3 h 26 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units We’re looking at a Miami team that completely flipped the script based on the regular season. The Heat were dead last in scoring offense in the regular season but they lead the postseason field in that department heading into this game. Miami was devastating from beyond the arc against the Bucks but they are facing a Knicks team that turned back the clock defensively in the opening round. New York turned games into rock fights and slowed things down to a ridiculously snail-like pace. The Knicks held the Cavaliers to 44.2% shooting from the floor and 32.7% from three-point range in the opening round. Butler will need more help in this series if the Heat hope to advance. Give the advantage to the Knicks as they prevail in front of an amped-up crowd. |
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04-29-23 | Suns v. Nuggets -140 | 107-125 | Win | 100 | 11 h 22 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Phoenix was clicking on all cylinders offensively in the opening round against the Clippers but they may find a little stiffer challenge here against the Nuggets. The Suns were extremely proficient from the perimeter against LA but the Nuggets held Minnesota to 34.8% shooting from beyond the arc in the series. Booker was electric in the first round but he will have to step up and put those kinds of numbers up again. How the Suns defend Jokic and his versatility is going to be a critical factor in this series. Phoenix went 17-24 on the road this season in the regular season so their two road wins over the Clippers were a bit of a surprise. Meanwhile, Denver was 34-7 at home in the regular season and 3-0 in the postseason. The altitude is a major factor and that carries the Nuggets to a hard-fought win in Game 1. |
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04-28-23 | Grizzlies v. Lakers -200 | 85-125 | Win | 100 | 11 h 29 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Grizzlies had the second best record in the West while the Lakers needed a late run to even make the play-in tournament. Yet, it seems like most people are favoring the Lakers. Maybe they are right as the Lakers are up 3-2 and have a chance to close it out at home. I think, ultimately, they get it done here. I just cannot see James letting this series go back to Memphis with an opportunity to end it in LA. Also, the Grizzlies are 0-4 against the spread in the last 4 meetings in Los Angeles and 1-4 against the spread in their last 5 meetings with the Lakers overall. Take the Lakers here. |
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04-28-23 | Kings +7.5 v. Warriors | 118-99 | Win | 100 | 9 h 56 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units I just don't think the Kings are ready to go down, and they certainly won't go down without a fight. They showed that they can go toe to toe with the Warriors in the Chase Center, as they should have won game 4 but blew it late. That near miss will be top of mind Friday night. Of the five games played thus far, three of them have been decided by less than 7 points and another has been decided by 8 points. So these games have pretty much all been close, with all going down to the wire. Fox should be ready to go and I like the Kings to keep it close enough to cover. Take the Kings getting the points. |
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04-27-23 | Celtics v. Hawks +7 | 128-120 | Loss | -109 | 10 h 56 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Hawks are riding a wave of momentum from the game five win and even if they don't win game six, they have all the tools and confidence to take it to within one possession. Not only are they at home but they also welcome Murray into the fold as well, which will give them plenty of offensive options beyond just Young. The Celtics have been solid but with the frontcourt struggling, the Hawks have been able to dominate on the offensive and defensive glass, which is a trend bound to continue in this close one. Additionally, the Hawks are 4-0 ATS in their last four Thursday games. |
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04-26-23 | Heat v. Bucks -11.5 | 128-126 | Loss | -115 | 8 h 26 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units After Monday's disheartening and shocking loss, I fully expect to see an angry, focused Bucks team. They have no choice, because a loss ends their season -- and that would be embarrassing as they are the top seed and had the best record in the NBA. Giannis was great on Monday and that's a great sign. There is no way he lets his team lose at home. Middleton and Holiday were subpar and you can bet that Giannis will light a fire under them and they will bounce back with big games at home. This one has all the earmarks of a Milwaukee blowout, as Miami focuses on the game 6 closeout at home. Take the Bucks here giving up the points. |
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04-26-23 | Lakers +4.5 v. Grizzlies | 99-116 | Loss | -115 | 6 h 27 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Grizzlies might be at home but the Lakers have already shown that they can muster up a performance strong enough to win on the road. Add in Lebron and Anthony Davis dominating on both ends and it's asking far too much of the Grizzlies to match that expected output. Morant is elite but without a ton of help in the scoring department, it's difficult to see an avenue where they keep pace with the Lakers. Add in injuries to the frontcourt and it's clear they are missing that advantage on the offensive and defensive glass. Additionally, according to covers.com, the Lakers are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings between these two teams. |
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04-25-23 | Clippers v. Suns -12 | 130-136 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 15 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units What exactly do the Clippers have left to play for? With Kawhi Leonard out and Paul George still sidelined, LA doesn't have a fighter's chance of advancing. The motivation to keep the score respectable isn't there, even in a closeout game. Russell Westbrook's hustle will go unappreciated if he's asked to carry too much of the offensive load, which isn't his forte. Phoenix has been on its A-game since dropping game one, beating Los Angeles inside-out. In game four, the Suns scored 48 points in the paint and outrebounded the Clippers 49-33 with 14 offensive rebounds. They also hit 9 of 22 shots from three (40.9%). While this is a large spread, I believe it's just. The Clippers, 5-23 ATS in their last 28 games playing on two days of rest, aren't suited for a battle in the valley on Tuesday. If this game's even close for more than a quarter, I'll be surprised. The Suns have the killer instinct required to put away a down and desperate Clippers team. |
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04-25-23 | Wolves +10 v. Nuggets | 109-112 | Win | 100 | 5 h 20 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Minnesota won't win this game but this series has shown that they'll at least be able to keep thing interesting and close in this game four showdown. The big men on Minnesota have had their way the last few games and their ability to improve this group's rebounding on both ends is sure to help. Anthony Edwards is the top scorer in this game and his ability to be explosive gives them another dimension towards keeping things close. Additionally, according to covers.com, the Timberwolves are 29-7 ATS in the last 33 meetings in Denver. |
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04-24-23 | Grizzlies v. Lakers -190 | 111-117 | Win | 100 | 12 h 15 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Lakers are excelling on defense in this series, anchored by Davis. Los Angeles is giving up only 106.0 points per 100 possessions to Memphis through three games, and the Lakers lead the playoffs with 8.7 blocked shots per game. The Lakers are also securing almost 73% of available defensive rebounds and yielding only 19.0 free throw attempts per game. Los Angeles is allowing 42.4% shooting from the field and 33.3% from 3-point range, and the Lakers have been operating at a high level on defense for an extended period. Los Angeles was a top-five defensive team in the NBA after the All-Star break, giving up only 1.11 points per possession, and the Lakers led the league in free throw prevention (20.8 attempts per game) during the regular season. In addition, the Lakers finished No. 2 in the NBA in 3-point defense (34.4%) in 2022-23, with top-10 marks in defensive rebound rate (72.3%) and field goal percentage allowed (46.9%) for the season. |
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04-23-23 | Nuggets v. Wolves +4 | 108-114 | Win | 100 | 11 h 6 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The big game for Denver was game 3 to essentially put the Timberwolves away. Since an 0-3 deficit is virtually a death knell for a team, Denver may take the foot off the gas a bit here while Minnesota will be focused on not being swept and getting at least one win. Make no mistake Denver will end this in 5 back in Denver, but Minnesota finds a way to win here at home on Sunday night. Also, the Timberwolves are 18-8 against the spread in their last 26 Sunday games. Take the Timberwolves here getting the points. |
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04-23-23 | Celtics -5.5 v. Hawks | 129-121 | Win | 100 | 9 h 42 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units This is a great opportunity to lean heavily on a Celtics team that has a huge talent edge over the Hawks. Boston spent far too much of game three trying to outscore the Hawks rather than dig in defensively. Atlanta dominated the glass against what appeared to be a disinterested Boston front line. Boston failed to record a blocked shot for the first time in the series and the league's fifth-best defensive unit allowed Atlanta to shoot 56%. Look for Boston to make the necessary adjustments in game four to gain back control against an Atlanta team that was given free rein to drive to the basket for easy buckets in game three. I expect to see a heavy dose of Celtics defense in game three and a comfortable Boston win. |
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04-22-23 | 76ers -125 v. Nets | 96-88 | Win | 100 | 4 h 33 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Nets blew their best opportunity to make a series of things as they had the 76ers on the ropes only to let it slip away. After all, Embiid was floundering, Harden was ejected and they led by six after three quarters before falling apart. That 11-1 game-ending run that Brooklyn gave up was the continuation of a trend that we saw all too often in the regular season from the Nets. Philadelphia showed their grit with their tough play down the stretch as Maxey willed them to rally down the stretch, scoring 10 of his points in the fourth quarter. That loss has to deflate the Nets a bit and it’s impossible to back a team that is 0-7 against their opponent this season. Give this one to the 76ers as they close out the series and advance to the second round. |
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04-21-23 | Nuggets -130 v. Wolves | 120-111 | Win | 100 | 10 h 43 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Nuggets have won three straight games and four of their last five games against the Timberwolves. They are playing well offensively, scoring more than 113 points per game in their last three games while making 50 percent of their shots. They rebounded the ball aggressively during that span and averaged more than 11 offensive boards per game, so expect them to get a lot of extra-scoring opportunities. The Timberwolves have struggled defensively this season and they’re giving up more than 114 points per game at home, so expect them to have a hard time slowing down the Nuggets in this game. The Timberwolves have lost three of their last four games. They struggled offensively during that stretch, scoring less than 105 points per game. Their rebounding also dropped off, so don’t expect them to get a lot of extra-scoring opportunities against the Nuggets. They’ve also been careless with the ball at home, which will lead to easy-scoring opportunities for the Nuggets, who average more than seven steals per game. The Nuggets are playing very well defensively, holding opponents under 100 points per game in their last three games, and won’t have trouble keeping Minnesota’s offense in check. Go with Denver to cover the spread. |
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04-21-23 | Cavs v. Knicks -115 | 79-99 | Win | 100 | 11 h 48 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The New York Knicks are led by Tom Thibodeau, who has a career 26-37 playoff record. Although the record may not seem overly impressive, that's 63 games of playoff experience and eight appearances under his belt. On the other side, the playoffs are still relatively fresh territory for Cleveland Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff. Bickerstaff's only other head coaching playoff experience was in 2016, when his Houston Rockets lost to the Warriors in five games in the first round. Bickerstaff lost two play-in tournament games last season with the Cavs and overall is 0-3 in road playoff games in his career. Donovan Mitchell has playoff experience, but this will still be a tough spot for young Cavs teams entering Madison Square Garden. Cleveland was 3-13 straight up as a road underdog this season, and I don't see that translating over well in their first road playoff test here. |
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04-20-23 | Suns -150 v. Clippers | 129-124 | Win | 100 | 10 h 27 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Suns swept a pair of road games against the Clippers this season and they'll grab the win in this one as well. Injuries will be the difference between the two sides, especially as the Clippers continue to be without George. The Suns core continues to get more and more time together and considering they have two of the most electric scorers in the league at their disposal, that is likely to help them lead the way. Add in plenty of length on the perimeter and size in the frontcourt, and there isn't much reason to think that they can't dominate both ends. Additionally, according to covers.com, the Suns are 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings between the two in LA and are 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings overall. |
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04-20-23 | Kings +6 v. Warriors | 97-114 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 41 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Draymond Green just can't keep his emotions in check and that has cost the Warriors throughout his career, as he has been absent before from big games like this one because of his actions on the court. I think the Warriors will hold on here for the win, just because I have complete faith in Steph Curry to not let his team down. Plus, the Warriors are like night and day when playing at home and on the road. They are great at home and awful on the road. The home crowd here will push them to a win, but the scrappy Kings will cover. Take Sacramento getting the points. |
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04-19-23 | Heat v. Bucks -6 | 122-138 | Win | 100 | 14 h 9 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units With all eyes glued to the status of Giannis, it's actually the injury woes for Miami that will make this game fall in Milwaukee's favor. The Heat will be without their top perimeter threat in Herro and could be without one of their most experienced backcourt pieces in Lowry. For the Bucks, the supporting cast isn't going to be a shocked in Wednesday's showdown to have carry much more of workload, though if Giannis can go, that'll only increase their likelihood to win with ease anyway. The Bucks were one of the best teams in the league at home, while Miami was one of the worst road teams of the playoff teams, which will further ensure things swing back into Milwaukee's favor in this one. |
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04-18-23 | Knicks +6 v. Cavs | 90-107 | Loss | -110 | 3 h 5 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units With how New York has performed this season in this matchup, there's no reason to think that they won't at least keep things competitive in this one. Their balance in the frontcourt and backcourt is crucial, especially when compared to Cleveland's struggles last game. New York's depth seems to be an advantage but having to win two games in a row overall might be too much to ask. Expect the Knicks to focus on the defensive end and slowing the game down, which might not serve them well in the result but will allow them to stay right within striking distance as the game comes to a close. Additionally, according to covers.com, the Knicks are 11-3-1 ATS in their last 15 games following an ATS win, while also sitting 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings with Cleveland overall and 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings in Cleveland. |
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04-18-23 | Hawks v. Celtics -10 | 106-119 | Win | 100 | 10 h 45 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Until they got sloppy in the second half, the Celtics' offense was able to get whatever they wanted. Brown and Tatum's drives to the basket went unchallenged and the Celtics consistently found themselves with open looks from long range. Atlanta's inability to consistently shoot the three will ultimately do them in against a Celtics team that shoots the 3pt shot at the second-highest rate in the NBA. The Hawks, for their part, shoot the highest percentage of two-point shots in the NBA. Unfortunately for Atlanta, Boston's Al Horford, and Rob Williams III consistently met players at the rim and altered their shots on Saturday. The pair combined for three of Boston's seven shot blocks in the game. Look for Boston to establish both Brown and Tatum going to the basket, which will again open up their shooting from long range. |
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04-17-23 | Nets v. 76ers -10 | 84-96 | Win | 100 | 6 h 24 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Nets simply don't have the star power to keep up with this 76ers team, especially not on the road. They have some fantastic players, but nobody on that team is going to take over a game the way that Joel Embiid or James Harden can. Playing on the road against a 76ers team that's superb at home, the Nets don't stand a chance. We've seen them fall to Philly five times already between the regular season and game one, and this game should go the same way. The 76ers control the game and take a 2-0 lead in the series. |
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04-16-23 | Wolves v. Nuggets -7.5 | 80-109 | Win | 100 | 13 h 0 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Minnesota has at least sharpened their edge as they have played twice since the end of the regular season. That is a double-edged sword as it has helped keep the rust off but it has added extra wear and tear to key players in the rotation. Denver was on cruise control over the final month or so of the season as they held the advantage for both the Northwest Division and the top spot in the Western Conference. That gave the Nuggets the ability to rest some of their key players, like two-time reigning MVP Jokic, and prepare for the postseason run. Denver was a sparkling 34-7 at home this season while the Timberwolves were 20-21 as the road team on the year. Give the Nuggets the upper hand in this contest as the rest factor works in their favor. |
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04-16-23 | Heat v. Bucks -9 | 130-117 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 44 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units It will be interesting to see how the Heat chooses to defend Antetonkoumnpo. They could defend him with Adebayo but that might force the team's best rebounder to the bench with foul trouble. Butler, arguably the Heat's best defender, doesn't have the length to cover the Greek Freak and I'm not sure Spoelstra will want to wear out his best offensive player by covering Antetonkoumnpo all night. With that in mind, I like the Bucks to dominate the first game. Milwaukee exposed the Heat's other defenders this season on the perimeter, nailing over 18 3pt field goals per matchup. Miami will adjust but that adjustment will likely come after a substantial game-one loss. This will be the first time all season that the Heat will face the Bucks at full strength and the combination of Antetonkoumnpo and Middleton will be too much for them. Don't discount the ability of Holiday to take his man in the paint for easy buckets as well. Beyond Adebayo and Butler, the Heat do not possess quality man-to-man defenders. |
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04-15-23 | Warriors v. Kings -110 | 123-126 | Win | 100 | 10 h 5 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units This game is basically a pick 'em, with the Kings installed as only a 1 point favorite. So, I really can't see the Kings, who have not been in the playoffs since 2006, not winning this first game. The fans, not having had a playoff game in their building in 17 years, will be raucous, particularly since it is against their biggest rival, the Warriors. They will like nothing more than to see the Kings "light the beam" on top of the Golden 1 Center. These teams know each other, so there won't be any surprises, and they play similar styles, so I have to go with the home team. Take the Kings to cover the spread. |
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04-15-23 | Hawks v. Celtics -9.5 | 99-112 | Win | 100 | 5 h 54 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Celtics provide several difficult matchups for a Hawks' team that struggles against athletic wings. Both Tatum and Brown will be able to get what they want both going to the rim and on the perimeter and that will force the Hawks to send help to both matchups. This will create tons of good looks from long range for a Celtics team that has thrived on the 3pt shot. The Celtics averaged over 22 3pt field goals per game against Atlanta this season, shooting over 46%, which indicates the Hawks' difficulty with keeping up with the Celtics' inside-out offense. Young will get his points in this series but Boston is one of the few teams in the NBA that can match up multiple players, Marcus Smart and White, to make him work for those points. Murray was not as effective against the Celtics this year thanks to Boston's length at the wing position. Williams III can neutralize Capella on the glass as well and the Hawks simply don't have the depth to match Boston. |
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04-09-23 | Clippers -12.5 v. Suns | 119-114 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 20 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units This one is an absolute no brainer. As it stands right now, the Suns look like they are going to rest all of their star players - Durant, Paul, Booker and Ayton. So, expect a lot of big minutes from bench players. The Clippers should be playing everyone, because they will need this to lock down a top 6 seed in the West and avoid the play-in. The Lakers and Warriors are both playing at the same time. There is some question as to whether teams will avoid the fifth seed to avoid the Suns, but no one wants to be 7th either. I love the Clippers here. Take the Clippers to win and cover. |
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04-08-23 | Blazers v. Clippers -16.5 | 125-136 | Loss | -110 | 14 h 31 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Los Angeles has covered the spread in six straight home games against Portland, and I do not expect that trend to end on Saturday afternoon. The Trail Blazers enter this game with no motivation, as they are resting almost all of their key players and are already eliminated from playoff contention. Los Angeles is as motivated as any team in the NBA, as it needs a win to avoid the play-in tournament. The Clippers have won 11 of the last 12 meetings between these teams and should continue their dominance on Saturday. Portland has only picked up one win in its last eight games and is not playing competitive basketball without Lillard. |
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04-08-23 | Nuggets v. Jazz +6.5 | 114-118 | Win | 100 | 13 h 2 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Throw out all the stats and trends for this game, because you are going to see two teams playing deep bench players. It will basically be like a summer league game. So, any trends I might be able to dig up would not be relevant as they don't pertain to the players who are going to be out on the court for this one. So, I'm going to defer here to the home team. The Jazz are in front of their home fans, the ones that show up for this meaningless game, that is, and that should be enough to push them to a win. Take the Jazz here to win and cover. |
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04-07-23 | Bulls v. Mavs -8.5 | 115-112 | Loss | -110 | 6 h 55 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units I don't love backing the Mavs, but it's now or never for them. With Dallas still competing for a play-in spot and the Bulls' postseason hopes already decided, the Mavericks have a strong advantage. Expect to see the Bulls give a lot of minutes and opportunities to players outside of their big three. I expect Chicago to play hard, but they have dropped two straight games by double-digits, and with Dallas' season on the line, I expect them to pull away for a big win. |
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04-07-23 | Raptors +1 v. Celtics | 102-121 | Loss | -110 | 5 h 58 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Only one of the two teams in this matchup has anything to gain from a win. Toronto will trot out their regular lineup in this one while I expect the Celtics to rest more than at least one of their key players. Toronto has a lot to gain by potentially catching the Hawks in the standings. The Raptors are just 14-26 on the road this season but a far more respectable 26-14 at home. Look for Toronto to control the pace and take advantage of a depleted Celtics roster. |
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04-06-23 | Thunder -6.5 v. Jazz | 114-98 | Win | 100 | 9 h 12 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Both teams have struggled of late and that is why we enter the final days of the season with one team fighting to hang on for the final playoff spot in the West and the other fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive. Injury issues and the trades that Utah made at the deadline may have bolstered their chances for the future but made things tougher for making the postseason. Oklahoma City is at as close to full strength as they have been in the last couple of months here and they have to be motivated. The Thunder took the last two meetings between the teams last month, both at home: they make it three straight and eliminate the Jazz from playoff contention, with a win here. |
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04-06-23 | Heat v. 76ers -145 | 129-101 | Loss | -145 | 8 h 35 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Philadelphia has been excellent at home of late, winning five of its last six games. The 76ers have gone 29-11 in their 40 home games overall this season, and Miami has only covered the spread once in its last six road games. The Heat have not been in their best form overall, covering the spread once in their last five contests. They are on the road for the second straight game and do not have the firepower to keep pace with Philadelphia. That was on full display when these teams met last month, as the 76ers rolled to a 119-96 win. |
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04-04-23 | Nuggets -9 v. Rockets | 103-124 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 42 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Nuggets have won five of their last seven games and two of their last three road games. They are playing well offensively, scoring more than 112 points per game on the road. They do a good job finding the open man and they were very aggressive on the offensive glass in their last three games, which will give them more scoring chances. They also cut back on their turnovers in their last three games and won’t give the Rockets a lot of easy-scoring opportunities. The Rockets aren’t very good defensively and gave up more than 120 points per game in their last three games, so expect them to have a hard time slowing down the Nuggets in this game. The Rockets have lost eight of their last nine games and three of their last four home games. They are playing well offensively, scoring more than 114 points per game in their last three games. Their ball movement isn’t very good, but they’ve been attacking the offensive glass relentlessly in recent games, so expect them to get extra-scoring chances. They have been very careless with the ball, even at home, which will lead to easy-scoring opportunities for the Nuggets, who averaged more than eight steals per game in their last three games. The Nuggets are playing very well defensively, holding their last three opponents under 107 points per game, and won’t have trouble keeping Houston’s offense in check. Go with Denver to cover the spread. |
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04-04-23 | Celtics +2 v. 76ers | 101-103 | Push | 0 | 29 h 55 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Boston Celtics take on Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers in Eastern Conference play today. The 76ers are 8-6 against the rest of their division. Philadelphia averages 115.1 points while outscoring opponents by 4.5 points per game. The Celtics are 9-4 in division play. Boston is second in the Eastern Conference with 35.6 defensive rebounds per game led by Jayson Tatum averaging 7.8. The teams meet for the fourth time this season. The Celtics won 110-107 in the last matchup on Feb. 26. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 26 points, and Embiid led the 76ers with 41 points. |
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04-02-23 | 76ers v. Bucks -5 | 104-117 | Win | 100 | 10 h 34 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Milwaukee lost to Boston on Thursday, but that may be good news for Bucks fans, as this team has not lost back-to-back games since January 12-14. They have been consistently the best team in the NBA over the last 10 weeks, and that is bad news for a 76ers team that enters this game as losers of their last three games on the road. The Milwaukee defense has been struggling of late, but they are averaging 124.8 points per game over their last five, and Philadelphia simply does not take enough shots to take advantage of the defensive lapses of the Bucks. Philadelphia has won the last two meetings between these teams, including earning a three-point victory over Milwaukee on March 4. Look for the Bucks to get a little revenge. |
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04-02-23 | Lakers -11 v. Rockets | 134-109 | Win | 100 | 9 h 49 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Los Angeles is currently 7th in the Western Conference playoff standings and would take part in the play-in part of the postseason but is within 1 ½ games of sixth place which would mean they would not have to take part in the play-in. At the same time, Los Angeles is only 1 ½ games in front of the 10th and final spot for postseason qualification in the West. Therefore, the Lakers have far more incentive to win than Houston, which has been eliminated from playoff contention and is last in the Western Conference. Houston's offense and defense has struggled all season as the Rockets are next to last in scoring and second from last in points allowed. Los Angeles has covered the spread in four of its last five, while Houston has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five. |
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04-01-23 | Mavs +1.5 v. Heat | 122-129 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 23 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Miami is not in jeopardy of missing the playoffs, like Dallas is, and has several key injury designations heading into this pivotal matchup. Three Heat players, Nikola Jovic (back), Kyle Lowry (knee), and Bam Adebayo (hip), are hurt and questionable to play. Only Frank Ntilikina (knee) is questionable to play for Dallas. The betting trends also suggest the Mavericks are the team to have faith in. The Heat are 1-6 ATS in their last seven home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400 and 2-10 ATS in their last 12 games playing on two days' rest. Taking all of this into account, including Dallas' dominant showing versus Miami earlier this season, I'll bet on the Mavs. |
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03-31-23 | Nuggets +9.5 v. Suns | 93-100 | Win | 100 | 12 h 31 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Thursday’s games have been excluded from the analysis, and the 51-24 Denver Nuggets hosted the New Orleans Pelicans, searching for their fifth consecutive victory. Over their previous four showings, the Nuggets have beaten the Brooklyn Nets 108-102, Washington Wizards 118-104, Milwaukee Bucks 129-106, and Philadelphia 76ers 116-111. Last Monday, Nikola Jokic posted a triple-double of 25 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists to lift his team over the 76ers, who missed both Joel Embiid and James Harden. The Nuggets shot 50.6% from the field and posted a terrific 34/12 assist-to-turnover ratio. |
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03-31-23 | Hawks v. Nets | 107-124 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 9 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Atlanta Hawks have won two of their last three games including a home win against the Cavaliers on Tuesday. The Brooklyn Nets have been hit or miss recently. They have dropped six of their last eight games including disappointing losses against the Kings and Magic. They only covered twice in that eight-game span. The Hawks continue to dazzle offensively, averaging a remarkable 127 points in their last five games. Atlanta is hot from three-point range where they have connected on 38.6% of their threes in their last three games. This is key as the Nets give up plenty of threes, ranking 25th in the NBA in three-point defense. The Nets have not been reliable at home, going 1-4 in their last five home games, covering just once. |