I was 3-0 yesterday and it feels good! As a best practice, make sure you look back at this article later in the day for any injury or “rest” updates, since that seems to be the only way we’re losing wagers in the association. Onto Thursday’s picks!
Rockets win (+110), 1.5 units: Okay this is a great spot to play on the Rockets, for real this time. Houston heads into this contest losers of 3 straight while their foe, the slow-starting Miami Heat, are marching in as winners of 3 straight. The absence of Christian Wood has caused some derision as the Rockets have been one of the worst defenses in the NBA for the past week. Overall they’re still a top 5 squad. Frustrated with recent play, their defense is due for significant positive regression. Losses against the Spurs, Hornets and Pelicans can’t be taken too seriously anyway, since all of those teams have been on fire recently and one of the Rockets’ stars have sat in each of those contests. John Wall is still nursing an ankle injury but he’s probable tonight. Other scoring stars Eric Gordon and Victor Oladipo will play, too. The Heat come in full of injuries of their own, including Avery Bradley, Goran Dragic, Gabe Vincent and Maurice Harkless. I expect the Eastern Conference champs to figure it out eventually, but this is a much better spot for the Rockets to get off the schneid. I want to bet more on this game, but John Wall’s shaky ankle makes me a little conservative. Either way, I think Houston escapes the victor Thursday night.
Celtics -3 (-115), 2 units: This line is going up on Boston and I agree with the move. The Raptors aren’t the same team that Boston whipped in early January, climbing their way back to the 5th spot in the Eastern Conference after a shaky start. Make no mistake about it, Toronto could very well play spoiler come playoff time. That being said, the Celtics are in a fantastic get-right spot tonight. I love to wager on a team when a star player calls their teammates out, especially on a team like the Celtics where no one player has an ego too big. Jaylen Brown vocalized his disappointment after the Celtics were thrashed by Utah Tuesday night. Lately every team is getting punked by the Jazz and the Celtics were on the fifth and final leg of their west-coast road trip, so I’m a little less worried. But Jaylen, who’s having a career year averaging nearly 27 ppg, has the leverage and leadership guile to galvanize this team. Jaylen’s knee still isn’t 100% and that’s something to watch, but I don’t think it’s anything that a little “treatment” can’t solve at this point. The Celtics, who are back at home and need a win, are not a team I’d bet against tonight. Boston wins by 9.
Pacers -3 (-110), 1.5 units: How about them Pistons huh?! Who would have thought it would be the Pistons who humble the star-filled, hyper-emotional Nets two nights ago? Certainly not me, (just ask my bankroll) but let’s not get ahead of ourselves about Detroit. Heading into that game no one thought they’d have a chance, especially after losing Derrick Rose and talks of tanking circulating the franchise. That can motivate any team and these are still pro-players. The Pistons love to play over their heads when overlooked, but tonight they’re running into a desperate, motivated team who certainly won’t take them lightly. The Pacers have lost 4 straight but look who they’ve lost against: a vengeful Nets team, the red-hot Jazz and Pelicans, and the Eastern Conference-leading Bucks. Indiana has also seen regression in key players like Domantas Sabonis and Malcom Brogdon, both of whom have great matchups tonight. Sabonis thrives when he can be physically dominant and he should have no issue against a light-weight Pistons front court. Jerami Grant has been electric for Detroit and could be a difference-maker again, but I like a balanced attack to put Indiana back in the win column. Take the Pacers.
