*NBA(1u): Nets -4.5(-110) vs Bucks–6:40 PM CT
The Nets were eliminated by the Bucks in the Eastern Conference SemiFinals last season AND were blown out by them on the Opening Night of this season. Now, this sets up as a perfect double revenge spot for Brooklyn. Milwaukee is without Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, George Hill, Pat Connaughton, and Donte DiVinenzo for this game. Giannis should play, but he’s at less than 100% dealing with some sort of illness. Regardless, the Bucks are not set up well without 5 key role players in their backcourt; this is shown by their last 2 games, which included losses to the Pistons and Raptors. Kyrie Irving isn’t allowed to play in New York right now, but aside from his absence, the Nets are basically at full strength right now and have all the motivation in the world to step on the Bucks while they’re down.
*NBA(1u): Wizards +6(-110) @ Bulls–7:10 PM CT
These teams played on New Year’s Day, with the Bulls inching by with a 1 point win. The Bulls might be the #1 team in the East right now, but I have a hard time seeing them continuing to win at such a high rate over the rest of this season. While they have won 8 straight games, Chicago has shown signs of regression over their past 3 games; they beat the Pacers by just 2, this Wizards team by 1, and the Magic by just 4. While the Wizards aren’t great at winning by margin, I actually like them in this role as a clear underdog. The Wizards have that close loss from last week fresh on their minds, and I’d expect them to be neck-and-neck with Chicago throughout the course of this game.
