Coming off a 1-1 split last night, I’m back today with 2 more NBA plays. If you’d like to receive a text whenever I release any plays, consider joining my Telegram group: https://t.me/fordhamsportsgambling. You can also follow me on Twitter: @FordhamGambling. Let’s get these 2 winners tonight and take some momentum into the weekend!
*NBA(1u): Bulls -2(-110) vs Clippers–7 PM CT
Paul George is back for the Clippers, and in his first game back, we saw LAC come back from 12 entering the 4Q and beat the Jazz. George is a key piece that instantly makes this Clippers team better, but it’s still only his second game back and first road game since returning. I don’t think PG is at the stage of his career anymore where he can single-handedly carry a team that has an otherwise mediocre roster. Chicago is back at home after a 5 game road trip; in their first game back home off a road trip of 3 games or more, the Bulls are 3-0 SU and ATS this season. They finished their recent road trip winning 2 out of 3, including a gritty 4 point win in Cleveland. Zach LaVine is not 100%, but I like Chicago even if he doesn’t play. Demar DeRozan is an elite scorer, and there are plenty of other talented role players in the Bulls’ backcourt that are chomping at the bit for an opportunity. Chicago’s defense has been a concern this season, but over their last 3 games, the Bulls rank 4th in the league in defensive efficiency. This is a role Chicago has excelled in this year, and I think the sentiment on this Clippers team is a bit too high early in George’s return. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Clippers start fast, but over the 48 minute game, I like Chicago to pull through.
*NBA(1u): Jazz -13(-110) vs Lakers–9 PM CT
I took a shot with the Lakers as double-digit ‘dogs the other night in their game against the Mavs and was proven wrong almost instantly. This team is garbage(especially with LeBron still out), and this is not the spot where they turn things around. Tonight marks the end of a stretch where the Lakers have had to play 7 of their last 8 games on the road, and they’ll face a Jazz team that has all the motivation in the world to win in large fashion tonight. Utah has lost both of their meetings with the Lakers this season(LeBron played in each) and just blew a double-digit lead on the road against the Clippers. While it’s been a brutal stretch for this team, they still rank 1st in offensive efficiency this season, have a superstar in Donovan Mitchell supplemented by solid veteran pieces, and could welcome back a key piece in Bojan Bogdanovich tonight. The Lakers have a home game tomorrow against the Pelicans(a revenge spot for LAL), so I wouldn’t imagine we get a great effort from them down the stretch of this game, especially when you consider that the effort hasn’t been there even in ideal spots(For context, the Lakers rank 29th in defensive efficiency in their last 3 games; you can’t convince me a lot of that is not driven by effort). I like the Jazz to show out tonight and win this game BIG against a Lakers team that has no pride.
