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Orlando at Charlotte +3.5 (O/U 225) 7:00pm ET
The Magic came off a night where defense was the furthest thing from their minds, then again they played Milwaukee who looks like a well chiseled machine right now. Previous to this game, their defense was holding teams to 46% shooting, on 102 points a game in their L3.
Now we have the Hornets who have turned into under machines as of recently, going under in 5 straight, 6 of 7 and 11 of 13. With an average margin of 15.6 in their L6 unders. Going forward they will have to do it without their triple/double star Lamelo Ball, who is out for the season with an ankle injury. Then we have Terry Rozier, who just came back from injury and has not been at his best, shooting under 33% since his return. Ironically their defense has turned it on, giving up an average of 105 points per game in their L5.
This Magic squad has the ability to go ice cold from the field at any time more than any other team in this league. The Hornets held the Magic to 44% shooting in their 3 match-ups this season already. As well, the Magic have shot 44%, and 31% from three in their L5. Speaking of unders, the Magic have been on a run of their own. Going under in 8 of 10, with an average margin of 16.3 in those contests.
Under 225 (DraftKings -110) 1 unit
Utah at Oklahoma City -1 (O/U 231) 8:00pm ET
The Jazz are off a back to back vs San Antonio where they split and didn’t exactly seem like they wanted to be there. Scoring a season low 94 points and committing 20 turnovers, vs a 16 win SA team, not good. You could say the Jazz have owned the Thunder as of recently, winning their last 8 match-ups in the series. Tonight will feature a game without its stars. Shai has been out of the L4 games with an abdominal injury, with the Thunder going win-less without him while trying to find their identity. Now the Jazz will be without Jordan Clarkson for a 2nd straight game, who as I’ve said in the past, drains a lot of 3’s, but also commits a lot of turnovers. Averaging 5.5 TO’s in his L4 games, as well as shooting 4/17 from downtown in his L3. Coach Hardy was not pleased with the sloppy play vs SA, and hopes his team can get back to basics. Doing it without Clarkson, could be a blessing in disguise.
The Jazz may have not played many away games recently(14 of 20 at home), but went 3-0-1 ATS on their previous road trip. They are also 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 away. They have enjoyed playing the underdog role, currently 19-8-1 ATS this season as dogs. Now they may only be small dogs tonight, but still considered the inferior team non-the-less.
With no Shai playing, I’m not sure the Thunder will be able to keep up with the Jazz offensively. This is a great spot to back the Jazz, they’re 10-4 ATS off a loss when going on the road, and will be a small UNIT UPGRADE for me.
Jazz +1 (FanDuel -110) 1.25 units
LA Clippers at Sacramento -8 (O/U 240) 10:00pm ET
The Los Angeles Clippers are in flames right now, losing 4 straight since the break. Westbrook is still trying to find his role, as well as all the newbies. This is the same Clipper team at one time that was considered title contenders and some still do have that opinion. Now they are on a back to back, still on the road, Kawai sitting for ‘rest’ and the media dissecting every part of their game, specifically Paul George and all the Westbrook trends(14 straight losses as a starter). Now they play the team where all this mess started, Sacramento. An OT loss of 176-175, with tons of chances for the Clippers to leave LA with a victory.
Sacramento is 3-0 ATS vs the Clippers this season, but this is a whole new squad to prepare for. Westbrook, Plumlee, Gordon, Bones and more minutes from the reserves. Particularly tonight where they could be short handed and will have to gel together as a unit to beat the Kings.
The Kings are 4-0 ATS and SU since the All-Star break, beating OKC twice with no Shai as of recently, the OT extravaganza vs the Clippers and a Blazer squad who chose to sit most of their starters that night. The Kings ‘got by’ the Shai-less Thunder and struggled mightily vs Portland’s second unit. Feasting on bad teams is their specialty, going 20-11 ATS vs teams under .500, opposed to 12-15-1 vs teams above .500. Heading home off a win hasn’t fared too well at the Golden 1 Center, going 6-9-1 ATS.
The Kings rank dead last in their L5 defensively, giving up 30 assists and 128 points per game. Now they have to face a hungry Clipper squad with a chip on its shoulder. Give me the 8 points!
Clippers +8 (Barstool -107) 2 units
Let’s head March in the right direction and crush this Friday slate!
