*NBA(1u): Heat/Knicks 1H UNDER 109(-110)–6:40 PM CT
This is each team’s first game back from the All-Star Break, so rust should be expected from both offenses. The Knicks haven’t been very efficient on that end of the floor to begin with this season, and while Miami has climbed into the Top 10 in offensive efficiency, I’m skeptical that we’ll see that hold through the rest of the season. In addition, these are two of the slowest paced teams in the league. Miami is borderline elite defensively, and I’m still holding out hope that Tom Thibodeaux gets his team playing better on that end of the floor like they did last year. I think each team struggles to find a rhythm in the 1H, defenses take over, and this one stays under the 1H total.
*NBA(1u): Pelicans 1H TT UNDER 54.5(-115) @ Suns–8:10 PM CT
This is the Pelicans first game back from the break, while the Suns got their feet wet with a 20-point win in OKC last night. While defenses tend to slip in the second leg of a back-to-back, I worry less about that given the Suns had a week off before last night’s game. Also, Phoenix just doesn’t take games off and rank 3rd overall in defense efficiency, so I’m more than willing to trust them here tonight. I know the Pelicans added CJ McCollum at the Deadline which has provided a spark to their offense, but I wouldn’t expect this team to come out clicking tonight. Additionally, New Orleans ranks 24th in pace and have actually begun moving slower since adding McCollum. I’ll trust the Suns defense in the first half facing off with a rusty and unreliable Pelicans bunch.
*NBA(1u): Lakers -1(-110) vs Clippers–9:10 PM CT
I was shocked to see that the public is on the Clippers in this one; you would think LeBron James would get the benefit of the doubt in a pick’em type of game, but it appears that the Lakers have fallen that far out of favor. Anthony Davis being out certainly hurts, and in no way am I saying the Lakers are destined for a deep playoff run. However, I don’t get the logic behind backing the Clippers in a pick’em type of game. This team can be feisty catching multiple possessions, but they are still without Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Norm Powell and sit below .500 right with the Lakers. I’m going to take a shot with LeBron here in a nationally-televised game he can certainly take over.
