Just because MLB is back (and I’m loving it already) doesn’t mean we’ll lose our grasp on the ol’ association– I was 5-2 in my free plays last night, holding steady at my 58% win clip since February 1. Two entire months. Cheers to that and cheers to all of you who read my posts. Onto our Thursday picks!
Lean, Wizards -2.5 (-110): The Pistons are so hard to predict and probably have a better bench than the Wizards. They wouldn’t be a bad underdog play. That being said, the up and down Wiz-kids are as inconsistent as their stars and maybe this is the night, one day after getting blown out by Portland, where Westbrook puts the team on his back and carries them to another win. It’s not a recipe for long-term success but they can beat bad teams and they’re due Thursday. And at least they’re at home in DC. Can’t bet either side though– these are two bad teams.
Nets -2 (-110), 2 units: This is a rare opportunity to take the Nets at a short number against a mid-tier Eastern Conference team. Harden is out tonight, I realize that, but I think this could be a “breath of fresh air” game for Brooklyn. They’re at home again tonight and they’re performing a little under expectations. They’re not blowing teams out like they usually do (although they really should have covered last night after they finally started flexing in the fourth) and they’ve had key players in and out of the lineup. Although MVP-contender James Harden is out, we’ll see the debut of LeMarcus Aldridge. Aldridge is, in my opinion, a much bigger (literally) and much more integral addition to this Nets’ lineup. The Nets are obviously stellar on offense, arguably the best in the NBA, but their front court defense lacks toughness and doesn’t have a real veteran presence. Blake Griffin can celebrate that dunk all he wants but I don’t think he’s all that good anymore. He might add another weakness to their defense, to be honest. Aldridge, on the other hand, is still very good. Kyrie loves to be the team leader (or at least loves to believe he is) and he should thrive facilitating Aldridge in his first game with Brooklyn. Kyrie’s work with Lebron and Durant showcased how good he can work with a big.
The Hornets are better than a lot of people think. They’re 4th in the Eastern Conference standings and even without LaMelo Ball, they’re a dangerous, complete team that can hang with the elite. I know the Nets are on a back-to-back tonight but they’re still in a better spot at home and they get 3 days of rest after this game. The Hornets have to turn around tomorrow night and go to Indiana and then Boston on Sunday– that’s a pretty brutal road schedule. Situational and talent advantage goes to the Nets. Bet them with confidence.
Lean, Spurs win (-110): This is a straight up pick-em as two beat up non-conference teams face each other Thursday, one needing a win more than the other. Atlanta is near the end of a long, pain-staking road trip where they’ve dropped 4 out of 6. Tomorrow they end that trip at New Orleans– that won’t be easy. San Antonio is in the opposite boat. Right in the middle of an extremely long home-stand, the Spurs just got a great win last night against Sacramento after dropping their first contest to the Kings. Flexing on defense (and we hit the under because of it), the Spurs show a lot of grit and discipline in games where they’re motivated to win. I don’t know how motivated they’ll be tonight but I know they have to be more comfortable and focused than Atlanta. Advantage- Spurs.
Nuggets -2 (-110), 2 units: Denver is lookin’ scary since Aaron Gordon joined their lineup and I’m jumping on board. No doubt the Nuggets circled this game on their calendar. They lost their first matchup to LAC at the beginning of the season and lost it by margin. Jokic, Gordon, Murray, and a very healthy supporting cast have the Nuggets on a 3 game winning streak and they’ve now won 12 of their last 15 games. I said it a million times here and I’ll say it again– with a leader like Jokic and the talent they have in general, the Nuggets are a true contender this year for an NBA title. I’m not saying I favor them but I do think they’re every bit as good as the Clippers, Lakers, and Jazz when they’re motivated and playing as a unit. One thing I really like about Denver is how unselfish they are. Jokic is probably a big reason for that. The big-man from Serbia clearly doesn’t take himself all that seriously, (reminiscent in his wild celebratory jumps throughout the All-Star game, still laughing over that) even though he may be the most skilled center in the NBA. The Clippers come into tonight after a blazing finish to March where they won 6 games in a row before blowing their last contest against Orlando. They’re also very injured tonight. Beverly, George, Rondo, and Ibaka are all out and Morris isn’t 100%. I’m a big Kawhi fan but I think the Nuggets are playing too well and want this game too much. I love Denver tonight. PS– a parlay on the Nets/Nuggets, not a bad look.
