Kevin Porter Jr. is the reason the Rockets covered last night but that was still a bad beat. The kid looks good, though. Is there anything worse than a star player’s injury status updated just minutes before a game? Cough, Embiid. Cough, annoying. Onto my picks:
Nets -11 (-110), 1.5 units: I guess the Pistons have a chance here. At times Detroit plays with a fiery mentality that keeps them in or wins them games. The reality is, the Pistons are a bad basketball team that ranks in the bottom 3rd in defensive efficiency, plays at an insufferable pace, and only scores 107.8 ppg. The blitzkrieg offense that is the Brooklyn Nets, who lead the league in scoring and play at a top 10 pace, will overwhelm the Pistons on their home floor. I hate to put an asterisk on so many of these games but that’s the modern day NBA. I’m sure Kyrie and Harden will play tonight, there’s no signs they won’t, but if they sit this bet is off. Nets should win this in a blowout.
Blazers -5 (-105), 2 units and Blazers/T-Wolves over 234 (-110), 2 units: I’ve been waiting for a spot like this and now we have it. I’ll keep this short. Minnesota returns home after a great performance against the up and down Pelicans, a game where they literally couldn’t miss from beyond the arc. The Blazers are coming off a home loss to the elite Suns, though they very nearly got the W and led throughout the contest. I don’t care that Minnesota is at home- they’re a horrible defensive team and they play with pace- that feeds right into the Portland’s winning formula. Lillard, Gary Trent Jr., Kanter and Covington will have their way with the porous Minnesota defense. Oh and this total is way too low. Use this combo as a parlay or two separate bets, but I love both of these angles to hit. Portland rights the ship tonight and we see plenty of 60+ point quarters.
Nuggets win (-125), 1.5 units: I know Denver just played last night but this is a better spot than one might think and they’re clearly a better team than Dallas. The return of Paul Millsap back to their roster will only mean positive things moving forward. Coach Michael Malone will ease him back in – he only played 22 minutes last night – but Millsap is a significant aid on the defensive end and brings a lot of battle-tested experience to a young Denver lineup. Dallas is on the second leg of a short road trip but coming off a bad loss to OKC where they got caught feeling a little too fat and sassy. It’s the ongoing narrative of the modern day NBA; high emotions and trap spots. Denver won’t get trapped tonight. Jokic brings a calculated energy to his team and carries their younger stars when necessary. The favorite is at home and will get a nice break tomorrow after this game. Expect the Nuggets to keep their win streak going tonight.
