NBA Premiums, 10.21

I think the wrong team is favored here. The Wizards aren’t all that bad but they got their first win against a team that’s likely in the Wembanyama sweepstakes and won’t have much interest or capability to win games this year in Indiana. If you look at the box score, nothing jumps out as overly impressive in the Wiz’s performance. The Bulls were impressive, on the other hand. They responded, on the road, in a comeback victory against the Heat. Their starters were responsible for 7 steals between the five of them, playing feisty defense and showing discipline in their assignments. The Bulls won 8 out of their last 10 and their last three in a row against Washington- take Chicago.

The Hornets and Pelicans were both top 3 in offensive efficiency and while I don’t expect much from the Nets’ defense, so that was hardly surprising for New Orleans, that’s a good sign for the Hornets. Even in a down year I’d expect the Spurs to be feisty in game one– didn’t happen. Charlotte has had more time without LaMelo Ball and scary Terry can run the offense well. They run at a fast pace and I think they’ll want to do that even more in their first game at home. I also like the matchup of both offenses; small quick guards on Charlotte vs. big rangy players on New Orleans– both should have offensive advantages. The Pelicans’ look like they could be a juggernaut this season and while I lean their way tomorrow night, I can’t take them at -6. That’s too much and too soon. I’ll go with the over.

I really like the Raptors and think they’ll be a problem for a lot of teams this season in the right spots, but the Nets are still superiorly talented and this is a great response spot for the Nets after that embarrassing opening loss. The Raptors gave it all they had in a comeback win and they’re no slouches, but Durant and Kyrie take over in this one.