These damn NBA plays going 50% for like 4 fucking days in a row and it’s starting to piss me off. Onto another day, cuz that’s all we can do.
Bulls 1H ML (anything -120 or less), to win 1.5 units
The Nets are at home, complete with STOP ANTISEMITISM signs right by Kyrie as he plays, and this Nets team just still isn’t showing me much. They could have easily lost last night’s game to the Pacers, nearly letting them come back and really only outplaying them in the 1st quarter. The Bulls are a full 3 days of rest and even though they’ve sucked on the road for quite some time now (including a 20-24 record last season), I think they can win this contest. I’d just rather take them in the first half. Chicago is one of the best first half scoring teams in the NBA, averaging 60 points a game. We’ll go with Chicago early.
Warriors/Heat under 227 (-110), to win 1.5 units
The Heat’s pace drops even lower at home and it’s the same with Golden State on the road– they succumb to the other team’s tempo. The Heat are allowing teams to score too many points too often and after facing one fast-paced team after another, they’ll be looking to bring the clamps on defense and slow the Warriors’ pace in a revenge game. Miami hasn’t been great in areas where they’re usually sterling; things like defensive rebounds, defense in the paint, and creating turnovers. The Warriors players commented on how successfully they played defense in their matchup against Miami last Thursday and they’ll be comfortable again here today. If the Heat make the improvements we expect, we love the under.
Thunder -3 (-110), to win 1.5 units
The Thunder are doing a few things really well right now. They’re not turning the ball over, their ball-movement has been pristine, they’re creating second-chance opportunities, and they’re playing some pretty damn good defense (52.7% opponent effective FG %). The Magic are very hurt and in another tough road spot, while OKC stays home until this weekend. There’s a lot to like about the Thunder here. Go OKC!
