Well, shame on me for betting on the Lakers. If anyone watched that game, the 1st QTR screwed it for us. That was some of the worst offense I’ve ever seen, and Dallas was giving them wide-open shots from the beginning. Terrible stuff.
Onto the next.
NBA:
Hawks -2.5 (-110), to win 1.5 units
Picking the Hawks on the road is hard, but I love the way they fought back in their last game against a Bucks’ team that felt desperate for a win. Not an easy gig. I expect that chemistry and momentum to carry into tonight’s game against an inferior team– the Pacers’ defense will feel like butter compared to the Bucks’ crew– and the absence of Haliburton opens a wide-open opportunity for a Hawks cover and win. Buddy Hield can’t do it all on his own.
Knicks -4.5 (-110), to win 1 unit
This is right where I handicap the line but I’m still taking the Knicks, just for one unit. NYK is playing some of its best basketball right now– tops in the NBA on both offense and defense, and I really don’t think Kuzma and company can hold up against the melee of scorers NYK can bring night in and night out. Beal continues to sit and Kristaps Porzingis has a rib injury– night night DC.
Steph Curry over 26.5 points (-105), to win 1.5 units
Spurs TT under 117.5 (-110), to win 1 unit
This total for the Spurs is too high– they average a solid 5 points less than where the line sits now, and the Warriors have been playing much better defense lately. I know they’re on the road, but the home/road splits have to thin out eventually. We’re officially at the midway point of the season and it’s time for Golden State to take things more seriously. After Curry’s clumsy first start back, I think he goes OFF tonight against a Spurs’ squad that’s barely capable of stopping even an average offense.
Rockets/Kings over 236.5 (-110), to win 1.5 units
I could try to be cute and not bet on this, expecting some regression, but where are the signs that the Kings will slow down or that the pace/offense won’t be absolutely constant between these two teams? The Rockets just can’t stop anyone, and it’s an opportunity for Sacramento to work on the fluidity of their offense and get another easy win. Unless the Kings fall asleep at the wheel, this is another over.
CBB (10-9, +0.68 units):
Utah State ML (+110), to win 1.1 units
Utah State’s high-octane offense will be too much for the Wolfpack tonight. Nevada just lost their big man KJ Hymes, an integral part of their interior offense/defense, and that should help Utah State attack the rim. They’re also a way better 3 point shooting team. I’ll take the road dog with value for a straight up win.
