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We have a solid NBA slate tonight with 8 games on tap, I hope all of my readers are as excited as I am to get back in the full swing of things with the pros! Don’t fret, I will still have some NCAAB plays going forward. I mean we were 12-4, +7.87 units and Unit Upgrades going 3-0! How could I not?
New York at Washington -1.5 (O/U 227.5) 7:00pm Eastern Start
The Knicks in my opinion are one of the hottest teams in basketball right now, winners of 5 of 6 and 6 of 8. If you have read any of my articles, you know I’m high on them going forward. They have truly come together recently utilizing all of the talent they have. Specifically Brunson, scoring 28 points or more in his last four and averaging 31.5 points per game in his last 10. Randle has benefited with tons of open looks, shooting almost 48% from the field in his last 7 games.
Now Washington is one of the hottest offenses in the NBA, shooting 54.8% in their last 5. Winning 4 of those 5 games, but against who? Minnesota, Portland, Golden State, Indiana and Charlotte, 5 squads that don’t exactly play a lot of defense. Only two being playoff teams. The Knicks rank 4th in turnovers offensively, and Washington does not cause too many. So if the Wizards have any trouble shooting tonight, I’m not sure they can keep up with Brunson and company.
The Knicks are 6-3 ATS as short priced dogs, 19-10 ATS away and 9-5 ATS vs teams under .500. So let’s take the Knicks on the road tonight!
Knicks +1.5 (PointsBet -110) 0.75 unit
Charlotte at Minnesota -7 (O/U 240.5) 8:00pm Eastern Start
I see plenty of information pointing towards the over here, since Charlotte has gone small trading away Mason Plumlee to the Clippers they have averaged 122 points a game. Shooting a tremendous 53% in their last two from the field, while scoring 120 and 144 points. Tonight looks like they will get back Terry Rozier which will boost their outside shooting. They have used their speed to their advantage and ability to shoot the rock at a high %. Tonight they face a T’Wolves defense giving up 51.4% shooting, as well as 38.8% from 3 in their last five.
As far as Minnesota’s offense they can score and they can score FAST. With each team ranking in the top 5 as far as pace, and both teams with a high assist rate averaging over 27 and 28 assists per game in their last 5. I can see baskets scored in bunches here.
The T’Wolves have shown in the past, they tend to slow down late in the game and with the total being over 240. I’m taking the over in the first half, where lets be honest Charlotte is awful defensively. Minnesota has gone over in the 1st half 6 of their past 8 games. So let’s see some points here early!
1H: Over 123 (FanDuel -110) 1 unit
Brooklyn at Chicago -2 (O/U 222.5) 8:00pm Eastern Start
The Bulls are in absolute shreds right now, this is a team trending in the wrong direction and moving fairly quickly. Losers of 6 in a row, as well as covering in NONE of them. The answer, getting Patrick Beverley!? Huh? Sorry I don’t believe this is the answer for them going forward, and the more I hear Beverley talking to the media, the more I want to bet against them.
Ironically the Nets played 10 of 12 at home going into the week break, with their away games at New York and Boston. Travel much? These guys are well rested and poised to make a post All-Star break run. Yes I have said in the past they’re going in the wrong direction, again I was wrong! And have no trouble admitting it. Brooklyn’s new full squad of players have much more talent then I had realized, they may be 1-2 as a team in those games, but they have most definitely impressed me. Coach Vaughn harps defense, ranking in the top 10 or even top 5 in quite a few categories in their last five games. Except, turnovers. Which he said numerous times in a recent press conference, that will improve. I think it will be a joy watching these guys gel moving forward and it all starts at the United Center tonight, with a UNIT UPGRADE!
Nets +2 (DraftKings -105) 1.25 units
Nets ML +110 (DraftKings) 0.75 unit
For anyone tailing, good luck and lets keep building this bankroll!
