6* Heat/Lakers Game 6 *CA$H COW* on Miami +6 

The Key: The Miami Heat still haven’t made more 3-pointers than the Lakers in any game this series despite being the 2nd-best 3-point shooting team in the NBA.  And they’ve managed to hang tough despite the Lakers shooting better than they did all season in this series.  The Heat are just the definition of team basketball, which has allowed them to overcome the two superstars of the Lakers in LeBron James and Anthony Davis.  I’m banking on them continuing to overcome the odds again in Game 6 tonight.  And hopefully they can make more 3-pointers than the Lakers in one game this series, which would almost assuredly result in a cover and possible outright win.  Take Miami. 

7* Heat/Lakers Game 5 *HEAVY HITTER* on Miami +7.5

The Key: The Miami Heat just got back Bam Adebayo from injury.  They gave won Game 3 outright as 9-point dogs and gave the Lakers all they could handle in Game 4 in a 6-point loss.  And now they are catching 7.5-points in Game 5, which is too much.  The Lakers are not the better shooting team in this series, but they have somehow overcome the odds and outshot the Lakers from beyond the arc.  They have 59 made 3-pointers while the Heat only have 45 for the series.  You’d think that would even out as the series goes on.  Maybe this is finally the game where the Heat make more 3’s than they do.  Either way, they will fight scratch and claw for 4 quarters to try and stay alive, and that should be good enough to stay within the number tonight and possibly win outright.  Take Miami.

7* Heat/Lakers Game 4 *HEAVY HITTER* on Miami +7.5

The Key: The Miami Heat showed their resiliency by winning Game 3 outright as 9-point underdogs, 115-104.  Jimmy Butler had a 40-point triple double and willed this team to victory.  And now the Heat should be getting Bam Adebayo back from injury from Game 3. The Lakers made more 3-pointers than the Heat for a 3rd straight games, which was very unlikely when you consider the Heat are a great shooting team while the Lakers are a terrible one.  It’s now 45 to 34 the edge in 3-pointers made for the Lakers in this series.  Look for the Heat to narrow that gap in Game 4 tonight and come away with a cover and possibly another outright victory.  Take Miami.

7* Heat/Lakers Game 3 *HEAVY HITTER* on Miami +9.5

The Key: The Miami Heat will be laying it all on the line tonight.  This is a must-win after falling behind 0-2 in this series.  And this has been a resilient team all year as they have gone 23-8 ATS following a loss this season.  The Lakers have made 31 3-pointers in this series while the Heat have only made 22.  That’s really the difference in the series, and it has been a big upset thus far because the Heat are the way better shooting team when you look at their numbers compared to the Lakers coming into this series.  It will even back out tonight as the Heat have their best shooting game of the series.  Take Miami.

7* NBA Finals Game of the Year on Miami Heat +10

The Key: The Miami Heat are catching double-digits against the Lakers tonight and they shouldn’t be.  This is a huge game for them in this series.  And this is a 5.5-point adjustment from Game 1 where the Heat were +4.5 dogs to close.  I realize Adebayo and Dragic are unlikely to play, but the Heat have the depth to overcome it.  They can go small and give the Lakers some problems.  They are the best shooting team in the NBA from the 3-point line which is a big reason why they have made it this far.  But the Lakers won the 3-point line in Game 1, which is a huge upset.  The Lakers were 15-of-38 while the Heat were only 11-of-35.  Look for a role reversal here.  The Heat shoot 37.4% from 3 on the season and the Lakers only shoot 35% as one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the NBA.  The Heat are 35-15-2 ATS in their last 52 games off an ATS loss.  Take Miami.

7* Heat/Lakers Game 1 *HEAVY HITTER* on Miami +5

The Key: The Miami Heat are 12-3 SU & 12-3 ATS in the postseason.  They play great defense, have tremendous shooting, and have the go-to guy in Jimmy Butler to get it down down the stretch when the games are tight.  They match up well with the Lakers because they have guys who can handle Anthony Davis and LeBron James defensively.  And the Lakers just don’t have the depth outside those two superstars to match up with the Heat.  This line is way off in Game 1 tonight with the Heat catching 5 points.  Take Miami.

6* Celtics/Heat Game 6 *CA$H COW* on Miami +3.5

The Key: The Miami Heat are 11-3 SU & 11-3 ATS in the playoffs.  Every time they have lost they have bounced back with a win and cover.  They are a resilient team and realize they need to step on Boston’s throat after letting them win Game 5.  I think Jimmy Butler and company will rise to the occasion in Game 6 and close out this series.  The Celtics are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games off an ATS win.  The Heat are 25-8 ATS in their last 33 games off a SU loss.  The Heat are also 34-15-2 ATS in their last 51 games off an ATS loss.  Take Miami.

6* Nuggets/Lakers Game 5 *CA$H COW* on Denver +5

The Key: The Nuggets are 11-1 ATS in their last 12 playoff games when trailing in a series.  They came back from 3-1 deficits in the first 2 rounds of the playoffs this year.  And they certainly believe they can still come back and win this series after giving the Lakers all they wanted and more through the first 4 games.  Take Denver.

7* Heat/Celtics Game 5 *HEAVY HITTER* on Boston -3

The Key: The Boston Celtics have responded every time they’ve had some adversity.  They won Game 7 against the Raptors, and they won Game 3 after falling into an 0-2 hole to the Heat.  With their season on the line tonight they will respond again.  The Celtics are 23-9-1 ATS in their last 33 playoff games as a favorite.  Boston is 7-1-1 ATS in its last 9 games off an ATS loss.  The Celtics are 18-9 ATS off a SU loss this season.  The Celtics are 20-11 ATS when revenging a loss this year.  Take Boston.

7* Celtics/Heat Game 4 *HEAVY HITTER* on Miami +3

The Key: This game is likely to go down to the wire and it’s clear the Miami Heat are better in clutch moments in these playoffs.  So I’ll trust them here catching 3 points.  They had a chance to win late in Game 3 after taking the first 2 games of this series despite shooting terribly.  The Heat shot 38.8% in Game 3 compared to 48.2% for Boston.  There won’t be that big of a disparity again, and the Heat certainly won’t shoot as poorly as they did from the 3-point line, where they were 12-of-44 (27.3%).  The Heat are 10-2 SU & 10-2 ATS in the playoffs this year.  The Heat are 24-8 ATS in their last 32 games off a loss.  The Heat are 40-18 ATS in their last 58 games playing on 3 or more days rest.  Take Miami.

7* Nuggets/Lakers Game 3 *HEAVY HITTER* on Denver +6.5

The Key: The Denver Nuggets are very comfortable being down in a series.  They gave the Lakers all they could handle in Game 2 and probably should have won, but lost at the buzzer.  They’ll come back in Game 3 with their best effort of the series.  The Nuggets are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 playoff games when trailing in the series.  Take Denver.

6* Nuggets/Lakers Game 2 *Total* Annihilator on OVER 213.5

The Key: The OVER is 21-7-2 in the last 30 matchups in this series.  The OVER is 4-0 in the last 4 matchups with combined scores of 240, 245, 236 and 232 points.  This is about as easy as it gets after they combined for 240 in Game 1.  They might not score that many points, but they will score enough to top this very low 213.5-point total.  Take the OVER.

6* Celtics/Heat Game 3 *CA$H COW* on Boston -3

The Key: The Boston Celtics are in must-win mode here in Game 3.  They did themselves no favors in Game 2 by turning the ball over 20 times and lost 101-106 after blowing a big lead.  They also lost in overtime in Game 1, so this is a really close series.  I think the intensity level the Celtics play with compared to the Heat will be massive in this game.  Look for the Heat to relax just enough to allow the Celtics to win and cover this game.  Boston is 19-6 ATS when playing 4 or fewer games in 10 days this year.  The Celtics are 46-25 ATS in their last 71 games off 2 straight losses by 6 points or less.  Boston is 6-1-1 ATS in its last 7 games off an ATS loss.  The Celtics are 22-8-1 ATS in their last 31 playoff games as favorites.  Take Boston.

7* Nuggets/Lakers Game 1 *HEAVY HITTER* on Los Angeles -7

The Key: The Denver Nuggets are coming off their 2nd straight 7-game series.  They almost have to be running on fumes right now, at least for Game 1 of this series with the Lakers.  They did not respond well in Game 1 last series against the Clippers following a 7-game series against the Jazz.  They lost to the Clippers by 23 in Game 1.  I think the Lakers can put it on them early and pull away to a blowout victory as well.  The Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall with 4 straight wins over the Rockets by 8 points or more to close out last series.  Take Los Angeles.

6* Heat/Celtics Game 2 *CA$H COW* on Miami +2.5

The Key: The Miami Heat show no mercy.  They are 9-1 SU & 9-1 ATS in the playoffs this year.  They took the Bucks out in 5 games and really outplayed them even before Giannis got hurt, which is saying something because the Bucks were arguably the best team in the NBA.  And they came up clutch in Game 1 and won in OT.  It’s a Heat team playing with so much confidence right now that it’s just tough to bet against them.  And here they are again getting no respect from oddsmakers as 2.5-point dogs in Game 2.  They play great defense and have 3-point shooters everywhere, plus the best closer in Jimmy Butler.  Take Miami.

7* Nuggets/Clippers Game 7 *HEAVY HITTER* on UNDER 208.5

The Key: Game 7 UNDERS are one of the best bets in the NBA.  The pressure is huge for these Game 7’s, and they tend to be played at a snail’s pace because of it.  The Denver Nuggets have played 3 Game 7’s the past 2 seasons and we saw them combine for 176 points with the Spurs, 196 with the Blazers and 158 with the Jazz.  The UNDER is 5-0-2 in Nuggets last 7 games overall.  The UNDER is 5-0-2 in Clippers last 7 games overall.  Take the UNDER.

6* Clippers/Nuggets Game 6 *Total* Annihilator on UNDER 215

The Key: The Clippers and Nuggets combined for 181 points in Game 4 and 216 points in Game 5.  I expect this total to fall somewhere in the middle close to 200 combined points.  The Nuggets scored 38 points in the 4th quarter of their Game 5 comeback win that pushed that up to 216.  They just went off from the 3-point line.  That’s unlikely to happen again, and this will be a half court game.  Take the UNDER.

6* Rockets/Lakers Game 5 *CA$H COW* on Houston +6.5

The Key: We’re getting he best price we’ve gotten on Houston all series in Game 5 tonight as 6.5-point dogs.  That’s because they have failed to cover in each of their last 3 games against the Lakers, but it’s not like any of them were blowouts.  They lost all 3 by 10 points or fewer.  With their season on the line, expect a big performance from the Rockets in desperation mode in Game 5.  Houston is 15-5 ATS when playing with double revenge over the last 2 years.  Take Houston.

7* Celtics/Raptors Game 7 *HEAVY HITTER* on Boston -2.5

The Key: This series is tied 3-3, but it’s clear the Boston Celtics are the better team.  They have outscored the Raptors by a combined 43 points in their 3 wins, while the Raptors have only outscored the Celtics by a combined 11 points in their 3 victories.  So the Celtics have outscored the Raptors by a total of 32 points in this series, or by an average of 5.3 PPG.  I like the price on the Celtics here as only 2.5-point favorites in Game 7.  Boston is 8-1 ATS in road games off an upset loss as a favorite this year.  The Celtics are 12-2 ATS in road games off a loss this year.  The Celtics are 21-6-1 ATS in their last 28 playoff games as a favorite.  Take Boston.

7* NBA 2nd Round Total of the Year on Lakers/Rockets UNDER 219.5

The Key: We’ve seen all these playoff series get lower and lower scoring as they progress.  And this Lakers/Rockets series should be no different.  After combining for 226 points in Game 2, the Lakers and Rockets only combined for 214 points in Game 3.  And I see more of the same here in Game 4.  Houston is 21-11 UNDER off a loss this season.  Houston is 17-4 UNDER revenging a home loss over the last 2 years.  Take the UNDER.

7* NBA 2nd Round Game of the Year on Denver Nuggets +8

The Key: The Denver Nuggets won Game 2 outright as 8.5-point dogs and covered in Game 3 in a 6-point loss as 8.5-point dogs.  Oddsmakers just aren’t giving them the respect they deserve here on a neutral court as 8-point dogs again for Game 4.  This is a big game for the Nuggets to try and get back into this series and square it up at 2-2.  They will be the hungrier team and will be playing like it.  The Nuggets are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.  Denver is 11-4 ATS in its last 15 conference semifinals games.  Take Denver.

7* Heat/Bucks Game 5 *HEAVY HITTER* on Milwaukee +4

The Key: The Milwaukee Bucks went from being basically 5-point favorites in the first 3 games of this series to now underdogs.  They were 2.5-point dogs in Game 4 with the uncertainty surrounding Giannis.  He played and got off to a quick start before injuring his ankle again.  He didn’t play the entire 2nd half and the Bucks still won 118-115 (OT).  Now the Bucks are 4-point dogs in Game 5, basically a 9-point adjustment for likely being without Giannis, and I don’t agree with it.  The Bucks aren’t 9 points worse without him.  They actually can space the floor better because the Heat can’t sink in on Giannis like they have been doing.  Now the Heat have to play the Bucks more straight up because of all the great shooters on their team.  And the Heat have some injuries of their own that are flying under the radar as Herro, Crowder and Olynyk are all questionable to play tonight.  Giannis is also technically questionable and not officially out yet.  The Bucks will be playing with a ton of confidence tonight after pulling out Game 4 in OT and staying alive.  Take Milwaukee.

7* Celtics/Raptors Game 5 *HEAVY HITTER* on Boston -1.5

The Key: The Boston Celtics had a terrible shooting night in Game 4 and lost 93-100.  They made just 7 3-pointers compared to 17 for the Raptors.  Just shoot the ball a little better and they would have won that game.  That’s what I’m expecting to happen for them here in Game 5 as they grab back control of this series.  The Celtics are 27-12 ATS against teams with winning records this season and I trust head coach Brad Stevens to get them to respond today.  Take Boston.

7* Rockets/Lakers Game 2 *HEAVY HITTER* on Los Angeles -5.5

The Key: Rust has played a factor in the Lakers losing both Game 1’s in these playoffs.  They didn’t all play together in the bubble and it hurt them in their upset loss to the Blazers in Game 1 last round.  And having 6 days off prior to this series with Houston hurt them in Game 1.  The Lakers will be much sharper in Game 2 tonight and their massive advantages in this series will show through.  They actually got out rebounded by the Rockets in Game 1, which should never happen with their size.  They won’t let it happen again, and they can’t shoot it much worse than they did in Game 1.  Take Los Angeles.

7* Raptors/Celtics Game 4 *HEAVY HITTER* on Toronto +2

The Key: The Toronto Raptors went from being favorites in the first 3 games of this series to now 2-point dogs in Game 4.  I like this price we are getting on the Raptors who have to be feeling very confident after beating the Celtics at the buzzer in Game 3 to avoid an 0-3 hole.  The Raptors just need to shoot it better and they’ll get right back in this series, which seems like an easy fix.  Toronto is shooting just 28.3% from 3-point range in this series compared to 38.7% for Boston.  The Raptors are 26-11 ATS in their last 37 games after failing to cover 4 or 5 of their last 6 ATS.  The Raptors are 13-4 ATS in their last 17 games after failing to cover the spread in 3 or more consecutive games.  Take Toronto.

7* Bucks/Heat Game 3 *HEAVY HITTER* on Milwaukee -5

The Key: The Miami Heat should not be getting this much respect from the books.  They were 5-point dogs in Game 1 and 5.5-point dogs in Game 2 and won both outright to improve to 6-0 SU & 6-0 ATS in the playoffs.  But now they are back down to only 5-point dogs in Game 3, a game that the Milwaukee Bucks simply have to have.  Look for the Bucks to be the team playing with the sense of urgency here down 0-2 and for the Heat to have their worst performance of the series knowing that they have some breathing room.  I expect the Bucks to win this game with plenty of room to spare by double-digits.  Take Milwaukee.

7* Raptors/Celtics Game 3 *HEAVY HITTER* on Toronto -2

The Key: The Toronto Raptors have to win this game to get back in this series.  They are down 2-0 because Boston has shot lights out while Toronto couldn’t have been colder.  The Celtics are shooting 41.6% with 32 made 3’s in this series while the Raptors are shooting 26.3% with only 21 made 3’s.  It took an out of this world performance from Marcus Smart and his 5 3’s in the 4th quarter for the Celtics to win Game 2.  The Raptors will return the favor in Game 3 tonight.  Take Toronto.

7* Heat/Bucks Game 2 *HEAVY HITTER* on Milwaukee -5

The Key: The Milwaukee Bucks were at a huge disadvantage in Game 1 and I cashed in the Heat +5.5 because of it.  But I’m taking the Bucks in Game 1 tonight because that advantage no longer exists for the Heat.  The Heat had 7 days to get ready for the Bucks while the Bucks only had 1 day to get ready for the Heat.  But now the Bucks will be much more prepared here in Game 2 with another day of practice in between games to figure out the right strategy for the Heat.  The Bucks are 12-3 ATS in their last 15 off a loss by more than 10 points, and the Heat are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games off a win by more than 10 points.  Take Milwaukee.

7* Jazz/Nuggets Game 7 *HEAVY HITTER* on Denver ML -105

The Key: The Denver Nuggets have all the momentum now after storming back from a 3-1 deficit to win the last 2 games by double-digits.  Jamal Murray has been unstoppable, and will continue to be tonight.  The Nuggets won a Game 7 against the Spurs last year so they won’t shy from the pressure.  And all the pressure feels like it’s on the Jazz in this one.  And the Nuggets have Gary Harris back healthy now to give Donovan Mitchell another look defensively after Mitchell had torched the Nuggets before his return.  The Nuggets are 7-2 ATS in the last 9 matchups.  Take Denver on the Money Line.

7* Heat/Bucks Game 1 *HEAVY HITTER* on Miami +5.5

The Key: The Miami Heat went 2-0 against the Milwaukee Bucks during the regular season before the bubble.  They won 105-89 as 4.5-point home dogs and 131-126 as 11.5-point road dogs.  I’m willing to not count their 116-130 loss to the Bucks in the bubble as 10-point dogs because both Jimmy Butler and Goran Dragic sat out that game, and those are their two best players.  The Bucks let the Magic hang around the entire season despite a plethora of injuries for the Magic, including to their best player in Aaron Gordon, who didn’t play the entire series.  The Heat swept the Pacers and won all 4 games by at least 9 points each.  The Bucks have their hands full with the Heat starting with Game 1 of this series.  The Heat have had the last 6 days off to prepare for Milwaukee, while the Bucks only have one day to get ready for Miami after playing on Saturday.  Take Miami.

6* Nuggets/Jazz Game 6 *BAILOUT* on Denver +2.5

The Key: The Denver Nuggets came up clutch down 3-1 and won 117-107 in Game 5.  I think they take a lot of confidence from that effort and force a Game 7 with another win in Game 6 tonight.  The Jazz aren’t going to keep shooting this well throughout the playoffs as they have shot 50% or better throughout the playoffs.  Mike Malone will make some defensive adjustments as he’s had a few extra days to get his Nuggets ready for Game 6.  The Jazz are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games against a team with a winning record.  The Nuggets are 6-2 ATS in the last 8 matchups.  Take Denver.

7* NBA 1st Round Total of the Year on Magic/Bucks UNDER 225.5

The Key: The last 2 games in this series have seen 228 and 227 combined points after a 207-point output in Game 2.  The reason is simple.  Both the Magic and Bucks have shot lights out from 3-point range.  They have both shot at least 40% in each of the last 2 games with the Bucks 34-of-78 (43.6%) and the Magic 37-of-85 (43.5%).  I just cannot see this continuing, and as a result I love the UNDER 225.5 points in Game 5 today.  We just need a slight dip in 3-point shooting from one or both of these teams to cash this UNDER.  Take the UNDER.

7* Jazz/Nuggets Game 5 *HEAVY HITTER* on Denver +3

The Key: The Denver Nuggets are in a must-win tonight to keep their season alive.  They battled hard in Game 4 but came up 2 points short.  The Jazz shot nearly 58% as a team and attempted 23 more free throws than the Nuggets.  Only a slight improvement in both categories should have the Nuggets winning this game outright.  The Jazz are 4-16-2 ATS in their last 22 games as favorites.  Take Denver.

7* Pacers/Heat Game 4 *HEAVY HITTER* on Indiana +6

The Key: The Indiana Pacers are a prideful team that won’t just lay down and die for the Miami Heat.  The Pacers have been in every game this series with all 3 games decided by 12 points or fewer.  And I think we are getting them at their best price of the series here as +6 dogs in Game 4.  The Heat are 10-21 ATS after scoring 115 points or more this year.  The Pacers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games off a loss.  The Heat are 6-19-1 ATS in their last 26 games off a win.  Take Indiana.

6* Bucks/Magic Game 4 *Total* Annihilator on UNDER 225.5

The Key: The Bucks shot 56.1% in Game 3 and that game still only saw 228 combined points.  The Bucks won’t shoot that well again, and this game will stay UNDER the posted total of 225.5 as a result.  This is the pivotal game of the series where the Magic will either get back in it, or the Bucks will take control.  So expect the defensive intensity to be very high in this one on both sides.  The UNDER is 5-2-1 in the last 8 matchups.  Take the UNDER.

7* Celtics/76ers Game 4 *HEAVY HITTER* on Philadelphia +8

The Key: The Philadelphia 76ers are playing for their season today down 0-3 in this series.  They were competitive in Games 1 and 3 with a pair of 8-point losses.  And now they are 8-point dogs in Game 4 after not being more than 6-point dogs in any other game in this series thus far.  I like the price we are getting with them here.  The 76ers are 19-8 ATS in their last 27 games off 3 or more consecutive ATS losses.  Take Philadelphia.

6* Rockets/Thunder Game 3 *CA$H COW* on Oklahoma City +3.5

The Key: The Oklahoma City Thunder are in must-win mode in Game 3 after losing the first 2 games of this series to the Rockets.  They choked away Game 2 in the 2nd half and went ice cold from the field.  They scored 59 points in the 1st half but just 39 points after intermission.  Look for them to put it all together and for the Rockets to relax in Game 3 with a 2-0 lead.  Take Oklahoma City.

7* NBA 1st Round Game of the Year on Indiana Pacers +5

The Key: The Indiana Pacers are in must-win mode in Game 3 after dropping the first 2 games of this series.  They were competitive in the first two games but couldn’t get it done in the 2nd half.  They will put it all together in what is essentially a win or go home game for them.  And I also expect the Heat to relax just enough with a comfortable 2-0 lead to let the Pacers have their way today.  Take Indiana.

7* Mavericks/Clippers Game 2 *BAILOUT* on Los Angeles -5

The Key: The Los Angeles Clippers will respond Friday after getting embarrassed by the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2.  It’s a Clippers team that was missing a lot of pieces during the restart, so it’s no wonder they have opened this season a bit rusty.  Look for them to put it all together in Game 3 and take back control of this series.  The Clippers are 17-5 ATS off a loss this season.  Take Los Angeles.

7* Magic/Bucks Game 2 *HEAVY HITTER* on Milwaukee -12.5

The Key: The Milwaukee Bucks were embarrassed in Game 1 by the Orlando Magic, 110-122 as 13.5-point favorites.  Now they are shorter favorites in Game 2 and I think we see a role reversal here with the Bucks dominating from start to finish.  They’ll be playing with a sense of urgency today, something they did not do in Game 1.  Milwaukee is 14-3 ATS off an upset loss by 10 points or more as a favorite over the last 3 years.  They are coming back to win by 13 PPG on average in this situation.  The Magic are 4-12 ATS in their last 16 against a team with a winning record.  The Bucks are 31-14 ATS in their last 45 games off a SU loss.  Take Milwaukee.

7* Jazz/Nuggets Game 2 *HEAVY HITTER* on Utah +4

The Key: The Utah Jazz forced overtime in Game 1 despite shooting just 16 for 47 (34%) from 3 while Denver shot 22 for 41 (53.7%).  Look for the Jazz to pull the upset in Game 2 as the Nuggets don’t have an answer for Donovan Mitchell, who scored 57 points in the opener.  And I fully expect him to get more help from his role players in this one, especially from 3-point range.  The Jazz are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games as underdogs.  Take Utah.

7* Blazers/Lakers Game 1 *BAILOUT* on Portland +6.5

The Key: The Portland Trail Blazers just had a knack for playing in close games in the restart and that will continue in Game 1 tonight.  All 9 of their games were decided by 10 points or fewer, including 7 by 5 points or less.  They have an unstoppable offense that will challenge the Lakers, who are without 2 key defenders on the perimeter in Avery Bradley and Rajon Rondo.  They’re going to have a very hard time matching up with Lillard and McCollum.  The Lakers went 3-5 SU & 1-7 ATS in the restart, and I have a hard time believing they can just flip a switch here in Game 1.  It’s going to take them a few games to gel, while the Blazers have already gelled as a team with all of the meaningful games they’ve played thus far.  The Blazers are 16-2 ATS in their last 18 games off 3 straight wins by 6 points or less.  The Blazers are 46-22 ATS in the last 68 matchups.  Take Portland.

7* 76ers/Celtics Game 1 *HEAVY HITTER* on Boston -6

The Key: The Boston Celtics enter the playoffs fully healthy and ready to go for a title.  The same cannot be said for the 76ers, who lost Ben Simmons to a season-ending injury in the bubble and Joel Embiid is nursing a hand injury.  The Celtics will make easy work of the short-handed 76ers in Game 1 of this series tonight.  The Celtics are 10-1 ATS in road games off a loss this season.  Boston is 13-2 ATS when playing 4 or less games in 10 days this year.  Philadelphia is 6-22 ATS off 2 or more consecutive ATS wins over the last 2 years.  The 76ers are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games off a win by more than 10 points.  Take Boston.

7* Blazers/Grizzlies *Total* Annihilator on UNDER 232

The Key: There’s always more defense played in playoff games.  And given what’s at stake here for these teams with win or go home for Memphis, defense will be played at a high level.  The 1st meeting between these teams this season saw just 215 combined points.  The 2nd meeting did have 275 combined points, but that was in overtime.  I think we see a similar result to the first meeting given the situation.  Memphis is 18-5 UNDER vs. teams who score 110+ PPG in the 2nd half of the season this season.  Memphis is 12-1 UNDER in road games when playing 8 or more games in 14 days over the last 2 years.  Take the UNDER.

7* Blazers/Nets TNT *BAILOUT* on Brooklyn +10

The Key: The Portland Trail Blazers are getting too much respect from oddsmakers tonight.  They are 5-2 since the restart and on the verge of making the playoffs, but those 5 wins all came by 10 points or less.  In fact, all 7 of their games have been decided by 10 points or less thus far.  Brooklyn is playing too well right now to be catching this many points.  The Nets are 5-1 SU & 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.  Three of those wins came against playoff teams with upsets over Milwaukee as 19-point dogs, the Clippers as 9-point dogs and the Magic as 4.5-point dogs.  The Nets are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games playing on one days’ rest.  Take Brooklyn.

7* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Miami Heat -2

The Key: The situation is a much better one for the Miami Heat than it is for the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight.  The Heat are almost at full strength with the exception of Kendrick Nunn.  The Thunder are without Schroder and likely to be without Gilgeous-Alexander, Adams and Gallinari again tonight.  The Heat should be much bigger favorites given their advantage in the health department.  The Thunder are likely to not take any chances here with their injured players.  Take Miami.

7* Blazers/Mavs TNT *HEAVY HITTER* on Portland -4.5

The Key: The Portland Trail Blazers are in 9th place, but just a half-game ahead of both Phoenix and San Antonio.  Whoever finishes 8th and 9th will be in a playoff to be the 8th seed.  This game matters a lot more to Portland than it does Dallas, which all but appears locked into 7th.  And the Mavericks could be without both Doncic and Porzingis again tonight after both sat out last game for precautionary reasons.  The Blazers are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall and will continue their stellar play tonight as they make their push to make the playoffs.  Take Portland.

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Phoenix Suns -9.5

The Key: The Phoenix Suns are 6-0 SU & 6-0 ATS since the restart to pull within a half-game of the 9th spot in the West.  They are trying desperately to make the playoffs and are handling the pressure of the situation well.  The Philadelphia 76ers are looking to get healthy before the playoffs as that is their top priority right now.  They were already without Ben Simmons for the season, and now both Joel Embiid and Josh Richardson have been ruled out tonight.  Plus Al Horford and Tobias Harris are questionable with ankle injuries.  They are looking at essentially sitting their entire starting 5 for this one.  The 76ers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.  Take Phoenix.

6* Lakers/Nuggets Western Conference *BAILOUT* on Denver +5

The Key: The Los Angeles Lakers already have the top seed in the West and can’t be trusted to be laying points tonight.  They are 0-3 SU & 0-3 ATS in their last 3 games while losing those 3 games by a combined 40 points.  The Denver Nuggets have gone 3-1 SU & 3-1 ATS in their last 4 games and are getting healthier.  They have more incentive to play well than the Lakers do right now as the Nuggets are fighting for playoff positioning in the crowded West.  Take Denver.

7* Raptors/Bucks ESPN *HEAVY HITTER* on Toronto +7.5

The Key: The Toronto Raptors are 4-1 SU & 4-1 ATS since the restart and playing with a sense of urgency.  The Milwaukee Bucks already have the top seed in the East and are not playing with a sense of urgency at all.  The Bucks are just 2-3 SU & 1-3-1 ATS in their 5 games since the restart.  Take Toronto.

7* NBA Non-Conference *HEAVY HITTER* on Memphis Grizzlies +7

The Key: No analysis Sunday.

6* Lakers/Pacers TNT *CA$H COW* on Indiana +7

The Key: The Lakers have clinched the top seed in the West and don’t have anything to play for.  They are playing like it as they have gone 2-3 SU & 1-4 ATS since the restart with 2 straight blowout losses to OKC by 19 and Houston by 16.  They should not be 7-point favorites against the Pacers today.  Indiana is 3-1 SU & 3-1 ATS since the restart and trying to improve its seeding in the East.  The Lakers are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games when playing their 4th road game in 7 days.  Take Indiana.

7* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Denver Nuggets -1.5

The Key: The Utah Jazz will be playing for a second consecutive day after falling 111-119 to San Antonio yesterday.  And it’s unsure whether Donovan Mitchell, Mike Conley and Royce O’Neale will play today.  The Jazz are already without Bojan Bogdanovic and his 20 PPG.  They aren’t very deep and will struggle against the rested Nuggets, who had yesterday off.  The Jazz are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 0 days’ rest.  Take Denver.

7* NBA Non-Conference *HEAVY HITTER* on New Orleans Pelicans -7.5

The Key: The Pelicans are in must-win mode trying to make the playoffs in the West.  The Washington Wizards are 0-4 since the restart and won’t be making the playoffs.  They will find it hard to be motivated from here on out.  The Wizards have lost all 4 games by 8 points or more, and that’s all it will take for the Pelicans to cover this spread tonight.  Washington hasn’t even been competitive due to all of their injuries.  New Orleans is 12-3 ATS in road games off an upset loss as a favorite over the last 2 years.  The Wizards are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 games as underdogs.  The Pelicans are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games after yielding more than 125 points in their previous game.  Take New Orleans.

7* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Portland Trail Blazers -4

The Key: I like the situation for the Blazers tonight.  They are pushing to make the playoffs and playing every game like a must-win.  The Denver Nuggets are just playing for playoff positioning.  And the Nuggets will be playing for a 2nd consecutive day after a tough 132-126 win over San Antonio last night, while Portland had yesterday off.  Take Portland.

7* Nets/Celtics ESPN *BAILOUT* on Boston -8.5

The Key: The Brooklyn Nets just pulled off the biggest upset in NBA history with their 119-116 win over the Milwaukee Bucks as 19-point dogs.  The Nets are down to the last players on their bench, and the Bucks were sitting starters at crucial points in the game because they already have the No. 1 seed wrapped up.  The Nets will now be playing the second of a back-to-back, which is an even worse situation for them than most teams given how short-handed they are.  And it’s a letdown spot off such a big win.  The Celtics will be focused after starting 1-2 out of the break with losses to Milwaukee by 7 and Miami by 6.  They are playing for playoff positioning and want to keep a Top 3 seed so they can avoid Milwaukee in the 2nd round.  Boston is 9-1 ATS in road games off a loss this season.  Take Boston.

7* Rockets/Blazers TNT *BAILOUT* on Portland +4

The Key: The Portland Trail Blazers are 2 games behind the Grizzlies for the 8th seed in the West.  They need wins more than the Houston Rockets, who are simply playing for playoff positioning.  After 2 narrow wins by a combined 8 points in their last 2 games, the Rockets will run out of luck tonight.  The Blazers are 2-0 SU & 2-0 ATS against Houston in 2020 with a 10-point win as 8.5-point dogs and a 13-point win as 5-point dogs.  The Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games as favorites.  The Blazers are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games against a team with a winning record.  Take Portland.

7* Grizzlies/Pelicans ESPN *HEAVY HITTER* on New Orleans -4.5

The Key: This is a must-win game for the Pelicans.  They have dropped their first 2 games back and sit 3.5 games behind the Grizzlies for the 8th seed.  They have to be within 4 games of the 8th place team to get a play-in game.  They catch the Grizzlies at a good time as they will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and 3rd game in 4 days.  The Pelicans had yesterday off and will be plenty rested after getting blown out by the Clippers on Saturday.  The Pelicans are 2-0 SU & 2-0 ATS against Memphis this year winning 126-116 and 139-111.  The Pelicans are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games against a team with a losing record.  The Pelicans are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games after yielding more than 125 points in their previous game.  Take New Orleans.

7* Mavs/Suns NBA *BAILOUT* on Phoenix +6

The Key: The Phoenix Suns need wins more right now as they are trying to stay alive for the 8th seed in the West.  The Dallas Mavericks are simply playing for playoff positioning.  The Suns looked great in their 125-112 win over Washington.  They had 6 players score in double figures in that win and play well together as a team.  And I like them to give the Mavericks a run for their money today.  The Suns won 133-104 as 7-point dogs in their last meeting at Dallas on January 28th.  Take Phoenix.

7* Jazz/Thunder NBA *HEAVY HITTER* on Oklahoma City -2

The Key: The Utah Jazz are without their 2nd-leading scorer in Bojan Bogdonavic, who averages over 20 PPG.  They were able to escape with a come from behind 106-104 win over the Pelicans in their opener.  They won’t be so fortunate against the Oakland City Thunder, who are fully healthy for the restart.  The Thunder are 19-6 ATS when the line is +3 to -3 this season.  Take Oklahoma City.

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Washington Wizards +7.5

The Key: No analysis Friday.

7* Grizzlies/Blazers NBA *HEAVY HITTER* on Portland -2.5

The Key: No analysis Friday.

7* Jazz/Pelicans NBA *HEAVY HITTER* on New Orleans -2 

The Key: The Pelicans won all 3 of their scrimmages and are now 11-5 in their last 16 games overall.  They are completely healthy and loaded for this restart.  The same cannot be said for the Jazz, who are without Bojan Bogdonovic (20.2 PPG) for the remainder of the season after he had wrist surgery in May.  The Pelicans need wins more as they are on the outside looking in in terms of the playoffs.  Take New Orleans. 

6* Nuggets/Mavericks ESPN *CA$H COW* on Denver -1 

The Key: This is a bad situation for the Dallas Mavericks tonight.  They will be playing for a 2nd consecutive day and their 7th game in 11 days after a 109-119 loss in San Antonio last night.  They are just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall and are struggling due to injuries. Luka Doncic is playing through a wrist injury that is clearly hampering him, and they have 5 other players either out or questionable tonight.  The Nuggets are fully healthy and had yesterday off.  The Nuggets are 4-1 SU in their last 5 matchups with the Mavericks.  Dallas is 4-12 ATS when the line is +3 to -3 this year.  The Mavericks are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 home games against a team with a winning road record.  Take Denver. 

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Atlanta Hawks -4.5 

The Key: This is a bad situation for the New York Knicks tonight.  They will be playing for a 2nd consecutive day after losing a 115-122 shootout in Washington last night.  The Hawks had yesterday off and will be playing just their 4th game in 9 days.  Atlanta is 11-2 ATS in its last 13 home games after allowing 130 points or more.  The Knicks are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 games as road underdogs.  The Hawks are 8-3-2 ATS in their last 13 home games, including 4-1-2 ATS in their last 7 games as home favorites.  Take Atlanta. 

6* Tuesday NBA *Total* Annihilator on Cavs/Bulls OVER 215.5 

The Key: Now that Coby White is running the show the Bulls have been a much better offensive team.  White is has scored at least 19 points in 8 straight games while averaging 26.9 PPG.  And the Bulls just got back 3 of their top 5 scorers in Lauri Markkanen (14.7 PPG), Wendell Carter Jr. (11.1 PPG) & Otto Porter Jr. (11.7 PPG).  The Bulls are averaging 112.7 PPG in their last 7 contests.  But they have allowed 103 or more points in 17 straight games with the OVER going 12-5 in those games.  The OVER is 4-1 in Cleveland’s last 5 games and they have combined for 217 or more points in 5 of their last 6.  Bets on the OVER on road teams with a total of 210 or more off a close home win by 3 points or less, a tired team playing their 3rd game in 4 days are 24-7 over the last 5 years.  Take the OVER. 

6* NBA Non-Conference *CA$H COW* on Memphis Grizzlies -2.5 

The Key: This is a tough situation for the Orlando Magic tonight.  They will be playing their 4th road game in 7 days and coming off a stunning upset win at Houston.  It has the makings of a letdown for the Magic tonight.  The Grizzlies are 4-1 SU & 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall with their 4 wins coming by a whopping 28 PPG.  That includes their 17-point home win over the Lakers.  Memphis is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 home games after winning 4 or 5 of its last 6 games.  The Grizzlies are 10-1 ATS when playing against a team that wins between 40% and 49% of their games this year.  The Grizzlies are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games.  The Grizzlies are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 home matchups with Orlando.  Take Memphis. 

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Utah Jazz -4 

The Key: The Utah Jazz have won 5 straight games all by 5 points or more.  They will make it 6 in a row tonight as they take down the tired Toronto Raptors.  The Raptors will be playing for a 2nd consecutive day after a win in Sacramento last night.  They had to gut out that win over the Kings in the final seconds, which forced them to play their starters a ton of minutes.  Toronto had all 5 starters play at least 35 minutes in that contest.  It gets much tougher tonight with the thin air they’ll be dealing with in Utah’s altitude.  Bets against road underdogs who have won 15 or more of their last 20 games with a winning record on the season playing another winning team are 77-41 ATS over the last 5 years.  Take Utah. 

6* Bucks/Nuggets NBA TV *CA$H COW* on Denver -5.5 

The Key: The Milwaukee Bucks are playing without Giannis Antetokounmpo again tonight.  The Bucks are 0-3 SU & 0-3 ATS in their last 3 road games with losses at Miami by 16, LA Lakers by 10 and Phoenix by 9.  And they even had Giannis for those first 2 games.  The situation couldn’t be much worse for the Bucks tonight.  They’ll be playing for a 2nd consecutive day and their 6th game in 9 days to start the month of March.  They will also be playing in their 6th different city this month, so the travel has been brutal.  And they’ll be playing in thin air tonight in the altitude in Denver.  They face a hungry Nuggets team off 2 recent upset losses to Cleveland and Golden State.  The Nuggets are 24-8 at home this year and were the best home team in the NBA last year.  The Bucks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games.  The Nuggets are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 Monday games.  The Nuggets are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games as home favorites.  The Bucks are 6-13-1 ATS in their last 20 matchups in Denver.  Take Denver. 

6* Lakers/Clippers ABC *CA$H COW* on Los Angeles Lakers +2.5 

The Key: The Lakers have lost their first 2 matchups with the Clippers this season.  They want to avenge those 2 defeats and prove they can beat the Clippers, just like they proved they could beat the Bucks last game in a 113-103 home win.  The Lakers are now 10-1 SU & 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games overall and playing their best basketball of the season.  The Lakers are 9-1 ATS when revenging a home loss this season.  The Clippers are 4-16 ATS in their last 20 games after 2 consecutive covers as a favorite.  Take the Lakers. 

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Detroit Pistons +8 

The Key: This is a difficult situation for the Utah Jazz tonight.  They are coming off a 99-94 win in Boston last night.  They’ll now be playing for a 2nd consecutive day, their 3rd road game in 4 days and their 4th straight road game overall.  They won’t have much left in the tank for the Pistons tonight, and they won’t be nearly as hungry to face Detroit as they were Boston.  The Pistons come in on 2 days’ rest and playing just their 2nd game in 6 days.  They are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall with only a 3-point loss at Portland, a 6-point loss at Sacramento and a 7-point home loss to OKC.  They also upset Phoenix on the road as 9-point dogs.  The Pistons are 15-3 ATS in March games over the last 2 years.  The Jazz are 2-11-2 ATS in their last 15 games as favorites.  The Pistons are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games on 2 days’ rest.  Take Detroit. 

6* NBA Non-Conference *CA$H COW* on Charlotte Hornets +8.5 

The Key: The Charlotte Hornets are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall with 5 upset wins outright.  They also nearly upset the Bucks, Spurs and Nuggets, losing by 8, 1, and 2 points to those 3, respectively.  So they can definitely hang with the Houston Rockets tonight, who will be without 2 of their top 3 scorers in Russell Westbrook and Eric Gordon.  Houston is just 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games as a road favorite.  The Hornets are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 home games following a loss by 6 points or fewer.  Take Charlotte. 

7* Bucks/Lakers ESPN *HEAVY HITTER* on Los Angeles -1 

The Key: The Lakers have won 9 of their last 10 games and are ready to take down the Milwaukee Bucks at home tonight and avenge an earlier road defeat to them by 7 points.  We saw the Bucks struggle in their last 2 road games losing by 16 at Miami and failing to cover a huge spread at Charlotte in an 8-point win.  The Lakers come in on 2 days’ rest while the Bucks will be playing in their 4th different city in 6 days.  Bets against road underdogs who have won 15 or more of their last 20 games with a winning record on the season playing another winning team are 76-39 ATS over the last 5 years.  Take Los Angeles. 

6* Heat/Pelicans ESPN *CA$H COW* on New Orleans -1.5 

The Key: The New Orleans Pelicans are back home following an overtime loss at Dallas on Wednesday.  It was their 3rd straight tough loss all by 8 points or less.  The Pelicans will be hungry for a victory at home tonight against the Miami Heat, who have struggled on the road all season.  The Heat are just 13-18 SU & 12-18-1 ATS in all road games this year.  Miami is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 road games.  The Heat are 8-20-1 ATS in their last 29 games off a win.  Miami is 0-4 ATS in its last 4 against a team with a losing record.  The Pelicans are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game.  Miami is 1-11 ATS in its last 12 road games against teams that allow 110 PPG or more.  Take New Orleans. 

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Sacramento Kings -5 

The Key: The Sacramento Kings are playing their way into playoff contention as they are just 3.5 games behind Memphis for the 8th seed.  The Kings are 6-1 SU & 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall which includes wins against playoff teams in Memphis (twice) and the Clippers.  Their only loss came by 4 points at OKC as 7-point dogs.  They will handle the short-handed 76ers tonight.  The 76ers are playing without 3 starters right now in Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Josh Richardson.  They will be playing their 3rd straight road games tonight after road losses to the Clippers and Lakers.  The 76ers are 9-23 SU & 8-22-2 ATS in road games this year.  Philadelphia is 5-20-1 ATS in its last 26 road games.  The 76ers are 1-9-1 ATS in their last 11 games as road underdogs.  The Kings are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games.  The Kings are 5-0 ATS in the last 5 matchups.  Take Sacramento. 

6* NBA Non-Conference *CA$H COW* on Chicago Bulls +3 

The Key: The Minnesota Timberwolves put a lot into their 139-134 upset win at New Orleans as 10.5-point dogs last night.  Now they will be playing for a 2nd consecutive day and their 7th game in 11 days.  The Bulls had yesterday off and are 3-1 ATS in their last 4 games overall with upset wins over the Wizards by 9 and the Mavericks by 2.  The Bulls just got back Otto Porter Jr. and Wendell Carter Jr. from injury and could get back Lauri Markkanen tonight.  They will be a sneaky team moving forward the healthier they get.  The Timberwolves are just 3-20 SU & 5-18 ATS in their last 23 games overall.  That includes 1-11 SU & 1-11 ATS in their last 12 home games.  They should not be favored over the Bulls tonight given the situation.  The Bulls are 9-0 ATS in their last 9 road games after covering 3 of their last 4 ATS.  Take Chicago. 

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Orlando Magic +7 

The Key: The situation couldn’t be much worse for the Miami Heat tonight.  They are coming off 3 straight wins and just upset the Milwaukee Bucks at home on Monday.  They won’t be nearly as hungry to face the Magic tonight, especially after already beating the Magic in their last 2 matchups in 2020.  Orlando will be playing with a chip on its shoulder off an upset home loss to the Blazers and to avenge those 2 H2H defeats.  The Magic are fighting to make the playoffs and will give the Heat more than they bargained for tonight.  The Magic are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.  Steve Clifford is 14-4 ATS in road games after covering 4 of their last 5 games as the coach of Orlando.  The Heat are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games off a win.  Take Orlando. 

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Brooklyn Nets +9 

The Key: The Brooklyn Nets are hungry for a win after dropping 4 straight games with 3 of those losses coming by 4 points or less.  They are trying to hold on to a playoff spot in the East.  The Nets come in on 2 days’ rest and will be ready to try and take down the Celtics tonight.  The Nets have been playing well for over a month as they have only lost one of their last 14 games by more than 8 points, which makes for a 13-1 angle backing the Nets when you factor in this 9-point spread.  The Celtics will get Kemba Walker back tonight from a knee injury, but this line has been adjusted too much for it.  He’ll be on a minutes restriction.  The bigger worry for the Celtics is that both Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart are questionable due to the same illness.  The Nets are 3-2 SU & 4-1 ATS in the last 5 matchups.  The Nets are 19-6 ATS in their last 25 road games after losing 4 of their last 5 games.  Take Brooklyn. 

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Miami Heat +4 

The Key: The Miami Heat are 25-4 SU at home this year.  This will be one of Milwaukee’s toughest games of the season and I think the Bucks lose this game outright due to the situation.  The Bucks will be playing for a 2nd consecutive day after escaping with a 93-85 win at lowly Charlotte on Sunday.  They will also be playing their 3rd game in 4 days.  They could be without All-Star Khris Middleton (21.1 PPG) for a 3rd straight game as he is questionable.  Don’t be surprised if they limit Giannis’ minutes too after he played 35 minus against the Hornets Sunday.  The Heat are 16-3 ATS in their last 29 home games after a combined score of 215 points or more in 2 straight games.  Miami is 26-12-2 ATS in its last 40 games off an ATS loss.  The Heat are 20-9-1 ATS in their last 30 home games.  The Heat are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home matchups with Milwaukee.  Take Miami.

7* NBA Non-Conference Game of the Month on Atlanta Hawks -2 

The Key: The Atlanta Hawks are 8-3 SU & 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 home games.  That includes upset home wins over the Clippers, 76ers, Heat and Nets and also a win over the Mavericks.  They have a great home court edge as fans are excited to turn out to see Trey Young and company in action.  The Memphis Grizzlies are 1-5 SU & 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall.  This bad stretch can be attributed to injuries to Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke, who combine to average 28.9 PPG & 10.5 RPG.  The Grizzlies are 0-4 SU & 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games losing by 17.8 PPG.  Take Atlanta. 

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Detroit Pistons +8 

The Key: The Detroit Pistons are showing some fight in going 3-2 ATS in their last 5 games overall against a brutal schedule with 4 road games at Orlando, Portland, Denver and Phoenix as well as a home game against Milwaukee.  They just upset the Suns 113-111 as 9-point road dogs on Friday and will be playing just their 2nd game in 5 days.  Sacramento will be playing its 3rd game in 4 days.  The situation is a bad one for the Kings, who return home from a 4-game road trip.  That first game back home is almost always a flat spot following a long road trip.  And the Kings won’t be able to get up for the Pistons tonight.  Sacramento is 0-9 ATS in its last 9 home games off an upset win as a road underdog.  The Kings are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games as a home favorite.  The Pistons are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 matchups in Sacramento.  Take Detroit. 

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Golden State Warriors +8.5 

The Key: The Phoenix Suns will be playing for a second consecutive day after falling 111-113 at home to Detroit as 9-point favorites last night.  They will also be playing their 6th game in 9 days.  The situation makes us fade them tonight and back the Warriors, who want to avenge their 106-112 loss at Phoenix as 6.5-point dogs on February 12th earlier this month.  Now they are getting 8.5 points in the rematch and the Suns are in an awful situation.  It’s too many points.  Bets against home teams that allowed 110 points or more last game against a team that is off 2 straight blowout losses by 15 points or more are 35-8 ATS over the last 5 years.  The Suns are 7-19-1 ATS in their last 27 home games.  The Warriors are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 matchups in Phoenix.  Take Golden State. 

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Miami Heat -2.5 

The Key: The Miami Heat are 23-4 at home this year.  They are coming off a rare home loss to the Timberwolves, which followed up a bad road loss at Cleveland.  It’s a good situation to back the Heat knowing they will be locked in against the Mavericks following these 2 defeats.  The Mavericks are without 3 role players and have Luka Doncic battling through a thumb injury and listed as questionable.  The Heat have gone 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 matchups with Dallas.  Miami is 17-6 ATS in its last 23 games off a defeat.  Take Miami. 

7* Thunder/Bucks ESPN *HEAVY HITTER* on Milwaukee -10.5 

The Key: The Milwaukee Bucks are 4-0 SU & 3-1 ATS since the break and showing no signs of slowing down.  They beat the Pistons by 20 on the road, the 76ers by 21 at home and the Raptors by 11 on the road.  The Bucks are 26-3 at home this year and will make easy work of a tired Oklahoma City Thunder team.  The Thunder will be playing for a 2nd consecutive day and their 3rd game in 4 days.  They barely survived 112-108 at home over the Kings last night and won’t have much left in the tank for the Bucks tonight.  Bets against road dogs who have won 15 or more of their last 20 games, with a winning record on the season playing another winning team are 74-39 ATS over the last 5 years.  Take Milwaukee. 

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Cleveland Cavaliers +8 

The Key: The Cleveland Cavaliers are playing with more heart under J.B. Bickerstaff than they did with John Beilein.  The Cavaliers are 3-1 SU & 3-1 ATS in their last 4 games overall with their only loss coming on the road at Miami.  They upset Miami, Atlanta and Washington for their 3 wins.  They can hang with the 76ers, who are 9-20 SU & 7-20-2 ATS in road games this year.  Philadelphia remains without Ben Simmons.  The 76ers are 6-20-2 ATS in their last 28 road games.  Philadelphia is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games as a road favorite.  The 76ers are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 road games in the 2nd half of the season against teams who attempt 18 or more 3-pointers per game.  Take Cleveland. 

6* Pelicans/Lakers TNT *CA$H COW* on New Orleans +8 

The Key: The New Orleans Pelicans are 20-6-1 ATS in their last 27 games overall and have been a very tough team to deal with since Zion Williams joined the lineup.  They have won 5 of their last 6 straight up with 4 of those wins coming on the road.  The Lakers are in a difficult situation tonight.  They are coming off a tough 114-112 home win over the rival Celtics on Sunday and most their players went to Kobe’s memorial on Monday.  I can’t imagine they are in a very good state of mind for this contest.  The Pelicans want to avenge 2 losses to the Lakers this year by 10 on the road and by 4 at home.  But they didn’t have Zion for either of those games.  The Pelicans are 12-3-2 ATS in their last 17 road games.  The Lakers are 13-33 ATS in their last 46 home games after scoring 105 points or more in 5 straight games.  Take New Orleans. 

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Los Angeles Clippers -9.5 

The Key: It’s a great situation to back the Los Angeles Clippers tonight.  They are coming off 3 straight losses for the first time all year.  Players have been outspoken about it so we should get a huge effort from them tonight.  And the Clippers have been resilient all season as they have gone 12-2 SU & 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games following a loss.  Los Angele is 24-9 ATS in its last 33 games following a loss dating back further.  The Grizzlies are coming off a 12-point road loss to the Lakers and I can’t see them staying within single-digits of a hungry Clippers team tonight.  Especially since the Grizzlies will be without one of their best players in Jaren Jackson Jr. (16.9 PPG) who left the Lakers game early with a knee injury.  The Clippers also want to avenge their worst loss of the season, a shocking 114-140 home loss to the Grizzlies as 10-point home favorites.  Bets on favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points revenging a loss as a home favorite of 10 or more against a team that’s off a road loss by 10 or more are 29-8 ATS since 1996.  The Clippers are 8-1 ATS in home games revenging a loss where opponent scored 110 points or more this year.  Take Los Angeles. 

6* NBA Eastern Conference *CA$H COW* on Toronto Raptors -5 

The Key: The Toronto Raptors are 16-1 SU & 11-6 ATS in their last 17 games overall.  The Indiana Pacers are just 2-6 SU & 3-5 ATS in their last 8 games overall.  And the Pacers will be without Victor Oladipo tonight after he suffered a back injury in their first game back from the break against the Knicks.  The Raptors are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 matchups with the Pacers.  Toronto is 37-14 ATS in its last 51 games playing on one day of rest.  The Raptors are 27-13 ATS in their last 40 home matchups with Indiana.  Take Toronto. 

6* 76ers/Bucks ABC *CA$H COW* on Milwaukee -8.5 

The Key: The Philadelphia 76ers are just 9-19 SU & 7-19-2 ATS on the road this year and won’t be able to stay within 8.5 points of the Milwaukee Bucks.  The Bucks are 25-3 at home this year and consistently win by double-digits.  They are outscoring their opponents by 13.1 PPG at home this year.  They already beat Philadelphia by 11 at home in their most recent matchup on February 6th.  The 76ers are 0-8 ATS in road games when revenging a road loss this year.  The Bucks are 16-4 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points this year.  Philadelphia is 0-7-1 ATS in its last 8 games as a road underdog.  The Bucks are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 Saturday games.  The Bucks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home matchups with the 76ers.  Take Milwaukee. 

6* Pelicans/Blazers ESPN *BAILOUT* on New Orleans -5 

The Key: The New Orleans Pelicans are 16-9 SU & 17-6-2 ATS in their last 25 games overall.  They have been a much more dynamic team with Zion Williamson and now have a legit shot to make the playoffs in the West.  They also get Brandon Ingram back from injury after the All-Star break and are fully healthy for basically the first time all year.  The Blazers have all kinds of injuries and suffered a big blow when Damian Lillard pulled a groin late in their loss to the Grizzlies in the final game before the break.  He is 4th in the NBA in scoring at 29.5 PPG and was on an absolute tear before getting injured.  The Blazers won’t be able to hang with the Pelicans without him.  New Orleans is 10-1 ATS in its last 11 games against a team with a losing record.  The Pelicans are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games off a loss.  The Blazers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games on 3 or more days rest.  The Pelicans are 7-3 ATS in the last 10 matchups.  Take New Orleans. 

6* NBA Non-Conference *CA$H COW* on Toronto Raptors -7.5 

The Key: The Toronto Raptors are 15-1 SU in their last 16 games overall.  Nobody is playing better than them right now.  The Phoenix Suns are 4-9 SU & 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games overall with 6 of those losses by 8 points or more.  The Suns are 1-9 ATS in February road games over the last 2 years.  The Raptors are 11-2 ATS as a home favorite of 6.5 to 12 points this year.  The Suns are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games overall.  Phoenix is 3-14 ATS in its last 17 games playing on 3 or more days rest.  The Raptors are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following an ATS loss.  Take Toronto. 

6* Thursday NBA *Total* Annihilator on Kings/Grizzlies OVER 229 

The Key: This will be the 3rd matchup between the Kings and Grizzlies this season.  The first resulted in 234 combined points and the most recent in Sacramento resulted in 251 combined points.  These are both ‘OVER’ teams and this total of 229 has been set too low.  The Kings are 18-5 OVER when the total is 220 to 229.5 this year.  The OVER is 5-1 in Grizzlies last 6 road games.  The OVER is 11-3 in Kings last 14 games as an underdog.  The OVER is 20-8 in Kings last 28 games overall.  The OVER is 12-3 in Kings last 15 games after scoring 100 points or more in their last game.  Take the OVER. 

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on New Orleans Pelicans -2 

The Key: The New Orleans Pelicans are 18-5-1 ATS in their last 24 games.  They continue to fly under the radar tonight and I love the price on the Pelicans as only 2-point home favorites over the Oklahoma City Thunder.  The Thunder have won all 3 matchups with the Pelicans this year so New Orleans wants to avenge those defeats.  New Orleans has won 6 of its last 8 games coming in with the only losses to 2 of the best teams in the NBA in the Bucks and Rockets.  The Pelicans are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 home games and 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite.  Take New Orleans. 

6* NBA Western Conference *CA$H COW* on Golden State Warriors +7.5 

The Key: The Golden State Warriors have lost 3 straight tot he Nets, Lakers and Heat.  They have a team here they can handle in the Phoenix Suns similar to the two teams they beat prior to this losing streak.  They went not he road and won at Cleveland by 19 and at Washington by 8.  The Suns have been big money burners in 2020 as they are just 7-12 SU & 5-14 ATS in their last 19 games overall.  They shouldn’t be laying 7.5 points to the Warriors tonight, especially since they are without Baynes, Kaminsky, Saric, and Johnson and could be without Ayton who is questionable.  Phoenix is 2-12 ATS in its last 14 games off a loss by 10 points or more to a division opponent.  The Warriors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against a team with a losing record.  The Warriors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 trips to Phoenix.  The Suns are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 home games.  The Suns are 2-9 ATS In their last 11 games against a team with a losing record.  Take Golden State. 

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Sacramento Kings +8.5 

The Key: The Sacramento Kings are playing well in going 6-3 SU & 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games overall.  Their only losses have come to the Thunder, Lakers and Bucks which are 3 of the best teams in the NBA.  The Mavericks are expected to get Luka Doncic back tonight but I think they are getting too much respect from oddsmakers because of his return.  Dallas has been a terrible bet at home this year at 14-14 SU & 11-17 ATS this year.  They are one of the few teams that has been better on the road than at home.  The Kings are 4-1 SU & 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 matchups with the Kings with their only loss coming by 4 points.  Amazingly, the Kings are 5-0 SU & 5-0 ATS int heir last 5 trips to Dallas.  Sacramento is also 17-5-1 ATS in the last 23 matchups overall.  Dallas is 0-8 ATS in home games after a combined score of 215 points or more in 3 straight games this year.  Take Sacramento. 

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on New Orleans Pelicans -2.5 

The Key: The New Orleans Pelicans have had the last 2 days off and will be ready for the Portland Trail Blazers to come to town tonight.  The Pelicans are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games on 2 days’ rest.  There’s a good chance they get Brandon Ingram back from an ankle injury, but this is a deep team that upset the Pacers on the road without him on Saturday.  Portland has won just 10 of its 28 road games this year.  The Pelicans are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 against a team with a losing record.  Take New Orleans. 

6* Kings/Bucks NBA TV *CA$H COW* on Sacramento +10 

The Key: The Kings have been a streaky team this year and they are currently in one of their good streaks.  Sacramento has gone 6-2 SU & 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games with its only losses coming to the Lakers and Thunder.  They beat the Clippers on the road by 21 as 14-point dogs and also upset the Heat, Spurs, Bulls and Timberwolves during this stretch.  There’s a good chance the Bucks will be without Giannis tonight due to personal reasons.  They definitely aren’t 10 points better than the Kings without Giannis.  The Kings are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 games when revenging a same-season loss.  The Kings are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 trips to Milwaukee.  Take Sacramento. 

7* NBA Eastern Conference Game of the Month on Indiana Pacers -6.5 

The Key: The Indiana Pacers will be hungry for a win after dropping 5 straight coming into this game.  They get to host the Brookyn Nets, a team they have handled over the last several years.  The Pacers are 11-1 SU & 10-2 ATS in their last 12 matchups with the Nets. Brooklyn is just 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games as a road dog.  Take Indiana. 

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Los Angeles Clippers -5.5 

The Key: The Los Angeles Clippers are coming off a terrible 115-142 road loss at Minnesota as 9.5-point favorites yesterday.  The blessing in disguise is that the blowout loss allowed their starters to rest and remain fresh for this game tonight.  I have no doubt the Clippers will bounce back with a blowout win at Cleveland.  The Clippers haven’t lost 2 straight games since November 13-14.  Los Angeles is an impressive 11-0 SU & 10-1 ATS in its last 11 games off a loss.  And now they face a Cavaliers team that is just 1-12 SU & 5-8 ATS in their last 13 games.  Take Los Angeles. 

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on New Orleans Pelicans +2 

The Key: The New Orleans Pelicans are 14-8 SU & 16-5-1 ATS in their last 22 games overall.  They should not be road dogs to the Indiana Pacers who are in a horrendous spot tonight.  The Pacers will be playing for a 2nd consecutive day and their 3rd game in 4 days.  And now their best player in Victor Oladipo will rest due to this situation, and one of their best scorers on T.J. Warren is questionable.  The Pacers won’t have much left in the tank to face a Pelicans team that plays at one of the fastest paces in the NBA.  The Pelicans are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 road games.  The Pacers are 0-4 SU & 1-3 ATS in their last 4 games overall which includes upset losses to the Knicks as 11-point favorites and the Mavericks as 5.5-point favorites.  Indiana is 0-4 ATS in its last 4 games playing on no rest.  Take New Orleans.