Rating: 2 Units

I’ve been on the Spurs all season, and throughout these playoffs, and if they knew how to close games, they’d be up in this series. I still expect the Spurs to win this game at home. However, the value is with the points and the Knicks. the Spurs consistently get up big early and then turn into a pumpkin late. It’s also wild to leave this many points on the table with a Knicks team that keeps finding ways to win. Also, in close-out games against the Hawks, 76ers, and Cavs, the Knicks won by 51, 30, and 37 points. The Knicks are a veteran team that doesn’t get satisfied. I have to grab the points with the Knicks.

Rating: 2 Units

I strongly considered the Spurs and the points, as they’ve competed in this series and could easily be up 2-0. People only focus on the results, but may forget that the Spurs have had double-digit leads in both games. These games have been close, and with a tweak here and there, this is a different series. However, the Spurs have also shown their youth in these games, and I doubt playing in MSG is going to calm the nerves. This venue is going to be a zoo, and it will take a different level of focus to win. Also, the Knicks have won 13 straight games and have covered 12 of those games. At some point, we have to follow the money train until the tickets stop cashing. I’d love to see the Spurs make a series of this, but the value is with the Knicks and a small number at home given this historic run they’re on.

Rating: 2 Units

The Knicks are getting respect because of this run they’re on and the massive rest advantage. Throw in the points, and you can talk yourself into value. I get it, and I don’t want to take anything from the Knicks. However, I’ve been on the Spurs all season and all playoffs, and I’m not backing down. The Spurs are the best team in the league and are far more than Wemby. The Spurs have home-court advantage, several defenders to bother Brunson, and I don’t believe the Knicks have the depth to withstand the wave of guys the Spurs can throw out there. If anything, the soft line creates value for the Spurs. I’m not backing off my Spurs position. It’s that simple. I’ll lay the points.

Rating: 2 Units

San Antonio at +3.5 is the play in Game 7. The Spurs have more healthy offensive creation, a frontcourt advantage through Wembanyama that becomes more pronounced without Williams in the lineup, and have already proven they can win outright in this building. The public is hammering Oklahoma City, juice has flattened on the Thunder side, and San Antonio's Game 6 performance showed this team is fully capable of rising to the moment. Laying 3.5 points with a shorthanded Thunder squad in a one-possession Game 7 environment is asking too much of the spread.

Rating: 2 Units

You can talk yourself into the Thunder and the points because you don’t get these chances often. This will be just the eighth time under the 2026 calendar where OKC is an underdog. I get it. However, I was on the Spurs before the start of this series, and it’s too late to jump off now. The Spurs usually bounce back nicely from losses, and despite some weird performances lately, they’ve still won 6 of the last 10 games against the Thunder. As I’ve said before, the Spurs are the one team in the league that doesn’t fear OKC. Role players play better at home, and the Thunder are still down key rotation players. I’ll lay the reasonable number as this series goes seven.

Rating: 2 Units

There’s really not much thought for this game or the rest of the series. We’ve been on the Knicks heavy over the last month and theyre 10-0 SU and 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games. The Knicks are just rolling right now and there’s no reason to step in front of them. The Cavs look like a defeated team that’s checked out and the tone of this series was set in game 1 when they blew a 22-point lead. The Cavs aren’t scoring consistently, struggle with turnovers and the defensive effort is a joke. The Knicks are riding a wave of momentum and have a chance to earn a great deal of rest for the Finals. I don’t see either team changing its stripes. Give me the Knicks and the small chalk.

Rating: 2 Units

The spread side belongs to Oklahoma City. The Thunder are 4-0 on the road in this postseason, winning by an average of 12.3 points, and the matchup math says the depth advantage only widens as the series goes deeper. Getting OKC at +2.0 on the road, with their bench routinely outscoring the opposing bench by 30 or more, is one of the cleanest playoff angles on the board.

Rating: 2 Units

There’s no betting against the Knicks in their current form, as they’re 8-0 SU and 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games. The Knicks have been the most consistent and dominant team throughout these NBA playoffs. The Cavs continue to play below their talent level and somehow blew game 1 in historic fashion. The Cavs had a 22-point lead with less than 8 minutes to go and lost. According to ESPN at one point the Knicks had a 0.1 percent chance of winning. The Knicks not only won but also covered the big number. Not sure how the Cavs come back from that. Give me the Knicks and the chalk.

Rating: 2 Units

The Thunder are going to remain the betting favorite because they’ve been the team to beat over the last two years. However, the value remains with the Spurs and the points, as I mentioned in my previous write-ups. The Spurs are title contending good and are the team I’ve had winning it all since December. The Spurs are the one team that doesn’t fear OKC and has actually now won 6 of the last 8 meetings against them. The Spurs are also 54-39-2 ATS on the season, while the Thunder are 44-46-1 ATS. This simply isn’t a fluke. The Spurs are good. The Spurs are capable of getting greedy and winning this game as well. I want the points with the Spurs whenever I can get them.

Rating: 2 Units

These two squads clashed three times in the regular season, with the Knicks winning the first two meetings early in the season before the Cavaliers got some revenge with a victory in February. The Cavaliers don’t have the luxury of an extended rest like the Knicks enjoyed following their sweep of the 76ers, but they’ve already won two Game 7’s on their way here, so I like their chances if this series goes the distance. As for the Knicks, they have enjoyed an extended break and are clear favorites at home in the series opener, but I just feel that the line is a little too high for this matchup. Sure, I can still see the Knicks drawing first blood at home, but I think this is a close matchup and I like the Cavaliers with the points in this spot.

Rating: 2 Units

The Spurs could be shorthanded for the series opener as they are still keeping an eye on De’Aaron Fox and Luke Kornet, who are both questionable, while the Thunder have ruled out Thomas Sorber again. The Spurs looked incredible in their last two games, which resulted in blowout wins over the Timberwolves, but the Thunder have been absolutely rock solid from the very start and have yet to drop a game in these playoffs. The Spurs had plenty of success against the Thunder during the regular season as they were able to limit their turnovers, which made it much harder for the Thunder to go on the big runs to take the game away. You can make an argument for either side in this one, but the line just seems a tad too high, so I will happily lean toward the Spurs to pull off the upset or at least take this one down to the wire on the road.

Rating: 2 Units

The Cavaliers haven’t made anybody money this season with their league’s worst 39-54-1 ATS record, but they’ve outplayed the Pistons in the last three games and now come home, where they haven’t lost this postseason. The Pistons just can’t find easy offense outside of Cade, and they can’t play Robinson as much as they’d like because he can’t defend. A lot of the same issues the Pistons had against the Magic, they’re having against a more talented and explosive Cavs side. As long as the Cavs stop turning the ball over, they should win this game and make the conference finals for the first time in 2,930 days.

Rating: 2 Units

The Spurs are the better healthier team and should be favored at home. The problem is the Timberwolves have found their footing a bit in this series and have to view this as a chance to steal their series. Ant-Man looks like he’s becoming himself again, the defense is getting after it, and I do believe that the Wemby incident adds a little spiciness to this series. We could see a more physical game that’s low scoring and comes down to the wire. The Timberwolves have covered 12 of their last 16 games as a double-digit underdog. I’ve been on the Spurs a lot over the months and they’re still my pick to win it all. However, this line is thick. I see a competitive game. Give me the points.

Rating: 2 Units

You’d like to think the Lakers can make a series of this and extend it at least one game. We need more basketball. The problem is the Thunder have won 8 straight games against the Lakers and have won those games by an average of 24 points. There’s really nothing left to do here. We’ve seen this matchup a lot this season and it’s the same result every time. The Lakers just don’t have enough on either side of the ball to compete with OKC. I have to lay the points with the Thunder in a sweep as they make back-to-back WCF trips.

Rating: 2 Units

You’d think the 76ers would find some pride and put together a win to save their season but if that was going to happen, it would’ve been game 3. The Knicks have won 6 straight games and the average margin of victory in those games is 25.8 points. The Knicks have found a different gear over the last two weeks and I haven’t seen much that suggests the 76ers can slow them down. I’m kind of surprised this line is this soft if we’re being honest. I’ll lay the bet as the Knicks make back-to-back ECF appearances.

Rating: 2 Units

The Thunder have listed Jalen Williams as a game-time decision but he is expected to sit out Game 3, while the Lakers have listed Jarred Vanderbilt as questionable. The Lakers played much better in Game 2 than they did in the series opener, but it still didn’t change much as they lost by the exact same margin despite a big game from Reaves. The Thunder are still missing Williams, but they have just about everything else going for them as they smashed the Lakers twice despite two subpar performances from Gilgeous-Alexander. The Lakers’ role players will show up at home and I think we will see a more competitive contest, but the Thunder hold a seven-game win streak over the Lakers and have covered in each of those games, so I will stick with the Thunder to get the win and cover on the road in this spot.

Rating: 2 Units

The Cavaliers are more talented than what they’ve shown in this series and they’re undefeated at home in these playoffs. Down 0-2 in the series, it’s easy to assume the Cavs will bounce back in a must-win spot. However, the Pistons have outplayed the Cavs for long stretches and they’re simply the more steady, trustworthy team. The Cavs aren’t defending at a respectable level and they’ve been sloppy with the ball time and time again. Shocker, Harden has turned into a pumpkin in the postseason. Also, now is a good time to remind you that the Cavs are 36-54-1 ATS on the season. I would not be surprised if the Pistons won this game outright. Give me the points, as I have little faith in this Cavaliers team.

Rating: 2 Units

The Knicks are dealing with a few nagging injuries with Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinsons and OG Anunoby all listed as game-time decisions while the 76ers are sweating on the availability of Joel Embiid. The 76ers were always going to fight back after getting humiliated in the series opening loss but an offensive collapse in the fourth quarter cost them in Game 2, so the pressure is now on them to bounce back at home. The 76ers have opened as favorites in this one despite the injury cloud hanging over Embiid, but they lost two of their three home games against the Celtics in the 1st Round. Sure, the 76ers need this win more than the Knicks, but I just get the feeling the Knicks pull off the minor upset in this spot and find a way to take a 3-0 series lead when it’s all said and done. I might feel different if the 76ers had a healthy Embiid, but right now I prefer a play on the Knicks in this spot.

Rating: 2 Units

The Spurs are going to be favored because they’re at home and can’t afford to go down 0-2 in the series. You’re going to get a more expensive price because of the desperation. I’m again grabbing the points with the Timberwolves. This is a feisty team that competes defensively and can hang around just because of that. Ant-Man is back and Gobert has now made Jokic and Wemby look human in these playoffs. He’s completely changing the narrative about him being overrated. The Timberwolves have also now won 6 of the last 7 games against the Spurs. I expect the Spurs to even things up, but this line isn’t showing much respect to the Timberwolves. Give me the points.

Rating: 2 Units

The Pistons are going to get the benefit of the doubt because they’re at home and you’re never quite sure which Cavaliers team is going to show up. However, the Cavs have an edge in talent and I believe they can win this series if they play to their potential. The Pistons are in the second round because the Magic couldn’t close games. The Pistons lack scoring depth and that puts a ceiling on this team. The Cavs could make the Pistons uncomfortable if shots fall and it’s not a surprise they’ve won 7 of the last 10 games against them. The underdog has covered 5 of the last 6 meetings. It feels like we’re getting the better team with more upside in the underdog spot. Give me the points with the Cavs.

Rating: 2 Units

The Knicks are at home with the rest advantage and they’ve won 7 of the last 9 games against the 76ers. It’s not surprising to see a decent-sized line. However, the 76ers showed me some things against the Celtics and if there’s a carryover effect here, we’re in for a hell of a series. Embiid is getting his feet under him and looks confident. Maxey is blossoming into a star. Edgecombe isn’t afraid of the moment as a rookie. Paul freaking George is back to playing two-way ball at a high level. All of a sudden the 76ers look dangerous?  The 76ers are also 5-1 ATS and 4-2 SU as an underdog since April 21. I also haven’t forgotten the bipolar Knicks, who have games where things look a little off. This series has a chance to be tighter than some think. I’ll grab the points.

Rating: 2 Units

The Raptors are still missing Immanuel Quickley and they are keeping an eye on Brandon Ingram, who is a game-time decision, while the Cavaliers are entering with a full squad once again. The Raptors have been able to win all their home games to force a series decider, but they’ve yet to steal a home game this series despite coming close in Game 5, where they lost by just five points. The Cavaliers will be so annoyed with themselves, as they will know that they should already be done with this series, but you work hard during the regular season to have home-court advantage in these games. The Cavaliers’ role players will step up in this one, so I will stick with the Cavaliers to get the win, but the early money has been on the Raptors, which is why the line has already shortened by one point and I have to agree, as I think this one goes down to the wire again.

Rating: 2 Units

The Pistons are coming off their best showing of the season and the Magic will again be without Wagner. The bulk of the Magic’s struggles this season came when Wagner was out, so it’s not a surprise to see oddsmakers like the road team in this spot. I’m still rolling with the Magic, a team we’ve backed in, I believe, every game of this series. The Pistons have too many sloppy games in this series and the Magic are too comfortable with this matchup. Neither team shoots well or relies on its defense and they just bully ball each other. Both sides are comfortable. Home court is the difference maker. I’ll grab the points in a game I expect the Magic to win outright.

Rating: 2 Units

The Nuggets got their swagger back after a game 5 win and taking advantage of the Timberwolves’ injuries. Oddsmakers have clearly given up on this Minnesota team as well. I say not so fast. The Timberwolves hung around in that loss and we know role players play better at home. I’m still not ready to buy in with these Nuggets, as they’re just not as efficient as past years and their offense has had trouble against this Timberwolves defense. The Nuggets are also 0-7 ATS in their last 7 games as a road favorite. The Nuggets haven’t covered as a road favorite since February 20. Obviously the Timberwolves aren’t as attractive as they would be with their starting backcourt, but at home and with this defense, they can hang around and even have a chance to steal it late. Give me the points.

Rating: 2 Units

The Raptors are still missing Immanuel Quickley and Chucky Hepburn, while the Cavaliers should have a full squad once again. The Raptors would’ve taken so much confidence from their hard-fought victory in Game 4 as they pulled it off despite having arguably their worst shooting performance of the season. The momentum is with the Raptors, but the series shifts back to Cleveland, where the Cavaliers won the first two games by double digits. You have to give credit to the Raptors, who have worked hard to square things up, but I expect the Cavaliers to bounce back at home, where the role players should perform better. The line is a little hefty so while I like the Cavaliers to reclaim the series lead, I think the Raptors fight hard and keep this to single digits in the end.

Rating: 2 Units

The Pistons are getting love because they were the top seed in the east and people don’t expect them to go down without a fight. The injury to Wagner also doesn’t help, as we saw how awful the Magic were this season without the talented big. However, this is still a lot of points. The Magic have comfortably been the better team in this series and have been able to match the Pistons’ physicality. The Pistons have been sloppy offensively with turnovers and missed free throws, and they lack a second scorer outside of Cade that scares defenses. The Pistons should win at home with the Magic undermanned, but it wouldn’t shock me if the Magic keep imposing their will and spring another upset. Give me the points.

Rating: 2 Units

The Spurs obviously have the horses to run away with this game and cruise to a blowout victory. However, these Trail Blazers are a scrappy bunch and could easily have a 3-1 series lead. The Trail Blazers led by 15 points in game 3 late in the third quarter. In game 4, the Trail Blazers led by 17 points at halftime and had a near 90 percent winning percentage. Portland has shown it can compete. Also, this could easily be the last game for coach Tiago Splitter, as it appears the Trail Blazers’ new owner is cheap and believes you can get by paying a coach peanuts. I’m sure the guys will continue to play hard for him. Spurs win, but I’ll lean toward the points.

Rating: 2 Units

You would think the Suns could compete at home when the Thunder are down a starter. However, none of the three games have been close, so it’s hard to expect anything different. The Suns just don’t have the offensive depth to compete and the defensive effort just hasn’t been there. The Suns have not only piled up the losses over the last month but they’re also 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games. Since April 2023, the Suns are 4-9 ATS as a double-digit underdog. There’s just been nothing from the Suns in this series that indicates they can hang. I have to lay the number with OKC in a sweep.

Rating: 2 Units

It feels like the 76ers threw their best punch in game 3 and despite having chances to win that game, they came up short. The Celtics just make all of the clutch plays down the stretch. Offensive rebounds, defensive stops, getting an extra loose ball—the Celtics thrive in the big moments and that’s been the difference in this series. Maxey and Oubre are on the injury report, which isn’t ideal and Embiid appears to still be out. As I’ve said in past write-ups, the Celtics usually cover when big favorites, and the 76ers are 2-11 ATS and SU in their last 13 games as a home underdog. I’d love to see this series become more competitive but I’m going to lay the number on the Celtics.

Rating: 2 Units

The Nuggets are favored because people are having a hard time believing they’re going to go down without a fight. I get it. However, while the Timberwolves have played with their food, haven’t covered numbers and haven’t earned our trust all season, this is the core that’s made back-to-back conference final trips. This series has been a quick reminder of how good the Timberwolves can be when they put it together. There are several guys who can defend and make life hell, and we’re seeing it with Jokic. He hasn’t looked like himself and Gobert is putting his fingerprints all over this series. Also, the Gordon injury is massive, as you can argue he’s the glue guy who unlocks this team’s full potential. At home, I believe the wrong team is favored. I’m going to side with the Timberwolves.

Rating: 2 Units

The Rockets should win this series with the Lakers down Luka and Reaves, but if there were a team that would blow it, it would be these Rockets. The Rockets haven’t been serious all season given their talent advantage and they go through these stretches where it looks like they don’t enjoy playing together. Now, the Lakers look like they could get Reaves back, which is a massive boost and takes a load off LeBron in terms of scoring and ball handling. Since March 8, the Lakers are 9-2 ATS and SU as an underdog. That includes four straight wins. Must win at home, I do expect the Rockets to win this game, but if there was a team to blow it, it would be these Rockets. Either way, too many points. Give me the Lakers.

Rating: 2 Units

The Orlando Magic jumped on Detroit in Game 1 of this series, stealing home court with the upset victory. Look for Detroit to bounce back Wednesday night as they even this series at 1 game apiece. These 2 teams played each other tough all year, splitting their 4 regular-season matchups, so this game will be close. Despite Detroit pulling off the victory in this matchup, expect Orlando to play well for 48 minutes. Take the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night to get the win, but the Orlando Magic will cover the big number as they look for their 2nd consecutive upset in round 1 of the playoffs.

Rating: 2 Units

The Rockets are going to be favored because of the health edge. Even with Durant dealing with his issue, the Rockets have the better roster when the Lakers are without Luka and Reaves. However, would it really shock anybody if the Rockets found a way to blow this? The Rockets have underachieved all season given their talent and sometimes sleepwalk through games. Game 1 was a good example of that. They didn’t play a lick of defense and couldn’t find consistent offense. The possible return of Durant will fix the offensive issues, but there has to be effort defensively. LeBron got his teammates involved and scored when he needed to. The extra day of rest also helps LeBron at his age. I just don’t want much to do with the Rockets, a team that picks and chooses when to show up. I’m siding with the Lakers and the points, a game they could win outright again.

Rating: 2 Units

The Hawks were a nice team for us over the last month or so and many had hopes for them in this series. The Hawks are fine and moving in the right direction. A lot of three-and-D guys, youth, and athleticism. I get the appeal. The problem is the Hawks are young and going up against an experienced Knicks team that knows it’s now or never. As I said in the game 1 write-up, there are too many resources put into this team to be a first- or second-round exit. To avoid a shakeup, the Knicks probably have to make the finals. Some of the younger players for the Hawks struggled in game 1 as expected and while you’d expect improvement with a game under their belt, there’s just a serious experience gap between these teams when the big boys usually shine. MSG is also a zoo this time of year. I’d need more points. Give me the Knicks.

Rating: 2 Units

Despite the struggles, we can’t forget the Magic entered the season as an East contender. The talent is there. Also, this is a long break for the Pistons and maybe there’s some rust here. The Magic have won 7 of the last 10 games against the Pistons, so intimidation won’t be a factor in this series. Maybe it’s false hope and the Magic return to the awful team they’ve been for long stretches, but I’ll take the points in game 1.

Rating: 2 Units

The Raptors have ruled out Chucky Hepburn and they are keeping an eye on Immanuel Quickley who is listed as a game-time decision as he is dealing with a hamstring issue, while the Cavaliers should be close to full health for this contest as they were able to rest most of their players early. These teams met three times in the regular season with the Raptors winning each contest, but those meetings came before the Cavaliers’ roster shake up so you can’t look into that too much. With that being said, I am still expecting a close series that goes at least six games, so while I expect the Cavaliers to draw first blood at home, I think the Raptors keep this really close at the end.

Rating: 2 Units

The Hornets are still slightly shorthanded with PJ Hall ruled out, while the Magic are keeping an eye on Jonathan Isaac, who is questionable for this one. The Hornets enter this contest as the road favorites, which isn’t surprising given that they beat the Magic in three out of four meetings this season. There was definitely a luck factor in the Hornets’ win over the Heat on Tuesday, but they were good enough to get the job done and I like their chances against the Magic, who lost to the shorthanded 76ers. The Hornets have beaten the Magic in the last three meetings and each of those wins was by at least 15 points. It wouldn’t be a shock if the Magic pulled off the upset at home, but the momentum is with the Hornets and I think they escape with the win and cover at the short line.

Rating: 2 Units

The Magic are still keeping an eye on Jonathan Isaac and Jett Howard, who are both listed as game-time decisions, while the 76ers have ruled out Joel Embiid and Johni Broome with Trendon Watford listed as a game-time decision due to an illness. These teams met three times in the regular season, with the 76ers winning the series by 2-1, but it’s the Magic who enter this meeting as the hotter team right now so it’s no surprise to see the line so short. The 76ers are still slight favorites at home, but the Magic are certainly capable of pulling off the minor upset and that’s where I am leaning with this one. It’s hard to split these teams at the moment, but I will back the Magic to escape with the narrow win.

Rating: 2 Units

The Blazers closed the season as one of the hottest teams in the West and Portland's defensive improvements since the All-Star break make them a legitimate threat to keep this game competitive. The brief spike to +4½ before settling back at +3½ suggests sharp early action on Portland, and backing a team that went 9-5 ATS over its final 14 games at plus money is a high-value play.

Rating: 2 Units

The Timberwolves have nothing to play for locked into the sixth seed so they’re going to sit a lot of their guys. The Timberwolves have had issues covering numbers as it is, with a 36-45 ATS record so I’m not thrilled to lay big numbers with their backups. The Pelicans don’t have their pick so they’ve been competing all year and they’re a profitable 45-36 ATS on the season. The Pels beat the Timberwolves back in February as 8.5-point underdogs. The underdog is 6-3 ATS in the last 9 games between the Pelicans and Timberwolves. Give me the points.

Rating: 2 Units

The Magic are still keeping an eye on Jett Howard and Jonathan Isaac, who are both questionable, while the Celtics have ruled out Neemias Queta and Derrick White with Nikola Vucevic, Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard all questionable. These teams have already met three times this season, with the Celtics leading the series by 2-1, but the Celtics are going to be without a bunch of key players, which opens the door for the Magic to capitalize if they’re good enough. The line is a bit hefty, so while I have the Magic getting the win, I still think the Celtics can get the cover at home.

Rating: 2 Units

The Bucks are still missing a bunch of players with Myles Turner, Gary Trent Jr., Giannis Antetokounmpo and Ryan Rollins out, with Gary Harris listed as questionable, while the 76ers have ruled out Joel Embiid and Johni Broome once again. The 76ers have beaten the Bucks in all three meetings this season and the last two meetings were blowout wins, so it’s no surprise to see the 76ers as massive favorites here. The Bucks gave up on this season a long time ago and I can’t imagine them springing to life in their last game of the season, so I will stick with the more reliable 76ers to get a comfortable win here behind big games from Maxey and George

Rating: 2 Units

It’s almost like oddsmakers don’t watch basketball. Yes, the Kings suck, aren’t winning and are injured. Sure. However, the Warriors have nothing to play for, locked into the 10th seed and are sitting guys because of it. Expect it to be even more of the case after playing last night. The Warriors have to be healthy to win two play-in games. Beating the Kings here does nothing for anybody. The Kings also gave the Warriors a scare just a few days ago. These inflated lines don’t make sense. Give me the points.

Rating: 2 Units

The Pelicans are still missing Yves Missi, Karlo Matkovic and Bryce McGowens with Saddiq Bey and Herbert Jones both rested, while the Celtics are keeping an eye on Jaylen Brown, who is questionable. The Pelicans head into this contest low on confidence, as they had lost eight in a row before they smashed the slumping Jazz in their last outing. In contrast, the Celtics have been one of the hottest teams in the league, as they were on fire before they got stopped in their tracks by the red-hot Knicks in a tough loss last night. The line was always going to be hefty for this matchup, but the Celtics will be eager to bounce back after a rare defeat and they’ve found an ideal opponent in the struggling Pelicans.

Rating: 2 Units

The Pistons could be shorthanded for this one with Kevin Huerter listed as questionable with an illness, while the Hornets have ruled out PJ Hall with Coby White listed as a game-time decision. These teams have already met twice this season, with the Pistons winning both meetings, so it’s a little surprising to see them as slight underdogs in this one, especially now that they’re almost back to full health. The Hornets are certainly good enough to get some revenge with a win here, but the Pistons are on a roll right now and I think they represent great value as the underdogs here.

Rating: 2 Units

Big game as both teams are fighting for seeding. The difference is the Rockets are playing some of their best ball of the season and finally starting to look like a west contender they were supposed to be from the start. The 76ers have split their last 8 games and continue to come up small in big games. We’re not being asked to lay much and the Rockets are starting to piece things together with the playoffs right around the corner.

Rating: 2 Units

The Heat are still missing Nikola Jovic with Dru Smith and Norman Powell are both questionable, while the Raptors have ruled out Chucky Hepburn once again. These teams have already clashed three times this season, with the Raptors winning each meeting by double digits and the win on Tuesday was particularly dominant, with the Heat offering little resistance after falling into an early deficit. It’s always tough to beat the same team twice in a row, especially a proud team like the Heat, but with the line so short, I have to stick with the more consistent Raptors to take advantage of a stumbling Heat squad.

Rating: 2 Units

The Warriors are in a better position with Curry back, but that doesn’t mean I want to lay double-digit points. The Warriors are having issues winning, let alone winning by margin. It’s also fair to note that the Warriors are pretty much locked into the 10th seed, so there’s no real motivation to push for wins other than to feel better. The Kings have also been scrappy lately, winning 2 of their last 3 games and covering 4 of their last 6 games. The Kings have won 6 of the last 9 games against the Warriors. I’ll grab the points.

Rating: 2 Units

The Nuggets are healthy and going on one of those runs that remind us they’re a title contender when right. At home they should be favorites. However, this is a lot of points for a Trail Blazers side that’s playing well in its own right and has improved to 42-36 ATS on the season. the Trail Blazers are fighting for seeding in the play-in tournament and have a chance to move into the eighth seed, which improves their playoff chances greatly. The underdog has covered 5 of the last 8 meetings between the Nuggets and Trail Blazers. Give me the points.

Rating: 3 Units

Michigan has put BTA from the start of the season and what it did to Arizona reminded us just how elite this team can be. I don’t want to step in front of this freight train, especially when Michigan is the more talented team in terms of roster. However, I’ve been blindly backing UConn in the tournament for a few years now and it’s paid off. Dan Hurley is 18-1 ATS and SU in the tournament at UConn. The one failed cover came this year against Furman. The one outright loss was a two-point defeat to the champion Florida Gators. UConn has one tournament loss since March 17, 2023. In its last 30 tournament games, UConn is 25-5 ATS and SU. Since 2011, UConn has been 10-1 ATS and 9-2 SU as an underdog in the tournament. The Big Ten also hasn’t won a championship in nearly three decades for what it’s worth. We also need to see the status of Yaxel Lendeborg, as ankle injuries are usually worse the next day. Hurley has placed himself in the conversation of the best college basketball coaches of all time, and coaching matters at this stage. There’s a ton of history that proves UConn shows up in these spots time and time again. We’re talking 15 years. Michigan is the better team on paper and it’s steamrolling. I still want the points.

Rating: 2 Units

The Cavaliers are going to be big favorites, as they’re obviously the more talented, healthier team. However, we’ve been fading the Cavs all season and while they’re winning, they’re also 30-47-1 ATS on the season. The Cavs are the worst team ATS on the season. This has nothing to do with the Grizzlies. It has everything to do with the Cavs not covering numbers. At the end of a back-to-back, I’ll grab the points with the Grizzlies.

Rating: 2 Units

The Pistons head into this meeting clearly as the team in better form; they lead the Magic in the season series by 2-1 and they looked fantastic in their dominant win over the 76ers on Saturday. In contrast, the Magic were stuck in one of their worst slumps of the season before they took down a shorthanded Mavericks in their last outing. The Magic are still capable of pulling off the upset, but the Pistons are just too tempting on the ML.

Rating: 2 Units

The Wildcats hold positional advantages at nearly every spot on the floor, rank higher in rebound margin, lead the nation in free throw attempts, and carry a top-five national profile in both paint points and offensive rebound percentage. That interior profile already disassembled Purdue in the Elite Eight, and Michigan's frontcourt — while impressive — now faces a comparable test without the benefit of opponent foul trouble to bail it out. Sharp money moved to Arizona within minutes of the line opening and has remained there. The public has followed consistently at 53% to 82% of dollars across every tracked entry. This is one of the cleanest consensus reads in the Final Four field.

Rating: 2 Units

The Pistons are getting the benefit of the doubt because they’ve been the better team this season but they’re also still banged up. The 76ers look healthy heading into this game and they’ve played some of their best ball over the last two weeks. The 76ers are also still fighting to stay out of the play-in tournament. With no Stewart or Cade and possibly no Harris, if the 76ers are serious about being a playoff team, these are the games they should win. Honestly. I’ll take the free bucket with Philly at home.

Rating: 3 Units

I’ve been pounding the table for Illinois all season long but I have to take UConn and the free bucket. This is what UConn does in March and Dan Hurley is 17-1 ATS and SU in his last four NCAA Tournaments. His only loss came against Florida by two points, the same team that won the big dance that season. This is a group of guys who have been there done that and I trust them in these moments more. We’re in the business end of the tournament where nerves can play a role. I want the team that’s been on this stage before. Give me the Huskies and the free bucket.

Rating: 2 Units

The Wizards have ruled out Anthony Davis, Kyshawn George, Trae Young and Cam Whitmore with Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly and Tre Johnson all questionable, while the Heat have ruled out Norman Powell once again. These teams have already met twice this season, with the Heat winning both meetings by an average of 26 points, so it’s no surprise to see the Heat as such heavy favorites despite their poor form lately. The Wizards just can’t buy a win these days given all the injuries they’ve had to deal with and they could be missing a few more players for this matchup. The Heat don’t inspire confidence, but they are desperate for a win just for some confidence and I think they get some relief with a massive win and cover at home in this matchup.

Rating: 2 Units

Oklahoma got in some trouble in the quarterfinal against Colorado where they won by just 4 points and failed to cover the spread. On the flip side, Baylor played excellent defense in the quarterfinals and held Minnesota into just 48 points en route to an easy 19-point win and is 5-1 against the spread in its last 6 games. They have also been dominating Oklahoma in recent years, having lost only once in their last 10 head-to-head meetings and are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 meetings.

Rating: 2 Units

The Bulls are still missing Josh Giddey, Nick Richards, Anfernee Simons, Zach Collins and Jalen Smith, while the Knicks don’t have anyone listed on their injury report. The Knicks head into this contest as the clear favorites, as they’ve beaten the Bulls in the last two meetings this season and they should be getting a bunch of players back in action so it’s no surprise to see the line so hefty. The Bulls are a mess at the moment; they are missing so many key players and I just don’t think they will be able to stop this from being a blowout.

Rating: 2 Units

The Pelicans went from being a losing team that still competes and cashes tickets to running out of gas. The Pelicans have lost 5 straight games and are 1-4 ATS in those games. The Trail Blazers keep racking up wins and they have a chance to move into the eighth seed and improve their playoff chances. This isn’t a game the Trail Blazers should play around with. Also, let’s not forget the Pelicans have just 9 road wins. The line is reasonable. I’ll lay the points on the Trail Blazers at home.

NOTE:  NIT selections to post after 4:00pm Eastern

NIT Play of the Day

Rating: 4 Units

Illinois State’s outstanding home court form (14-2) and elite defense are certainly legit concerns for an Auburn Tigers team that has struggled on the road (2-8) all season. In my view, Illinois State’s quality defense and home court edge will help keep the Redbirds inside the number (7.5) tomorrow night. For the reasons just noted, I am backing the Illinois State Redbirds plus the points in this game.

Rating: 2 Units

Detroit is missing Stewart and Cunningham, Minnesota is managing a back-to-back schedule, the Under is drawing 82 percent of the money and 88 percent of the tickets, and the total is sitting at a number that prices in Detroit's recent over streak without accounting for the injury and motivation factors pulling in the opposite direction. Both teams project to play at a controlled pace with reduced urgency late in the game, and a final score in the 112-110 range lands comfortably under the number.

NOTE:  NIT selections will post after 4:00pm Eastern today

Rating: 3 Units

I’ll stick with New Mexico. The Lobos started a bit slowly in their win over Saint Joseph’s but finished strong on 47.5 percent shooting overall. New Mexico added a 38-31 rebounding edge and a 40-32 advantage on points in the paint while holding the Hawks to just 40 percent shooting on defense. The Lobos have scored very well in their three wins during this NIT, posting 84 or more points in each game. As for Tulsa, they utilized a strong first half to eke past Wichita State in their latest win. The Hurricane didn’t shoot well (38.5 percent) but then again neither did the Shockers (37.5 percent). Tulsa had 41.4 percent (12-of-29) from outside though, and added 87.5 percent (21-of-24) at the line. Outside of that the Hurricane got beaten in the paint pretty badly (40-22) and lost the rebounding battle 40-36. Still, Tulsa is scoring well during this tournament with 77 or more points in all three games. We should have a pretty good total in this one.

Rating: 2 Units

Both teams are at the end of a back-to-back; the Rockets should have the edge at home, where they don’t have to travel. However, I’m not making all of these points. The Rockets have underachieved all season and are just 32-43 ATS on the season. Since January 11, the Rockets are 2-7 ATS as a double-digit favorite. The Bucks are horrible and banged up, but the Rockets in the big favorite role just isn’t the move. Give me the endless points with the road team.

Rating: 2 Units

The Pacers looked great in their big win over the Heat on Sunday and they’ve already beaten the Bulls three times this season. Both teams are dealing with plenty of injuries, but at this stage, I think the Pacers are a value bet as the underdogs in this matchup.

Rating: 2 Units

The Raptors are on the end of a back to back but they’ve done a decent job of winning the games they’re supposed to win and they need to keep winning to improve their playoff position. The Kings are banged up, they’re losing ugly, and they’ve failed to cover 5 of their last 7 games. The Raptors are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games. Big number, but this has more to do with the Kings than anything. Give me the Raptors in a blowout home victory.

Rating; 2 Units

New York's post-All-Star superiority across net rating, offensive rating, defensive rating, assist rate, turnover rate, effective field goal percentage, and true shooting percentage is too comprehensive to fade. The Rockets' 4-12 ATS run over the last 16 games and a home schedule that includes Milwaukee the following night makes Houston a difficult team to trust even at home.

Rating: 3 Units

The Raptors are still missing Jamsion Battle and Immanuel Quickley with Collin Murray-Boyles and Brandon Ingram both questionable, while the Pistons have ruled out Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart again with Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren and Duncan Robinson all questionable. These teams last met on Feb 15 and it was the Raptors who beat the Pistons by 119-108 to square up the series at 1-1. The Pistons are still banged up at the moment and they will be playing their second game of a back-to-back set, which I think opens the door for the Raptors to spring an upset if they’re good enough. I get why the Pistons are slight favorites at home, but the Raptors looked great in their last game and I think they keep the good times going with another win in this spot.

Rating; 3 Units

The Hornets are still playing without Tidjane Salaun, while the Nets have ruled out Danny Wolf, Terance Mann, Michael Porter Jr., and Egor Demin. The Nets took down the Hornets by 116-103 back on Dec 1 to square up the series at 1-1, but a lot has changed since the last meeting. The Hornets have emerged as one of the hottest teams this year, while the Nets were absolutely ice-cold before their rare win over the Kings on Sunday. The Hornets were on fire before dropping their last two games but I fully expect them to bounce back with a comfortable win and cover over this slumping Nets team, who are still missing a bunch of players.

Rating: 2 Units

The Pistons have most of their rotation on the injury report and it’s why this line is what it is. A potential finals preview and we’re seeing a double-digit line. With that said, this will be the first time since April 2 of last year where the Pistons are a double-digit underdog. Almost a full year, folks. The Thunder played a competitive game last night against the Knicks and now have to get up for this one. Despite the wins, OKC is just 35-39-1 ATS on the season. Since January 4, the Thunder are 5-13 ATS as a double-digit favorite. We’re getting a lot of backups with the Pistons, but I’m grabbing the points with the road dog.

Rating: 2 Units

The Bulls’ injury list is ugly, yet San Antonio is relatively healthy and focused on protecting playoff position, which could encourage Gregg Popovich’s staff to manage minutes if they build a comfortable lead, opening classic backdoor-cover territory for an underdog that still plays fast and shoots plenty of threes. Given the usual late-game variance in blowouts and the fact that bettors are laying -108 either way, the value side looks like grabbing Chicago with all those points even while expecting the Spurs to win the game outright.

Rating: 3 Units

Boston has already beaten the Hawks by 26 in Atlanta and by seven at home this season, and the Celtics’ +7.3 point differential over the full year suggests they’re still the more stable side even with Brown and White nursing day-to-day issues and Vucevic out. Atlanta’s current 8-2 run and strong home form, combined with Boston’s back-to-back and travel from Charlotte, are baked into this short number, yet the Hawks’ defense still gives up north of 116 points per game and has struggled to contain Boston’s spread pick-and-roll and wing creation from Tatum, Brown and even Payton Pritchard in their latest matchup.

Rating: 2 Units

The Nuggets have the ability to blow the doors off, as the Warriors have too many banged-up bodies to compete with the big boys. However, the Warriors are still fighting to improve their position in the play-in tournament and they have some decent wins this week. Also, since November 3, the Nuggets are 3-12 ATS as a double-digit favorite. The Nuggets just haven’t blown the doors off in spots you expect them to. I’ll take a shot with the Warriors and the points.

Rating: 2 Units

The Knicks aren’t the same team on the road as they are at home. It’s where they’ve lost 17 of their 26 games. However, the Thunder are 34-39-1 ATS on the season. I’ve said it all season, but OKC isn’t the cash cow it’s been in past years. Since February 27, the Thunder are 3-8 ATS when favorites of 5 or more points. Also, if the Knicks are legit title contenders, you’d think they’d want to convince themselves by putting together a strong showing here. The Knicks have come up small a lot in big moments, especially when taking them out of MSG. Either way, give me the points, as I’ll keep fading the Thunder in the big favorite role.

Rating: 2 Units

The Wizards are awful and banged up, but that doesn’t mean we lay a billion points. The Trail Blazers are a young team still trying to win consistently or learning how to deal with expectations. We just saw the Trail Blazers lose at home to the Mavs as double-digit underdogs. The Wizards have covered 6 of their last 9 games and they beat the Trail Blazers back in January as 7-point underdogs. I’m grabbing the points with the Wizards. This line is inflated and the Blazers haven’t earned this sort of respect.

Rating: 3 Units

The Celtics are still missing Nikola Vucevic with Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown and Neemias Queta all questionable, while the Hornets have ruled out Tidjane Salaun once again. These two squads have already clashed once this season, with the Hornets smashing the Celtics by 118-89 back on Mar 4 but we should be in for a great rematch considering how well both teams have been lately. It is certainly tempting to take the Hornets at home, but they are playing their second game of a back-to-back set, so I prefer a play on the Celtics to get some revenge with a narrow win in this meeting.

Rating: 3 Units

The Huskies have only been underdogs once this season. But, they are peaking at the right moment with a big win over Michigan State in the last round. UConn’s defense and outside shooting is coming together at a perfect moment. Duke started the NCAA Tournament with a shock comeback win over No. 16 Siena. The Blue Devils have not played to their potential throughout the postseason, which makes me believe that they are vulnerable against a tough UConn team that consistent plays close games in the Big East. UConn has covered six of their last 10 games coming into this matchup. Duke is 2-4 against the spread during the NCAA Tournament. They are also 4-5 against the spread as a single-digit favorite.

Rating: 2 Units

The Michigan Wolverines enter tomorrow’s contest with the more balanced overall offense and a tempo that consistently forces opponents into uncomfortable possessions. Michigan’s outstanding guard play gives the Wolverines the ability to control the pace of play which should flatten Tennessee’s defensive pressure. I like Michigan to pull away late and cover the number (7.5) here. For the reasons just noted, I am backing the Michigan Wolverines to cover the 7.5 points in this game.

Rating: 2 Units

The Suns should be big favorites at home and with the rest advantage, but I’m not laying this number with a banged-up team that’s lost 8 of their last 10 games. The Jazz aren’t trying to win and played last night, but they compete just to throw the game late. As I continue to say, the Jazz doesn’t win, but they’ve cashed 38 tickets. The Suns are one of the better cover teams in the league, but they’re in awful form right now and I’m not laying this much chalk. Give me the Jazz and the points.

Elite 8 Game of the Week

Rating 5 Units

The Wildcats have the edge in this game because they’re playing well offensively, scoring more than 90 points per game in the tournament, while making over 52 percent of their shots. They do a good job of finding the open man, and they rebound the ball well, grabbing more than 12 offensive rebounds per game, which will give them more scoring chances. They also do a good job of protecting the ball, and won’t give up many easy-scoring chances. The Boilermakers have struggled defensively in the tournament, giving up more than 72 points per game, so expect them to have a hard time slowing down the Wildcats. Take Arizona to cover the spread.

Rating: 2 Units

The Hawks have been a money maker for us over these last two months and should win this game comfortably. The Kings are a bad franchise from top to bottom and have nearly their entire team on the injury report. However, the Kings are rested while the Hawks have to play after playing last night in Boston. Also, the Hawks have a revenge spot in the Celtics on deck. This is a horrible sandwich spot for the Hawks and could allow the Kings to sneak in a cover with the huge line. The Kings have covered 5 of their last 9 games as a double-digit underdog, and they have a win this month over the Clippers. I want a boatload of points

Rating: 2 Units

In this Iowa vs Illinois Prediction, Illinois is coming as -7 favorites. Both teams have been excellent in the NCAA Tournament so far, as they have won and covered all of their three games played but Iowa was 1-4 both straight up and against the spread in its 5 games before that span. They have a slightly better defense, but Illinois has a superior offense, scoring 9.2 points per game more and have been dominating Iowa historically, having won 9 of their last 10 meetings, including a 6-point road victory earlier this season. Take Illinois and lay the points in this one.

Rating: 2 Units

On paper the Lakers should win this game in comfortable fashion but we’re also seeing Rui and Luka as questionable on top of Smart being out. The Lakers have bigger goals than blasting the Nets into the sun, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see guys rest. As bad as the Nets are, they’ve covered 6 of their last 10 games and have cashed 33 tickets overall. The Nets beat the Pistons earlier this month as a double-digit underdog. Be careful with these ridiculous numbers. I’m going to grab the points in this matchup

Rating: 3 Units

Iowa State averaged 82.5 points and allowed 65.3 points per game during the regular season. Milan Momcilovic averaged 17.2 points to lead the Cyclones, Joshua Jefferson averaged 16.4 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds, while Tamin Lipsey averaged 13.3 points with 5.1 assists. The Cyclones also averaged 17.4 assists and 9.1 steals. Iowa State had multiple scorers and enough shooting to punish a help defense. Iowa State’s depth has been even more evident in the tournament. The Cyclones are averaging 95.0 points and allowing 68.5 through two tournament games.

Rating: 2 Units

I don’t want to back the Wizards as much as the next guy, but I also don’t want to lay all of these points on the banged-up Warriors. Say what you want about the Wizards, but the Warriors have several rotation players still out, they’ve been a loser over the last two months, and they’re 31-41-1 ATS on the season. I know the Warriors are the sexier team in the eyes of many, but they’re not making anyone money either. For what it’s worth, the Wizards are 4-2 ATS as a double-digit underdog since March 12. I’ll take the points

Rating: 2 Units

As for UConn, they didn’t have too many issues with UCLA in their Second Round win, hitting 46.9 percent from the field with just 38.8 percent shooting allowed on defense. The Huskies held a 34-23 rebounding advantage and a 30-20 edge in the paint but did cough up 15 turnovers. UConn is 4-1 in their last five games, scoring 73 or more points in three of those wins. They’ll serve as a formidable challenge for the Spartans.

Rating: 2 Units

The Nuggets have the ability to blow the doors off here, but they’re also a veteran team that’s trying to stay healthy and gets no brownie points for taking it to the tanking Jazz. It’s a win-and-get-out situation. We saw these teams play earlier this month and it was close for the most part. The Jazz has cashed 37 tickets for what it’s worth. Also, since November 3, the Nuggets are 3-11 ATS as a double-digit favorite and 4 of those failed covers were outright losses. Endless amount of points here, folks. Give me the Jazz.

Rating: 2 Units

The Bulls are still missing Jaden Ivey, Anfernee Simons and Zach Collins with Nick Richards and Guerschon Yabusele both questionable. The Bulls showed glimpses of their potential during a nice run a few weeks ago, but they’ve gone cold again and now have to take on the Thunder, who are coming into this game fresh off a rare defeat. It’s hard to pick anything but a win for the home team, but the Thunder beat the Bulls by just eight points on Mar 3 and I think we’re about to see a similar outcome where the Thunder win but fail to cover the spread.

Rating: 2 Units

Michigan has the edge in size and defense, but Alabama’s scoring ability will keep this within reach. The Crimson Tide have already shown they can reach 90 points against quality opponents, and their pace makes it difficult for opponents to build and hold large leads. Michigan is the more complete team and will control much of the game, but Alabama’s perimeter scoring and depth give the Crimson Tide a way to stay close throughout. Taking the points with Alabama is the better play in a game that should feature plenty of scoring from both sides.

Rating: 2 Units

Sweet 16 Play of the Day

Rating: 4 Units

The line has moved two full points in the Razorbacks' direction over the past 48 hours, driven by consistent public and dollar-side support that began with sharp opening-night action. A team built around a scorer averaging 30 points per game with two additional weapons now capable of producing 20 does not get spotted nearly a touchdown against any opponent without genuine value attached. Arizona is the better overall team, and Burries and Bradley are legitimate, but the Wildcats have not faced anything resembling Acuff's current form this season. Arkansas has a puncher's chance to win outright and an excellent chance to keep this within single digits.

South Regional Game of the Week

Rating: 5 Units

I’ll stay with Houston. The Cougars have been quite impressive in the two games of this tournament so far, and they’re essentially playing a home game here. Houston demolished Texas A&M in their last outing thanks to a 42-27 rebounding edge, a 32-20 advantage in the paint and just 34.6 percent shooting allowed on defense. The Cougars are 7-1 in their last eight outings with a nice 69 or more points scored in every one of those games. As for Illinois, they had a great second half against a plucky VCU team, eventually shooting 48.3 percent from the field with 34.8 percent allowed on defense. The Illini added a 40-26 edge on rebounding but did miss a few free throws on 64.7 percent (11-of-17) and had 11 turnovers. Illinois has rolled through their two games pretty easily during this tournament as well, however the ghost of a second-half breakdown in the Big Ten Tournament loss to Wisconsin looms large.

Rating: 2 Units

Both of these teams survived very close games to advance to this round and they are pretty evenly matched, so this should be a great game. Iowa upset Florida on Sunday and they are shooting 49% from the field. Nebraska almost lost on a half court shot against Vanderbilt, but it went in and out and the Cornhuskers survived. Iowa defeated Nebraska 57-52 at home, while Nebraska beat Iowa 84-75 on their home court. I can rely on Nebraska’s offense more than Iowa’s, so give me the Cornhuskers to win here.

Rating: 2 Units

The Knicks are still missing Landry Shamet and Miles McBride, while the Hornets have ruled out Tidjane Salaun, with Pat Connaughton listed as questionable. These teams have already clashed twice this season, with the Knicks winning both meetings by double digits, but the last meeting was back in December and a lot has changed since then.  The Knicks have been in a nice groove and they should be full of confidence after winning their seventh straight win on Tuesday, but the Hornets have been the surprise team of the league for a while now and I think they can get some revenge in this spot. I get why the Knicks are slight favorites on the road, but the Hornets sprung to life in early January and they’ve been on fire ever since, so I am looking at the Hornets to get the win in this spot.

Rating: 2 Units

The Kings aren’t a good team and have given up on the season as the bulk of their rotation is out for the rest of the season. The Magic should be big favorites. However, I’m not laying double-digit odds with the Magic, who are having issues simply winning a game. We saw the Magic just lose to the Pacers as double-digit favorites. The Magic are 32-39-1 ATS on the season. Since April of last year, the Magic are 1-5 ATS as a double-digit favorite. Now we’re seeing Suggs may not play as well. Not me. It’s Kings and the points.

Rating: 2 Units

The Warriors need to win this game as they fight to get out of the 10th seed and improve their playoff chances. However, that doesn’t mean we lay double-digit chalk. The Warriors are having issues winning games, let alone by margin and their injury report just got worse with Moody’s knee exploding. Yes, the Nets are awful, but this line with the Warriors is nuts given all of the rotation players out. 

Rating: 2 Units

The Bucks have won four of their last five games as underdogs against the Trail Blazers. While the Trail Blazers have lost eight of their last 10 games following a win and have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine Wednesday games as favorites. Additionally, the underdogs have covered the spread in each of the last five games between the Bucks and Trail Blazers.

Rating: 3 Units

I’ll lean toward Nevada but it’s a coin flip. The Wolf Pack got past Liberty without too much fuss over the weekend, hitting 46.3 percent from the field with an excellent 95 percent (19-of-20) from the free throw line. Nevada added a 38-21 rebounding edge and just 40.4 percent shooting allowed on defense. The Wolf Pack have gone 5-1 in the last six games, scoring 73 or more points in every one of those wins. As for Auburn, they shot a very nice 50 percent from the field in their win over Seattle U, but did give up 51.7 percent shooting on the other side. The Tigers had a 34-22 edge on points in the paint however, as well as a 38-24 advantage on points in the paint. Auburn has scored a combined 169 points over their two NIT games thus far, so we should have a pretty good total if both teams can keep their offenses up.

Rating: 2 Units

The line has already dropped a half-point in Miami's favor, the Heat are fully healthy, and Cleveland is shorthanded and exhausted on the second night of a back-to-back. Cleveland is 1-4 ATS over the last five games, and this is exactly the kind of spot where the Cavs have been bleeding bettors all season. Take the points with Miami.

Rating: 2 Units

The Celtics were supposed to have a down year with no Tatum, but they have managed to still be one of the best teams in the NBA all season and now they have Tatum back from his injury too. They are off a loss to the Timberwolves in their last one, but they will be looking to bounce back on their home court and they are still 6-4 in their last 10 games. The Celtics played a good game with the Thunder on the road not long ago and they are going to bring their best effort here to be the team to end that long winning streak. The best way to place a bet here is on the Celtics to cover the spread in this game. 

Rating: 2 Units

The line has moved a full point in Indiana's favor despite lopsided public action on LA. The Pacers are healthy, energized after an outright win and have been within a bucket or two of covering in game after game. Closing out a six-game road trip in Indianapolis is not the spot to back the Lakers laying double digits.