Info Plays Sports Handicapping Service

Stephen Nover NBA Picks

Date	Match Up	Rating	Score	Result	Profit	Lead Time	Analysis
03-10-20	Nets +11.5 v. Lakers	Top	104-102	Win	100	17 h 19 m	Show
The Nets are a pesky underdog. They have covered five of the last six times getting points and are in an excellent spot to cover the spread again. The Lakers are coming off impressive victories against the Bucks this past Friday and rival Clippers two days ago. The Lakers host the Rockets on Thursday in a much bigger matchup than this one. That makes this a major letdown situation for the Lakers. Brooklyn is playing its second game under interim coach Jacque Vaughn having opened his era with a 110-107 home win against the Bulls this past Sunday. One of Vaughn's changes from former Nets coach Kenny Atkinson was starting and giving more minutes to center DeAndre Jordan at the expense of Jarrett Allen. Jordan helped the Nets outrebound the Bulls, 50-31. He is a better defensive player, rebounder and shot-blocker than Allen. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are going to receive all the attention, but Jordan knows the Lakers well from his many years with the Clippers. Brooklyn has an underrated backcourt, too, with Spencer Dimwiddie and Caris LeVert, who is averaging 28.8 points in his last four games. Tuesday Free Play Timberwolves plus 12 1/2 at Rockets It has been eight years since the Timberwolves beat the Rockets in Houston. I don't expect Minnesota to end that 13-game road losing streak to the Rockets. I do expect, though, the Timberwolves to hang within single digits. Houston isn't playing nearly well enough to be laying this many points to any NBA opponent. The Rockets are 0-4 SU and ATS in their last four games losing to the Knicks on the road by two, falling to the Clippers by 15 at home, dropping a road game to the Hornets by nine points and getting blown out at home by 20 points to the Magic two days ago. The Rockets have been cold with their 3-point shooting and are minus-36 rebounding during their losing streak. That's the danger of going with the smallest lineup in the NBA. Houston also could be minus Eric Gordon, its third-leading scorer. He's questionable with a knee injury. The major part of my handicap is a fade on the Rockets. But the Timberwolves do offer a top-10 offense. They have produced at least 115 points in 11 of their last 14 games. D'Angelo Russell is an accomplished scorer and shooting guard Malik Beasley is one of the more underrated players in the league producing nine 20-point performances in 13 games since coming from Denver. Sure there's a chance the Rockets take their frustrations out on the Timberwolves. Keep in mind, though, the Rockets are playing their third game in four days and have a far bigger matchup on deck against the Lakers on Thursday. Houston is not a deep team either. So even in a worst case scenario for the Timberwolves of the Rockets getting things together, the backdoor should swing open if late-game garbage time should occur.
03-08-20	Raptors -5.5 v. Kings		118-113	Loss	-109	13 h 40 m	Show
Credit to Sacramento for not giving up on trying to make the playoffs. But the Raptors are two levels higher than the Kings and are in a good situational spot even though they are the road team. The Kings are coming off an impressive, 123-111, road victory against the Trail Blazers on Saturday night. Sacramento, however, carries a heavy fatigue rating. Not only are they playing without rest, but this marks their seventh game in 11 days. Toronto has been idle the past two days. The Raptors are 14-2 the last 16 times they've played a below .500 opponent. Serge Ibaka returned to the lineup in the Raptors' last game after being out the last three games with a knee injury. There's a chance the Raptors could get Marc Gasol and Fred VanVleet back for this game.
03-08-20	Pelicans v. Wolves UNDER 247		120-107	Win	100	7 h 12 m	Show
I understand defense is not exactly a high priority with these two teams. But a lot has to break right for the Pelicans and Timberwolves to exceed this high Over/Under. New Orleans is playing for the fifth time in eight days. So is Minnesota. The tempo should be slower than usual because of that fatigue factor. The teams just met five days ago and it was a track meet with the Timberwolves pulling off a 139-134 upset road win. Both teams should be prepared for each other following this short turnaround especially the Pelicans in a rapid revenge situation.
03-07-20	Kings v. Blazers -138		123-111	Loss	-138	11 h 5 m	Show
This is a crucial game for both teams being 3 1/2 games out of the final playoff spot. I want Portland going for me here being home, having a healthy Damian Lillard and off a bad 127-117 road loss to the Suns on Friday. Portland is a much better home team going 17-13 compared to 11-23 on the road. Lillard should have the rust off this being his third game back from a groin injury. I like Portland's talent level more than Sacramento's with Lillard, CJ McCollum and Hassan Whiteside. The Kings haven't won at Portland since 2012, a string of 12 straight road losses.
03-07-20	Jazz v. Pistons +8.5		111-105	Win	100	8 h 9 m	Show
Utah is in a letdown spot and carries a heavy fatigue rating. The Jazz are coming off a huge 99-94 road win against the Celtics last night. Now they are playing their fourth road game in six days. The Jazz have not been good as favorites going 3-11-2 ATS the past 16 times laying points. The Pistons are down Derrick Rose. But they are expected to get back guard Bruce Brown. They acquired Jordan McRae to boost their backcourt and have been getting strong performances recently from guard Brandon Knight and big man Christian Wood. Detroit has been idle the past two days. So the Pistons hold a definite scheduling advantage.
03-06-20	Blazers -2.5 v. Suns		117-127	Loss	-110	11 h 6 m	Show
The Trail Blazers can't afford to lose this game in their quest to make the playoffs. Their journey is made easier with the return of star guard Damian Lillard. Phoenix has dropped four in a row. The Suns are down two key players with third-leading scorer Kelly Oubre sidelined with a knee injury and Deandre Ayton not likely to play because of an ankle injury. That should ensure another strong inside game from rejuvenated Hassan Whiteside. Portland has won the last five it has played the Suns in Phoenix.
03-04-20	Thunder -7.5 v. Pistons		114-107	Loss	-116	7 h 57 m	Show
Oklahoma City is in stop-the-pain mode having lost its last two games. Those matchups, though, were against the Bucks and Clippers. Now the Thunder step way down in class to face the battered Pistons. The Pistons no longer have Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson. Blake Griffin is out for the season. Their two best players are Derrick Rose and Christian Wood. Rose isn't likely to play because of an ankle injury while Wood is questionable with a foot injury. So this sets up as a kill spot for the Thunder. The situation also favors Oklahoma City. Detroit is home for the first time since finishing a four-game road trip at Sacramento on Sunday. Detroit is 5-16 ATS in its last 21 home games and 1-8 ATS at home versus foes that have a winning road mark. The Thunder have been one of the top road spread teams covering 22 of their last 29 away games. They are 9-1 ATS, too, the past 10 times when playing without rest and and 9-1 ATS against opponent with a losing home mark.
03-02-20	Grizzlies +2.5 v. Hawks		127-88	Win	100	15 h 44 m	Show
The Hawks are getting some love here from the oddsmaker coming off consecutive home double-digit victories against the Nets and Trail Blazers. The key for the Hawks in those victories was their 3-point shooting. Atlanta sank 37 of 81 3-pointers during those two games for 45.6 percent. I don't see the Hawks keeping up that long range accuracy. They rank last in the NBA in 3-point accuracy hitting 33.2 percent of their shots from beyond the arc. The buy sign is back on the Grizzlies after they halted a five-game losing streak coming off break with a monster, 105-88, home win against the Lakers on Saturday. That was LA's lowest scoring total of the season. The Grizzlies don't want to just give that victory back with a loss to the lowly Hawks, who are one of the five-worst teams in the NBA and at least 1 1/2 levels lower than Memphis.
03-02-20	Blazers +7 v. Magic		130-107	Win	100	14 h 13 m	Show
The bottom line for me is Orlando is not this many points better than Portland even playing at home and the Trail Blazers missing Damian Lillard. The teams met in Portland on Dec. 20 and the Trail Blazers won, 118-103. Lillard was instrumental in that victory. But even without Lillard, the Trail Blazers should keep this close, if not win, taking on such a limited offensive opponent. Portland outscores Orlando by eight points a game. The Trail Blazers still have the best guard on the court in CJ McCollum. I also would take Hassan Whiteside against any of Orlando's big men right now. Whiteside has been rejuvenated this season leaving Miami. He's produced double-doubles in his last nine games. Orlando doesn't have a strong home-court failing to cover in seven of its last nine games at Amway Center.
03-01-20	Pistons +7.5 v. Kings	Top	100-106	Win	100	12 h 28 m	Show
The Kings just defeated the Grizzlies in Memphis two days ago. That was a big victory for the Kings. Sacramento concluded its four-game road trip going 3-1. Now, though, the Kings could run into an ambush and may also be short-handed. Sacramento may not have its full concentration and motivation returning home to face the lowly Pistons. Sacramento has failed to cover seven of the last 10 times it has been a home favorite. So the Kings are not good in this home favorite role. The Kings could really be in trouble if their two top point guards, De'Aaron Fox and Cory Joseph, both are out. Each is questionable. Fox has been battling an abdominal injury while Joseph has a bruised heel. Detroit has been getting strong contributions lately from youngsters Christian Wood and Brandon Knight along with a steady hand from rejuvenated veteran Derrick Rose. The Pistons are playing loose and had their confidence restored with a 113-111 road win against the Suns on Friday.
03-01-20	76ers v. Clippers UNDER 219		130-136	Loss	-110	10 h 55 m	Show
The 76ers and Clippers have plenty of star power. They also are underrated defensive clubs. Philadelphia ranks No. 2 in the NBA in scoring defense giving up 106.5 points. The Clippers rate No. 3 in defensive field goal percentage. The 76ers are down their two best players, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. That greatly reduces not only their offense but tempo, too. Only two teams have played at a slower pace than Philadelphia during its past three games. The Clippers are fully healthy for one of the few times this season. Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Patrick Beverley are all excellent defensive players. Note this is an early West Coast start time. That's a plus for the Under, also.
02-29-20	Nets +7 v. Heat		113-116	Win	100	7 h 18 m	Show
Miami received a much needed win beating the Mavericks, 126-118, last night. The Nets also played last night and were humiliated in the fourth quarter by the Hawks losing, 141-118, on the road. That was the most points the Nets had surrendered in three years. I'm expecting a much stronger and focused effort from the Nets, who even with that loss still yield just two fewer points per game than Miami. The Heat are a bit fat and happy after that victory. Miami hasn't been playing well just 3-7 SU and ATS in its last 10 games. The Heat are 1-6 ATS the past seven times following a point spread cover. Brooklyn is 5-2 ATS the past seven times following a victory. The Nets have covered in four of their last five games against the Heat, including both meeting this season winning, 117-113, at home on Jan. 10 and falling, 109-106, as 4 1/2-point home 'dogs. Kyrie Irving didn't play in either of those games.
02-28-20	Nets -2 v. Hawks	Top	118-141	Loss	-110	18 h 39 m	Show
The Nets have dominated the Hawks this season winning and covering all three meetings. Brooklyn's winning margin against Atlanta this season is 13 points. Brooklyn is trying to hold on to the No. 7 seed in the East. This is important since the 8th seed would face the Bucks in the first round. The Nets are in stop-the-pain mode having lost two in a row. The Nets are a better team than the Hawks and should be fully focused knowing their next two games are on the road against the Heat and Celtics, which loom as likely losses. I would suggest locking in now if you can because the line would skyrocket up if Trae Young can't play. He's been battling an illness and didn't practice Thursday.
02-26-20	Magic -129 v. Hawks		130-120	Win	100	15 h 42 m	Show
The Magic are at their best versus sub .500 teams covering 10 of the past 13 times against them. This includes a 115-113 road win against the Nets this past Monday when Orlando rallied from 19 points down in the third quarter. That win pulled the Magic within 1 1/2 games of Brooklyn for the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Orlando certainly doesn't want to give back that progress with a loss to the lowly Hawks. The Hawks can be pesky versus good teams, but are just 7-16-1 ATS the past 24 times taking on opponents with a losing mark. The Magic surrender 14 points less per game than Atlanta. Orlando's top-ranked defense has the capability of frustrating John Collins, Trae Young and De'Andre Hunter.
02-25-20	Thunder -6.5 v. Bulls	Top	124-122	Loss	-109	19 h 41 m	Show
Considering the Bulls' massive amount of injuries, I would rate the Thunder three levels higher than Chicago. So I don't mind laying these road points. Oklahoma City has been a top road team covering 22 of its last 27 away games for 81 percent. The Thunder have covered their last 13 away games! This is the Thunder's first road matchup since the All-Star break. The Thunder have looked great coming off break beating the Nuggets, 113-101, and Spurs, 131-103. They are 3 1/2 games out of being the No. 3 playoff seed in the West. Chicago is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games. The Bulls still are far from healthy being without Lauri Markkanen, Otto Porter Jr., Wendell Carter Jr., Kris Dunn and Denzel Valentine. They are extremely thin up front. Zach LaVine and promising rookie Cody White are it for the Bulls right now. The Thunder have a deep rotation, including three very good guards. Oklahoma City is 20-6 ATS the past 26 times versus sub .500 foes. The Bulls have covered only 31 percent of their last 58 home games.
02-24-20	Magic +3.5 v. Nets	Top	115-113	Win	100	15 h 18 m	Show
Brooklyn is 8-4 in its last 12 games. Orlando is 3-9 in its past 12 games. Note, though, that half of the Nets' victories during this 12-game span were against below .500 foes. The Magic have played a far tougher schedule during their last 12 games drawing the Thunder, Heat twice, Celtics, Bucks, Clippers and Mavericks. The Magic have struggled versus elite teams, but are 8-3 SU and ATS the past 11 times when meeting below .500 foes. This includes a 101-89 home win against the Nets on Jan. 6. Orlando gives up five fewer points than Brooklyn. The Magic have been idle the past three days. This is a huge game for the Magic as they trail the Nets by 2 1/2 games for the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. That's important because the 8th seed would draw the Bucks in the first round.
02-23-20	Pistons v. Blazers -4.5	Top	104-107	Loss	-106	16 h 12 m	Show
I don't want to minimize Portland not having Damian Lillard here. It's a big loss. But Detroit has nothing anymore. The Pistons have gotten rid of Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson and Markieff Morris. The Pistons have lost five in a row. I can't see them being competitive on the road against a borderline Western Conference playoff team that has motivation. The Trail Blazers can't afford to take the Pistons lightly. And they won't minus Lillard and being 3 1/2 games back of the final playoff spot in the West. Even minus Lillard, the Trail Blazers still have the three best players on the court in CJ McCollum, Hassan Whiteside and Carmelo Anthony. Portland is a top-eight scoring team that averages nearly 114 points. Detroit has no firepower anymore. The Pistons are averaging 96.6 points during regulation in their last five games.
02-23-20	Wizards v. Bulls		117-126	Loss	-110	14 h 7 m	Show
Decimated by injuries, the Bulls have lost eight straight games. They are 1-8 ATS in their last nine games. Minus Lauri Markkanen, Otto Porter Jr., Wendell Carter Jr., Kris Dunn. Denzel Valentine and Luke Kornet the Bulls committed a season-worst 26 turnovers in a 112-104 home loss to the Suns on Saturday. Zach LaVine is Chicago's only legitimate NBA starter. The Wizards had some momentum going 5-2 in their last seven games before All-Star break. However, the Wizards' shooting was off and their rust showed on Friday in their first game back from break. They lost, 113-108, at home to the Cavaliers. Washington should shoot better than the 38.7 percent it did against Cleveland. The Wizards have a better lineup and bench than the banged-up Bulls with their YMCA roster. The teams just met 12 days ago and the Wizards won, 126-114, as 3-point home favorites.
02-23-20	Wolves +14 v. Nuggets		116-128	Win	100	13 h 1 m	Show
It's taken nearly all season, but the Nuggets finally have gotten healthy. Short-term, though, that may not be such a huge plus as the team has to integrated again and role players have to readjust. The Timberwolves are thin up front without Karl-Anthony Towns. But their morale is better with D'Angelo Russell on board and Andrew Wiggins gone. Former Nugget Malik Beasley has looked good for Minnesota since coming from Denver on Feb. 5. He knows his old team so his presence should be an added plus. The Nuggets are not good in this role going 3-9-1 ATS the past 13 times versus opponents with a below .400 winning percentage. The Timberwolves have lost the first three games of the series to Denver, but only by an average margin of six points. None of their defeats were by more than nine points.
02-22-20	Suns -126 v. Bulls		112-104	Win	100	9 h 1 m	Show
Subtract Lauri Markkanen, Otto Porter Jr., Wendell Carter Jr., Kris Dunn and Denzel Valentine and the Bulls are in the argument for worst team in the Eastern Conference if not the entire NBA. The battered Bulls have dropped seven in a row the latest come at home to the lowly Hornets, 103-93, two days ago. Now comes the Suns, who are better than the Hornets. Analyzing this matchup I'll call Devin Booker versus Zach LaVine even. But the Suns hold talent edges at all the other spots especially with Deandre Ayton and Ricky Rubio. While the Bulls remain seriously undermanned, the Suns have gotten healthy with Dario Saric and Aron Baynes returning to the lineup. The Suns do well in these spots covering 15 of the last 22 times on the road when meeting a foe with a losing home mark. The Bulls have covered only 30 percent of their last 56 home games.
02-21-20	Grizzlies +11.5 v. Lakers		105-117	Loss	-110	14 h 1 m	Show
If you're going to play without rest the best time to do it is following a week long layoff. Memphis is 5-0 ATS the past five times when playing on the second of consecutive days and should even hold an edge on the Lakers because of it. The Grizzlies lost to the Kings on the road last night. The Grizzlies are adjusted to West Coast time now and should have the rust off. The Lakers, on the other hand, haven't played in nine days. The last time the Lakers played with more than five days rest was on Jan. 31 and they lost, 127-119, to the Trail Blazers as 13-point home favorites. LA also has a marquee look-ahead matchup hosting the Celtics on national television Sunday. The Grizzlies have been red-hot even with their loss to the Kings Thursday night winning 15 of their last 20 games, while going 14-6 ATS.
02-21-20	Celtics -6.5 v. Wolves	Top	127-117	Win	100	19 h 60 m	Show
Boston comes out of the All-Star break winning eight of its last nine. Minnesota is 1-15 in its last 16 games and lost 115-108 at home to the Hornets nine days ago the last time it took the floor. The Celtics won't have Kemba Walker. They will Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward along with a much strong bench than the Timberwolves. Brad Stevens versus Ryan Saunders is a monster coaching mismatch. The Timberwolves will be minus Karl-Anthony Towns. That leaves them D'Angelo Russell, who is learning the Timberwolves' system, and a bunch of garbage, including a very thin front line. This is the first of a four-game road swing for Boston. The Celtics face the Lakers, Trail Blazers and Jazz after this matchup. Stevens knows the Celtics can't screw up this first leg of the road trip. Boston is 5-1-1 ATS the past seven times when playing on three or more days rest. Minnesota is 4-10 ATS the last 14 times in similar situations. The Celtics also have won and covered the past six times they've met the Timberwolves.
02-21-20	Pacers -5.5 v. Knicks		106-98	Win	100	17 h 12 m	Show
This line opened short. The Pacers are back on track after knocking off the Bucks in their final game before the All-Star break. TJ Warren may not play for Indiana, but the Pacers still hold a major talent edge with a now-healthy Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner. The Pacers won't lack motivation as they are in revenge mode for a 92-85 home loss suffered to the Knicks on Feb. 1 when they weren't playing well. Indiana has covered in seven of its past nine away matchups. The Knicks are in total rebuild mode and team chemistry was shaken when word leaked that interim coach Mike Miller isn't going to be back even though Miller has been a huge improvement on David Fizdale.
02-20-20	Hornets +5.5 v. Bulls		103-93	Win	100	18 h 28 m	Show
Perhaps you think the Bulls are better than Charlotte? They aren't. Chicago is 19-36. Charlotte is 18-36. The Hornets are 2-1 versus the Bulls this season with their lone defeat coming by one point. Charlotte covered all three games versus the Bulls and is on a five-game ATS run against Chicago going back to last season. The Bulls would be superior to the Hornets if they were fully healthy. That's not the case, though. Center Wendell Carter Jr. is the only key injured Bull set to return today. Lauri Markkanen, Otto Porter Jr. and Kris Dunn all remain sidelined. Take away those players and Charlotte has the better roster. Zach LaVine gives Chicago the best player on the court. After that, however, the Hornets have Terry Rozier, Miles Bridges, P.J. Washington and emerging star Devonte' Graham, who is quietly averaging 18.1 points and 7.8 assists per game. Carter last played on Jan. 6 so he figures to be rusty and could be on a minutes restriction. Note the Bulls held LaVine to 4-of-19 shooting from the floor when the teams last played with Charlotte winning, 83-73, on Dec. 13 in Chicago. Charlotte comes out of the break having posted consecutive road victories against the Pistons and Timberwolves. Graham is playing his best ball of the season. The Bulls, on the other hand, have dropped six in a row. Among these losses were by 15 points to the Nets and by 12 points to the Wizards. Chicago isn't a strong home team especially versus weaker foes where they are 9-24 ATS the past 33 times hosting sub .500 opponents.
02-13-20	Clippers +2 v. Celtics		133-141	Loss	-105	7 h 37 m	Show
Both the Clippers and Celtics are off bad losses. It's the Clippers who I want in this spot. No team has been better following a defeat. LA is 15-1 SU, 13-3 ATS off a loss. The Celtics have plenty of stars. But it's the Clippers who have the two best players on the court in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Leonard is having another brilliant season and is one of the hottest players in the NBA scoring 30 or more points in 10 of his last 13 games. Jaylen Brown is questionable for the Celtics due to a calf injury. The Clippers have beaten Boston four straight times, including 107-104 at home on Nov. 20.
02-12-20	Blazers +4.5 v. Grizzlies		104-111	Loss	-105	11 h 45 m	Show
Portland has stepped up recently going 7-2 ATS in its last nine games, while defeating the Pacers, Rockets, Lakers, Jazz and Heat during this stretch. But the Trail Blazers couldn't keep it up against much-improved New Orleans on Tuesday, losing 138-117 on the road. That defeat dropped the Trail Blazers 2 1/2 games in back of Memphis for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. So even though the Trail Blazers carry a huge fatigue rating - this is their fifth game in seven days - I'm expecting an all-out effort from a prideful bunch. This is close to a must-win spot for the Trail Blazers and they will be idle for the next nine days following this game. The Grizzlies are playing well, but are flirting with danger shooting just 23.8 percent from 3-point range during their last five games.
02-11-20	Bulls v. Wizards -2.5	Top	114-126	Win	100	15 h 26 m	Show
Down four of their five best players, it's no wonder the Bulls have lost five in a row. Chicago is missing injured Lauri Markkanen, Kris Dunn, Otto Porter and Wendall Carter. Now the Bulls have to face a below-the-radar Wizards squad that has won seven of their last 10 home games. Washington has gotten key role players Rui Hachimura, Davis Bertans and Mo Wagner healthy and improved itself at the trade deadline picking up Shabazz Napier. The Wizards have beaten far better teams than the Bulls during their last 10 home contests, including knocking off the Mavericks, Nuggets and Celtics. Washington won't lack motivation either after blowing a 12-point lead at home in a loss to the Grizzlies this past Sunday. The Bulls are 4-8-1 ATS the past 13 times when taking points. Chicago averages nine fewer points per game than Washington.
02-10-20	Hawks v. Magic -6		126-135	Win	100	9 h 27 m	Show
The Magic finished 20-9 to make the playoffs last season. They are going to need a similar kick to achieve that this season being nine games below .500. The Magic need to start immediately and this matchup sets up for them. Orlando has had a day rest and is stepping way down in class after losing 111-95 to the Bucks at home on Saturday. Now the Magic go from playing the best team in the league to one of the two worst teams in the NBA. Orlando has covered seven of the last nine times versus sub .500 opponents. The Hawks rallied from eight points down in the final 90 seconds of the first overtime to defeat the Knicks, 140-135, in double overtime at home on Sunday. That was just Atlanta's 14th win in 53 games. The Hawks went all out in beating the Knicks as four players logged at least 47 minutes with big man John Collins going 49 minutes. Now the Hawks take to the road where they have failed to cover in 11 of their last 16 away matchups. Atlanta remains thin up front as recent acquistion Clint Capela won't play due to a heel injury. Besides the urgency of needing to beat the Hawks, the Magic won't be taking Atlanta lightly either as they are 0-2 against them this season.
02-09-20	Clippers -5.5 v. Cavs		133-92	Win	100	6 h 18 m	Show
The Clippers buried the Cavaliers, 128-103, when they hosted them on Jan. 14. I doubt the Clippers win by 25 points again, but I do believe they beat the hapless Cavaliers by double-digits even if Kawhi Leonard sits out this game. Cleveland has lost 12 of its past 13 games, including the last five. The Cavaliers did pick up Andre Drummond. He could make his Cleveland debut here. It's going to take time, though, for the Cavaliers to adjust to Drummond, who is a better fantasy player than an NBA player. The Clippers should be in an angry mood after being humiliated, 142-115, by the Timberwolves on the road last night. The Clippers have a strong history of responding well following a loss. They are 23-7 ATS in that role and 7-1 ATS the past eight times after losing by double-digits. Cleveland has failed to cover in six of its last seven home contests.
02-09-20	Grizzlies -120 v. Wizards		106-99	Win	100	14 h 10 m	Show
If the Grizzlies are serious about holding on to the last playoff spot in the Western Conference they need to win a road game such as this. Memphis has covered the last five times it has been favored. The Grizzlies had won six of seven before losing, 119-107, to the 76ers on the road this past Friday. No shame in that as Philadelphia is a dominant 23-2 at home. Now Memphis steps way down in class. The Wizards are a little fat and happy, too, after shading the Mavericks, 119-118, at home on Friday when Bradley Beal made a layup with 0.2 seconds left. Washington is 3-7 ATS the last 10 times following a victory. The Wizards rank last in the league in defense. The Grizzlies took advantage of the Wizards' porous defense to win, 128-111, in the first meeting on Dec. 14. It was the fourth time in the last five meetings the Grizzlies have covered against Washington.
02-08-20	Mavs -4 v. Hornets		116-100	Win	100	9 h 47 m	Show
Even though Dallas won't have injured Luka Doncic and are playing without rest, they still should beat the Hornets by more than this point spread. Charlotte has turned into one of the worst teams in the NBA. The Hornets have lost 12 of their last 13 games with the lone victory during this span coming against the Knicks at home. The Hornets really have problems stepping up in class. They are 4-12 ATS the past 16 times when meeting above .500 opponents. Dallas is coming off a tough 119-118 road defeat to the Wizards last night. The Mavericks didn't play well and were knocked off on a buzzer-beating layup by Bradley Beal. Dallas not only has incentive to bounce back, but also strong revenge motivation, too. Charlotte stunned the Mavericks, 123-120, in overtime as 11 1/2-point road 'dogs during the first meeting. The Mavericks are very strong in this role going 12-3-1 ATS as road chalk. The Hornets could be missing several of their rotation players. Cody Martin is in concussion protocol and veteran forward Marvin Williams is expected to sign with another team possibly the Bucks.
02-07-20	Heat +1 v. Kings	Top	97-105	Loss	-107	11 h 12 m	Show
Jimmy Butler isn't likely to play and Miami has a losing road record at 12-13. OK, now that those two items are out in the open, I still expect Miami to win this game. Better team, better coach that's why. The Heat are off a 128-111 road loss to the Clippers this past Wednesday. Miami doesn't play again until Sunday when it is at Portland. So the Heat should be fully focused. They are 20-5-1 ATS following a defeat. I consider Miami's Erik Spoelstra one of the better coaches in the league and Sacramento's Luke Walton one of the worst. The Kings are once again playing for the future. They have been dreadful at home going 3-12-1 ATS the past 16 times.
02-06-20	Pelicans -4 v. Bulls	Top	125-119	Win	100	18 h 22 m	Show
Aside from Zach LaVine, the Bulls are fielding a junior varsity lineup due to their many injuries. Guard Kris Dunn is the latest Bulls casualty. He's out with a knee injury joining Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr. and Otto Porter Jr. on the sidelines. The Bulls can't wait until All-Star break to try to regroup. They are minus their No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 leading scorers. This is their first game back from an 0-3 road trip that concluded with losses to the Nets and Raptors by a combined 42 points. Those defeats put Chicago 14 games below .500, its low mark of the season. New Orleans is on the upswing. The Pelicans were playing well even before Zion Williamson joined the lineup. There's a chance Williamson doesn't play here because of a sprained toe, but New Orleans still has way more talent than the Bulls with Brandon Ingram, Jrue Holiday, Lonzo Ball and JJ Redick. The Pelicans are dropping way down in class having just played the hot Grizzlies, Rockets and Bucks. New Orleans is 8-1 ATS the past nine times meeting a sub .500 opponent. The Bulls have failed to cover 20 of the last 26 times as a home underdog and are 1-8 ATS versus the Pelicans at home. The teams met on Jan. 8 in New Orleans and the Pelicans easily handed the Bulls, 123-108.
02-05-20	Nuggets v. Jazz -7.5		98-95	Loss	-110	12 h 37 m	Show
Yes, current form is important. But this is trumped by situation when it comes to the long grind-out season of the NBA. The Jazz have that key element going here along with a powerful home history against the Nuggets. Utah has lost four in a row. The Jazz also haven't played in four days. They are going to be ready for this matchup especially after losing six days ago to the Nuggets, 106-100, on the road. The Jazz played at San Antonio the previous night before losing to the Nuggets. Utah still might have beaten Denver if star guard Donovan Mitchell would have had just a normal game. Instead, Mitchell had one of his worst games of the season missing 11 of 12 shots from the field. This time around it's the Nuggets who are without rest facing a revenge-minded, ravenous Jazz squad. Denver is coming off an impressive, 127-99, home win against the Trail Blazers Tuesday night. Jamal Muray returned from injury for Denver aginst the Trail Blazers. However, forward Jerami Grant suffered an ankle injury. Denver already is without big men Paul Millsap and Mason Plumlee. Michael Porter could be out, too, severely restricting Denver's frontcourt depth. Grant, Millsap and Plumlee are Denver's best interior defenders. Rudy Gobert should be able to dominate inside while an obviously highly motivated Mitchell should produce big in the backcourt. Denver is 4-11 ATS following a victory and 3-7 ATS when playing without rest. The Nuggets also have failed to cover in 10 of their last 11 visits to Salt Lake City losing on the road to the Jazz the past nine times.
02-04-20	Hornets +14 v. Rockets		110-125	Loss	-109	15 h 17 m	Show
The Hornets just lost lost 112-100 at home to Orlando for their 11th loss in 12 games. So why get involved with them here besides the obvious taking a generous amount of points? The Hornets outrebounded the Magic by nine and outplayed them in the paint. Orlando's strength is its frontcourt. The Magic won, though, because they uncharacteristically buried 16 of 34 shots from 3-point range. The Magic are 29th in scoring and 28th in 3-point field goal percentage. Charlotte is slightly below average in 3-point defense ranking 19th. Charlotte has covered the past five times following a double-digit home loss. The Hornets also are 7-2 ATS the past nine times when playing without rest. The other side of this equation is Houston. The Rockets are in a letdown spot and look-ahead spot. They just beat the Mavericks and Pelicans at home. The Mavericks were minus Luka Doncic and the Pelicans got caught peeking ahead to their nationally televised matchup against the Bucks today while adjusting to how to play basketball with Zion Williamson. After this matchup, the Rockets meet the Lakers in LA on Thursday in a nationally televised game. So this matchup isn't a high priority for Houston. The Rockets aren't expected to have big man Clint Capela nor Russell Westbrook, who hurt his thumb against the Pelicans on Sunday. So Houston likely will be without two of its three best players. The Rockets figure to play small ball again going without anyone taller than 6-foot-6. The Rockets did that against the Mavericks and Pelicans and got away with it despite getting outrebounded by a combined 35 boards in those two games. Charlotte has several unsung, lunch-pail type big men who are adept rebounders. They can help keep the Hornets within this large point spread.
02-04-20	Bucks -6 v. Pelicans	Top	120-108	Win	100	16 h 12 m	Show
No doubt the Pelicans are going to be sky-high for this nationally televised (TNT) home matchup now that they have Zion Williamson healthy and living up to his hype averaging 19.5 points and shooting 61.5 percent from the floor. But a couple of things are being overlooked with this line opening too short in my view. The Bucks are the best team in basketball and they, too, will be highly motivated to perform well here. The small-market Bucks don't take nationally televised games for granted like the big market teams do. Milwaukee has a lot of pride. That pride was stung when Giannis Antetokounmpo and other Bucks felt their team should have received more All-Star Game roster spots. The Bucks have won 10 of their last 11 games. All of those victories except one were by at least nine points. The Bucks are at the top of their game. The Pelicans are 3-3 since Williamson returned from knee surgery. The Pelicans are still in the feeling out process with Williamson and his teammates. They are not fully in sync yet. The Pelicans were not match for the Bucks when they lost 127-112 at Milwaukee on Dec. 11. Williamson didn't play then. But Antetokounmpo also missed that game.
02-03-20	Pistons v. Grizzlies -6.5	Top	82-96	Win	100	12 h 40 m	Show
The Grizzlies may be ahead of schedule with their many promising young players. They are holding down the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with the Trail Blazers and Spurs chasing them. I don't know if Memphis can make the playoffs. I'd be kind of surprised if the Grizzlies did finish ahead of the veteran Trail Blazers and Spurs. But I do know the Grizzlies have a deep pool of talented youngsters and can beat bad teams like the Pistons at home especially when the spot is favorable as it is here. Memphis has scored 110 or more points in 18 of its last 20 games. The Pistons rank 27th in defensive field goal percentage and coming off a 128-123 home overtime victory against the Nuggets on Sunday. Detroit rallied from 21 points in the win. Prior to that victory, the Pistons had lost five in a row with the losing margin being by an average of 12.2 points. Derrick Rose suffered a groin injury against the Nuggets. He's not expected to play. Rose has been tremendous this season. He and Andre Drummond have been Detroit's best players by far. Rose is the Pistons' most complete player. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, are itching to play again after being embarrassed by the Pelicans this past Friday, 139-111. That was the game following the Grizzlies' 127-106 road win against the Knicks that turned ugly at the end. Jaren Jackson sat out his one game suspension against New Orleans. He'll be play here. The Grizzlies also are hoping Brandon Clarke can play, too. He's been bothered by a sore hip. Even with that loss to the Pelicans, the Grizzlies still have won 11 of their last 14 games. This includes a 125-112 road victory versus the Pistons on Jan. 24. Jackson scored 29 points in that win.
02-02-20	Suns v. Bucks -12		108-129	Win	100	8 h 46 m	Show
The Suns are one of the more improved teams in the NBA. They have actually played better on the road than at home. Devin Booker has All-Star numbers. He should have been selected to be an All-Star. But all of this is trumped by the Bucks being the best team in basketball, being home and in an angry mood following a surprising, 127-115, home defeat to the road-weary Nuggets this past Friday. That was just the Bucks' third home loss of the season in 25 games at Fiserv Forum. The Bucks are 25-9 (74%) ATS following a defeat. So no disrespect to the Suns, but I want the Bucks going for me in this spot.
02-01-20	Jazz -5 v. Blazers		107-124	Loss	-110	17 h 22 m	Show
Forget the 14-1 record from Dec. 26-Jan. 25. Utah is in stop-the-pain mode losers of three in a row with the latter coming in back-to-back road settings against the Spurs and Nuggets. Now the Jazz have had a day to regroup and they gain a scheduling edge. They draw the Trail Blazers, who just won an emotional road game Friday night against the Lakers in the backdrop of Kobe Bryant's untimely death. This is just the second time since Dec. 21 Portland is playing without rest. The last time was Jan. 18 and the Trail Blazers lost, 119-106, at the Thunder. The Trail Blazers have surrendered their once lofty home-court edge. They are 2-7 ATS during their past nine home contests. The Jazz are a top-four Western Conference team. The Trail Blazers have been a major disappointment and wouldn't be in the postseason if the regular season ended this weekend. The Trail Blazers are traveling back home saturated after last night's huge victory, Utah should be fully focused to end its losing streak knowing they won't be in action for another four days following this game.
01-31-20	Raptors -4.5 v. Pistons	Top	105-92	Win	100	17 h 19 m	Show
The Raptors have won nine in a row going 6-3 ATS. The Pistons are 15 games below .500. They've lost four in a row - all by double-digits. So I'm going to ride the much superior and hotter club against a dead Pistons team that has been a huge money-loser at home, 2-9 ATS in their 11 home contest. The line is short because the Raptors played on Thursday and weren't that sharp in a 115-109 road win against the Cavaliers. Toronto should play better here. The Raptors destroyed the Pistons, 122-99, when the teams last met in Detroit on Dec. 18. Look for a similar result here.
01-28-20	Knicks v. Hornets -123		92-97	Win	100	17 h 27 m	Show
If there is one team the Hornets can beat it's the Knicks especially on extra rest and being home. Charlotte has not played since Friday when it fell to the Bucks in Paris. The Hornets are desperate to end an eight-game losing streak. The Knicks remain short-handed in their backcourt and are a bit smug after beating their cross-state rivals the Nets on Sunday. Before defeating the Cavaliers in their last road game, the Knicks had lost three consecutive away matchups by an average of 26.6 points.
01-27-20	Spurs -136 v. Bulls	Top	109-110	Loss	-136	12 h 34 m	Show
If the Spurs are serious about keeping their long playoff streak alive they must win games such as this one espcially with red-hot Utah on deck. The Spurs have an eight-game road trip looming after their next two games following this one. The Bulls have multiple injuries in their front-court with centers Wendell Carter Jr. and Daniel Gafford out along with swingman Otto Porter Jr. San Antonio is 8-2-1 ATS in its last 11 road contests. The Bulls are not a strong home team. They have failed to cover as a home 'dog in 20 of the past 26 instances.
01-26-20	Suns v. Grizzlies -2.5	Top	109-114	Win	100	14 h 0 m	Show
It's not a misprint. If the season ended today, the Grizzlies would be in the playoffs. Memphis has come on winning eight of its last 10 games, going 7-3 ATS, to grab the eighth spot in the Western Conference. Phoenix is much improved, too. But the Grizzlies are the better team with more balanced scoring and prime rookie of the year candidate Ja Morant trumping Ricky Rubio at point guard. Morant is averaging 17.4 points and 7.1 assists. Sparked by Morant, the Grizzlies are the highest scoring team in the league this month. Memphis has scored 110 or more points in 15 of its last 16 games. Phoenix ranks 20th in scoring defense and 24th in defensive field goal percentage. The Suns enter this matchup a bit fat and happy having defeated the Spurs this past Friday in San Antonio. It was the Suns' first win there in seven years. The Suns beat the Grizzlies on Nov. 2. Memphis has improved a great deal since then beating the Suns, 115-108, on Dec. 11 and 121-114 on Jan. 5. Both of those victories came at Phoenix.
01-25-20	Mavs v. Jazz -3.5	Top	107-112	Win	100	13 h 53 m	Show
Utah is the hottest team in the NBA winning 18 of its last 20 games. The Jazz's last three victories have been by an average of 28.3 points. Dallas is one of the most improved teams in the NBA, but this is a tough road spot for the Mavericks. The Jazz have been idle since Wednesday, while the Mavericks played on Thursday and earlier this week lost underrated big man Dwight Powell for the season with an Achilles injury. The Mavericks beat the Trail Blazers in Portland on Thursday in their first game without Powell. I don't see them doing that to the Jazz, who can exploit the injury with Rudy Gobert playing at such a high level. The Jazz have covered their last seven home games and are 13-3 ATS the past 16 times laying points.
01-24-20	Rockets -5 v. Wolves		131-124	Win	100	15 h 54 m	Show
It doesn't matter than Karl Anthony-Towns is back. The Timberwolves remain terrible. They have lost seven in a row. Minnesota has been terrible at home all season winning just six of 21 times at Target Center. The Timberwolves have covered only 32 percent of their past 26 games. The buy sign is back on Houston after the Rockets beat the Nuggets, 121-105, at home two days ago. The Rockets play at Denver, Utah and Portland in their next three games. So they don't want to open this road trip with a loss to the worst team.
01-24-20	Raptors -7.5 v. Knicks		118-112	Loss	-108	14 h 23 m	Show
The Raptors are healthy again and dangerous. Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, Norman Powell and Marc Gasol are all back on the court. Toronto has gone off on a five-game winning streak covering four of those games. Toronto's average winning margin during its win streak is 16.2 points. The Raptors buried the Knicks, 126-98, when they last met on Nov. 27. The Knicks are short-handed minus RJ Barrett and are 2-9 in their last 11 games. New York has surrendered 117 or more points in eight of their last 11 games.
01-23-20	Mavs v. Blazers +4.5		133-125	Loss	-110	10 h 30 m	Show
Home-court advantage, line value and rapid revenge all put me on the Trail Blazers. Dallas and Portland have essentially traded places. The Mavericks have become a solid playoff team, while the Trail Blazers are now a lottery club. I accept that, but do believe Dallas is due for a regression - especially losing underrated big man Dwight Powell for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon - and Portland is due for an uptick. The Trail Blazers shouldn't lack incentive having lost, 120-112, on the road to the Mavericks six days ago. Portland has beaten the Mavericks each of the last three times it has hosted them. Kristaps Porzingis looked extremely rusty on Tuesday in his first game back from missing eight games with a knee injury. This will be his second game since the injury. Luka Doncic is a great guard. But so is prideful Damian Lillard, who won't want Doncic to show up his team at home.
01-22-20	Nuggets v. Rockets -8		105-121	Win	100	11 h 16 m	Show
This is a true stop-the-pain game for the Rockets. They have lost four in a row with the latest being a 112-107 home loss to the Thunder on Monday. James Harden missed 16 of 17 shots from 3-point range. Harden is shooting 18 percent from the floor during this losing skid. Harden and the Rockets are overdue to perform much better. This spot sets up for them. The Nuggets have beaten up five patsies in going 6-2 in their last eight games. Denver, though, is missing three starters - Paul Millsap, Gary Harris and Jamal Murray. This marks the Nuggets' third game in four days. The Nuggets have a terrible history in Houston losing the past seven times there. The teams meet again four days later in Denver. Houston hosted Denver on Dec. 31 and won, 130-104. That was the Rockets' 11th victory in the past 13 meetings versus Denver.
01-20-20	Pistons v. Wizards -112		100-106	Win	100	6 h 42 m	Show
This matchup sets up well for Washington. The Wizards are a very bad 5-17 on the road, but a far more respectable 8-11 at home. The Wizards have been idle since Friday when they were embarrassed by 29 points on the road by the Raptors. They seek redemption at home and aside from John Wall, who has missed the entire season, have their key players healthy again with Bradley Beal, Thomas Bryant and Davis Bertans back in the rotation. While the Wizards had the weekend to rest and game plan, the Pistons had to play Saturday night against the Hawks. The Pistons buried the Hawks, but this early Martin Luther King Day start time nearly makes this a back-to-back game. Detroit has failed to cover 10 of the last 12 times when playing on one day's rest. Detroit hasn't gotten healthy like the Wizards have. The Pistons are minus Blake Griffin, Luke Kennard and Reggie Jackson. They are relying on youngsters Sekou Doumbouya and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, who are up-and-down. Derrick Rose is having a nice comeback season, but he no longer is able to play big minutes. Note, too, that the Pistons have failed to cover in six of their last seven road games against the Wizards.
01-19-20	Pacers v. Nuggets UNDER 213		115-107	Loss	-110	10 h 45 m	Show
Indiana is one of the better defensive teams in the NBA giving up the sixth-fewest points per game and ranking seventh in defensive field goal percentage. The Pacers draw a banged-up Denver squad. The Pacers are seeking revenge for a 124-116 home loss to the Nuggets from 17 days ago. The Nuggets shot 53 percent from the floor and made 24 of 27 free throws in that game. The Nuggets are likely to be missing three of their top five scorers with Paull Millsap, Jamal Murray and Gary Harris all injured. This means more minutes for Malik Beasley, Mason Plumlee and Michael Porter Jr., who aside from Porter, aren't scorers. The Nuggets lack a deep bench so don't look for an uptempo pace. The Under is 12-4 the past 16 times the Nuggets have played on two day's rest. This trend makes sense because Denver's Michael Malone is an excellent defensive coach. The Nuggets have clamped down defensively during their last two home games holding Charlotte to 86 points - 17 below the Hornets' average - and limiting the high-scoring Clippers to 104 points - which is 12 points under their average.
01-18-20	76ers -3.5 v. Knicks		90-87	Loss	-109	9 h 38 m	Show
No Joel Embiid and a 7-14 road record make the 76ers just a short favorite against the Knicks. Despite those obstacles, the 76ers still are a much better team than New York rendering this point spread as being too short. Philadelphia has defeated New York 10 straight times. Even without Embiid, the 76ers still are two levels higher than the Knicks. New York has multiple injuries in the backcourt, including one to shooting guard RJ Barrett.
01-17-20	Heat v. Thunder OVER 215.5	Top	115-108	Win	100	8 h 34 m	Show
Oklahoma City is averaging 114.3 points in its last nine games. The Thunder have a deep and talented scoring backcourt. Miami is great at home, but has a losing road record. The Heat are giving up an average of 119.6 points in their last three road matchups. Those games were against the Nets, Knicks and Pacers. The Thunder average the same number of points per game as the Nets and more than the Pacers and lowly Knicks, who produced 124 points against Miami. The Heat, though, are averaging 116.8 points in their last five games. This game is lined near pick, too, so overtime is more a possibility than normal.
01-16-20	Suns -3 v. Knicks	Top	121-98	Win	100	9 h 25 m	Show
The Suns aren't as good minus point guard Ricky Rubio. The combination of missing Rubio and having the Hawks shooting 49.5 percent caused Phoenix to lose, 123-110, to Atlanta on Tuesday. Rubio is back and I like Phoenix to cover this small number off that bad loss. The Suns are one of the more improved teams in the league, while the Knicks remain one of the worst. New York also could be without its leading scorer, Marcus Morris. He's missed the past five games due to a sore neck. The Knicks could be short-handed at point guard, too, which is one of their many areas of weakness. Phoenix is 6-2 ATS the past eight times on the road meeting a foe with a losing home mark. The Suns also have covered seven of the past nine times at Madison Square Garden.
01-15-20	Spurs v. Heat OVER 220		100-106	Loss	-112	4 h 19 m	Show
The Spurs' defense is way down this season ranking 26th. But San Antonio's offense has been coming around sparked by the hot shooting of DeMar DeRozan. San Antonio has produced 118 or more points in four of its last 5 games. The Heat are averaging 122 points in their last four games. This has been an Over series, too, with the high side cashing six of the last 8 times.
01-12-20	Hornets +8.5 v. Suns	Top	92-100	Win	100	7 h 27 m	Show
The Suns find themselves favored by more points than they have all season. Is it justified? Maybe by the oddsmaker's perspective, but not by mine. The Suns are 4-9 ATS the last 13 times they've been favored this season. Their record at home is 8-14. They are 4-9-1 ATS during their last 14 home contests. Charlotte can't beat or usually hang with good teams. But the Hornets have 13 victories versus sub .500 opponents. They play them tough. Charlotte is 5-2 the past seven times meeting a foe with a losing record. Terry Rozier, the Hornets' key player, is hot averaging 27.4 points on 51.1 percent shooting from the floor in his last five games. The Hornets have proven themselves on the road, too, covering eight of the last 10 times when going against opponents with a below .500 home mark. Red-hot Utah blew Charlotte out in the Hornets' last road game. However, the Hornets upset the Mavericks in their road game before that one.
01-10-20	Bucks v. Kings OVER 224	Top	127-106	Win	100	6 h 25 m	Show
Death, taxes and the Bucks reaching triple-digits. Those are the givens in life. The Bucks have scored 100 or more points in 63 straight games. That's the longest triple-digit streak in 24 years. The question is how many points will Milwaukee get here? The Bucks have shot just 40 percent from the floor during their last two games producing only 104 and 107 points. I don't see the Bucks shooting this poorly for a third straight game. Sacramento ranks 22nd in defensive field goal percentage. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer is aware of the poor shooting and said the Bucks will be picking up the pace in this matchup, which is a strong indication for going Over. The Kings have been on a scoring spree averaging 117 points during their last four games. They play faster with De'Aaron Fox back in the lineup and being 100 percent.
01-08-20	Nuggets v. Mavs -3	Top	107-106	Loss	-109	17 h 32 m	Show
Luka Doncic had a rare off-game when the Mavericks last played the Nuggets. That was back in October at Denver. Yet the Mavericks still won, 109-106. Doncic has been putting up monster numbers. The Mavericks' firepower is bolstered with Tim Hardaway Jr. back from a hamstring injury. It's a plus if Kristpas Porzingis can play after missing the past four games with a knee injury. I still like the Mavericks regardless of Porzingis' status. The Nuggets aren't nearly as good on the road where they are 2-6-2 ATS when meeting a foe with a winning home mark. It's Denver's fifth consecutive away matchup and concludes its nine-day road trip. So there is a fatigue factor against them, too. Dallas is 11-5-1 ATS the last 17 times when favored. The Mavericks also are 6-2-1 ATS the past nine times hosting the Nuggets.
01-06-20	Nuggets -8.5 v. Hawks	Top	123-115	Loss	-105	10 h 54 m	Show
This spot sets up for the road favorite Nuggets. Denver is 1-2 on its current road trip, which concludes on Wednesday at Dallas. The Nuggets are coming off an embarrassing, 128-114, loss to the short-handed Wizards. Denver coach Michael Malone ripped his team following that humiliation. The Nuggets are far superior to the Hawks, who are the worst team in the NBA at 8-28. Denver shouldn't lack incentive against this bottom feeder especially since one of the Hawks' rare victories was achieved against the Nuggets in the first meeting back on Nov. 12. Atlanta is off a surprising, 116-111, home win against the Pacers this past Saturday. That was just the Hawks' second home win since Dec. 2. Atlanta is 2-11 SU, 5-8 ATS in its past 13 games. The last time the Hawks won consecutive games was the first two games of the season. The Hawks are dealing with injuries with John Collins (back), Jabari Parker (throat) and Cam Reddish (wrist) all hurt.
01-05-20	Blazers v. Heat -5.5		111-122	Win	100	7 h 8 m	Show
I find this line too short. Miami is at least one level higher than Portland, has a strong home-court advantage and situational elements favor the Heat, too. Miami is 16-1 at home. That's the best home mark in the NBA. Portland is 7-12 on the road and has failed to cover in five of its last six away matchups. The Trail Blazers also are 0-5 ATS the last five times taking points. The Heat should be fired-up after suffering an embarrassing 20-point loss to Orlando two days. This marks Portland's third road game in five days. The Trail Blazers took advantage of a decimated Washington squad to beat the Wizards, 122-103, this past Friday. Before that victory, the Trail Blazers had lost five straight. The Trail Blazers are thin up front with big men Zach Collins and Skal Labissiere out. This is the first meeting of the season between these teams. Miami swept Portland last season winning the two games by an average of 9.5 points. The Heat are much improved this season while Portland has severely regressed.
01-04-20	Pistons v. Warriors +3		111-104	Loss	-107	9 h 12 m	Show
I expect the Warriors to give a strong effort at home after being embarrassed, 99-84, at home by the Timberwolves on Thursday. Golden State does have multiple injuries, but some of its promising young players are back healthy. Golden State has shown some resiliency, too, covering eight of the last 11 times following a loss. Still, the major basis of this handicap is a fade on the Pistons. They have multiple injuries, too, with Blake Griffin, Markieff Morris and Luke Kennard banged-up. Detroit has lost and failed to cover in eight of its last nine games. The Pistons are 5-16-1 ATS on the road. Morale is bad with Andre Drummond being openly shopped as trade bait.
01-04-20	Jazz -4.5 v. Magic		109-96	Win	100	8 h 52 m	Show
Utah has been sailing below the radar. The Jazz are 9-1 in their last 10 games, 7-2 ATS. The Jazz had beaten the Magic 14 of the last 18 times, including 109-102, at home three weeks ago. The timing is good for Utah to continue its dominance. The rested Jazz catch the Magic off a big 105-85 win against in-state rival Miami. The Magic accomplished this without their best defender, Jonathan Isaac. He's out with a knee injury. Aaron Gordon returned to Orlando's lineup after being out with an Achilles injury. But Gordon's minutes may be limited since this is the second of a back-to-back game. The Magic usually fail when stepping up in class. The Jazz are a level higher than Orlando.
01-03-20	Pelicans +11 v. Lakers	Top	113-123	Win	100	7 h 56 m	Show
The Pelicans come in extremely well-rested having been idle the past four days. Brandon Ingram has become a star taking some of the sting of not having projected superstar rookie Zion Williamson. New Orleans is playing its best ball winning a season-best four games in a row. The Pelicans' average win margin in these games is 14.3 points and they've done it against strong competition defeating the Rockets, Pacers and Nuggets in their last three games. A major key in the Pelicans' turnaround has been defensive improvement. They've held five of their past seven opponents to 100 points or fewer. The Lakers are just 3-4 in their last seven games. They have failed to cover seven of the last nine times laying points. The Pelicans have strong incentive taking on the Lakers with Ingram, Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart being former Lakers. The Pelicans played the Lakers tight in the first meeting, losing 114-110, at home on Nov. 27. New Orleans is playing much better now.
01-02-20	Thunder v. Spurs -126		109-103	Loss	-126	17 h 1 m	Show
This has been the most disappointing season record-wise Gregg Popovich has had in his long tenure with the Spurs. Lately, though, the Spurs have show more life going 7-4. The Spurs defeated the Thunder, 121-112, at home back on Nov. 7 when they weren't playing nearly as well. The Thunder have failed to cover the last six times they've played at San Antonio. Oklahoma City is coming off a 1-point road win against the Raptors and a 5-point home win against the Mavericks. The Thunder are a season-best three games above .500. Oklahoma City isn't that good. This is the time to step in against them in this difficult road setting and in a crucial matchup for the Spurs. The Spurs are 14-18. Following this game, the Spurs play an away/home series against the Bucks and a road game versus the Celtics. They are going to be underdogs in each of those three contests. So this becomes a high priority game for the Spurs putting them in must-win mode.
01-01-20	Blazers -3.5 v. Knicks	Top	93-117	Loss	-115	19 h 55 m	Show
The Trail Blazers are in stop-the-pain mode after losing at home to the Suns, 122-116, this past Monday for their fourth consecutive loss. Portland is having a disappointing season, but remain a far superior team to the Knicks. That was proven when the Trail Blazers destroyed the Knicks, 115-87, three weeks ago. It was Portland's sixth straight win against New York. The Knicks couldn't stop the Trail Blazers' star guard tandem of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, who combined for 58 points. New York is in big trouble again the backcourt against those two. The Knicks could be down to one healthy point guard, Elfrid Payton, as Frank Ntilikna (groin) and Dennis Smith Jr. (oblique) are both questionable. Carmelo Anthony should be stoked to go all out returning to Madison Square Garden having starred for the Knicks for seven seasons.
12-31-19	76ers v. Pacers UNDER 212.5		97-115	Win	100	5 h 20 m	Show
These are two slow-paced, strong defensive clubs each trying to end two-game losing streaks. Throw in an early start time and a 6-1 history to the Under during their past seven meetings and you should have another lower-than-expected final score. Philadelphia yields the fourth-fewest points per game in the league. The 76ers also rate No. 1 in defensive rebounding. Indiana gives up the sixth-fewest points per game in the NBA and also is sixth in defensive field goal percentage. The Pacers may get starting point guard Malcolm Brogdon back from a hamstring injury. He's their leading scorer at 18.3 points, but also a strong defender. Ben Simmons is Brogdon's counterpart and he's also a very good defensive player. This should be an old-fashion, half-court, intense matchup with playoff-caliber defense.
12-30-19	Bucks -6.5 v. Bulls		123-102	Win	100	8 h 8 m	Show
This spread is much lower than what it normally is when these two teams meet. The reason being Giannis Antetokounmpo could miss a third straight game. The Bucks beat the Hawks on the road and the Magic at home by an average of 18.5 points in their last two games, minus Antetokounmpo. I like Milwaukee here and will lock in now. If Antetokounmpo happens to play that would be a huge bonus. Milwaukee is the best team in basketball. One of the Bucks' major strengths is how deep they are. They rank No. 1 in scoring and in both offensive AND defensive field goal percentage. The Bulls rank 27th in shooting percentage. Chicao is 7-10 at home while the Bucks are 13-3 on the road. Milwaukee has covered the past seven times versus opponents with a winning percentage below .400. The Bucks have defeated their long-time division rival eight straight times, including by nine points at home and by 14 points in Chicago during the first two meetings this season. The Bucks have dominated the Bulls more when playing in Chicago winning the past seven times there by an average of 15.8 points. All of the victories at United Center during this span have been by 11 or more points.
12-28-19	Pistons v. Spurs -4	Top	109-136	Win	100	17 h 35 m	Show
The Spurs could be the most inconsistent team in the NBA. They have been playing better lately, though, and are in a big home revenge spot. The Pistons embarrassed the Spurs, 132-98, four weeks ago in Detroit. I like Gregg Popovich in payback mode. The situation sets up for San Antonio, too. The Pistons are thin in the bakcourt with Reggie Jackson and now Luke Kennard out. Derrick Rose and Bruce Brown are less than 100 percent. Blake Griffin is batting aliments, too. The Spurs are off a loss to the Mavericks, while the Pistons just destroyed the Wizards, 132-102, this past Thursday. The Pistons are 2-8-1 ATS following a victory. Detroit also has been miserable as a road 'dog posting a 3-11-1 ATS mark the past 15 times in that role.
12-25-19	Celtics v. Raptors UNDER 213	Top	118-102	Loss	-111	12 h 1 m	Show
It's not just two excellent defensive teams squaring off that point to an Under in this matchup. Both rank among the top seven teams in defensive efficiency. This is a division rivalry. It's a very early start time - noon East Coast time. And the game is being played Christmas Day. All those factors are pluses for the Under. So is the situation for Toronto. The Raptors are minus three key injured players - Pascal Siakam, who is their leading scorer at 25.1 points, Marc Gasol and Norman Powell. The Raptors overcame a 30-point second-half deficit to stun the Mavericks this past Sunday. They then went into overtime against the Pacers on Monday. This almost is like a third game in three days with the early start instead of third game in four days. Look for the Raptors to slow things down because of their heavy fatigue factor. The Celtics have been playing at a slow pace ranking 27th in tempo during their last 10 games.
12-23-19	Spurs +1 v. Grizzlies	Top	145-115	Win	100	10 h 53 m	Show
The Spurs had started to turn around their disappointing season going 5-3 with victories against the Clippers and Rockets until losing, 134-109, at home to the Clippers. That was an embarrassing loss. I see the Spurs recovering against the Grizzlies. Memphis is 5-3 in its last eight games. Do note, though, that four of those victories have been against the Warriors, Wizards, Suns and Kings. Those are all bad teams. The Spurs have revenge motivation for a 113-109 home loss to the Grizzlies last month plus the humiliation of falling to the Clippers this past Saturday. This is priced around pick. I want Gregg Popovich going for me.
12-22-19	Nuggets v. Lakers -3.5	Top	128-104	Loss	-105	10 h 8 m	Show
The Nuggets have won five in a row and LeBron James is probably going to miss his first game of the season due to a muscle strain in his back. Because of these factors the line is greatly reduced from what it normally would be with LA at home. I will lay the short number not just because of the value factor, but because of the spot and my belief the Lakers will step up big time here to prove they can win at home without James. Let's start with the Nuggets. Their five consecutive victories have all come at home. They are a different team on the road. Denver is 1-4 SU, 1-3-1 ATS in its past five away matchups with the lone winner coming against the pathetic Knicks. On to the Lakers. They are back from a road trip that concluded Thursday with a loss to the Bucks, the best team in basketball. The Lakers also lost to the Pacers before that game, perhaps looking ahead to the marquee matchup against the Bucks. Now the Lakers are home where they have covered 13 of the last 18 times. LA hasn't lost three games in a row all season. The Lakers are going to dig in hard here. Obviously it's a monster bonus if James somehow plays. But I am not anticipating that. I am anticipating Kyle Kuzma, their third-best player, to be back in action tonight. The Lakers still have the best player on the court in Anthony Davis. Look for prideful veterans Dwight Howard and Rajon Rondo to spark a strong bench effort, too, after each of them played poorly versus the Bucks.
12-21-19	Bucks v. Knicks +13		123-102	Loss	-105	8 h 56 m	Show
The Knicks have shown a pulse under new coach Mike Miller going 3-2 SU, 4-1 ATS in their last five games. But mainly this handicap is based on fading the Bucks due to the spot. Milwaukee just beat the Lakers at home on Thursday in the marquee matchup of the season. It was a highly satisfying win for the Bucks. Following this matchup, the Bucks fly right back home to host the hot Pacers on Sunday in a much more meaningful game. So focus. concentration and overconfidence could hamper the Bucks in trying to cover this large road number.
12-20-19	Grizzlies -108 v. Cavs		107-114	Loss	-108	16 h 14 m	Show
I understand this is bad versus bad. Only Cleveland is worse than Memphis. The Grizzlies have been playing better and I prefer their young talent over Cleveland's. The Cavaliers did win their last game, holding off the Hornets, 100-98, this past Wednesday. But that was just the Cavaliers' third win in their last 19 games. They have failed to cover in 14 of their last 18 games and are 3-8-1 ATS during their past 12 home contests. Only once all season have the Cavaliers won two in a row. Memphis is 4-2 in its last six games and very well could be 5-1. The Grizzlies blew a 24-point second-half lead in a 126-122 loss to the Thunder on Wednesday. The Grizzlies have covered the last four times they've met a below .500 opponent. Memphis youngsters Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke and Dillon Brooks are all playing well.
12-19-19	Nets v. Spurs -2.5	Top	105-118	Win	100	11 h 9 m	Show
At 10-16, the Spurs are off to their worst start under Gregg Popovich. Lately, though, the Spurs have shown life. They have won four of their last seven games, including defeating the Clippers and Rockets during this time frame. San Antonio should be 5-2 during this span with two victories against the Rockets. However, the Spurs blew a 25-point lead against Houston on Monday when they last played. The Spurs have had two days to deal with that loss and get psyched for this matchup. They draw Brooklyn coming off a 108-101 overtime road victory against New Orleans. The Spurs hold a frontcourt edge on the Nets with LaMarcus Aldridge and their guards have picked up their play. There also is a mental hurdle the Nets face here. San Antonio has owned the Nets at home beating them 16 times in a row! The Nets haven't won at San Antonio since 2002.
12-18-19	Celtics -120 v. Mavs	Top	109-103	Win	100	21 h 58 m	Show
Kudos to the Mavericks for ending the Bucks' 18-game win streak on Monday despite not having superstar Luka Doncic. The Mavericks achieved that distinction on the road. They are a much improved team. But they are not as good as Boston especially without Doncic, who remains out with an ankle injury. The Celtics are on a two-game losing streak with losses to the Pacers and 76ers. Boston has had five days to think about those defeats. The Celtics haven't lost three in a row all season. Expect Brad Stevens to have the rested Celtics super ready to square off against Dallas. Boston is 10-4-1 ATS the last 15 times they've been on the road facing an above .500 home team.
12-16-19	Spurs v. Rockets -10	Top	107-109	Loss	-109	16 h 13 m	Show
Gregg Popovich has been coaching the Spurs for 23 years. He's never had a season this bad. San Antonio is 10-15. The Spurs are even worse against the spread at 6-18-1 (25 percent), which is the worst ATS mark in the NBA. Houston is one of the best teams in the NBA. Yet when these teams last met two weeks ago in San Antonio, the Spurs won in double overtime, 135-133. The Rockets blew a 22-point lead in that game. That was also the game where the officials' mistakenly waved off James Harden's slam dunk basket. It was the most frustrating and controversial game of the season for the Rockets. Now Houston gets its chance for revenge. The Rockets not only are thirsty for payback, but they are off a surprising home loss to the Pistons this past Saturday. San Antonio is off an overtime victory against Phoenix also on Saturday. That game, though, was played in the high elevation of Mexico City. It was the fourth straight overtime game for the Spurs. So San Antonio could have a fatigue issue especially after playing Mexico City. The Spurs have failed to cover 17 of the last 21 times after a victory. The Rockets have a monster edge in the backcourt with James Harden and Russell Westbrook, while Clint Capela can hold his own in the frontcourt against the Spurs' big people.
12-13-19	Knicks v. Kings -8	Top	103-101	Loss	-105	22 h 39 m	Show
Quietly and well below the radar screen, the Kings have been one of the hottest point spread teams in the NBA covering 15 of their last 19 for 79 percent! The Knicks find themselves in a very rare situation - being in a letdown spot. New York halted a 10-game losing streak with a 124-122 road overtime victory against Golden State on Wednesday. The Knicks are 6-21 ATS following a spread cover. They haven't won consecutive games all season. The key here is are the Kings good enough to cover this high of a number? They haven't been this large of a favorite all season. I believe the Kings can given how well they are playing and the situation. Sacramento has won three in a row knocking off the Mavericks, Rockets and Thunder. Those teams are all considerably better than the Knicks with the Rockets and Mavericks rating among the best teams in the Western Conference. Marvin Bagley III is back for the Kings. He's their best big man. The Kings play their next four games on the road starting Sunday. So motivation shouldn't be a problem. New York is playing its third road game in four days. The Knicks rate with the Cavaliers, Hawks and Warriors as one of the four worst teams in the NBA. Even after scoring 124 points against the Warriors, the Knicks rank last in the NBA in scoring, field goal percentage and free throw percentage. Sacramento had no problem with the Knicks at Madison Square Garden last month beating them, 113-92. It was the Kings' fourth win in a row against New York.
12-12-19	Mavs -5 v. Pistons	Top	122-111	Win	100	19 h 20 m	Show
First, note the venue. This game is being played in Mexico City. That's a plus for Dallas, which is much closer to Mexico than Detroit. The Mavericks also have several Spanish speaking players, including star point guard Luka Doncic. The Mavericks have been dominant away from home going 15-3-1 ATS (83 percent) in their last 19 road games. Dallas is at least one level, if not two levels, higher than Detroit. The Mavericks last played on Sunday. So they've had ample time to rest, prepare and stew over their last game, a home loss to the Kings that ended a five-game win streak. The Pistons have played a weaker schedule. They've met only three teams from the Western Conference, all of whom have losing records.
12-11-19	Lakers -6.5 v. Magic	Top	96-87	Win	100	18 h 40 m	Show
The Lakers are among the three best teams in basketball. They are a sizzling 14-1 in their last 15 games and unbeaten away from Staples Center going 11-0. I rate the Lakers close to three levels higher than Orlando. The Magic have consistently failed to step up against elite competition going 1-9 versus above average teams. The Lakers should be focused and energized having last played on Sunday. The Magic have failed to cover in five of their last seven home games.
12-09-19	Raptors -5 v. Bulls	Top	93-92	Loss	-109	10 h 25 m	Show
Toronto is in stop-the-pain mode on a season-long three-game losing streak. Those losses, however, have occurred to the Heat in overtime, Rockets and 76ers. Now the Raptors step way down in class taking on a lottery foe they have owned. Toronto has won won the past 10 meetings against the Bulls, including, 108-84, earlier this season at Chicago. It was the fifth straight time the Raptors have covered at the Bulls. The defending champions know how to get it done against weaker opponents. Toronto is 13-3 ATS the past 16 times when facing below .500 teams. The Raptors may not have injured guard Fred VonVleet against the Bulls. He hurt his knee in Sunday's 110-104 loss to the 76ers. But starting point guard Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka are back for Toronto. Toronto matches up well to the Bulls. The Raptors rank No. 2 in defensive field goal percentage while the Bulls are the second-worst shooting team in the league.The Bulls also played on Sunday and suffered a tough 110-105 overtime loss to the Heat on the road squandering a one-point lead in the final seconds. Rarely do the Bulls play well in back-to-back games.
12-08-19	Thunder v. Blazers -3.5		108-96	Loss	-113	19 h 57 m	Show
Portland is playing better than it did when it defeated Oklahoma City, 136-119, at home on Nov. 27 and defeated the Thunder, 102-99, on the road Oct. 30. The Trail Blazers were 4-1 in their last five games until falling to the Lakers at home, 136-113, this past Friday. No shame in that. I rank the Lakers as one of the two best teams in the NBA. Portland lost Rodney Hood, who was enjoying a strong season, for the year in that loss. Hood suffered a torn Achilles. I expect Portland to come back strong at home. Teams often rally and play well in the first game after losing a good player. The Trail Blazers have a strong history under Terry Stotts of playing well following a blowout loss, too. They are 6-1-1 ATS the past eight times after suffering a double-digit defeat. Oklahoma City is a bad road club. The Thunder are 2-7 away from home with their lone road wins coming against the Pelicans and Warriors, who have a combined record of 11-36. The Thunder enter this matchup fat and happy after pulling off one of the more improbable victories of the season. The Thunder beat the Timberwolves in overtime at home on Friday. They forced overtime by scoring a basketball at the buzzer off a long pass after trailing by two points with 1.1 seconds left and Karl-Anthony Towns at the free throw line for Minnesota.
12-06-19	Wizards v. Heat -9.5	Top	103-112	Loss	-105	9 h 29 m	Show
Miami is 8-0 at home this season. Going back to last season, the Heat are 9-1-1 ATS in their last 11 home contests. Miami shoots 51.4 percent from the floor at home compared to 45.1 percent away. The Heat give up 17 fewer points per game than the Wizards. Washington is 12-29-1 ATS the last 42 times it has been on the road facing an above .500 home foe. Not only is Miam vastly superior to Washington - which this point spread reflects - but it draws the Wizards being in a highly favorable situational spot. The line doesn't fully reflect that. Washington is off maybe its best game of the season, a 119-113 home win against the 76ers. The Wizards had lost three in a row prior to that victory. The Heat are off a disappointing, 112-93, road loss to the Celtics from Wednesday. Miami is 18-7-1 ATS following a non-cover. The Heat also are 14-2-1 ATS the past 17 times when going against a below .500 opponent. The Wizards are shorthanded in the middle with center Thomas Bryant sidelined with a foot injury. In addition, point guard Isaiah Thomas is dealing with a calf injury.
12-04-19	Kings v. Blazers -3	Top	116-127	Win	100	20 h 36 m	Show
You wouldn't know it from their Tuesday performance against the Clippers, but the Trail Blazers are back on track after multiple frontcourt injuries helped cause a rough 2-10 stretch last month. Portland had rebounded to win three in a row until getting blown out, 117-97, on the road by the Clippers last night. The Clippers are 13-1 at home and one of the five best teams in the NBA. The Kings are a likely lottery team again. They are missing their second-best scorer, De'Aaron Fox, and top big man, Marvin Bagley III. Both are injured and not expected to return to the lineup until later this month. In addition. Bogdan Bogdanovic is dealing with a sore hamstring. He's the Kings' fourth-leading scorer and top reserve player. The Trail Blazers have fortified their All-Star backcourt of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum by taking a chance on Carmelo Anthony, who has played well. Center Hassan Whiteside is having a strong bounce back year, too, for the Trail Blazers after leaving Miami. The one positive to the Trail Blazers' loss to the Clippers last night was not a single Portland player logged more than 30 minutes. Portland had not played in three days prior to the loss to the Clippers. So there should not be a fatigue factor. Note, too, that Sacramento has lost during its last 11 visits to Portland.
12-01-19	Spurs +4 v. Pistons		98-132	Loss	-106	15 h 20 m	Show
The 7-13 Spurs probably are the most disappointing team in the NBA at this juncture. But unlike the Warriors, the Spurs still maintain All-Stars in LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan. I'm not ready to close the book on any team with that talent especially one coached by Gregg Popovich. The Spurs showed they aren't dead by haltiing the Clippers' seven-game win streak, 107-97, on Friday. The Clippers are a top-five team. That should give the Spurs a much needed jolt of confidence. This is San Antonio's lone road game during a seven-game stretch. The Rockets are up next for the Spurs - and that's a probable loss. So San Antonio should be focused for this matchup. It's a big step down from the Clippers. The Pistons are seven games below .500 and that's having played only one Western Conference opponent so far, the Timberwolves. Detroit has two stars, too, in Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin. But I would take the rest of the Spurs' lineup against the Pistons. The Spurs hold a winning record versus sub .500 opponents and have covered seven of the last nine times versus Detroit.
11-30-19	Nuggets -4 v. Kings	Top	97-100	Loss	-109	16 h 16 m	Show
This line is short. Denver is far superior to Sacramento. The Nuggets also are healthy. The Kings are missing their second-leading scorer, De'Aaron Fox, and best big man, Marvin Bagley III. The Nuggets enter this matchup well-rested and hot, winners of six in a row. Denver has been idle since Tuesday. The Kings are in a tougher situational spot even though they are the home team having just returned from a four-game East Coast trip. Denver is 5-1 on the road this season. One of those victories was against the Kings, 101-94, during the second week of the season when Fox was playing for Sacramento. The Nuggets won that matchup by seven points despite an off-game from their best player, Nikola Jokic, and making just 36.7 percent of their field goal attempts. Taking on the Kings always holds special meaning for Denver coach Michael Malone. He was fired by the Kings after coaching them for just two seasons. I regard Malone as one of the better coaches in the league. He has the Nuggets playing their finest defense ever, ranking No. 1 in the NBA in fewest points per game. The Nuggets have covered eight of the past 10 times against the Kings.
11-29-19	Jazz -6.5 v. Grizzlies	Top	103-94	Win	100	9 h 19 m	Show
The teams met just two weeks ago and the Grizzlies beat the Jazz, 107-106, as 7 1/2-point home 'dogs. The Jazz have huge revenge and the line this time around is lower. Mike Conley did not play well in his return to Memphis after being the Grizzlies' point guard for 12 years. Conley vows to be more focused and play better today. Utah made just 40.1 percent of its field goal attempts in that earlier loss to the Grizzlies. The Jazz are not only are anxious for this rematch, but ready to get back on the court after suffering an embarrassing, 121-102, road loss to the Pacers two days ago. The Jazz did get back star center Rudy Gobert in that game. He had been out two games with an ankle injury. The Grizzlies are in a major rebuild job. They've lost five in a row since upsetting the Jazz.
11-27-19	Knicks v. Raptors OVER 210		98-126	Win	100	16 h 15 m	Show
Just by the numbers this game should go Over. The Raptors have scored at least 113 points in seven of their last 10 games. They are ninth in the league in scoring and first in 3-point percentage. The Knicks are well below average in 3-point defense ranking 23rd. The Knicks have reached triple-digits in each of their last seven games, averaging 106 points during this span. But, wait, there is more. The Knicks spent their Tuesday practice working on increasing their tempo. New York coach David Fizdale wants the Knicks to play faster. The Knicks have gone Over 11 of the past 15 times (73 percent) when playing on two days rest. So with the Knicks looking to play more up-tempo the chances of this game flying Over have increased.
11-26-19	Wizards +10 v. Nuggets	Top	104-117	Loss	-109	10 h 34 m	Show
The Wizards are a lottery team. But they are winners when it comes to being big underdogs. Washington is 6-0-1 ATS when taking more than five points this season. The Wizards also are 5-1-1 ATS during their last seven road contests and have covered five of the past six times when meeting the Nuggets. Washington is the No. 2 scoring team in the NBA averaging 119 points. The Wizards should be pumped for this matchup off a bad home loss to Sacramento two days ago. This is the start of a four-game Western Conference swing for the Wizards that includes games against the Lakers and Clippers. The Nuggets are fat and happy going 3-0 on their current homestand with victories against the Suns, Celtics and Rockets. This is their fourth game in seven days. They won't play again until Saturday.
11-25-19	76ers v. Raptors +2		96-101	Win	100	9 h 55 m	Show
I'm not buying the Raptors as a home 'dog to the 76ers. Philadelphia may emerge as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference, but the Raptors still are very dangerous at home even without Kawhi Leonard and injured Kyle Lowery. The 76ers know this better than any team. Toronto has defeated Philadelphia 13 straight times at home during the regular season going 9-3-1 ATS the past 13 times hosting the 76ers. Toronto is 15-5-1 ATS in its last 21 home contests. The 76ers have lost five of their past six away games. Their only victory during this road span was against the lowly Cavaliers. There's a chance the Raptors get back injured forward Serge Ibaka, too. He's missed the last seven games with a sprained ankle.
11-23-19	Spurs -125 v. Knicks		111-104	Win	100	16 h 59 m	Show
How low can the Spurs sink? Not this low. The Spurs have lost eight in a row, something they had never done during the Gregg Popovich era. San Antonio may miss out on a playoff spot in the tougher Western Conference, but the Spurs are not a bottom-feeder like the Knicks are. DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge give the Spurs the two best players on the court. The Spurs' backcourt is weak, but so is New York's. The Knicks have failed to cover in 27 of their last 38 home games. The teams met opening night in San Antonio and the Spurs won, 120-111.
11-22-19	Rockets +4.5 v. Clippers		119-122	Win	100	21 h 12 m	Show
Paul George is back for the Clippers. George and Kawhi Leonard are one of the few tandems that can match Houston's superstar backcourt duo of James Harden and Russell Westbrook. It's going to take time for George and Leonard to jell, though. Harden and Westbrook have had much more time together. They are in sync now. The result is Houston going 8-1 SU, 7-2 ATS in its last nine games. The Rockets defeated the Clippers just nine days ago, 103-92, laying 2 1/2 points. Harden burned Patrick Beverley for 47 points. Now look at the spread. It's too high to justify the Clippers being home and having George this time around.
11-20-19	Pistons +1.5 v. Bulls	Top	89-109	Loss	-104	20 h 29 m	Show
Both teams are struggling. But with Blake Griffin back to team with Andre Drummond, the Pistons have the two best players on the court. This spot favors Detroit, too, on several counts. Not only do the Pistons have revenge for a 112-106 road loss to the Bulls from three weeks ago when they were without Griffin, but they have been idle since Friday. The Bulls, by contrast, are in action for the third time in five days. Chicago is just 2-5 at home. The Bulls are minus injured Otto Porter Jr. and Lauri Markkanen, their best big man, is off to a slow start shooting just 36.2 percent from the floor.
11-18-19	Pacers +4 v. Nets	Top	115-86	Win	100	9 h 29 m	Show
Indiana had won seven of eight games until losing on the road to the Rockets and at home to the Bucks in its last two games. Now the Pacers go back down in class to take on the Nets. Indiana has covered five of the past six times when taking on sub-.500 opponents. Brooklyn hosted Indiana back on Oct. 30 and the Pacers won, 118-108. The season was just beginning back then and the Nets were 3-point favorites. The Nets haven't been a good team so far yet this spread is higher. This is a favorable situation for Indiana and the Nets have an underrated key injury with guard Caris LeVert out until next month due to a thumb injury. He might be Brooklyn's second best player behind Kyrie Irving. The Nets finished a five-game, nine-day road trip by beating the Bulls two nights ago. Irving sat out that game because of a sore shoulder. I assume he's going to play here. It's an unexpected bonus if he doesn't. I'm taking the number now because if word comes out later that Irving won't play the line is sure to drop. The Nets' concentration level could be down a notch in their first game back from their long road journey. The Pacers rank sixth defensively, the Nets 27th. Indiana is giving up 12 fewer points per game than the Nets. Center Myles Turner is back from an ankle injury and looked good in his last game. Power forward Domantas Sabonis is having a strong season on a string of seven straight double/doubles. Turner and Sabonis give the Pacers a frontcourt edge. Indiana is minus injured guard Malcolm Brogdon. That's a significant missing piece. However, the Nets' guard advantage is reduced with LeVert sidelined. The Pacers have covered in nine of their last 11 games against the Nets, including covering the last five times in Brooklyn.
11-17-19	Hawks +13.5 v. Lakers	Top	101-122	Loss	-108	19 h 46 m	Show
The Lakers had to laugh at Atlanta if they were watching any of the Hawks-Clippers Saturday night game. The Clippers won, 150-101. It was the Hawks' worst loss since moving to Atlanta from St. Louis. The Lakers can't help but take the Hawks for granted. Look for the Hawks, though, to play the Lakers tough in this matchup. Not only is there the embarrassment factor from Saturday night, but the Hawks also shouldn't feel the normal fatigue associated with playing on the second of consecutive nights. Only one Atlanta player reached the 30-minute level Saturday due to the blowout. The game also was played at Staples Center, an arena both the Clippers and Lakers use as their home-court. So there is no travel involved for the Hawks. Note these trends, too: The Hawks have covered 11 of their last 16 road contests and are 9-5 ATS versus above .500 foes.
11-15-19	Spurs +3.5 v. Magic	Top	109-111	Win	100	16 h 60 m	Show
The Spurs are in a rough patch right now with three straight losses, including a 129-114 road loss to the Timberwolves in their last game this past Wednesday. However, the Spurs still are superior to the Magic. The situation sets up for the Spurs here and there is splendid line value, too. The Timberwolves played great in beating San Antonio. It happens. Teams run into a hot-shooting foe who comes in with their "A" game. Minnesota is a very improved team, too. The Spurs are not the dominant serious title contender of years past. But they remain a quality team with the best coach in the league, Gregg Popovich. The Magic are getting respect from the oddsmaker based on their last game, which was a smashing, 112-97, home victory versus the 76ers. Note, though, the 76ers were playing their second road game in 48 hours and sat out Joel Embiid. The Magic had been idle the previous two days so the situation set up great for them. This game isn't an ideal spot for the Magic. The Spurs are in full stop-the-pain mode. Even with their high scoring effort against the 76ers, the Magic still rank last in scoring and second-to-last in field goal percentage.
11-14-19	Mavs -7 v. Knicks		103-106	Loss	-109	18 h 28 m	Show
I want the Mavericks going for me in this rapid revenge spot. The Knicks stunned the Mavericks this past Friday upsetting Dallas, 106-102, as 11-point road underdogs. The Knicks made a stunning 14 of 28 shots from 3-point range. New York ranks last in the league in field goal percentage and second-to-last in scoring. So that truly was a fluke shooting performance. Since that victory, the Knicks have lost to the Bulls and Cavaliers by an average of 19.5 points. New York is 2-9 on the season. The Mavericks last played on Monday, losing, 116-106, to the sizzling Celtics. Dallas is 8-1-1 ATS in its last 10 road games.
11-13-19	Wizards +9 v. Celtics	Top	133-140	Win	100	17 h 34 m	Show
Washington is a lottery team. But that doesn't mean the Wizards lack talent. They are more than just the Bradley Beal show with promising youngsters Rui Hachimura, Thomas Bryant and Davis Bertans. The Wizards have a winning spread mark and are in an excellent situational spot here. Washington last played on Friday. The Wizards should be rested and motivated after being embarrassed at home by the Cavaliers in a 113-100 loss this past Friday. The Celtics are without Gordon Hayward, who suffered a broken hand during the weekend. Hayward was playing at an All-Star level. Boston managed to defeat the Mavericks, 116-106, on Monday without Hayward. This will be the Celtics' second game without Hayward so their motivation may not be as high. Focus could be an issue, too, for Boston. The Celtics take off for a five-game West Coast swing following this matchup. Boston takes on Golden State Friday on national TV. The Celtics' depth, lessened with Hayward's injury, will be tested since this is Boston's fourth game in seven days. The Celtics haven't been good at home either from a point spread perspective going 4-11-1 ATS the past 16 times.
11-12-19	Lakers -135 v. Suns		123-115	Win	100	10 h 58 m	Show
Kudos to the Suns on their unexpected 6-3 start. The Suns have been winning, too, despite Deandre Ayton being suspended. But the Lakers also have been winning with LeBron James putting up triple/double numbers. I like LA off a 113-104 home loss to the Raptors on Sunday. That ended LA's seven-game win streak. There's a chance Anthony Davis doesn't play because of a sore shoulder. There's also a possibility that point guard Rajon Rondo makes his season debut. I like the Lakers regardless of either player's status. The key for me is the Lakers' third-ranked defense and No. 3 ranking in 3-point defense. The Suns have been beating opponents with their 3-point marksmanship. I anticipate they are going to have problems hitting their perimeter shots against the Lakers, which they need to do without Ayton in the middle.
11-09-19	Pelicans -111 v. Hornets		115-110	Win	100	16 h 48 m	Show
Charlotte has been a mild surprise so far splitting its first eight games. I consider the Hornets, though, one of the weakest teams in the NBA. The Pelicans have the superior talent even without injured Zion Williamson. I rate Brandon Ingram, Jrue Holiday and Lonzo Ball ahead of anyone on Charlotte's roster. New Orleans should be motivated after being embarrassed, 122-104, at home by the Raptors on Friday. The Hornets just defeated the Pacers and lost to the Celtics. They have the 76ers on deck Sunday in a bigger game. This is their lone non-conference matchup during this four-game span. The Pelicans average nearly 12 more points per game than the Hornets. Lack of defense is the killer for New Orleans. But the Hornets don't have enough scorers to take advantage of that weakness.
11-08-19	Raptors v. Pelicans UNDER 235		122-104	Win	100	10 h 20 m	Show
These teams met opening night and the Raptors won, 130-122, in overtime. There were 234 points scored in regulation. The total sailed Over a consensus closing total of 229 1/2. Now we have a much higher total in a revenge spot for the home Pelicans with both teams talking about playing better defense and having had first-hand experience against each other. I trust Nick Nurse to make solid adjustments to keep the Pelicans' scoring down. Nurse proved himself during the playoffs last season. The Raptors allow 108.7 points and rank No. 1 in defensive field goal percentage. Nurse wasn't happy, though, with the Raptors' defense in their last game, a 124-120 home win against the Kings two nights ago. The Kings were hot from deep range tying a franchise-record with 20 3-pointers. The Pelicans are the Pelicans. They are a high-scoring team that doesn't play much defense. It is difficult to get involved going Under in their games. But New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry is talking about defensive improvement and said a way to do that is be more patient on offense and not play such a helter-skelter style. If the Pelicans do slow things down it would be huge for the Under. It takes a lot to go Over a total this high. There is enough evidence for me here to go Under.
11-07-19	Thunder v. Spurs -4.5		112-121	Win	100	19 h 11 m	Show
Even when they had Russell Westbrook and Paul George, the Thunder still couldn't cover when playing in San Antonio. The Spurs have covered the past five times hosting Oklahoma City. I like the Spurs here to make it six straight home covers. Oklahoma City is coming off a 102-94 home win against Orlando on Tuesday. The Magic are the lowest-scoring team in the NBA and they got cold down the stretch against the Thunder. Now the Thunder draw a different foe in a different setting both of which are much more difficult. The Spurs are trying to avoid a three-game losing streak having lost, 103-96, at home to the Lakers and 108-100 to the Hawks on the road on Tuesday. The Thunder has played only two road games the last occurring back on Oct. 28. Oklahoma City is 0-2 away from home with a five-point loss to the Jazz and four-point defeat to the Rockets. San Antonio is the superior team, home and in a better situation trying to halt a mini-losing streak before it gets out of hand.

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