20* Lakers/Clippers ABC No-Brainer on UNDER 226.5 

When the best teams in the NBA meet up I usually look to the UNDER.  The Lakers just beat the Bucks 113-103 at home on Friday in a game that went way UNDER the 228.5-point total.  And this one will play out similarly with points harder to come by for these teams that normal. 

It will be the 3rd meeting of the season between the Lakers and Clippers, so they are very familiar with one another.  And the first two meetings saw just 214 and 217 combined points.  So we are getting a ton of value here on this 226.5-point total with the UNDER. 

The UNDER is 13-4-1 in Lakers last 18 games vs. a team with a winning record.  The UNDER is 14-6-1 in the last 21 meetings.  The UNDER is 19-9 in Clippers last 28 games after a combined score of 225 points or more.  Bet the UNDER in this game Sunday. 

15* NBA Saturday No-Doubt Rout on Portland Trail Blazers -3 

This line has been adjusted too much for the Blazers playing the 2nd of a back-to-back.  They should be more than 3-point home favorites over the Sacramento Kings even with this situation. 

It’s time to ’sell high’ on the Kings, who have gone 6-2 SU & 6-2 ATS in their last eight games overall.  But Sacramento just lost outright to the short-handed 76ers 108-125 as 5.5-point home favorites.  And I just can’t see them beating the Blazers on the road tonight. 

Portland is 12-0 SU in its last 12 home meetings with Sacramento with 10 of those wins coming by 4 points or more.  Those 12 wins have come by an average of 9.9 points pre game as well.  The Kings haven’t won in Portland since 2012.  Bet the Blazers Saturday. 

20* NBA DOG OF THE WEEK on Charlotte Hornets +8.5 

The Charlotte Hornets have been grossly undervalued for weeks.  They continue to be today as 8.5-point home underdogs to the Houston Rockets. 

The Hornets are 5-5 SU but 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall.  Three of those losses came to the Bucks by 8, Spurs by 1 and Nuggets by 2.  They have been dcompetitive in basically every games and even pulled four road upsets over the Pistons, Timberwolves, Bulls and Raptors. 

The Rockets are going to be without both Russell Westbrook (27.5 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 7.0 APG) and Eric Gordon (14.5 PPG) tonight.  That’s a lot of production to be missing for a team that has to go on the road and win by 9-plus points to beat us. 

Charlotte is 11-2 ATS in its last 13 home games off a loss by 6 points or less.  The Rockets are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games as road favorites.  They just lost outright as 10-point favorites at New York in their last road game.  Roll with the Hornets Saturday. 

20* Bucks/Lakers ESPN Late-Night BAILOUT on Los Angeles -1 

The Los Angeles Lakers want revenge from a 104-111 road loss at the Milwaukee Bucks in their first meeting this season.  This is a huge statement game for them and one I expect them to win at home, where they are 22-7 SU this season. 

The Lakers have gone 9-1 SU in their last 10 games overall.  They come in fresh and ready to go working on two days’ rest after last playing on Tuesday night.  The same cannot be said for the Bucks, who will be playing their 4th game in 6 days with a ton of travel in between. 

The Bucks lost at Miami 89-105 as 4.5-point favorites in their last road game.  So they are beatable on the highway, and I look for the Lakers to have their revenge tonight at home. 

The Lakers are 14-4 ATS after winning three of their last four games this season.  Milwaukee is 14-27 ATS in its last 41 road games with a line of +3 to -3.  Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS in its last five home games.  Bet the Lakers Friday. 

15* NBA Friday No-Doubt Rout on Portland Trail Blazers -3.5 

The Portland Trail Blazers are 3.5 games back of the 8th seed in the West and in need of a big finish to make the playoffs.  I know we’ll get a big effort from the Blazers moving forward because of it. 

I was on the Blazers in Damian Lillard’s return Wednesday when they crushed Washington 125-104 at home.  And I’ll back them again here against the Phoenix Suns, a team they have owned in going 11-1 SU in the last 12 meetings. 

The Suns are 0-4 SU & 0-4 ATS in their last four games overall with all four losses coming at home and three of them by 9 points or more.  Making matters worse for the Suns are injuries to Kelly Oubre Jr, DeAndre Ayton and Cameron Johnson that will keep all three out of the lineup tonight.  That’s an average of 45.8 points per game they will be missing. 

Phoenix is 1-9 ATS in home games after failing to cover five or six of their last seven ATS this season.  The Suns are 6-20-1 ATS in their last 27 home games overall.  Phoenix is 0-7 ATS in its last seven home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage below 40%.  Take the Blazers Friday. 

15* NBA Friday UPSET SHOCKER on Atlanta Hawks +3 

Atlanta head coach Lloyd Pierce called out his team for their lack of effort in an 88-127 home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.  They’ve had three days off since, so look for a big effort from them tonight when they visit the Washington Wizards. 

While it’s a great spot for the Hawks, it’s a terrible one for the Wizards.  They return home from a tough four-game road trip on West, and I like to fade teams when they return home from long road trips.  It will be the 3rd game in 4 days and the 8th game in 13 days for the Wizards. 

Atlanta is 47-20 ATS in its last 67 games off a home loss by 10 points or more.  Washington is 10-24 ATS in its last 34 games after playing three consecutive road games.  The Hawks are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games playing on three or more days’ rest.  Roll with the Hawks Friday. 

15* Clippers/Rockets TNT ANNIHILATOR on Los Angeles +1 

The Los Angeles Clippers are making their case as being the best team in the NBA when healthy.  And since they’ve been healthy the last few weeks, they’ve been on a roll in going 5-0 SU & 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall with those five wins coming by a whopping 17.4 points per game. 

Now, the Clippers want revenge after losing two of their first three meetings this season with the Rockets.  They want to square the season series, and I love their chances against this small ball Rockets lineup that has been out-rebounded in 14 straight games. 

The Rockets are coming off an ugly 123-125 road loss to the New York Knicks as 10-point favorites.  They found themselves down as many as 21 points in that game, and giving up offensive rebounds was a big culprit.  The Clippers rank 6th in the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage. 

The Clippers are 26-14 ATS when revenging a same-season loss over the last two seasons.  Doc Rivers is 65-41 ATS when revenging a SU loss as a favorite as the coach of the Clippers.  The Rockets have given up 104 or more points in 28 straight games.  Roll with the Clippers Thursday. 

20* Wizards/Blazers NBA Late-Night BAILOUT on Portland -7.5 

This is an important time for the Portland Trail Blazers.  They made the Western Conference Finals last season and now find themselves 3.5 games out of the 8th playoff spot in the West.  It’s now or never for the Blazers. 

Injuries have been a big reason for their poor season thus far, but they get Damian Lillard back from a seven-game absence tonight.  They have gone just 2-6 in their last eight games overall with most of those on the road.  But now they get seven of their next eight at home and a chance to make some serious headway. 

After beating the Magic 130-107 as 6.5-point road dogs on Monday, the Blazers return home looking to continue their solid play.  They host a tired Wizards team that will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 7th game in 11 days, which is one of the toughest situations in the NBA.  Bradley Beal played 38 minutes in a 126-133 shooting loss at Sacramento last night.  He and the Wizards won’t have much left in the tank tonight. 

Washington is 2-11 ATS in road games after allowing 130 points or more over the last two seasons.  The Wizards are 9-24 ATS in road games off an ATS loss over the last two years. Portland won 122-103 at Washington as identical 7.5-point road favorites in their first meeting this season.  Bet the Blazers Wednesday. 

15* NBA Wednesday Undervalued Underdog on Orlando Magic +7 

This is a great time to ‘buy low’ on the Orlando Magic, who have lost two straight coming in including a shocking 107-130 home loss to Portland as 6.5-point favorites.  Aaron Gordon did not play in that game and there’s a good chance he returns tonight. 

It’s also a great time to ’sell high’ on the Miami Heat, who have won three straight and are coming off a shocking 105-89 home win over the Milwaukee Bucks as 4.5-point dogs.  The Bucks haven’t been beaten many times this season, so it’s only human nature for the Heat to have an emotional letdown off that huge win. 

The Magic were playing very well prior to that loss to the Blazers.  They have gone 5-3 SU & 5-3 ATS in their last eight games.  This will be their 4th and final meeting with the Heat, and after losing two of the first three, they will be motivated to square the season series at two games apiece. 

Miami is 11-25 ATS in its last 36 home games off a home win.  The Heat are 9-21 ATS in their last 30 games off a blowout win by 15 points or more.  Orlando is 12-3 ATS after scoring 105 points or more in four straight games over the last two seasons.  Miami is 0-4 ATS in its last four games following an ATS win.  The Heat are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games following a SU win.  Orlando is 5-2 ATS in its last seven trips to Miami.  Take the Magic Wednesday. 

20* NBA Tuesday No-Doubt Rout on Toronto Raptors -4 

The Toronto Raptors will be highly motivated for a win tonight.  They have lost three straight coming in with two of those losses to the Nuggets and Bucks.  They haven’t lost four straight all season, and they aren’t about to tonight. 

The Raptors had gone 17-1 SU in their previous 18 games prior to this three-game losing streak.  They have been playing without Fred VanVleet and Serge Ibaka during this skid, which has something to do with it.  But both have a chance to return tonight.  Even if they don’t, they’re deep enough to beat the Suns here. 

Phoenix is 0-3 SU & 0-3 ATS in its last three games overall with three straight home losses to the Clippers by 10, the Pistons as 9-point favorites and the Warriors by 16 as 11-point favorites.  They aren’t playing well at all right now, and they recently lost Kelly Oubre Jr. to a  season-ending knee injury. 

The Raptors are 5-0 SU in their last four meetings with the Suns with four of those five wins coming by 6 points or more.  Toronto is 38-16 ATS in its last 54 games playing on one days’ rest.  Phoenix is 18-37-2 ATS in its last 57 games playing on two days’ rest.  The Suns are 6-19-1 ATS in their last 26 home games.  Phoenix is 0-5 ATS in its last five home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage above 60%.  The Suns are 2-14 ATS off a division loss by 10 points or more over the last two seasons.  Bet the Raptors Tuesday. 

15* NBA Monday Undervalued Underdog on New York Knicks +10.5 

It’s a great time to ’sell high’ on the Houston Rockets tonight.  The Rockets are 6-0 SU & 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall and coming off a huge overtime win at Boston on Sunday.  They won’t be able to get up for the Knicks tonight. 

That’s especially the case considering the Rockets just beat the Knicks 123-112 at home as 13.5-point favorites on February 24th.  Now the Knicks get their shot at revenge just a week later.  And after only losing by 11 on the road, I have no doubt they can stay within single-digits at home in the rematch. 

The Knicks have quietly been a very profitable team to back thus far in 2020.  New York has gone 10-6-1 ATS in its last 17 games overall.  They have gone 6-3 ATS at home during this stretch including home losses to the Lakers, Raptors and 76ers by 8, 6 and 3 points, respectively. 

New York is 17-8 ATS when revenging a same-season loss this season.  The Rockets are 6-16 ATS in their last 22 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.  Houston is 2-7 ATS in its last nine games as a road favorite.  The Knicks are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games playing on one days’ rest.  New York is 5-1 ATS in its last six games vs. a team with a winning percentage above 60%. 

Plays on underdogs of 10 or more points (New York) - in non-conference games, a well rested team playing 6 or less games in 14 days are 65-29 (69.1%) ATS over the last five seasons.  Take the Knicks Monday. 

20* NBA Monday No-Doubt Rout on Utah Jazz -8.5 

It’s a great time to ‘buy low’ on the Utah Jazz tonight.  They are 1-4 SU & 0-4-1 ATS in their last five games which have all come since the All-Star Break.  Now they get a team they can handle here in the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Cleveland played well in its first few games under interim coach JB Bickerstaff.  But the Cavaliers have come back down to reality in their last two, losing by 12 on the road to the Pelicans and by 9 at home to the Pacers.  I expect them to suffer a double-digit loss tonight. 

Cleveland has been hit hard by injuries since the All-Star Break.  They will be without Tristan Thompson, Darius Garland, Dante Exum and Alfonzo McKinnie tonight.  Those four combine to average 33.3 points per game so that’s a lot of production they’ll be missing.  Conversely, the Jazz are fully healthy.  They have won their last two meetings with the Cavaliers by 16 points at home and by 26 points on the road. 

The Jazz are 8-0-1 ATS in their last nine games vs. a team with a winning percentage below 40%.  Utah is 16-5-1 ATS in its last 22 games following a win.  The Jazz are 6-0-2 ATS in the last eight meetings.  Bet the Jazz Monday. 

20* Lakers/Pelicans ESPN No-Brainer on New Orleans +2.5 

The New Orleans Pelicans are 19-10 SU & 20-8-1 ATS in their last 29 games overall.  That includes 9-4 SU in their last 13 games with their only losses coming to the Rockets, Bucks, Thunder & Lakers. 

Now the Pelicans want revenge from three losses already to the Lakers this season.  They don’t want to get swept, and it’s worth noting that they were competitive in all three losses as they all came by 10 points or less.  And they just played on February 25th in Los Angeles so New Orleans doesn’t have to wait long for this revenge opportunity. 

While the Pelicans are rested playing just their 2nd game in 5 days, the Lakers will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 3rd road game in 4 days.  They lost 88-105 in Memphis last night as 11-point favorites.  And don’t be surprised if LeBron James and/or Anthony Davis sits tonight as both are battling through injury. 

The Lakers are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 games when playing their 3rd road game in 5 days.  The Pelicans are 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 games as an underdog.  Los Angeles is 3-10 ATS in its last 13 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.  New Orleans is 5-1 ATS in its last six home meetings with the Lakers.  Roll with the Pelicans Sunday.

20* NBA Saturday No-Doubt Rout on San Antonio Spurs -3 

The Orlando Magic just played in a taxing 136-125 home win over the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves last night.  Now the Magic will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 3rd game in 4 days while having to travel to San Antonio overnight. 

The Spurs come in highly motivated for a victory off back-to-back losses to two of the best teams in the NBA in the Thunder and Mavericks.  And they had beaten the Jazz on the road as 7-point dogs and Thunder as 8-point dogs outright in their previous two games.  They finally get a break in the schedule here and will take advantage. 

While the Magic will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and 3rd game in 4 days, the Spurs are rested and ready to go.  San Antonio comes in on two days’ rest having last played on Wednesday.  They also will be playing just their 2nd game in 6 days.  I’ll gladly side with the fresher, more motivated team tonight. 

The Magic are 0-5-1 ATS in their last six games playing on zero rest.  Orlando is 1-8 ATS off two straight games where they attempted 90 or more shots this season.  San Antonio is 35-10 ATS revenging a road loss over the last two seasons.  The Spurs are 11-1 ATS in home games off two or more consecutive losses over the last two years.  The Magic are 0-9 ATS vs. good shooting teams that make 46% or more of their shots in the 2nd half of the season this season.  Bet the Spurs Saturday. 

15* NBA Saturday Total DOMINATOR on Lakers/Grizzlies UNDER 226.5 

The Memphis Grizzlies just lost both Jaren Jackson Jr. (16.9 PPG) and Brandon Clark (12.0 PPG) to injuries.  Their offense has really faltered without these two scoring 101 points against Sacramento, 112 against Houston and 97 against the Clippers in their last three games, respectively. 

The Lakers have some injuries of their own that will hamper them offensively.  LeBron James (25.5 PPG) missed last game and is highly questionable with a groin injury.  Anthony Davis (26.6 PPG) is trying to play through an elbow injury, and Danny Green (8.4 PPG) is doubtful with a hip injury. 

These teams just played on February 21st just over a week ago in a 117-105 home win for the Lakers and 222 combined points.  So they are very familiar with one another, and familiarity favors defense.  Jackson Jr. and Clarke both played in that game, as did James and Green, and there’s a good chance none of those four will play in the rematch. 

Plays on the UNDER on all teams where the total is 210 or higher (Memphis) - off four or more consecutive losses against an opponent that is off four or more consecutive wins are 72-34 (67.9%) since 1996.  Memphis is 12-3 UNDER off four or more consecutive losses over the last two seasons. 

The UNDER is 7-0 in the last seven meetings with 222 or fewer combined points in all seven games and an average of just 209 points per game, which is 17.5 points less than this 226.5-point total.  The UNDER is 5-0 in Lakers last five vs. a team with a losing record.  The UNDER is 9-0 in Grizzlies last nine home games.  These three trends combine for a perfect 21-0 system backing the UNDER.  Roll with the UNDER in this game Saturday. 

15* Nuggets/Clippers ESPN Late-Night BAILOUT on Los Angeles -5.5 

The Clippers voiced their frustration over a recent season-high three game losing streak.  They have responded well by going 2-0 SU & 2-0 ATS in their last two games since with a 27-point home win over Memphis and a 10-point road win at Phoenix. 

The Clippers are 23-6 at home this season and should be bigger favorites over the Nuggets tonight.  Home-court advantage has been big in this series as the home team is 4-0 SU & 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings.  The Clippers beat the Nuggets 132-111 in their last home meeting with the Nuggets. 

Denver is getting too much respect from oddsmakers off two straight blowout home wins over two of the worst teams in the NBA in Minnesota by 12 and Detroit by 17.  They lost their last road game at Oklahoma City by 12 and will get worked on the road here by the Clippers, who are fully healthy for basically the first time all season. 

Denver is 8-22 ATS in road games after scoring 115 points or more over the last two seasons.  The Nuggets are 4-14 ATS in road games off a win by 10 points or more over the last two years.  The Clippers are 9-1 ATS in home games revenging a loss where opponent scores 110 or more points this season.  The favorite is 11-1-1 ATS in the last 13 meetings.  Take the Clippers Friday. 

20* NBA Friday No-Doubt Rout on Miami Heat -2.5 

The Miami Heat will be playing with a chip on their shoulder tonight off two straight upset losses to Cleveland and Minnesota.  Look for them to come out playing with a sense of urgency at home tonight. 

We are getting the Heat at a value tonight because of those two losses.  After all, the Heat are one of the best home teams in the NBA, going 23-4 SU & 18-8-1 ATS at home this season. 

Dallas is without Dwight Powell, Jalen Brunson and Willie Cauley-Stein and could be without Luka Doncic, who is questionable with a thumb injury.  I expect Doncic to play, but if he doesn’t the Heat will be a substantial favorite and you’ll be getting a great number. 

Miami is 15-2 ATS in home games after a combined score of 215 points or more in two straight games over the last two seasons.  The Heat are 14-3 ATS vs. Southwest Division opponents over the last two seasons.  Miami is 17-6 ATS in its last 23 games following a loss.  Miami is 4-0-1 ATS in the last five meetings.  Bet the Heat Friday. 

20* Lakers/Warriors TNT Late-Night BAILOUT on Golden State +10 

The Los Angeles Lakers will be without MVP candidate LeBron James tonight after a groin strain suffered against the Pelicans on Tuesday.  Asking them to win by double-digits on the road against the Warriors is asking too much without James in the lineup. 

We will ’sell high’ on a Lakers team that has won six straight coming in, and ‘buy low’ on a Warriors team that has lost seven straight coming in.  But the Warriors are getting healthier as Draymond Green is expected to play tonight, and Andrew Wiggins is getting accustomed to their offense and should only continue to improve moving forward. 

Golden State only lost 120-125 at home to the Lakers as 14-point underdogs in their last meeting on February 8th.  Now the Warriors get their shot at revenge just a few weeks later here, but they don’t have to contend with James this time around.  James had 22 points, 11 assists and 8 rebounds in that game. 

Plays against road favorites of 10 points or more (LA Lakers) - a hot team having won six or seven of their last eight games that wins at least 75% of their games playing a bad team that wins 25% or less of their games are 44-17 (72.1%) ATS since 1996.  The Lakers are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.  Take the Warriors Thursday. 

20* Celtics/Jazz ESPN No-Brainer on Utah -4.5 

The Utah Jazz will be highly motivated for a win tonight after dropping all three games since returning from the All-Star Break.  I know we’re going to get a max effort out of them tonight, so I’m willing to lay the short number at home against the Celtics. 

Boston is in one of the toughest spots in the NBA.  They will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back, their 3rd game in 4 days and their 4th straight road game since the All-Star Break. I have to believe they are out of gas, and playing in altitude in Utah makes it even tougher. 

The Jazz are 3-1 SU & 3-1 ATS in their last four meetings with the Celtics with the three wins all coming by 8 points or more.  The Celtics will be without their best player in Kemba Walker once again tonight, while the Jazz are fully healthy coming into this one. 

Plays against underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points (Boston) - off three straight ATS wins, a good team (60% to 75%) playing a team with a winning record are 32-9 (78%) ATS over the last five seasons.  Utah is 24-9 ATS in its last 33 games off an upset loss by 15 points or more as a home favorite.  The Jazz are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games following a double-digit home loss.  Bet the Jazz Wednesday. 

15* NBA Wednesday No-Doubt Rout on Los Angeles Clippers -6.5 

The Clippers had lost three straight for the first time all season before bouncing back with a 27-point win over Memphis.  They made many comments leading into that game that the time was now to get it together.  I look for them to stay focused at Phoenix tonight and take care of business. 

While we will ‘buy low’ on the Clippers after dropping three of four, we’ll ’sell high’ on the Suns after winning three of their last four.  Two of the wins came against the Bulls and Warriors, but they are coming off a shocking 20-point win at struggling Utah as 8.5-point dogs.  That result has them overvalued.  The Suns will be without Kelly Oubre Jr. tonight with a knee injury as well. 

The Clippers simply own the Suns.  Los Angeles is 13-1 SU & 11-3 ATS in its last 14 meetings with the Suns, winning those 13 games by an average of 15.5 points per game.  All things considered, this is a very short number for the Clippers to be laying tonight. 

Plays against underdogs (Phoenix) - after beating the spread by 42 or more points total in their last seven games against opponent that went under the total by more than 12 points in two consecutive games are 24-5 (82.8%) ATS over the last five seasons.  Los Angeles is 27-13 ATS in its last 40 games as a road favorite.  Phoenix is 5-15-1 ATS in its last 21 home games.  Take the Clippers Wednesday. 

20* Bucks/Raptors TNT GAME OF THE MONTH on Toronto +1 

The Toronto Raptors are 17-1 SU in their last 18 games overall and coming off a 46-point home win over the Pacers.  And the amount of disrespect they are getting tonight as home underdogs to the Milwaukee Bucks is alarming. 

The Bucks are in a terrible spot.  They will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back after needing overtime to beat the Wizards 137-134 on the road last night as 12.5-point favorites.  It will also be the 3rd game in 4 days for the Bucks, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they rest a couple starters. 

Milwaukee is going to have a hard time getting motivated night in and night out here down the stretch because they basically already have the No. 1 seed locked up.  The motivation for the Raptors is obvious as they are trying to fend off the Celtics, Heat and 76ers for the No. 2 seed. 

Toronto is a perfect 12-0 ATS in home games after allowing 90 points or less over the last three seasons.  Milwaukee is 13-27 ATS on the road when the line is +3 to -3 over the last three years.  The Bucks are 1-5 ATS in their last six road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage above 60%.  The Raptors are 7-2 ATS in their last nine home games.  Toronto is 38-14 ATS in its last 52 games playing on one days’ rest.  Bet the Raptors Tuesday. 

15* NBA Monday No-Doubt Rout on Utah Jazz -8 

The Utah Jazz were upset at home by both the Spurs and Rockets in a back-to-back situation in their first two games back from the All-Star Break.  It’s safe to say they’ll be highly motivated for a win tonight against the Phoenix Suns, so I know we are going to get an ‘A’ effort from them. 

The Suns are just 3-7 SU & 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games overall.  Two of their wins came by single-digits against the Warriors and Bulls, which may be the two worst teams in the entire NBA right now.  Their seven losses came by an average of 15.1 points per game, so they’ve rarely even been competitive. 

The Jazz simply own the Suns.  Utah is 8-0 SU & 6-2 ATS in its last eight meetings with Phoenix with seven wins by double-digits.  They have won those eight games by an average of a whopping 21.3 points per game.  So laying 8 points here is a real discount. 

The Suns are 0-5 ATS in their last five games following a win.  Phoenix is 1-5 ATS in its last six road games.  Utah is 7-0 ATS in its last seven games following a double-digit home loss.  Roll with the Jazz Monday. 

15* NBA Monday Undervalued Underdog on Atlanta Hawks +8 

The Atlanta Hawks have come out of the All-Star Break going 2-0 SU & 2-0 ATS with home wins over Miami and Dallas, two of the best teams in the NBA.  Now they have their sights set on the Philadelphia 76ers tonight. 

The 76ers are in a world of hurt right now.  They are without two of their three best players in Ben Simmons (16.7 PPG, 8.2 APG, 7.8 RPG) and Tobias Harris (18.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG).  They cannot be 8-point favorites over the Hawks without these two. 

Atlanta is 4-1 SU & 5-0 ATS in its last five meetings with Philadelphia with its only loss coming by two points, 103-105.  The Hawks were underdogs in all five games and pulled four outright upsets.  They don’t even need to win SU for us to get a win here, they just have to stay within 8 points, which is very likely. 

The Hawks are 19-7 ATS in the last 26 meetings.  Atlanta is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 trips to Philadelphia.  The Hawks are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games vs. a team with a winning percentage above 60%.  The 76ers are 0-4 ATS in their last four games vs. a team with a winning percentage below 40%.  Take the Hawks Monday.  

15* NBA Sunday No-Doubt Rout on Washington Wizards -2 

The Chicago Bulls will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 3rd game in 4 days after falling to the Suns 104-112 at home last night.  That followed up a 93-103 home loss to the Hornets.  And now the Wizards will take their turn today. 

The Bulls have lost eight straight games and are just 1-8 ATS in their last nine games overall.  They are a mash unit right now playing without Markkanen, Dunn, Porter Jr., Hutchison, Kornet and Valentine.  They could get Wendell Carter Jr. back today, but it won’t matter. 

The Wizards continue to show up every night.  They are 5-3 SU & 5-3 ATS in their last eight games overall, which includes their 126-114 home win over Bulls going into the break.  They want to even the season series after losing the first two meetings to Chicago this season. 

Chicago is 2-13 ATS in home games when playing 4 or less games in 10 days over the last two seasons.  Chicago is 4-17 ATS at home with a line of +3 to -3 over the last two years.  The Wizards are 5-1 ATS in their last six games following a loss.  The Bulls are 17-40 ATS in their last 57 home games, including 6-22 ATS in their last 28 games as a home underdog.  Chicago is 0-6 ATS in its last six games vs. a team with a losing record.  Take the Wizards Sunday. 

20* Celtics/Lakers ABC No-Brainer on Los Angeles -6.5 

The Los Angeles Lakers want revenge from their worst loss this season.  They lost 107-139 in Boston on January 20th in a complete no shot.  The Celtics shot 55.9% as a team and 47.1% from 3-point range while making 16 3-pointers.  That’s not going to happen again. 

While the Lakers are fully healthy for the rematch, the Celtics will be without their leader in Kemba Walker, who averages 21.8 points and 5.0 assists per game this season.  I don’t give the Celtics much of a chance of winning this game without Walker. 

The Lakers were 2.5-point road favorites in that first meeting, and now are only 6.5-point home favorites in the rematch.  That’s only a 4-point adjustment, which isn’t enough for home-court advantage changing hands.  The Celtics are simply getting too much respect from oddsmakers after going 12-2 SU & 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games overall.  It’s time to ’sell high’ on the Celtics because of it. 

Plays on home favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points (LA Lakers) - revenging a road loss by 10 points or more, off a home win by 10 points or more are 31-9 (77.5%) ATS over the last five seasons.  The Lakers are 10-2 ATS when revenging a loss as a favorite this season.  Bet the Lakers Sunday. 

20* NBA DOG OF THE WEEK on Atlanta Hawks +6 

This is a great spot to fade the Dallas Mavericks tonight.  They will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back after a win in Orlando last night.  They won’t have much left in the tank for the Hawks, who had yesterday off and will be the fresher team. 

Atlanta has pulled some impressive home upsets and hung with some very good teams at home in the 2nd half of the season.  They are coming off a 129-124 upset win over Miami as 6-point home dogs.  They upset the Clippers as 5-point dogs and the 76ers as 6-point dogs.  They only lost by 5 to Toronto and by 8 to Boston.  In fact, in their last 12 home games, they have either won outright or lost by single-digits in 11 of them. 

Atlanta will also be revenge-minded tonight after losing earlier this month at Dallas 100-123.  The Hawks haven’t been nearly as good on the road as they’ve been at home.  And they get a shot at revenge here in Atlanta just a few weeks later. 

The Hawks own the Mavericks, going 10-2 SU & 10-2 ATS in the last 12 meetings.  Atlanta is 13-5 ATS in home games vs. a team with a winning record this season.  The Hawks are 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven home games.  The Mavericks are 0-6 SU & 1-5 ATS in their last six trips to Atlanta.  Roll with the Hawks Saturday. 

20* NBA TOTAL OF THE WEEK on Spurs/Jazz OVER 222.5 

The Spurs have been one of the best ‘OVER’ teams in the NBA this season.  They are 33-20-1 to the OVER on the year.  They are one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA ranking 24th in defensive efficiency.  They are giving up 116.4 points per game on the road this year. 

The Jazz are a much improved offensive team this season.  They have scored 114 points or more in four straight games and 109 or more in 16 of their last 19 games overall.  But they have allowed 101 or more points in nine of their last 10 games coming in. 

The Spurs beat the Jazz 127-120 at home for 247 combined points in their lone meeting this season on January 29th.  The OVER is 10-2 in the last 12 meetings.  Expect more of the same here tonight. 

The Spurs are 9-0 OVER in road games after having lost four or five of their last six games this season.  The OVER is 10-1 in Spurs last 11 games playing on 3 or more days’ rest.  The OVER is 11-5 in Jazz last 16 games overall.  Bet the OVER in this game Friday. 

15* Nuggets/Thunder ESPN ANNIHILATOR on Oklahoma City -1 

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been the single most underrated team in the NBA this season.  They are 33-22 SU & 36-19 ATS on the year.  And they continue to lack the respect they deserve as only 1-point home favorites over the Denver Nuggets tonight. 

The Thunder should come out of the All-Star Break highly motivated for a victory tonight.  They know they have lost seven straight to the Nuggets in this series, including a 102-110 road loss in their only meeting this year.  That will be a topic of discussion and will be a huge motivation factor for them tonight. 

Oklahoma City is 18-6 ATS when the line is +3 to -3 this season.  The Thunder are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 Friday games.  Oklahoma City is 20-8 ATS in its last 28 games overall.  Take the Thunder Friday. 

20* Nets/76ers TNT No-Brainer on Brooklyn +8.5 

The Brooklyn Nets continue to play well without Kyrie Irving, which has been the case all season.  They are 6-2 SU & 7-1 ATS in their last eight games overall with their two losses coming by 1 and 6 points on the road.  They are catching too many points against Philadelphia tonight. 

The 76ers had both Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons in the All-Star game, while the Nets didn’t have anyone and will be the fresher, more motivated team coming out of the break because of it.  Look for them to make a statement and give the 76ers a run for their money tonight. 

The Nets have outscored the 76ers by 3 points total in their three meetings this season despite losing two of the three.  So they’ve proven they can play with them, and I like their chances of staying within 8.5 points tonight. 

Brooklyn is 15-3 ATS in its last 18 road games when playing on 3 or more days’ rest.  The 76ers are 0-4 ATS in their last four games following an ATS win.  Philadelphia is 1-5 ATS in its last six games playing on 3 or more days’ rest.  Bet the Nets Thursday. 

15* NBA Thursday Undervalued Underdog on Charlotte Hornets +5 

The Chicago Bulls are a mess right now due to all their injuries.  They are without Otto Porter Jr., Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr, Kris Dunn, Chandler Hutchison and Denzel Valentine.  Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets are fully healthy coming out of the All-Star Break. 

It’s no wonder the Bulls were terrible going into the break.  They are 1-6 SU & 1-5-1 ATS in their last seven games overall.  They have lost six straight with all six losses coming by 6 points or more and by an average of 12.7 points per game.  They can’t be favored by 5 over the Hornets tonight. 

The Hornets are 2-1 SU & 3-0 ATS against the Bulls this season with their only loss coming by a single point at home.  Charlotte pulled two road upsets over Detroit and Minnesota in its final two games coming into the break.  I simply believe they are the better team right now and should not be catching points, let alone 5 points. 

Chicago is 0-8 ATS after scoring 110 points or more in two straight games this season.  The Hornets are 22-6 ATS in their last 28 games vs. a team with a winning percentage below 40%.  Charlotte is 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings.  Roll with the Hornets Thursday. 

20* Thunder/Pelicans NBA No-Brainer on New Orleans -2 

The New Orleans Pelicans are 16-8 SU & 18-5-1 ATS in their last 24 games overall.  They have won three straight including their 21-point win over the Blazers on Tuesday.  They have won six of their last eight with their only losses to Houston and Milwaukee. 

Zion Williamson has given the Pelicans a big boost and fans are turning out to watch him, giving the Pelicans a huge home-court advantage.  They have won three of their last four home games with their only loss to the Bucks and those three wins coming by 15 over Boston, by 28 over Memphis and by 21 over Portland. 

The Thunder appear to be going through the motions and ready for the All-Star Break to get here.  They are coming off back-to-back home losses to the Celtics and Spurs.  And the Thunder are getting way too much respect from oddsmakers here tonight due to winning all three meetings with New Orleans this year, including the last two by 3 and 5 points. 

I’ll gladly side with the more motivated home team playing with triple-revenge laying this short number tonight.  New Orleans does not want to get swept by OKC.  The Pelicans are 5-0 ATS in their last five games as a favorite.  New Orleans is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 home games.  Bet the Pelicans Thursday.

15* NBA Wednesday No-Doubt Rout on Memphis Grizzlies -4 

The Memphis Grizzlies are quickly becoming one of my favorite teams in the NBA to back. They are grossly undervalued and have gone 14-4 SU & 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games overall. 

The Grizzlies are primed for a big effort tonight at home in their final game prior to the All-Star Break.  They come in on two days’ rest and playing just their 5th game in 12 days.  Memphis has a big home-court edge because they are playing so well in going 9-1 SU in their last 10 home games. 

It’s a bad spot for the Portland Trail Blazers, who lost 117-138 at New Orleans last night after leading that game at halftime.  They won’t have much left in the tank tonight as the Blazers will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 5th game in 7 days, which is one of the toughest situations in the NBA. 

Portland is 4-14 ATS when playing its 2nd road game in 2 days over the last three seasons.  Memphis is 10-1 ATS off two consecutive road games this season.  The Grizzlies are 8-0 ATS when playing against a team that wins 40% to 49% of their games this season.  Memphis is 6-0 ATS in its last six games as a favorite.  Portland is 5-11 ATS in its last 16 road games.  Memphis is 4-1 ATS in its last five home meetings with Portland.  Take the Grizzlies Wednesday. 

20* Bucks/Pacers ESPN No-Brainer on Indiana ML +105 

The Indiana Pacers will be highly motivated for a victory tonight.  They have lost six straight all by single-digits in games they could have won.  Now they are playing their final game before the All-Star Break and desperately don’t want to go into the break with another defeat. 

The Pacers catch a break tonight catching the Bucks without Giannis Antetokounmpo due to personal reasons.  They have played well at times without the league MVP, but they aren’t good enough to beat the motivated Pacers on the road without him tonight. 

Plays against road teams (Milwaukee) - after three consecutive covers as a favorite, with a winning record on the season playing another winning team are 46-15 (75.4%) ATS over the last five seasons. 

Indiana is 37-14 SU in its last 51 home meetings with Milwaukee.  The Pacers are 21-8 ATS in their last 29 games off six or more consecutive losses.  Milwaukee is 13-26 ATS in its last 39 road games with a line of +3 to -3.  Bet the Pacers on the Money Line Wednesday. 

15* NBA Eastern Conference ANNIHILATOR on New York Knicks -2.5 

The New York Knicks have quietly gone 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 games overall.  They have actually gone 4-1 SU in their last five games as well despite playing four of those games on the road.  Their only loss came in double-OT at Atlanta. 

Now the Knicks will be playing their final game before the All-Star Break and want to go into the break a winner.  They come in on two days’ rest and will be the much fresher team in this matchup tonight. 

They get to host a Washington Wizards team that will be running on fumes playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 3rd game in 4 days.  The Wizards beat the Bulls 126-114 last night and won’t have much left in the tank for the Knicks. 

New York is 14-2 ATS in its last 16 home games after having won two of its last three games coming in.  Washington is 6-17 ATS in road games after scoring 120 points or more over the last two seasons.  The Wizards are 16-35-1 ATS in their last 52 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.  The Knicks are 5-0 ATS in their last five games as a favorite.  New York is 6-0 ATS in its last six games after allowing more than 100 points in its previous game.  Roll with the Knicks Wednesday. 

20* NBA Tuesday No-Doubt Rout on New Orleans Pelicans -2.5 

The New Orleans Pelicans have won five of their last seven with their only losses coming on the road to Houston and at home to Milwaukee.  The beat the Celtics by 15 and Grizzlies by 28 in their other two home games and also won three road games at Indiana, Chicago and Cleveland. 

The Portland Trail Blazers are getting too much respect from oddsmakers after going 6-2 SU & 7-1 ATS in their last eight games overall.  It’s time to ’sell high’ on the Blazers, whose two losses came in their last two road games at Denver and Utah by a combined 31 points.  The Blazers are just 10-18 on the road this season. 

New Orleans has won both meetings with Portland this season.  The Pelicans won 115-104 at home and 102-94 on the road.  The Blazers have all kinds of injuries, while the only player that might not play tonight for the Pelicans is Brandon Ingram, who is questionable with an ankle injury after sitting out last game.  It didn’t matter as the Pelicans upset the Pacers 124-117 as 5.5-point road dogs. 

The Blazers are 2-7 ATS in their last nine road games vs. a team with a losing home record.  The Pelicans are rested and ready to go coming in on two days’ rest.  New Orleans is 7-0 ATS in its last seven games playing on two days rest.  The Pelicans are also 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a losing record.  Bet the Pelicans Tuesday. 

15* NBA Monday Undervalued Underdog on San Antonio Spurs +7.5 

I have no doubt we’re going to get a big effort from the San Antonio Spurs tonight for a couple different reasons.  They are catching too many points at Denver as a result tonight. 

The Spurs have opened 0-4 on this annual Rodeo Road Trip and are desperate for a victory.  They also want revenge after getting knocked out by the Nuggets in Game 7 of the opening round of the playoffs last year.  This is their first meeting of the season and their first shot at revenge. 

Injuries have definitely been a problem for the Nuggets here of late.  They are without Will Barton, Michael Porter Jr. and Mason Plumlee right now to hurt their depth.  And it’s a good time to ’sell high’ on the Nuggets after they have gone 5-1 SU & 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall. 

Denver is 6-15 ATS off two or more consecutive wins this season.  San Antonio is 43-23 ATS in its last 66 games off an upset loss by 10 points or more as a road favorite.  The Spurs are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games following a loss by more than 10 points.  San Antonio is 11-4 ATS in its last 15 games vs. a team with a winning percentage above 60%. The Spurs are 17-7 ATS in their last 24 trips to Denver.  Take the Spurs Monday. 

20* NBA Monday No-Doubt Rout on Indiana Pacers -6.5 

The Indiana Pacers are highly motivated for a win tonight.  They have lost a season-high five straight coming into this game and are desperate for a victory.  Look for them to handle their business against the Brooklyn Nets tonight. 

Victor Oladipo recently returned from injury and the chemistry has been off for the Pacers.  But now that he has five games under his belt, he should start returning to form sooner rather than later.  And the Pacers just got leading scorer TJ Warren (18.2 PPG) back from injury after missing three games.  They are fully healthy as a team for the first time all season. 

The Nets are starting to get a lot of respect from oddsmakers tonight after going 4-2 SU & 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall.  But those four wins all came at home against four of the worst teams in the league in the Pistons, Bulls, Suns and Warriors.  They have lost their last three road games to the Pistons, Wizards and Raptors.  So they have played a very soft schedule here of late. 

Indiana owns Brooklyn, going 11-1 SU & 10-2 ATS in the last 12 meetings.  The Nets are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 road games.  Brooklyn is 1-8 ATS in its last nine games as a road underdog.  Indiana is 19-6-1 ATS in its last 26 home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of less than 40%.  Bet the Pacers Monday.

15* Celtics/Thunder NBA TV ANNIHILATOR on Oklahoma City -1 

The Oklahoma City Thunder continue to lack the respect they deserve as basically a pick ‘em at home against the Boston Celtics tonight.  The Thunder are 21-6 SU in their last 27 games overall and playing as well as almost anyone. 

The Celtics also come in playing well having won six straight.  But four of those six wins were at home and it has come against a pretty soft schedule with victories over the Hawks (twice), Magic and Warriors.  This is a big step up in class for the Celtics tonight. 

Plays against all teams where the line is +3 to -3 (Boston) - a good team outscoring opponents by 6-plus points per game, after three straight games where both teams scored 100 or more points are 37-13 (74%) ATS over the last five seasons. 

The Thunder are 16-6 ATS in their last 22 games overall.  Oklahoma City is 19-7 ATS in its last 26 games playing on one days’ rest.  The Thunder are 6-0 ATS in their last six Sunday games.  Take the Thunder Sunday. 

15* NBA Saturday No-Doubt Rout on Los Angeles Clippers -8 

Fading the Timberwolves is the gift that keeps on giving.  They are 0-13 SU & 1-12 ATS in their last 13 games overall.  They just made a desperate move and traded away Andrew Wiggins for D’Angelo Russell, who likely won’t play tonight with a quad injury.  They have also traded away Jeff Teague and Robert Covington, and the players left outside of Karl-Anthony Towns is a mess. 

The Clippers are starting to play up to their potential as they are 9-2 SU & 7-4 ATS in their last 11 games overall.  Five of those wins have come by double-digits, and they should have no time putting away Minnesota by doubles tonight as well.  They come in on two days’ rest so they should be fresh and ready to go. 

Los Angeles is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games playing on two days’ rest.  Minnesota is 0-8 ATS in home games when revenging a loss by 10 points or more this season.  The Timberwolves are 5-20-1 ATS in their last 26 home games.  The Clippers are 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 meetings in Minnesota.  Bet the Clippers Saturday. 

15* NBA Eastern Conference ANNIHILATOR on New York Knicks PK 

The New York Knicks have quietly gone 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall.  They have also won three straight with road wins over the Pacers and Cavaliers as well as a home win over the Magic. 

The Knicks are rested and ready to continue their solid play as they will be playing just their 2nd game in 5 days.  The same cannot be said for the Pistons, who will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 4th game in 5 days, which is as difficult a situation as you’ll see in the NBA today. 

Detroit is just 2-7 SU & 3-6 ATS in its last nine games overall.  The Pistons had to go to the wire with the Thunder yesterday in a 101-108 loss.  And they have a plethora of injuries right now with Griffin and Kennard out, plus Rose, Morris and Mykhaiiluk all questionable.  And they just traded away Andre Drummond. 

The Knicks are 15-6 ATS when revenging a same-season loss this season.  The Knicks are 5-0 ATS in their last five games after allowing 100 or more points in their previous game.  The Pistons are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games playing on zero rest.  Roll with the Knicks Saturday. 

20* Raptors/Pacers ESPN No-Brainer on Indiana +1 

I love the spot for the Indiana Pacers tonight.  They are coming off three straight losses and highly motivated for a victory.  Look for them to handle their business at home, where they are 18-7 SU on the season. 

Adding to their motivation is this home-and-home situation after they lost a 118-119 heartbreaker in Toronto Wednesday night.  Not only did they lose, they blew a 19-point lead in that game.  Now they get their shot at revenge just two days later, and I look for them to take advantage. 

Toronto is getting too much respect from oddsmakers now after winning 12 straight games coming in.  This is a great time to ’sell high’ on them knowing that the Pacers will be the more motivated team in this matchup to avenge that 1-point loss. 

Indiana is 35-21 ATS when revenging a road loss over the last three seasons.  Home-court advantage has been huge in this series as the home team is 15-1 SU in the last 16 meetings.  And Indiana just has to win to cover tonight.  Take the Pacers Friday. 

15* NBA Friday Non-Conference KNOCKOUT on Memphis Grizzlies +6 

The Memphis Grizzlies are the gift that keeps on giving.  The Grizzlies are 13-3 SU & 12-4 ATS in their last 16 games overall with several impressive wins against the league’s top teams alone the way.  And they’re still lacking the respect they deserve from oddsmakers tonight. 

It’s a great spot to fade the Philadelphia 76ers.  They will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back after a 101-112 loss at Milwaukee last night.  The 76ers won’t be nearly as motivated as they were to face the Bucks, and they won’t have much left in the tank to deal with a Grizzlies team that plays at one of the fastest tempos in the NBA. 

It’s a 76ers team in turmoil.  They are 0-4 SU & 0-4 ATS in their last four games overall with all four losses coming by double-digits.  The injury to their best shooter in Josh Richardson hurts, and they are going through some changes with the trades they made to get Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burks.  It’s going to take them a while to gel even if those two play tonight. 

Philadelphia is 1-8 ATS off a road loss by 10 points or more this season.  Memphis is 15-4 ATS vs. good shooting teams that make at least 46% of their shots this season.  The Grizzlies are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games off an ATS win.  The 76ers are 0-6 ATS in their last six after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.  Philadelphia is 0-5 ATS in its last five games overall.  Roll with the Grizzlies Friday. 

15* NBA Thursday No-Doubt Rout on New Orleans Pelicans -4.5 

The New Orleans Pelicans are coming off two straight tough losses to the Rockets and Bucks in which they were competitive for four quarters.  Look for them to bounce back tonight against the lowly Chicago Bulls. 

The Pelicans have been playing well for nearly two months.  They are 13-8 SU & 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 games overall.  And now they are as healthy as they have been all season, making them a dangerous team moving forward.  The Pelicans are 8-1 ATS in their last nine trips to Chicago. 

Few teams have been hit as hard by injuries as the Bulls.  It’s a big reason they are just 6-13 SU & 5-14 ATS in their last 19 games overall.  Their last three losses have come by 27, 15 and 9 points coming in.  They are without Markkanen, Carter Jr., Porter Jr., Dunn, Gafford and Valentine right now. 

New Orleans is 13-4 ATS in road games off a home loss over the last two seasons.  Chicago is 2-11 ATS in home games when playing 4 or fewer games in 10 days over the last two years.  The Pelicans are 8-1 ATS in their last nine games vs. a team with a losing record, including 5-0 ATS in their last five games vs. a team with a winning percentage below 40%.  The Bulls are 6-20 ATS in their last 26 games as a home underdog.  Chicago is 17-37 ATS in its last 54 home games.  Take the Pelicans Thursday. 

20* NBA Eastern Conference GAME OF THE WEEK on New York Knicks +3 

I really like the spot for the New York Knicks tonight.  They come in on two days’ rest and are playing their best basketball of the season.  The Knicks are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games overall and should not be home underdogs to the Orlando Magic tonight. 

They face a tired, banged-up Magic team that is just 2-8 SU & 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games overall.  The Magic are coming off a 100-116 loss in Boston last night and will now be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 3rd road game in 4 days. 

New York is 13-2 ATS in home games after having won two of their last three games over the last three seasons.  The Knicks are 14-6 ATS when revenging a same-season loss this year.  The Magic are 0-8 ATS in their last eight when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.  Bet the Knicks Thursday. 

20* NBA DOG OF THE WEEK on Memphis Grizzlies +5 

The Dallas Mavericks are without their best player in Luka Doncic (28.8 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 8.7 APG) as well as Dwight Powell (9.4 PPG, 5.7 RPG).  They could be without both Seth Curry (10.8 PPG) and JJ Barea (8.9 PPG), who are both questionable tonight. 

I realize the Mavericks have played well without Donic.  They are coming off a shocking upset win at Indiana as 5.5-point dogs.  But I think that has them overvalued here tonight against a Memphis Grizzlies team that I have no doubt is better than them without Doncic, Powell and potentially Curry and Barea. 

The Grizzlies are 12-3 SU & 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games overall.  They are rested and ready to go playing just their 2nd game in 5 days tonight following a 14-point home win over the Pistons.  I just love the way this team is playing right now as they continue to be undervalued. 

Memphis is 14-4 ATS vs. good shooting teams that make 46% or more of their shots this season.  The Mavericks are 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 home games and have actually fared much better on the road than at home this season.  Memphis is 5-1 ATS in its last six games and 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games off an ATS win.  Bet the Grizzlies Wednesday. 

20* Bucks/Pelicans TNT No-Brainer on New Orleans +7 

The New Orleans Pelicans are playing very well right now.  They have gone 3-1 SU & 3-1 ATS in their last four games with their only loss coming at Houston after they blew a 4th quarter lead and finished the game on a 0-for-11 run from 3-point range. 

It’s pretty clear you’re having to pay a tax to back the Milwaukee Bucks due to having the league’s best record at 42-7.  The Bucks have gone just 6-8 ATS in their last 14 games overall and are now laying 7 points on the road to a Pelicans team that is much better than their record would indicate. 

The Pelicans are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 home games.  New Orleans is 16-5-1 ATS in its last 22 games overall.  The Pelicans are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games following a loss.  New Orleans is 35-17 ATS in its last 52 home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage above 60%.  Bet the Pelicans Tuesday. 

15* NBA Monday No-Doubt Rout on Brooklyn Nets -1.5 

The Brooklyn Nets will make easy work of the Phoenix Suns tonight.  I’m not worried that they lost Kyrie Irving to injury because they aren’t any worse off without him.  They play more as a team without Irving on the court. 

This is definitely a play against the Phoenix Suns, who will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 3rd game in 4 days after losing in Milwaukee Sunday.  It’s a really banged up Suns team with six players either out or questionable for this game, including Rubio, Baynes and Saric. 

The Nets are 7-2 SU & 6-3 ATS in their last nine meetings with the Suns.  Phoenix is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games overall.  The Suns are 2-7 ATS in their last nine games vs. a team with a losing record.  Phoenix is 6-18 ATS after tailing by 15 points or more at halftime in its previous game over the last two seasons.  Roll with the Nets Monday. 

15* NBA Eastern Conference ANNIHILATOR on Miami Heat -2.5 

The Miami Heat are 21-3 at home this season and should be more than 2.5-point favorites over the 76ers tonight.  Their only three home losses have come to the Celtics, Lakers and Clippers, which are three of the best teams in the NBA. 

I don’t consider the 76ers an elite team because they can’t win on the road.  Philadelphia is 9-17 SU & 9-16-1 ATS in all road games this season.  And you can just imagine the distractions the 76ers are dealing with after spending Super Bowl night in Miami. 

Philadelphia is 0-7 ATS in road games when revenging a road loss this season.  Miami is 10-1 ATS in home games off a road game this season.  The 76ers are 5-15-1 ATS in their last 21 road games.  Philadelphia is 0-5-1 ATS in its last six games as a road underdog.  The Heat are 17-7-1 ATS in their last 25 home games.  Miami is 6-1 ATS in its last seven home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of less than 40%.  Take the Heat Monday. 

20* NBA Non-Conference GAME OF THE MONTH on Indiana Pacers -4.5 

The Indiana Pacers are coming off a bad home loss to the New York Knicks as 11-point favorites.  They come back highly motivated for a win here because of it.  And the Pacers are a rested team playing just their 3rd game in 8 days as well. 

The Dallas Mavericks will be playing their 3rd game in 4 days.  Making matters worse is the injuries piling up for the Mavericks.  They just recently lost Dwight Powell to a season-ending injury, and now both Luka Doncic and Seth Curry are both out Monday.  The Mavericks do not have the firepower to hang with the Pacers without this trio. 

Home-court advantage has been big in this series as the home team is 5-1 SU & 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.  The Pacers are 4-1 SU & 4-1 ATS in their last five home meetings with the Mavericks.  The Mavericks are 2-8-2 ATS in their last 12 games off an ATS win.  Indiana is 5-0 ATS in its last five games off an ATS loss.  Bet the Pacers Monday. 

15* Pelicans/Rockets ABC ANNIHILATOR on New Orleans +5.5 

The New Orleans Pelicans have gotten healthy and gotten Zion Williamson into the lineup.  The results have been impressive since.  They have gone 3-0 SU & 3-0 ATS in their last three games overall.  They beat the Celtics by 15, the Cavs by 14 and the Grizzlies by 28. 

The Houston Rockets just aren’t playing well at all right now.  They are 4-6 SU & 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall.  And they are without their stud center in Clint Capela, who is more important to them than he gets credit for. 

Houston is 2-10 ATS after scoring 110 points or more in four straight games this season.  The Pelicans are 9-1-1 ATS in their last 11 games as an underdog.  New Orleans is 7-1-1 ATS in its last nine road games.  The Pelicans are 16-4-1 ATS in their last 21 games overall.  New Orleans is 4-1 ATS in its last five trips to Houston.  Take the Pelicans Sunday. 

20* 76ers/Celtics ABC No-Brainer on Boston -2.5 

The Boston Celtics have rallied since losing three straight and have been playing determined basketball since.  They are 5-1 SU & 5-1 ATS in their last five games overall, which includes a 32-point win over the Lakers, a 24-point win over the Grizzlies and an 8-point win at Miami.  The five wins have come by an average of 18.0 points per game. 

It’s well documented that the Philadelphia 76ers struggle on the road, yet they continue getting too much respect from oddsmakers on the highway.  The 76ers are just 9-16 SU & 9-15-1 ATS in their 25 road games this season.  The Celtics have gone 19-5 SU at home. 

The Celtics will be highly motivated for revenge after losing all three meetings with the 76ers this season.  They want to avoid the sweep in the worst way, and I think they will be as motivated for this game as they have been for any game this season, so I know I’m going to get their best effort here. 

The home team is 7-2 SU in the last nine meetings.  The 76ers are 3-12-1 ATS in their last 16 road games.  Philadelphia is 1-7-1 ATS in its last nine road games vs. a team with a winning home record.  Boston is 15-5 ATS in its last 20 games vs. a team with a winning record.  The 76ers are 1-5 ATS in their last six trips to Boston.  Roll with the Celtics Saturday. 

20* NBA Friday No-Doubt Rout on Brooklyn Nets -5 

The Detroit Pistons are rested and ready to go tonight.  They will be playing just their 2nd game in 5 days.  They are coming off a 125-115 home win over the Pistons and should make easy work of the Chicago Bulls tonight. 

The Bulls will be playing their 5th game in 8 days.  They are coming off an overtime loss at Indiana.  And while the Nets are fully healthy, the Bulls have 11 guys on their injury report and will be without three of their best players in Markkanen, Carter Jr. and Porter Jr. 

The Nets own the Bulls, going 7-1 SU & 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings.  The Bulls are 3-10-1 ATS in their last 14 games playing on one days' rest.  Chicago is 0-5 ATS in its last five Friday games.  Brooklyn is 6-0 ATS in its last six Friday games.  Bet the Nets Friday. 

15* Jazz/Nuggets TNT Late-Night BAILOUT on Denver -1

The Utah Jazz are in a very tough spot tonight.  They will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 3rd game in 4 days.  They lost to the Spurs 120-127 last night as 5-point favorites, and also lost to the Rockets 117-126 as 14.5-point home favorites on Monday. 

The Nuggets are 18-6 at home this season and have been the best home team in the NBA over the past two seasons.  This is a very short number to be laying with them tonight.  And I like that they’ll be motivated off their loss at Memphis on Tuesday. 

The Nuggets are 6-0-2 ATS in their last eight games following a loss.  The home team is 9-1 SU & 9-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings.  The favorite is 16-3 ATS in the last 19 meetings.  The Jazz are 1-5 ATS in their last six trips to Denver.  Roll with the Nuggets Thursday. 

15* NBA Thursday Undervalued Underdog on Atlanta Hawks +7 

The Philadelphia 76ers have been dynamite at home, but they are just 9-15 SU & 9-14-1 ATS on the road this season.  They are laying too many points here against a feisty Atlanta Hawks team that brings is every night. 

They Hawks are 3-0 ATS in their last three home games.  They beat the Wizards 152-133 as 1-point favorites, upset the Clippers 102-95 as 5-point dogs and nearly upset the Raptors in a 117-122 loss as 8.5-point dogs.  So they can hang with a team like the 76ers, who will be without two starters in Al Horford and Josh Richardson tonight. 

The Hawks are 3-1 SU & 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings with the 76ers despite being at least a 4.5-point underdog in all four.  Their only loss came earlier this season by a final of 103-105 as 6.5-point dogs. 

The 76ers are 1-7-1 ATS in their last nine road games.  The Hawks are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games.  Atlanta is 4-0 ATS in its last four games following a loss.  The Hawks are 4-0 ATS in their last four home meetings with the 76ers.  Take the Hawks Thursday. 

20* Rockets/Blazers ESPN No-Brainer on Portland +2.5 

The Portland Trail Blazers just got CJ McCollum back in the lineup from an ankle injury last time out.  They also picked up Trevor Ariza.  The Blazers promptly pulled off an impressive 139-129 home win over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. 

Now the Blazers come in on two days’ rest and should be fresh and ready to go.  They host a Houston Rockets team that has both James Harden and Clint Capela listed as questionable with injuries.  I like the Blazers whether or not these two play, but it would be an added bonus if they didn’t. 

The Blazers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 meetings with the Rockets.  Portland beat Houston 117-107 on the road as 8.5-point dogs in their last meeting on January 15th.  Both meetings thus far this season have been in Houston.  But the Rockets are 0-4 ATS in their last four trips to Portland. 

Houston is 22-45-1 ATS in its last 68 games after scoring more than 125 points in its previous game.  The Rockets are 2-6 ATS in their last eight road games.  The Rockets will be playing their 3rd game in 4 days, a much tougher situation than the one the Blazers are in.  Take the Blazers Wednesday. 

20* NBA DOG OF THE WEEK on Phoenix Suns +7.5 

The Dallas Mavericks are in a tough spot tonight.  They will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 3rd game in 4 days.  They are coming off two tough road games at Utah and Oklahoma City and won’t have much left in the tank tonight. 

The Phoenix Suns are playing some solid basketball here of late in going 5-4 SU in their last nine games overall.  They have gotten healthier and just upset the Spurs on the road before losing by 5 at Memphis in their last two games coming in.  And now they’ll take this tired Mavericks team to the wire tonight. 

The Suns are 7-3 SU & 8-2 ATS in their last 10 meetings with the Mavericks.  Phoenix is 5-1 ATS in its last six trips to Dallas.  The Suns are 5-1 ATS in their last six games as road underdogs.  The Mavericks are 3-8-1 ATS in their last 12 home games.  Dallas is 1-7-2 ATS in its last 10 games following an ATS win.  Bet the Suns Tuesday. 

15* NBA Non-Conference KNOCKOUT on Golden State Warriors +12 

The Philadelphia 76ers are coming off a huge upset home win over the Los Angeles Lakers.  This is a great time to fade them in an obvious letdown spot against the team with the worst record in the Western Conference in the Golden State Warriors tonight. 

Philadelphia is also likely to be without Joel Embiid again tonight, and they are also without starter Josh Richardson, who is their best shooter and averages 15.0 points per game.  I just don’t think they have the horses or the motivation to put the Warriors away by this kind of margin tonight. 

Golden State comes in rested and ready to go.  The Warriors are working on three days’ rest having last played on Friday.  And they are as healthy as they have been all season now.  Look for a big effort from them tonight because of it. 

The Warriors are 4-0 ATS in their last four road games vs. a team with a winning home record.  The 76ers are 1-4 ATS in their last five games following an ATS win.  Take the Warriors Tuesday. 

20* Mavs/Thunder NBA No-Brainer on Oklahoma City +1.5 

The Oklahoma City Thunder are playing too well to be home underdogs to the Dallas Mavericks.  The Thunder are 13-4 SU & 14-3 ATS in their last 17 games overall.  I’ll gladly side with them as home dogs to the Mavericks tonight. 

The Mavericks have lost two of their last three to the Clippers and Jazz.  They just lost key role player Dwight Powell to a season-ending Achilles injury, and he’s more important to the team than he gets credit for because he’s been so good in the pick and roll.  He shoots 63.5% from the field and gets easy buckets consistently off Doncic pick-and-rolls. 

Home-court advantage has been big in this series.  The home team is 4-1 SU & 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.  The Thunder won outright as 2.5-point dogs in their first and only meeting this season at home against the Mavs by a final of 106-101 on December 31st. 

The Mavericks are 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine games vs. a team with a winning record.  The Thunder are 20-7 ATS in their last 27 games overall.  Oklahoma City is 35-16 ATS in its last 51 games as an underdog.  Bet the Thunder Monday. 

20* NBA Sunday No-Doubt Rout on New York Knicks -1.5 

The New York Knicks have gone 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall.  They took the likes of the 76ers, Lakers and Raptors all to the wire during this stretch to prove what they are capable of. 

Look for the Knicks to get a victory tonight over a tired Brooklyn Nets team that will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 3rd game in 4 days.  Making matters worse for the Nets is that they had to go to overtime with the Pistons yesterday. 

The Nets are 6-14 ATS in their last 20 games playing on zero rest.  Brooklyn is 1-6 ATS in its last seven road games.  The Nets are 0-7 ATS in their last seven games as road underdogs.  The Knicks are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games. New York is 9-2 ATS in the last 11 meetings, and 8-2 ATS in the last 10 home meetings.  Bet the Knicks Sunday. 

15* Lakers/76ers ABC ANNIHILATOR on Los Angeles -4.5 

The Los Angeles Lakers have been the best road team in the NBA this season.  They are 20-4 SU in road games, so I’m not worried at all about laying this short number with them on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers. 

I know the 76ers are great at home, but they just have some injuries right now that aren’t going to allow them to compete with the Lakers.  They are without their best player in Joel Embiid (23.4 PPG, 12.3 RPG) and also are now without their best shooter in Josh Richardson (15.0 PPG), who just suffered a hamstring injury last time out. 

Plays on road favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points (LA Lakers) - after beating the spread by 24 or more points in in their last three games against an opponent that went under the total by 54 or more points total in their last 10 games are 42-14 (75%) ATS since 1996. 

The 76ers are 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight games vs. a team with a winning record.  Philadelphia is 1-5-1 ATS in its last seven games as an underdog.  The 76ers are 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight games playing on two days’ rest.  Los Angeles is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 trips to Philadelphia.  Take the Lakers Saturday. 

20* NBA Western Conference GAME OF THE MONTH on Utah Jazz -3.5 

The Utah Jazz are the hottest team in the NBA.  They have gone 18-2 SU in their last 20 games overall and 13-2 ATS in their last 15 games overall.  We are getting the Jazz real cheap as only 3.5-point home favorites over the Dallas Mavericks tonight.  Especially since they’re rested on two days’ rest having last played on Wednesday. 

The Mavericks are getting some respect from the books because they are 5-1 SU & 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall.  But they lost to the best team they faced in the Clippers and the other five wins came against the Blazers (twice), Kings, Warriors and 76ers (at home). 

The Mavericks just lost a key player in Dwight Powell to a season-ending Achilles injury, while the Jazz are fully healthy right now.  The Jazz are 6-1 SU in their last seven meetings with the Mavericks.  The Jazz are 6-0 SU in their last six home meetings with Dallas winning by an average of 12.0 points per game. 

The Mavericks are 1-7-1 ATS in their last nine games following an ATS win.  The Jazz are 7-0 ATS in their last seven home games.  Utah is 14-2 ATS in its last 16 after scoring 100 points or more in its previous game.  Bet the Jazz Saturday. 

20* NBA Friday No-Doubt Rout on New Orleans Pelicans -4 

The New Orleans Pelicans lost their first game with Zion Williamson in the lineup Wednesday on National TV.  They ran into a hot Spurs team and fell 117-121.  I expect the Pelicans to get back on track tonight with a win and cover against the Denver Nuggets. 

The Pelicans are 10-5 SU & 12-2-1 ATS in their last 15 games overall.  They are fully healthy for the first time all season.  They are going to be a dangerous team moving forward as they have one of the most talented rosters in the NBA. 

The Denver Nuggets are far from healthy.  They are without Jamal Murray, Paul Millsap and Mason Plumlee while both Gary Harris and Michael Porter Jr. are questionable.  They have lost two of their last three by 8 at home to Indiana and by 15 at Houston.  They needed overtime to beat lowly Golden State and also won by just 7 at lowly Minnesota. 

The Nuggets are 0-5 ATS in their last five Friday games.  The Pelicans are 6-0 ATS in their last six meetings with the Nuggets.  New Orleans is 4-0 ATS in its last four home meetings with Denver.  The Pelicans are 6-0 ATS in their last six games off a loss.  These four trends combine for a perfect 21-0 system backing New Orleans.  Bet the Pelicans Friday. 

15* NBA Eastern Conference ANNIHILATOR on Toronto Raptors -8 

The Toronto Raptors have had five key players miss 10 or more games this year in Siakam, Lowry, VanVleet, Gasol and Powell.  It’s amazing they’ve been able to go 30-14 to this point with all these injuries. 

But the Raptors returned everyone basically five games ago.  And it’s no coincidence they’ve gone 5-0 SU & 4-1 ATS in those five games, winning by an average of 13.0 points per game.  Expect another blowout win over the lowly New York Knicks tonight. 

The Raptors own the Knicks, going 7-0 SU & 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings while winning those seven games by an average of a whopping 23.0 points per game.  Dating back further, the Raptors are 15-1 SU in their last 16 meetings with the Knicks with 12 of those wins coming by double-digits. 

The Raptors are 35-16 ATS in their last 51 games playing on one days’ rest.  The Knicks are 7-20 ATS in in their last 27 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.  Roll with the Raptors Friday. 

20* Mavs/Blazers TNT No-Brainer on Portland +4.5 

I like the spot for the Portland Trail Blazers tonight.  They want revenge from a 112-120 road loss to Dallas just six days ago on January 17th.  Now they get their chance at revenge at home this time around. 

The Blazers come in on two days’ rest, so they will be fresh and ready to go.  Both Hassan Whiteside and Trevor Ariza will be available for them tonight, and CJ McCollum could return from an ankle injury as he has been upgraded to questionable. 

The Mavericks lost a key piece in Dwight Powell in their last game against the Clippers.  It’s a season-ending Achilles injury.  Powell is one of the most underrated players in the NBA and does a lot for this team that goes unnoticed.  He’s great in the pick-and-roll and shoots 63.8% from the field. 

Plays on underdogs (Portland) - a cold team failing to cover 12 or more of their last 15 against an opponent that covered three of their last four are 72-27 (72.7%) ATS since 1996.  Bet the Blazers Thursday. 

15* NBA Eastern Conference ANNIHILATOR on Cleveland Cavaliers -2 

This is a very favorable spot for the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight.  They come in on two days’ rest, so they will be fresh and ready to go tonight.  They should be able to handle the Washington Wizards at home. 

The Wizards are coming off an overtime loss at Miami last night.  Washington will now be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and its 3rd game in 4 days.  The Wizards will not have much left in the tank after that overtime defeat. 

Washington is 1-10 ATS in road games after allowing 130 points or more over the last two seasons.  The Wizards are 16-34-1 ATS in their last 51 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.  The Cavaliers are 22-8-1 ATS in their last 31 games vs. a team with a winning percentage of less than 40%.  Take the Cavaliers Thursday. 

15* Jazz/Warriors NBA Late-Night BAILOUT on Golden State +8.5 

It’s a great time to ‘buy low’ on the Golden State Warriors.  They have lost 11 of their last 12 games overall.  But they are getting healthier now and as a result they have gone 5-2 ATS in their last seven games overall.  And now they are catching too many points at home tonight. 

Conversely, it’s a great time to ’sell high’ on the Utah Jazz.  They have won 17 of their last 19 games overall and have gone 12-2 ATS in their last 14 games overall.  You are now clearly paying a tax to back the Jazz as 8.5-point road favorites here.  And keep in mind that 15 of those 17 wins came against teams with losing records so they have feasted on a soft schedule. 

The Warriors recently got D’Angelo Russell back from injury and now they will get both Draymond Green (8.4 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 5.6 APG) and Glenn Robinson III (12.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG) back from injury tonight.  The Warriors will give the Jazz a run for their money in this one.  After all, they’ve taken the Bucks, Clippers, Nuggets and Blazers to the wire during their 5-2 ATS run. 

Golden State is 11-3 ATS when revenging a road loss this season.  They only lost 109-113 and 106-114 at Utah in both meetings this season.  The Warriors are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games.  Golden State is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games as a home underdog.  Bet the Warriors Wednesday. 

20* 76ers/Raptors ESPN No-Brainer on Toronto -7 

The Raptors have been without five key players this season that have impacted them, especially in the last few weeks.  Siakam has missed 11 games, VanVleet 10, Lowry 10, Gasol 12 and Powell 11.  It’s amazing the Raptors have been able to compile a 29-14 record with all these injuries. 

But the Raptors revenge got everyone back healthy about four games ago.  It’s no coincidence they have gone 4-0 while winning those four games by an average of 13.3 points per game.  And three of those four games were on the road.  This is a dangerous Raptors team moving forward now that they are healthy. 

The 76ers have also won four straight without Joel Embiid and remain without him.  But the four wins came against the Nets (twice), Knicks and Bulls and they all went down to the wire in the 4th quarter.  Now this is a big step up in class for the 76ers, and they won’t be able to hang with the healthy Raptors without Embiid. 

The home team is 5-0 SU & 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.  The 76ers are 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight road games.  The Raptors are 7-2 ATS in their last nine home meetings with Philadelphia.  Toronto is 22-7 ATS in its last 29 games on one days’ rest.  The Raptors are 19-5 ATS in their last 24 home games vs. division opponents.  Take the Raptors Wednesday.

15* NBA Non-Conference KNOCKOUT on Orlando Magic -1.5 

This is a big letdown spot for the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight.  They came back from 15 points down to beat the Rockets on Monday, 112-107.  That’s a rivalry game for them with the swapping of Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook in the offseason.   

The Thunder won’t be nearly as motivated to face the Magic tonight.  And they are dealing with a lot of injuries right now that will make matters worse for them.  Terrance Ferguson and Abdel Nader are out, while Steven Adams and Nerlens Noel are both questionable. 

The Magic are playing their best basketball of the season right now as they are 7-4 SU & 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games overall.  They are coming off a 23-point road win at Charlotte.  Nikola Vucevic will have his way in the paint against the Thunder if Adams is unable to go. 

Plays against all teams where the line is +3 to -3 (OKC) - a good shooting team (45.5-47.5%) against a poor shooting team (41.5-43.5%), after making 12 or more 3-pointers last game are 29-8 (78.4%) ATS over the last five seasons.  Plays on home teams where the line is +3 to -3 (Orlando) - after allowing 85 points or less are 38-11 (77.6%) ATS over the last five seasons.  Roll with the Magic Wednesday. 

20* Clippers/Mavs NBA TV No-Brainer on Dallas -1.5 

Kristaps Porzingis has missed the last 10 games for the Mavericks.  There’s a great chance he returns tonight.  The timing makes sense as the Mavericks come in on three days’ rest after last playing on Friday, giving Porzingis a few extra days to heal. 

The Mavericks have been playing well without him in going 4-0 SU & 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall.  And now they want revenge from a 99-114 loss to the Clippers in their first meeting this season.  The Mavericks have gone 31-12 SU in their last 43 home meetings with the Clippers. 

Los Angeles will remain without Paul George tonight.  The Clippers haven’t exactly been juggernauts on the road this season.  They are 11-9 SU but 9-11 ATS.  And while they’ve won five of their last six coming in, the five wins have all come against teams with losing records in the Knicks (by 3), Warriors (by 9), Cavaliers, Magic and Pelicans (by 3).  The Clippers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games overall. 

Dallas is 17-5 ATS off a home game this season.  Los Angeles is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games off a win.  The Mavericks are 4-1 ATS in their last five home meetings with the Clippers.  Bet the Mavericks Tuesday. 

15* Warriors/Blazers TNT Late-Night BAILOUT on Golden State +6.5 

The Golden State Warriors have been much more competitive here of late.  They have recent losses to the Bucks and Clippers by single digits as double-digit dogs.  They upset the Magic last time out as 6-point dogs and they took the Nuggets to overtime as dog. 

I think the Warriors can hang with a depleted Portland Trail Blazers team that is missing Nurkic, Hood, Collins, Labissiere, McCollum and Ariza.  These injuries are a big reason the Blazers are just 4-10 SU & 3-11 ATS in their last 14 games overall.  And it’s a tired Blazers team that hasn’t has two consecutive days off since Christmas, making matters worse. 

The Warriors are 20-9 ATS in road games revenging a loss where opponent scored 100 or more points over the last two seasons.  The Blazers are 0-5-1 ATS in their last six home games.  Portland is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games off a loss.  Take the Warriors Monday. 

20* Pelicans/Grizzlies TNT No-Brainer on Memphis -2.5 

The Memphis Grizzlies are 7-0 SU & 6-1 ATS in their last seven games overall.  They are playing their best basketball of the season as they’ve upset the likes of the Clippers by 26 on the road as well as the Spurs by 13 and the Rockets by 11 at home during this stretch. 

It’s going to be a great atmosphere on Martin Luther King Day in this home game against the New Orleans Pelicans tonight.  No city celebrates MLK day quite like Memphis does as it means a lot more to their community than most with his assassination taking place in Memphis. 

The Pelicans are also playing well, but this is a very tough spot for them.  They are coming off an OT win against the Jazz followed by a 3-point loss to the Clippers at home.  They won’t have much left in the tank for the Grizzlies, who are playing on two days’ rest and just their 2nd game in 6 days. 

Memphis is 8-0 ATS off two straight games where they made at least 50% of their shots over the last two seasons.  The Pelicans, who ranks 29th in scoring defense at 117.7 points per game, won’t be able to cool off the Grizzlies tonight.  Bet the Grizzlies Monday. 

15* NBA Monday Total DOMINATOR on Thunder/Rockets UNDER 230 

There is definitely some bad blood between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets due to the teams swapping Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul in the offseason.  That bad blood shows more with the effort on the defensive end than anything. 

The Thunder and Rockets have played twice this season already, so they are very familiar with one another.  And both games went UNDER this 230-point total with a 116-112 final in the first meeting for 228 combined points and a 113-92 final in the 2nd meeting for 205 combined points. 

In fact, 13 of the last 14 meetings between the Thunder and Rockets have resulted in 229 or fewer combined points.  That makes for a 13-1 system backing the UNDER pertaining to tonight’s 230-point total.  Roll with the UNDER in this game Monday. 

15* NBA Monday UPSET SHOCKER on Charlotte Hornets +4.5 

The Charlotte Hornets are highly motivated for a victory tonight.  They have lost six straight coming in against a brutal schedule with home games against the Pacers and Raptors, as well as four road games against the Jazz, Nuggets, Blazers & Suns.   

Not to mention, the Hornets had road games against the Cavs and Mavericks in the two games prior where they pulled off two upsets.  They get a break in their schedule here hosting the Orlando Magic and coming in on four days’ rest having last played on January 15th. 

The Magic are in a very tough spot.  They will be playing their 6th straight road game tonight and their 4th road game in 6 days.  They are without starting PG D.J. Augustin right now while the Hornets are fully healthy.  I really believe the wrong team is favored in this matchup. 

The Hornets simply own the Magic.  Charlotte is 13-2 SU & 12-3 ATS in its last 15 meetings with Orlando.  The Hornets are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games vs. a team with a losing record.  Take the Hornets Monday. 

20* NBA Non-Conference GAME OF THE MONTH on San Antonio Spurs +1.5 

I love the spot for the San Antonio Spurs tonight.  They want revenge from a 100-106 loss at Miami just a few days ago on January 15th.  Now they get their chance at revenge just four days later at home this time around. 

Adding to the Spurs’ motivation is the fact that they are coming off a 120-121 home loss to the Hawks in which they blew a 15-point lead in the 4th quarter.  They had been playing some great basketball prior to those two games in going 9-4 ATS in their previous 13 games. 

San Antonio is 32-8 ATS when revenging a road loss over the last two season.  The Spurs are 9-1 ATS in home games off two or more consecutive losses over the last two seasons.  The Heat are 1-5 ATS in their last six games as road favorites.  San Antonio is 8-1-1 ATS in its last 10 games off a loss.  The Spurs are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games as home underdogs.  Roll with the Spurs Sunday. 

20* NBA Western Conference GAME OF THE WEEK on Sacramento Kings +9.5 

The Utah Jazz had their 10-game winning streak come to an end with a 132-138 (OT) loss at New Orleans on Thursday.  I always like fading teams that have their long winning streaks come to an end because it’s the kind of loss that seems to beat them twice.  They take a breathe of air and don’t play well in the next game out. 

While it is impressive that the Jazz have won 15 of their last 17 games overall, keep in mind it has come against one of the easiest schedules in the NBA.  In fact, 14 of those 15 wins came against teams with losing records.  Now they are way overvalued and it’s time to ’sell high’ on them. 

The Jazz would have to beat the Kings by double-digits to beat us now, which is asking way too much.  Especially since the Kings are almost back to 100% health with only Richaun Holmes still sidelined.  They get Bogdan Bogdanovic back from an injury Saturday and recently got back Marvin Bagley and a few others.  The Kings will be a dangerous team moving forward. 

The Jazz have to be a tired team as they haven’t had two days off in a row since over New Year’s Eve.  And they are coming off a three-game road trip.  The Kings will be playing just their 4th game in 11 days and will be by far the fresher team tonight. 

Plays against favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points (Utah) - a hot team having won 12 or more of their last 15 games, a good team (60% to 75%) playing a bad team (25% to 40%) are 27-7 (79.4%) ATS over the last five seasons. 

The Kings are 15-5 ATS when playing 4 or fewer games in 10 days over the last two seasons.  Sacramento is 24-9 ATS after losing three of its last four games over the last two seasons.  The Kings are 12-3 ATS in road games off a loss by 6 points or less over the last two years.  Sacramento is 7-1 ATS in its last eight road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage above 60%.  The Kings are 14-6-1 ATS in their last 21 games as underdogs.  Sacramento is 13-5-2 ATS in its last 20 meetings in Utah.  Take the Kings Saturday. 

15* NBA Saturday No-Doubt Rout on Philadelphia 76ers -3.5 

I know the Philadelphia 76ers will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back tonight after beating the Bulls 100-89 last night.  But the line has been adjusted too much for it as the 76ers are only 3.5-point favorites over the lowly New York Knicks tonight. 

The 76ers shouldn’t be all that tired anyway considering they have had a lot of time off in January.  In fact, it will be just the 8th game in 18 days in the month of January for the 76ers.  They should have enough left in the tank to make easy work of the Knicks tonight. 

The Knicks have some injury problems right now as they are missing RJ Barrett and Reggie Bullock and Dennis Smith Jr. are questionable.  They did just get back Marcus Morris, but it didn’t matter in a 98-121 home loss to the Suns on Thursday.  The Knicks are now just 1-7 SU & 2-6 ATS in their last eight games overall with each of their last five losses coming by 12 points or more and by an average of 23 points per game. 

The 76ers have owned the Knicks going 10-0 SU in the last 10 meetings with all 10 wins by 3 points or more and nine by 5 points or more.  Philadelphia is 10-4 ATS in the last 14 meetings.  Roll with the 76ers Saturday. 

15* NBA Friday No-Doubt Rout on Memphis Grizzlies -8 

No team is playing better than the Memphis Grizzlies right now.  They are 6-0 SU & 6-0 ATS in their last six games overall with all six wins coming by 7 points or more and by an average of 14 points per game.  That includes wins over the Clippers (by 26), Spurs (by 13) and Rockets (by 11). 

Now the Grizzlies are rested with two days off since last defeating the Rockets on Tuesday.  They should be able to handle their business against a Cleveland Cavaliers team that is coming off two straight losses by 29 and 25 points.  The Cavaliers will be playing their 5th straight road game in this difficult spot. 

Memphis is 10-2 ATS after scoring 110 points or more in four straight games this season.  The Cavaliers are 5-15-1 ATS in their last 21 games off an ATS loss.  The Grizzlies are 5-0 ATS in their last five home games. 

Plays on home favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points (Memphis) - revenging a loss where opponent scores 100 or more points, off a home win by 10 points or more are 72-39 (64.9%) ATS over the last five seasons.  Roll with the Grizzlies Friday. 

20* Bulls/76ers ESPN No-Brainer on Philadelphia -7 

The Philadelphia 76ers are 19-2 at home this season and winning by 9.8 points per game.  They have been a good bet at home even without Joel Embiid.  They won by 11 over the Nets and also by 11 over the Celtics in their last two home games without Embiid.   

Now the 76ers should be able to cover this 7-point spread against the Chicago Bulls at home tonight.  With this game being played on National TV on ESPN, they won’t take the Bulls lightly.  The 76ers are 5-1 SU & 4-2 ATS in their last six meetings with the Bulls, including 3-0 SU & 3-0 ATS in their last three home meetings winning by 16, 19 and 14 points. 

The Bulls are just 2-7 SU & 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine games overall with their only wins coming against the Pistons and Wizards, two of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference.  Six of those seven losses came by 7 points or more. 

The Bulls are 11-27 ATS in their last 38 games following a win.  Chicago is 0-5-1 ATS in its last six games vs. a team with a winning record.  Philadelphia is 4-0-1 ATS in its last five home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of less than 40%.  Bet the 76ers Friday. 

15* NBA Friday Total DOMINATOR on Timberwolves/Pacers UNDER 216.5 

This is one of my favorite situations to bet an UNDER in the NBA.  It’s a home-and-home situation between the Timberwolves and Pacers.  So they are very familiar with each other playing the same opponent in back-to-back games, which always favors defense. 

Indiana beat Minnesota 104-99 on the road on Wednesday for 203 combined points.  That total was set at 217.5, and oddsmakers have hardly adjusted dropping this total just one point to 216.5.  It’s now enough for an adjustment, especially when you consider the Pacers actually shot 51.8% in that first game and still only scored 104 points. 

Indiana is 40-21 UNDER when the total is 210 to 219.5 over the last two seasons.  The Pacers are 24-6 UNDER in home games with a total of 210 to 219.5 over the last two years.  The UNDER is 9-2 in Timberwolves last 11 road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage above 60%.  Take the UNDER in this game Friday. 

15* NBA Thursday PLAY OF THE DAY on New Orleans Pelicans +5 

Two red hot teams square off tonight when the Utah Jazz visit the New Orleans Pelicans.  But only one of these hot teams is getting too much respect from oddsmakers, and that’s the Jazz as the 5-point road favorite. 

The Jazz are playing great with 10 straight wins and 15 of their last 16 overall.  But with that success comes expectations from oddsmakers that are tough to live up to.  But keep in mind that 14 of those 15 wins came against teams with losing records, so they have been feasting on an easy schedule. 

The Pelicans are 8-2 SU & 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall.  Their only losses came on the road to the Lakers and Celtics and at home to the Jazz.  Well, that was a 126-128 loss to the Jazz on January 6th, so now the Pelicans are going to be highly motivated for a win in the rematch tonight just 10 days later. 

Plays against favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points (Utah) - a hot team having won 12 or more of their last 15 games, a good team (60% to 75%) playing a bad team (25% to 40%) are 26-7 (78.8%) ATS over the last five seasons.  New Orleans gets Brandon Ingram and Derrick Favors back from injury tonight and JJ Redick could be back as well.  Roll with the Pelicans Thursday. 

20* NBA Eastern Conference GAME OF THE MONTH on Philadelphia 76ers -7 

The Philadelphia 76ers are coming off two straight road losses to the Indiana Pacers and Dallas Mavericks.  They return home highly motivated for a victory tonight and pretty rested as this will be just their 6th game in 15 days. 

I know the 76ers are without Joel Embiid, but they won their last home game 109-98 over the Boston Celtics as 1-point favorites without him.  The 76ers are now 18-2 at home this season and winning by 9.7 points per game.  Philadelphia is 4-1 SU & 4-1 ATS in then last five meetings while winning by 22 points in each of their last two home meetings with Brooklyn. 

It’s a bad spot for the Brooklyn Nets.  They are coming off a 107-118 home loss to Utah last night and will now be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 3rd game in 4 days.  The Nets are just 2-8 SU & 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games overall. 

The Nets are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games playing on zero rest.  Brooklyn is 0-6 ATS in its last six games as a road underdog.  Philadelphia is 30-16 ATS in home games revenging a loss over the last three seasons.  Bet the 76ers Wednesday. 

20* Rockets/Grizzlies NBA TV No-Brainer on Memphis +5.5 

The Memphis Grizzlies are playing their best basketball of the season.  They are 12-6 SU & 13-4-1 ATS in their last 18 games overall.  They have won five straight coming in including road upsets of the Clippers and Suns. 

The Houston Rockets are just 1-3 SU & 0-4 ATS in their last four road games.  They lost at New Orleans by 15, at Golden State by 12 as 11-point favorites, at Oklahoma City by 21 as 1-3-point favorites and failed to cover in a win at Atlanta as 7.5-point favorites.  Now the Rockets will be without Russell Westbrook tonight due to a rest day. 

Memphis is 15-5 ATS in home games when revenging a same-season loss over the last two seasons.  The Rockets are 12-28-1 ATS in their last 41 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.  Houston is 1-6 ATS in its last seven road games vs. a team with a losing home record.  Bet the Grizzlies Tuesday. 

15* NBA Tuesday Non-Conference KNOCKOUT on Phoenix Suns -3 

The Phoenix Suns have gotten healthy and are starting to play like they did to start the season.  The Suns are 5-3 in their last eight games overall.  They have pulled road upsets over the Kings and Blazers during this stretch. 

Now the Suns go on the road and fave a hapless Atlanta Hawks team that is just 2-15 SU in its last 17 games overall.  The Hawks have lost four straight with some bad losses by 10 at Washington and by 22 at Brooklyn in their last two games.  Injuries are really taking their toll on the Hawks With Fernando, Parker and Len out while both Hunter and Young are questionable. 

The Suns are 6-1 ATS in their last seven road games vs. a team with a losing home record. The Hawks are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 games vs. a team with a losing record.  The Suns are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 meetings in Atlanta and 30-14 ATS in their last 44 meetings overall.  Take the Suns Tuesday. 

15* Cavs/Lakers NBA Late-Night BAILOUT on Cleveland +14 

Cleveland head coach John Beilein recently held a team meeting to apologize for using the word thug when he meant to say slug in a film session.  It’s obvious his players have his back with the way they have performed their last two games. 

Indeed, the Cavaliers went on the road and beat the Pistons outright as 7.5-point dogs in the first game following the meeting.  And then they went on the road Saturday and upset the Nuggets 111-103 as 12.5-point dogs.  Now they are catching 14 points to the Lakers, which is simply too much. 

The Lakers have six players on their injury report right now.  Both Anthony Davis and Danny Green are questionable tonight, while Lebron James and Avery Bradley are probable.  I just can’t see the Lakers being too motivated to face the Cavaliers tonight and that’s going to make it tough to cover this massive 14-point spread.  Especially since it’s a letdown spot off back-to-back road wins at Dallas and Oklahoma City. 

The Lakers are 10-31 ATS in their last 41 home games after scoring 105 points or more in three straight games.  Plays on road underdogs (Cleveland) off a road win, a bad team (25% to 40%) playing a team with a winning record are 54-21 (72%) ATS over the last five seasons.  Roll with the Cavaliers Monday. 

15* NBA Monday Non-Conference KNOCKOUT on Charlotte Hornets +9.5 

The Portland Trail Blazers have to win by double-digits to beat us tonight.  That’s asking too much for a struggling Portland team that is 2-8 SU & 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games overall. 

This number is adjusted too much for the Hornets playing a back-to-back here.  They covered in a 92-100 loss at Phoenix last night.  And this is a young Hornets team that doesn’t get affected as much as most teams would in these back-to-back situations. 

The Hornets are 3-1 ATS in their last four road games with upset wins over both the Mavericks and Cavaliers.  Charlotte is 24-12 ATS off two or more consecutive losses over the last two seasons.  The Hornets are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.  The Blazers are 0-4 ATS in their last four home games.  Take the Hornets Monday. 

15* NBA Sunday PLAY OF THE DAY on Denver Nuggets +1 

The Denver Nuggets are coming off a bad home loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers as 12.5-point favorites.  But you could see that letdown coming with the Clippers on deck today. 

Now, the Nuggets will come back highly motivated for a win at home here tonight.  And I’m not concerned about the back-to-back for them.  They are one of the deepest teams in the NBA, plus they had two days off before that Cleveland game. 

The Clippers have struggled to put away some bad teams lately.  They are 0-3 ATS in their last three games overall.  They lost 114-140 at home to the Grizzlies as 10-point favorites, only beat the Knicks by 3 as 10-point home favorites and only beat the Warriors by 9 as 14.5-point home favorites.  And the Clippers are likely to be without Paul George again tonight. 

The Clippers are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games following a win.  The Nuggets are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings and 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings in Denver as well.  Take the Nuggets Sunday. 

20* NBA BLOWOUT GAME OF THE WEEK on Boston Celtics -9.5 

It’s safe to say the Boston Celtics will be highly motivated for a victory Saturday.  They are riding a season-high three-game losing streak coming in.  They will take out their frustration on the New Orleans Pelicans tonight with a blowout victory. 

This is a tough spot for the Pelicans.  They will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 6th game in 9 days after beating the Knicks on the road last night.  This 6 in 9 days is as tough as it gets in the NBA.  I think they run out of gas tonight, especially since they will be without two starters in Jrue Holiday and Derrick Favors. 

Plays on home favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points (Boston) - after failing to cover three of their last four ATS against an opponent that covered four of their last five ATS are 51-20 (71.8%) ATS over the last five seasons.  The Celtics have won their last two meetings with the Pelicans by 13 at home and by 17 on the road.  Bet the Celtics Saturday. 

20* Lakers/Mavs ESPN No-Brainer on Dallas -2 

The Dallas Mavericks just lost to the Lakers 95-108 on the road on December 29th.  They have now lost two of three meetings to the Lakers, including an overtime loss where the Lakers tied it at the buzzer at the end of regulation.  The Mavericks want revenge and to tie the season series at 2-2 tonight. 

The good news for the Mavericks is that they won’t have to go up against Anthony Davis tonight due to a tailbone injury suffered against the Knicks last time out.  The Lakers are only a shell of themselves without Davis, who leads them in scoring (27.1 PPG), rebounding (9.4 RPG) and blocks (2.6 BPG). 

The Mavericks are a perfect 9-0 ATS off an upset loss as a favorite this season, coming back to win by 11.2 points per game.  Dallas is 8-0 ATS off a home loss this season.  The Lakers are 3-8-1 ATS in their last 12 games overall.  Los Angeles is 1-5 ATS in its last six games vs. a team with a winning record.  Bet the Mavericks Friday. 

15* Pelicans/Knicks ESPN ANNIHILATOR on New Orleans -4 

The New Orleans Pelicans are playing their best basketball of the season.  They are 6-2 SU & 7-0-1 ATS in their last eight games overall with their only losses coming on the road to the Lakers by 10 as 10-point dogs and at home to the Jazz by 2 as 4-point dogs.  They have road wins over the Blazers, Nuggets and Kings during this stretch as well as home wins over the Pacers, Rockets and Bulls. 

The New York Knicks are 0-4 SU & 1-3 ATS in their last four games overall.  They are coming off a 24-point loss at Utah that followed up a 30-point loss at the Lakers.  This is a tired team that will be playing their 3rd game in 4 days now after playing in altitude. 

It’s a very difficult spot for the Knicks.  They are coming off a four-game road trip, and I like to fade teams returning home from a long road trip.  Making matters worse is that the Knicks will be without their best player in Julius Randle (18.5 PPG, 9.1 RPG) and could be without leading scorer Marcus Morris (19.1 PPG) again as well. 

New York is 1-9 ATS in home games when playing 6 or more games in 10 days over the last two seasons.  It is losing by 15.2 points per game in this spot.  The Pelicans are 7-0-1 ATS in their last eight games overall.  Take the Pelicans Friday. 

20* Rockets/Thunder TNT No-Brainer on Oklahoma City +4 

The Houston Rockets will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back after a hard-fought 122-115 win in Atlanta last night.  Six players logged at least 30 minutes for the Rockets last night, so this is a very tough situation for them. 

Chris Paul wants revenge on his former team after the Rockets traded him away in the offseason to make room for Russell Westbrook.  And you know the Thunder will rally around him.  They nearly upset the Rockets in a 112-116 road loss as 10-point dogs in their first meeting.  And now they get the Rockets at home this time around. 

Plus, the Thunder are playing their best basketball of the season right now.  They have gone 10-2 SU in their last 12 games overall which includes upset wins over Dallas, Toronto, San Antonio, the Clippers and the Nets. 

The Thunder are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall.  Oklahoma City is 19-7 ATS in its last 26 games overall.  The Thunder are 47-22-3 ATS in their last 72 home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of more than 60%.  Oklahoma City is 12-2 ATS in its last 14 games playing on one days’ rest.  The Thunder are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games as a home underdog.  Oklahoma City is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.  Take the Thunder Thursday. 

15* NBA Wednesday UPSET SHOCKER on Charlotte Hornets +3 

The Toronto Raptors will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back tonight.  They just went to the wire with the Blazers at home last night in a 99-101 loss.  And now they have to try and get back up off the mat to face the Hornets tonight. 

It has been a struggle here of late for the Raptors due to all their injuries.  They are missing four key players in Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol, Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell.  Siakam and VanVleet are their two best players.  It’s no wonder their have gone just 3-5 SU in their last eight games overall.  And being short-handed makes these back-to-back situations even more difficult. 

The Hornets have pulled two impressive road upsets over the Mavericks and Cavaliers in two of their last three games coming in.  They did lose to the Pacers at home after letting that game get away from them in the 4th quarter.  But that will have them coming back determined tonight to beat the Raptors. 

The home team has won four of the last five meetings.  The Hornets are 11-2 ATS after allowing 105 points or more in three straight games this season.  Take the Hornets Wednesday. 

20* NBA Wednesday No-Doubt Rout on Indiana Pacers -1 

This is yet another case of the Indiana Pacers being underrated as only 1-point home favorites over the Miami Heat tonight.  The Pacers are 15-4 at home this season and should be a bigger favorite tonight. 

The Heat also have a great home-court advantage as they are 17-1 at home, but they are not home here.  Miami is just 9-9 on the road this season.  Their last two road games were very ugly as they lost at Washington by 18 as 14-point favorites and lost by 20 at Orlando. 

Indiana wants revenge from a 112-113 road loss at Miami as 5-point dogs on December 27th in the first and only meeting thus far.  The Pacers are 9-1 SU in their last 10 home meetings with the Heat.  The Pacers are 5-0 ATS in their last five meetings overall with Miami. 

The Heat are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games.  The Pacers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games as home favorites.  Indiana is 34-18 ATS when revenging a road loss over the last three seasons.  Bet the Pacers Wednesday. 

15* Knicks/Lakers NBA TV Late-Night BAILOUT on New York +13.5 

The New York Knicks are quietly playing their best basketball of the season right now.  They are 6-6 SU & 8-4 ATS in their last 12 games overall.  They have only lost twice by more than 8 points in those 12 games, so they have been extremely competitive. 

The Knicks just took the Clippers to the wire at Staples Center on Sunday in a 132-135 loss as 10-point dogs.  Now they are catching 13.5 points to the Lakers with no travel and I expect them to take LeBron and company to the wire in this game tonight. 

The Lakers are just 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 games overall.  In fact, the Lakers haven’t beaten anyone by more than 13 points in their last 12 games overall, making for a 12-0 system backing the Knicks pertaining to this 13.5-point spread. 

The Knicks are 8-0 ATS in road games after playing a road game this season.  The Lakers are 1-10 ATS against Atlantic Division opponents over the last two seasons.  Plays on road underdogs of 10 or more points (New York) - a well rested team playing 6 or less games in 14 days, a bad team (25% to 40%) playing a team with a winning record are 47-15 (75.8%) ATS over the last five seasons.  Roll with the Knicks Tuesday. 

15* NBA Monday Undervalued Underdog on San Antonio Spurs +7.5 

I love the spot for the San Antonio Spurs tonight.  This is a home-and-home situation with the Milwaukee Bucks.  After losing 118-127 in Milwaukee on Saturday, the Spurs now only have to wait two days for revenge and are catching 7.5 points at home in the rematch.  I expect them to take the Bucks to the wire and possibly pull off the upset. 

The Spurs have been a great team to back following a loss, which shows the resiliency of this team and the coaching of Popovich.  The Spurs are now 6-0-1 ATS in their last seven games following a loss.  San Antonio is 12-4 ATS in its last 16 games as a home underdog as well. 

San Antonio is 35-14 ATS when revenging a loss over the last two seasons.  The Spurs are 25-6 ATS when revenging a loss where opponent scored 110 points or more over the last two years.  San Antonio is 30-7 ATS revenging a road loss over the last two seasons.  It is coming back to win by 7.8 points per game in this spot.  Roll with the Spurs Monday. 

15* NBA Monday No-Doubt Rout on Utah Jazz -3 

The Utah Jazz are playing as well as anyone in the NBA right now.  They are 10-1 in their last 11 games overall with their only loss coming by 3 points at Miami.  They have covered seven straight coming in and I believe they make it seven in a row tonight. 

The Pelicans are also playing well in going 5-1 SU & 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall.  But they could be without their best player tonight in Jrue Holiday, who is questionable with an elbow injury.  And it’s a bad spot for them playing their 3rd game in 4 days after a back-to-back at the Lakers and Kings on Friday and Saturday. 

The Jazz own the Pelicans, going 5-1 SU & 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.  More impressively, the Jazz are 6-0 SU & 6-0 ATS in their last six trips to New Orleans winning by 10, 21, 17, 24, 33 and 12 points.  They have won those six games by an average of 19.5 points per game. 

The Jazz are 7-0 ATS in their last seven games overall.  The Pelicans are 8-22-1 ATS in their last 31 games playing on one days’ rest.  New Orleans is 2-6 ATS in its last eight home games.  The Jazz are 15-5-3 ATS in the last 23 meetings, including 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 meetings in New Orleans.  Take the Jazz Monday. 

15* NBA Sunday PLAY OF THE DAY on Miami Heat -5.5 

The Miami Heat are coming off a bad 20-point loss at Orlando.  But it was the 2nd of a back-to-back after a win over the Raptors the previous night.  It was a clearly letdown spot and a bad spot given the rest advantage for Orlando. 

Now the Heat return home highly motivated for a win.  And the Heat have had one of the best home-court advantages in the NBA this season.  They are 16-1 SU & 11-5-1 ATS at home while outscoring opponents by 11.6 points per game.  They should have no problem covering this short 5.5-point spread against the Blazers. 

The Blazers have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA this season.  They are 15-21 overall and 7-12 on the road and were desperate enough to sign Carmelo Anthony off the streets.  It hasn’t gotten any better with Anthony as the Blazers are 1-5 SU & 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall with their only win coming against a G-League team in Washington.  All five losses came by 6 points or more, including losses to the Knicks, Suns and Pelicans. 

The Blazers are 0-5 ATS in their last five games vs. a team with a winning record.  Portland is 1-5 ATS in its last six road games.  Miami is 13-4-1 ATS in its last 18 home games.  The heat are 18-6-2 ATS in their last 26 games following an ATS loss.  Miami is 8-1 ATS in its last nine games off a loss by more than 10 points.  Take the Heat Sunday. 

15* NBA Saturday PLAY OF THE DAY on Memphis Grizzlies +10.5 

The Memphis Grizzlies have some great young talent and it’s starting to show now that they are healthy.  The Grizzlies are 7-6 SU & 8-4-1 ATS in their last 13 games overall.  They will give the Clippers a run for their money today. 

Helping out the Grizzlies is the fact that the Clippers are not healthy.  They are down two starters today in Paul George and Patrick Beverly.  They will miss George’s scoring as he has picked up right where he left off last season in OKC.  And Beverly is a pest defensively that will be missed guarding Rookie of the Year favorite JA Morant. 

Plays on road underdogs of 10 or more points (Memphis) - a well rested team playing 6 or less games in 14 days, a bad team (25% to 40%) playing a team with a winning record are 44-15 (74.6%) ATS over the last five seasons. 

The Clippers are 3-12 ATS off two consecutive covers as a favorite over the last two seasons.  The Grizzlies are 5-1 ATS in their last six games off a loss.  Memphis is 4-1-1 ATS in its last six games as a road underdog.  The Clippers are 1-4 ATS in their last five games off a win.  Roll with the Grizzlies Saturday. 

20* Pelicans/Lakers ESPN Late-Night BAILOUT on New Orleans +10.5 

The New Orleans Pelicans are playing their best basketball of the season right now.  They are 5-1 SU & 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall.  They have three straight wins over three of the better teams in the NBA in the Pacers, Rockets and Nuggets. 

Now the Pelicans want to avenge their 110-114 home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on November 27th in their first and only meeting this season.  There are a lot of former Lakers on this Pelicans team, so they will always be motivated to face their former team, especially this season. 

The Lakers are 5-4 SU & 2-7 ATS in their last nine games overall.  They have just one win by more than 10 points during this stretch, and that was a 13-point win.  They will have a hard time covering this big number tonight against a Pelicans team that is playing very well. 

Plays on road underdogs of 10 or more points (New Orleans) - a well rested team playing 6 or fewer games in 14 days, a bad team (25% to 40%) playing a team with a winning record are 44-15 (74.6%) ATS over the last five seasons.  The Lakers are 7-21 ATS vs. teams that are outscored by 3-plus points per game over the last two seasons.  Bet the Pelicans Friday. 

20* NBA BLOWOUT GAME OF THE WEEK on San Antonio Spurs -2 

The San Antonio Spurs would actually be in the playoffs if the season ended today.  They are playing well over the last month in going 7-4 SU & 6-4-1 ATS in their last 11 games overall dating back to December 3rd.  It’s a rested team that has had a lot of time off over the past month. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder are also playing well in going 7-1 in their last eight games overall.  But now they are starting to get too much respect from oddsmakers here as only 2-point road dogs.  And it’s definitely a potential letdown spot off three straight narrow wins over the Hornets, Raptors and Mavericks by a combined 8 points. 

The Spurs are 5-0 SU & 5-0 ATS in their last five home meetings with the Thunder.  San Antonio is 21-9 ATS at home with a line of +3 to -3 over the last three seasons.  The Spurs are 5-1 ATS in their last six games vs. a team with a winning record.  Bet the Spurs Thursday. 

15* Raptors/Heat NBA TV ANNIHILATOR on Miami -5 

The Miami Heat had won five straight including wins over Philadelphia (twice), Indiana and Utah.  Then they laid an egg on Monday and lost outright as a 14-point favorite against Washington’s G-League team. 

It’s safe to say the Heat are going to come back highly motivated for a win at home tonight over the Toronto Raptors after getting that wake-up call.  And they will be fresh and ready to go coming in on two days’ rest.  The Heat are 15-1 at home this season and winning by nearly 12 points per game. 

The Raptors are in a much tougher spot here.  They will be playing their 4th game in 6 days and are already playing short-handed.  The Raptors remain without their best player in Pacal Siakam, starter Marc Gasol and key reserve Norman Powell.  I don’t think they will be able to hang with Miami tonight without these three. 

Plays against underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points (Toronto) - after beating the spread by 24 or more points in their last three games against an opponent that was beaten by 24 or more points against the spread in their last three are 41-16 (71.9%) ATS over the last five seasons.  Miami is 11-0 ATS in home games after a combined score of 215 points or more in two straight games over the last two seasons.  They are winning by 15.0 points per game in this spot.  Roll with the Heat Thursday.