Rating: 2 Units

Oklahoma City is coming off a 115-109 win over Memphis on Saturday in a game in which it was without its two top scorers -- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey. Gilgeous-Alexander missed the game with a lower back contusion. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said he didn't expect Gilgeous-Alexander to miss much time. Giddey was out with a non-COVID illness. Darius Bazley has missed back-to-back games for the same reason. Oklahoma City has also been without Ousmane Dieng, who has missed the last six games with a right wrist fracture, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, who has missed the last three with a right ankle sprain. Today's game is the first of four between the teams this season. The Thunder swept last season's four-games series. All four meetings occurred after Lillard was lost with a season-ending abdominal injury. Consider that the Thunder are 42-19-3 ATS in their last 64 games following a ATS win.

Rating: 2 Units

While it may very well be that Charleston comes away with a victory, expecting them to win by more than 4 or 5 in this game could be a stretch. They are on an impressive 10-game winning streak but have earned five-point victories in two of their last three games. In both of those games, they failed to cover the spread. Coastal Carolina has the offensive firepower to stay in this game, and they hit from the free-throw line. Should this be a close game or a contest where both teams are trying to be more aggressive to create turnovers, the Chanticleers can hold their own to stay in this game by hitting free-throw attempts. That should keep this game close, if not help Coastal Carolina earn the victory.

Rating: 2 Units

The Wizards desperately need Bradley Beal back. But even if Beal returns from his hamstring injury and Anthony Davis hits the sidelines, I would take the Lakers to win and cover. LeBron James and his teammates are slowly but surely improving their form, and I doubt the Wizards’ chances to slow down the Lakers’ offense. Washington has covered just once in its previous eight games overall. Also, the Wizards have gone 2-12-1 ATS over their last 15 showings at any location. On the other side, the Lakers are 7-4-1 ATS in their past 12 contests overall and 5-1-1 ATS in their previous seven games at home.

Rating: 2 Units

Detroit is coming off a 122-113 home loss to the Sacramento Kings. The Pistons led 63-55 at halftime but the Kings took control with a 17-2 run at the beginning of the second half. The Kings outscored Detroit 38-23 during the third quarter. The Pistons crept within three points in the fourth quarter but couldn't complete the comeback. Detroit collected a 141-134 overtime road victory against Charlotte in its previous outing. Consider that the Nets are 16-34-1 ATS in their last 51 games following a ATS win.

Rating: 2 Units

The Trojans are playing some of their best basketball over the last few seasons and even though they'll be welcoming a dangerous team to town, they'll come away with the win in this one. For Auburn, potentially being without their top guard and top scorer is bound to take its toll on this team, especially as they hit the road in this one. The Tigers' lack of convincing results on the road this season is going to make this one a wake-up call and what USC bringing back quite a bit of experience, they'll be able to coast to the upset at home. Additionally, according to covers.com, Auburn is 1-7 ATS in their last eight road games and are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 games following a straight-up win.

Rating: 2 Units

The Beavers aren't bad, but they'll look like a very good team versus Green Bay. They're a solid offensive club who didn't quit on themselves after a poor first-half shooting versus Seattle, pouring in 48 second-half points. They'll carry momentum from that shooting performance into this matchup, putting the Phoenix away early enough to coast to a comfortable victory. The Beavers' defense (189th in defensive efficiency) should also have no problems containing Green Bay (354th in offensive efficiency). The Phoenix has not shown up in these non-conference matchups, as Georgetown and Stanford blew them out. Against in-state Wisconsin, they couldn't take advantage of an ice-cold Badgers squad (30.2 FG%), as the Phoenix scored just 15 first-half points and 45 total points.

Rating: 2 Units

Surprising and sudden defensive prowess had fueled the Houston Rockets through a five-game homecourt winning streak, highlighted by consecutive victories over the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns earlier in the week. Against the Miami Heat on Thursday, the Rockets proved unable to maintain that defensive momentum, falling 111-108 in the third game of a seven-game homestand that continues on Saturday against the Portland Trail Blazers. Central to the Rockets' struggles against the Heat was on-ball defense, namely against Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler. Herro poured in a career-high 41 points while sinking 10 3-pointers, also a career best. He torched several defenders in his wake. Butler finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, and he added seven assists by routinely finding teammates in the corners after beating his defender off the dribble. Houston will face a similar challenge against Portland and its guard tandem of Damian Lillard -- who will enter the game 46 points shy of surpassing Hall of Fame guard Clyde Drexler atop the franchise career scoring list -- and Anfernee Simons. However, what should embolden Houston is the manner in which it competed against Miami down the stretch despite the sharpshooting of Herro and the all-around brilliance displayed by Butler, who also chipped in four steals. Finally, the Trail Blazers are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.

Rating: 2 Units

Consider that the Grizzlies are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record and 2-8 ATS in their last 10 road games. While the Thunder are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall, 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600, and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss.

Rating: 2 Units

First-year coach Jerome Tang only has two players back from last year’s team. However, he snagged former Florida star Keyontae Johnson in the offseason, and that move has paid major dividends thus far. Johnson leads Kansas State with 17.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Senior guard Markquis Nowell is the only other player in double figures, averaging 14.1 points and 8.2 assists per game. Junior forward Nae’Qwan Tomlin has been a key contributor as well, averaging 9.9 points and 5.7 boards. Kansas State has decent offensive numbers, with its weakness being a high turnover rate. The Wildcats are facing a Nebraska defense that is No. 67 in adjusted efficiency.

Rating: 2 Units

UCLA has won six straight games and has played the 76th toughest schedule in the country. This is the 4th Top-25 team they've played this year. They have the 3rd most efficient offense in the country and shoot the ball over 50% per game. Kentucky has played the 165th most challenging schedule thus far and have been off for the last week. UCLA also has the 18th most efficient defense and, more importantly, force nearly 18 turnovers per game. The Bruins' ability to cause turnovers can keep the game from turning into a game played in the paint, which would shift the advantage to the Wildcats. Take the Bruins with their experienced backcourt and active defense in the passing lanes.

Rating: 2 Units

The Spurs have played six games in Mexico, most recently a 121-119 overtime win over Phoenix as part of the NBA Mexico City Games 2019. It will mark Miami's second game ever in Mexico, with the other a 101-89 loss against the Brooklyn Nets in December 2017. San Antonio got in a vigorous workout on Friday to acclimate to the higher elevation of Mexico's capital city. San Antonio defeated the Heat 115-111 in Miami on Dec. 10 in the first matchup of the year between the teams. Consider that the Heat are 7-18-2 ATS in their last 27 games following a straight up win.

Rating: 2 Units

The betting trends, though, do not look favorably on Gonzaga's chances. The Bulldogs are 1-8-2 ATS in their last 11 games following an ATS loss and 1-12-3 ATS in their last 16 games following a straight-up win. They're even performing poorly ATS in neutral site games (1-9-1 ATS in their last 11). I'll bet the more balanced squad playing closer to home to cover the spread.

Rating: 2 Units

Denver beat LA 110-99 as a 5-point home fave in their first meeting of the season on October 26, and the Lakers responded with a 121-110 home victory four days later, playing as 2.5-point home dogs. It was the Lakers’ first win in 2022-23. They held Denver to 42.7% shooting from the field while making 13 of their 30 attempts from beyond the arc. The Lakers nearly defeated the Celtics last Tuesday, and I’m expecting them to grab this one over the Nuggets, whose defense will struggle to cope with both LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Of course, the Lakers will have to bring their best defense and slow down Nikola Jokic as much as possible. Los Angeles is defending the 3-point line well, but Davis has to contain Jokic in the paint. The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games against the Western Conference, while the Nuggets have covered the spread just once in their previous six games overall.

Rating: 2 Units

Besides Dillon Jones, the Wildcats lack a decent scoring option. Cal Poly is arguably a better defensive team than Weber State, and the Mustangs own three guys who average points in double digits, so I’m backing the hosts to come out on top and cover a 5.5-point spread. The only thing I’m worried about is the fact that Cal Poly’s defense ranks 309th in the nation in free throw rate, while Weber State’s offense ranks 48th in free throw rate. Anyway, the Wildcats have been one of the worst defensive units in the nation thus far (358th in effective field goal percentage, 58.8%). Weber State is 1-8 ATS in its last nine games overall and 1-7 ATS in its previous eight showings on the road. On the other side, Cal Poly has covered in five straight contests and seven of its last eight outings on the home court. 

Rating: 2 Units

Friday's matchup is a tale of two teams going in opposite directions right now, with momentum dictating how this one will go. For Creighton, they are trying to re-find their identity, which is not going to be easy to do on the road, against a group that already has some impressive wins in their own right this season. Adding to that, Creighton continues to be without one of the best centers in the country, and until he can be counted on to play consistent minutes, this team can't be counted upon to win games. The Golden Eagles have been strong at home this season behind one of the most efficient offenses in the Big East, with no signs of that changing. Additionally, according to covers.com, Marquette is 7-2 ATS in their last nine Friday games.

Rating: 2 Units

Knicks are 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings. While the Knicks are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.

Rating: 2 Units

Orlando has had a season full of streaks, as its current run of four wins in a row follows a nine-game skid that spanned more than two weeks. The Magic will begin a four-game trip after Wednesday's 135-124 win over Atlanta, which extended the team's longest win streak since early in the 2020-21 season. "These guys are just continuing to learn to trust each other," Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said. "The rhythm that they're finding, the continuity, being willing to make the open pass." Against the Hawks, Franz Wagner scored 24 points to lead an offense that had a 50-point first quarter, the highest-scoring period in Magic history. Bol Bol had 21 points, Paolo Banchero added 20 points and six rebounds, and Markelle Fultz finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. Consider that the Magic are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.

Rating: 2 Units

The Raptors have dropped three in a row for the first time this season after losing 124-123 to the visiting Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. Brooklyn has won all three games with Toronto this season. The Raptors continued to have problems in shooting 3-pointers on Wednesday, going 6 for 21 (28.6 percent). However, Toronto is 10-4 at home. Brooklyn is 7-7 on the road.

Rating: 2 Units

Neither team is in good form coming into this game, but several injury situations are creating value on Charlotte at home. The Hawks lost Capela to an injury for the next week of action, which is going to make it tough for them to close out possessions with rebounds. They are facing a Charlotte team that got Ball back from an injury on Wednesday, and Gordon Hayward has been upgraded to questionable for Friday’s game. Atlanta is not a strong defensive team, which makes this a solid matchup for Charlotte’s high-scoring approach. The Hawks have only covered the spread once in their last six games and have gone 1-7 in their last eight road games, so I like Charlotte on Friday.

Rating: 2 Units

This one is going to be a clash of teams that are very solid on the defensive end of the floor while putting up mediocre numbers on the offensive end. Florida Gulf Coast gets a decent chunk of their offensive production from beyond the arc but they may find it to be tough sledding here against the Bonnies. St. Bonaventure gives up the seventh-fewest three-pointers per game (4.8) in the nation while they are fourth in three-point field goal percentage defense (24.5%) on the year. The Eagles are just 2-3 on the road this season while the Bonnies are a perfect 5-0 within the confines of the Reilly Center. With St. Bonaventure clamping down from the outside and with the home crowd in support, you have to give the edge to the hosts in this contest.

Rating: 2 Units

Keep tracking the Suns’ injury crisis. If Devin Booker remains on the shelf and both Deandre Ayton and Cameron Payne don’t suit up, take the Clippers to cover. On the flip side, Kawhi Leonard wasn’t on the injury report Wednesday, so he could easily get a day off on the back end of a back-to-back set. The Suns are 0-5 SU and ATS in their last five outings, while the Clippers have covered the spread in three straight contests. LA has won five of its previous seven home games, and the Clippers will improve their record if the Suns cannot count on some of their best players.

Rating: 2 Units

The Redhawks have won seven of their last eight games and three of their last four road games. They are playing well offensively, even on the road where they are scoring more than 77 points per game. They rebound the ball well and they were very aggressive on the offensive glass in their last three games, grabbing more than 13 offensive boards per game, which will give them more scoring opportunities. They also do a good job limiting turnovers and they’re giving the ball away less than 12 times per game, so don’t expect the Beavers to get a lot of easy scoring opportunities. Even though the Beavers play well defensively, they’ve struggled against good offensive teams and will have a hard time slowing down the Redhawks. The Beavers have lost six of their last 10 games. They aren’t very good offensively, even at home where they are scoring less than 67 points per game. They don’t rebound the ball as well as the Redhawks and won’t get a lot of extra scoring opportunities against them. They’ve also been careless with the ball, especially at home where they are turning it over 16 times per game, which will be a problem against the Redhawks, who averaged more than six steals per game in their last three games. Even though the Redhawks are giving up more than 73 points per game on the road, they won’t be tested by the Beavers, so go with Seattle to cover the spread.

Rating: 2 Units

For years, a stifling defense was one of the Utah Jazz's calling cards, which made sense considering they had a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year patrolling the paint. If you ask Jazz coach Will Hardy, Utah's recent performance against Zion Williamson and the red-hot New Orleans Pelicans could be considered its best defensive performance since the franchise traded defensive powerhouse Rudy Gobert to Minnesota this past offseason. Whether the Jazz defense can stymie the Pelicans again will be an intriguing aspect of the teams' turnaround rematch today in Salt Lake City. In their 121-100 blowout win over the Pelicans on Tuesday, the Jazz held New Orleans -- previously the league's third-ranked scoring offense -- to its second-lowest scoring total of the season. The visitors, who saw their seven-game winning streak get snapped, only shot 39.8 percent overall and made only 4 of 27 3-point tries.  Consider that the Jazz are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

Rating: 2 Units

The Houston Rockets will need many more defensive performances similar to their two most recent efforts in order to climb from the bottom five in the NBA in defensive rating, but the results produced against the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns are nonetheless noteworthy. Houston extended its homecourt winning streak to five games with its 111-97 victory over the Suns on Tuesday, marking the second time this season the Rockets have held consecutive opponents below 100 points following their 97-92 home triumph over the Bucks on Sunday. The Rockets will look to extend their homecourt winning streak, and their stretch of tenacious defensive efforts.  Consider that Heat are 7-18-1 ATS in their last 26 games following a straight up win.

Rating: 2 Units

Consider that the Mocs are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games after allowing less than 50 points in their previous game, 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points, and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games after scoring more than 90 points in their previous game. While the Blue Raiders are 19-6-2 ATS in their last 27 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record, 15-5-2 ATS in their last 22 Thursday games, and 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 games following a ATS win.  Additionally, the home team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

Rating: 2 Units

Consider that the Consider that the Buccaneers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Wednesday Games, 9-23-1 ATS in their last 33 games following an ATS loss, and 0-3-1 in their last 4 games following a double-digit loss. While the Tigers are 17-5 ATS in their last 22 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400, 19-7 ATS in their last 26 home games vs. a team with a losing road record, and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.

Rating: 2 Units

The Knicks come into this matchup playing their best basketball of the season. The Bulls have had trouble at two spots this season, the power forward and point guard. Those happen to be the Knicks two strongest spots with Randle and Brunson the team's two top scorers. The Knicks should dominate the glass in this matchup with the 3rd ranked rebounding team matched up against the Bulls 24th ranked rebounding unit. The Knicks are also 7-6 on the road and 8-5 ATS away from Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are also 6-3-1 ATS in their last ten games. Look for NY to make it five straight wins in this matchup.

Rating: 2 Units

Livers (shoulder) suffered an injury on December 1 against the Mavericks and is expected to miss some time according to coach Dwane Casey. Cunningham (shin) hasn’t played since November 9 and his return date is up in the air as he could require surgery to deal with the injury. It was announced on December 11 that he will undergo season-ending surgery.  Consider that the Hornets are 20-7-1 ATS in their last 28 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400 and 13-5-1 ATS in their last 19 games playing on 2 days rest.

Rating: 2 Units

This will be the second game of a back-to-back for the Warriors and they have not been the same team on the road this season. They have only picked up two wins on the road, as I see this game staying very close until the very end. The Pacers are solid on the offensive end of the floor, as I see these two teams attacking one another until the very end. Neither team is special on the defensive end of the court, but they have shown that they can efficiently score. The Pacers are scoring the 12th most points per game and they have the 12th-highest three-point shooting percentage. The Warriors are surrendering the 23rd most points per game and they have been horrible on the road. They won't be able to slow down the Pacers and Indiana will be able to keep this game close until the end. The Warriors were forced to battle the Bucks on Tuesday night, as they will be exhausted for this game. According to dunksandthrees.com, the Pacers have the 16th-highest adjusted offensive rating, as they will continue to attack in this game. The Warriors have not been impressive on the defensive end of the court to begin this season.

Rating: 2 Units

DePaul ranked 60th compared to the Dukes' 75th ranking, while they are far more efficient on defense - 122nd to 249th. In addition, DePaul has played a much more challenging schedule thus far, with the 111th-ranked schedule. Duquesne ranks just 287th in terms of strength of schedule thus far. I expect the Blue Demons to exploit the Dukes' shaky perimeter defense and put up high 3pt numbers. Roll with the Blue Demons for a critical road win.

Rating: 2 Units

Consider that the Lumberjacks are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing less than 50 points in their previous game. 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600, and 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. While the Bulldogs are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games, 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game, and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss.

Rating: 2 Units

The Pelicans have been one of the hottest teams over the past few weeks and I don't believe the Jazz are good enough defensively to win this game at home. New Orleans currently has the sixth-highest adjusted offensive rating and the third-lowest defensive rating, according to dunksandthrees.com. They will show up on both ends of the court and slowly pull away throughout this game. They are the better overall team and the Jazz has continued to give up points. Utah is surrendering the 21st most points per game and they have the 25th-lowest adjusted defensive rating. New Orleans will continue to attack them throughout this game, as they are scoring the third most points per game and they have the fifth-highest shooting percentage. They can attack the rim or make it rain from deep, as I see them lighting up the scoreboard in this game. They are also good enough defensively to shut down this Jazz offense. They will get consistent stops throughout this game and slowly pull away.

Rating: 2 Units

The Tigers (8-2) roll into the matchup with the Tide riding a six-game winning streak following an impressive 82-73 win over No. 11 Auburn in Atlanta on Saturday. Kendric Davis, the reigning American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, had a season-high 27 points and nine rebounds in the victory over Auburn. DeAndre Williams (16 points, team-high 11 rebounds), Alex Lomax (13 points, four boards) and Keonte Kennedy (nine points, three rebounds) also played key roles in the upset, as did Memphis' scrappy defense. The Tigers limited Auburn to 38.1 percent shooting from the field (24 of 63) and 25 percent from behind the arc (6 of 24).  Finally consider that Crimson Tide is 5-15-1 ATS in their last 21 home games.

Rating: 2 Units

Consider that the Flames are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 Tuesday games, 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games vs a team with a losing SU record, and 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games overall.

Rating: 2 Units

Golden State is just 1-6 against the spread in their last seven Tuesday games, while the Bucks are on an 11-2 Tuesday ATS run. Milwaukee is also 10-5 ATS at home overall and will be motivated to bounce back from their loss to Houston. The Bucks have also won their last two home games against the Warriors by 19 points on Jan. 13, 2022, and by 39 points on December 25, 2020. I am backing Milwaukee.

Rating: 2 Units

Marshall is one of the hottest teams in the nation having won each of the last nine games after opening the season with a loss. Taevion Kinsey is a tough player, who is leading Marshall in scoring with an average of 24 9 points per game while shooting an impressive 55.3% overall and 42.9% from behind the three-point line. The Thundering Herd are shooting an above average 47.3% overall and are grabbing 42.4 rebounds per game, while in contrast UNC Greensboro is scoring 65.4 points per game while shooting only 39.4% and pulling down an average of just 36.2 rebounds per game. The advantage here obviously is obviously Marshall’s. Although UNC-Greensboro covered the number in its most recent outing, the Spartans failed to cover each of the four previous games.

Rating: 2 Units

Creighton is ranked higher than Arizona State according to Ken Pomeroy's ratings. The Bluejays are the much better offensive squad here. They are averaging a remarkable 111.9 points per 100 possessions while Arizona State is only at 105.9. ASU is shooting a poor 43.4% as a team and this is the best team they have seen all year. Creighton has registered victories against Texas Tech and Arkansas and will earn the victory in this one.

Rating: 2 Units

NBA home favorites that have gone under the total by 30 or more combined points in their last three games are 129-72 ATS (+49.8 units) in the first half of the season, covering the spread by an average of +8.8 points per game. Since 2016, NBA home favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points with a +3 to +7 points per game differential are 64-26 ATS following two or more consecutive unders versus teams with a +3 to -3 points per game differential. This situation has covered the spread by an average of +11.3 points per game and is 32-11 ATS over the last three seasons (2-0 ATS this year). Since January 17, 2022, the Grizzlies are 17-3 ATS off a game in which they made fewer than ten 3-pointers versus opponents with less than three days of rest.

Rating: 2 Units

Heat have allowed an average of 117 points in their last three road games which is above their season average of 110 points. The Pacers have a better offensive efficiency rating than the Heat, posting 109.4 points per 100 possessions while the Heat has dipped to 107.9 points per 100. Indiana continues to shine offensively, averaging 120 points in its last four games. They already beat the Heat by a 101-99 score in the lone meeting. Indiana is hot from deep, sinking at least 40% of their threes in three straight clashes including a 48% performance on Saturday.

Rating: 2 Units

Tennessee comes in as the hotter of the two teams with seven straight wins and the more impressive resume that includes wins over Gonzaga and Kansas. They have the #1 ranked defense in college basketball and are holding the opposition to 33% shooting. They are 3-1 in neutral games thus far and also possess the 35th most efficient offense in college basketball. Maryland has played well to date and does have quality wins over Miami and Illinois thus far. With the game played at a neutral site, expect defense to travel better than offense. With that in mind, the relentless Volunteers' defense will carry the day and add an 8th straight win to the Volunteers resume.

Rating: 2 Units

Rating: 2 Units

Cleveland is playing the second game of a back-to-back situation here but on the plus side, at least there was no travel involved for them as both games are at home. The Cavaliers have gotten healthier over the last week or so with Love and Allen both returning to action to bolster their frontcourt. Oklahoma City has played decent basketball but they lack much of a frontcourt presence to contend with Cleveland’s low block presence. The Thunder are second-worst in the league in scoring defense this season and that is going to be problematic, especially since the Cavaliers are #1 in that category. While fatigue could be a small factor, Cleveland’s depth and talent is enough to get them the victory here.

Rating: 2 Units

We have a pair of elite teams on the floor in this contest with no home court advantage to speak of as this one takes place on a neutral floor. These teams are two of the top three shooting teams in the country, so it is going to be a highly entertaining contest. Arizona is a very team-oriented offense and they are good on the glass. The Wildcats do have issues on the defensive end of the floor as the Hoosiers have the advantage in that department. With that said, Arizona has four guys that average in double figures this season, two others that put up more than nine points a night and a dynamic point guard in Kriisa, who seems to be a step ahead of opposing defenses. The Wildcats scratch out a win in a terrific basketball game.

Rating: 2 Units

Because Saturday is the second night of a back-to-back for the Nets, Ben Simmons is not expected to play after returning Friday following a four-game absence caused by a calf injury. Neither is T.J. Warren, who returned Dec. 2 from missing nearly two years while recovering from foot injuries. Vaughn was non-committal about whether Durant would play as the Nets are hoping to limit his minutes. Indiana is 3-5 since its last encounter with the Nets. After losing five times on a seven-game road trip, the Pacers improved to 8-4 at home with a 121-111 victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday night. The Pacers hit 18 3-pointers vs. Washington after making 19 in a loss at Minnesota on Wednesday. Indiana limited the Wizards to 40 percent shooting in the second half after Washington made 64.3 percent of its field-goal attempts in the first half. Indiana's Buddy Hield scored a season-high 28 points on 12-of-19 shooting, including 4 of 10 from 3-point range. He has made at least four 3-pointers in four consecutive games, and he put up 26 points in the last meeting with the Nets. Consider that the Nets are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games when their starting 5 players combine for more than 160 minutes of the previous day.

Rating: 2 Units

Despite the emotional return of Wall, the Clipper come into this game very banged up and with a compromised bench. Jackson and Powell represent two of the Clippers better shooters from long range and will be missed against a Wizard team that has been scoring at a high rate despite their losing streak. In addition, Washington is 3-1 this season in the second games of back-to-backs. The Clippers have staked their claim this season on scoring defense and rebounding but the Wizards are nearly as effective on the glass and are shooting the ball at a high rate.  Look for the Wizards to snap their losing streak against an inconsistent Clippers team.

Rating: 2 Units

La Salle has the momentum coming into this one. Not only have the Explorers won the last two games in this rivalry by at least eight points, when it comes to this season, they have covered the spread in three of their last four games as a favorite. Drexel has struggled recently, and has failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games as an underdog. I will back La Salle in this one.

Rating: 2 Units

The Zags will keep their home streak intact with a win in this game but this is too big a spread for the Zags based on their recent play. They are turning the ball over too much and haven't necessarily been suffocating on the defensive end. Washington should be able to hang close enough in this game thanks to the Zags turnover issues and Washington's efficiency on the defensive end, ranked 55th in the country. Gonzaga has not yet hit their stride and are still trying to find themselves. They have only beaten two opponents by more than 16 points this season. The Huskies will hang in this game enough to cover the point spread.

Rating: 2 Units

They say styles make matchups and, in this case, the style of the Pelicans should give Phoenix problems. With Ingram out, Williamson has gotten the bulk of the touches for the Pelicans and his playing his best basketball in two seasons. In truth, he is a nightmare matchup for most teams but particularly a nightmare for Phoenix as they continue to play without Cameron Johnson. Williamson should dominate the paint against the rather light Suns. In other news, while it will obviously benefit the Suns going forward having Paul back, he has a lot of rust to shake off his 37-year old body and looked to be at least a step slow on Wednesday night. If Alvarado is cleared to play, the pesky point guard will surely cause fits for Paul as he tries to get up to speed. This feels like a chance for the Pelicans to make an early statement at home against the recent class of the Western Conference.

Rating: 2 Units

Cleveland has won its last seven home games all by at least 10 points or more, and the Kings have dropped three of their last four home games by at least nine-points. Although the Kings losses were against good competition, Cleveland is the best home team in the NBA right now, and will be dialed in to get revenge from their loss to the Kings earlier this season. Even if Mitchell cannot play, the Cavs are deep enough to make this happen. Daris Garland also had a season low six points the last team he faced the Kings and should show up in a big way tonight. I like Cleveland.

Rating: 2 Units

The Raptors are 1-6 ATS in their last seven road games and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Friday games. The Magic will ride the momentum of Wednesday's victory, scoring 60-plus points in the paint against Toronto's sub-par interior defense. I'll bet the Magic cover the seven-point spread at Amway Center.

Rating: 2 Units

Michigan is a lot better than their No. 47 KenPom ranking would indicate or their 5-3 record for that matter. Their three losses were all against excellent teams, falling at 8-1 Arizona State, losing by a bucket to No. 3 Virginia, and blowing a late lead before losing against No. 16 Kentucky. Minnesota does not yet have a quality win and got their doors blown in by Purdue most recently. They were manhandled by Zach Edey and a much larger, more physical Purdue team. Michigan poses the same type of problem for Minnesota with their dominant big man, Dickinson. I see an easy win for a superior Michigan team. Take the Wolverines to cover.

Rating: 2 Units

The Los Angeles Clippers will try to rebound from a confounding loss in the first half of a back-to-back set when they continue a four-game road swing today against the Miami Heat. After opening its Eastern Conference tour on Monday with a 119-117 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles coughed up an 18-point, first-quarter lead on Wednesday and lost in overtime to the Orlando Magic, 116-111. The Clippers went the final 3:22 of regulation without scoring against the team with the NBA's worst record, giving up the last six points. Los Angeles again was outscored 6-0 down the stretch of overtime. Since Nov. 19, Los Angeles is 5-5 and scored at least 114 points in each of the five wins. The Clippers scored 112 points or fewer in each of the five losses.  Los Angeles' offensive woes were pronounced at Orlando.  Consider as well that the Clippers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Rating: 2 Units

This game could easily go either way, as the two of the best teams in the NBA take on each other for the first time in 2022-23. Chris Paul will probably miss his 15th consecutive game, but the Celtics could be shorthanded, too. Both Malcolm Brogdon and Al Horford are important players for this Boston team, and if they sit out, I’m going with the Suns. Phoenix has won seven of its last eight games on the home court. The Suns will be highly motivated to bounce back from that heavy loss at Dallas and prove their worth against the NBA-leading Celtics. Phoenix is 10-3 ATS in its previous 13 encounters with Boston.

Rating: 2 Units

The Hoosiers have won seven of their last eight games. Even though they were held to their lowest offensive output of the season against Rutgers, they are very good offensively, especially at home where they are scoring more than 85 points per game while making 56 percent of their shots. They have also shot the ball well from the free throw line and they’re very aggressive on the offensive glass, which will give them more scoring opportunities. They also do a good job protecting the ball and won’t give the Cornhuskers a lot of easy scoring opportunities.

Rating: 2 Units

The Nuggets were quite shorthanded in those two games against Dallas in November, missing both Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. This time around, Denver is without Michael Porter Jr. (heel), while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (wrist) is questionable to play. The Mavericks, on the other side, might miss Christian Wood due to non-COVID illness. I’m expecting Nikola Jokic to torture the Mavericks in the paint, especially if Wood remains on the shelf. The Nuggets should be motivated to improve on the defensive side of the ball after a couple of straight losses, while the Mavericks will continue to lean on their 3-point shooting. There will be tired legs among the Mavs after a tough matchup against the Suns on Monday night, so I’m going with the Nuggets to cover.

Rating: 2 Units

Duke has been overvalued in the betting market so far this season, covering the spread just twice in its last six games. Iowa has been undervalued dating back to the end of last year, covering in 11 of its last 15 contests. The Hawkeyes have won six straight games against ACC opponents and have been one of the top offensive teams in college basketball. Duke does not have good shooting numbers, which is going to be tough to correct in a neutral-site venue.

Rating: 2 Units

The Heat entered Monday night winners of four of their previous five games and stood tied for second in the Southeast Division with the Wizards, two games behind the Hawks for the top spot. Miami is 2-2 in the second game of back-to-back situations this season with a -2.7-ppg scoring differential (108.3 ppg for, 111 ppg against) in those contests. The Heat have posted an 8-4 record at home this season with a +1.7-ppg scoring margin (111 ppg for, 109.3 ppg against) in South Beach. Miami is 7-8 against Eastern Conference foes on the season with a -1.7-ppg scoring differential (108.6 ppg for, 110.3 ppg against) to date.

Rating: 2 Units

The Longhorns can test their chops in this game away from the friendly confines of the Moody Center in Austin. The key to this game will be the Longhorns' ability to shut down the opposition, particularly from long range. The Illini have shot 48% from the field but have struggled against top-flight competition this season and this is the toughest team they've seen all year. Texas will force turnovers and turn them into transition baskets. The Longhorns are extremely efficient on both ends, 15th on offense and 3rd on defense. Texas will need to force turnovers to take away the Illini's advantage on the glass and keep them from pushing the tempo. Look for Texas to slow down the Illini's ability to run and cause enough turnovers to pull away from the turnover-prone Fighting Illini.

Rating: 2 Units

Kent State is exactly the opposite of the type of team that you want to face after a crushing loss. The Golden Flashes are a sneaky-good opponent that are flying under the radar, covering the spread in every game this season. They are one of the most experienced teams in the country, led by a trio of seniors, so they are prepared for this type of game. Kent State gave Houston all it could handle, so I am not worried about the Golden Flashes being overwhelmed. I would be concerned about Gonzaga’s intensity level if I were a Bulldogs’ fan, as they are coming off a crushing loss and will not be motivated by the name on the jersey in this spot. They have been overvalued this year, covering the spread once in their last seven games.

Rating: 2 Units

Boston may be ripe for an upset in this spot against the Raptors. The Raptors hold onto the ball better at home than on the road and possess the kind of wings that can cause Boston problems. Barnes, Siakam and Aunoby are all plus defenders that can interchange positions which can cause the Celtics problems. Toronto is a solid 12th in the NBA in defending the 3pt shot which is critical against a Celtics' team that thrives on ball movement and volume from the 3pt line. In addition, Boston will likely be without Horford in this one which will weaken an already suspect rebounding team. Keep an eye on Marcus Smart as well. He hurt his hip near the end of the Miami loss and it will be interesting how he responds to a back-to-back. This is a solid spot to take the points with a good home team.

Rating: 2 Units

Oregon has owned UCLA over the last two years, and I’m expecting the Bruins to get revenge today in front of the home fans. At the moment, UCLA looks like a better team than the Ducks, who have struggled to shoot the rock so far this season. I’m looking for the Bruins’ backcourt to make a difference, so keep your eyes on Jaquez, Bailey, and Tyger Campbell, who had eight assists against Stanford. On the other side, the Ducks will try to attack the rim and feed N’Faly Dante and Kel’el Ware in the paint. But without a solid shooting night from deep, I highly doubt their chances to keep it close or upset the Bruins in LA. 

Rating: 2 Units

The Suns have won six straight games and seven straight home games. They have one of the best offenses in the league and they played better in their last three games, scoring more than 120 points per game while making over 50 percent of their shots. They are very aggressive on the offensive glass and will get a lot of extra scoring opportunities against the Rockets. They also do a good job protecting the ball and won’t give up a lot of easy-scoring opportunities. The Rockets are terrible defensively, especially on the road where they are giving up more than 117 points per game, so expect them to have a hard time slowing down the hot-shooting Suns. The Rockets have lost four of their last six games and four of their last five road games

Rating: 2 Units

The Pelicans have not been near as threatening when on the road, losing four out of their last five road games. The Spurs have been competitive at home. They have played six out of their last nine games on the road which has not helped matters in their losing streak. San Antonio has recently covered the spread against the Nuggets, Grizzlies, and Warriors all within their last six home games. The Spurs have been decent in the offensive end, sinking at least 110 points in three out of their last four games, equating to an average of 113.3 points. This includes 110 points against this Pelicans squad in that span and 138 points against the Lakers in their previous home game. 

Rating: 2 Units

Oddsmakers were taking their time in releasing a line for this game due to Butler’s status. He is Miami’s leading scorer, so his availability will certainly change the line by multiple points. However, I am going to find myself on Boston either way in this matchup. The Celtics have covered the spread in five straight games and are on a 10-game home winning streak. They have the best offense in the NBA and Tatum is looking like an MVP favorite right now. Miami does not have enough offensive firepower to keep pace, so I am expecting a similar result to Wednesday night.

Rating: 2 Units

I am going to argue that Clemson is undervalued in the betting market right now due to Hall’s injury that caused him to miss some time early in the season. He is not only one of the best players on the team, but he is also among the best players in the conference. His performance earlier this week showed flashes of his vintage self, which does not bode well for Wake Forest on Friday. Clemson also comes into this contest on an eight-game home winning streak, and the Tigers have won nine of the last 10 meetings between these teams. They have also won nine straight at home in this series, making them the clear pick

Rating: 2 Units

This is a tough spot for the Pelicans. While they are home, where they have only lost three times all year, they face a suddenly healthy and surging Raptors team that has back all of its key players. The big boost is Siakam, who is off the injured list. But also, Scottie Barnes and VanVleet, who have spent time on the shelf, are back in the fold. We haven't seen that much of a fully loaded Raptors team, so look for this unit to do some damage. Meanwhile, the Pelicans have been bitten by the injury bug with McCollum out and Ingram questionable. So, while New Orleans is a tough place to play, I like the Raptors to cover here. Take the Raptors.

Rating: 2 Units

The Ohio State Buckeyes are the real deal. Their only loss of the season occurred against a ranked San Diego State team. They beat Cincinnati 81-53 and defeated #21 Texas Tech 80-73 on Wednesday. Offensively, the Buckeyes are more efficient than Duke, averaging 115.9 points per 100 possessions, ranking them sixth in DI compared to Duke with 112.3 points. The Buckeyes' defense has also been spectacular. Duke will take a lot of threes, averaging 22.4 three-point attempts per game and the Buckeyes are limiting foes to 26% shooting from deep. Duke has been inconsistent in the offensive end. They only scored 56 points in Sunday's loss and have yet to prove themselves offensively. They are shooting a poor 41.7% and are relying heavily on the defense.

Rating: 2 Units

Rating: 2 Units

Rating: 2 Units

Pitt may have three straight wins coming in but they are facing a Northwestern team that is battle tested in the early going. The Wildcats have beaten Georgetown on the road and took Auburn to the limit before falling a point short in Cancun. While Northwestern does miss the presence of Pete Nance, the fact remains that they have plenty of returning talent, led by Buie and Audige, to keep the Wildcats in games. The major difference we’ve seen between these teams so far is what we’ve seen on the defensive end of the floor. Pitt, while they have been average, has to contend with a Wildcats team that has stifled opposing teams to the tune of 32.1% shooting from the floor, which is second in the nation. Look for Northwestern’s defense, and home-court advantage, to be the difference in this one.

Rating: 2 Units

The Mavericks have struggled on the road and are having to play in back-to-back nights. They have gone 1-8 ATS in their last nine games against teams with a winning record and are winners of just one of their last six games ATS when playing on zero day’s rest. This does not even include the fact that the Mavericks play in Canada, then have to cross the border to take on Milwaukee. This is not a good scenario at all. The Bucks have been incredible at home this season. They are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games against teams with a losing record on the road and are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games against teams with a winning record. Milwaukee has the benefit of an extra day off and are at home. Should be a big night for the Bucks.

Rating: 2 Units

Boston has been a team on fire in the early going this season as the transition from Ime Udoka to Joe Mazzulla behind the bench has been seamless. The Celtics continue to pile up gaudy offensive numbers as the addition of Brogdon brought in another scoring option in the backcourt. Washington has been good on the defensive end of the floor but their offensive struggles are hard to overcome. Ranking second-worst in the league in scoring more than a month into the season is a tough sell, especially when you’re facing the league’s top scoring attack. Playing at home with all the weapons that they boast, you have to give the upper hand to the Celtics in this one.

Rating: 2 Units

The Philadelphia 76ers defeated Orlando in the opening game of this 2-game set over a three-day period but will find it hard to win two straight on the road against the same opponent in such a short span. Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs will step up their game on Sunday at home against the 76ers. Even if Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid can go today, do not expect the big man to be 100%. Orlando lost by only eight points to Philadelphia on Friday and will reverse that today at home against the 76ers. Philadelphia has failed to cover the spread in 13 of its last 19 games played on the road. Orlando likes to play at home today, covering the spread in six of the last nine games in that situation.

Rating: 2 Units

I like the Knicks here bouncing back from a bad home loss against the Blazers, who played without Damian Lillard. The Knicks committed 35 fouls and that was the difference. The Grizzlies are a very physical team, but the Knicks have the size to match them inside, especially with Mitchell Robinson back. I just think this is a good spot for the Knicks, at home, after a bad loss, playing a Grizzlies team that hit the road after a big win over a divisional rival. The Grizzlies are 7-12 against the spread this season and have lost 4 of their last 6 ATS. Take the Knicks here to cover.

Rating: 2 Units

The Golden State Warriors have been horrible on the road this season, as they are (1-9). I see their struggles continuing in this one, as they will allow the Timberwolves to score enough points to cover this spread. Golden State is currently allowing the 28th most points per game and they have the 21st-highest adjusted defensive rating in the league.

Rating: 2 Units

The Tar Heels had their five-game winning streak snapped by the Pilots in their last game. They will try to bounce back from the loss with a win over the Crimson Tide, which will give them their sixth win in their last seven games. North Carolina is averaging 79.5 points per game. They scored 65 points in their last game, making 44 percent of their field goals and 16.7 percent of their three-pointers. R.J. Davis led the Tar Heels with 15 points and three rebounds. Armando Bacot finished with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Caleb Love added 12 points and three assists. North Carolina has played well defensively, giving up 70.5 points per game. They gave up 70 points in their last game and will need a similar effort if they want to get the win.

Rating: 2 Units

Utah is playing their third game in four nights here and this marks their 14th road game this season against eight home games. The Jazz have sputtered on the defensive end of the floor lately and missing Conley is a big blow as he is a floor general on both ends. Phoenix has dealt with their share of injuries as well though Paul could be on the comeback trail in the near future. The Suns have the edge of playing at home the last couple of games so there is no travel involved for them leading into this contest. Phoenix has quality depth and they have been stellar at home this season: that’s enough to get by a tired, banged-up Utah squad here as they even the season series.

Rating: 2 Units

The Pirates enter with a far better as they have won 5 games and only dropped one this year. The Monarchs are 3-3 this year and are coming off a close loss to Davidson this week. Eastern Carolina is led by Javon Small, who is scoring over 20 points per game. East Carolina has shown that they score big with four of their fives wins coming by double figures. The Monarchs have lost two of their three losses by single digits. The scoring ability of the Pirates will keep them in this game and show that they can win on the road. 

Rating: 2 Units

The Hawkeyes have some of the best offensive stats in college basketball. While they clearly haven't been playing world-beaters so far, what's even more impressive than their record is their execution. Individual performance may vary game-to-game, but a well-coached team that executes well will always put itself in a position to succeed. It's also a game between a great shooting team versus a squad that sucks at defending the three-point line. Iowa is 4-0 ATS this season and Clemson is 1-4. Bet the trend and take Iowa to cover.

Rating: 2 Units

The Huskies have won five straight games. They played well offensively in those games, scoring more than 87 points per game while making over 51 percent of their shots. They do a good job finding the open man and they’re aggressive on the offensive glass, which will give them more scoring opportunities. They have also done a good job protecting the ball and won’t give the Ducks a lot of easy scoring opportunities. 

Rating: 2 Units

The Raptors have covered the spread in 64% (14-8) of their games when they have the rest advantage dating back to last season, and Brooklyn is just 4-14 against the spread when playing on a back-to-back over the same stretch. I am riding with the Raptors.

Rating: 2 Units

The Volunteers are a tough team and they have been sound defensively in the early going. Tennessee will shoot the ball better than we’ve seen so far and it’s tough to have faith in Butler given the fact that they struggled mightily against Penn State. The Volunteers make life extremely difficult for the Bulldogs and that gets them to the semifinals.

Rating: 2 Units

Timberwolves have the 16th-highest adjusted defensive rating, as they will struggle to consistently slow down the Pacers. Indiana is the better offensive team in this matchup, and they have shown that they will continue to contest shots inside the paint. They are holding their opponents to the seventh-lowest field goal shooting percentage, as they don't give up many easy looks around the basket. They will make consistent stops and keep the Timberwolves from scoring enough points to cover.

Rating: 2 Units

I understand that Philly is without the majority of their superstars, but I still see them being a better team than the Hornets. Charlotte has had a horrible start to the year and if Lamelo Ball can't get back on the court, then I don't see this season turning around. Ball is listed as questionable for this game, but I'm not worried about him if he returns. The Hornets will be extra cautious with him, as the other Charlotte players will have to continue to carry the load.

Rating: 2 Units

Phoenix has dominated Los Angeles of late, going 7-0 SU and 6-1 ATS in their last seven encounters. Also, each of the Suns’ last six victories over the Lakers has come by ten or more points. The Suns are 8-2 ATS in their previous ten contests versus the Western Conference, while the Lakers haven’t covered in five consecutive outings on the road. 

Rating: 2 Units

The Sixers are dealing with a ton of injuries and they are only scoring the 28th most points per game. They will continue to struggle in this one and the Nets will be able to keep this game close. Philadelphia won't play well without their stars, as the 76ers will continue to slide in the wrong direction.

Rating: 2 Units

Notre Dame has been favored by double-digits in each game this season but it has yet to cover a spread, all while facing the 312th strongest schedule according to KenPom. The Irish should also win this game outright, but it will be important to Bowling Green what the final score is in this game. For Notre Dame, this is just another game, but playing the Fighting Irish will motivate the Falcons. Bowling Green likes to get up and down the court quickly, rating 55th in adjusted tempo, while Notre Dame is 333rd. With the fast-paced style of play, the Falcons should be able to limit the effectiveness of Irish big man Nate Laszewski at times. Take Bowling Green to cover.

Rating: 2 Units

The Clippers went just 8-for-33 from beyond the 3-point line in that eight-point loss to the Jazz three weeks ago, losing the fourth quarter 26-17. I’m expecting a much better display this time around, especially because the Clippers just dropped 21 triples on the Spurs. Even if Paul George misses Monday’s game, the Clippers will have enough firepower to outlast the Jazz, who’ll probably miss Mike Conley (10.2 PPG, 7.9 APG). Utah is 1-5 ATS in its previous six road games against the Clippers, who have gone 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games overall. 

Rating: 2 Units

Golden State is virtually unbackable away from home right now. The Warriors had lost all straight of their road games prior to Sunday’s win, but it took a ridiculous performance from Thompson and Curry to get the job done against a bad team. They are now having to play on the back-end of a back-to-back against a New Orleans squad that is expected to have its best player back on the court. This is not a good scheduling spot for Golden State, while New Orleans is rested and motivated coming into this matchup. The Pelicans are also the more balanced team, as they are good on both ends of the court.

Rating: 2 Units

Cleveland is scoring the eighth most points per game and they have the 10th-highest team shooting percentage. They will continue to consistently score on the Hawks throughout this game, as they have continued to give up points this season. According to dunskandthrees.com, the Hawks have the 15th lowest adjusted defensive rating and they are giving up the 18th most points per game. Mitchell has been on fire and I see him carrying his team to victory in this one. The Cavaliers are also (5-1) at home this season, as they have continued to play well in front of their own fans. 

Rating: 2 units

The Cardinals were favored to win their first three games, but they lost all three games by one point. Their offense has been their biggest problem so far, with the team scoring less than 70 points per game while making less than 45 percent of their shots. They don’t rebound the ball as well as the Razorbacks and they’re very careless with the ball, which will be a problem against the Razorbacks, who are averaging more than 12 steals per game. They are facing a defense that held its first three opponents under 60 points and will have a hard time scoring against them, so go with Arkansas to cover the spread.

Rating: 2 Units

 The Warriors have not shown proper respect to weaker opponents, resulting in losses to the Hornets, Pistons, Magic, and Kings outright as a road favorite. It's hard to love the Rockets, but this will be a game in which their young players will give their best effort. Golden State should win its first road game of the year this season, but they cannot be trusted to cover as a double-digit road favorite.

Rating: 2 Units

These are two teams heading in opposite directions right now. The Hornets are playing terrible basketball, losers of 1o of their last 11 games, and their defense has been a problem. Also, it seems as if LaMelo Ball is banged up again and is questionable for Sunday's game. The Wizards quietly have a pretty balanced solid team that has the ability to hurt you inside and outside, and has improved their defensive capabilities, ranking 8th in the league in points allowed. Plus, the Hornets are 1-8-1 against the spread in their last 10 games playing on 1 days rest and 0-4 against the spread in their last 4 games versus a team with a winning straight up record. 

Rating: 2 Units

With Keyonte George, Adam Flagler and LJ Cryer all leading the way, this is the chance for the Bears to stamp their mark on the season early, and if they can bring their all around game that we saw in their first three performances this year, then there's few teams in college basketball with the capability of slowing them down.

Rating: 2 Units

The Magic are dealing with injuries as scoring leader Paolo Banchero is likely out again with an ankle injury. Gary Harris made his season debut but likely won’t play big minutes in the second game of a back-to-back. The Pacers have fared well when playing their second game in as many nights, going 2-0 and covered in each win. Furthermore, the Magic continue to stumble, winning just four out of their last ten games. The Pacers have been stellar, logging a victory in seven out of their last nine clashes after beating Houston by eight points on Friday. The Pacers have been as reliable as it gets in the NBA, miraculously covering the spread in nine consecutive games.

Rating: 2 Units

Providence has used its athleticism to beat down on a few bad teams since its narrow win to open the season, but the Friars are not going to be able to do that this afternoon. They have less height and experience than Miami, so their offensive rebounding numbers are going to dip. Miami also likes to play at a faster pace, which is going to be frustrating for a Providence team that is still trying to get used to several new faces on the roster. Larranaga is going to pick up career win No. 700 on Saturday, as his team will advance to Sunday’s title game.

Rating: 2 Units

The Indiana Pacers continue to dazzle, winning four out of their last five games propelled by consistent offensive production. The Rockets are stumbling. While they collected a rare win against Dallas on Wednesday, they only have two wins in their last 11 games. The Pacers are in a groove, averaging a remarkable 123 points in their last four games. This is key as the Rockets' defense is abysmal. They remain second last in the NBA in defensive efficiency and have squandered at least 116 points in five out of their last six games. The Pacers continue to defy the odds, literally. They have covered in eight consecutive games and will cover again. 

Rating: 2 Units

The Bucks won their first matchup with the Sixers this season, a two-point win in Philadelphia in October. The Sixers had Harden in that matchup while the Bucks played without Middleton and Connaughton. They should have Connaughton back for this matchup even while Middleton remains out. Lopez size and length can give Embiid problems and that showed through in the first matchup as Embiid was held to just 15 points. The Sixers have been off since Sunday so expect them to be rusty to start in this one. With Antetokoumpo back to full strength, he provides additional support in the paint against Embiid. And, not that many teams do, but the Sixers don't have anyone that can match up effectively with the Greek Freak.

Rating: 2 Units

While it’s only been two games but the Cavaliers are giving ups threes. Last year the three-point defense was exploited. They ranked 240th in three-point defense last season and so far opponents are shooting 36.7% from deep against them, ranking them 283rd. Baylor is a prolific offensive squad that has connected on 51.3% of their field goals. The Bears are averaging 2.1 more points per 100 possessions than the Cavaliers. 

Rating: 2 Units

Portland has covered the spread in four of its last five games and has been outstanding on the defensive end of the court. Brooklyn does not have enough firepower to keep pace with the top teams in the league right now, as Irving’s absence leaves the Nets severely shorthanded. They have gone 1-6 in their last seven games against Western Conference teams, and I do not expect that trend to change.