Rating: 2 Units

St. Marys is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600, 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win, 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record, and 0-5 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games. While Utah State is  4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 non-conference games.

Rating: 3 Unit NBA Play of the Day

Look for Denver to try to get shooters in the corner open vs. the Bucks. Milwaukee is in the bottom half of the league in defending the 3-point line. Denver was in a bit of a funk and then they beat the Hawks before this trip started. When they lost to the Bucks 8 nights ago, Gary Harris had an off game going just 5 for 14. That was a mirage. Harris shot 50% from the floor and 49% from the field last season. They were in the Big Easy on Saturday and in that game Denver had one bad 12-minute stretch and it cost them. The Nuggets figure to be sky high to beat the hot Bucks and this season they have already knocked off the champs and Boston and the 10-5 Clippers.

Rating: 2 Units

Boise State is 7-19-1 ATS in their last 27 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record, 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up win, 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS loss, and 0-6-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.  While Creighton is 19-9 ATS in their last 28 Monday games.

Rating: 2 Units

Richmond is 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win, 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall, and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games. While Loyola Chicago is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games.

Rating: 2 Units

Air Force is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 Monday games, 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win, 21-9 ATS in their last 30 neutral site games, and 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games following a ATS win. While High Point is 7-22 ATS in their last 29 games overall and 2-12 ATS in their last 14 games following a straight up loss.

Rating: 2 Units

UTSA is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss, 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss of more than 20 points, and 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. While Cal Irvine is 2-8 ATS in their last 10 neutral site games.

Rating: 2 Units

South Dakota State is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up loss, 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games following a ATS loss, 9-3 ATS in their last 12 neutral site games, and 30-14 ATS in their last 44 games overall.

Rating: 2 Units

Northern Arizona is 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record, and 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up win. While Hawaii is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall, 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games following a ATS loss, and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a double-digit loss at home.

Rating: 2 Units

The Wildcats have been really good defensively and they put a hurting on Eastern Kentucky on Friday, despite hitting just four 3-pointers. To fulfill their Final Four aspirations, they will have to knock down some long-range shots and they can start against the Quakers. Xavier Sneed could lead the way. He hit three of the four 3-pointers in the win over the Colonials. Dean Wade has also been underwhelming and will be challenged by A.J. Brodeur.

Rating: 2 Units

Miami has been hard to figure out so far. They are hovering around mid pack in scoring and allowing points but they have been careless. They are 27th in turning over the ball. When L.A. goes to the bench, they bring in seasoned players and that can cut down on turnovers for the second unit. The Lakers were in Orlando on Saturday and in that game the bench held up their end but Lonzo Ball never delivered. He figures to be motivated here.

Rating: 2 Units

The Cowboys did a nice job in beating UT-San Antonio earlier this week, but the stench of the road loss to Charlotte still remains. Charleston is a potential Colonial champion and have two players that are going to cause problems for Oklahoma State. Grant Riller and Jarrell Brantley are experienced and tough: two things the Cowboys aren’t especially.

Rating: 2 Units

Memphis has played well of late but they also have been lucky in close games. In three of their last 4 wins, the winning margin has been 11 points combined and one game went into overtime. Marc Gasol may also have to chase Karl-Anthony Towns on the perimeter and that should open up the lane. Memphis is dead last in rebounding. Minnesota seems to have bonded a bit without Jimmy Butler. They are getting good play from the point position as Jeff Teague and Derrick Rose combined for 30, 13 dimes and 9 boards in the easy win over Portland on Friday. Robert Covington is a fine long-range shooter and when Coach Thibodeau brings in Dario Saric, he gets a defender that bangs.

Rating: 3 Unit NBA Play of the Day

This is not a good match-up for Dallas. Sure, the Texans have been surprisingly good but they are 27th in defensive 3-point field goal percentage. The Warriors are Number 1 in that category. The champs will not take this team lightly. Golden State was humbled by Houston on Thursday but no starter played more than 30 minutes. They just could not throw it in the ocean as the Warriors were just 4 for 18 from distance. Look for the Warriors to get after the Dallas guards as they only forced 5 turnovers against the Rockets. The Warriors can tire teams too as Coach Kerr plays a lot of guys

Rating: 2 Units

These are not your father’s Bulls. They started the year horrible off the glass and on the bottom third in the league in allowing points. The Canadians have been a bit banged up but for them, it’s better now than in April. The Raptors don’t beat themselves as they take good shots, they are 2nd in offensive field-goal percentage and they are in the top 10 from the free throw line

Rating: 2 Units

The Jazz can play defense at times but they started the season 24th from beyond the arc. They were in the City of Brotherly Love on Friday and in that game Utah made the mistakes of coming out flat and it cost them the game. The Celts are active and they can discombobulate clubs. They opened the season 2nd in allowing points and they have been the best in guarding the 3-point line.

Rating: 2 Units

Orlando has won three in a row but the last win was against Philly when they were getting used to Jimmy Butler. The other recent wins came against the Wizards and the 4 and 11 Knicks. This is an emotional stretch for LeBron. He has Miami and Cleveland on the horizon and issues will be raised. The Lakers seem to be figuring it out. They have won 4 in a row, 6 of 7 and the loss was in the second of a back-to-back game. Lonzo Ball will have to step up since Rajon Rondo is gone for several weeks but Lance Stephenson should be able to get some valuable minutes and Lance is a game changer. Picking up Tyson Chandler is big for the Lakers. He is a solid defensive compliment to the energized JaVale McGee.

Rating: 2 Units

San Jose State is 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss, 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall, and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win. While Cal State Bakersfield is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 neutral site games.

Rating: 2 Units

NC Asheville is  7-2 ATS in their last 9 neutral site games and 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up loss.  While Coastal Carolina is 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up loss and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.

Rating: 2 Units

If it weren’t for Wichita State forward Markis McDuffie having an unprecedented offensive outburst, the Friars would be undefeated. They have a burgeoning star in Alpha Diallo surrounded by young talent and role players. The Gamecocks have received surprisingly little from big man Chris Silva. Freshman guard A.J. Lawson has been a nice surprise, but Providence has a number of players to throw at him defensively.

Rating: 2 Units

Towson is are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 neutral site games, and 6-18 ATS in their last 24 games overall. While Florida Atlantic is  4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a double-digit loss at home.

Rating: 2 Units

In a coaching battle, most people would take Bob Huggins over Rick Stansbury. Huggins is even recruiting pretty well. There are going to be some sweet battles in the post. Sagaba Konate should cause headaches for Charles Bassey and Desean Murray. The Mountaineer back court is a work in progress, but Beetle Bolden is a shot maker for a team that needs offense. West Virginia can dial up the defense since the roster is relatively deep.

Rating: 3 Unit NBA Play of the Day

Coach Dave Fizdale is searching for the right combination for the Knicks. He’s been playing a deep bench and that is not always a good thing on a bad team. New York has lost 5 of 6 and the win was against the lowly Hawks. The Pelicans threw in a clinker on Wednesday in Minnesota with just 100 points. They were coming off a big win over Toronto so maybe they read their clippings. They only got 5 points off the bench vs. Minnesota and Anthony Davis had a poor shooting night going 9 for 25. If Nikola Mirotec can’t go with his ankle, Julius Randle should inherit his minutes.

Rating: 2 Units

The Indiana Pacers are struggling with one win in their last four games but got a rare four-day break to practice and attempt to fix some of the problems. The Pacers will show off the results of that practice when they host the Miami Heat. Miami has a chance to sweep its two-game road trip after snapping a three-game slide with a 120-107 victory at Brooklyn on Wednesday. The Heat, who held a team meeting following a 124-114 home loss to Philadelphia on Monday, were noticeably better on the defensive end, holding the Nets to 40.2 percent shooting.

Rating: 2 Units

These teams have not met since 2015 for the battle of the hearts and minds of the New York City metropolitan area. The Scarlet Knights opened the season by blowing the doors off two small school opponents, but they do not line up well against the talented Red Storm. St. John’s point forward Justin Simon could play a crucial role as he gets the ball to Shamorie Ponds and Mustapha Heron in the right places.

Rating: 2 Units

In the early going, Bol Bol has shown that he can dominate smaller opponents. The Hawkeyes do not have anyone who is quite his size, but they should offer more resistance. Tyler Cook and Luka Garza will concentrate on slowing down Bol, which may leave Payton Pritchard and Paul White to have some openings. With Bol and Kenny Wooten, the Ducks have one of the premier shot blocking duos in the nation and will make life hard on the Hawkeyes near the basket.

Rating: 2 Units

This is not a good trip or stretch for the Hawks. They are in the bottom half of the league in most offensive categories and they are giving up 118 points a night, 29th in the league. Denver can get well here. They need this game like they need to breathe. They hit the road for 3 games after this contest and although they have lost 4 in a row, two losses were just by a bucket. The Nuggets should have a decided edge in the middle as Nikola Jokic is triple threat and Alex Len is basically a banger. Jokic is leading the Denver in assists, rebounds and is tied with Jamal Murray as the top scorer.

Rating: 3 Unit CBB Play of the Day

After an ugly home loss to Louisiana Tech, it looked like Wichita State might be a team that could be picked against. The Shockers were rescued by a career game from Markis McDuffie in the win over Providence with a career-high 32 points. They simply can’t rely on a such a game and the Wildcats are built to take advantage. The back court of Kellen Grady and Jon Axel Gudmundsson are a handful and the Shockers won’t be able to handle Davidson’s pace.

Rating: 2 Units

Sure, Devin Booker didn’t play the last time these teams met but the Suns were a bit intimidated. They only shot 39% from the floor. Phoenix has only won twice all season and they just didn’t compete in the loss to OKC on Monday. The Spurs tricked the Suns on Halloween and it was in front of this same Arizona crowd. The Suns had no answer for LaMarcus Aldridge or DeMar DeRozan, who were a combined 20 for 25 from the floor. The Texans come to the Valley with an edge as they started this trip with a loss to the Kings on Monday.

Rating: 2 Units

This is a kind of a tricky game for the Magic. They have won three of the last 5 but one win was against Cleveland and another was against the struggling Wizards, who got revenge on this club Monday. Orlando just lost the last pair, both on the road, and they were beaten off the boards in the last game. The Sixers got production out of the bench Monday in the game win over Miami. They only had one off quarter and Joel Embiid destroyed Hassan Whiteside. Ben Simmons is the guy that makes this team go as he always seems to be around the ball. It’s doubtful that Jimmy Butler, who if scheduled to make his Philly debut, will have the same issues with this team as he did with the Wolves. He is joining a pair of young players that want to win and they both play very hard. Butler figures to really help this club at crunch time.

Rating: 2 Units

The National Championship game between these two seems like ages ago and five players moved onto the NBA. The Wolverines have dialed up their defense in only allowing 40.5 points in their first two games, but they will have a hard time covering all of the Wildcat shooters (as they did last April). Villanova has six players who have hit multiple 3-pointers in their first two wins, and forward Eric Paschall is not one of them. The 6-8 forward is a good outside shooter and will hit some long-range shots against Michigan.

Rating: 2 Units

It’s hard to see any light with this Cleveland team. One night, Larry Nance Jr. will barely play and then he’ll get 31 minutes. They have refused to defend the 3-point line. They are missing three starters and a couple of other guys didn’t practice on Monday. Ty Lue has to be ecstatic that he got fired. The Hornets have been riding Kemba Walker but that is a pretty good horse to climb aboard. The consistent point is averaging 28 and 6 dimes. Charlotte was in Detroit on Sunday and even though they were coming off a tough overtime loss 48 hours prior, the Hornets won the last three quarters and the game. There was even a Tony Parker sighting. Charlotte started the season 5th in scoring and they have been smothering teams on the perimeter.

Rating: 2 Units

Oakland forward Xavier Hill-Mais is coming off a 30-point, nine-rebound performance in the loss to Toledo. He may be tasked with slowing down Seth Dugan who opened the season with a 32-point, 22-rebound outburst in the win over Detroit. He showed he could dominate undermanned competition and should have another big game against the Golden Grizzlies. Keep an eye on Bronco guard Jared Printy who has knocked down eight 3-pointers in the first two games.

Rating: 2 Units

So the Musketeers didn’t blow Evansville off the court. Should we worry about coach Travis Steele’s team? Not quite yet. Xavier has competent players at every position and point guard Quentin Goodin could be back in the starting lineup to give the team a ball hawk on defense and field general on offense. Ethan Happ opened the season with a triple-double, but the long Musketeer defenders will cut off some of his passing lanes.

Rating: 2 Units

The Kings have lost 3 of 4 and the win came when the then Minnesota star Jimmy Butler just was 3 for 12 from the floor. They were beaten on the glass Saturday at home against the Lakers and nobody shared. They only had 11 assists all night. The Spurs could have a decent stretch here with Phoenix next before going to Clippers Land. Even though this is a totally different Texan team of year’s past, they still play defense and are holding clubs to 108 a night, 8th in the league. They don’t beat themselves as they are third from downtown and second from the free-throw line. Pau Gasol didn’t make this trip but Davis Bertans stepped in and did a nice job in the last game with 6 points, a couple of boards and 2 blocks in 20 minutes.

Rating: 2 Units

It may be a little hard to put faith in the Panthers with their terrible 2017-18 season in memory. This is a brand new team and coach Jeff Capel has the team playing well at home. They scored a solid win over Youngstown State before destroying VMI by 39 points. The Trojans played Saint Louis close on Saturday and are playing their second road game in three days. The young Pitt back court of Xavier Johnson and Trey McGowens looks they could grow into something positive.

Rating: 2 Units

Trae Young has been explosive at time for the Hawks but he will have his work cut out for him against the active Lakers guards. The players from LaLa Land have a long way to go to be an elite team. They will not get there until they start playing defense but they started the season taking good shots and hitting at 49% from the floor, 2nd in the league

Rating: 2 Units

This is the most intriguing game on the Sunday slate. USC played without Bennie Boatwright on Tuesday in the win over Robert Morris. The forward may not be able to return on his road back from knee surgery. Vanderbilt has excellent talent in freshmen Simi Shittu and Darius Garland. They may be too young to know that they are not supposed to win on the road. Notre Dame transfer Matt Ryan may be the key to the game. If he can keep hitting 3-pointers, the ‘Dores could move to 2-0.

Rating: 2 Units

The Hornets went to sleep in the second quarter vs. Philly on Friday and they lost in OT. Their last two wins were against weaklings Atlanta and Cleveland. The Pistons have been pretty tough at home. They won their first three games in Detroit, lost to Boston when Blake Griffin only had 7 points and they lost in OT to the Heat. They are in the tough half of the league in scoring, they rebound and they defend the perimeter holding clubs to 32% from beyond the arc.

Rating: 2 Units

Life without LeBron has been nightmarish for the Cavaliers and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. On top of that you have Kevin Love talking up his fashion sense and also starting point George Hill is gone for a couple of weeks with a shoulder. The Bulls have not set the world on fire but they catch a banged-up Cleveland squad. Chicago has not played all that bad despite just the 3 wins. They took Denver to overtime on Halloween, lost the next game by a bucket, and then they beat the Knicks in overtime last Monday.

Rating: 2 Units

This could be a trap game for Philly. They finally broke through on the road Wednesday in Indy and have two more on the road after this game. They hosted Charlotte on Friday and in that game and although feeling pretty good about themselves, they nearly blew a huge lead and had to go to overtime to win by a point. The Grizzlies are off to a decent start and they had to get better after a disastrous season. Memphis has had time to recoup from holding Denver to 87 in the win on Wednesday and this is a big game with Utah next and then the Greek Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo. Memphis is 6th shooting from distance and they are the best in the lead in allowing points at 101 nightly. Michigan State rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. has stepped in and done a solid job at the 4.

Rating: 2 Units

The Golden Flashes have leadership in the back court with seniors Jalen Avery and Jaylin Walker, who led the team with 16.6 points last season. While the Vikings will have the home court advantage in the Wolstein Center, they could start three sophomores and a freshman. It will take time coach Dennis Felton to forge the Vikings into a decent Horizon League team. While they are having growing pains, Kent State will take advantage.

Rating: 2 Units

It may be reductive to think that if Evansville could not be competitive with Illinois, then they have little chance against Xavier. The Musketeers appears to be rebuilding on the fly with graduate transfers such as Ryan Welage and Kyle Castlin. Xavier will likely still be without point guard Quentin Goodin (shoulder), but Paul Scruggs and Naji Marshall can facilitate the offense. Tyrique Jones looks to have taken a step up in production and he will be a problem for the Aces.

Rating: 2 Units

Charlotte has won three of the last 4 but two wins came against the Hawks and Cleveland. The key to containing Charlotte is to pressure Kemba Walker and make him a passer. Charlotte center Cody Zeller was just over matched by Joel Embiid the last time they played. This is a game Philly would love to get with the next three coming with room service. The Sixers have not lost at home and they beat this club last month despite fact Ben Simmons was just 5 for 20 from the floor. He will be sky high to compete against Walker here

Rating: 2 Units

There may be people who are worried about Kentucky after they were soundly beaten by Duke in the Champions Classic on Tuesday. You should not be one of them. Duke had more talent, but Kentucky has more talent than almost every other team, including by a wide margin over the Salukis. Big Blue will be out in force and Reid Travis will lead the rout. Look for E.J. Montgomery to earn a few more minutes as well.

Rating: 2 Units

After an ugly home loss to Louisiana Tech, the Shockers head to Annapolis to face the Friars. Coach Ed Cooley has led Providence to the NCAA Tournament in each of the last five seasons and has one of his most impressive recruiting classes. A.J. Reeves sank seven 3-pointers for 29 points in their 10-point win against Siena the other night, and Siena came back to beat George Washington on the road last night. Also, watch freshman point guard David Duke and the return from injury of forward Emmit Holt.

Rating: 2 Units

The Clippers have not beaten a quality team that was at full strength so far (OKC was without Russell Westbrook, Rockets were missing key guys twice). Two wins came against iffy opposition and they won the last game against the drama known as Minnesota. On top of that, Clips guard Avery Bradley has a bad ankle. Portland’s Evan Turner stepped up Tuesday in the win over the Bucks. Damian Lillard figures to be locked down after going 5 for 15 in that game. And C.J. McCollum continues to excel. He poured in 40 Tuesday with 5 boards, 6 assists, and 4 steals. Portland won the series with this club last year 3-1.

Rating: 2 Units

The Nuggets just took down the beast in the East, Boston, and would like to get this game with a nice home stand on the horizon. As good as a passer that Marc Gasol is for Memphis, he may meet his match with Nikola Jokic. The Denver big man dropped 16 dimes in the win over Utah 4 nights ago and then had 10 assists in the win over the Celts. Sure, Jamal Murray is not going to drop 48 like he did for Denver on Monday but he’s been averaging 19 and 5 dimes.

Rating: 2 Units

On player-by-player talent, the Hilltoppers would take this one. The problem is that they might not have the outside shooting or passing talent to effect Washington’s zone. WKU is without Lemonte Bearden and Desean Murray due to suspensions, so there is going to be little room on the interior for Charles Bassey to operate. Noah Dickerson and Jaylen Nowell may be the best combination in the Pac 12 and will enjoy home cooking for the win.

Rating: 2 Units

This is the fourth home game for Portland on this stand. They punished teams in 2 of those games and then were handled by the Lakers. AlFarouq Aminu is a nice cornerstone player for the Blazers but he just doesn’t appear quick enough to contain Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks are playing at a high level. In the demolition of the Kings on Sunday, 4 of the 5 starters played 28 minutes or less. In their lone loss this season they just came out flat against the Celts and never really recovered. One of the best assets for Milwaukee is their length and they can bring a tricky Ersan Ilyasova off the pine for energy. This is a game that Eric Bledsoe will have to thrive to try to put a damper on the Portland guards and make them play defense

Rating: 2 Units

There will be a veritable McDonald’s All-American game in the nightcap of the Champions Classic doubleheaders. The problem for Kentucky is that Duke has the best players. If this game were later in the season and Kentucky’s disparate parts had time to coalesce into a solid defense, the Wildcats would stand a better chance. Duke’s superior fire power will be on display and the freshmen will lead Coach K’s team to the victory.

Rating: 2 Units

If you like offense, then you’ll want to check out Davidson this season. Kellen Grady and Jon Axel Gudmundsson should be among the top scoring back court duos in the country. According to Ken Pom, the Wildcats had the 16th best offense in the country last season. Even without Peyton Aldridge, Davidson will get off to a hot start. The Vikings need to replace three starters from a 12-win team

Rating: 2 Units

Denver is not an easy place to play. The Celts did beat Denver in the Mile High last season but Denver only had one poor quarter and it cost them. Boston has been solid but they have also won a lot of games that could have went either way. Three of their wins came by a total of 9 points. The Nuggets could be looking at this game in a ‘long term’ fashion. It’s pretty much accepted that Boston is the cream of the crop in the East but Denver has only lost once so far. And in that loss to the Lakers they had the lead with 12 minutes to go but they were careless with the ball with 19 turnovers. They just beat a solid Utah club and they beat them by holding the Jazz to 15 in the last stanza.

Rating: 2 Units

The Rockets are trying to make it three wins in a row but they needed a big second half to beat Brooklyn two games ago and then handled the struggling Bulls. Indy’s Victor Oladipo will not be intimidated by the Houston guards. He has had plenty of experience against them. The X factor in this game for the Pacers could be Bojan Bogdanovic, who is shooting over 50% from beyond the arc to kick off the season.

Rating: 2 Units

This is a poor timing for Minnesota as far as injuries to guards are concerned. Jeff Teague missed the last game with a bruised knee and Derrick Rose only played 5 minutes Friday with an ankle problem. Now, Minnesota has to play one of the best back courts in the game. Portland has played with a swagger for the last several season and that trend is continuing.

Rating: 2 Units

The guy who may have to guard the Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo could be Nemanja Bjelica, who is not known as a stopper. Milwaukee will be up for this one after just being beat by Boston. They also pack for a tough 4-game Western swing right after this game. Brook Lopez should be energized after scoring 2 points in the last game and it was just a few seasons ago when he was putting up 21 points a night.

Rating: 2 Units

The Memphis Grizzlies are defending at a high level and operating efficiently on offense, leading to wins in four of the last five games. The Utah Jazz, who host the Grizzlies on Friday, are trying to ride the same path up the standings and are returning home after stumbling at the end of a four-game road trip. The Grizzlies already own a 92-84 victory at Utah this season from Oct. 22

Rating: 2 Units

Hardaway scored a season-best 37 points and drained a career-best seven 3-pointers on Wednesday but the Knicks fell 107-101 to the Indiana Pacers. The output was two shy of the 26-year-old guard's career best and he is the first New York player since Patrick Ewing to score at least 24 points in seven of the team's first eight games (Ewing did it in all eight). Dallas has dropped five consecutive games and trailed by 17 points after the opening quarter en route to suffering a 114-113 road loss against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.

Rating: 2 Units

The Wizards have lost four consecutive games as they try to slow down the Thunder, who have won three contests in a row following an 0-4 start. Oklahoma City recovered from a 19-point, third-quarter deficit on Thursday to record a 111-107 victory in Charlotte.

Rating: 2 Units

James Harden is unlikely to be cleared for this ballgame. The Rockets could also be missing the guy that replaced Trevor Ariza in the off season, James Ennis. This is their first on the road after having their head handed to them by the Blazers in the 19-point loss on Tuesday. Brooklyn may not be a force just yet but they are moving in the right direction.  They only had one poor quarter in their overtime win over Detroit on Wednesday and they  were active underneath. They had 18 offensive rebounds and were a plus 24 in points in the paint. They have protected the rock too as the starters only had 6 turnovers against the Pistons.

Rating: 2 Units

Last year, the Rockets finished with the #7 defense in the NBA.  This year, Houston ranks #27; a team that simply cannot get stops at this stage of the campaign.  That’s bad news for any favorite, let alone a favorite playing without their superstar. Meanwhile, the Blazers just won in Indiana last night despite ‘off’ games from their two stars, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum; who combined to hit only ten shots and dish three assists between them.  But Portland’s bench stepped up in a big way, a real area of strength for this squad; always key in back-2-back situations.  Live dog here!

Rating: 2 Units

Minnesota could be in for a very long year. There is the Jimmy Butler circus and note three Minnesota starters were combined 6 for 31 in the loss to the Bucks on Friday. The Lakers played well in the defeat at San Antonio on Saturday. Despite the starting guards going just 5 for 18, the Lakers had a point lead going into the fourth quarter before caving in at crunch time. Brandon Ingram should be back for this game and it will take a bit of pressure off of Kyle Kuzma. Look for the Lakers to be on the high horse. They were a plus 15 in fast-break points in the last game.

Rating: 2 Units

The Clips took advantage of Houston without James Harden on Friday. L.A.’s two loss were to the Pelicans and the Nuggets. Doc Rivers has experimented with Danilo Gallinari playing the 5 but he can’t ignore Montrezl Harrell, who had 30, 2 steals and 2 rejections in 28 minutes against Houston. Granted, the Washington guards are potent but Patrick Beverley still plays with swagger and although Avery Bradley may have lost a step, he is still pretty tricky.

Rating: 2 Units

Even though the Lakers are 2-3, they played well in the losses. They were right there with Portland opening night and were right there with Houston before the fight broke out. They flat-out should have beaten the Spurs last Monday. They were up by 6 with 55 seconds to go in overtime and caved in with LeBron being embarrassed. And they are playing the right way. They had 27 assists in the win over Denver on Thursday. L.A. will have Rajon Rondo back for this game.

Rating: 2 Units

Dallas has been weak in the middle for quite some time now and even DeAndre Jordan will have a hard time with the Canadian centers. Coach Nick Nurse has been starting Serge Ibaka at center and bringing in Jonas Valanciunas. And it’s working. In the win over Minnesota Wednesday that pair combined for 31 points and 14 boards.

Rating: 2 Units

The Kings, of all teams, spoiled OKC’s home opener. Russell Westbrook and Paul George showed up in that game but the other starters were 5 for 20 combined. After splitting the first 2 games against playoff clubs, Boston held on vs. the Knicks and then didn’t show up at home vs. the Magic on Monday. They have had time to recoup and Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving seem to be getting fitter. Coach Stevens has to find more time for Terry Rozier; Al Horford will keep Steven Adams honest as he can hit the outside jumper. Boston also still can defend.

Rating: 2 Units

This is a game Dallas wants and needs. They are in Canada Friday, go home to hear Jazz, then have the Spurs and LeBron. With the Hawks’ big men possibly limited, DeAndre Jordan should have a field day. Trae Young is coming off a nice game for Atlanta but the Mavericks’ Dennis Smith Jr. and Jose Barea will be very aware of him

Rating: 2 Units

The Pacers appear to be for real. They won Saturday despite fact up and coming player Domantas Sabonis was out with a knee bruise. That didn’t stop Indy from sharing the ball as 9 players scored in double digits. They have kicked off the season on their game from long range and they have been playing solid team defense.

Rating: 2 Units

Atlanta will be in a rebuild mode very quickly it looks like this season. They have given up 126 and 131 in 2 games. Cleveland ran into a fragmented Minnesota team on Friday and they played well in defeat. They came out flat in the second quarter but made up for it with 41 in the third stanza. They just could not retaliate when Jimmy Butler had a near perfect game. Kevin Love was a rebounding machine as was Tristan Thompson, who had 6 offensive boards. The Cavaliers should be motivated in the home opener

Rating: 2 Units

Phoenix rode the coattails of Devin Booker in the opening win vs. Dallas. He had 19 of his 35 in the last minutes but this figures to be a different story. Deandre Ayton, seems to have adjusted quickly to the league, but he will be going against the tricky Jokic in the middle. Denver only had one poor quarter in the win over the Clips on Wednesday. Coach Malone played a full rotation and it worked. They held L.A. to 27% from beyond the arc and it’s not often that the center leads the teams in assists but that is how Jokic kicked off the season.

Rating: 2 Units

Golden State is 9-19 ATS in their last 28 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game, 11-24 ATS in their last 35 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record, and 7-21-1 ATS in their last 29 games following a ATS win. While Houston is Rockets are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game and 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games playing on 1 days rest. In addition, the home team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

Rating: 2 Units

The Cleveland Cavaliers have little margin for error as they attempt to begin digging out of a hole when they host the Boston Celtics on Saturday in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. Boston won the first two games to improve to 9-0 at home in the postseason. Cleveland dropped the first two games by an average of 19 points and even a monster Game 2 effort by LeBron James (42 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds) on Tuesday couldn't prevent a 13-point loss. Boston is 23-9 ATS in their last 32 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game and 20-8 ATS in their last 28 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. while Cleveland is 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games overall and 4-10 ATS in their last 14 vs. Eastern Conference.

Rating: 2 Units

The Cavs struggled to get by the Pacers in seven games, but they rolled over the Raptors in four straight in the second round. Boston needed seven games to get past Milwaukee, but then only needed five to get by the 76ers. The Celtics have been red hot at home (both in the regular season and in the playoffs). Cleveland is relies completely on LBJ, so it’ll be all hands on deck from the home side to slow down the Cavs’ superstar. Consider that the Cavs are 0-3 ATS this year already when playing with three or more days rest, while the Celtics are 4-1 ATS when playing with three or more days of rest.

Rating: 2 Units

The Boston Celtics look to open up a commanding 3-0 series lead when they visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Philadelphia was in good position to even the series when it led Game 2 by 22 points but Boston rallied to post an impressive 108-103 victory. The Celtics appear to be in good shape as they are 36-0 all-time when holding a 2-0 lead in a seven-game series but it took a lot of work to overcome the 76ers' stellar start.

Rating: 2 Units

The Utah Jazz have seized home court advantage from the NBA's best team this season and they'll try to make it hold up when they host the Houston Rockets today for Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinals. After losing all four regular-season encounters and then falling by 14 points in Game 1, the Jazz shot 51.8 percent and used a 14-2 run in the fourth quarter en route to a stunning 116-108 triumph in Wednesday's Game 2.  Houston is 4-9 ATS in their last 13 vs. Western Conference, 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record, and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games. While Utah is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games and 6-2 ATS in their last 8 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

Rating; 2 Units

The momentum boost provided by LeBron James with a last-second shot in a Game 5 win did not carry over for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and now they are facing a do-or-die Game 7. The three-time defending Eastern Conference champion Cavaliers will try to avoid a first-round exit when they host the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 today. Cleveland went into Indiana on Friday and got rocked 121-87 with a chance to close out the series. Indiana is 18-6 ATS in their last 24 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game, while Cleveland is 16-37-1 ATS in their last 54 home games.

Rating: 2 Units

The New Orleans Pelicans were surprisingly dominant in sweeping the third-seeded Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the playoffs, but a much bigger challenge looms. The Pelicans will try to get an early advantage when they visit the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals today. New Orleans superstar Anthony Davis averaged 33 points on 57.6 percent shooting and 11.8 rebounds in the four-game sweep of Portland, and the team is not intimidated by facing the defending champs. New Orleans is 22-6 ATS in their last 28 games following a ATS win, 21-6 ATS in their last 27 games following a straight up win, and 19-7 ATS in their last 26 vs. Western Conference.

Rating: 2 Units

The Golden State Warriors came into the postseason injured and slumping but quickly proved they can flip the switch to playoff mode with a dominating Game 1 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday. The Warriors will try to keep the pressure on and get off to another hot start to make it a 2-0 cushion when they host the Spurs in Game 2 today. Golden State dropped 10 of its last 17 games in the regular season and struggled on defense but tightened things up that end and held the Spurs to 17 first-quarter points to establish a lead it wouldn’t relinquish in Game 1.

Rating: 2 Units

After a slow start in Saturday's opener, Philadelphia outscored the Heat by a whopping 74-43 margin in the second half en route to a convincing 130-103 Game 1 victory. Philadelphia made 18-of-28 3-pointers and recorded 34 assists against just 10 turnovers in a dominant effort. The last nine of the Sixers' 17 straight wins have come without All-Star center Joel Embiid (orbital fracture), who could return as soon as Game 2 or 3. The Heat will need to get more out of their own big man, as Hassan Whiteside provided just two points on 1-of-4 shooting in 12 lackluster minutes.

Rating: 2 Units

Houston is led by superstar guard James Harden, who is the odds-on favorite to win his first MVP award this season after leading the league in scoring at an average of 30.4 points and adding 8.8 assists. The difference for the team this time around in the playoffs is that Harden has another future Hall of Famer in the backcourt with the addition of point guard Chris Paul, who is in awe of his teammate. Over is 11-3 in Timberwolves last 14 vs. a team with a winning straight up record, 12-5 in Timberwolves last 17 vs. NBA Southwest, and 15-7 in Timberwolves last 22 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

Rating: 2 Units

Portland features its own ego-free superstar in point guard Damian Lillard, who averaged 26.9 points during the third All-Star season of his standout career. The Trail Blazers are the third seed in the West, their best positioning since also being the No. 3 seed in 2000, when they reached the Western Conference finals before losing a seven-game series to the Los Angeles Lakers.  Having home court advantage is big for a Portland team that won 21 of its last 24 home contests and is supremely confident inside the Moda Center. The Trail Blazers are hoping center Jusuf Nurkic will be up to the task of slowing Davis while also building on his career-best averages of 14.3 points and nine rebounds to go along with a career-high 27 double-doubles. Shooting guard CJ McCollum (21.4) is a strong scoring complement to Lillard

Rating: 2 Units

The Philadelphia 76ers enter the postseason on a roll but will be without All-Star center Joel Embiid when they host the Miami Heat in Saturday's opening game of the Eastern Conference first-round series. Embiid missed the final eight games of the regular season with an orbital fracture but his absence didn't stop the 76ers from stretching their winning streak to a franchise-record 16 straight games. Embiid will likely wear a mask when he returns and his responses indicate that a Game 2 return is possible. The third-seeded 76ers are a feel-good story after losing more than 50 games in each of the previous four seasons

Rating: 2 Units

Denver peaking at the right time, winning 6 straight after beating Portland on Monday night. One of those victories was a crucial 100-96 triumph over Minnesota when Nugget PG Jamal Murray had 22 pts. and C Nikola Jokic had 16 pts., 14 rebs. and 9 assists. Murray averaged 24 ppg and shot 48% from beyond the arc in the three games against the Timberwolves this season. One game separated five Western Conference teams in the 5-9 slots on Monday. Denver and Minnesota are fighting for one of those final playoff spots in the West, and Tom Thibodeau’s bunch would wrap it up with a win regardless of intervening results. The Timberwolves could possibly get in with a loss in this game provided they beat Memphis Monday, while the Nuggets will be in a must-win situation. Denver has covered 7 straight and 11 of its last 12 games in Minneapolis.

Rating: 2 Units

Can’t get too carried away with Warriors’ Sunday win over the Suns, as it marked only the 6th spread cover in the last 20 games for the depleted champs, still minus Steph Curry. But that was probably the last semi-dress rehearsal for playoffs, as it’s highly doubtful Steve Kerr risks any of his other starters in this finale that has no meaning for Warriors (locked into the 2 seed in West) but could have seeding implications for rampant Utah, which might still be able to pass Portland for the 3-spot in the playoffs. While the Warriors have been floundering, Jazz surging, with a 28-5 SU mark their last 33, and outscoring foes by almost 20 points per 100 possessions in the last 216 minutes when Donovan Mitchell, Jae Crowder, and underrated Royce O’Neale have been on the floor together. Utah also recently ripped an under strength Golden State by 19 at Oakland on March 25.

Rating: 2 Units

These two just played in Salt Lake City this past Tuesday, but Utah has dominated the Lakers the past few seasons, winning 9 of the last 10 meetings and logging a 4-2 spread mark visiting Staples Center to face the Lakers. The Jazz cooled off against the points, but Utah was 25-5 SU in its last 30 prior to that April 3 date with the Lake Show. The Lakers are trying but aren’t healthy and had dropped 7 of their last 9 as injuries to swing man Brandon Ingram and PG Lonzo Ball took a toll. Jazz rookie sensation Donovan Mitchell has scored 24 ppg in March, and Rudy Gobert will be the most dominating defensive presence on the court by a margin.

Rating: 2 Units

Detroit was on fire against the points heading into the final two weeks of the season, covering 8 straight and 11 of 13 through April 2. See little point in over thinking things with Memphis side that lost 25 of its last 28 through April 3 and was 3-7 vs. the points in its last 10 at the FedEx Forum prior to hosting Sacramento two nights ago. First meeting was a Grizzly loss (but cover) on Feb. 1, and was the 2nd setback of what would eventually be a 19-game losing streak. That game marked Blake Griffin’s debut with the Pistons, and he delivered with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Griffin is injured now, but the Pistons have been mowing down teams without him, as PG Reggie Jackson begins to round back into form.

Rating: 2 Units

Philadelphia had covered 8 straight through April 2, six of those wins coming as a favorite of more than 7 points, while Dallas is just 4-9 this season as a dog of 9½ or more. This game will fall somewhere in that area, and trust Sixer side that’s still jockeying for playoff position over Mav side that’s been openly tanking for months. Philly was just getting its act together when these two met back on Nov. 28, as the Sixers held on for a 112-110 after blowing most of its double-digit 4th-Q lead. Sixer rookie Ben Simmons had a coming-out party in the first meeting, scoring 23 pts. while contributing 7 rebs., 8 assists and 3 steals to key the win. Good news for the Sixers is that G J.J. Redick, who didn’t play in the first meeting, is clicking on all cylinders now

Rating: 2 Units

These two split a pair played in Portland this season, with San Antonio covering both. The Spurs are surging to the finish line, winning 8 of their last 10 games SU and vs. the number, holding foes to 95.5 ppg and out-rebounding the opposition by 6 per game in that stretch. The same can be said for Portland, which was 26-8 SU from mid January through  April 2. Blazer G Damian Lillard has cooled off a bit lately, however, perhaps a bit distracted by an addition to the family (a brand new baby boy!). Lillard was shooting less than 40% over the team’s last 10 games at this writing, and the Spurs have won and covered 6 straight against Western playoff foes, including SU wins over Houston, Golden State, red-hot Utah and OKC

Rating: 2 Units

New York playing the 2nd night of a back-to-back set, both of which are home games for the Knicks. Given the recent N.Y. struggles at the Garden (dropped 14 of last 17 SU at home through April 2), and the Knicks record against Milwaukee (lost 4 straight overall, 1-5 SU L6 at MSG), have to lean to the visitor. The Bucks are likely safely in the playoffs, but would love to climb out of the 8th position to avoid Toronto, a team that’s beaten them 19 of the last 25 meetings. Milwaukee has covered 7 of its last 8 chances this season as road chalk, and PF Giannis Antetokounmpo (27 ppg, 11 rpg vs. the Knicks) has been backed up by F Khris Middleton (20 ppg on 52% vs. NY) and G Eric Bledsoe (21 ppg, 54% L10 through April 2).

Rating: 2 Units

The Utah Jazz have their sights on a playoff berth as they look to continue their recent domination of the visiting Los Angeles Lakers on today. Utah, which is in sixth place in the Western Conference, will be seeking its sixth straight victory over the Lakers. The Jazz won 25 of their past 30 games and are just one game behind the fourth-place San Antonio Spurs but also just two games clear of the ninth-place Denver Nuggets in the tightly packed race.   The Jazz won eight of the past nine meetings, including a 96-81 home victory on Oct. 28. 

Rating: 2 Units

The Portland Trail Blazers are headed to the playoffs for the fifth straight season and their focus has turned to securing the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. The Trail Blazers hold a three-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs with five to play as they open a four-game road trip with today's contest against the Dallas Mavericks. Portland has been on a scintillating eight-week stretch in which it has compiled a 19-4 record and the club took time to enjoy the clinching after Sunday's 113-98 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Rating: 2 Units

The Philadelphia 76ers aim to produce their longest winning streak since in 28 years on Tuesday when they put a 10-game run on the line against the visiting Brooklyn Nets. The winning streak matches one from the start of the 2000-01 season and is two shy of the 12-game string that the 1989-90 team put together. Ben Simmons continued to carry the load with Joel Embiid sidelined in the Sixers' 119-102 win at Charlotte on Sunday, finishing with 20 points and 15 assists as Philadelphia stayed within a half-game of Cleveland in the race for third place in the Eastern Conference.

Rating: 3 Units

Underestimate the Wolverines at your own peril. If any team looks like it could jam the gear box on the well-tuned Villanova engine with its pistons all firing at the same time, it might be Michigan. The reason? Despite all of the hoopla about the Cats’ three-point shooting exploits, defense still travels in March (or, as it will on Monday night, April 2). And lately no team has been defending any better than the Wolverines, allowing foes a measly 0.88 points per possession in the Dance. Though not explosive on the scale of Villanova, the well-constructed passing game of Loyola-Chicago, which had been functioning with the efficiency of a Swiss watch in March, was discombobulated in Saturday’s other semifinal. The Ramblers were limited to season lows in attempts and makes beyond the arc and an astounding 24 of their 27 secondhalf FG attempts were contested. Michigan has also been adept at running foes off of the 3-point line in the Dance; opponents have connected on only 18 triples in the five games combined, which is the same number as ‘Nova’s successful conversions from downtown against the Jayhawks. Though the Wildcats will obviously provide the Wolverines with their toughest test, the corollary might be true as well. John Beilein’s troops have been digging in on the stop end all season, as ball screens are nullified, cutters are covered, and open looks are denied. Moreover, Big Dance foes have been connecting on only 40% of their two-point shots, with the Wolverines especially unrelenting on shots inside the arc. The “team defense” concept has been exemplified by Michigan, all the more impressive as Beilein does not own a true rim protector on the stop end.

In conclusion, while I greatly respect Villanova, the Cats are still heavily reliant on the 3-ball, and are not immune to extended cold snaps, or even defeats, as evidenced by a handful of losses this season and a few other close calls. Keep in mind that ‘Nova’s offense was not working as recently as the Elite 8, when Texas Tech might have been able to pull the upset had it been a bit more efficient on the offensive end. The Cats will also not be dealing with the sort of brisk pace that Kansas provided in Saturday’s semi-scrimmage; the Wolverines are adept at controlling tempo, allowing only 62.9 ppg, ranking 8th nationally, which makes us believe the mid 140s “total” might be a bit too high. The respected tactician Beilein is also a 67% play vs. the spread (14-7-2) in past NCAA Tourneys with Michigan.

Rating: 2 Units

The Thunder come in hungry after losing four of their last five. OKC will be especially motivated here after falling 126-125 in OT at home to Denver last time out. The Thunder outscored the Nuggets 35-22 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough in the end. Russell Westbrook was a bright spot in the setback with 33 points, 13 assists and nine boards. New Orleans has lost three straight, most recently falling to Houston, Portland and Cleveland. Jrue Holiday led the way in the 107-102 setback to the Cavs with 25 points. For the most part the Thunder have struggled for bettors this year, however note that they’re 4-1 ATS in their last five against good offensive teams which average 105-plus points per contest, while the Pelicans are just 17-20 ATS in front of the home town crowd this season and just 2-5 ATS their last seven when playing with one or less day rest.

Rating: 2 Units

Philadelphia cruised to three double-digit wins over Charlotte this season, with Joel Embiid scoring 22 ppg and taking 11 rpg with 2.3 blocks to lead the team. The Hornet defense hasn’t put up much of an obstacle for Philly, which has scored more than 115 ppg and shot 51% in posting 3 win-and-covers. The Sixers, who had won 6 straight prior to facing Denver Monday, are still fighting tooth and nail for the home floor. With the possibility of catching Cleveland for the third seed still on the table, the Sixers are motivated. Charlotte played last night in Washington, and the Hornets are just 3-7-1 vs. the points in their last 11 when unrested, and the Sixers are 6-2 SU L8 on the road prior to stop in Atlanta Friday

Rating: 2 Units

I firmly feel the surging Jayhawks (12-1 SU last 13) clearly possess the requisite team speed, firepower, three-point marksmen (10 triples pg at 40.3%), passing skills (16.9 apg), transition offense & smart shot selection to trade all the way with the Big East juggernaut, which is facing its most combustible arsenal thus far in the Big Dance after defeating over matched Radford, youthful, erratic Alabama, a defense-oriented “Press Virginia” & Texas Tech. Bill Self—who’s arguably done his best-ever coaching job—is a mastermind in devising an ultra-efficient halfcourt “O,” while the stiffening KU defense permitted a combined 13 of 49 from deep in the semi-finals & finals of the Midwest region. In a wild tourney featuring a plethora of buzzer-beaters, I envision this heavyweight battle to be decided in the final moments in San Antonio. Hey, Jay hawks profitable 12-5 as an underdog since 2014-15.

Rating: 2 Units

The home team won and covered first two in series, and this is virtually a must-win game for Boston if it is to have any hope of capturing the Atlantic Division and the home court edge in the East. Toronto has cooled off since winning 18 of 19 SU from Feb. 2 through March 16. The Raptors were 0-6 vs. the number L6 and 2-3 L5, giving up 116 ppg and 50% in the last 5 prior to facing Denver on Tuesday. Raptor leader DeMar DeRozan has been a bit  off against the Celtics this season, scoring a sub-par (for him) 19.5 ppg and shooting only 36%. Toronto C Jonas Valanciunas has had foul trouble against Boston bigs Al Horford, Marcus Morris and Aron Baynes, limiting him to just 39 total minutes, 33% and 4 ppg in first pair vs the Celtics

Rating: 2 Units

Meanwhile, after a wild bobsled ride into the Elite 8 with three wins by four points total, Loyola dispatched Big 12 Kansas State with relative ease last Saturday in Atlanta to reach the Final Four. Certainly, after beating ACC Miami and SEC Tennessee at the wire, plus hot Nevada in the Sweet 16, the Ramblers have proven their Missouri Valley membership is no hindrance against the major conference teams. The Ramblers’ lock down defense (62 ppg ranks fifth nationally) and shrewd shot selection (51% FGs & 40% triples) have served it well in March and a current 14-game SU win streak that extends to narrow Jan. 31 loss at Bradley. If Loyola bears more than slight resemblance to past Rick Majerus teams at Utah and (especially) Saint Louis, it's no coincidence, as HC Porter Moser is a Majerus disciple who worked for the "big man" with the Billikens, and whose Ramblers remind more than a bit of the best Majerus teams. Loyola has plenty of balance with five DD scorers, a functional big in rugged 6-9, 260-lb. frosh PF Cameron Krutwig, and plenty of size on the wings to shoot over the Michigan defense on the perimeter. In the end, as in the first three rounds, another close Loyola game can be expected. We think Beilein can manufacture enough offense for Michigan to advance, but it won't be easy. The oddsmakers, however, have made it a bit easier for me by providing enough cushion to justify a Rambler recommendation while I sit back and watch what happens in the final seconds.

Rating: 2 Units

Washington hasn’t been playing well in March, covering just 2 of its first 11 games this month. Wiz HC Scott Brooks will have to make some defensive adjustments after his team allowed Charlotte to score 128 ppg in winning first 3 over Washington this season. Hornet PG Kemba Walker scored 22 ppg in the series, and C Dwight Howard managed 18 ppg and 11 rpg in just 30 mpg, while 4 other Hornets scored at least 13 ppg. Brooks should strongly consider bringing back PG John Wall from the injured list soon, lest they dip lower in the standings and lose any serious chance of catching Philly and Indy for 4th-place in the East and the first-round home court edge. The Wizards are 8-21-1 vs. the number as home chalk!

Rating: 2 Units

Milwaukee rode Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 33 pts. and 15 boards to a 98-90 win when these two met back on Nov. 11, with the Greek Freak easily counterbalancing the first triple double by L.A. rookie Lonzo Ball. The Lakers have been a tough cookie at home since early January, posting 12-2 SU and 11-3 spread marks in last 14 at home prior to hosting Dallas on Wednesday. L.A. has injury issues, with Fs Brandon Ingram (groin) and Isaiah Thomas a possible scratch due to a recurring hip problem, but rookies Kyle Kuzma and Ball starting to gain consistency. The Bucks haven’t played well on the road against decent teams this season, posting a 9-14 mark as a road dog of 1-6 points

Rating: 2 Units

Cleveland had won five straight heading into Tuesday’s visit to Miami, as return of PF Kevin Love has been a positive. LeBron James has averaged 31 pts., 10 rebs. and 10 assists since the all-star break, but Love’s 20 ppg and 10 rpg in his first 4 back tipped the scales in the Cavs’ favor. Cleveland covered three straight as a home favorite after a miserable 6-23 run as home chalk over the first two-thirds of the season. In the first meeting between these two, New Orleans benefited from a triple-double from since-injured C DeMarcus Cousins, while LeBron James was outplayed by Anthony Davis, who had 30 pts. and 14 rebounds. The Pelicans also got 29 pts from PG Jrue Holiday that night. Cavs have some momentum and are battling to hold on to a home court in first round, so would lay price with Cleveland.