Central Michigan went 7-23 last season under its first-year coach Tony Barbee. The Chippewas aren't going to be very good this year either. A lone victory against Eastern Illinois is not impressive.

High Point has one of the best scorers in the nation, Jaden House. He's averaging 22.8 points. High Point is the ninth-highest scoring team in the nation. The Panthers have too much firepower for Central Michigan.

Kudos to the Knicks in opening their five-game road trip with straight-up underdog victories against the Jazz on Tuesday and Nuggets on Wednesday. But I don't see them making it three in a row against the Warriors.

Golden State has won five in a row at home. The Knicks are playing their third road game in four days and are in action for the fifth time in eight days. They caught a break in drawing the Nuggets when Denver was missing Nikola Jokic. Still, it was a highly satisfying win for the Knicks, their first in Denver since 2006. 

The Warriors aren't as fat and happy as the Knicks. Golden State is off a highly disappointing, 130-119, road loss to the Suns this past Wednesday. Warriors coach Steve Kerr fell on his sword taking the blame for the defeat. 

I see the Warriors playing with great intensity back at home in support of Kerr. Golden State is hitting 40 percent of its 3-point shots at home. That would rank No. 2 in the league if it were the Warriors' season average. The Knicks are down defensively from past seasons. They rank in the middle in 3-point defense. 

I find this line short as Nevada should beat Texas Arlington by double-digits.

The Wolf Pack rank 19th in defensive field goal percentage. Texas Arlington lost its three best scorers from last year's squad, which lost 18 of 29 games. The Mavericks' scoring numbers are skewed because they played two non-Division I cupcakes.

By most ratings, the Mavericks are worse than any team in the Mountain West Conference. So Nevada should have no problem here.

This is too generous of a point spread so I'm getting involved with the home underdog. 

Both teams are 3-0. This is Utah State's first road game of the season and biggest test.

Steve Lavin has raised the talent level at San Diego bringing in several transfers from the Pac-12. One of the Toreros' victories this season is against Florida Gulf Coast, a team that upset USC by 13 points on the road.

San Diego ranks 31st in the country in 3-point shooting. The Toreros also are 12th in turnover percentage. That's an impressive combination of limiting turnovers while being highly accurate from beyond the arc. 

Troy may have a difficult time getting up for this game after upsetting Florida State on the road this past Monday as a double-digit 'dog.

That victory has caused this line to be inflated. Merrimack is at Troy's level. Merrimack has a good player in Jordan Minor.

Troy was picked to finish 10th in the Sun Belt Conference.

This game is being played at a neutral site. Troy is 1-5 ATS in its last six neutral site games.

The Bulls have rapid revenge for a 115-111 home loss to the Pelicans last Wednesday. The scheduling dynamics also favor Chicago.

Chicago last played three days ago. So the Bulls should be rested and ready. That's not the case with the Pelicans, who are in action for the eighth time in 13 days and have zero rest after beating the Grizzlies last night. Both Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum logged big minutes in that game.

It's a bonus for the Bulls if Zion Williamson has to miss the game. He's questionable with a foot injury.

The Bulls are 7-3-1 ATS during their last 11 road games.

Yes, No. 3 ranked Houston is good, real good. But look at this spread. It's too inflated.

Texas Southern, a Houston school, is going to be highly motivated not to get embarrassed by its next door neighbor. Texas Southern isn't good, but is capable of springing an upset. Just ask Arizona State. The Tigers upset them as 11-point home 'dogs this past Sunday. 

The Tigers have been reliable in this role covering 13 of the last 18 times on the road against an above .500 opponent. 

The 3-0 Cougars have yet to be tested. They rolled past three easy foes and have a much tougher challenge up next next when they go to Oregon to play the Ducks. So their focus is likely to be at 100 percent. 

This is just the third time all season the Grizzlies are underdogs when they are expected to have Ja Morant. He missed Memphis' last game, a 102-92 road loss to the Wizards this past Saturday.

Memphis is 0-3 when Morant has been out. But with him, the Grizzlies are 9-2. The Grizzlies also are 15-7 ATS the past 22 times following a loss.

The matchup has sort of a Zig/Zag feel to it as the Pelicans are off a 119-106 home win against the Rockets from Saturday. New Orleans is 0-5 ATS following a victory.

The Grizzlies have defeated the Pelicans three of the last four times when Morant has started.

I have St. Peter's power-rated higher than this spread number. The Peacocks have been an excellent ATS team going 21-6-1 ATS in their last 28 games for 78 percent. They have covered in their last six home games. 

West Virginia is off a very satisfying, 81-56, victory against Pittsburgh in its Backyard Brawl matchup. I don't see the Mountaineers being as intense as Morehead State for this matchup.

The Eagles have been pointing to this rematch after West Virginia eliminated them, 84-67, in a first round NCAA Tournament game last year. 

Morehead State is off an impressive, 62-55, victory against Bellarmine. 

Denver is going to get some culture shock meeting Sacramento State after facing bad defensive teams Idaho and non-Division I Colorado College. The Hornets play at a snail's pace and specialize in defense under new coach David Patrick.

The Hornets don't have much offense so they use this style. They are averaging 57.5 points in their two games.

I don't think the oddsmaker is fully factoring in Sacramento's slow tempo and commitment to defense while overrating Denver's offense.

Denver has had two easy games so far this season beating Idaho and Colorado College. The Pioneers struggled against Idaho failing to cover as 10-point home favorites. They face stronger competition here against Sacramento State.

The Hornets are defensive-minded under new coach David Patrick. Their half-court ways and height should bother Denver, which has faced two easy defenses.

Sacramento State is 7-2-1 ATS in its last 10 games going back to last season. Denver has failed to cover in its last five lined home games.

Miami has yet to get going at 6-7. The Heat are at least two levels down from the Suns. The key question is are the Heat good enough at home drawing the Suns likely without Chris Paul for a third straight game?

I rather doubt it. Considering the situation - the Suns off an embarrassing loss to the Magic this past Friday - I will get involved backing underdog Phoenix.

The Suns had a cold shooting night against Orlando while the Magic were hot making 52.4 percent of their shots from the floor.

Phoenix is 8-3 ATS the past 11 times following a loss. They are 4-0 SU this season after losing in their previous game. Phoenix also has covered in its last four visits to Miami. Cameron Payne is one of the more underrated backup point guards in the league.

The Heat have their own key injury. Tyler Herro, Miami's second-leading scorer, has missed the last three games due to a sprained ankle.

Miami just got down hosting the lowly Hornets during its past two games. The last time the Heat faced a team of this high caliber was in their second game of the season when they hosted and lost to the Celtics. The Heat have failed to cover the past six times they've met an above .500 opponent.

Missouri didn't cover against Penn in its last game this past Friday, winning 92-85 as a 12 1/2-point home favorite. I had Penn in that game with part of my handicap being the Tigers are breaking in a new roster and coach so it's going to take time for them to jell.

I'm going to double down and fade the Tigers again believing this point spread is too high.

Missouri is 2-0, but giving up 88 points a game. Both of its previous opponents - Penn and Southern Indiana - shot 50 percent from 3-point range. Lindenwood made 12 of 26 3-point shots in its last game.

By the numbers the oddsmaker has set a correct total here. Early marketplace activity has pushed the total even higher. Golden State is the third-highest scoring team in the league and second-worst defensive team. The Warriors just allowed an average of 121.6 points on their recently completed 0-5 road trip. Led by Donovan Mitchell and his 31.9 scoring average, the Cavaliers are a top-seven scoring team. 

But I see this spot being much more defensive-oriented than perceived. 

This is the conclusion of the Cavaliers' five-game road trip. They've lost the last two games to the Kings and Lakers allowing an average of 123.5 in those contests. Cleveland ranks seventh defensively holding opponents to 107.4 points a game. The Cavaliers are the No. 1 defensive rebounding team in the league. 

Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff was especially appalled by his team's lack of defense in the 127-120 Wednesday loss to Sacramento. This is what he said following that game, ''...If we want to be a good basketball team, we need to remember who we are and we need to play Cavaliers basketball. ...''

Cavaliers basketball is defense and limiting opponents to one shot. 

The Warriors are overdue to start cleaning up their defense. They were the third-stingiest team in the league to score against last season holding opponents to 105.4 points. This is just Golden State's third home game since Oct. 23. The Warriors gave up 110 to the Heat and 113 to the Kings during their previous two home games. Not great, but much better than they've been allowing on the road. 

This isn't going to be an easy sell with the 3-9 short-handed Hornets, losers of six in a row, and missing LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward. But hear me out.

Miami is 4-7. The Heat haven't played a good game in two weeks. They've won only one game by more than seven points all season. Miami is 2-4 SU, 1-5 ATS in its last six games with losses during this span to the Kings, slow-starting Warriors, Pacers and Blazers.

The Heat might not have Tyler Herro, he's second on the team in points and rebounds. He's day-to-day with an ankle injury.

Terry Rozier has returned to Charlotte's lineup, so at least he's back. Recent pickup Dennis Smith Jr. has been doing well. The Hornets are 18-8-1 ATS in their last 27 road games.

Miami has failed to cover in nine of its last 10 home games.

The teams meet again in Miami on Saturday. So this could be a feeling out process between two struggling teams. The Heat don't deserve to be this high of a favorite.

Now that some teams have played a game, you can start to develop a feel for teams. Maryland opened with a 71-49 home win against Niagara on Monday. Western Carolina also opened its season on Monday covering as 13 1/2-point road 'dogs in a 68-55 loss to Georgia.

Despite their 22-point victory, the Terrapins are not in rhythm yet with a new coach, Kevin Willard, and a roster that is stacked with transfers.

This is what Willard was quoted as saying after Maryland's victory against Niagara: ''It has been a crazy seven months to put together this roster and get these guys playing. We're not close to being good yet. ...''

Western Carolina was encouraged by its showing against Georgia. The Catamounts are excited to be facing another major conference team in Maryland. They want to prove something. The Terrapins won't be taking this early non-conference matchup as serious. Willard's agenda against this overmatched opponent isn't to run up a score, but get a feel for his entire roster and figure out his rotation.

Having Kyrie Irving suspended has aroused the underachieving Nets. Brooklyn is 2-1 SU, 2-0-1 ATS in the three games Irving has missed during his suspension. The Nets' lone defeat during this time frame came on the road to the Mavericks by two points. The Nets made a gallant comeback in that game, falling just short.

It's clear the Nets are playing with more urgency and discipline with Irving not on the court. This is proven in their defensive efforts. After surrendering an average of 120.3 points in their first seven games, the Nets have held their last four foes to an average of 96 points.

The Knicks are 2-4 during their last six games with their losses occurring to the Bucks by 11, Cavaliers by 13, Hawks by 13 and Celtics by 15. Their record would be 2-5 in their last seven games, but they managed to beat the shorthanded Hornets in overtime failing to cover as a 7 1/2-point home favorite. The Knicks' other two wins during this seven-game span were against the 76ers by two points in a game in which Philadelphia didn't have Joel Embiid and versus the Timberwolves, who have a losing record.

The Nets have defeated the Knicks during the past seven meetings.

The makeup of the Nets has changed with Kyrie Irving suspended. Irving has missed the past three games. During this time, the Nets have given up an average of just 92 points a game. They are playing with more discipline and urgency minus Irving.

Of course Irving's absence hurts the Nets' offense. Brooklyn has failed to break the 100-point barrier in three of its last four games. The Knicks have the second-best defensive field goal percentage in the league.

The Knicks just held the Timberwolves to 107 points in their last game. That's six points under Minnesota's scoring average.

This is more than just a division rivalry from these two neighbors. So there should be a lot of defensive intensity.

Admittedly this is anything but a marquee matchup. But I don't think it's too much to ask Marist to defeat American at home in the season-opener for both teams.

Marist is a middle-of-the-road MAAC team. The Red Foxes were 14-16 last season. 

But they are still better than American, which went 10-22 last season and finished last in the Patriot League.

Pro prospect Omari Moore is back for San Jose State. That makes the Spartans respectable.

The combination of Moore and the Spartans' size advantage along with home-court should enable San Jose State to cover this number.

Georgia Southern has regressed under third-year coach Brian Burg. The Eagles have won just 13 games during each of the last two seasons. They were 5-11 in the Sun Belt Conference last season.

San Jose State had a dismal conference record, too, last season. But the Spartans play in the stronger Mountain West Conference. They will be better this season.

Almost always disrespected, the Pistons have been a strong money-maker covering 23 of their last 34 games going back to last season for 68 percent. 

This spot sets up well for Detroit to cover again hosting the Cavaliers.

Cleveland is off a dramatic 114-113 home overtime win against the Celtics from Wednesday. Following this game, the Cavaliers head to the West Coast for four games. So this not only is a flat sport for the Cavaliers but their concentration and focus could be off, too. 

The Pistons are battle-tested having just played two games against the Bucks, the lone unbeaten team in the NBA, nearly winning one of the games. 
The Cavaliers are 3-7 ATS during their past 10 away games. They also have failed to cover in four of their last five games against Detroit. 

How can a team with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook be that bad at 1-5? Answer: The Lakers aren't that bad. Their early shooting has been off. LA ranks 29th in field goal percentage and last in 3-point accuracy. 

Now I'm not saying the Lakers are ready to join the elites, but they finally have some confidence and momentum after beating the Nuggets, 121-110, at home this past Sunday. The Lakers have had ample time to prepare and be ready to host the Pelicans.

Playing the Pelicans always is a big deal for Davis. He played seven seasons for New Orleans. The Pelicans aren't expected to have Brandon Ingram, their second-best player. 

I don't believe the Lakers should be home underdogs here.

The Cavaliers are a team on the rise with five straight victories. One of these wins was a 132-123 road overtime victory against the Celtics in Boston this past Friday.

Boston, though, is in a higher class than Cleveland. The Celtics are in revenge mode and have underrated defender Grant Williams for this rematch. Williams missed Friday's game.

The Celtics are proven road warriors going 21-8-1 (72 percent) in their last 30 road games. The superior team with high motivation should succeed in this spot. That's the Celtics.

Strange to see both of these two teams under .500 through seven games this season. Defense has been the problem with the Warriors. Golden State ranks last in the NBA in defense giving up 122 points a game. The Heat are better ranking 11th allowing 110.6, but that's still below their high defensive standards.

Change is coming and I see it occurring here. The intensity should be up a notch with both riding two-game losing streaks. The Warriors are off an embarrassing, 128-114, road loss to the lowly Pistons from Sunday. Miami also is off a bad loss, 119-113, to the Kings this past Saturday.

Last season the two teams ranked third and fourth, respectively, defensively each surrendering 105 points a game. Each team has their same players. Klay Thompson is off to his usual slow start. So I see things becoming more normal.

The Warriors defeated the Heat, 123-110, at home last Thursday. Golden State shot 50 percent from the floor and 87 percent from the foul line in that game. I trust Miami coach Erik Spoelstra, one of the better defensive coaches, to make adjustments.

The Heat are 26th in scoring at 108 points per game.

Stephen Nover Free Tuesday Play

Phillies plus $1.13 hosting Astros 

 The Phillies have enough going for them in this Game 3 of the World Series to present good value as a home underdog.

Philadelphia lacks Houston's postseason experience, but won't lack confidence after coming from a 5-0 deficit to beat the Astros, 6-5, in Game 1. The Phillies are home now with the series tied 1-1.

The Phillies being in Philadelphia means nearly 50,000 vociferous fans in the stadium and a return to their usual outdoors elements. The Phillies play much better at home being 18 games above .500 there compared to being just one game above .500 in road contests.

Right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. gets the start for Houston. The Phillies have won the last seven times they faced a righty starter.

The Phillies will go with Ranger Suarez instead of Noah Syndergaard, who they were going to start in this Game 3 before it was postponed Monday. Obviously the Phillies feel better starting Suarez, who is 1-0 with a 1.86 ERA in the postseason.

So much for the Jazz playing the lottery game. Utah may be the biggest surprise in the NBA going 5-2. One of those victories came this past Saturday when the Jazz nipped the Grizzlies, 124-123.

Memphis blew a four-point lead with less than two minutes left. The Grizzlies also were minus their superstar guard, Ja Morant, who had a non-COVID-19 illness. He's questionable for today's game. But even if Morant sits out again, I still like the superior Grizzlies in this short revenge spot.

The Grizzlies are a deep team. They can beat many teams without Morant, including the Jazz. Desmond Bane is an emerging star and backup point guard Tyus Jones is underrated.

The Jazz put forth a great effort and deserved to beat Memphis two days ago. Now it's the Grizzlies' turn to go all out.

A 113-93 road loss to the previously winless Magic on Friday certainly looks bad for the Hornets. So it's easy to understand why the defending world champion Warriors are double-digit road favorites against Charlotte.

But beating the NBA is about going against the grain. The Hornets are a feisty, underrated group. Steve Clifford should have a motivated bunch here after Friday's embarrassment. It's just the Hornets' second home game of the season. Charlotte is capable of hanging in. The Hornets own blowout road victories against the Hawks and Spurs. They also nearly upset the Knicks on the road before losing in overtime. All three of those teams are above .500.

The Warriors just played games against the Suns and Heat. They play again Sunday against the Pistons. Steve Kerr is experimenting with his rotation. This game is more festive with Stephen Curry returning to Charlotte than it is intense for Golden State.

Here's an interesting quote from Kerr, ''We always have to have the big picture in mind and pace our guys through the regular season,'' he said.

Look for the Hornets to keep this one in the single-digit range.

Not only are the Bucks the No. 1 defensive team in the NBA, but right now they are the best team in the league with the premier player in Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The 3-0 Bucks, the league's lone unbeaten team, ranks first in scoring defense and defensive shooting percentage. Antetokounmpo entered Thursday leading the NBA in scoring at 36 points per game.

The Knicks are 3-1. However, their victories were against the 1-4 Pistons, the 0-5 Magic and against the shorthanded Hornets in overtime when Charlotte was minus injured LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier and Cody Martin.

Now the Knicks are stepping way up in class and they're on the road. New York has lost its last three games to the Bucks by an average of 14 points. The Bucks are 9-3 ATS in their last dozen meetings versus the Knicks.

The Grizzlies have a strong track record when taking on sub .500 teams covering 19 of the last 26 times in that role for 73 percent.

Sacramento is 0-3 under new coach Mike Brown. The Kings went 0-3 against Memphis last season with their average loss being by 23.7 points. The Grizzlies are riding a six-game win streak against the Kings.

The Grizzlies are several rungs higher than the Kings, but don't generate much respect in the marketplace. They have an emerging star in Desmond Bane to go with Ja Morant, who is No. 2 in the NBA in scoring at 35.3 points.

The Bucks are serious championship contenders with Giannis Antetokounmpo arguably the best player in the league. The Nets are not a good team right now. They rank last in 3-point defense and 28th in defensive scoring and defensive field goal percentage. Ben Simmons has yet to fit in.

Given all this plus the Bucks being rested and ready having last played on Saturday, I am confident laying this shorter-than-expected number with Milwaukee.

Antetokounmpo has a strong history against the Nets with a career average of nearly 25 points per game.

The 1-2 Nets haven't looked good. They lost at home by 22 points to the Pelicans, beat the Raptors by four at home and then lost by 10 to the Grizzlies on the road despite strong performances from Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, who combined to make 28 of 44 shots (64 percent) from the floor. Brooklyn is 1-6 ATS following a loss going back to last season.

Portland is sitting fat and happy at 3-0 after coming from seven points down with under two minutes to play to defeat the Lakers, 106-104, on the road Sunday.

Now the Trail Blazers return to Portland where they'll find the Nuggets waiting for them.

Denver was stunned by the surprising 3-0 Jazz in its opener. Since then, the Nuggets have gotten straight upsetting the Warriors on the road and dispatching the Thunder at home this past Saturday.

Damian Lillard is off to a great start, but the Nuggets have more star power than Portland with Nikola Jokic, a healthy Jamal Murray and emerging Michael Porter.

Denver is the superior team and has matched up well to Portland beating the Trail Blazers in seven of the past nine meetings, including going 3-1 last season. The Nuggets have covered five of the past six in the series.

The Celtics survived a near-miss 3-pointer by Jimmy Butler to beat the Heat in Miami during Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Now it's a new season. The Celtics remain very good. They aren't as worn down either as when they played Miami during the Eastern finals. 

Miami isn't so good, beginning this new season. The Heat lost to the Bulls, 116-108, at home in their season-opener this past Wednesday. Chicago won despite not having its starting backcourt with both Lonzo Ball and Zach LaVine out. 

The Celtics opened with an impressive, 126-117, home win against the 76ers. Led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Boston shot 56.1 percent from the floor against the 76ers while committing only 11 turnovers. Miami isn't at Boston's level right now.

The Celtics finished last season 20-6-1 ATS (77 percent) on the road. They have covered in five of their last six visits to Miami. 

The Pistons often are undervalued. That was the case last season when they finished with the eighth-best ATS mark in the NBA. It's the case again in their game today against the Knicks.

New York finished eight games below .500 last season, missing the playoffs for the eighth time in nine years.

The Knicks have failed to cover in 11 of their last 14 home games, while the Pistons are a sparkling 11-1 ATS during their past dozen road games.

The Knicks shouldn't be laying this many points.

The class difference between these two teams is much wider than this point spread.

The Nuggets are serious championship contenders. They also are healthy, something they rarely were last season.

The Jazz are serious contenders, too, - for the first overall draft pick. Gone is coach Quin Snyder. Also departed are Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert and Bojan Bogdanovic. The Jazz are in full rebuild mode.

Utah didn't look good during preseason. The team has huge holes. The Nuggets want to start fast so they'll be out for a lopsided victory here.

Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet are nice players, but Toronto doesn't have the star power it did when it won the NBA championship in 2019 behind Kawhi Leonard. Still, the Raptors are a solid, well-coached team under Nick Nurse. 

I like them at home against the Cavaliers. 

Cleveland made a huge off-season acquisition getting Donovan Mitchell. The Cavaliers are not the bottom-feeder they once were. They are a borderline playoff team who are a work-in-progress right now. 

The Raptors have covered five of the last six times they've hosted the Cavaliers. 

The market is down on the Celtics because of the season suspension of coach Ime Udoka and injuries to Robert Williams III and Danilo Gallinari.

What's being overlooked is the Celtics still have their All-Star wings in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, a shored-up backcourt with the addition of underrated all-around player Malcolm Brogdon and upper-tier role players Grant Williams, Derrick White, Al Horford and Marcus Smart. 

Joe Mazzulla, Boston's new head coach, has minimal head coaching experience but will be helped and guided by Brad Stevens. 

The Celtics finished 28-7 last season. They outscored their opponents by 14.8 points per 100 possessions during their last 32 games. 

The 76ers finished last season 3-12-1 ATS on the road. Short price to lay with the superior team especially at home. 

Two straight Under games have the oddsmaker setting the lowest total of this NBA championship series. The Warriors have played 21 playoff games this season. This is their lowest total. Golden State has reached triple digit scoring in 20 of its 21 postseason games. 

Through four games of this NBA championship series we have learned several things. The Zig Zag has been in full effect with each team alternating wins and losses and the Celtics are the better team when each team plays well.

The key question is will the Celtics play well in this Game 5?

There's strong evidence they will. Boston has gone 8-3 in road playoff games compared to being 6-5 at home. The Celtics also are 13-1 SU and ATS following a loss. They are 7-0 in the postseason after losing their previous game. This includes winning their final road game against the Bucks and Heat during their two previous series.

The Celtics just seem to play smarter and with more urgency in these crucial road spots.

Stephen Curry had a game for the ages in Game 4 scoring 43 points in a 107-97 Golden State win this past Friday. Golden State scored more than 30 percent of its points in that game off turnovers and second chance points.

I don't see the Celtics making so many silly mistakes in Game 5.

Doubtful, too, that Curry can produce another epic performance to match his Game 4 heroics. Curry has been carrying the Warriors. Jayson Tatum and Boston's main backcourt rotation of Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White are all capable of playing much better than they did in Game 4 when the four combined to shoot just 28-of-72 (39 percent) from the field.

Golden State knows how to win, adjust strategy and stay aggressive when it has to. The Warriors have proven that during the past seven years in the postseason. The Celtics aren't at that stage in the biggest games. I trust the Warriors' experience, their superstars and role players. I don't have as much faith in the Celtics' two superstars, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, along with the rest of their team.

The Celtics also have a major weakness. They commit too many turnovers. The Warriors have excellent defenders to take advantage if and when the Celtics get careless, reckless and sloppy with the basketball. Getting back ace defender Gary Payton II is a big plus for Golden State. The Warriors scored 33 points directly off Boston's 18 turnovers in Game 2.

The Warriors are due to get better performances from Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole. They are a combined 18-of-54 shooting from the floor for 33 percent.

If the Celtics aren't hitting their 3-pointers they are in trouble. The Warriors are the more versatile team.

Boston is far from invincible at home. The Celtics lost not one but TWO home games each to the Bucks and Heat in the playoffs.

Even now it seems unreal the Warriors lost to the Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Golden State hadn't lost an opening series home game in the playoffs in six years. The Warriors entered the fourth quarter beating Boston, 92-80. Until then, the Warriors had outscored their playoff opponents by an average of 25.4 points per 100 possessions during the final period.

The Warriors took their foot off the gas and the Celtics got hot in epic fashion. The result was an improbable, 120-108, Boston victory. Neither is likely to occur in this Game 2.

The Celtics shot 51 percent from the floor in Game 1. They also shot 51 percent from 3-point range making 21 of 41 shots from beyond the arc. Al Horford, Derrick White and Marcus Smart combined to make 15 3-point shots. Yes, Jayson Tatum is due to shoot better than he did in Game 1. But Horford, White and Smart are not going to keep up their way over the top offensive production.

Golden State shot 44 percent from the field in the opening game and 42 percent from 3-point range making 19 of 45 shots from past the arc. The Warriors - the home team - even shot one fewer free throw than the Celtics.

The Warriors are sure to make adjustments. Steve Kerr isn't above trying to go box-and-one and triangle-and-two to keep the Celtics off balance. He has the versatile defenders to do this with Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins and Andre Iguodala. There's a good chance, too, the Warriors get back from injury, ace defender Gary Payton II.

After Games 4 and 5 of this Eastern Conference Finals both went Under by a combined 52 1/2 points, the Heat and Celtics went Over the total in Game 6 this past Friday with the Heat winning, 111-103. 

Jimmy Butler had a game for the ages scoring 47 points and the teams combined to make 52 of 56 free throws for 93 percent.

Neither is likely to occur in this winner-take-all Game 7. 

Boston is the No. 1 defensive team in the NBA. Butler is banged up. He willed himself to hit 16 of 29 shots from the floor and make all 11 of his free throws. Butler was averaging a meager nine points during the previous three games. 

The Heat haven't had Tyler Herro, their No. 2 scorer, during the past three games. He's been out with a groin injury. Even if Herro plays, he figures to be rusty. Miami's backcourt scoring and shooting has been well below average during the series. 

The Celtics held the Bucks to 81 points in their Game 7 victory during their previous series. That Game 7 went Under by 15 points. 

Miami has the fourth-best defense in the NBA and ranked No. 2 in defensive 3-point percentage. The Celtics lack consistent scorers outside of Jayson Tatum. 
This is a Game 7 so the defensive intensity will be on full blast. 

No team in NBA history has come back from a 3-0 playoff deficit. Don't expect the Mavericks to become the first. 

Dallas staved off elimination by holding off the Warriors, 119-109, at home two days ago. The Mavericks accomplished this by sinking 20 3-point shots on their way to making 46.5 percent of their 3-pointers. 

I can't see Dallas coming close to repeating that hot long-range shooting, which is its key to upsetting Golden State. 

The Mavericks were a below average 3-point shooting team finishing 19th during the regular season. The Warriors rank No. 3 in 3-point defense holding foes to 34.8 percent from beyond the arc. That percentage shrinks to 32.8 percent when the Warriors are playing at home. 

The Warriors are 8-0 at home in the playoffs. They haven't lost two in a row during the postseason in facing the Nuggets, Grizzlies and Mavericks. 

Dallas has failed to cover in five of its last six road games. Luka Doncic doesn't have enough reliable support for the Mavericks to stay close in this one.

The veteran Warriors know how to finish off opponents. Steve Kerr will be focused, something it was tough for him to do after the tragic school shooting in Texas on Tuesday. Doncic is outnumbered by Golden State's many stars and role players. 

This Eastern Conference Final is tied 2-2, but it's my clear belief the Celtics are the superior team. That's especially the case with the Heat dealing with so many injuries.

Boston has outscored Miami by 28 points in the series. The Celtics have outrebounded the Heat the past two games by an average of 15 1/2 boards. The Celtics are the top defensive team in the league. The Heat are not effective when they are being outrebounded and not hitting from beyond the arc. I don't see that pattern changing here. 

Being on the road shouldn't make a difference for the Celtics. Boston is 19-6-1 (76 percent) ATS in its last 26 away contests, including 5-1-1 ATS during the playoffs. 
Then there are the Miami injuries. Jimmy Butler is dealing with a sore knee. Tyler Herro has a sore quad. It's bothered his long-range shooting as he's made only one of 14 3-point shots during the series. Kyle Lowery is back playing, but he isn't right. He scored three points in the last game while having a negative 27 during his court time. 

I don't see Boston losing a second straight game at home to Miami following its 109-103 loss to the Heat this past Saturday. A Celtics loss would not fit what has been established as a strong pattern. 

The Celtics are 5-0 SU and ATS following a loss with a winning margin of 19.6 points in those games. All of those victories have been by eight or more points. Jayson Tatum had a poor game against Miami on Saturday missing 11 of 14 shots from the floor and committing six turnovers. Tatum has a strong history of coming back strong, too, following an off-game. 

Miami lost a road game following a victory in both of its playoff series against the Hawks and 76ers. The Heat have not strung together two consecutive road victories in the postseason. Miami has lost by seven or more points in 10 of its last 11 defeats. 

Both teams are banged up. Obviously it's a huge bonus for the Celtics if Robert Williams can play and if Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowery P.J. Tucker and Tyler Herro can't go for Miami. But I'm anticipating the Heat will have all of their injured players on the court. It doesn't change my mind that Boston is the right side here. 

The Mavericks have proven resilient all season both on the court and on the sidelines where Jason Kidd has made necessary adjustments. 

So I see the Mavericks bouncing back in this Game 2 after being embarrassed, 112-87, by the Warriors in Game 1 this past Wednesday.

The Mavericks still might not have come down from their great upset Game 7 road win against the Suns this past Sunday. They will now after their deflating opening game blowout loss.

Dallas missed 20 of 28 uncontested 3-point shots. Luka Doncic was held in check, scoring a postseason-low 20 points on only 6-of-18 shooting from the floor. 
The Mavericks were the No. 2 defensive team in the NBA. They bounced back from opening game losses to the Jazz and Sun to win those respective series. Kidd has made crucial right adjustments and tweaks all season. My respect for Kidd's coaching has gone way up this season. 

Even with that Game 1 blowout loss, the Mavericks still have covered 11 of the last 15 times against the Warriors. They are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games in Golden State.

There's no secrets or surprises at this late Game 7 stage. The Suns are the better team. The key question, though, is are they good enough to cover this mid-range number?

The answer is yes because their home court makes a huge difference.

The Suns are 3-0 SU and ATS at Footprint Center against the Mavericks in this series winning by an average of 19 points. Dallas has failed to cover in 10 of its past 13 visits to Phoenix.

Home teams in Game 7 NBA playoff history have won 79.1 percent of the time. This is a 134-game sampling.

The Suns have a scoring and rebounding edge in the paint. They also own an edge in free throw percentage. Luka Doncic is the best player on the court, but the Suns have the next three best players in Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum are true superstars. But this Game 7 is going to be about defense, incredible intensity and a slow, deliberate pace. 

Those ingredients spell Under. 

The Celtics were the No. 1 defensive team during the regular season. They've held the Bucks under their season average in five of the six games during the series. Milwaukee really misses its second-best offensive player, injured Kris Middleton. 

The Bucks are no slouches on the defensive end either. 

There have been fewer than 205 combined points scored in four of the six games in the series. So it doesn't figure that all of a sudden there is going to be a major scoring outburst in Game 7. 

The Suns' defense showed up in Game 5 - a 110-80 home victory against the Mavericks this past Tuesday. I don't see Phoenix's defense going away in this Game 6 with the series shifting back to Dallas.

The spread is short because the Mavericks defeated the Suns in Games 3 and 4 in Dallas. But the Suns' defense is back to their elite level and Devin Booker is hot, averaging nearly 27 points in the series while making 16 of 32 shots from beyond the arc.

Luka Doncic is the only Dallas player who can be relied upon. Doncic, though, is not getting enough help. The Suns are holding a huge front-court edge and have the stronger bench.

Phoenix is the superior team. It's not asking too much of the Suns to just win this game - after a 30-point crushing victory in the game - before so they can move on to the Western Conference finals.

The last time the Bucks received this many points was against the Celtics on the road in Game 1 of this series. Milwaukee won that game, 101-89. 

There's a certain yin/yang to this series with the teams alternating victories during the first four games. 

The Bucks are 7-2 ATS in their last nine road games. I see Milwaukee keeping this one closer than the point spread indicates. 

Jayson Tatum is a great player. But Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player on the court. 

The Bucks lost Game 4 by eight points because they shot horrible, especially Jrue Holiday, who was 5-of-22 from the floor. The Bucks also were an uncharacteristic 4-of-21 from inside the paint. The Celtics made 50 percent of their field goal attempts in Game 4. The Buck shot only 41 percent from the field. 

I don't see Holiday and Milwaukee's big men shooting nearly as poorly as they did in Game 4. 

Zig and Zag. Ebb and flow. Whatever you want to call it, the pattern often fits during NBA playoff series. I don't see this series being any different.

The Heat took advantage of home-court and Joel Embiid being out to win the first two games of the series. The 76ers returned home, got Embiid back and won the next two games to tie the series at 2-2.

Now it's Miami's turn to hold serve returning home. I have confidence in Heat coach Erik Spoelstra making the right adjustments and for Miami to turn things around at home in this Game 5.

The 76ers are 7-15 ATS following a victory. They have covered only two of their last 10 away games and are 1-6-1 ATS during their past eight games in Miami.

The Heat have covered seven of the last eight times they've been home.

Even if it's just one point, I'm going to back an underdog that is superior. That's the case with the Celtics in Game 4 of their series with the Bucks.

Boston buried Milwaukee by 23 points in Game 2 and should have won Game 3 this past Saturday on the road. The Bucks got a break on a bad call by the official late in the game to hold off the Celtics, 103-101.

The Celtics only lost by two points - and could have easily won - despite Jayson Tatum missing 15 of 19 shots from the floor, while Giannis Antetokounmpo and a number of his teammates had huge games for Milwaukee. Boston is capable of playing much better. The Bucks aren't without Khris Middleton, who is out with an MCL sprain.

The Celtics are 16-5-1 ATS in their last 22 road games while the Bucks are 1-7-1 ATS in their past nine home games when taking on a foe with a winning road mark. Note, too, that since the calendar turned 2022 the Celtics are 8-1 SU and 7-2 ATS off a loss.

So the track record is there for the Celtics to bounce back with a victory.

The combination of Joel Embiid back in the lineup and the 76ers being at home makes a huge difference. That was evident in Game 3 this past Friday night when the 76ers buried the Heat, 99-79.

I don't see the 76ers going from 20-point winners just two days ago to losing to Miami in this next game.

Embiid's return after missing the first two games of the series lifted the 76ers. Philadelphia now has the needed confidence and spark to even this series. It's this belief that has me taking the 76ers here.

While I certainly expect the Warriors to shoot better than they did in their last game, I don't believe the Grizzlies are getting enough respect on the betting line.

Since an opening playoff loss to the Timberwolves, the Grizzlies are 5-2 SU and ATS in the postseason with the two losses each coming by one point.

The Warriors have some outstanding players, but no one is playing at a higher level right now than Ja Morant. He could be in line for another huge performance with the Warriors minus a pair of their defensive standouts in injured Gary Payton II and Andre Iguodala.

The Grizzlies will be without suspended Dillon Brooks, but are expected to get back big man Steven Adams. Memphis has a size advantage on Golden State.

Both teams should be fresh having not played since Tuesday. All the pressure is on the Warriors returning home. Golden State has failed to cover the last four times when favored.

The Grizzlies are 13-3 ATS when going against an opponent with a winning percentage above .600. Memphis is 16-6-1 ATS the past 23 times in an underdog role.

The Suns have been shooting out of their minds. The result is Phoenix is 2-0 SU and ATS in this series and the combined final scores have added up 235 and 238 points. 

But now the series shifts to Dallas. The Zig/Zag can work on totals, too. I see that happening here in this Game 3 where the oddsmaker has now set the highest total of the series. 

I don't see the Suns continuing to make 57 percent of their field goals, which is their shooting percentage for the series so far. Dallas is no defensive slouch. The Mavericks ranked second in the league defensively holding foes to 104.7 points. Dallas held the Jazz to only 99 points per game in winning that first-round series. 

The Under has cashed 71 percent of the time during the Mavericks' last 69 home games. 

The Suns are strong defensively, too, ranking third in the league in defensive field goal percentage. Aside from Luka Doncic, none of the Mavericks are having a good scoring series. Besides Doncic, none of the other Dallas players can be trusted to produce strong offensive performances as the Mavericks last Phoenix's star power.  

Credit to the Bucks for upsetting the Celtics in Game, 101-89, this past Sunday. 

Dallas has a tremendous track record in these situations. The Mavericks are the No. 2 defensive team in the NBA. Discounting a 126-118 victory, the Mavericks held the Jazz to 95.2 points in five games while winning their series in six games against Utah. The Jazz averaged only one point fewer per game than the Suns did during the regular season.

So I believe the Mavericks can hang within two possessions of Phoenix.

Both teams have been idle since Thursday. They each are at full strength, too.

This isn't a fade on Phoenix, but a bet-on Dallas.

The Mavericks are 42-16-1 ATS during their last 59 road games against a home team with a winning percentage better than .600. Dallas has covered 10 of its last 14 road games when getting points and also is 21-8 ATS the past 29 times when playing an above .500 opponent.

The Grizzlies tangled with the Timberwolves for six games before eliminating them. Minnesota blew leads of 13 or more points in all but one of those games.

The Warriors have deep playoff experience. They aren't blowing any late leads like Minnesota. The Warriors also know how to win and put away opponents, unlike the Timberwolves.

The Grizzlies are still on Cloud 9 after winning their first playoff series in seven years. The Warriors didn't toy with the Nuggets putting them away in five games.

Stephen Curry is back to his pre-injury superstar form averaging 28 points against the Nuggets. Klay Thompson also is back to pre-injury form averaging 22 points. But it's Jordan Poole and his 21-point playoff average that makes Golden State special.

Both teams are young and talented. The Timberwolves are down 3-2 in the series, but certainly have not been outclassed. Minnesota actually should be leading the series instead of Memphis having blown leads of 13 points or more in four of the five games.

This includes a last second two-point road loss to the Grizzlies this past Tuesday in Game 5.

The Timberwolves are 15-7-1 ATS in their last 23 games following a defeat. They've learned enough lessons and have enough confidence to bounce back at home and defeat the Grizzlies to set up a Game 7.

Karl-Anthony Towns is the best big man on the floor. The Grizzlies will be down one fewer defender against Towns with Steven Adams ruled out because of safety/health protocols.

Slowly but surely the Raptors' coaching edge of Nick Nurse against Doc Rivers is exerting itself negating the 76ers' superior talent.

This is a toss-up game. I believe the safest play is Under the total. 

The Raptors won Game 5, 103-88. Toronto has successfully slowed down both James Harden and Tyrese Maxey. Meanwhile, Joel Embiid is dealing with torn ligaments in his right thumb. 

Toronto has frustrated the 76ers by slowing pace. That's not going to change here. The 76ers know they have to gut out a victory. So their intensity and defensive concentration is going to be way up, too. 

The Nuggets gained a measure of respect by beating the Warriors, 126-121, at home this past Sunday. That kept the Warriors from sweeping Denver. 

Maybe this total seems right since there were 237 points scored in the last game when the Timberwolves edged the Grizzlies, 119-118, this past Saturday. 

But two statistical anomalies stand out from that game. The two teams combined to shoot nearly 49 percent from 3-point range making 33 of 68 from beyond the arc while also combining to make 50 of 65 (77 percent) free throw attempts.  

The series is tied 2-2. This is pivotal Game 5. I'm not expecting either team to be so hot from 3-point range, nor to get to the free throw nearly as often as they did in Game 4. 

This is playoff basketball. There is going to be defensive intensity even from these two teams. The pace isn't going to be as fast it was during the regular season. There were only 199 points scored in Game 3. 

Ja Morant has been struggling because of lingering soreness from that knee injury that kept him out for 12 games toward the end of the regular season. 

Considering that Joel Embiid may not play, or will be limited if he does, this is getting a lot of points in a do-or-die spot for the Raptors.

Toronto isn't ready to roll over after staving off playoff elimination by defeating the 76ers, 110-102, in Game 4 this past Saturday. If the Raptors wouldn't have lost in overtime in Game 3 this series would be tied 2-2 instead of the 76ers leading 3-1. The Raptors never trailed in Game 3 until overtime. 

Embiid is dealing with a torn ligament in his right thumb. 

The Raptors have covered 69 percent of the time during the past 39 times they've played an above .500 opponent. The 76ers were a better road team than home team during the regular season. 

Once again a team played great in the first game after losing a star player. That pattern fit the Suns in Game 3 of their series against the Pelicans when they won, 114-111, on the road minus superstar Devin Booker this past Friday. 

That gave the Suns a 2-1 series lead. Booker remains out with a hamstring injury. The Pelicans won't be feeling sorry for the Suns. This is the season for New Orleans. 
The Pelicans have the two best scorers on the court with Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum now that Booker is out. The Suns beat the Pelicans in the paint during Game 3 outscoring them, 64-40. 

New Orleans center Jonas Valanciunas had an off-game and underrated forward Jaxson Hayes was ejected in the second quarter. Larry Nance Jr. also didn't play well. I expect those three to at least hold their own in this pivotal Game 4. A loss here at home by the Pelicans puts them down 3-1 in the series with the next game in Phoenix. 

I believe the Pelicans will make this a tough series on the Suns - and that requires a victory here. Phoenix has failed to cover six of the last eight times it has been favored. The Suns were far less effective during the regular season when they were missing Booker. This time it catches up to them. 

After losing by a combined 36 points in the first two games of this series, the Nuggets came out hard at home in Game 3. Denver stepped up and Golden State regressed. Yet the Warriors still won, 118-113.

The Nuggets remain without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter, their second and third-best players. The Warriors are peaking.

I rode the Warriors in Game 3 and I'm sticking with them to close out the series here. The Nuggets comprehend that no team in NBA playoff history has come back from a 3-0 deficit and they certainly aren't going to be the first.

Stephen Curry, Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson have been unstoppable. They're averaging a combined 76 points a game in the series. Draymond Green is an elite defender and he's been a bother to Nikola Jokic, who doesn't have enough help around him with Murray and Porter unable to play.

The Grizzlies have rallied to go up 2-1 in this series. But I don't see a significant talent gap between these two teams. The Timberwolves, in fact, have three of the four best players on the court in Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards and D'Angelo Russell.

The strength of Memphis is its depth. But that's not such a factor here early in the postseason.

This series has a certain Zig-Zag feel to it. The Timberwolves should be the more fired-up team after letting a 26-point lead slip away in Game 3 and trying to protect home-court. That was Minnesota's playoff inexperience showing in blowing that lead. The Timberwolves should learn from that to maintain their intensity.

Towns had a monster Game 1. He's been quiet the past two games. He's the best big man on the court by far and is due for another huge performance.

This line would be quite different if the Raptors didn't blow a 17-point lead and lose, 104-101, in overtime to the 76ers at home this past Wednesday. That put Toronto down 3-0 in the series.

So obviously the Raptors are in must-win mode being on the verge of elimination. The 76ers never led in regulation during Game 3. It was a tough beat for those taking plus two like myself because the 76ers won by three when Joel Embiid made a 3-pointer with less than a second left.

I have confidence in Nick Nurse, though. I trust his Raptors will come out and play hard while the 76ers have to be feeling very fat after stealing Game 3.

There's a good chance the Raptors get star rookie Scottie Barnes back for this matchup. He's missed the last two games with an ankle injury.

Embiid, meanwhile, is dealing with a sore right thumb. He's expected to play, but he was wearing a brace on his right hand and thumb during Friday's practice. He might have a torn ligament in his thumb.

There's two ways of looking at Devin Booker's hamstring injury, an injury that will keep out of this game.

The Suns lose their top scorer and emerging superstar, who was at the top of his game.

But with that injury, the pressure now falls completely on the Pelicans to win this home game. I don't believe the Pelicans are ready for that against this elite foe that had the best record in the NBA. The Pelicans have failed to cover six of the last eight times they've played an above .500 opponent.

The Suns have excellent backcourt depth to fill-in for Booker. Phoenix's intensity is sure to be sky-high after being upset in Game 2 and losing Booker. I don't see the youthful Pelicans matching that especially with their lack of big-game, playoff basketball experience.

Chris Paul is going to control the tempo. The Suns will tighten ranks in this first game without Booker to pull out the victory.

The Bucks lost more than a game when they were upset at home by the Bulls, 114-110, this past Wednesday. Khris Middleton suffered a sprained knee injury and is out.

But the Bucks know how to survive and win without key players. They did it last season when Giannis Antetokounmpo was hurt. Milwaukee is a deep team with various interchangeable parts. The Bulls got the Bucks' full attention with that victory.

The Bucks will win here. Jrue Holiday is overdue for a better performance in this series and Milwaukee has a much deeper bench than Chicago.

Milwaukee has covered nine of the last 11 times it has been road chalk. The Bucks almost always cover in Chicago, too, going 11-1 ATS in their last 12 road games against the Bulls.

Bad energy, low morale and injuries to their second and third-best players. That's what the out-gunned Nuggets are going through.

The Warriors, on the other hand, are peaking at just the right time with Jordan Poole looking like a superstar alongside fellow superstar Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

The results have been Golden State blowout victories by 16 and 20 points in the first two games of this series.

Yeah, this Game 3 figures to be closer with the Nuggets coming home. But asking the Nuggets to end their six-game playoff losing streak, which began last season, is asking too much.

Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. aren't suddenly going to appear and change the Nuggets' fortunates. Nikola Jokic is great, but he can't do it alone. And now the Warriors figure to have ace defender Andre Iguodala back for this matchup after he missed Game 2.

The Warriors are rolling. I don't expect them to lose here so laying a short money line price makes sense.

Even though they are down 2-0 in their series against the 76ers, I see no panic from the Raptors and their coach, Nick Nurse.

I like Nurse a lot. Enough to feel confident backing the Raptors to beat the 76ers in Game 3 now that they are back in Toronto after losing the first two games in Philadelphia. 

Even though the Raptors are more banged-up than the 76ers, I don't see a talent gap between the two teams. 

Toronto actually outscored the 76ers by nine points during the fourth quarter of Game 2. Nurse is known for making shrewd adjustments and the Raptors should be super intense while the 76ers can't help but subconsciously let up. 

The 76ers failed to cover in their last five regular season road games. They also are 1-5 ATS during their last six visits to Toronto. 

Still fresh from their play-in game victory against the Clippers, the Timberwolves ambushed the rusty Grizzlies in Game 1. Memphis hadn't played in six days before losing, 130-117, this past Saturday to Minnesota.

I don't expect the Grizzlies to go down 0-2 in the series losing both games at home.

The Timberwolves are much improved. But the Grizzlies did win the second-most games in the NBA. They are 17-5 ATS in their last 22 home games even with that first game loss. Minnesota was 2-8 ATS the past 10 times as a road 'dog before surprising Memphis.

The Timberwolves pulled down 11 more rebounds and were more physical than the Grizzlies in Game 1. Memphis isn't going to be intimidated at home. Grizzlies big man Steven Adams is a much better defender than he showed in Game 1.

I see a physical, intense all-out effort from the Grizzlies to even this series while the Timberwolves, in the playoffs for only the second time in the last 18 years, are fat and happy having accomplished getting a split in Memphis.

These teams have gone the opposite way. Atlanta is 26-14 in its last 40 games. The Cavaliers are 9-18 in their last 27 games, including 3-9 SU and ATS in their last dozen games.

I don't expect a sudden reversal of fortunes. The Hawks have covered seven of their last nine. They are 6-0 ATS the past six times as favorites.

Atlanta blew out Charlotte by 29 points in its opening postseason game this past Wednesday. The Cavaliers lost to the Nets by seven points in its opening play-in game.

The Hawks were strong as a playoff road team last season winning and covering 60 percent of their away matchups, including winning and covering their road opener in each of their series against the Knicks, 76ers and Bucks.

Atlanta and Cleveland have played four times this season. The Hawks have won and covered during the past three meetings with their average victory margin being 11.6 points.

We saw with last night's play-in game that the defensive intensity is increased during the postseason when the Clippers and Timberwolves went Under by 18 points.

 I like the way the Clippers are playing. LA has won five in a row beating the Bucks and Suns during this span. 

I'm expecting a loose game devoid of defense with the Kings playing the string out and the Clippers locked into the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

The Clippers are averaging 127.2 points per game during their last five games. Paul George is rounding into shape averaging 22.5 points in four games since returning from an elbow injury.

The Kings ranked 29th defensively giving up 115.8 points a game. They've been even worse during their past 10 games allowing 119.7 points during this span.

The Clippers have surrendered at least 115 points in six of their last eight games.

Both teams are in the postseason. But the Bulls should be playing with intensity as this is a get right game for them in their regular season home finale.

Chicago has dropped three in a row. Those losses, however, occurred to three Eastern Conference powers - the Heat, Bucks and Celtics. Now the Bulls are dropping way down in class.

Chicago has covered in its past five meetings against Charlotte, including both times this season.

Playoff seedings are at stake here. So the Cavaliers are going to be up for this game. That's enough reason for me to stay on the fade-the-Nets-as-chalk bandwagon.  How bad have the Nets been against the spread whey laying points at home? They are 1-20 ATS the last 21 as home favorites!  If taking more than eight points, the Cavaliers would have covered 73 percent of their last 22 games. 

The Nets have been far better on the road this season and they'll be taking the Knicks seriously in this matchup.

The Bucks dominate the Bulls when playing in Chicago covering 10 of the last 11 times. Look for that trend to hold up in this meeting.

Milwaukee is in circle-the-wagons mode having lost two in a row, both at home. The Bucks are at full strength and are at their best laying points on the road covering seven of the past nine times as road chalk. The Bulls are struggling defensively and are only 1-10 ATS the past 11 times when taking on foes with a winning percentage above .600. 

The Bulls have allowed an average of 128.5 points during their last two games. 

Milwaukee has beaten the Bulls in all three games this season, including 126-98 on March 22 during the past meeting. 

Not even against the Rockets can the Nets get away with trying to cover this large of a spread.

Brooklyn just isn't playing well right now. The Nets are 11-22 in their last 33 games. This includes going just 8-7 since superstar Kevin Durant returned from a knee injury.

The Nets are 17-21 at home. They are a dreadful 4-23 ATS as a home favorite. Kyrie Irving can play in home games now, but he's in a shooting slump making just 26.6 percent of his last 105 shots from the floor during the past five games.

The Rockets have been competitive lately going 2-4. Their four losses during this span have come by a combined 18 points for an average loss of six points.

Realistically, the Cavaliers really don't have much to play for as they just about are locked in as one of the play-in tournament teams in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland isn't playing well with six losses in its last eight games. The Cavaliers continue to be missing their two best big men and keys to their defense with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley both out.

So taking this many points with the home 'dog Magic makes sense. Orlando is on a six-game losing skid, but is a more respectable 9-10 ATS in its last 19 games.

The Magic should be counted on to provide an all-out effort after being embarrassed by 30 points by the Knicks this past Sunday. The Magic are coached by Jamahl Mosley, who is a former Cavaliers assistant.

Cleveland has failed to cover the past four times when favored and is 1-6 ATS in its last seven games against Orlando.

Despite all the upsets, the NCAA Tournament championship game comes down to two familiar teams - North Carolina and Kansas.

No surprise the Jayhawks have reached the title game being the No. 1 Midwest seed.

Kansas deserves to be here. The Jayhawks rank in the top 30 in scoring and have the 20th best 3-point defense. They blew out Villanova in their semifinal game Saturday. The Jayhawks can be devastating both in the paint and from the perimeter.

North Carolina isn't as strong defensively and relies on its 3-point shooting. So this isn't a good matchup, nor spot, for the Tar Heels. North Carolina has way overachieved being a No. 8 seed. The Tar Heels reached their pinnacle with an upset semifinal victory against arch-rival Duke.

Each of the Tar Heels' last five defeats have come by nine or more points. So a Kansas blowout would not be a surprise.