NBA Sunday Miami Heat +175 @ New York Knicks @ 1 ET - The Knicks just beat Cleveland. However, the Cavaliers had not even been in the playoffs for 5 years. Now New York faces a real playoff team. The Heat are in the post-season for the 4th straight year. They have been to the NBA Finals once and the Conference Finals twice in the past 3 seasons alone. They just beat a Bucks team that not only had a fantastic regular season, they have a great recent playoff reputation as well with 7 straight playoff appearances and also a recent NBA Championship. The Heat lost guys to injury and it did not matter. The key is that it was NOT just about Jimmy Butler either. Yes he is the star but other guys have stepped up. If these guys can beat the Bucks and score on them like they did, you know the Knicks are going to have to really amp up their offensive game to have a chance in this series. New York averaged 100 ppg in the 5 games of the series with the Cavs. I am not saying the Heat win this series necessarily but I do feel a Game One shock for the Knicks as this is not a playoff-adverse Cavaliers team they are playing now. They are now playing a very confident and dangerous Heat team. No points needed. MIAMI +175

NBA Saturday Phoenix Suns Money Line +130 @ Denver Nuggets @ 8:30 ET - Two very strong teams. It is hard to differentiate much between them. That is part of the reason I like the plus money here. But another reason I like it is because the big story heading into the Suns/Clippers series was a healthy Durant and he certainly has made a difference on this Phoenix team. The big story heading into the Nuggets/Wolves series was a dysfunctional Minnesota team with locker-room issues like Gobert wanting to fight teammates. In all seriousness Denver was not really tested in the first round because of the lack of cohesion of the Minny team they faced. Now the Nuggets get tested in a major way and I feel this game one could be very tough on them. In the regular season (but keep in mind KD very few games in a Suns uniform), Phoenix went 17-24 SU on the road and Denver went 34-7 SU at home. Consider those numbers and now consider that the odds makers opened up this game one line at damn near a pick'em! Do you think the odds makers are fools? Of course they are not and this line has already moved toward the Nuggets because of market perception. In typical contrarian fashion I am on the other side of the move. Not only that, I don't want the points. I am grabbing the extra value on the money line. PHOENIX +130

NBA Friday Memphis Grizzlies +185 @ Los Angeles Lakers @ 10:30 ET - Maybe LeBron is getting old? All kidding aside (and Brooks talking trash after Game 2 is not smart!), the fact is we do have great line value here with the Grizzlies on the money line. I expect this series to go back to Memphis. The Lakers had a chance to finish off a Grizzlies team that could have had some self-doubt after losing both games at LA including a gut-wrenching OT loss in Game 4. That should have finished the Grizzlies off and the Lakers should have gotten the job done in Game 5 but did not. This could come back to bite them. LeBron had a horrible Game 5 and he'll look to dig deep and come up big in Game 6 here. The problem is that the Grizzlies have something again heading into Game 6 which they really did not have heading into Game 5: CONFIDENCE! Memphis has new life and lets not forget they could have easily won 3 of the last 4 games. One could argue they never should have lost Game 4 in OT at LA. So the point is that the Grizzlies have arguably been the better team since the series-opening ugly loss and yet they are catching sizable points here. We will not need them. Look for the Grizzlies to build off the momentum and take advantage of a Lakers team that is just not what it use to be. It was not just Morant, Bane and Jackson that were the story in Game 5. Bench guys like Jones, Aldma and Kennard all had strong +/- ratings in limited minutes while the Lakers bench had 4 guys with ratings of -18 or worse! This series is not over yet. See you in Memphis for Game 7 as Grizzlies get win! 10* MEMPHIS +185 

NBA Friday Sacramento Kings +7.5 @ Golden State Warriors @ 8 ET - Line moving toward Golden State at home, of course. I am grabbing the value on the other side of the move. The Kings still believe and with one win they send this series back to Sacramento for Game 7. There has been one blowout in this series. The other 4 games have been decided by an average margin of 4.8 points. The Kings are 8-2 SU the last 10 times they have entered a game on a losing streak of at least two games. Not only is that impressive, we do not need a SU win to get the cash in this case. We also have 7.5 points to work with. I like our chances! SACRAMENTO +7.5

NBA Thursday 10* Top Play Atlanta Hawks +7 vs Boston Celtics @ 8:30 ET - Some might look and say there is no way the Hawks have a chance here because it was a Trae Young miracle in Game 5. While certainly his feats were ultra-impressive, the fact is that the Hawks played an all-around great game. The rest of the team shot 14 of 28 from distance plus contributed 81 points and played good clean basketball by limiting turnovers. This was on the road AT Boston. So I am not saying the Hawks will win this game outright but I do feel we have excellent line value here with the big points at home and the fact that Atlanta has shown they will not quit in this series. The Hawks home record this season is nearly identical to the Celtics road record this season and expecting Game 6 to go to the wire is really not asking too much here. This game could go either way late the way I see it so having the 7 points on your side is a huge benefit. 10* ATLANTA +7

NBA Wednesday 10* Top Play Sacramento Kings +115 vs Golden State Warriors @ 10 ET - The home team has won all 4 of the games in this series. The Warriors had the biggest home/road dichotomy of any team in the NBA this season. In fact, the home team - including post-season - is now 67-19 in all their game this season. I am riding with the home team again in this one. I know that De'Aaron Fox is hurting for Sacramento but he has said he is playing and is ready to go and his fracture is an avulsion fracture on his finger. The Kings very nearly are up 3 games to 1 in this series but fell just 1 point short in Game 4 at Golden State. I do not expect them to be denied if this one is a tight finish as they get the job done at home. I will grab them as a SU money line dog here as the SU run for the home team in Warriors games this season is 67-19 as noted above. The Kings will be stronger defensively at home even if Fox is not 100% and also, the Warriors tend to not shoot as well on the road. 10* SACRAMENTO +115

NBA Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER 229 in Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks @ 7:30 ET - We should see plenty of points in this one as I just don't think the defensive intensity will be there. Atlanta was not good on that side of the court to begin with and now they know the handwriting is on the wall that their season will end tonight. As for the Celtics, they realize too that they should easily take this game and I expect them to play a very free-flowing game tonight as a result. The are 13.5 point favorites with good reason. The key to the value here is that the total has dropped a little because Dejounte Murray is out for Atlanta. However, the pace and open looks should be perfect for an over here. Note that Boston has averaged 123 points in the last 3 games and the Hawks have averaged 125.5 ppg the last 2 games. 7 of the 8 quarters in the last two games between these teams have had at least 58 points scored. That averages to 232 points per game and again there has been only one quarter that totaled less than 58. So the point is that the pacing has been consistent and, even without Murray, the Hawks have no choice but to run and gun here and play their typical style. The are not going to win a half-court grinder with the Celtics. So points will be aplenty here in a free-flowing game the way I see it. That said, extra value too with this total having dropped a few points from its opener due to Murray's suspension. 10* OVER 229 in Boston

NBA Monday 10* Top Play Memphis Grizzlies Money Line +165 @ Los Angeles Lakers @ 10 ET - Give credit to the Lakers for answering the call in Game 3 after the Game 2 loss at Memphis. Now it is the Grizzlies turn in Game 4. Note that Memphis was down huge early in Game 3 but then played much better the rest of the way. The Grizzlies will carry some momentum from that right into tonight's game and they will certainly not have such a huge early hole to dig out of. Los Angeles is breathing a sigh of relief after the win Saturday and I would not be surprised to see them having losing some of that mental edge here that they had so strongly in Game 3. For sure LeBron had extra motivation after Brooks comments after Game 2. Now that Brooks has been eating crow so to to speak and the Lakers could let up after the easy win Saturday, Monday is going to see the Grizzlies bring a huge effort and that should be enough for the big win. Note that Memphis wrapped up the regular season having gone 5-0 SU when off a SU loss. They also answered the bell in the post-season with a Game 2 win after a Game 1 loss. I look for the Grizzlies to continue this pattern and again respond off a loss. No points needed! I will grab another money line dog here. 10* MEMPHIS +165

NBA Sunday 10* Top Play Minnesota Timberwolves +145 vs Denver Nuggets @ 9:30 ET - The Wolves had one 6-game losing streak this season. That was the only time they had a losing streak more than 3 games. In fact, they were 7-0 the other 7 times they entered a game on a 3-game losing streak. So, for the season, the Timberwolves are 7-1 when entering a game on exactly a 3-game losing streak. That is exactly the situation here and they are at home and they are playing for professional pride and to not get swept out of the post-season. I look for this to all add up to an upset win for the home dog here! The Nuggets have won 4 straight games dating back to winning their regular season finale as well. Note that Denver only won a 5th straight game twice in seven chances when in this situation. Indeed Nuggets just 2-5 when entering a game on a winning streak of exactly 4 games. So the odds favor an upset here when you look at the history of both teams this season and I like the fact that Minnesota did a great job of getting to the free throw line in Game 3 but lost the game due to Denver having insanely good shooting from the field. That was completely the difference in that one. The Wolves, behind professional pride, find a way to get this win tonight and force Denver to be content with likely taking this series at home in Game Five as I just can not see, from what I have seen the last two games, this Wolves team being swept. There is not that big of a disparity between these teams as anyone who has watched Games 2 and 3 knows. 10* MINNESOTA +145

NBA Saturday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers Money Line -120 or Point Spread -1.5 @ Brooklyn Nets @ 1 ET - I waited on this one hoping we might even see the line tick down to a pick'em but it looks like it is holding at no lower than 1.5 as of about 4 hours before tip-off so we will go ahead and pull the trigger on this one now. It is all about the value here. Philly has won the first 3 games of this series but now because Embiid is out they are a very small favorite in Game 4. I feel it will prove to be too small. Philly gets the cover here as the Sixers have had many big games this season even when Embiid was out. Also, Harden was absolutely 100% wrongly ejected in Game 3 for a flagrant foul that perhaps was not even a regular foul! You know that Harden is going to play this game with a burr under his saddle as a result. Philly will come out strong here and look to end this series Saturday afternoon to maximize their rest before the 2nd round begins. They want to finish this now and they still have the talent edge in this match-up even with Embiid out. 10* PHILADELPHIA

NBA Friday Minnesota Timberwolves Money +120 vs Denver Nuggets @ 9:30 ET - Bad beats are part of the business and we caught yet another one in the NBA Wednesday when the Timberwolves +8.5 lost by 9 points after definitely not looking like it was going to go that way late. I look for Minnesota to build off the huge 3rd quarter they had at Denver in Game Two. They ended up then falling short in the 4th quarter of that game but the late surge there on the road plus now coming home will give the T-wolves the edge they need to get over the top here. They generally, through the years in their better seasons, are a very strong home team and they also have won their last two home games by a combined 30 points. The Nuggets, generally struggle on the road through the years, and had a losing road record this season and I look for a Wolves team, determined to get back into this series, to be the stronger and more aggressive team here. The motivation factor is huge for Minny here and they know they can play with these guys after giving a much better effort in Game 2 after getting blown out in Game 1. They will do just that and we do not need any points here. MINNESOTA +120

NBA Thursday Sacramento Kings Money Line +200 @ Golden State Warriors @ 10 ET - The Warriors simply must win at home in Game 3 because they are down 2-0 in this series and are so strong at home...this is the prevailing wisdom on this game. I disagree completely and feel we will not even need points here to get the cash. First off, one of the Warriors home edges usually is getting teams flying in from elsewhere and possibly playing in a back to back, etc. Of course that is not the case here as Sacramento is not far at all from Oakland. Secondly, the Warriors are going to be without Draymond Green who is suspended for this one after the Sabonis stomp to the chest. That said, I like to look at +/- more than just traditional stats when it comes to NBA and the Warriors have played the Kings about equal when Green is on the floor in this series. Without him they are going to have rely more on others and yes they have Steph Curry but another key guy is Klay Thompson and he has a (-) in double digits for each of the first two games. In other words, they have not been good with him out there. So Green's absence may matter more than you would think plus Payton, Poole, and Wiggins are all questionable for this game. Even if they play they will not be 100%. So this is a battered and bruised Warriors team both in the form of injury as well as ego. Their swagger is gone. Sacramento has taken it and they are not going to let it go either. I love the fact the spread was down to a 5 but is now going back up the 6.5 range. People just don't think the Warriors can possibly lose here but this is not the GS teams of old folks. That is also why they are in their first 2-0 series deficit under Kerr. Not only that, the Warriors are without Green and have other banged up guys. The healthy road dog goes in for the kill here. SACRAMENTO Money Line +200

NBA Wednesday Minnesota Timberwolves +8.5 - The Wolves did not just lose Game One at Denver, they got completely embarrassed. An unbelievable 109 to 80 loss for Minny in the first game will also bring an equally unbelievable focus from the losers of Game One. Of course the Nuggets are still the better team overall but this is one of those games where it is all about who wants it more. I am not saying that Minnesota will win this outright, though that would not be a total surprise either, but I am saying they should get at least the cover in this one. Remember when they lost at LA against the Lakers in the play-in round everyone thought the T-wolves were finished. They responded by blasting OKC by 25 points. We will see a response from the Wolves here. MINNESOTA +8.5

NBA Tuesday OVER 229.5 in Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks @ 7 ET - The Celtics had 74 points at halftime of Game One but could take their foot off the gas because the Hawks shot so poorly. I do not expect a repeat of that as the Hawks did manage 80 points over the final 3 quarters of action and this is despite a horrific overall shooting performance. The pace was there for an over Saturday as the Celtics had nearly 90 shots from the field and Atlanta had nearly 100 shots from the field. The problem for the Hawks is they shot 38.8% from the field including just 5 of 29 from three point land. Look for a big bounce back from Atlanta here in terms of their shooting. However, they have shown in all their match-ups with Boston this season, they just can not stop the Celtics from lighting them up on the scoreboard. Again, the Celts were able to take their foot off their gas in game one but I expect the Hawks to keep this one close enough that the hosts will have to score well throughout. The end result should be a game getting well into the 230s Tuesday. OVER 229.5 in Boston

NBA Monday Philadelphia 76ers -10 vs Brooklyn Nets @ 7:30 ET - The 76ers never trailed in Game 1. They led the game by as many as 25 points and won the game by 20 points. The scary thing for Brooklyn is that the Nets shot 56% from the field and 45% from 3-point land and yet still got destroyed. Part of the problem was turnovers for Brooklyn but Philly had 14 steals in the game so it is not like it was all on the Nets. The fact is that Philadelphia was able to create an uncomfortable environment for Brooklyn in that one and I expect more of the same here. Keep in mind, Philly won every single quarter.  The Nets were outscored by at least 3 points in each of the 4 quarters. The Sixers bench also dominated Brooklyn's subs when you compare that aspect of the game as well. Top notch talent, depth, overall team quality...the 76ers have it all in this match-up and they prove that again Monday. I am never too fond of laying big numbers but it is again justified here. PHILADELPHIA -10

NBA Sunday Phoenix Suns -7.5 vs Los Angeles Clippers @ 8 ET - The Suns will have Kevin Durant for this game. The Clippers will not have Paul George. Phoenix also is at home. I also do expect Cameron Payne to play for Phoenix here as he has been dealing with lower back soreness but the time off should have helped him. If he does not go, Landry Shamet should do just fine with the extra minutes he'll get. The Clippers will really miss George. He is a key contributor for them including averaging 23.8 ppg just like Kawhi Leonard. Suns were 28-13 at home this season and Clippers basically a .500 team on the road. I also like the fact that LA was just 20-27 against teams with a winning record this season. They basically padded their record big time against bad teams. It is playoff time now and the Suns come ready at home here and should win this game by double digits. Suns had 28 wins by double digits this season and Clippers had 21 losses by double digit margins. This looks like another one. Big win for the home team in this one as I know the road team took all 4 regular season meetings between these teams but the entire set-up and injury situation is different here with this playoff game. PHOENIX -7.5

NBA Sunday Milwaukee Bucks -9 vs Miami Heat @ 5:30 ET - The Heat had to play 2 games just to get here. The Bucks are rested and ready and at home. I know this is a big number but I expect Milwaukee to show no mercy here. Keep in mind, the Heat struggled on the road this season and the Bucks are so strong at home. Also, they do not want to give Miami any sense of hope in this one. I look for Milwaukee to jump on them and then keep the hammer down. Note that the Bucks were 32-9 at home this season. Overall, on the season, they won 30 games by at least 10 points and I look for one of those types of big wins here in this one. The Heat are off a win versus the Bulls but outscored Chicago by 17 points at the free throw line. Of course they are not going to have that kind of edge here on the road at Milwaukee like they did at home against the Bulls. The home team won all 4 meetings between these teams this season and Miami's backcourt still banged up and I certainly don't expect Strus to score 31 again like he did against Chicago! Healthy and rested this one is home dominance. MILWAUKEE -9

NBA Saturday Atlanta Hawks +9.5 @ Boston Celtics @ 3:30 ET - The Celtics are a fantastic team that also creates match-up problems for the Hawks. However, in this post-season match-up I am going to challenge Boston to win the first game by double digits. If there was one game where Atlanta could do something a little different and surprise then I would say this would be it. The Hawks can shake some things up, give the Celtics some different looks, tweak a few things that would make Boston uncomfortable. I would say the Celtics still respond and prevail and get the SU win here but not the ATS cover. I look for the Hawks to surprise. Atlanta's win by double digits at Miami now looks more impressive after the way the Heat took care of the Bulls last night in the finale of the play-in round. Also, if you look at the entirety of this season, Atlanta was rarely blown out. This is particularly true since Thanksgiving which, of course, we as a very long time ago. There are just not many double digit losses for the Hawks over the past nearly 5 months. Also, in the last meaningful match-up between the teams, so NOT the regular season finale, the Celtics did win by 9 points and the game was AT Atlanta. However, Boston outscored the Hawks by 30 points from 3 point land! Yes the Celtics shot lights out and made 20 threes compared to just 10 for Atlanta. That means not including the 3-ball, Atlanta won the game by 21 points. And in the first meeting, the Celtics won by 25 at Atlanta but outscored the Hawks by 42 points from 3-point land as they made 14 more threes! It is pretty amazing how hot Boston was in both games and certainly Hawks not known for defense but you can see why this has resulted in some extra value baked into this line and I feel Atlanta is absolutely going to D up more in this one as playoff time has arrived. Play ATLANTA +9.5

Saturday NBA Philadelphia 76ers -8.5 vs Brooklyn Nets @ 1 ET - The Nets just don't have the horses to compete with a loaded and healthy Sixers team that could win it all this season. The 76ers will want to establish their superiority early in this series and they won all 4 games against Brooklyn this season including dominating them in the season finale. Keep in mind they beat them by 9 at home earlier this season and that was when the Nets had Durant, Irving, and Simmons all on the floor. Durant now in Phoenix, Irving in Dallas, and Simmons recovering from injury as per usual with him. I know Brooklyn has other guys but this team just can not match up well with Philly and I look for Sixers to roll big at home here. Keep in in mind that 9-point win earlier this season saw the Sixers without Embiid and Harden and yet Philly still won big. Depth, bench play, home court, starting five prowess...all the edges to Sixers in this one. PHILADELPHIA -8.5

NBA Friday Chicago Bulls Money Line +185 @ Miami Heat @ 7 ET - This Bulls team is healthy and hungry and just rallied from a 4th quarter double digit deficit at Toronto to beat the Raptors outright on the road. Nothing the Heat can throw at them will phase them. As a matter of fact, nothing has! The Bulls won all 3 regular season meetings and by at least 8 points apiece and 2 of the 3 were at Miami. I just don't think this Heat team is right. In the present time, things are a bit off in Miami. Jimmy Butler skipped practice yesterday for personal reasons and the Heat also still have a couple guys banged up. Their injury report does not look nearly as clean as Chicago's does. I feel that after losing to the Hawks team at home, this Heat team is very vulnerable right now and this Bulls team is loaded with confidence. I sense an upset here as Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan both have huge games here. I like the fact the Bulls won at Toronto despite their starters making only 4 of 20 three-pointers in that game. The Hawks beat Miami by double digits despite shooting poorly from the 3-point line and poorly from the free throw line. Atlanta dominated the Heat on the boards in that game and I just don't think Miami is hungry enough right now. This Bulls team is. We again don't need the points the way I see it! CHICAGO Money Line +185

NBA Wednesday 10* Top Play Oklahoma City Thunder +192 @ New Orleans Pelicans @ 9:30 ET - As they say, it is a numbers game. Last night we cashed with Hawks money line at solid plus money and, again, for numbers reasons I am going with Oklahoma City on the money line tonight rather than taking the points. The Thunder are 12-8 SU last 20 games. The road team has won each of last 3 meetings between OKC and NO. The Pelicans are 12-12 last 24 games and all 12 of the wins were by at least 7 points. There is a chance having the +5.5 points with Oklahoma City could help us here but you can also see why that is unlikely to be the case. The Thunder are an up and coming team and the Pelicans, with Williamson, are too. But Williamson has been out for a long time. Lets not forget that New Orleans started the season 23-12 but right around the time was the last time Williamson played. The Pelicans are 19-28 since then. They also are only a mediocre 10-10 in the 20 home games since then. I know they have played better overall of late but so too have the Thunder and if you are going to give me nearly 2 to 1 odds in what many could argue is a toss up game I am not going to pass it up. I look for a hungry OKC team to steal the upset win here. 10* OKLAHOMA CITY +192

NBA Tuesday 10* Top Play Atlanta Hawks Money Line +190 @ Miami Heat @ 7:30 ET - Even though Trae Young and Jimmy Butler will not play in this one due to load management - KIDDING guys - is it not great that post-season basketball is finally here and we don't have to worry as much about who is playing and who is not playing? Also, less worry about guys taking games off even though they are playing? The fact is these games truly count and teams are going to bring it. That said, I do feel a key here is that neither Kyle Lowry nor Max Strus are 100% right now for the Heat. I do expect both players to be on the floor tonight but these guys are hurting some and are key pieces in the backcourt rotation for Miami. That said, and though I have a ton of respect for Jimmy Butler and his big-game ability, I expect Trae Young to key the storyline here for a hungry Hawks team and we do not even need the points. While it may seem risky to pass up on the points and take the money line here, I love the value. If you look at Miami's last 32 games they went only 16-16 and we can get a big plus money going against them on the money line. Also, their last dozen games saw them go 7-5 SU but all 7 wins by at least 7 points. Having a +5 going against the Heat would not have been beneficial in any of those games. As for the Hawks, 7 of their last 9 road losses were by at least 6 points. Having the points just unlikely to matter but I am expecting an outright upset as Atlanta got 3 big wins to end the season before an OT loss to the Sixers and then a 5 point loss in season finale to the Celtics and they were without Young in the latter. No shame in either one of those defeats and I feel the road dog is the hungrier and healthier team here and gets the outright upset. 10* ATLANTA +190

NBA Sunday 10* Top Play Utah Jazz +16.5 @ Los Angeles Lakers @ 3:40 ET - So this game is priced this way because the Lakers have some motivation to win. However, 4 of the Lakers top 5 scorers on the injury report. Even if those guys, including LeBron and Davis, play here I have a very important question to ask? What would happen if the Lakers - already guaranteed of being involved in at least the play-in round - have a late double digit lead and keep guys like LeBron and Davis on the floor and one of them gets a season-ending injury? That can't happen, right? Exactly! That is why I love the big points here because the Jazz rested a bunch of guys versus Denver because they are dealing with some injury issues too but Utah rallied for the win. Yes, that game was at home and the Nuggets rested starters in the 4th quarter of that one. However, the point is that Utah just would not quit. They played hard and their coach has whoever is on the floor playing hard for him. This Jazz team is still playing competitive basketball and while that will not mean a SU win here I do feel an ATS cover is in the cards for the big dog here. Lakers have to be careful about injuries here and the Jazz do not as their season is over anyway. They will continue to compete hard here just like they showed against the Nuggets. Also, this is game #82 of the season of course and the Jazz have had only FIVE losses ALL SEASON by more than 16 points! 10* UTAH +16.5

NBA Friday 10* Top Play Atlanta Hawks -9.5 vs Philadelphia 76ers @ 7:40 ET - The Sixers will not play Embiid tonight. Even though he played last night, Embiid was part of an embarrassing home loss for Philly versus the Heat. You can sense that maybe the 76ers do not care so much if they get the #3 or #4 see as the Cavs are nipping at their heels but Philadelphia is playing soft. The Hawks will not play soft here. This game is very important for Atlanta based on playoff implications and the Hawks have been going strong for awhile and that continues here. Atlanta has won 3 straight overall and also 6 of last 7 home games. Also, each of last two Hawks wins have been by 18 points and 4 of last 6 Atlanta wins have been by at least 13 points. Each of last two losses (and 3 of last 4) for Philadelphia have been by 13 points. So I know this line is big but don't let it scare you away. The Sixers last 5 losses by an average margin of 15 points. 10* ATLANTA -9.5

NBA Thursday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -4 vs Miami Heat @ 7:30 ET - The 76ers are virtually (but not yet) locked into the #3 seed for the playoffs. With a win here they can lock it up and this is Philly's final home game of the regular season. So I know they are off the big win versus the Celtics and they wanted that game badly, but they have an upcoming two game road trip on deck. That ends their regular season and is against a couple of playoff teams that could also be motivated to win. That said, I think Philly wants to lock things up tonight and then get some rest. They dominated Miami the last time they faced them and can do so again here. The Heat are 5-11 last 16 road games and 2 of those wins were recent ones against the lowly Pistons. Also, another of the wins was against another non-playoff team. That said, Miami certainly has not shown a knack for winning on the road and I look for the Sixers to lock up the #3 seed with a solid win tonight. The last 5 losses for the Heat all by 9 or more points and the average margin of defeat was 14.4 points. More of the same on tap here. 10* PHILADELPHIA -4

NBA Wednesday 10* Top Play Atlanta Hawks -10.5 vs Washington Wizards @ 7:40 ET - The Wizards are done and eliminated from the playoff contention and not even playing half their guys including their stars. I am not fond of laying big points but I sense a complete blowout here from a Hawks side that needs to keep winning and will surely show no mercy here at home against a divisional foe. Washington has lost 13 of 17 games. They got hammered again last night while the Hawks got a big win at Chicago last night. Atlanta has had some recent tight home wins over playoff-level teams (each by 2 points) but this was preceded by 5 of last 7 home wins coming by at least 13 points and I am expecting another big blowout home win here. Keep in mind they did not have Trae Young or De'Andre Hunter last night in the win at Chicago. Either or both could return here. Even if they do not, I like our chances with the Hawks as they will still have a lot more firepower on the floor then a Wizards team that has quit on the season. 10* ATLANTA -10.5

NBA Tuesday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -2 vs Boston Celtics @ 8 ET - This is a crucial game for the 76ers as the Celtics always seem to have their number. The Sixers really need to get a win over Boston before the post-season and this is their last chance after losing each of the first 3 meetings of the regular season. Look for Philly to take advantage of Robert Williams being out for this game and Jaylen Brown not quite at 100% (and might not even play as a result). The Sixers are the healthier team and get the big win here. 10* PHILADELPHIA -2

NBA Sunday Atlanta Hawks -3 vs Dallas Mavericks @ 6:10 ET -  The Hawks are at home off a loss and that is a situation that has seen them go 7-2 the last 9. Atlanta just lost by double digits at Brooklyn and the Hawks should be aggressive and focused in this one as a result. I like Atlanta to bounce back here at home as they host a Mavericks team that is really out of sorts right now. Dallas has now lost 6 of last 7 games and 15 of last 21 as they plummet in the standings. Making matters worse for the Mavs here is the fact that this is a B2B spot. Taking a look at the other side of this equation, the Hawks are still in a key must-win situation as they need to improve their position in the standings and make sure they get into the post-season and they will surely go strong here at home. Note that Dallas has been solid at home but actually is 10 games below .500 on the road with an ugly 15-25 record. I have no hesitation here with investing in the Hawks off an ugly road loss to bounce back big at home. ATLANTA -3

NBA Friday Philadelphia 76ers -5.5 vs Toronto Raptors @ 7:10 ET - Raptors are motivated to win and that is keeping this line low. The key is that the Sixers have not locked in their playoff position just yet either so they will continue to be motivated for seeding purposes. Then you must factor that Philly is at home. Note that the Raptors have been awful on the road. Not only 12-24 on the season away from home, Toronto has lost 6 of last 7 away from home! The only win came in overtime and the 6 losses featured 5 by at least a 7 point margin. The average margin of the 6 defeats was 11 points and that sounds about right here. The 76ers are getting healthier again and are at home here and they have won 26 of last 33 home games. Their last 9 home wins have come by an average margin of 10 points and this should be another solid home win here as they take advantage of the Raptors road struggles. PHILADELPHIA -5.5

NBA Wednesday Philadelphia 76ers -4 vs Dallas Mavericks @ 7:40 ET - The 76ers have lost 3 straight games for just the 3rd time this season. They have NEVER lost 4 straight games this season. Also, Harden has been out for a few games but I would not be surprised to see him back tonight. Additionally, Embiid missed the game against Denver Monday but now with extra rest and the fact he is in the MVP race, I feel certain he will be back for this game. Either way, I do like the Sixers here at home as Dallas has been struggling quite a bit of late. The Mavericks are off win but this followed a 5-13 stretch for Dallas as the losses keep piling up including 7 of 9 games being defeats prior to the win at Indiana. The Mavericks beat the 76ers the last time these teams met in Dallas and that was in early March so the Sixers surely have not forgotten this and will be out for revenge here. Irving and Doncic each had 40+ points in that game and the Mavs still barely won the game. Of course that says a lot and I like the odds that Philly again responds and avoids what would be a 4th straight loss for the first time this season. PHILADELPHIA -4

NBA Tuesday Atlanta Hawks +1.5 vs Cleveland Cavaliers @ 7:40 ET - The Hawks are at home off a loss and that is a situation that has seen them go 6-2 the last 8. I like Atlanta to bounce back here at home as the host team has won both meetings between these teams this season and both wins were by double digit margins. The Cavaliers have won 6 of 8 games but the 6 wins included 4 against teams that are currently not in a playoff or play-in position while the other 2 wins came against a struggling Nets team that is a shell of its former self. The Hawks are still in a key position and need to improve their position in the standings and will go strong here at home. Note that Cleveland has been great at home but actually is a below .500 team on the road and I love the Hawks here off a loss to bounce back. ATLANTA +1.5

NBA Monday Minnesota Timberwolves +5 @ Sacramento Kings @ 10:10 ET - The Timberwolves in a back to back spot but they have a critical position in the standings and have won 3 straight games and have Karl-Anthony Towns back and I just do not see them slowing down here. Their roll should continue. Also, De'Aaron Fox is still dealing with a hamstring injury for the Kings too. The Sacramento point guard is a key player and may not be 100% here if he is even able to go. The Kings are off B2B wins but this was preceded by B2B losses and this team has allowed 124 ppg last 5 games. No matter who is on the floor here, I like the defensive intensity and overall defensive intensity the Wolves brought to the game at Golden State last night and feel there were will be some carryover here to this game. Also, great value with having the points here. If you look at Sacramento's last 4 losses, 3 of them were very tight. One by just 2 points, one in OT and one in double-overtime. Yes, the Kings are motivated to win here too as they are still looking to lock up a playoff spot officially but T-wolves already took 2 of the 3 meetings this season and the only Sacramento win was in overtime. Grab the points. MINNESOTA +5

NBA Sunday Top Play Memphis Grizzlies Money Line -130 @ Atlanta Hawks @ 6:10 ET - I am seeing line of -2 but many with juice at -115. That said, with this money line as low as the -125/-130 range in some books I am recommending laying just a little more juice to make a Grizzlies SU by any margin also an ATS win. Atlanta got a big win versus Indiana yesterday but they shot lights out in that game and I do not expect that to be repeated here. Also, the Hawks are 1-5 SU the last 6 times when they enter a game off a win. Keep in mind, Atlanta could again be without De'Andre Hunter. Conversely, Ja Morant is back for the Grizzlies and Memphis has seemed to rally around the entire off-court situation that Morant has been dealing with. The Grizzlies have won 5 straight and 8 of 9 games! They already blasted the Hawks in Memphis earlier this season and they get another big road win here as the Hawks inconsistencies continue. MEMPHIS -130

NBA Saturday Indiana Pacers +9.5 @ Atlanta Hawks @ 5:10 ET - The Pacers lost by 25 at Boston last night but actually won the game by 17 points inside the arc. Why do I say that? Because the Celtics outscored Indiana by 42 points from three point land! Boston made 18 threes while the Pacers were an uncharacteristic 4 of 26 from three point land. That is unlikely to be repeated here plus Indiana got Haliburton back last night and might have Duarte back this evening. Either way, I like the Pacers here catching big points after last night's unusual results. Prior to last night's blowout loss due to disparate 3-point shooting results, Indiana had won 8 of 14 and 3 of the 6 losses were by 6 or less points. As you can see, a lot of value here with Pacers catching big points. The Hawks have only 2 wins by more than 8 points in last 13 games! Great value with the big points here! INDIANA +9.5

NBA Friday 10* Top Play Chicago Bulls Money Line -140 @ Portland Trail Blazers @ 10:10 ET - Great set up here in my opinion and, it looks like, the odds makers opinion too. Think about it. Why is the road team favored here? Exactly! Someone knows something and I do love the situational factors here. The Bulls are off a loss but this followed 3 straight wins including wins in 5 of 6. Some impressive wins too but then Chicago got hammered at home by the 76ers! I am sure they will make up for that here and the set up is perfect here because Trail Blazers off a big road win but have won B2B games only one time since early February. Odds are their struggles resume immediately. Portland, prior to the win, had lost 6 straight and 14 of 19 games. Bulls already took the game in Chicago this season and they take the reverse match-up here as well. 10* CHICAGO -140

NBA Wednesday Phoenix Suns Money Line -110/-120 @ Los Angeles Lakers @ 10:10 ET - We get some line value here because of Deandre Ayton being out again for the Suns and of course Kevin Durant remains out. Regarding Ayton being out for this game, note that Bismack Biyombo has played well in his absence. Also, big man Jock Landale has 25 points in just 42 minutes in the last 3 games and the 7-footer can also help out in this game with Ayton being out. Of course the Lakers remain without Lebron James and this is just not a very good Los Angeles team. Though they still have Anthony Davis he is dealing with a right foot stress injury and is not 100%. Phoenix has won the first two meetings this season by an average margin of 18 points. The Lakers are trying to keep their playoff hopes alive but Suns in crucial fight for playoff positioning so they have plenty of motivation too. Los Angeles off a win but this followed losses in 3 of 4 games. The Suns off a road loss and it was their 2nd straight defeat away from home but this followed an 8-2 SU run in road games! The Suns had faced a tough schedule of late but now this match-up is much more favorable for them and they will take advantage. Rather than laying a point or 1.5 here I am grabbing the money line which is available as low as -110 on this one. PHOENIX -110/-120

NBA Tuesday Los Angeles Clippers -6.5 vs Oklahoma City Thunder @ 10:40 ET - Both teams off a win that followed a loss but the real key here the way I see it is that this is a double revenge spot for the Clippers. LA lost both games against the Thunder this season but both of those meetings were in Oklahoma City. Now they finally get a chance at home facing OKC. The Thunder are 13-21 in road games this season and are just 2-4 SU last 6 road games and one of those wins was against a horrible Spurs team. That said, you can see the value we have with the home team here. Also, the last 6 losses for the Thunder have come by an average margin of 13 points per defeat. The Clippers have won 5 of 6 and the average margin of victory has been about 10 points. Look for this double-revenge spot to result in a home win by a double digit margin. LA CLIPPERS -6.5

NBA Monday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -7.5 vs Chicago Bulls @ 7:10 ET - The 76ers have won 8 straight games. They also have revenge here from a home loss to the Bulls in early January. Not only did Philly lose that game, Chicago got the better of them by a double digit margin. This will be a payback game! The Sixers are on a 36-10 run and Embiid missed that 14 point loss to the Bulls. Looking at Philly's last 46 games they had only one loss by a bigger margin than that one. In other words, the 76ers have not forgotten and you know Embiid will be ready to lead the way here for the Sixers to get some payback. Chicago has been playing well of late but let's not forget they are just 13-21 SU in road games this season. Also, the Bulls average margin of defeat last 14 games is 9 and I am looking for a double digit loss here as Philly wants to return the favor for what Chicago did to them the last time they met here. These teams meet again in Chicago on Wednesday so the Bulls have the full focus and attention of the Sixers here and the result should be a home blowout by a double digit margin. 10* PHILADELPHIA -7.5

NBA Sunday Milwaukee Bucks -8 vs Toronto Raptors @ 8:10 ET - Bucks are off a loss. Raptors have won 3 straight but all those games were at home for Toronto. The Raptors have not traveled well at all this season. Milwaukee has been fantastic off a loss for months now. That said, this is the ideal spot to the lay the points with a home team poised to win this by at least a dozen points. In their recent loss to the Pacers, the Bucks saw Indiana come back from double digit 3rd quarter deficit. But it was all because the Pacers shot lights out from 3 point land. It was a crazy performance as Indiana simply would not miss from outside. For the game, the Pacers outscored the Bucks by 33 points from 3-point land. As you would guess, that was the difference in the game. But, after one like that, you know Milwaukee is going to be hungry to bounce back here. The Bucks are 7-1 last 8 times when off a loss. 16 of Bucks last 21 wins by at least 8 points. The home team has been the winner in 12 of last 14 Raptors games. Toronto's last 5 losses have featured 4 by at least 8 points. Given the situation and the Raptors road struggles, I sense a bounce back blowout from a well-rested Bucks team as they have had since Thursday night to stew about the loss and get fired up for this game. MILWAUKEE -8

NBA Friday Atlanta Hawks -4 vs Golden State Warriors @ 7:40 ET - The Warriors have been horrible on the road this season. The Hawks are solid at home. Golden State will be without the suspended Draymond Green for this one. Additionally, GS could be without Steph Curry due to a left thumb injury. Even if he plays, Curry just scored 50 points at LA against the Clippers and the Warriors still lost the game by 8 points. That is ridiculous but it shows you just how mediocre this GS team is these days. Atlanta takes advantage. The Hawks are off B2B losses but are 6-0 SU the last 6 times they have entered a game off B2B losses. Also, 4 of the last 5 of those wins in that situation came by a margin of at least 5 points. Considering all the Warriors issues right now, this one should too. ATLANTA -4

NBA Wednesday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers Money Line -140 @ Cleveland Cavaliers @ 7:40 ET - This line is a -2.5 so I am going to recommend laying a little extra juice to have any SU win by the 76ers also be a win for us at the betting window. The Sixers have had a lot of tight wins this season and I do not want to get burned if they win this game by only a point or two. Philly beat Cleveland by 6 recently but had a huge lead in that game and then relaxed at home. They will not make the same mistake here plus Allen and Mitchell were healthy for that game for the Cavaliers but neither are healthy now. That said, I am expecting them to each play tonight but not to be 100 percent. Couple that with the fact this is a B2B spot for the Cavs and with travel involved and you have a great set-up here for a rested Sixers team! Lay it! 10* PHILADELPHIA -140

NBA Tuesday 10* Top Play Denver Nuggets +1.5 @ Toronto Raptors @ 7:40 ET - These teams recently met in Denver and the Nuggets won that game. However, they have since lost 3 straight games. That has some significance here for sure because Denver has never lost 4 straight games this entire season. Also, the Nuggets have been on the road on a losing streak of at least 2 games just 2 times this entire season. Both times they won the next game and I expect that trend to continue here as they remain perfect in this situation and avoid what would be their first 4-game losing streak of the season. I expect Jamal Murray to play here. I am aware of his injury but feel he did not return in the most recent game more due to precautionary reasoning than anything else. Looking to avoid their longest losing streak of the season, Nuggets likely to put Murray back on the floor tonight. Either way, they should topple a Raptors team that also has struggled of late and, long-term has been struggling much more than this solid Nuggets team. Denver had won 4 straight and 12 of 15 before their current 3-game skid. Toronto, on the other hand, is just 12-12 last 24 games and has essentially been only a mediocre team this season. 10* DENVER +1.5

NBA Monday 10* Top Play Minnesota Timberwolves +5.5 @ Atlanta Hawks @ 7:40 ET - Bogdan Bogdanovic is questionable with a back injury and will not be 100 percent if he even does play in this game. I know Rudy Gobert is on the report as questionable for the Wolves but I would be very surprised if he did not play here. Either way, I like Minny in this solid scheduling spot. Timberwolves are coming off an OT loss and are 2-0 this season when off an OT loss and they are rested here. Minnesota is also actually 5-0 last 5 times they are entering a game off a loss by 7 or less points. Atlanta is off a loss so you might be thinking bounce back for them here too. But couple things about that. The Hawks gave up 134 points in that loss. Also, they have had very few standalone losses of late. The fact is when Atlanta is off win and then loses a game it has often been followed by a 2nd straight loss. Indeed, this has happened 5 of the last 6 times and I expect it to happen again here but we will grab the points as added insurance too. 10* MINNESOTA +5.5

NBA Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 236.5 in San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder @ 7:10 ET - Yes I am aware of the Spurs injury situation but this has precipitated a significant line move here on this total and we have solid value with the over. Remember when the Spurs finally played some defense and seemed to be improving things? It lasted all of about two games! Though off a win versus Denver they allowed 120 points in that game and have now allowed 128 ppg last 3 games. As for OKC, they are not defensive stalwarts either. The Thunder are off a 110-96 win at New Orleans but low-scoring results like that have been the exception rather than the rule of late for this team. Prior to that win over the Pelicans, the Thunder allowed 122 points per game last 8 games. You can see why I am expecting this match-up to get well into the 240s and yet this total has dropped in the mid-230s. I'll take advantage of the added line value. 10* OVER 236.5 in San Antonio

NBA Saturday 10* Top Play Boston Celtics -4.5 @ Atlanta Hawks @ 7:40 ET - So the Celtics are off a big home win Wednesday that ended a 3-games losing streak and now need to start another winning streak and they have had two days off prior to this game and start a 7-game road trip. They are fully focused, given the situation, on a very successful road trip and that should begin with taking advantage of a fatigued - mentally and physically - Hawks team. Atlanta not only is in a B2B spot but they are playing 3rd game in 4 days and those 2 wins were over a Wizards team that was right behind them in the division standings. Put another way, if Wizards had won both those games instead of Hawks, Washington would now be in front of Atlanta in the standings instead of it being the other way around. That said, the series in over the Wiz not only fatigued the Hawks physically but perhaps mentally too. 10* BOSTON -4.5

NBA Thursday 10* Top Play Golden State Warriors -2.5 @ Memphis Grizzlies @ 7:30 ET - These teams do not like each other. This insures that both teams are certainly motivated to win this game and you absolutely can not say that about many NBA regular season games especially in today's NBA of guys sitting out games or even taking games off, so to speak, when they are actually playing in those games! So the point is we have the motivation factor working for both teams in this one. What does that all mean here? It means Warriors should win this game in a road rout. They are the healthier team and the Grizzlies are a mess right now because of the combined injury situation and then the Ja Morant situation off the court. The fact Morant is still out and this team has been distracted by everything going on plus the fact this team is still without a couple key contributors (Adams still out and role player Clarke lost for the season Friday), this Memphis team could get blown out here even though they are at home. Steph Curry now back for the Warriors but Golden State is fired up coming off B2B losses. The Grizzlies have lost 13 of 20 games overall. The Warriors are 8-2 the last 10 times they have entered a game on a losing streak of 2 or more games. Lay the short number here. 10* GOLDEN STATE -2.5

NBA Wednesday 10* Top Play Atlanta Hawks -3 @ Washington Wizards @ 7:10 ET - The Wizards are off a win yesterday but it was at Detroit. Not only are the Pistons a bad team, it was also a road game for Washington and then they had to travel back to DC for this game. Prior to that win, the Wizards had lost 8 of 14 games. Now they face a Hawks team in the first of B2B games here versus Atlanta. The set-up for this first game certainly favors the Hawks as they have the rest edge and I like the fact they are off B2B losses. Note that Atlanta is 5-0 SU the last 5 times they have entered a game on a losing streak and all 5 of those wins by at least 3 points and, in fact, the games averaged 13 point margin of victory. The Hawks also lost to the Wizards about a week ago in Snyder's first game as head coach and Atlanta blew a 4th quarter lead in that one. In other words, there is plenty of extra motivation in this revenge divisional game. 10* ATLANTA -3

NBA Tuesday 10* Top Play Minnesota Timberwolves +1.5 vs Philadelphia 76ers @ 7:30 ET - Both Tobias Harris and PJ Tucker could be back for this game after missing last night's game at Indiana. But, overall, how much can the Sixers have left in the tank after going all out in a 147 to 143 win over the Pacers last night. This is a tough back to back spot for Philly and prior to B2B high-scoring wins over the Bucks (miracle comeback win in 4th quarter) and Pacers, the 76ers had lost 3 of 5 overall and also 3 of 5 road games. So this B2B road spot is sure to be a tough one for Philadelphia and they are facing a Timberwolves team that has won 3 straight games. Those 3 Wolves wins were on the road too and now they are back home and have a rest edge over the Sixers. Minny did lose their last 2 home games so you know they want to make this one count! They get it done here! 10* MINNESOTA +1.5

NBA Monday 10* Top Play Cleveland Cavaliers -3.5 vs Boston Celtics @ 7:10 ET - This is a very tough spot for Boston. The Celtics are off a loss in double OT versus the Knicks yesterday. They had 4 guys play 44 minutes or more. This was the equivalent roughly of 4 guys playing a full normal regulation game of 48 minutes. Then Boston struggled with a couple of reserves in that played fewer minutes. Hauser had a +/- of -16 in 20 minutes and Muscala was -9 in 12 minutes on the floor. The point is that, considering tired legs here and some unimpressive bench play, the Celtics likely to struggle badly at Cleveland here. The Cavaliers are hosting a Boston team that is now 4-4 last 8 games. Cleveland has revenge for a 4 point loss at Boston last week. The Cavaliers have won 11 of last 14 home games and are 27-7 as a host on the season. Each of last 15 Cavs wins have been by 8 or more points so there is no hesitation in laying the big points here. Average margin of win was 16 points in these 15 wins. This one, considering Boston's double OT back to back situation, sets up well to be another home blowout for the Cavaliers. 10* CLEVELAND -3.5

NBA Sunday 10* Top Play Milwaukee Bucks -4.5 @ Washington Wizards @ 7:40 ET - Playing a strong team off a loss is always something worth looking at. But not all situations merit a play nor are all situations created equal. That said, this is a great one and I will not hesitate to get involved here. The Bucks just saw their 16-game losing streak come to an end last night. However, the key is how it happened. Milwaukee was up by 14 heading to the 4th quarter and then got outscored 48 to 31 in the final stanza. The 76ers just could not miss in that fourth quarter as they were seemingly making everything. Giannis Antetokounmpo and company are fired up now and want to bounce right back after letting a 4th quarter double digit lead slip away. Also, 17 of the last 19 Bucks wins have been by 6 or more points. Washington is off a home OT loss and actually has lost 7 of last 12 home games. So the fact Wizards are at home here is not a big help necessarily and plus they are in a B2B spot just like the Bucks. That said, I am backing the angry road favorite here. 10* MILWAUKEE -4.5

NBA Saturday 10* Top Play Atlanta Hawks +2.5 @ Miami Heat @ 8:10 ET - Both teams in a B2B but like a few key factors with Hawks here. Atlanta had a solid win and got to rest guys some as the game went on. Also, the Hawks have revenge here from a loss to Miami in most recent game. The Heat, on the other hand, really pushed hard in last night's game and it was a tight finish that also had a rough ending for them. Miami gave up a last second 3 pointer to lose the game and that is a tough one to bounce back from especially in a B2B and facing a revenge-minded division rival. The Hawks got their first win since the coaching change after losing the first game with coach Snyder. Look for them to build off that here after knocking off the Trail Blazers convincingly last night. 10* ATLANTA +2.5

NBA Friday 10* Top Play Phoenix Suns -5.5 @ Chicago Bulls @ 8:10 ET - It has only just begun. Kevin Durant made his debut for the Suns and now look for things to continue to build off that victory by a double digit margin at Charlotte. This Suns team is stacked and they take on a Bulls team that is off a win but that had lost 7 of 9 games before that victory. Also, that Chicago win came against a very bad Pistons team. Also, the other two wins were against another team (Wizards) with a losing record plus a Nets team that has been an absolute train wreck of late. All that said, the Bulls likely in trouble here against a very strong Suns team. Phoenix is ready to make a major move now with a revamped roster while Chicago is an ugly 6-13 this season in games against teams from the Western Conference. Also this line has moved down to a 5.5 and 6 of last 7 Bulls losses have been by a margin of 6 or more points. Look for another one here to fall into that category. 10* PHOENIX -5.5

NBA Thursday 10* Top Play Dallas Mavericks -2.5 vs Philadelphia 76ers @ 7:30 ET - This line has moved toward Philly from its opener and I do understand that for sure because Dallas has lost B2B games and 5 of 6 and is still trying to adjust since the trade for Irving. However, the 76ers are in a very tough B2B spot here as they just a big revenging win at Miami last night. Look for Philly to fall flat here in the 2nd game of the B2B. I know Embiid missed last night so he will play tonight most likely but I still like the Mavericks here to get back on track. Dallas off B2B tight losses including one in which they blew a 27 point lead to the Lakers. There will be no quit in the rested Mavericks tonight as they play for just the 2nd time this week. For the Sixers, this is 2nd game of B2B and 3rd game in 4 nights situation. 10* DALLAS -2.5

NBA Wednesday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers Money Line -130 @ Miami Heat @ 7:40 ET - The 76ers are 2 point favorites in most books as of gameday morning and I do not want to get burned here if they win the game by a margin of just 2 or particularly just 1. That said, I will suggest a money line play here and the dominant line on this one is -130. The 76ers are getting a shot at right back revenge as they just lost at home to Miami by 2 points in a game in which the Heat made 5 more 3-pointers for a 15 point variance. That plus the Sixers being sloppy in the turnover department certainly were the key differences in the game. Note that Philly now enters this one off B2B losses. That is notable as the 76ers are 5-1 (83%) last 6 times they have entered a game off 2 or more consecutive losses. As for the Heat, they had lost 4 straight by sneaking out the win in Philly and now both Strus and Love are banged up entering this game. I respect Miami at home but the Sixers had been the hotter team and are very hungry in this revenge spot. Also, the 76ers have had 6 of these B2B spots this season where they face the same team in B2B games and they have NEVER lost both of the games. I do not expect that to change here. 10* PHILADELPHIA -130

NBA Tuesday 10* Top Play Dallas Mavericks -7 vs Indiana Pacers @ 8:40 ET - While he is not a star, Maxi Kleber is a solid role player for the Mavs and could be back for this one. That may not seem like a big deal but, believe it or not, Dallas is 9-1 SU last 10 home games and he has played in and the only loss was to the big, bad Bucks. In other words, his presence helps. Of course the big story now is Irving being paired with Doncic and this pairing will continue to get stronger together. Also, Dallas is off a loss here and in bounce back mode. At the same time, Indiana is off a win so I really like the set up here. Hungry home team facing a Pacers team that has not record back to back wins since early January! The Mavericks are 11-3 SU this season when at home off a loss and Indiana had lost 17 of 20 prior to the big win at Orlando. Laying the reasonable number on the home team in this spot should prove well worth it in a game that has the makings of a rout at home by double digits. 10* DALLAS -7

NBA Monday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -5.5 vs Miami Heat @ 7:10 ET - The 76ers are off a loss. Win Philly is coming off a loss and wins their next game, 11 of those 12 wins have been by at least 8 points! So, the point is, if you like the Sixers to win this game, don't hesitate to lay the points! Certainly I do like Philadelphia to win this game as they are a perfect 6-0 SU the last 6 times they were at home and coming off a loss! All 6 of those wins have been by at least 9 points too! Here they are catching a Miami team that has lost 4 straight games overall plus is horrible 2-7 SU last 9 road games. Last but certainly not least here is the fact that this is the first time these teams have met since the Heat ended the Sixers season last year! Indeed, the 76ers season ended right here in mid-May in Philly when Miami got the final win for a 4-2 series victory in the post-season. Payback time has finally arrived. 76ers in a home blowout rout. 10* PHILADELPHIA -5.5

NBA Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 214.5 in Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors @ 6:10 ET - We get line value because this total has dropped as Raptors in a back to back and could be without Fred VanVleet yet again. With Toronto off a grinder at Detroit yesterday, I expect much better shooting today. The Raptors shoot poorly from everywhere yesterday but they put up 118 on Cleveland the last time they faced them and should bounce back here. Prior to the low-scoring win over the Pistons, each of last 4 Toronto games totaled at least 225 points! Also, though their most recent road trip ended with a low-scoring win at Memphis, it was preceded by 5 straight road games totaling at least 220 and averaging 236 points. Look for another higher-scoring road game here but we can take advantage of a lower total because the Cavaliers are involved. Yes, I know the Cavs are known for lower-scoring games long-term but their short-term trending has been much different so we have big value here. 4 straight Cleveland games have totaled at least 224 points! The average of those 4 Cavaliers games was 234 points apiece! 10* OVER 214.5 in Cleveland

NBA Saturday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers +1.5 vs Boston Celtics @ 8:40 ET - This is a tremendous revenge spot. Revenge is absolutely overplayed in sports betting but there are certain cases that are ultra strong, like this one, compared to just a normal revenge spot. Not only have the Sixers lost both games this season to the Celtics, this will be the first meeting in Philly between these long-time rivals since last February. What happened in that 457th meeting one year ago? It was the WORST EVER loss for a team in this rivalry that has had over 450 meetings through the many years. The Sixers got beat 135 to 87 on their HOME floor! That is the kind of defeat not easily forgotten and I fully expect Philadelphia to do everything they can to finally get some long-awaited payback here. Note that Sixers enter this game having won 27 of 34 games including 5 in a row. Not only 5 straight wins overall but also 5 straight home wins. Boston is off B2B wins but, prior to that, the Celtics had gone just 6-5 last 11 games. This is the right spot for the Celtics to lose a game and the red-hot Sixers to get some home-cooked revenge! 10* PHILADELPHIA 76ers +1.5

NBA Friday 10* Top Play OVER 230.5 / 231 in Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets @ 10:10 ET - I completely understand this total moving lower as the Warriors are in the 2nd game of a B2B and could rest guys plus of course are without Curry. However, do you realize how bad this Rockets defense is? Whoever is on the floor is still an NBA player and the point is this game should still play out as an absolute track meet with guys flying up and down the floor and firing up shots. Houston enters this game on a 7-game losing streak and, other than a low-scoring loss at defensive-minded Miami, the Rockets allowed 133 ppg in the other 6 games. The line on this game is Warriors by 10 which means if Houston has a typical game defensively we should see a 133-123 final which puts this one about 25 points above the current number. I am not necessarily expecting 256 here but the point is we have a lot of wiggle room with this total the way I see it. As bad a team as Houston has been they still score decently in a lot of games. They have averaged about 112 points last 9 games and that includes some recent lower-scoring efforts which I do not expect to be repeated here with Rockets wanting to push Warriors in the 2nd game of a B2B spot. 10* OVER 230.5 / 231 in Golden State

NBA Thursday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -3 vs Memphis Grizzlies @ 7:30 ET - The Grizzlies still without big man Steven Adams and sure could use him here against the Sixers. That said, Memphis is only 4-9 last 13 games and they have gone 11-17 in road games this season. Philadelphia is 23-8 in home games and laying a small number here at home and I feel we have great line value after the downward line move on this one as it opened up around a 5 and has fallen to around a 3 as of late morning gameday. Philly has won 26 of 33 games and gets the cash again here with the SU win covering the small spread in this one. 10* PHILADELPHIA -3

NBA Thursday 10* Top Play Washington Wizards +3.5 @ Minnesota Timberwolves @ 8:10 ET - The Wizards got Kuzma back from injury and he had a huge game in a big Washington win in their most recent game. The Wizards have now won 3 of 4 games and are heating up at the right time. Gobert and Anderson are questionable for the Timberwolves heading into this one. Minnesota is at home and a very small favorite so don't let this "tricky line" fool you. Washington is 5 games below .500 on the road this season while Minny is 8 games over .500 in home games this season yet the Wolves are hardly favored here. Looks easy, right? Exactly! Don't be fooled. The Wizards are surging and are the play here as they are also the healthier team here. The Timberwolves also off a big win at Dallas and are 0-4 the last 4 times they were off a win. They have not won back to back games since last month and I look for that trend to continue here. 10* WASHINGTON +3.5

NBA Wednesday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -2 vs Cleveland Cavaliers @ 7:40 ET - The 76ers have played 56 games so far this season. That means the 82-game season is more than 2/3 of the way complete and, in this final game before the week-long "mid"-season All-Star break, the Sixers have a chance at big-time revenge. This not just any revenge, this is a big one! The worst game the 76ers have had all season long out of all 56 games is a 28-point defeat at Cleveland way back on the final day of November. No other margin of defeat for the Sixers this season eclipses the half-way mark of that drubbing as their 2nd worst loss margin is 14 points this season. So, the fact is the Sixers have not forgotten that loss and the fact the Cavs shot 60% from the field overall and 50% from three-point land while Philly could not throw it in the ocean that night! It was just one of those nights but what better way to head into the break than with this glorious revenge opportunity? For sure Cleveland is a strong team and for sure the Cavaliers are not going to be push-overs here but the fact is this revenge-minded Sixers team will prove to be the hungrier team. The Cavs started the season 4-1 on the road but they have since gone 9-15 SU in road games! Philly started the season 1-4 at home but they have since gone 21-4 in home games! I have plenty of respect for this Cavaliers team but given this home/road dichotomy and the low line here and the big-time revenge factor, I am all over the 76ers in this one. 10* PHILADELPHIA -2

NBA Tuesday 10* Top Play Orlando Magic +6.5 or +7 @ Toronto Raptors @ 7:40 ET - This is a high value spot for the Magic. They are off the radar of many because they do not have an overly impressive overall record plus have struggled on the road this season SU. But there is a lot of ATS value in a road spot like this with Orlando. The Magic are "only" 9-8 SU last 17 games but 5 of those 8 defeats were by 5 or less points! That means that, at +6 or more, Orlando would be 14-3 ATS last 17 games! That is why I feel we have exceptional line value here as the Magic just do not get blown out often. Also, if you look at the Raptors, they are 8-8 SU last 16 game but 4 of those 8 wins by 6 or less points! So at the -6.5 or -7 current line as of very early gameday morning, Toronto would be an ugly 4-12 ATS last 16 games! Grab the road dog here as the ultra-competitive Magic should be in this one all the way and, if they do fall short, look for it to be by just a bucket or two! 10* ORLANDO +6.5 or +7

NBA Monday 10* Top Play OVER 225 in Philadelphia 76ers vs Houston Rockets @ 7:10 ET - The Sixers could finally rest Embiid here but that could lead to a more small-ball run and gun affair. The fact is Philly is off a stretch of 4 games against divisional foes so, of course, those games featured more defensive and were a little bit more "gritty" if you will. Now, they face a non-conference foe that is horrible defensively. That said, we should see a lot of points here because I also do not expect the Sixers to be very intense on the defensive end for this game either. Philly has seen their last 3 games against Western Conference opponents average 254 points. None of those 3 totaled less than 245 points and here we have a posted total of 225 points. I am loving this over as a result. Note that the Rockets have lost 5 straight games and the most recent one was very low-scoring but that is because they faced defense-minded Miami. Prior to that, the Rockets first 4 losses in the 5 games streak averaged 255 points per game. The point is we are talking about point totals well above the posted total on this one and I feel we have phenomenal line value on a game that should be played very freely with a lot of open floor spacing. Not much D in this non-conference battle. 10* OVER 225 in Philadelphia

Sunday NBA Top Play Memphis Grizzlies +4.5 @ Boston Celtics @ 2:10 ET - Memphis has not been good on the road this season. Boston has been great at home this season. So what gives? Well the fact is this line is priced this way because the Celtics are without Brown and Smart. Those are a pair of key guys that are a big part of the success in Boston. Of course this is still a solid team even without them on the floor. But I am looking for Ja Morant and company to get it done here. Yes the line looks "funny" to most but do not let it fool you. Great upset potential here as the Grizzlies have been getting adjusted to life without Adams for a bit and are off B2B wins and I look for them to keep it rolling here. If they do fall short, look for it to be by just a bucket so the value here is with the points in a big way the way I see it. 10* MEMPHIS +4.5

NBA Saturday 10* Top Play New York Knicks -5 vs Utah Jazz @ 7:40 ET - Great situational spot in my opinion as both teams are in a B2B but Knicks are at home and played yesterday in nearby Philly while the Jazz are on the road and were in Toronto last night. The big key here is the situational aspect as New York led the Sixers last night going to the 4th quarter but then lost by double digits. Also, the Jazz were down by double digits against the Raptors heading to the 4th quarter last night but then rallied for the win. Love this as a flat spot for Utah and an extremely hungry spot for the Knicks. 10* NEW YORK -5

NBA Friday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -5 vs New York Knicks @ 7 ET - The Sixers get their revenge here. I do expect Embiid, seemingly a constant on the injury report, to play in this one tonight but would still make this bet even without him. Philly is off B2B road losses and they are 3-0 the last 3 times this season that they have been at home and off consecutive losses. Not only were both losses on the road, they just faced a tough Celtics team in Boston and this was after blowing a 21 point lead in their prior game which was (you guessed it!) at New York. So here they are seeking revenge on the Knicks and they are at home and they are off B2B losses and they catch the Knicks off B2B wins! When Philly lost at New York it had a lot to do with a rare poor shooting night. The Sixers will bounce back here at home where they have been so hot for so long! As for the Knicks, they are off those B2B wins but had lost 7 of 10 overall before that. Also, New York had lost 3 of last 4 road games before getting the big win at Orlando after knocking off the 76ers at home. The Sixers will be "Raining Threes" tonight and the Knicks luck runs out here. Yes they just beat the Magic by 4 at Orlando but they outscored them by 27 points from three point land! In other words, inside the arc in that game the Magic won it by 23 points! Great spot for Philly revenge here. 10* PHILADELPHIA -5

NBA Thursday 10* Top Play Atlanta Hawks -4 vs Phoenix Suns @ 7:40 ET - As a result of the blockbuster trade between Nets and Suns with Phoenix acquiring Kevin Durant in the deal but losing Johnson and Bridges, the Suns are going to be very short-handed for this game tonight. That is why a line that opened up around a pick'em has shot up to the -4 range and even as high as the -6 range as of very early gameday morning. I am looking for the Hawks to roll big here as the Suns just do not have enough talent to put on the floor in this game to match Trae Young and Atlanta. Keep in mind, the Suns barely beat the Nets at Brooklyn earlier this week and that was with Ayton scoring 35 plus Booker was back and plus they had Johnson and Bridges on the floor. Booker is expected to miss this game as it is front end of B2B and he is recovering from injuries. Johnson and Bridges are on their way to Brooklyn. Newly acquired Durant is injured plus the add-on in the trade was Warren but he will not play tonight. So Suns are super short-handed and Atlanta recently beat them 132 to 100 in Phoenix so you know what is likely here. 10* ATLANTA -4

NBA Wednesday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers +4.5 @ Boston Celtics @ 7:35 ET - I do not think it is a mere coincidence that the Celtics are 3-4 since losing Marcus Smart to injury and the fact that those 3 wins came against below .500 teams (Pistons and Lakers) and a team (Nets) that is currently a dumpster fire. So Boston has not really beaten a quality team in this 7-game run and now faces a very tough test here. Celtics without Smart and taking on a red hot Sixers team that had won 22 of 27 games before loss in most recent game. Definitely Philly was looking ahead to this game when they fell apart in the 4th quarter and lost by double digits at New York. Here at Boston they will be fully motivated and ready to prove the Celtics don't have this division locked up just yet! Also, though Embiid is on the injury report, that has been the case for multiple weeks now and he continues to play through his injury and has been plenty effective plus there has been plenty of time between games recently for Embiid too. The 76ers are 4-0 L4 times when off a loss and also 5-0 L5 times when off a loss by 9 or more points. Boston, without Smart, has recent losses to Phoenix, New York, and Miami teams that all have a winning record on the season. Those 3 teams are a combined 12 games over .500 on the season. But this Philly team is 16 games over .500 by themselves and, once again, the Celtics without Smart struggle and fall short here. I am expecting an outright upset for Philly here but, at the very least, a cover in a loss by the slimmest of margins. 10* PHILADELPHIA +4.5

NBA Tuesday 10* Top Play Orlando Magic +1.5 or +2 vs New York Knicks @ 7:10 ET - This is a great spot to fade the Knicks. Look for the defensive intensity for the Knicks to be lacking in this one. New York is off that huge comeback win over division rival Philly on Sunday. The Knicks held them to just 18 points in the 4th quarter as they rallied for the win. On deck for New York is a trip to that same division rival, in Philadelphia this time. That said, this is a horrible scheduling spot for the Knicks and let us not forget they had lost 7 of 10 games before the shocking win over the 76ers. As for the Magic, they are rested and at home and have won 6 of last 10 games overall. Also, they had won 9 of last 12 home games prior to losing the most recent one so look for a big bounce back effort from the hosts in this one! 10* ORLANDO +1.5 or +2

NBA Monday 10* Top Play LA Clippers -6.5 @ Brooklyn Nets @ 7:40 ET - The Clippers won in overtime Saturday night. The guys that led them are who you would expect - Leonard, George, Powell. The Nets are off a win over Washington in which they rallied from a 23 point deficit in the eventual 2-point win. Brooklyn had 2 guys have career-best scoring games in that one and their output was ridiculous and will not be repeated here. Not even close. That said, we have a lot of value here because this Nets team is still without Durant and it sounds like Irving has been traded to Dallas. Also, Brooklyn has a lot of other banged up guys, including Curry who will miss tonight's game. Curry and Durant were the only two guys to score more than 13 points when the Nets upset the Clippers in LA by 15 points earlier this season. So this is a revenge game plus the situation is perfect. Normally I do not laying points on the road but I just can not see the Nets as being able to hang in this game. They are too depleted and guys will not repeat the magic they did on the floor against Washington this past weekend. This is a defensive and revenge-minded Clippers team that Brooklyn has to deal with tonight. 10* LA CLIPPERS -6.5

NBA Sunday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -5.5 @ New York Knicks @ 7:05 ET - As per usual, Embiid is on the injury report. As per usual, I am expect him to play. Even if he does not, look for the Sixers to roll any way in this one. But Embiid keeps showing up on the report with left foot soreness but he has played 5 straight games. A key here to why he is likely to play too is Philly was off yesterday and they then have Monday and Tuesday off before facing the Celtics Wednesday. There really is no reason to rest Embiid here. He rested yesterday and can rest Monday and Tuesday too! As for this scheduling situation, it definitely favors the Sixers as the Knicks are off an OT loss to the Clippers last night. That leaves them spent here both emotionally and physically as it was 7th loss in last 10 games for New York also. By the way, each of Knicks last 6 losses have been by at least 6 points. As for Philly, they enter this one on a 22-5 run! They have been one of the hottest teams in the league for months now and 15 of last 22 wins by at least 7 points! They should roll here on the road as they beat the Knicks by 7 the last time they met and that was despite New York having a rare 14-rebound edge over the 76ers in that one. Lay it! 10* PHILADELPHIA -5.5

NBA Saturday 10* Top Play OVER 226 in Detroit Pistons vs Phoenix Suns @ 7 ET - Yesterday's Pistons game had 137 points at halftime and yet stayed under the total. Yesterday's Suns game at Boston totaled just 200 points and stayed way under the total. Both Detroit and Phoenix won those games too. Also, as noted above, both those games were yesterday on Friday so this is a B2B spot for both clubs. All of these factors are situations where I like to take an over and they are all lining up right here on the same game so I am all over this over! The Pistons game was ridiculous in not going over the total yesterday. The Suns are off a very strong defensive effort in an upset win of Celtics on the road. Both teams off wins here so could let up on intensity on the defensive end. Last but not least, is back to back spot for both teams so could be some tired legs taking plays off on the defensive end too. Add it all up and you can see why I am going big on this one. 10* OVER 226 in Detroit

NBA Friday 10* Top Play Indiana Pacers +3.5 vs Sacramento Kings @ 7 ET - I know the Pacers are in a back to back but I love this spot. Indiana is finally getting healthy. They blew a 14 point 4th quarter lead last night to lose by just a single point. They felt completely ripped off on their home floor in terms of free throw attempts as the Lakers were on the line all night long and Indiana could not buy a trip to the free throw line. Additionally, they are catching a west coast team that has been on the road for a bit already and also will be without their leading scorer tonight as Fox is out for personal reasons. He is a key contributor all over the floor so this is a big deal. Last but, certainly not least, this is a revenge game for the Pacers. They recently lost by 23 points to the Nuggets about a week and a half ago. That tied their biggest margin of defeat this season as the only other time they also lost that big this season was at Sacramento when they fell short by 23 and lost 137 to 114. This will be a payback game for Pacers as their head coach and players are very fired up about the way they lost to the Lakers last night and could not get calls plus they want payback here against the Kings. They should get it but will grab the points here in case Pacers again fall just short of an outright win! 10* INDIANA +3.5

NBA Thursday 10* Top Play Indiana Pacers +1.5 vs Los Angeles Lakers @ 7 ET - Long-time followers know I am a contrarian so often and that is the case again here. The Pacers have lost 10 of 11 games. This line is about a pick'em on a Lakers team that has won 10 of 17 games. Looks easy right. You know that usually means! Also, though LeBron James and Anthony Davis are expected to play, neither are 100 percent and LA off that OT win over the Knicks. As for the Pacers, though Haliburton is listed as questionable, he is expected to make his return as the Indiana star player has been practicing fully and is ready to go here. What a great spot for his return. Home game versus LeBron and Company. This is a big game for the Pacers and I had them in their lone win in these last 11 games and am 2-0 with picks involving them in 2023. I feel strongly that this is the perfect spot to back them again and I just do not seem them being denied here in this bounce back spot at home. Look for them to rally around the imminent return of Haliburton as he should hit the floor tonight but, even if he did not, this Pacers team ready for a huge run. 10* INDIANA +1.5

NBA Wednesday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -8.5 vs Orlando Magic @ 7 ET - Even if Embiid, listed as questionable, does not play here I do like Philly to bounce back after losing to the Magic by double digits Monday. The Sixers blew an early 21 point lead there and were still up double digits at halftime in the eventual 10-point loss. They were sloppy, turnover-prone, and out of sorts as that game went on. This will be a payback game for them and they will get their revenge. This is the 6th time this season that Philly has had one of these situations where you facing the same team in consecutive games. Of the first five, they have NEVER lost both games. Also, in four of the five B2B sets like this, the 76ers have won the 2nd game 4 times and they have all been blowouts too! The average margin of victory for the Sixers in those games was 24 points! Philly had won 7 straight games before the loss to Orlando Monday. They are not happy at all about how that one played out and will make adjustments in the 2nd game of this B2B set just as they have done in other ones, including at Orlando, earlier this season! The result is a blowout home win by a double digit margin! 10* PHILADELPHIA -8.5 

NBA Tuesday 10* Top Play Los Angeles Clippers -3 @ Chicago Bulls @ 8 ET - The Bulls are off a win but had lost 5 of 8 games before that win. Also, each of last 8 games for Chicago came against teams that currently have a losing record entering Tuesday's action. This will be the Bulls toughest test in awhile and, making matters even tougher, the Clippers enter this game fired up off a loss. LA had been hot before the loss and they also are a perfect 3-0 the last 3 times they have been off a defeat in which they scored less than 110 points. In this case, Los Angeles off an ugly loss in which they were held to just 99 points and I fully expect a huge response here as a result. The Clippers had won 5 in a row before that loss and get right back on track here. 10* LA CLIPPERS -3

NBA Monday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -9.5 vs Orlando Magic @ 7 ET - Normally I do not lay big points in the NBA but this is not a normal situation. The 76ers already beat the Magic twice in Orlando. The average margin of those two victories was 19 points and again this was at Orlando! But that is not all. The Sixers were without Embiid, Harden, and Maxey in those 3 games! Those are 3 key players and most likely all 3 will be on the floor here. The only one who might miss is Embiid as he is questionable again with his foot issue. But again, I just do not think he will be rested in a spot like this where no back to back is involved. Also, the Sixers will have Harden and Maxey and those two guys missed the first two games and those games were still big wins and those were both at Orlando. Note that Philly has won 20 of 24 games. The Magic have lost 10 of 16 games and the average margin of defeat is 14.2 points in those 10 losses. Another blowout defeat for Orlando here as the Sixers roll continues! 10* PHILADELPHIA -9.5

NBA Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 233.5 in Milwaukee Bucks vs New Orleans Pelicans @ 8:10 ET - The Pelicans have not been scoring as much lately and are without Zion Williamson but this is a non-conference match-up that should play out with a wide-open style. Not only that, New Orleans most recent game saw them have the pace to score plenty of points but they had a poor shooting night from deep. The Bucks have scored 130 points or more in 4 of last 6 games! Milwaukee home games, prior to a low-scoring win over Denver, saw 4 straight total at least 236 points and those games averaged 246.5 points. Ironically, the last time these teams met earlier this season the game totaled 247 points. We are going to be in that range tonight in my opinion as I just do not expect to see much hunger from either team in terms of generating defensive intensity in this non-conference affair. 10* OVER 233.5 in Milwaukee

NBA Saturday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -4 vs Denver Nuggets @ 3:10 ET - The Sixers have Joel Embiid on the injury report but I can not see him missing this game. The 76ers have not played since Wednesday and they do not play again until Monday. This is not a situation where it would make sense to sit Embiid for what is really best defined as a nagging injury. As for the Nuggets injury report, many of their guys will likely play tonight but they have a long list of players on the report and this includes guys who could miss or who are unlikely to be 100%. That said, I do like the Sixers here even if Embiid does not play. The Nuggets are banged up and have lost 2 of 3. Philly is hot and has won 6 straight and 19 of 23 games! The situation plus home court edge means plenty of value with a rather low number here. 10* PHILADELPHIA -4

NBA Friday 10* Top Play Memphis Grizzlies -3 @ Minnesota Timberwolves @ 7:40 ET - The last time these teams played the Wolves had both Towns and Gobert on the floor and yet still lost by double digits. I know the Grizzlies are now without Adams but the point is that Towns is going to miss tonight for sure as he has been out for two months. As for Gobert, he is dealing with a groin injury and may not play or might be limited. It adds up to a great to back a road team very hungry to get back to winning ways. The Grizzlies have lost 4 straight and will hit the floor running hard tonight and the Timberwolves just do not have the horses to keep up here. Minnesota has a number of injury issues and the road team is favored here for a reason. Don't let the line fool you. Lay it! 10* MEMPHIS -3

NBA Thursday 10* Top Play OVER 231.5 in Brooklyn Nets vs Detroit Pistons @ 7:40 ET - I look for the Pistons to put up a fight here as they catch the Nets in a tough back to back spot after that intense battle with Philly last night. However, I just can not trust the defensive play of Detroit and that is why I am expecting this one to turn into a shootout with plenty of points. The Nets are 2-5 since Durant got hurt and they have allowed 115 points per game. Brooklyn has scored 120.5 ppg last 4 games and will feast on a Detroit team willing to play uptempo but with constantly getting blown out of games. The Pistons have allowed 127.5 ppg last 10 games. However, they also have scored 116 points per game last 9 games. 10* OVER 231.5 in Brooklyn

NBA Wednesday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -5.5 vs Brooklyn Nets @ 7:35 ET - I am aware Embiid is questionable. I do expect him to play but, even if he does not, note that the Nets are 100% going to be without Durant here. Durant did play in the first meeting this season while Embiid did not. Plus Harden did not play for Philly in that one either. The Sixers still won the game by 9 points. Note that Harrell is coming off a big for the 76ers and could get the call again for a lot of minutes if Embiid misses. But the fact Brooklyn has no KD is the biggest key here. Also, I would really be surprised if Embiid does not play here. It is a divisional game and he has already had time off since neither he nor Harden played this weekend at Sacramento. Also Philly does not play again until this Saturday and that is a non-conference game and this game tonight is a divisional battle. Look for Embiid to go and Harden is not even on the injury report. The Sixers stay red hot here and roll to another win even if Embiid misses. The 76ers take advantage of a Nets team that has lost 4 of 6. The Sixers have won 5 straight and 18 of 22 games! 10* PHILADELPHIA -5.5

NBA Tuesday 10* Top Play Indiana Pacers +1.5 vs Chicago Bulls @ 7:10 ET - I am aware of the fact that Andrew Nembhard is listed as questionable for this one with an illness. But he played through that illness Saturday at Phoenix and I do expect him to play here tonight and to be stronger. I know he missed practice yesterday but that was likely just to get him as healthy and full-strength as possible before this game. Even if he does not play, I like the Pacers here at home. Yes they have lost 7 straight games but they have a huge rest edge here. Bulls are in the 2nd game of a B2B after facing the Hawks last night. Chicago also just got back their long travel to Paris late last week. That said, this B2B could prove to be too much as the Pacers have a big rest edge coming off B2B days off. Also, there is plenty of motivation for the Pacers here as they lost early this season at Chicago and they also are hungry to end their losing streak. As for the Bulls, yes they have won 3 straight but they have NEVER WON 4 in a row this season! Also, when on the road this season and having won at least 2 straight games, the Bulls have gone 1-5 SU in those games. Adding to the value here is that this is a B2B for Chicago and they were just in Europe at the end of last week. 10* INDIANA +1.5

NBA Monday 10* Top Play Memphis Grizzlies PK -115 @ Sacramento Kings @ 10:30 ET - The Grizzles are off B2B losses for the 6th time this season. What happened after the first five times this happened? A win all 5 times! In fact that 5-0 mark punctuated by an average margin of victory of 15 points. The beautiful thing about this spot though is we do not have to even worry about covering a spread. The line on this game is essentially a pick'em as of very early Monday morning even if you have to lay slightly more juice (-115) to get the pick'em line. It is worth it! I know Memphis is in a back to back spot here and the Kings have the rest edge. However, the fact the Grizzlies are off B2B losses each by the slimmest of margins will insure a special focus from them here. The Kings are off a loss and want to bounce back but, prior to that loss to Philly, the 6-game win streak of Sacramento was not overly impressive in terms of opposition. As I mentioned in my Saturday NBA write-up: "Although Sacramento has won 6 straight games, note that all the teams have a losing record. In fact 5 teams were faced in those 6 games and their combined record is 84-144." So I am backing the Grizzlies here to get a big road win and make it a PERFECT 6-0 SU this season when entering a game on a losing streak of 2 games. 10* MEMPHIS Pick -115

NBA Sunday 10* Top Play Phoenix Suns +8.5 vs Memphis Grizzlies @ 8:10 ET - The Suns are playing short-handed and in a back to back spot. However, are you seeing how hungry some of the guys are that are now getting extra playing time? This Phoenix team is fighting hard and has won B2B games. I am well aware that Memphis is off a loss and wants to bounce back here but they also recently embarrassed the Suns by 30 points in Memphis. You can bet Phoenix has not forgotten and they will put up a fight here at home! By the way, 6 of the last 8 Grizzlies games have been decided by a single digit margin. The average margin of those 6 games was 5 points. This game is going to be a lot closer than many expect and, as an added bonus, some Suns guys might be back on the floor tonight. Either way I like them at home catching all these points. 10* PHOENIX +8.5

NBA Saturday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -3.5 @ Sacramento Kings @ 10 ET - Great spot to fade the Kings as they are in a back to back. Although Sacramento has won 6 straight games, note that all the teams have a losing record. In fact 5 teams were faced in those 6 games and their combined record is 84-144. Now the Kings are in a B2B spot and hosting a 76ers team that is 29-16 this season and has won 4 straight games. Also, the Sixers are off until Wednesday's home game versus Brooklyn. So, prior to finally heading back east, Philly can most certainly leave it all on the floor tonight and, remember, these Sixers have won 17 of 21 games! 10* PHILADELPHIA -3.5

NBA Friday 10* Top Play OVER 227.5 in Utah Jazz vs Brooklyn Nets @ 9 ET - Jazz are 7-8 last 15 games and a lot of reason for the consistent mediocrity is simply that Utah allows too many points. The Jazz have given up 117.4 ppg last 15 games. Utah has also scored 120.1 ppg last 15 games. You can see why I am expecting this game to get well into the 230s. Yes Brooklyn is without Durant but Simmons will be better here after foul trouble ruined his night last night and he was ejected in a game he only played 18 minutes. Also, the Nets game last night did total 229 and that was against a Suns team that was hungry for a home win and so they did given a solid defensive effort there. Jazz like to play with tempo and will push in this one and Brooklyn will be forced to keep up. The result, in this non-conference battle, should be a very high-scoring game. 10* OVER 227.5 in Utah

NBA Thursday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -2 @ Portland Trail Blazers @ 10:10 ET - Portland was once 10-4 on the season. They have since gone 11-19 in their last 30 games! Philadelphia was once 12-12 on the season. They have since gone 16-4 in their last 20 games. The 76ers have won 5 straight road games. The Sixers are healthy and full of confidence right now. The Trail Blazers have lost 4 straight games against Eastern Conference opponents. Portland did win their last two home games big but they caught the Mavericks in a unique scheduling situation and took advantage. That is not the case here and the better team rolls to a solid road win here. 10* PHILADELPHIA -2

NBA Wednesday 10* Top Play Cleveland Cavaliers +7 @ Memphis Grizzlies @ 8:10 ET - Well aware of the Cavaliers likely being without Donovan Mitchell in tonight's game. Keep in mind, he has not played well in either of his last two games and arguably hurt the team more than helped. Why else do you think a Memphis team that is at home and has won 10 straight games opened up in the 7-point range here. I am grabbing the number here as Grizzlies fall flat after their huge revenging win over the Suns. Remember, prior to their 10-game winning streak it was a loss to Phoenix. That win over the Suns in most recent game was a big one for Memphis and I look for the hungry Cavaliers to give the Grizz all they can handle here. Note also that the Grizzlies view this is the non-conference match-up that it is and they have a huge road trip on deck facing Western Conference foes and rivals. Cavs surprise here and, at a minimum, they keep it interesting and get the cash because an outright upset would not shock me here given the situation. 10* CLEVELAND +7

NBA Tuesday Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -115 @ LA Clippers @ 10 ET - There is a chance Paul George could return tonight for the Clippers. Even if he does he may not be 100% plus the Clips have a Western Conference battle on deck with the Jazz tomorrow. Also, the fact is he played along with Kawhi Leonard in the first game against the Sixers this season and LA blew a 20-point lead in that game and lost by 5. That means a rested 76ers team has plenty of confidence here. Philly barely got by the Lakers Sunday in the 2nd game of a B2B as they looked tired. They will be better here and will be up to the challenge and note a key factor many may not look at here. Luke Kennard is not a big-name player but he is solid and he had a much higher +/- rating than anyone else on the Clips in that game as he was +17 and he will NOT play tonight as he is still out with his calf injury. The Clippers are off a win versus Rockets but Houston is so bad and let us not forget that LA entered that game having lost 7 of 8 games. The Sixers opened as a 1-point favorite here but their last two wins each have been by a single point and I am recommending money line here since it is currently available in the -115 range. So for 5 cent difference on line, we turn any Sixers win into a win at the betting counter. Look for healthy road road team to roll. 10* PHILADELPHIA -115

NBA Monday 10* Top Play OVER 228 in Memphis Grizzlies vs Phoenix Suns @ 6 ET - I know the Suns are still without some key guys but even the fact that those guys are almost back is going to give this team a mental boost. As for Memphis, I am aware that Ja Morant is listed as questionable. Even if he would not play I would still like this play but I do expect him to be in action here. Memphis had no one play more than 29 minutes in the big win over Indiana plus this is not a back to back situation nor is their one on deck. So the Grizzlies should continue their recent roll here. Plus their current 9-game winning streak started after a home loss to Phoenix! So the Grizzlies are absolutely out for revenge here and will take advantage of the wounded Suns. But Phoenix has been scoring better recently, getting use to the absentees, and the Grizzlies continue to pile up huge points. In their 9-game winning streak, Memphis has averaged 124 ppg! Phoenix has scored at least 116 in 2 of last 3 games and they have allowed 120 ppg last 3 games. 10* OVER 228 in Memphis

NBA Sunday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -2.5 or -3 @ Los Angeles Lakers @ 9:40 ET - The Sixers are in the 2nd game of a B2B and barely snuck by the Jazz last night in Utah so this would seem like a spot to fade them. However, the Lakers are hurting right now. It was only last month they rallied from a huge deficit to tie the Sixers and force OT but then lost that game by double digits in OT in Philly. But here is the key about that. Some of the key scorers in that game and other contributors are either out or hurting. Davis, Reaves, Walker all were big in that game and none of those 3 will play tonight. Also, Patrick Beverley is questionable with an illness and even LeBron James continues to be listed on the injury report as his knee troubles continue. The point is that the 76ers are the much healthier team. Also, without Davis, the interior defense of LA is really going to struggle against the attacking Sixers. Look for the road team to dominate in this one. 10* PHILADELPHIA -2.5 or -3

NBA Saturday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -4.5 @ Utah Jazz @ 9:10 ET - Since starting the season 10-3 the Jazz have since gone 12-20. Utah was actually on a 10-20 run before B2B wins which were each very tight victories. One of those was last night so this is a very tough spot for Utah as they are in a back to back and facing an angry Philly team. The 76ers have been a strong team when off a loss and had won 13 of 16 games before the loss to the Thunder in their most recent game. Off that ugly home loss by a double digit margin, the Sixers will bounce back big here to start their long road trip with a big win against a Jazz team that will fade as this game goes on as fatigue sets in for the home side. 10* PHILADELPHIA -4.5

NBA Friday 10* Top Play Chicago Bulls -4.5 vs Oklahoma City Thunder @ 8:10 ET - The Thunder had everything falling in for them last night in a big road win at Philly. Now in the 2nd game of a B2B on the road they face an angry Bulls team. Chicago is coming off a road loss at Washington Wednesday in which they blew a 13 point halftime lead. The Bulls are much stronger at home than they are on the road and the same holds true for the Thunder. Given the home/road dichotomy and the situational aspects here, the home team Bulls are the play in this one as they should roll big. OKC had a loss Tuesday at Miami by just a single point but their 3 prior losses all by at least 8 points and this one will be too. Chicago's last 5 wins all by 6 or more points. Also, the Bulls had won 8 of 11 overall before the tight loss at Washington. 10* CHICAGO -4.5

NBA Thursday 10* Top Play OVER 231.5 in Philadelphia 76ers vs Oklahoma City Thunder @ 7:10 ET - These teams recently met in Oklahoma City and the game stayed under the total as the Thunder had a very rough shooting night. Look for them to be much better in the rematch. OKC has scored an average of 124.6 ppg since that ugly home loss to Philly. Trouble for Thunder is on the other end of the floor. Indeed OKC has allowed 115.7 ppg last 7 games. Here they face a 76ers team that is favored by nearly double digits for a reason. The Sixers have scored an average of 122.8 ppg last 6 games and will stay red hot here at home but you know the Thunder will get theirs too. This is Sixers last home game for a period of about two weeks as they have a long road trip on deck. Games like his are often dangerous for the home team and I just don't expect Philly's defensive play to be that sharp in a spot like this but they can certainly score a pile of points against this Thunder team. 10* OVER 231.5 in Philadelphia

NBA Wednesday 10* Top Play Minnesota Timberwolves -5.5 @ Detroit Pistons @ 7:10 ET - First reaction here might be to play the Pistons even though they are in the 2nd game of a B2B as they got blasted last night at Philly. Teams tend to bounce back off ugly losses like that but the problem for Detroit is that this is a B2B with travel involved to get back home and they are hosting a Timberwolves team that they recently beat in Minnesota. In fact, that is the most recent loss for the Wolves so you know a payback revenge response is likely here. The Timberwolves have won 4 straight since then and all 4 victories by at least 7 points and the average margin of victory was 10 points. Another double digit blowout likely here so very comfortable laying the fair price here. 10* MINNESOTA -5.5

NBA Tuesday 10* Top Play Miami Heat -4 vs Oklahoma City Thunder @ 7:30 ET - I am aware of the injury issues for the Heat. However, it would not surprise me if both Adebayo and Herro end up playing in this game. Yes, Lowry is out for this game but Butler has a way of willing his teams to wins in games like this and he is such a gamer and should go off big time here. Also, the Heat are off a loss and known for bouncing back off defeats. Then look at the home/road dichotomy here as the Thunder have lost 5 straight road games and are 5-13 on the road this season. Miami is a modest 11-9 at home this season but had won 10 of last 15 at home before the loss to Brooklyn Sunday. The Heat bounce back big here as the Thunder see their road woes continue. This line has been adjusted down too low based on the injury situation and we can take advantage here. 10* MIAMI -4

NBA Monday 10* Top Play Milwaukee Bucks Money Line -125 @ New York Knicks @ 7:40 ET - If you must lay 2 or 2.5 points here you can but really would recommend taking the money line instead if possible as that is a very reasonable -125 or -130 here. I like the Bucks to win this game. They are off an embarrassing loss to Charlotte and that was at home! Milwaukee gave up 138 points in that one and wants immediate redemption. The Bucks already have beaten the Knicks in both meetings this season as New York can not seem to stop Giannis Antetokounmpo. He has had huge games against the Knicks this season and you know he will be ready to go again her after the ugly loss. Bucks had struggled a bit recently but won 3 of 4 before embarrassing loss to Hornets. Also, the Knicks have won 4 straight but 3 of the victories were against teams that are now a combined 40-80 on the season. Take advantage of the situational value here. 10* MILWAUKEE -125

NBA Sunday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -5.5 @ Detroit @ 3:10 ET - I know the Sixers are still without Embiid and also will be without Tucker in this game. However, Pistons are missing some guys too and Philly hammered Detroit by 20 points the last time these teams met. Philadelphia off a loss in which they allow a lot of points have a been a great ATS moneymaker in their next game. I like them to bounce back here after allowing 126 to the Bulls in an ugly home loss. The Sixers had won 11 of 13 games before that loss! The Pistons have lost 12 of 16 games. The spread should prove inconsequential here as each of Detroit's last 7 losses by a double digit margin. 76ers roll on the road in this one. 10* PHILADELPHIA -5.5