NBA Game of the Week Thursday 10* Top Play Phoenix Suns -2.5 @ Dallas Mavericks @ 7:30 ET - Huge scheduling edge for the Suns here. The Mavericks are in the 2nd game of a back to back while Phoenix has been off since Monday. Phoenix has beaten Dallas in 8 of last 9 meetings SU and we have a small number to cover here with this one in the -2.5 range. I know the Mavericks are hot but so too are the Suns and they are the better overall team. Phoenix has the better shooting stats on offense and defense and given the scheduling edge and match-up edges here, look for the Suns to continue their series dominance in meetings between these teams. By the way, Phoenix is also 8-1 last 9 road games and the Suns have won 6 straight away from home! 10* PHOENIX -2.5

NBA Earliest Dominator Wednesday 10* Top Play Brooklyn Nets +1.5 @ Washington Wizards @ 7:10 ET - Teams tend to step up big in the first game after a superstar goes down. With Durant getting hurt in Brooklyn's last game, the Nets will have guys upping their game for this one and lets not forget they have two guys on the floor (Harden and Irving) that are superstars that can carry this team too. I like the fact that Brooklyn is 4-0 SU last 4 times when off a loss. I like the fact that Wizards are off a big win over Philly and could be flat here. Yes, Washington has been stacking some wins recently but these were against a lot of weaker competition - until the upset of the Sixers. The upset of Philly had a lot do with the 76ers being in a bad situation and we actually used Washington right here in that game and got the win. Now we come right back and fade a Wizards team that was on an 0-6 ATS run before that win and cover versus Philadelphia. The Nets are hungry and they get the win here! 10* BROOKLYN +1.5

NBA Early Contrarian Tuesday 10* Top Play New York Knicks +3.5 vs Minnesota Timberwolves @ 7:40 ET - The Wolves are attracting attention here as a small road favorite but, in typical contrarian fashion, I am on the other side. I like the Knicks as a home dog off an embarrassingly low-scoring home loss to Charlotte. Keep in mind, New York had won 5 of 6 (both SU and ATS) before that loss. Also, the Knicks now catch the Timberwolves off a huge win over Golden State. Could Minnesota be a little flat after the Warriors? I absolutely believe so. Also, the Knicks have won 2 of the last 3 meetings and the only loss was by a single point! Value with the home dog getting solid points here! 10* NEW YORK KNICKS +3.5

NBA Contrarian Dominator Monday 10* Top Play OVER 231.5 in Atlanta Hawks vs Milwaukee Bucks @ 6 ET - The Bucks have been trending under but this total is moving upward. What does that tell you? Exactly! Some sharp money on the over in this one and that includes ours! The Hawks on a 7-3 run to the over and the Bucks had averaged 128 ppg last 3 road games before their last two were duds at Charlotte. Look for Milwaukee to get back on track on the road offensively as they take on an Atlanta team that is happy to push the tempo as well. 10* OVER 231.5 in Atlanta 

NBA PA Dominator Monday 8* Washington Wizards +3.5 or +4 vs Philadelphia 76ers @ 2:10 ET - This is a tricky spot for a hot Sixers team. Philly just got a big win over a Miami team they do not like. They could be a little flat here and I do not expect the Wizards to be flat all. Washington has revenge for a 21 point beating they suffered, also at home, versus the Sixers a few weeks back. The Wizards Kuzma shot poorly, as did the team, in that game. Kuzma is now hot! Plus Bradley Beal did not play in that game and though there is a chance he could miss this one too, the Wizards star performer might be back as he was upgraded to questionable for this game. He has been in covid protocols and the fact he was upgraded to questionable here I have a strong feeling he will play. Either way I like the revenge-minded home dog here as they catch Philadelphia off back to back big wins over the long-time rival Celtics and a more recent rival, Jimmy Butler and the Heat. Wizards hungry for a home win and get the job done here. 8* WASHINGTON +3.5 or +4

NBA Earliest Cash Saturday 10* Top Play OVER 221 in Milwaukee Bucks vs Toronto Raptors @ 6:35 ET - I lost with the over in Milwaukee Thursday. The Bucks had 77 points at the half but then proceeded to score only 41 more the rest of the way after nearly reaching the 41 point mark in each of the first two quarters. The problem in that game was the Warriors could not get anything going and the game had a massive margin and so Milwaukee was able to empty the bench and slow the game down and cruise to the victory. That scenario is not being repeated here! That said, look for Toronto to be ultra competitive here off B2B losses. The Raptors have had 3 straight unders but this was preceded by 10 straight overs. The Bucks have averaged 119 points per game last 6 home games and they are about a 7 point favorite here. 119 to 112 sounds about right in this one and that is 10 points clear of the posted total on this game. I'll take it! 10* OVER 221 in Milwaukee

NBA PA Dominator Friday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -3 vs Boston Celtics @ 7 ET - Yes the Sixers off a loss but they clearly got caught looking ahead to this showdown with the rival Celtics. Philadelphia had won 7 straight games before that loss. Also, the 76ers have won 4 of last 5 versus Boston. The Celtics are off a win and cover but this was preceded by ATS losses in 6 of last 8 games. The better team at home and laying a manageable price and they had been the hotter team. I'll take it as the Sixers bounce back off a loss. 10* PHILADELPHIA -3

NBA Non-Conf Total of the Month Thursday 10* Top Play OVER 223.5 in Milwaukee Bucks vs Golden State Warriors @ 7:35 ET - The last two meetings between these teams each totaled 237 points and averaged 240 points. I know there are some injury issues at play here but I like the fact the Bucks are off a game in which they did not reach the century mark in points. Prior to back to back low-scoring losses at Charlotte, Milwaukee had won 7 of 10 games and scored an average of 118.8 points per game. The Warriors have been involved with some surprisingly low-scoring results of late but this is still a team averaging 110 points per game on the season. Golden State's loss at Memphis totaled 224 Tuesday and is a sign that the point totals in Warriors games are going to start going back up and I look for this one to soar into the 230s just like the last two meetings between these non-conference foes. 10* OVER 223.5 in Milwaukee

NBA PA Dominator Wednesday 10* Top Play Charlotte Hornets +5.5 @ Philadelphia 76ers @ 7:10 ET - Not only does Charlotte have revenge here from the Sixers having dominated recent meetings in this series, the Hornets also catch Philly with a big game against rival Boston on deck. I love this game for the situational aspects and Charlotte comes into this one hot with wins in 6 of last 8 games and 1 of those 2 losses was by just 3 points. The Hornets are on a 7-2 ATS run last 9 games and I am fully expecting at least another cover here and an outright win would truly not be a shock by any stretch of the imagination! There is a reason the 76ers, even though at home and on a 7-game winning streak, are priced so low here. In other words, don't let the line fool you! Grab the points with the underdog. 10* CHARLOTTE +5.5 

NBA Earliest Cash Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER 214.5 in Washington Wizards vs Oklahoma City Thunder @ 7:10 ET - This is another one where waiting has paid off as this total has ticked downward a little bit this morning. I know that Oklahoma City has been trending under and that has resulted in some movement here with this total. However, Washington is at home for this one and will dictate the flow of this game and the over is 4-1 the last 5 times Wizards were off a win. The only under in those 5 games was a game that totaled 225 points! Also, Washington is off an under and they have not had back to back unders since November! Lot of things pointing to an over here. I'll take it! 10* OVER 214.5 in Washington

NBA Situational Slaughter Monday 10* Top Play San Antonio Spurs +6.5 @ New York Knicks @ 7:40 ET - Yes the Knicks might get Kemba Walker back tonight but that is a question mark and he has played only 6 games since around Thanksgiving. He has quite a ways to get in getting back in to top form if he even plays tonight. I love the Spurs in this revenge spot. They lost at home to New York earlier this season by a double digit margin. They are hungry from a win after coming up just short in overtime at Brooklyn yesterday. Even though this is a back to back spot the game yesterday was an ultra early one and San Antonio is actually in pretty good shape for this one. New York has only 3 wins by more than a 3 point margin in their last 9 home games! The Spurs last two road trips ended with tough match-ups at Phoenix and at LA (versus Lakers) but they got the job done ATS in both games and actually blew out the Lakers in a SU win there. Another upset here would not surprise me in the least but we should get a least the ATS cover at a minimum. 10* SAN ANTONIO +6.5

NBA Game of the Week Sunday 10* Top Play San Antonio Spurs +11 @ Brooklyn Nets @ 12:10 ET - Home game for Brooklyn means no Kyrie Irving. Nets struggling too as they are 1-4 SU and 0-5 ATS last 5 games. I know San Antonio also struggling but they are not the ones laying double digits here! The point is that Brooklyn has been struggling to win games let alone cover big double digit spreads like this. I know the Spurs are down some guys but they hung around against the 76ers for much of that game Thursday until Philadelphia pulled away late. The way the Nets are going, I just don't see them as being capable of pulling away like that in this game. 10* SAN ANTONIO

NBA Hoops Annihilation Saturday 10* Top Play Utah Jazz -3.5 @ Indiana Pacers @ 7:10 ET - I am aware of the injury issues / covid issues (at least as of 9 AM ET game day) but the fact is I just love the situational edges here. Yes I know that Utah is in a back to back but the fact they are off a loss and it was a game in which they led by double digits at the half has me liking the Jazz a ton here. They will clean things up after a defeat in which they turned it over 21 times in comparison to an opponent that turned it over only 7 times. Also, the Pacers are struggling badly. Indiana has lost 6 straight games and 9 of its last 11. Adding to the value here is Indiana won at Utah earlier this season in November. The Jazz want payback and they'll get it here! 10* UTAH -3.5

NBA PA Dominator Friday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers (-) vs San Antonio Spurs @ 7:10 ET - Spurs are on the road again and playing for 3rd time in 4 nights. Also, San Antonio off a huge upset win at Boston. The 76ers crushed SA by 35 points the last time they hosted them. After tonight, the Sixers next game not until Monday and that one is back on the road and Philly enters this game off a road win at Orlando. In other words, the 76ers will be fully focused and want to make the most of this opportunity at home. As for the Spurs, they have two more tough games while on this long road trip as they have the Nets and Knicks up next for Sunday and Monday. Look for this one to be all Philly as the home team is the healthier team too plus will be up for this one and this looks like a flat spot for the travelers in this match-up. 10* PHILADELPHIA -7.5

NBA Atlantic Div Total of the Month Thursday 10* Top Play OVER 207 in New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics @ 7:35 ET - I lost with the over in Boston yesterday as a high-scoring 1st half ended up fading into a low-scoring 2nd half. We'll get payback today. This total has dropped from the 211 range to the 207 range and, keep in mind, the over is 3-0 the last 3 times the Celtics have played the 2nd game of a back to back. The Knicks are known for lower scoring games generally speaking but they have averaged 107 points last 4 home games and Boston is averaging 113.4 points per game last 7 road games. 10* OVER 207 in New York

NBA Earliest Cash Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 222 in Boston Celtics vs San Antonio Spurs @ 7:40 ET - The Celtics Jayson Tatum and the Spurs Dejounte Murray both expected to play in this one tonight. Boston has already been getting healthier and it has translated to higher-scoring action on the floor. The Celtics last two games both flew over the total. San Antonio also enters this one off B2B overs and on an overall run of 10-4 to the over last 14 games. Spurs in a back to back and unlikely to be at their best defensively in this match-up plus non-conference match-ups have a tendency to have less defensive intensity. 10* OVER 222 in Boston

NBA Earliest Cash Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER 222.5 in Toronto Raptors vs San Antonio Spurs @ 7:10 ET - The Spurs most recent game only went over the total because of overtime. However, high-scoring games have been the norm for San Antonio for quite some time now as they are on a run of 9-4 to the over. That is strong enough for sure but how about the Raptors torrid streak of overs? They are on an incredible run of 7 straight overs! The Spurs enter this game off B2B off days and fired up to respond after the OT loss at Detroit while the Raptors also enter this game rested as they were off yesterday. Fresh legs and trending toward high-scoring action means I will not pass up on this one. 10* OVER 222.5 in Toronto

NBA Situational Slaughter Monday 10* Top Play OVER 217 in Philadelphia 76ers vs Houston Rockets @ 7:10 ET - Philly could have some defensive letdown after big win over Brooklyn. As for Houston, they hardly ever pay attention to defense no matter the situation. The over is on a 17-4 run in Rockets games. The over is 3-1 in last 4 meetings between these teams and both match-ups last season flew over the total. Non-conference match-ups generally not known for much defensive intensity. Also, the line move from low 220s down to mid 210s is offering solid line value here! 10* OVER 217 in Philadelphia

NBA Earliest Cash Friday 10* Top Play Phoenix Suns -4.5 @ Boston Celtics @ 1:10 ET - The Celtics are without leading scorer Jayson Tatum. The Suns have struggled recently and that has led to line value in this spot as it has kept the line lower than it should be. Boston has struggled and lost 3 straight games SU and now has lost 8 of last 11 games. Phoenix has won 11 of 14 road games SU this season and they get the win and cover in this one as home team struggles without Tatum and plus without Dennis Schroder and also Marcus Smart still dealing with a hand injury. 10* PHOENIX -4.5

NBA PA Dominator Monday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -6.5 @ Toronto Raptors @ 7:40 ET - The Raptors roster is severely depleted by covid right now. Even though Pascal Siakam and Gary Trent Jr should return tonight they could be on minutes restrictions and this is still a team expected to be without its top two scorers. Both Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby are expected to still be out for this one. Keep in mind the #3 and #4 scorers are Siakam and Trent so this team is far from 100 percent right now. Also, the road team has won and covered each of the last two meetings between these teams and that includes a road win for the Raptors at Philly last month which makes this a revenge game for the Sixers. With revenge on their side, including the playoff loss a few years ago in a season that ended in Toronto for Embiid and Philly, I am expecting the 76ers to come up big here and take advantage of a short-handed Raptors team. Lay it! 10* PHILADELPHIA -6.5

NBA Earliest Cash Monday 10* Top Play Houston Rockets +6.5 @ Charlotte Hornets @ 7:10 ET - The Hornets are missing a few key players. The Rockets are getting a little healthier and could have a few key guys back on the floor for this one. That said, I like the value with the under-valued underdog in this one. Charlotte is off a win but has not won back to back games since before Thanksgiving. Don't be surprised if the road dogs get the outright upset here but, of course, I am grabbing the points as added insurance. Charlotte was only 3-9 last 12 before most recent win and 2 of those 3 wins were by a margin of just 3 or less points! Tremendous underdog value here especially considering the current covid/injury issues for each club. 10* HOUSTON +6.5

NBA PA Dominator Sunday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -3 or -3.5 @ Washington Wizards @ 6:10 ET - The Wizards are expected to be without one of their top scorers as Bradley Beal likely to miss due to covid protocols. The Sixers will take advantage with fresh legs for both Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris and I expect each of them to play in this game. Either way, I like Philly in this match-up as the Sixers have won 9 of last 11 meetings between these teams and this is a small number to lay so a SU win should equate to an ATS win as well. I know the Sixers have been struggling but this looks like an ideal bounce back spot as Washington will be short-handed and is also just 1-3 SU and ATS last 3 home games. That trend continues here. 10* PHILADELPHIA -3 or -3.5

NBA Earliest Blowout Saturday 10* Top Play New York Knicks -6 vs Atlanta Hawks @ 12:10 ET - Trae Young has been ruled out for this game so that explains the Hawks being an underdog of about a half dozen points in this one. New York is at home and the Knicks, very short-handed Thursday, actually impressed me with their efforts. I had Washington in that one and we got the well-deserved win but I did like what I saw from the Knicks. That said, they will be in a little better shape health-wise for this one and they catch the Hawks missing a very key player, Young, among others who could miss as well due to covid. This is the first time the Knicks have hosted the Hawks since Atlanta knocked them out of the post-season here at Madison Square Garden back in early June. That said, we have plenty of motivational factors working in our favor here as well. Yes the Knicks won at Atlanta last month but they have waited a long time for this chance to exact some revenge at home as well. I look for them to get it and for it to be a solid win by 9 or more points just like their 9-point win last month. 10* NEW YORK -6 

NBA Earliest Blowout Thursday 10* Top Play Washington Wizards -1 @ New York Knicks @ 7:40 ET - The Knicks have been greatly impacted by covid. That is why the Wizards are a small favorite here and is also why I will gladly take them in this spot! Washington has triple revenge from losing all 3 meetings with New York last season. The Wizards are off a big road win at Utah and have picked up 4 road wins since Thanksgiving so it is not as if Washington does not win on the road. Also, the Knicks are just so depleted in terms of their roster right now and this is a New York team which is off a win versus Detroit but this followed losses in 8 of last 10 games. 10* WASHINGTON

NBA Earliest Dominator Wednesday 10* Top Play Cleveland Cavaliers +6.5 @ Boston Celtics @ 7:40 ET - The Cavaliers have won and covered 6 straight games and overall are on an incredible 13-1 ATS run. The Celtics are off a home loss to Philly and have lost 5 of last 7 games SU. The Cavaliers have revenge from loss in most recent meeting between these teams and, keep in mind, before that defeat Cleveland had won 3 straight meetings with Boston. The Cavs have an incredible overall ATS record on the season plus are 10-5 SU in road games this season. Look for those trends to continue here. 10* CLEVELAND +6.5

NBA Annihilation Monday 10* Top Play OVER 212.5 in Memphis Grizzlies vs Oklahoma City Thunder @ 8:10 ET - The over is 5-1 in Oklahoma City's last 6 road games. Memphis is off an under yesterday but the over was on an 8-2 run in Grizzlies home games prior to that low-scoring win over the Trail Blazers yesterday. Also, the over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings between these teams. More of the same expected here. 10* OVER 212.5 in Memphis

NBA Divisional Annihilation Saturday 10* Top Play New York Knicks +4.5 @ Boston Celtics @ 7:10 ET - The covid protocol situation suddenly impacting all sports in a heavy way is going to make things even tougher on teams in back to back situations. That is the situation tonight for Boston and the Celtics expended a lot of energy in battling back against the Warriors last night only to ultimately fall short anyway. This back to back spot will be very tough on Boston while New York comes in rested and off a win at Houston Thursday. That said, value with the underdog in this one. I know that neither team has been playing very well but the situation makes the underdog very attractive in this one. 10* NEW YORK +4.5

NBA Southeast Division Game of the Year Friday 10* Top Play Orlando Magic +7.5 vs Miami Heat @ 7:10 ET - Still have football fever? Look at this game in this way then - the Heat opened up favored by a field goal and now are favored by a touchdown :) - but in all seriousness, I love fading the line move here. Miami was favored by 3 and now is favored by 7 in this one and they are still without Butler and Adebayo. I know Orlando has had a very rough season but, keep in mind, 4 of their last 8 games were either an outright win (Denver) or a loss by 5 or less points (3 of the defeats). The Magic also beat Utah here in Orlando earlier this season and they are catching the wounded Heat off a hard-fought win over the 76ers in Philly. This looks like the ideal flat spot for Miami. The Magic failed to cover at Miami earlier this season but had gone 3-0 ATS in the 3 meetings preceding that one. The Magic get up for facing the in-state rival Heat and I look for them to get the job done here and an upset would not surprise me as Miami has struggled on the road this season and are battling injuries. 10* ORLANDO +7.5

NBA Central Division Total of the Year Thursday NBA 10* Top Play OVER 209.5 in Indiana Pacers vs Detroit Pistons @ 7:10 ET - The Pistons have lost 12 straight games and allowed at least 100 points in all dozen of those games and an average of 111.6 points! The Pacers are off a game in which they were on pace to score 116 points heading into the 4th quarter but then scored just 12 points in the 4th quarter of that game and it stayed just under the total despite Indiana allowing 114 points to the Bucks in that game. That loss at Milwaukee was the 9th time the Pacers have allowed at least 100 points in last 11 games. In those 9 games Indiana has allowed an average of 111 points per game. Given all these numbers you can see why I am forecasting a high-scoring game here. Yes, the Pistons are without Jerami Grant but their first game without him totaled 220 and flew over the total. The over is 7-2 in Pacers last 9 home games and 4-1 in Pistons last 5 games overall. 10* OVER 209.5 in Indiana

NBA PA Dominator - 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -6 vs Miami Heat @ 7:10 ET - Joel Embiid (ribs) did participate in the morning shootaround. That is no guarantee he will play but it is a good sign for the 76ers. Either way we do the Heat will not have Bam Adebayo or Jimmy Butler and I look for Philly to roll in this one. Philadelphia is 5-1 SU last 6 times when off a loss and the Sixers lost at Memphis in an embarrassing ugly blowout loss to the Grizzlies by 35 points. Bounce back time here at home. Miami is off a road loss and is now on a 1-5 ATS run in road games. 10* PHILADELPHIA -6

NBA TNT Dominator - 10* Top Play OVER 211.5 in New York Knicks vs Golden State Warriors @ 7:35 ET - The Warriors were on pace for an over and then the 4th quarter had just 38 points for the two teams combined! After that nonsensical finish, even if Steph Curry does not play in tonight's game, I feel we are going to see this one get over the rather low posted total here. We get a low total here because the Knicks are involved but New York off back to back low-scoring games but this followed 5 straight overs. Look for the over trending to resume here as the over is 2-1 in the Warriors last 3 second game of B2B situations and, by the way, the one that stayed under totaled 219 which would be an over given today's posted number. Look for this to soar over the total. 10* OVER 211.5 in New York 

NBA TV Early - 10* Top Play OVER 213 in Indiana Pacers vs Golden State Warriors @ 7:10 ET - The last 3 times the Warriors were held to 103 points or less they enjoyed an explosion on offense in their next game. Golden State averaged 116.3 points per game in those 3 games and here they enter off an ugly 102 to 93 loss at Philly as Steph Curry, among others, shot unusually poor. The Warriors will bounce back here and I like the fact that Indiana is off a low-scoring win. That 106-93 win stayed well under the total but Pacers were on a 7-1 run to the over heading into that one. Their over trending resumes in a big way here. Curry is expected to play here and needs 7 more threes to break Ray Allen's regular season record for threes made. That only helps our cause here in another non-conference battle and coming off a rare poor shooting effort. Expect plenty of points in this one with a lot of threes! 10* OVER 213 in Indiana 

NBA Contrarian Dominator Sunday 10* Top Play Dallas Mavericks -4 @ Oklahoma City Thunder @ 7:10 ET - Luka Doncic is out for this game. Of course that is factored into this line however and I am going to lay the small number with Dallas on the road. The Mavericks fell apart in the 4th quarter at Indiana Friday after Doncic got hurt. Also, he made just 1 of 8 three pointers and the team made just 4 of 29! No wonder the Mavs lost by 13 with ridiculous numbers like that. In fact, Dallas actually outscored the Pacers by 14 not including 3-pointers. In other words, the horrible 3-point shooting of the Mavs was the difference in the game and that won't be repeated here against a bad Thunder team. Yes, OKC had B2B wins before losing to the Lakers Friday but, prior to those two wins Oklahoma City had lost 10 of 11 games. Only 1 of their last 11 losses by less than 4 points. Each of the Mavs last 6 wins by 8 or more points. Each of last 3 games between these teams decided by 8 or more points and the Mavs took 2 of the 3 and I look for guys to step up with Doncic out and help lead the Mavericks to a big road win in this one. 10* DALLAS -4

NBA Dominator Saturday 10* Top Play Denver Nuggets Pick @ San Antonio Spurs @ 8:40 ET - In games played since Thanksgiving, Denver is 3-0 SU/ATS when they enter a game off a loss. After losing at San Antonio Thursday (Nuggets were in a B2B by the way), Denver should respond here. They get a chance at immediate revenge against the Spurs and note that in each of the past 6 meetings between these teams there has never been a case where there the Nuggets did not get either the SU or ATS win or both in back to back games. Throughout calendar year 2021 that trend has held true and with Denver failing to cover or win outright in the loss Thursday at San Antonio, look for them to get payback Saturday. Of course with this line a pick'em, any SU win also an ATS win for the Nuggets and I look for them to get it done in a big way here! 10* DENVER Pick'em

Perfection Play Friday NBA 10* Dallas Mavericks +2 vs Indiana Pacers @ 7:10 ET - The road team is on a perfect 4-0 SU and ATS run in meetings between these teams the past two seasons. Home court just has not mattered in their recent match-ups and I do not expect it to matter here either. The Mavericks are off a win and very hungry to build a win streak again like they did in early to mid November when they won 5 of 6 games. Consistency key for this Dallas team right now and they circled this 3-game road trip (began with win at Memphis Wednesday) as a chance to get things rolling again as they wrap up at Oklahoma City Sunday. I like the fact that, in addition to the 4-0 trend above, we also have a situation that is 3-0 this season going against Indiana. The Pacers enter this game off B2B wins and they have yet to win 3 straight this season. Indiana is 0-3 this season when they enter a game off B2B wins. Look for all these trends to continue Friday. 10* DALLAS +2

NBA Earliest Cash - 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers (+) vs Utah Jazz @ 7:10 ET - The Sixers seek revenge for a 35 point blowout at Utah last month. The home team is now a perfect 5-0 SU and ATS in last 5 meetings between these teams and that trend should continue here. Philly has been playing better as they have gotten healthier and now have won 3 straight games. The Jazz off a win and cover last night but were on a 2-5 ATS run in the 7 games prior to last night's contest. So Utah is off a win and cover but they have not won and covered both games of a back to back yet this season and that is another trend I don't expect to change tonight either. This is their 4th back to back this season and I look for them to continue to struggle to put together back to back wins in these spots. 10* PHILADELPHIA +3.5

NBA Total of the Week - 10* Top Play OVER 215.5 in Charlotte Hornets vs Philadelphia 76ers @ 7:10 ET - The over is 6-0 in Charlotte's last 6 games. Though 2 of the 6, including the one hosting Philly Monday, went to overtime, both of those games were over the total by the end of regulation already. Although the Hornets are dealing with a covid outbreak that was already an issue heading into Monday's game and yet Charlotte did just fine in the scoring department against the 76ers. In fact, the Hornets have now averaged 127 points per game in regulation time last 6 games! The Sixers have trended more toward unders of late but that had a lot to do with the teams they were playing. Matched up with Charlotte this is likely to be another high-scoring shootout. The Hornets have not looked good at all on defense and have allowed 126 points last 6 games but their offense continues to roll. 10* OVER 215.5 in Charlotte

NBA Non-Conf Game of the Month - 10* Top Play Dallas Mavericks +4 vs Brooklyn Nets @ 7:35 ET - I am grabbing the home dog in a great situation here. Dallas is off back to back ATS losses and they have performed very well ATS when in that situation this season. Also, Kristaps Porzingis is upgraded to probable for this one and Luka Doncic was at practice yesterday and is simply dealing with a sore ankle. I don't see him missing this game even though he is listed as questionable. Mavericks are 3-0 SU and ATS last 3 meetings with Brooklyn. The Nets enter this game on a stretch that has seen them cover just 1 time in their last 9 games! 10* DALLAS +4

NBA Earliest Cash - 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -7 @ Charlotte @ 7:10 ET - I expect Tobias Harris to be back tonight as his illness was non-covid related and the Sixers have had two off days since knocking off the Hawks on Friday. Philly showed great resilience in that game and, even if Harris does not play, I like them here. The 76ers have allowed an average of 93 points per game last 3 while the Hornets, NOT even including OT points, have allowed 131 points per game last 4 games. This is also the front end of a 2-game set as these teams meet again in Charlotte Wednesday. That said, the road team should be fully focused on the task at hand here and I look for the team that is much better defensively to prevail by double digits. 10* PHILADELPHIA -7

NBA Game of the Week - 10* Top Play Milwaukee Bucks -5.5 vs Miami Heat @ 8:10 ET - Giannis is likely to be out for this game for the Bucks. However, Butler and Adebayo both likely to miss for the Heat. That said, I love the situational aspect of this game as Milwaukee is seeking revenge for a 137 to 95 loss at Miami early this season. Also, the Bucks are off a loss but this was preceded by 9 straight wins SU and a 4-1 ATS run. Heat are off a win but this was preceded by a 2-4 SU run and 1-5 ATS run. 10* MILWAUKEE -5.5

NBA ESPN Rout - 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers +2.5 @ Atlanta Hawks @ 7:40 ET - The first thought here might be revenge on the part of the Hawks since they got blasted at Philly earlier this season. However, two key points relating to that. One is that the Sixers, despite that win, still have much to atone for here as they lost in the post-season to the Hawks last season and they are very hungry for a win at Atlanta. Also, the 76ers - in comparison with Atlanta - are now the much healthier team. In the only meeting between these teams this season nearly 40% of Atlanta's points came from Reddish, Bogdanovich, and Hunter. The latter two of those guys are out for tonight and Reddish has been downgraded to doubtful. The Hawks, simply put, are short-handed for this one in a big way while Philly - despite some recent struggles still - is much healthier now than they have been in a long time. That said, a lot of line value here with the road dog. 10* PHILADELPHIA +2.5

NBA Earliest Cash - 10* Top Play Milwaukee Bucks -3.5 @ Toronto Raptors @ 7:40 ET - I know this is a back to back for the Bucks but they are 2-0 SU L2 times in the 2nd game of a B2B and each win by 9 or more points. Also, the road team 3-0 SU and ATS in last 3 meetings between these teams. Additionally, Milwaukee has won 8 straight games while the Raptors have lost 10 of last 13 games. Toronto has been held to 97 points or less in 3 straight games and the last two of those were at home. Bucks averaging 111.5 points per game on the road this season and they have been hot. 10* MILWAUKEE -3.5

NBA TV Rivalry Rout - 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers +3 @ Boston Celtics @ 7:40 ET - The Sixers are finally getting healthy and after a double-OT loss and a narrow win have been how the first two games have played out, look for the third time to be the charm! Yes, barring something unforeseen, this should be the 3rd game with both Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris on the floor together. The 76ers won all 3 games against the Celtics last season after Boston knocked them out of the post-season in 2020. There is a special disdain that Philly has for Boston in the sports world and it certainly carries over to this long-time NBA rivalry. Philadelphia will be hungry for a big win over their rivals as they make up for lost time when they have been without key players like Harris for Embiid for extended stretches this season. It has made them a bit disjointed but they can start to turn the corner now. At the same time, Celtics might rest Jaylen Brown tonight and, either way, he could be somewhat limited with his ongoing hamstring injury. Also, Boston is off a big win and cover at Toronto but they are 0-4 ATS the last 4 times they entered a game off an ATS win. The Sixers won the 3 games last season by average of 10 points and each victory was by 8 or more points. I look for that trend to continue here! 10* PHILADELPHIA +3

NBA Total of the Month - 10* Top Play OVER 218 in Toronto Raptors vs Memphis Grizzlies @ 7:40 ET - The over is 7-0 in Grizzlies last 7 games. The over is 7-2 in Raptors last 9 games. I know long-term the games between these teams at Toronto have trended under but the over is 2-1 in 3 most recent meetings between these clubs and the way they are going right now I expect plenty of scoring. Memphis has allowed 117 points per game in road games this season. Toronto allowing 108 per game at home this season and overall has had held only one opponent under 109 points in last 9 games! In the other 8 games, the Raptors allowed average of 116 points per game! You can see why I am projecting this game to get well into the 220s if not 230s as neither one of these teams has been showing a ton of commitment on the defensive end and plus this is a non-conference match-up and those generally tend to have less intensity defensively. Both teams have games on deck that are in-conference games that will garner more intensity defensively. As a result, look for tonight to be a free-flowing game with plenty of points. Yes, Ja Morant is now out for the Grizzlies but they scored 128 in first game without him and it was not a fluke. They only hit 13 of 39 threes but it was simply a fast-paced game and I look for another one here. 10* OVER 218 in Toronto

NBA Earliest Punisher - 10* Top Play OVER 208.5 in Philadelphia 76ers vs Orlando Magic @ 7:10 ET - We are getting line value here with a low total because the Magic have such bad scoring numbers as Orlando has been a depleted team all season long. However, this has led to value here because the way I see this one playing out is the Sixers rolling to a blowout win but I just don't trust laying 15 points really in any situation. But the key is Philadelphia is not going to take the foot off their gas at least in the first 3 quarters of this game. This team is getting healthier but they are angry off B2B losses including one in double-OT against the Timberwolves on Saturday. Philly will take advantage of facing an Orlando team that has allowed 115 points per game last 6 games. The 76ers have a road trip on deck so this game carries extra importance for them. They will not be stopped in this game but I would not be surprised if they let the Magic creep back into the range of the spread late in this game. That is another reason to like the over here as a lot as Philadelphia should score a ton and then we see a loosely played game in the latter stages with plenty of easy buckets for both teams during "mop-up" time. 10* OVER 208.5 in Philadelphia

NBA Early Annihilation - 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -4.5 vs Minnesota Timberwolves @ 6:10 ET - The Sixers have a huge rest edge here as they were off Thursday and Friday. Not only did the Timberwolves play yesterday on Friday, they also were in action on Wednesday which makes this a back to back and 3rd game in 4 days scenario. The Sixers could get Embiid and Harris both back for this one. Either way, the 76ers get it done in this one! Philly is off an ugly loss at Golden State but had won 2 of 3 before that and is ready to turn the tide back east after a rough trip out west. Getting healthier and back on the east coast will get the Sixers going again. Minnesota is 2-4 last 6 road games and has allowed 123 points or more in all 4 of those defeats away from home. More of the same expected here. 10* PHILADELPHIA -4.5

Early Dominator - NBA 10* Top Play Phoenix Suns -3 @ New York Knicks @ 7:10 ET - The Suns have won 14 straight games but are on the road and facing a Knicks team that just beat the Lakers and so they are getting a little extra respect from the betting markets here. I feel New York is getting a little too much respect though! The Knicks are off a win but have not won back to back games since October! In fact, prior to beating LA, New York had lost 7 of 11 games. Now they host a Phoenix team whose 14 straight wins feature only one by less than 4 points and that was a 3 point win. The Suns are 3-0 against the East and 7-1 on the road this season. Knicks are only 5-5 at home this season and were on an overall 3-9 ATS run before getting the cover versus Lakers. Lay the points with short road favorite. 10* PHOENIX -3

NBA Game of the Month - 10* Top Play Boston Celtics +1 vs Brooklyn Nets @ 7:40 ET - The Celtics are seeking revenge for the playoff exit (in 5 games) to the Nets that ended their season last year. Brown and Richardson both listed as questionable for this game. I expect both will end up playing but even if the they did not (Brown being the bigger key), note that Celtics have been playing well even in games he has recently missed. Brown just came back from injury on Monday so he had a day off heading into this game and has a day off after this game too so, in terms of minutes management, I do expect him to be a go in this big game tonight. The key about big games is also the key to this play by the way. So often this season the Nets have struggled in the biggest of games while Boston has been much better in the big games against tough competition. I look for that trend to continue on Wednesday night. The Celtics enter this game having won 3 straight and 8 of 11 games and the Nets have been piling up wins lately too but against bad teams. Keep in mind they lost games against the Warriors, Bucks, and Heat and those were all double digit losses this season. Look for the hungry Celtics to get their revenge here. 10* BOSTON +1

NBA Earliest Cash - 10* Top Play Detroit Pistons +10 vs Miami Heat @ 7 ET - The Pistons have covered 6 of last 8 games (compared to opening number). They continue to fight hard and, as a result, have only 2 losses by more than 5 points out of their last 8 games. With Miami laying double digits on the road here in the front end of a back to back, we have excellent line value with a motivated home dog still a bit steamed from blowing game versus Lakers Sunday and with the whole LeBron James - Isaiah Stewart incident. Stewart is out for this game as a result but these Pistons continue to battle hard and this game is decided by single digits. 10* DETROIT +10

NBA Earliest Cash - 10* OVER 212.5 in Boston - Celtics getting back Jaylen Brown and Robert Williams and Boston has been heating up even without Brown so I am expecting plenty of points with his return tonight. As for Rockets, they showed a lot of fight in their loss at New York Saturday and I expect this Houston team to keep battling as they look to end their long losing streak. To be competitive in this game the Rockets will have to score plenty of points and I am fully expecting that as they hang around in this one. That will help send this one way over the total in my opinion. Celtics averaging 112 points in regulation time of last 6 home games. Boston has allowed 107 points in regulation time of last 3 home games. 10* OVER 212.5 in Boston

NBA Contrarian Crusher - 10* Top Play Detroit Pistons +7.5 - There is a chance LeBron James won't play for LA tonight and, even if he does, he is not 100% just yet as he recovers from oblique injury. The Lakers have lost 3 straight and the Pistons showed a lot of heart at home against Golden State on Friday when they battled to what ultimately ended up being a 3-point defeat. That said, I like the home dog value with a scrappy Detroit team that certainly has been showing they will not quit on games. Prior to the 3 point loss to the Warriors, the Pistons had covered 4 of 6 games and I feel strongly they will bring a highly motivated effort hosting the Lakers tonight. 10* DETROIT +7.5

NBA Earliest Cash - 10* Top Play HOUSTON +11.5 - The Rockets are having a very rough season and have lost 13 straight games. You know they are hungry to end that streak and they catch a Knicks team that is in the front end of a B2B as they are at Chicago tomorrow night. That said, I feel we have great line value here with with big points. New York is only 3-6 SU last 9 games. The Knicks last five wins have featured only one by a margin of more than 8 points. Right or not the Rockets view this as a winnable game and they are desperate to stop their streak. That said, even if they do fall short, you can see why the loss is likely to be a margin in the single digits. 10* HOUSTON +11.5

Early Punisher - NBA 10* DETROIT +7 - The Warriors might rest Stephen Curry here. 2nd game of a back to back and 3rd game in 4 days. Even if he plays this Golden State team has to be running out of gas here. It actually will be their 8th game in 12 days during what has been a brutal scheduling stretch. I know the Warriors found a way last night but what a miracle cover it was. They outscored the Cavaliers 36 to 8 in the 4th quarter. Suffice to say they used a lot of energy in coming back for that win and unreal cover as a big favorite. They will struggle to put away a rested Detroit team. The Pistons are playing just their 6th game in 15 days. Also, Detroit is off a home win versus Indiana and are now on a 4-2 ATS run. They have been playing much more competitive and will be up for this game at home and a chance to knock off Curry and Company - whether he plays or not. 10* DETROIT +7

Situational Slaughter - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #504 Thursday 10* Top Play Cleveland Cavaliers +8.5 vs Golden State Warriors @ 7:40 ET - Yes, this is the 2nd game of B2B for Cavaliers but at least they are at home and they did put up a good fight at Brooklyn. This Cleveland team is not showing any quit. That is why the Cavs entered last night's game on a 10-2-1 ATS run. As for the Warriors, everyone knows they have been red hot. But now this is the 1st game of a B2B and it is after the big marquee game win at Brooklyn Tuesday and Steph Curry is dealing with a sore hip. That means even if Curry plays he could be limited and also it means the red Warriors will need to hold a little something back for Friday's game at Detroit. That said, Golden State has played a home heavy schedule and though they are now 4-1 SU in road game this season, the Warriors had only 1 road win by more than 8 points prior to Tuesday's big win at Brooklyn. Considering the full situation here, I see GS in a battle just to win this game let alone cover the big road number. The value is with the home team that has been quite hot ATS for multiple weeks now. 10* CLEVELAND +8.5

Situational Slaughter - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #566 Wednesday 10* Top Play Brooklyn Nets -9 vs Cleveland Cavaliers @ 7:40 ET - The Nets off embarrassing home loss to Warriors last night. They will respond here. Brooklyn is 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS this season when off a loss. Also, this is their 3rd back to back this season. So far each one featured a double digit win and a double digit loss. That pattern continues here. After getting blown out last night, the Nets are on the right end of the blowout tonight. I know Cleveland has been a pleasant surprise this season thus far but the Cavaliers, between injury and illness, are missing too many guys right now. 10* BROOKLYN -9

Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #559 Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 218.5 in Charlotte Hornets vs Washington Wizards @ 7:10 ET - Wizards games have stayed under the total in 6 straight and Hornets games have stayed under the total in 3 straight and each of the last 3 meetings between these teams has resulted in an under. In typical contrarian fashion, given those stats, I will take the over here! Of course it is not blindly though. The fact is that Charlotte is comfortable playing fast and they are going to force the pace of this game to be the way they want it at home. They had a low-scoring 4th quarter versus Golden State Sunday that looked like a sure over. Following that ridiculous result, we get some payback here as I come right back with a Hornets over knowing that Washington averaging 108.4 points per game game this season and Hornets averaging 116.2 points in home games this season. 10* OVER 218.5 in Charlotte

TNT Punisher - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #552 Tuesday 10* Top Play Brooklyn Nets -2.5 vs Golden State Warriors @ 7:35 ET - Two strong teams matched up here but I feel the home team is offering excellent value. Brooklyn will make the most of this opportunity as it is their first home game since nearly two weeks ago. The edge the Nets have here is catching the Warriors playing the 2nd road game of a 4-game trip and Golden State will be playing those 4 games in just a 6 day span. Yes GS has a great record early this season but they also were helped by the fact that 10 of their first 13 games were at home to start this season. In fact, their loss at Charlotte Sunday was the Warriors first road game since the 26th of October. The Nets blew out the Warriors in both meetings last season and, while I do expect this one to be a much closer game, I still expect the hosts to prevail and easily cover this low number along the way to the victory circle in this one. 10* BROOKLYN -2.5

Early Punisher - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #537 Monday 10* Top Play OVER 213.5 in Atlanta Hawks vs Orlando Magic @ 7:40 ET - Hawks head coach had been wanting his team to up the tempo and they finally did it yesterday and it led to a 120-100 win versus Milwaukee. I love the fact that Atlanta scored 120 but the game still stayed under the total. That gives us value here as we have a lower total to work with courtesy of the Hawks facing a bad Orlando team. Couple keys here as to why this will go over even though the Magic such a bad team right now and still without some players. The Hawks defensive intensity likely to drop off after being up for the big game versus the NBA champs last night. Also, Atlanta is without Hunter (wrist surgery) and he is one of their best defenders. Additionally, the Magic have scored an average of 109 points last 3 road games but are a double digit dog here with good reason. In other words, look for this one to crush the rather low total as the Trae Young and the Hawks run and gun again in this one. 10* OVER 213.5 in Atlanta

Total of the Week - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #519 Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 227 in Charlotte Hornets vs Golden State Warriors @ 7:10 ET - Warriors have averaged 123 points last 5 games. Hornets have averaged 118 points in home games this season. Both teams hitting 37% of their threes this season. Charlotte off B2B unders but over was 9-3 on the season before that two game stretch. Golden State off an under but this followed 3 straight overs. Non-conference match-up, both teams off wins, and this the type of situation I like to look for softer defense and a run and gun type affair. 10* OVER 227 in Charlotte

Money Line Mauling - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #505 Saturday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers Money Line +135 @ Indiana Pacers @ 7:10 ET - The Sixers are the dog here but no points needed in my opinion. The 76ers have lost 3 straight games and bounce back big here. The Pacers are in a rough scheduling spot as they are off a road trip out west that just ended Thursday and this is the lone home game before another road trip begins Monday. That makes this a "one off trap game" and the hungry Philly team takes advantage and gets an elusive win to snap their skid. Indiana is off a win and only has one winning streak (a modest 2-gamer) on the season and so this is a Pacers team that is 1-3 when off a win and I look for that trend to continue here. 10* PHILADELPHIA +135

NBA Early Dominator - 10* Top Play OVER 223.5 in Charlotte - The Hornets like to play fast and this is particularly true at home where they are averaging 100 shots per game from the field! Though Charlotte is off an under this was preceded by a run of 9-3 to the over! Also, the Knicks are off an under at home and I know they have also generally trended under the total of late but this is a New York team that is 5-1 SU on the road this season and has averaged scoring 113 points per game in their 5 road victories. Couple that with the fact the Hornets are averaging 122 points per game at home this season and you can see why I am expecting a fast-paced shootout in this one! 10* OVER 223.5 in Charlotte

NBA TV Blowout - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #550 Thursday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -2.5 vs Toronto Raptors @ 7:10 ET - The Sixers are off B2B home losses and have a huge 6-game road trip on deck that sees them not play again at home until after Thanksgiving Day! Suffice to say, this game carries extra importance as a result. Even though Philly is expected to still be without Joel Embiid, they could get Tobias Harris back from covid-19 protocols. Also, the Raptors are in a tough back to back spot after losing at Boston last night. Toronto has lost 3 straight games and, with this being a back to back, Pascal Siakam is expected to be rested. Look for the 76ers to get back on track with a much needed home win here. 10* PHILADELPHIA -2.5

Eastern Conf Total of the Month - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #529 Wednesday 10* Top Play OVER 215.5 in New York Knicks vs Milwaukee Bucks @ 7:40 ET - The Bucks off a 118-109 win at Philly that went over the total last night. Now in the 2nd game of a B2B we could see a little slacking in intensity level in the defensive end as a result. The Knicks have been playing well and scoring with much more consistency this season. The over is 4-1 in New York's home games this season. The Bucks have scored 117 points or more in 4 of their last 5 road games. Milwaukee's last visit here totaled 240 points! We may not see that many tonight but all signs pointing to this one getting into the 220s based on the situation. The Knicks off a low-scoring divisional win over the Sixers Monday so the set up here is perfect. 10* OVER 215.5 in New York

TNT Annihilation - Rickenbach NBA Tuesday 10* Top Play OVER 218 in Philadelphia 76ers vs Milwaukee Bucks @ 7:35 ET - The Bucks without Middleton. The 76ers without Embiid and Harris. I know both these teams have been trending under of late but this one is going to play out much differently in my opinion. The 76ers are in a back to back spot and scored 109 the only other time this season they were in the 2nd game of a back to back. Also, the Sixers are off a disappointing home loss to the Knicks last night and have averaged 116 points per game this season when off an ATS loss. The Bucks are off a disappointing road loss at Washington but had scored an average of 119 points per game their 3 road games prior to the loss to the Wizards. Milwaukee is a big road favorite for a reason here and you can see, based on the above, why I am expecting this one to go over the total as both teams bounce back from low-scoring efforts. 10* OVER 218 in Philadelphia 

Atlantic Div Game of the Month - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #502 Monday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -4.5 vs New York Knicks @ 7:10 ET - The Knicks have now lost 3 of 4 and are in the 2nd game of a back to back. They rested Kemba Walker last night because it was a back to back but also it does appear he is dealing with an undisclosed injury too. Either way, I look for the Sixers to roll at home here. Philly has won 6 straight games. What preceded the 6-game win streak? A loss to the division rival Knicks. In other words, this is a payback game and the 76ers have an edge in that they were off yesterday too. That is important for big man Joel Embiid and he is coming off a strong game on Saturday as it was one of his best of the season. Putting the Ben Simmons situation out of their minds and even playing without Tobias Harris (covid), the 76ers have continued to find a way to get it done. I expect more of the same in this revenge game. Each of the Knicks losses have been by 6 or points the last 3 in the 1-3 run have all been by 9 or more points. Look for Philly to roll again and get the cover at home. Sixers on a 5-0 ATS run and Knicks on a 1-4 ATS run. 10* PHILADELPHIA -4.5

Total of the Week - Rickenbach NBA Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 207 in New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers @ 6 ET - We had a horrible bad beat here with the Knicks over on Friday but it was not New York's fault. The game had 117 points at half but then Milwaukee scored like hell in the 2nd half even though they were at home and that cost us big. We'll get some payback here because Knicks had huge 2nd half and I look for them to carry it right into this game. New York scored 113 points and is averaging 113 points per game on the season. Cleveland has won 3 straight games and averaged 107 points per game during this win streak. I know the Cavs have some injury and covid concerns but they have been playing with those in this streak and this game should be a shootout. 10* OVER 207 in New York

PA Dominator - Rickenbach NBA Saturday 10* Top Play Chicago Bulls -3.5 vs Philadelphia 76ers @ 8:10 ET - Revenge game for Bulls. Yes they lost at Philly on Wednesday but it was because of sub-par shooting. It was absolutely a winnable game and I do not see them being denied in this game after they outrebounded the Sixers by a big margin but were outscored by 18 points from 3-point land. That was the difference in the game and the Bulls get some payback as the 76ers continue to deal with injury and quarantine issues and Embiid's knee is certainly nowhere near 100 percent right now either. 10* CHICAGO -3.5

Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NBA Friday 10* Top Play OVER 217 in Milwaukee Bucks vs New York Knicks @ 7:35 ET - Bucks have been struggling to score in last two home games but I look for a breakout game on offense here as they make up for it in a big way. Milwaukee just scored 117 on road and carry that momentum into a much needed strong performance at home. I am aware of the injury situation but they should get Jrue Holiday back for this one as well. Knicks off low scoring loss at Pacers but were averaging 115 points per game before that and should bounce back here with plenty of offense. Over had been 5-2 in Knicks games and that trending resumes here. 10* OVER 217 in Milwaukee

PA Dominator - Rickenbach NBA Thursday 10* Top Play OVER 206.5 in Detroit Pistons vs Philadelphia 76ers @ 7:10 ET - Sixers in a back to back so could be a little flat defensively here after holding the Bulls under 100 last night. Also, Embiid may not play since it is a back to back. That means the Philly defensive middle could be impacted. I know Pistons not a good team but they allow a ton of points. Detroit has allowed 114 points per game last 5 games. So you can see if Philly wins by close to the line of -6 that would put this game at about 114-108 if Pistons continue to allow the average points they have been. The over is 6-1 L7 meetings including 4-0 L4 at Little Caesars Arena. More of the same here. 10* OVER 206.5 in Detroit 

Early Dominator - Rickenbach NBA Wednesday 10* Top Play Indiana Pacers -110 vs New York Knicks @ 7:10 ET - Pacers are favored over Knicks even though Indiana is 2-6 SU this season and New York is 5-2. Big mistake by the odds makers right? Of course not! A big key here is that, after missing 3 games, Malcolm Brogdon will be back for Indiana tonight. He has big numbers for the Pacers early this season but has been out. Also Indiana is at home for this one and coming off a big win by a double digit margin. The Pacers needed a win and got it and now they get Brogdon back tonight. Though New York is 5-2 this season 3 of their 5 wins have come against teams that are a combined 5-18 on the season! The Pacers have double revenge here from two tight losses to the Knicks in their last two meetings. As for the Knicks, they could get caught looking ahead to their next game as they face the NBA Champion Bucks in Milwaukee on Friday. As for Indiana, they have a west coast road trip starting Friday so this game is ultra-important for them. I do not see them being denied. 10* INDIANA -110

PA Dominator - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #535 Monday 10* Top Play Portland Trail Blazers +2.5 @ Philadelphia 76ers @ 7:10 ET - I liked this situation a ton even before Joel Embiid was set to rest but now with the 76ers big man expected to miss this game I especially like the underdog in this one. The Trail Blazers have been much better with Norman Powell in the lineup and they had won 2 of his 3 games by big margins before losing at Charlotte on Saturday. However, in that defeat the Hornets simply shot a ridiculous 48% from three point land and that was the difference in the game. Now Portland bounces back off that loss and note the Blazers are 3-0 SU and ATS in their last 3 games against Philly. Also, the Trail Blazers had won 3 of 4 (all by 19 or more points) before the loss at Charlotte. They also are catching Philly off huge revenge win over the Hawks as Atlanta had knocked the 76ers out of the playoffs last season. Set ups just do not get much better than this and now, with Embiid set to rest, this easily gets my highest rating. 10* PORTLAND +2.5

NBA TV Blowout - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #527 Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 224.5 in Milwaukee Bucks vs Utah Jazz @ 7:10 ET - I am aware that a few guys are out right now for the Bucks but I love the over in this match-up Sunday. Both teams are off low-scoring upset losses yesterday in which they were held under 100 points. Look for the focus for each team to be on the offensive end in this one after those dismal shooting performances. Note that last season's two meetings between these teams each flew over the total and the over is on a 16-7 run in last 23 meetings between these clubs in Milwaukee. The Bucks had allowed 117.5 points per game last 4 games prior to allowing just 102 to what is not a very good team, Spurs, yesterday. The Jazz are going to have a huge scoring effort here but note also that Utah has some impressive defensive numbers this season but now faces its toughest test yet this season. A road game in a back to back and facing the defending NBA champs. Look for a rather loosely played, wide-open non-conference match-up here and that means a lot of open looks and uncontested shots and easy buckets. I expect a very good pace to this game just like the two meetings last season and those each totaled 244 or more. 10* OVER 224.5 in Milwaukee

PA Dominator - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #510 Saturday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -2.5 vs Atlanta Hawks @ 7:40 ET - Though Joel Embiid is listed as questionable again with knee soreness, the big man has yet to miss a game for the Sixers this season. I certainly do not see him missing this one either as it is a huge revenge game for Philly. While one definitely does not want to just blindly play revenge, the fact is that the favored 76ers will want this game badly after losing in the playoffs to the Hawks last season in June. Note that the home team is 5-0 ATS in Atlanta's games this season and I look for that trend to continue here as Philly is known for being tough on their home floor. 76ers off a non-covering win versus Detroit in most recent game and that is keeping this line lower than it should be. Lay the small number and look for a big home win in this one as the road teams drops to 0-6 ATS in Hawks games on the season! 10* PHILADELPHIA

Total of the Month - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #561 Friday 10* Top Play OVER 205 in Toronto Raptors vs Orlando Magic vs 7:10 ET - The Magic, despite being very short-handed, continue to go over the total in their games. Part of the reason for this is that Orlando's defense has been very poor early this season. The Magic are allowing 115 points per game and are allowing high percentages from the field including from 3-point land. That said, if they give up 115 here but lose the game by 8 points as the posted spread is suggesting, that would put this total in the 222 range but we are working with an O/U that is much lower than that. I will take it because I believe the Raptors may not have their best defensive intensity for this game either. Toronto is off a home win versus the Pacers and they have a game on deck at Indiana tomorrow. The Raptors have allowed 105 points last 3 games. The Magic have scored 110 points or more in 2 of last 3 games. I know this game could be a bit ugly but still I feel this total is just too low given the situation. Orlando also is in the front end of a back to back as well and the over is 3-0 in last 3 meetings between these teams. More of the same expected here. 10* OVER 205 in Toronto

NBA TV Blowout - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #549 Thursday 10* Top Play OVER 212 in Philadelphia 76ers vs Detroit Pistons @ 7:10 ET - This total has dropped a lot because Jerami Grant is questionable for the Pistons and Joel Embiid is questionable for the 76ers. Keep in mind, when Grant did not play the last game, Kelly Olynyk moved into the starting five. Olynyk had a huge game and it flew over the total. Speaking of overs, the over is a perfect 6-0 in last 6 games between these teams. The Sixers have a big game with Atlanta on deck. Philly could easily look right past a Pistons team that is winless on the season. Additionally, if Embiid does not play that leave a gaping hole in the Sixers interior defense. Everyone always looks at points scored when guys are out but Embiid also matters on defense. That said, even if he does play he has not been moving that well. I look for this one to have plenty of scoring from both teams as Detroit faced a bad Bulls team in B2B games to open up the season and then finally faced a challenge with the Hawks and gave up 122. The Sixers will score plenty here too but note that they have allowed 110 points per game last 3 games and the line here is around a -10. That said, 120 to 110 sounds about right not me and that means the over improves to 7-0 in last 7 meetings between 76ers and Pistons. 10* OVER 212 in Philadelphia

Early Punisher - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #529 Wednesday 10* Top Play Charlotte Hornets -5.5 @ Orlando Magic @ 7:10 ET - The Magic are still without a number of key players to begin this season. Not only is Orlando off to a tough 1-3 start to the season, the Magic have lost all 3 games by at least 17 points apiece and an average margin of defeat of 23 points! That said, it comes as no surprise that I like the Hornets to cover this rather short number that is in the range of a half-dozen points. Charlotte is off a home loss in OT versus Boston so they will be hungry to bounce back here as they had started the season 3-0 SU. I just don't see the short-handed Magic as being able to score enough to avoid a loss by a double-digit margin here. Keep in mind, Orlando is averaging only 98 points per game this season! The Hornets, not including OT, are averaging 120 points per game this season! Each of Charlotte's two road games this season resulted in wins by double digits. I fully expect this one will as well as the Hornets roll big on the road. 10* CHARLOTTE -5.5

Situational Slaughter - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #525 Tuesday 10* Top Play Los Angeles Lakers -4.5 @ San Antonio Spurs @ 8:40 ET - The Lakers should be fully focused here as they lost at home to the Spurs in most recent meeting. Los Angeles is 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in last 4 meetings at San Antonio and the lone non-covering win was a win by 6 points which, as you can see from today's line, would get us the cash here. That said, I am laying the points here with the Lakers as LeBron James is on the injury report but I do expect him to play. Either way, I like LA here as the Spurs are not going to be a very good team this season. They lost too many key players and are rebuilding right now with young players. Also, the Spurs only SU win was over a Magic team missing a ton of their regulars. I know Lakers started slow this season and also are 0-3 ATS but I look for them to build off their first SU win of the season with another one here and I expect them to cover the small number here in the process. 10* LOS ANGELES LAKERS -4.5

Earliest Cash - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #503 Monday 10* Top Play OVER 223.5 in Charlotte Hornets vs Boston Celtics @ 7:10 ET - Both teams in 2nd game of back to back. Both teams off wins in which they allowed less than 100 points. Historically I like overs a lot in situations like this and I expect some tired legs on the defensive end after giving big efforts to get low-scoring wins yesterday. Adding to the value here is that Jaylen Brown should be back after he missed yesterday's game. It was merely precautionary and Boston only wanted him to play one game of the back to back so this is it. Look for more of a run and gun type of game here after yesterday's grinders for each team. Both teams gave up plenty of points in their first two games this season so one should not over-react to yesterday's surprising results. 10* OVER 223.5 in Charlotte

Situational Slaughter - Rickenbach NBA 10* Top Play Milwaukee Bucks -6 @ San Antonio Spurs @ 8:40 ET - The Bucks just got absolutely destroyed at Miami. That means this is a bounce back spot for Milwaukee and they should have Jrue Holiday back for this one. Yes they are not 100% percent healthy yet for sure but that it is a big plus for them here to get Holiday back. While the Bucks also were off yesterday, the Spurs were at Denver. San Antonio coming off a game in high altitude where they expended a lot of energy. The Spurs in 2nd game of tough back to back and yes they did win their only home game so far but that was much better situation and they faced a bad Magic team missing a ton of starters. This situation is much different and features a very strong, and angry, Bucks team that is rested and in bounce back mode! 10* MILWAUKEE -6

PA Dominator - Rickenbach NBA Friday 10* Top Play Brooklyn Nets -3 @ Philadelphia 76ers @ 7:40 ET - The Ben Simmons saga rolls on in Philly. A lot of pressure on Tobias Harris here as the Sixers are in the process of parting ways with Simmons plus Joel Embiid is now questionable for tonight's game with knee issues. That makes this a fantastic situation because Philadelphia is off a blowout win in their first game but it was against a bad Pelicans team while Brooklyn is off a blowout loss in their first game but they faced the defending champion Bucks. Not only off a loss at Milwaukee but also with an extra day of rest between games compared to Philly. The Nets also have double revenge here from losing their last two meetings with the Sixers last season. The road team is favored with good reason here! Lay it! 10* BROOKLYN -3

TNT Annihilation - Rickenbach NBA Thursday 10* Top Play Dallas Mavericks +2.5 @ Atlanta Hawks @ 7:40 ET - The Hawks are at home and had a decent record last season. That is leading to solid line value with the road dog in this one. Keep in mind, Atlanta was barely above .500 against Western Conference teams last season. Conversely, Dallas was 21-9 against Eastern Conference teams last season and that included 2-0 versus the Hawks. I still feel strongly that there exists an East-West dichotomy in the NBA and, until we see this dynamic change, there is always a bit of shading toward the West in my mind when it comes to East-West match-ups. That said, when I can get the team from the West on the road and getting points then I pay particularly close attention. Looking at this match-up, the Hawks also are a bit banged up while the Mavs appear healthy entering this one. I do expect an outright upset but will gladly grab the points as added insurance in this one. 10* DALLAS +2.5

PA Dominator - Rickenbach NBA Wednesday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers (-) @ New Orleans Pelicans @ 8:10 ET - The Sixers are eager to prove that life will go on without Ben Simmons. They want to put that entire nonsense behind them and press ahead. Joel Embiid and company will dominate here as the Pelicans are without Zion Williamson to open up the season. I know Brandon Ingram is going to play for New Orleans here but he was bothered by his knee as the preseason went on. Of course Williamson and Ingram are two key players for New Orleans. As for the 76ers being without Simmons, he honestly had become more of a distraction than anything else and hurt them in the post-season with his reluctance to take shots. Look for Embiid and Tobias Harris to help lead the way to a dominating road win here as the 76ers get payback for a loss here the last time these teams met at New Orleans. 10* PHILADELPHIA -3

Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #511 Tuesday 10* Top Play Phoenix Suns Money Line +180 @ Milwaukee Bucks @ 9:05 ET - The Suns have lost 3 straight games. Phoenix is 3-0 this year when entering a road game on a losing streak of 2 or more games. The Suns did not lose 4 straight games in the regular season and I do not see this happening in the post-season either. Yes we could grab the points here but the strong post-season trend of the points not mattering in almost every single game continues here in my opinion. Outright Suns win. Phoenix shot the ball extremely well in the Game 5 loss and they also were much better with the ball (finally) and did not lose the turnover battle after 3 straight games in which they did. They will call this a shocking upset but really it will not be. Remember Milwaukee went just 16-14 against the West this season. Phoenix went 21-9 against the East this season. The Suns also had the best road record in the NBA this season with a 24-12 mark. I love the huge dog value we are getting here in a must win spot for the road team. Looking forward to Game 7. Indeed I am confident we will see one! 10* PHOENIX +180

Contrarian Crusher ML - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #509 Saturday 10* Top Play Milwaukee Bucks Money Line +150 @ Phoenix Suns @ 9:05 ET - The Suns had it in their grasp. It was all theirs for the taking. Then they went to Milwaukee and let it slip away. Yes I know there are still games to be played but I now have major concerns about this Phoenix team. Losing Game 3 was understandable. Not bouncing back though and winning Game 4 was unacceptable. The Suns were supposed to be the better team. They had looked like the better team. But now check out some of these numbers as Phoenix has just not been the same team since the Game One win. The Bucks had 97 shots from the field in Game 4. The Suns had 78. Are you kidding me? An NBA Championship caliber team is off a loss and that is how they perform. How about turnovers? The last 3 games the Suns have more turnovers in every single came and this has accumulated to a total of 43 to 23 during this stretch. That means Phoenix has nearly twice as many turnovers! Milwaukee also has 29 more free throw attempts than the Suns in the last 3 games combined. Again, as they saying goes, the game is not played on paper but when you look at these stats in black and white it is very clear that the Bucks could (should?) have won each of the last 3 games and have a 3-1 lead in the series. In fact, one could argue that the only reason Phoenix won Game 2 is they had twenty 3-pointers made compared to just 9 for the Bucks! Will the Suns again make 20 of 40 three pointers in this home game? I highly doubt it! Finally, for the first time in this series, the road team not only covers the game but they get the outright win! Give me the plus money in this one. 10* MILWAUKEE +150

Money Line Shocker - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #507 Wednesday 10* Top Play Phoenix Suns Money Line +157 @ Milwaukee Bucks @ 9 ET - Giannis had 17 free throw attempts for the Bucks Sunday while Phoenix only had 16 shots from the charity stripe. The Suns Devin Booker averaged 29 points in the first two games but then was a miserable 3 of 14 from the field in Game 3. Those two unusual stat variations will NOT be repeated Wednesday and I love the fact that the Suns, since late January, have gone 15-3 SU when off a loss. No points needed here. The Suns win outright and avoid the pressure of heading home with this series knotted at 2 games apiece. Unlike Milwaukee, Phoenix has shown the ability to win consistently on the road in this post-season. I do not see them losing two straight games. The Suns respond in a big way here and the extra time off between games benefited them as it took away some of the Bucks momentum. 10* PHOENIX Money Line +157

Money Line Finals Game of the Year - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #505 Sunday 10* Top Play Phoenix Suns Money Line +170 @ Milwaukee Bucks @ 8:05 ET - The normal reaction is to expect the Bucks to bounce back on their home floor and get a win. Conventional wisdom says that will happen. In typical contrarian fashion though I love to buck conventional wisdom. I know the NBA would love to have a longer series but this is not looking good for the Bucks. What people are forgetting is how Milwaukee got to this point. They beat a Heat team and a Hawks team that play in the weak Southeast Division. They also beat a Nets team that dealt with significant injuries to 2/3 of its Big Three with both Harden and Irving dealing with injuries in that series. I just do not think the Bucks are in the same class as the Suns. They were down double digits entering the 4th quarter of each game in Phoenix. I know Milwaukee is a better team when at home but do you realize that the Suns have won 13 of 15 games including 6 of 7 on the road? Championship teams win on the road. The Bucks? They have lost 6 of last 9 road games and one of the three wins was in OT. I know...I know...Milwaukee is at home here but you get my point...the best teams know how to win on the road and that is a Championship-caliber team. All the pressure here is on the Bucks. They are down 2-0 in this series and, unlike when they faced the Nets in this same situation two rounds ago, the Suns are 100% healthy. By the way Milwaukee scored only 86 points in that game 3 win. Now they face a healthy Phoenix team. Also, the Suns have scored an average of 122 points in their last 3 games including 130 in most recent road game. I am going contrarian here and playing the loose and relaxed team that is playing with confidence and no pressure. No points needed. Upset time. Give me the big plus money return. 10* PHOENIX +170

Money Line Mauling - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #503 Thursday 10* Top Play Milwaukee Bucks Money Line +190 @ Phoenix Suns @ 9:05 ET - The Bucks are a perfect 4-0 SU the last 4 times they were off a loss. Milwaukee has played great defense after a game in which they tasted defeat as the Bucks allowed 91 points or less in 3 of those 4 victories. I expect a very strong effort from a hungry Milwaukee team and note that the Suns had alternated wins and losses in their 5 games prior to the victory to open up this series. The Bucks were outscored by 16 points at the free throw line in Game 1 but otherwise won the game by 3 points. There is great value here in my opinion. I know we could take the points at +5.5 as added insurance but as we have seen throughout this post-season, there have hardly been any games where the point-spread has matter. Since late May, as an example, the SU winner has also been the ATS winner in 14 of 15 Bucks games and 13 of 14 Suns games. I will grab the big plus money here. 10* MILWAUKEE +190

Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #502 Tuesday 10* Top Play Phoenix Suns (-) vs Milwaukee Bucks @ 9:05 ET - Giannis Antetokounmpo is doubtful for this game. The line still may look a little steep to most considering the Bucks have been winning some games without him. However, in typical contrarian fashion, I am on the other side of that thinking. I look for Phoenix to win this game by double digits. This is the toughest team the Bucks have faced in the post-season and they are on the road and they are not at full strength and likely without their best player. Blowout home win in the forecast here to get the finals underway. Suns on 10-3 ATS run. Milwaukee off a rare road win and cover and had been on 2-4 ATS run in road games. 10* PHOENIX

Game of the Month - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #562 Saturday 10* Top Play Atlanta Hawks (-) vs Milwaukee Bucks @ 8:35 ET - Giannis is more likely to miss this game than Trae Young. I just can't see Young missing a win or go home game while Giannis has the luxury of knowing there would still be a Game 7 at home in Milwaukee he can rest up for if the Bucks lose this game. Subconsciously, the Bucks could have a letdown here. They rallied the troops in the first game without Giannis on Thursday but I just don't see them again shooting 50 percent from the field without him like they did in Game 5. That said, regardless of who plays, I like the Hawks to get a big win here at home in Game 6. They did win Game 4 convincingly here without Young and even before Giannis got hurt in the 3rd quarter of that game, the Bucks were down by double digits for most of that game. Milwaukee has lost 4 of last 6 road games. The home team has won 4 of last 6 games between these teams and the Hawks held the Bucks to 39% from the field and 20% three pointers the last time these teams met in Atlanta. The home team, after being embarrassed at Milwaukee in Game 5, will respond big here in Game 6 regardless of who is on the floor. But, in that regard, the odds favor that it will be Young coming back for this one and not Giannis. Either way, the play here is the home team in a blowout. 10* ATLANTA

Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #541 Thursday 10* Top Play Atlanta Hawks Money Line +125 @ Milwaukee Bucks @ 8:35 ET - Highly doubtful that Giannis Antetokounmpo will play here and the news gets even worse. The Bucks had him up until he got hurt about 5 minutes into the 3rd quarter. Even with him they were down 10 points at that point in the game AND the Hawks were playing without Trae Young. The fact that there is a decent chance Young will be back tonight really makes this situation tough on Milwaukee. This is particularly true because Cam Reddish is now back for Atlanta and playing well also. The Hawks now have a ton of confidence, are the healthier team, and this line is VERY small on the Bucks at home for a reason. The odds makers are enticing the betting public with the idea of taking a traditionally great home team, Milwaukee, at a number as low as -2 this morning. In my opinion the sharps will be on the Hawks here and the public will be on the Bucks at home. That said, give me the Atlanta money line as we have just not seen many games at all in this post-season where the spread has mattered so I will grab some plus money with the Hawks to win SU. Look for Atlanta to continue their ultra impressive playoff run. The Hawks got embarrassed in their last game here at Milwaukee but this followed 3 straight road wins and they will get payback after being completely obliterated in Game 2 of this series. 10* ATLANTA +125

Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #531 Wednesday 10* Top Play Phoenix Suns (+) @ Los Angeles Clippers @ 9 ET - As you know, I am not fond of laying big juice or big points and, that said, this the perfect spot to take Phoenix to finish this series off. Since the Suns are on the road, we get great line value here with this line right around a pick'em and even available at +1 for Phoenix in some spots this morning. The Suns had won 10 of 11 prior to Monday's loss and I look for them to improve to 3-0 the last 3 times they were on the road and coming off a loss. The Clippers made 54.8% of their shots from the field and I certainly do not expect that to be repeated. In fact, LA made just 32.5% of their shots in the last game here. Considering that as well as the Suns being fired up off a loss and Los Angeles still without Kawhi Leonard, look for this series to end tonight. 10* PHOENIX +1

Money Line Mauling - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #522 Tuesday 10* Top Play Atlanta Hawks Money Line +230 vs Milwaukee Bucks @ 8:30 ET - Of course you can grab the Hawks at +7 if you prefer but I am grabbing the money line. I am glad we won with the Clippers last night as a plus points underdog but still kicking myself for not using their big plus money line like I did on Atlanta in Game 1 of this series when they won outright at nearly +300 odds. The fact is that the Hawks are off back to back losses now and they are 5-1 SU the last 6 times they have entered a game off consecutive losses. We are getting extra line value here because of the Trae Young injury situation but I would be shocked if he did not play and/or was not effective. Either way though I expect a huge response from the Hawks here and certainly do not expect the Bucks to shoot better than 50% from the field for a 3rd consecutive game either. Milwaukee has a solid home record but Atlanta's home record even better. Also, the Hawks were the better team for the first 3 quarters of Sunday's loss before blowing the game in the 4th quarter as they were flustered by the Young injury situation. That will not impact them here as it known he has a bone bruise and he and the Hawks rally the troops for this one. 10* ATLANTA Money Line +230

Western Conf Finals Game of the Year - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #511 Monday 10* Top Play Los Angeles Clippers (+) @ Phoenix Suns @ 9:05 ET - This series has featured tight games and I am expecting another one here. The Clippers lone win was by 14 points but their 3 losses were by a total of only 11 points! That said, we have some value with the 5.5 points being offered here as the Suns, despite going against an LA team playing without Kawhi Leonard, has struggled to put them away in each game. Phoenix has made just 20 of 78 three pointers in the last 3 games in this series and that included one at home of course. The Clippers actually have shot better at Phoenix from downtown in this series as they have made 33 of 81 three pointers in the 2 games played here. That said, don't be surprised if Los Angeles finds away to stay alive in this series with an upset win here in Game 5. However, if LA does fall short, look for the points to be enough for the all-important cover in this one. 10* LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

Money Line Mauling - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #502 Sunday 10* Top Play Atlanta Hawks Money Line +165 vs Milwaukee Bucks @ 8:35 ET - The Hawks did not just lose at Milwaukee in Game 2, they got absolutely annihilated in an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Bucks. That said, the set up here is ideal as Atlanta is back at home and in response mode. Remember that, entering March, the Hawks were just 14-20 on the season. That means they wrapped up the regular season on a 27-11 run. In fact, when at home off a loss, Atlanta is 7-1 the last 8 times. Just like I did in Game 1 when we cashed with the big dog Hawks on the money line at nearly a 3 to 1 payback, I am shunning the points again for the bigger payout with the money line. The ATS winner has also been the SU winner in 12 of last 13 Bucks games. The ATS winner has also been the SU winner in 13 straight Atlanta games. The point is that if you like the Hawks to get the cover here, the odds strongly favor that you play the money line for the bigger payout as any ATS win also likely to be a SU win. This has actually been a strong pattern throughout this post-season in nearly all the series. More of the same here and I look for the hosts to improve to 8-1 SU the last 9 times they were at home off a loss. 10* ATLANTA money line +165

Total of the Week - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #591 Saturday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Los Angeles Clippers vs Phoenix Suns @ 9:05 ET - Back to back unders in this series. The only time in this post-season that the Clippers have been at home following back to back unders, the game flew over the total. The only two times that the Suns have been on the road following a streak of 2 or more consecutive unders, each time the game flew over the total. That is a combined 3-0 over trend for these teams that is perfect in this post-season and that I expect to remain perfect here as well. Phoenix, off a loss, will be more aggressive in game 4 and should get more free throw attempts as a result. In Chris Paul's second game back, I expect improvement. Also, the Suns will certainly shoot better than the 39% they shot in game 3 from the field. I certainly don't see them continuing the poor outside shooting that has seen them hit just 16 of 58 threes in the last two games. Phoenix will be much better but LA is on their home floor and looking to even this series up and I see more of a high-scoring game like we saw in Game 1 as a result of the situation and the fact we have got Suns off a loss here. 10* OVER the total in Los Angeles Clippers 

East Conf Finals Game of the Year - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #581 Friday 10* Top Play Atlanta Hawks (+) @ Milwaukee Bucks @ 8:35 ET - Bad news for the Bucks here. The Hawks Bogdan Bogdanovic scored just 2 points on only 1 of 6 shooting in Game One as he was bothered by a sore knee and Atlanta still won the game outright. That said, I am grabbing the points here in Game Two for the same reasons I took the Hawks to win Wednesday's game outright as a +$300 money line dog. The only reason I am grabbing the points here is I would not be surprised to see the Bucks find a way to get a SU win here but I certainly don't see them getting that win by any kind of sizable margin. As mentioned in Wednesday's write-up, the Hawks are just feeling it right now and are playing with no playoff pressure on them. The Bucks, conversely, have a ton of pressure on them because of high expectations coupled with recent post-season disappointments. The loose and relaxed team is the Hawks and that makes for a very dangerous underdog. Atlanta is 6-2 SU on the road in the playoffs and they enter this game on an overall 4-1 SU run with the only loss in that stretch coming by just 5 points. The Bucks last 7 games have resulted in 3 SU losses and only 2 of the 4 SU wins for Milwaukee were by more than 4 points. You can see the value in having the points on your side with numbers like this and you know the Bucks will be geared up to not drop a 2nd consecutive home game. But again, this Hawks team is simply incredibly resilient and Trae Young right now is playing at another level that is simply phenomenal. 10* ATLANTA

Situational Slaughter - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #571 Thursday 10* Top Play OVER the total in Los Angeles Clippers vs Phoenix Suns @ 9:05 ET - I think we can all agree on one thing when it comes to the odds makers and that is...they do a damn good job of making the numbers on a daily basis. That said, the line on this game being in the pick'em range is likely "spot on" in terms of this being a tight game that could go either way late in the final minutes as we have seen with so many of these games in this post-season. That said, I feel we have excellent line value here with this total. The Suns are getting Chris Paul back tonight to lead this offense. Phoenix is buoyed by a 2-0 series lead here and winning Game 2 on a last-season shot. However, even with Kawhi Leonard still out for the Clippers, LA is certainly not going to just lay down here. That said, I am fully expecting a high-scoring game here as the Suns, with Paul back, will push the pace here and look to run the Clippers right out of the building. Keep in mind, Phoenix is on a 9-game winning streak. In the 7 games preceding the tight low-scoring win in Game 2, the Suns had averaged 119 points per game. No, none of those games went to OT either. That said, a 119-118 final here certainly would not be a complete shock and yet this total is in the 221 range. I feel we have a lot of good value in this low number because let us also not forget that Kawhi Leonard is a 2-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. His absence is absolutely impactful to this D and now they face a healthy Suns team again with Paul coming back. This is going to lead to some extra scoring in my opinion as Phoenix pushes the pace but the Clippers come up big at home too. 10* OVER the total in LA Clippers

Money Line Mauling - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #561 Wednesday 10* Top Play Atlanta Hawks Money Line +300 @ Milwaukee Bucks @ 8:35 ET - The Bucks beat a Nets team that was a giant mess. Kyrie Irving got hurt during series. James Harden was hurt for the key early part of the series and had no rhythm with his shooting when he came back. So basically Milwaukee beat a Brooklyn team that for much of the series was a shell of the team it should be. That does not mean the Bucks are not a rock solid team as they truly are one of the best teams in the league. But I feel strongly they are in for some "shock value" when they face Atlanta here. Yes I know the Hawks are a little banged up right now but they are not dealing with major injury issues like the Nets were. That said, Atlanta comes into this series having defeated a high-quality 76ers team that had their stars on the floor. The Hawks have plenty of momentum on their side and a confidence and a swagger that are both keys to winning on the road. Atlanta gets down double digits in a game that is still not a problem as they have shown throughout this post-season. But I actually expect the Hawks to get a great early jump on Milwaukee in this game and to play from ahead for much of the way. Trae Young is the Hawks superstar and he only played in ONE of the three games against Milwaukee in the regular season because of injuries during the year and he shot an uncharacteristic 3 of 17 in that one game. So Young essentially did nothing against the Bucks in the entire regular season series and yet Atlanta still went 1-2 in the 3 games. Also, the Hawks are on a 4-1 SU run in road games. The ATS winner has been the SU winner in 9 of Milwaukee's last 10 games. In other words, whoever you like ATS here you can certainly also feel confident about in terms of a SU win too and I am going for the big payback here. Grab the money line on the Hawks as they are rolling with confidence right now and are a cohesive group unlike the wounded and broken Nets team that the Bucks just played. 10* ATLANTA +300

Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #552 Tuesday 10* Phoenix Suns (-) vs Los Angeles Clippers @ 9:05 ET - Per the zig zag theory, the Clippers are the play here since they lost Game 1. However, in typical contrarian fashion, I am on the Suns here but it certainly is not without reason. I know Phoenix is still without Paul but the Clippers still being without Leonard is an even bigger factor. Also, I love the fact that the Suns won and covered the first game despite LA having nearly twice as many free throw attempts PLUS the fact that the Clippers outscored the Suns by 21 points from the 3-point line! Yes Los Angeles hit 20 threes compared to 13 threes for Phoenix and yet they still lost the game by half a dozen points! Keep in mind, the Suns are allowing only 100 points per game last 6 home games. The Clippers have allowed 115 points last 4 road games and are missing a key defender with the aforementioned absence of Kawhi. The Suns have won 8 games in a row and all have been by 6 or more points. Look for this one to fall into that category as well! 10* PHOENIX

Total Dominator - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #535 Sunday 10* Top Play OVER 221.5 in Phoenix Suns vs Los Angeles Clippers @ 3:35 ET - Kawhi Leonard out for the Clippers. Chris Paul out for the Suns. These are two key absences for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. So what will happen here? Others will step up with them absent. Also, let's not forget about the impact on defense without guys like that on the floor. It changes multiple aspects. That said, people often just tend to look at points scored per game when looking at the absences of key personnel but truly they impact defense, defensive rotations, etc. as well. That said, with the Suns 3-2 to the over last 5 and Clippers 4-1 to the over last 5, I like the over in this match-up! The last two match-ups stayed under the total but had 116 and 110 points, respectively, at the half of each game and should have gone over. Each of the two meetings prior to that this season did go over the total. We're getting some line value here in my opinion as a result of all of the above. 10* OVER the total in Phoenix