This is a 4* play on DEN.

The Nuggets beat the Wolves in five games last year, and while this year's series may well be a hell of a lot more competitive, I gotta go with the champs. Nikola Jokic is far and away the best player in the league, and should be winner of four consecutive MVPs. Jamal Murray is Captain Clutch with a pair of game winners versus the Lakers. The Wolves are a great team, but I worry Karl Anthony Towns when it comes down to crunch time. Anthony Edwards has a bright future, but at 22 he's not yet in his prime. MJ (rumored to be his illegitimate father) didn't win a CHIP until he was 28.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on LAC.

The Clippers lost at home by 30 points in Game 5, and they face elimination in Dallas in Game 6. I expect a better effort from LA, and they should improve on their 37.9 percent shooting from the field in Game 5. The Mavs shot 54 percent from the field in LA, and they should suffer some regression to the mean here at home. This line appears to be a bit inflated, and that may be due to recency bias. I'll take the Clippers in a revenge spot getting a bunch of points.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on Over.

I had the over in Game 2, and here is what I said before the game: 

“Game 1 went way under the total of 231.5, and the opening number for Game 2 was 225.5. That has been bet down even further to 220.5. I think this is an over-correction. While we know scoring is down in the playoffs, and unders have cashed at a phenomenal rate so far, let's not forget who the Pacers are. They led the league in scoring, averaging 123.3 points per game, almost three points per game more than #2 Boston. The ranked second in the league in possessions per game behind the Washington Wizards. Prior to Game 1, the Pacers last game at Milwaukee had a total of 262. Four of five regular season meetings saw totals of 250 or higher. The Pacers had scored 119 or more points in nine straight versus Milwaukee before Game 1.”

I think Game 1 was an anomaly, and we should see high scores in this series moving forward. After another low score in Game 5, I think the books are overreacting here with a really low number in Game 6.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on OVER.

I had the over in Game 2, and here is what I said before the game: 

“Game 1 went way under the total of 231.5, and the opening number for Game 2 was 225.5. That has been bet down even further to 220.5. I think this is an over-correction. While we know scoring is down in the playoffs, and unders have cashed at a phenomenal rate so far, let's not forget who the Pacers are. They led the league in scoring, averaging 123.3 points per game, almost three points per game more than #2 Boston. The ranked second in the league in possessions per game behind the Washington Wizards. Prior to Game 1, the Pacers last game at Milwaukee had a total of 262. Four of five regular season meetings saw totals of 250 or higher. The Pacers had scored 119 or more points in nine straight versus Milwaukee before Game 1.”

I think Game 1 was an anomaly, and we should see high scores in this series moving forward. The Pacers ranked 27th in the NBA in the regular season allowing over 120 points per game. Milwaukee ranked 21st in the NBA allowing over 216 points per game.

GL, 

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on MIN.

The Nuggets failed to sweep the Lakers, giving Minnesota even more motivation to get the job done here in Phoenix in Game 4. Unlike the Lakers, the Suns have shown very little sign that they are capable of extending this series.

GL,

Jesse

This is a 5* play on Over.

I had the over in Game 2, and here is what I said before the game: 

“Game 1 went way under the total of 231.5, and the opening number for Game 2 was 225.5. That has been bet down even further to 220.5. I think this is an over-correction. While we know scoring is down in the playoffs, and unders have cashed at a phenomenal rate so far, let's not forget who the Pacers are. They led the league in scoring, averaging 123.3 points per game, almost three points per game more than #2 Boston. The ranked second in the league in possessions per game behind the Washington Wizards. Prior to Game 1, the Pacers last game at Milwaukee had a total of 262. Four of five regular season meetings saw totals of 250 or higher. The Pacers had scored 119 or more points in nine straight versus Milwaukee before Game 1.”

I think Game 1 was an anomaly, and we should see high scores in this series moving forward. The Pacers scored 67 points in the first half of Game 3, and the injury to Damian Lillard should not slow them down here in Game 4. Keep in mind that while 222 points were scored in regulation in Game 3, Siakam, Haliburton and Nesmith all struggled shooting the ball. Perhaps some positive regression here.

GL, 

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on DEN.

We have seen this movie before, the Lakers host Denver in an elimination game in LA in Game 4. They jump out to an early lead but Denver takes over in the 3rd quarter and steals it late. LeBron gets sent home in a four game sweep. History repeats itself in LA tonight.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Over. 

I had the over in Game 2, and here is what I said before the game: 

“Game 1 went way under the total of 231.5, and the opening number for Game 2 was 225.5. That has been bet down even further to 220.5. I think this is an over-correction. While we know scoring is down in the playoffs, and unders have cashed at a phenomenal rate so far, let's not forget who the Pacers are. They led the league in scoring, averaging 123.3 points per game, almost three points per game more than #2 Boston. The ranked second in the league in possessions per game behind the Washington Wizards. Prior to Game 1, the Pacers last game at Milwaukee had a total of 262. Four of five regular season meetings saw totals of 250 or higher. The Pacers had scored 119 or more points in nine straight versus Milwaukee before Game 1.”

I think Game 1 was an anomaly, and we should see high scores in this series moving forward. 

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on ORL.

The Magic return home down 0-2, and they need to make a statement early if they want to win Game 3. Cleveland are 1-7 SU in their last eight games on the road. The Magic were one of the best home teams in the Eastern Conference during the regular season. With a record of 29-12 only Boston and Milwaukee had more home wins. The Cavs come in with nothing to prove, and a let down in this spot seems likely, particularly in the first half.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Over.

Game 1 went way under the total of 231.5, and the opening number for Game 2 was 225.5. That has been bet down even further to 220.5. I think this is an over-correction. While we know scoring is down in the playoffs, and unders have cashed at a phenomenal rate so far, let's not forget who the Pacers are. They led the league in scoring, averaging 123.3 points per game, almost three points per game more than #2 Boston. The ranked second in the league in possessions per game behind the Washington Wizards. Prior to Game 1, the Pacers last game at Milwaukee had a total of 262. Four of five regular season meetings saw totals of 250 or higher. The Pacers had scored 119 or more points in nine straight versus Milwaukee before Game 1.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on NYK.

Embiid scored 29 points in Game 1, but he was carried off the court in the second quarter after re-injuring his knee. If there is any swelling since Game 1, Embiid could be seriously limited in Game 2. The chances of his doing further damage to this injury would appear to be quite high. Keep in mind he scored 23 points in the Play-in game versus Miami, and he averaged just over 23 points per game in each of the last two years in the post-season. Note that the Knicks ranked #1 in the Eastern Conference in opponent's scoring average. Maxey is also questionable with an illness, piling on the problems for the Sixers. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on IND.

The Pacers won the season series 4-1, and they come into the first round series 100 percent healthy. The Pacers won seven of their final 10 games while the Bucks lost seven of their final 10 games. Giannis is out, and Damian Lillard missed practice this week with an abductor injury. The Bucks are 4-5 without Giannis this year, and 21-22 without Giannis the last three seasons. The Bucks are 17-19 under Doc Rivers. This series has upset written all over it, in fact the Bucks opened as a favorite but the odds have shifted in favor of the Pacers.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the New York Knicks.

The Sixers just barely got past the Miami Heat in the Play-in, and that was with Jimmy Butler limited by a serious knee injury. Joel Embiid scored just 23 points, and his playoff struggles are fresh in the mind of Sixers fans. The 2023 MVP averaged 34.7 points per game this season, but he scored just 23.7 points per game in last year's playoffs, and 23.6 points per game in the 2022 post-season. Philly lost 3-of-4 in the season series, and scored just 86.5 points per game during that span. The Knicks ranked #1 in the Eastern Conference in opponent's scoring average, allowing 108.2 points per game. New York is 20-3 this season when OG Anunoby is in the lineup. This looks like a tough matchup for Philly.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on SAC.

The Pelicans lost Zion in their home loss to the Lakers, and while some will lean on the "injured player theory", I am not sure you can equate losing your best player in the middle of the regular season, to losing your best player with an elimination game on deck. The Kings were impressive in last year's playoffs, going seven games against the Warriors. They didn't take the next step this year, but they might be getting hot at the right time. The one guy that the Pelicans need to step up, is Brandon Ingraham. The former Laker scored just 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting in the loss to the Pelicans. Too much drama in New Orleans for me, I'll take the Kings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on GSW.

The Warriors come into the play-in as winners of eight of their last 10 overall, while the Kings have struggled, failing to cover in seven of their last 10 overall. The Warriors are healthier, more talented, with better coaching. They have the playoff pedigree, and they won a Game 7 at Sacramento last April. Steph Curry scored 50 points in that game.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on IND.

The Hawks have already penciled in a date with the Chicago Bulls in the play-in, making this game absolutely meaningless. The situation is not so simple for the Pacers, who are tied with Orlando and Philly, and they need a win to ensure they don't slip into the 7th spot and a play-in game versus the 8th seed. If the Hawks starters see the court for any significant minutes, I would be shocked. This should be a one-sided affair.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 3* play on Under.

While many teams are just going through the motions with only a couple games left in the regular season, these two teams still have plenty to play for. The Cavs are only one game up on the Magic and the Pacers, who could bump them out of the 4th seed. Despite the massive playoff implications, the total for tonight's game is higher than it has been in any of the previous 10 meetings. The Cavs are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, and they won the last meeting by a score of 108-103 at Indiana last month. While the over is 7-3 in the Cavs last 10 overall, only one of those games saw more than 233 total points.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on NYK.

So last week Josh Hart suggested that Julius Randle and OG Anunoby could be done for the season. Hart was half right, as a few days later it was announced that Randle would underdog season ending surgery. It was a surprise however to see Anunoby return, and that bodes well for a Knickerbockers team that is trying to secure home court in the first round of the playoffs. The Bucks, Cavs, Knicks and Magic are separated by just 1.5 games with all four teams fighting for seeds 2-5. The Knicks are 16-3 with Anunoby in the lineup, and they have far more to play here for than Chicago. The Bulls can't move up in the standings as they are six games back of the eight place Heat.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on TOR.

The Raptors are coming off a win on the road at Milwaukee on Friday, ending a 15 game losing skid. RJ Barrett and Emanuel Quickley missed most of those games, but the dynamic duo are back in action. The Raptors have an opportunity to keep the momentum going now with a home game against Washington. The Wizards are almost certainly tanking, and they should provide little resistance here north of the border.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on DAL.

The Warriors 133-110 win over Houston last night sets them up for a massive let down here in the second game of a back to back and third game in four nights. Last night's win pretty much ended any hope for Houston to catch the Warriors for the final play in spot. The Warriors beat the Mavs 104-100 at home on Tuesday, adding a revenge angle for Dallas. The Mavs still have plenty to play for, sitting just a game out of the play in and two games out of 4th in the West. Steve Kerr has been quite vocal about limiting the minutes for Steph Curry in recent weeks, this looks like a good spot for Curry to either sit out or play a limited role.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on MIA.

When I heard Josh Hart's comments following the Knicks loss to the Thunder, my jaw hit the floor. I am sure I was not alone in thinking that it was like a bomb going off. "I'm looking at it like this is the team we're going to have," Hart said "I think that's how we have to approach it, that those guys aren't coming back and obviously we'll be pleasantly surprised if they come back." He suggested that OG Anunoby and Julius Randle might not be back this season. If that's true, here is why that is a problem. The Knicks are 15-2 with Anunoby in the lineup, which means they are just 29-28 without him. Add in Julius Randle and I think it's reasonable to say that they are a sub .500 team without those two guys. Now the Heat have been banged up all year, and have been able to remain competitive no matter who plays. It looks like they will have everyone not named Tyler Hero for tonight's game. The home team has won 7 STRAIGHT MEETINGS in this series. The Knicks have lost four straight at Miami.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Under.

If the playoffs started today, the Lakers would face the Warriors in the play-in. If that is the matchup you would like to see .... "Houston, we've got a problem!" The Rockets have won 11 straight, and they are just a game back of Golden State. Houston is coming off a 101-100 win at Utah, a dominant effort defensively. They held the Mavs under 100 points the last time these teams met, and the total has gone under in seven of the last 10 meetings. The Mavs have failed to reach the total in eight of their last 10 overall. The stakes are high, so expect defense to be intense in Houston tonight.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on IND.

The Pacers lost 150-145 at LA last week, and the post game press conference re-ignited a controversy regarding favorable calls for the Lakers. LA had a 43-16 edge in free throw attempts. Rick Carlisle was unhappy, echoing similar comments made by Steve Kerr and Darko Rajovic earlier in the season. The Lakers have now won five in a row, and they have a 2.5 game cushion between them and 10th place Golden State. This sets them up for a let down here on the road against an Indiana team motivated by revenge as well as their own playoff positioning as they are just a game up on 7th place Miami. LeBron's comments after the win over Memphis suggest he may play limited minutes or sit out games down the stretch: “I got to be smart with it,” James said Wednesday. “If I’m not healthy, or [anywhere] close to being healthy, then it’s not good for our ball club anyway. It’s not good for me.”

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Under.

The NBA would love to see LeBron James and Steph Curry face off in the play-in, but not everything is going according to script. Houston... we've got a problem! The Rockets have won nine straight and 11 of their last 12. They are now just a game back of the Warriors for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Rockets catch the Thunder playing the second game of a back to back, and with a playoff berth on the line we should see some lock down defense. Houston will try to avenge a 112-95 loss to the Thunder in the last meeting. These teams have failed to reach the total in eight of the last 10 meetings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on MIL.

The Lakers are coming off another controversial home win, beating Indiana by a score of 150-145. The Lakers had an edge of 43-16 in free throw attempts, which is nothing new if you have been paying attention this season. The Lakers have taken 420 more free throw attempts this season than their opponent, almost 200 more than the second-place Bucks (222) and well ahead of the third-place Celtics (218). This is the second straight season the Lakers have had, by far, the league's largest free throw disparity. We are expecting LeBron to sit out tonight's game in Milwaukee, and this looks like a let down spot for LA. The Bucks have won six straight at home, and this looks like a statement game for Giannis and company.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on BKN.

The Raptors entire starting lineup is out, and the kids got blown out in a 34 point loss to Sacramento on Wednesday. Scottie Barnes, Emanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett are all out of the lineup. After losing back to back games to Oklahoma City and Washington over the weekend, they are back for their third game in four nights and first game back from a road trip to host Brooklyn. Not a good spot for a team that appears to be tanking with a G-Leage like starting lineup.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on MIA.

The Cavs come into Miami without Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobely and Dean Wade. They are 4-8 in their last 12 games without Mitchell, but add in three more key players and it's tough to expect them to compete. Miami has had it's own injury woes, but Jimmy Butler is back, and the Heat have won three of their last four versus Cleveland. I like Miami to win and cover here against the shorthanded Cavs.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Under.

This total looks far too high when you consider who is going to start for both teams. The Raptors have lost nine straight, scoring an average of 104.7 points in those games. Their entire starting lineup has been out for the last two games, and it should be all backups again in the second game of a back to back. The Wizards have lost six of seven, scoring an average of 106.8 points during that span. They are coming off a 109-102 home win over the Kings on Thursday, and this is a great opportunity to earn another rare home win. Toronto has gone under in seven of their last 10, and the under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings between these two teams.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a free play on Under.

Prior to the All Star break one might think these two teams would be sure to get into a shootout, but times have changed. The Warriors are battling for a play-in spot, while the Pacers are only a half game out of a play-in spot. Indiana has seemingly learned how to play defense, as eight of their last 10 have gone under the total. The under is 5-5 in the Warriors last 10 overall, but none of those games saw a total as high as tonight's game.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on OKC.

The Thunder are tied for the best record in the West, and they will be a big favorite in Toronto tonight. The Raptors entire starting lineup is out, and the kids got blown out in a 34 point loss to Sacramento on Wednesday. Scottie Barnes, Emanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett are all out of the lineup. The Thunder have a pair of Canadians (SGA and Dort) who might be motivated to turn in a good performance in their home country. Expect another blowout loss for an undermanned Raptors team.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on DEN.

The Nuggets have won 11 of 12, and yet they are still sitting second in the Northwestern. They have won both previous meetings versus Dallas, and they won their last visit to Dallas by a score of 98-97. Luka Doncic sat out Thursday's game against Oklahoma City with a hamstring injury, and he's listed as questionable for tonight's game. With or without Luka, the Nuggets should be the better team here.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on SAC.

The Knicks welcomed back OG Anunoby back to the lineup, and they rattled off back to back wins over Portland and Philly. This gives them a 14-2 record with Anunoby in the lineup, and they have held opponents to 98.6 points per game during that span. To put that in perspective, that's eight points fewer than the #1 ranked Minnesota Timberwolves have allowed this season. The thing is that the Knicks just placed Anunoby on the injury report, and his status for tonight is questionable. This has me ready to fade New York, because without Anunoby at full speed, and Julius Randle still out, this isn't likely to be a competitive matchup.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on Under.

The Lakers host the Warriors tonight, it what should look a lot like a playoff game. These two teams sit in the 9th and 10th spot in the Western Conference, battling for a play-in spot. Steph Curry is expected to return for an ankle injury, but it remains to be seen if he will be limited in any capacity. When you think of Lakers versus Warriors you might expect a history of high scoring games. Only once in the last 10 head to head meetings have they combined to score enough points to reach tonight's total, and that was a controversial double overtime win for the Lakers in January this year. This number looks a little inflated given the high stakes here.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on ORL.

Some things are bigger than basketball, and a recent tragedy has hit the Raptors organization. RJ Barrett is going to be out for a while, and the rest of the team is likely to be affected as well. The Magic meanwhile are sitting in first place in the SouthEast, and they need to stand on business here north of the border. Orlando has won seven of their last 10, and three of those wins came on the road. They won by double digits at Washington and at Charlotte. The Raptors probably gonna mail it in tonight ... and who could blame them.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on Under.

This total opened at 236.5, and has been bet up several points. Of course this is a matchup between the Pacers #1 scoring offense and the Thunder's #3 scoring offense. But things have changed since the All Star break, and defense is no longer an after thought. The Pacers have failed to reach the total in seven of their last 10 overall, and these teams have only gone over once in the last four head to head meetings, and that game would have fallen short in regulation, but it went to overtime. Oklahoma City has gone under in four of their last five overall.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on PHX.

The Cavs have been hit hard by injuries, and they got blown out at home versus the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Dean Wade and Evan Mobely all missed Sunday's game. There is no indication that any of them are back tonight, and additionally Darius Garland suffered a wrist injury against the Nets, and we are awaiting updates. The Suns on the other hand are expected to get Devin Booker back tonight. Get in quick as the betting should be rather one sided on Phoenix.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on MIN.

Since the injury to Karl Anthony Towns, the Wolves have not missed a beat. They are 3-1 without KAT this season, and the one loss came in OT at Cleveland in the second game of a back to back. The Lakers are coming off a win over the Bucks, with LeBron out. DeAngelo Russell scored a career high 44 points, shooting 17-of-25 from the field and making nine three-pointers. Expect some regression from him against one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. Both LeBron and AD carry a questionable tag heading into Sunday, which is normally of little concern. LeBron didn't play against the Bucks on Friday though, so he might be dealing with a more serious ailment. The Lakers are 3-7 straight up and 3-7 ATS in the last 10 versus Minnesota, losing both previous meetings this season.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Over.

Scoring normally takes a nose dive after the All Star break, and defense usually intensifies as the playoffs approach. That was on full display last night, when six of eight games failed to combine for 226 points, and five teams failed to score 100 points. These two teams are the exception to the rule though, as Toronto has an exciting group of young players that are pushing the pace and having fun, without the pressure of playoff expectations. The Blazers are giving backups and third string players a chance to earn jobs, and they have been competitive despite being hit hard by injuries. The Blazers have gone over in seven of their last 10, and Toronto has allowed and average of 124 points over their last five games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on GSW.

Despite winning 11 of their last 14 overall, the Warriors are dead last in the Pacific Division and fighting for their playoff lives. They catch the Milwaukee Bucks at home tonight, and the Bucks are coming off a home win over the Clippers without Giannis. I think that sets them up for a let down here at Golden State, with or without the Greek Freak. The home team is 7-0 SU in the last seven meetings in this series. The Warriors covered in all three home games against the Bucks during that span.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 3* play on PHILLY.

The Sixers have struggled without Embiid, but they come into Brooklyn as winners of back to back games. The Nets were a heavy favorite against the Grizzlies last night, and they lost outright. The Nets are just 2-7 when playing the second game of a back to back, and wins came against the Pistons and the Bulls. Tobias Harris has scored a combined 59 points in his last two games. This looks like a favorable spot for a Philly team with a lot more to play for at this point in the season.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on MIL.

The Bucks have won five straight, and they catch the Clippers playing the second game of a back to back. The Bucks are 24-7 at home, and they have won four of their last five home games against the Clippers. These two teams are the oldest (by average age) in the NBA. The Clippers are the oldest averaging over 29 years, while Milwaukee averages just over 28 years of age. This should be a big advantage for the well rested home team, and a big disadvantage for the visitors in the second game of a back to back. This is no normal back to back either, as last night's game against Minnesota was a defensive battle with the Clippers coming out on top by a score of 89-88.

GL,

Jesse Schule

The Raptors will be without Scotty Barnes for a while, but they catch the Hornets at home in their first game since the injury. I expect the likes of Barrett and Quickley to pick up the slack against an inferior opponent. Barrett has only faced Charlotte once as a Raptor, scoring 23 on 9-of-15 shooting in a 123-117 win at Charlotte. The Raptors are 8-2 SU and 7-3 ATS in the last 10 versus Charlotte. The Raptors won and covered as a -12.5 favorite at home versus Charlotte in December. Barrett has gone over his points total in four of his last five games. Without Barnes in the lineup Toronto will really lean on RJ to carry the load. I like the Raptors to face little resistance here tonight, winning in a blowout. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Under.

The Nuggets will be in LA to take on the Lakers Saturday, and Denver has won four straight in this series. The under is 4-2 in those games, and these teams have gone under in seven of the last 10 meetings. This is a big game for LeBron James, as he's just nine points away from 40,000 for his career. The Nuggets aren't interested in participating in any milestones for LeBron, and they have held opponents to an average of just 107.6 points in their last 10 overall. The under is 14-4 in Denver's last 18 overall. This number looks a little inflated.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Over.

The Warriors will be playing the second game of a back to back in Toronto. The Dubs are a solid 8-4 this season when playing on back to back nights. The over is 4-0 in their last four when playing on the road in the second game of a back to back. Toronto has gone over this number in four of their last five, and history tells us that these teams have scored plenty in recent meetings. The over is 5-0 in the last five head to head meetings, and the Raptors won the last meeting by a score of 133-118 at Golden State in January. We expect another shootout north of the border.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on Orlando.

This looks like a let down spot for the Nets, who are playing the second game of a back to back on the road at Orlando. They got Kevin Ollie his first win as head coach last night at Memphis. They had lost four straight prior to that, and they are are 3-14 ATS in their last 17 games on the road. This looks like a good spot for Orlando, and they have covered in five of their last six as a favorite.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on TOR.

The Pacers won in Toronto by a score of 127-125 before the All Star break, but they didn't cover as a two-point favorite. The underdog has covered in each of the last four meetings between these teams, and I expect that trend to continue tonight. This is a tough spot for Indiana, playing the second game of a back to back coming off a blowout win over the Mavericks. The Pacers are just 2-8 in back to backs this season, and the two games they won were both decided by just two points. One of those losses came at home by a score of 132-131 to Toronto, and the Pacers have allowed opponents to average 126 points in those 10 games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Dallas.

The Mavs are coming into Indy riding a six game win streak, sitting a half game out of first in the Southwest. Indy is five games out of first in the Central, and the Pacers are 5-5 over their last 10 games. This might be a tricky spot for the home team, playing the first leg of a back to back with Toronto in town tomorrow. The Mavs have won three of their last four in Indianapolis, and they are the team playing better basketball at the moment. Luka and Kyrie combined for 70 points in a double digit win over Phoenix on Thursday, and Luka leads the NBA in scoring. The media is suspiciously quiet about how well this team has been playing.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on MIN.

The Timberwolves ran into a desperate Milwaukee team in their first game out of the All Star break, and despite rallying late they lost 112-107. They host the Brooklyn Nets in the second game of a back to back, and the Nets looked pretty awful in a 121-93 loss at Toronto. If that's any indication of how the team is responding to the interim head coach, Brooklyn could struggle down the stretch. Brooklyn are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games against Minnesota, and they are 2-13 ATS in their last 15 games on the road. I expect the Wolves to bounce back with a double digit home win.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Under.

The Cavs are favored on the road at Philly on Friday, with both teams coming off a loss last night in the first game back from the All Star break. This makes plenty of sense, as Philly is just 6-15 without Joel Embiid this season, and they averaged just 112 points in those games. This is significantly less than the over 121 points per game that they averaged in games that Embiid played. The Cavs are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, ranking 2nd in opponents scoring average allowing 109 points per game. We should expect a strong effort on defense from both these teams coming off a loss. This number appears to be a bit inflated.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on Over.

The Raptors lost 119-116 at home versus Brooklyn in December, but so much has changed since then. Toronto traded elite defender OJ Anunoby to the Knicks for a couple of talented offensive players (Quickley and Barrett). This has changed the style of play, and following the trade the Raptors went over in seven straight games. Coming out of the All Star break, we should expect Toronto to get right back to pushing the pace. The Nets just fired their coach, and Kevin Ollie takes over as interim coach for the remainder of the season. We'll see if the players respond here in his debut. I expect both teams to score their share of points.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on Over.

The last time Golden State was on the second game of a back to back Curry scored 42 in a win over Indiana, prior to that Curry scored 60 in a loss at Atlanta. I expect another high score here in Utah, against a Jazz team that likes to play fast and loose. The over is 9-4 in Utah's last 13 games overall, and the Jazz have gone over in seven of their last eight versus Western Conference teams. The Warriors have gone over in four straight when playing on back to back nights.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on LAC.

The Clippers host Minnesota Monday, and the winner of this game will take over sole possession of first place in the Western Conference. The Clippers are 100 percent healthy, and they are 20-5 at home this season. You can call this a revenge game as LA lost 109-105 at Minnesota back in January. Since then the Clippers have won 10 of 12, and Minnesota is 8-5. The Clippers are 9-1 SU in their last 10 home games, and 8-4 ATS in their last 12 overall.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on IND.

The Knicks are coming off a home loss to Dallas, and they have been hit hard by injuries. OJ Anunoby and Julius Randle are sidelined indefinitely, and Jalen Brunson didn't play against Dallas. Brunson is questionable for Saturday's game. The Pacers lost 109-105 at MSG just over a week ago, and Brunson scored 40 in that game. This looks like a solid revenge spot for the Pacers.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on TOR.

The Raptors were blown out by the Pelicans in their last game, but that was the second game of a back to back after pushing Oklahoma City to the brink the night before. They should be in good shape here against a Hornets team that is in full on tank mode. The Hornets have lost eight straight, and the average margin of defeat in those games is 10+ points. The Raptors have won seven of the last nine head to head meetings, and they covered in all seven of those wins. Four of those wins came at Charlotte. This looks like a get right game for a young team with new talent, as Quickley and Barrett are still getting into the swing of things.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on PHX.

The Bucks are in a tough spot here on the road at Phoenix. They have recently fired their head coach and they are still trying to figure things out under new bench boss Doc Rivers. This will be the final game of a road trip, and might just be a throw away game. Four starters carry a questionable designation, while the Suns are 100 percent healthy and firing on all cylinders. Phoenix has won 10 of 13, and KD, Booker and Beal are starting to look like the BIG3 that everyone expected them to be. Milwaukee are 4-14 ATS in their last 18 games, and it's likely going to take time for this team to sort out their issues.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on Over.

Immediately following the trade that sent OJ Anunoby to New York in exchange for RJ Barrett and Emanuel Quickley, the Raptors appeared to improve on offense and regress on defense. The result was a stretch of several high scoring games before cooling off. They have gone over in four straight against the Thunder, and there are several storylines ahead of this game. You have Canada's team taking on Canada's best player (SGA). Canadian RJ Barrett has missed three straight games, but is expected to give it a go in the morning shoot around to see if he can return tonight. The over is 6-1 in the Raptors last seven at Oklahoma City.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Under.

This number looks a little high, as the Knicks have gone under this number in 11 straight games. The Lakers are coming off a 114-105 win at Boston, but they had gone over in seven straight prior to that. These teams have gone under in six of the last nine head to head meetings, and all three games that went over the number required overtime to do so. My only concern here is that the Lakers seem to get awarded 3 x more free throws than their opponent. The Knicks have been dominant defensively since the trade with Toronto, and even a few favorable calls for LeBron shouldn't be enough to keep LA in this game.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Under.

So immediately following the trade that sent RJ Barrett and Emanuel Quickly to Toronto in exchange for OJ Anunoby, we saw the Knicks games trend under and the Raptors games go over. Toronto is coming off a 118-107 win at Chicago, falling short of 227 despite shooting 52 percent from the field and 48 percent from beyond the arc. Barrett and Quickly didn't play, and they both remain questionable for Friday's game at Houston. I don't like the Raptors chances of shooting as hot as they did in Chicago. The under is 7-1 in the Raptors last eight overall, and the total for tonight's game is higher than it was in five of the last six head to head meetings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on UTAH.

The Sixers come limping into Utah with a decimated lineup, and four of five starters are likely to miss this game. Joel Embiid appeared to aggravate his injured knee in a loss to the Warriors on Tuesday, and he didn't travel with the team after the game. The Jazz are 15-6 at home, and they are 9-1 in their last 10 at home. The Sixers have failed to cover in five of their last six overall, and they are 0-3 ATS in their last three at Utah.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on GSW.

So I had the Warriors at home versus LA on Saturday, and it was a soul crushing defeat. Watching the Lakers come back in the fourth quarter, aided by an enormous disparity in free throws (43-16). Golden State hit what appeared to be the game winning three-point shot in the final seconds, but perhaps fitting that the officials sent LeBron to the line to win the game as time expired. The Warriors have to be pissed, and we can expect them to come out like gang busters here against a thin Sixers lineup. Melton, Maxey and Embiid all sat out last night in Portland, and likely won't play tonight.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on ATL.

I faded the Lakers last night, and here is what I said before the game: "So I had the Warriors at home versus LA on Saturday, and it was a soul crushing defeat. Watching the Lakers come back in the fourth quarter, aided by an enormous disparity in free throws (43-16). Golden State hit what appeared to be the game winning three-point shot in the final seconds, but perhaps fitting that the officials sent LeBron to the line to win the game as time expired. As much as it puts a bad taste in my mouth for betting on any future games involving LeBron and the Lakers, this just looks like a classic let down spot for LA. Not only did LeBron and AD each log 45+ minutes at Golden State, but tonight's game is the first leg of a back to back with a game at Atlanta tomorrow." I was surprised AD and LeBron played heavy minutes last night, and I wouldn't be surprised if LeBron sits out tonight. Either way, there are a lot of miles on those old legs, and this makes this game a tough spot for the visitors.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on HOU.

So I had the Warriors at home versus LA on Saturday, and it was a soul crushing defeat. Watching the Lakers come back in the fourth quarter, aided by an enormous disparity in free throws (43-16). Golden State hit what appeared to be the game winning three-point shot in the final seconds, but perhaps fitting that the officials sent LeBron to the line to win the game as time expired. As much as it puts a bad taste in my mouth for betting on any future games involving LeBron and the Lakers, this just looks like a classic let down spot for LA. Not only did LeBron and AD each log 45+ minutes at Golden State, but tonight's game is the first leg of a back to back with a game at Atlanta tomorrow. The Rockets are healthy, and they have won three of their last four home meetings versus LA. I'll take the home dog.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on GSW.

The Warriors host the Lakers tonight, in a battle between perhaps the two most disappointing teams in the Western Conference. The Dubs are at least healthy, and well rested. History favors the home team as the visitors are 0-5 SU in the last five meetings. LA Lakers are 6-14 SU in their last 20 games when playing on the road against Golden State. This looks like a good spot to back the Dubs at home against an inferior opponent.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on PHO.

I had the Suns in their last game, and here is what I said prior to their win over Dallas: "The Suns got off to a slow start, but now that the BIG3 have had a chance to play together for some time, this team is surging. They come into Dallas as winners of six straight. This line looks about right if everyone is healthy, but with both Kyrie and Luka carrying a questionable tag as of Tuesday night, we could see money come in late on the Suns." Now they catch the Pacers in a let down spot after upsetting Philly last night. Haliburton is still sidelined by injury, and this will be the Pacers 4th game of the season playing on back to back nights. They lost two of the previous three, and both losses were blowouts.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Under.

The Nuggets have failed to reach the total in three straight, and they rank dead last in the NBA in pace of play. The Knicks are right behind them, with both teams averaging roughly 100 possessions per game. The Knicks have been a different team since the trade with Toronto, and they have now gone under in 10 of their last 11 games. These teams have gone under in four of the last six head to head meetings, and it doesn't look like the bookmakers have adjusted here with what looks like an inflated number.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on PHO.

The Suns got off to a slow start, but now that the BIG3 have had a chance to play together for some time, this team is surging. They come into Dallas as winners of six straight. This line looks about right if everyone is healthy, but with both Kyrie and Luka carrying a questionable tag as of Tuesday night, we could see money come in late on the Suns. The Mavs have lost back to back games despite Luka scoring 33 in each loss. This looks like a tough spot for Dallas against a hot team.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Under.

The Knicks are a completely different team since the trade acquiring OJ Anunoby from Toronto. They have won nine of 11 and they have failed to reach the total in nine of their last 10 overall. They have held opponents to roughly 100 points per game during that span. The Brooklyn Nets are trending in the opposite direction, losing 10 of 12. Brooklyn are 3-15-1 ATS in their last 19 games. I expect the Knicks to shut down the Nets, resulting in another low scoring game.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on TOR.

The Memphis Grizzlies are in rough shape since losing Ja Morant for the rest of the season. They come to Toronto as losers of six of their last seven, and it looks like Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane won't be traveling north of the border. It's possible that only one of the starting five will dress for tonight's game in Toronto. The Raptors are rebuilding, but they have done very well in the trade market getting several solid players in return for Pascal Siakam and OJ Anunoby. This is a game that should be tilted in favor of the home team. The Raptors have won seven of the last 10 head to head meetings, including the last two in Memphis.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on PHO.

The Pacers have lost three of four, and they are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Portland Blazers. They could be down a few key players here in Phoenix tonight, and Pascal Siakam is still trying to figure out where he fits in. It takes time to gel, and that is evidenced by the fact that the Big Three in Phoenix is just starting to show what they can do. The Suns have won four straight, and Devin Booker dropped 52 on the Pelicans on Friday. This looks like a tough spot for a Pacers team that has lost six of nine versus the Western Conference this season.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Under.

I said this about the Knicks prior to their recent game: "The Knicks are a different team since the trade acquiring OJ Anunoby from the Raptors. They have won six of seven, allowing opponents to average just 101 points per game during that span." They come off a 98-94 home loss to Orlando, and they followed that up with a 109-94 win over Houston. Now they play the Raptors who just dealt Pascal Siakam to Indiana. This should be another low scoring battle at MSG.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 3* play on MIA.

So this is the first game of a back to back for Atlanta, and Trey Young is questionable with an illness. That makes me think that this should be a throw away game, and rather than rush their star back before he's 100 percent, they should concentrate of tomorrow's home game against the Cavs. The last time Atlanta played back to back games they lost  both by 20+ points. Miami has won and covered in both meetings this season, and they have won seven of the last nine, covering in five of those seven wins.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Under.

I said this about the Knicks prior to their last game: "The Knicks are a different team since the trade acquiring OJ Anunoby from the Raptors. They have won six of seven, allowing opponents to average just 101 points per game during that span." They come off a 98-94 home loss to Orlando, and they now face a Houston team that they have owned in recent seasons. The Knicks have won seven straight in this series, and Houston has averaged just 100 points per game in the last six meetings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Under.

The Knicks are a different team since the trade acquiring OJ Anunoby from the Raptors. They have won six of seven, allowing opponents to average just 101 points per game during that span. The Magic rank 24th in the NBA in scoring, and they are 7th in opponent's scoring average. These two teams have a history of playing low scoring games, going under in six straight meetings and eight of the last 10. The Magic are coming in off four consecutive unders.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on LAC.

This is a huge game between the first place Minnesota Timberwolves and the 4th place Clippers. Whoever wins this game will be touted by the media as the best team in the NBA (in a snapshot of time). The Clippers come in as winners of eight of nine, and they have won 15 of their last 16 when Kawhi Leonard plays. I don't normally like backing road favorites, but I think this is such a high profile game and I truly believe that the Clippers may well be the creme of the crop in today's NBA when they have a healthy Kawhi Leonard.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on NYK.

The Grizzlies are coming off a nine point home loss to the Clippers last night, and they are just 3-14 at home this season. Playing the second game of a back to back with a thin lineup tonight, they might be looking at a double digit loss to the Knicks. New York has won five of six since acquiring OJ Anunoby, and they have been dominant defensively during that span. The Grizz have failed to cover in seven of their last eight home games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on DEN.

The Nuggets are 15-4 at home, and they are 7-3 in the last 10 versus the Pelicans. Call this a revenge game after New Orleans won at home 115-110 in the last meeting in November. The Pelicans come in with three of their starters listed as questionable (Zion, CJ & Brandon Ingram). The Pelicans lost 134-116 in their last game at Denver, and we might be expecting another blowout here tonight.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on UTAH.

The Raptors are coming off back to back losses in LA, and this looks like a tough spot for them on the road at Utah. The trade with the Knicks provided a spark, but that won't be the last deal before the deadline. We expect Pascal Siakam to be on his way out, and he likely won't play tonight. The Jazz have won six of their last seven versus Toronto, and they are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games. The Jazz will look for a seventh straight home win.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Under.

The Knicks are a different team since the trade with the Raptors. New York is 5-0 since the trade, allowing opponents to average much less than 100 points per game during that span. The Raptors are also doing well since the trade, but they have gone over in all their games. It makes sense that after trading a pair of offensive minded players for an elite defender, this would be the result. These teams have gone under in seven of the last 10 meetings, and they haven't scored 234 points in regulation in any of the last five meetings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on IND.

How will the Pacers get on without Tyrese Haliburton? Well they should do just fine against a Wizards team that is 3-17 on the road. They came storming back to beat the Celtics at home in the second half without their leading scorer in their last game. Washington are 1-9 SU in their last 10 games on the road, while the Pacers have won seven of their last eight. I expect Indiana to rally for another double digit win here at home against a bottom feeder.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on MIN.

The T-Wolves sit in first place in the Western Conference, and they come into Dallas with an 11-7 road record. The Mavs are banged up, and Luka Doncic did not play in a win over Portland on Friday. His status is still uncertain for tonight's game, but it appears unlikely he will be 100 percent. The Wolves have won five of the last six head to head, including both meetings at Dallas during that span.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on Under.

Throw out the previous numbers for the Knicks, since the trade this team is trending in a different direction. They gave up a couple of offensive players to acquire an elite defender, and in the three games Anunoby has played the Knicks have held opponents under 100 points per game. Washington has lost six of their last seven at home, and they have failed to reach the total in five of their last seven versus the Knicks.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on PHX.

The Heat have played well despite a the absence of Jimmy Buckets and Caleb Martin, but tonight's game in Phoenix looks like a tough spot. They've been in LA since New Years, and lord knows what a bunch of millionaires in their 20s get up to in LA. This is a final game of a West Coast road trip, and they are back home to host Houston on Monday. The Suns have struggled, but Bradley Beal has scored 20+ points in three straight games. Prior to KD sitting out the last two games, the Suns had won back to back games with their BIG3 intact. KD was able to practice on Thursday, and he should have an opportunity to play here on Friday.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on LAC.

The Clippers are 12-2 in their last 14 overall, and they are 10-0 in their last 10 when Kawhi Leonard starts. Kawhi is healthy, but KD is not. Durant is expected to miss this game with a sore hamstring. The Clippers were 3-1 at Phoenix last season before Kawhi was injured, and he averaged averaged 34.5 points in the series versus Phoenix last year. The Suns are reeling, and Durant is rumored to be looking to leave.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on GSW.

The Warriors are a desperate team in need of a win, coming into this home game off three straight losses to Dallas, Miami and Denver. They had previously won five straight, and four of those wins came at home. The Magic actually won at Golden State last January, but the previous nine head to head meetings were all won by the home team. The Magic have lost nine of their last 10 at Golden State. The Warriors are 8-2 straight up in their last 10 home games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Under.

How high can an NBA total go? The Bucks and the Pacers are high flying offensive powerhouses, so it comes as no shocker that they have gone over in seven of the last eight meetings. We have yet to see a total as high as 260 though. Only four of the last seven meetings have gone over 260 combined points. These teams rank 1st and 2nd in the NBA in scoring, but both average well below 130 points per game.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on MEM.

The Grizz have a terrible home record, just 2-11 on the season. They host the Sacramento Kings who are a pedestrian 7-7 on the road. When it comes to Memphis, you have to throw out all the numbers prior to the return of Ja Morant. The Grizz are 4-1 in the five games he's played, with the only loss coming on the road at the Clippers on Friday. The Grizzlies are 8-2 straight up in their last 10 versus the Kings, and they have won four of five home games during that span.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on IND.

After winning back to back games on the road, the Pacers are back in Indy hosting the New York Knicks Saturday night. The Knicks are playing the second game of a back to back, coming off a loss to Orlando. Playing on back to back nights is always tough, but against the league leader in pace of play perhaps even tougher? The Pacers are 15-5 straight up in their last 20 home games versus the Knicks.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on DET.

Have you heard of the Casey Curse? For those who don't know, the Raptors fired coach Casey after finishing first in the East, but losing to LeBron and the Cavs in the playoffs several years ago. The Raptors went on to win a championship with Nick Nurse, and Detroit hired coach Casey. The Pistons have long been the laughing stock of the league, but the one team that they could beat was Toronto. While Casey is no longer the Pistons coach, and the Raptors have won five straight meetings versus Detroit, the Pistons are still 8-2 ATS in the last 10 head to head. Both these teams look like they are tanking, but the Pistons are desperate to snap their historic losing streak. This looks like as good a spot as any for the Pistons to get a W.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on the Warriors.

So the Heat got a home win over a shorthanded Philly team on Christmas Day, while the Warriors lost at Denver in a game that was highly controversial. The Dubs should bring it here at home after Steve Kerr railing against the officials after the loss to Denver. The Dubs have won eight in a row at home, and they are 4-1 in their last five home games against Miami. They have actually been a better team since the suspension of Draymond Green.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Under.

You gotta have a big set to be betting unders in the NBA these days, but the Iceman has a pair, don't you worry about that. Houston ranks 2nd in the NBA in opponent's scoring average, allowing 108 points per game. They lost at home last night to Indiana, in a game that they let get away from them. The Suns are also coming in off an ugly loss, and I am expecting both these teams to reign it in here as they look to bounce back. The last time Phoenix played at Houston they scored just 97 points. We might see both these teams bring it on defense tonight.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on HOU.

The Rockets are 12-2 at home, and nobody in the Western Conference has more wins. They rank 2nd in the NBA in opponent's scoring average. They host a Pacers team that is allergic to defense, ranking 29th in the NBA allowing 126 points per game. The Pacers have failed to cover in six of their last seven overall, and they are 0-5 ATS in their last five versus teams from the Western Conference.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on DENVER.

The defending champs are 11-2 at home, and the Joker is still in a class of his own. While the mainstream media refuses to five Nikola Jokic the credit he is due, he continues to dominate everything in his path. The Warriors five game winning streak only puts them a game above .500, and four of those five wins came at home. Now they are on the road, and Steph Curry averages over 30 points per game at home, and just over 26 points per game on the road. The Warriors have lost four straight in this series, and they are 1-5 SU and 1-5 ATS in the last six meetings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

4*

This is a 4* play on MEM.

The Grizzlies are a different team with Ja Morant in the lineup, and since he's back they have won back to back games. Morant scored 34 in his return to the lineup in a win at New Orleans, and then followed up with 20 points in a home win over the Pacers. The Hawks have a far better record on the road than they do at home, and they are playing the second game of a back to back after a loss at Miami last night. The Grizz have won three of their last four at Atlanta.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on HOU.

The Rockets are coming off a brutal home loss to the Hawks, but this looks like a nice bounce back spot against an undermanned Dallas team. The Mavs entire starting lineup is expected to be out due to injuries, and that includes leading scorer Luka Doncic. The Rockets are 13-5-2 ATS in their last 20 games overall, and they rank 1st in the NBA in opponent's scoring average.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on MEM.

Not going to deep into this one. Ja Morant just set the record for most points in a return to the lineup, and the Pacers are playing the second game of a back to back on the road off a big win. Bad spot for Pacers, good spot for Grizz.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on SAC.

This looks like a huge let down spot for the Celtics, losing in overtime in a late game at Golden State last night. Now they play the second game of a back to back on the West Coast in a different time zone. Tatum and Brown each played 40+ minutes in the loss to the Warriors, and I would be shocked if they didn't get a lighter workload here in this spot. The Celtics have lost four of their last five versus teams from the Western Conference, and they are 0-6 ATS in their last six on the road.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on LAC.

So the Clippers lost six in a row after the James Harden trade, but after Russell Westbrook offered to come off the bench, things started clicking. A few days before Christmas and the Clippers look like the best team in the NBA. They have won eight in a row, and they take on a Dallas team tonight that could be without three starters. The Clippers have won five of their last six on the road and they are 6-2 ATS in their last eight versus Dallas.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on HOU.

The Rockets are a Jeckyll and Hyde team at home and on the road. They are 11-1 at home, and just a short favorite against the Atlanta Hawks, who have a losing record on the road. The Hawks are just 1-10 ATS in their last 11 overall, and they have failed to cover in seven of their last eight on the road. They are 4-8 straight up in their last 12 versus Houston.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on N.O.

The Grizzlies will get Ja Morant back tonight, and there is no doubt that Memphis will be a better team with his return. Don't expect that impact to be significant here in the second game of a back to back on the road at New Orleans. He hasn't played since the first round of last year's playoffs. Normally in a situation like this you expect to see a limited number of minutes in the first game back. The Pelicans are winners of four straight, and three of those four wins were blowouts.

GL,

Jesse Schule