This is an 8* play on the Miami Heat.

The defending Eastern Conference champs have had their struggles in the first half of the season, but they went into the All Star break as winners of six of their last seven. Jimmy Butler scored 29 points on 10-of-14 shooting in his return to action versus New Orleans last week. The Magic are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 road games, and rumors are swirling about possible trades involving their top players. Orlando appears ready to sell off talent and concentrate on rebuilding with a lottery pick.

GL,

Jesse Schule

8*

This is an 8* play on New York.

The Knicks are legit contender to make the playoffs in the East, while the only thing Detroit has a chance of winning is a lottery pick. The Pistons won last night against a group of second and third stringers in a 129-105 win over the Raptors. Playing the second game of a back to back in New York, they should be due for a let down. The Pistons are 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight games following a straight up win, and they are 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight games following a double digit win. The Knicks are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games, and they are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 overall.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Under.

The Atlanta Hawks have a new head coach, and they won their first game under Nate McMillan by a score of 94-80 at Miami. If that game is any indication of the style they intend to play moving forward, we could see them involved in more low scoring games. Holding the Heat to just 80 points in impressive, but also worth noting that Trey Young attempted just 12 shots, scoring 18 points on 5-of-12 shooting. The under is 36-16 in Hawks last 52 games as a road favorite, and the under is 37-17 in the last 54 head to head meetings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Under.

The Lakers rank #2 overall in the NBA in scoring defense, and they will be a home favorite Sunday against Golden State. Four of the last six head to head meetings have gone under the total. The under is 5-1 in the Warriors last six road games, and the under is 5-1 in the Lakers last six overall. The under is 21-7 in the Lakers last 28 games playing on 1 days rest. The under is 20-9 in the Lakers last 29 games following a ATS win. We should see strong defensive play here in this game.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Under.

The Utah Jazz had won 11 of 12 prior to a loss at Miami last night. They play the second game of a back to back on the road at Orlando tonight, and this looks like a let down spot for Utah. There is no reason for Utah to get up for this game, and I wouldn't be surprised if they limit minutes for key players. The under is 6-2-1 in Jazz last nine road games, and the Magic have failed to reach the total in five of their last six overall. Utah's #2 ranked defense matches up against the Orlando offense that ranks #28 in the NBA in scoring. This should be a low scoring game.

GL,

Jesse Schule

free play

This is a 5* play on Under.

The Knicks are ranked #1 in the NBA in scoring defense, and they are ranked 30th in scoring. That alone might be tempting enough to bet the under, but history shows us there are plenty of trends that are worth noting. Nine of the last 10 head to head meetings have gone under, and the under is 21-8 in the Knicks last 29 overall. They have gone under in seven straight following a loss, and the under is 10-1 in their last 11 versus a team with a winning record.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Under.

The Warriors play their second game of a back to back here in Indiana, and history suggests the total looks a bit high here. The Dubs have gone under in three of their last four road games, and they have really played strong defense during that span. The Warriors are just 5-13 ATS in the last 18 meetings in Indiana, so we might not be expecting their best effort here. While these teams have gone over in six of the last 10 head to head meetings, tonight's number is higher than it was in any of those games. In fact seven of the last 10 meetings saw a number below 220.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Orlando.

The Pistons lost in Orlando on Sunday, and often when a team loses the first game of a back to back set you would expect them to have a better showing in Game 2. For a team that has just two road wins all year, that might not be the case. Here is what I said prior to Sunday's game: "The Magic are coming off a home win over Golden State, and they face a Pistons team that rarely wins on the road. Detroit is 2-13 overall on the road this season, so it seems odd that this game is close to a pickem. The Magic are 15-7 ATS in their last 22 games following a straight up win, and with a win tonight they would have a .500 home record."

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Orlando.

The Magic are coming off a home win over Golden State, and they face a Pistons team that rarely wins on the road. Detroit is 2-13 overall on the road this season, so it seems odd that this game is close to a pickem. The Magic are 15-7 ATS in their last 22 games following a straight up win, and with a win tonight they would have a .500 home record.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on PHX.

The Suns are the hottest team in the NBA dating back to the bubble this summer. They have won 10 of their last 12 overall, and they are just a slight favorite in tonight's game at Memphis. Both teams are playing the second game of a back to back, but superior talent should make the difference for the visitors. The Suns are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 road games, and the Grizzlies aren't strong at home. Memphis is 3-3 in their last six home games, with wins coming against the likes of Detroit, OKC and Charlotte.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Clippers.

Breaking news suggests Kawhi and PG are going to suit up for the Clippers. This sets up a classic revenge spot for LA, after losing at home by double digits to Utah on Wednesday. The Clippers are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following a double-digit loss at home. This is also a natural let down spot for Utah.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Lakers.

The Nets got the win in Phoenix after trailing by 24 points. They did it without Kyrie and KD, but don't think that's gonna happen on LeBron's watch. KD is not going to play in LA, although Kyrie could be back. I think the Nets will miss Durant more than the Lakers miss AD. LA has won eight of their last nine, while the Nets are 5-4 in their last nine. If we're talking GOAT, then I am firmly in the MJ camp, but if we're talking MVP it's LeBron all day.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Utah Jazz.

The Lakers and the Clippers are each looking up at the Utah Jazz, who sit in the top spot in the Western Conference. The Clippers have done well to keep pace with the Lakers and the Jazz, sitting just 2.5 games out of first. They are a bit banged up though, with Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Nick Batum all dealing with injuries. The Jazz are 20-6 ATS in their last 26 games overall, and they are 7-1 ATS in their last eight road games. They have covered in eight of their last 10 road games against the Clippers.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on PHX.

Two of the league's hottest teams will meet in Phoenix tonight, but this won't be an ideal situation for the visitors. Brooklyn is 9-4 in their last 13, but they won't have the services of Kevin Durant, and playing the second game of a back to back they might want to limit the minutes for stars James Harden and Kyrie Irving. The Suns have won nine of their last 10 overall, and they are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 home games. The Nets have failed to cover in 10 of their last 13 when playing the second game of a back to back, and they are just 2-6 ATS in their last eight road games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on GSW.

I bet against the Cavs last night, and they got clobbered by a shorthanded Clippers team. They play their second game of a back to back with Andre Drummond benched, and I think they lose by double digits again in California. Here is what I said last night: "The Clippers are just two games back of the Lakers, and a home game against Cleveland is an opportunity for them to close the gap. The Clippers have won six straight against Cleveland, and five of those wins came by a double digit margin. The Cavs have lost six straight, and all six losses have come by double digits. The Cavaliers are 0-7 ATS in their last seven road games, and they are 0-6 in their last six as an underdog. The Cavs have also failed to cover in four straight at LA."

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on LAC.

The Clippers are just two games back of the Lakers, and a home game against Cleveland is an opportunity for them to close the gap. The Clippers have won six straight against Cleveland, and five of those wins came by a double digit margin. The Cavs have lost six straight, and all six losses have come by double digits. The Cavaliers are 0-7 ATS in their last seven road games, and they are 0-6 in their last six as an underdog. The Cavs have also failed to cover in four straight at LA. 

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Suns.

Phoenix was the biggest surprise team in the bubble this summer, but they got off to a slow start to the 2020-2021 regular season. They come into this afternoon's game on a roll though, winners of seven of their last eight overall and five straight at home. They host the Sixers, who aren't that strong on the road. The 76ers are 14-35-3 ATS in their last 52 road games, and they have failed to cover in five of their last seven versus the Suns. Phoenix has covered in five straight home games, and the Suns are 23-9 ATS in their last 32 games overall.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Dallas.

I had the Mavs in their last game, a come from behind win over Atlanta. Here is what I said prior to Tip Off: "It's been a slow start to the season for a Dallas team that came in with such high expectations. Luca Doncic has averaged 27 points per game, but he hasn't lived up to the hype after an outstanding season a year ago. The Mavs may be turning the corner though, coming into tonight's game as winners of three of their last four. They host Atlanta, and the Hawks are coming off a four game home stand that saw them lose three of four. The Hawks are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games as a road underdog, and they lost by double digits in their last two visits to Dallas."

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Celtics.

The Raptors have won five of their last six games, but they are at the end of a road trip playing the second game of a back to back. Playing the Celtics in Boston isn't quite the same as beating up on the likes of the Wizards, Magic and Memphis. The Raptors are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games following a ATS win. The Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games. Under normal circumstances we would expect a close game between these teams, but this situation heavily favors the Celtics. 

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Dallas.

It's been a slow start to the season for a Dallas team that came in with such high expectations. Luca Doncic has averaged 27 points per game, but he hasn't lived up to the hype after an outstanding season a year ago. The Mavs may be turning the corner though, coming into tonight's game as winners of three of their last four. They host Atlanta, and the Hawks are coming off a four game home stand that saw them lose three of four. The Hawks are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games as a road underdog, and they lost by double digits in their last two visits to Dallas.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Suns.

Phoenix has won five of their last six overall and three straight at home, and they are finally starting to look like the team that took the bubble by storm this summer. They host the Cavs, who had a bit of a solid run despite low expectations early this season. Cleveland is coming off three straight home losses, and they have lost seven of 10 on the road. The Cavs have failed to cover in six straight overall, and they are 1-6 ATS in their last seven as a road underdog. The Cavaliers are 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings in Phoenix. It looks like the home team should win this one by double digits.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Heat.

Miami has really suffered an NBA Finals hangover, and they come into tonight's home game against the Wizards as losers of seven of eight. The Wizards upset the Heat 103-100 on Wednesday, but Washington has only won three of their last eight overall. Both previous wins during that span have been followed by double digit losses. This being a revenge game for Miami, it could very well be a blowout. The Wizards are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a ATS win, and they are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games playing on 1 days rest.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Under.

The Rockets appeared to reinvent themselves after dealing James Harden to the Nets, and they have allowed opponents to average just 102 points per game during a five game winning streak. They will face the #25 ranked Oklahoma City offense tonight, and it appears that the bookmakers have set the total a little too high. The under is 18-7-1 in the Rockets last 26 overall, and they have gone under in 13 of their last 19 against the Thunder. The under is 15-6 in the last 21 meetings in Oklahoma City.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on GSW.

The Pistons are coming off a big home win over the Lakers, but that was a situational advantage for Detroit. Don't expect them to go on a run now, they haven't won back to back games all season. Only one of their five wins have come on the road, and they are 1-4-1 ATS in their last six games playing on 1 days rest. The Warriors have covered in five straight home games against teams with a losing record. Each of the last four wins for Golden State came by a double digit margin, and I just don't think 5.5 points will be enough for the Pistons.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Spurs.

The Spurs have been playing pretty solid, winning four of six with losses coming to the Warriors and Mavericks. They find themselves catching a handful of points as a home dog versus a Denver team at the end of a road trip. The Nuggets have won five straight, two of those wins coming in overtime. The Spurs are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 games as an underdog, and the home team has won outright in four of the last five head to head meetings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Under.

The Milwaukee Bucks are coming off back to back losses, and that might have them tighten up the defense here against the Hawks. The Hawks have gone under in five straight road games, and the under is 6-1 in Hawks last seven games as an underdog. The Bucks have failed to reach the total in five of their last six overall. This number looks a little inflated.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Under.

The Nets new Big Three made their debut in Cleveland on Wednesday, and things didn't go as planned. Kyrie Irving scored 37 points on 15-of-28 shooting, but his defensive assignment (Colin Sexton) went off for a career high 42 points and helped Cleveland win in overtime by a score of 147-135. The Cavs held Brooklyn to 113 points in regulation, well below their season average of 120 ppg. Cleveland has been one of the best in the league on defense, allowing just 106 points per game. Unfortunately for the Cavs their offense only averages 102.9 ppg (29th). The under is 9-2 in Cavaliers last 11 games as an underdog, and they have failed to reach the total in 10 of their last 12 overall.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Toronto.

After a brutal start to the season the 2019 NBA Champion Toronto Raptors have won three straight. They host the Miami Heat tonight, but it looks like Miami will be shorthanded for this game. Jimmy Butler and a handful of others are expected to miss the game due to health and safety protocols. The Heat are 1-4-1 ATS in their last six games overall, and they have failed to cover in five of their last six road games. Despite their struggles, Toronto has a respectable home record of 4-2.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Atlanta Hawks.

The Minnesota Timbewolves are 3-8 overall, and six of their eight losses have come by double digits. Karl Anthony Towns has only played four games, and they are 2-2 when he plays. He's tested positive for Covid-19 and will not play Monday in Atlanta. The Timberwolves are 12-26 ATS in their last 38 games overall, and they are 1-4-1 ATS in their last six versus the Hawks. Atlanta won it's last home game by a score of 112-94 versus Philly. They should be able to lay a similar beating on a short-handed T-Wolves team.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Toronto.

The Raptors are sitting dead last in the Atlantic Division with a record of 2-8 overall. They have lost back to back games by a single point, but they have a home game against Charlotte tonight. This should give the struggling Raptors a chance to get a W, and make a statement with a double digit home win. Charlotte is playing on back to back nights after losing 104-93 at home to Dallas Wednesday. The Hornets are 6-14-1 ATS in their last 21 games following a double-digit loss at home. Gordon Hayward leads the Hornets in scoring averaging 22 points per game, and he left last night's game with a hip injury. His status for tonight is in doubt.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Warriors.

The Warriors are 4-2 since Draymond Green returned to the lineup, and tonight they catch the Pacers playing on back to back nights after a loss in Sacramento. The Pacers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games playing on 0 days rest. The Warriors are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games playing on 1 days rest. Steph Curry is averaging over 28 points per game so far, and he's scored over 30 in three of his last five games. He's proving he's still capable of carrying this team.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Portland.

I bet against the Raptors last night, and here is what I said prior to their loss at Golden State: "The 2-6 Raptors are a road favorite at Golden State? I guess a slow start hasn't prompted the bookmakers to make any adjustments when it comes to evaluating this Toronto team. The slow start really shouldn't be a surprise, after losing veterans Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol. They are playing their home games in a temporary location, and they have a disgruntled star in Pacal Siakam. The Raptors are 2-7 ATS in their last nine games overall, and they are 5-12 ATS in their last 17 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points." The Raptors are 7-15 ATS in the last 22 meetings versus Portland.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Warriors.

The 2-6 Raptors are a road favorite at Golden State? I guess a slow start hasn't prompted the bookmakers to make any adjustments when it comes to evaluating this Toronto team. The slow start really shouldn't be a surprise, after losing veterans Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol. They are playing their home games in a temporary location, and they have a disgruntled star in Pacal Siakam. The Raptors are 2-7 ATS in their last nine games overall, and they are 5-12 ATS in their last 17 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points. Steph Curry and Draymond Green likely still have a bitter taste in their mouth after watching Toronto celebrate a Championship win in their building. The Dubs aren't going to let up here against Toronto.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Nuggets.

Philly will be forced to fave the Nuggets with just nine players available after several players have been sidelined by health and safety protocols. Ben Simmons won't play because of a knee injury, and starting and backup PG Seth Curry and Shake Milton are also out Saturday. This looks like a situation where Philly will be waiving the white flag.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Celtics.

Boston has won five of their last six games, and they host the Washington Wizards on Friday. Washington is just 2-6 to start the season, and they haven't had much success in recent trips to Boston. They are 2-11-1 ATS in the last 14 meetings in Boston. The Wizards are 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a straight up loss. Bradley Beal scored a whopping 60 points in his last start, but the Wizards lost nevertheless. After coming back from 21-points down at Philly, they went on to lose 141-136. This could set them up for a let down on the road here in Boston.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Memphis.

The Grizzlies are 0-4 at home and they are really missing Ja Morant. They do draw a favorable matchup here on Thursday though, hosting Cleveland on the back end of a back to back. The home team has won seven of the last eight meetings straight up, and I expect Memphis to be far more motivated here still in search of the first W at home. They are coming off back to back losses to the Lakers, but the last game was close, decided by just two points. Darius Garland is the Cavs second leading scorer, assist leader and starting PG. He's out for at least a week with a shoulder injury. The Cavs might just mail this in.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Pacers.

The Rockets are still shopping James Harden, and until they sort that out it's hard to imagine they will be competitive. They are coming off a 113-100 home loss to the Mavericks, and Harden scored just 21 points of 5-of-17 shooting. The Pacers are currently in first place in the Central Division, and they should be all fired up for a home game tonight. The Rockets are 2-7 ATS in their last nine road games, and they are 4-9 ATS in the last 13 meetings in Indiana. The Pacers are 9-4-1 ATS in their last 14 games as a favorite.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Utah Jazz.

The Brooklyn Nets made a lot of noise by winning their first two games, and the media and fans were already planning their parade. They have since lost four of five, losing Spencer Dinwiddie for the season with an injury. There are still trade rumors surrounding the team, and Kyrie seems to always be battling injury. KD is now under quarantine, leaving the Nets undermanned for a home game against the Jazz who are 3-0 on the road. The Nets are 0-5 ATS in their last five games overall, and they are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games as a home underdog. The Jazz are 9-3 ATS in the last 12 meetings, and they have covered in five of their last six at Brooklyn.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Sacramento.

The Golden State Warriors are coming off a blowout win over Portland, with Steph Curry going off for a career high 62 points. This puts them at .500 on the season, and still a long way from looking like a playoff team. Draymond Green didn't do much last night, scoring one point and pulling just three rebounds in 28 minutes. The Dubs look like they face a massive let down spot here in the second game of a back to back. The Kings are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games overall, and the Warriors are are 7-18-1 ATS in their last 26 games playing on 0 days rest.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Dallas.

The Rockets are still dealing with disgruntled superstar James Harden, who sat out the last game with an ankle injury. Harden is still demanding to be traded, so we aren't expecting him to play hurt or give 100 percent for the Rockets on his way out the door. The Mavericks are 21-9-1 ATS in their last 31 road games versus teams with a winning home record. Dallas has covered in four of their last five visits to Houston.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Raptors.

The Raptors are still winless after three games, and I bet against them in their loss at San Antonio. Here is what I said: "The Toronto Raptors are homeless vagabonds here as we head into 2021. They have been banished from their Kingdom in the North, and forced to relocate in Tampa Florida. Their first game in their new home was a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, and now they are asked to win and cover as a road favorite in San Antonio." The Knicks aren't quite the same level of opposition as the Spurs, Pelicans or 76ers. The fact that they won back to back games might just make them like their own smell even a little more than they should. It's time of the Dinosaurs to fight back, or risk extinction.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Denver Nuggets.

The Nuggets won 26 games at home last year, one fewer than the LA Clippers who had the best home record in the Western Conference. This came after winning 34 home games (NBA best) the previous season. Now they have started the season with back to back home losses, and they host a shorthanded Houston team on Monday. James Harden wants a trade, but he scored 44 points in the season opener almost beating the Blazers in Portland. If he continues to put up MVP numbers, the Rockets might not be in a hurry to get a deal done. I wouldn't want to count on getting 100% from Harden moving forward, and with Ben Gordon, DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall out of the lineup, it's going to be tough to ask them to hang in there in Denver. The Rockets are 2-6 ATS in their last eight road games, and the Nuggets are 9-4-1 ATS in their last 14 games as a home favorite.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the San Antonio Spurs.

The Toronto Raptors are homeless vagabonds here as we head into 2021. They have been banished from their Kingdom in the North, and forced to relocate in Tampa Florida. Their first game in their new home was a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, and now they are asked to win and cover as a road favorite in San Antonio. Prior to last season the Spurs had owned the best home record in basketball for almost a decade. They might be a lot better this season, and they got off to a good start with a win on the road at Memphis. The Raptors are 2-6 ATS in the last eight meetings in San Antonio, and they have failed to cover in seven of their last eight against the Spurs. They are 0-4 ATS in their last four as a favorite.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Pelicans.

New Orleans started the season with a win on the road versus the Raptors. Zion Williamson only scored 15 points in 30 minutes, but he was quite efficient shooting 7-of-9 from the field and pulling in 10 rebounds. Brandon Ingram lead the way, scoring 24 points on 10-of-19 shooting. This is a young team that is on the rise, coming off an undefeated pre-season. The Heat are coming off a 113-107 loss at Orlando in their opener, and they may be suffering an NBA Finals let down. I'll take the points.

GL,

Jesse Schule

8*

This is a 5* play on the Lakers.

This time last year we were all wondering if it would be the Lakers or the Clippers that would win the NBA Championship. As it turned out, the Clippers suffered an epic meltdown in the bubble, and there was clearly a group of players that weren't buying into the idea of playing during a pandemic. Lou Williams legendary trip to Atlanta for the wings at Magic City was a clear example of a team in disarray. The Clippers are trying to regroup with a new coach, and more personnel moves are expected to be imminent. Montrezl Harrell has already landed on the other side of town with the Lakers. I would expect LeBron and company to be far more focused here on Opening Night.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Lakers.

Jimmy Butler played as well as he can possibly play, and everything went right for the Heat in Game 5. They still just barely won and got the benefit of some bad calls in the final minutes. It's going to be tough to duplicate that performance here in Game 6. What I said prior to Game 2 is still valid: "What did we learn in Game 1? We learned that the Heat simply can't stop LeBron James and Anthony Davis. If they play the same style, they will lose the next three games and go out in a sweep. The only way the Heat can have a chance at beating LA is to completely change their strategy. The need to accept the fact that their best effort on defense isn't going to be good enough, and put all their efforts into outscoring LA. That means more three point shooting, a faster pace, and more minutes for their young shooters who are a liability on defense.

GL,

Jesse Schule

8*

This is an 8* play on Over (Lakers Team Total).

Anthony Davis was in foul trouble early in Game 3, and he only attempted nine shots in the game. He's gotta be better tonight, and the Lakers are still the overwhelming favorite. What I said prior to Game 2 is still valid: "What did we learn in Game 1? We learned that the Heat simply can't stop LeBron James and Anthony Davis. If they play the same style, they will lose the next three games and go out in a sweep. The only way the Heat can have a chance at beating LA is to completely change their strategy. The need to accept the fact that their best effort on defense isn't going to be good enough, and put all their efforts into outscoring LA. That means more three point shooting, a faster pace, and more minutes for their young shooters who are a liability on defense. Both these teams have gone over in four of their last five overall, yet this total has been bet down a few points since it opened. I'll go with the over."

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Lakers (team total).

My analysis for Game 2 still plays: "What did we learn in Game 1? We learned that the Heat simply can't stop LeBron James and Anthony Davis. If they play the same style, they will lose the next three games and go out in a sweep. The only way the Heat can have a chance at beating LA is to completely change their strategy. The need to accept the fact that their best effort on defense isn't going to be good enough, and put all their efforts into outscoring LA. That means more three point shooting, a faster pace, and more minutes for their young shooters who are a liability on defense. Both these teams have gone over in four of their last five overall, yet this total has been bet down a few points since it opened. I'll go with the over."

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Over.

What did we learn in Game 1? We learned that the Heat simply can't stop LeBron James and Anthony Davis. If they play the same style, they will lose the next three games and go out in a sweep. The only way the Heat can have a chance at beating LA is to completely change their strategy. The need to accept the fact that their best effort on defense isn't going to be good enough, and put all their efforts into outscoring LA. That means more three point shooting, a faster pace, and more minutes for their young shooters who are a liability on defense. Both these teams have gone over in four of their last five overall, yet this total has been bet down a few points since it opened. I'll go with the over.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Lakers.

So I had the Toronto Raptors winning outright as a big underdog in last year's NBA Finals. If you expected me to come back with the underdog here this season, you will be disappointed. I don't see a lot of similarities between this Heat team, and the 2019 Raptors. Toronto was already a first place team in the East when the acquired NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. Coming into the Finals Kawhi had been the best player in the playoffs, and the Warriors had been banged up. The Lakers on the other hand are healthy, and LeBron James and Anthony Davis have both been dominant. The Lakers have won six of the last seven head to head meetings, and four of those six wins came by double digits. I have the Lakers winning Game 1, winning the Series in five games, and LeBron winning Finals MVP. While it's likely Anthony Davis will outscore LeBron, I don't see James being snubbed in the Finals after getting snubbed in the regular season. James is also capable of taking over games with his defense, like he did in the Western Conference Finals when he switched to guard Jamal Murray.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Miami.

I had Miami in Game 4, and I don't have much to add to what I already said prior to that game: "trailing 2-1 in the series, and the Heat are 10-2 so far in these playoffs. While it seems like the Celtics have all the momentum after a double digit win in Game 3, I think it would be foolish to count out Jimmy Butler and this Heat team that has been far more consistent. Boston has had plenty of sub par performances, including blowing a 3-1 series lead against the Raptors. The Heat are 24-8 ATS in their last 32 games following a straight up loss, and the underdog has covered in eight of the last 10 head to head meetings."

Take MIA.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Denver Nuggets.

The Lakers are so much better than Denver on paper, and they own a 2-1 series lead heading into Game 4. The Nuggets though have proven to be a tough out, coming back from 3-1 series deficits twice already in these playoffs. When asked about winning Game 3, Jamal Murray said: "We should be up 2-1 right now." The Lakers are 2-7 ATS in their last nine games following an ATS loss, and they are just 10-21 ATS in the last 31 head to head meetings. Murray is absolutely right. The Lakers won Game 4 at the free throw line, and that didn't go unnoticed. We should see the Nuggets get an opportunity to extend this series in Game 5.

GL,

Jesse Schule

5*

This is a 5* play on the Denver Nuggets.

The Lakers are so much better than Denver on paper, and they own a 2-1 series lead heading into Game 4. The Nuggets though have already proven to be a tough out, coming back from 3-1 series deficits twice already in these playoffs. When asked about winning Game 3, Jamal Murray said: "We should be up 2-1 right now." The Lakers are 2-7 ATS in their last nine games following an ATS loss, and they are just 10-21 in the last 31 head to head meetings. Murray is absolutely right. The Lakers are lucky they aren't losing this series. I'll take the points in Game 4.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Miami Heat.

The Celtics came into this series as the better team on paper, and the favorite to advance to the NBA Finals. They come into Game 4 trailing 2-1 in the series, and the Heat are 10-2 so far in these playoffs. While it seems like the Celtics have all the momentum after a double digit win in Game 3, I think it would be foolish to count out Jimmy Butler and this Heat team that has been far more consistent. Boston has had plenty of sub par performances, including blowing a 3-1 series lead against the Raptors. The Heat are 24-8 ATS in their last 32 games following a straight up loss, and the underdog has covered in eight of the last 10 head to head meetings.

Take MIA.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Over 206.

I bet the under in Game 2, and it just barely hit landing on 207. The Celtics scored 60 points in the first half, and then once again they fell apart late. This is turning out to be a ratings nightmare for the league, and everyone outside of Miami is hoping and praying Boston can come back and make this a series again. A few favorable calls and a few more trips to the free throw line wouldn't be much of a suprise in Game 3. Miami keeps getting their points, and they are now 10-1 in the playoffs. They have averaged 112 points in those games, failing to score 100 or more just once. The over is 26-12 in Miami's last 38 games following a straight up win. These teams have only gone over in one of the last six meetings, when the Heat won in overtime in Game 1. That being said, five of those six games saw more than 206 points.

Take Over.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Over.

The Nuggets are a ratings nightmare for the NBA, denying everyone the Clippers vs Lakers Western Conference Final that we waited for all season. Not only did they come back and win three straight after trailing the Clippers 3-1 in the series, they trailed by double digits in Game 7. The Nuggets shot over 49 percent from the field in Game 7 versus the Clippers, but it's hard to imagine they won't be set up for a let down in Game 1 versus the Lakers. After defeating the Jazz in a low scoring Game 7 in the first round, they lost Game 1 of their series versus the Clippers by a score of 120-97. Other than two low scoring Game 7s, Denver has seen 10 of their 12 playoff games go over the total of 210. The Lakers are averaging over 114 points per game in these playoffs, and the over is 20-7-2 in their last 29 meetings versus Denver.

Take Over.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Under.

Here is what I said prior to Game 1: "You know the story.. defense wins championships. The Celtics certainly have been playing some defense, allowing the fewest points per game (100) of any team in this year's playoffs. The Heat are right behind them, allowing 103 points per game (2nd) so far this post-season. These teams have a history of battling hard against each other, and seven of the last 10 head to head meetings have gone under the total. The Heat have failed to reach the total in seven of their last 10 overall, while Boston has gone under in eight of it's last nine overall. Expect no easy buckets in Game 1." A late collapse by the Celtics allowed the Heat to force OT, and the total went well over. I expect a tighter defensive game here in Game 2.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Under.

You know the story.. defense wins championships. The Celtics certainly have been playing some defense, allowing the fewest points per game (100) of any team in this year's playoffs. The Heat are right behind them, allowing 103 points per game (2nd) so far this post-season. These teams have a history of battling hard against each other, and seven of the last 10 head to head meetings have gone under the total. The Heat have failed to reach the total in seven of their last 10 overall, while Boston has gone under in eight of it's last nine overall. Expect no easy buckets in Game 1.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Lakers.

LeBron and company lost Game 1 to the Blazers in the first round, and went on to win four straight. They can do the same thing here in Game 5 against Houston, and the Rockets look like a team ready to go home. Both Westbrook and Harden have struggled, and I'd bet everything I have that Daneul House isn't the only Houston player with his mind on pleasures off the court. This time tomorrow LeBron will be prepping for the Western Conference Finals, and Russ and James will be sinking their teeth into those legendary chicken wings at Magic City.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Under.

The Celtics have the defending champions on the ropes, and given that this is an elimination game for Toronto, we should expect a hard fought defensive battle. Every game in this series so far has gone under, and I don't see either of these teams lossening up the defense in Game 6. I said this prior to Game 3: "The Raptors had a poor showing in Game 1, hitting just 36.9 percent of their shots from the field. After closer examination it was a poor first quarter, and the remainder of the game was nearly even. They improved only slightly in Game 2, hitting 40 percent from the field. I can't see any reason to expect these teams to loosen up the defense in Game 4, we should see another low score. That has been the trend when these teams meet, with seven of the last nine meetings going under. The under is 8-1 in the Celtics last nine overall, and the under is 15-3 in Celtics last 18 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points. The under is 12-4 in Raptors last 16 overall, and the under is 17-5-1 in Raptors last 23 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points."

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Toronto Raptors.

The Celtics won the first two games of this series, and they hit over 40 percent of their three-pointers in those games. The Raptors now have their confidence back after evening the series at 2-2, and the Celtics have cooled off from beyond the arc. They were just 7of-35 (20%) from three-point range in Game 4. Toronto has all the momentum, and they can take control of this series with a win in Game 5. Here is what I said before the season started: "There is no doubt that Kawhi Leonard deserved plenty of credit for bringing a title to Toronto, but I believe that there is a false narrative that he did it by himself. Many people question how competitive the Raptors can be without Kawhi. I would point out that last year they actually had a higher winning percentage in games he missed due to load management, than they did in the games he played. This is also a team that finished at or near the top of the Eastern Conference several seasons in a row prior to the arrival of Kawhi. Players like Fred Van Fleet and Pascal Siakam should be primed to thrive in a greater role. I caution against sleeping on the Raptors, and I'll take them at 12-1 to win the East."

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Under.

The Rockets shocked the Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinal, but history tells us we can expect them to bounce back in Game 2. They lost Game 1 in their first round series versus Portland, and responded with a strong defensive effort in Game 2, holding the Blazers to just 88 points. The Rockets have a reputation for playing high scoring games, but they have gone under in six of their last seven as an underdog. The under is 11-2 in the Rockets last 13 games playing on 1 days rest. The Lakers have gone under in five of their last six off a double digit home loss. These teams have gone under in four of the last five head to head meetings.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Under.

The Raptors had a poor showing in Game 1, hitting just 36.9 percent of their shots from the field. After closer examination it was a poor first quarter, and the remainder of the game was nearly even. They improved only slightly in Game 2, hitting 40 percent from the field. I can't see any reason to expect these teams to loosen up the defense in Game 4, we should see another low score. That has been the trend when these teams meet, with seven of the last nine meetings going under. The under is 8-1 in the Celtics last nine overall, and the under is 15-3 in Celtics last 18 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points. The under is 12-4 in Raptors last 16 overall, and the under is 17-5-1 in Raptors last 23 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Under.

The #1 seed Milwaukee Bucks find themselves down 0-2 after losing 116-114 in Game 2. The final score soared well past the listed number, but perhaps it was closer than you think. With under two minutes to play in the game, the score was 110-102, and under bettors still had 10 points to work with. They went on to score 18 points in the final minute and 45 seconds, when they could have easily scored 8-10 or even fewer during that span. Despite some excellent defense by Miami, and the Bucks facing a must win situation, the total for Game 3 hasn't come down at all. These teams have failed to reach the total in seven of the last 10 meetings, and the Heat have gone under in four of their last five in the Conference Semifinals.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Under.

The Raptors had a poor showing in Game 1, hitting just 36.9 percent of their shots from the field. After closer examination it was a poor first quarter, and the remainder of the game was nearly even. They improved only slightly in Game 2, hitting 40 percent from the field. I can't see any reason to expect these teams to loosen up the defense in Game 3, we should see another low score. That has been the trend when these teams meet, with five of the last seven meetings going under. The under is 7-1 in the Celtics last eight overall, and the under is 14-3 in Celtics last 17 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points. The under is 11-4 in Raptors last 15 overall, and the under is 17-5-1 in Raptors last 23 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Under in Game 7.

We saw some strong defensive play in Game 6, with the Thunder recording the upset by a score of 104-100. Expect more of the same in a winner takes all Game 7. Last night's Game 7 between Utah and Denver ended with a final score of 80-78, going under by more than 60 points. The under is 48-21-1 in the Thunder's last 70 games as an underdog. The under is 9-3 in the Rockets last 12 games following a straight up loss, and they have failed to reach the total in nine of their last 13 overall. We expect every possession to be a war, with no easy buckets.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Under 218.

The Raptors will look to improve on a poor showing in Game 1, hitting just 36.9 percent of their shots from the field. After closer examination it was a poor first quarter, and the remainder of the game was nearly even. If Game 2 is set to be anything like Game 1, we should see another low score. That has been the trend when these teams meet, with four of the last six meetings going under. The under is 6-1 in the Celtics last seven overall, and the under is 13-3 in Celtics last 16 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points. The under is 10-4 in Raptors last 14 overall, and the uder is 16-5-1 in Raptors last 22 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Under 223.5.

The Miami Heat were the only team in the Eastern Conference to win a regular season series versus Milwaukee. These teams are both among the top defensive sides in the NBA, and seven of the last 10 meetings have fallen short of the number. Three of the four games Miami played in the first round fell well short of the number of 223.5, and the under is 13-6-2 in Bucks last 21 versus a team with a winning straight up record. The Bucks averaged 116 points per game in their series versus Orlando, a few points fewer than their regular season average. I expect points to be even harder to come by against the Heat.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Mavs.

The Clippers and the Lakers each voted to cancel the remainder of the playoffs to protest the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha Wisconsin. We saw the Lakers return to action last night, failing to cover in a series clinching win over Portland by single digits. The Clippers were a five point favorite in Game 2, and Dallas won outright. They were a seven point favorite in Game 4, and once against Dallas won outright despite Luka Doncic playing hurt. The extra 2-3 days for Luka to rehab his ankle should help Dallas, and according to his coach he will be at full speed. The line is now at double digits, and I just cant's see betting on the Clippers as a heavy favorite when we know they voted to walk away from the season.

Take DAL.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Houston.

The Thunder had all the momentum heading into Game 5, but you have to think that momentum was lost when the players decided to boycott Games over the last few days. One of the unintended results of the past few days is that players who were injured have been given more time to recover. That's the case for Russell Westbrook who looks to make his mark on this series for the first time in Game 5. Chris Paul has a lot on his plate right now, and as head of the Player's Association his mind is on matters other than basketball. All these events seem to favor the Rockets.

Take HOU.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Nuggets.

The Jazz have a 3-1 series lead, and it looks like they have been dominating this series. Perhaps they have been quite fortunate, particularly in the last two games. The fact that they shot 57.5 percent from the field and yet won Game 4 by only two points, suggests to me that indeed they were more lucky than anything. . Such shooting isn't sustainable, and eventually those makes are going to turn into misses.  The Nuggets swept the season series, and they came into Game 1 as a favorite. I like the Nuggets to get back into this series with a victory in Game 5.

Take DEN.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Under.

All three games in this series have gone under, and that hasn't really moved the needle with bookmakers keeping the total on the same number. After a terrible shooting performance in Game 1, the Lakers have turned up the defensive intensity and focused on high percentage shots. LeBron wants to muddy it up a little, knowing it's not a good idea to get into a shootout with Dame and the Blazers. The under is 11-5 in the Lakers last 16 games as a favorite, and they have failed to reach the total in 10 of their last 14 overall. The under is 4-1 in the Blazers last five Conference Quarterfinals games, and they have failed to reach the total in four straight as an underdog.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Denver.

The Jazz have taken charge of this series by winning Games 2 & 3, and they have shot over 50 percent from the field in both those games. Denver is badly in need of a win to avoid going down 3-1 in the series, so I expect them to clamp down on defense here. Mike Conley returned to action and hit a career high 7-of-8 three pointers in Game 3. Such shooting isn't sustainable, and eventually those makes are going to turn into misses.  The Nuggets swept the season series, and they came into Game 1 as a favorite. I like the Nuggets to get back into this series with a victory in Game 4.

Take DEN.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Thunder.

This series was never supposed to be a sweep, and I expect the Thunder to take Game 3 and get back in the series. They did everything right in Game 2, until they were outscored 34-20 in the final frame. James Harden was held to just 21 points, and the Rockets aren't going to win many games when Harden is not effective. The Thunder are 24-10 ATS in their last 34 games as an underdog, and they had won five straight against Houston prior to this series. This is a big revenge spot for a Thunder team that is 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.

Take OKC.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Miami Heat.

The Pacers are down 2-0, and this series looks like it's over. One of the takeaways from Game 2 was that Jimmy Butler scored just 18 points, and had as many turnovers (5) as he did field goals. The Pacers can't count on another lackluster performance from Butler in Game 3, and we should see the Heat continue to dominate this matchup. The Pacers are 0-5-1 ATS in their last six Conference Quarterfinals games, and they are are 0-4-1 ATS in their last five playoff games as an underdog.

Take MIAMI.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Dallas.

The Mavs have been the better team here in this series, with the exception of the 4th quarter of Game 1 after Porzingis was ejected. With Dallas evening the series at 1-1, you might expect a bounce back performance from the Clippers here in Game 3. There is concern though that Pat Beverly isn't healthy enough to play at all, and Paul George is not all that effective playing with a sore shoulder. This series seems eerily similar to the Blazers versus Thunder, when George was sent packing by Damian Lillard. The Clippers are 9-23 ATS in their last 32 playoff games as a favorite.

Take DAL.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Orlando Magic.

The thing about recency bias is, you don't want to overreact to the results of one game. That said, you also don't want to fail to react at all. The Bucks were the biggest Game 1 favorite on the board, and they lost outright by double digits. So it won't be a surprise at all if they come right back and win big in Game 2. But should we lay 13 points with a team that failed to win Game 1? I don't think so. The Bucks have yet to prove that they are a playoff team, last year they fell apart against the Raptors. Giannis was outplayed by Orlando big man Nikola Vucevic, and that matchup has the potential to continue to be a problem. The Magic are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games as an underdog, and while the Bucks have failed to cover in five of their last seven as a favorite.

Take the points.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the LA Lakers.

So far there have been plenty of surprises in the bubble so far, and several teams have seen their stock rise and fall. The Lakers came in as consensus favorite, but failed to impress. Portland on the other hand won six of eight games, and then won their play in game against Memphis. This has people calling them a dark horse candidate to win it all. I can't say I was all that impressed with wins over Memphis, Dallas and Philly by three, and a one point win over Brooklyn. The Nets and the Grizzlies effectively shut down Damian Lillard in the fourth quarter, and now the Blazers face a well rested Lakers team. Game 1 looks like a classic let down spot for Portland.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on under 222.

The defending champions played 24 playoff games last season, and only five of those games saw more than 222 points. In their first round series versus Orlando all five games fell well short of that number. They come into the first round of this year's playoffs as the biggest favorite on the board, and they boast the NBA's #1 ranked defense. The Raptors were one of few teams (if not the only team) that played low scoring games in the bubble. The under is 7-2 in Toronto's last nine overall.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns are the biggest suprise in the bubble in Orlando, and their unbeaten run has put them in a position to force a play in game for the final playoff spot in the West. They will take on Dallas Thursday, and the Mavs are already looking ahead to their first round series. Luca Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis should ride the pine here, at least for the majority of the game. The Mavericks are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games overall, and they are 2-10 ATS in the last 12 meetings versus the Suns.

Take PHX.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Toronto.

I bet on Toronto to win the East (12-1) before the season started, and I am pretty pleased with that bet. Here is what I said in October: "There is no doubt that Kawhi Leonard deserved plenty of credit for bringing a title to Toronto, but I believe that there is a false narrative that he did it by himself. Many people question how competitive the Raptors can be without Kawhi. I would point out that last year they actually had a higher winning percentage in games he missed due to load management, than they did in the games he played. This is also a team that finished at or near the top of the Eastern Conference several seasons in a row prior to the arrival of Kawhi. Players like Fred Van Fleet and Pascal Siakam should be primed to thrive in a greater role." They catch the Sixers in the second game of a back to back, possibly without Embiid and Simmonds. The Raptors rested their starters in their last game, and still beat the Bucks by eight. While Giannis didn't play, the rest of the Bucks starters did play regular minutes.

Take TOR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Blazers.

I bet on Portland yesterday, and here is what I said before the game: "There's nobody you would rather have in the clutch than Damian Lillard. He sent Paul George packing with a buzzer beating three-pointer in last year's playoffs, and he's made a ton of big shots in his career. He needed to make just one of two free throws to tie the game game versus the Clippers in the dying seconds yesterday, but missed them both. So the question is ... how do you think he's going to respond? I think he's gonna open up a can of whoopass on a Philly team that just lost Ben Simmons for likely the remainder of the year." He went off for 50 points, keeping the Blazers playoff hopes alive. They face a tough matchup versus Dallas tonight, but with both teams playing the second game of a back to back, there is no need for the Mavs to push things, so don't expect their starts to log a lot of minutes.

Take POR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Suns.

The Suns are a real Cinderella story, and the clock hasn't struck midnight yet. The Phillies story is more of a nightmare, losing Ben Simmons to a knee injury, and Joel Embiid battling a sore ankle. You have to wonder how much the Sixers have invested in this postseason now that they know they aren't going to be at full strength. The Suns give us no such reason to doubt, and I expect antoher imprressive performance from this young Phoenix team today.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Toronto.

I bet on Toronto to win the East (25-1) before the season started, and I am pretty pleased with that bet. Here is what I said in October: "There is no doubt that Kawhi Leonard deserved plenty of credit for bringing a title to Toronto, but I believe that there is a false narrative that he did it by himself. Many people question how competitive the Raptors can be without Kawhi. I would point out that last year they actually had a higher winning percentage in games he missed due to load management, than they did in the games he played. This is also a team that finished at or near the top of the Eastern Conference several seasons in a row prior to the arrival of Kawhi. Players like Fred Van Fleet and Pascal Siakam should be primed to thrive in a greater role." They catch the Bucks without the Greek Freak.

Take TOR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a Free play on the Portland Blazers.

There's nobody you would rather have in the clutch than Damian Lillard. He sent Paul George packing with a buzzer beating three-pointer in last year's playoffs, and he's made a ton of big shots in his career. He needed to make just one of two free throws to tie the game game versus the Clippers in the dying seconds yesterday, but missed them both. So the question is ... how do you think he's going to respond? I think he's gonna open up a can of whoopass on a Philly team that just lost Ben Simmons for likely the remainder of the year.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Toronto Raptors.

I bet on Toronto to win the East (25-1) before the season started, and I am pretty pleased with that bet. Here is what I said in October: "There is no doubt that Kawhi Leonard deserved plenty of credit for bringing a title to Toronto, but I believe that there is a false narrative that he did it by himself. Many people question how competitive the Raptors can be without Kawhi. I would point out that last year they actually had a higher winning percentage in games he missed due to load management, than they did in the games he played. This is also a team that finished at or near the top of the Eastern Conference several seasons in a row prior to the arrival of Kawhi. Players like Fred Van Fleet and Pascal Siakam should be primed to thrive in a greater role." They catch the Grizzlies off their first win in the bubble, and the Raptors are looking for payback after a loss to the Celtics.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Denver Nuggets.

The Jazz have lost three of their last four, and they are in a tough spot here in Saturday's game against Denver. This second game of a back to back in an early game could result in limiting the minutes of some star players. Denver has been far better in Orlando, with wins over the Spurs and the Thunder prior to losing to a much improved Portland team. The Jazz are 1-9-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up loss, and they have lost both previous meetings versus Denver in 2020.

Take DEN.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Under 218.5.

So far in the bubble in Orlando we have seen some really high scores. Because of that the totals are being bet up to astronomically high numbers. So far all of the Raptor's games have gone under, and by a large margin. They are facing the Celtics for the fourth time this season, and two of the first three meetings went under the total. Kemba Walker is expected to play after resting a sore knee in the last game, but he's averaging just 14 points over his last four games. Marc Gasol preaches team defense: "In our locker room, if you don't have the will or the discipline to play defense, it is going to be really hard for you to see the floor, and that gives the coaches a lot of credit, right?"

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Houston.

The Lakers clinched first place in the West, then they lost badly to Oklahoma City. They play their second game of a back to back tonight against the Rockets, and LeBron is going to sit this one out. If the Lakers are wise, they will also limit the minutes for Anthony Davis and the rest of the starters. This could be an easy roll over for the Rockets.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Under 228.

So far in the bubble in Orlando we have seen some really high scores. Because of that the totals are being bet up to astronomically high numbers. Monday four of the six games went under, and by a large margin. On Tuesday that trend continued, but one of the games that did go over was the Nets win over Milwaukee. It was the largest upset in the NBA in the last 27 years. That could set them up for a let down here against Boston. The Celtics are resting leading scorer Kemba Walker, so don't be surprised if these teams struggle to reach such a high number.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Under 224.

So far in the bubble in Orlando we have seen some really high scores. Because of that the totals are being bet up to astronomically high numbers. Yesterday four of the six games went under, and by a large margin. The Magic are facing the Pacers on Tuesday, and both teams have been impressive so far. The bookmakers haven't set a total as high as 220 in any of the previous 10 meetings between these teams, and in fact the last six meetings had a total set below 210. Both these teams are among the top defensive squads in the NBA, and I expect this game to have a playoff feel to it.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Under 227.5.

The Spurs and the Sixers are trending in opposite directions. This isn't the same San Antonio team we saw struggle during the season. Since the restart they have won back to back games, and they look like a team desperate to make the playoffs. The Sixers on the other hand are the exact same team they were earlier this season. Philly was brutal away from home, and their first game of the restart was a loss to Indiana. The Sixers rank just 21st in the NBA in scoring, and 7th in the NBA in points allowed. We should see a playoff type atmosphere in this game, which should keep the score under 227.5.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Pacers.

The Wizards are coming off back to back losses by a combined margin of over 20 points. Their loss to Brooklyn likely ended any hope of an early exit from the bubble, but that might be just what they want. Who know, Magic City might seem like a lot more fun that hanging around in Orlando right now. Indiana on the other hand won outright as a 5.5 point underdog versus the Sixers, and this is a team that is firmly looking forward to the playoffs. The Pacers have won and covered in four of the last five meetings, and with Washington starting a bunch of backups, this game should be a blowout.

Take IND.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Raptors.

I bet on Toronto to win the East (25-1) before the season started, and I am pretty pleased with that bet. Here is what I said in October: "There is no doubt that Kawhi Leonard deserved plenty of credit for bringing a title to Toronto, but I believe that there is a false narrative that he did it by himself. Many people question how competitive the Raptors can be without Kawhi. I would point out that last year they actually had a higher winning percentage in games he missed due to load management, than they did in the games he played. This is also a team that finished at or near the top of the Eastern Conference several seasons in a row prior to the arrival of Kawhi. Players like Fred Van Fleet and Pascal Siakam should be primed to thrive in a greater role." They face a Miami team that is coming off a big win over Denver, and might be due for a bit of a let down. There is some concern about Jimmy Butler, although we expect him to play.

Take TOR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Dallas Mavericks.

The Mavs did everything right in their first game back, except for the final 41 seconds in an overtime loss to the Rockets. They blew a seven point lead, allowing Houston to force overtime in a game that they had no business winning. Luca Doncic had a triple-double, and Kristaps Porzingis went off for 39 points and 16 rebounds. The good news for Dallas is they are right back on the court, and they have an excellent opportunity to get that bitter taste out of their mouths. They face the Phoenix Suns, who might be happy with themselves after beating the Wizards backups. The Mavs have won three of the last four meetings by an average margin of nine points.

Take DAL.

GL,

Jesse Schule