10* *BASKET BRAWLER*
Play: Houston Rockets
Rating: 10*

The Atlanta Hawks saw a six-game winning streak come to an end last night when they came up short in a 93-87 defeat at Indiana. I don't like their chances or bouncing back with a win at Houston here the very next night as they're 0-4 ATS in their last four playing on no rest. Houston impressed in a 88-84 win against San Antonio Friday but fell 110-108 at New Orleans the next day. Now they've had plenty of time to recover, and I expect a feisty Rockets team tonight. They're 20-8 ATS in their last 28 games playing on two days rest, 5-1 ATS in their last six games following a ATS loss and a perfect 6-0 ATS in their last six home games. The Hawks are 3-8 ATS in the last 11 meetings in Houston, and this looks like a good spot to back the Rockets. 

8* *HARDWOOD HAMMER*
Play: New York Knicks
Rating: 8*

I like the New York Knicks to end a four-game slide when they host the Detroit Pistons tonight. Detroit is off a pair of losses as well, the most recent a 99-93 defeat against Boston last Saturday. The Pistons shot just 38.5% from the field in that game, including 6-of-25 from behind the arc. They're 5-18 ATS in the last 23 meetings in New York and will face a Knicks team desperate for a win. The Knicks lost 100-91 at Boston Sunday despite Carmelo Anthony putting up 29 points and pulling down 10 boards for his second straight double-double. Anthony has missed each of the last three meetings with the Pistons, but I expect a big game from him tonight.

8* NBA *HARDWOOD HAMMER*
Play: Orlando Magic
Rating: 8*

The Orlando Magic will be looking to bounce back from a 108-101 setback to the Heat Saturday as they host the New Orleans Pelicans tonight. New Orleans is off a 110-108 win against Houston, but the team has been extremely poor on the road this season (3-14 SU, 6-11 ATS) and I like the Magic in this matchup. Orlando is a fantastic 8-0 ATS in its last eight games vs. a team with a losing straight up record, 4-1 ATS in its last five games following a straight up loss and won 103-94 at New Orleans on Nov. 3. Nikola Vucevic had 22 points and 13 rebounds in that contest and he's averaging 22.8 points and 9.4 rebounds through his last five games.

10* NBA *BASKET BRAWLER*
Play: Atlanta Hawks
Rating: 10*

The Indiana Pacers ended a three-game slide with a 102-88 win at Minnesota Wednesday, but they're 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a straight up win of more than 10 points and tonight's opponent is of a way different breed than the Timberwolves. The Atlanta Hawks are flying high entering this contest on the back of six consecutive victories while averaging 111.5 points on 51.2% shooting. They're 5-1 ATS in that span and the road team is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings in this series. Atlanta is getting plenty of production from both starters and its bench, and it's taking extremely good care of the ball at the moment (the Hawks committed a season-low nine turnovers in Saturday's 117-98 win against the Knicks). Meanwhile, Atlanta leads the NBA in points off turnovers at 20.2 per game, and I think the Hawks will hustle the Pacers to plenty of mistakes tonight. 

NBA *LATE SHOW*
Play: Sacramento Kings
Rating: 8*

The Portland Trail Blazers had lost five straight by an average of 13.2 points prior to last night's 105-76 upset against Cleveland. Great result for Portland, but I wouldn't read to much into it as the Cavs obviously took a day off on the job after giving it their all in a 89-83 loss to the Warriors the night before. Tonight it's the Trail Blazers playing a back-to-back and I think they'll struggle at Sacramento who has won five of its last seven games. Trail Blazers are 1-5 ATS in their last six following a straight up win and 3-12-1 ATS in their last 16 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.

10* *BASKET BRAWLER*
Play: Under
Rating: 10*

The Memphis Grizzlies have only three wins through their last nine games despite playing some solid defense as they've struggled at the other end of the court instead. A lack of offense has been an issue all season long as the Grizzlies' 95.9 points per game is second worst only to the two-win Philly. I don't think too much will be asked from their D tonight though when hosting the lowly L.A. Lakers who have lost four of their last five, averaging only 83.5 points in the defeats. The Lakers lost 94-84 at home against the Clippers on Christmas Day, and the under is 4-1 in their last five overall and 11-3 in their last 14 games playing on one day of rest. Memphis was in action yesterday with a 98-92 loss at Charlotte. The under 5-1 in their last six playing on no days of rest and I don't see them driving up the tempo here, something that should suit the Lakers just fine as well.

8* SPOT BET OF THE DAY
Play: Under
Rating: 8*

The under is 15-8 (65.2%) for teams playing on no rest the day after Christmas dating back to 2007. The under is 5-0 in the Clippers last five games overall when playing on no rest and 8-2 in their last 10 games following a ATS loss. Under is Under is 13-3 in the Jazz last 16 Saturday games and 6-2 in their last eight overall. Six of the last eight head-to-head meetings between the Clippers and the Jazz have gone under the total. 

10* NBA *BASKET BRAWLER*
Play: Washington Wizards
Rating: 10*

The Washington Wizards are going for a fourth consecutive win when they visit the Brooklyn Nets here on Boxing Day. The team completed a 3-0 homestand while averaging 107.3 points and shooting 48.8%, and they were extremely stingy on D in a 100-91 win against Memphis Wednesday. The Wizards are 9-2 ATS L11 on the road after a game at home, and I like them to translate the recent success at home to this game at Brooklyn this afternoon. The Nets are a miserable 1-6 in their last seven games and they've lost five straight at home. The Wizards are 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings and this looks like a good spot to back Washington to keep their winning streak intact.

10* *CHRISTMAS DAY SPECIAL*
Play: Miami Heat
Rating: 10*

The Miami Heat have won just two of three on their current homestand that will conclude with an afternoon game against the New Orleans Pelicans Christmas Day. The Pels meanwhile have won three of their last four and destroyed Portland 115-89 Wednesday. They're 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a ATS win and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 vs. Eastern Conference though, and I think this looks like a good spot to back the Heat. Miami suffered a 93-92 setback against the Pistons Tuesday but its 8-3-1 ATS in its last 12 games following a straight up loss and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400, and the Pels are still sporting a lowly 9-19 overall record this season.

10* NBA *BASKET BRAWLER*
Play: Under
Rating: 10*

The Golden State Warriors are the highest scoring team in the league averaging 116 points per game. They're also a solid defensive unit though, and I think we'll see a low-scoring game when they host the defensively sound Utah Jazz Wednesday night. The under is 8-5 in Utah's 13 games away from home this season and 5-2 in its last seven overall. The Warriors are off a lengthy break after they got revenge on the Bucks in a 121-112 win Friday, and the under is 5-2 in their last seven games playing on three or more days rest. The Jazz knows that they'll have no chance to compete with the Warriors if they let their opponent jack up the tempo here. Utah is sure to make its possessions as long as possible leading to a slow low-scoring game and it's off two solid defensive performances against Denver and Phoenix.  

8* NBA *3-Pack*
Play: Charlotte Hornets
Rating: 8*

A 98-93 loss to Boston on Dec. 12 kicked off a series of lackluster performances from the Charlotte Hornets. They have just one win through four games since, a 109-99 OT win at home against the Raptors, but each of the losses came on the road. They're still a solid 11-4 SU home at Time Warner Cable Arena this season, and I expect a big performance from the Hornets tonight. They'll be looking to bounce back from a 102-95 defeat at Houston Monday and they're 10-2 ATS in their last 12 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game and 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 after a loss as a dog. The Celtics meanwhile ended a three-game skid with a 113-99 win against Minnesota Monday. They won't be nearly as desperate for a win as the Hornets here, and this looks like a good spot for Charlotte to revenge the defeat to the Celtics earlier this month. 

8* NBA *3-Pack*
Play: Indiana Pacers
Rating: 8*

The Indiana Pacers are off a pair of road-defeats at Memphis and San Antonio, but they've won 10 of their last 11 (8-3 ATS) home at Bankers Life Fieldhouse with the lone loss coming against the outstanding Warriors. They're allowing opponents just 95.5 points per game home at Indiana this season while the visiting Sacramento Kings are giving up an atrocious 110.1 points per game on the road. Sacramento need its offense to click to be able to compete, but DeMarcus Cousins is shooting just 37.9% from the field in nine games this month and Rajon Rondo scored just two points on 1-of-7 shooting in Monday's 113-99 loss at Washington. This will be the Kings fourth consecutive road-game in six days and third in four days, a rough schedule indeed. This does not look like a favorable spot to take on a Pacers team looking for revenge after dropping two close decisions to the Kings last season. 

10* NBA *BASKET BRAWLER*
Play: Toronto Raptors
Rating: 10*

The Toronto Raptors have lost three of their last four, but this looks like a good spot to bounce back from a 104-94 home-defeat against Sacramento Sunday. The Raptors had won four straight home at Air Canada Centre prior to the setback, a 97-94 win against the Spurs included, and they're 8-2 ATS in their last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. They seem to raise their game when facing strong competition going 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record, and the Dallas Mavericks fits the bill going 15-12 on the season. Dallas is off a 97-88 win against Denver but its 1-4 ATS in its last five games following a straight up win and 3-11 ATS in their last 14 vs. Eastern Conference. The Mavs lost 102-91 when they hosted the Raptors on Nov. 3 and they've covered the spread in only two of their last seven visits to Toronto. I like the Raptors in Tuesday's matchup. 

8* NCAAB *HARDWOOD HAMMER*
Play: Georgia
Rating: 8*

The Georgia Bulldogs have held each of their last three opponents to less than 40% shooting and I can easily see the Clemson Tigers struggle here tonight. Clemson is just  1-5 ATS in its last six road games and 1-8 ATS in its last nine games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Georgia has a red hot game-changer in guard J.J Frazier who is averaging 21 points per game in his past four contests.

8* NBA *LATE SHOW*
Play: Oklahoma City Thunder
Rating: 8*

The Oklahoma City Thunder are red hot and 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Los Angeles. I expect them to pick up another win tonight against a Clippers team that is off back-to-back defeats at Houston and San Antonio Friday/Saturday. The Clippers are 3-9-1 ATS in their last 13 games following a straight up loss and 2-12-2 ATS in their last 16 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. They're going through a brutal stretch of the schedule as this game marks just the second time in a span of 14 games that the team will play at home through the end of December and they've played seven of their last eight on the road. No need to overthink this one: Back the hot Thunder. 

10* NBA *BASKET BRAWLER*
Play: Utah Jazz
Rating: 10*

The Utah Jazz ended a four-game slide with a 98-88 win against Denver Friday. They're 5-1 ATS in the last six when hosting the Phoenix Suns, and this looks like a good spot for Utah. The Suns have lost three of their last four, the most recent a 101-95 setback at home against Milwaukee last night. Brandon Knight is averaging just 9.5 points on 7-of-21 shooting during the past two games and they're 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record. The Suns are surrendering an average of 107.4 points per game away from home this season while Utah has among the best defensive records in the NBA. 

8* NBA *HARDWOOD HAMMER*
Play: New York Knicks
Rating: 8*

The New York Knicks are coming into this game looking for a fifth consecutive win. They defeated the Bulls 107-91 Saturday, and I think they'll win big when hosting the Orlando Magic Monday night. Orlando had a three-game winning streak ended with a 103-100 defeat against the Hawks last night. They're 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games following a ATS loss and 1-5 ATS in the last six meetings in New York. They're off three consecutive home-games and will play another four straight in front of the home-town crowd after this contest. I don't think they'll put much emphasis on this game and this looks like a good spot to back the Knicks. 

10* NBA *BASKET BRAWLER*
Play: Denver Nuggets
Rating: 10*

The New Orleans Pelicans own one of the league's worst records and have lost 13 of 15 road games on the season while going 5-10 ATS. I don't like their chances at Denver Sunday night either. The Nuggets will be looking to rebound from a 97-88 defeat at Utah Friday, but they had won five of their last six prior. They're a solid 11-4-1 ATS in their last 16 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400 and 6-1 in the last seven when hosting the Pelicans. Denver shot 52.9% from the field including 15 shots from 3-point land in a 115-98 win at New Orleans on Nov. 17. I don't think the Pels will get revenge tonight. I'm well happy to take the points on the Nuggets Sunday night. 

10* NBA *BASKET BRAWLER*
Play: Memphis Grizzlies
Rating: 10*

Both the Indiana Pacers and the Memphis Grizzlies were in action last night, and this looks like a spot that should favor the Grizzlies. They'll be desperate for a win after just one victory through their last five and a off a 97-88 defeat at Dallas last night. They're 7-1 ATS in their last eight games playing on no rest while the Pacers are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 playing on back-to-back nights. They're off three consecutive wins and won't have nearly the same motivation as the Grizzlies. It's also worth noting that they're just 1-6 ATS in the last seven meetings in Memphis and the Grizzlies have won the past four meetings outright, including a 112-103 road win on Oct. 29. 

8* NBA *HARDWOOD HAMMER*
Play: Under
Rating: 8*

The Chicago Bulls suffered a heartbreaking 147-144 4th OT defeat against the Pistons home at United Center last night. After playing for 3 hours, 24 minutes, I expect them to make their possessions tonight as long as possible tonight to drag down the tempo of the game, and the Knicks will most likely oblige playing on back-to-back nights as well. The under is 4-1 in the Bulls last five road games and the Knicks are playing decent enough D home at MSG giving up only 97.5 points per game. The Knicks' rookie Kristaps Porzingis has struggled on offense of late and the 20-year-old scored only eight points against the 76ers last night. He's averaging 7.2 points on 27.1% shooting in a five-game slump, but he has 10 blocks through his last two games. Chicago meanwhile had held opponents to an average of 96.9 points per game overall prior to last night's high-scoring affair, and I think they'll be focused on D tonight. 

8* NBA *LATE SHOW*
Play: Over
Rating: 8*

My first inclination here was to recommend a play on the Golden State Warriors no matter the number, but this spread is just unreasonable. That being said, I do not recommend a play on the Bucks either as the Warriors will play their socks off to revenge  Saturday's 108-95 defeat to Milwaukee as their perfect start to the season came to an end. I'm confident we'll see a high-scoring contest though. The Bucks D ranks among the worst in the league and they've conceded an average of 108 points in back-to-back blowout losses to the two L.A. teams since their victory against the Dubs. The over is 8-3 in their last 11 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points and also 8-3 in their last 11 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. The over is 9-1 in the Warriors last 10 overall and they annihilated the Suns 128-103 Wednesday in their first game since the Bucks game. They average a fantastic 115.8 points per game on the season and they'll show no mercy and won't step of the gas pedal at any point tonight. 

8* NBA *HARDWOOD HAMMER*
Play: Chicago Bulls
Rating: 8*

The Detroit Pistons won 107-95 at Philadelphia on Dec 11 and they've taken two of three at home since. They're just 2-8 ATS in their last 10 road games though and this looks like a tricky spot at Chicago tonight. The Bulls are off four consecutive wins home at United Center, including wins against both the Clippers and the Grizzlies as backcourt duo of Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose combined for 43 points in Wednesday's 98-85 rout of Memphis. They'll face the Knicks in New York tomorrow, but I think the focus will be on this game as they're looking to revenge a 98-94 OT defeat at Detroit on Oct. 30.  

10* NBA *BASKET BRAWLER*
Play: Boston Celtics
Rating: 10*

The Atlanta Hawks had lost three straight prior to a 127-106 rout of the lowly 76ers Wednesday. They're however only 1-7 ATS in their last eight games following a straight up win and also 1-7 ATS in their last eight after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game, and this looks like a tough spot at Boston tonight. The Celtics are desperate for a win after back-to-back setbacks against Cleveland and Detroit. They're still 6-2-1 ATS in their last nine games overall and 5-2 ATS in the last seven head-to-head meetings with the Hawks in Boston. They're also playing on revenge after a 121-97 defeat at Atlanta on Nov. 24, and this looks like a good spot to back the Celtics. 

10* BASKET BRAWLER*
Play: Cleveland Cavaliers
Rating: 10*

The Oklahoma City Thunder have impressed in recent games as they're coming into this game on the back of six consecutive wins. Tonight's opponent is a tough one though as they travel to Cleveland to take on the Cavs, and the Cavs are on a roll as well with wins against Portland, Orlando and Boston in their last three, outscoring opponents by a 142-88 margin in the paint during their winning streak. They've also received a nice boost from reserve guard Iman Shumpert who is 7-of-11 from the floor, including 4-of-6 from behind the arc since coming back from an injury. The Thunder are just 2-7 ATS in the last nine meetings in Cleveland and 2-6 ATS in their last eight games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. The Cavs meanwhile are 5-2 ATS in their last seven when facing a team with a winning straight up record.

10* *BASKET BRAWLER*
Play: San Antonio Spurs
Rating: 10*

The San Antonio Spurs are a perfect 13-0 and 9-4 ATS home at AT&T Center this season. They've won their last three overall games by an average of 28 points, and I don't see the injury-ridden Washington Wizards being able to cope with the surging Spurs here. Bradley Beal will miss his fourth straight game due to a stress reaction in his lower right leg and PF Nene (calf) will sit out for the 11th consecutive contest and the Wizards have lost three of their last four, and lost 112-95 at Memphis Monday. They're 2-6 ATS in their last eight games vs. a team with a winning % above .600 and 4-10-1 ATS in their last 15 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points. With the Spurs destroying virtually every team lately, is there no risk of them losing focus soon? Sure there is, but not tonight as they'll be looking to revenge a 102-99 setback at Washington on Nov.4. 

8* NBA *TOTAL THRASHER*
Play: Under
Rating: 8*

The Chicago Bulls are coming into this game on the back of three consecutive home-wins while allowing opponents only 90 points on average over that span. They're holding visiting teams to 94.5 points on the season and the under is 9-4 through their 13 home-games. The Grizzlies have been inconsistent of late but put up a big offensive display in a 112-95 win against the Wizards Monday. The under is however 8-1 in their last nine road games vs. a team with a winning home record and 5-2 in the last seven meetings with the Bulls at United Center. It's also worth noting that Memphis is the second worst team for three points made in the league with 5.5 per game.

8* NBA *HARDWOOD HAMMER*
Play: Indiana Pacers
Rating: 8*

The Indiana Pacers opened a three-game home-stand with a 106-90 win against the Raptors Monday despite Paul George playing limited minutes due to a respiratory infection. Monta Ellis had 18 points and three steals though, and the former Mavs guard will have the Pacers pumped up to the maximum for this game. The Mavs defeated Phoenix 104-94 home in Texas Monday, but they are just 3-12 ATS in their last 15 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600 which Indiana has going 8-3 home at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on the season. The Mavericks are 2-8 ATS in the last 10 meetings, and this looks like a good spot to back the Pacers.

10* NBA *BASKET BRAWLER*
Play: Milwaukee Bucks
Rating: 10*

The Los Angeles Lakers will be back home for the first time since Nov. 29 as they host the Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday night. They're 1-5 ATS in their last six home games following a road trip of seven or more days and this is a terrible timing to face Milwaukee. The Bucks just ended the Warriors amazing winning-streak, and I think that momentum will carry them to a win here as well. They're 12-5-1 ATS in the last 18 meetings with the Lakers and 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.

Top Rated 10* Western Conference NBA *GAME OF THE YEAR*
Play: Portland Trail Blazers
Rating: 10*

I think this is a great spot to back the Portland Trail Blazers as they host the New Orleans Pelicans Monday night. The visitors have just two wins over their last eight games and off a 98-94 loss at Chicago Saturday. They're 0-5 ATS on the road after a loss as a dog this season and 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record. They were blown out in a 112-94 defeat here in New Orleans in their season opener and they've failed to cover the spread in each of the last four head-to-head meetings. 

The Trail Blazers have lost three of their last four and were defeated by the Knicks 112-110 Saturday, but they're 6-1 ATS in their last seven games following a straight up loss and 9-1 ATS in their last 10 at home coming off a home-loss. They'll head out on a five-game road-trip after this game, and I expect them to give it their all in front of the home-town crowd tonight. 

8* NBA *HARDWOOD HAMMER*
Play: Miami Heat
Rating: 8*

The Miami Heat are off three consecutive losses but I like their chances of ending the skid as they host the Memphis Grizzlies Sunday night. Memphis has alternated wins and losses in six games this month and allowed the Hornets to shot 50% from the field in a 123-99 loss Friday. It's 1-4 ATS in its last five games overall and 2-7 ATS in its last nine following a double-digit loss at home. The Heat have been held below 84 points in each of their last two games, both on the road, but they average a solid 99 points while going 10-4 at home. They've won five of the last seven at American Airlines Arena as Dwyane Wade has averaged 24.3 points, compared to 11.8 during their current 1-4 stretch on the road. 

NBA *HARDWOOD HAMMER*
Play: San Antonio Spurs
Rating: 8*

The San Antonio Spurs bounced back from a defeat to the Raptors as they destroyed the Lakers 109-87 last night when PG Patty Mills scored a season-best 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting. They're a phenomenal 9-0 ATS in their last nine when playing on no rest and I think they're looking good to win and cover at Atlanta tonight. The Hawks had won two straight prior to a 107-94 setback at Oklahoma City Thursday when Al Horford had just nine points on 3-of-14 shooting. They've lost 10 straight in this series and the Spurs are 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings in Atlanta.

10* NBA *BASKET BRAWLER* Pacers@Pistons
Play: Detroit Pistons
Rating: 10*

The Detroit Pistons defeated the woeful 76ers 107-95 at Philly last night to end a two-game skid. They're 9-2 ATS in their last 11 at home after a game on the road and 6-0 ATS in their last six when hosting a team with a winning road record. The Pacers fits the bill as they're 6-5 away from home on the season and off a 96-83 home-win against Miami last night. They're just 1-4 ATS in their last five games vs. a team with a winning straight up record and also 1-4 ATS in their last five games playing on no days rest, and I favor the home-team in this matchup.