Sports Picks & Predictions

20* NBA Eastern Conference GAME OF THE MONTH on Orlando Magic +6.5

The Atlanta Hawks are just 2-4 SU & 2-4 ATS in their last six games overall.  That includes 0-3 SU & 0-3 ATS in their three road games during this stretch with losses at Toronto by 11, at Dallas by 9 and at Boston by 10.  They also lost by 15 at home to the Spurs during this stretch.  Their two wins both came at home against the Pacers and Cavaliers.

Now the Hawks will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 4th game in 6 days after a 124-116 home win over the Cavaliers last night.  All five starters played more than 30 minutes last night, so they won't have much left in the tank for the Orlando Magic tonight.

The Magic are as healthy as they have been in a long time and are playing competitive basketball.  Each of their top nine scorers are healthy right now.  They have gone 3-3 SU in their last six home games with upset wins over the Mavericks and Bulls.  They are prepared to give the Hawks a run for their money at home here tonight given the spot.

Atlanta is 10-17 SU & 9-18 ATS on the road this season.  The Hawks are 1-6 ATS in their last seven road games.  The Magic are 5-1 ATS in their last six games when playing on one days' rest.  Bet the Magic Wednesday.

15* NBA Monday Non-Conference KNOCKOUT on Oklahoma City Thunder +8.5

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been one of the most undervalued teams in the NBA all season.  They are 34-16-3 ATS in their last 53 games overall.  They continue to remain competitive despite some injuries throughout the season and of late.

The Thunder should not be catching 8.5 points on the road to the New York Knicks.  The Knicks are 3-11 SU in their last 14 games overall and coming off a bad 103-112 loss to the short-handed Blazers.  They are also just 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall.

Injuries are starting to add up for the Knicks as they are without Derrick Rose and RJ Barrett, and they could be without Cameron Reddish, Mitchell Robinson and Nerlens Noel, who are all questionable.  They have no business laying 8.5 points tonight given their current state.

Oklahoma City is 5-1 SU & 5-1 ATS in its last six meetings with New York.  The Thunder are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 road games.  Oklahoma City is 7-0 ATS in road games with a total of 200 to 209.5 this season.  The Thunder are 10-1 ATS in road games vs. Eastern Conference opponents this season.  New York is 3-14 ATS in its last 17 games vs. teams that score 104 points per game or fewer.  Roll with the Thunder Monday.

20* NBA Eastern Conference GAME OF THE WEEK on Detroit Pistons +4.5

The Detroit Pistons have been through the gauntlet.  They have lost seven straight games with each of the last six coming against playoff contenders.  It's a great time to 'buy low' on them as they take a big step down in class here against the New York Knicks.

The Pistons are healthy right now and have talent.  Jerami Grant and Cade Cunningham are both healthy.  They get Marvin Bagley III from the Kings and he should contribute the rest of the way and is probable tonight.  The only key player they are missing is 5th-leading scorer Frank Jackson (10.9 PPG).

The Wizards were sellers at the trade deadline and probably cannot be trusted much the rest of the way.  Bradley Beal is out with a season-ending injury, and they traded for Kristaps Porzingis, who remains out with a knee injury.  Daniel Gafford is out as well.  I think the Pistons have the better talent when comparing the current players available tonight.

Washington is 2-15-1 ATS in its last 18 games overall.  The Wizards are 0-8 ATS in their last eight home games vs. a team with a losing road record.  Take the Pistons Monday.

15* Hawks/Celtics ABC ANNIHILATOR on Atlanta +7.5

It's a great time to 'sell high' on the Boston Celtics.  They have gone 9-1 SU in their last 10 games overall against a pretty weak schedule.  The one loss?  A 92-108 road loss against these Atlanta Hawks.

I like the Hawks catching 7.5 points in the rematch.  They won't be taking the Celtics lightly after going 1-3 SU & 1-3 ATS in their last four games overall.  And they simply have owned the Celtics in recent meetings.

Indeed, the Hawks are 3-0 SU & 3-0 ATS in the last three meetings with wins by 15, 11 and 16 points.  The Hawks are also 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.  Atlanta is 7-1 ATS in its last eight games playing on one days' rest.  The Celtics are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games as home favorites.  Take the Hawks Sunday.

20* NBA Saturday No-Doubt Rout on Toronto Raptors -3.5

The Toronto Raptors are 8-0 SU & 8-0 ATS in their last eight games overall and playing their best basketball of the season.  All eight wins have come by 4 points or more, including four straight wins by double-digits.  Toronto is also 23-6 ATS in its last 29 games overall.

The Raptors are rested and ready to go after having yesterday off.  The same cannot be said for the Nuggets, who will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back following a 102-108 loss in Boston last night.  The Nuggets are now 0-3 SU in their last three road games with all three losses by 4 points or more.

Home-court advantage has been big in this series as the home team is 5-0 SU & 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings with all five wins coming by 8 points or more.  The Nuggets are 1-5-1 ATS in their last seven games playing on zero rest.  Denver is 9-19 ATS in its last 28 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.  Toronto is 9-0 ATS in its last nine home games vs. a team with a winning road record.  Take the Raptors Saturday.

15* NBA Saturday Non-Conference KNOCKOUT on New York Knicks -4.5

The Portland Trail Blazers just traded away all of their top players outside of Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons.  They traded away Norman Powell and CJ McCollum among others.  They are clearly punting on this season after a stretch in which they have gone 1-6 SU & 1-6 ATS in their last seven games overall with four losses by 14 points or more.

The Knicks stood pat at the deadline and like their team.  They are coming off an impressive 116-114 win as 9.5-point road underdogs at Golden State.  They will be highly motivated to cap off this five-game road trip with one final victory here at Portland against the short-handed Blazers tonight.

The Knicks are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games as favorites, including 4-1 ATS in their last five games as road favorites.  New York is 5-1 ATS in its last six meetings with Portland.  Roll with the Knicks Saturday.

20* NBA Friday No-Doubt Rout on Chicago Bulls -3

This is a tough spot for the Minnesota Timberwolves.  They will be playing their 3rd road game in 4 days after an upset loss in Sacramento last time out.  The injury report is ugly for the Timberwolves with Russell, Edwards, Beverly, Prince, Reid and Okogie all questionable.

The Bulls have Zach LaVine and Coby White back now to go along with DeRozan and Vucevic.  With these four healthy, they can beat anyone.  The Bulls went on the road and topped the Hornets 121-109 last time out Wednesday and now should cover as only 3-point home favorites against the Timberwolves tonight.

Home-court advantage has been huge in this series as the home team is 8-1 SU & 8-1 ATS in the last nine meetings.  The Timberwolves are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 road games.  The Bulls are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games.  Chicago is 24-9 ATS in its last 33 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.  The Bulls are 36-17-1 ATS in their last 54 games as favorites.  Take the Bulls Friday.

20* NBA Thursday No-Doubt Rout on Washington Wizards -2.5

The Brooklyn Nets are broken right now.  They are 0-9 SU & 1-8 ATS in their last nine games overall with seven losses by double-digits.  That includes five straight losses by double-digits, and their last three losses have come by 35, 20 and 23 points, respectively.

The problem for the Nets is they are missing almost all their key players.  Kevin Durant, Joe Harris, James Harden, Paul Millsap and LaMarcus Aldridge are all out tonight.  Nicolas Claxton is questionable.  They will have Kyrie Irving since this is a road game, but it won't be enough to get them a win in Washington.

The Wizards are pretty much fully healthy outside of Bradley Beal.  I like the talent on this team overall and the depth.  They are better even without Beal than the Nets are without all the guys they are missing.  And the Wizards come in rested and ready to go playing on two days' rest and just their 3rd game in 8 days.  This is a big step down in clash for Washington after their last five games have come against the Grizzlies, Bucks, 76ers, Suns and Heat.

Plays on home favorites (Washington) - after a loss by 10 points or more against an opponent that is off four straight losses by 10 points or more are 32-10 (76.2%) ATS since 1996.  Brooklyn is 1-10 ATS in its last 11 games following two consecutive losses by 10 points or more.  The Nets are 5-16 ATS in their last 21 trips to Washington.  Roll with the Wizards Thursday.

20* Warriors/Jazz ESPN No-Brainer on Utah -1

The Utah Jazz are playing much better since getting Donovan Mitchell back from injury, which is no surprise.  The Jazz are 3-0 SU & 2-0-1 ATS in their last three games overall.  They come in rested and ready to go playing just their 2nd game in 5 days tonight.

Now the Jazz want revenge on the Warriors after dropping each of the first two meetings with them this season.  But Mitchell missed their 92-94 road loss at Golden State on January 23rd in their last meeting.  Having him back and playing at home will make all the difference tonight.

The Warriors are getting a lot of respect due to their current nine-game winning streak.  But it has come against weak competition with the Rockets (twice), that 2-point win over the Mitchell-less Jazz, the Mavericks, the Timberwolves, the Nets, the Spurs, the Kings and the Thunder.  This is their toughest test in nearly a month.

The Warriors will be without Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala tonight and could be without Kevon Looney.  Utah is 21-10 ATS in its last 31 home games following a home game.  Bet the Jazz Wednesday.

15* NBA Tuesday Undervalued Underdog on Detroit Pistons +11.5

The Detroit Pistons have been feisty despite their poor record.  They are just 2-8 SU but 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games overall as they have been a difficult team to get margin on.  And I fully expect them to stay within 11.5 points of the Mavericks as they have only lost two of their last 10 games by more than 11 points.

This is the ideal letdown spot for the Mavericks.  They are coming off two straight huge home wins over the Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks.  But remember, they were upset by the Thunder as 12-point home favorites and by Orlando as 5-point road favorites in their previous two games.  They will have a hard time getting margin here in this letdown spot.

Detroit is a perfect 8-0 ATS after failing to cover the spread in three of its last four games this season.  Dallas is 5-15 ATS in its last 20 games as a home favorite of 6.5 to 12 points.  The Pistons are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 games following an ATS loss.  Detroit is 4-1-1 ATS in its last six trips to Dallas.  Bet the Pistons Tuesday.

15* NBA Tuesday No-Doubt Rout on Boston Celtics -7.5

The Boston Celtics are playing their best basketball of the season right now.  They are 7-1 SU in their last eight games overall with six of those wins coming by 9 points or more.  Now they should crush the short-handed Brooklyn Nets tonight.

The Nets are 0-8 SU & 1-7 ATS in their last eight games overall with six of those losses coming by double-digits.  Not only are they without Kevin Durant, but they are also without Joe Harris, Paul Millsap, LaMarcus Aldridge and Kyrie Irving.  They could also be without James Harden, who is questionable with a nagging hamstring injury.

Brooklyn is 5-19 ATS in all home games this season.  The Nets are 0-8 ATS in home games after playing a road game this season.  It's a bad spot as they return home following a five-game road trip and will be playing in their 5th different city in eight days.  Take the Celtics Tuesday.

15* NBA Monday PLAY OF THE DAY on Golden State Warriors -12.5

The Golden State Warriors have won eight consecutive games coming in.  They will be motivated to keep this winning streak alive, and they shouldn't have much trouble against the short-handed Oklahoma City Thunder tonight.

The Warriors are rested and ready to go coming in on three days' rest having last played on Thursday.  They take on an Oklahoma City team that is just 4-13 SU in their last 17 games overall.  Of course, the Thunder are so short-handed right now it has been hard for them to even be competitive.

Oklahoma City is without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jeremiah Robinson-Early, Aaron Wiggins and Mike Muscala right now.  They could also be without Luguentz Dort, who is questionable.  They don't have the horses to even keep this game competitive against the Warriors tonight.

Golden State is 8-1 ATS vs. horrible offensive teams that score 104 or fewer points per game this season.  They are winning by 17.9 points per game in this spot.  The Warriors are 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings.  They have won five straight meetings with the Thunder with four of those wins coming by 21 points or more.  Bet the Warriors Monday.

15* NBA Eastern Conference ANNIHILATOR on Orlando Magic +9.5

It's time to 'sell high' on the Boston Celtics today.  They have gone 6-1 SU & 4-3 ATS in their last seven games overall against a pretty easy schedule.  Now they find themselves laying 9.5 points on the road to the Orlando Magic.  Asking them to win by double-digits to beat us is asking too much.

The Magic have been feisty of late as they have gotten healthy.  They have gone 3-2 SU & 3-2 ATS in their last five games overall with their only losses coming to Memphis and Boston.  This line is adjusted too much for the Magic having to play the 2nd of a back-to-back after a home loss to Memphis last night.

But the Magic had two days off prior to that Memphis game.  They got blown out by 20 so they could rest their starters in the 4th quarter against a Grizzlies team that is playing as well as anyone.  And there won't be any travel involved as they remain at home.  The Magic will have plenty left in the tank to stay within 9.5 points of the Celtics today.

Boston is 0-10 ATS vs. poor rebounding teams that get outrebounded by 3-plus boards per game this season.  The Magic are 5-0 ATS in their last five Sunday games.  Take the Magic Sunday.

20* NBA DOG OF THE WEEK on Detroit Pistons +12

I love the spot for the Detroit Pistons today.  They will be out for revenge from a 117-128 home loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday.  Now they get to face them just three days later in a rematch and will be clearly the more motivated team in this one.

I fully expect the Timberwolves to take the Pistons lightly, which is going to make it difficult for them to cover this massive 12-point spread.  Minnesota is getting a lot of love lately due to going 3-0 SU & 3-0 ATS in their last three games overall.  It's time to 'sell high' on them.

The Pistons have been quietly a great team to back for weeks.  They are 6-3 ATS in their last nine games overall.  They just got their best player in Jerami Grant back from injury, and they could have Cade Cunningham back today.  Either way, they have enough to keep this game competitive given the quick revenge spot.

Minnesota is 0-8 ATS in its last eight home games when playing against a team that wins 25% or less of their games on the season.  The Timberwolves are 1-9 ATS in home games vs. poor offensive teams that score 108 or fewer points per game this season.  Detroit is 4-1 ATS in its last five trips to Minnesota.  This number has gotten out of hand today.  Bet the Pistons Sunday.

20* NBA Non-Conference GAME OF THE WEEK on Washington Wizards +9

It's a great time to 'buy low' on the Washington Wizards.  They have gone 2-12 ATS in their last 14 games overall.  Now they are catching 9 points at home against the Phoenix Suns, which is simply too much.

The Wizards flashed their potential last time out winning 106-103 as 10.5-point road underdogs at Philadelphia.  They previously lost road games against the Grizzlies and Bucks, so they have been through the gauntlet.  Now they are back home here after three straight on the road.

This is a terrible spot for the Phoenix Suns.  They just had their 11-game winning streak snapped with a 115-124 road loss at Atlanta as 4-point favorites.  I always like fading teams the game after their winning streak comes to an end because they tend to be flat in this spot.  I think that will be the case for the Suns, and asking them to win by double-digits to beat us is asking too much.  Take the Wizards Saturday.

20* NBA Friday No-Doubt Rout on Charlotte Hornets -4.5

The injuries are piling up for the Cleveland Cavaliers.  They've already been without Collin Sexton (16.0 PPG) and Ricky Rubio (13.1 PPG, 6.6 APG).  But now they are without Darius Garland (19.8 PPG, 8.2 APG) and Lauri Markkanen (13.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG), too.  They don't have a true point guard right now and it is hurting them.

The Cavaliers are just 1-6 ATS in their last seven games overall.  Now they have to travel to face an improved Charlotte Hornets team that could be back to full strength tonight with Gordon Hayward upgraded to questionable.  They have enough to win and cover against the Cavaliers with or without Hayward.

The Hornets are 9-5 SU & 9-5 ATS in their last 14 games overall.  Charlotte is 8-1 ATS in its last nine home games after losing two of its last three games.  The Hornets are 10-0 ATS when playing against a team that wins 51% to 60% of their games this season.  Charlotte is 18-5 ATS in its last 23 games vs. a team with a winning record.  Bet the Hornets Friday.

15* NBA Thursday PLAY OF THE DAY on Toronto Raptors -3.5

The Toronto Raptors are fully healthy right now and playing some of their best basketball of the season.  They are 3-0 SU & 3-0 ATS in their last three games overall with wins over the Heat (twice) and the Hawks on the road.

Now the Raptors want revenge from a 105-111 road loss at Chicago on January 26th just over a week ago.  But the Raptors were playing the 2nd of a back-to-back after a 125-113 home win over Charlotte the previous night.  The Bulls had the previous day off and were in a great spot, and I cashed in the Bulls as 3.5-point favorites in that game.

Chicago has been shaky in its last three road games.  The Bulls lost outright as 3.5-point favorites 95-114 at Orlando.  They went on to beat Oklahoma City 111-110 as 1.5-point road favorites.  And they lost 122-131 at San Antonio as 1-point road dogs in their last game away from home.  This is a much stiffer test for them tonight.

Toronto is 26-10 ATS in its last 36 games following a win by 6 points or fewer.  The Bulls are 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine road games.  The Raptors are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 home games.  Toronto is 8-0 ATS in its last eight home games vs. a team with a winning road record.  Roll with the Raptors Thursday.

20* Grizzlies/Knicks ESPN No-Brainer on Memphis -3.5

Nobody is playing better than the Memphis Grizzlies right now.  They are 16-4 SU & 15-5 ATS in their last 20 games overall.  They are coming off an upset loss at Philadelphia in overtime.  Well, the Grizzlies are 4-0 SU & 4-0 ATS in their last four games off a loss and haven't dropped two in a row since before Christmas.

They will get back on track tonight against a struggling New York Knicks team that is just 2-6 SU in thier last eight games overall with their only wins coming against the lowly Kings and Clippers at home.  When they have stepped up in competition they have been crushed with four of their last six losses coming by double-digits to the Bucks, Heat, Pelicans and Hornets.

The Grizzlies are 5-0 ATS in their last five games following an ATS loss.  Memphis is 6-0 ATS in its last six games vs. a team with a losing record.  The Grizzlies are 14-4 ATS in their last 18 road games.  The Knicks are 1-7 ATS in their last eight home games vs. a team with a winning road record.  Bet the Grizzlies Wednesday.

20* NBA Tuesday No-Doubt Rout on Detroit Pistons -2

The Detroit Pistons have quietly gone 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall and have been a money maker for weeks. The betting public wants nothing to do with this team, providing us value to continue backing them.

I especially like the spot for the Pistons tonight. They are rested and ready to go playing just their 3rd game in 7 days. They are coming off a 115-105 upset home win over the Cleveland Cavaliers as 7.5-point dogs. They also recently upset the Raptors as 9-point dogs and the Jazz as 11-point dogs at home.

This is a terrible spot for the New Orleans Pelicans. They will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 4th game in 5 days after a 90-93 road loss at Cleveland last night. They are banged up right now with several key players questionable, making the spot even worse.

The Pelicans are 7-15 ATS in their last 22 road games. The Pistons are 6-1 ATS in their last seven home games. Bet the Pistons Tuesday.

15* NBA Monday Undervalued Underdog on Memphis Grizzlies +3.5

The Memphis Grizzlies are playing better than any other team in the NBA right now.  They are 16-3 SU & 15-4 ATS in their last 19 games overall.  And here they are catching points again tonight to the Philadelphia 76ers.  Look for them to win this game outright.

While the Grizzlies have done their damage against a brutal schedule in the West, the 76ers have had the luxury of a much softer schedule during their recent run of 14-3 SU in their last 17 games overall.  They are the team getting respect for their run unlike the Grizzlies.  The wrong team is favored here.

Memphis crushed Philadelphia 126-91 at home in their lone meeting this season.  The Grizzlies are 3-0 SU & 3-0 ATS in the last three meetings also winning 116-100 in their lone trip to Philadelphia.  Memphis is 14-3 ATS in its last 17 road games.  Roll with the Grizzlies Monday.

15* NBA Sunday Undervalued Underdog on Detroit Pistons +8.5

I've made a lot of money off the Cleveland Cavaliers this season.  But the verdict is out on them now, and they are starting to be overvalued.  That's definitely the case today as they are 8.5-point road favorites over the Detroit Pistons, which is out of control.

The Cavaliers are in a big letdown spot here off their upset home win over the Milwaukee Bucks last time out.  They are getting too much respect after winning eight of their last nine games overall.  In their last six road games, they have only won once by more than 5 points.

Now they take on an undervalued Detroit Pistons team that is 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall.  The Pistons are rested playing just their 2nd game in 5 days here.  They will give the Cavaliers a run for their money tonight.

The Cavaliers are 2-6-2 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a losing record.  The Pistons are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games.  Detroit is 14-4 ATS in its last 18 games following an ATS loss.  Take the Pistons Sunday.

15* NBA Saturday Non-Conference KNOCKOUT on Dallas Mavericks -9.5

The Dallas Mavericks are rolling right now having gone 12-3 SU & 10-5 ATS in their last 15 games overall with nine wins by double-digits.  They will rack up another one today considering they are rested and ready to go while the Indiana Pacers are not.

Indeed, the Mavericks come in on two days' rest after beating the Blazers 132-112 on the road Wednesday.  The Pacers will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back after a 113-110 (OT) win at Oklahoma City last night.  It will also be the 7th game in 11 days for the Pacers.

If playing the 2nd of a back-to-back off an OT game isn't bad enough, the Pacers are short-handed right now.  They are playing without Malcolm Brodgon and Myles Turner and could be without both Goga Bitadze and Chris Duarte, who have both been downgraded to questionable after both suffered injuries last night.  This is too tough of a spot for the Pacers to even keep this game competitive tonight.  Roll with the Mavericks Saturday.

15* NBA Eastern Conference ANNIHILATOR on Chicago Bulls -3.5

It's a great time to 'buy low' on the Chicago Bulls.  They have been banged up and have gone just 2-6 SU & 3-5 ATS in their last eight games overall.  But they are getting healthier now as Zach LaVine just returned last game, and DeMar DeRozan will be back after resting last game against the Thunder.

While the Bulls had yesterday off, the Raptors will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back after a 125-113 home win over the Hornets last night.  It will also be the 8th game in 13 days for the Raptors, which is a very difficult spot.  The fatigue is stating to show as the Raptors are 3-5 SU in their last eight games overall.  They could be without two of their best players in Fred VanVleet and Scottie Barnes, who are both questionable and they may be wise to rest them.

The Bulls are 4-0 SU & 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings with the Raptors.  Chicago is 20-7 ATS in the last 27 meetings.  Toronto is 4-13 ATS in its last 17 games following a win by more than 10 points.  Take the Bulls Wednesday.

15* NBA Tuesday Undervalued Underdog on Sacramento Kings +9

It's a great time to 'sell high' on the Boston Celtics coming off their 116-87 road win over the Washington Wizards thanks to a 50-point game from Jayson Tatum.  Now they come back as 9-point home favorites against the Sacramento Kings tonight.

The Kings are playing to well to be catching 9 points, and asking the Celtics to beat them by double-digits to beat us is asking too much.  The Kings have played six straight games where they haven't lost once by more than 6 points.  That includes a 6-point road loss at Milwaukee, and upset win over the Lakers and a 1-point home loss to the Cavaliers.

The Kings simply have the Celtics' number.  The Kings are 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings with three outright wins and their two losses coming by 1 and 6 points.  IN fact, they haven't lost any of their last six meetings with the Celtics by more than 6 points.

Sacramento is rested and ready to go playing just its 2nd game in 6 days.  The Kings are 5-1 ATS in their last six games playing on two days' rest.  The Celtics are 0-5 ATS in their last five games following an ATS win.  Boston is 6-20-1 ATS in its last 27 games following a win by more than 10 points.  Take the Kings Tuesday.

20* NBA Non-Conference GAME OF THE MONTH on Detroit Pistons +7.5

I love the spot for the Detroit Pistons tonight.  They will be out for revenge from a 111-117 road loss at Denver on Sunday.  Now they get to face the Nuggets at home here just two days later.  Look for them to easily cover this 7.5-point spread and possibly win outright.

The Pistons have been very good here of late in going 3-0 ATS in their last three games overall with an upset win at Sacramento, a 10-point loss as 13-point dogs at Utah and a 6-point loss at 12-point dogs at Denver.  Now they are back home here where they have gone 4-1 SU & 4-1 ATS in their last five home games with upset wins over the Spurs as 7-point dogs, the Jazz as 11-point dogs and the Raptors as 9-point dogs.

While the Pistons will be motivated for revenge, the Nuggets won't be all that interested in beating them for a 2nd time in 3 days.  And motivation is everything in the NBA.  Plus, the Nuggets have a huge game on deck tomorrow night at Brooklyn.  They will be looking ahead to that game and overlooking the Pistons.

Plays against road teams (Denver) - after failing to cover the spread in three or more consecutive games against an opponent that has covered the spread in three or more consecutive games are 57-27 (67.9%) ATS over the last five seasons.  Bet the Pistons Tuesday.

15* NBA Monday PLAY OF THE DAY on Oklahoma City Thunder +2

The Chicago Bulls are banged up right now and missing six key players.  It's a big reason they have gone just 1-6 SU in their last seven games overall.  They should not be favored on the road over the Oklahoma City Thunder given the terrible spot for them.

The Bulls will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back after a 95-114 loss in Orlando last night.  They will also be playing their 9th game in 14 days and in their 6th different city in 10 days.  The injuries, lack of rest and travel is really catching up to this team.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will be highly motivated for a victory after dropping five straight coming in including three losses by 7 points or fewer to Cleveland (twice) and Dallas.  They had yesterday off and are back home now after playing six of their last seven on the road.  Look for a big effort from them tonight as they are fully healthy while the Bulls remain short-handed.

Oklahoma City is 8-0 ATS in its last eight games after a combined score of 185 points or less.  The Thunder are 10-1 ATS after allowing 100 points or less this season.  Oklahoma City is 7-1-1 ATS in its last nine games as home underdogs.  Take the Thunder Monday.

20* NBA Sunday No-Doubt Rout on Charlotte Hornets -3

The Charlotte Hornets are fully healthy and rolling right now. They are 7-1 SU & 7-1 ATS in their last eight games overall with si wins coming by 8 points or more.

The Atlanta Hawks are struggling in going 6-11 SU & 5-11-1 ATS in their last 17 games overall. They have been terrible on the road all season in going 9-14 SU & 8-15 ATS away from home.

Charlotte is 12-1 ATS in its last 13 home games with a total of 230 or higher. Atlanta is 0-8 ATS in its last eight road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. The Hornets are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 home games. The Hawks are 3-9-1 ATS in their last 13 trips to Charlotte. Bet the Hornets Sunday.

20* Rockets/Warriors NBA Late-Night BAILOUT on Houston +11

This is a terrible spot for the Golden State Warriors tonight. They will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back after a 117-121 (OT) loss to the Indiana Pacers last night. It will also be the 6th game in 9 days for the Warriors, which is about as tough a spot as there is in the NBA.

This spot has made the Warriors decide to rest both Klay Thompson and Otto Porter Jr. tonight. They are already without Draymond Green and could decide to rest more. Stephen Curry played nearly 44 minutes last night and Andrew Wiggins over 38 minutes.

The Rockets are rested and ready to go playing just their 2nd game in 5 days. They are also playing some of their best basketball of the season in going 3-1 SU & 3-1 ATS in their last four games all coming on the road. They upset the Spurs as 7-point road dogs, the Kings as 4.5-point road dogs and the Jazz as 13.5-point road dogs.

Plays on road underdogs (Houston) - an average 3-point shooting teams (33-36.5%) against an average 3-point defense (33-36.5%) after 42-plus games, after two straight games making 16 or more 3-pointers are 24-6 (80%) ATS over the last five seasons. Bet the Rockets Friday.

15* NBA Friday Undervalued Underdog on Portland Trail Blazers +8.5

Anfernee Simons is playing like an All Star in the absence of Damian Lillard to keep the Blazers competitive. They have gone 4-2 SU & 4-2 ATS in their last six games overall with three outright upsets as underdogs.

Now Simons has the luxury of having CJ McCollum back, who just returned a few games ago. He is going to continue to get stronger and better and get back to his old self with each passing game. And I fully expect the Blazers to give the Celtics a run for their money tonight.

The Celtics aren't playing well enough to warrant being an 8.5-point favorite here. They are 7-7 SU & 5-9 ATS in their last 14 games overall. They are coming off an upset home loss to the Charlotte Hornets and will now be playing their 10th game in 16 days.

Boston is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games as a favorite. Take the Blazers Friday.

20* NBA Thursday Non-Conference KNOCKOUT on New York Knicks -2.5

The New York Knicks will be highly motivated for a victory following two straight home losses against two teams that are surging in Charlotte and Minnesota.  Now they take a big step down in competition here against the New Orleans Pelicans and should handle their business.

The Pelicans are just 16-28 this season, including 6-17 SU & 7-16 ATS on the road this season and getting outscored by 8.4 points per game.  We are getting the Knicks at a great value as only 2.5-point home favorites.  They had won five of their previous six games prior to these two losses in a back-to-back situation against the Hornets and Timberwolves.

New Orleans is 1-10 ATS in its last 11 road games when revenging a loss where opponnent scores 100 points or more.  The Pelicans are 0-8 ATS in their last eight games after covering the spread in four or five of their last six games.  New York is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games following a loss.  The Knicks are 6-1 ATS in their last seven home games.  Bet the Knicks Thursday.

15* Suns/Mavs TNT ANNIHILATOR on Phoenix -2.5

It's a great time to 'sell high' on the Dallas Mavericks after going 10-1 SU & 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games overall.  This is where they fall flat on their faces as it's a terrible spot for them.

Indeed, the Mavericks will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back following a 102-98 home win over the Toronto Raptors last night.  It gets even worse as it will be the 5th game in 7 days for the Mavericks.  Doncic played 42 minutes last night, Finney-Smith 35 and Porzingis and Brunson 33 each.

The Mavericks won't have much left in the tank for the Phoenix Suns, who come in on two days' rest and playing some oof their best basketball of the season.  The Suns are 7-1 SU & 6-1-1 ATS in their last eight games overall with six wins by 13 points or more.  Teams haven't even been competitive with them, and the Mavericks won't either given the spot.

The Suns simply own the Mavericks, going 8-0 SU & 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings.  The Suns are 20-8 ATS in the last 28 meetings, including 8-1 ATS in the last nine meetings in Dallas.  The Suns are 5-1 ATS in their last six road games.  Take the Suns Thursday.

15* NBA Wednesday Undervalued Underdog on Orlando Magic +12

It's a great time to 'sell high' on the Philadelphia 76ers.  They have gone 9-2 SU & 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games overall.  They won't be very motivated to beat an Orlando Magic team for a 3rd time this season.  They won 101-96 as 14-point home favorites on November 29th and 116-106 as 8.5-point road favorites on January 5th after a late surge in the final two minutes.

The Magic will be out for revenge and they have been getting healthier by the day.  The Magic have been very competitive of late, losing just once by more than 10 points in their last nine games.  They have Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs and Mo Bamba back healthy and could get Wendell Carter Jr. back from injury tonight.

Orlando is 7-0 ATS in road games against Atlantic Division opponents this season.  The Magic are 7-2 ATS in their last nine road games.  The 76ers are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 home games.  Take the Magic Wednesday.

20* Timberwolves/Knicks NBA TV No-Brainer on Minnesota -2.5

The Minnesota Timberwolves are playing their best basketball of the season with De'Angelo Russell, Karl Anthony-Towns and Anthony Edwards all healthy.  They have gone 5-2 SU in their last seven games overall with the five wins coming by an average of 18.8 points per game.  Their only losses coming on the road to the Pelicans at the buzzer and the Grizzlies by 8.

The Timberwolves are rested and ready to go tonight playing just their 2nd game in 5 days.  The same cannot be said for the Knicks, who will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 3rd game in 4 days after an 87-97 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Monday.

While the Timberwolves are basically at full strength, the Knicks are missing four key players in Solomon Hill, Derrick Rose, Cameron Reddish and Nerlens Noel and could be without Kemba Walker, who is questionable.  That makes the spot even worse for the Knicks tonight behind short-handed.

Plays against underdogs (New York) - off a home loss by 10 points or more with a winning percentage between 45% and 55% on the season are 70-37 (65.4%) ATS over the last five seasons.  The Timberwolves are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games as road favorites.  Minnesota is 7-1-1 ATS in its last nine road games vs. a team with a losing home record.  The Knicks are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games as underdogs.  Bet the Timberwolves Tuesday.

20* NBA Monday Undervalued Underdog on Oklahoma City Thunder +11.5

It's time to 'sell high' on the Dallas Mavericks.  They have gone 8-1 SU & 7-2 ATS in their last nine games overall.  Now they find themselves laying double-digits against an Oklahoma City Thunder team that has been feisty all season.

Indeed, the Thunder are 27-11-1 ATS in their last 39 games overall, including 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games.  They have only lost by double-digits once in their last eight games.  They are as healthy as they have been all season and more than capable of giving the Dallas Mavericks a run for their money tonight.

The Thunder are 11-1 ATS in their last 12 road games following two consecutive non-conference games.  Dallas is 4-13 ATS in its last 17 games as a home favorite of 6.5 to 12 points.  Bet the Thunder Monday.

15* NBA Monday No-Doubt Rout on Cleveland Cavaliers -3

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been one of the most underrated teams in the NBA all season.  They are 26-18 SU & 28-14-2 ATS.  As long as they have had Darius Garland (19.7 PPG, 7.8 APG), Jarrett Allen (16.6 PPG, 11.0 RPG) and Evan Mobley (15.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG) healthy they have been dangerous.

Now the Cavaliers will take down a Brooklyn Nets tam that is missing their best player in Kevin Durant (29.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 5.8 APG).  They will have James Harden and Kyrie Irving, but they aren't as good of a team on defense with those two in the lineup, and the loss of Durant hurts them quite a bit on that end too.

The Nets have been grossly overvalued for weeks even with Durant in the lineup.  They have gone 4-6 SU & 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games overall.  The Nets are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games following a win by 10 points or more.  Brooklyn is 3-15 ATS in its last 18 games following an ATS win.  Cleveland is 9-2-1 ATS in its last 12 home games.  Take the Cavaliers Monday.

15* NBA Saturday Undervalued Underdog on Orlando Magic +10.5

I cashed in the Magic last night as 11-point underdogs in a 116-109 outright win at Charlotte.  I'm back on them again tonight as this team is getting healthier now and has covered three straight as a result.

In fact, the Magic have been extremely competitive of late against good teams as each of their last seven games have been decided by 10 points or fewer.  They just got both Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs back from injuries and could get a couple more big men back tonight.

It's a great time to 'sell high' on the Mavericks, who have won seven of their last eight including a win at Memphis last night to put an end to the Grizzlies' 11-game winning streak.  But Memphis was playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and it was a bad spot for them.  Now the Mavericks will have their letdown after ending the Grizzlies' winning streak.

Dallas is 3-13 ATS in its last 16 games as a home favorite of 6.5 to 12 points.  Orlando is 7-0 ATS in its last seven road games vs. a team with a winning home record.  The Magic are 7-1 ATS in their last eight road games overall.

Plays against home favorites (Dallas) - off a win by 10 points or more over a division opponent, with a winning percentage between 45% and 55% on the season are 36-11 (76.6%) ATS over the last five seasons.  Take the Magic Saturday.

20* NBA Non-Conference GAME OF THE WEEK on Oklahoma City Thunder +5.5

The Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the most underrated teams in the NBA this season.  They have gone 27-11 ATS in their last 38 games and 12-3 ATS in their last 15 games.  They had yesterday off and are fully healthy and ready to go tonight.

The same cannot be said for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 5th road game in 7 days after a 114-109 win in San Antonio last night.  I really like this Cleveland team and have backed them with success all season, but this is a terrible spot for them and they need faded tonight because of it.

The Thunder are 7-1 ATS in their last eight home games.  Bet the Thunder Saturday.

20* NBA DOG OF THE WEEK on Orlando Magic +11

The betting public wants nothing to do with the Orlando Magic right now.  They have lost 10 straight games, but they clearly have not quit as each of their last six losses have come by 10 points or less.  And I think they make that seven in a row here as they keep this game competitive against the Charlotte Hornets.

This is a terrible spot for the Hornets and a great time to 'sell high' on them.  They have gone 4-0 SU & 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall including two wins over the Bucks.  They just ended their 16-game losing streak to the 76ers in their head-to-head series last time.  This is the ultimate letdown spot for the Hornets now as they feel like they can just show up and beat the Magic.

A big reason the Magic have been more competitive of late with six straight losses by 10 points or fewer is because they have gotten healthier.  They recently got their best player in Cole Anthony (19.8 PPG, 5.9 APG) back, and now they are expected to get another key player in rookie Jalen Suggs (12.3 PPG, 3.6 APG)  back from a thumb injury tonight.  Five of their top six scorers are back healthy.

These teams have already met twice this season with the Hornets winning both games by single-digits.  In fact, Charlotte hasn't won any of its last nine meetings with the Magic by more than 9 points, making for a 9-0 system backing the Magic pertaining to this 11-point spread.  The Magic are 6-0 ATS in their last six road games vs. a team with a winning home record.  Bet the Magic Friday.

15* Blazers/Nuggets TNT Late-Night BAILOUT on Denver -10.5

The Denver Nuggets are getting healthier and ready to blow out the Portland Trail Blazers tonight as they return home following an upset road loss to the Clippers.  Look for them to win this game by double-digits and cover this spread against a Blazers team whose health situation just keeps getting worse.

The Blazers were able to stay competitive in recent games without Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum due to Anfernee Simons stepping his game up.  He has averaged 27.8 PPG and 7.6 APG in his last five games.  But now Simons is out tonight for personal reasons, so the Blazers will be without their top four scores in Lillard (24.0 PPG), McCollum (20.6 PPG), Powell (18.6 PPG) and Simons.  That stand zero chance of keeping this game competitive against the Nuggets without them.

Denver is 3-0 SU & 3-0 ATS in its last three home meetings with Portland with the three wins coming by an average of 18.3 points per game, and that was with much healthier Blazers teams and much shorter spreads.  Portland is 3-14 ATS in its last 17 road games.  Take the Nuggets Thursday.

15* NBA Wednesday Non-Conference KNOCKOUT on Cleveland Cavaliers +6

The Utah Jazz have been grossly overvlaued for weeks.  They are just 3-11 ATS in their last 14 games overall.  They have been without Rudy Gobert in each of their last three games and it has hurt them as they lost by 14 at Toronto, by 12 at Indiana and by 10 at Detroit.

Utah is a terrible defensive team without Gobert, who helps clean up their mistakes.  The Jazz allowed 122 points to the Raptors, 125 to the Pacers and 126 to the Pistons.  This is a tough spot for them as they will be playing their first home game following a five-game road trip.  It will also be their 8th game in 13 days.

It's a great time to 'buy low' on the Cavaliers after going 1-6-1 ATS in their last nine games overall.  But they were missing several key players during this stretch and are as healthy as they have been in a while tonight.  It will also be just their 4th game in 8 days.

Plays on road underdogs (Cleveland) - revenging a close loss by 3 points or less against an opponent that is off an upset loss as a favorite are 32-8 (80%) ATS over the last five seasons.  The Cavaliers are 22-5-1 ATS in their last 28 games after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.  The Jazz are 0-6-1 ATS in their last seven home games.  Roll with the Cavaliers Wednesday.

15* NBA Wednesday UPSET SHOCKER on Indiana Pacers +2.5

I love the spot for the Indiana Pacers tonight.  They will be out for revenge from a 98-101 (OT) loss at Boston on Monday.  They don't have to wait long for a shot at revenge here just two days later Wednesday, and they get the Celtics at home this time around.  

The Pacers were last seen at home upsetting the Jazz 125-113 as 4-point dogs on Saturday.  They will be playing just their 3rd game in 7 days tonight so they are rested and ready to go.  And there's a chance they get Malcolm Brodgon, Caris LeVert and Chris Duarte back tonight, who are all questionable.

The Celtics are a tired team right now playing their 5th game in 8 days.  And they will be without their leader in Marcus Smart, who got hurt against the Pacers last game and is out with a thigh injury.  He is one of the most underrated players in the NBA with what he's able to do on both ends of the floor for this team.

Boston is 1-10 ATS in its last 11 games after allowing 105 points or less in two straight games.  Indiana is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games after losing six or seven or its last eight games.  The Celtics are 0-6 ATS in their last six games vs. a team with a losing record.  Boston is 1-6 ATS in its last seven games as a favorite.  Take the Pacers Wednesday.

20* NBA Eastern Conference GAME OF THE MONTH on Orlando Magic +6.5

This is a great time to 'buy low' on the Orlando Magic.  They have lost eight straight coming in but a lot of them have been competitive losses.  Indeed, four of their last five losses have come by 5 points or less, so getting 6.5 points with them here is a nice value.

That's especially the case considering the terrible spot for the Wizards and the great one for the Magic.  Orlando will be out for revenge from a 100-102 home loss to the Wizards as 7-point underdogs last time out on Monday.  Now they have had two days off since that defeat and will be the fresher, more motivated team.

Meanwhile, the Wizards will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 3rd game in 4 days after a 122-118 home win over Oklahoma City last night.  They won't have their best player in Bradley Beal, who is doubtful with COVID.  They should not be 6.5-point favorites here without Beal and in this terrible spot.

The Magic are 5-1 ATS in their last six road games.  Orlando is 5-0 ATS in its last five road games vs. a team with a winning home record.  Washington is 0-7-1 ATS in its last eight games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.  The Wizards are 1-11-1 ATS in their last 13 games vs. a team with a losing record.  Orlando is 4-0 ATS in its last four trips to Washington.  Bet the Wizards Wednesday.

15* NBA Monday Undervalued Underdog on Portland Trail Blazers +10

Both the Blazers and Nets will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back tonight.  But this is clearly a worse spot for the Nets than it is for the Blazers, who will still be playing just their 5th game in 10 days and their 8th game in 20 days.

The Nets will be playing their 6th game in 10 days.  They needed overtime to beat the Spurs 121-119 at home on Sunday.  Now they have the long flight out to the West Coast overnight while the Blazers get to stay at home after beating the Kings 103-88 at home last night.

That was a taxing game for the Nets last night as Kevin Durant and James Harden both played over 43 minutes.  They aren't going to have much left in the tank for the Blazers.  Plus, the Nets have been grossly overvalued of late in going 2-4 SU & 0-6 ATS in their last six games overall with their two wins coming by single-digits over the Pacers and Spurs.  They should not be double-digit favorites at Portland tonight.  The Nets are 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games as favorites.  Roll with the Blazers Monday.

20* Grizzlies/Lakers NBA Late-Night BAILOUT on Los Angeles -3

This is a great spot to 'sell high' on the Memphis Grizzlies.  They have won eight straight coming in.  Now they will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back after a win over the Clippers last night.  It will also be the 5th game in 7 days for the Grizzlies, who have injury concerns with JA Morant, Steven Adams, Dillon Brooks and Kyle Anderson all questionable.

The Lakers are as healthy as they have been in a long time and playing up to their potential because of it.  They are 5-1 SU & 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall with their only loss coming on the road at Memphis on December 29th on the 2nd of a back-to-back.  They only lost by 5 points, and now they are the team in the favorable situation and out for revenge.  This is a great spot for the Lakers as they are the fresher, more motivated team playing just their 2nd game in 5 days.

Plays against road underdogs of 3 to 9.5 points (Memphis) - after covering four or five of their last six ATS, a good team (60% to 75%) playing a team with a winning record are 73-36 (67%) ATS over the last five seasons.  Bet the Lakers Sunday.

15* NBA Sunday Non-Conference KNOCKOUT on Atlanta Hawks -4

This is a terrible spot for the short-handed Los Angeles Clippers.  They will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 3rd game in 4 days.  Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks had yesterday off and will be playing only their 4th game in 9 days.

The Hawks will be motivated to end this six-game road trip a winner.  They have gotten healthier as the trip has gone on and are actually as healthy as they have been in a long time as they just got Trae Young and John Collins back among other.  Expect a big effort from them this afternoon.

The Clippers are just 3-9 SU & 4-8 ATS in their last 12 games overall.  They are really struggling without Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.  They have lost their last three games in blowout fashion to the Timberwolves by 18, the Suns by 17 and the Grizzlies by 15.  I don't expect them to be competitive today either given the spot, and they have even less rest considering this is an afternoon game.

The Clippers are 3-11 ATS when playing 8 or more games in 14 days this season.  Los Angeles is 7-21 ATS in its last 28 games after four straight games where they were outrebounded by 5 or more boards.  The Hawks are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 Sunday games.  The Clippers are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games playing on zero rest.  Take the Hawks Sunday.

15* Hawks/Lakers ESPN Late-Night BAILOUT on Los Angeles -3

The Los Angeles Lakers have gotten healthy of late and are starting to play up to their potential.  They are 4-1 SU & 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall with their only loss coming on the road to the red-hot Grizzlies on the second of a back-to-back by a final of 99-104.  They have handled their business at home winning their last three home games by a combined 46 points.

Now they are a short home favorite hosting the Atlanta Hawks.  The Lakers got some important rest as they come in having the last two days off last playing on Tuesday.  Look for them to put their best foot forward on National TV tonight, and it should be good enough to win and cover this short number.

The Hawks are 5-10 SU & 5-10 ATS in their last 15 games overall.  They are starting to get healthier, but there are still several question marks with this team in the injury department.  Trae Young (28.4 PPG, 9.5 APG), John Collins (17.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG) and Bogdan Bogdonovic (11.7 PPG) are all questionable tonight.  Obviously Young and Collins are the big ones because they are their top two scorers.  I like the Lakers whether or not they play tonight, if they don't and Young misses a second straight game it would be an added bonus.

The Hawks are 0-6 ATS in their last six games following a win.  Atlanta is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games vs. a team with a winning record.  The Hawks are 1-9 ATS as underdogs of 3 to 9.5 points this season.  Roll with the Lakers Friday. 

25* NBA Northwest Division GAME OF THE YEAR on Oklahoma City Thunder +6

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games overall despite missing several key players along the way.  But they are as healthy as they have been in a long time and get Luguentz Dort back from injury tonight.

I love the spot for the Thunder tonight.  This is a home-and-home situation.  They will be out for revenge from a 98-90 road loss at Minnesota on Wednesday.  Now they get their shot at revenge at home this time around just two days later, and they are healthier than they were in that first meeting.  I expect them to win this game outright, let alone cover the 6-point spread.

It's a great time to 'sell high' on the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have gone 7-5 SU & 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games overall.  This is the perfect letdown spot for them as they won't be nearly as motivated to beat the Thunder again after just beating them two days ago.

Oklahoma City is 10-1 ATS after losing three of its last four games this season.  The Thunder are 11-3 ATS when revenging a road loss this season.  Oklahoma City is 9-0 ATS after allowing 100 points or less this season.  The Thunder are 6-0 ATS in their last six home games.  Oklahoma City is 5-1-1 ATS in the last seven meetings.  Bet the Thunder Friday.

20* Wizards/Bulls Eastern Conference No-Brainer on Washington +6.5

The Washington Wizards are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games overall.  They get some key players back tonight in Spencer Dinwiddie (13.1 PPG, 5.6 APG) and Aaron Holiday (6.4 PPG) and could be getting back Montrezl Harrell (14.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG), who has been upgraded to questionable.

I love the spot for the Wizards, who will be out for revenge after losing 119-120 as 2-point home underdogs to the Bulls on January 1st less than a week ago.  They lost at the buzzer after Kyle Kuzma hit the go-ahead 3-pointer in the closing seconds, only to see DeMar DeRozan to win it.  They want this game a lot more than the Bulls do, and motivation is everything in the NBA.

This is a great time to 'sell high' on the Bulls.  They have won eight straight coming in.  They started to show signs of complacency last time out, only beating the depleted Magic 102-98 as 14-point home favorites.  I think they will be complacent here as well having just beaten the Wizards last than a week ago.

Washington is 5-0 ATS in its last five games vs. a team with a winning record.  The Wizards are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following a loss.  Chicago is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games playing on three or more days' rest.  I think all this rest actually works against them because they had momentum with that eight-game winning streak.  Take the Wizards Friday.

15* NBA Eastern Conference ANNIHILATOR on Toronto Raptors +7.5

The Toronto Raptors have gotten healthy recently and are playing as well as anyone in the NBA.  They have gone 8-1 ATS in their last nine games overall.  They beat the Clippers by 8, the Knicks by 15 and the Spurs by 25 in their last three games overall coming in.

Yes, the Raptors will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back, but that is being factored too much into this line tonight.  Because they won 129-104 over the Spurs, they were able to rest their starters in the 4th quarter and nobody played more than 32 minutes.  They'll have plenty left in the tank tonight, and they won't be lacking any motivation facing the defending champion Bucks.

Milwaukee has played and extremely soft schedule of late with its last four games coming against the Magic (twice), Pelicans and Pistons.  They lost outright as 16-point favorites against the Pistons.  Their previous two games against better teams in the Celtics (won by 4) and Mavericks (won by 7) were close.  They'll be without both Pat Connaughton and Grayson Allen tonight among a few others.

The Raptors are 8-1 ATS in their last nine games vs. a team with a winning record.  Toronto is 4-1 SU & 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings with four outright wins as underdogs.  The Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last five meetings in Milwaukee.  Roll with the Raptors Wednesday.

20* NBA Western Conference GAME OF THE WEEK on Oklahoma City Thunder +7.5

It's a great time to 'sell high' on the Minnesota Timberwolves after going 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games overall.  They are coming off a double-header at the Staple Center where they had a close loss to the Lakers before beating the short-handed Clippers outright.  Now they return home and this is a definite flat spot.

The Timberwolves go from being an underdog in 12 of their last 13 games overall to being a 7.5-point favorite against the Thunder.  In fact, the Timberwolves haven't been more than a 3.5-point favorite in any of their last 31 games.  We'll take advantage and fade them in this hefty favorite role when it's uncertain whether or not D'Angelo Russell or Karl-Anthony Towns will return to the lineup tonight.

What I do know is the Oklahoma City Thunder have been undervalued all season.  They are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall and now they get three key players back tonight in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Darius Bazley and Tre Mann from COVID.  They have won five of their last nine games outright as underdogs and they are a live dog again tonight, especially with their best player in Gilgeous-Alexander back.

The Thunder are 6-1 SU in their last seven meetings with the Timberwolves with their lone loss coming by 3 points.  Oklahoma City is 8-0 ATS after allowing 100 points or less this season.  The Thunder are 9-1 ATS after losing three of their last four games this season.  Minnesota is 1-8 ATS in home games vs. a team that allows 108 or more points per game this season.  Oklahoma City is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games playing on two days' rest.  The Timberwolves are 9-22 ATS in their last 31 games as home favorites.  Bet the Thunder Wednesday.

15* NBA Tuesday PLAY OF THE DAY on Cleveland Cavaliers -3

This is a great time to 'sell high' on the Memphis Grizzlies tonight.  They have gone 5-0 SU & 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall.  That includes their win in Brooklyn last night as 6.5-point underdogs.  That makes this a letdown spot for them after beating the Nets, and they will now be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back as well.

Cleveland has been grossly undervalued all season.  The Cavaliers are 21-16 SU & 25-11-1 ATS in their 37 games this season.  They had yesterday off and will be the fresher team.  They get one of their best players back from COVID tonight in Darius Garland (19.5 PPG, 7.3 APG), which is huge because they are already without Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio.  They are healthier than they have been in a few weeks right now.

Cleveland is 10-2 ATS when revenging a road loss this season.  The Cavaliers are 14-2 ATS in their last 16 games vs. a team with a winning record.  Cleveland is 9-1-1 ATS in its last 11 home games.  The Cavaliers are 7-0 ATS in their last seven games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.  Cleveland is 21-8 ATS in the last 29 meetings.  Roll with the Cavaliers Tuesday.

15* NBA Monday Non-Conference KNOCKOUT on Atlanta Hawks -5.5

The Atlanta Hawks recently got some players back from COVID and they are getting even more back tonight, including Kevin Huerter, Danilo Gallinari and Delon Wright.  They already got Trae Young and Clint Capela back.  They are getting closer to full strength and should make easy work of the struggling, short-handed Blazers tonight.

The Blazers are 3-14 SU & 4-13 ATS in their last 17 games overall.  They have lost four straight games by 14 points or more.  It won't go any better for them tonight as they will be without three starters in CJ McCollum, Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic.  They could be without Anfernee Simons as well.

Portland is 2-12 ATS as an underdog this season.  The Blazers are 0-5 ATS in their last five games vs. a team with a losing record.  Portland is 1-8 ATS in its last nine home games.  Atlanta is 7-2 ATS in its last nine road games.  Take the Hawks Monday.

20* Warriors/Jazz NBA TV Late-Night BAILOUT on Golden State +5

This is a great time to 'sell high' on the Utah Jazz off six straight victories.  That includes their 120-108 home win over the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves last night.  They will now be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 6th game in 10 days and won't have much left in the tank for the Golden State Warriors tonight.

Meanwhile, the Warriors come in on three days' rest and playing just their 2nd game in 7 days.  They will give a big effort here, especially since they have recently gotten a lot healthier with Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins returning to the lineup.  This is arguably the best team in the NBA when healthy and they should not be catching 5 points to the Jazz given the favorable spot for them and the terrible one for the home team.

Utah is 2-13 ATS in its last 15 home games following a division game.  Golden State is 10-2 ATS vs. a team with a winning record this season.  The Warriors are 11-1 ATS in their last 12 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.  Golden State is 35-17-2 ATS in its last 54 games overall.  Utah is 1-6-1 ATS in its last eight games overall.  The Jazz are 0-5-1 ATS in their last six home games.  They are getting way too much respect from the books of late, including tonight.  Roll with the Warriors Saturday.

15* NBA Eastern Conference ANNIHILATOR on Chicago Bulls -4.5

The Chicago Bulls just got several players back from COVID and are playing like one of the best teams in the NBA right now because of it.  They are 5-0 SU & 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall with all five wins coming by 5 points or more.  That will be enough to cover this 4.5-point spread at Indiana.

The Pacers are really struggling right now in going 2-5 SU & 1-6 ATS in their last seven games overall with their two victories coming against two of the worst teams in the NBA in the Pistons and Rockets.  Each of their last four losses have come by 8 points or more.  They are without Malcolm Brodgon and Chris Duarte right now due to COVID among a few others.

Chicago is 9-1 ATS vs. teams that force 13 or fewer turnovers per game this season.  The Bulls are 20-6 ATS in their last 26 games as favorites, including 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games as road favorites.  Chicago is 21-11 ATS in all games this season.  Take the Bulls Friday.

20* Suns/Celtics Non-Conference KNOCKOUT on Phoenix -4.5

The Phoenix Suns are 27-7 this season and in much better shape than the Boston Celtics right now in the COVID and injury department.  They have five of their top six scorers available for this game against the Celtics with the exception behind De'Andre Ayton, who they have managed to play well without anyway.

The Boston Celtics will be without their best player in Jayson Tatum (25.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG) and their third-leading scorer in Dennis Schroder (16.3 PPG, 4.7 APG) today.  Boston has lost three straight coming in, including an 82-91 upset home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers as 6-point favorites last time out.

Plays against underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points (Boston) - revenging a blowout road loss by 20 points or more against an opponent that is off a cover as a double-digit favorite are 77-37 (67.5%) ATS since 1996.  The Suns are 18-6 ATS in the last 24 meetings, including 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings in Boston.  They won 111-90 at home in their first meeting this season.  Bet the Suns Friday.

20* NBA Tuesday No-Doubt Rout on Cleveland Cavaliers -5.5

The Cleveland Cavaliers just continue being a gravy train and the books continue to fail to adjust for it.  They have gone 20-13 SU & 25-8 ATS this season.  They should be more than 5.5-point favorites tonight over the lowly New Orleans Pelicans, who are 12-22 SU & 15-19 ATS this season.

The Pelicans will be without Nickeil Alexander-Walker and could be without both Brandon Ingram (doubtful) and Josh Hart (questionable) tonight.  This team is getting too much love for a recent 4-1 SU run against some weak competition.

The Cavaliers are 14-2 ATS in their last 16 games overall.  They are 11-3 SU in their last 14 games with all 11 victories coming by double-digits!  That includes a 144-99 home win over the Raptors last time out.  And the Cavaliers are rested and ready to go playing just their 2nd game 6 days.  They will be missing a few guys due to COVID, but they are one of the deepest teams in the NBA.

Cleveland is a perfect 9-0 ATS as a favorite this season and winning by 23.0 points per game.  Take the Cavaliers Tuesday.

15* NBA Eastern Conference ANNIHILATOR on Philadelphia 76ers -7

The Toronto Raptors are a mash unit right now.  They are missing three of their top five scorers in Fred VanVleet (20.1 PPG), OG Anunoby (19.3 PPG) and Scottie Barnes (15.6 PPG).  The other two in the top five are questionable in Pascal Siakam (19.1 PPG) and Gary Trent Jr. (16.8 PPG).

The Raptors have a whopping 12 players on the injury report with nine listed as out and three as questionable.  It's no wonder they had their doors blown off last time out in a 144-99 road loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.  It won't go much better against the Philadelphia 76ers tonight.

The 76ers are close to being back to full strength and it showed last time out in a 117-96 win at Washington.  They key is that they have each of their top four scorers healthy in Embiid, Harris, Maxey and Curry, who all average at least 16.2 points per game.

The 76ers are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.  The Raptors are 7-18-1 ATS in their last 26 games as home underdogs.  Roll with the 76ers Tuesday.

20* NBA Monday No-Doubt Rout on Chicago Bulls -5

The Chicago Bulls had five days off prior to beating the Pacers 113-105 last night.  So I'm not concerned about them having to play the 2nd of a back-to-back here, especially since they just got Zach LaVine and five others back from COVID last night.  They are a deep team and won't be tired anyway after having five days off prior to that game.

The Bulls should have plenty in the tank to blow out the short-handed Atlanta Hawks.  The Hawks have 12 players out due to either COVID or injuries.  That includes Trae Young, Danilo Gallinari, Kevin Heurter, Lou Williams and John Collins.  They are without seven of their top 10 scorers and coming off an 87-101 loss to the Knicks on Christmas Day.

Chicago is 31-13 ATS in its last 44 games vs. a team with a losing record.  Atlanta is 3-11 ATS when playing a team with a winning record this season.  The Bulls are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games as road favorites.  The Hawks are 0-8 ATS in their last eight home games.  Atlanta is 0-7 ATS in its last seven games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.  Take the Bulls Monday.

15* Pacers/Bulls NBA TV ANNIHILATOR on Chicago -6.5

The Chicago Bulls are champing at the bit to get back on the court.  They have been off since December 20th.  That can only be a good thing as this time off has allowed them to get healthy and get several players back from the COVID list.

The Bulls get Zach LaVine and five others back from COVID today.  They have compiled a 19-10 record this season despite battling through some COVID and injury issues.  They are one of the best teams in the NBA when healthy, and that is pretty much the case now here at the end of December.

The Indiana Pacers are just 14-19 this season, including 3-12 on the road.  They could be without their two best players in Malcolm Brogdon (achilles) and Domantas Sabonis (calf), who are both questionable.  But they haven't been playing well even when healthy with recent blowout road losses to the Heat by 29 and the Bucks by 15.  And it's worth noting the Heat were without Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo while the Bucks were without Giannis among others.

The Pacers are 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 games playing on two days' rest.  The Bulls are 14-2 ATS in their last 16 Sunday games.  Chicago is 35-17 ATS in its last 52 games vs. a team with a losing record.  The Bulls are 17-6 ATS in their last 23 games as favorites.  Take the Bulls Sunday.

20* NBA Western Conference GAME OF THE MONTH on Oklahoma City Thunder PK

The Oklahoma City Thunder have quietly gone 5-0 ATS in their last five games overall with three outright upset victories over the Clippers, Grizzlies and Nuggets.  They also covered in losses to the Pelicans and Suns.

Now the Thunder get their shot at revenge after a 110-113 home loss to the Pelicans on December 15th.  Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied the game with a 3-pointer in the closing seconds, only to lose on a heave from beyond half court at the buzzer.  They haven't forgotten, and they will get their revenge.

While the Thunder are one of the healthiest teams in the NBA with nobody on the injury report, the same cannot be said for the Pelicans.  They have eight players on the injury report and will be without both Jonas Valanciunas and Nickeil Alexander-Walker tonight, which are their 2nd and 3rd-leading scorers behind Brandon Ingram.

The Pelicans are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 road games.  New Orleans is 1-5 ATS in its last six Sunday games.  The Pelicans are 0-4 ATS in their last four games playing on two days' rest.  The Thunder are 20-8 ATS in their last 28 games overall.  Oklahoma City is 19-7 ATS in its last 26 Sunday games.  The Thunder are 5-1 ATS in their last six games playing on two days' rest.  Oklahoma City is 12-3 ATS in its last 15 games vs. a team with a losing record.  The Thunder are 7-2 ATS in the last nine meetings.  Bet the Thunder Sunday.

15* NBA Wednesday Undervalued Underdog on Houston Rockets +10.5

The Milwaukee Bucks have been a juggernaut when Giannis, Middleton and Holiday have been on the floor at the same time this season.  Unfortunately for them, that has been few and far between.  And the Bucks are not only without Giannis tonight, but also the underrated Bobby Portis.

Milwaukee has gone just 1-3 SU & 1-3 ATS in its last three games overall with losses to the Celtics by 14, the Pelicans in overtime and the Cavaliers by 29.  There's no way they should be a double-digit favorite against the Houston Rockets without Giannis and Portis.

This is a Rockets team that is about as healthy as any team in the NBA right now and playing well over the past month.  The Rockets are 9-5 SU & 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games overall.  They lost by 9 at home to a healthy Bucks team during this stretch on December 10th and will be out for revenge here tonight.

Milwaukee is just 1-12 ATS in its last 13 vs. Southwest Division opponents.  The Bucks are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 home games.  Milwaukee is 4-13 ATS in its last 17 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.  The Rockets are 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings and haven't lost any of the last five meetings by more than 9 points.  Roll with the Rockets Wednesday.

20* NBA Tuesday No-Doubt rout on Indiana Pacers -1.5

The Indiana Pacers have gone 4-2 SU in their last six games overall with their only losses coming to the Warriors (by 2) and the Bucks on the road.  They are one of the healthiest teams in the NBA right now and should be able to handle the short-handed Miami Heat tonight.

The Heat are coming off an upset loss to the lowly Detroit Pistons as 6.5-point favorites.  They are without Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Markieff Morris, PJ Tucker and Caleb Martin.  They would be without Tyler Herro, who is questionable.  They won't even be able to compete with a team the caliber of Indiana without these guys.

The Pacers have had the last four days off, so they are fresh and ready to go.  Indiana is 39-19-2 ATS in its last 60 games playing on 3 or more days' rest.  The Pacers are 15-6 ATS in their last 21 games vs. a team with a winning record.  Bet the Pacers Tuesday.

20* NBA DOG OF THE WEEK on Oklahoma City Thunder +8.5

The Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the most underrated teams in the NBA this season.  They have gone 10-5 ATS in their last 15 games overall and are way more competitive than they get credit for.  Look for them to stay within this lofty number against the Memphis Grizzlies tonight.

While the Thunder are rested playing just their 2nd game in 5 days, the Grizzlies will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back after a 100-105 home loss to Portland last night.  It will also be the 8th game in 13 days for the Grizzlies.

It's a great time to 'sell high' on Memphis as it is considering they are 10-2 SU & 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games overall.  They have done most of this without Ja Morant and being short-handed without Brandon Clark and a few others as well.  But now these injuries will start to catch up with them in this tough rest spot tonight.

Oklahoma City is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games after losing two of its last three games.  The Thunder are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 road games.  Oklahoma City is 14-6 ATS in its last 20 games as an underdog.  Memphis is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.  

Finally, Oklahoma City wants revenge from the worst loss in NBA history, a 79-152 loss at Memphis on December 2nd earlier this month.  You know they are going to be motivated to avenge that defeat.  And their best player in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (21.6 PPG) did not play in that game and he is playing at an All-Star level right now.  Bet the Thunder Monday.

15* NBA Sunday PLAY OF THE DAY on San Antonio Spurs -4.5

The San Antonio Spurs are one of the healthiest teams in the NBA and it is showing with their play. They have gone 7-4 SU & 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games overall and coming off an upset win at Utah as 11.5-point underdogs.

The Spurs are rested and ready to go tonight playing just their 3rd game in 7 days. They should make easy work of a struggling Sacramento Kings team that is just 1-4 SU & 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall with their last three losses coming by 14 points or more.

Things aren't getting any better for the Kings any time soon due to COVID hitting them hard. They will be without De'Aaron Rox, Marvin Bagley, Alex Len, Terence Davis and Davion Mitchell tonight. They could also be without Richaun Holmes, who is questionable.

The Spurs are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games as favorites. The Kings are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games as home underdogs. Sacramento is 0-5 ATS in its last five Sunday games. San Antonio is 3-0 SU & 3-0 ATS in the last three meetings with all three wins by 9 points or more. Bet the Spurs Sunday.

15* NBA Saturday Undervalued Underdog on Washington Wizards +10.5

It's a great time to 'buy low' on the Washington Wizards tonight after going 1-7 SU & 0-7-1 ATS in their last eight games overall. They are now catching double-digits against the Utah Jazz. The Wizards are as healthy as they have been in a while and should give the Jazz a run for their money tonight.

The reason is simple. This is a terrible spot for the Jazz. They will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back after a hard-fought 126-128 upset loss to the San Antonio Spurs as 11.5-point favorites last night. Now they come back as 10.5-point favorites tonight against a better Washington team, which makes no sense. Take the Wizards Saturday.

20* NBA Saturday No-Doubt Rout on Cleveland Cavaliers -2.5

The Cleveland Cavaliers are 12-1 ATS in their last 13 games overall. They have gone 9-2 SU in their last 11 games with all nine wins coming by double-digits!

The two losses were to the Jazz by 1 and the Bucks by 8. Now they have a chance to avenge that defeat to the Bucks, who are in a terrible spot tonight. They will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 5th game in 7 days after a 112-116 (OT) loss in New Orleans last night.

It will also be the 11th game in 18 days in December for the Bucks. Making matters worse is that they will be without Giannis antetokoumpho, Bobby Portis and Wesley Matthews and could be without Khris Middleton, who is questionable. I don't give them much of a chance against the Cavaliers tonight without Giannis and in this awful rest spot. Bet the Cavaliers Saturday.

20* NBA Friday No-Doubt Rout on Minnesota Timberwolves -2.5

The Minnesota Timberwolves are fully healthy and a dangerous team when that is the case. That has shown in their last two games as they have pulled outright road upsets over the Blazers 116-111 and Nuggets 124-107.

Having De'Angelo Russell healthy has really made all the difference for this game. With him, Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards on the floor at the same time the Timberwolves are capable of beating anyone. They will take down the short-handed Lakers tonight.

The Timberwolves are rested and ready to go playing just their 2nd game in 5 days and their 6th game in 14 days. The Lakers won their last three games against three short-handed, terrible teams in the Thunder, Magic and Mavericks. Now they take a step up in class here and it's time to 'sell high'. 

The Lakers will be without Russell Westbrook, Avery Braldey, Malik Monk, Talen Horton-Tucker and Dwight Howard tonight due to COVID. Los Angeles is 7-25 ATS in its last 32 games following a win. Take the Timberwolves Friday.

15* NBA Thursday PLAY OF THE DAY on New York Knicks -5

This is a terrible spot for the Houston Rockets tonight.  They will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 5th game in 7 days in their 4th difference city.  They won't have much left in the tank for the New York Knicks tonight.

Making matters worse for the Rockets is that they are likely to be pretty short-handed.  They will be without Jalen Green (14.0 PPG), Danuel House (4.8 PPG) and Christian Wood (16.5 PPG), who is doubtful.  Both Kevin Porter Jr. (12.8 PPG) and Eric Gordon (15.1 PPG) are questionable tonight as well.

It's a great time to 'buy low' on the Knicks, who have gone just 1-7 SU & 2-6 ATS in their last eight games overall against a brutal schedule.  Their seven losses have come to the Nets, Bulls, Nuggets, Pacers, Raptors, Bucks and Warriors.  Now they take a big step down in class here against the Rockets and should get back on track with a blowout victory.

Houston is 3-18 ATS in its last 21 games vs. a team with a wins between 40% & 49% of their games.  The Rockets are 16-36 ATS in their last 52 home games.  New York is 7-1 ATS in its last eight trips to Houston.  Take the Knicks Thursday.

20* NBA Wednesday No-Doubt Rout on Indiana Pacers -2

The Indiana Pacers are as healthy as they have been all season and it's starting to show.  They have gone 3-1 SU & 3-0-1 ATS in their last four games overall with their lone loss coming by 2 points to the Golden State Warriors, who are one of the best teams in the NBA.

The Milwaukee Bucks are in a world of hurt right now in the injury department.  They were already wtithout Brook Lopez and Donte DiVencenzo, but now they will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Wesley Matthews, DeMarcus Cousins and Semi Ojeleye tonight.  Khris Middleton is questionable as well.  Missing Giannis gives the Bucks almost no chance of winning this game against the Pacers tonight, let alone all these other injuries.

The Pacers are rested and ready to go playing just their 2nd game in 5 days and their 5th game in 12 days.  The same cannot be said for the Bucks, who will be playing their 9th game in 15 days and in their 5th different city in 8 days.  That makes matters even worse considering their injury situation.

Indiana is 10-1 ATS in its last 11 games after playing three consecutive home games.  The Pacers are 15-5 ATS in their last 20 games vs. a team with a winning record.  The Bucks are 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games as underdogs.  Milwaukee is 6-16 ATS in its last 22 games vs. a team with a losing record.  Bet the Pacers Wednesday.

15* Lakers/Mavs ESPN ANNIHILATOR on Los Angeles +1

The Los Angeles Lakers are starting to play up to their potential now that they have had LeBron, Westbrook and Davis healthy for a decent stretch.  They have gone 5-2 SU in their last seven games overall with each of their last four wins by double-digits.  Davis is questionable tonight but he usually plays when he is questionable.

Amazingly, the Dallas Mavericks have won two games in a row without Luka Doncic over the Oklahoma City Thunder and Charlotte Hornets.  But the Lakers are a different animal, and I don't give the Mavericks much of a chance at all to win this game without Doncic.

Plays on road favorites (LA Lakers) - after allowing 100 points or fewer in two straight games against an opponent that led by 20 points or more at halftime last game are 43-17 (71.7%) ATS since 1996.  The Mavericks are 1-5 ATS in their last six home games.  Dallas is 5-15 ATS in its last 20 games following a win.  Roll with the Lakers Wednesday.

15* NBA Wednesday Non-Conference KNOCKOUT on Cleveland Cavaliers -8.5

The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to lack the respect they deserve from oddsmakers.  They are 17-12 SU & 21-6-2 ATS this season.  They have been especially dominant of late, going 11-1 ATS in their last 12 games overall.

The Cavaliers are now 8-2 SU in their last 10 games overall with their only losses coming by 1 to the Jazz and by 8 to the Bucks, two of the best teams in the NBA.  What's most impressive about this run is that all eight of those victories have come by 11 points or more!

Now the Cavaliers should win by double-digits over the Houston Rockets, who are starting to get respect from oddsmakers after going 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall.  But this isn't the same Rockets team that had all that success due to some recent injuries.  

They will be without Jalen Green (14.0 PPG), Danuel House (4.8 PPG), Kevin Porter Jr. (12.8 PPG) and Eric Gordon (15.1 PPG) tonight.  Not to mention, Christian Wood (16.5 PPG) is questionable.  Take the Cavaliers Wednesday.

20* NBA Eastern Conference GAME OF THE WEEK on Toronto Raptors +8.5

The books have adjusted this line too much for this back-to-back spot for the Toronto Raptors.  Well, they had two days off prior to beating the Kings 124-101 last night.  And that blowout allowed them to rest their starters in the 4th quarter.

The Raptors will still have plenty left in the tank for the Nets tonight.  It will be just their 4th game in 9 days.  Nobody played more than 32 minutes for the Raptors last night in a dominant team win with nine players scoring in double figures against the Kings.

I just don't think the Nets can be trusted to lay these big numbers without Joe Harris and Paul Millsap.  It just puts so much pressure on James Harden and Kevin Durant to do more because they don't have much talent outside of those two.  It's a big reason it has been profitable to fade the Nets this season.  They are only outscoring opponents by 3.7 points per game on the season.

The Raptors are playing their best basketball of the year right now at 4-1 SU & 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall.  They are about as healthy as they have been all season.  The Nets are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games following an ATS win.  Brooklyn is 2-7 ATS in its last nine games as favorites.  The Nets are 0-5 ATS in their last five home games.  Toronto is 5-1 ATS in its last six trips to Brooklyn.  Bet the Raptors Tuesday.

15* NBA Monday UPSET SHOCKER on Charlotte Hornets +3

This is a terrible spot for the Dallas Mavericks.  They will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 5th game in 7 days after a win in Oklahoma City last night.  It will be their 4th different city during this stretch.  And they will be without their best player in Luka Doncic tonight.

It's a great spot for the Charlotte Hornets, who come in on two days' rest and get back Terry Rozier from COVID tonight.  They have managed to play well despite missing some key players, going a perfect 5-0 ATS in their last five games overall with their only losses coming by 2 points at Milwaukee, by 3 to Philadelphia and by 4 to Philadelphia.  They can beat the Mavericks without Doncic given the favorable spot.

Dallas is 1-12 ATS in its last 13 home games after losing four or five of its last six games.  The Mavericks are 7-21 ATS in their last 28 home games following a road win.  Charlotte is 5-0 ATS in its last five games as an underdog.  Dallas is 8-20 ATS in its last 28 home games.  The Mavericks are 3-12 ATS in their last 15 games following a win.  The Hornets are 5-1 ATS in their last six trips to Dallas.  Roll with the Hornets Monday.

15* NBA Monday Non-Conference KNOCKOUT on Philadelphia 76ers -2.5

The Philadelphia 76ers are back healthy with Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey.  It's starting to show as they have gone 4-1 SU in their last five games overall, including a win over the potent Warriors last time out.  Look for them to make easy work of the short-handed Memphis Grizzlies tonight.

The Grizzlies have been winning despite their injuries, going 7-1 SU in their last eight games overall.  But there's more added to the list tonight.  They were already without JA Morant and Brandon Clarke and remain without those two tonight.  But now Steven Adams is doubtful, and that's key because they need him to defend Joel Embiid.  Jaren Jackson Jr. is questionable for the Grizzlies as well.

The 76ers are 15-7-1 ATS in their last 23 games as road favorites.  Plays against home underdogs (Memphis) - after covering four or five of their last six games, in a game involving two marginal winning teams (51% to 60%) are 42-19 (68.9%) ATS since 1996.  Take the 76ers Monday.

15* NBA Sunday Undervalued Underdog on Oklahoma City Thunder +4.5

The Dallas Mavericks are just 3-9 SU in their last 12 games overall.  They have no business being road favorites over the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight considering they will be without their best player in Luka Doncic (25.6 PPG, 8.5 APG, 8.0 RPG).  There may not be a more important player in the NBA to his team than Doncic.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been one of the most underrated teams in the NBA this season posting a 15-10 ATS record.  They pulled off two straight upset road wins over the Pistons and Raptors before getting crushed by a motivated Lakers team last time out.  I think that blowout loss by 21 points has them undervalued today.

Dallas is 1-8 ATS after losing two of its last three games this season.  The Mavericks are 16-35 ATS in their last 51 games vs. a team with a losing record.  The Thunder are 19-4 ATS in their last 23 Sunday games.  Oklahoma City is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 games vs. a team with a losing record.  The Thunder are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 games as underdogs.  Bet the Thunder Sunday.

20* NBA Saturday Non-Conference KNOCKOUT on Washington Wizards +7

It's a great time to 'sell high' on the Utah Jazz.  They have gone 6-0 SU & 4-2 ATS in their last six games overall.  They just beat the 76ers by 22 and the Timberwolves by 32 in their last two games.  But that was a short-handed Timberwolves team, and that was a tired 76ers team playing the 2nd of a back-to-back.

Now the Jazz have to face a rested, motivated Washington Wizards team.  The Wizards will be fresh and ready to go coming in on two days' rest.  They will be motivated after losing three of their last four games.  Washington has been one of the most underrated teams in the NBA this season, going 15-11 SU, including 8-3 SU & 8-3 ATS at home.

Washington is 11-2 ATS vs. teams that attempt 39 or more 3-pointers per game.  The Wizards are 2-0 SU & 2-0 ATS in their last two meetings with the Jazz with two outright upsets as 10.5-point underdogs in both games.  Utah is 3-10 ATS in its last 13 games vs. a team with a winning record.  Washington is 5-0 ATS in its last five games as a home underdog.  Bet the Wizards Saturday.

15* NBA Saturday Undervalued Underdog on Orlando Magic +9

The Los Angeles Clippers were already without their best player in Kawhi Leonard.  Now they will be without their second-best player in Paul George, who is nursing an elbow injury.  The Clippers should not be 9-point favorites against anyone without these two, not even the Orlando Magic.

It's a great time to 'buy low' on the Magic, who have lost three straight road games to Houston, Golden State and Sacramento.  But now they come in fresh and ready to go today on two days' rest.  They will give the Clippers a run for their money without George.

It's not like the Clippers were playing well with George recently, either.  They are just 5-7 SU & 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games overall.  Three of those five wins came by 6 points or less, so they aren't blowing anyone out either.  They certainly won't be beating the Magic by double-digits today.

The Clippers are 0-8 ATS in home games with a total set of 210 to 219.5 this season.  The Magic are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.  Los Angeles is 0-4 ATS in its last four games as a home favorite.  The Clippers are 1-8 ATS in their last nine games playing on two days' rest.  Roll with the Magic Saturday.

15* NBA Friday No-Doubt Rout on Indiana Pacers -1.5

The Indiana Pacers are as healthy as they have been all season and it's starting to show.  They had three straight close losses by single-digits before winning their last two games by 6 over the Wizards and by 20 over the Knicks.

The Pacers are healthy, but they are also fresh and ready to go playing just their 3rd game in 7 days tonight.  The same cannot be said for the struggling Mavericks, who will be playing their 3rd game in 4 days and in their 3rd different city.  The Mavericks are 1-3 SU & 1-3 ATS in their last four games overall with losses to the Pelicans, Grizzlies and Nets.  They are also 3-8 SU in their last 11 games.

Dallas is 3-11 ATS in its last 14 games following a win.  The Mavericks are 17-36 ATS in their last 53 games vs. a team with a losing record.  Roll with the Pacers Friday.

20* NBA Thursday No-Doubt Rout on Los Angeles Lakers -3

The Los Angeles Lakers are getting healthy now with Lebron, Davis and Westbrook all on the floor together.  They flashed their potential with a 117-102 win over Boston last time out.  And now they are fresh and ready for another big effort tonight playing just their 2nd game in 6 days.

The same cannot be said for the Grizzlies, who will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 3rd game in 4 days after a 96-104 home loss to the Dallas Mavericks last night.  They are already short-handed as it is playing without JA Morant, plus Kyle Anderson, Brandon Clark and Sam Merrill are all questionable tonight.  They can't compete with the Lakers without Morant, especially not in this tough rest spot.  

Plays against home underdogs (Memphis) - after covering three of their last four ATS in a game involving two marginal winning teams (51% to 60%) are 41-16 (71.9%) ATS since 1996.  It's time to 'buy low' on Los Angeles after a shaky start to the season due to injuries.  Bet the Lakers Thursday.

15* NBA Wednesday UPSET SHOCKER on New Orleans Pelicans +2.5

The New Orleans Pelicans are as healthy as they have been all season.  It's no surprise they are playing some of their best basketball of the season of late as a result.  They have gone 4-3 SU & 4-3 ATS in their last seven games overall with upset wins over the Clippers, Jazz, Wizards and Mavericks.

Now the Pelicans are rested and ready to go coming in on two days' rest.  They take on a Denver Nuggets team that is banged up right now playing without Michael Porter Jr, Jamal Murray and Austin Rivers.  Nikola Jokic is banged up as well and has missed a few games lately, though he is supposed to play tonight.

These injuries are taking their toll as the Nuggets are 2-8 SU & 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games overall.  Denver is 2-7 ATS in its last nine road games.  The Nuggets are 4-12 ATS in their last 16 games following an ATS loss.  New Orleans is 4-1 ATS in its last five games following a loss.  The Pelicans are 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings.  Take the Pelicans Wednesday.

20* NBA Wednesday No-Doubt Rout on Cleveland Cavaliers -2.5

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been one of the most underrated teams in the NBA this season.  They are 13-12 SU & 18-5-2 ATS this season.  They are 8-1 ATS in their last nine games overall and coming off two competitive losses to the Jazz by 1 and Bucks by 8.  Look for them to bounce back at home tonight against the short-handed Bulls.

Chicago is an underrated team too, but they are banged up and without several key players due to COVID.  They are without DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, Coby White and Javonte Green tonight.  I don't give them much of a chance of even keeping this game competitive against the Cavaliers without these guys.

The Cavaliers are 18-5 ATS in their last 23 games overall.  Cleveland is 15-2 ATS in its last 17 games following an ATS win.  The Cavaliers are 7-0 ATS in their last seven games vs. a team with a winning record.  Bet the Cavaliers Wednesday.

20* NBA Western Conference GAME OF THE WEEK on San Antonio Spurs +7.5

The Phoenix Suns finally had their 18-game winning streak snapped by the Golden State Warriors last time out.  I always like fading teams the game after having a long winning streak snapped because it tends to be a hangover spot.  The wind is lifted out of their sails.

A big reason the Suns lost to the Warriors is because they were without their best player in Devin Booker.  He remains out tonight with a hamstring injury, and the Suns have no business laying this big of a number against the San Antonio Spurs without him.

This is a fresh Spurs team playing their best basketball of the season right now.  They are 4-0 SU & 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall with four straight upset victories over the Celtics by 8, Wizards by 17, Blazers by 31 and Warriors by 5 as 9-point road dogs.  They will be playing just their 4th game in 10 days tonight.

Plays on road underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points (San Antonio) - after going under the total by 48 points or more in their last 10 games, a bad team winning 25% to 40% of their games on the season are 40-14 (74.1%) ATS over the last five seasons.  The Suns are 1-5 ATS in their last six games following a loss.  San Antonio is 4-1-1 ATS in its last six trips to Phoenix.  Take the Spurs Monday.

15* NBA Saturday Undervalued Underdog on San Antonio Spurs +9.5

The Golden State Warriors will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back after a win over the Devin Booker-less Phoenix Suns last night.  They are being asked to win by double-digits to beat us tonight, and I think that's asking too much.

The Spurs are playing their best basketball of the season right now.  They are 3-0 SU & 3-0 ATS in their last three games overall with an 8-point home win over Boston, a 17-point home win over Washington and a 31-point road win at Portland all outright as underdogs.  They are rested and ready to go playing just their 3rd game in 8 days.

The Spurs are 13-3 ATS when playing just their 2nd game in 5 days over the last two seasons.  San Antonio is 6-2-1 ATS in its last nine games vs. a team with a winning record.  It's time to 'sell high' on the tired Warriors tonight.  Roll with the Spurs Saturday.

20* NBA GAME OF THE WEEK on Chicago Bulls +3.5

The Chicago Bulls have gotten healthy with Nikola Vucevic back and are starting to play up to their potential again.  They have gone 3-1 SU & 3-1 ATS in their last four games overall with their lone loss coming to the Heat by 3.  They beat the Magic by 35 on the road, the Hornets by 14 at home and the Knicks by 4 on the road.

While the Bulls are rested and ready to go after having yesterday off, the Nets are tired playing the 2nd of a back-to-back after a 110-105 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves last night, who were without Karl-Anthony Towns.  They are already without Joe Harris and Kyrie Irving, so they are short-handed.  Kevin Durant played 37 minutes, James Harden 35 and Lamarcus Aldridge 34 last night.

Chicago already crushed Brooklyn 118-95 at home in their first and only meeting this season.  The Nets are 0-7 ATS in their last seven games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.  Brooklyn is 0-5 ATS in its last five games as a favorite.  The Nets are 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall.  Bet the Bulls Saturday.

15* 76ers/Hawks ESPN ANNIHILATOR on Philadelphia +1.5

It's a good time to 'buy low' on the Philadelphia 76ers after going just 3-9 SU & 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games overall.  They played the majority of those games without Joel Embiid.  But they are playing better with him back of late, and I look for them to upset the Atlanta Hawks tonight.

It's a good time to 'sell high' on the Hawks, who are 8-1 SU & 7-2 ATS in their last nine games overall.  But injuries have hit the Hawks of late as they are without De'Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic and could be without Cam Reddish, who is questionable.

Every time the 76ers see the Hawks this season they are going to want revenge after getting knocked out of the playoffs by Atlanta last year.  That showed in their 122-94 home win as 3.5-point favorites in their first meeting this season.  And now they will go on the road and exact some more revenge on the Hawks with an outright victory.  Take the 76ers Friday.

20* NBA Friday No-Doubt Rout on Indiana Pacers -5

This is a great time to 'buy low' on the Indiana Pacers tonight.  They have lost three straight with a blowout loss to the Bucks and two tough losses to the Hawks and Timberwolves by a combined 5 points.  They will be highly motivated for a victory tonight, and they won't be taking the short-handed Miami Heat lightly because of it.

Miami is without its two best players in Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.  That explains their ugly losses in their last two games with a 111-120 home loss as 3-point favorites against the Nuggets followed by an 85-111 home loss to the Cavaliers as 2.5-point favorites.  They just aren't a very good team without these two.

The Heat are 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall.  The Pacers are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 home games.  Indiana is 12-4 ATS in its last 16 games vs. a team with a winning record.  Bet the Pacers Friday.

20* NBA DOG OF THE WEEK on Detroit Pistons +13

You're paying a tax tonight to back the Phoenix Suns due to their 17-game winning streak.  If there was ever going to be a letdown spot, this is the one because they are coming off a huge National TV win over Golden State on Tuesday, and now they have the Warriors on deck tomorrow night.

The Suns will be trying to conserve their energy in this game against the Pistons, especially since they just lost their best player in Devin Booker to injury against the Warriors last time out.  They are now short-handed and there's no way they should be 13-point favorites without Booker.

While it's a great time to 'sell high' on the Suns, it's also a great time to 'buy low' on the Pistons.  They have lost seven straight coming in, but five of them came by 11 points or fewer against some very good competition.  The Pistons are 8-5 ATS in their last 13 games overall and have been consistently catching too many points, including tonight.

Detroit is 20-7 ATS in its last 27 games following three or more consecutive losses.  The Pistons are 15-5 ATS in their last 20 games following a blowout loss by 15 points or more.  Detroit is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games following a loss.  The Pistons are 26-9 ATS in the last 35 meetings, including 7-2 ATS in the last 13 meetings in Phoenix.  Bet the Pistons Thursday.

20* NBA Wednesday No-Doubt Rout on Indiana Pacers PK

The Indiana Pacers are highly motivated for a victory after losing three of their last four to the Lakers, Bucks and Timberwolves.  Look for them to get back in the win column here as this is a great time to 'buy low' on the Pacers as a PK at home against the Atlanta Hawks.

It's also a good time to 'sell high' on the Hawks, who have gone 7-1 SU & 6-2 ATS in their last eight games overall.  But most of that success has come at home.  The Hawks are just 3-8 SU & 2-9 ATS on the road this season.  And they are without De'Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic tonight and could be without Cam Reddish, who is questionable.

Atlanta is 1-9 ATS vs. good defensive teams that allow 108 points per game or fewer this season.  The Hawks are 2-11 ATS in their last 13 road games.  The Pacers are 12-3 ATS in their last 15 games vs. a team with a winning record.  Indiana is 11-4 ATS in its last 15 home games.  The Pacers are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.  Bet the Pacers Wednesday.

20* NBA DOG OF THE WEEK on Detroit Pistons +9.5

The Detroit Pistons are playing much better basketball here of late now that they are getting healthy and forming some chemistry.  They have gone 4-1 ATS in their last five games overall despite a brutal schedule.  They lost by 3 to the Warriors, by 8 to the Heat, by 21 to the Bucks, by 11 to the Clippers and by 4 to the Lakers.

Now they are catching 9.5 points against a struggling Portland Trail Blazers team and actually take a big step down in class here.  Asking the Blazers to win this game by double-digits to beat us is asking a lot.  They are 0-3 SU & 0-3 ATS in their last three games, losing by 4 to the Kings, by 15 to the Warriors and by 22 to the Jazz.  Now they will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back after playing in Utah last night as well.

Detroit is 10-1 ATS in its last 11 games following four or more consecutive losses.  The Pistons are 8-1 ATS in their last nine games following a loss.  Detroit is 7-3-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings.  Bet the Pistons Tuesday.

15* Warriors/Suns TNT ANNIHILATOR on Phoenix -2

The Phoenix Suns will be motivated to earn their 17th consecutive victory tonight.  I think we are getting them at a discount as only 2-point favorites at home against the Golden State Warriors, who have the best record in the NBA.  But you are paying a tax on the Warriors now moving forward due to that record.

The Suns are a lot healthier than the Warriors are right now, too.  Phoenix is 7-1 ATS in its last eight games after allowing more than 100 points in its previous game.  The Suns are 50-24-1 ATS in their last 75 games vs. a team with a winning record.  Take the Suns Tuesday.

15* NBA Monday Undervalued Underdog on Cleveland Cavaliers +6.5

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been one of the most underrated teams in the NBA this season.  They have gone 10-10 SU & 13-5-2 ATS in their 20 games despite battling through injuries all season.  But now they are about as healthy as they have been since the start of the season with pretty much every important player on the court other than Collin Sexton, who is out for the season.

But Sexton's injury hasn't slowed down the Cavaliers.  They have gone 3-0 ATS in their last three games overall, losing by just 5 to Brooklyn, by 5 to Phoenix and crushing Orlando by 13.  They are rested and ready to go tonight playing just their 2nd game in 5 days.

The Dallas Mavericks are just 1-4 SU in their last five games overall and getting too much respect here again tonight.  They were 6.5-point favorites against Washington last time out and lost by 6.  And now they come back as 6.5-point favorites against this feisty Cleveland team.

Cleveland is 8-1 ATS after playing a home game this season.  The Cavaliers are 10-2 ATS following an ATS win this season.  Cleveland is 9-0 ATS in its last nine games after scoring 100 points or more in its previous game.  Dallas is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 home games.  The Mavericks are 4-13 ATS in their last 17 games after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.  Take the Cavaliers Monday.

20* NBA Monday No-Doubt Rout on Chicago Bulls -5.5

The Chicago Bulls are highly motivated for a victory after losing three of their last four games coming in.  They just recently got Nikola Vucevic back and now are as healthy as they have been all season with him and Coby White in the lineup.  This is one of the best rosters in the NBA.

It's a great time to 'buy low' on the Bulls and 'sell high' on the Hornets, who have gone 8-2 SU & 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall.  It's a tired Hornets team playing their 7th game in 11 days and in their 7th different city as well.  Look for them to be flat tonight, and that showed last time out in their upset road loss to the Houston Rockets, 143-146.

Chicago owns Charlotte.  The Bulls are have 3-0 SU & 3-0 ATS in the last three meetings with wins by 21, 17 and 13 points.  Chicago is 14-4 ATS in its last 18 games following a loss by 6 points or less.  The Hornets are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 road games.  Charlotte is 8-20 ATS in its last 28 games as a road underdog.  The Bulls are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games following an ATS loss.  Chicago is 13-4 ATS in its last 17 games as a favorite.

Plays against road underdogs (Charlotte) in a game involving two good 3-point shooting teams that make at least 36.5%, after two straight games where they made 16 or more 3-pointers are 30-8 (78.9%) ATS since 1996.  Bet the Bulls Monday.

20* Pistons/Lakers NBA Late-Night BAILOUT on Detroit +11.5

I like the spot for the Detroit Pistons tonight.  They will be out for revenge from their 116-121 loss to the Lakers on November 21st exactly one week ago today.  That was a heated game that led to the suspension of LeBron James.

The Pistons have played a brutal schedule of late during their five-game losing streak, which has them undervalued.  They lost by 3 to the Warriors, by 5 to the Lakers, by 8 to the Heat, by 21 to the Bucks and by 11 to the Clippers.  So they stayed within 11 of four of those five teams, and they can stay within 11 of the Lakers tonight.

Los Angeles has been overvalued all season, especially when James has played, and he is questionable to play tonight.  They are just 2-5 SU & 2-5 ATS in their last seven games overall.  Their lone wins came by 5 over the Pistons and in overtime against the Pacers.  In fact, the Lakers haven't won any of their last 15 games by more than 11 points, making for a perfect 15-0 system backing the Pistons pertaining to this 11.5-point spread.  

Detroit is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games following four or more consecutive losses.  Los Angeles is 0-9 ATS in its last nine games vs. poor shooting teams that make 43% of their shots or worse.  The Pistons are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games following a loss.  The Lakers are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 home games.  Detroit is 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings.  Take the Pistons Sunday.

15* Heat/Bulls Eastern Conference ANNIHILATOR on Miami -1.5

This is a tough spot for the Chicago Bulls.  They will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back after having to fly back from Orlando after a win against the short-handed Magic last night.  It will also be the 9th game in 14 days for the Bulls.  This team simply doesn't have much left in the tank.

Now they have to face a rested, motivated Miami Heat team that comes in on two days' rest and off an upset loss to the Timberwolves.  I don't think the Bulls will be able to match the Heat's energy or intensity in this game tonight.

The Heat are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games vs. a team with a winning record, including 4-0 ATS in their last four games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.  Miami is 15-7 ATS in its last 22 games playing on two days' rest.  The Heat are 4-0 ATS in their last four trips to Chicago.  Take the Heat Saturday.

20* NBA Saturday No-Doubt Rout on Philadelphia 76ers -4.5

The Philadelphia 76ers get Joel Embiid back from COVID tonight.  They come in highly motivated for a victory after struggling without him, going 2-7 SU & 2-7 ATS in their last nine games overall.  This after a solid 8-2 start this season with him on board for most of those games.

The schedule has done the 76ers no favors without Embiid, either.  They have played six straight road games coming in.  But now they are back home where they have been one of the best home teams in the NBA over the past few seasons.  And they are rested and ready to go coming in on two days' rest.

While it's a great time to 'buy low' on the 76ers, it's also a great time to 'sell high' on the Minnesota Timberwolves.  They have gone 5-1 SU & 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall.  But they are in a tough spot tonight playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 10th game in 16 days after a shootout loss in Charlotte last night.  They won't be able to match Philadelphia's energy and intensity tonight.

The Timberwolves are 0-4 ATS in their last four games as road underdogs.  The 76ers are 7-1 ATS in the last eight meetings.  The 76ers are 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings in Philadelphia.  Bet the 76ers Saturday.

15* Bucks/Nuggets NBA TV ANNIHILATOR on Milwaukee -3

The Milwaukee Bucks are 7-0 when Giannis, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday have been on the floor together this season.  They have won five straight games by 7 points or more and are playing their best basketball of the season right now at their healthiest point of the season.

Now they take on an injury-ravaged Denver Nuggets team that is not playing well, going 0-5 SU & 0-5 ATS in their last five games overall with four losses by double-digits.  They are without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., and Nikola Jokic has missed the past three games with a wrist injury and is questionable to return tonight.  I don't think it matters, but would obviously be a bonus if he didn't play.  Roll with the Bucks Friday.

20* NBA Friday No-Doubt Rout on Memphis Grizzlies -1

It's a good time to 'sell high' on the Atlanta Hawks after going 6-0 SU & 5-1 ATS in their final six games prior to Thanksgiving.  They had gone 0-6 SU & 0-6 ATS in their previous six games.  And they won five of those six games at home.

Atlanta has been terrible on the road this season.  The Hawks are 2-8 SU & 1-9 ATS in their 10 road games.  They face a motivated Memphis Grizzlies team that is as healthy as they have been all season now.

The Hawks are 1-11 ATS in their last 12 road games, including 0-8 ATS in their last eight games as road underdogs.  The Hawks are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games as underdogs overall.  The Grizzlies are 20-7 ATS in their last 27 games following a SU loss by more than 10 points.  Bet the Grizzlies Friday.

15* NBA Wednesday UPSET SHOCKER on San Antonio Spurs +4

This is a great time to 'buy low' on the San Antonio Spurs after losing five straight games coming in against a brutal schedule.  But they stayed within 4 points of the red hot Phoenix Suns last time out, and I expect them to upset the Atlanta Hawks at home tonight.  

The Spurs are fresh playing just their 2nd game in 6 days tonight.  They are highly motivated for a victory to end this losing streak heading into Thanksgiving.  And they face a Hawks team they have owned, going 21-2 SU in their last 23 home meetings with Atlanta.

Conversely, it's a great time to 'sell high' on Atlanta, which is 5-0 SU & 4-1 ATS in its last five games overall.  But all five wins came at home.  The Hawks are 1-8 SU & 0-9 ATS on the road this season. They are getting outscored by 10.0 points per game on the highway.  Enough said.  Take the Spurs Wednesday.

20* Nets/Celtics ESPN No-Brainer on Boston +1.5

The Boston Celtics are surging right now in going 8-3 SU & 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games overall with all three losses on the road including two by a combined 5 points.  They are 5-0 SU & 4-1 ATS at home during this stretch with wins over the Raptors by 16, Bucks by 9, Lakers by 22, Rockets by 18 and Thunder by 5.

Now they host a Brooklyn Nets team that is banged up.  The Nets are just 0-3-1 ATS in their last four games overall with narrow wins over some bad teams in Cleveland (twice) and Orlando, as well as an 18-point loss to Golden State.  They are without Joe Harris and Bruce Brown, which puts way too much on Durant and Harden's shoulders.

Plays on home teams where the line is +3 to -3 (Boston) - after beating the spread by 24 or more points total in their last three games against an opponent that went over the total by 42 or more points in their last seven games are 28-8 (77.8%) ATS over the last five seasons.  Bet the Celtics Wednesday.

15* NBA Wednesday Non-Conference KNOCKOUT on Indiana Pacers -3.5

The Lakers are a tired team right now which is a big reason they are just 1-4 SU & 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall.  Now they will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back after a 6-point loss to the Knicks last night.  It will also be the 7th game in 11 days for the Lakers.  They haven't had two days off in a row since October 20-21.

The Indiana Pacers are flashing their potential now that they are as healthy as they have been all season.  The Pacers are 7-5 SU & 8-4 ATS in their last 12 games overall.  Their last two games have been very impressive with a 15-point home win over New Orleans and a 32-point road win at Chicago.

The Lakers are 2-16 ATS in their last 18 road games with a total set of 210 to 219.5.  The Lakers are 1-5 ATS in their last six road games.  The Pacers are 4-0 ATS in their last four home games.  Indiana is 5-0 ATS in its last five home meetings with Los Angeles.  Roll with the Pacers Wednesday.