Mackenzie's Picks (3 Live)
Mackenzie's Past Picks
The volume is there for PJ Washington. We've fell just short of this two games in a row and it's giving us the opportunity for a buy low spot. Washington is 1 for 9 from deep in his past two games, with the good news being he's put up 8 attempts. Dallas needs a better performance from him tonight to stay in this game, especially with a not 100% Luka. The Model makes the number 12.
Let's talk about guys who will stay on the court. I'll be the first to admit I'm not entirely sure how this game script will play out, so I'm looking to guys who I know will be on the court regardless. The Miami injuries are adding up with Jaime Jaquez now out and Duncan Robinson still limited. Highsmith is in line for at least 25 minutes here. He's eclipsed this number in both games this series he played 26+ minutes.
Season trends go out the window here. There are only so many players left on Miami's roster who can score the basketball. He only played 16 minutes in Game 4 and had 3 points, but aside from that he's eclipsed this over in every other game. He should see at least 25 minutes tonight, and in that case the over is 10-4. The Sportsline Model makes the number 11.
This is an insane line. I understand he had 18 in Game 3 but this feels like a bit if an exaggeration. He's only his this over twice in his last 15 games. In his highest production, 30+ minute games this season, he is still hitting this under in 12 of the 14. Same story with games without Giannis: strong trends to the under. I think Bobby Portis can have himself an awesome game across the board tonight, but I think that can be done with 11 boards.
Donovan Mitchell has hit this with everything working against him. He had 6 assists and 7 assists at Orlando, despite the team's overall bad offensive performance. When the series was in Cleveland, the Cavs had a big edge on the boards, I expect them to return to that here in game 5. Jarrett Allen's questionable status could also open up the boards for Mitchell.
This line is based on a season average that doesn't apply. Donte DiVincenzo is 10-2 to the over coming into this game. With the mounting injuries on the Knicks side, I expect a big game from him all around. The Sportsline Model has him projected for 4.3.
Not asking anything of Lowry he hasn't done. He's eclipsed this line in 3 of the four games this series, just one point shy in Game 4. I'll take that as a chance to hop back on the over. If Philly has any chance in this game, it will require solid performances from the supporting cast. And if they get blown out, I could still see Lowry getting heavy minutes here.
This could be a good buy low spot with Jamal Murray's status. More field-goal attempts could be in store for KCP. But regardless, he has strong home splits and strong trends against the Lakers historically. He should be able to obtain this passively, just based off the amount of time he is spending on the floor this series. The Sportsline model makes the number almost 12 with Murray in the lineup.
We're loading up for a big Trey Murphy night. Backs up against the wall and back home, I expect a lot of volume from him tonight. He's played massive minutes in this series and I can't imagine that is going anywhere. Forwards who average around 14-16 points, average 17 points against OKC at home. The potential was there in Game 3, just need a few more shots to fall. I'm adding the assists because as a team, the shooting has no choice but to get better than 85 points. There should be some assists boosts felt across the lineup.
I'm on the Kristaps Porzingis train. This feels like an overreaction to his Game 2 ugly loss stats. At the end of the day, this is a line set far below his season average, and this is a line he has eclipsed twice now in this series. I can't imagine we see another massive blowout tonight so I feel confident Porzingis should get all the minutes and volume he needs for this. The Sportsline Model has him hitting this over with just points alone.
We're not asking Derrick White to do anything he hasn't already. White has eclipsed this number in both games against Miami. I understand the books adjusting for a road game, but Miami actually plays worse defense at home and allows 2% high 3-point percentage. He's had three recent single digit games which I think is adjusting this line, but before that was on a nine game streak to this over. White historically doesn't have issues on the road and I don't anticipate it beginning tonight.
Not going to over think this here. This is below Austin Reaves' season average and is a response to two recent low production nights. Reaves saw less minutes because of D'Angelo Russell's massive night in Game 2, and i'll take my chances we don't see that again from Russell again in Game 3. This is available at 12.5 at some spots, and I see this quickly steaming by Thursday night. The Sportsline Model has Reaves projected for almost 15 points in 32 minutes.