Jayson Tatum has grabbed nine-plus rebounds in five of his last six games. He's averaging 9.1 rebounds since his return a little less than a month ago. Tatum was rested on Monday, so he enters this matchup at Miami having not played since Sunday. The Heat play at the NBA's fastest pace and give up the fourth-most rebounds per game (55.1). Look for Tatum to be a force on the boards.
Jarrett Allen played 18 minutes in his first game back from a 10-game absence due to knee tendinitis, racking up 18 points and 10 rebounds against the Heat. He should see 20-25 minutes in Tuesday's showdown with the Lakers after sitting out Monday's game. He has cleared this prop total in 15 of his last 16 games. Even with a few fewer minutes, I love Allen to thrive in this matchup after resting since Friday.
Phoenix is playing the second night of a back-to-back but the Suns are getting reinforcements while the Magic look discombobulated. Orlando has lost seven of eight after getting embarrassed by Toronto. This should be a pick-em so I took the points.
The Hawks have won 12 straight home games, and they have a clean injury report entering Monday's showdown with Boston. It's a quick revenge spot for Atlanta, which fell 109-102 in Boston on Friday. The Celtics won in Charlotte on Sunday without Jaylen Brown or Derrick White, while the Hawks rested. Jayson Tatum poured in 32 points on 12-of-23 shooting, adding eight assists. It's unclear if Tatum will play on the second night of a back-to-back, and whether Brown and White will return; the Celtics' injury report has not been released. Either way, I like the young Hawks to stay hot at home.
Aaron Gordon is out, weakning an already suspect Denver defense. We have a total of 237.5 for this matchup. At this stage of his career, Draymond Green is primarily a defensive anchor as well as a facilitator. He had 10 assists last time out vs. Washington. Look for Green to dish out at least six assists for the eighth time in 13 games this month.
Kyle Filipowski is averaging 8.8 rebounds in March, and on Saturday night he'll start at center versus a Suns team starting Oso Ighodaro at center. Filipowski has cleared this prop total in eight of 12 games this month. Last time out, Phoenix gave up a whopping 60 rebounds.
Cooper Flagg has cleared this prop total in three straight games and five of his last six overall. He also cleared it in both previous matchups with Portland this season. Look for Flagg to continue filling up the box score Friday night. I would also play this Over 13.5 at close to even money.
The Knicks have won seven straight, but all have come against inferior competition. This is a big step up against a Charlotte team that's on a 22-6 heater. Over the past 15 games, Charlotte owns the NBA's No. 1 offensive rating. Coby White has provided a nice spark off the bench since being acquired from the Bulls, giving the Hornets five dangerous 3-point shooters. They usually have four on the court at once. The Knicks blew out Charlotte in late November and early December, but this is a different Hornets' team now.
The Magic are desperate to end their six-game skid, and they couldn't have picked a better opponent. The Kings have allowed 122-plus points in four straight games and, for the season, they give up the fifth-most points in the paint. It sets up well for another big game from Paolo Banchero. He has scored 75 points in the past two games, and he tallied 30 in his lone previous meeting with Sacramento this season. With Anthony Black and Franz Wagner still out and Jalen Suggs questionable with an illness, look for Banchero to carry the load yet again.
We have a total of 245.5 for Mavericks-Nuggets, and Aaron Gordon is out. While Peyton Watson returns, this is still a great spot for Christian Braun. He's cleared this prop total in six of his last eight games, the two misses coming by a half-point. He has shot over 50 percent in six straight games. Look for at least 12 points from Braun on Wednesday.
Dyson Daniels has faced the Pistons three times, putting up 27, 20, and 33 combined points, assists and rebounds. He's coming off a blowout win in which he played just 24 minutes. This game is expected to be tight, suggesting Daniels will play 30-plus minutes. Jalen Johnson (left shoulder inflammation) is questionable. I expect Johnson to play in this big matchup in Detroit, but if he doesn't then Daniels' usage certainly would go up.
Paolo Banchero took 27 shots and scored 39 points in Monday's heartbreaking loss to Indiana. He also finished with six assists as Jalen Suggs didn't play. Suggs is out again. Banchero won't get the same easy looks he got vs. Indiana, so I expect him to set up his teammates even more.
Alperen Sengun has a great matchup in Chicago, as the Bulls lack rim protectors who can stop him. He scored 23 points in the earlier meeting with the Bulls. Chicago also plays at the fourth-fastest pace and has allowed 124.5 points per game over its last seven outings. Sengun did not clear this prop line in four of his last five games, but this is a terrific matchup.
The Pacers own the fifth-worst defensive rating and give up the second-most rebounds per game (56.2). Paolo Banchero has faced Indiana twice this season, putting up 29 points and 10 rebounds and then 28 and 12. Indiana's Ivica Zubac is out for the season, and the Pacers started Pascal Siakam at center last time out.
Wizards guard Bub Carrington has played 33-plus minutes in three straight games, scoring 59 total points. Those games came against OKC and Detroit (twice). On Feb. 3, Carrington scored 14 points in 25 minutes versus New York. Look for the Knicks to win in a blowout but Carrington to score at least 11 points Sunday night.