The Toronto Raptors have lost eleven straight games against the New York Knicks. In late January it looked like that would finally end as they had a 66 to 55 lead in the third quarter, only to be outscored 64 to 25 the rest of the way. Look for the Raptors to be inspired off the flat performance and to end their long losing streak against the Knicks. Additionally, New York’s last win against the Spurs in the NBA Cup championship led to over aggressive spreads, as the Knicks went 1-10 ATS over their next eleven games. Tail the Raptors.
The Boston Celtics are choosing to rest Jaylen Brown once again in a back to back spot. This worked on the front end of the last instance against the Phoenix Suns, and also in early February against the Houston Rockets. Different scenario this time against a Milwaukee Bucks team I expect to bounce back from two embarrassing losses. They were blown out by the New York Knicks and allowed a 27 to 0 run in yesterday’s loss to the Bulls. Tail Milwaukee in a must win spot.
Today the Orlando Magic will host the Detroit Pistons and hope to avoid their first losing streak at home since January 24th. The Magic have been involved in four straight games down to the wire, but are coming off a difficult five point loss to the Houston Rockets. Look for the Pistons to shake off a couple of sluggish performances against the Thunder and Cavaliers. Lay the number with the Pistons.
Despite being undermanned and in a back to back spot the Dallas Mavericks are favored tonight. Memphis, has been on a decline ATS since their return from a west coast road trip earlier this month. Defensively over their last three games they gave up 136 points to Miami, 133 to Golden State, and Sacramento ended their 16 game losing streak against them. Tail the Mavericks.
Three games ago the Portland Trailblazers were embarrassed by Denver losing 157 to 103. Since they have covered the number in each of their last two games. They have also won each of their last two road games by margins of 15 and 16 points. Even with their team injuries including Deni Avdija, they still have better stability than a Bulls team that has dropped ten straight. Tail Portland.
A player that has shined this year in back to back spots has been Brandon Ingram. His second and most points on the season have came on the second night of back to backs. He scored 37 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and 33 against the Chicago Bulls. This is also the Spurs lone East Coast road trip this season, and just the second of five straight games against Eastern Conference teams. Look for a defensive lapse from the Spurs and Ingram to clear his points prop.
The Detroit Pistons have won and covered five straight games overall. Look for that to end against a Spurs team that has also has a win streak winning their last eight games. One of the weaknesses of the Pistons post New Year’s is they are 2-7 ATS against Western Conference teams. In fact three of their four losses have come against teams out the West. Tail the Spurs.
The Orlando Magic are in a back to back spot tonight off a hard overtime loss against the Phoenix Suns. They’ll travel to face a Clippers team that will be thin without John Collins and even possibly Kawhi Leonard. On the year the Magic had one of their most decisive wins over the Clippers winning 129-101. Take the Magic tonight.
Teams with poor records typically give their last all out effort right after All Star break. I’m expecting that with the 15 win Pelicans in this window currently. Milwaukee went into the break with wins in five out of their last six games, including a four point home win over New Orleans. The Pelicans return the favor tonight and clear the spread.
The New York Knicks are coming off possibly their worst loss of the season in last night’s defeat to the Pacers. It will be a tough spot tonight to face Philadelphia, but this is also a 76ers team returning from a five game West coast road trip. They showed poor defense in the final game giving up 135 points to Portland. Look for Bridges to also be motivated as his scoring has dipped each game this year against Philadelphia, including a season worst 19 percent shooting in the last matchup.
Their last time out the Phoenix Suns let one get away in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors. It showcased how much the Suns are missing with Jalen Green, Devin Booker, and now Grayson Allen out tonight. Still, the Philadelphia 76ers hot streak of winning or covering in six straight games comes to an end here. Phoenix beat them in Philadelphia on January 20th, where Tyrese Maxey was hindered to 7 of 25 from the floor.
The Portland Trailblazers come into tonight on a six game losing streak. With Deni Avdija in and out of the lineup it’s caused a dip in the Trailblazers play. There’s a chance he will return tonight, and even if he doesn’t look for Portland to capitalize against one of the more undermanned teams in the NBA right now in Memphis. Lay it with Portland.
The Phoenix Suns have been one of the popular teams in the NBA to attack from a spread stand point, as they have not lost consecutive games at home since mid December. The number has finally been adjusted by oddsmakers, and tonight is a value spot for the underdog Golden State Warriors. Often times you see a team play better after a big trade. The Jonathan Kuminga saga is now over, and even though the Warriors have key star players out look for the cover on the road. Take the underdog.
The Memphis Grizzlies just traded away Jaren Jackson Jr, so an already thin roster will have to make due tonight against Sacramento. One of the toughest things to do is return from a lengthy road trip and Sacramento is aiming to do so after a six game east coast road trip. They were extremely flat in Sunday’s loss against the Wizards. With this being a late game there is also a chance of players being dealt in a very active trade period. Take the Grizzlies.
The Philadelphia 76ers have enjoyed playing nine out of their last ten games at home. Travel for a cross country flight to Los Angeles I do believe will have enough of an impact to downgrade Philadelphia tonight. Joel Embiid has scored 29 points or more in seven straight games and had his first forty point outing of the season. Expect a dip against a Clippers team that has already covered the number in a back to bak spot against Philadelphia in November.