Yes, the Magic are the second half of a back-to-back following a loss to the Clippers. In that game, they struggled from 3-point range but I thought their defense was still very good. The Lakers have had the softest schedule in November: Take the points.

Denver is in a funk and the Nuggets have no true identity. Now we're expected to lay big points in their first true road game? No thanks. I’ll take all these points with a Raptors team that destroyed the 76ers the last time they played at home.

I’m high on the Rockets this season. Last campaign, they made a huge improvement from 2022-23. They possess young stars and a solid bench. I’d lay 10 points against the Hornets, who are dreadful.

Dallas finally got one game last time out and now all these points are so tempting. The 3-point line is the key stat! Boston was +21 in games 1-3, while Dallas won the 3-point line in Game 4 and dominated the game. Let’s have a close one tonight!

Kyrie Irving needs to be much better and WILL BE much better at home in Game 3. Dallas had its chances late in Game 2 and this is simply a “must” win spot.

Minnesota finally broke through with a win in this series. This game feels like Game 6 of the Denver series in which the Nuggets just laid down and got blown out. Minnesota rolls at home. See you in Dallas for Game 6.

Luka Doncic is getting stronger as this series goes on. He is also getting help outside of Kyrie Irving from PJ Washington (19 ppg in this series) and Derrick Jones (11 ppg in this series). Mavs roll at home.

The Nuggets have scored at least 112 points in three straight games after reaching 112 in one of their first seven this postseason. They have figured out the Timberwolves and win the series tonight in the Twin Cities. Great in-series adjustments by Nuggets coach Michael Malone.

Denver has FINALLY woke up following a 2-0 deficit to the series. Look for the Nuggets to build on their momentum and take control of the series. I'm backing the ML as opposed to laying points.

The Knicks are better at full strength, but now they are injury-depleted and in some trouble Coach Thibs already doesn’t like to sub and now he has nobody to turn to. Pacers roll in MSG.

The Cavaliers are in a funk. Who better to come to town than the Charlotte Hornets. This game will not be competitive. The Hornets are playing out the season, while every win matters for Cleveland. Lay the points.

Full disclosure: I have Creighton in my Final 4. The Bluejays should be favored in this game, but this number is too high. Creighton has struggled against rugged, physical teams like Akron this year. The Zips have experience too. I'm taking the dog.

The Heat have owned the 76ers this year, winning both matchups convincingly. Miami is a real contender to win the East. What are the 76ers? Not real contenders. I’d even take money line here also.

The Suns catch a Cavs team that is playing some terrible basketball and is not healthy. Cleveland just got whacked by the Nets, a team that had previously lost to the Hornets and Pistons. Now the Cavs are on the second half of a back-to-back. The Suns roll.

I know the Pistons are terrible and the Nets have been playing better since the coaching change. Those are facts. But this is a road test for Brooklyn, and Detroit has been playing decently of late, even winning a game against in Chicago. I know it’s tough to do, but take the Pistons and the points.