Alex's Picks (1 Live)
Alex's Past Picks
Deni Avdija has been sensational for the Trailblazers and is very likely to make his first All-Star appearance. While the 6th year veteran seemingly gets better every game, this is a tall order for Avdija who has failed to eclipse this line in 15/20 games. Even in a paced up environment, this number is closer to Avdijas ceiling.
Russell Westbrook continues to play big minutes for a struggling Kings team and to his credit is still capable of stuffing the stat sheet. That being said, Russ has been very inefficient and gets a tough matchup against one of the better defenses in the league in Minnesota in a game with blow out potential. I believe Russ is playing above his head at the moment and is a regression candidate.
Aaron Gordon has been playing great basketball but he’s a regression candidate and considering the price point here and that he’s a sub 34% shooter from the perimeter, I will continue to go back to the proverbial well. This is also a tough matchup versus a Houston defense that plays slow as they rank bottom five in pace of play/possessions per game. Will take fade AG threes as long as it’s plus money and set at 1.5.
This looks like a good buy low for Zach LaVine coming off of two consecutive duds and as a result we’re getting a discount on his scoring line. LaVine gets a friendly matchup against a Grizzlies team that ranks 20th in Defensive Efficiency and rank 10th in pace.
This is a big number for Russell Westbrook in what is a brutal matchup against the leagues best team and defense in Oklahoma City. We’re also working with an 18.5 point favorite so there is some serious blowout risk as here as well.
This is a big combination line for Harrison Barnes at this stage of his career. Barnes seemingly will get increased usage without Wemby in the lineup, however his splits with and without Wemby remain nearly identical.
This is big combo line for Jalen Johnson, however the 4th year star has been playing lights out since Trae Young suffered an injury. Without Young in the lineup, Johnson is averaging over 40 PRA and his playmaking is on full display handing out 7.5 assists, in addition to 22 points and 11 rebounds. In a game that projects to be competitive, I like Johnson’s chances of stuffing the stat sheet once again.
Steph Curry continues to play tremendously even this stage of his career. Unsurprisingly Steph’s game has aged well and the NBA legend is averaging a robust 27 PPG. While Steph is capable of heating up every night, 28 points is a tall order, especially in a difficult matchup that is likely to be paced down. After a slow start, the Magic have looked much better over the last 5 games and are their defense has been excellent. I’d make this line 25.5.
Aaron Gordon has been sensational for the Nuggets and is averaging a career high 2.5 made threes per game, while shooting a blistering 47.5% from the arc. While Gordon has been awesome, he is a significant regression candidate as he is a career 33% shooter from three and he didn’t become Steph Curry in the offseason. Considering the price point and blowout potential, I am likely to fade him at this number anytime it’s plus money.
We’re getting a significant discount on this combination line for LaMelo Ball who did miss 5 games as a result of an ankle injury, however this will be his 2nd game back. LaMelo played 27 minutes on Friday night and I expect that number to land somewhere between 32-34 for a game that projects to be high scoring and a paced up environment. Ball is averaging just shy of 39 PRA which is in line with what he’s averaged the last 2+ seasons.
This is a big line for Russell Westbrook who still has some gas in the tank but in a difficult matchup with blowout potential, this is an auto fade for me.
I’ve been very impressed with Keyonte George who is playing big minutes for the Jazz as their starting PG. George is averaging just shy of 11 R+A on the season and this is a friendly number in what projects to be a competitive game environment. George has double digit assist upside and considering his role, usage, and playing time, this looks like a good spot to back the talented young guard.
James Harden has settled in very nicely and is enjoying late career success despite not being the dominant scorer he was in his prime. Harden is still very capable but doesn’t get to the line nearly as frequently and often times looks to get his teammates involved versus taking voluminous shot attempts. Hes facing an elite perimeter defense tonight against OKC.
Joel Embiid is coming off a season high 25 minutes after scoring 20 points against the Celtics on Friday night. Embiid has had 3 days to rest and could see his minutes creep up to the 28-32 range against a vulnerable Bulls frontcourt. Chicago has been very generous to opposing Centers allowing the 5th most PPG to the position, in addition to Embiid routinely torching an overmatched Nikola Vucevic.











