1 Expert Pick
Ja Morant's return not necessarily good news for the Griz...
Can the Warriors finally beat the Blazers? A pair of earlier meetings this season resulted in defeats, but Portland wasn't wobbling as much in October when romping 139-119 (Golden State flat after a wild OT win over the Nuggets the previous night). The Blazers had shown signs of sagging before the November 21 win at Chase Center, but at the moment it looks close to a full retreat, dropping six of seven and thumped in the last two at Memphis and New Orleans. For the Dubs, only Al Horford is out, and Steve Kerr's bunch won its last two at Cleveland and Chicago on the recent road trip. Steph Curry also scored 36.5 ppg vs. the Blazers in the two earlier meetings. Play Warriors
Here is a unique intersection of bounce-back and revenge for the Lake Show tonight in Phoenix. Much ado about Lakers defensive shortcomings after LA was shot full of holes by the Spurs in Wednesday's NBA Cup loss at Crypto.com. Moreover, Austin Reaves will be missing this game tonight in the desert. Still, the combo of Wednesday's humbling and a 125-108 home loss to the Suns two weeks ago in LA makes this an interesting psychological spot for the Lake Show. Still to be determined for Phoenix are statuses of Dillon Brooks (who scored 33 in that 17-point win) and Devin Booker, out since that same December 1 game. No matter, revenge and bounce-back both line up on LA's side tonight. Play Lakers
Much is being made about the Lakers' defensive shortcomings, which were exposed again when the Spurs knocked the Lake Show out of the NBA Cup on Wednesday at Crypto.com. Slowness on the perimeter made it tough to keep pace with the rapid-fire Spurs shooters, who kept finding open looks, especially beyond the arc, where they canned 17 triples. Of course the Suns fared even worse on Wednesday at OKC, but didn't have Devin Booker, who might be available tonight. If not, remember Booker only played 10 minutes in the 125-108 Phoenix win at LA on December 1, when Dillon Brooks (likely available) scored 33 and Collin Gillespie added 28 in a game that looked remarkably similar to the Spurs' win at LA. Play Lakers-Suns Over
I don't get this number even if Zion Williamson returns for the Pels. Just so tired of the Bulls' mediocrity that I'm not even sure I care any longer -- but I still think they are better than New Orleans. And they appeared to blow it yet again in the 2025 draft not taking Derik Queen, who went 13th to NO and having a nice year. Chicago took French forward Noa Essengue with the No. 12 pick and he has played 6 minutes this year and will not again due to injury. Maybe if the Bulls had an owner who actually cared about winning. The Reinsdorf family will never sell as the club is a cash cow. They will dump the White Sox. A start.
Anthony Edwards (foot) will not play in this game. When he sat out Friday against the Warriors, Julius Randle scored 27 points over 34 minutes. Edwards has missed five games this season. Over those five games, Randle averaged 26.6 points. Combine Edwards being out with the Kings having the fourth-worst defensive rating in the league and Randle has a favorable opportunity to hit this over.
Trey Murphy III has scored at least 20 points in eight of his last 10 games. He is averaging 21.2 points per game for the season. The likely reason why his line has been set this low is that Zion Williamson (adductor) is trending towards playing. Jordan Poole is also back. While they will eat up some shot attempts, the Bulls have played at the second-fastest pace and have the eighth-worst defensive rating in the league. Murphy can still come away from this game with at least 20 points.
DraftKings. Jalen Johnson has cleared this line in six straight games, including a 14 rebound effort against the 76ers (11 in regulation). The 76ers are allowing the ninth most rebounds per game, and with Joel Embiid manning the middle, Johnson should be in prime position to crash off of his action.
Not since before Halloween have the Bucks won back-to-back games, which makes us think that Friday's win over the Celtics might prove a tough act to follow. Boston helped by missing 35 triples at Fiserv Forum, and Milwaukee is going to continue for the next couple of weeks, it seems, minus Giannis, now dealing with a bothersome calf strain. The Bucks hit 58% from the floor on Friday, another act that's likely hard to repeat. Meanwhile the Nets aren't playing too badly, with wins in three of five and pushing the hot Mavs into the final minute on Friday, and Michael Porter Jr on a real heater, scoring 33 or more in four of the last five Brooklyn games. Play Nets
Confronting the injury myth here, expecting the improved Sixers to offer some value even if minus some of their big guns. Tyrese Maxey has already been ruled out and there's a good chance Joel Embiid (knee; gametime decision) might not feature, either, but Philly looks rejuvenated for Nick Nurse, winning four of its last five, and here is a chance to shine for sorts like Gs Quentin Grimes & VJ Edgecombe, who have been producing effectively, not to mention Paul George, off of 23 points on Friday vs. the Pacers. Meanwhile, Atlanta is hardly at full strength, still down Trae Young, and Kristaps Porzingis also sidelined. The Hawks have also dropped four of five, allowing a whopping 131 ppg the last three. Play Sixers
The Pacers ran into a hot Joel Embiid (season-high 39 points) and the Sixers on Friday, but most of the recent trendlines are good for Indiana, which had won four of six before the 115-105 loss at Philly. Rick Carlisle is still working on short rations with the injury situation (no Haliburton, no Toppin, no Nembhard, among others), but there are still some valuable pieces available like Pascal Siakam (24.3 ppg) and Bennedict Mathurin (20.3 ppg), and the team having had time to adjust to the absences. We can always go against the Wizards, too, who were flattened 119-96 by the Pacers not long ago (November 28), and are on another losing streak (four) that includes defeats by 19, 45, and 15 points. Play Pacers
DraftKings at -130. Stephon Castle has cleared this rebound line in 13 of 14 full games he’s played this season. Even with Victor Wembanyama returning to play limited minutes tonight, Castle should continue to crash the boards from the wing. The Thunder are league average in rebounds allowed (53.5 is 15th most), and I expect Castle to come out aggressive in the NBA Cup semifinals.
Injury news first, as Wemby (calf strain) is slated to return to SA's lineup for the first time in four weeks tonight vs. the Thunder at T-Mobile. Though his presence should be a positive, we're not sure it will be tonight as the Spurs had adjusted nicely to his absence in recent weeks. No matter, this is a much different matchup for San Antonio than Wednesday's NBA Cup quarterfinal win over the Lakers, whose defensive slowness on the perimeter was made for the quick-fire Spurs offense to exploit. OKC, especially with Lu Dort back in the lineup, is going to present a much more difficult challenge. The Thunder is also 24-1 SU this season (just thought we'd mention that note!). Play Thunder (at las Vegas)
The NBA Cup semi-finals are here in Las Vegas. Both games have big favorites for a neutral site NBA game. New York has won eight out of their last nine games, with one of those a six point win over the Orlando Magic. In their latest win Jalen Brunson corrected his issues beyond the three point line by going six of nine against the Raptors. Lay the number here with the Knicks.
The NBA Cup seems made for this version of the Knicks. With new HC Mike Brown pushing most of the right buttons, the NBA Cup has been a motivator for Jalen Brunson & Co, who rolled past the Raps on the road in the quarterfinals on Tuesday night. The current win streak is now at four and includes a win over the Magic at MSG last Sunday when Brunson led the way with 30 points. That Sunday result was important for NY as it reversed a pair of earlier losses to the Magic at the Kia Center in November. Orlando is also minus key F Franz Wagner, though they did top the Heat when minus Franz in Tuesday's other quarterfinal. Play Knicks (at Las Vegas)