2 Expert Picks
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Jaden McDaniels has poured in 21 and 17 points the last two games without Anthony Edwards (foot) in the lineup. Edwards is officially questionable; he did individual drills Tuesday but was not a full participant in practice. Minnesota has OKC on deck Friday, a game it will definitely need Ant to play in. Even if Edwards plays Wednesday against Memphis, McDaniels could very well score 16 points. He's averaging 17.0 points at home on 12.7 shots per game. In six games without Edwards, McDaniels is averaging 21.5 points.
DraftKings. Usage play on Donte DiVencenzo - who has cleared this line in four of six games without Anthony Edwards. Without Mike Conley either, DDV will be relied on to run the offense. Good matchup against a Grizzlies defense that are a top five matchup for opposing point guards. I’d bet this up to over 20.5.
FanDuel. I’m continuing to key in on Jaylon Tyson. In his elevated role, he’s cleared this combined line in 12 of 16 games with at least 24 minutes played. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, he should be in for another solid workload, as the Cavs will be without both Evan Mobley and Sam Merrill. The Bulls play fast (third in pace) and allow plenty of rebounds (sixth most). Tyson thrived in this matchup earlier this season with 17 points and 7 rebounds in 31 minutes - I expect more of the same tonight.
Jaren Jackson Jr. played 33 minutes and scored 31 points in his last game Monday versus the Clippers. Still, he grabbed just four rebounds. He has hauled in fewer than six rebounds in six of his last eight games and is averaging 5.0 rebounds for the season. Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle have helped the Timberwolves allow the 11th-fewest rebounds per game in the league, so Jackson could be in line for another quiet night on the boards.
The Cavaliers continue to play without Evan Mobley (calf) and Sam Merrill (hand). With those two sidelined Sunday against the Hornets, Jaylon Tyson recorded 16 points and 13 rebounds. Over his last 11 games, he has combined for at least 20 points and rebounds eight times. The Bulls have the seventh-worst defensive rating and have given up the sixth-most rebounds per game in the league, so look for Tyson to be productive again.
Who's in...who's out? Questions here regarding both Ja Morant and Anthony Edwards as each listed as gametime decisions due to injuries tonight. In Ja's case, he returned two games ago for the Griz and didn't help in a loss to Utah, but Memphis weathered his distractive presence and whipped the Clips on Monday despite Ja twisting his ankle in 4th Q. As for Edwards (foot), the T-wolves have won their last two minus him. Which way to turn? The Grizzlies have definitely turned a corner in recent weeks, winning 8 of 11, and in case Ja doesn't feature that might even be a plus. If Edwards doesn't go for Minnesota, and with Mike Conley out, the Wolves could be thin in the backcourt. Play Grizzlies
New York is just 4-7 ATS in away from the Garden this season. They’ll also be without Deuce McBride and Landry Shamet tonight but besides those two, they’re fully healthy. The Spurs are a young, fun team and just defeated the reigning champs, but New York is more proven with a veteran lineup and bench. Victor Wembanyama just returned after missing a month and came off the bench Saturday, doubt he comes off the bench tonight, but still could be limited. The Spurs struggle defending the opponents mid-range shots, where Jalen Brunson can carve up any defense.
San Antonio is coming off ending the Oklahoma City Thunder’s sixteen game winning streak in Saturday’s semi-final win. When a star player returns the impact is typically felt in the second game. Expect Wemby to have a minutes increase, and for the Knicks star guard to be ready to attack the Spurs defense. Additionally, the Spurs have two players Mike Brown coached on his last time in Sacramento in D’Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes. Expect Brown to have the right sets for Brunson to attack in half court.
If it was the NBA Cup championship or just a standard regular season game, to me tonight is the perfect time to fade the Spurs. They blew out a Lakers team as a seven point underdog, and ended the Thunder’s sixteen game win streak. Postgame after defeating the Magic, we heard Karl Anthony Towns talk about the Knicks having had their best practices of the season. It’s carried over onto the court where the Knicks have won eight out of their last nine games. The East wins the NBA cup for a second straight season.
How many times can the Spurs be disrespected? The Knicks are favored in this game?!? Weren't the Thunder the best team in the NBA? And what did the Spurs do to them? Hand them their second loss of the year, with Victor Wembanyama back in the lineup and being effective. I see the same result in this NBA Cup title game. Give me the Spurs on the money line.
Jalen Brunson has scored 30-plus points in four straight games, including a 40-point outburst in the NBA Cup semifinals. He has played 39 minutes in each of the last two rounds, and that should be his floor Tuesday in the final. Miles McBride and Landry Shamet remain sidelined; I don't expect Mike Brown to trust Jordan Clarkson and Tyler Kolek with big minutes. Look for Brunson, shooting 50.4 percent over his last 12 games, to put up at least 30 in this spotlight game.
This just feels like a game the veteran Knicks might be itching for more than the young Spurs considering NYC hasn't celebrated an NBA championship in anything since 1973. And there is the fact Victor Wembanyama is expected to remain on a pitch count and perhaps come off the bench again. I know cash is at stake here, but the Spurs might be a tad flat off that really entertaining upset of OKC on Saturday. If we go by season net rating, NY is at plus-8.6 and SA at plus-4.2. Also pretty sure tonight will be mostly Knicks fans in Vegas for what that's worth.
DraftKings. It’s a tougher matchup for Karl-Anthony Towns tonight. The Spurs allow the seventh fewest points plus rebounds to opposing centers this season. Against teams in the top 20 of both points in the paint allowed and rebounds allowed (Spurs are 7th in both categories), Towns is under this line in six of nine games. It’s a very tough individual matchup against Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet, and when the former is on the court, Towns becomes a big time foul liability. I’d bet this down to under 31.5.