5 Expert Picks
Donovan Mitchell is listed as probable after sitting out Friday against the Bulls with an illness...
The Cavs haven't been much better than the Browns the past few weeks...
The Pacers have problems scoring...
Is this a mini-uptick or something more substantial for the Blazers? ...
Can the Magic repeat last month's win over the Dubs in Orlando? ...
Alperen Sengun did very little in 30 minutes at Denver on Saturday, posting eight points, six rebounds and four assists. In five previous December games, the 23-year-old Rockets center collected an average of 47.2 points, assists and rebounds. This is a terrific matchup against the Kings, and I expect Sengun to bounce back and dominate. On Dec. 3 in Houston, Sengun had 28 points, 10 rebounds and three assists in 30 minutes vs. Sacramento.
The Wizards will be very shorthanded Sunday with Alex Sarr, Khris Middleton, Bilal Coulibaly, Corey Kispert and Cam Whitmore all out. With their depth chart being limited lately, Kyshawn George has played at least 36 minutes in four of the last five games. In each of those four games, he finished with at least 12 combined rebounds and assists. A heavy workload could help him hit this over.
Carlton Carrington has started each of the last five games for the Wizards. In his new role, he has averaged 36 minutes and 16.6 points. In all five games, he scored at least 11 points. Alex Sarr, Khris Middleton, Bilal Coulibaly, Corey Kispert and Cam Whitmore are all out Sunday, so Carrington should play a lot again.
A bit bumpy lately for the Heat, loser in six of seven and apparently missing explosive G Tyler Herro (23.2 ppg; out the past two weeks with toe.). Herro is slated to miss again on Sunday, and worth noting that before the Celtics' Derrick White erupted for nine triples on Friday to speed up the pace at TD Garden, Miami scorelines has been reducing. The previous five losses in the current slump saw the Heat held to 111 points or fewer. As for the Knicks, they looked a bit tired on Friday vs. the Sixers, and note the last meeting between these two landed on 228 on November 17, the pace much slowed from their previous clash three nights earlier. Play Heat-Knicks Under
Jalen Johnson has been absolutely on fire recently and while he’s certainly an All-Star caliber forward, this combo line is approaching Luka Doncic territory. Even in an up tempo game environment, I would fade Johnson at this number, especially considering Trae Young is back in the Hawks lineup.
DraftKings. I’m going to stay on Maxime Raynaud today - the rookie had the best game of his young career (29 points and 11 rebounds) on Thursday in this same matchup against the Trail Blazers. Sacramento will continue to be without Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and Drew Eubanks, which opens up a ton of opportunities for the Stanford product. Coming off a game with a 27% usage rate and 16 paint touches, Raynaud should feature prominently again tonight.
Guard depth will be an issue for the Grizzlies with Ja Morant (ankle) and Vince Williams Jr. (knee) out. Jaylen Wells has already been playing more lately, averaging 30 minutes over his last 11 games. During that stretch, he scored at least 15 points nine times. The Wizards have played at the sixth-fastest pace and have the worst defensive rating in the league, so I think Wells can stay hot in the scoring department and hit this over.
With Ja Morant (ankle) out Wednesday against the Timberwolves, Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 28 points. The game prior, he put up 31 points versus the Clippers. Morant will be out again Saturday, which should leave additional shot attempts for Jackson. The Wizards have played at the sixth-fastest pace and have the worst defensive rating in the league, which puts Jackson in a favorable position to hit this over at home.
No Ja Morant might even be a plus for the Grizzlies, who won again minus Ja on Wednesday at Minnesota. That's now 8-2 for Memphis in its last ten minus Morant, who has already been ruled out due to a bad ankle for tonight's game vs. the Wizards. The Griz has been extending margins lately, too, with recent wins by 23 over the Blazers and 18 over the Clippers. As for a go-to scorer, Jaren Jackson is now filling the role nicely after his 28-point effort vs. the T-wolves. Meanwhile, the Wiz look a bit more competent lately, but that usually doesn't last, following up a win at Indiana with a 25-point loss at San Antonio on Thursday, dropping to 4-21 this season. Play Grizzlies
Typically when a team has their star player ruled out, and are in a back to back spot we see a wild line move. That is not the case with the Celtics who will be without Jaylen Brown tonight. Just thirteen days ago they went into Toronto and won by thirteen. After winning eight straight games at home, the Raptors have now lost four straight games at home. Take the Celtics here