This is a 10* play on MIN@IND to go Under the total.

The Indiana Pacers are coming off back to back losses, but they look good to get back on track against the Minnesota Timberwolves at home tonight. Minnesota is a terrible road team, with a record of 9-22 away from the Twin Cities. The Pacers are the best defensive team in the NBA, ranking first in the league allowing 103.5 points per game. They lost 101-91 at Minnesota earlier this season, but the total for tonight's game is far higher than it was in nine of the last 10 meetings. The under is 39-18 in Pacers last 57 home games, and 9-4 in their last 13 overall.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

8*

This is an 8* play on OKC@DEN to go Under the total.

The Nuggets are three games up on Oklahoma City, sitting first place in the Northwest Division. They have been one of the toughest defensive teams in the Western Conference this season, and they have given the Thunder plenty of trouble in recent head to head meetings. Denver won all four meetings versus Oklahoma City in 2018, and the Thunder failed to score 100 points in the last two head to head meetings. The under is 6-2 in the last eight meetings, but tonight's total is way higher than it was in any of those previous eight games. The Thunder have failed to reach the total in eight of their last 10 when playing a team with a winning record.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on BOS@TOR to go Under the total.

The Raptors are 2.5 games out of first place in the Eastern Conference, and they will play a huge game at home versus Boston tonight. This is also a big game for the Celtics, who are coming off back to back losses, and are still looking to establish themselves as a contender in the East. Both these two teams rank in the Top 10 in the NBA in opponent's scoring average, so it's a little surprising that tonight's total is higher than it was in any of the previous 10 meetings. The Celtics have failed to reach the total in seven of their last eight road games, and each of their last five visits to Toronto yeilded less than 225 combined points.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on GS@DEN to go under the total.

The Warriors haven't been as dominant this season as they have been in recent years, and they come into Denver trailing the Nuggets by a half game for top spot in the West. Denver has been successful thanks to their 4th best defense that allows just 105.5 points per game. History tells us that these teams have played strong defense in past meetings. Three of the last four head to head meetings have gone under the total. Given that the winner of this game will take over first place in the Western Conference Standings, we could see a game with a playoff atmosphere. The under is 9-2 in Nuggets last 11 home games versus teams with a winning road record. I think tonight's total looks a little high.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on BKN@TOR to go Under the total.

The Raptors are coming off a 104-101 win over the Hawks, in a game that they trailed for most of the first three quarters. They played a similar game against the Nets in Brooklyn a few weeks ago, and they ended up losing in OT by score of 106-105. The Nets have been rolling lately, winning four of their last five. They have played solid defense, allowing 100 points or less in each of their last three wins. Four of the last six head to head meetings between these teams have come up short of the total. Brooklyn hasn't seen 220 combined points in any of their last four games. I expect another low scoring game in Toronto tonight.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on OKC@SA to go Under the total.

One of the biggest stories of the first half of the season has been an increase in scoring league wide. While the numbers are up this year from years past, one trend has held true for as long as I can remember. When the playoffs get closer, the defensive intensity always increases. This appears to be the case for the Spurs, who have been steadily impoving on defense. Their last home game was a 108-88 win over the Grizzlies. They come into tonight's game as winners of five of their last six, and they have allowed just 103 points per game during that span. The Thunder rank in the Top 10 in the NBA in opponent's scoring average, and the under is 6-1 in the last seven head to head meetings, and 4-1 in the last five at San Antonio.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on UTAH@TOR to go Under the total.

The Utah Jazz are still one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, ranking 5th overall in opponent's scoring average. They face a Raptors team that has really struggled offensively without PG Kyle Lowry. Toronto has averaged just over 97 points per game while going 2-2 in their last four games. They shot just 37 percent from the field against the Bulls, and just over 34 percent from the field in a loss to Orlando. The Jazz have gone under in seven straight when coming off a win, and the under is 8-1 in their last nine overall. The Raptors have failed to reach the total in five of their last six home games. I think this number is far higher than it should be.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on MEM@GSW to go Over.

The Warriors are back at full strength, with Draymond and Steph back from injuries. While they have won five of their last six, they haven't exactly looked that sharp. They lost a revenge game to the Raptors at home by a score of 113-93, and they needed to rally from behind to beat Sacramento. Their defense hasn't been very good, allowing and average of 110 points per game in their last six. The trends suggest that these teams have gone under more often than over, but the last two meetings both went way over the total. The Warriors scored 117, and 141 points in those games. I expect to see a high scoring first half here in Oakland.

Take Over,

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on CLE@TOR Under.

I had a halftime bet on the Raptors in Game 1 (winner), and here is what I had to say prior to the game: "The Cavs lost two of three road games in their first round series versus Indiana, and if it wasn't for a controversial missed goaltending call in Game 5, they might have lost the series. They have just one off day ahead of Game 1 in Toronto, and I think the Raptors should be able to jump all over them in the first half. Toronto had the best home record in the NBA, and they beat the Cavs by a whopping 34 points at home during the regular season. Kevin Love has been playing through the pain of a thumb injury, and his numbers reflect that. LeBron had to dig deep, giving everything had to in order to will his team to victory in Game 7 versus the Pacers. Don't be surprised if the Cavs are running on empty here in Game 1 in Toronto." LeBron didn't shoot well in Game 1, and it took a comedy of errors by the Raptors to allow Cleveland to come away with a rather fortunate overtime win. I don't like their chances of going back to Cleveland up 2-0. The nder is 15-7 in Raptors last 22 games playing on 1 day's rest.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on NO@GS to go Under the total

The total for Game 1 was bet up as high as 227, but came up short landing on 224 after a low scoring second half. I bet on the under, and here is what I said prior to the game: "The Pelicans and the Warriors were both ranked near the top of the NBA in scoring during the regular season, and not surprisingly, they have a history of playing high scoring games. They have gone over in eight of the last 10 head to head meetings, but all 10 of those games were in the regular season. The Pelicans are not the same team here in the playoffs that they were when they ranked 29th in the NBA allowing over 110 points per game. The Warriors held the Spurs to an average of less than 97 points per game in their first round series, and they have gone under in five of their last six home games versus a team with a winning record. The Pelicans have failed to reach the total in seven of their last nine road games, and the under is 4-0 in their last four Conference Semi Final games. The Warriors have won nine of the last 10 meetings between the two teams." I am not reading much into the return of Steph Curry, as I don't expect him to log full minutes. I think Kerr will be happy to get Curry some playing time, but I expect Kevin Durant to continue to carry the load. The number still looks a little inflated, and I'll take the under.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on NO@GS to go Under the total.

The Pelicans and the Warriors were both ranked near the top of the NBA in scoring during the regular season, and not surprisingly, they have a history of playing high scoring games. They have gone over in eight of the last 10 head to head meetings, but all 10 of those games were in the regular season. The Pelicans are not the same team here in the playoffs that they were when they ranked 29th in the NBA allowing over 110 points per game. The Warriors held the Spurs to an average of less than 97 points per game in their first round series, and they have gone under in five of their last six home games versus a team with a winning record. The Pelicans have failed to reach the total in seven of their last nine road games, and the under is 4-0 in their last four Conference Semi Final games. The Warriors have won nine of the last 10 meetings between the two teams.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on OKC@UTAH to go Under the total.

Game 3 in Utah went over the total, and Ricky Rubio scored more points than Russell Westbrook. I don't think either of those two things are happening in Game 4. Utah boasts the NBA's #1 defense, holding opponents under 100 points per game. Both of these teams have played well defensively in this series, and I expect that trend to continue here in Game 4. Recent meetings between these teams have trended under, as they have failed to reach the total in five of the last seven overall. The Thunder have gone under in five of their last six on the road, and eight of their last nine at Utah. These trends go back a lot further, the under is 22-9 in the last 31 meetings. The total for tonight's game is higher than it was in nine of the previous 10 head to head meetings.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on OKC@UTAH to go UNDER the total.

The Jazz return home with the series tied 1-1 after a 102-95 win in Game 2 in Oklahoma City. Utah boasts the NBA's #1 defense, holding opponents under 100 points per game. Both of these teams have played well defensively in this series, and I expect that trend to continue here in Game 3. Recent meetings between these teams have trended under, as they have failed to reach the total in five of the last six overall. The Thunder have gone under in five straight on the road, and eight straight at Utah. These trends go back a lot further, the under is 22-8 in the last 30 meetings. The total for tonight's game is higher than it was in nine of the previous 10 head to head meetings.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

The Warriors head to San Antonio in complete command of this series, and they will be a favorite to win Game 3. The Spurs aren't good enough to compete with the Warriors in this series, but they are sure as hell good enough to steal a game at home. Their Game 2 loss at Golden State was their 10th straight loss on the road, but they have won 11 in a row at home. In fact the Spurs won 33 games on their home court during the regular season, one of those wins coming versus Golden State. The Spurs won that game by a score of 89-75, and they lead 49-41 at halftime. They have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 home games, and they lead the NBA in opponent's scoring average. I expect the home team to come out playing with plenty of emotion here in Game 3, especially in the first half. The Spurs led by a score of 53-47 at the half in Game 2, but went on to lose by 15 points. These two teams have failed to reach the total in eight of the last 11 meetings in San Antonio.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on SA@NO to go Under the total.

It's not unusual to see teams step up their defensive intensity at this time of year. The Spurs are the league's best defensive team, and they are coming off a 98-85 win over Sacramento. The Pelicans aren't known for their defense, but they have improved here at the end of the regular season. They rank 29th in the NBA, allowing over 110 points per game overall this season. They've allowed less than that in six of their last seven overall however. These two teams have a history of playing low scoring games, failing to reach the total in seven of the last 10 head to head meetings. The under is 10-4-1 in Pelicans last 15 versus teams with a winning straight up record, while the Spurs have gone under in four of their last five at New Orleans.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on SAC@SA to go UNDER the total.

I cashed in a winner in the Spurs most recent home game, a win over Portland. Here is what I said prior to the game: "Only the Toronto Raptors and Houston Rockets have more home wins than San Antonio this season, and the Spurs come into tonight's home game against Portland as winners of nine straight in San Antonio. The Spurs have allowed an average of just 99.7 points per game, and they rank 1st overall in the NBA in opponent's scoring average. The Blazers are in a comfortable position in the Standings, and with Damien Lillard nursing an ankle injury, we should see Portland dial it back a little. History certainly favors the Spurs, as Portland has failed to cover in seven of it's last 10 in San Antonio, and the Spurs are 8-0 ATS in their last eight home games." The Kings have played really solid defense lately, holding opponents under 100 points in three straight. They won two of those three games outright. The Kings have failed to reach the total in eight of their last nine overall.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on MIA@IND to go Under the total.

The Pacers are just a game and a half back of the first place Cavs in the Central Division, and they come into tonight's home game versus Miami as winners of 12 of their last 17. During that span they've allowed fewer points than any team in the league, and they now rank in the top 10 in the league in opponent's scoring average this season. Miami ranks 4th overall in the NBA allowing just 103 points per game. All three meetings between these teams went over, but all those games were played before the All Star break when Indiana was struggling defensively. Prior to this season, they have gone under in six of seven games dating back to November of 2015. The Pacers have gone under in nine of their last 10 overall, and they have failed to reach the total in seven straight home teams. I expect another low scoring battle here in Indianapolis Sunday.

Take UNDER.

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on IND@NO to go UNDER the total.

The Pacers and the Pelicans are two teams that jockeying for playoff position, and they have a history of playing low scoring games. Eight of the last 10 meetings have fallen short of the listed total. Both teams have stepped up their intensity on defense in recent weeks, and the result has been lower scores across the board. That being said, tonight's total is higher than it was in any of the previous 10 meetings in this series. It's also higher than it was in any of Indiana's last 10 games overall, and nine of those games went under. The Pelicans haven seen a combined 220 points just once in their last eight games overall. The under is 15-5-1 in the Pacers last 21 road games, and I expect that trend to continue here in New Orleans.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

8*

This is a 10* play on GS@POR to go UNDER the total.

The Warriors rallied to beat the Spurs 110-107 at home last night, winning their seventh consecutive game. They play on the road in their second game in as many nights at Portland tonight, and Steph Curry is expected to be sidelined with an ankle injury. The total for this game looks a bit inflated, considering that five of their last six overall have seen less than a combined 225 points. Portland ranks 5th in the NBA in scoring defense, and the Blazers have won eight straight. They have allowed opponents to average just under 99 points per game during that winning streak. Curry has missed 15 games this season, and 12 of those games saw the total fall short of 225 combined points. The Warriors have failed to reach the total in seven of their last 10 road games, while Portland has gone under in eight of their last 10 when playing on two day's rest.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on LAC@DEN to go UNDER the total.

Both the Denver Nuggets and the LA Clippers have been involved in a lot of high scoring games lately. Because of that, the total for tonight's game in Denver is far higher that it was in any of the previous 10 meetings between the two teams. They failed to reach the total in eight of those 10 games, and given the magnitude of tonight's game, we might see both teams play a little harder on defense. Denver is currently holding on to the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, just one game up on the ninth place Clippers. These two teams have failed to reach the total in five of the last six meetings in Denver, and the under is 35-16 in the last 51 meetings overall.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on HOU@UTAH to go OVER the total.

The Rockets won 119-114 at Denver last night, and they bring a 12 game win streak into Utah tonight. Playing on back to back nights is a tough spot for Houston, as the Rockets are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 when playing the second game of a back to back. It hasn't prevented them from going over the total in four of their last five when playing on back to back nights. They have a history of playing high scoring games against the defensive minded Jazz, going over in six straight, and eight of the last nine head to head meetings. They've gone over in four of their last five at Utah. Given that history, I believe tonight's total is artificially low.

Take OVER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on OKC@MEM to go UNDER the total.

The Grizzlies last game was a 110-92 loss at Oklahoma City, and I had the under in that game. Here is what I said prior to tip off: "The Thunder might be shorthanded tonight, as Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony are both battling injuries. Neither played in a loss at LA on Thursday, and the Thunder scored just 88 points in that game. They face a Grizzlies come in as one of the lowest scoring teams in the league (29th), averaging just 99 points per game. They are also one of the best defensive teams in the league, ranking 5th in opponent's scoring average. The Thunder have failed to reach the total in four straight, while the under is is 19-6-1 in Grizzlies last 26 games playing on three or more days rest. The Grizzlies have really been struggling lately, failing to score 90 points in each of their last three games. Given the history, as well as the injuries, it seems odd that the total for tonight's game is higher than it was in any of the previous 10 meetings."

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on NYK@BOS to go UNDER the total.

The Celtics were 2-2 on a four game road trip out West, and they are trying to recover from their toughest stretch this season. The host the Knicks tonight, and they come in as losers of five of their last seven. This should give them a sense of urgency to get back on track, going back to playing the same style that has them sitting in first place in the East. They have 36 wins on the season, only the defending champion Golden State Warriors have more. The Toronto Raptors are only one game back, and the Celtics can't afford to drop points here at home against an inferior New York team. Boston has been the best defensive team in the NBA for most of the year, but they have recently slipped to second in the league in opponent's scoring average. The last three head to head meetings between these two teams have all gone under, and four of the Knicks last five visits to the Garden have failed to reach the total. Boston has gone under in seven of it's last eight versus teams with a losing record.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on MIA@DAL to go UNDER the total.

The Miami Heat are one of the top defensive teams in the NBA, ranking 3rd in opponent's scoring average. They have allowed fewer than 100 points in three straight games, and they have only scored 100+ points in one of their last five overall. They are on the road at Dallas tonight, and the Mavericks boast a Top 10 defense as well. The Mavs have failed to score 100 points in four straight games. These two teams have a history of playing low scoring games, failing to reach the total in six of the last seven meetings. The Mavs have gone under in four straight, and five straight when playing on one day's rest. Dirk Nowitzki has failed to score in double digits in three of his last four games, and he scored a combined 18 points on 6-of-22 shooting in his last two games. These two teams are both content to play old school basketball, and that should translate into another low scoring game in Big D.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on BOS@LAC to go UNDER the total.

The Celtics are playing their second game of a back to back in LA after losing to the Lakers last night. The bookmakers are expecting tonight's game against the Clippers to be a high scoring affair. The total seems a little too high considering Boston boasts the leagues top defense. The last time these two teams played the total was set at 218, and it ended up a push with the Clippers winning 116-102 at home last March. A lot has changed since then, and this Boston team rarely plays such high scoring games these days. Boston has failed to reach the total in four of it's last five when playing the second game of a back to back. These two teams have failed to reach the total in nine of the last 11 meetings at the Staples Center, and the under in 19-9 in the last 28 meetings overall. This number looks to be a bit inflated.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on CLE@SA to go UNDER the total.

The Cavs are reeling, coming into San Antonio as losers of five of their last six. Their coach is on the hot seat, LeBron is on his way out of town, and Kevin Love is being questioned for his work ethic. This is a team that is badly in need of a win, and they should be ready to fight hard for one tonight. They have failed to score 100 points in three straight road games, but there's no doubt that it's the defense that needs the most improvement. They face a Spurs team that has scored 100 points or fewer in four straight games. I bet on the under in the Spurs last game, and here is what I said prior to the loss to the Pacers: "The Spurs rank #1 in the league in opponent's scoring average, and they are 19-2 at home. These two teams have failed to reach the total in five of the last six head to head meetings, and they have each failed to reach the total in their last five overall. The Spurs are coming off an ugly 86-83 loss at Toronto, and here is what  their veteran PG had to say: "We couldn't score," said Spurs point guard Tony Parker, who didn't play in the second half at Toronto. "We did a good job defensively. We just couldn't make a basket. You just have to keep pushing, keep being aggressive. And stop thinking too much. Myself, I was thinking too much tonight. You have to fight through it." The Pacers have gone under in seven straight versus Western Conference teams, while the Spurs have failed to reach the total in five of their last six versus the East." The last time these two teams met, the Spurs won at home by a score of 103-74. I expect a similar result here tonight.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on CHI@NO to go OVER the total.

The Bulls are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, coming into New Orleans as winners of four of their last five. They scored an average of 115 points in those games, and they rank 4th in the NBA in scoring since the New Year. They will play at New Orleans tonight, and both these teams are more interested in scoring than they are about playing defense. The Pelicans have won four of their last five, and have scored over 112 points per game during that span. History tells us that these two teams have scored a ton of points in previous meetings, especially in New Orleans. The over is 11-3-1 in Chicago's last 15 visits to The Big Easy. Chicago has gone over in eight of it's last 10 road games, and 15 of it's last 20 overall. The Pelicans have gone over in 20 of their last 28 home games, and 12 of their last 16 when coming off an ATS loss. Another high scoring game at the Smoothie King Arena seems inevitable tonight.

Take OVER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on IND@SA to go UNDER the total.

The Indiana Pacers are really struggling, coming off back to back losses at LA and Portland. They shot just 2-for-25 from beyond the arc on Friday, and they were 9-for-51 in the two games combined. They play at San Antonio tonight, and this is no place to try to break out of an offensive slump. The Spurs rank #1 in the league in opponent's scoring average, and they are 19-2 at home. These two teams have failed to reach the total in five of the last six head to head meetings, and they have each failed to reach the total in their last five overall. The Spurs are coming off an ugly 86-83 loss at Toronto, and here is what  their veteran PG had to say: "We couldn't score," said Spurs point guard Tony Parker, who didn't play in the second half at Toronto. "We did a good job defensively. We just couldn't make a basket. You just have to keep pushing, keep being aggressive. And stop thinking too much. Myself, I was thinking too much tonight. You have to fight through it." The Pacers have gone under in seven straight versus Western Conference teams, while the Spurs have failed to reach the total in five of their last six versus the East.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

8*

This is a 10* play on PHI@BOS to go UNDER the total.

The Sixers and the Celtics played in London a week ago, and Boston won that game by a score of 114-103. It was a relatively high scoring game, especially for Boston, the NBA's #1 ranked team in scoring defense. These teams had played twice before the game in London, and both those games went under. Both teams have injury concerns, with the Sixers losing J.J. Redick to a broken leg, and the Celtics potentially could be without Kyrie Irving. Boston's leading scorer missed practice because of a sore shoulder, and his status is still in question. He missed three games previously this season, and all three of those games saw the total fall short of 200 points. Redick scored 22 points in the loss in London, and he is second on the team in scoring averaging over 17 points per game. The last time he sat out, Philly lost by a score of 102-86 at Toronto. I expect similar score here at The Garden tonight.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on UTAH@CHA to go OVER the total.

The Utah Jazz are one of the NBA's best defensive teams, ranking 5th in opponent's scoring average. They have struggled without star center Rudy Gobert though,, losing nine of 12. They have allowed at least 100 points in seven of their last eight games, and they have allowed well over 100 points in each of their last three visits to Charlotte. These two teams have gone over the total in three of four meetings dating back to 2015. The Hornets have scored 100+ points in eight of their last 10 overall, and they have allowed 100+ points in eight of their last nine overall. Rookie Donovan Mitchell leads the Jazz in scoring, and he is averaging 22.2 points per game over his last five starts. He's attempted at least 10 three-pointers in three of the last four games. The Jazz have gone over in five of their last seven versus Eastern Conference teams, and I think their defensive intensity could be lacking here in Charlotte where they are just 4-10-2 ATS in their last 16.

Take OVER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 9* play on CHI@MIL to go OVER the total.

The Bulls are coming off a 117-92 loss at Boston, failing to score 100 points for the first time in nine games. They won seven straight before dropping back to back games at Cleveland and Boston. They could catch a break here in Milwaukee, as the Greek Freak may not be 100 percent. The Bucks still managed to score their share of points in a 111-106 loss at Charlotte, despite the absence of Antetokounmpo. He's expected to return to the lineup here at home versus Chicago. The Bulls beat the Bucks by a score of 115-109 at home a few weeks ago, and they have gone over the total in three straight head to head meetings. The Bulls have gone over in four straight road games, and five of their last six overall. The Bucks have also been playing a lot off high scoring games, going over in seven straight at home. The over is 13-2-1 in Bucks last 16 overall.

Take OVER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 9* play on IND@DET to go UNDER.

The Pistons are one of the top defensive teams in the NBA, allowing opponents to average 102.2 points per game. They have won four of their last five overall, and they have failed to reach the total in seven of their last 10 overall. One of those games was a 104-98 win at Indiana last week. The Pistons have won two of the the last three in this series, and two of those three games went under the total. The home team has covered the spread in four of the last five, and the Pacers have failed to reach the total in four of their last five road games. The last time the Pacers played in Detroit, they were out-rebounded 42-31, and they shot just 7-of-24 from beyond the arc. They scored just 97 points in the loss, and I am expecting a similar result here in today's game.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 9* play on TOR@DAL to go UNDER the total.

The Mavs have won two of their last three home games, and they held opponents to less than 100 points in all three of those contests. They will be a significant underdog here on Boxing Day, hosting the Toronto Raptors. Toronto has taken over first place in the Eastern Conference, and they come into Dallas as winners of 12 of their last 13. Toronto ranks third in the league in scoring, but points have been hard to come by in previous games against Dallas. The under is 6-1 in the last seven meetings between the two teams, and they have gone under in five of the last seven in Dallas. The total for this game is far higher than it was in any of the previous five meetings. The Mavs have failed to reach the total in six straight when playing on two days rest, and the under is 6-1 in their last seven versus a team with a winning record.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on CHI@BOS to go UNDER the total.

The Bulls had been the league's worst team just a few weeks ago, but they come into Boston Saturday as winners of seven of their last eight. The one loss came by just three points on the road at Cleveland.  I bet on the over in that game, but I am expecting tonight's game to be much lower scoring. Seven of the Bulls last eight games have seen at least 200 points, with the only exception being a 108-85 win over the Celtics. Boston is coming off back to back losses to the Heat and the Knicks, and the Celtics have struggled offensively during a rough stretch. They still rank 2nd in the NBA on defense, allowing opponents to average just over 98 points per game. These two teams have failed to reach the total in four of the last five head to head meetings, and tonight's total is higher than it was in all five of those games. The under is 38-18 in the Bulls last 56 games playing on a days rest. The Celtics have gone under in eight of their last 11 when facing a team with a losing record.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on DEN@DET to go UNDER the total.

The Pistons have lost six straight, and they scored more than 100 points in just one of those games. They host the struggling Denver Nuggets tonight, and this should be a favorable matchup for the home team. These teams played twice last November, and the Pistons won both those games. The Nuggets were held under 100 points in both of those losses, and these two teams have failed to reach the total in each of the last six meetings. The total for tonight's game is significantly higher than it was in any of those previous six meetings. Despite the Pistons struggles, they remain one of the top defensive teams in the NBA, especially at home where they have won eight of 12. The Nuggets have failed to reach the total in four straight versus teams with a winning record, and the under is 7-2 in their last nine road games versus winning teams. Denver has balanced scoring with four players averaging over 15 points per game. Two of those players have been sidelined with injuries though. Nikola Jokic is out with a sprained ankle, while Paul Millsap is out for 2-3 months with a serious wrist injury. The Pistons have failed to reach the total in six straight overall, and 15 of 22 at home.

Take  UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on LAL@PHI to go UNDER the total.

The Sixers beat the Lakers by a score of 115-109 in LA in November, and the Bookmakers are expecting another high scoring game here in Philly. These two teams have failed to reach the total in three of the last four games at Philly, and the one exception was a 113-111 Lakers win in overtime back in 2015. The Lakers have gone under in six straight road games against teams with a winning record. The Sixers have gone under in five of their last seven home games, and four of their last five overall. Lonzo Ball scored just 2 points on 1-of-9 shooting in 21 minutes in the last meeting. The Lakers have scored an average of 103.8 points per game in their last 10 losses. The total for tonight's game is higher than it was in nine of the last 10 meetings between the two teams.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule.

This is an 8* play on SAC@CLE to go OVER the total.

The Cavs can tie a franchise record with their 13th consecutive win when they host the Sacramento Kings tonight. As easy as that may sound, the Kings have actually won two of their last three on the road, averaging 107 points in those games. One of those games was a 110-106 win at Golden State. The Cavs have scored more than 110 points in four of their last five games, and they've allowed over 100 points in 17 of their last 22 overall. These two teams have a history of playing high scoring games, going over in each of the last four head to head meetings. The total in all four of those games was much higher than it is tonight. The Kings have gone over in 18 of their last 24 games versus Eastern Conference teams. The over is 8-1 in Cleveland's last nine games against the Western Conference.

Take Over.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

10*

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on CLE@HOU to go Over the total. 

The Rockets scored 122 points in an upset win over the Warriors in their season opener, but then went on to score less than 110 points in each of their next seven games. They come into tonight's home game against the Cavs off a season high 137 point performance against the Jazz (one of the top defensive teams in the league). James Harden scored a career high 56 points, and was 7-of-8 from three-point range. The Rockets lead the league in three-point attempts, as well as made three-point shots. This could spell trouble for a Cleveland team that ranks dead last in the NBA in three-point defense. They have allowed opponents to average almost 42 percent from beyond the arc. The Rockets average over 44 attempted three-point shots per game. Cleveland has been just brutal on defense, even in the games they have recently won. Opponents have scored 110 points or more in each of the Cavs last nine games. That includes the Bulls, Nets, and Hawks (the three bottom teams in the Eastern Conference). Cleveland is 2-10 ATS in the last 12 meetings at Houston, including a 117-112 loss in Texas last year. They have gone over in each of their last five games versus Western Conference teams.

Take OVER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on LAL@BOS to go UNDER the total.

The Lakers are 5-5, and the hype continues to build. They say showtime is back, but is it really? LA will play it's next four games on the road, after playing seven of 10 at home. Rook PG Lonzo Ball is getting mixed reviews, but one thing is for sure, his shot still needs plenty of work. The #2 overall pick is just 6-of-28 from the field in his last two games, hitting just one of 11 three-point attempts. The young Lakers will face the NBA's #1 ranked scoring defense, as the Celtics are holding opponents to just over 94 points per game. Boston has won nine straight since opening the season with back to back losses, and I don't expect a let down here at home in such a high profile game. These two teams have failed to reach the total in five of the last seven head to head meetings, and Boston has gone under in four of it's last five versus Western Conference teams. I think the total here looks a bit too high.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on PHI@UTAH to go Under the total.

The Jazz defeated Portland by a score of 112-103 last week. That game was tied 94-94 at the end of the fourth quarter, but overtime pushed the total over the number. Here is what I said prior to the game: "The Jazz are still the best defensive team in the NBA, and they are 4-0 at home so far. Their last home game was a 104-89 win over the Dallas Mavericks. They trailed Dallas 53-44 at halftime, but they took over in the third quarter, allowing the Mavs to score just 15 points. They might have let their guard down early in that game, but they likely know they need to concentrate for a full four quarters here against the Blazers." They have since lost to Houston and Toronto, going over the total now in three straight. The result is a higher total for tonight's home game against Philly. The under is 6-1 in the last seven meetings between these two teams, and the listed total was under 200 in each of the last six of those games.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on TOR@UTAH to go UNDER the total.

The Jazz have won three straight, and they are 5-0 at home. They rank 2nd in the NBA in scoring defense, allowing under 95 points per game. They haven't allowed 95 points (in regulation) in any of their last three games. The Jazz host Toronto tonight, and the Raptors are in a tough spot, playing their final game of a six game road trip to the West Coast. They had won back to back games in LA and Portland, before getting blown out in Denver. They gave up less than 100 points in wins over the Lakers and Blazers, but allowed over 100 points in three quarters against the Nuggets. The Jazz are 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 games playing on 1 days rest, and the under is 7-2-1 in Jazz last 10 games following a straight up win. The Raptors have failed to reach the total in 23 of their last 31 road games. I predict the Jazz win a defensive battle here at home.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on POR@UTAH to go UNDER the total.

The Jazz are still the best defensive team in the NBA, and they are 4-0 at home so far. Their last home game was a 104-89 win over the Dallas Mavericks. They trailed Dallas 53-44 at halftime, but they took over in the third quarter, allowing the Mavs to score just 15 points. They might have let their guard down early in that game, but they likely know they need to concentrate for a full four quarters here against the Blazers. Portland has won two of three road games, holding opponents to under 100 points in both those victories. The Blazers have been solid defensively so far, holding opponents to 98.3 points per game, the 6th best in the league. These two teams have played three times in 2017, going under in all three of those games. The Blazers failed to reach 90 points in each of their two games at Salt Lake City during that span. The under is 5-2 in Utah's last seven home games, and Portland has failed to reach the total in seven of their last nine when coming off a double-digit loss.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on OKC@MIL to go UNDER the total.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are not the same team they were a year ago. So far this season they've been far better defensively, holding opponents to just 96.5 points per game. They play a tough road game at Milwaukee tonight, and the Bucks have won three of their last four. These teams played twice last year, and both games went under the total. In fact, neither of those two games saw a combined 200 points. The under trend goes back several seasons, with seven of the last nine head to head meetings going under the total. Russell Westbrook scored just 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting in a 101-69 win at Chicago on Saturday. He's really been shooting poorly from the free throw line this season, hitting just over 60 percent. In fact both these teams are below league average in free throw percentage, and the Thunder rank 25th overall in that category. The Bucks have gone under in six of their last eight home games, and they've failed to reach the total in four straight home meetings versus Oklahoma City.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on DAL@UTAH to go UNDER the total.

The Jazz are missing Gordon Hayward, and coming into tonight's home game against Dallas they rank 29th in the league in scoring averaging just 94.5 points per game. The good news is, they are 3-0 at home, and they are still one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. The Jazz rank 2nd overall in opponent's scoring average, allowing just 93.8 points per game. They have allowed just 87.6 points per game at home. The Mavericks are winless on the road, and they rank 25 in the NBA in scoring, averaging just over 99 points per game. The Jazz have failed to reach the total in five of their last six home games, and the under is 5-0-1 in Utah's last six overall. These two teams have gone over the total in five of the last six head to head meetings, but two of those games went to overtime. The total for tonight's game is also higher than it was in five of the last six meetings.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

10*

 This is a 5* play on HOU@PHI to go UNDER the total. The Rockets scored 122 points in a shocking upset win over the Warriors in their season opener, but they have averaged less than 100 points in three games since. It's likely no coincidence that PG Chris Paul has not played since injuring his knee in the win over the Warriors. His replacement Eric Gordon scored a team high 27 points in a loss to the Grizzlies on Monday, but the offense looked out of sync. Houston attempted a whopping 38 three point shots, hitting just nine (23.7%). The Sixers are coming off a 97-86 win over the Pistons in Detroit. Philly has lost three of four games so far, and has scored an average of less than 100 points per game. These teams have gone over the total in seven of the last 10 head to head meetings, but the total for tonight's game is higher than it was in any of those previous meetings. The Rockets have gone under in four straight versus Eastern Conference teams.  Take UNDER.  GL,  

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on HOU@GS to go UNDER the total.

The Warriors will host Houston in their season opener, and the total for this game is sky high. These teams have gone under in six of the last seven meetings, and I don't expect that the offense will be firing on all cylinders this early in the year. That is especially true for James Harden, who finished the pre-season going 1-for-18 from beyond the arc in his last two games. He failed to score 20 points in four of the Rockets last five pre-season games, despite playing starters minutes. Keep in mind the last meaningful game he played was a 114-75 home loss to the Spurs in the Western Conference Semi Finals. He scored 10 points on 2-of-11 shooting, leading many to speculate that he threw the game. Then there is the NBA's change to the "James Harden Rule", which will prevent him from getting as many unearned points as he has in past seasons. The Rockets have lost five of their last six visits to Oracle Arena, and they have averaged under 95 points per game in those losses. While the over is 5-1 in the Warriors last six home games, the number here is higher than it was for any of those six contests.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on GS@CLE to go UNDER.

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on CLE@GS to go UNDER the total.

The Cavs will play the Warriors in a rematch of last year's NBA Finals. In fact this is the third straight season that Cleveland will face the Warriors in the Finals, and over the past two seasons they have played 13 NBA Finals matches. Not one of those games saw more than 216 combined points. During the regular season these teams played three times, and went under in all three games. Despite these trends, a matchup between two teams that each ranked in the top five in scoring has the bookmakers opening with another enormous total for Game 1. Both these teams have put up impressive points totals in these playoffs, but they've also been dominant on defense. The Warriors have gone over in six straight, but the total for this game in far higher than it was in any of those previous contests. So far in these playoffs neither the Warriors or the Cavs have truly been in a position where they need to battle for a full 48 minutes. This is the Finals, and the stakes are high. Don't expect to see easy buckets and mental lapses on the defensive side of the ball. LeBron's legacy is at stake here, and while he just passed MJ to become the all time playoff scoring leader, I've been more impressed with his defense so far in this post-season.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on CLE@BOS to go UNDER the total .

The last time these two teams played in Boston, the total fell short of an inflated number. I cashed in on that game, and here is what I said before tip off: "The Celtics only scored 39 points in the first half of Game 1, and the game ended up going over the total by just one bucket. The bookmakers have set a higher total for Game 2, and I am expecting a more competitive game from Boston. These two teams had gone under in six straight meetings in Boston prior to Game 1. The Cavs aren't expecting much of a challenge here from the Celtics, but their performance in the series opener appeared to be a statement directed toward the Warriors. We could see them take their foot off the gas here in Game 2. Cleveland won Game 1 by a 13 point margin, and the difference was made up at the free throw line. The Cavs attempted a whopping 35 free throws, scoring 28 points. The Celtics attempted just 18 free throws, scoring just 10 points. I would think those numbers would even out a little here in Game 2. There were plenty of "easy buckets" in the last game, and I expect to see Boston play a little harder on defense down the stretch in this game." The situation is a little different here in Game 5, as the Celtics are now facing elimination. The Cavs previously closed out Toronto and Indiana, and both of those elimination games saw fewer than 212 points.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on BOS@CLE to go OVER the total.

The Cavs scored 130 points in Game 2 of this series, and with Isaiah Thomas out for the rest of the playoffs, Boston isn't likely to play any better defensively in Cleveland. The Cavs might suffer a bit of a let down, but if the do it's likely going to be on defense. They held the Celtics to just 31 points in the first half of Game 2, and it might be a tough ask to bring that kind of defensive intensity again here in Game 3. Boston scored 55 points in the second half of Game 2, and that was with Isaiah Thomas in the locker room. The Cavs have gone over in all four home games in these playoffs, and the over is 7-3 in Cavaliers last 10 games playing on 1 days rest. The total for the last game was roughly seven points higher, but with Boston's leading scorer out, the bookmakers have adjusted with a much lower number here. I think it looks like an over-correction.

Take OVER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on CLE@BOS to go UNDER the total.

The Celtics only scored 39 points in the first half of Game 1, and the game ended up going over the total by just one bucket. The bookmakers have set a higher total for Game 2, and I am expecting a more competitive game from Boston. These two teams had gone under in six straight meetings in Boston prior to Game 1. The Cavs aren't expecting much of a challenge here from the Celtics, but their performance in the series opener appeared to be a statement directed toward the Warriors. We could see them take their foot off the gas here in Game 2. Cleveland won Game 1 by a 13 point margin, and the difference was made up at the free throw line. The Cavs attempted a whopping 35 free throws, scoring 28 points. The Celtics attempted just 18 free throws, scoring just 10 points. I would think those numbers would even out a little here in Game 2. There were plenty of "easy buckets" in the last game, and I expect to see Boston play a little harder on defense down the stretch in this game.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on SA@GS to go OVER the total.

The Warriors were held to just 42 points in the first half of Game 1, and they trailed by 20 points heading into the third quarter. They went on an 18-0 run following the injury to Kawhi Leonard, and outscored San Antonio 71-49 in the second half. The Spurs couldn't stop Steph Curry and Kevin Durant without Leonard, and that might be a preview of how this series is going to go if Leonard is unable to play after suffering another ankle sprain. Golden State also scored 24 points at the free throw line, and that's one more reason to expect a lot of scoring here in Game 2. These two teams have gone over in three of the last four meetings, and the over is 8-2 in Spurs last 10 road games. The Warriors have gone over in five of their last seven overall.

Take OVER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on HOU@SA to go OVER the total.

The Rockets made an incredible 22 three-point shots in a blowout victory in Game 1 at San Antonio, but the Spurs bounced back with a 121-96 win in Game 2. Both of those games went over the total, and I expect another high scoring game here in Game 5. Here is what I had to say prior to the last game in this series: "The Spurs suffered their worst lost in history in Game 1 of this series versus Houston, but they have responded with back to back wins to take a 2-1 lead heading into Game 4. LaMarcus Aldridge struggled in the series opener, but he was great in Game 3, scoring 26 points with seven rebounds and four blocked shots. These teams played close gamed during the regular season, with three of the four decided by just a two point margin. The bookmakers have made the Rockets a six point favorite on Sunday, and the total is hovering around 212. San Antonio has seized the momentum, and their defense was impressive holding Houston to just 36.4 percent shooting in the last game. The Rockets are likely to be a lot better in tonight's must win game, and that should push the total higher than Game 3. The Spurs have gone over in six of their last seven road games, while Houston has gone over in six of their last eight following a double-digit home loss"

Take OVER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on GS@UTAH to go OVER the total.

The Warriors swept the Blazers in the first round, and they have a chance to sweep the Jazz here in Game 4 in Salt Lake City. They scored more points in Game 4 against Portland than they did in any of the previous three games in that series, and I expect to see a high scoring game here in Utah tonight as well. Both these teams have played hard on defense so far, but with the Jazz trailing 0-3, we could see both teams ease up a little. I bet the over in Game 2, and here is what I said prior to that game: "The Warriors scored an average of 119 points per game in a four game sweep in their first round series versus Portland. That's well above the 115.9 points per game they averaged while leading the league in scoring during the regular season. The Jazz were the league's top defensive team this year, but they gave up an average of 97.7 points per game in a seven game series versus the Clippers in the first round, slightly more than their regular season average of 96.8 points per game. So much for the traditional logic that scoring goes down in the playoffs. Both these teams have a history of playing high scoring games in the playoffs. The Warriors have gone over in five of their last six Conference Semifinal games, while the over is 6-0-1 in Utah's last seven in the second round of the playoffs. The oddsmakers have set a low number here, and I think the value is on a play on the over."

Take OVER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

10*

This is a 10* play on UTAH@GS to go OVER the total.

The Warriors shot just 24.1 percent from three-point range in Game 1, and the total fell short of the number (206.5). We see an even lower number here in Game 2, and I expect the sharp shooting Warriors to be just a bit more accurate from long range in tonight's game. Here is what I said before the series started: "The Warriors scored an average of 119 points per game in a four game sweep in their first round series versus Portland. That's well above the 115.9 points per game they averaged while leading the league in scoring during the regular season. The Jazz were the league's top defensive team this year, but they gave up an average of 97.7 points per game in a seven game series versus the Clippers in the first round, slightly more than their regular season average of 96.8 points per game. So much for the traditional logic that scoring goes down in the playoffs. Both these teams have a history of playing high scoring games in the playoffs. The Warriors have gone over in five of their last six Conference Semifinal games, while the over is 6-0-1 in Utah's last seven in the second round of the playoffs. The oddsmakers have set a low number here, and I think the value is on a play on the over."

Take OVER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on HOU@SA to go UNDER the total.

The Rockets destroyed the Spurs in Game 1 of this series, winning by a score of 126-99 at San Antonio. They hit a whopping 22 three-point shots, and held the Spurs to 36.9 percent shooting. It's gut check time for the Spurs, and I expect Popovich to have his team ready to fight here in Game 2. The Spurs should step up their defensive intensity, and this game should be a lot closer than the series opener. During the regular season these teams went under in all four meetings, and all of those games were decided by six points or less. Houston has played low scoring games when in the role of underdog on the road. The under is 10-2-1 in the Rockets last 13 road games versus a team with a winning home record. The Spurs are probably the best coached team in the league, and that's one reason why they almost always respond after a double-digit home loss. The Rockets can expect this game to be a lot tougher than Game 1.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on TOR@MIL to go UNDER the total.

We've seen some low scoring games between the Bucks and the Raptors in this Eastern Conference quarterfinals series, but Game 5 in Toronto was a bit of a shootout. The Raptors hit 57.7 percent from the field and went 12-of-27 from beyond the arc in a 118-83 victory. The previous two games in Milwaukee were low scoring, and I expect to see another defensive battle here tonight. The Bucks held Toronto to just 77 points on 33.8 percent shooting in Game 3, and the Raptors held Milwaukee to just 76 points 37 percent shooting in Game 4. These two teams have failed to reach the total in seven of the last 10 meetings, and the under is 8-1 in Raptors last nine road games versus a team with a winning home record. Toronto has trended toward lower scoring games on the road, going under in 19 of their last 26 away from Air Canada Center. The Bucks on the other hand play lower scoring games at home, going under in eight of their last 11 at the Bradley Center.

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on GS@POR to go OVER the total.

The Warriors won Game 1 of this series by a score of 121-109, easily going over the total of 220. Game 2 was a lower scoring battle with the Warriors winning 110-81. The series shifts to Portland, and I am expecting a shootout in Game 3. These two teams met in the second round of last year's playoffs, and after a high scoring opener, they went under in Game 2. The Blazers won Game 3 by a score of 120-108, and I'm expecting tonight's game to follow that same script. The Blazers have gone over in six of their last seven home meetings with Golden State, and the one game that went under was a 113-11 Warriors win, falling shot of the total of 224.5. Tonight's total is far lower than it was in any of the last six meetings in this series. The Blazers averaged 109.9 points per game at home this season, while the Warriors averaged 213 points per game on the road. Both teams like to play a similar style, and we should see plenty of scoring here in tonight's pivotal Game 3.

Take OVER.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on LAC@UTAH to go UNDER the total.

After back to back unders in the first two games in this series, I don't think there's any reason to expect a different result when the series shifts to Utah. Here is what I said prior to Game 2: "The Jazz upset the Clippers in Game 1, holding LA to 95 points on 44.4 percent shooting. Utah led the NBA in opponent's scoring average during the regular season, allowing just 96.8 points per game. Game 1 of this series fell well short of the total, and it was the fourth time in Utah's last five games at LA that the total landed below the number. Utah has also gone under in four of it's last five road games. The Clippers are an above average defensive team, and here in a "must win", they should step up the intensity. DeAndre Jordan ranks third in the NBA averaging three blocks per game, and he blocked three shots in Game 1. Playoff basketball is often a lot more defensive than the style of play seen during the regular season. That is evidenced by the fact that the Jazz have gone under in five straight Conference Quarterfinals games, and LA has failed to reach the total in five of their last seven in the first round of the playoffs."

Take UNDER.

GL,

Jesse Schule