This is an 8* play on the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns are the biggest suprise in the bubble in Orlando, and their unbeaten run has put them in a position to force a play in game for the final playoff spot in the West. They will take on Dallas Thursday, and the Mavs are already looking ahead to their first round series. Luca Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis should ride the pine here, at least for the majority of the game. The Mavericks are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games overall, and they are 2-10 ATS in the last 12 meetings versus the Suns.

Take PHX.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Toronto.

I bet on Toronto to win the East (12-1) before the season started, and I am pretty pleased with that bet. Here is what I said in October: "There is no doubt that Kawhi Leonard deserved plenty of credit for bringing a title to Toronto, but I believe that there is a false narrative that he did it by himself. Many people question how competitive the Raptors can be without Kawhi. I would point out that last year they actually had a higher winning percentage in games he missed due to load management, than they did in the games he played. This is also a team that finished at or near the top of the Eastern Conference several seasons in a row prior to the arrival of Kawhi. Players like Fred Van Fleet and Pascal Siakam should be primed to thrive in a greater role." They catch the Sixers in the second game of a back to back, possibly without Embiid and Simmonds. The Raptors rested their starters in their last game, and still beat the Bucks by eight. While Giannis didn't play, the rest of the Bucks starters did play regular minutes.

Take TOR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Blazers.

I bet on Portland yesterday, and here is what I said before the game: "There's nobody you would rather have in the clutch than Damian Lillard. He sent Paul George packing with a buzzer beating three-pointer in last year's playoffs, and he's made a ton of big shots in his career. He needed to make just one of two free throws to tie the game game versus the Clippers in the dying seconds yesterday, but missed them both. So the question is ... how do you think he's going to respond? I think he's gonna open up a can of whoopass on a Philly team that just lost Ben Simmons for likely the remainder of the year." He went off for 50 points, keeping the Blazers playoff hopes alive. They face a tough matchup versus Dallas tonight, but with both teams playing the second game of a back to back, there is no need for the Mavs to push things, so don't expect their starts to log a lot of minutes.

Take POR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Suns.

The Suns are a real Cinderella story, and the clock hasn't struck midnight yet. The Phillies story is more of a nightmare, losing Ben Simmons to a knee injury, and Joel Embiid battling a sore ankle. You have to wonder how much the Sixers have invested in this postseason now that they know they aren't going to be at full strength. The Suns give us no such reason to doubt, and I expect antoher imprressive performance from this young Phoenix team today.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Toronto.

I bet on Toronto to win the East (25-1) before the season started, and I am pretty pleased with that bet. Here is what I said in October: "There is no doubt that Kawhi Leonard deserved plenty of credit for bringing a title to Toronto, but I believe that there is a false narrative that he did it by himself. Many people question how competitive the Raptors can be without Kawhi. I would point out that last year they actually had a higher winning percentage in games he missed due to load management, than they did in the games he played. This is also a team that finished at or near the top of the Eastern Conference several seasons in a row prior to the arrival of Kawhi. Players like Fred Van Fleet and Pascal Siakam should be primed to thrive in a greater role." They catch the Bucks without the Greek Freak.

Take TOR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a Free play on the Portland Blazers.

There's nobody you would rather have in the clutch than Damian Lillard. He sent Paul George packing with a buzzer beating three-pointer in last year's playoffs, and he's made a ton of big shots in his career. He needed to make just one of two free throws to tie the game game versus the Clippers in the dying seconds yesterday, but missed them both. So the question is ... how do you think he's going to respond? I think he's gonna open up a can of whoopass on a Philly team that just lost Ben Simmons for likely the remainder of the year.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Toronto Raptors.

I bet on Toronto to win the East (25-1) before the season started, and I am pretty pleased with that bet. Here is what I said in October: "There is no doubt that Kawhi Leonard deserved plenty of credit for bringing a title to Toronto, but I believe that there is a false narrative that he did it by himself. Many people question how competitive the Raptors can be without Kawhi. I would point out that last year they actually had a higher winning percentage in games he missed due to load management, than they did in the games he played. This is also a team that finished at or near the top of the Eastern Conference several seasons in a row prior to the arrival of Kawhi. Players like Fred Van Fleet and Pascal Siakam should be primed to thrive in a greater role." They catch the Grizzlies off their first win in the bubble, and the Raptors are looking for payback after a loss to the Celtics.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Denver Nuggets.

The Jazz have lost three of their last four, and they are in a tough spot here in Saturday's game against Denver. This second game of a back to back in an early game could result in limiting the minutes of some star players. Denver has been far better in Orlando, with wins over the Spurs and the Thunder prior to losing to a much improved Portland team. The Jazz are 1-9-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up loss, and they have lost both previous meetings versus Denver in 2020.

Take DEN.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Under 218.5.

So far in the bubble in Orlando we have seen some really high scores. Because of that the totals are being bet up to astronomically high numbers. So far all of the Raptor's games have gone under, and by a large margin. They are facing the Celtics for the fourth time this season, and two of the first three meetings went under the total. Kemba Walker is expected to play after resting a sore knee in the last game, but he's averaging just 14 points over his last four games. Marc Gasol preaches team defense: "In our locker room, if you don't have the will or the discipline to play defense, it is going to be really hard for you to see the floor, and that gives the coaches a lot of credit, right?"

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Houston.

The Lakers clinched first place in the West, then they lost badly to Oklahoma City. They play their second game of a back to back tonight against the Rockets, and LeBron is going to sit this one out. If the Lakers are wise, they will also limit the minutes for Anthony Davis and the rest of the starters. This could be an easy roll over for the Rockets.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Under 228.

So far in the bubble in Orlando we have seen some really high scores. Because of that the totals are being bet up to astronomically high numbers. Monday four of the six games went under, and by a large margin. On Tuesday that trend continued, but one of the games that did go over was the Nets win over Milwaukee. It was the largest upset in the NBA in the last 27 years. That could set them up for a let down here against Boston. The Celtics are resting leading scorer Kemba Walker, so don't be surprised if these teams struggle to reach such a high number.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Under 224.

So far in the bubble in Orlando we have seen some really high scores. Because of that the totals are being bet up to astronomically high numbers. Yesterday four of the six games went under, and by a large margin. The Magic are facing the Pacers on Tuesday, and both teams have been impressive so far. The bookmakers haven't set a total as high as 220 in any of the previous 10 meetings between these teams, and in fact the last six meetings had a total set below 210. Both these teams are among the top defensive squads in the NBA, and I expect this game to have a playoff feel to it.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Under 227.5.

The Spurs and the Sixers are trending in opposite directions. This isn't the same San Antonio team we saw struggle during the season. Since the restart they have won back to back games, and they look like a team desperate to make the playoffs. The Sixers on the other hand are the exact same team they were earlier this season. Philly was brutal away from home, and their first game of the restart was a loss to Indiana. The Sixers rank just 21st in the NBA in scoring, and 7th in the NBA in points allowed. We should see a playoff type atmosphere in this game, which should keep the score under 227.5.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Pacers.

The Wizards are coming off back to back losses by a combined margin of over 20 points. Their loss to Brooklyn likely ended any hope of an early exit from the bubble, but that might be just what they want. Who know, Magic City might seem like a lot more fun that hanging around in Orlando right now. Indiana on the other hand won outright as a 5.5 point underdog versus the Sixers, and this is a team that is firmly looking forward to the playoffs. The Pacers have won and covered in four of the last five meetings, and with Washington starting a bunch of backups, this game should be a blowout.

Take IND.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Raptors.

I bet on Toronto to win the East (25-1) before the season started, and I am pretty pleased with that bet. Here is what I said in October: "There is no doubt that Kawhi Leonard deserved plenty of credit for bringing a title to Toronto, but I believe that there is a false narrative that he did it by himself. Many people question how competitive the Raptors can be without Kawhi. I would point out that last year they actually had a higher winning percentage in games he missed due to load management, than they did in the games he played. This is also a team that finished at or near the top of the Eastern Conference several seasons in a row prior to the arrival of Kawhi. Players like Fred Van Fleet and Pascal Siakam should be primed to thrive in a greater role." They face a Miami team that is coming off a big win over Denver, and might be due for a bit of a let down. There is some concern about Jimmy Butler, although we expect him to play.

Take TOR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Dallas Mavericks.

The Mavs did everything right in their first game back, except for the final 41 seconds in an overtime loss to the Rockets. They blew a seven point lead, allowing Houston to force overtime in a game that they had no business winning. Luca Doncic had a triple-double, and Kristaps Porzingis went off for 39 points and 16 rebounds. The good news for Dallas is they are right back on the court, and they have an excellent opportunity to get that bitter taste out of their mouths. They face the Phoenix Suns, who might be happy with themselves after beating the Wizards backups. The Mavs have won three of the last four meetings by an average margin of nine points.

Take DAL.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Rockets should have lost to Dallas in their first game of the restart, but they took advantage of a young team making rookie mistakes. Dallas had a seven point lead with 41 seconds to play, and let it slip away. The Rockets tied the game and went on to win in overtime. Now they are facing a Bucks team that doesn't make many mistakes. Milwaukee (unlike Houston) is solid on both sides of the ball ranking top five in points scored and points allowed. The Bucks have won three straight versus Houston, and they have covered in five of the last six meetings.

Take MIL.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies were on the wrong side of an OT loss in their first game out of the restart. They looked pretty good overall, considering they were playing a healthy Portland team that is also fighting for it's playoff life. San Antonio got a win over Sacramento, but it remains to be seen if this depleted Spurs team can compete without LaMarcus Aldridge. The Spurs haven't played well all season, and they trail Memphis by three games in the standings. They have lost exactly twice as many games as they have won away from home (11-22). Memphis has won three of the last five head to head meetings, and they covered the spread in four of those games. I'll take the younger, more motivated Memphis team.

Take MEM.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Raptors.

I bet on Toronto to win the East (25-1) before the season started, and I am pretty pleased with that bet. Here is what I said in October: "There is no doubt that Kawhi Leonard deserved plenty of credit for bringing a title to Toronto, but I believe that there is a false narrative that he did it by himself. Many people question how competitive the Raptors can be without Kawhi. I would point out that last year they actually had a higher winning percentage in games he missed due to load management, than they did in the games he played. This is also a team that finished at or near the top of the Eastern Conference several seasons in a row prior to the arrival of Kawhi. Players like Fred Van Fleet and Pascal Siakam should be primed to thrive in a greater role." They catch the Lakers off a win in their first game over the Clippers, setting up LA for a let down spot. They didn't look impressive in the win over the Clippers, and they should be resting players here with a 6.5 game lead in the standings and only a handful of games to play.

Take TOR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

8*

This is an 8* play on the Orlando Magic.

The Brooklyn Nets bring a rag tag group into Orlando, without KD, Kyrie and Spencer Dinwiddie. They looked completely overmatched in their first scimmage game, scoring just 68 points in a one sided loss. They face an Orlando team that ranks among the top defensive teams in the NBA, and Orlando should have a decided advantage. After losing to the Clippers and Lakers, the Magic won their final scrimmage game against Denver. The Magic are back to full strength, and Nikola Vucevic should have his way with Brooklyn today.

Take ORL.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 7* play on the LA Lakers.

The Lakers started the season with a loss to the Clippers, and I bet on Kawhi and company in that game. Here is what I said before the season opner: "The Clippers were a playoff team last year and the Lakers were not. The Lakers are expected to be dramatically better with Anthony Davis, and so are the Clippers with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The Lakers though are old, I don't like their depth, and I think it's inevitable that LeBron loses a step." The Clippers looked like the better team before the pandemic, but I don't like what I see from them since. While Lebron looks focused with his eye on the prize, the Clippers appear to be disorganized. Lou Williams embarrassed the team when he was caught at a strip club while he was supposed to be at his grandfather's funeral (turns out it wasn't even a family member's funeral). He wasn't the only one, Pat Bev, Montrezl Harrell and center Ivica Zubac have all left the bubble. In contrast, Alex Caruso decided to pass on his sister's wedding, putting his team first. The Lakers appear to want it more at the moment.

Take LAL.

GL,

Jesse Schule

8*

This is an 8* play on the Denver Nuggets.

After the Lakers beat the Clippers last night at the Staples Center, they cemented themselves as a consensus favorite to win the NBA Championship. But did you know that Denver actually has a better home record than LA? In fact over the last five seasons, Denver has the best home record in the NBA. Tonight they host the Milwaukee Bucks without Giannis, and they should be ready to make a statement here. The Bucks have failed to cover in four straight road games, and they are 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall. Milwaukee is 6-13-1 ATS in the last 20 meetings in Denver.

Take DEN.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Toronto Raptors.

The Kings are coming off a double digit win at Portland last night, setting them up for a let down here at home in the second game of a back to back. The Raptors have won 19 of their last 23 games overall. Here is what I said about Toronto prior to their season opener: "There is no doubt that Kawhi Leonard deserved plenty of credit for bringing a title to Toronto, but I believe that there is a false narrative that he did it by himself. Many people question how competitive the Raptors can be without Kawhi. I would point out that last year they actually had a higher winning percentage in games he missed due to load management, than they did in the games he played. This is also a team that finished at or near the top of the Eastern Conference several seasons in a row prior to the arrival of Kawhi. Players like Fred Van Fleet and Pascal Siakam should be primed to thrive in a greater role. I caution against sleeping on the Raptors, and I'll take them in a home opener against the short-handed Pelicans." That looks like a pretty solid read right about now.

Take TOR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Clippers.

The Clippers have won both previous meetings, and they come into today's game looking far stronger than they have all season. They picked up Marcus Morriss, and Pat-Bev is back in the lineup. They are coming off a double digit win over Houston, holding James Harden to 16 points on 4-of-17 shooting. He was 0-for-8 from beyond the arc in the loss. The Lakers really need this game, but the Clippers are going to want it just as bad. I bet on the Clippers in the last two meetings, and I still think they are the better team. I expect Kawhi to be better than LeBron, and the Clippers to make it a 3-0 sweep.

Take LAC.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Portland Blazers.

Portland has won three straight, and Damian Lillard is back from a hamstring injury. "I felt pretty good," Lillard told reporters after Wednesday's game. "I thought I moved pretty well. I picked my moments to really explode and take off and cut hard and fight over screens and stuff like that. I didn't feel restricted." The Blazers still have plenty of work to do if they want to get back in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. They are in Phoenix tonight, and the Suns are slumping. Losers of four straight, Phoenix is just 6-20-1 ATS in their last 27 home games. The Suns are 7-20 ATS in their last 27 games overall.

Take POR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Memphis Grizzlies.

After cashing in with the Grizzlies in their win over Atlanta, I like them getting a bunch of points here against Dallas. Here is what I said prior to the game in Atlanta: "The Grizzlies have 10 more wins than Atlanta, and they are coming off an impressive win over the 1st place Lakers. Memphis is still battling for a playoff spot, and they aren't going to get caught napping here in Atlanta. The Hawks are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games following a straight up win. The Grizzlies have a positive point differential on the road, and I just don't think they should be an underdog here against an inferior team." Memphis has held three straight opponents to fewer than 90 points, including upset wins over the Lakers and the Nets. I'll take the points here in Dallas. 

Take MEM.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Sacramento Kings.

I bet on the Kings in their win over the Pistons earlier this week, and they won by six as a 6.5 point favorite. With a much smaller number here at home against a shorthanded Philly team, I am back on the Kings. Here is what I said before the game against Detroit: "The Pistons will be playing the fourth game of this current Western Conference road trip in Sacramento tonight, coming off a 113-111 win over the Suns in Phoenix on Friday. That win ended a seven game losing streak, and it's unlikely that they can follow up with a positive result here against the Kings. Pistons are 5-13-1 ATS in their last 19 games following a straight up win. Sacramento has been hot since the All Star break, winning four of five. The Kings are 5-0 ATS in their last five games overall, and they have covered in six straight versus teams with a losing record." Philly is one of the worst road teams in the NBA, and a loss here would make it 10 consecutive road losses.

Take SAC.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Toronto Raptors.

The Raptors haven't lost four straight games since 2017, and while they have lost three straight heading into tonight's game in Phoenix, they are still 18-4 in their last 22 overall. Toronto has injury concerns, but that's nothing new. Their depth has allowed them to continue to win games with whichever healthy bodies they throw out there. The Suns on the other hand will miss Kelly Oubre. Toronto has almost twice as many road wins than Phoenix has at home. The Suns are 0-6 straight up in the last six head to head meetings.

Take TOR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Hawks have been playing well lately, winning four of their last eight overall. Those wins came against two teams hit hard by injuries (Blazers and Nets). The Grizzlies have 10 more wins than Atlanta, and they are coming off an impressive win over the 1st place Lakers. Memphis is still battling for a playoff spot, and they aren't going to get caught napping here in Atlanta. The Hawks are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games following a straight up win. The Grizzlies have a positive point differential on the road, and I just don't think they should be an underdog here against an inferior team.

Take MEM.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Sacramento Kings.

The Pistons will be playing the fourth game of this current Western Conference road trip in Sacramento tonight, coming off a 113-111 win over the Suns in Phoenix on Friday. That win ended a seven game losing streak, and it's unlikely that they can follow up with a positive result here against the Kings. Pistons are 5-13-1 ATS in their last 19 games following a straight up win. Sacramento has been hot since the All Star break, winning four of five. The Kings are 5-0 ATS in their last five games overall, and they have covered in six straight versus teams with a losing record.

Take SAC.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs won't have LaMarcus Aldridge for tonight's home game against Orlando, but I don't think they are going to need him against a Magic team that is terrible on the road. Orlando is 11-18 on the road this season, and they are coming off a big home win over Minnesota last night. They are 0-5-1 ATS in their last six games playing the second game of a back to back. The Magic are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games as an underdog, and 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games overall. We expect the Spurs to take care of business on their home court.

Take SA.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Memphis Grizzlies.

I bet on Memphis in their first game back from the All Star break, and they lost by a score of 129-125 at Sacramento. Here is what I said before that game: "Memphis was one of the league's hottest teams heading into the All Star break, winning 15 of their last 19 games. They are an underdog on the road at Sacramento tonight, and the Kings are not really in the hunt for the playoffs this season. The Kings have a controversy brewing, as the rumors are that Buddy Hield wants out of Sacramento. He's unhappy with his role coming off the bench, and believes he is a starter in the league (guess he's not familiar with Lou Williams). We can expect the visitors to be more focused here as they continue their pursuit for the post season. Memphis has more road wins than the Kings have at home, and they are a tighter unit right now. "For some reason, we didn't feel the need to try to play much defense tonight," said coach Luke Walton after losing their last game. "We couldn't stop their top guys and when we did, it just didn't feel like we had the passion and desire that it takes to win, especially on the road, in this league." It looks like Walton isn't getting his players to buy in, and that is likely going to be an issue moving forward." The Kings made 19-of-39 three point attempts in that game, and I don't like their chances of doing that on the road in Memphis. I'll back the Grizz in a revenge spot.

Take MEM.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Sacramento Kings.

The Warriors have lost six straight, and four of those games were decided by double digits. They host one of the league's hottest teams, a Sacramento Kings squad that has won five of seven, including a win over the Clippers in LA in their last game. The Kings have owned the Warriors in recent seasons, covering the spread in each of the last six meetings, and they are 6-0 ATS in their last six at Golden State. The Warriors are 1-5 ATS in their last six home games, and they are 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 games following a double-digit loss at home.

Take SAC.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Utah Jazz.

Utah has come out of the All Star break and lost back to back home games to San Antonio and Houston. I will forgive them for their sloppy start to the second half (post All Star), and I don't think there is any way in hell they drop a third consecutive home game tonight versus Phoenix. The Suns are coming off a road win at Chicago, after losing by double digits to Toronto. The Suns are 1-5 ATS in their last six road games, and they are 0-5 ATS in their last five games following a straight up win. The Jazz are 7-0 ATS in their last seven games following a double-digit loss at home. The Suns are 2-7-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings in Utah. Expect the home team to win by double digits.

Take UTAH.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Brooklyn Nets.

The Nets got some great news last week, when they learned Kyrie Irving will miss the remainder of the season. Kyrie has been the biggest flake in the league ever since he told us the earth was flat in 2018. The Celtics are glad to be rid of him, and Brooklyn has been a better team without him. Now it's time for players like Caris Lavert and Garrett Temple to step up. Tonight they host an Orlando Magic team that is brutal on the road, and has lost 11 of it's last 15 overall. The Magic are 0-7 ATS in their last seven games as an underdog, and they have failed to cover the spread in 10 of their last 12 overall. Brooklyn is 5-0 ATS in it's last five home games, and 7-1 ATS in it's last eight as a favorite.

Take BKN.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the New Orleans Pelicans.

I had the Pelicans in their win over Portland on Friday, and here is what I said prior to tip off: "New Orleans went into the All Star break as one of the hotter teams in the league. They are finally healthy, and this young team is causing plenty of excitement around the league. They catch a break here on Friday, facing a Blazers team without Damian Lillard. The Pelicans are 5-1 ATS in their last six road games, and they are 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 games overall." They are in Golden State tonight, and the Warriors have lost five straight. This couldn't be a bigger mismatch.

Take NO.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Toronto Raptors.

I had the Raptors on Friday, and they beat the Phoenix Suns by double digits. Here is what I said prior to tip off: "the Raptors are defending NBA Champions, and their record this year isn't any different than it was this time last year. The media doesn't really believe in the Raptors, but then again they thought Toronto would get swept in the Finals last year." Toronto has now won 16 of their last 17 overall, and eight straight home games. They covered the spread in six of those eight home games, and they won by double digits in six of those eight games. The Pacers are 13-27 ATS in the last 40 meetings in Toronto. This line should be almost double what it is.

Take TOR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Milwaukee Bucks.

After the Sixers rallied at home to beat the Nets, Joel Embiid told reporters that he was the best player in the world. Embiid is delusional, and so are Philly fans if they think this team is going anywhere in the playoffs. The Sixers can't win on the road, and that will mean that they aren't going to have home court advantage in the post-season. They are on the road tonight, facing the best team in the NBA. Philly has won four straight, but their last defeat was a double digit loss here in Wisconsin. The Sixers have failed to cover in four of their last five in Milwaukee, and I see no reason to "buck" that trend here tonight.

Take MIL.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies lost a close game at Sacramento last night, and normally playing the second game of a back to back is considered to be a significant disadvantage. This might not be the case in this situation however though, with the Lakers playing their first game back from the All Star Break and the Grizzlies being a young team playing for just the second time in over a week. I lost my bet with the Grizzlies last night, but I was happy with their effort. The fact is that the Kings hit 19-of-39 three point attempts, making it almost impossible for the Grizzlies to keep up. The fact that they rallied to within a point in the final seven seconds says a lot about their character, and I hope to see them play the same way tonight in LA. The Lakers could be caught looking ahead to a marquee matchup versus the Celtics on Sunday.

Take MEM.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the New Orleans Pelicans.

New Orleans went into the All Star break as one of the hotter teams in the league. They are finally healthy, and this young team is causing plenty of excitement around the league. They catch a break here on Friday, facing a Blazers team without Damian Lillard. The Pelicans are 5-1 ATS in their last six road games, and they are 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 games overall. The Pelicans are 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings, and they have won outright in three straight meetings. That includes a 102-94 win in their last game at the Rose Garden.

Take NO.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Toronto Raptors.

The Suns have covered the spread in 10 straight meetings versus Toronto, but this is one trend I don't think will hold. Let's be real about this.. the Raptors are defending NBA Champions, and their record this year isn't any different than it was this time last year. The media doesn't really believe in the Raptors, but then again they thought Toronto would get swept in the Finals last year. Toronto will be a 7.5 point favorite tonight, a smaller number than we saw in each of the last six meetings. The Suns have failed to cover in four straight road games and seven of their last eight overall. Toronto had won 15 straight before losing in Brooklyn in their final game before the break. They have covered in six straight coming off a loss.

Take TOR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Memphis Grizzlies.

Memphis was one of the league's hottest teams heading into the All Star break, winning 15 of their last 19 games. They are an underdog on the road at Sacramento tonight, and the Kings are not really in the hunt for the playoffs this season. The Kings have a controversy brewing, as the rumors are that Buddy Hield wants out of Sacramento. He's unhappy with his role coming off the bench, and believes he is a starter in the league (guess he's not familiar with Lou Williams). We can expect the visitors to be more focused here as they continue their pursuit for the post season. Memphis has more road wins than the Kings have at home, and they are a tighter unit right now. "For some reason, we didn't feel the need to try to play much defense tonight," said coach Luke Walton after losing their last game. "We couldn't stop their top guys and when we did, it just didn't feel like we had the passion and desire that it takes to win, especially on the road, in this league." It looks like Walton isn't getting his players to buy in, and that is likely going to be an issue moving forward.

Take MEM.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are nine games up on New Orleans in the standings, and they have a better road record than New Orleans has at home. Still the Pelicans are the favorite here, and I am jumping all over it. The Thunder are slumping, coming into tonight's game off back to back home losses. The Pelicans have won three straight and six of their last eight. Zion Williamson appears to be getting better with every game, and he's coming off a career high 31 points against the Blazers. The way this teams is playing, you really have to toss out all the numbers before Zion joined a healthy roster with Jrue Holliday, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo and J.J. Reddick.

Take NO.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Orlando Magic.

Orlando is still a playoff team in the Eastern Conference, while the Pistons right now might be driving a large metal vehicle on tracks (tank). The Pistons have lost three straight, and two of those losses came at home against teams with a losing record. With the All Star break coming up, we shouldn't expect a big effort from this Detroit team on the road tonight. The history between these teams favors the home team, which has won nine of the last 10. The Pistons are 1-5 ATS in the last six meetings in Orlando.

Take ORL.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on MIN@TOR to go Over the total.

The Minnesota T-Wolves shook things up at the trade deadline, and their first game with a new look roster was dramatic indeed. They scored 142 points in a blowout win over the Clippers Saturday. They attempted 44 three-point shots in the game, making 26 of them. This is a team that needs to score to win games, because they rank 27th in the NBA in opponent's scoring average allowing over 115 points per game. The Raptors scored 122 points in a double digit win at Minnesota earlier this year, and another high score should be expected here tonight. Toronto has won 13 straight overall, and the majority of those games were high scoring. Their last two home games have ended with the exact same score (119-118). The over is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings, and the Raptors have gone over in four straight home games.

Take Over.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Portland Blazers.

Portland is making a run for the post-season, which really shouldn't surprise anyone. If you have been paying attention over the last several years, you should remember that this is a team that has started slow only to dominate in the second half of the season, and then they have made plenty of noise in the playoffs. It seems like Dame Time has arrived, as Damian Lillard has scored 40+ points in six of his last nine games. It's not surprising that the Blazers have won six of their last nine games. They take on a shorthanded Miami Heat team tonight. Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro are expected to sit out tonight. The Blazers have covered in four straight home games, and they are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games versus Miami.

Take POR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Pacers.

This might be the mother of all let down spots for Toronto. The Raptors trailed by as many as 22 points, and were down double digits in the final 2.5 minutes at home versus Indiana on Wednesday, but rallied to win a franchise best 12th straight game. Now they face those same Pacers on the road in the second game of this home and home set. This sets up the big revenge angle for a tough Pacers team that is 18-7 on their home floor this season. History certainly favors the home team in this series, with the hosts winning nine of the last 10 straight up.

Take IND.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Sixers are really struggling, coming into tonight's game as losers of four straight. While they have struggled on the road, they are still 22-2 at home. This isn't an easy home game though, playing the second game of a back to back, facing a Memphis team that has won 13 of it's last 16. The Grizzlies have all the momentum, and they are getting a ton of points here all things considered. The Sixers have failed to cover in five of their last six when playing on no rest, and the starters logged plenty of minutes in Milwaukee last night. I have a tough time believing that a team that is playing so poorly can simply flip the switch just because they are back home.

Take MEM.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Mavs have already proved that they shouldn't be taken lightly just because Luka Doncic isn't in the lineup. They have won back to back games without him, and they are now 4-3 in their last seven when he doesn't play. They will face a particularly tough opponent tonight though, with the Grizzlies coming in as winners of 12 of their last 15 games. Dallas hasn't had a lot of success at home, with a record of just 14-12 on their home floor. The Mavericks are 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 home games. This looks like a good spot to take the points with a Grizzlies team that has plenty of momentum.

Take MEM.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Grizz are coming off a double digit road loss to New Orleans, but they had won 11 of their previous 13 games. They still hold the eighth and final playoff spot in the West, but Porland is now on their heels sitting a game and a half back. They host the Pistons tonight, and Detroit comes off an overtime win at home over Denver on Sunday. Derrick Rose left the game after suffering a groin injury in the first half, and he should look to rest here in the second game of a back to back. The Pistons had lost five straight (all by double digits) prior to Sunday. Detroit is just 1-5 ATS when playing the second game of a back to back, and they have failed to cover in four of their last five versus Memphis.

Take MEM.

GL,

Jesse Schule

8*

?

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

The first thing that comes to mind when you see the Grizzlies playing the Pelicans might be that a high score is expected. That's fair enough, as both teams rank in the Top 10 in scoring, and the bottom 10 in defense. This hasn't been lost on the bookmakers, who have set the total for this game higher than 240. Neither of these two teams have reached that number since the last time they played each other. The Grizzlies have been a completely different team over their last 13 games, going 11-2 during that span. They are now in a position to make the playoffs, and an increased emphasis on defense should be expected. These two teams have failed to reach the total in eight of the last 10 head to head meetings. The Grizzlies have gone under in seven of their last nine, and they have gone under in five straight versus New Orleans.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a Free NBA play on Memphis.

The Grizzlies are making a furious push for the post-season, and they come into New York as winners of 10 of their last 12. They have been playing well on the road, going 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 road games. It will be the second game of a back to back for both teams, but this is a spot where the Knicks have struggled. New York has failed to cover in seven of their last nine when playing the second game of a back to back. The Grizzlies are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games overall.

Take MEM.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies have won eight of their last 10 overall, and four of their last five home games. They are just a small favorite here on Sunday versus Phoenix, and history doesn't favor the Suns here. The Suns are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall, and they are 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a straight up win. Coming off a close win over an uninsprired Spurs team, they should be primed for a let down here against the grittier Grizzlies. The Grizzlies come in with the NBA's seventh-best 2-point field-goal average at 53.3 percent.

Take Memphis.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a Free play on the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Celtics come into New Orleans with Jason Tatum, Marcus Smart, Jalen Brown and Enes Kanter all on their most recent injury report. Kanter will not play on Sunday, and the status of the others remains in question. The Pelicans have lost back to back close games to San Antonio and Denver, but they have to be pleased with the effort from Zion Williamson. In just his third NBA game, he's still looking for his first win. New Orleans is finally healthy, and this team appears to primed for a big run. This looks like a let down spot for a banged up Boston team. The Pelicans are 9-1-1 ATS in their last 11 games as an underdog.

Take NO.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs three game winning streak includes a road win over the Suns, and they have won six of their last seven home games against Phoenix. The Spurs hold the final playoff spot in the West, and they are showing signs of turning their season around. They have roughly the same squad they had a year ago, and that team had the best home record in the NBA. The Suns are 2-7 ATS in their last nine games overall, and they are 1-5 ATS in their last six games following an ATS loss. San Antonio has won four straight home meetings against the Suns, and three of those four games were decided by double digits.

Take SA.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Toronto Raptors.

The Sixers come into Toronto as winners of four straight, and people are talking about how they haven't missed Joel Embiid. Let's put things in perspective though, they have won four games against teams with a losing record. The Raptors don't just have a winning record, they are defending NBA Champions. Despite being hit hard by injuries, they sit just a game back of second place Miami. Marc Gasol, Fred Van Fleet and Pascal Siakam have all returned to the lineup, and Toronto has scored an average of 128.5 points during a four game winning streak. The 76ers are 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight road games, and they are 2-7 ATS in the last nine meetings in Toronto.

The play is on TOR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

8*

This is a 5* play on the Lakers.

LeBron and company are rolling into Boston as winners of 10-of-11. Anthony Davis has been sidelined with a sore backside, but it hasn't really been much of a pain in the ass for the Lakers. The Celtics have lost six of their last eight, and show no signs of being ready to compete with the league's best teams. Both Kemba Walker and Anthony Davis are listed as questionable for Monday's game, but surely the Celtics would miss Walker more than the Lakers would miss Davis. Regardless, expect LeBron to put on a show here in such a high profile game.

Take LA.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Boston Celtics.

Boston is coming off back to back double digit home wins, one of those a win over New Orleans by a whopping 35 points. The Pistons on the other hand come into the Garden as losers of 12 of their last 15 overall. Most recently they lost at home in overtime to the Pelicans, and New Orleans was without Brandon Igram, JJ Reddick, Derrick Favors and Jrue Holliday. The Pistons can't even beat one of the worst teams in the league with four starters out of the lineup on their home floor. It's hard to expect them to compete against a healthy Celtics team that is 16-3 at home. The Pistons are 5-13-1 ATS in their last 19 road games, and they have lost back to back visits to Boston by a combined 28 points.

Take BOS.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Portland Blazers.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have the worst home record in the Western Conference. They host the Blazers tonight, and only one game separates these teams in the standings. The Blazers have started slow in each of the last few seasons, only to go on a tear in the second half and sneak into the playoffs. You have to expect that they are primed to do the same this year. The Blazers have won six of their last seven against the Wolves, and they are 21-7 ATS in the last 28 meetings in Minnesota. The Timberwolves are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 home games.

Take POR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Boston Celtics.

The Celtics have lost back to back games, first in Washington without leading scorer Kemba Walker, and then again last night at home versus the Spurs. Walker returned to action last night but was ejected for the first time in his career after getting hit with a pair of technical fouls. After such an embarrassing home loss, you can expect to see the Celtics playing with purpose here in Philly just 24 hours later. The Sixers are reeling, coming into this game as losers of four of their last five. Making matters worse, Joel Embiid will not play after dislocating his finger against Oklahoma City. The Celtics have had plenty of success against Philly in recent seasons. They are 11-4 ATS in the last 15 meetings, and they are 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings in Philadelphia.

Take BOS.

GL,

Jesse Schule

8*

This is an 8* play on Oklahoma City.

The Thunder lost a close game at Philly last night, but they had won nine of their previous 10 games. They have the best record in the NBA since December 1st, and their 20 wins are four more than Brooklyn's 16. The Nets are coming off a double digit loss at Orlando, their sixth consecutive defeat. The Thunder are 6-0 ATS in their last six games when playing on back to back nights. The Nets haven't covered in five straight games, and they have lost five of their last six against Oklahoma City.

Take OKC.

GL,

Jesse Schule`

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

The Miami Heat own the best home record in the NBA at 16-1. They host Portland on Sunday, and the bookmakers have the total listed sky high at 223. These teams haven't seen a total as high as 220 in any of the previous 10 head to head meetings. Only one of those games saw a total higher than 215. Both these teams come in cold, with Portland coming in as losers of five of six overall. They scored an average of 107 points in those losses, well below their season average of 112+ points per game. The Heat are coming off back to back games scoring fewer than 90 points. They scored 84 in a home win over Toronto, then followed up with just 85 points in a loss at Orlando.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

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

The Raptors have been hit hard by injuries, playing without Marc Gasol, Norm Powell and leading scorer Pascal Siakam. They lost 84-76 at Miami in their last game, shooting just over 30 percent from the field. Siakam hasn't played since December 19th, and the Raptors have scored an average of 106.5 points in eight games since (well below their season average). They have also stepped up on defense during that span, and they have held opponents under 100 points in four straight games. The under is 5-1-1 in the Raptors last seven road games, and they have failed to reach the total in four of their last five in Brooklyn.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Houston Rockets.

The Houston Rockets and the Philadelphia 76ers have identical overall records (23-13). Both teams though have earned the majority of their wins at home. The Sixers are just 7-11 on the road, and the Rockets are 12-4 in Houston. The Sixers have lost three straight and are coming off a blowout loss at Indiana, while the Rockets just beat Denver by 20+ points. Eric Gordon is back in the lineup for the Rockets, and Houston is 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games playing on 2 days rest. The 76ers are 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine road games.

Take HOU.

GL,

Jesse Schule

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

The Spurs have turned things around, winning five of their last seven home games. San Antonio is one of the highest scoring teams in the NBA, averaging over 113 points per game. They would have a lot better record if they weren't allowing opponents to average over 115 points per game. The Warriors had won four straight, but then lost 141-121 at home to Dallas on Sunday. The over is 12-3 in the Spurs last 15 games as a home favorite, and they have gone over in four straight at home. The Spurs hit a season high 18 three-point shots in a win over Detroit on Saturday.

Take Over.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Indiana.

The Pacers are one of the top home teams in the NBA, with a record of 14-3 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Sixers are also great at home, but they really struggle on the road with a record of just 7-10. The Pacers are just a game back in the overall Eastern Conference standings, and they look good as a home dog here versus Philly. Ben Simmons missed practice on Monday, and his status for tonight's game is in question. The 76ers are 1-5 ATS in their last six games as a road favorite, and they are 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight road games.

Take IND.

GL,

Jesse Schule

8*

This is an 8* play on the San Antonio Spurs.

I had the Spurs in a 102-98 loss to Dallas, and they covered the spread quite easily. All of a sudden the Spurs are one of the hottest teams in the league. They have covered the spread in five of their last six, and they have won five of their last seven at home. The Pistons have lost four straight at San Antonio, and they are just 3-7 ATS in the last 10 meetings.

Take SA.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs appear to have turned things around, coming into Dallas as winners of five of their last eight overall. The Mavs sit seven games clear of San Antonio in the standings, but they haven't been all that strong at home. In fact 11 of their 19 wins have come on the road. They are 2-2 since losing Luca Doncic to an ankle injury, and they have lost three of their last four home games. Doncic is questionable to return for tonight's game, but the Mavs would be wise to be extremely cautious with their young star. We saw LeBron come back to play on Christmas Day only to aggravate a nagging groin injury.

Take SA.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on DEN@PHX to go Over the total.

The Nuggets come into Phoenix as winners of six straight, and they have scored an average of more than 114 points per game during that span. The Nuggets are the best defensive team in the NBA, but in this day and age it still doesn't mean they can hold opponents to an average of less than 100 points per game. They allow an average of roughly 102 points per game, and the Suns are far from an average opponent. Phoenix averages over 114 points per game, but they allow opponents to average even more than that. The over is 9-0 in the Suns last nine games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points, and they have gone over in 11 of their last 14 home games.

Take Over.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on DEN@LAL to go Over the total.

The Nuggets are the best defensive team in the NBA, but in this day and age it still doesn't mean they can hold opponents to an average of less than 100 points per game. They allow an average of roughly 102 points per game, and the Lakers are far from an average opponent. Denver has won five straight, and all five of those games saw 209+ total points. We can see that these two teams have failed to go over the total in five straight meetings, but in four of those five games they combined to score 209+ points. Looks like this number should be a few points higher.

Take Over.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Denver Nuggets.

The Nuggets are the best defensive team in the NBA, but in this day and age it still doesn't mean they can hold opponents to an average of less than 100 points per game. They allow an average of roughly 102 points per game, and the Lakers are far from an average opponent. Denver has won five straight, and all five of those games saw 209+ total points. We can see that these two teams have failed to go over the total in five straight meetings, but in four of those five games they combined to score 209+ points. Looks like this number should be a few points higher, and Denver looks good getting points.

Take DEN.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the San Antonio Spurs.

It's been a rough start to the season for the Spurs, but there is no denying that they are playing better basketball of late. They come into tonight's game off a 109-107 loss to Houston, in a game that they blew a 25-point lead. You could say the glass is half full, but the Spurs have won four of their last five home games, and that includes outright wins over the Clippers and the Rockets. History favors the home team here as the Nets are just 9-25-1 ATS in the last 35 head to head meetings. They have failed to cover in six of their last seven in San Antonio. 

Take SA.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Portland.

The Blazers are rolling, and they will be a heavy favorite at home against a Warriors team that is just 3-13 on the road, and owns the NBA's worst overall record. The Warriors are coming off a particularly disturbing loss, forcing 29 turnovers in a 21-point home loss to Sacramento. The Warriors are 0-6-1 ATS in their last seven games following a double-digit loss at home. We have every reason to expect the Warriors struggles to continue in Portland.

Take POR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Utah Jazz.

The Orlando Magic don't win a lot of road games, and perhaps they shouldn't get too jacked up coming a double digit win in New Orleans, versus  a Pelicans team that has lost 12 in a row. They face a far tougher task tonight in Utah, where the Jazz are 10-3 on the season. Utah has won three of four, and all three of those wins have come by 7+ points. The Magic get a boost with the return of Nikola Vucevi, cbut keep in mind they lost six of 10 before his injury. Last year he averaged 17.5 points in two games versus the Jazz, well below his season average of 20.8 points per game. Only three teams in the NBA held him to a lower average than Utah. The Jazz lost by a score of 106-93 in last year's visit to Utah.

Take UTAH.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on San Antonio.

The Spurs have played a record four straight overtime games, and the good news is that they have won three of those four games. They are 4-2 in their last six overall, and during that span they have wins over the Rockets and Clippers. The Rockets are coming off a home loss to the Detroit Pistons, and they have not been a good bet to cover a point spread. Houston have failed to cover in five of it's last six as a favorite, and the Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their last six games versus a team with a losing straight up record. Four of the last five head to head meetings between these teams have been decided by fewer than 10 points.

Take SA.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Phoenix Suns.

I had the Suns in their last game, a 125-109 home win over Minnesota. Here is what I said before the game: "The Suns return home after earning a 2-2 split during a four game road trip, and they will be just a small favorite tonight versus Minnesota. The T-Wolves have lost four straight, and they were hammered by a score of 142-125 at LA last night. This is a tough spot for the visitors, playing on back to back nights in a third game in four nights. They have not fared well in recent meetings versus Phoenix." Memphis comes to town off a win at Golden State, and the Grizzlies are 2-7 ATS in their last nine games following a straight up win.

Take PHX.

GL,

Jesse Schule

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

The Clippers won at home by a score of 98-88 in the first meeting between these teams this season. Tonight's game will be a far bigger deal, as Kawhi is returning to Toronto for the first time since winning the NBA Championship with the Raptors last year. He was held to 12 points on 2-of-11 shooting in the last meeting. The Raptors are 9-2 at home this season, and they are one of the top defensive teams in the NBA. This total appears to be a little inflated.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Sixers and the Nuggets have a lot of similarities. Both these teams play strong defensively, ranking 1st and 3rd respectively in opponent's scoring average. Both teams are also far better at home than they are on the road. The Nuggets had the best home record in the league last year, and the Sixers are 12-0 at home so far this year. Denver has struggled to score lately, losing four of their last five and failing to score 100 points in three of those four losses. The Nuggets are 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight road games, and they are 1-5 ATS in their last six versus the Sixers.

Take PHI.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 7* play on the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns return home after earning a 2-2 split during a four game road trip, and they will be just a small favorite tonight versus Minnesota. The T-Wolves have lost four straight, and they were hammered by a score of 142-125 at LA last night. This is a tough spot for the visitors, playing on back to back nights in a third game in four nights. They have not fared well in recent meetings versus Phoenix. The Timberwolves are 2-6-1 ATS in the last nine meetings. The Suns are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games versus a team with a losing straight up record.

Take PHX.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Sacramento Kings.

The Kings have lost six of their last 10 games overall, but only one of those six losses came by more than 11 points. The Rockets have won just four of their last eight overall, and only one of those four wins came by more than 11 points. The Kings appear to be a strong play getting a 12 point cushion here in Houston coming off an upset win over the Mavericks in Dallas. The Kings are 14-3 ATS in their last 17 games overall, and they are 5-1 ATS in their last six road games.

Take SAC.

GL,

Jesse Schule

8*

This is a 5* play on Portland.

The public is in love with the Lakers, and it's hard to blame them. They just keep winning (12 of their last 13) and they are coming off consecutive big wins at Denver and at Utah. Not all those games were blowouts though, recent wins over Memphis, New Orleans and Oklahoma City came by fewer than 4.5 points. They have had trouble in Portland over the years. The Lakers are 10-23 ATS in the last 33 meetings in Portland, and they are 20-45 ATS in the last 65 meetings. I'll take the home dog getting a handful of points.

Take POR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 7* play on the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs have been pretty bad this season overall, but they have been pretty good lately. Home wins over the Rockets and the Clippers might just be a sign that Pop has his house in order. The Sacramento Kings are in town tonight, and Sacramento is just 3-8 on the road. The Kings have lost four of five and they are 2-7 ATS in their last nine games following an ATS loss. "A lot of what we built we built around having certain guys, and they haven't been with us," Kings coach Luke Walton said. "That's why I go back to giving our guys credit. They've adjusted, they've adapted, continued to work." The Kings are still a little banged up and I don't expect them to have much success against the Spurs in San Antonio.

Take SPURS.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Toronto Raptors.

I took Toronto in their home opener versus New Orleans, and this is what I said prior to tip off: "There is no doubt that Kawhi Leonard deserved plenty of credit for bringing a title to Toronto, but I believe that there is a false narrative that he did it by himself. Many people question how competitive the Raptors can be without Kawhi. I would point out that last year they actually had a higher winning percentage in games he missed due to load management, than they did in the games he played. This is also a team that finished at or near the top of the Eastern Conference several seasons in a row prior to the arrival of Kawhi. Players like Fred Van Fleet and Pascal Siakam should be primed to thrive in a greater role. I caution against sleeping on the Raptors, and I'll take them in a home opener against the short-handed Pelicans." The Raptors should be a bigger favorite here against an average Houston team

Take TOR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on LAL@UTAH to go Under the total.

The Lakers are coming off a 105-96 win over the Nuggets last night, winning for the 11th time in their last 12 games. The Lakers are ranked as one of the top teams in the NBA in scoring defense, allowing an average of 103 points per game so far this season. They might have a tough time on the road on back to back nights against the Utah Jazz, who are another one of the league's top defensive teams. The Lakers have gone under in six straight, and the under is 5-1 in their last six games in Utah. The Jazz are coming off a 103-94 loss at Philly, and the under is 9-2 in their last 11 games following a straight up loss.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Washington Wizards.

The Wizards poor defense has prevented them from winning more than a handful of games, and they are just 3-4 at home this season. That's still three times as many wins as the Orlando Magic have on the road. The Magic have really missed big man Nikola Vucevic, and they come into tonight's game averaging just 101 points per game (29th in the NBA). The Magic are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games, and they are 0-8 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up win. The Magic are 4-11-1 ATS in the last 16 meetings in Washington.

Take WAS.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Phoenix Suns.

Phoenix comes into this road game at Charlotte off three straight losses, but I like their chances of getting off the schneid here tonight. While they lost to the Mavs, Nuggets and Wizards, all three of those games were competitive. They face a Charlotte team that is anything but competitive. The Hornets have lost six of eight, and both wins during that span came against Detroit. The Suns are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 road games versus a team with a losing home record. The Suns struggled with Rubio out of the lineup, but he's back and should be close to 100 percent for tonight's game.

Take PHX.

GL,

Jesse Schule

10*