Friday’s play in tournament games should create a rise in the level of play. For the Knicks they will need a win to have a chance in their group. Additionally, the Knicks will seek revenge from last season’s playoff loss to the Heat. Take the Knicks as they end the Heat’s impressive 9-1 run.

Chicago has been a troubling team to watch. In most games this year they have dug themselves huge holes including their last matchup against the Miami Heat. After being down 20 to 1 they surged for a comeback win. It may be short lived but look for the Bulls to play inspired basketball off the big comeback.

The New York Knicks come into Monday’s game against the Timberwolves surging. They are also on a road trip that could cause them problems. Minnesota themselves have concluded their West Coast road trip, and sometimes that can lead to a sluggish start. Yet, I believe they will find their energy at a juncture in the second half and add another win. Take the Timberwolves.

Despite being on a six game losing streak the LA Clippers still are sizeable favorites tonight. I expect Los Angeles to answer the call in a big way. In their last outing against the Denver Nuggets they showed a level of competitiveness that can finally get them over the hump. Take the Clippers.

The NBA travels to Mexico City today as the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic meet. The Magic appeared to be going in the right direction after two strong wins, including one over the Lakers. Yet, in their last matchup they surrendered a double digit halftime lead of thirteen points to the Dallas Mavericks. They scored just thirty six second half points. Look for the Hawks to take advantage on the international stage.

The Washington Wizards travel to face a Miami Heat team that may rank as the top team in search of a win tonight. Slow starts of the Heat are nothing new as last year they began the season 7-11. They have had a difficult schedule to begin the season but also are lacking the depth they had last year with Gabe Vincent and Max Strus. Grab the points here with the Wizards.

Friday, the Cleveland Cavaliers will attempt to get revenge on the road for the second time this season. They just defeated the Knicks on Wednesday after losing to them on Tuesday at home. That was a confidence booster for a team that was on a three game losing streak. Take Cleveland as Indiana’s poor defense continues.

The New Orleans Pelicans continue to have players in and out of the lineup. Tonight in a back to back scenario the Pelicans will have Zion Williamson out due to rest. There’s also a chance Brandon Ingram returns to the court. Look for the Pistons to bounce back off of consecutive losses and keep this close due to the Pelicans lack of lineup consistency. Grab the points.

The Dallas Mavericks undefeated start to the season is not fooling anyone. All wins were against teams that are undermanned or in a true transition with youth. Chicago may be a veteran team but their issues of competition for four full quarters are a real deal. Look for Dallas to continue taking advantage of a weaker schedule to begin the season. Grab Dallas.

Milwaukee is 2-1 on the season but has yet to cover a spread. In their first road game of the season tonight they may be under valued against the Toronto Raptors. Their new first year coach in Adrian Griffin was an assistant for the Raptors the prior five seasons. Additionally, the Raptors are struggling to adjust early in the season. Take the Bucks as the road favorite.

Two teams that have not began the year strong will meet in the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers. Last season the Knicks dominated their postseason matchup winning four games to one. Additionally, the Cavaliers are surrendering 115 points per game which is up considerably from last year’s top ranking. Take the Knicks as the Cavaliers lose their third straight home game.

The Utah Jazz have always been the type of team where home court has been a big advantage. It still may be but they just have run into the wrong first two opponents on their home court. The Sacramento Kings elevated their play for a double digit win, and the Clippers appear to have one of the deepest rosters in the NBA. Lay it here with LA.

The Portland Trailblazers are a completely new look team after trading Damian Lillard. Early in a season though often times we see these type of teams over achieve to begin the year. The youth and veteran presence of DeAndre Ayton, Malcolm Brogdon and Jerami Grant can give the Clippers enough of a battle to cover this big spread. Take the points as the Trailblazers cash as the biggest NBA underdog on the board.

The Phoenix Suns made the necessary moves of trading DeAndre Ayton and Chris Paul after years of playoff failures. Adding Bradley Beal now makes them a more offensive team, which should pay dividends off the bat against the Warriors. Last season they won the first three matchups decisively by double digits. Take the Suns who have consistently been one of the best regular season teams in the NBA.

The Boston Celtics quickly have shifted the thoughts on the possibility of being the first team ever to erase a 3-0 series deficit. They have supreme confidence once again and the experience of so many trips to the Eastern Conference Finals. They may not jump out on the Miami Heat as quickly as in game five but their surge will happen. Take Boston to push this series to seven games and cover the number.

The Miami Heat used the momentum from stealing game two and rode it to a cruising game three victory. Clearly the Celtics were not ready to match the Heat’s intensity from the onset of game three. Yet, for the first time this series the tide has shifted to the Celtics being the underdog. Look for Boston to finally play with an edge as the Heat stumble a bit with such a big series advantage. Grab the Celtics.

The Miami Heat have full control of the Eastern Conference Finals series after winning games one and two at Boston. Yet, don’t expect the Celtics to not counter. They were down in their last series to the 76ers and have the pedigree of experience to overcome. They’re also a team that’s style of play does not wane on the road. On the steep spread discount grab Boston in game three.

In game one the Denver Nuggets dominated from the middle of the first quarter until the five minute mark of the fourth quarter. While the Lakers did make a run I expect game two to be a tale of two halves. Denver’s home dominance will not be over rode as their playoff streak improves to 8-0. Take Denver

The Lakers success this post-season has been their ability to knock off teams in game one. They did so against both Memphis and Golden State to set the tone. Yet, Denver is the first team this postseason that has the interior and perimeter balance to negate the Lakers defensively. Lay it as Denver covers and boosts their regular season and postseason home record to 41-7.

The point spread has not been a deciding factor in the playoffs. Tonight look for that to change with Golden State in a must win situation on the road. What has been their downfall in this series is executing in tight games. They’ll perform better in crunch time with their season at stake. Grab the points with Golden State.

The New York Knicks are lucky they are not down three games to nothing against the Miami Heat. They needed to rally in game two against an undermanned Heat team to win. Look for game three’s lackluster effort to finally be the wake up call the Knicks need. This will be a much more competitive game. Grab the points.

The Phoenix Suns have their backs against the wall after two disastrous road performances in Denver. They’ve had three full days off to regroup and accept a challenge. That challenge is to take care of home court with two games in the next forty eight hours. A new look lineup will benefit the Suns. Take Phoenix.

No matter how poor a series goes, teams that are down usually show a mini pulse on their home floor. Cleveland has to revert to the old adage of one game at a time. Game five tonight should be their best showcase performance of the season. Angry and poor play to get to this point should boil over. Take the Cavaliers.

The Denver Nuggets have shown to truly be a viable top seed in the post-season. That may change in the second round but clearly they have the upper hand from a roster stand point against the Timberwolves. Minnesota may show some fight for the first quarter or even first half, but look for the Nuggets to end this series today and close out the Timberwolves. 

After Saturday’s game one victory over the Cavaliers the Knicks have now won four straight over Cleveland. Yet often times we see a game one victory be an after thought. The tide can change quickly and I expect Cleveland to play much better where they were 31 and 10 on their home floor. They’ll boost their offense and keep the Knicks under 105 points. Take the Cavaliers.

Philadelphia cruised in game one over the Brooklyn Nets to win by twenty points. The merit to keep their foot on the gas and make quick work of the Nets is there. Yet, this is a big number for a Nets team that was within range of this spread for three quarters in game one. This may be a quick series but expect the Nets to put in their best effort tonight. Take the underdog here.

Almost by default the Timberwolves are slight underdogs Tuesday after an outright loss as near twenty point favorites to Portland. As inexcusable as the loss was the Timberwolves now have a handful of games with Karl Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards back on the court together. They’ve also been a better road team as of late where they are 3-1 over their last four road games. Take the Timberwolves

A non playoff team that has been stellar ATS-wise down the stretch has been Orlando. They’ve gone 8-0-1 ATS over the last nine games. Tuesday though is a spot of concern. Cleveland’s potent guard play combined with their top team defense is going to give the Magic problems. Additionally, minutes have been tough to come by with Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris, Cole Anthony, and Jalen Suggs all getting playing time. Take the Cavaliers as the Magic’s ATS streak comes to an end.

Down the stretch of the season the Denver Nuggets are becoming a conundrum. Although their home record is 32-7, they’ve dropped three of their past four home games. Uncertainty regarding starters and more importantly Nikola Jokic is creating value on road teams. Golden State may have just nine road wins but they are a team you can bump up ATS-wise April onward. Tail the Warriors

The Dallas Mavericks continue to fall short as they are 3-7 over their last ten games. They’ll travel to Atlanta today in a back to back spot still on the outside looking in for the post-season. Expect a tale of two halves as Dallas likely races out to a lead but falls short when it matters most. Tail Atlanta. 

Incentive to get into the post-season has trumped point spreads over the last several days. The Pelicans have been one of the best examples as they have won six of their past seven games, and the one loss they surrendered a twenty point lead to the Warriors. Yet, this is a spot where I believe the Clippers as a veteran team will rise to the occasion after a poor showing yesterday to the Grizzlies. Take the points here in a close game.

Tonight we should get a much better matchup than Wednesday’s Clippers and Grizzlies matchup that featured several players out. On the Clippers side they did see Norman Powell return to action, and Kawhi Leonard is expected to play tonight. Yet, I expect the Grizzlies to put on a showcase performance as this is their last true home game against a playoff opponent. Tail Memphis 

Before line movement occurs I want to get out in front with a mid-week play on the Phoenix Suns. Kevin Durant’s likely return should spark line movement on the Suns side. Phoenix has done very well this year with a 3-0 ATS mark against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Additionally, Devin Booker matched a season-high ten assists in one of the victories over the Timberwolves. With Minnesota playing their third game in four nights take the Suns.

Despite being on a six game winning streak the Memphis Grizzlies are favored only one point more than they were on the road against Orlando in January. That speaks to the recent success of the Orlando Magic who have won four of five games, and are on a 6-1-1 ATS streak. Take Orlando as they continue to compete hard and carry over some momentum into next season with their youth.

Tuesday, the Cleveland Cavaliers  will return to the city of their worst loss of the season against the Atlanta Hawks. On February 24th the Cavaliers lost by seventeen points and gave up 136 points total. Atlanta shot lights out at 59 percent and even had a forty nine point second quarter. As strong as the Cavaliers have been as of late, look for the Hawks to protect their home floor once again. Take Atlanta.

A late add for the night cap on the Clippers. LA comes in having won five of six while the Thunder have won seven of nine. The big angle here is Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will be on the floor together for the first time this season against the Thunder. Look for the Clippers to attack a Thunder team that’s had a strange schedule as of late. Play the Clippers.

Wednesday, the Minnesota Timberwolves return home where they have lost four straight. In fact, their last home win was prior to All Star break on February 5th. The slide gets worse if you examine the Timberwolves on their home floor against Eastern Conference opponents, where they have dropped five straight. Take the Boston Celtics to recover from a poor loss to the Houston Rockets. Tail the Celtics. 

A matchup the public has been wrong on repeatedly this season has been the Warrior and Suns. The first three matchups the point spread moved heavily in the Warriors favor, to only see the Suns blow out the Warriors all three times. In fact, the Suns have won by double figures in all three meetings. For the fourth and final matchup look for the Warriors entire roster to dig in and avoid the embarrassment of four losses to the Suns this season. Grab the Warriors. 

The inconsistencies of the Miami Heat’s season has been puzzling this season. They are just three games above .500, and as a veteran team need to begin to raise their level of play. Tonight should be a golden opportunity against the Utah Jazz. Miami has had a home friendly schedule with six of their past seven games at home. There lone road game was in Orlando, so they have not left the state since February 27th. Play the Heat.

The Pistons have dropped ten straight and the outlook is bleak with several starters out. But the Pacers are untrustworthy on the defensive end of the floor, and this should be a spot where the Pistons actually show some value. Take them at home as the slight underdogs against the Pacers. 

The LA Clippers free fall began last Friday with a loss against the Sacramento Kings. In that scenario the Kings were in a back to back spot but did not rest any players. In fact D’Aron Fox and Malik Monk both scored forty plus points. To see the way the Clippers melted in yesterday’s loss and now will have Kawhi Leonard on load management speaks volumes. Take the Kings who show no mercy.

We’ve seen this repeat story with the Lakers fading without LeBron as the season nears end. Although they have a more talented team it’s a group that also senses the inevitable. Expect a lackluster effort against an Oklahoma City Thunder team filled with young and promising talent. Follow the line move here and ride the Thunder.

Wednesday a true conundrum exists whether to buy low on the Brooklyn Nets or buy high on the Knicks current six game win streak. I’ll buy low on the Nets, who I expected to struggle with their new look lineup especially post All Star break. The talent is there however and I expect the Nets to put up a good fight in a back to back scenario at Madison Square Garden. Grab the points here. 

Madison Square Garden will be electric tonight as the New York Knicks look to push their winning streak to six games. They’ll have an opportune chance as they face a Celtics team short handed minus Jaylen Brown. Still, this Celtics team is more than just stars in Jayson Tatum and Brown. Their ability to score in bunches will be the difference as they pull away late. Take Boston.

The Grizzlies wilted a huge lead to lose at Philadelphia in their first game back from All Star break. The loss now makes the Grizzlies just 4-10 over their last fourteen games. They’ll face a Denver Nuggets team that handed them their fewest points of the season in a 105 to 91 loss earlier this season. Yet, on their home floor look for the Grizzlies to correct their errors and play the type of basketball we expect. Tail the Grizzlies. 

The Suns made significant changes before the trade deadline that will position them as one of the strongest contenders. Yet, they sat a lot of players in yesterday’s loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Although they have Devin Booker back, it’s still a tough spot playing in a back to back. Grab the Pacers to have enough offense to handle the Suns on their home floor. 

There’s a possibility that the Wizards will be without both Bradley Beal and Kyle Kuzma for Wednesday’s contest against the Charlotte Hornets. Right now the Wizards are feeling the affects of over achieving for a six-game winning streak and melting huge first quarter leads against Portland and Brooklyn. A flat outing was expected against Cleveland and it happened with a twenty three point loss. Wednesday, is a great bounce back spot against the lowly Hornets. Play the Wizards. 

The Chicago Bulls do have the extra day of rest versus the Magic who are in a back to back spot. The problem is the Bulls have reversed to their bad play once again. They blew a 21 point lead to the Pacers and then lost by fifteen points to one of the worst teams in the NBA in Charlotte. The Magic led most of the way against the Miami Heat yesterday before the defense of Miami hindered the Magic in the fourth quarter. Today, look for the Magic to be the stronger team against a Bulls team that lacks defensive intensity.

Charlotte comes into Saturday’s contest not having played since Wednesday. Although Atlanta played last night against the Knicks that should not deter bettors from laying the big number on Atlanta. Charlotte is coming off a win against the Rockets, and have not won consecutive games since November 25th. Additionally, Atlanta defeated Charlotte by nineteen points last month with several starters out. Back the Hawks.

Friday, the Phoenix Suns will continue the third game of their four game road trip against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Although the Suns will still be without several players, they will have one main player back on the floor in DeAndre Ayton. Phoenix may be undermanned but can lean on already having two victories this season over the Timberwolves similar to the way they did for the Warriors. Grab the Suns plus the points.

It’s been customary for the Milwaukee Bucks to sit several players in back to back spots. They’ll do that once again tonight against the Miami Heat after defeating the Atlanta Hawks yesterday. While one can’t expect the Bucks to triumph to victory as they did in the same scenario against Toronto, there is reason to believe they can cover the number. Over Miami’s last nine home games only one game did they win by more than five points. Take the Bucks on the big number.

After winning six of seven games the Wizards have now faltered with consecutive losses. Minus Bradley Beal the Wizards were expected to take a hit, but not in the blowout fashion they did in a 127 to 110 loss against the Thunder. At home tonight, expect the Wizards to bounce back against a Pelicans team with losses in four of their last five games. Take the Wizards. 

The Brooklyn Nets have figured out not just their offensive rhythm and flow but how to fight back from deficits with their defense. In a game where they did not shoot the ball perfectly against the Pelicans, they were able to avoid a two-game losing streak with their defense. They’ll also catch a Miami Heat returning from a West Coast road trip, that endured a poor second half shooting against the Suns. Take Brooklyn.

Friday, the Cavaliers will be without three key guards in Ricky Rubio, Darius Garland, and Donovan Mitchell. The decision to rest Mitchell could actually be a boost for the Cavaliers. He clearly was not himself in their victory over the Suns as he shot 6 for 20 from the field. It also was a season low on their home floor for the Cavaliers of just ninety points. Denver’s showcase last night in a big blowout win is one to not over react on. In a back to back spot for the Nuggets back the under manned Cavaliers. 

Typically a team that loses in the fashion that the Clippers did last night, presents value the following game to back that team. Not one Clipper starter played more than eighteen minutes, and LA already has an eleven point victory over Minnesota. Yet, we saw last year in the play-in game that these two teams do not like each other. The fans ignited Minnesota last year and could be an underrated element tonight as well. Grab the Timberwolves as they respond from a season low 88 points to the Clippers in the first matchup.

Tonight’s matchup is one of high importance for the Orlando Magic. In the first matchup against the Thunder they led by fifteen points in the third quarter and eleven points in the fourth quarter before completely unraveling. They did not make a basket the final seven minutes and twenty-six seconds. Expect a motivated revenge spot as the Magic end their ugly three game losing streak, and take advantage of a Thunder team in a back to back spot.

The Utah Jazz come into tonight’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings below .500 for the first time all season. They’re also on a four game losing streak in which all losses were decided by five points or less. Look for Sacramento and Utah to play another competitive close game, with the game decided by less than a bucket or a Kings victory. Take Sacramento plus the points.

A New Year’s Eve value NBA play lies with the Detroit Pistons. They’ve dropped ten of their last twelve games but their last three they’ve shown boosted play. They let a big lead evaporate in the final three minutes against the Clippers to lose in overtime, defeated Orlando, and played a closer game then the score reflected against the Bulls Friday. Minnesota just concluded a four game road trip and I expect fatigue based on the upper tier level teams they faced in Milwaukee, Miami, Boston, and the Pelicans.

A value angle for me is going against a team after they suffered a loss after a big winning streak. The Philadelphia 76ers saw their eight game winning streak snapped by the Washington Wizards. Prior to that loss the 76ers were on the verge of losing. They had to come back from a twenty plus point deficit against the Clippers and a double digit deficit against the Knicks. Take the Pelicans who may be undermanned but have thrived minus key players and are 15-4 at home.

The Bulls were at a season low after consecutive losses to the Knicks, and giving up 150 points to the Timberwolves. They’ve now regrouped and won four of their last five games. Look for their success to continue today against a Pistons team they’ve defeated eleven straight times. Additionally, in last year’s two home games they won by fifteen points and a whopping forty-six points. Take the Bulls

Tonight a banged up Dallas Mavericks team is back in their home state on the road against the Houston Rockets. For the Rockets tonight will mark their seventh straight home game. What started off as a promising home stand with wins against Milwaukee and Phoenix has quickly spiraled, as they’ve dropped four straight. Look for the short handed Mavericks to hand the Rockets their fifth straight loss, as they cover the number the fourth time in their past five games. Take Dallas.

Throughout the past few seasons the Pelicans have been a team that is use to players in and out of the lineup. Tonight they will remain without Brandon Ingram and now Zion Williamson who is in the health and safety protocols. Look for the bevy of role players that the Pelicans have to rise to the occasion against a Spurs team that still ranks the worst in the NBA in points per game allowed. Take the Pelicans as they end their four game losing streak.

Sunday, the Minnesota Timberwolves scored a whopping 150 points against the Chicago Bulls. Twenty four hours later they toppled tonights opponent in the Dallas Mavericks with a strong fourth quarter push. In the performance Dallas shot just forty one percent from the field as several players including star Luka Doncic had an off night. They’ll regroup as the odds suggest for a 3-11 team on the road. 

Thanks to a six-game winning streak the Orlando Magic have went from 5-20 to 11-20. The winning streak is the second best in the NBA behind the Knicks. Yet, tonight Atlanta should have the edge at home as this is already the fourth matchup of the season against the Magic. Before the Magic’s win streak Atlanta easily won the first two matchups by double digits. Expect Atlanta to not be as flat as they were this past Wednesday and to cover as the home favorite. 

The Dallas Mavericks had one of their best wins of the season last night against Portland. Now they are resting several players tonight in a back to back spot against the Cleveland Cavaliers. This would seem troublesome considering the Mavericks just lost to the Cavaliers by fifteen points on their home floor. Yet, the Cavaliers home spread has adapted based on just two losses at home. We saw this yesterday with the Pacers narrowly covering an eight point spread. Back Dallas as their reserves keep this within the 8.5.

One of the biggest head scratchers this season is how poor the Mavericks have been ATS. Sooner or later the payoff for bettors will reverse in a big way, as the Mavericks are still a .500 level team at 14-14. Tonight they are getting a cheaper number based on Portland’s stout play since Lillard has returned. Expect a big effort as the Mavericks have lost three of four and are coming off their worst home loss of the season. Back Dallas. 

The Cavaliers as Richard Jefferson has stated on ESPN have the look of a top five NBA team. The problem is they have fought the inconsistencies of a team implementing new players. After their big fifteen point victory on the road against Dallas, that may be the staple game to push them forward. With how strong they have been at home tonight is a great spot to back the Cave. Take Cleveland. 

The best medicine for team turmoil surrounding the Atlanta Hawks star player Trae Young is a visit to Madison Square Garden. His had several spotlighted performances there and his teammates have an ability to feed off that energy. This occurred earlier this season when the Hawks erased a twenty-three point deficit to comeback and defeat the Knicks at Madison Square Garden by thirteen points. Tail the Hawks to complete the road series sweep against the Knicks. 

Friday the NBA is back in action with a full slate. The Philadelphia 76ers toppled the Brooklyn Nets a few nights ago as home underdogs of eight points. Yet, the following night they lost to the Hornets and now will face another team that is near the bottom of the NBA in the Magic. Even with a holiday day off look for the Magic to have enough offense to take down the short handed 76ers. Take Orlando. 

An ATS boomerang of value lies with the Phoenix Suns. Down a couple players the Suns have had their issues as of late especially on the road. They lost at Orlando and Miami their prior two road games, but the Jazz have also stumbled with a recent loss against the Knicks. Jordan Clarkson is also in a mega slump. Back the undermanned Suns as a small favorite. 

The LA Clippers have caught the betting public’s attention thanks to a 6-2 run ATS. Yet, Thursday night is their biggest favored spread on the season against the Detroit Pistons. With the Pistons down Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart combined with the Pistons 0-7 record, the spread is a tad bit high. Take Detroit to sneak within the number.

The Brooklyn Nets lost by double-digits to one of the worst teams in the NBA in the Lakers, and followed that up with a 32 point loss to the Sacramento Kings. Needless to say their west coast road trip has spiraled in the wrong direction. Tonight, they’ll have a chance to regain some confidence before heading back home against Memphis. Take the Nets plus the points with Portland in a back to back spot.

Amidst the disarray of the firing of Coach Steve Nash and Kyrie Irving’s suspension the Brooklyn Nets have shown momentum. They’ve won three of four games, and only loss was a tight two point game against Dallas. Traveling across the country look for the Nets to stymie the Clippers who have enjoyed a favorable schedule to win five of six. Play Brooklyn.

The Phoenix Suns have managed to get by in recent games without Chris Paul and Cam Johnson. One of the main reasons they were able to blowout Minnesota is because of the poor interior defense of the Timberwolves. That and the fact the Suns just saw Minnesota the prior week. As poor as Orlando has been they have the young athletes to give the bench players that have to play more minutes issues for the Suns. Take Orlando.

Injuries this early in the season can torpedo a team in the standings and ATS. Portland who is already minus Damian Lillard could also be without Anfernee Simons who is listed as questionable. As great as the Suns have been playing at home, their second unit has struggled. Against Minnesota Coach Monty Williams bench allowed a 17 point third quarter lead to drop to 2 points early in the fourth. Take Portland plus the double digit spread. 

Friday the Boston Celtics will have a chance to avenge an eighteen point loss to the Bulls on October 24th. The game started out terrific for the Celtics as they jumped out to a 12 to 0 lead, and a 20-6 lead. At home expect the Celtics to avoid the in-game lag that allowed the Bulls to flip a switch. Take the Celtics and purchase the hook to 7.

Although the Pacers are playing their third game in four nights, they should still have an edge from an ATS stand point over the Nets. Brooklyn’s dropped four straight games and Indiana just defeated them outright on October 29th 125 to 116. Take the Pacers plus the points to play another thorough contest against Brooklyn.

The Sacramento Kings a season ago had an ugly road trip when they traveled to Charlotte. A game that they could of won ended up slipping away to a one point loss. This time Charlotte is enduring without several key players in Rozier, Ball, and Martin, but have played solid basketball and are coming off a victory over the Golden State Warriors. Look for the Hornets to keep their chemistry intact for a Monday ATS casher. 

This year the NBA ATS picks rollout will be a bit slower to gauge teams top to bottom along with rotations. The Memphis Grizzlies possess the same flash and grit we saw take center stage in the postseason last year. Ja Morant will be a force every single night, but the Grizzlies have shown to be a bit more vulnerable with their depth. The Kings at home should keep this close with the insertion of Keegan Murray into the starting lineup. Take the Kings plus three.

Series that go seven games sometimes prolong the inevitable. The Phoenix Suns have been a disastrous road team in this series but the Mavericks have been equally as poor at Phoenix. Expect the Suns to rise to the occasion after an embarrassing showing in game six. Take Phoenix as they make this look like a regular season game and not a game seven. 

With their backs against the walls the Philadelphia 76ers must find a way to stave off elimination. In game five the 76ers had no answer from the start to the Miami Heat’s intensity. Yet, this series has shown us that the home team has a big edge. Take Philadelphia as they regroup in front of their home crowd, and setup a game seven.

The Golden State Warriors may have the big names from their past playoff runs, but on the court they have not looked the part. With the Grizzlies minus Ja Morant they still showcased a solid effort in game four’s loss. In a potential close out game look for another big effort, as the Grizzlies hang around the Warriors once again. Take Memphis.

In game four, Boston appeared to be headed to a 3-1 series deficit. Thanks to a surge of offense from Jayson Tatum and Al Horford the Celtics evened the series. We’ve seen in the past teams that escape a hole usually jump to a higher level of play going forward. Take the Celtics who should be able to ride their home crowd and destiny to get the Eastern Conference Finals. 

The Phoenix Suns should answer the bell today after disappointing performances in games three and four. I expect better perimeter defense and for the Suns to get back to establishing the paint. They’ll get a big game from DeAndre Ayton and their role players off the bench. Grab the Suns.

A regrettable ending to game three for the Boston Celtics thwarted a tremendous comeback effort. A second round playoff pattern of home teams covering should finally end tonight in game four. Expect the Celtics to heighten their level of play with their backs against the wall. They’ll take game four and get the momentum back in the series. Play the Celtics.

After an odd first round against the Pelicans, the Suns have transformed into top-tier play. Tonight is another high level test for Phoenix who lost three game three’s last post-season. Yet, this is a matchup the Suns have to many weapons for Dallas to counter. Take the Suns as they win their twelfth straight game over Dallas.

In game one the Boston Celtics were caught off guard by a Bucks team that would not back down. Expect quick adjustments to be made, as the Celtics play better half court defense. Isolation basketball by the Milwaukee Bucks should bog down their offense. Take Boston as they play to the level of expectations everyone expected in game one.

Tonight game one will take place between the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns. It’s a matchup the Suns have dominated winning nine straight, including all three this season by seven points or more. Expect Phoenix to be prepared to limit Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson’s production, and to play like the top seed that they are. Grab Phoenix

Each team in the postseason has had their downfall of a flat outing. The Philadelphia 76ers had that in game five and had it exacerbated based on the talent on their team and Coach Doc Rivers history. As a veteran squad they will play to a higher level to avoid a more dangerous option of a game seven at home. Take Philadelphia as they find a way to finish the Raptors.  

The Atlanta Hawks had no answers in game four for the Heat’s defensive intensity. Each minor adjustment the Hawks have tried to do has been countered by the great mastermind of Coach Spoelstra. But what the NBA playoffs always teaches you is that even a clear better team is vulnerable to a let down spot. Grab the points here as Atlanta finally gives the Heat a four quarter game in an elimination spot.

It’s hard to fathom the Brooklyn Nets going from last year’s game seven heartbreak to the Bucks, to potentially being swept in round one this season. Yet, they let two golden opportunities slip away in games one and two to the Celtics. Game three the Celtics figured out not just Kevin Durant but the entire bench production of the Nets. Take Boston as the complete a clean sweep, and defeat the Nets for the seventh straight time.

The patterns of the Western Conference mid-tier teams have been glaring with Denver and Utah. The Nuggets showed strong effort in game three against the Warriors but could not finish in the fourth quarter. Close out games are typically a flat spot especially on a teams home floor. One spurt from the Warriors could spell the exits for fans. Split your action full game and in-game as the Warriors may be down early. 

The Milwaukee Bucks know they could easily be down 0-2. The Bulls flipped a gear in the postseason that the Bucks did not see in blowout regular season victories over Chicago. Look for the road element to wake up the Bucks even minus Khris Middleton. Last postseason, Coach Budenholzer showcased that he is capable of making the necessary adjustments after the first two games of a series. Play the Bucks.

With or without Luka Donkic the Dallas Mavericks showed they have the role players to step up when necessary in game two. Tonight, all the pressure is on a Utah Jazz team that has under achieved time and time again in the post-season. While Dallas may not have the same fire power offensively as in game two, look for Utah to keep them in it with poor stretches. Take Dallas.

When it comes to the Boston Celtics they head into game two knowing they nearly let a big lead slip away, and were lucky Jayson Tatum put in the game winner. Now the young Celtics will face a Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving tandem that will be fully engaged in game two. Yet, Boston at home will have the necessary spurts to quell the Nets. Take Boston to cover and take a commanding 2-0 series lead to Brooklyn.  

Pelicans +10.5

All regular season the Phoenix Suns played like a determined team to earn the Western Conference top seed.  They’re back to finish what they couldn’t do last year, when they raced through the postseason until the Bucks stormed back in the Finals. Their first round series against the Pelicans will be a test they won’t be as easy as last post season. In game one take the value here on the Pelicans. 

Playoff basketball begins for the Bulls and defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks. No one expects the Bulls to truly challenge the Bucks for a series victory. From an ATS stand point though Chicago should perform better than how they ended the season. This included two blowout losses by twenty plus points against the Bucks. Yet, look for a clamp down effort in the fourth quarter defensively to push the Bucks past the number.   

Star player additions at the trade deadline made immediate dividends for the New Orleans Pelicans. Immediately CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram meshed together as the Pelicans surged to gain a play-in spot. Record wise the Spurs at 34-46 don’t belong in this scenario, but have a scrappy roster from top to bottom. Led by Coach Popovich look for a solid effort from the Spurs. Take them as an underdog. 

For the second straight season the Charlotte Hornets find themselves in the play-in round. This is a chance for the Hornets to learn from last year’s epic let down when they were blown out by the Pacers. While the Hawks made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, they have had a topsy turvy year to expectations. Take the Hornets on a line that is too high based on the Hawks resume last season and their 27-14 home record.

Normally entering the playoffs one would not have a recent matchup and identical point spread to work off of. The opening line of the Nets and Cavaliers play-in game was the exact same as their matchup on April 8th. One that the Nets dominated the first and fourth quarters by outscoring the Cavaliers by 15 and 16 points. Recency bias combined with the Nets star power has pushed this spread up just a bit too much. Play the underdog here.