13-10-1 in NBA up 5.8 units
Raptors -2 for 4 units at -106. Raptors have won 3 in a row and beat a Kings team that looks a little better after beating the 76ers last night. Hornets had lost 3 in a row before the Knicks came to town without Kristaps the Latvian gangbanger. Hornets beat the Knicks, but I do not think we should be too much stock in it, as the Knicks did not have their best player. Hornets are sitting their rookie Malik Monk supposedly because he is not up to their standards on defense…. Why would they not let him get game time to figure this out. Monk’s confidence can’t be that high and I am confused why MJ and the franchise don’t just throw him into the fire. Hornets are an average team on offense and Monk could help them. Kaminsky got hot vs the Knicks, but I think the rotation of Raptors bigs should be enough to keep him contained.
Pacers -4 for 4 units at -110. Oladipo had another great night against the Celtics that was overshadowed by the Pacers’ meltdown. Pacers are actually a top 10 scoring team that the Hawks will not be able to keep up with. This line would be a little higher if the Hawks did not just beat an injury riddled Heat team. Sabonis, Young, and Bogdanovic will be enough of a supporting cast for Oladipo even if Turner does not play for the Pacers. Pacers are 6-1 against the spread in their last 7 road games. This line just seems a little too low for a good team vs the team with the league’s worst record.
Kings +5 for 3 units at -108. Randolph played great against the 76ers who were without Joel Embiid. Hield and Frank Mason III were making their shots and I know the Kings have not won on the second night of a back 2 back all year, but I like them here. The Nets have a below average offense and a terrible defense. The Kings have one of the worst offenses in the league, but they are improving. The Nets have lost 3 straight and it is hard to see them beating any team by more than 5. A lot of people are playing the over, but I would not trust that with these two below average offenses. I’m taking the points and believing in the veterans of the Kings.