The Lebron Lakers lost to the Blazers by 9 in Portland last night. LA’s defense obviously needs to improve, but I don’t think they are going to win 48 games this season if they don’t go get a deep threat. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Lance Stephenson are their best 3-point shooters right now. When the Cavs were at their best with Lebron, they had 3 sharpshooters spreading the floor. Lonzo, Ingram, and Kuzma are all talented, but they are not shooters. Lillard is still good, but Nik Stauskas went off for Portland shooting 5-8 from deep and finishing with 24 points. Lebron is now 0-4 in season debuts with new teams.
Miami covered the spread and sneaked out a win against the Wizards. Same old story for Washington, Beal and Wall go off, but coaching and bench play hold them back. Josh Richardson was the best player in the Heat for this one. Dwayne Wade came off the bench and missed the game winning shot, but Olynyk got the putback for the win.
The Bulls scored 58 first half points, but still lost to Philly by 19. Ben Simmons had some dimes and got his triple double. Embiid dropped 30. LaVine dropped 30. Covington played a lot better for the 76ers in this game than he did against the Celtics.
18-16-1 on NBA in 2017 up 7.22 units
61-53-2 on NBA in 2018 up 9.28 units
1-2 on NBA this season down 1.12 units
I want to bet the Hornets -2.5, but the public is betting them heavy and I am a Hornets fan so I am going to stay away. Too much emotional attachment and all that. Another game I want to place a wager on is Raptors/Celtics. All the money is on Boston +3, but the line hasn’t moved which makes me want to bet Toronto. Kawhi looked good in his first game for the Raptors and had this absurd play.
Thunder +1 for 3 units. Dennis Schroder, Paul George, and Steven Adams all looked good in the season opener, and now they get Westbrook back. Clippers don’t have the offense or defensive anchor without DeAnder Jordan. The Warriors got 17 offensive rebounds against Oklahoma City, the Thunder will make sure that doesn’t happen against the Clippers tonight.
Nets -3.5 for 3 units. Hollis-Jefferson and Allen Crabbe will play in this one. No Porzingis. Spencer Dinwiddie was frustrated with the close loss to the Pistons. I think this Brooklyn team is pretty good. The Knicks win against the Hawks doesn’t impress me. Nets win by 8 or more.
Warriors at -143 for 2 units. Jazz were the only team in the NBA to beat the Warriors 3 times last season. Golden State won’t let that happen again. That is all.
Bucks at -165 for 2 units. I like both of these teams a lot. If the Bucks can outlast Kemba and the Hornets drilling 3s all night, they can beat the Pacers. Also, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Timberwolves/Grizzlies Parlay for 1 unit to win 0.72 units. Cavs and Hawks are not good. Grizzlies will win their home opener. Timberwolves barely lost to the Spurs. They have too much talent to let Kevin Love beat his old team here.