Over Under 2/2 – Memphis Grizzlies/Orlando Magic
Nikola Vucevic and Jonas Valanciunas will face off against each other, and the injuries to the Memphis Grizzlies rotation will play a key factor in this play. Jonas Valanciunas is expected to see minutes in the 30s tonight, and he’s averaging 13.0 rebounds on a per 36 minute basis this season. He’s an elite rebounder, and Vucevic has given up massive rebounding games throughout his career. Without many healthy rebounders on the floor, Valanciunas should be able to post an elite rebounding percentage tonight. On the other end, he is a terrible defender, who has consistently been benched throughout his career for it. Vucevic should be able to take advantage of that. The Orlando Magic should run their offense through Vucevic, who is averaging 20.3 points per game over the last 10 days. He needs only a couple more points than his average to hit the over, and I expect that in a plus matchup.
Play $50 on Nikola Vucevic OVER 21.5 points and Jonas Valanciunas OVER 10.5 rebounds to win $121 (2.42x)
Over Under 2/2 – Oklahoma City Thunder /Toronto Raptors
I don’t love Kawhi Leonard’s prop here, but I’m all in on Russell Westbrook’s. Westbrook si averaging 3.1 three-pointers made on 8.2 three-point attempts per game over his last nine games. He has also recorded 2+ three-pointers made in seven of those nine games. He’s simply taking too many three-point attempts to project the under here. Westbrook also posted five three-pointers made in his only matchup against the Toronto Raptors this season. Kawhi Leonard has seen plenty of rest days for Toronto, but he has struggled at times recently. He’s averaging only 24.6 points per game over his last 14 games. He has also recorded less than 28 points in 10 of those 14 games. Leonard simply isn’t looking for his shot in the offense. He has faced off against the Oklahoma City Thunder only once this season, scoring 22 points in 42.1 minutes. He isn’t likely to find that many minutes tonight, and he could struggle in this game again.
Play $50 on Kawhi Leonard UNDER 27.5 points and Russell Westbrook OVER 1.5 three-pointers made to win $129 (2.58x)
Scoring Champ – Brooklyn Nets/Los Angeles Lakers
This prop seems relatively low for how well these three players can score. The Brooklyn Nets simply don’t have anyone that can slow down LeBron James, who has been announced as starting tonight. He has played “limited” minutes in each of his last five games, and he’s averaging 31.8 points over that span. James also posted 36 points in his only matchup against Brooklyn this season. D’Angelo Russell has been the focal point of the Brooklyn offense this season, and he’s heating up at the moment. In his last two games, he has posted 44 and 32 points against two fast paced, weak defenses, similarly to the Los Angeles Lakers. Russell only scored 22 points in his first matchup against Los Angeles, but he didn’t take any free throws in that game, and I’m expecting a much better performance tonight. Spencer Dinwiddie has cooled off over his last two games, but he’s still averaging 20.0 points on 14.6 shot attempts, 6.4 three-point attempts, and 7.3 free throw attempts over his last seven games. Dinwiddie also found success against Los Angeles this season, scoring 18 points in that game. James and Russell have the potential to hit the over on this play, and Dinwiddie adds a bit of consistency, as well.
Play $50 on D’Angelo Russell, LeBron James, and Spencer Dinwiddie OVER 75.5 points to win $100 (2x)
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