Records:
Straight Up: 52-38
Spread: 40-46-2
Teaser: 2-5-1
Prop Bet of the Night: 0-0
San Antonio Spurs @ Toronto Raptors
Straight Up: Raptors (-230)
Spread: Raptors (-6.0)
Kawhi Leonard’s return this season wasn’t really much of a return. After minute restrictions and designated rest games, Leonard is now being shut down indefinitely. Normally this would be viewed as a big loss for San Antonio, but Leonard’s participation this year has been marginal. Tonight, they travel to Toronto and face the Raptors, who hold the second best home record in the league (16-3). Considering that the Spurs will also be without Manu Ginobili and Rudy Gay, I find it hard to believe they can overcome Raptors on the road. San Antonio is 1-3-2 in its last six road games.
Miami Heat @ Brooklyn Nets
Straight Up: Heat (-140)
Spread: Heat (-2.5)
Since last beating the Nets almost six weeks ago, the Heat have won 15 out of its last 20 games. What’s been working for Miami is their improved defense; they have limited opponents to shooting 44% from the floor and 35% from three during the same 20 game stretch. The Nets have been a scrappy team this year, but the only way they pull off upsets is by shooting the lights out of the ball. That will be a tough task tonight against this stout Heat D. Miami is 5-0 ATS and SU in its last six road games against Brooklyn.
Washington Wizards @ Detroit Pistons
Straight Up: Wizards (-113)
Spread: Wizards (-1.0)
The Wizards will look to turn the page after an embarrassing blowout loss at the hands of the Hornets. Tonight, they draw a Pistons team that is riding a three game losing streak. Not always a solid strategy, but there is success in betting teams after a blowout loss to cover. Detroit is 1-4 ATS in its last five games against the Wizards.
Sacramento Kings @ Memphis Grizzlies
Straight Up: Grizzlies (-220)
Spread: Grizzlies (-6.0)
Ah, the Western Conference toilet bowl. While both these teams sit at the bottom of the standings, they are in different form. The Kings are riding a five game losing streak, while the Grizzlies are enjoying a three game win streak. In a battle of the bottom, I’ll take the hotter team. And I use the term “hotter” loosely. Memphis is 5-0 ATS in its last five games at home.
Phoenix Suns @ Denver Nuggets
Straight Up: Suns (+375)
Spread: Suns (+9.0)
Denver, who has lost five of its last seven, looks to be unwelcoming hosts tonight. While the Nuggets have been solid at home this year (15-5), I’m predicting the upset. In their last game, the Suns gave the Trailblazers a solid game on the road, losing 118-111. Moreover, Devin Booker should be feeling good, coming off of a 43 point, 8 assist performance. Denver is 1-5-1 ATS in its last seven games.
New York Knicks @ Utah Jazz
Straight Up: Jazz (-210)
Spread: Jazz (-5.5)
Both these teams enter tonight’s contest on inauspicious streaks. The Knicks have lost 11 of their last 14, while the Jazz have lost 15 of its last 20. What’s been the problem for New York is its porous defense. They have allowed 12 out of their last 14 opponents to score at least 100 points and their 108.2 defensive rating in January is 20th worst in the league. Riding a win over Sacramento, I’ll take the home team Jazz tonight. Knicks are 1-4 ATS and SU in its last five games.
Indiana Pacers @ Los Angeles Lakers
Straight Up: Pacers (-123)
Spread: Pacers (-2.0)
Say what you want about how Lonzo Ball has performed this year, but the Lakers are 0-8 without him in the lineup. Unfortunately for them, he will miss tonight’s matchup against the Pacers. Furthermore, LA will be without KCP, and Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma are also listed as questionable. Whoa, that’s a lot of injuries. Pacers have won three of their last four and should ride that momentum. Indiana is 5-2 ATS and SU in its last seven games.
*Tonight’s Teaser*
Miami (+3.0, -113)
Pacers (+3.5, -110)
Pays 1.3 to 1
*Prop Bet of the Night*
Kristaps Porzingis & Victor Oladipo will combine for at least 48 points (-135)
Some words of wisdom for us all.