RADIO
Klay Thompson’s 17-point return to action was an ideal cap to another entertaining weekend of basketball. Monday features seven games, five out-of-conference matchups and six teams playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
Even though the Nets played yesterday at home, traveling to Portland means Kyrie Irving is available. With more updates bound to come throughout the day, there is already news circulating about Darius Garland’s status tonight, so make sure you are taking everything into consideration before focusing on different angles on this game with Rajon Rondo potentially running the offense.
MonkeyKnifeFight.com is always ahead of the curve with their canceling of contests amid postponements, so don't worry about wasting money on a player or game that might not play. As always, you can find me in the NBA Chat Room or @HalfCourtJester on Twitter with any questions, especially since lines and players are subject to change throughout the day.
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MIL @ CHA
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) MORE 32.5 Points – LaMelo Ball (CHA) MORE 18.5 Points
This will be the third matchup between these teams with the season series tied. Giannis Antetokounmpo has scored 40 points in both meetings and the fewer options he has, the better. There’s no really stopping his strength and ability to get to the rim, so not only is it a trend that he destroys this defense, but there isn’t a ton of risk when it’s just Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, and Antetokounmpo holding the reigns.
Jrue Holiday being out doesn’t impact LaMelo Ball’s ceiling, but very rarely does subtracting a defender ever hurt a player like Ball’s production. In two games against the Bucks, Ball has contributed 55 points on 41 shots, 10 threes, and 17 assists. He’s also scored at least 19 in both contests, so it’s likely his point threshold will rise slightly as the day goes on.
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UTA @ DET
Donovan Mitchell (UTA) MORE 28.5 Points – Saddiq Bey (DET) MORE 17.5 Points
Without Rudy Gobert, the consistency of the Jazz has taken a massive hit and they are unable to have that reliable role player on both sides of the ball. Despite his lack of versatility, Gobert did his job on a nightly basis and did it well. Without him, Utah is stuck getting into shootouts with teams that are now able to isolate Utah’s backcourt defenders and finish at the rim with significantly less resistance. Luckily, this also means Donovan Mitchell gets to keep shooting all he wants in his second game back.
Saddiq Bey might be the safest player in the Detroit lineup right now, but his production is still inconsistent when players like Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart are slowly working their way back into the Pistons’ rotation. He had a strong string of games a few weeks back, proving his potential, but he’s not the top option in the offense at this moment and he doesn’t force it if he doesn’t need to. Bey is the top defensive asset first, scores-in-bunches, wing-shooter second.
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CLE @ SAC
De’Aaron Fox (SAC) MORE 21.5 Points – Darius Garland (CLE) MORE 20.5 Points
This hasn’t been the greatest season for De’Aaron Fox in general, but yesterday’s 14 points on 14 attempts against the Trail Blazers is very untimely. After scoring 30 points, three games in a row, Sunday’s matchup against the Trail Blazers was supposed to create another stepping stone for Fox to get back on the right track. Instead he slipped and is now facing one of the league’s tougher defenses. His only chance at hitting 22 tonight is efficiency from the outside, which hasn’t been the case most nights. However, anything is possible given how streaky he’s been this season.
Darius Garland on the other hand is worthy of All-Star consideration for his efforts this year ad was put to the test last night. The Cavaliers faced a Warriors squad that started Klay Thompson for the first time and it was a sight to behold. Not only was it great to see Thompson playing, but the Warriors at full strength dismantled one of the league’s most impressive defenses. The Kings are more than a step-down from the talent of the Warrriors, so Garland and Jarrett Allen should have their work cut out for them against Sacramento’s defense.
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PHI @ HOU
Joel Embiid (PHI) MORE 30.5 Points – Christian Wood (HOU) MORE 17.5 Points
Karl-Anthony Towns just dropped 40 points on Houston’s frontcourt last night and guess who the idiot was that bet he would have 10 rebounds as well… Can’t win them all, but let’s just ignore my losses and think of how nice it will be tonight when we are sitting in front of the fireplace wrapped snuggly in our favorite NBA blanket, sipping some hot cocoa while watching Joel Embiid’s overs hit.
Christian Wood forces the scoring issue on most night because the Rockets can’t rely on their defense to keep them in games. His size and length have made it nearly impossible for defenders to stop him, so rather they force him to be efficient. Sometimes it works and they can limit Wood to 15 or so points, but his floor still floats around the area because of his ability to make the most of opportunities around the rim.
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