RADIO
There's no basketball tomorrow for some horrible reason, but that just means we get an action-packed Wednesday with 13-games and a massive Friday slate. Thursday will just be a day without entertainment I guess...
With 13 games tonight, there are literally thousands of options. That doesn't mean they are all good options, but options nonetheless. Four teams are on the second night of a back-to-back, but only the Detroit Pistons are playing a rested team with a winning record.
Jerami Grant, Frank Jackson, and Saddiq Bey did what they could yesterday against the Heat, but you won't win games when three of your four starters hit less than four shots and combine for two free throws. Bouncing back against the Bucks doesn't seem probable and unfortunately for the Pistons, Jerami Grant is going to have to play defense on Giannis Antetokounmpo AND carry the offense. One of those two things will not be happening, most likely both.
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PHX @ CLE
Devin Booker (PHX) MORE 23.5 Points - Darius Garland (CLE) MORE 19.5 Points
The injuries plaguing the Cleveland Cavaliers currently are the main reason they have lost their last four games, but the losses aren't as bad as they appear to be. Darius Garland specifically is carrying the offense nightly and is on a three-game streak posting 20 or more points, the main problem being that Cleveland has only put up more than 100 points as a team one game of their last seven. However, Garland being responsible for more than 25% of his team's points in each of those games is extremely comforting.
The Suns don't need Devin Booker to have a big game every night, but when the games are competitive and hit a standstill, he is usually the one to break it back open. If he doesn't need to be the one scoring, he won't, and that's where the problem lays. The Cavaliers haven't been getting blown out, which is great, but they will likely have trouble keeping up on both sides of the ball with how Phoenix plays, especially with how they've been playing lately. Garland and Booker are sure to score, but with how the Cavaliers played the Warriors the other night, there is plenty of reason to see why this game has incredible potential.
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TOR @ MEM
Ja Morant (MEM) MORE 23.5 Points - Pascal Siakam (TOR) MORE 19.5 Points
This projected point line is reflecting Morant's weekly average and as we get closer to game time, it should rise closer to his season average of 25 points. Both of these teams are bad despite their records. Neither has shown the ability to rise above competition consistently and have struggled against some truly terrible teams this season. It doesn't change the fact that both teams have superstars that are capable of changing the dynamic of a game on a whim. Ja Morant scored 32 points last game, but he rarely does anything if the rest of the Grizzlies can't provide help and the game gets out of hand. Seeing how the Raptors have shown just as much variance, this is going to be a really fun game to watch.
Pascal Siakam has thrived since returning and the only game he struggled was against Rudy Gobert and the Jazz, which is understandable seeing how he's not the only player to be thrown-off by simply playing Utah. Pretty much every other game he's scored 20 points with ease and is taking plenty of shots each night. It's safe to say he's back in his comfort zone within the offense.
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WAS @ NOP
Bradley Beal (WAS) MORE 24.5 Points - Brandon Ingram (NOP) LESS 20.5 Points
Every time Bradley Beal's points line drops, it feels like a crime to even consider the under...so we won't. There's nothing about this Pelicans defense that even resembles defense, so even though it seems like another game Beal will put up 19 points with eight assists in a very quality game from him, we can confidently say that this role Beal is playing is beyond frustrating. He has options in the offense and he knows that, and from a basketball-fan perspective, there's clearly nothing wrong with how he is playing, but with his projected points line continuing to drop, it's tough to be sold on the over until Beal is playing the brand of basketball that is usually associated with 25 points nightly.
Brandon Ingram is in a similar situation, just with less volatile options. Ingram will eventually be tasked with bringing the ball up and either finding the open shot, creating it, or taking it himself, so even with his line jumping to 20 points, that's not too bold of a task for him with how the offense is structured. Sadly, Ingram has just been playing like how the Pelicans season has gone and banking on his offense doesn't inspire confidence. His current trend is a downward spiral, so either you can bank on the resurgence or the continual failure. Either way, not sure if even a good game from Ingram means he scores more than 20 points tonight.
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POR @ SAC
Damian Lillard (POR) MORE 25.5 Points - De'Aaron Fox (SAC) LESS 21.5 Points
Trail Blazers-Kings games are usually my favorite games to watch each night, but we'd have to ignore a majority of both of these teams seasons to assume that will be the case tonight. It looks like Damian Lillard has shaken some rust off with Lillard-esque performances last week, and we can only assume that against another abysmal defense, the momentum will continue. Lillard is notorious for owning this backcourt seeing how he dropped 40 points on them twice last season.
What exactly is going on with De'Aaron Fox this season is unclear, but it's fairly obvious he isn't playing the same "facilitator" role he did last year. He was looking to score and find teammates, now he's just going through the motions. If he's not hitting that night, he won't force it, compared to shooting out of a slump or playing through it. It's negative development and although it's not entirely his fault, his production shouldn't go down as his years in the league go up, regardless of situation or roster breakdown. It's fairly easy to buy into the potential Fox has, but this entire Kings squads looks checked-out from top to bottom and that's not worth any investment, no matter how little.
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