RADIO
There is another massive 11-game slate Monday and based on last weekend's games, we have a much clearer picture of what the second half of the season is going to look like. All but a handful of players have played at least one minute with their new teams, but some of the biggest developments are still coming this week, so don't assume anything is set in stone after one or two games.
With a ton of players shifting their focus from one adjustment to another, players like Bradley Beal and Victor Oladipo are going to develop into new roles. Oladipo joined a new team and needs to understand where he fits best, while Beal is just one part of the carrying force for the Wizards. Beal is constantly searching for the next teammate up, so although his scoring rarely takes a backseat, Beal more than anyone, is going to sacrifice his scoring for the sake of other teammates.
MonkeyKnifeFight.com continues to be 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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IND @ WAS
Bradley Beal (WAS) MORE 30.5 Points - Malcolm Brogdon (IND) MORE 20.5 Points
Since the Pacers added Caris Levert to their starting lineup, both Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon's scoring hasn't been nearly as necessary. Indiana hasn't been perfect, and even when Brogdon hasn't been able to score 20 points, he contributes elsewhere. The Wizards defense added Daniel Gafford, which is an improvement, but not the defensive specialist they truly wanted to roam the paint. Gafford will help with rebounds and offer a slight paint presence, but other than being more of a lob-threat for Russell Westbrook, Gafford doesn't change that both Beal and Brogdon are going to be forced into most of the scoring tonight.
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NOP @ BOS
Zion Williamson (NOP) MORE 27.5 Points - Jayson Tatum (BOS) MORE 24.5
Once the Pelicans said "Ok Zion Williamson, now you get all the usage," New Orleans has actually been a team to beat. Teams won't be able to just roll over the Pelicans while Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball shoot 20% from the field and Williamson plays 10 first-half minutes anymore. Over the past week or two, Zion has been demanding the ball, forcing the scoring issue and taking it onto himself if he needs to.
Everyone has been waiting for this exact situation and there is no way someone like Brad Stevens can gameplan his way into stopping Zion. If he could, he would have used those strategies against LeBron James YEARS ago. Tonight, the defense will be scarce and that will be because Zion proves there is no defense that beats strength.....and Steven Adams plays for the Pelicans, so there's that too.
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MIA @ NYK
Julius Randle (NYK) MORE 21.5 Points - Jimmy Butler (MIA) MORE 21.5
If Julius Randle plays against this Heat defense, he is locked in for another big-game, he just needs to actually play. The Knicks do not possess the right talent to try and score with teams, but if Randle is conducting the offense, it's hard for teams to pull away. New York keeps the pace so slow, that combined with the Heat's similar play style, it's hard to see both Jimmy Butler and Julius Randle making it out of this game with less than 40% usage. The stats in this game are going to be limited, but Randle and Butler assume too much of the workload to go with the under here.
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MIN @ BKN
James Harden (BKN) MORE 28.5 Points - Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN) MORE 25.5
This is one of the most matchup favorable games of the night and you'd have to pay me double what I wager to avoid this bet. The Timberwolves guards versus Harden and the Nets frontcourt versus Karl-Anthony Towns? If you can find downside here, outside of a blowout, it's more than welcome because both of these players have never been more primed to go off.
The biggest source of concern here would be Harden posting a monstrous triple-double en route to Kyrie Irving having a signature night. But even with that possibility, it's more unlikely to think Harden doesn't keep up the scoring right beside him, if that is the case. The fact that we are considering a huge night from both Nets guards is a great sign heading into tonight.
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