RADIO
This is one of the biggest slates we've had all season with 12 games, and the best part about it is that we have no immediate rematches. Since this is a slightly abbreviated season, teams will play each other twice in two games, and that causes problems unless you are in the locker room understanding the gameplanning. Luckily tonight, we avoid any of those dilemmas and have to deal with the more basic, stat-counting information to guide decision making.
The Nets and Hawks will be playing for the third time this season and every game has been exciting to watch. Now that the Nets have James Harden and Trae Young is coming off a 38-point night, either Young goes cold, is fatigued, and this game is over quickly, or he keeps up the momentum as the Hawks continue to thrive. Atlanta has frontcourt options that can make it difficult for the Brooklyn superstars, but it'll take a team effort to try and outscore the likes of Harden, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving.
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.
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IND @ CHA
Gordon Hayward (CHA) LESS 22.5 Points - Malcolm Brogdon (INA) MORE 21.5 Points
The Hornets over the past seven games have done terribly against opposing point guards. It could be worse, but thats only because six teams technically rank lower than Charlotte.. The big problem in this game will be the pace, since both rank in the bottom third of pace despite both defenses playing their worst over the last five games. Specifically, looking at the starting lineups, if Malcolm Brogdon lines up against Terry Rozier, it doesn't hurt his upside. Between Devonte' Graham and Rozier, both have the two worst defensive field goal percentages (DFG%) on the team.
For Hayward, he will be running into more lengthy defenders and Myles Turner will be waiting in the paint. Unless Hawyard shoots the lights out from everywhere on the floor, it wouldn't be uncharacteristic for him to do more facilitating and score less than 20 points tonight.
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DET @ CLE
Jerami Grant (DET) LESS 23.5 Points - Collin Sexton (CLE) MORE 21.5
Collin Sexton was in foul trouble early last game and still managed to score 17 points, so now that he is facing a non-Lakers defense, it's easy to take the over. The Cavaliers have plenty of options to utilize on offense like Darius Garland and Cedi Osman, but neither have the consistency or aggression of Sexton. When he is on the floor, Cleveland has someone willing to do everything on offense.
For Jerami Grant, it's entirely a usage and minutes issue. Grant is slowly creeping into frightening territories with that 11-point dud he posted in 35 minutes against the 76ers, but that was mostly because of his defensive assignments. Since there won't be anyone to get focus on defense, there is a lot of potential for points tonight.
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SAC @ ORL
Nikola Vucevic (ORL) LESS 23.5 Points - De'Aaron Fox (SAC) MORE 22.5
Nikola Vucevic has been one of the best centers this season and his last game was arguably one of his best. He filled the box score top to bottom and now that he faces off against the Kings, a team who has been giving up an excess of rebounds to opposing centers recently, he might generate close to 10-points off rebounds and put-backs alone. He plays passively, so after big games he tries to get his teammates going, but even with that trend, he's been too valuable to the offense to consider him a secondary playmaker.
The Magic backcourt hasn't been the best backcourt to target, but for guards who can get their own shots, this team gives up plenty of open shots to good outside shooters. That isn't De'Aaron Fox, but over his previous five games he has taken more threes than he has all season.
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MIL @ TOR
Giannis Antetokounmpo (NOP) LESS 29.5 Points - Fred Vanvleet (TOR) MORE 20.5
The last time Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 30 points was nine days ago against the Nets, and his usage and overall statistics have been dropping since the season began. He's not the same high-usage, high-scoring playmaker that he used to be, especially with all the weapons the Bucks added in the offseason and can now better utilize. There are plenty of occasions for Antetokounmpo to score 30, it's just incredibly inconsistent this season in particular.
Similar statements can be said about Fred VanVleet, who has assumed a new role now that the Raptor dynamic is totally different from last year. He had a minor slump since the start of the season, but now that he has shot himself out of it, it's hard to see the Raptors looking away from what is working. If VanVleet is on your team taking at least 15-shots a game, that's promising not only for VanVleet, but anyone looking to bet on him.
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