THE LOCK
Utah Jazz -9.5
@ $1.90 (Sportsbet)
4 units
In their last 25 games, the Jazz are 21-4 in covering the spread. Utah are a legitimate title contender this season, they show up in the big matchups and take care of business against lesser opponents. Coming off a tough loss in Miami, they get the chance to pick up another win to further extend their league leading record. Orlando have struggled this season, especially against top 5 teams – be it in the West or East.
They have a 1-12 record against Top 5 teams in either conference with an average losing margin of 17.9 points. They rely heavily on Vucevic and he will have his work cut out for him in this matchup seeing a lot of Gobert & Favors defending him. The Magic just can’t keep up with the monster that is Utah, the list goes on and on with contributors on both sides of the ball for the Jazz. Even without Conley, we can’t see a scenario where Utah don’t win by 20 points (at least).
THE ACCUMULATOR
Leg one: New York Knicks ML @ $1.90 (Sportsbet)
Leg two: Washington Wizards -4.5 @ $1.90 (Sportsbet)
Total odds: $3.60
Total stake: 4 units
The Knicks have 4 games left before the All-Star break and coach Thibs will want to make sure they leave no stone unturned. They face the Pistons twice and the Spurs after todays game against the Pacers, so it’s very conceivable that New York can head into the break on a 5-game winning streak. To say they blew out the Kings is a massive understatement, it was a killing, NY was in total control from start to finish. They were missing starting point guard Elfrid Payton but everything looked normal, D-rose slid into the starting line-up and Quickley took up the bench guard minutes alongside Alec Burks. Payton will most likely miss this game as well.
The Pacers won’t be as bad defensively as the Kings, but they will come in to this one disadvantaged – having played yesterday in Boston, they now play the second of a road back to back in the Garden. Brogdon is questionable with a knee issue, so if he misses this game then a Knicks win is as close to a guarantee as you can get.
Meanwhile, the Wizards have been cooking (minus the slip up against the Clippers), they have beaten some solid teams and Westbrook is starting to play winning basketball. All the talk of freeing Brad Beal from Washington has been put on hold (for now) and we expect them to get it done against an undermanned Minnesota team. Aside from KAT, the T-Wolves have gotten awesome play out of guard Malik Beasley, but he has just been suspended for the next 12 games. This leaves the team with limited shooting options with Russell already injured and they will require rookie Anthony Edwards to pick up some of the slack. The situation Minny finds themselves in will be too much to overcome against a confident Washington outfit.
THE SPECULATOR
Shake Milton 20+ @ $5 (Sportsbet)
2 units
Milton has only played 22 games this season, but he has scored at least 15 points in 8 of them. The 76ers are missing Tobias Harris and will need a solid scoring from Shake off the bench to ensure they get win against a feisty Cavs team. Even if the game is a blowout we like the chances that Milton gets at least 20mins and if that’s the case he should be able to reach the 20pt mark.