We’re sending Saturday’s tips out early as the Lakers game tips off at 6.30 and we’ve got them as our Lock.

 

THE LOCK

Los Angeles Lakers -4.5

@ $1.98 (Sportsbet)

16 units

The Lakers have been cruising since the AS break, winning all 4 of their games. They face an in-form Hawks outfit that have won 7 in a row. We aren’t convinced Atlanta are the real deal, 3 of their wins during the streak have come against a depleted Raptors team, the Cavaliers & OKC. This will be their first real test.

LA welcome back defensive anchor Marc Gasol, he’ll be able to slow down Capela & help move the ball on offense with his tremendous passing ability. Some additional information that gives us further confidence the Lakers can cover is that Montrezl Harrell is from Atlanta and Dennis Schroder played majority of his career for the Hawks.

You can count on these guys being motivated. It’s hard to not back the team that will have the best player on the court in LeBron James. ATL have no real lockdown defender to throw at the king with DeAndre Hunter still making his way back from injury. Expect LA to flex their muscles and cover the 4.5 comfortably.

 

THE MID-RANGER

Giannis Antetokounmpo triple double

@ $5 (Sportsbet)

4 units

The Greek Freak has balled out over the past 5 games. In that 5-game span he’s averaging 29pts, 12reb & 8.8ast. His stellar play has really given the American media no choice but to put him back in the MVP race.

The Bucks will have newly acquired PJ Tucker available to make his debut, which will give the team a nice boost. In the 4 games Milwaukee have played since the the All-Star break, Giannis has secured a triple/double in 3 of them. The Spurs are prone to having some poor defensive showings.

Earlier in the week they gave up 134 points to Philly and last night in Cleveland they let the Cavs score 110 points. It’s hard for us to see them coming out with enough defensive intensity to be able to slow down the Bucks hire powered offense.

If the game is a blow-out then it doesn’t mean Giannis can’t get a triple double, recently, in a 30-point route over the Knicks, Antetokounmpo had a T/D in 29mins of play. There is a ton of value in this pick given how easily Giannis can stuff the stat sheet.

 

THE SPECULATOR

Ben Simmons to score 30+

@ $13 (Sportsbet)

1 unit

We’ve seen Ben really take the bull by the horns and just look to score the ball in the past. He doesn’t do it often but the last time he dropped at least 30 points was against the Jazz, on the road and without Embiid. We have a gut feeling he will be able to top the 30pt mark again.

All signs are pointing towards a big bounce back for the Australian. Simmons has only got attempted a total of 8 free throws over the last 4 games. We expect him to be more assertive in attacking the rim, either finishing or drawing fouls. Philly can’t overlook Sacramento as they’ve played well the past two games beating both the Wizards and the Celtics on the road.

The Sixers will be without Seth Curry as well tomorrow, so more emphasis will be put on Ben to up his scoring output to support Tobias Harris. Let’s all get around Simmons having a big night scoring the ball.