Washington Wizards 

It’s no secret that the 5-11 Wizards have had one of the most disappointing campaigns in the NBA so far this year. With rumours that Point Guard John Wall is on the trading block, it’s no surprise to hear about him and Coach Scott Brooks going at it in practice. On the court, Shooting Guard Bradley Beal has been a bright spot for the Wizards, averaging 21.5 points and 4.5 boards so far this season. Small Forward Otto Porter Junior appears to be rounding into form of late, whilst Power Forward Markieff Morris remains a quality option as a stretch 4.  

Los Angeles Clippers 

Whilst they’ve had some lucky breaks in their schedule, the Clippers enter this one with a very impressive 11-5 record. Backup big man Montrezl Harrell continues to provide excellent minutes off the bench, putting up 25 points, 11 boards and 4 steals in Atlanta yesterday. He is capably supported by running mate Lou Williams, who added 16 points and 11 boards of his own. Small Forward Tobias Harris has been consistently solid this season and he also enjoyed 24 points and 8 boards yesterday. With all the dysfunction going on in Washington, the Clippers have every chance of going to 12-5 here. 

Prediction: Under 230 

Whilst Clippers games have been high scoring of late, I still think there is strong value on the under here. They enter this one off limited rest after a late finish in Atlanta last night. With the Wizards offence struggling of late, under is the play for me here.

Orlando Magic 

Don’t look now but the Orlando Magic actually have a winning record, entering this one at 9-8 after 3 consecutive victories. It was an excellent team offensive display that saw them past the Knicks last time out as they totalled 131 points. Power Forward Aaron Gordon led the way with 31 points on 13/17 shooting, whilst Center Nikola Vucevic was one assist shy of a 28-point triple-double. Shooting Guard Evan ‘Don’t Google Me’ Fournier added in an efficient 19 points and 6 assists, whilst promising Forward Jonathan Isaac had 16 off the bench. A home win over the Raptors here would show me that the Magic are legit.  

Toronto Raptors 

Despite losing 3 of their last 4, the Raptors enter this one with a very impressive 13-4 record. Kawhi Leonard has been excellent so far this season, dropping 31 points and 15 rebounds in his last outing against the Celtics. Point Guard Kyle Lowry continues to be one of the best assist men in the NBA, averaging an efficient 15 points and 1 assists so far. Power Forward Serge Ibaka has also had a resurgent campaign, averaging 15.4 points, 8 boards and 56% shooting so far. Even with Orlando’s strong recent form, I still think Toronto is the best team in the East.  

Prediction: Raptors -6 

Laying only 6 points, I think there is strong value on the Raptors here. Their last 5 road wins have been by an average of over 15 points and I can see this trend continuing here. Kawhi Leonard is simply the best player on the floor here and I expect Toronto’s defence to prove too much for Orlando’s struggling playmakers.  

Miami Heat 

The Heat enter this one with a very disappointing 6-10 record after losing 5 of their last 6 games. With Goran Dragic and Dwayne Wade both out, the offence struggled and only shot 40% from the field. Shooting Guard Josh Richardson continued his strong start to the season, going 7/11 as he put up 17 points and 6 boards. Wayne Ellington poured in 5 3 pointers and Tyler Johnson added 17 off the bench in the only other notable offensive performances. The typically strong Heat defence wasn’t at its usual best, allowing LeBron to stunt as he dropped a casual 51.  

Brooklyn Nets 

The Nets also enter this one in a bit of a slump, having lost 4 of their last 5 in a period where they lost Shooting Guard Caris LeVert. Point Guard D’Angelo Russell has stepped up in LeVert’s absence, pouring in 23 points and 10 assists in an efficient night. Second-year Center Jarrett Allen also continues to impress, adding 24 points and 11 boards of his own. With players like Ed Davis, DeMarre Carroll and Spencer Dinwiddie coming off the bench, the Nets have a deep and versatile rotation that can compete each night.  

Prediction: Under 215.5  

With Wade and Dragic still out for the Heat, I’m expecting an old-school rock fight in this one. The Heat still have a strong defence, but struggle to generate offence without their two primary creators. I’m anticipating this game ends around 210 total points. 

Having touched on the Raptors game earlier, I think they’re excellent value at $1.40. After a string of losses recently, I expect a professional display on the road as they win comfortably. Similarly, I expect Portland to continue their strong start to the campaign against a struggling Knicks side that is 4-13 on the season. At $1.88, I think this is one of the better value multis of the season.  

Charlotte Hornets 

The Hornets enter this one with a 7-8 record after a devastating home loss to Philadelphia on Saturday. This was despite an outstanding performance from Point Guard Kemba Walker, who dropped 60 points on 21/34 shooting. Shooting Guard Jeremy Lamb added 20 points and 10 boards of his own, but the rest of the Hornets failed to contribute. Starting Forwards Nicolas Batum and Marvin Williams added only 4 points between them, whilst no-one on the Hornets bench registered double digits. I expect the going to get tough for the Hornets here against this strong Boston defence. 

Boston Celtics 

The Celtics have gotten off to a relatively disappointing 9-7 start this season and find themselves 3rd in the Atlantic division. Their win over the Raptors on Saturday was their most impressive display of the campaign, a game where Kyrie Irving went off for 43 points and 11 assists. Small Forward Gordon Hayward has looked noticeably worse this season coming off his injury, averaging only 10 points per game and shooting under 40% from the field. Al Horford continues to remain one of the premier centres in the NBA, whilst young wings Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are struggling to build off promising campaigns last season. 

Prediction: Celtics -1.5 

Ultimately, I think the Celtics have 5 of the 6 best players on the court here. I expect their excellent backcourt defence to pressure Kemba Walker and the Hornets don’t have anyone else who can take advantage. On offence, I expect Kyrie and Co to make enough plays for the win and the cover here.  

Philadelphia 76ers 

The 76ers return home at 11-7 after a big win in Charlotte on Saturday. Joel Embiid continued his excellent start to the campaign, pouring in 33 points and 11 rebounds. It was another efficient outing for Aussie Ben Simmons, who had 23 points and was 1 assist shy of a triple double. Now back in the starting lineup, JJ Redick provided a much-needed spacing element and drained 5 threes en route to 23 points. As a team firmly entrenched now in the top 4 of the East, games like these are ones that the Sixers should be winning comfortably. 

Phoenix Suns 

The Suns travel to Philadelphia at 3-12, with an 0-6 road record on the season. DeAndre Ayton continues to have a strong rookie campaign, putting up 21 points and 9 boards last time out against OKC. Devin Booker has tried to take more of a passing approach, registering 12 assists to go along with 16 points against OKC. Whilst he was a promising story to start the season, Point Guard Isaiah Canaan has struggled of late, failing to score in double digits in 4 of his last 5 games. With Trevor Ariza likely out injured, I expect another tough one for Phoenix here.  

Prediction: 76ers -6 First Half 

Not only are the Suns winless in their 6 road games this season, they’ve also been extremely uncompetitive in all 6. Philadelphia has a huge talent advantage in this game, particularly in the starting lineup. I expect a dominant first half en route to a comfortable win here. 

New Orleans Pelicans 

The Pelicans are back in form and enter this one with a 9-7 record after winning 5 of their last 6. Anthony Davis was incredible in their win over Denver, putting up a complete stat line of 40 points, 8 assists and 8 rebounds. This was capably supported by 20-point double-doubles from both Nikola Mirotic and Julius Randle, as well as 19 points and 8 assists from Jrue Holiday. Aside from a dip in form when they were battling through injuries, this New Orleans side has looked very strong this season and looks to be a top-4 threat out West. 

San Antonio Spurs 

The Spurs put an end to their 3-game losing streak with a resurgent win over a short-handed Golden State side yesterday. Lamarcus Aldridge led the way with an efficient 24 points and 18 boards as he dominated the interior. He was capably supported by DeMar DeRozan, who added 20 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds of his own in his 40 minutes. Rudy Gay chimed in with 19 points of 6/10 shooting, and Aussie Patty Mills was +17 in 25 minutes off the bench. Despite the win yesterday, the Spurs had shown some worrying form of late, losing 5 of their previous 6 games. 

Prediction: Under 225.5 Points 

I understand the Pelicans like to play at a fast pace, but this total is just too high for a Spurs game. Their matches have gone under in 5 of the last 6 and I expect them to slow the pace here on a gruelling back-to-back. I expect the total for this one to end around 215-220.

A relatively straightforward multi today at what I believe to be a very good price. The 76ers and Pistons are at home to two of the worst teams in the NBA, whilst the Clippers should enjoy a comfortable win in Atlanta. At $1.74, this is far too good value to pass up.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Jimmy Butler trade has allowed the Timberwolves to break their shackles, enjoying 3 straight home wins against solid opposition. Center Karl Anthony Towns has been going HAM of late, enjoying averages of 20 points, 12 boards and 2 blocks on the campaign. The often-maligned Andrew Wiggins also seems to be finding form, putting up an impressive 23 points against Portland on Saturday. Led by Jeff Teague and a resurgent Derrick Rose, the Wolves are now getting solid Point Guard play for 48 minutes a night. Memphis are never an easy out, but this does represent a good chance for the Timberwolves to extend their win streak.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies enter this one with a very impressive 9-5 record after Saturday’s win against Sacramento. Rookie big man Jaren Jackson Jnr was excellent, leading the team with 27 points and 6 boards. Center Marc Gasol added to this interior dominance, registering 19 points and 15 rebounds of his own. Point Guard Mike Conley has continued his impressive start to the campaign, whilst veteran swingmen Garrett Temple and Kyle Anderson round out the starting lineup nicely. The improved play from their bench so far has made the Grizz a playoff contender out west.

Prediction: Timberwolves 1-10

With a 7-1 home record to start the season, the Timberwolves have shown that they’re hard to beat in Minnesota. The team is firing on all cylinders and I expect yet another home win here. Against a rugged Memphis side, I expect it to be a close one, making the Timberwolves 1-10 play strong value.

Washington Wizards

The Wizards continued their disappointing 5-10 start to the campaign with a poor home loss to the Nets on Saturday. This was despite an excellent performance from Center Dwight Howard, who put up 25 points and 17 rebounds in this one. Bradley Beal added 20 points and 6 boards, whilst Point Guard John Wall had 16 points and 7 assists. Despite an easy schedule of late, the Wizards have largely struggled to find a rhythm this season. Beating an upstart 10-5 Portland side at home is definitely a tough ask for this group at the moment.

Portland Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers travel to Washington at 10-5 after consecutive disappointing losses to the Lakers and Timberwolves. Despite his strong start to the campaign, Point Guard Damian Lillard struggled mightily against the Timberwolves, going only 5/18 from the field. Big man Jusuf Nurkic has really impressed of late, enjoying 3 straight double-doubles. Shooting Guard C.J. McCollum is also quietly having another solid year, putting up 20 points a night. Injuries to both Seth Curry and Maurice Harkless have somewhat limited a bench that has been very effective to start the campaign.

Prediction: Under 224.5 points

With how these teams have played recently, I believe this line is a bit too inflated here. Both Portland and Washington are very much struggling to create offence when their starting guards aren’t on the floor. Portland’s games have definitely trended to the under in recent weeks and it’s a trend I’m comfortable continuing here.

Miami Heat

The Heat enter this one at a somewhat disappointing 6-9 after losing 4 of their last 5 games. Josh Richardson has emerged as a strong offensive piece this season, enjoying 28 points against Indiana last time out. Center Hassan Whiteside got over the tragic stealing of his gun, adding in 12 points and 17 boards of his own. Point Guard Goran Dragic is still finding his feet after returning from injury and this Miami side has definitely missed his creation. It’s always an emotional affair when LeBron returns to town and you’d expect the Heat crowd to be well up for this one.

Los Angeles Lakers

No rest for the Lakers as they travel straight to Miami after last night’s tilt in Orlando. Prior to this East Coast swing, they’d won an impressive 4 straight games and established themselves in the Western Conference playoff picture. LeBron James is starting to take full control of this team, evidenced by his impressive 44 points, 10 boards and 9 assists against Portland on Thursday. With JaVale McGee and Tyson Chandler both impressing of late, the Lakers are regularly getting 48 quality minutes from the Center spot now. Point Guard Lonzo Ball will need to step up here in the absence of the injured Rajon Rondo.

Prediction: Under 228.5 points

This is my best bet of the day. The Heat are struggling for creation now and I can see them struggling against LA’s improving defence. Off of a back-to-back, I also expect the Lakers to play at a slower pace here. I ultimately expect the total for this one to finish in the 215-220-point range.

Only two teams in today’s daily multi but it still gets us an attractive price point. As touched on earlier, I expect Minnesota’s talent to prove too much for Memphis as they move to 8-1 at home. Against one of the worst teams in the NBA, I also expect Orlando’s frontcourt to be too strong for the Knicks as they cruise to a home win. At $2.07, this is strong enough value for a play.

Brooklyn Nets

There’s no rest for the Nets here as they travel back to the Barclays Center after last night’s tilt with Washington. They’ve largely struggled in the absence of Caris LeVert, losing to the Warriors, Timberwolves and Heat by an average of 12 points. The starting lineup in particular really struggled against the Heat last time out, with no player managing to score over 12 points. This has led to a stronger reliance on bench players such as Demarre Carroll, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Spencer Dinwiddie. Whilst the Nets nice start was a promising story, I don’t see them enjoying too much success against this upstart Clippers side.

 Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers enter this one with an impressive 9-5 record after 5 wins in their last 6 contests. Shooting Guard Lou Williams was again the key man in Friday’s win over the Spurs, dropping 23 points off the bench, including the go-ahead 3-pointer in the last minute. Montrezl Harrell continued to do his thing off the bench, enjoying a well-rounded stat line of 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Forwards Tobias Harris and Danilo Gallinari have both been excellent so far this campaign, averaging an efficient 39 points and 15 boards between them each night.

Prediction: Under 222 points

Tying in with last night’s prediction, I’m going under in the Nets game here. I don’t think they have the offensive firepower in LeVert’s absence and expect to roll with this trend as long as the numbers are good. The Clippers road games haven’t been too high scoring and I think this total is 5-10 points too high here.

Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets enter this one at 7-7 after a disgustingly bad road loss in Cleveland last time out. PG Kemba Walker struggled mightily in the 24-point loss, scoring only 7 points as he went 2-16 from the field. Shooting Guard Jeremy Lamb was the only player who could do anything offensively, putting up 22 points, which was twice as many as their second highest scorer. Their defence was atrocious in this one as well, allowing the Cavs to shoot over 50% from the field and from 3-point range. After two hard-fought contests already this season, they welcome the new-look Sixers to town here.

Philadelphia 76ers

Small Forward Jimmy Butler made his home-debut in last night’s tilt against Utah. They struggled in his first game as a Sixer against Orlando, falling on the road to the struggling Magic. Center Joel Embiid has established himself as one of the best in the NBA this season, putting up impressive averages of 27 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists so far. Aussie Ben Simmons also remains a nightly triple-double threat, averaging 14 points, 9 boards and 7.5 assists of his own. With the addition of Butler, they now have a legitimate ‘big 3’ that should prove capable of contending in the later rounds of the playoffs.

Prediction: Under 226.5 points

With the Sixers still trying to fit Jimmy Butler in and coming off a back-to-back from last night, I feel as though the total is too high here. I expect a slower-paced game with more of an isolation focus. This high total gives us more than enough room to play with and I’m fairly confident in the under.

Orlando Magic

The Magic enter this one at 7-8, after 3 wins in their last 4 games. Center Nikola Vucevic had a strong outing against the Sixers last time out, notching 30 points and 8 rebounds. Power Forward Aaron Gordon has also had a solid start to the campaign since signing a new extension, averaging 16 points and 8 boards per game. Swingman Terrence Ross has also emerged as an excellent playmaking option off the bench for the Magic, averaging 14 points so far this season.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lake Show start their East Coast road trip at 8-6 after 4 straight victories. LeBron James was excellent against Portland last time out, dropping an impressive 44 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists. Center JaVale McGee also continued his strong start to the season, adding in 20 points of his own. Forwards Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma have continued to support LeBron capably on the wing, combining to average 33 a game so far. This East Coast road swing represents an excellent chance for the Lakers to climb the Western Conference standings.

 Prediction: Lakers -4.5

Given their strong form of late, I’m going to have to roll with the Lakers again here. It’s definitely a trap game, but LeBron is by far the best player on the court here in this one. I expect it to be relatively close throughout, with the Lakers making enough plays down the stretch to pull out both the win and cover.

For the first time in a few days, we finally have a ton of great spots for the daily multi. Whilst the Kings have improved somewhat this year, I expect a healthy Rockets team to have no issue here. Similarly, in games against 3 of the NBA’s worst teams, the Pacers, Raptors and Thunder should all win comfortably here. $1.82 represents very strong value with all things considered.

Washington Wizards

The Wizards enter this one off the back of 3 straight wins and currently find themselves at a more respectable 5-9 overall record. Shooting Guard Brad Beal has had a very strong start to the campaign, averaging 22 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists so far. Point Guard John Wall has also stepped things up on this recent winning streak, averaging 21 points and registering at least 9 assists in each of his past 5 games. Even Center Dwight Howard has proved a useful addition since his injury, averaging 12.5 points and 9 boards on 61% shooting.

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets enter this one in the opposite direction to the Wizards, having lost 3 straight to sit at a current 6-9 record. Losing promising young Shooting Guard Caris LeVert was a huge blow and he’s expected to miss most of the season. This will mean more responsibility for mercurial Point Guard D’Angelo Russell, who’s currently averaging 16 points and 5 assists so far. Reserve Guards Spencer Dinwiddie and Shabazz Napier have also continued to provide a strong punch off the bench, combining for 31 points in Thursday’s loss to Miami.

Prediction: Under 221.5 points

Without their offensive linchpin LeVert, I’m expecting the Nets to struggle offensively here. They’ll look to slow down the pace and win by grinding it out. I think this total is 5-10 points too high as a result and makes the under look like an appealing bet.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies enter this one at an impressive 8-5 after a big road win in Milwaukee last time out. Center Marc Gasol continued his strong start to the campaign, putting up 29 points and 6 threes against the Bucks. He’s been capably supported by Point Guard Mike Conley, who’s put up at least 24 points in each of his last 3 outings. Reserve Guards Shelvin Mack and Wayne Selden have also formed a nice partnership, both shooting over 50% from the field and combining for 18 points per night.

Sacramento Kings

The 8-6 Kings have been one of the positive surprises in the NBA so far and enter this one off the back of a home win over San Antonio. Point Guard De’Aaron Fox has had a very strong start to his sophomore campaign, averaging 18 points and 7 assists on 44% shooting from 3. Center Willie Cauley-Stein has also shown flashes, averaging 16.5 points and 8.5 boards so far. Shooting Guard Bogdan Bogdanovic also looks to be rounding in to form, dropping a quick-fire 22 points in their win over the Spurs last time out.

Prediction: Kings +6.5

With Fox providing some of the best Point Guard play they’ve had in years, I think Sacramento is sneakily underrated by the oddsmakers. The Grizzlies aren’t the type of team to blow you out and I think Sacramento’s depth and energy matches up well here. Expect a close one that the Kings have a chance of pulling out late.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Whilst they enter this one 6-9, the Timberwolves are 6-1 at home this season and have looked much better since the Jimmy Butler saga concluded. This is primarily due to the improved performances of Center Karl-Anthony Towns, who has put up at least 25 points and 16 boards in each of his last 3. Point Guard Jeff Teague has racked up 25 assists in 2 games since his comeback from injury and is capably supported by the resurgent Derrick Rose. In Robert Covington and Dario Saric, the Wolves also have two new rotation players to work with.

Portland Trail Blazers

The 10-4 Trail Blazers enter this one with the best record in the Northwest division, despite a loss against the Lakers last time out. Point Guard Damian Lillard put up another efficient display in LA, dropping 31 points and 11 dimes. Center Jusuf Nurkic also won the battle inside, totalling 21 points, 14 boards and 4 blocks of his own. It was an uncharacteristically poor performance from Portland’s bench that cost them in this one, totalling just 18 points. Despite the hiccup in LA, I think this is a definite playoff team in the West and expect them to rebound nicely here.

Prediction: Trail Blazers -1.5

The numbers suggest that Portland is a vastly superior team to Minnesota in almost all major metrics. With a lack of perimeter defence, I expect both Dame and C.J. to have their way in this one. Portland takes this in Minnesota and extends their lead in the Northwest here.

Whilst the Grizzlies and Wizards are both in the range, I like to target favourites at, I think both are overvalued here. As such, this Pacers/Pelicans and Bucks trio represents a nice alternative. I expect very comfortable wins for both New Orleans and Milwaukee as they welcome two of the worst sides in the NBA to their home court. Similarly, I think the Pacers are very good value at $1.50 at home to Miami and expect them to build off their strong home start here. $1.88 is excellent value all things considered.

Houston Rockets 

The Rockets enter this one at 6-7 after a huge road win in Denver last time out. Center Clint Capela led the way, dropping an impressive 24 points and 9 rebounds. Guards Chris Paul and James Harden are both beginning to slowly round in to form, combining for 43 points and 15 assists here. No Carmelo Anthony seems to have benefited Houston, as they’ve gone with a smaller rotation without the same defensive weak spots. They’ll need to be at their best here as they welcome the defending champions to town. 

Golden State Warriors 

After a controversial loss against the Clippers on Tuesday, the Warriors bounced back with a comfortable home win over Atlanta. They now travel to Houston for the first time since their game 7 win in the 2018 Western Conference Finals, hopefully buoyed by the return of Stephen Curry. Reigning Finals MVP Kevin Durant has been excellent this season, averaging an efficient 27 points, 7 boards and 6.5 assists to lead the team. Shooting Guard Klay Thompson has also rebounded nicely off a somewhat shaky start, scoring at least 22 in his last 6 outings.  

Prediction: Warriors -5 

Assuming Stephen Curry is back in the fold, the Warriors have way too much firepower for Houston here. The Rockets have a very thin rotation that simply won’t be able to keep up with Golden State’s top end talent. I can see the Warriors winning this by double digits. 

Denver Nuggets 

After a strong 9-1 start to the season, the Denver Nuggets enter this one off the back of 4 straight losses. A loss at home to the Hawks here would bring about full on crisis mode. This slump in form appears to have coincided with an injury to star Power Forward Paul Millsap, who has played significantly less minutes over the past fortnight. Similarly, Guards Gary Harris and Jamal Murray have struggled to generate the same offensive output that they did earlier in the season. With a lack of offensive firepower off the bench, this usually high-flying offence has been relying far too much on Center Nikola Jokic of late. 

Atlanta Hawks 

The 3-11 Hawks travel to Denver off the back of 5 straight losses and currently sit 0-3 on their West Coast swing. Despite a poor performance against Golden State, Rookie Point Guard Trae Young has emerged as a bright spot for this team. Young currently enjoys averages of 17 points and 8 assists that put him in contention for Rookie of the Year. Kent Bazemore and Taurean Prince are both strong defensive wings that add an element of toughness and outside shooting to this team. Whilst it’s good to see 41-year old Vince Carter getting a run on this team, there isn’t too much to get excited about in Atlanta. 

Prediction: Under 224.5 Points 

With the way both Denver and Atlanta games have been trending of late, I feel pretty confident in the under here. Denver has really struggled on offence as of late and I see their thin rotation being an issue again. Similarly, I expect Atlanta’s young offence to have a tough time trying to score on Denver. 

Los Angeles Clippers 

The Clippers enter this one at a surprising 8-5 after strong home wins over Milwaukee and Golden State. Reserve big man Montrezl Harrell has emerged as an excellent option off the bench, enjoying 49 points and 17 boards over his last 2 games. 6th man Lou Williams has continued his clutch play, managing 14 free throws in his key 25 points against Golden State. I would be remiss not to mention the contributions of starting Forwards Tobias Harris and Danilo Gallinari, who have combined to average an impressive 39 points per game this season. 

San Antonio Spurs 

There’s no rest for the Spurs here as they travel straight to LA after last night’s effort in Phoenix. Shooting Guard DeMar DeRozan has had an excellent start to his first season as a Spur, averaging 25 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game. Power Forward LaMarcus Aldridge is still putting up big numbers aged 33, averaging 19 points and 10.5 boards so far. In Rudy Gay, Patty Mills and Dante Cunningham, the Spurs have veteran role players that are excellent complements to their two stars. With the Clippers in such strong home form, I see it being tough going for the Spurs here. 

Prediction: Clippers -3 

For me, the Clippers are the much better team here. Whilst their starters are roughly even with San Antonio’s, I expect their dynamic bench to make the difference in this one. Clippers by 5 here as Lou Williams makes a few more crazy plays late. 

Given that I like all 3 favourites today, it’s only fitting to include them all in a multi. With the impending return of Steph Curry, I expect Golden State to make a statement that quietens the media here. Denver need a win over Atlanta to avoid full-blown panic mode, whilst I think the Clippers depth will prove too much for the Spurs on a back-to-back.

Minnesota Timberwolves 

The Timberwolves enter this one at 5-9 after a win over Brooklyn in their first game after the Jimmy Butler trade. Center Karl Anthony Towns was dynamic yet again, putting up 25 points and 21 rebounds, which helped offset his 12 turnovers. Point Guard Jeff Teague rejuvenated this offence in his return from injury, totalling 24 points, 11 assists and 3 steals of his own. Derrick Rose also continued his throwback campaign by putting up 23 points and 6 assists as he started in the unfamiliar Shooting Guard position. The likely debuts of Robert Covington and Dario Saric should bolster the Wolves here. 

New Orleans Pelicans 

The 7-6 Pelicans enter this one off by far their best performance of the season, where they beat the Raptors 126-110 on the road.  The impressive backcourt of E’Twaun Moore and Jrue Holiday led the way offensively, combining for 59 points and 17 assists as they went 25/37 from the field. Anthony Davis was absolutely everywhere, adding in 25 points, 20 boards and 6 assists of his own. Power Forward Julius Randle also stepped up in the absence of Nikola Mirotic, registering 17 points and 12 boards of his own. Against an inconsistent Timberwolves sign, they’ll look to build off this strong performance here. 

Prediction: Under 229.5 Points 

With both of these sides having either new additions or injuries to their rotation, I’m expecting a bit of a lower scoring one here. The Towns and Davis matchup should limit both guys a little bit, whilst the New Orleans guards struggle to play make. This is 5-10 points too high for me. 

Dallas Mavericks 

The Mavericks enter this one at 5-8 after consecutive wins over the Thunder and Bulls. Rookie Luka Doncic has had a phenomenal campaign so far, averaging 20 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Small Forward Harrison “Gives out Rings for Fun” Barnes had his best effort of the season in Chicago, putting up 23 points, 5 boards and 4 steals. Center DeAndre Jordan adds a much-needed interior presence for the Mavs, averaging 11.6 points and 13.5 boards so far. Whilst Dirk Nowitzki’s absence is hurting the Mavs, they seem to be finally turning the corner. 

Utah Jazz 

The 7-6 Jazz enter this one off the back of 3 straight wins, including a big road win in Memphis on Tuesday. Center Rudy Gobert delivered another excellent performance, putting up 15 points, 16 rebounds and 3 blocks. Aussie Joe Ingles also delivered an efficient 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists as the backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and Ricky Rubio struggled. It was an excellent defensive performance that held the Grizzlies to just 41% from the field and 16% from 3 that really got things done for the Mavs here. Against this upstart Mavs offence, another solid display will be needed here. 

Prediction: Jazz -4 

I’ve had a ton of success backing the Jazz this season and I’m going back to the well here. Their depth and versatility match up extremely well with this Mavericks side, having already won in Dallas this season. I expect their frontcourt to prove too much here in a comfortable Jazz win. 

Los Angeles Lakers 

All it took was a trio of wins over 3 of the most dysfunctional teams in the NBA for the Lakers to have a winning record. LeBron James’ blushes were saved as a crucial Tyson Chandler block helped the Lakers hold on by 1 point against Atlanta. Power Forward Kyle Kuzma has impressed a lot this season, averaging 18 points and 5 boards so far. JaVale McGee has also exceeded expectations so far, to the tune of 13.7 points, 7.4 boards and 3 blocks per game. The acquisition of Tyson Chandler has also paid early dividends, making crucial game-winning plays against both Minnesota and Atlanta.  

Portland Trail Blazers 

Portland enter this one with an impressive 10-3 record, having won 7 of their last 8. Ironically, the only loss in those 8 was at home to these Lakers. Point Guard Damian Lillard has again been excellent this campaign, putting up averages of 26 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds. Center Jusuf Nurkic was also key in the win over Boston, totalling 18 points and 17 boards in just 28 minutes. C.J McCollum has also been better of late, dropping 40 points in last week’s impressive win over Milwaukee. Based on their strong start to the campaign, I see Portland avenging their earlier loss to the Lakers here.  

Prediction: Blazers +2.5 

As the slight underdog here, I’m confident that Portland can come home with the victory in LA. Their backcourt is leaps and bounds ahead of the Lakers and LeBron has largely struggled against above .500 teams so far. Expect another big Dame Lillard performance in a Portland win. 

In a day jam-packed with NBA action, I’m going to go with what I believe to be the 3 best teams in the Eastern Conference here. After a poor trip out West, I expect Kyrie and The Celtics to bounce back in Chicago here. Similarly, Kawhi and the Raptors should rebound from their first home loss of the season, whilst I expect Giannis and the Bucks to continue their unbeaten home run. All of this combines for excellent value at $1.95.

Cleveland Cavaliers 

The Cavaliers return home having been firmly entrenched as the worst side in the NBA with a 1-11 record through their first 12 games. In the absence of George Hill, Rookie Guard Colin Sexton stepped up against the Bulls, putting up 20 points and 3 assists. Center Tristan “Sucker Punch” Thompson is coming off one of his best stretches in recent memory, registering 3 straight double doubles. The almost forgotten Rodney Hood also stepped up against Chicago, putting up 20 points of his own. Against a Charlotte side that they’ve already lost to by 32 points to, I don’t have much hope for Cleveland here. 

Charlotte Hornets 

The Hornets enter this one at 7-6 after a big road win in Detroit on Monday. Point Guard Kemba Walker unsurprisingly led the way, putting up an impressive 24 points and 8 assists. Reserve Point Guard Tony “the French Trey Songz” Parker was excellent off the bench, totalling 24 points, 4 assists and 3 boards of his own. Center Cody Zeller continues to form a strong pick and roll combination with Kemba, whilst Rookie Forward Mikael Bridges offers some much-needed energy off the bench. Charlotte will be looking to build off a strong defensive performance, where they held the Pistons to 36% from the field and 26% from 3.  

Prediction: Hornets -6.5 

Whilst this is sure to be a public play, I’m not really bothered. The Hornets are by far and away the better team here and I expect them to win comfortably. They’re better than Cleveland at almost every facet of the game and I’m predicting another dominant display from Kemba here. 

Denver Nuggets 

After their incredible 9-1 start to the season, the Nuggets enter this one off 3 consecutive defeats. After battling through a recent injury, Power Forward Paul Millsap looked much better against Milwaukee, putting up a complete stat line of 25 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Center Nikola Jokic has been back to his offensive best of late, dropping an impressive 37 points and 21 boards against Brooklyn on Saturday. Jamal Murray and Gary Harris have also continued to emerge as one of the premiere young backcourts in the league, averaging a combined 35 points and 8 boards so far. 

Houston Rockets 

The Rockets have had an absolutely disastrous start to the season and sit 4th place in their division with a 5-7 record. James Harden was much better against Indiana last time out, putting up an impressive 40 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds. He was capably supported by a resurgent performance by Chris Paul, who added 26 points, 5 boards and 5 assists of his own. Center Clint Capela rounded out the ‘big 3’ nicely, with 18 points on 8/9 shooting. With P.J Tucker and Carmelo Anthony potentially out with illness, Houston’s rotation could really lack depth here. 

Prediction: Under 218.5 Points

With no total provided at the time of posting, I’m relying on my own projections here. Rockets games have been largely soaring under the total this season, with oddsmakers slow to adjust to their style change so far this season. Especially without Carmelo Anthony’s poor defence, I’m expecting a lower scoring game in this one that falls around 215 points. 

Golden State Warriors 

There’s been no championship hangover for the Dubs this season, as they’ve raced out to the best record in the Western Conference. Off a late one against the Clippers last night, they travel straight back here to take on the Hawks with no Steph Curry. Kevin Durant has been consistency personified so far this season, dropping 27 points, 7 boards and 6.5 assists per night on great efficiency. Power Forward Draymond Green had also been putting in some strong performances before his injury and returned last night in LA. Even without Stephen Curry, Shooting Guard Klay Thompson complements these two nicely with a 3rd All Star. 

Atlanta Hawks 

The Hawks enter this one at 3-10 after losses in their last 4 games. Rookie Point Guard Trae Young continues to be one of my favourite young players in the league, dropping an exciting 20 points and 12 assists in Monday’s 1-point loss to the Lakers. He was capably supported by both Taurean Prince and Kent Bazemore, both of whom added 20 points of their own. Center Alex Len has also picked up his performances of late, enjoying 17 points and 11 rebounds. Whilst the Hawks do play hard, I don’t see them enjoying much success here against the champs. 

Prediction: Under 

Without Stephen Curry, the Warriors lack a reliable guard with shooting and playmaking ability. With the Hawks/Lakers total on Monday at a whopping 241 points, I’m expecting a relatively high total here. I don’t expect either side to put up huge offensive numbers in a game that ends around 220-225 points. 

With only 3 games on the board, it’s tough to find a multi that meets our usual criteria. That said, I’m very confident in wins for both the Hornets and Warriors here against two of the worst sides in the NBA. Whilst it isn’t at the usual $2 plus, this still represents excellent value at around $1.50, even with Steph Curry ruled out.

Memphis Grizzlies 

The Grizzlies enter this one with an impressive 7-4 record, backed by a perfect 5-0 home start. Point Guard Mike Conley was excellent in Sunday’s win over Philly, totalling 32 points and 6 assists. Center Marc Gasol also pulled off a vintage display, putting up 18 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. 1st round pick Jaren Jackson has emerged as a solid young contributor in the front court, whilst wings Kyle Anderson and Garrett Temple round out this starting five nicely. Having beaten the Jazz twice on the road this season, Memphis will be looking to go 3-0 against them here.  

Utah Jazz 

The 6-6 Jazz enter this one off back-to-back home wins over the Mavericks and Celtics. Aussie Joe Ingles put on an excellent display against Boston, totalling 27 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds. Center Rudy Gobert had his 12th consecutive double-double to start the campaign, whilst Donovan Mitchell added 21 points and 5 assists of his own. Ricky Rubio and Derrick Favors are both capable veterans that round out this lineup nicely. Having been beaten twice on their home floor by Memphis so far, I expect the Jazz to be well up for this one.  

Prediction: Jazz -2.5 

Despite their respective starts to the season, I think the Jazz are definitely the better team here. They have a much more well-rounded starting five and bench that should outclass Memphis. With their full complement of players healthy, I expect them to avenge their two earlier home losses here.

Minnesota Timberwolves 

It seems an 0-5 road trip was a deal-breaker for Tom Thibodeau, who finally put an end to the Jimmy Butler saga on Sunday. This is great news for young Center Karl-Anthony Towns, who put up an impressive 39 points and 19 rebounds against Sacramento. Derrick Rose will also look to continue his strong start to the campaign, putting up 21 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists last time out. Despite the Butler situation, it’s tough to excuse the recent poor play of the Timberwolves, who are likely looking to next year now. 

Brooklyn Nets 

The plucky Nets travel to Minnesota after wins in 3 of their last 4 games. Shooting Guard Caris LeVert and Center Jarrett Allen are two strong young players that have emerged as ones to watch in the future. Point Guard D’Angelo Russell is also having the best campaign of his career, as he prepares for free agency this off-season. In Jared Dudley and Joe Harris, Brooklyn have two solid veterans on the wing that round out this lineup nicely. A major strength of this team is their Point Guard depth, with Spencer Dinwiddie and Shabazz Napier providing quality options off the bench. 

Prediction: Nets +4 

Based off their play in recent weeks, it’s tough to favour Minnesota here by this much. Whilst the Butler trade may galvanize them, injuries to Teague and Wiggins mean they’re playing with a thin rotation. I expect this Nets side to compete and at least keep this close, if not win it outright.

Los Angeles Clippers 

The Clippers enter this one with a strong 7-5 record after their clutch overtime win against Milwaukee on Sunday. Tobias Harris and Patrick Beverley both put up 20 points as they emerge as key components of this starting lineup. Reserve big man Montrezl Harrell continued his excellent form with 26 points and 9 rebounds off the bench. 6th man of the year candidate Lou Williams also put up a huge double-double, including the final game winning shot. Against the injured champs, the Clips have a decent chance of improving on their impressive 5-1 home start. 

Golden State Warriors 

The back-to-back champs enter this one with a conference leading 11-2 record, having won 9 of their last 10 games. Small Forward Kevin Durant has had an excellent start to the season, averaging 27 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists on 55/40/90 efficiency. Quin Cook stepped up in the absence of Steph Curry against Brooklyn, putting up 27 points and 5 assists. Klay Thompson has also rounded into form of late, putting up at least 22 points in his last 4 games. With the injury status of Curry, Green and Livingston still in question, this could be a tough one for the Dubs. 

Prediction: Clippers +3 

Whilst I think Golden State are the much better team, injuries at the top have really thinned out their rotation. This is a plucky Clippers side that has performed admirably at home this season and I think they can take it to Golden State here. This line likely goes down further if Draymond Green is confirmed out.

With a 7-0 home record to start the season and a full complement of healthy players, I expect another strong home win for the Raptors here. Similarly, with the lowly Suns playing a visit, I expect the defence of Paul George and the Suns to prove too much. Whilst the Wizards are a risk, I expect their strong backcourt to lead the way against Orlando. All of this combines for solid value at $2.17.

Los Angeles Clippers 

The Clippers return home with a 6-5 record after a convincing road loss in Portland on Friday. Forward Danilo Gallinari built off his strong start to the campaign, adding a further 20 points that included 5/8 three-pointers. Rookie Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has also impressed in Avery Bradley’s absence, dropping 19 points as he made his way into the starting five. Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams continue to provide a spark off the bench, the two combining for an impressive 39 points and 16 made field goals. 

Milwaukee Bucks 

The Bucks enter this one at 9-2 after a very impressive road win in Golden State on Friday. Small Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to cement his early status as an MVP frontrunner, averaging 25 points, 13 rebounds and 5.7 assists so far. Point Guard Eric Bledsoe also stepped up big time in Friday’s tilt with the Warriors, putting up 26 points and 6 assists on 10-12 from the field. In Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon, the Bucks have two capable two-way wing players that can both shoot the 3 and fit into a versatile defensive scheme.  

Prediction: Under 233.5 Points 

Whilst the Bucks have been on an offensive tear of late, I feel as though this total is too high. Especially with an early tip-off in LA, I wouldn’t be surprised if either of these teams come out sluggishly. I think Milwaukee’s defence can shut down the Clippers here and expect a total in the 225 range. 

New Orleans Pelicans

The 5-6 Pelicans finally rebounded off their 6-game skid with a 9-point win over Chicago last time out. They were unsurprisingly led by a very efficient performance by big man Anthony Davis, who totalled 32 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists. Point Guard Jrue Holiday was also very effective, falling just one assist shy of a triple-double. It was defensively where New Orleans got the job done here, holding Chicago under 40% from the field and 30% from 3. Against a Phoenix side that has very much struggled so far, the Pelicans have a strong opportunity to get back to .500 here.  

Phoenix Suns 

The Suns enter this one at 2-9 after blowing a 22-point lead to lose at home to Boston last time out. Shooting Guard Devin Booker had a very effective performance in this one, putting up 38 points, 9 assists and 3 steals. Rookie Center DeAndre Ayton added to his streak of double-doubles, whilst Forward T.J Warren added in an efficient 29 points of his own. The problem for Phoenix in this one was their anaemic bench display, which totalled only 10 points. This will simply have to improve to overcome the Pelicans here in New Orleans.  

Prediction: Under 229.5 points 

Phoenix has been very poor offensively in recent outings, going under this total in 6 of their last 7 games. They rely far too much on Devin Booker and I expect the strong Pelicans perimeter defence to contain him here. 

San Antonio Spurs 

After their hot 6-2 start, the Spurs enter this one at 6-4 after consecutive losses to the Magic and Heat. Newly acquired Shooting Guard DeMar DeRozan has gotten off to a very impressive start to the campaign, enjoying averages of 26 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists so far. He is capably supported by Power Forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who’s averaging 18 points, 10 boards and 3 assists himself. Aussie Point Guard Patty Mills has stepped up in Dejounte Murray’s absence, averaging 10 points and shooting 43% from 3 in his 27 minutes per night.  

Houston Rockets 

The 4-6 Rockets enter this one off a truly embarrassing loss at the hands of an OKC team without Russell Westbrook. Point Guard Chris Paul continues to struggle to start the season, putting up only an inefficient 10 points in this one. James Harden also struggled against the tough OKC perimeter defence, going only 7-19 from the field. Carmelo Anthony also struggled off the bench, shooting just 1-11, in what many have dubbed his best game for the Thunder. The only Rocket who is playing with consistency this season is Center Clint Capela, who continues to put up strong averages of 15 points and 11 boards.  

Prediction: Rockets -1 

Whilst the Rockets have been largely terrible so far this season, a lot of this has been borne out by injuries and poor scheduling. I think they’re the more talented team in this matchup and enjoy a significant advantage with their backcourt prowess. Houston in a tight one here. 

Another day, another strong multi opportunity. The Raptors and Pelicans essentially appear to be locks to win at home against two of the worst teams in the NBA. Even without Steph Curry and Draymond Green, the Warriors have enough firepower to overcome Brooklyn. Similarly, I expect LeBron and the Lakers to finally get to .500 in Sacramento. All of this combines for excellent value at $2.43.