Xam’s Daily Gems:
Knicks/Nets Over 204.5 Points -112 FanDuel
The Knicks have been struggling offensively with so many key injuries, but this can be a get right game of sorts for them. The Nets haven’t been very good defensively this season, giving up 114 points per game on the year. They’ve given up 114 or more points in 4 of their last 5 games. The Knicks also have seen their defense lapse a little bit in recent games, giving up 112 or more points in back-to-back games. This line of 204.5 is just insanely low for an NBA game. With Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart, the Knicks will probably find ways to score. This Play will likely come down to what the Nets can do against a stingy Knicks defense. Somehow, some way, the Nets are still alive for the last Play-In Spot in the Eastern Conference. The offense has been better with the return of Cam Thomas. They’re scoring over 106 points per game in their last 10 games, and if they score that much today, that will likely be enough! If Mikal Bridges and Cam Thomas can continue leading the way offensively, we should see more points than we expect in this matinee game!
North Carolina Money Line -170 FanDuel
UNC has the experience, the scoring capability, and the size advantage in this game. UNC has been here before and their fans will show up for this game against Michigan State. All-American Guard RJ Davis and Forward Armando Bacot lead the way for the Tar Heels. UNC has bludgeoned teams this year offensively. They’re coming off a 90 point effort against Wagner and have scored 80 or more points in 10 of their last 13 games. They can score with the best of them if they’re allowed to. Containing Tyson Walker and Jaden Akins will be key for the Tar Heels in this game. Michigan State has a solid defense and will bring the intensity, but they’ll have to score to win this game. They scored 70 or less points in 5 of their last 10 games. If UNC can play some defense, their offense should care for the rest and get the Tar Heels to the Sweet 16.
Suns/Spurs Over 226.5 Points -170 DraftKings
The Spurs defensive struggles have been well documented this season. They’re giving up on average 119 points per game. They just haven’t shown an ability to stop anybody. It will the 3rd game in 4 nights for the Suns, so rest may be an issue for them. However, they need every single win they can get their hands on. They are currently in a statistical tie with the Mavericks for the all important 6th seed in the Western Conference. To the surprise of no one, the Suns have been reliant on offense this year. They’re scoring 117 points per game on the year. On the road, they haven’t been very good at all. They’re just 18-15 away from Footprint Center this year. Frankly, the Suns shouldn’t have any issues scoring tonight. The key will be what kind of offensive effort we get from the Spurs. If Victor Wembanyama and Devin Vassell can lead the offensive effort, the Spurs should be able to keep it close enough to keep the Suns engaged. It’s the 2nd night of a back-to-back for the Spurs, so their defense may be even worse than usual. If the Spurs can score at all in this game, we could be in store for a good ole-fashioned shootout!
Canucks 60 Minute Money Line -115 DraftKings
(For this bet to win, the Canucks must win in regulation. Bet loses even if the Canucks win in OT/Shootout.)
The Canucks have been nothing short of excellent at home. They’re coming into this game tonight with a 23-7-4 record at Rogers Arena this year. They have climbed to the top of the Western Conference off the back of a dominant offense. They have 245 goals on the year, tied for the 3rd most goals in the entire league. They’re even better at home, averaging a whopping 3.61 goals per game on their home ice! They’ve won 2 straight games and are 6-2-2 in their last 10. The Flames, meanwhile, have been plagued by inconsistency all year. They’re just 15-14-4 away from home this year. The Canucks need all the points they can get, as the Avs and Stars are both breathing down their neck, behind by just 1 point each for the top seed in the Western Conference. Expect the Canucks to come out with the urgency they need to try and create some distance between them and the teams chasing them. The Flames have a rest advantage, but the Canucks are just too good at home and won’t be denied. If the Canucks can continue playing the great defense they’ve been playing, they shouldn’t have any issues tonight. They’ve given up just 21 goals in their last 10 games!
Mikal Bridges Over 25.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists -115 DraftKings
Mikal Bridges has played well against the Knicks this season. In their last matchup, he dominated to the tune of 36 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds. Bridges has seen an uptick in usage in the last 10 games, playing over 36 minutes in his last 10 games. Bridges has also been more efficient shooting from beyond-the-arc in his last 10 games, hitting over 42% of his shots from deep. Simply put, for the Nets to have any shot in this game, Bridges will need to have a game like he did in the last matchup between these two teams. He’s fully rested and is going to do whatever it takes to keep the slim playoff hopes for the Nets alive. Bridges has played 38 minutes or more in 6 games already this month, and this could be another game where Nets coach Kevin Ollie rides him hard. That’s great news for us!
Jalen Brunson Over 40.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists -104 FanDuel
Brunson has been nothing short of fantastic all year for the Knicks. He’s taken on added responsibilities and been a true workhorse for the team as they’ve dealt with injuries to their other star players. Brunson should be well rested coming into this game, as the Knicks have only played one game since the 18th. Brunson has covered this line in 3 of his last 4 games, and in 2 of those games he covered this line with just the amount of points he scored alone! The Knicks are doing everything they can to scratch and claw their way to the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference. Coming into the game, the Knicks are a 1/2 game back of the Magic for the 4th seed and just 1 1/2 games back of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 3rd seed, so that is certainly in play, too! This is a game where Brunson will be a focal point of the offense yet again. He’s been hitting over 48% of his shots in his last 10 games. If he keeps that efficiency up, he should have no issues going over this line yet again.
Fred VanVleet Over 30.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists -104 FanDuel
The Jazz have been terrible all year defensively. They are giving up over 120 points per game. VanVleet has 11 or more assists in each of his last 3 games, and with Sengun out, he should be able to score some points against a bad defense. Utah simply doesn’t defend guards very well. They get plenty of assists and rebounds against them. It should continue tonight. VanVleet has covered this line in 4 of his last 6 games. This Play comes down to whether or not VanVleet can get his shots to go down. Against such a porous defense, that shouldn’t be an issue. It’s Utah’s 3rd game in 4 nights, so there’s every reason to think they’ll be even more tired than usual.