I don’t know if it was the coffee I had this morning or that I dreamt I could slam dunk last night, but I’m feeling some good plays today. There’s more than one “layup,” and I even threw out some All-Star Weekend bets.
Don’t ask me why we’re positive record-wise but negative units-wise — I’m not a math guy.
Categories:
Layups: The bets I really like and feel the most confident in.
Two-Pointers: The bets I like a lot and feel fairly confident in.
Three-Pointers: The bets I like but don’t feel as confident in.
Half-Court Shot: A long underdog I like to win straight-up.
Record: 44-40-1 (-2.9 Units)
Layups
Toronto Raptors ML (-125) *only play if Fred VanVleet starts*: If you’ve read this article before, you know I love backing good teams and players coming off bad performances. Enter the Raptors. The Raps are coming off a game that saw one of their worst offensive performances all year, shooting 30% from the field and 23% from three. Take away last game, and the team has been having a really good 2022, going 16-8 since the new year.
They’ve now lost two in a row, which makes this play even tastier because I think we’re getting them at a discount. While the Timberwolves have been good lately, the Raptors’ defense matches up well with them, and if Anthony Edwards can’t go for this one, I like it even more.
Seth Curry Over 16.5 Points (-105): I’d love to say Seth has found new life in Brooklyn, but being a high-rate scorer is simply what he’s become. There will be no Kyrie or KD for the Nets tonight, meaning there’s plenty of opportunity for Curry to get his shots. Plus, he’s shown he’s comfortable with the team, scoring 23 points in his first game with them against the Kings. Against a bad Knicks defense, he can get close to 20.
Utah -4.5 @ Lakers (-110): LeBron James is questionable for this one, so if he doesn’t play I would recommend taking this only up to about -5.5. It’s right before the All-Star break for LeBron and Co., and I can see the Lakers just giving them extra rest. Even if all the Lakers play, the Jazz have been on a tear.
They’ve won their last six in a row and — more importantly — covered in five of them. Seeing this spread made my eyes light up in cartoon money signs. You’re getting the classic Jazz lineup back with everyone healthy, and the Lakers are simply trying to get to the break. Give me the Jazz and call me Mr. Krabs because I really like the money from this one.
Two-Pointers
De’Aaron Fox Over 28.5 Points/Assists (-115): It’s no secret that Fox has been on fire since Tyrese Haliburton left the team (Fox is averaging 27 points and four assists over his last four games). Tonight, he takes on the Bulls, where the total of the game stands at 232. There will be PLENTY of scoring opportunities for not only Fox but also the players that he passes to. It’s also possible he goes over the 28 in points alone. With not a ton of juice on the over, let’s ride.
Coby White Over 22.5 Points/Assists (-125): Listen, we can’t fade a guy on his birthday. Hopefully White celebrates another year around the sun by absolutely torching the Kings. Sacramento is the sixth-worst defense in the league against point guards, giving up over 23 points and over eight assists a game to the position! On top of that, Coby has been on a tear, shooting 52% from three in February. Back the birthday boy to celebrate accordingly against the Kings.
NBA All-Star Weekend Plays:
Skills: Team Cavs +170
Three-point: Desmond Bane +600
Slam Dunk: Jalen Green +150
Game: Team Durant +5.5/Over 318.5
Game MVP: Joel Embiid +750
