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By: Monique Vág
Short-handed Bulls
The Chicago Bulls find themselves as 10-point road underdogs as they travel to Charlotte to take on the Hornets. Injuries continue to pile up as they will be without key offensive players in Bobby Portis, Kris Dunn, Denzel Valentine, and Lauri Markkanen for at least four to six more weeks.
The Bulls have gotten out to quick starts, ranking in the Top 5 in average first-quarter points scored a game at 30, due to the fantastic shooting from guard Zach LaVine. He should have another high-scoring effort logging extended minutes versus a Charlotte team surrendering an average of 24.2 points per game to opposing shooting guards and allowing over 3.4 made 3-point shots from that position. Look at LaVine Over point total tonight.
Toronto’s first-half dominance
The Dallas Mavericks might be in for a long day as they travel to Toronto to take on the 5-0 Raptors, who have been dominant to open the schedule, scoring an average of 117 points and surrendering an average of only 105.8 points against.
The Mavs have struggled to score away from home and possess huge home and road splits. They’ve put up an average of 127.5 points in their two home games but have only managed 102 points as visitors.
Toronto has been particularly strong in the first half, allowing only 49.8 points scored in the opening two quarters. In a game that projects to be a blowout in the Raptors favor (Toronto -11) and might see some bench action early, Toronto and their starters to take away open looks from this young Mavs team on the road. Check out the Under for the Mavericks first-half total or size up the Raptors to cover the first-half spread.
The return of vintage Melo
Although the Rockets will be happy to get Chris Paul back from suspension versus the Clippers, unfortunately, they will be without James Harden, who will miss at least two games with a hamstring injury.
In their loss to Utah Wednesday night, the Rockets shot 40 percent from the field and 11 of 40 from beyond the 3-point arc. Eric Gordon had a particularly poor shooting night, going 5 of 21 from the field and only 1 of 12 from distance through 40 minutes of floor time.
Although Gordon struggled, it was Carmelo Anthony off the bench who logged his best game of the season in Utah. He was an efficient 9 of 17 from the field contributing seven rebounds and two assists. Although coach Mike D’Antoni is on the fence about potentially starting him tonight, he should see enough playing time to potentially be a factor in tonight’s matchup.
The surprise of the East
The Bucks hope to improve on a 4-0 start as they travel to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves. The Bucks are second in the league averaging 45.8 points from beyond the 3-point line. They have been incredibly efficient, shooting 37.4 percent from 3-point land and attempt over 40 shots from distance a game.
The Timberwolves are giving up an average of 116.2 points and have allowed opponents to shoot 38.8 percent from beyond the arc and 46.6 percent from the floor.
Offensively, the Bucks are off to a fantastic start and the Timberwolves may have a hard time keeping up the scoring especially if Andrew Wiggins, who is listed as questionable with a quad injury, is unable to suit up. Milwaukee should be able to do just enough to extend their record to 5-0, currently getting one point on the road.
Wizards hit the Wall
The Kings are allowing opponents to score an average of 122 points per game while only putting up 117.2. They meet a 1-3 Wizards team, which has struggled on the road but finally finds itself in a game it should win despite being 2-13 over its last 15 road games.
John Wall has been relatively quiet to start the season, but this is an exceptionally favorable matchup versus a Kings team surrendering an average of 26 points per game, 7.5 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game to opposing point guards.
With shooting guard Bradley Beal not at 100 percent due to the bruised sternum injury he suffered in a loss to the Warriors last time out, take Over 35.5 for Wall’s total points, rebounds and assists.
Short-handed Bulls
The Chicago Bulls find themselves as 10-point road underdogs as they travel to Charlotte to take on the Hornets. Injuries continue to pile up as they will be without key offensive players in Bobby Portis, Kris Dunn, Denzel Valentine, and Lauri Markkanen for at least four to six more weeks.
The Bulls have gotten out to quick starts, ranking in the Top 5 in average first-quarter points scored a game at 30, due to the fantastic shooting from guard Zach LaVine. He should have another high-scoring effort logging extended minutes versus a Charlotte team surrendering an average of 24.2 points per game to opposing shooting guards and allowing over 3.4 made 3-point shots from that position. Look at LaVine Over point total tonight.
Toronto’s first-half dominance
The Dallas Mavericks might be in for a long day as they travel to Toronto to take on the 5-0 Raptors, who have been dominant to open the schedule, scoring an average of 117 points and surrendering an average of only 105.8 points against.
The Mavs have struggled to score away from home and possess huge home and road splits. They’ve put up an average of 127.5 points in their two home games but have only managed 102 points as visitors.
Toronto has been particularly strong in the first half, allowing only 49.8 points scored in the opening two quarters. In a game that projects to be a blowout in the Raptors favor (Toronto -11) and might see some bench action early, Toronto and their starters to take away open looks from this young Mavs team on the road. Check out the Under for the Mavericks first-half total or size up the Raptors to cover the first-half spread.
The return of vintage Melo
Although the Rockets will be happy to get Chris Paul back from suspension versus the Clippers, unfortunately, they will be without James Harden, who will miss at least two games with a hamstring injury.
In their loss to Utah Wednesday night, the Rockets shot 40 percent from the field and 11 of 40 from beyond the 3-point arc. Eric Gordon had a particularly poor shooting night, going 5 of 21 from the field and only 1 of 12 from distance through 40 minutes of floor time.
Although Gordon struggled, it was Carmelo Anthony off the bench who logged his best game of the season in Utah. He was an efficient 9 of 17 from the field contributing seven rebounds and two assists. Although coach Mike D’Antoni is on the fence about potentially starting him tonight, he should see enough playing time to potentially be a factor in tonight’s matchup.
The surprise of the East
The Bucks hope to improve on a 4-0 start as they travel to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves. The Bucks are second in the league averaging 45.8 points from beyond the 3-point line. They have been incredibly efficient, shooting 37.4 percent from 3-point land and attempt over 40 shots from distance a game.
The Timberwolves are giving up an average of 116.2 points and have allowed opponents to shoot 38.8 percent from beyond the arc and 46.6 percent from the floor.
Offensively, the Bucks are off to a fantastic start and the Timberwolves may have a hard time keeping up the scoring especially if Andrew Wiggins, who is listed as questionable with a quad injury, is unable to suit up. Milwaukee should be able to do just enough to extend their record to 5-0, currently getting one point on the road.
Wizards hit the Wall
The Kings are allowing opponents to score an average of 122 points per game while only putting up 117.2. They meet a 1-3 Wizards team, which has struggled on the road but finally finds itself in a game it should win despite being 2-13 over its last 15 road games.
John Wall has been relatively quiet to start the season, but this is an exceptionally favorable matchup versus a Kings team surrendering an average of 26 points per game, 7.5 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game to opposing point guards.
With shooting guard Bradley Beal not at 100 percent due to the bruised sternum injury he suffered in a loss to the Warriors last time out, take Over 35.5 for Wall’s total points, rebounds and assists.
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