NBA betting: Five picks for Saturday’s slate
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Domantas Sabonis over 39.5 points, rebounds and assists. Even though the Magic are a sound defensive team, the Kings rank 12th in pace. Sabonis has also been phenomenal lately clearing this line in 16 of his past 20 games. It’s also worth mentioning that he’s exceeded this line in eight of his past 10 road games. Sabonis finished with 57 points, rebounds and assists against the Magic back on January 3.
Paolo Banchero over 21.5 points. Defense isn’t the Kings’ strong suit, as Sacramento ranks 20th in points allowed per 100 possessions. It bodes well for Banchero, who’s scored 20 or more points in seven of his past 10 games. Banchero also scored 43 points on the road against the Kings back on January 3. The Kings rank 28th in points per game allowed to power forwards.
Jalen Brunson under 40.5 points, rebounds and assists. He’s gone under this line in two games against the Nets this season. The Knicks had their four game winning streak halted by the Denver Nuggets on Thursday. New York will be eager to bounce back and the Nets who are on five-game losing streak are unlikely to put up a fight on the road. Brunson has gone under this line in four of his past five home games. The Knicks are 7.5-point favorites. Brunson has gone under this line in 60% of the games this season New York has won by double digits.
Kevin Durant over 23.5 points. He has gone under this line in five consecutive games. It would be surprising for Durant not to bounce back against a Spurs team that ranks 22nd in points allowed per 100 possessions. The Suns are 9.5-point favorites and this matchup does have the second highest point total of Saturday’s slate. Durant surpassed this line in two games against the Spurs this season. He’s also eclipsed this line in 70% of his games this year.
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Clint Capela over 24.5 points, rebounds and assists. He’s eclipsed this line in six of his past seven games. The Hornets rank 26th in points allowed per 100 possessions. Charlotte also ranks 27th in points per game and 25th in rebounds per game allowed to centers. Jalen Johnson has also been ruled out for the Hawks. Capela has surpassed this line in 11 of the 17 games that Johnson has missed this season.
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com.
Brooklyn Nets at New York Knicks
1:00 p.m. Madison Square Garden, New York
Records (Against the Spread)
Nets: 26-44 (30-37-3)
Knicks: 41-28 (36-32-1)
Line: Knicks (-7.5) Total: 203.5
Money Line: Nets (+240), Knicks (-295)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 5.7, straight up 70%, 221.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Nets: Dennis Smith Jr., (GTD – Hip); Keon Johnson, (OUT – Illness); Ben Simmons, (OUT – Back); Dariq Whitehead, (OUT – Lower Leg)
Knicks: Julius Randle, (OUT – Shoulder); Mitchell Robinson, (OUT – Ankle); OG Anunoby, (OUT – Elbow)
Sacramento Kings at Orlando Magic
7:00 p.m. Amway Center, Orlando
Records (Against the Spread)
Kings: 40-29 (35-33-1)
Magic: 42-28 (46-24-0)
Line: Magic (-2.5) Total: 218.5
Money Line: Kings (+120), Magic (-140)
BPI Projection: Magic by 3.7, straight up 63%, 232.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Kings: Sasha Vezenkov, (GTD – Ankle); Kevin Huerter, (OUT – Shoulder); Trey Lyles, (OUT – Knee)
Magic: Gary Harris, (GTD – Foot)
Charlotte Hornets at Atlanta Hawks
7:30 p.m. State Farm Arena, Atlanta
Records (Against the Spread)
Hornets: 17-52 (27-42-0)
Hawks: 30-39 (23-46-0)
Line: Hawks (-8.5) Total: 213.5
Money Line: Hornets (+280), Hawks (-350)
BPI Projection: Hawks by 9.1, straight up 79%, 231.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Hornets: JT Thor, (GTD – Shoulder); Bryce McGowens, (OUT – Knee); LaMelo Ball, (OUT – Ankle); Mark Williams, (OUT – Back); Cody Martin, (OUT – Ankle); Seth Curry, (OUT – Ankle); Kai Jones, (GTD – Hamstring)
Hawks: Onyeka Okongwu, (GTD – Toe); Seth Lundy, (GTD – Back); Mouhamed Gueye, (OUT – Elbow); Jalen Johnson, (OUT – Ankle); AJ Griffin, (OUT – Ankle); Kobe Bufkin, (OUT – Toe); Trae Young, (OUT – Finger); Saddiq Bey, (OUT – Knee)
Toronto Raptors at Washington Wizards
8:00 p.m. Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
Records (Against the Spread)
Raptors: 23-47 (31-39-0)
Wizards: 12-58 (31-38-1)
Line: Wizards (-6.5) Total: 231.5
Money Line: Raptors (+190), Wizards (-230)
BPI Projection: Wizards by 4.5, straight up 66%, 227.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Raptors: D.J. Carton, (GTD – Ankle); Gary Trent Jr., (GTD – Back); Immanuel Quickley, (GTD – Personal); Chris Boucher, (OUT – Knee); Jakob Poeltl, (OUT – Finger); RJ Barrett, (OUT – Personal); Scottie Barnes, (OUT – Hand)
Wizards: Jordan Poole, (GTD – Hip); Eugene Omoruyi, (OUT – Ankle); Landry Shamet, (OUT – Calf); Tyus Jones, (OUT – Back); Bilal Coulibaly, (OUT – Wrist); Isaiah Livers, (OUT – Hip)
Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls
8:00 p.m. United Center, Chicago
Records (Against the Spread)
Celtics: 56-14 (38-29-3)
Bulls: 34-36 (35-34-1)
Line: Celtics (-6.5) Total: 221.5
Money Line: Celtics (-275), Bulls (+225)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 9.7, straight up 81%, 235.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Al Horford, (GTD – Toe); Jayson Tatum, (GTD – Ankle); Jrue Holiday, (GTD – Shoulder)
Bulls: Alex Caruso, (GTD – Ankle); Coby White, (GTD – Hip); Julian Phillips, (OUT – Foot); Lonzo Ball, (OUT – Knee); Patrick Williams, (OUT – Foot); Zach LaVine, (OUT – Foot)
Utah Jazz at Houston Rockets
8:00 p.m. Toyota Center, Houston
Records (Against the Spread)
Jazz: 29-41 (37-33-0)
Rockets: 34-35 (38-29-2)
Line: Rockets (-11.5) Total: 228.5
Money Line: Jazz (+450), Rockets (-650)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 9.4, straight up 80%, 235.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: John Collins, (GTD – Face); Omer Yurtseven, (GTD – Ankle); Jordan Clarkson, (OUT – Groin); Lauri Markkanen, (OUT – Rest)
Rockets: Cam Whitmore, (OUT – Knee); Alperen Sengun, (OUT – Ankle); Steven Adams, (OUT – Knee); Tari Eason, (OUT – Lower Leg)
Phoenix Suns at San Antonio Spurs
8:00 p.m. Frost Bank Center, San Antonio
Records (Against the Spread)
Suns: 41-29 (30-39-1)
Spurs: 15-55 (34-35-1)
Line: Suns (-10.5) Total: 230.5
Money Line: Suns (-550), Spurs (+400)
BPI Projection: Suns by 8.5, straight up 77%, 239.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Suns: Josh Okogie, (GTD – Abdomen); Jusuf Nurkic, (GTD – Orbital); Damion Lee, (OUT – Knee)
Spurs: Charles Bassey, (OUT – Knee)
Denver Nuggets at Portland Trail Blazers
10:00 p.m. Moda Center, Portland
Records (Against the Spread)
Nuggets: 49-21 (32-36-2)
Blazers: 19-51 (34-36-0)
Line: Nuggets (-12.5) Total: 211.5
Money Line: Nuggets (-800), Blazers (+550)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 9.3, straight up 80%, 227.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: Jamal Murray, (GTD – Ankle); Nikola Jokic, (GTD – Hip); Jalen Pickett, (OUT – Personal); Zeke Nnaji, (OUT – Back); Vlatko Cancar, (OUT – Knee)
Blazers: Anfernee Simons, (GTD – Knee); Deandre Ayton, (GTD – Elbow); Jerami Grant, (GTD – Hamstring); Malcolm Brogdon, (GTD – Elbow); Matisse Thybulle, (GTD – Ankle); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT – Abdomen); Robert Williams III, (OUT – Knee)