New York Knicks at Milwaukee Bucks (-4, 194.5)
At the NBA draft, Knicks fans groaned when Stephen Curry did not drop to them. Things might have been all right if the Knicks had grabbed Brandon Jennings, the early front-runner for Rookie of the Year.
Jennings is averaging 22.0 points and 5.3 assists while shooting 48 percent from the field, including 50 percent from the arc.
"Sometimes the challenge comes if the player has some sort of success, and as a coach you're happy for him and all that," Bucks coach Scott Skiles told SI.com. "But you also know there's a lot more there and you want to get more out of him."
While Jennings is flourishing, Knicks draft pick Jordan Hill has played two minutes and point guard Chris Duhon is averaging just 10.2 points and 6.8 assists on 31 percent shooting.
Pick: Milwaukee -4
Denver Nuggets at Atlanta Hawks (-2, 214)
Even with scoring sub J.R. Smith sidelined by a suspension, the Nuggets lead the NBA with an average of 115.4 points per game.
Denver also leads the league in free throws made (29.6) and attempted (37.6) per game, 3-point shooting (.470) and points per shot (1.44).
The Hawks are no slouches either, getting a spark from offseason addition Jamal Crawford to rank fifth in offense (108.0) and eighth in shooting
(.479). They also lead the NBA in free-throw percentage (.831).
Both teams look to run whenever possible and are content playing shootouts. The Nuggets are 17th in defense (101.8 ppg) and the Hawks are 19th (102.4).
This one will have an ABA feel to it.
Pick: Over 214