NBA Picks

I like a bounce-back spot for Banchero with the team returning home to face the Phoenix Suns. Before that blip north of the border, he was on a tear. Banchero had posted efforts of 30, 36, and 39 points in the three game prior and is averaging more than 25 points this month. Sunday’s shooting slump has knocked his points prop down a few pegs. His scoring prop was as high as 25.5 O/U during that hot streak and player projections sit between 23 and 25 points, with the majority above 24. He scored 26 points in an OT loss at Pheonix back in February.

In regard to scoring, the Suns's poor 111.2 points per game measures as the 4th-weakest in the NBA over the last 25 games.. The Suns have played at the 2nd-most lethargic pace in the NBA over the last 25 games.. The Phoenix Suns will likely suffer a reduction in plays today from being pitted against the 8th-most sluggish pace team in the NBA over the last 5 games (the Magic).

Charlotte’s average win this month has come by 21.4 points, while the Nets have been getting blown out regularly. This is a strong bounce-back spot after losses to the Sixers and Celtics, and the Hornets don’t typically play down to competition, nor can they afford to after dropping to 10th in the East. They’re 5-1 ATS in their last six as a double-digit favorite, while Brooklyn ranks 26th in net rating over the last 10 games. This sets up for another comfortable Hornets win.

The 4th-slowest tempo team in the NBA this year has been the Nets.. The Charlotte Hornets have played at the slowest pace in the NBA over the last 5 games away from their home court, which should lead to decreased possessions for the Nets.. The Brooklyn Nets have been the 4th-worst offensive rebounding offense in the league over the last 5 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them may therefore eliminate additional chances for scoring and assists).

Barnes has blown past this combo O/U number in each of his last four contests, and I see him repeating the trick against a Detroit team on the second night of a back-to-back set. With Immanuel Quickley still out, Scottie is well placed for a fifth straight outing with double-digit dimes, and his playmaking allows Darko Rajakovic to turn to lineups without a traditional point guard.

He’ll be a factor on the glass, too, where he’s averaging 7.7 RPG this year, and that’ll be especially vital if Jalen Duren returns for the Pistons here after missing yesterday’s game in OKC. 

The Toronto Raptors small forward has stepped up as a primary ball handler with the lineup missing key cogs in Immanuel Quickley and Brandon Ingram. He’s dished out 10, 12, 12 and 15 dimes over his last four outings, with 16.8 potential assists per game in that span. Helping those helpers has been a slate of foes immune to playmaking and Toronto shooting a blistering 53% from the field in those outings. The Pistons’ drum-tight No. 2 defensive rating doesn’t let opponents pass gas let alone the basketball. Projections remain grounded while the prop market isn’t. His assist total is up to 7.5 O/U but models barely breach six dimes, sitting as short as 5.3 assists. The Under is a juicy play but worth it considering the contrast in forecasts and foe.

Towns has shot the ball just 17 total times in the Knicks last two losses, hitting 10 of those attempts and finishing with outputs of 13 and 15 points. NBA analysts are calling for KAT to play a bigger role and demand touches in the Knicks’ offense, especially with the playoffs closing in. His point totals are shrinking like they jumped in a cold swimming pool, down from 20.5 to 17.5 O/U. That presents a buyback spot at Houston tonight. Towns already torched the Rockets for 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting back in February and his player projections all sit well above this 17.5-point mark, ranging from 19.4 to as high as 23.4. 

Offensive rebounds retain possession and create extra opportunities for scoring and assists, and the Houston Rockets rank best in in the league with 15.2 offensive boards per game this year.

Both teams are on the back end of a back-to-back, but Luka Doncic will return to the lineup after serving his one-game suspension. A rested Luka is worth more than a bucket, so let's back the Lakers to pick up the win at home. 

In regard to scoring, the Los Angeles Lakers's outstanding 121.5 points per game settles in as the 5th-highest in the NBA over the last 10 games.. The Lakers have played at the 10th-speediest pace in the league over the last 5 games with the home court advantage.

Over the last 10 games, the Trail Blazers rank first in defensive rating and second in points allowed at 105.5, holding 12 of their last 14 opponents under 116.5. The Clippers’ recent offensive success has come against weak defenses like the Pacers, Bucks, and Mavs, and they rank 26th in shot attempts over the last 10 games. With Portland locking in defensively and L.A. playing slow, this points to an under on the Clippers’ team total.

The Clippers have played at the 3rd-slowest tempo in the NBA this year.. Offensive rebounds preserve possession and spark further chances for scoring and assists, but the Clippers grade out 1stworst in in the NBA with the home court advantage with just 8.0 offensive boards per game over the last 20 games.