NBA Picks

The recent form of these teams doesn’t justify such a large spread, with them ranking 24th and 25th in net rating over the last 10 games. Utah has been competitive in the underdog role as well, going 7-3 ATS as a double-digit dog in its last 10 in that spot. Even when the Jazz lose, they tend to keep things relatively close, owning the sixth-lowest average margin of defeat in the NBA since the start of February at just 9.7 points. 

Even without a few key pieces, the Jazz continue to push the pace, score efficiently, and play little to no defense. Dropping 117 on the Knicks — a Top-6 defensive team — is impressive, and Utah shouldn’t have much trouble finding points against Portland’s 18th-ranked defense. On the other end, the Blazers should generate plenty of offense as well against the Jazz’s league-worst defense.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are listed as 5.5-point favorites against the Golden State Warriors, and that’s a number I’m comfortable backing as I make the line closer to 8. The key factor in this matchup is Minnesota’s size advantage, which becomes even more significant with Stephen Curry out of the lineup. When Curry plays, the Warriors can go small and use his gravity to pull Rudy Gobert away from the paint. Without that threat, Gobert can stay near the rim, allowing Minnesota to fully control the interior without being punished for playing big. That creates a difficult matchup for Golden State. Draymond Green simply doesn’t have the size to consistently deal with a frontcourt that includes Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, and Naz Reid, especially with Anthony Edwards applying constant pressure at the rim. 

Anthony Edwards has taken his scoring to the next level, and his offensive prowess will be on full display tonight. Ant-Man is averaging 27.2 points per game at home and 31.8 on the road. He's scored 30+ in 31 of 56 games, including 19 of 27 away games.

Edwards dropped 32 in his first meeting with the Golden State Warriors, and he should have no problem getting 30 again. The Warriors lack size and physicality to throw at Edwards, and with Moses Moody out and De’Anthony Melton banged up, he could find some breathing room on the perimeter.

The Bulls, who traded Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White, Kevin Huerter, and Nikola Vucevic, are 3-3 since snapping an 11-game skid, and have covered just two of the last five as double-digit dogs.

This year when they are on the road, opposing starting PGs have shot 42.1% on field goal attempts (8th-weakest in the NBA) against the LA Clippers, marking this as a tough matchup.. The Chicago Bulls check in as the 5th-worst offensive rebounding offense in the league when playing on the road this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can therefore reduce extra chances for scoring and assists).. The matchup vs. Los Angeles is a difficult one for getting to the charity stripe; the other team's starting PGs have attempted a measly 2.9 foul shots per game this year when the LA Clippers have the home court advantage (8th-least in the league).