NBA Picks

This year, opposing starting SGs have tallied 1.5 three-pointers per game (lowest in the league) against the Phoenix Suns, designating this as a challenging matchup.. The Phoenix Suns have played at the 3rd-most lethargic pace in the league over the last 25 games, which should decrease possessions for the Chicago Bulls.. Offensive rebounds maintain possession and produce extra chances for scoring and assists, but the Chicago Bulls rank 7thworst in in the league with only 10.3 offensive rebounds per game this year.

The Phoenix Suns have played at the 3rd-most lethargic pace in the league over the last 25 games, which should decrease possessions for the Chicago Bulls.. Offensive rebounds maintain possession and produce extra chances for scoring and assists, but the Chicago Bulls rank 7thworst in in the league with only 10.3 offensive rebounds per game this year.

The 4th-slowest pace-of-play team in the league this year has been the Nets.. Offensive rebounds save possession and spark additional opportunities for scoring and assists, but the Brooklyn Nets grade out 1stworst in in the league with just 7.4 offensive rebounds per game over the last 5 games.

The 4th-slowest pace-of-play team in the league this year has been the Nets.. Offensive rebounds save possession and spark additional opportunities for scoring and assists, but the Brooklyn Nets grade out 1stworst in in the league with just 7.4 offensive rebounds per game over the last 5 games.

Brown has played his way onto a lot of MVP ballots this season, and he’s putting the finishing touches on a career year. So, don’t count on the Raptors slowing him down here. With a 28.7 PPG average that ranks fourth in the NBA, Brown is rolling, and he’s gone past this points prop O/U in seven of his last eight outings.

Forget any concerns about Jayson Tatum’s return disrupting Brown’s rhythm. He’s still getting to his spots, as we saw in a 43-point masterpiece against the Miami Heat on Wednesday. In fact, he’s jacked up 20+ shots in six of his last eight contests. Likewise, his 3-point struggles are balanced out by a healthy dose of free throws - Brown averaged 9.5 FTA per game in March and knocked them down at an 86% clip. 

Boston is 9-1 straight up against Toronto in its last 10, including covering the spread in two of the last three head-to-head matchups. With Immanuel Quickley listed out for Toronto and the Raptors just 5-5 over their last 10, back the Celtics to prevail by double-digits. 

Olivier-Maxence Prosper has notched 15.6 points per game over the last 5 games, 6.1 more than he's notched in all games this year.. In terms of shot attempts from beyond the arc, the 2nd-most aggressive team in the NBA as the visting team over the last 5 games has been the Grizzlies.. The matchup vs. the Milwaukee Bucks is a strong one for 3-pointers; the opposition's starting PFs have tallied the 7th-most 3-point shots per game in the league this year (1.8).. The 6th-quickest tempo visiting team in the league this year has been the Grizzlies.

The matchup against the Indiana Pacers is a hard one for 3-point attempts; opposing starting SFs have averaged the least 3-point attempts per game in the NBA this year (2.9).. The 8th-least up-tempo pace team in the NBA over the last 25 games has been the Cleveland Cavaliers.. The Cleveland Cavaliers rank as the 6th-worst offensive rebounding offense in the NBA over the last 5 games as the home team (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can therefore eliminate extra chances for scoring and assists).

Kobe Brown has totaled 12.0 points per game over the last 5 games when playing away from home, 7.3 higher than he's totaled overall this year on the road.. As it relates to shots from behind the three-point arc, the 7th-most aggressive team in the NBA over the last 5 games has been the Pacers.. The 5th-most up-tempo pace offense in the NBA over the last 5 games has been the Indiana Pacers.. Over the last 5 games when they are away from home, opposing starting PFs have attempted 5.8 free throws per game (3rd-most in the NBA) against the Cleveland Cavaliers, easily managing to get to the free-throw line.

The Hornets have played at the 2nd-slowest pace in the NBA over the last 25 games.. As a team, the Charlotte Hornets have been bad at getting to the charity stripe in recent games: 2nd-worst in the league over the last 10 games away from their home court, totaling a measly 18.9 foul shot attempts per game.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are expected to experience a decrease in opportunities in this contest from facing the 2nd-least up-tempo pace offense in the NBA over the last 25 games (the Charlotte Hornets).

OKC has beaten Utah by at least 23 points in four of the last five, including three wins  by 30+ points.

With respect to offense, the Oklahoma City Thunder's remarkable 118.9 points per game places 5th-strongest in the NBA this year.. The Utah Jazz have played at the 2nd-speediest pace in the NBA over the last 10 games, which should lead to increased possessions for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In regard to 3-pointers, the Pelicans's subpar 10.7 converted threes per game while on their home court ranks fewest in the league this year.. The matchup against Orlando is a hard one; when the Orlando Magic are the visiting team, they have allowed the least points per game in the NBA to the opposition's starting PFs over the last 10 games (15.1).. Over the last 10 games when they have the home court advantage, opposing starting PFs have attempted 2.8 foul shots per game (3rd-lowest in the NBA) vs. the Orlando Magic, facing an uphill battle to get to the foul line.

The 19-year-old Cooper Flagg became the youngest player in NBA history to score 50 points when he dropped 51 against the Orlando Magic on Friday. He’s got major momentum heading into Sunday’s tilt with the shorthanded Lakers.

Flagg has gone for 24+ points in just 21 of 65 games, but his scoring has soared to new heights as of late. Over his first 43 games of the season, Flagg averaged just 18.8 points. Since his last meeting with the Lakers, Flagg has averaged 24.6 points in 22 games, clearing this scoring line 11 times.

The Rookie of the Year favorite has averaged a healthy 27.3 points across his last six games, going for 24+ four times. He’s been excellent at home, averaging 30.9 and scoring 24+ six times across his last nine outings at American Airlines Center.

Dallas can capitalize in a favorable spot with the vulnerable Lakers, and I expect Flagg to go for 24+ with ease.

This year when they are away from home, the opposition's starting PGs have tallied 4.6 3-point attempts per game (4th-lowest in the league) vs. the Dallas Mavericks, making this a difficult matchup.. The Los Angeles Lakers check in as the 2nd-worst offensive rebounding offense in the league over the last 25 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can therefore reduce further chances for scoring and assists).. The matchup vs. the Mavericks may be a hard one for getting to the foul line; the opposition's starting PGs have attempted a mere 2.9 free throws per game over the last 20 games (least in the league).

The 2nd-most lethargic pace visiting offense in the NBA this year has been the Clippers.. The Clippers are expected to experience a decrease in plays today from facing the 5th-most sluggish pace-of-play team in the NBA over the last 5 games (the Kings).. The LA Clippers check in as the 3rd-worst offensive rebounding offense in the NBA this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them may therefore reduce additional chances for scoring and assists).

In regard to threes, the Clippers's exceptional 38.2% rate of converted threes measures as the 5th-most in the league over the last 15 games.. The matchup against the Kings is a positive one for field goals; opposing starting PFs have posted the 6th-highest FG% in the NBA this year (52.6%).

The Houston Rockets are riding a five-game win streak, and Kevin Durant’s stellar play has been a huge contributing factor in the team’s recent string of victories.

Across his last five games, KD has averaged 36.2 PRA and gone for 36+ three times. He’s been even more productive across his last seven games overall, averaging 39.1 PRA while clearing this combo line five times.

The future Hall-of-Famer has averaged 34.5 PRA at home but a whopping 37.5 on the road, and he’s gone for 36+ PRA in three of his last four away games. Durant has cleared this line in 38 of 74 games overall, including 24 of 36 on the road. 

Durant could have some extra motivation while facing his former team. In 11 games since leaving Golden State, he’s averaged 34.8 PRA overall and 34.4 in the Bay. I expect the Slim Reaper to show out in Golden State as he looks to extend Houston’s win streak and earn a victory over his former team.

Gui Santos has registered 23.4 points per game over the last 5 games while playing at home, 14.1 higher than he's registered over the course of the season at home.. The matchup against Houston is a good one for three-pointers; when the Rockets are on the road, the opposition's starting SFs have averaged the 3rd-most 3-point shots per game in the league this year (2.4).. The Warriors rank as the 4th-best offensive rebounding offense in the league over the last 20 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession and may therefore lead to new opportunities for scoring and assists).