Author: Marc

The Philadelphia 76ers head to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers Wednesday night. Led by James Harden and Joel Embiid, the 76ers will look to overwhelm the Cleveland defense. Below you will find our Same Game Parlay, as well as all our NBA Computer Predictions.

However, they’re coming off a 114-110 loss to the Denver Nuggets, who figured out their offense quickly. Can the 76ers bounce back on Wednesday night? Or will the Cavaliers take them out?

The Cavaliers are known for their strong defense, but unfortunately, that’s all they’re known for. If their offense was just a tad bit better, they’d likely have more wins under their belt.

Tonight, they face one of the best offenses in the NBA and will have to rely on their defense. If their defense fails, the 76ers will deal another blow to the Cavaliers. That being said, who should you take?

Game Preview: Philadelphia 76ers at Cleveland Cavaliers

The 76ers average 108.52 points per game, an increase since they’ve added James Harden to the team. Unfortunately, this hasn’t resulted in immediate wins, and lately, the 76ers have been inconsistent.

We’ve mentioned that they lost to the Denver Nuggets, but they also lost to the Nets and Heat recently. These inconsistencies make it hard to trust them at the sportsbook.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have their own shortcomings as well, mainly on offense. Averaging 106.87 points per game leaves the Cavaliers with the 25th best offense in the NBA.

The good news is their defense can usually make up for these shortcomings. On average, the Cavaliers only allow 103.79 points per game, ranking No.2 in the NBA. So, who’s the best bet in this one?

Against the Spread: Philadelphia 76ers -4

The 76ers only come in as four-point favorites in this game, making them a great pick. The last time they faced the Cavaliers, they won the game 125-119.

They have a better offense than the Cavaliers and are 22-11 on the road this season. Against the spread, the 76ers have a 20-13 record on the road. In their last ten games, the 76ers have won seven against Cleveland.

The Total: OVER 217.5

The spread in this game is low because of the defense of the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, we just pointed out above that their last game ended in a 125-119 score.

The Cavaliers’ defense will have a hard time stopping Embiid, especially with Evan Mobley guarding him. Look for Philadelphia to have a similar showing as their previous game and take the total over 217.5.

Player Points: Joel Embiid OVER 30.5 -112

As we mentioned above, Evan Mobley isn’t a great matchup for Joel Embiid. He’s undersized and a rookie without much NBA experience.

Because of this, Joel Embiid can go into his bag of tricks against Mobley and have a big night. Embiid averages 29.9 points per game already; it isn’t a stretch to say he’ll go over 30.5 tonight. 

Win Margin: Philadelphia 76ers 11+ (+230)

This was a tough one to choose, but we believe is a great one to have on your ticket. The 76ers have an incredible duo, and they’re coming off of a loss. In order to bounce back and build morale, they need a big win.

Sure, the Cavaliers defense is among the best in the NBA, but taking on Harden and Embiid together is tough. This win margin pick will boost your winnings.

The Los Angeles Clippers will need wins in order to retain their position in the Western Conference. As of today, they sit at the No.8 spot, but other teams are quickly approaching.

They could be knocked back to the play-in position if they lose, something no team really wants. However, they’re coming off a big win against the Detroit Pistons, which was a boost to morale.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have fallen to the No.6 spot in the Eastern Conference. They’ve been recently passed up by the Boston Celtics and have lost two games in a row.

As they prepare to host the Clippers, the main focus for the Cavaliers is defense. As always, they’ll lean on their defense to get them a win tonight. The question is, will it be enough for a win over the Clippers? See all our Same Game Parlay Picks and our Parlay predictions.

Game Preview: Los Angeles Clippers at Cleveland Cavaliers

The Clippers are a good basketball team and have stayed competitive regardless of injuries. This is quite shocking, considering they’ve lost Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

Players like Reggie Jackson have taken a larger role in the offense, helping the Clippers win. As a team, the Clippers rank 24th in the NBA in scoring. Unfortunately, they’re facing one of the best defenses.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are the No.2 defense in terms of points allowed per game. Most of their wins are based on playing strong defense instead of a great offense.

Still, they have a few players that shine on offense, one of them being Darius Garland. If they can get Garland good scoring opportunities, they can win this game. Whether they’ll win by six points is the key.

Against the Spread: Los Angeles Clippers +6

We know that the Cavaliers have an incredible defense, but the Clippers aren’t awful either. It’s also important to note how close the Cavaliers games usually are. They focus on playing defensive games, not running up the score.

Because of this, we think the six points they’ll need to cover is slightly too large. We’ll take the Los Angeles Clippers +6 on the road over Cleveland.

The Total: UNDER 211

The total for this game is already set pretty low, but we think it’ll still go under. The Clippers offense has struggled against teams like Detroit, only putting up 106 points.

Against a defense like the Cavaliers will prove even more troublesome. Even the Cavaliers have a below-par offense in terms of scoring. It’s a much smarter move to take the under in this game.

Win Margin: Cleveland Cavaliers (1-10) +170

We think that this is the perfect pick to pair with the ones above. We’ve already mentioned that the Cavaliers like to keep their games close.

Considering we also think the total will go under, it would make sense that they won’t win by much. Taking this 1-10 win margin pick will also boost your odds at +170, giving you more winnings. 

Double Result: Cleveland Cavaliers/Cleveland Cavaliers (-135)

This pick just means the Cavaliers will lead at the half and the end of the game. We’ve already mentioned that we believe the Cavaliers will win this game, albeit not by much. They’ll likely go into halftime leading as well.

This matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics is sure to be entertaining. The Mavericks, led by Luka Doncic, will head out to Boston to face Jayson Tatum and the Celtics.

Each of these teams is coming off a win, but the Mavericks will look to stop the Celtics’ hot streak. Whether they’ll be able to pull it off is a different story, especially with Tatum in Boston.

The Boston Celtics have won five games in a row, a few of which were over great teams. As they prepare to face the Mavericks, they’ve moved up to fifth in the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics don’t want to lose that spot and, in fact, want to keep moving up. They’ve beaten some of the best teams in the Western Conference recently and will hope to do so again on Sunday. See all NBA Same Game Parlays, or all our NBA computer predictions.

Game Preview: Dallas Mavericks at Boston Celtics

Both of these teams are at the No.5 spot in their respective conferences. The Mavericks, fresh off a win over the Rockets, have the second-best defense in the NBA.

On average, they only allow opponents to score 103.72 points per game. This is going to be a vital point in their game against the Celtics. Boston has been an offensive powerhouse lately; shutting them down is key.

In their last four games, the Celtics have scored 114 points or more in each of them. When they faced the Memphis Grizzlies, one of the league’s best offenses, they scored 120 points. They also faced the Brooklyn Nets recently and won the game 127-120.

The Celtics know how to put up points, but their defense is concerning. However, they come in as the favorites in this one.

Against the Spread: Boston Celtics -6

Now, personally, we wish the spread was slightly smaller, but the Celtics should be able to cover here. As much as we like Dallas’ defense, their scoring can’t match up with the Celtics.

The thing about Boston is they have multiple players that can put up points. This way, if Tatum is stopped, they can rely on the others to pick up the slack. Not to mention, they’re 24-11 at home.

The Total: Over 213

This one is tricky because of how good the Mavericks’ defense is, but we’ll take the over. The total is set rather low in this game, and the Celtics offense is on fire.

We expect that the Celtics will do most of the scoring in this one, but the total will still go over. In three of the Celtics’ last four games, the total has gone over. 

Player Points: Jayson Tatum UNDER 28.5

Normally, we’d say take the over when it comes to Tatum’s player points. However, this time, he’ll have a big target on his back in this game.

Tatum will likely hit his average of 26.8, falling just short of the 28.5 line. However, there is one player we’d be sure to add onto our ticket in terms of player points. 

To score 15+ Points: Marcus Smart +134

Since the Celtics are favorites in most of these categories, this pick will boost your winnings. With the Mavericks targeting Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart will have a chance to shine.

Currently, he averages 12.1 points per game, which isn’t far off. He’s a great shooter from beyond the arc as well, which could make up for the missing points.

The Charlotte Hornets have lost two straight games heading into this Friday night matchup. As they continue to slide down the Eastern Conference standings, this is a crucial game. Injuries have been somewhat of an issue for them, but there’s some good news in that regard. The team they’re facing, the New Orleans Pelicans, is dealing with a few injuries of their own. 

The New Orleans Pelicans look to be without their two best players on Friday night. Both C.J. McCollum and Brandon Ingram are currently listed as “out.” After picking up quite a bit of momentum, the Pelicans are on a three-game losing skid. Now, they’ve come to a complete stop. Without Brandon Ingram and C.J. McCollum, can the Pelicans come away with a win tonight, take a look at our SGP picks and see.

Game Preview: Charlotte Hornets at New Orleans Pelicans

The Hornets have one of the best offenses in the entire NBA. On average, they put up 114.18 points per game; however, this offense hasn’t saved them lately. The problem isn’t with the offense; it’s with the defense that has allowed 114.85 points per game this season. It won’t matter how many points the Hornets put up if their defense just allows their opponent to score.

The New Orleans Pelicans were doing very well for a significant stretch of games. They won four in a row but have now lost three straight. Considering that they’re missing their two best players, the Pelicans are at a disadvantage. However, they aren’t significant underdogs in this game. Today, they come in as only 1.5-point underdogs in the game against Charlotte.

Against the Spread: Charlotte Hornets -1.5

This is the perfect game for Charlotte to bounce back with. They’ve got a great offense, and New Orleans is missing key pieces. If they want to stop the losing skid, they need to win this game. The injuries sustained to the Pelicans are far worse than their own. The Hornets have also been pretty great against the spread this year. On the road, the Hornets have an 18-15-1 ATS record.

The Total: Over 228.5

When betting the over, you have to take into consideration the Hornets’ defense. This season, they’ve allowed their opponent to score over 114 points per game. Even if the Pelicans are missing a few players, they’ll be able to put up a significant amount of points. Although these two have gone under the total more often in the past, these defenses are much different now.

Win Margin: Charlotte Hornets 1-10 (+190)

We really like this win margin pick because the game is likely to remain close. Each time these two have played each other, the margin of victory isn’t very large. It’s also beneficial to add to your ticket since the odds are at +190. This gives you the chance to capitalize on your winnings along with selecting the spread and total. 

To Score 15+ Points: LaMelo Ball

This is a good pick to add because it’s essentially a sure thing. LaMelo Ball is the catalyst for the Hornets’ offense. He’s usually the player doing the most distribution but can put up a lot of points as well. 

A very favorable matchup is slated for the Los Angeles Lakers today. After suffering a loss to the San Antonio Spurs, they’ll head out to Houston to face the Rockets.

Considering that each game from now on is vital to their placement, they need to get a win here. A few players are still on the “day-to-day” list, but LeBron James should be good to go. Can they get a road win here?

The Houston Rockets are at the bottom of the Western Conference and coming off a big loss. They recently faced the Miami Heat, the best team in the Eastern Conference, and lost 123-106.

Playoff hopes are all but gone; however, the Rockets can spoil it for other teams. Beating the Lakers would deal a blow to their playoff hopes. So, could we see an upset in tonight’s game? See below our single-game parlay as well as all our NBA computer picks and predictions.

Game Preview: Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets

The Los Angeles Lakers struggled to slow down the offense of the San Antonio Spurs a few days ago. This has been a problem for them in the past and could be against the Rockets as well.

Houston might not have very many wins, but it isn’t because of their offense. The Rockets’ offense ranks 18th in the NBA, averaging 108.58 points per game; their defense is the problem.

On average, Houston is allowing its opponents to score 117.94 points per game. This is the worst defense in points allowed in the entire NBA.

This is one of the main reasons why they’ve also had trouble covering the spread at the sportsbook. In their most recent game against Miami, they were 16.5-point underdogs. Because of their defense, they failed to cover the 16.5.

Against the Spread: Los Angeles Lakers -4

We know that the Lakers had trouble against the Spurs, but we think they’ll get back on track here. The Lakers are actually better at covering the spread when they’re traveling instead of playing at home.

Out of the games on Wednesday, this one seems like the best bet because the Lakers are only -4. In their last ten games against the Rockets, they’re 7-3 against the spread.

The Total: Over 233.5

Betting the total in this game is a little more tricky, but the Rockets’ defense is the key. In their last three games against Los Angeles, the total has gone over twice.

The last time they met was in late December of 2021, and the total was set at 227. The Lakers came into the game as six-point favorites and won the game 132-123. The smart move here is taking the over. 

Win Margin: Los Angeles Lakers 1-10 (+175)

We especially like this addition to your single-game parlay because the Lakers likely won’t blow them out. The games between them and the Rockets have always been pretty close.

The largest margin the Lakers have won by in the last three is ten points. It also balances out your ticket, giving you good odds against the other picks.

After losing four straight games, the Lakers finally got a win on Saturday night against the Warriors. LeBron James had an incredible game, putting up 56 points on the night. Although he essentially won this game on his own, it shows that he might be fully healthy.

One of the Lakers’ biggest problems is injuries. If LeBron is finally 100%, there’s no telling what the Lakers can do.

The Lakers’ opponent for today is the San Antonio Spurs, a team familiar with the Lakers. The Spurs are on the outside looking in at the Western Conference. If they want to try and get a play-in position, winning a game against the Lakers will help. See all NBA Computer Picks, or take a look at all our NBA Same Game Parlays.

They’ve lost four straight games but actually come in as narrow favorites here. Let’s find out why and who’s the best bet here.

Game Preview: Los Angeles Lakers at San Antonio Spurs

The Los Angeles Lakers got the win they needed after a rough patch. Taking down the Golden State Warriors is no easy task, but the Lakers won 124-116. Tonight, LeBron will likely have to do the heavy lifting again, especially with no Anthony Davis.

The question is, can he have another performance like that against the Spurs defense? We think the answer is yes.

The San Antonio Spurs allow an average of 112.97 points per game. They rank 26th in this category and are among some of the worst teams in the NBA. With such a lackluster defense, it’s not hard to see why they’ve only won 24 games.

Beating the Lakers means finding a way to beat LeBron James, a tall task to take on. So, who’s the best bet to cover the spread here?

Against the Spread: Los Angeles Lakers +2

The Los Angeles Lakers are actually two-point underdogs in this game. We like these odds, especially after their huge win over the Warriors. The Spurs defense is among the worst in the NBA, making this an easier game for Los Angeles.

Even if LeBron can’t repeat his 56-point performance, they should win this. Over their last ten, the Lakers are 7-3 against the Spurs.

The Total: UNDER 232

The total is slightly more complicated to bet on than the spread is. As we mentioned above, the Spurs have a very underwhelming defense and allow a lot of points.

However, the primary reason the Lakers have lost games is due to team chemistry. This problem can sometimes lead to low scores. We should note that the Spurs’ offense doesn’t match up well against the Lakers.

Win Margin: Los Angeles Lakers 1-10 (+210)

We think this is a great addition to your Monday night, single-game parlay. We already feel the Lakers will win this game, and history says it won’t be by a large margin.

Over their last three games against the Spurs, the Lakers have won twice. In those two wins, the most the Lakers ever won by was eight. With that being said, we’d add this to our ticket for this game.

To Score 15 points: Russell Westbrook OVER 17.5

One player that needs to step it up massively for the Lakers is Russell Westbrook. He’s been part of the reason that the Lakers are struggling, but we hope for a change tonight.

He has a favorable matchup against the young Dejounte Murray. Hopefully, Westbrook can use his experience to get over the 17.5 points needed.

The Phoenix Suns and the Milwaukee Bucks face off again today. Each of these teams has had a back and forth fight, especially in last season’s NBA Finals. The Phoenix Suns have won two straight games, first against the Trail Blazers and then the Knicks.

As they prepare to take on Giannis and the Bucks. They’ll likely be without their star player, Devin Booker, in today’s game.

The Milwaukee Bucks have won three games in a row, beating the Hornets, Heat, and Bulls. To add a fourth team to that list, they’ll look to take down the Phoenix Suns. The Milwaukee Bucks will be without a few players as well, making this a tough test for both teams.

However, the Milwaukee Bucks come in as heavy favorites here. So, the question is, can they cover tonight? Take a look at our Single Game Parlay to see.

Game Preview: Phoenix Suns at Milwaukee Bucks

The Phoenix Suns are the No.1 team in the Western Conference, with the offense to match. However, without Devin Booker, the Suns will be at a massive disadvantage. As an example, the Suns were barely able to beat the New York Knicks a few nights ago.

Winning this game against the Bucks is going to be tough. Still, if they can keep it within nine points, they can cover.

The Milwaukee Bucks will be missing Wesley Matthews and Brook Lopez again. Still, the Bucks have been winning plenty of games regardless of these injuries. They beat the Chicago Bulls by six points in their last game, narrowly covering the spread.

The Bucks have a higher-scoring offense than the Suns, and that could be a deciding factor. Let’s make a few picks on this game.

Against the Spread: Phoenix Suns +9.5

Although the Suns are dealing with a ton of injuries, we think they can cover here. Sure, they’re without Devin Booker and Chris Paul, but they’ve won a few games without them. The Suns are 18-10 against the spread on the road as well.

This is a much better record than the Milwaukee Bucks ATS record of 12-22 at home. With that being said, we’ll take the Phoenix Suns +9.5.

The Total: UNDER 229.5

The last time these two played, the score was 131-107, going well over the total. With all the injuries that have been dealt to each team since then, it’s better to take the under.

This season, the Phoenix Suns are 32-31 against the total, the Bucks are 32-32. Both of these teams go under the total nearly as often as they go over. So, the best bet is the under in this one.

Win Margin: Milwaukee Bucks 1-10 (+175)

As we mentioned above, we think this game will end fairly close. Each team is dealing with significant injuries, hindering how much the Bucks will win by. This is a great bet to add as well since it’s currently +175.

The last two games for the Bucks have landed within 1-10 points. So we think this is a great bet to add to your single-game parlay.

To Score 15 points: Mikal Bridges (-172)

With both Chris Paul and Devin Booker out, the Suns will need to rely on Mikal Bridges. Bridges is a great shooter and averages 13.5 points per game.

He’ll have multiple opportunities to score points today as the offense will run through him. Look for Bridges to put up over 15 points in today’s game.

The New York Knicks find themselves facing one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. They’ll head out to Philadelphia to face the 76ers, who they just lost to. After losing 125-109 at home, they’ll hope that they have better luck stopping Embiid in Philadelphia. The Knicks need to start winning games if they have any playoff hopes. A six-game losing streak won’t help.

The Philadelphia 76ers have a lot going for them right now. They have two incredible scorers leading the team, Joel Embiid and James Harden. Teams had trouble stopping just Embiid, but now they have Harden to worry about as well. In their last game against the Knicks, Embiid put up 37 points. James Harden contributed as well with 16 assists. Is another win on the horizon? Take a look at all our NBA computer picks and our Same Game Parlay below.

Game Preview: New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers

The New York Knicks clearly struggled to slow down the 76ers in their last game. Allowing Embid to put up 37 points, along with a triple-double from Harden, is a defensive nightmare. However, now that the game is over, they can adjust and figure out what they did wrong. From there, maybe they can tailor their defense to do better against James Harden and Joel Embiid.

The Philadelphia 76ers will yet again rely on their offense to take down the 76ers. All they’ll focus on is getting the ball to Embiid in the paint, something Harden can do well. Of course, if that doesn’t work, they can always resort to allowing Harden to take over the scoring. He’s one of the best in the league at creating points. On his own, he averages 22.7 points with 10 assists.

Against the Spread: Philadelphia 76ers -10.5

The last game between these two teams ended in a 125-109 victory for the Sixers. They were on the road in that game, but they’re back in Philadelphia this time. Now, the Sixers have done well at covering the spread at home in the past, but that’s before James Harden. With Harden on the team, we don’t see them having trouble covering the 10.5 spread against New York tonight.

The Total: OVER 222.5

Normally, in games with Philadelphia, we’d take the under. However, in their last game against the Knicks, the total was set at 219.5, and it went over. The newfound offense of the 76ers propels them forward and puts up a lot of points. We also think the Knicks will do a slightly better job on offense. Philadelphia has gone over the total four times in their last five games.

Player Points: Joel Embiid UNDER 30.5

Although we think Joel Embiid will have another great game, we don’t see him going over 30.5. The reason for this is that the Knicks know it’s because of Embiid that they lost the last game. A lot more focus will be on Embiid this time as they try to put multiple bodies on him. However, this opens an opportunity for another player to go well over their expected total today. 

Player Points: James Harden OVER 24.5

Harden nearly averages this much on his own, but the attention will be taken off him today. After Embiid torched the defense of the Knicks, we believe Harden will have a huge day today. In their last meeting, Harden secured his first-ever triple-double. A 40-point night for James Harden isn’t out of the question here.