25 Feb

2024 NBA picks, Feb. 22 best bets from proven model

The Phoenix Suns (33-22) travel to play the Dallas Mavericks (32-23) on Thursday evening. This is the third matchup of the season between these foes after they’ve split the first two, and on Jan. 24, Phoenix beat Dallas 132-109. The Mavericks have hit the Under in 20 of their last 30 games, while the Suns have hit the 1H money line in 23 of their last 35 away games. Bradley Beal (hamstring) is questionable for Phoenix.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Mavs are 1.5-point favorites in the latest Suns vs. Mavericks odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 245 according to SportsLine consensus. Before making any Mavericks vs. Suns picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 18 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 60-36 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,300. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Suns vs. Mavericks. You can head to SportsLine now to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines and trends for Mavericks vs. Suns:

Suns vs. Mavericks spread: Dallas -1.5
Suns vs. Mavericks over/under: 245 points
Suns vs. Mavericks money line: Dallas -123, Phoenix +103
PHO: The Suns are 5-1 ATS in their last six games
DAL: The Mavericks are 4-1 ATS in their last five games played on a Thursday
Suns vs. Mavericks picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Suns can cover
Guard Beal (questionable) is getting more into the flow as the season goes on. Beal has good shooting range to stretch out the defense while getting to the lane regularly. The Florida product logs 18.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. In the Feb. 8 win over the Jazz, Beal had 30 points and seven assists.

Guard Grayson Allen fits into his role perfectly. Allen can get hot in a flash due to his jumper and does a good job slashing to the rim. The Duke product averages 12.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per contest. On Feb. 13, Allen had 19 points, four assists, and made two threes. See who to back at SportsLine.

Why the Mavericks can cover
Guard Luka Doncic is one of the best playmakers in the game. Doncic doesn’t beat defenders with his athleticism but does it with his IQ instead. The five-time All-Star leads the NBA in scoring (34.2) and ranks third in assists (9.5). In his last outing, Doncic finished with 27 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.

Guard Kyrie Irving is another fearless force in the backcourt. Irving uses his shifty ball handles and utilizes his sweet jumper to space out the floor. The Duke product logs 25.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. In the Feb. 14 meeting against the Spurs, Irving notched 34 points, nine boards, and seven assists. See who to back at SportsLine.

How to make Mavericks vs. Suns picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Under on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 242 points. The model also says one side hits in almost 60% of simulations. You can only see the picks at SportsLine.

25 Feb

Bucks star to miss at least two more games with ankle sprain

Milwaukee Bucks star Khris Middleton will miss at least the next two games with an ankle sprain, head coach Doc Rivers told reporters on Thursday. The Bucks are set to return to action after the All-Star break against the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, before traveling to take on the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

The Bucks have never given an official timeline for Middleton, who has not played since the team’s loss to the Phoenix Suns on Feb. 6. He left the arena that night on crutches and in a walking boot, according to Eric Nehm.

About six minutes into the matchup with the Suns, Middleton had the ball on the wing and was guarded by Kevin Durant. He worked himself into a rhythm, pulled up for a 3-pointer, and landed on Durant’s foot. His left ankle rolled violently, and he collapsed to the floor in obvious pain.

After briefly reviewing the monitor, the officials upgraded the foul to a Flagrant 1 on Durant. Middleton took the flagrant free throws himself — he went 1-of-2 — and briefly remained in the game. However, he was not moving well and checked out at the next dead ball. He immediately went back to the locker room with the Bucks’ medical staff and was ruled out for the rest of the game.

It’s still unclear when Middleton will return to action, and it’s not surprising the Bucks are taking the cautious route given his health problems in recent years.

Dating back to the 2022 playoffs, when he sprained the MCL in his left knee in the first round, Middleton has been a regular on the injured list. He’s dealt with a myriad of upper and lower body problems and has undergone two surgeries — one on his wrist and another on his knee last summer. So far this season he has missed 13 games and played in both ends of a back-to-back just once.

Having Middleton healthy for the postseason will be paramount for a Bucks team that is still hopeful of competing for a title despite a rocky 3-7 start under Rivers.

25 Feb

2024 NBA picks, Feb. 22 best bets from proven model

The Golden State Warriors won’t have to contend with LeBron James when they return from the All-Star break to host the Pacific Division-rival Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. James is out against Golden State due to an ankle injury that sidelined him at Utah in Los Angeles’ final game prior to the break. The Lakers (30-26) still defeated the Jazz 138-122 for their sixth win in seven overall contests and fourth straight on the road. The Warriors (27-26) also have won six of seven after posting a 140-137 triumph at Utah last Thursday.

Tip-off at Chase Center in San Francisco is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. Golden State is a 6-point favorite in the latest Warriors vs. Lakers odds, according to SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 243.5. Before making any Lakers vs. Warriors picks or NBA predictions, you need to see what SportsLine’s advanced computer model has to say.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 18 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 60-36 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,300. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Warriors vs. Lakers. You can head to SportsLine now to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines and trends for Lakers vs. Warriors:

Warriors vs. Lakers spread: Golden State -6
Warriors vs. Lakers over/under: 243.5 points
Warriors vs. Lakers money line: Golden State -238, Los Angeles +193
GSW: The Warriors are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games
LAL: The Lakers are 12-16 ATS on the road this season
Warriors vs. Lakers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Warriors can cover
Klay Thompson had one of his best offensive performances of the season in Golden State’s victory at Utah as he scored a season-high 35 points off the bench. The 34-year-old shooting guard, who eclipsed the 15,000-point mark for his career, was 7-for-13 from 3-point range and also grabbed six rebounds as he entered as a reserve for the first time since his 2011-12 rookie season. Thompson was just 5-for-23 from beyond the arc over his previous three contests.

Thompson scored 24 points in Golden State’s first meeting with Los Angeles this campaign, a 145-144 double-overtime loss at home on Jan. 27, while Stephen Curry led all players with 46 points. The 35-year-old Curry also eclipsed the 40-point mark in the Warriors’ last home game, recording 41 in a 130-125 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 14. He made nine 3-pointers in that defeat and is 36-for-67 from beyond the arc over his last four contests. See who to back at SportsLine.

Why the Lakers can cover
With James unable to play, more will be expected of Anthony Davis, who leads Los Angeles in scoring with an average of 24.9 points. The 30-year-old Davis also came up with a strong performance in the first meeting with the Warriors, scoring 29 points while pulling down 13 rebounds. It was one of the 42 double-doubles recorded this season by Davis, who is fourth in the league in that category while ranking third in rebounds (12.2) and fifth in blocks (2.5).

Davis is coming off an effort against Utah in which he registered game highs of 37 points and 15 boards. Fellow power forward Rui Hachimura set a career high of 36 points on 13-of-19 shooting in that contest. The Lakers are 8-2 in their last 10 meetings against Golden State and they’ve won nine of their last 11 games played in February. See who to back at SportsLine.

How to make Warriors vs. Lakers picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Under on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 241 points. The model also says one side hits in over 60% of simulations. You can only see the picks at SportsLine.

25 Feb

Knicks’ Jalen Brunson says his dad was heckling him during 3-Point Contest at 2024 All-Star Weekend

New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson made his All-Star Game and 3-Point Contest debuts last weekend in Indianapolis, and was given a rude welcome by a heckler on All-Star Saturday Night. But before he could get too upset, he realized the comments were coming from his dad.

Brunson told the story on the latest episode of his new podcast, “Roommates Show,” with his Knicks teammate Josh Hart.

Someone called Jalen a bum at the 3pt competition 👀

Full episode: https://t.co/z3DNhbLkUq pic.twitter.com/tfGL1rNTcN

— Roommates Show (@Roommates__Show) February 22, 2024
“I heard some dude behind the bench, some bald guy sitting behind the bench,” Brunson said. “I heard, ‘You effing bum!’ I was like ‘Who just said that?’ My dad. He was like, ‘Yeah, with that bonus we could have finished my basement.'”

Despite the harassment from his dad, Brunson put up a strong showing in the first round of the event, finishing with 24 points. That mark would have been enough to advance most years, but there was some strong shooting in Indy this time around. Every single participant put up at least 20 points in the first round, and four tied at the top with 26. Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard went on to win the event for the second time in his career.

The good news for the Brunsons is that the Mavericks declined to offer Jalen a four-year, $55 million extension back in the 2021-22 season, and he signed for $104 million with the Knicks that summer. With that kind of money, there should be some left over to redo the basement.

Brunson is enjoying the best season of his career, averaging 27.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game, while shooting 41.1% from 3-point land. Thanks to his leadership, the Knicks exited the All-Star break in fourth place in the Eastern Conference at 33-22, and are on pace to make the playoffs for the third time in the last four seasons.

24 Jan

2024 NBA picks, Jan. 22 predictions from proven computer model

The Cleveland Cavaliers (25-15) will try to extend their seven-game winning streak when they face the Orlando Magic (23-20) on Monday night. Cleveland won all six games during its recent homestand before adding a 116-95 win at Atlanta on Saturday. Orlando lost five times in a six-game stretch, but it responded with a 105-87 win over Miami on Sunday. The Cavaliers are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, while the Magic are in eighth place.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on Monday at the Kia Center in Orlando, Fla. Cleveland is favored by 1.5 points in the latest Magic vs. Cavaliers odds, while the over/under is 215.5 points, per SportsLine consensus. Before entering any Cavaliers vs. Magic picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions from the model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model entered Week 13 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 42-23 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

The model has set its sights on Cleveland vs. Orlando. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Cavaliers vs. Magic:

Magic vs. Cavaliers spread: Magic +1.5
Magic vs. Cavaliers over/under: 215.5 points
Magic vs. Cavaliers money line: Magic: +104, Cavaliers: -124
Magic vs. Cavaliers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Magic can cover
Orlando was on the road for seven of its first nine games this month, so it is happy to be back at home for the conclusion of this three-game homestand. The Magic are coming off an impressive performance, blowing out the Heat in a 105-87 final on Sunday. Power forward Paolo Banchero scored a team-high 20 points on 7 of 14 shooting, and he completed his double-double with 10 rebounds.

All five starters scored in double figures for Orlando, as its season-opening starting lineup was back together for the first time in more than two months. They held the Heat to a season-low point total and forced 18 turnovers, boosted by Markelle Fultz’ first start since Nov. 9. Franz Wagner scored 19 points and dished out five assists in his return to the starting lineup after missing eight games due to a sprained right ankle. See which team to pick here.

Why the Cavaliers can cover
Cleveland lost to Toronto in its first game of 2024, but it has rattled off seven consecutive wins since then to move into fourth place in the conference standings. The Cavaliers won all six games during their homestand, wrapping it up with a 135-95 win over the Bucks. Donovan Mitchell scored 31 points and dished out seven assists, while Georges Niang had a team-high 33 points off the bench.

The Cavaliers stayed hot on Saturday, cruising to a 116-95 win as 2-point road favorites at Atlanta. Mitchell had 18 points and eight assists to lead a balanced scoring attack and extend the league’s longest active winning streak. Cleveland scored the first 10 points of the game and never trailed, holding the Hawks to a season-low in points. Darius Garland (jaw) and Evan Mobley (knee) remain out for Cleveland, while Caris LeVert (wrist) is questionable. See which team to pick here.

How to make Magic vs. Cavaliers picks
The model has simulated Cavs vs. Magic 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Over, and it also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.

24 Jan

Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic meet again, Lakers try for 3-0 vs. Clips

For the second-straight season the NBA is billing a handful of upcoming games this week as NBA Rivals Week where teams with some sort of history or intriguing matchup will take center stage to highlight the various storylines and past drama between franchises and players. The rivalries range from classics, like the Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks, to budding ones, either between teams or players.

Rivals Week runs from Jan. 23 through Jan. 27 with 11 games highlighting these matchups, all of which will be nationally televised. It’s an interesting wrinkle to add to the NBA calendar in an effort to add some entertainment to regular season games, and while there may no longer be true rivalries like we saw in the ’80s, ’90s and early 2000s, some of these matchups do bring a bit more to the table than others. As the league gets set to celebrate some old and new rivalries it only makes sense to take a look at the games and see which ones stand out amongst the rest. With that being said, here’s a look at the top five matchups taking place during Rivals Week.

  1. Denver Nuggets vs. Philadelphia 76ers
    Date: Saturday, Jan. 27 | Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
    Location: Ball Arena — Denver
    TV channel: ABC | Live stream: fubo (try for free)
    If the last meeting between these two teams is any indication of what to expect for Round 2, then this might end up being the best matchup of the week. We’ve got two guys who have won the last three MVP’s and one of them could potentially walk away with the award again this year, too. Earlier this month, when Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic faced off, it resulted in Embiid taking over in the fourth quarter to carry the Sixers to a win. He put up 41 points for the second-straight game which was also on the second night of a back-to-back. It also extended his streak of dropping 30+ points to 18 games, a streak he’s since extended to 20.

Embiid and the Sixers got the win, but Jokic also showed out for the Nuggets, putting up 25 points and 19 rebounds in a duel that pit the top two big men against each other. And after it was all said and done, Embiid said Jokic was the best player in the league, tipping his cap to the two-time MVP. The only thing keeping this matchup from reaching its full potential is if one of Embiid or Jokic doesn’t play. Embiid would be the bigger concern as he hasn’t played in Denver in each of the last three years due to injuries. There’s no reason to expect him to sit as of right now, especially as he told Jokic after their first game, “I’ll see you in two weeks.” So let’s all hope both stars can stay healthy so we can get another dose of this exciting rivalry.

  1. Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
    Date: Tuesday, Jan. 23 | Time: 10 p.m. ET
    Location: Crypto.com Arena — Los Angeles
    TV channel: TNT
    The co-tenants of Crypto.com Arena are an obvious choice for this list, and it should shape up to be an entertaining matchup. The stars are there on both sides, and for the Clippers, injuries haven’t hit this season like they have in the past, so Kawhi Leonard and Paul George should be ready to go. And while the Lakers have struggled since winning the inaugural In-Season Tournament, going just 7-13 since hoisting up that trophy in Las Vegas, you can always count on LeBron James and Anthony Davis to put on a show.

The Lakers already hold a 2-0 advantage against the Clippers this season, and both games came down to the wire with the first needing overtime to be decided and the second match coming down to the final shot for the Lakers to edge out a three-point win. Despite the Clippers being winless against the Lakers this season, they’ve been nearly unstoppable since Jan. 1 against everyone else, holding the league’s top offense while posting an 8-2 record, the second-best mark during that span. But even with all that recent success, the Lakers seem to be the Clippers kryptonite this season, which should make for an exciting game when these two face off during Rivals Week.

  1. Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns
    Date: Wednesday, Jan. 24 | Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
    Location: American Airlines Center — Dallas
    TV channel: ABC | Live stream: fubo (try for free)
    You can trace this rivalry back to the 2022 playoffs when the Mavericks dismantled the top-seeded Suns in the second round in shocking fashion. In every meeting that’s followed there always seems to be some tension on both sides, and the star plays on both teams — Luka Doncic and Devin Booker — certainly play up to that. Doncic and Booker are some of the most competitive players in the league, and neither shy away from talking trash, so when they face each other you can always bet on some words being exchanged during the game. But despite the trash talking both players have shared their mutual respect for each other, despite how heated and competitive they can get during the game.

Doncic and Booker’s competitive nature alone would make this a worthwhile matchup, but when you also factor in that this matchup features Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Bradley Beal then it’s must-watch television. The Suns and Mavericks are also only separated by just a half-game in the West standings, adding extra motivation to this game. There’s also the fact that the last time these two teams suited up opposite each other, Doncic dropped 50 points on the Suns in their arena on Christmas in a win without Irving. Basically any way you spin it, this is one of those matchups worth watching.

  1. San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
    Date: Wednesday, Jan. 24 | Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
    Location: Frost Bank Center — San Antonio
    TV channel: ESPN | Live stream: fubo (try for free)
    The Spurs likely won’t be competitive in this game, but the matchup worth watching is Victor Wembanyama vs. Chet Holmgren, the two favorites to win Rookie of the Year. When you hold their stats up next to each other they’re almost mirrors but how they’re getting there is vastly different. Wembanyama is at the center of the Spurs’ offense, and he gets over four more shot attempts per game than Holmgren. But while the OKC rookie isn’t the No. 1 option on his team, Holmgren’s already become a crucial piece to the Thunder’s success. His scoring, playmaking and rim protection have all been part of why the Thunder hold the No. 2 seed in the West standings.

This will be the second time we get Wemby vs. Holmgren this season, and hopefully the second time will live up to the expectation a bit better. In the first meeting between these rookies neither really had a standout performance, reminding us that they’re both just getting their feet wet. But with over half the season under their belts, this time around should be different.

  1. Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics
    Date: Thursday, Jan. 25 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
    Location: Kaseya Center — Miami
    TV channel: TNT
    This is a rematch of the 2023 Eastern Conference finals, and with the way that ended — the Celtics falling behind 0-3 then storming back to push it to a Game 7 only to lose — has likely fueled Boston in what’s been a dominant season thus far. But last season’s conference finals isn’t the only thing that makes this a rivalry. The Celtics and Heat have faced each other in three of the last four Eastern Conference Finals, so there’s familiarity between the two sides. And even though the Heat haven’t made a ton of noise this season — hovering around the No. 6 spot and the play-in tournament — we know from history that Miami always brings it in big games.
24 Jan

2024 NBA picks, Jan. 22 predictions from proven computer model

The Philadelphia 76ers (28-13) will return home and aim for their sixth consecutive victory when they host the San Antonio Spurs (8-34) on Monday night. Philadelphia won back-to-back road games over the weekend, beating the Magic and Hornets. San Antonio snapped a four-game losing streak with a 131-127 win at Washington on Saturday, but it still has the worst record in the Western Conference. This is the first of two meetings between these teams this season, with the rematch slated for April.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. The Sixers are favored by 14 points in the latest Spurs vs. 76ers odds, while the over/under is 237 points, per SportsLine consensus. Before entering any 76ers vs. Spurs picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions from the model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 14 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 48-25 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning over $2,200. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

The model has set its sights on San Antonio vs. Philadelphia. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Spurs vs. 76ers:

76ers vs. Spurs spread: 76ers -14
76ers vs. Spurs over/under: 237 points
76ers vs. Spurs money line: 76ers: -1097, Spurs: +696
76ers vs. Spurs picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the 76ers can cover
Philadelphia got off to a slow start this month when it lost three of its first four games, but it has responded with a five-game winning streak. The 76ers beat the Kings and Nuggets during a three-game homestand before beating the Magic and Hornets on the road over the weekend. Reigning MVP Joel Embiid posted a double-double with 33 points and 10 rebounds, scoring at least 30 points for the 20th consecutive game.

The 76ers are sitting in third place in the Eastern Conference standings, despite playing without Embiid for 10 games. They were without several important key role players on Saturday, but Tobias Harris scored 21 points and Tyrese Maxey added 16. Philadelphia has covered the spread in four of its last five games, and it has covered in 10 of its last 13 home games. De’Anthony Melton (back) is out for Monday. See which team to pick here.

Why the Spurs can cover
San Antonio picked up its eighth win of the season on Saturday, springing an outright upset at Washington as a 2-point underdog. The Spurs erased a 12-point deficit in the final five minutes, as Victor Wembanyama returned from a one-game absence to score 24 points and grab eight rebounds. Guard Tre Jones nearly posted a triple-double, finishing with 11 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds.

Wembanyama, who has been on a minutes’ restriction, played 28 minutes against the Wizards, including critical moments down the stretch. He leads the team with 19.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, while Devin Vassell is adding 17.8 points. The Spurs have quietly been underrated by the betting market in recent weeks, covering the spread in eight of their last 10 games. Zach Collins (ankle) is questionable for Monday. See which team to pick here.

How to make 76ers vs. Spurs picks
The model has simulated Spurs vs. Sixers 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Under, and it’s also generated a point-spread pick that has is hitting in almost 60% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.

24 Jan

2024 NBA picks, Jan. 22 predictions from proven computer model

The Dallas Mavericks (24-18) will try to slow down the league-leading Boston Celtics (33-10) when they meet on Monday night. Dallas had its game at Golden State postponed last Friday, so the Mavericks have not played since losing to the Lakers last Wednesday. Boston bounced back from a loss to Denver with a 116-107 win at Houston on Sunday, maintaining a 3.5-game lead over Milwaukee atop the Eastern Conference standings. The Celtics and Mavericks will meet again in Boston at the beginning of March.

Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Boston is favored by 3 points in the latest Mavericks vs. Celtics odds, per SportsLine consensus, while the over/under is 239.5 points. Before entering any Celtics vs. Mavericks picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions from the model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 14 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 48-25 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning over $2,200. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

The model has set its sights on Boston vs. Dallas. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Celtics vs. Mavericks:

Mavericks vs. Celtics spread: Mavericks +3
Mavericks vs. Celtics over/under: 239.5 points
Mavericks vs. Celtics money line: Mavericks: +128, Celtics: -151
Mavericks vs. Celtics picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Mavericks can cover
Dallas is well rested heading into this game, as it has not played since last Wednesday. The Mavericks lost to the Lakers in that contest, but they previously beat the Pelicans at home last Monday. Veteran guard Kyrie Irving poured in 42 points and dished out seven assists, while shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. added 41 points on 11 of 23 shooting.

The Mavericks were without Luka Doncic for three games due to a sprained right ankle, but he returned with 33 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in 33 minutes against the Lakers. He has seven triple-doubles this season and 63 overall in his career. Dallas has covered the spread in five of its last seven home games, and it has won outright in four of its last five games as an underdog. See which team to pick here.

Why the Celtics can cover
Boston has thrived in its road games at Dallas in recent years, covering the spread in 13 of its last 18 visits. The Celtics have won four of their last five games this season, including a 116-107 win at Houston on Sunday. Kristaps Porzingis scored 32 points on 11 of 21 shooting, knocking down 6 of 11 attempts from 3-point range.

Small forward Jaylen Brown posted a triple-double with 13 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, while shooting guard Derrick White chipped in 21 points and 11 rebounds. The Celtics raced out to a 70-55 lead at halftime and were able to rest some of their key players down the stretch. They have covered the spread in six of the last nine meetings between these teams. Jrue Holiday (elbow) and Al Horford (rest) are game-time decisions after not playing on Sunday. See which team to pick here.

How to make Mavericks vs. Celtics picks
The model has simulated Celtics vs. Mavs 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Under, and it also says one side of the spread has all of the value. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.

24 Jan

2024 NBA picks, January 22 predictions from proven model

The Toronto Raptors will face off against the Memphis Grizzlies at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday at Scotiabank Arena. Toronto is 16-27 overall and 10-11 at home, while Memphis is 15-27 overall and 11-12 on the road. The Raptors have dominated this series in recent years, winning 15 of the last 20 meetings against the Grizzlies.

The Raptors are favored by 7 points in the latest Raptors vs. Grizzlies odds, and the over/under is 226 points. Before entering any Raptors vs. Grizzlies picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions from the proven computer model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 13 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 42-23 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

The model has set its sights on Memphis vs. Toronto. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines for the game:

Raptors vs. Grizzlies spread: Raptors -7
Raptors vs. Grizzlies over/under: 226 points
Raptors vs. Grizzlies money line: Raptors: -275, Grizzlies: +224
Raptors vs. Grizzlies picks: See picks here
What you need to know about the Raptors
The Raptors managed to keep up with the Knicks until halftime on Saturday, but things quickly went downhill from there. Toronto suffered a bruising 126-100 defeat at the hands of New York. The Raptors have not had much luck with the Knicks recently, as the team’s come up short the last two times they’ve met.

Despite the defeat, the Raptors will be confident they can secure the victory on Monday night. Toronto is 7-3 in its last 10 games against Memphis and the Raptors are 11-3 against the spread in their last 14 contests against the Grizzlies.

What you need to know about the Grizzlies
Meanwhile, it’s hard to win when you’re outrebounded 13 to 3 on the offensive glass, a fact the Grizzlies found out the hard way on Saturday. Memphis’ painful 125-96 defeat to Chicago might stick with the Grizzlies for a while. The Grizzlies have now lost four of their last five games.

Despite the loss, the Grizzlies got a productive performance out of Jaren Jackson Jr., who scored 26 points along with six rebounds and five assists. For the season, Jackson is averaging 21.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

How to make Raptors vs. Grizzlies picks
The model has simulated Raptors vs. Grizzlies 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Under, and it’s also generated a point-spread pick that hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.

24 Jan

2024 NBA picks, January 22 predictions from proven model

The Phoenix Suns will face off against the Chicago Bulls at 9 p.m. ET on Monday at Footprint Center. Phoenix is 24-18 overall and 13-11 at home, while Chicago is 21-23 overall and 7-13 on the road. The Suns have dominated this series in recent years, winning eight consecutive games against the Bulls.

The Suns are favored by 5 points in the latest Suns vs. Bulls odds, and the over/under is 227 points. Before entering any Suns vs. Bulls picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions from the proven computer model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 13 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 42-23 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

The model has set its sights on Chicago vs. Phoenix. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines for the game:

Suns vs. Bulls spread: Suns -5
Suns vs. Bulls over/under: 227 points
Suns vs. Bulls money line: Suns: -220, Bulls: +180
Suns vs. Bulls picks: See picks here
What you need to know about the Suns
The Suns waltzed into their game Sunday with four straight wins but they left with five. They walked away with a 117-110 win over Indiana. Winning is a bit easier when your shooting is a whole 13.7% better than the opposition, as the Suns’ was on Sunday.

It was another big night for Kevin Durant, who scored 40 points along with nine rebounds and three blocks. For the season, Durant is averaging 29.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game.

What you need to know about the Bulls
Meanwhile, you can’t lose the contest if you win every quarter, and that was precisely the Bulls’ strategy against the Grizzlies on Saturday. Chicago was the clear victor by a 125-96 margin over Memphis. That was the biggest margin of victory the Bulls have managed all season.

The Bulls have won six of their last eight games and they’re 6-2 against the spread in their last eight contests played on a Monday. Chicago is scoring just 110.6 points per game this season, which ranks 27th in the NBA. However, the Bulls feature a top-10 scoring defense, holding opponents to 112.0 points per game on average.

How to make Suns vs. Bulls picks
The model has simulated Suns vs. Bulls 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Over, and it’s also generated a point-spread pick that hits in almost 60% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.