The NBA is the Wild West right now with COVID-19 and the league’s health protocols, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t edges to be had. Following a tough week, we’re off to a 4-0 start this week to improve to 54-49-1 on the season for article plays. Let’s look to keep rolling this week.
Follow along on Twitter — @julianedlow — for what we hope to be another great season, as some plays jump out late due to news, particularly in the player prop market. Here’s what jumps out to me on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Place your NBA bets at DraftKings Sportsbook and bet online by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Charlotte Hornets
Under 213 (-105)
Editor’s Note: Cavaliers PG Darius Garland (ankle) will play tonight vs. the Hornets. PG/SG Collin Sexton (groin) has been ruled out.
The Cavs have gone over in five-straight games, but this number feels high for a couple of teams that really struggle to score the ball, even when at full-strength. The Cavs are just 11-16 to the over on the road this season, while the Hornets are 8-16 to the over at home. Charlotte has now gone under in 11 of its last 14 games overall, including seven of the past eight at home. Terry Rozier is probable to return from a one-game absence, but the Hornets are still without LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, Malik Monk and P.J. Washington. Meanwhile, the two engines that make the Cavs go are questionable in Collin Sexton and Darius Garland. If either of them are missing or limited, that should really slow this game down. Just not enough scorers in this one to see it getting too out of hand.
San Antonio Spurs at Toronto Raptors
SAS -5.5 (-110)
This is my favorite play on tonight’s NBA card, fading a Raptors squad that’s really running out of bodies. Fred VanVleet, Kyle Lowry, Gary Trent Jr. and Deandre’ Bembry will all be out for Toronto, leaving only one guard (rookie Malachi Flynn) on the active roster. Toronto’s lost four of five, and are now just 10-16 ATS at home this season. Meanwhile, the Spurs have been a terrific road team, sitting at 16-7 ATS away from home. San Antonio comes into this one close to fully healthy — winners of two in a row — and 7-1 ATS in its last eight on the road. I don’t see an extremely shorthanded Raps rotation putting an end to the Spurs’ little win streak.
Washington Wizards at Sacramento Kings
WAS ML (-135)
Backing the Wizards as a road favorite? Yuck. But these are two teams trending in opposite directions right now. The Wizards have Bradley Beal back on the floor and are 4-1 ATS in their last five overall. More importantly, Washington is 3-1 outright over the last four games, including road wins in Golden State and Utah, with the one loss on a back-to-back in Phoenix. On the other side of the floor, you have the Kings, now losers of seven-straight. Sacramento is just 10-17 ATS at home this season, and it has a couple of key contributors in doubt for this contest.
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