Mike's Picks (1 Live)
Mike's Past Picks
Karl-Anthony Towns has recorded at least 34 combined points and rebounds in nine of his last 13 games. It’s not a concern that Jalen Brunson (ankle) is expected to play Sunday because Towns is averaging 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds per game for the season. This is a stellar matchup against the Suns, who struggle to slow down centers. When these two teams met in November, Towns posted 34 points and 10 rebounds. This is the second game of a back-to-back set for the Knicks, but that’s also not a concern for Towns because he has recorded at least 34 combined points and rebounds in eight of 10 such situations this season.
Nikola Vucevic is averaging 10.0 rebounds per game, putting him on pace to average double-digit rebounds for the seventh straight season. The Hornets struggle to control the glass, allowing the eighth-most rebounds per game in the league. Starting centers have hauled in at least 10 rebounds against them in eight of their last 10 games. In both previous meetings with the Hornets this season, Vucevic recorded 13 rebounds each. The over is the way to go here.
Josh Hart has combined for at least 19 points and assists in 10 of his last 15 games. This is a great matchup for him to reach that threshold again with the Hawks playing at the second-fastest pace in the league. Hart has faced the Hawks four times already this season and he finished with at least 19 combined points and assists in each of those games. Jalen Brunson (ankle) played in all four of those games, so him potentially returning Saturday shouldn’t be a detriment to Hart.
Deni Avdija has started 12 straight games for the Trail Blazers, averaging 37 minutes during that span. He parlayed that into averages of 11.2 rebounds and 5.6 assists. With regards to this prop, he combined for at least 15 rebounds and assists in eight of the 12 games. This is a great spot for him to be productive in both departments again with the Bulls playing at the third-fastest pace in the league. That has contributed to them allowing the second-most rebounds and the second-most assists per game. The last time he faced the Bulls, Avdija posted 12 rebounds and three assists.
Isaiah Stewart will serve the final game of his suspension Friday, leaving the Pistons shorthanded up front. Stewart has missed seven games previously this season and Jalen Duren scored at least 13 points in five of those games. In three of them, he scored at least 16 points. Over his last 22 games overall, Duren scored at least 13 points 17 times. I like him to hit this over against a Raptors team that has played at the ninth-fastest pace in the league.
Stephen Curry scored 52 points against the Grizzlies on Tuesday. Over his last 14 games, he has averaged 28.1 points and 5.1 three-pointers. Since the All-Star break, Curry has shot 47.8% from the field and 42.4% from behind the arc. He has faced the Lakers three times this season and he scored at least 37 points in two of those games. Also helping his cause in this game is that Curry has averaged 26.0 points per game on the road this season. Look for him to have another big scoring night in this matchup that has playoff seeding implications.
Shaedon Sharpe has scored at least 22 points in five of his last six games. During that six-game stretch, he averaged 38 minutes and 19.3 shot attempts. Scoot Henderson (concussion) and Jerami Grant (knee) should be out again, while Anfernee Simons (forearm) is listed as questionable. With plenty of minutes and shot attempts set to come his way against a Raptors team that has played at the ninth-fastest pace in the league, over is the way to go here.
The Mavericks are finally getting healthy. Not only has Anthony Davis played in three straight games, but Daniel Gafford made his return Monday against the Nets. Even Dereck Lively II (ankle) is listed as questionable and could play in his first game since January. The Hawks just played in Atlanta on Tuesday, so having to travel to Dallas and face a Mavericks team with a lot of size Wednesday is not an ideal back-to-back. As the Mavericks fight to make the Play-In Tournament, look for them to cover this spread at home.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau plays his starters heavy minutes. That’s a big reason why the Knicks are 2-10 ATS in the second game of back-to-back sets this season. Mikal Bridges logged 36 minutes against the 76ers on Tuesday, while Josh Hart and OG Anunoby both played at least 32 minutes. It won’t help their cause Wednesday that Jalen Brunson, Miles McBride, Mitchell Robinson and Cameron Payne are all out with injuries. The Knicks played the Cavaliers in Cleveland earlier this season, which was also the second game of a back-to-back set for them. They lost to the Cavaliers by 37 points. This is a tough spot for them to try and keep this rematch close.
Anthony Edwards has had plenty of success against the Nuggets, who have played at the sixth-fastest pace in the league. He has scored 29, 34 and 29 points against them in three previous meetings. With Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo both suspended for this matchup, Anthony should see an abundance of shot attempts. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he surpasses 30 points.
The Bulls were crushed by the Thunder on Monday, which resulted in White scoring seven points over 23 minutes. Throw that stat line against one of the best defensive teams in the league out the window. Prior to that, White had scored at least 23 points in 14 of his last 15 games. The one game that he didn’t during that span, he just missed with 21 points. He has faced the Raptors two times without Zach LaVine this season and he scored at least 24 points in both of those games. Look for White to bounce back with a big scoring performance Tuesday.
The Suns continue to get roasted by opposing centers. Opposing starting centers have combined for at least 23 points and rebounds in eight of the last 10 games against them. One who didn’t reach that threshold during that span was Raptors center Colin Castleton, who is back in the G League. Lopez smoked the Suns for 23 points and 10 rebounds last week. I like him to thrive again in this rematch.
Shaedon Sharpe has scored at least 22 points in four of his last five games. He logged at least 39 minutes in four of those five games and averaged 18.2 shot attempts. Scoot Henderson (concussion) and Jerami Grant (knee) aren’t expected to play in this game, while Anfernee Simons (forearm) is listed as questionable. This is also a great matchup for Sharpe against the Hawks, who have played at the second-fastest pace in the league. The last time he faced them, Sharpe scored 32 points. Take the over.
The Celtics are heating up with the playoffs approaching. Even though some of their starters have missed time lately, the Celtics are 13-1 over their last 14 games. Of those 13 wins, 12 of them came by at least five points. The Grizzlies have been going in the other direction, losing five of their last six games with each loss coming by at least seven points. Even with Jaylen Brown (knee) questionable, I like the Celtics to cover.