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The Wizards backups are now starting and they lack size and skill and their G League guys are on the bench, The Kings back ups stand to play quite a bit tonight and Monk will be able to score in bunches on the worst defensive team in the NBA in March. Monk is averaging 21/G this month and scored 17 in 20 minutes in Wed blowout win at Toronto leaving plenty in the tank tonight. Wiz likely to give up 130+ again tonight. Monk will get his 20+
Malik Monk has cranked up his production down the stretch, averaging 20.0 points over his last eight games. During that stretch, he scored at least 18 points in a game six times. While he only scored 17 points against the Raptors on Wednesday, it was because he only played 20 minutes in a blowout victory. This game also has blowout potential, but with the Wizards playing at the fastest pace and having the worst defensive rating in the league, I still like Monk to score at least 18 points again.
I typically avoid backing these large combo lines on star players, however this is one I like. First and foremost De'Aaron Fox is having a great season and playing great basketball. The former Wildcat is averaging a combined 36.8 PRA on the season so this combo line is in line with where it should be. There is no better matchup right now for a lead guard/primary scorer than the Washington Wizards. The Wizards lead the NBA in pace of play/possessions per game, in addition to sporting the worst defense in the league. The Wizards have been absolutely torched by lead guards recently. In the event Washington can hang with Sacramento and Fox plays 35+ minutes in a relatively competitive game, Fox could go nuclear.
Murray grabbed 8 with ease Wed night at Toronto and gets a similar opponent here. Even when he couldn't get a shot to fall against the Raptors he keyed the Kings on the boards. Sabonis can't do it all himself and this is a great match-up for Murray. Wiz allow the second most rebounds in the NBA this month and most paint points by far; he'll get more offensive rebounds here than usual. Tends to get some run vs the second team as well, where he can really do damage against a small and compromised Wiz roster. He's over this in 5 straight games and even in a blowout I expect the youngster to get sufficient minutes to eclipse this modest total.
We're going to play Sabonis here the same way we did against TOR on Thur _ a team that is similarly compromised to the Wiz. Sabonis barely had to play in the second half so that helps. This is an easy triple double for him if he wants it. like the Raptors, WSH cannot rebound, allow a ton of second chance and paint points and his simple backdoor passes and dish offs will lead to a lot of points for others. I like this prop combo of lower total/higher return, and with how much he plays normally, I could see him preserving his legs and facilitating here more. And I fear him only going 25 mins in a blowout but will dominate when on court.
I know the Kings struggle covering spreads this large and have been bad on the second of back to back, but if ever there was a time to snap that it's here, getting the Wiz after the Raptors - two worst rosters in the NBA right now. But they built a comfortable 1st half lead at TOR (as I place this) and this line is gonna move a bunch I figure. SAC can run with WIz and score on them at will. Too much size and talent. WIZ 10-22 ATS at home. Vegas still not on to how horrid Wiz are. Failed to cover last 5 games by 13, 11.5, 19.5, 7.5 and 14 points. Thats closing lines. Opening lines it's even larger