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Monday was our first losing article of the season, going 1-2, and dropping the overall record to 10-5. I’ll probably get to some props closer to when games actually tip, but I do have four sides that I like on Wednesday’s card in the NBA.
Follow along on Twitter for what we hope to be another great season, as some plays jump out late due to news, particularly in the player prop market — @julianedlow. Here’s what jumps out to me on DraftKings Sportsbook.
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Utah Jazz at New York Knicks: NYK +7.5 (-110)
The Knicks are ... kind of good? As you’d imagine, New York is yet to be favored this season, but has been playing terrific basketball the last five games. The Knicks are on a 4-1 ATS run, also winning those four games outright as dogs of 13 points vs. MIL, 3.5 vs. CLE, 9.5 vs. IND and 7.0 vs. ATL. Three very impressive wins. Meanwhile, Utah’s had some tough showings this year, including just last night in Brooklyn — a 34-point loss to a shorthanded Nets team as 4.5-point favorites. The Jazz are just 3-4 ATS on the young season, and have played down to their competition on multiple occasions — losing to the Timberwolves and nearly losing to the Thunder.
Charlotte Hornets at Atlanta Hawks: ATL 1H -3.5 (-109)
The Hawks have been the best first half team in the NBA this season, going 6-0-1 ATS, winning those halves by an average of 8.71 points per game. The Hawks are at home, and coming off a disappointing loss to those red-hot Knicks, so they should come out with a sense of urgency in this one, going up against a struggling Hornets squad. Charlotte is 3-4 1H ATS, but just 1-3 1H ATS on the road. The Hornets are losing the first half on the road by an average of 10 PPG. The Hawks should jump out quickly in this one.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $700K Shootaround [$150K to 1st]
Toronto Raptors at Phoenix Suns: PHX -3 (-112)
The Raptors have just been downright awful this season, but the betting market still respects them for what they’ve accomplished the last couple of years. Toronto is just 1-5 straight up and ATS, with the lone win and cover coming over the Knicks before they turned the corner. The Raps have lost four games outright as favorites already, and are much too thin of a dog in Phoenix for this game. The Suns lost their last time out to the Clippers, setting up a bounce-back here. Prior to the loss, Phoenix had won and covered four in a row, including a pair of wins as dogs. The Suns are gelling around Chris Paul, and playing great team basketball — SEVEN players are averaging at least 10 PPG. Meanwhile, the Raps are feeling the frontcourt losses of Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol, and Pascal Siakam has taken steps backwards.
Chicago Bulls at Sacramento Kings: CHI +7 (-108)
After a brutal start to the season, the Bulls are undervalued in the market right now, doing damage in recent outings (similar to the Knicks). I don’t care if this team played last night in Portland, the starting five is legitimately younger than some college lineups. They should be just fine. The Bulls are on a 5-1 ATS run, including winning four of their last five games, all as underdogs. Just last night, the Bulls erased a massive deficit early, winning as 9.5-point dogs. This team shouldn’t be given seven points against any non-playoff team, and Sacramento has its own struggles right now. The Kings have lost four of their last five games, including three in a row overall, and two in a row as favorites. The Bulls will keep this one close, and have a chance to win it.
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