***EXAMPLE LINEUPS (DK GPP, FD GPP) WILL BE POSTED AT LEAST ONE HOUR PRIOR TO LOCK***

 

Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavs

(CLE: -1.5, Total: 231.5)

The first game of the trio set-up for this wonderful Thursday, will feature two teams that have only faced off once so far, this season, it was a Cavs win as an out-right dog of five points 113 to 100 in Washington, with the total amassing 213. Now, we must reiterate that this Wiz team has ran with tons of pace this season, as they have ranked 4th in terms of PACE on the season, compared to the Cavs ranking 24th on the season. So, with that said this is a big pace-up spot for the Cavs tonight at home. For a little schedule talk, the Cavs, who have lost their last five straight, play at home tonight versus the Wiz, and then stay put in Cleveland to host the Bulls for their next game on Saturday. For the Wiz, who are on a back-to-back after losing to the Heat in Miami 134-129 last night, continue their five-game road trip in Cleveland tonight, and then are off to Atlanta to face the Hawks on Sunday. The Wiz are losers of four of their last five contests as well.

Now, for the statistical aspects of this game, we will start with the Wizards, who rank next to last in the league in total rebounding, 8th overall in terms of overall assists, 5th best in points per game at 114.7, 10th least in overall turn-overs, and ranked 7th most in terms of possessions per game at 106.8. For the Cavs, they rank 20th in total rebounding, 28th (3rd to last) in total assists, next to most (29th) in total turnovers, 27th in points per game at 104.8, and 26th in total possessions per game at 102.0. You can see the big differences between these two teams just be looking at these statistical comparisons.

For DvP (defense vs position), there really isn’t just a whole ton to talk about here, but there is a few: CLE is allowing the 5th most FPs to opposing SFs over their last 10, CLE has allowed the 3rd most FPs to opposing Centers over last 10 as well. I use the last 10 games, as this gives a bit more of a precursor into how these teams have been fairing most recently, compared to full season data.

TOP-TIER: Brad Beal (34% usage over L5, highest on team), Kevin Love (25.9% usage L5, 2nd highest on team)

MID-TIER: Collin Sexton (28.9% usage L5, team leading), Tristan Thompson (35/47 FPs last 2 in CLE)

VALUE/PUNT: Darius Garland (24.4% usage, 3rd best team L5), Ian Mahinmi (DvP; 36/41 FPs last 2), Davis Bertans (23.5% usage L5, 2nd best on team; DvP SF), Isaiah Thomas (Revenge; 25.5 FPs last night), Cedi Osman (over 20 FP last five of six)

 

LA Lakers @ Brooklyn Nets

(LAL: -5.5, Total: 227.5)

The second game of this trio features the Lakers, who are also on a back-to-back, traveling into Brooklyn to take on the nets. These two teams have also faced off just once prior to tonight, with the Nets coming out victorious over the Lakers in LA with a score of 111-106, and the Nets were a 2-point favorite in this one as well. The Lakers are fresh off a win over the Knicks in MSG last night with a score of 100-92, and have won eight of their last 10 contests. The Nets have been on a skid, as they have lost four straight games, and eight of their last ten, heading into tonight’s home tilt with the Lakers. The Lakers come in as the 16th fastest team in terms of PACE on the season, with the Nets coming in as the ninth fastest on the season, so indicative of the total, this game should have some decent flow, as the Nets have been a decently fast team all season long, and with Kyrie back, it should continue to trend this way. Scheduling information, the Lakers will be off for a few days before traveling into Philly to take on the Sixers on Saturday, which ends a two-game road stand for them as well before returning home. The Nets will be hitting the road after tonight’s clash with the Lakers, as they as well will have a couple days off before making their way into Detroit for a tilt with the lowly Pistons on Saturday.

To run over some statistical data for these two teams, we will start with the visiting Lakers. The Lakers are 8th in terms of points per game at 113.7. They rank 15th in total rebounds, 7th in total assists, and both 15th in terms of total turnovers, and total possessions per game at 103.9. Now, for the Nets. The Nets rank 19th in total points per game at 109.3, SECOND in total rebounds (yes, I found this very shocking as well, as we usually love fading the BRKN Bigs), 17th in total assists, 28th, or third most turnovers per game, and they are also averaging a smooth 106.9 possessions per game, good for 6th best in the league.

For some DvP talk, again looking over the past ten games for these two squads. The Nets are allowing the 3rd most FPs to opposing SFs over L 10 (Hello LBJ, my old friend), and that is it for DvP. Just a short list, but obviously it aligns with LBJ, so that helps.

TOP-TIER: LeBron James (DvP; 28.8% usage over L5, best on team, National TV game), Kyrie Irving (Probable to play, 27.0% usage L4 games)

MID-TIER: Jarrett Allen (Over 29.5 FPs L3 games w/two double-doubles, over 29 mins L3 also), Caris LeVert (29 mins last game- highest since return; 27.3% usage L5, highest on team), Dwight Howard (29+ FPs in last six of eight contests, should mop up 2nd unit Board if no DeAndre Jordan again), Kyle Kuzma (IF NO AD, IF AD PLAYS, HE IS JUST VALUE/PUNT)

VALUE/PUNT: Rajon Rondo (20+ mins last five of six, 18+ FPs last five straight (with a 51-pointer in there), Wilson Chandler (If DAJ sits, Claxton already ruled out, will need help in frontcourt; played 20 mins last game with Claxton injury), Danny Green (punt only)

 

Dallas Mavericks @ Portland Trailblazers

(DAL: -1.5, Total: 228.5)

To round out the third and final game of the night on TNT, the fighting Luka Doncic’s will travel into Portland to take on the Time-less fighting Dame Lillard’s. These two teams have faced off twice already this season, with both teams splitting a win a piece. Both games went OVER the total of 218.5 (in DAL), and 228 (in DAL just 6 days ago) respectively, with the Blazers covering both straight-up and against the spread in the first meeting, and likewise, the Mavs covering the spread in the most recent meeting just six short days ago. The Mavs are winners of four of their last five contests, with the Blazers slightly less being winners in three of their last five games. In terms of PACE, the Mavericks come into tonight’s game as the 18th fastest team in the league, with the Blazers coming in a bit faster right outside the top ten, ranking 11th fastest. So, we should expect a decently fast game here tonight as well. For scheduling, the Mavs play in POR tonight, and stay on the road after a couple days rest and will meet with the Jazz in Utah on Saturday, while the Blazers stay in Portland after tonight and continue a four-game home stand with a few days off as well before hosting the Pacers on Sunday.

For the statistical data for these teams. We will begin with the traveling squad first in the Mavs. The Mavs rank 4th in total rebounds, 15th in total assists, commit the LEAST number of turn-overs, rank 3rd most in terms of points per game at 116.4, and rank 20th in terms of total possessions per game at 102.5. For the Blazers, they rank 13th in points per game at 111.9, 7th in total rebounding, dead-last in total assists (argh), 4th in terms of number of turn-overs, and 13th most possessions per game at 104.8.

For DvP talk, POR is allowing the 4th most FPs to opposing PGs, and 5th most to SGs over their last ten. That is all for DvP between these two squads.

TOP-TIER: Luka Doncic (no-brainer), Dame Lillard (Usage bump if no CJ McCollum on top of his usual usage) Hassan Whiteside (Love this play tonight, as Mavs are hurting at the 5 w/injury to Powell)

MID-TIER: Kristaps Porzingis (likely usage bump with no Powell), CJ McCollum (IF HE PLAYS), Carmelo Anthony (32+ mins last six straight, over 27 FPs last five of six)

VALUE/PUNT: Maxi Kleber (Should see big mins at PF spot w/no Powell), Tim Hardaway Jr., Anfernee Simons (bigger bump if no CJ), Boban Marjanovic (should see time at the 5 against Hassan), Trevor Ariza (starting SF for the Blazers, expect 30+ mins), Seth Curry (POR struggles vs G’s 19/29/26 mins last 3 as well)