DeAndre Ayton was inactive last night, causing a refund on his bet. It also helped the Portland Trail Blazers upset the Kings with better rebounding and play from their front court. This caused us to have a win, loss, and a cancellation or a tie… The early 2000s hockey road trip total, win-loss-tie. We are still up over seven units this season, and looking to add to it with six NBA games today. There is one nationally televised game, the Toronto Raptors at Washington Wizards with a 7:00 PM ET tip off. There will be a same game parlay made from this match of lower ranked Eastern Conference teams. There is also a bet from Mikal Bridges as the Nets host the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks are playing their third consecutive game in New York, but this is not at Madison Square Garden. In addition to those two bets, there is also a proposition bet on the latest game of the day. The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Dallas to take on Luka Doncic and the Mavericks. 

 

BET OF THE NIGHT: 

SAME GAME PARLAY TORONTO MONEYLINE, SCOTTIE BARNES 20+ POINTS, 8+ REBOUNDS +136 DK

This is a teased down parlay added with a moneyline for the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors are on a three game losing stretch but they were against the Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, and a suddenly surging Utah Jazz. They are the favorites to win tonight at -250, which leaves little value, and the spread seems risky at -6.5. Scottie Barnes point line is set at 22.5, and he has gone over this point line in five of nine games this month. His double-double line is set at -130, while his rebound line of 9.5 is set at -115. If you feel he can grab ten rebounds, do this instead of the double-double as he has only one game with ten assists this month. Sometimes players' effort can be questioned on losing teams, but that is not the case with Scottie Barnes. He leads the team in rebounds per game with 9.3, and rebounding is an effort stat. He is also averaging thirty-five minutes per game, The Wizards are an awful rebounding team, worst in the NBA allowing 2.5 more per game than the second worst team. Washington is also allowing the most points per game with 126.6. These are effort statistics, and Scottie Barnes will do his part to end the Raptors three game losing streak. His points have been teased down three, and his rebounding line has been teased down two. Do the Raptors have enough star power to win the game in three quarters? Truthfully I do not know. This teased bet covers that possibility, and returns positive odds.

PROP BETS: 

MIKAL BRIDGES OVER 22.5 POINTS -105 MGM

Mikal Bridges is not on the hot scoring streak he was earlier this month, but he is still a capable scorer. The Brooklyn Nets have won two in a row, are back to .500, and hosting the Milwaukee Bucks who have all but abandoned the defensive game. The transition from a defensive centric to an offensive centric team was one most NBA heads knew was coming, but most were not prepared for it to be in full effect prior to the new year. The Bucks are in the bottom ten in points allowed per game, and this does not appear to be changing. The New York Knicks outscored them in the paint throughout the game, and most of that was done by a 6’ 2” guard (Jalen Brunson). The 6’ 6” shooting guard, Mykal Bridges will be able to pick almost any spot he wants and score at will against the Bucks tonight. As long as he plays his average of 34.9 minutes, he will improve on his 45.8 shooting percentage. His 21.6 points per game is twenty-third best in the league, and the sportsbooks added a point to his average in anticipation of a better scoring night. At near even odds it is worth the risk against a bottom ten defense.

LUKA DONCIC UNDER 36.5 POINTS -120 DK

Luka Doncic put up an all time performance, scoring fifty points on Christmas Day against the Phoenix Suns. Since Kyrie Irving has been out L. Doncic has been on a tear, with five games of thirty-nine minutes or more. As ridiculous as this point line is at 36.5, he has covered this in five of his last six games. He is questionable, with soreness and that is likely true but he should play tonight at home against Cleveland. The Cavaliers allow the seventh fewest points in the league (111.9), and although L. Doncic is not a prototypical point guard, the Cavaliers allow the tenth fewest points to point guards. As great as he has been, he may have difficulty scoring at this type of pace. Tim Hardaway Jr. was inserted into the starting lineup and has a well established rhythm with Luka Doncic. This could take away from Doncic’s point total. If L. Doncic has another wonderful night, there is nothing you can do but smile and appreciate a talented scorer. Should he score his average or less, taking advantage of an inflated line due to a previously nationally televised game will be a wise move. 

Remember to check out Fantasy Alarm for all your NBA fantasy needs. Basketball stats, rankings, DFS picks, tools to help with roster decisions, and the NBA DFS show with Jon and James.

Thank you for reading.

Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy

*All Bets to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise