Bruce Brown came through with first half cash on both his double unit bets yesterday, and this column has now hit six in a row! Today marks the two-hundredth bet given through the season, and we are over twenty units gained. Remember it is advised to withdraw winnings in eight unit increments, to divide the goal into small profits. We are over halfway to the goal of forty units, and we are almost halfway through the regular season…let’s keep climbing.

As mentioned yesterday, there are some factors that make robots and algorithms inferior in comparison to humans. The human aspect; feelings, sentiment, and empathy to name a few. Those human qualities are honored today in a legendary figure that embodied those qualities in his daily life, and is the representation of it for a nation since his passing. Today is Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday (which does not happen every year), and his message of social equality, compassion, empathy, and togetherness is one that should be celebrated daily, but is exemplified today. Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day everyone.

The NBA celebrates this day throughout the weekend, with on-court graphics, shirts, television/media discussions, and the importance to the players highlighted. It also celebrates with games throughout the day, eleven games beginning at 1:00 PM ET. There are so many lines out today, with several teams coming off of a day’s rest, it is exciting to look at the possibilities and betting angles. Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bets will feature props, parlays, and boosts given out by DraftKings in honor of MLK Day.

 

NBA BET OF THE NIGHT

Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors – UNDER 6.5 REBOUNDS (BOOST -115 to +116 DK $25 MAX)

Betting on Scottie Barnes under 6.5 rebounds has been a bankroll-building, automatic ticket. Double units have cashed for three straight games and he has only covered this prop in one game this month. He has not covered any of his betting props this month, and the sportsbooks have finally adjusted and moved his rebounding line down. This bet moved from -105, to -115 right after placing a wager, and it could move again. As mentioned there are three boosts for Draftkings, and this is the ‘any bet’ boost. S. Barnes rebounding stats for this month are as follows; 6,2,4,2,3,7,3. He will have difficulty against the tough Boston Celtics earning seven rebounds, and could play less than thirty minutes limiting his opportunities. If you want to place more money after placing the boost to complete a unit, do so. For the purpose of this column, it will be the $25 max bet.

NBA PARLAY: SGPx 

Boston Celtics Moneyline & Victor Wembanyama OVER 18.5 POINTS, OVER 8.5 REBOUNDS, 3+ BLOCKS (+348 to +463 DK $25 MAX)

The Boston Celtics have a favorable match against the Toronto Raptors, currently with a -298 moneyline. They are the best team in the Eastern Conference and should be able to win against the Raptors. However, after their awful display against the Milwaukee Bucks, no spread seems safe. Their moneyline has been paired with a triple prop same game parlay on Victor Wembamyama. The reason being, four legs are required for this boost, or it would have simply been on V. Wembamyama. The Celtics feel the safest of the moneyline bets that meet the requirements of the boost.

Victor Wembanyama is playing against the Atlanta Hawks after receiving a declared day of rest. He has been the main attraction this year, and the San Antonio Spurs are playing one of their nineteen nationally televised games tonight on TNT. With a 3:30 PM ET tip off this will be a highly watched game. The Spurs are one of the worst teams in the league, but have the most unique and highly touted rookie superstars since LeBron James. His playing time has been heavily regulated since his ankle sprain and he has not played more than twenty-seven minutes since December 17th. He is coming off a day’s rest, and is playing extremely well though. He has twenty or more points in all but one game this month, and for this reason his point line has been teased down to 18.5. He has been a bigger presence in the paint with forty-nine rebounds in five games, and his rebounding line has been teased down one to 8.5. He also has sixteen blocks this month, averaging a little over three per game, and this line has not been teased. The Hawks shoot often, and do not play great defense. This will allow V. Wembanyama to have several blocking and rebounding opportunities, paired with him becoming more of a scorer for the San Antonio Spurs. It is a risk, as are all four fold parlays, but it has been teased down except for the blocks. After a day off, his minutes could go up, and it is an excellent statistical match up. Root for the rookie in the first TNT game today. 

NBA PLAYER PROP

Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers – OVER 12.5 REBOUNDS (-130 MGM)

No boost on this bet, nor any climatic build up. The Oklahoma City Thunder are playing the first of back-to-back games and their superstar, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, sprained his knee. Should he not play that is thirty-four points, or rather 20.3 field goal attempts that will have to be replaced. They probably won’t be as accurate as S. Gilgeous-Alexander, and that would lead to more rebounding opportunities for Anthony Davis. A. Davis is averaging 12.1 per game, and the Thunder allow the fourth most rebounds per game to opposing teams, 55.4. They allow the sixth most to opposing centers and A. Davis is the fourth leading rebounder in the Association. The Lakers need a win to stop a two game losing streak, and this is a battle amongst teams on opposite ends of the Western Conference rankings. Anthony Davis has an opportunity to be the game changer, and help the Los Angeles Lakers to a win against a team with a +9.1 point differential. It is not often a thirteen rebound night is suggested on the betting line, but A. Davis should control the glass tonight.

NBA MLK Day Bonus Boost

There is also a live boost on Draftkings, and it is recommended you use it. Perhaps removing a juiced up spread, or betting on a game you will be watching for a more educated wager. Golden State Warriors at Memphis Grizzlies is the second game on TNT tonight and a teased down spread could be in play, Steph Curry’s point line could be good as well. If you get NBATV or watch the Houston Rockets at Philadelphia 76ers in your local market, Alperen Sengun under 9.5 rebounds against Joel Embiid could be in play. These are suggestions, do with the live bet what you feel appropriate, but do not waste it.

Thank you for reading and remember to check out Fantasy Alarm for all your Fantasy and Betting needs.

Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy

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