I'm so sorry everybody. I did absolutely disgraceful in my last Top Picks article, going 0-3. This puts my record at 9-5. I've got 3 picks today and I really hope they do better for all the bettors out there. Let's get started.
New York Knicks +2.5 @ Atlanta Hawks
The Knicks have won 4 of their last 5 games, and are winning by an average margin of 12.8 points. The Hawks are on the opposite side of the spectrum, losing 4 of their last 5 games by an average margin of 14.8 points. The Hawks have been awfully disappointing this season, only winning 17 games on the year. I don't know why the Hawks are favored, the Knicks (at least right now) are clearly the better team. Their defense has been stout, only allowing 100+ points once in their last 5 contests. While their offense is not the greatest, they have shown that they can score enough to win games. Atlanta hasn't allowed less than 100 points in a game since Dec. 23, and they are concede a crazy 119.8 PPG in their past 4. The Knicks should cover this one, but I could honestly see them winning. Back New York.
Kyle Kuzma Over 19.5 Points vs Portland Trail Blazers
Kuzma has been amazing, scoring at least 20 points in 8 of his last 9 games. The one game that he didn't, he scored 19, and fell one assist short of a triple-double. He's found himself a great role on the Wizards and is looking better now that he's off the Lakers. The Wizards matchup with one of the worst defenses in the league. Portland is last in the NBA in defensive effciency, last in effective FG%, and 27th in PPG. The Blazers are just coming off of a game where they gave up 140 points. That's not good. Kuzma should feast tonight on a short-handed Portland team, and continue his hot streak.
Washington Wizards -7.5 vs Portland Trail Blazers
I'm stacking the Wizards tonight, and the reasons I'm picking Kuzma tonight are also applying here. Kuzma has been contributing on the scoring end and has found great success ever since the Lakers traded him. SG Bradley Beal is doing nicely as well, scoring at least 20 in all of his previous 9 games. The Wizards are on a 3-game win streak and should extend it tonight. The Trail Blazers find themselves without their star duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr., and Norman Powell. It seems as if everything is aligned for the Wizards tonight. They cover 57.9% of the time at home, and Portland is the worst team in the NBA at covering when coming off a loss, doing so a sad 37.5% of the time. Wager on the Wizards.
That'll do it for tonight's Top Picks for NBA. We've got a bunch of sports today, let me know what you guys will be watching, I know I'll be keeping an eye on the NFL wild card games tonight. If you haven't already, please subscribe to my email list so you don't miss any sports content. Have a good one everybody.
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