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Eric Moody, ESPN
Saturday's NBA slate features four games for bettors to choose from. The game I'm most looking forward to is the one between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers. It's always fun to watch LeBron James play against his former team, but the Lakers are also competing for seeding in the Western Conference. Let's take a look at my picks from this and other modern games.
Donovan Mitchell scores over 22.5 points. Mitchell has cleared the mark in 13 of his past 20 games, including one in his last five. The Lakers rank 20th in points per game allowed to shooting guards. The spread suggests this is a competitive game, and the totals are among the highest.
Darius Garland had over 4.5 assists. He has crossed that line in 16 of his last 20 games. Garland is averaging 11.4 assists per game and 35.0 minutes per game during that time. The Lakers rank 18th in assists allowed per game to point guards.
Aaron Gordon scored over 15.5 points. The Hawks rank 26th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 28th in points allowed per game among power forwards. Gordon has been above this line in three of his past five games. Even though the Nuggets are double-digit favorites, this line is low enough for Gordon to cross, especially at home, where he has been above it in 55% of his home games.
Jalen Johnson has over 7.5 rebounds. He has cleared this line in four of his last five games and 70% of his last 20 games. Johnson is averaging 14.5 rebounds and 35.3 minutes per game over the past 20 games. The Nuggets rank 25th in rebounds allowed per game to power forwards. Additionally, Onyeka Okongwu has been ruled out, and Johnson has cleared the line in 71% of the 14 games he missed.
Prediction and injury reporting
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics Injury tally by Rotowire.com.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
3:30pm Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
Recording (spread prevention)
Cavaliers: 46-31 (35-41-1)
Lakers: 44-33 (36-41-0)
line: Lakers (-4.5) total: 229.5
Money line: Cavaliers (+160), Lakers (-190)
BPI prediction: The Cavaliers were up 2.1 points, or 58%, for a total of 228.7 points.
Reporting an injury:
Cavaliers: Craig Porter (GTD – Illness); Isaac Okoro (OUT – Toe); Dean Wade (Out – Knee); Ty Jerome (OUT – Ankle)
Lakers: Anthony Davis (GTD – knee); LeBron James, (GTD – ankle); Jared Vanderbilt (OUT – foot); Christian Wood, (OUT – knee); Jalen Hood-Schifino, (OUT – back)
Detroit Pistons vs. Brooklyn Nets
7:00pm Barclays Center, New York
Recording (spread prevention)
Piston: 13-64 (38-38-1)
Net: 30-47 (33-41-3)
line: Nets (-9.5) total: 214.5
Money line: Pistons (+290), Nets (-375)
BPI prediction: Nets 10.1, 82% straight, 224.6 total points.
Reporting an injury:
Pistons: Cade Cunningham (GTD – Knee); Simone Fontecchio (GTD – Toe); Taj Gibson (GTD – Hamstring); Author Thompson, (OUT – Illness); Isaiah Stewart (OUT – Hamstring); Quentin Grimes, (out – knee); Stanley Umude (out – ankle)
Nets: Cameron Johnson (GTD – Toe); Dennis Smith Jr. (GTD – Hip); Ben Simmons, (Out – Back); Darik Whitehead, (OUT – Lower Leg); Keita Bates-Diop (OUT – lower limbs)
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Memphis Grizzlies
8:00 PM FedEx Forum, Memphis
Recording (spread prevention)
76ers: 42-35 (43-34-0)
Grizzlies: 27-50 (37-40-0)
line: 76ers (-12.5) total: 210.5
Money line: 76ers (-800), Grizzlies (+550)
BPI prediction: The 76ers are up by 8 points, shooting 76% straight, and totaling 223.9 points.
Reporting an injury:
76ers: Joel Embiid (GTD – knee). Mo Bamba, (GTD – Illness); Tobias Harris, (GTD – Knee); Tyrese Maxey, (GTD – Hip); Robert Covington, (Out – Knee); De'Anthony Melton (OUT – Back)
Grizzlies: Brandon Clark (GTD – Rest); Desmond Bane, (GTD – Back); Jaren Jackson Jr. (GTD – Quadriceps); John Konchar, (GTD – Heel); Luke Kennard, (GTD – Knee); Santi Aldama, (GTD – Foot); Vince Williams Jr. (GTD – Knee); Yuta Watanabe (GTD – Individual); Marcus Smart, (OUT – Finger); Derrick Rose, ( OUT – groin)
Atlanta Hawks vs. Denver Nuggets
9 p.m., Ball Arena, Denver
Recording (spread prevention)
Hawks: 36-41 (28-49-0)
Nuggets: 53-24 (34-41-2)
line: Nuggets (-12.5) total: 221.5
Money line: Hawks (+550), Nuggets (-900)
BPI prediction: The Nuggets have a 6.9 lead, a straight 73%, and a total of 231.2 points.
Reporting an injury:
Hawks: Mohamed Gueye (GTD – Elbow); Trae Young, (OUT – Finger); AJ Griffin, (OUT – Ankle); Onyeka Okongwu, (OUT – Toe); Saddiq Bey (OUT – Knee)
Nuggets: Aaron Gordon (GTD – Foot); Jamal Murray, (GTD – Knee); Nikola Jokic, (GTD – Hip); Vlatko Kankar (OUT – Knee)
