NBA Picks

What seems like a lack of effort is also evident in the paint, where Philly ranks 18th in opponent points in the paint per game. That brings me to another bright spot for the Nets – Nic Claxton. The Brooklyn big man had a bit of a slow start to the season, averaging 9.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, and has recorded just seven double-doubles this season. But Claxton has turned it on of late, averaging 11.3 points and 8.8 rebounds over his last six games, recording three of his seven double-doubles during this stretch. With Claxton going for 12 points and eight rebounds in just 22 minutes in his last game against the Sixers back on Nov. 22, I’m backing him to record another double-double tonight at solid plus money.

DiVincenzo is draining 47.4% of his 7.1 3-point attempts over his last eight games, and I like him to stay hot when he takes the court on Saturday against the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons haven’t been terrible on the defensive end of the floor this season but they do have some problems on the perimeter. Detroit allows the fourth-highest opponent 3-point shooting percentage in the NBA on 37 attempts per game. While Anthony Edwards is still facing lots of double teams, it has opened things up for DVD, and that shouldn’t change tonight. His made threes prop is sitting at 2.5 and he’s hit three or more these six times during this eight-game hot streak. Give me the Over.

Portis is taking 4.5 threes per game during this period, and this matchup against the Blazers should produce more opportunities for him to let it fly from beyond the arc. Portland comes into this one struggling, having won just three games since Dec. 1, and defense has been a big issue. The Blazers enter this matchup ranked 27th in defensive rating and while they don’t allow the most 3-point attempts per game, they have the third-worst opponent 3-point shooting percentage. And with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton still nursing injuries, it could mean more minutes for Portis in what could be a lopsided game. Portis has hit two or more threes six times during this 10-game hot streak, and at this price, in this matchup, I can’t say no to backing him to do it once again.

Looking at a common opponent within the last week creates quick math that oddsmakers consider New York eight points better than Chicago on a neutral court. Add in tonight’s homecourt advantage and this spread should be in the neighborhood of +6 or +5.5, which it is. But that does not factor in just how hard Tom Thibodeau rode his starters in last night’s loss to the Thunder. They all played more than 40 minutes, three more than 42. That is going to be costly tonight, something the Knicks can actually afford in the standings, and it should knock this spread closer to +4.