NBA Picks

This year, opposing starting SGs have tallied 1.5 three-pointers per game (lowest in the league) against the Phoenix Suns, designating this as a challenging matchup.. The Phoenix Suns have played at the 3rd-most lethargic pace in the league over the last 25 games, which should decrease possessions for the Chicago Bulls.. Offensive rebounds maintain possession and produce extra chances for scoring and assists, but the Chicago Bulls rank 7thworst in in the league with only 10.3 offensive rebounds per game this year.

The Phoenix Suns have played at the 3rd-most lethargic pace in the league over the last 25 games, which should decrease possessions for the Chicago Bulls.. Offensive rebounds maintain possession and produce extra chances for scoring and assists, but the Chicago Bulls rank 7thworst in in the league with only 10.3 offensive rebounds per game this year.

The 4th-slowest pace-of-play team in the league this year has been the Nets.. Offensive rebounds save possession and spark additional opportunities for scoring and assists, but the Brooklyn Nets grade out 1stworst in in the league with just 7.4 offensive rebounds per game over the last 5 games.

The Wizards are expected to suffer a drop-off in possessions in this game from competing against the 4th-least up-tempo pace-of-play team in the NBA this year (the Brooklyn Nets).. Offensive rebounds save possession and create more chances for scoring and assists, but the Wizards grade out 4thworst in in the NBA with only 9.0 offensive boards per game over the last 15 games.

Boston is 9-1 straight up against Toronto in its last 10, including covering the spread in two of the last three head-to-head matchups. With Immanuel Quickley listed out for Toronto and the Raptors just 5-5 over their last 10, back the Celtics to prevail by double-digits. 

The matchup against Toronto is a tough one for shot attempts from beyond the arc; when the Toronto Raptors are on the road, the other team's starting SGs have tallied the 2nd-least three attempts per game in the NBA this year (4.3).. The slowest tempo offense in the league this year has been the Boston Celtics.. The Raptors have played at the 9th-most lethargic pace in the NBA this year, which should lead to decreased plays for the Boston Celtics.. As a team, the Celtics have been lousy at getting to the free-throw line: worst in the NBA this year, drawing a measly 18.9 free throw attempts per game.. Over the last 10 games, the other team's starting SGs have attempted 1.2 free throws per game (lowest in the league) against the Raptors, finding it difficult to draw fouls.

The Grizzlies are expected to experience a decrease in opportunities in this contest from sharing the court with the 6th-slowest pace-of-play offense in the NBA over the last 15 games (the Bucks).. The Grizzlies have been the 4th-worst offensive rebounding offense in the NBA over the last 10 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can therefore reduce additional chances for scoring and assists).

The Grizzlies are expected to experience a decrease in opportunities in this contest from sharing the court with the 6th-slowest pace-of-play offense in the NBA over the last 15 games (the Bucks).. The Grizzlies have been the 4th-worst offensive rebounding offense in the NBA over the last 10 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can therefore reduce additional chances for scoring and assists).. The matchup vs. the Bucks may be a tough one for getting to the charity stripe; the opposing team's starting PFs have attempted a measly 2.6 free throws per game over the last 25 games (least in the NBA).

The 8th-least up-tempo pace team in the NBA over the last 25 games has been the Cleveland Cavaliers.. The Cleveland Cavaliers rank as the 6th-worst offensive rebounding offense in the NBA over the last 5 games as the home team (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can therefore eliminate extra chances for scoring and assists).

The matchup vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers is a tough one for field goals; the other team's starting PFs have posted the 4th-lowest Field Goal% in the league this year (44.1%).. The Cleveland Cavaliers have played at the 8th-most sluggish tempo in the NBA over the last 25 games, which should decrease opportunities for the Pacers.. Offensive rebounds maintain possession and lead to bonus chances for scoring and assists, but the Indiana Pacers rank 1stworst in in the NBA with a mere 8.4 offensive rebounds per game over the last 25 games.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are expected to experience a decrease in opportunities in this contest from facing the 2nd-least up-tempo pace offense in the NBA over the last 25 games (the Charlotte Hornets).

The Hornets have played at the 2nd-slowest pace in the NBA over the last 25 games.. As a team, the Charlotte Hornets have been bad at getting to the charity stripe in recent games: 2nd-worst in the league over the last 10 games away from their home court, totaling a measly 18.9 foul shot attempts per game.

OKC has beaten Utah by at least 23 points in four of the last five, including three wins  by 30+ points.

The Jazz rank as the 5th-least efficient 3-point shooting team in the NBA on the road this year.. This year, opposing starting PFs have shot 46.3% on field goal attempts (8th-weakest in the league) vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder, identifying this as a tough matchup.. The Jazz are expected to experience a decrease in opportunities today from competing against the 7th-slowest tempo home offense in the league over the last 15 games (the Oklahoma City Thunder).

In regard to 3-pointers, the Pelicans's subpar 10.7 converted threes per game while on their home court ranks fewest in the league this year.. The matchup against Orlando is a hard one; when the Orlando Magic are the visiting team, they have allowed the least points per game in the NBA to the opposition's starting PFs over the last 10 games (15.1).. Over the last 10 games when they have the home court advantage, opposing starting PFs have attempted 2.8 foul shots per game (3rd-lowest in the NBA) vs. the Orlando Magic, facing an uphill battle to get to the foul line.

The 19-year-old Cooper Flagg became the youngest player in NBA history to score 50 points when he dropped 51 against the Orlando Magic on Friday. He’s got major momentum heading into Sunday’s tilt with the shorthanded Lakers.

Flagg has gone for 24+ points in just 21 of 65 games, but his scoring has soared to new heights as of late. Over his first 43 games of the season, Flagg averaged just 18.8 points. Since his last meeting with the Lakers, Flagg has averaged 24.6 points in 22 games, clearing this scoring line 11 times.

The Rookie of the Year favorite has averaged a healthy 27.3 points across his last six games, going for 24+ four times. He’s been excellent at home, averaging 30.9 and scoring 24+ six times across his last nine outings at American Airlines Center.

Dallas can capitalize in a favorable spot with the vulnerable Lakers, and I expect Flagg to go for 24+ with ease.

This year when they are away from home, the opposition's starting PGs have tallied 4.6 3-point attempts per game (4th-lowest in the league) vs. the Dallas Mavericks, making this a difficult matchup.. The Los Angeles Lakers check in as the 2nd-worst offensive rebounding offense in the league over the last 25 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can therefore reduce further chances for scoring and assists).. The matchup vs. the Mavericks may be a hard one for getting to the foul line; the opposition's starting PGs have attempted a mere 2.9 free throws per game over the last 20 games (least in the league).

The 2nd-most lethargic pace visiting offense in the NBA this year has been the Clippers.. The Clippers are expected to experience a decrease in plays today from facing the 5th-most sluggish pace-of-play team in the NBA over the last 5 games (the Kings).. The LA Clippers check in as the 3rd-worst offensive rebounding offense in the NBA this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them may therefore reduce additional chances for scoring and assists).

The Houston Rockets are riding a five-game win streak, and Kevin Durant’s stellar play has been a huge contributing factor in the team’s recent string of victories.

Across his last five games, KD has averaged 36.2 PRA and gone for 36+ three times. He’s been even more productive across his last seven games overall, averaging 39.1 PRA while clearing this combo line five times.

The future Hall-of-Famer has averaged 34.5 PRA at home but a whopping 37.5 on the road, and he’s gone for 36+ PRA in three of his last four away games. Durant has cleared this line in 38 of 74 games overall, including 24 of 36 on the road. 

Durant could have some extra motivation while facing his former team. In 11 games since leaving Golden State, he’s averaged 34.8 PRA overall and 34.4 in the Bay. I expect the Slim Reaper to show out in Golden State as he looks to extend Houston’s win streak and earn a victory over his former team.

When it comes to shooting, the Warriors's feeble 46.2% field goal percentage settles in as the 7th-lowest in the NBA this year.. The matchup against the Houston Rockets is a tough one; they have given up the least points per game in the NBA to the opposing team's starting SGs over the last 20 games (12.6).. The Golden State Warriors will likely suffer a reduction in plays today from sharing the court with the 2nd-most sluggish pace team in the NBA this year (the Houston Rockets).. Over the last 5 games when they are at home, the other team's starting SGs have attempted 1.0 foul shots per game (4th-fewest in the league) vs. the Rockets, facing an uphill battle to get to the foul line.