NBA Picks

The Phoenix Suns have played at the 3rd-most lethargic pace-of-play in the league over the last 25 games.. As a team, the Phoenix Suns have been quite unsuccesful at drawing fouls as the away team: 2nd-worst in the league this year with a mere 19.2 free throws per game.

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.

Olivier-Maxence Prosper has notched 15.6 points per game over the last 5 games, 6.1 more than he's notched in all games this year.. In terms of shot attempts from beyond the arc, the 2nd-most aggressive team in the NBA as the visting team over the last 5 games has been the Grizzlies.. The matchup vs. the Milwaukee Bucks is a strong one for 3-pointers; the opposition's starting PFs have tallied the 7th-most 3-point shots per game in the league this year (1.8).. The 6th-quickest tempo visiting team in the league this year has been the Grizzlies.

The 6th-quickest tempo visiting team in the league this year has been the Grizzlies.

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 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 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 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).

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

With respect to offense, the Oklahoma City Thunder's remarkable 118.9 points per game places 5th-strongest in the NBA this year.. The Utah Jazz have played at the 2nd-speediest pace in the NBA over the last 10 games, which should lead to increased possessions for 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 vs. Orlando is a hard one for shots from behind the three-point arc; when the Orlando Magic are the visiting team, the other team's starting PGs have totaled the 3rd-least three attempts per game in the NBA this year (4.9).. The matchup vs. Orlando is a difficult one for getting to the free-throw line; the opposing team's starting PGs have attempted a mere 2.2 foul shots per game this year when the Orlando Magic are the visiting team (3rd-least in the NBA).

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.

The matchup vs. Los Angeles is a tough one for three-point attempts; when the Los Angeles Lakers are the visiting squad, the opposing team's starting PGs have tallied the 5th-least 3-point attempts per game in the league this year (5.3).. The Mavericks have been the 8th-worst offensive rebounding offense in the NBA this year (offensive rebounds maintain possession, and a lack of them can therefore eliminate further opportunities for scoring and assists).

The Sacramento Kings have played at the 5th-least up-tempo pace in the league over the last 5 games.. The Clippers have played at the 2nd-most sluggish tempo in the NBA on the road this year, which ought to lead to fewer possessions for the Kings.

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.

This year when they are playing at home, the opposing team's starting PGs have averaged 45.5% on shots from the field (9th-best in the league) vs. the Houston Rockets, creating a good matchup.. The Warriors rank as the 4th-best offensive rebounding offense in the league over the last 20 games (offensive rebounds maintain possession and may therefore lead to new opportunities for scoring and assists).. This year when they are playing at home, the other team's starting PGs have attempted 5.2 foul shots per game (5th-most in the NBA) vs. the Houston Rockets, making it fairly effortless to get to the free-throw line.