One important note: I like the Over on Paul George at 16.5 (-106) even if Joel Embiid plays, though there’s a chance Embiid sits as he’s listed questionable with ankle and knee issues. The Grizzlies do a good job protecting the paint with Jaren Jackson Jr. as a help-side rim protector, but George isn’t a rim-pressure scorer. He thrives as a spot-up shooter from deep and in the mid-range — exactly the shots Memphis is willing to concede. With the defense keyed in on Tyrese Maxey and Embiid, George’s scoring profile benefits, and I think the Over 16.5 should be priced closer to -165.
Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 31 points on 11-for-25 shooting on Sunday, and he’s now gone past this O/U number in six of his last seven outings. This line feels too low, and I’m jumping on the value for tonight’s matchup with the 76ers.
Ja Morant’s return certainly helps. Instead of creating all of his opportunities himself, Jackson is walking into open looks when his point guard attacks the paint, and he’s also found his stroke from beyond the arc, making 16 of his past 34 attempts from deep.
Jaren Jackson Jr.’s points prop is set at 19.5 with the Over priced at -120, and that’s a number we can attack, as I price it closer to -175. The Grizzlies are typically cautious with their starters’ minutes, but with Memphis catching 1.5 points at home against the 76ers, this projects as a competitive game where JJJ could see his workload pushed north of 30 minutes. Dominick Barlow is expected to be his primary defender, and that’s a matchup Jackson can exploit. Barlow is an undersized big who tends to give up free throws to mobile, skilled frontcourt players like Jaren Jackson Jr.
bauer2015 is #1 on picking games that Philadelphia is in with a record of (19-9-0) and +8600 units on the season.
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