The Los Angeles Lakers have been in great form as they’ve won 12 of their last 16 games overall, but they will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after falling just short to the Hornets in a 100-97 home defeat last night. LeBron James led the team with 26 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists, Rui Hachimura added 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists while Luka Doncic chipped in with 14 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. As a team, the Lakers shot just 41 percent from the field and 15 of 51 from the 3-point line as they got off to a solid start and looked to be in full control when they held the Hornets to just 37 points in the first half, but they lost their focus and could only watch as their 13-point lead disappeared. Despite the shooting struggles, the Lakers held the lead with less than a minute on the clock before the Hornets finished with a flurry to snatch the game from them.

Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers look to have cooled off from their six-game win streak as they are now looking to avoid a fourth straight defeat after getting routed by the surging Nuggets in a 132-121 road defeat on Wednesday. Anfernee Simons led the team with 26 points and six assists, Donovan Clingan added 17 points with 20 rebounds and three blocks, Jabari Walker scored 17 points while Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija each scored 14 points. As a team, the Trail Blazers shot 45 percent from the field and 14 of 38 from the 3-point line as they struggled to contain the Nuggets from the start and were always fighting an uphill battle after allowing 75 points in the first half. The Trail Blazers had seven players finishing in double figures in scoring, but it always felt like the game was lost after they fell behind by 23 points.

Why the Portland Trail Blazers will win

• The home team has won each of the Trail Blazers’ last nine games.
• The Lakers have lost each of their last seven games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Trail Blazers.
• The home team has covered the spread in each of the Trail Blazers’ last 10 games.
• The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four road games against Northwest Division opponents.

Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win

• The Trail Blazers have lost each of their last 10 Thursday games against Pacific Division opponents that held a winning record.
• The Lakers have won 14 of their last 16 games against Northwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
• The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last five games against the Trail Blazers following a loss.
• The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games against Western Conference opponents following a loss.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for Q1 win percentage this season (29.1%).
• The Trail Blazers rank 29th in the league for opponent steals per game this season (9.5).
• The Lakers rank 29th in the league for field goal attempts per game this season (85.5).
• The Lakers rank 28th in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (9.2).

The Lakers should be coming in with an almost complete squad once again, while the Trail Blazers are still keeping eyes on Scoot Henderson, Robert Williams, Jerami Grant and Matisse Thybulle who are all questionable. The Lakers will be so disappointed with last night’s result as they really should’ve won in a canter after taking an 11-point lead into halftime, but now they have to play on zero days’ rest against an improving Trail Blazers team. This is one of those games where you should check the lineups before tipoff given the injury cloud hanging over the Trail Blazers. With that being said, I expect the Lakers to go through some growing pains as they work Doncic into the lineup and I think it continues here as the Trail Blazers pull off the minor upset at home.

The Charlotte Hornets have been in terrible shape as they’ve lost nine of their last 11 games overall, but they will be eager to build some momentum after last night’s 100-97 win over the Lakers. Miles Bridges led the team with 29 points, six rebounds and five steals, LaMelo Ball added 27 points with five rebounds and six assists while Nick Smith Jr chipped in with 12 points. As a team, the Hornets shot just 36 percent from the field and 18 of 53 from the 3-point line as they got off to a poor start and scored just 16 points in the second quarter to trail by 11 points at halftime, but they didn’t fold. Instead, the Hornets dominated the third quarter by 32-18 to erase an early 13-point deficit, before they closed the final 47.1 seconds on a 7-3 run to escape with the big upset win.

Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have been on fire as they are now gunning for a ninth straight victory after taking down the Trail Blazers in a 132-121 home win on Wednesday. Jamal Murray led the team with 55 points on 20 of 36 shooting, Nikola Jokic tallied a triple-double of 26 points with 15 rebounds and 10 assists while Christian Braun chipped in with 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. As a team, the Nuggets shot 51 percent from the field and 15 of 38 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 40 points in the first quarter to take an early 23-point lead and they just kept piling on the points thanks to a monster scoring night from Murray.

Why the Denver Nuggets will win

• The Nuggets have won each of their last 12 home games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a losing record.
• The Hornets have lost each of their last 11 games against Nuggets teams that held a winning record.
• The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Nuggets’ last nine games at Ball Arena.
• The Hornets have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Nuggets.

Why the Charlotte Hornets will win

• The Hornets have won each of their last three games as road underdogs against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
• The Hornets have covered the spread in each of their last four games against Western Conference opponents.
• The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games against Eastern Conference opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for assists per game this season (31.3).
• The Nuggets rank 30th in the league for opponent assists per game this season (29.3).
• The Hornets rank 30th in the league for field goal percentage this season (43.0%).
• The Hornets have missed the playoffs in eight consecutive seasons – longest active streak in the NBA

The Hornets were able to spring an upset over the Lakers last night thanks to a combined 56 points from Bridges and Ball along with plenty of defense, but it’s going to be tough to replicate that effort on zero days rest against this Nuggets team who were on fire before the All-Star break. The line was always going to be massive for this matchup, but still not big enough to sway me from taking the well-rested Nuggets who really needed the break to get over some injuries.

The Phoenix Suns have been doing it tough lately as they’ve lost six of their last seven games overall and they will be hoping to avoid a fourth straight defeat after getting beaten by the Rockets in a 119-111 road defeat on Wednesday. Kevin Durant led the team with 37 points and nine assists on 15 of 22 shooting, Bol Bol added 15 points while Nick Richards chipped in with 11 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks. As a team, the Suns shot 51 percent from the field and 10 of 26 from the 3-point line as they got off to a quick start and looked to be in control when they poured in 35 points in the third quarter to build an 11-point lead, before they went cold and got outscored by 35-19 in the fourth quarter to allow the Rockets off the hook in the end.

Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs have been in a rut as they’ve lost 10 of their last 14 games overall and they will be hoping to bounce back after getting routed by the red-hot Celtics in a 116-103 road defeat on Wednesday. De’Aaron Fox led the team with 23 points and five assists, Victor Wembenyama added 17 points with 13 rebounds and four assists while Stephon Castle chipped in with 20 points off the bench. As a team, the Spurs shot 43 percent from the field and nine of 39 from the 3-point line as they failed to match the Celtics from the start and were never really in the contest after falling behind by 24 points early.

Why the San Antonio Spurs will win

• The Spurs have won each of their last four games as home underdogs following a road loss.
• The Suns have lost five of their last six games as favorites against Southwest Division opponents.
• The Suns have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine night games against Southwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
• The home team has covered the spread in seven of the Spurs’ last eight games.

Why the Phoenix Suns will win

• The Spurs have lost each of their last seven home games against Pacific Division opponents that held a losing record.
• The Suns have won eight of their last nine road games against Spurs teams that held a losing record.
• The Spurs have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
• The Suns have covered the spread in each of their last four road games against the Spurs following a loss.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Suns’ last five road games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of the Spurs’ last four games against the Suns following a road loss have gone OVER the total points line.

The Suns could still be shorthanded with Devin Booker and Grayson Allen both listed on the injury report, while the Spurs have listed Victor Wembenyama as doubtful due to an illness. The Suns have been well below their best lately, but they still have Durant and Beal which is more than enough firepower to take down a struggling Spurs team who could be missing their big man who is so important on both ends of the floor. This is a game I would rather stay away from as you couldn’t trust either team with any confidence, but the Suns are tempting at the short line in this spot.

The Los Angeles Clippers have been in fine form as they’ve won seven of their last 11 games overall and they will be aiming for a fourth straight victory after beating the Jazz in a 120-116 overtime road win on Thursday. Norman Powell led the team with 41 points on 13 of 26 shooting, James Harden added 32 points with 10 rebounds and seven assists while Ben Simmons chipped in with 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists off the bench. As a team, the Clippers shot just 41 percent from the field and 14 of 38 from the 3-point line as they struggled to get going and fell behind by as many as 20 points, before they held the Jazz to just 13 points in the fourth quarter to force overtime and eventually seal the impressive comeback.

Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks have been searching for form as they’ve lost six of their last nine games overall, but they will be eager to build some momentum after sneaking past the Timberwolves in a 103-101 road win on Wednesday. Gary Trent Jr led the team with 21 points off the bench, Kyle Kuzma added 19 points with 13 rebounds and four assists while Brook Lopez and Taurean Prince scored 11 points each. As a team, the Bucks shot 44 percent from the field and 12 of 30 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in trouble when they squandered an 18-point lead to trail in the final minute of the game, before they scored the final four points to escape with the much-needed road win.

Why the Milwaukee Bucks will win

• The Bucks have won 14 of their last 15 home games against Pacific Division opponents that held a winning record.
• The Clippers have lost each of their five previous games at Fiserv Forum following a win.
• The Bucks have covered the spread in seven of their last eight home games on the first leg of a back-to-back.
• The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four road games following a win.

Why the Los Angeles Clippers will win

• The Bucks have lost each of their last 11 games as underdogs after winning as underdogs.
• The Clippers have won four of their last five road games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• The Bucks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games after winning as underdogs.
• The Clippers have covered the spread in four of their last five games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.

Total Points Facts

• Seven of the Clippers’ last eight games have gone OVER the total points line.
• Seven of the Bucks’ last eight home games have gone OVER the total points line.

The Clippers are still playing without Amir Coffey and Drew Eubanks, while the Bucks are keeping eyes on Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo who are both listed as questionable for this one. This is definitely a game where you want to check the lineups before tipoff given the injury cloud hanging over the Bucks. With that being said, the Clippers were starting to heat up before the All-Star break and they have all their key players healthy, so I think they represent decent value as the underdogs at this stage.

The Charlotte Hornets have been in a terrible slump as they’ve lost 11 of their last 13 games overall and they will be hoping to put an end to a three-game skid after getting thrashed by the struggling Magic in a 102-86 road defeat on Wednesday. Miles Bridges led the team with 19 points, eight rebounds and four assists on six of 23 shooting, Josh Green and Damion Baugh each scored 16 points while Taj Gibson chipped in with 10 points and 12 rebounds. As a team, the Hornets shot 39 percent from the field and eight of 26 from the 3-point line as they played great defense in the first half to take a narrow lead into halftime, only to go cold and score just 40 points in the second half to get blown out by a struggling Magic squad. Elfrid Payton had a quiet game of just four points with seven assists in 32 minutes of action while Jusuf Nurkic scored just nine points but played just 16 minutes.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have been in red-hot form as they’ve won 12 of their last 15 games overall, but they will be hoping to bounce back in this one after having their six-game win streak halted by the Jazz in a 131-119 road defeat on Wednesday. Rui Hachimura led the team with 19 points on eight of 15 shooting, LeBron James added 18 points with seven assists, Luka Doncic added 16 points while Austin Reaves chipped in with 15 points and 11 assists. As a team, the Lakers shot 44 percent from the field and 20 of 50 from the 3-point line as they got off to a decent start on offense, but they allowed the Jazz to get off to a flyer and were never in with a chance after leaking 40 points in the third quarter to trail by as many as 25 points. Dalton Knecht was the only bench player to finish in double figures in scoring and Reaves had an off shooting night as he made just one of 10 from the 3-point line.

Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win

• The Hornets have lost each of their last 17 night games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Lakers have won each of their last 10 games as home favorites on the first leg of a back-to-back.
• The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last six home games against Eastern Conference opponents following a loss.
• The Hornets have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games at Crypto.com Arena following a road loss.

Why the Charlotte Hornets will win

• The underdogs have won four of the Lakers’ last six games.
• The Lakers have lost six of their last nine games as home favorites after losing as favorites.
• The Hornets have covered the spread in each of their last four games against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
• The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last three games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Lakers rank 29th in the league for field goal attempts per game this season (85.5).
• The Lakers rank 28th in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (9.2).
• The Hornets rank 30th in the league for field goal percentage this season (43.0%).
• The Hornets have missed the playoffs in eight consecutive seasons – longest active streak in the NBA

The Hornets will likely come in with the same squad, especially with so little to play for at this stage of the season, while the Lakers will be shorthanded again with Gabe Vincent, Cam Reddish and Jaxson Hayes all on the injury report. The Lakers were really on a tear before they got stopped in their tracks by the Jazz in a tough loss in their last outing, so they open as heavy favorites over this slumping Hornets team with little to play for. The Lakers only scraped past the Hornets by 112-107 back on Jan 27, but they know that they should’ve made it a blowout after shooting out to a 23-point lead in the first quarter. This is the point of the season where the contenders start to make their playoff run and I think the Lakers do just that with a comfortable win and cover at home in this spot.

The Los Angeles Clippers have been struggling a bit lately as they’ve lost three of their last five games, but they will be aiming for a third straight win after taking down the red-hot Grizzlies in a 128-114 home win last night. Kawhi Leonard led the team with 25 points, five rebounds, and four assists, James Harden and Norman Powell scored 18 points each while Amir Coffey chipped in with 15 points off the bench. As a team, the Clippers shot 50 percent from the field and 13 of 35 from the 3-point line as they dominated the second quarter by 38-24 to overcome an early 12-point deficit, before they poured in another 36 points in the third quarter to lead by as many as 24 points.

Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz have been in terrible form as they’ve lost 12 of their last 15 games overall, but they will be eager to build some momentum after snapping a three-game skid with a 131-119 home win over the Lakers last night. Lauri Markkanen led the team with 32 points on 11 of 18 shooting, Jordan Clarkson added 21 points with nine rebounds and seven assists, Walker Kessler tallied 16 points with six blocks, while Keyonte George chipped in with 20 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists off the bench. As a team, the Jazz shot 52 percent from the field and 15 of 41 from the 3-point line as they set the tone right away and poured in 64 points in the first half to jump out in front before they exploded for 40 points in the third quarter to push the lead out to 25 points. The Jazz will face the Thunder and Rockets following this one.

Why the Utah Jazz will win

• The Jazz have won each of their last 10 home games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Clippers.
• The Clippers have lost 21 of their last 24 road games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Jazz.
• The home team has covered the spread in each of the Jazz’s last seven games.
• The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games with both teams on the second leg of a back-to-back.

Why the Los Angeles Clippers will win

• The Jazz have lost each of their last 10 games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The Clippers have won each of their last six games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
• The Jazz have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six home games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The Clippers have covered the spread in each of their last six games against Northwest Division opponents that held a losing record.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Jazz rank 30th in the league for steals per game this season (6.6).
• The Jazz rank 30th in the league for opponent steals per game this season (9.7).
• The Clippers are one of only two teams to lose a game when leading by 20+ points after Q1 this season.
• The Clippers are one of only two teams to win a game when trailing by 20+ points after Q1 this season.

The Clippers are still shorthanded as they await the debut of the newly recruited Ben Simmons, while the Jazz are still missing Collin Sexton. These two squads have already met three times this season with the Clippers winning each game by double digits, so they open as clear favorites in this meeting. The Jazz are coming into this one fresh off an impressive upset win over the highly touted Lakers last night, but they were really struggling before that win so it’s hard to trust them. It is tempting to go with the Jazz at home, but the line just isn’t high enough, so I will stick with the Clippers to complete the season sweep with another blowout win here.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been on a tear as they’ve won 14 of their last 17 games overall and they will be gunning for an eighth straight victory after taking down the Heat in a thrilling 115-101 home win last night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 32 points and nine assists, Jalen Williams added 18 points while Luguentz Dort chipped in with 17 points on seven of 10 shooting. As a team, the Thunder shot 48 percent from the field and 15 of 39 from the 3-point line as they allowed the Heat to get off to a flyer and quickly found themselves trailing by 21 points, but they chipped away at the deficit and then dominated the fourth quarter by 32-8 to make it look easy in the end.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves have cooled off a bit recently as they’ve lost four of their last seven games overall and they will be hoping to snap a two-game skid after falling just short to the Bucks in a 103-101 home defeat last night. Anthony Edwards led the team with 28 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, Naz Reid added 22 points with 13 rebounds while Rudy Gobert chipped in with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists. As a team, the Timberwolves shot 37 percent from the field and 10 of 44 from the 3-point line as they worked hard to claw their way back from a 16-point deficit, but with the scores tied late in the game, it was the Bucks’ Brook Lopez who drained the game-winning free throws to snatch the game from the Timberwolves in the end. The Wolves will meet the Rockets after this game.

The Thunder are still shorthanded with Chet Holmgren, Ousmane Dieng, and Cason Wallace ruled out again, while the Timberwolves are still playing without Julius Randle and Mike Conley. The Timberwolves will be gutted that they weren’t able to get past the shorthanded Bucks last night, but they won’t get any sympathy from the surging Thunder who are just running through everyone these days. I might be interested in taking the Timberwolves with the points if they weren’t missing Conley and Randle, but with just Edwards carrying the offense, I prefer a play on the red-hot Thunder to grab another win and cover at this modest line.

The Memphis Grizzlies have been in terrific form as they’ve won 11 of their last 13 games overall and they will be eager to stay hot after outlasting the Suns in a 119-112 road win last night. Ja Morant led the team with 26 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, Desmond Bane added 20 points with eight rebounds and four assists while Jaren Jackson Jr chipped in with 17 points. As a team, the Grizzlies shot 43 percent from the field and 12 of 39 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 36 points in the first quarter to build a 19-point lead in the second quarter, which was more than enough to hold off the Suns who cut the lead to just four points in the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers have been in decent shape as they’ve won five of their last nine games overall and they will be eager to build some momentum after snapping a three-game skid with a 130-110 win over the Jazz on Saturday. Ivica Zubac and Norman Powell led the team with 26 points each, James Harden added 23 points with 17 assists while Amir Coffey chipped in with 17 points off the bench. As a team, the Clippers shot 58 percent from the field and 11 of 26 from the 3-point line as they traded shots with the pesky Jazz in a tightly contested first half, before they caught fire and poured in 72 points in the second half to come away with the much-needed win at home. All five starters finished in double figures in scoring and the Clippers played stingy defense to force the Jazz into 19 turnovers for the game.

The Grizzlies are still missing Cam Spencer while the Clippers are still waiting on the debut of the newly acquired Ben Simmons. The Grizzlies are coming into this meeting with plenty of momentum after beating the Suns for their 11th win from their last 13 games last night, but the Clippers should be well-rested for this one as they haven’t seen the court since their win on Saturday. You can make an argument for the more consistent Grizzlies to get the win on the road, but they are playing on zero days rest, so I will lean toward the Clippers to take advantage at home.

The Golden State Warriors have won five of their last eight games overall but they will be gunning for a third straight victory after taking down the Bucks in a 125-111 road win on Monday. Stephen Curry led the team with 38 points, six rebounds, and four assists, Jimmy Butler added 20 points with nine rebounds, six assists, and four steals while Buddy Hield chipped in with 16 points. As a team, the Warriors shot 44 percent from the field and 13 of 45 from the 3-point line as they traded shots with the Bucks in a close contest until the fourth quarter where they poured in 36 points thanks to Curry to win comfortably in the end.

Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks have been doing it tough lately as they’ve lost four of their last six games overall and they will be hoping to bounce back in this one after falling painfully short to the Kings in a heartbreaking 129-128 overtime loss on Monday. Kyrie Irving led the team with 30 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, Spencer Dinwiddie added 20 points off the bench while Klay Thompson chipped in with 19 points. As a team, the Mavericks shot 51 percent from the field and 15 of 37 from the 3-point line as they looked to have the game won before the Kings’ DeMar DeRozan drained the game-tying basket with just 2.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime where he drained the game-winner to snatch the game from the Mavericks in the end.

Why the Dallas Mavericks will win

• The Mavericks have won each of their seven previous games against the Warriors after coming off overtime.
• The Warriors have lost seven of their last eight road games against Mavericks teams that held a winning record.
• The Mavericks have covered the spread in eight of their last nine games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
• The Warriors have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games at American Airlines Center.

Why the Golden State Warriors will win

• The Warriors have won 16 of their last 20 games on the first leg of a back-to-back.
• The Mavericks have lost each of their last three games on the first leg of a back-to-back.
• The Mavericks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games against Western Conference opponents following an overtime loss.
• The favorites have covered the spread in five of the Warriors’ last six games.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Mavericks rank 28th in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (12.1).
• The Mavericks rank 3rd in the league for free throw attempts per game this season (23.6).
• The Warriors rank 30th in the league for free throw percentage this season (72.6%).
• The Warriors rank 29th in the league for free throws made per game this season (15.1).

The Warriors are still slightly shorthanded with Jonathan Kuminga still out, while the Mavericks are still without Anthony Davis and they have Dante Exum and PJ Washington both listed as questionable. The Warriors come in as clear favorites in this one as they’ve looked great in their past two wins, they are almost at full health and represent decent value as the slight favorite on the road. The Mavericks are capable of pulling off the upset, but with the line so short, I prefer a play on the Warriors with Curry coming fresh off a season-high 38 points in his last game.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been in red-hot form as they’ve won 10 of their last 11 games and they will be gunning for a season-high seventh straight victory after blowing past the Jazz in a 132-113 home win on Monday. LeBron James led the team with 24 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists, Austin Reaves added 22 points with nine rebounds and four assists, Rui Hachimura added 21 points while Luka Doncic chipped in with 14 points in his debut for the Lakers. As a team, the Lakers shot 54 percent from the field and 15 of 42 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates and dominated the first half by 72-47 which allowed them to cruise in the second half and rest most of their starters early. The Lakers will meet the Hornets after this game.

Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz have continued their poor form with their 12 loss from their last 14 games and they didn’t look great in their blowout loss to the Lakers on Monday. John Collins and Lauri Markkanen led the team with 17 points each, Jordan Clarkson added 16 points while Walker Kessler chipped in with 13 points and 12 rebounds. As a team, the Jazz shot 46 percent from the field and 12 of 40 from the 3-point line as they struggled to contain the Lakers from the start and were never truly in the contest after falling behind big going into halftime. A total of seven players finished in double figures in scoring, but to be fair, most of the game was garbage time with the game already lost by the second quarter. The Jazz will face the Clippers following this one.

Why the Utah Jazz will win

• The Lakers have lost seven of their last eight road games against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
• The Jazz have won each of their last two games as home underdogs following a loss.
• The home team has covered the spread in each of the Jazz’s last six games.
• The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games at Delta Center.

Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win

• The Jazz have lost 20 of their last 21 games against Pacific Division opponents following a loss.
• The Lakers have won each of their last eight games against Jazz teams that held a losing record.
• The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last six games.
• The Jazz have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight night games against Pacific Division opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Jazz rank 30th in the league for steals per game this season (6.6).
• The Jazz rank 30th in the league for opponent steals per game this season (9.7).
• The Lakers rank 29th in the league for field goal attempts per game this season (85.4).
• The Lakers rank 28th in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (9.1).

The Lakers are keeping an eye on Luka Doncic who is questionable for this one, while the Jazz are still missing Collin Sexton. The Lakers are one of the hottest teams in the league right now and they certainly made it look easy in their big win on Monday, so it’s hard to make an argument for the Jazz who just look outmatched at times. The line is hefty for this meeting, but I can’t see anything but a similar result as the Lakers are just playing an inspired brand of basketball lately, while the Jazz have been terrible.

The Portland Trail Blazers have been in great shape as they’ve won 10 of their last 13 games overall, but they will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after getting thrashed by the Nuggets in a 146-117 road defeat on Monday. Dalano Banton led the team with 22 points and six assists off the bench, Donovan Clingan added 21 points on eight of eight shooting while Anfernee Simons chipped in with 17 points. As a team, the Trail Blazers shot 45 percent from the field and 15 of 37 from the 3-point line but they had no answers for the Nuggets on defense and got outscored from start to finish to suffer one of their worst defeats of the season. The Blazers will take on the Lakers after this game.

Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have been on fire as they are now aiming for an eighth straight victory after blowing past the Trail Blazers in a dominant win on Monday. Nikola Jokic led the way with 40 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists, Christian Braun added 26 points on 12 of 14 shooting, Julian Strawther scored 18 points while Jamal Murray chipped in with 17 points and eight assists. As a team, the Nuggets shot a sizzling 65 percent from the field and eight of 25 from the 3-point line as they got off to a flyer with 38 points in the first quarter and another 42 points in the third quarter to put the game to bed early. The Nuggets will play against the Hornets following this one.

Why the Denver Nuggets will win

• The Trail Blazers have lost each of their last 12 road games against Northwest Division opponents.
• The Nuggets have won each of their last 10 home games against teams that held a losing record.
• The home team has covered the spread in each of the Trail Blazers’ last nine games.
• The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six road games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.

Why the Portland Trail Blazers will win

• The Trail Blazers have won nine of their last 12 games as underdogs.
• The Nuggets have lost three of their last six games as favorites against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
• The Trail Blazers have covered the spread in 11 of their last 13 games.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for assists per game this season (31.4).
• The Nuggets rank 30th in the league for opponent assists per game this season (29.4).
• The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for Q1 points per game this season (25.6).
• The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for Q1 win percentage this season (29.6%).

The Trail Blazers are shorthanded for this one with Scoot Henderson, Deandre Ayton ruled out and they are keeping eyes on Robert Williams and Jerami Grant who are both questionable, while the Nuggets have ruled out Russell Westbrook again and they have Michael Porter Jr listed as questionable. The Trail Blazers were playing some of their best basketball of the season to win 10 of 11 games, but they’ve been hit hard by injuries which is a big reason why they lost their last two games and I think it will cost them against this red-hot Nuggets team who are just running through teams at the moment.

The Phoenix Suns have been in a slump as they’ve lost five of their last six games overall and they will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after getting beaten by the Grizzlies in a 119-112 loss last night. Kevin Durant led the team with 34 points and five blocks, Bol Bol added 18 points with 14 rebounds and four blocks while Devin Booker chipped in with 17 points and nine assists. As a team, the Suns shot 44 percent from the field and 12 of 44 from the 3-point line as they struggled to match the Grizzlies in the first half and fell behind by 19 points which proved to be just too much to overcome despite cutting the deficit to just four points with 8:15 left in the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets haven’t been at their best, but they will be feeling much better after putting an end to a six-game losing streak with a 94-87 win over the Raptors on Sunday. Dillon Brooks led the team with 19 points, Jalen Green added 18 points with nine rebounds and three assists while Jeff Green chipped in with 14 points off the bench. As a team, the Rockets shot just 36 percent from the field and 10 of 38 from the 3-point line as they struggled to score from the start and scored just 37 points in the first half before they sprung to life with 36 points in the fourth quarter to overcome a 10-point deficit and earn the much-needed home victory.

Why the Houston Rockets will win

• The Suns have lost each of their last 10 games as road underdogs.
• The Rockets have won each of their last eight Wednesday games.
• The Suns have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 12 games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• The favorites have covered the spread in each of the Suns’ last four games.

Why the Phoenix Suns will win

• The Rockets have lost each of their last five night games.
• The underdogs have won three of the Rockets’ last four games at Toyota Center.
• The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the Rockets’ last six games at Toyota Center.
• The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games as home favorites.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Rockets rank 30th in the league for assists per game this season (22.5).
• The Rockets rank 1st in the league for opponent assists per game this season (22.6).
• The Suns rank 30th for points in the paint (2160) this season.
• The Suns rank 30th for points in the paint per game (41.5) this season.

The Suns are still shorthanded with Bradley Beal and Vasilije Micic still out, while the Rockets are still playing without Fred VanVleet and Jabari Smith Jr. The Suns really struggle when they don’t have their Big Three and they are playing their second game of a back-to-back set, but the Rockets were really struggling before their win over the lowly Raptors on Sunday so it’s hard to trust either team at the moment. With that being said, I still think the Rockets get the win at home, but this line just seems a little too high for the Rockets given their recent form.

The Miami Heat have been in a rut as they’ve lost four of their last six games overall and they will be hoping to bounce back after getting trounced by the Celtics in a 103-85 loss on Monday. Bam Adebayo led the team with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists, Alec Burks added 13 points while Andrew Wiggins chipped in with 11 points and five assists. As a team, the Heat shot 33 percent from the field and 11 of 45 from the 3-point line as they struggled to contain the Celtics from the start and trailed by nine points at halftime before they allowed 36 points in the third quarter to fall behind by as many as 24 points.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been in red-hot form as they’ve won nine of their last 11 games overall and they will be gunning for a seventh straight victory after routing the Pelicans in a 137-101 win on Monday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 31 points on 10 of 20 shooting, Aaron Wiggins added 24 points on nine of 13 shooting while Jalen Williams chipped in with 16 points and five assists. As a team, the Thunder shot 51 percent from the field and a sizzling 27 of 55 from the 3-point line as they took control of the contest right away and never looked in danger after outscoring the Pelicans by 72-50 in the first half.

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win

• The Thunder have won each of their last 15 games against Southeast Division opponents.
• The Heat have lost 11 of their last 12 games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
• The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last six games as favorites against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
• The Heat have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight road games on the first leg of a back-to-back.

Why the Miami Heat will win

• The underdogs have won three of the Heat’s last four games.
• The Thunder have lost each of their last four games against Heat teams that held a losing record.
• The road team has covered the spread in seven of the last eight games between the Heat and Thunder.
• The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in six of their last eight games on the first leg of a back-to-back.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Thunder rank 1st in the league for opponent points per game this season (104.8).
• The Thunder rank 1st in the league for point differential per game this season (+13.4).
• The Heat rank 29th in the league for blocks per game this season (3.8).
• The Heat rank 2nd in the league for opponent free throws made per game this season (14.2).

The Heat have ruled out Kevin Love and they have Tyler Herro listed as questionable, while the Thunder will again be missing Cason Wallace and Chet Holmgren. The Heat haven’t been able to get anything going lately and their confidence took another gut shot after getting trampled by the Celtics in their last outing, while the Thunder have continued their strong form with their ninth win in 11 outings after blowing past the Pelicans in their last outing. The line was always going to be hefty for this matchup, but it still isn’t enough to sway me from taking the Thunder at home where they are 24-3 on the season so far.

The Sacramento Kings haven’t been at their best as they’ve lost six of their last 10 games overall, but they will be aiming for a third straight win after sneaking past the Mavericks in a 129-128 overtime road win on Monday. DeMar DeRozan led the team with 42 points on 15 of 22 shooting, Zach LaVine and Malik Monk scored 17 points each while Domantas Sabonis tallied 16 points with 15 rebounds and eight assists. As a team, the Kings shot 55 percent from the field and nine of 26 from the 3-point line as they fought hard to force overtime thanks to a clutch shot from DeRozan with just 2.1 seconds left in regulation and he delivered once again with just 2.0 seconds left in overtime to drag the Kings over the line.

Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been ice-cold lately as they are now hoping to snap a nine-game losing streak after getting shocked by the Thunder in a 137-101 road defeat on Monday. Trey Murphy led the team with 23 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, Zion Williamson added 17 points with five assists while Jordan Hawkins chipped in with 12 points off the bench. As a team, the Pelicans shot 43 percent from the field and 10 of 27 from the 3-point line as they struggled to contain the Thunder from the start and were never really a threat after falling behind by 72-50 going into halftime. The Pelicans had a rough night handling the basketball as they finished with 22 turnovers and they couldn’t do much to slow down the Thunder who connected on 27 3-pointers for the game.

Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win

• The Kings have lost four of their last five games as road favorites following a road win.
• The Pelicans have won each of their last six games against Kings teams that held a winning record.
• The Kings have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight games against Southwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
• The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last eight games against the Kings.

Why the Sacramento Kings will win

• The Pelicans have lost each of their last 13 games against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
• The Kings have won each of their last seven games against Southwest Division opponents.
• The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last nine Wednesday games as underdogs.
• The Kings have covered the spread in seven of their last eight road games after coming off overtime.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Pelicans rank 29th in the league for point differential per game this season (-9.2).
• The Pelicans rank 29th in the league for opponent field goal percentage this season (48.6%).
• The Kings rank 29th in the league for opponent three-point percentage this season (37.8%).
• The Kings rank 29th in the league for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (14.5).

The Kings are coming into this meeting with a full roster, while the Pelicans have ruled out Dejounte Murray with CJ McCollum listed as questionable. The Kings have been playing below their best lately, but they would’ve taken plenty of confidence from their thrilling overtime win over the Mavericks on Monday, while the Pelicans continued their downward spiral with a ninth straight defeat after getting smashed by the Thunder in their last game. The line is short for this one, so I am going to jump on the Kings who clearly have more upside against this ice-cold Pelicans team.

The Memphis Grizzlies invade the Footprint Center to take on the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night. Here’s a Suns vs Grizzlies Prediction. This article will include a Suns vs Grizzlies Pick.

The Memphis Grizzlies have been in red-hot form as they’ve won 10 of their last 12 games overall, but they will be eager to bounce back in this spot after having their four-game win streak halted by the Thunder in a 125-112 loss on Saturday. Desmond Bane led the team with 20 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, Jaren Jackson Jr added 19 points with three steals and three blocks while Santi Aldama chipped in with 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists off the bench. As a team, the Grizzlies shot 44 percent from the field and 12 of 28 from the 3-point line, but their problems were on the defensive end as they just had no way of slowing down the Thunder who scored 100 points before the start of the fourth quarter. The Grizzlies will face the Clippers and Pacers following this one.

Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns have been in a rut as they’ve lost four of their last six games overall and they will be hoping for a better effort after getting trampled by the Nuggets in a 122-105 loss on Saturday. Devin Booker led the team with 24 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, Bol Bol added 19 points with seven rebounds and four blocks off the bench while Tyus Jones chipped in with 15 points and 10 assists. As a team, the Suns shot 38 percent from the field and 17 of 50 from the 3-point line as they struggled to match the Nuggets from the start and allowed 37 points in the first quarter to fall into an early hole. Things only got worse in the second half where the Suns fell behind by as many as 23 points before they finished with a flurry to keep the final margin respectable. The Suns will play the Rockets, Spurs, and Bulls next.

The Grizzlies are slightly shorthanded with Johnny Davis and Cam Spencer still out, while the Suns have ruled out Bradley Beal and they have Vasilije Micic is listed as questionable for this one. The Grizzlies have quietly been one of the hottest teams in the league with a four-game win streak before they lost to the Thunder who are beating everyone these days. In contrast, the Suns are mired in another slump and they will again be missing Beal who is so important off the bench, so I will happily take the Grizzlies at the short line in this spot.

The Detroit Pistons have been in decent form as they’ve won four of their last six games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight win after taking down the Hornets in a 112-102 win on Sunday. Tobias Harris led the team with 20 points on nine of 13 shooting, Cade Cunningham racked up a triple-double of 19 points with 10 rebounds and 12 assists while Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren scored 16 points each. As a team, the Pistons shot 48 percent from the field and 11 of 37 from the 3-point line as they jumped all over the Hornets from the start and were always in control after dominating the first quarter by 39-15 to take an early 28-point lead.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls have been doing it tough lately as they’ve lost 11 of their last 15 games overall and they will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after getting thrashed by the Warriors in a 132-111 loss on Saturday. Coby White led the team with 27 points and four assists, Matas Buzelis added 16 points and five assists while Jalen Smith chipped in with 15 points off the bench. As a team, the Bulls shot 44 percent from the field and 17 of 39 from the 3-point line as they jumped all over the Warriors from the start and looked to be in full control when they took a 24-point lead late in the third quarter. However, the Warriors flipped a switch and dominated the rest of the game to send the Bulls to their worst defeats of the season. The Bulls will meet the Knicks and Suns after this game.

Why the Chicago Bulls will win

• The Bulls have won each of their last eight games as underdogs against Central Division opponents following a loss.
• The Pistons have lost 12 of their last 13 night games against Central Division opponents.
• The Bulls have covered the spread in each of their last eight games as underdogs against Central Division opponents following a loss.
• The Pistons have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games at United Center.

Why the Detroit Pistons will win

• The Pistons have won eight of their last nine games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Bulls have lost each of their last four games when playing with a rest advantage.
• The favorites have covered the spread in nine of the Pistons’ last 10 games at United Center.
• The Bulls have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games when playing with a rest advantage.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Bulls’ last six games as underdogs against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone OVER the total points line.
• Seven of the Pistons’ last eight road games on the first leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.

The Pistons are still slightly shorthanded with Jaden Ivey still out, while the Bulls have ruled out Lonzo Ball and Adama Sanogo once again. The Bulls are still capable of pulling off the upset at home despite their lack of form, but the Pistons are clear favorites as they are coming into this game with plenty of momentum and they should be able to get the win and cover at the short line behind another big game from Cunningham who had a triple-double in his last game.

The Utah Jazz have been in terrible form as they’ve lost 11 of their last 13 games overall and they will be eager to avoid a third straight defeat after getting trounced by the Clippers in a 130-110 road loss on Saturday. Jordan Clarkson led the team with 24 points, Keyonte George added 21 points off the bench, while Johnny Juzang chipped in with 19 points. As a team, the Jazz shot 47 percent from the field and 17 of 43 from the 3-point line as they got off to a quick start and fought hard to stay within striking distance in the first half, but they just had no answers for the Clippers who exploded for 72 points in the second half to send the Jazz to a second straight defeat. The Jazz will face the Clippers and Thunder following this one.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers have been in red-hot form as they’ve won nine of their last 10 games and they will be aiming for a sixth straight win after outlasting the Pacers in a 124-117 home win on Saturday. Austin Reaves led the team with 45 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, Rui Hachimura added 24 points with nine rebounds while Gabe Vincent chipped in with 12 points and seven assists. As a team, the Lakers shot 52 percent from the field and 11 of 33 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 44 points in the first quarter to build an early 25-point lead and they kept a double-digit lead for almost the entire game. The Lakers will take on the Hornets after this game.

Why the Los Angeles Lakers will win

• The Jazz have lost each of their last 11 road games against Western Conference opponents.
• The Lakers have won each of their last eight home games against Northwest Division opponents that held a losing record.
• The Lakers have covered the spread in each of their last seven games against Western Conference opponents after winning as underdogs.
• The Jazz have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four road games.

Why the Utah Jazz will win

• The underdogs have won three of the Lakers’ last four games.
• The Lakers have lost six of their last seven games against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
• The Lakers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven Monday games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
• The Jazz have covered the spread in each of their last four road games against the Lakers following a road loss.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Lakers rank 29th in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (9.1).
• The Lakers rank 29th in the league for field goal attempts per game this season (85.2).
• The Jazz rank 30th in the league for steals per game this season (6.6).
• The Jazz rank 30th in the league for opponent steals per game this season (9.7).

The Jazz are still playing without the injured Collin Sexton, while the Lakers are keeping an eye on Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Dalton Knecht who are all questionable for this game. The Jazz are coming into this one low on confidence with just two wins from their last 13 games and they now have to take on the red-hot Lakers who have been playing an inspired brand of basketball lately. Unfortunately, there is an injury cloud hanging over the Lakers which always makes things tricky, but the Jazz really have been so bad lately that it almost doesn’t matter who suits up for the Lakers. The Jazz are in a tailspin at the moment, so I will lean toward the Lakers to continue their strong form with another big win at home.

The Portland Trail Blazers have been in red-hot form as they’ve won 10 of their last 12 games overall, but they will be hoping to bounce back after having their six-game win streak halted by the Timberwolves in a 114-98 road defeat on Saturday. Anfernee Simons led the team with 21 points and five assists, Jerami Grant and Shaedon Sharpe scored 14 points each while Scoot Henderson chipped in with 12 points. As a team, the Trail Blazers shot just 40 percent from the field and seven of 35 from the 3-point line as they poured in 38 points in the second quarter to take a 15-point lead, but they allowed the Timberwolves to hang around and it cost them in the fourth quarter where they were outscored by 38-14 in a nightmare finish.

Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have been on a tear as they are now aiming for a seventh straight victory after blowing past the depleted Suns in a 122-105 road win on Saturday. Jamal Murray led the team with 30 points and five assists, Nikola Jokic added 26 points with 11 rebounds and nine assists on 11 of 13 shooting, while Christian Braun tallied 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists. As a team, the Nuggets shot 48 percent from the field and 16 of 35 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 37 points in the first quarter thanks to a hot start from Jokic, before pouring in another 35 points in the third quarter to lead by as many as s 23 points. The Nuggets will meet the Hornets after this game.

Why the Denver Nuggets will win

• The Trail Blazers have lost each of their last 11 road games against Northwest Division opponents.
• The Nuggets have won 24 of their last 25 home games against teams that held a losing record.
• The home team has covered the spread in each of the Trail Blazers’ last eight games.
• The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five road games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.

Why the Portland Trail Blazers will win

• The underdogs have won six of the Trail Blazers’ last seven games.
• The Nuggets have lost four of their last six games as home favorites against Northwest Division opponents.
• The Trail Blazers have covered the spread in 11 of their last 12 games.
• The Nuggets have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games against Trail Blazers teams that held a losing record.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Nuggets rank 1st in the league for assists per game this season (31.2).
• The Nuggets rank 30th in the league for opponent assists per game this season (29.5).
• The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for Q1 win percentage this season (30.2%).
• The Trail Blazers rank 29th in the league for Q1 points per game this season (25.6).

The Trail Blazers are keeping an eye on Robert Williams, Jerami Grant, and Kris Murray who are all questionable, while the Nuggets have ruled out Russell Westbrook and they have Michael Porter Jr listed as questionable. The Trail Blazers were one of the hottest teams in the league before they got stopped in their tracks by the Timberwolves in their last outing, but it is the Nuggets who are riding a six-game win streak to open as clear favorites at home. The line is tempting enough for me to look at the Trail Blazers, but they could be missing some players, so I would prefer a play on the Nuggets to get a double-digit win and cover at home behind another big game from Jokic.

The Dallas Mavericks have won five of their last nine games and they will be aiming for a third straight win after taking down the Rockets in a 116-105 home win on Saturday. Anthony Davis led the team with 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks, Max Christie added 23 points off the bench while Naji Marshall chipped in with 16 points on seven of 10 shooting. As a team, the Mavericks shot 47 percent from the field and 12 of 23 from the 3-point line as they jumped all over the Rockets and dominated the first quarter by 33-20 to build an early 21-point lead which was more than enough to hold off a late rally from the Rockets. It was a real balanced scoring effort as the Mavericks had six players finish in double figures in scoring and they were feisty on the defensive end to finish with 18 blocks as a team. The Mavs will play against the Warriors following this one.

Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings have been doing it tough lately as they’ve lost six of their last nine games overall, but they will be eager to build some momentum after sneaking past the Pelicans in a 123-118 home win on Saturday. Domantas Sabonis led the team with 27 points, 16 rebounds, and two assists, Zach LaVine added 22 points with five assists while Keegan Murray chipped in with 19 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks. As a team, the Kings shot 47 percent from the field and 11 of 41 from the 3-point line as they got off to a terrible start and looked to be in deep trouble when they trailed by 20 points before they took control with a 45-22 third quarter domination.

The Mavericks have ruled out Anthony Davis and they are keeping an eye on Dante Exum and Max Christie who are both questionable, while the Kings are coming into this one with a full squad. The Mavericks played great defense to beat the Rockets on Saturday, but it came at a cost as Anthony Davis injured himself during the game which will keep him sidelined for a few weeks, while the Kings are coming into this one fresh off an impressive comeback win over the Pelicans. It’s hard to split these two teams at the moment, but the Kings are at full health and I think they represent decent value as the slight underdog in this spot.

The New Orleans Pelicans have been in a terrible slump as they are now on an eight-game losing streak after getting beaten by the Kings in a 123-118 road defeat on Saturday. Zion Williamson led the team with 40 points on 16 of 21 shooting, CJ McCollum added 31 points on 10 of 19 shooting while Trey Murphy chipped in with 20 points, six rebounds, and seven assists. As a team, the Pelicans shot 47 percent from the field and 14 of 36 from the 3-point line as they got off to a strong start with 65 points in the first half to take an early 20-point lead, only to get smashed by 45-22 in the third quarter to fall just short in another tough defeat.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been in red-hot form as they’ve won 12 of their last 15 games overall and they will be eager to build on their current five-game win streak after routing the Grizzlies in a 125-112 road win on Saturday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 32 points and eight assists, Jalen Williams added 25 points with six assists, Aaron Wiggins scored 26 points, while Alex Caruso chipped in with 14 points. As a team, the Thunder shot 42 percent from the field and 18 of 42 from the 3-point line as they took control from the start and just kept their foot on the gas until the third quarter where they led by as many as 28 points. The Thunder will meet the Heat after this game.

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win

• The Pelicans have lost each of their last 14 road games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Thunder have won each of their last 13 games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six road games against Northwest Division opponents.
• The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last six games against Pelicans teams that held a losing record.

Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win

• The Thunder have lost two of their last three games as favorites against Southwest Division opponents following a win.
• The road team has won 17 of the last 22 games between the Pelicans and Thunder.
• The road team has covered the spread in 12 of the last 14 games between the Pelicans and Thunder.
• The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last three games against teams that held a losing record.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Thunder rank 1st in the league for opponent points per game this season (104.8).
• The Thunder rank 1st in the league for point differential per game this season (+13.0).
• The Pelicans rank 29th in the league for point differential per game this season (-8.7).
• The Pelicans rank 29th in the league for opponent field goal percentage this season (48.5%).

The Pelicans are still missing Dejounte Murray and Herbert Jones, while the Thunder have ruled out Ousmane Dieng and Cason Wallace. Losing streak meets winning streak as the Pelicans visit the Thunder at the Paycom Center. These teams have already met twice this season with the Thunder winning both by double digits and I can’t see anything but a similar result here. The line was always going to be hefty for this matchup, but the Pelicans couldn’t beat the Kings despite a 20-point lead on Saturday and I don’t give them much of a chance against this surging Thunder squad who are running through everyone at the moment.