NBA: Cavaliers (-7.5) Vs Pelicans $

I am just going to keep playing on the Cavaliers for the next while because I don’t feel the line maker has caught up to the value of this team yet. They currently boast the number one defense in the Eastern Conference and are moving up the standings.

The Pelicans haven’t exactly been lighting things up lately either. Their current losing streak is three games, but their scoring ineptness is concerning. They also have three starters listed as questionable for this game, Valanciunas, Hart, and Ingram. While these guys still may play, they may not be 100%. If they do not play, the Pelican bench depth is thin at best.

I do not like backing teams that have no realistic chance of winning a game straight up. The Cavaliers should get an easy win here, while they should cover this spread a good percentage of the time as well.

NBA: Hawks (-2) Vs Raptors $

The Raptors won a war of a game Saturday night in Miami, a 3OT game against the first-place Heat. The way the Raptors won that game was the most impressive part. All five Raptor starters played 54 minutes or more including rookie Scottie Barnes. That is essentially playing two games in one night. How can that not have a negative effect in their next game?

The Raptors have been playing a short bench for a couple of weeks now and primarily so without a true center. Their results have been good as they have clawed their way into a playoff spot. But my concern for them is whether or not they can play with a seven-man rotation without suffering any injuries. They lack any real depth beyond their front seven and if injuries do occur, they will be forced to abandon their current strategy.

The Hawks have underperformed in the first half of the season but I get the impression they are now turning their season around. They currently boast a seven-game winning streak and need just one more to get back to (.500). They have a chance to take advantage of a Raptor team who played a double hitter on Saturday. I’d be looking at the first quarter line in this matchup as the Hawks could easily pull out to an early lead and not look back.

I am still red hot for the NBA season at 50-32 (61.0%) and my premium plays are 10-3 (77%).

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Legend $$ – two unit bet $ – one unit bet

NBA odds provided by Odds Shark. Posted lines are listed as of writing time.