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This is a 2* play on Memphis.

The Grizzlies host Philly Friday night, and the Sixers are still banged up. Maxey and Harden are out, and Tobias Harris is questionable with an illness. The Sixers are 8-17-1 ATS in their last 26 road games, and they are 0-4 ATS in their last four at Memphis. The Grizzlies are 27-9 ATS in their last 36 home games. The last time Philly played at Memphis they lost by 35 points (126-91).

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on KENT.

It comes as no surprise that Kent State is off to a good start, with an overall record of 5-2, and a 4-0 home record. They have three senior starters, all scoring in double digits. The Golden Flashes are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 home games, and they are 19-6-1 ATS in their last 26 games overall. They host South Dakota State, and the Jack Rabbits have failed to cover in five straight versus a team with a winning record. South Dakota State lost two of it's top three scorers from last season via transfer, and the other to graduation. This should prove to be a mismatch.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Seattle.

This line looks a little short when you look at the overall body of work for Seattle University. The Redhawks suffered their first loss of the season on the road at Washington over the weekend. They are 5-1 overall, and 3-0 at home. They have outscored opponents by more than 30 points per game at home, and they have faced some strong teams. They won by a dozen in a home win over Portland State, a team that has a pair of wins over the PAC12 already. They also beat a Portland Pilots team by a dozen on the road, and the Pilots have a win over Villanova followed up by a one point loss to Michigan State. The Titans lost their last road game by 16 points at North Dakota, and another double digit defeat should be expected here.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Toronto.

I had the Raptors in their last game, and I said the following: "The Raptors are 7-2 at home this season, and one of those two losses came against Brooklyn with Fred Van Fleet and Scottie Barnes out of the lineup. Van Fleet returned on Saturday in a 105-100 win over Dallas. Scottie Barnes is back at practice, so he could return tonight to face a Cavs team coming north of the border to play the second game of a back to back." I didn't know that Pascal Siakam was also set to return, but now that Toronto is back to full strength, the rest of the NBA should be put on notice. A Pelicans team with it's two best players banged up appears to be vulnerable. The Pelicans won a close game against the Thunder on Monday, and they are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up win.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on LAC.

The Clippers have been hit hard by injuries, with stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George out of the lineup. Most teams haven't got a shot in hell of competing without their two best players, but perhaps it should surprise nobody that LA is still a .500 team without George and Leonard. They have plenty of depth. with Reggie Jakcson, Norman Powell, Ivica Zubac, and Marcus Morris all stepping up. The same can not be said for the Blazers without Damian Lillard, as they have lost five of their last six overall. The Clippers look good as the dog considered they have won nine of the last 10 versus Portland straight up.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Under.

The Kansas Jayhawks are off a 64-50 upset loss to Tennessee, and they have only scored an average of 74.4 points per game so far, ranking 150th nationally. Of course their defense has been stellar, and they host a Texas Southern team that has scored less than 53 points per game in three losses to Top 25 teams. All three of those games went under. Texas Southern has gone under in six straight overall, and the under is 18-7-1 in the Tigers last 26 games following a straight up loss. The under is 9-2 in Jayhawks last 11 games following a loss.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Toronto.

The Raptors are 7-2 at home this season, and one of those two losses came against Brooklyn with Fred Van Fleet and Scottie Barnes out of the lineup. Van Fleet returned on Saturday in a 105-100 win over Dallas. Scottie Barnes is back at practice, so he could return tonight to face a Cavs team coming north of the border to play the second game of a back to back. The home team is 4-1 SU in the last five meetings, and the Cavaliers are 3-8-1 ATS in their last 12 games playing on 0 days rest. Cleveland has also failed to cover in six straight road games.

This is a 10* play on UCONN.

The #20 Huskies are 7-0, and they beat #18 Alabama by 15 points on Friday at the Phil Knight Invitational. They face an unranked Iowa State team that just upset #1 North Carolina, and this could be a let down spot for the Cyclones. Iowa State made 9-of-20 three-point attempts in the upset win over the Tar Heels. I don't like their chances of hitting 45 percent from beyond the arc here in this game. The Huskies have the experience, the shooters, and the coaching to take down this scrappy Cyclones team.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on MIL.

The Mavs are playing on the road at Milwaukee in the second game of a back to back. Not only are they are on short rest, but Luka Doncic played a season high 43 minutes in a loss north of the border at Toronto last night. The Mavericks are 1-9-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a ATS loss, and they have failed to cover in five of their last six in the second game of a back to back. The Bucks are 10-2 straight up at home, and nine of those 10 wins came by more than six points.

This is a 2* play on LA.

The Lakers have only won six games this season, but two of them have come against the Spurs. They come into tonight's game as winners of four of their last five, while the Spurs have lost seven straight. LeBron scored 21 points in 33 minutes in his first game back after missing five games due to injury. These two teams are in the mix for a lottery pick, so it should be quite a battle, but somebody has to win.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on NCSTATE.

The Butler Bulldogs didn't get a lot of returning talent from last year, and they did not look good in their first game against a ranked team. They scored 45 points on 32 percent shooting in a loss to Tennessee a few days ago. The Wolfpack have more experience, and that may be what allowed them to hang with #3 ranked Kansas. NC State comes in averaging over 80 points per game, while the Bulldogs average just slightly above the national average (71.5). The Wolfpack currently rank 1st in the ACC in scoring, and near the top in FG percentage, FT percentage and three-point shooting.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 3* play on the Grizzlies.

New Orleans won't have CJ McCollum in Memphis on Friday, due to health and safety protocols. He leads the team in assists, steals and three-point shooting. The home team has had the advantage in this series, winning eight of the last 10 straight up. The Pelicans are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games versus a team with a winning straight up record, while the Grizzlies are 26-9 ATS in their last 35 home games. Ja Morant scored 34 points against the Kings on Tuesday, and he scored 36 in his last game against the Pelicans 10 days ago.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on MSU.

Alabama is powered by a pair of talented freshmen, and they face their first real test here in the Phil Knight Invitational on Thanksgiving. Michigan State has a ton of experience, with their three top scorers all seniors. The Spartans have already faced two teams ranked in the Top 5, winning outright by double digits versus #4 Kentucky and losing by a point to #2 Gonzaga. They also beat unranked Villanova by a bucket. The experience in close games early in the season is invaluable. Alabama is 4-0 versus unranked competition, and the Crimson Tide are 4-12 ATS in their last 16 games following a straight up win.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on VILL.

The 3-0 Cyclones are facing the 2-2 Villanova Wildcats at the Phil Knight Invitational in an afternoon game on Thanksgiving. The Wildcats were 1 bucket away from beating #12 ranked Michigan State at East Lansing. This Villanova team made the Final Four last year, and they bring back plenty of key players from that team. Villanova is 5-1 ATS in their last six versus a team with a winning record.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on SJU.

The Red Storm take on the Orange in Brooklym Tuesday at the Empire Classic, and history favors St. John's. The Red Storm are 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings versus Syracuse, and the Orange come in without most of the talent they had last season. They will miss the Boeheim brothers, who last year combined for an average of 30 points per game. Syracuse beat Richmond by a score of 74-71 in overtime yesterday. The Orange are 1-5 ATS in their last six games following a straight up win.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on BKN.

So Kyrie is back, and Ben Simmons shot 11-of-13 in a 127-115 win over the undermanned Grizzlies on Sunday. No word on whether Simmons actually attempted a shot that wasn't a dunk, but whatever he was doing he should just keep doing it. The Nets face another shorthanded team in Philly tonight, as the Sixers are down both their star players (Embiid and Harden), and several other role players. Brooklyn is 4-1 ATS in their last four versus Philly, and they won their last game at Philly by 29 points. No reason not to expect history to repeat itself here.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is 2* play on CHI.

The Bulls have played the Celtics twice already this year, winning at home and losing by 4-points in Boston in early November. Chicago is looking to right the ship here at home tonight, coming into this game as losers of four straight and six of their last seven. Half of those six losses came by fewer than six points, and this number looks a little inflated. The Bulls have covered in six of their last seven versus Boston, and the Celtics could be due for a let down here at the end of a road trip.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Under.

George Mason lost 66-62 to Belmont at the Paradise Jam at the UVI Sports & Fitness Center in the Virgin Islands on Saturday. In fact all four games at this venue over the weekend were low scoring, falling well short of 140 combined points. Neither of these two teams have been scoring regardless of the venue, Buffalo comes in averaging 69 points per game while the Patriots are averaging just 65 points per game. The Patriots are strong defensively, which might be why they have gone under in five of their last six games. This number looks way too high.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Over.

The Celtics have gone over the total in 10 of 16 games so far this season. That comes as no surprise to me. Here is what I said prior to their season opener: "The Celtics ranked first in the NBA in opponents scoring average last season, but don't expect this year's squad to be a defensive juggernaut. The absence of a rim protector changes everything, and if the pre-season is any indication they may be playing at a much faster pace this season. They sent Daniel Theis to the Pacers, and Robert Williams starts the season sidelined by a knee injury. While Boston finished last season as the best scoring defense, they certainly didn't start that way. They allowed an average of 120 points per game in their first seven games of the season." The over is 7-2 in the Pelicans last nine games following a straight up win.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on FSU.

The public is tripping over themselves to bet against the Seminoles here, as they have looked like hot garbage starting the season 0-3. A home game against rivals Florida as a big underdog looks like a good spot to grab the underdog plus the points. The Gators are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 road games, and they are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games overall. They have failed to cover in eight of their last nine versus Florida State. I'll roll the dice here and hope FSU can cut down on the turnovers and hit a few more free throws to hang tight in a home game against Florida.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Baylor.

The Cavs had four games against Top 25 teams last year, and they lost three of those four games by double digits. They do not match up well with a #5 ranked Baylor team that has the edge in experience, returning production and overall talent. The Bears are 14-6-1 ATS in their last 21 neutral site games. The Cavaliers are 2-6 ATS in their last eight neutral site games, and they are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Under.

The Clippers rank dead last in the NBA in scoring, and still they are a 9-point home favorite here against the Pistons. Dallas ranks first in the NBA in opponent's scoring average, allowing 106.3 points per game. The Clippers aren't far behind allowing just 106.9 points per game. The under is 6-1 in the Clippers last seven home games, and they have gone under in seven of their last nine versus Detroit.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Under.

The Nets are coming off a 153-121 loss at Sacramento, after going under in six straight before that. This looks like a let down spot here in Portland, facing a Blazers team that ranks sixth in the NBA in opponent's scoring. Portland ranks in the bottom 10 in the NBA in scoring, averaging fewer than 110 points per game. Don't expect a shootout here in Portland. The under is 9-4 in the Nets last 13 games following a straight up loss, and the under is 12-4-2 in the Trail Blazers last 18 home games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on VT.

The Hokies are 3-0 and all three of those wins have come by 20+ points. Last year they won their first five games versus unranked teams all by 20+. Old Dominion is coming off a win over a Div 2 team, after losing by a dozen at Drexel. The Monarchs are 7-19 ATS in their last 26 neutral site games, and they have failed to cover in five of their last six coming off a win. This should be a blowout win for the Hokies who have superior talent and experience.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Over.

The Nebraska Omaha Mavericks play up to their namesake. They love to run and gun, and they may have found a suitable dance partner here with Ball State. The Cardinals come in averaging 90 points per game on 52 percent shooting. The over is 20-7 in the Mavericks last 27 overall, and they have gone over the number in 23 of their last 32 home games. I can't figure out why this number isn't 150 or higher?

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Over.

The Celtics have gone over the total in 10 of 15 games so far this season. That comes as no surprise to me. Here is what I said prior to their season opener: "The Celtics ranked first in the NBA in opponents scoring average last season, but don't expect this year's squad to be a defensive juggernaut. The absence of a rim protector changes everything, and if the pre-season is any indication they may be playing at a much faster pace this season. They sent Daniel Theis to the Pacers, and Robert Williams starts the season sidelined by a knee injury. While Boston finished last season as the best scoring defense, they certainly didn't start that way. They allowed an average of 120 points per game in their first seven games of the season."  The over is 9-3 in the Hawks last 12 overall. While this is a big number, I just don't think the books can set it high enough. I expect both teams to score 115+.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Over.

Iowa loves to run and gun, and they come into this game averaging triple digits on better than 50 percent shooting. Seton Hall is hardly a defensive juggernaut, they are averaging 79.5 points per game so far. The over is 8-1 in the Hawkeyes last nine after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. The Hawkeyes won six straight non-conference games to start last season, and all of those landed on a number higher than 148.5, even at Virginia!

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on under.

These two teams don't play a run and gun style, so it appears that the total of 141 is a little high. Michigan isn't gonna let Pitt score 70, they held PFWU to just 56 points in their home opener. Am 88-83 win over Eastern Michigan should be the exception and not the rule. Emoni Bates dropped 30 on the Wolverines, but Pitt doesn't have a guy who's gonna go off like that. Pitt scored 56 in a home loss to West Virginia on Friday, and the under is 19-7-1 in the Panthers last 27 games following a double-digit loss at home.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on USC.

This is not the same Vermont team that went 17-1 in conference play last year, and lost by just four points to Alabama in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Finn Sullivan is the only remaining starter from that squad, and he scored just five points in 18 minutes in a loss to Cal State Fullerton on Sunday. The Trojans bounced back after losing their season opener to FGCU, by blowing out Alabama State by 38 points. Senior guard Drew Peterson scored 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting in the victory. USC appears to be undervalued here in this spot.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Over.

The Hoyas came into the season riding a 21 game losing streak, but they are undefeated after winning back to back games to start the season. No thanks to their defense, as they gave up 89 points in their season opener versus Coppin State. Northwestern is also 2-0, and if you look at their schedule last season they won four straight to start the season, scoring 80+ points in all of those games. We have every reason to expect a high score here this afternoon.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Under.

The Illini are an enormous favorite here at home versus Monmouth, and it really looks like they just can't set this line high enough. Monmouth is coming off back to back losses by an average margin of over 40 points. They scored an average of just 46 points in those losses. They have scored an average of just 56 points per game in their last five overall. They might be hard pressed to score 50 here against an Illini defense that has held opponents to just 58 points per game in their last five overall. Illinois only averaged 68 points per game during that span. Illinois has failed to reach the total in six of their last seven overall, and six of their last seven home games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Under.

The Clippers have already played the Rockets twice this season, and both of those games were low scoring. LA ranks dead last in the NBA in scoring, averaging just 103 points per game. The fact that they still have a decent record also indicates that they have one of the league's top defenses. The under is 14-3 in Clippers last 17 overall, and they have failed to reach the total in six of their last seven in Houston. This number looks a little inflated.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Over.

The South Florida Bulls were just 3-13 in the American Conference last year, but they are expected to be a lot better here in 2022. Senior forward Keyshawn Bryant has averaged 14.5 points per game since transferring from South Carolina. Sophomore Selton Miguel transferred from Kansas State, and senior Tyler Harris transferred from Memphis. They host a Stetson team that is coming off an 83-74 win over Florida State. The Hatters have gone over in six of their last seven road games, and they have scored over 75 points per game in their last five overall.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Over.

This rivalry game features two teams that are averaging in the mid 70s in scoring, and both shooting the ball pretty well. The Gators are coming off an 88-78 win over Kennesaw State, while the Owls are coming off an 80-67 loss at Ole Miss. The over is 11-5-1 in the Owls last 17 games following an ATS loss, and they have gone over in seven of their last nine road games. The Gators beat the Owls 79-68 in the most recent head to head meeting, and a similar score is expected here.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Dallas.

The Blazers are overachieving, coming into Dallas as winners of four of five on this current road trip. Playing a sixth straight road game could be a let down spot for Portland. Dallas is coming off back to back losses on the road after winning four in a row at home. Luka Doncic is averaging an NBA best 33.6 points per game, and he's been even better at home (35.2 ppg). The Blazers are 0-4 straight up in the last four versus Dallas, and they failed to cover in all four of those losses.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on SDSU.

The BYU Cougars finished in the middle of the pack in the WCC (5th) last season, and they lost their top two scorers from last year. Expectations are much higher for the #19 ranked Aztecs, who have four seniors in the starting lineup. Leading scorer Matt Bradley is back in 2022, and Senior Darrion Trammell transferred from Seattle. He led all scorers with 18 points in a 80-57 win in the season opener. The Cougars are 5-12 ATS in their last 17 games overall, and these programs appear to be trending in opposite directions.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on the Over.

The Warriors snapped a five game losing streak with a home win over the Sacramento Kings, but there remains plenty of reason for concern in Golden State. Only the San Antonio Spurs are allowing more points per game than the Warriors, who's opponents are averaging more than 120 points per game. The good news is that Steph Curry scored 47 points and shot 7-of-12 from beyond the arc in the win over the Kings. We could see another shootout here against the Cavs. The over is 18-7-1 in the Cavaliers last 26 road games, and the Warriors have gone over in four of their last five home games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a free play on Over.

The Raptors haven't missed Pascal Siakam, coming off a 116-109 win over Houston. Fred Van Flleet scored 32 points and shot 7-of-16 from beyond the arc. Toronto has gone over in five of their last six in Oklahoma City, and the over is 9-3-1 in the last 13 meetings. The Thunder have gone over in four straight home games. We should both teams run and gun here.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Over.

The Bucks are coming off a 136-132 double overtime win over Oklahoma State. They are banged up with Giannis, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton all out of the lineup. The backups played well, shooting over 47 percent from the field, and 47 percent from beyond the arc against the Thunder. They have a history of playing high scoring games against the Spurs. The over is 8-1 in the last nine meetings, and the total for this game is lower than it was in the last eight meetings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 3* play on OVER.

Nebraska Omaha lost their season opener at Kansas by 25 points, but despite shooting just 38 percent from the field and 23 percent from beyond the arc they still scored 64 points. They play rivals Nebraska in their second game, and the Cornhuskers defense isn't quite the same as the Jayhawks. This game should be a bit of a track meet, with both teams running and gunning. The over is 19-7 in the Mavericks last 26 overall, and the over is 14-4 in the Cornhuskers last 18 games following an ATS loss.

GL,

Jesse Schule.

This is a 2* play on Under.

Coming off a 74-61 win over USC, it's not entirely clear if that win was a result of poor shooting from the Trojans or solid defense from the Eagles. USC shot just 3-of-19 from beyond the arc, but the Eagles only shot 37.5 percent from the field. San Diego is hardly an offensive juggernaut, only averaging 63.6 points per game in their last five dating back to last season. The under is 10-4 in the Toreros last 14 home games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 3* play on GMU.

The Patriots were giant killers in non-conference play last year, winning outright against #20 ranked Maryland, beating Georgia and losing by just nine points at #6 ranked Kansas. They get most of their starters back, including leading scorer senior Josh Oduro. Auburn lost their two best players to the NBA draft (Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler). They come into their season opener with five players listed as questionable, most notable of those is starting center Johni Broome. This game has upset written all over it.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 3* play on TOR.

The Bulls lost in Boston last night, and they are 7-15 ATS in their last 22 games following a straight up loss. The Raptors are coming off a 111-110 loss to at Dallas, and they are 20-8 ATS in their last 28 games following a straight up loss. The home team has won four of the last five head to head meetings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on DET.

The Cavs lost their season opener on the road at Toronto, but they have since won six straight. They will be a big favorite here in the Motor City, but Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland are both a little banged up. This looks like a natural let down spot for the visitors. The Cavaliers are 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings, and they are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games. The Pistons are 23-11 ATS in their last 34 games overall. The home team is 6-0 straight up in the last six head to head meetings. I'll take the points.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Over.

The Jazz were supposed to be in contention for a lottery pick this season, but after winning six of their first eight games the betting markets are slow to react. Utah comes into Dallas averaging 118 points per game, while the Mavs are scoring roughly the same. Utah is allowing opponents to average 114 points per game, and the Mavs are allowing opponents to average over 110 points per game. Historical trends for the Jazz point to the under, but the Rudy Gobert Era is over in Utah. These Jazz have gone over (221) in six of eight games, while the Mavs have gone over in five straight.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on Utah.

I said this prior to the Jazz winning outright as a home dog versus Memphis on Saturday:

"I think we have one of the more overrated teams (Memphis) playing one of the more underrated teams here in Utah. The Jazz are gonna suck without Donovan Mitchell? Well maybe not. They are off to a 4-2 start and they are undefeated at home. The Grizzlies are 1-5 ATS in their last six games following a straight up win. Ja Morant scored 22 points in a win at Sacramento Thursday, but he's listed as doubtful for Saturday's game."

Not enough has changed to justify the Grizz laying points here two days later.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on Over.

Here is what I said prior to the Celtics season opener versus Philly: "The Celtics ranked first in the NBA in opponents scoring average last season, but don't expect this year's squad to be a defensive juggernaut. The absence of a rim protector changes everything, and if the pre-season is any indication they may be playing at a much faster pace this season. They sent Daniel Theis to the Pacers, and Robert Williams starts the season sidelined by a knee injury. While Boston finished last season as the best scoring defense, they certainly didn't start that way. They allowed an average of 120 points per game in their first seven games of the season." They have since gone over in four of their five games. The over is 5-0 in the Celtics last five versus a team with a winning straight up record.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Utah.

I think we have one of the more overrated teams (Memphis) playing one of the more underrated teams here in Utah. The Jazz are gonna suck without Donovan Mitchell? Well maybe not. They are off to a 4-2 start and they are undefeated at home. The Grizzlies are 1-5 ATS in their last six games following a straight up win. Ja Morant scored 22 points in a win at Sacramento Thursday, but he's listed as doubtful for Saturday's game.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on Over.

Here is what I said prior to the Celtics season opener versus Philly: "The Celtics ranked first in the NBA in opponents scoring average last season, but don't expect this year's squad to be a defensive juggernaut. The absence of a rim protector changes everything, and if the pre-season is any indication they may be playing at a much faster pace this season. They sent Daniel Theis to the Pacers, and Robert Williams starts the season sidelined by a knee injury. While Boston finished last season as the best scoring defense, they certainly didn't start that way. They allowed an average of 120 points per game in their first seven games of the season." They have since gone over in three of their four games. The over is 15-5-1 in Cavaliers last 21 road games, and they have gone over in 13 of their last 19 overall.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Dallas.

The Mavs will be a favorite here in New Orleans, with Ingram out and Zion questionable. Herbert Jones also suffered a knee injury late in the Pelicans loss to Utah over the weekend. With the status of three starters in question, the Mavs depth should be enough to power them to a comfortable win here. History is on their side, having won eight of the last 10 meetings in this series, including a pair of wins at New Orleans last season. The Pelicans are 1-4 ATS in their last five home games, and the Mavericks are 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings in New Orleans.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on DEN.

After losing the season opener on the road at Utah, Denver has won back to back games. They are on the road in Portland tonight, and the Blazers are playing their second game of a back to back. Damian Lillard scored 41 points in 34 minutes in a 106-104 win over the Lakers in LA last night. The Trail Blazers are 2-5 ATS in their last seve games playing on 0 days rest, and 4-10 ATS overall in their last 14 games. The Nuggets are 5-1 SU and ATS in the last six head to head meetings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on GSW.

The Dubs are coming off a 128-123 home loss to Denver, but they should be able to bounce back Sunday against the Sacramento Kings. The Kings ranked 29th in the NBA in opponent's scoring average allowing over 115 points per game last season. They are playing on back to back nights after losing at home to the Clippers last night. The Warriors are 7-2 ATS in their last nine home games, and 5-1 ATS in their last six when playing on one day's rest. Golden State has won the last four head to head meetings by 10+ points.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on the Clippers.

The Kings lost their home opener by a score of 115-108, and they might struggle here against the Clippers on Saturday. The Kings were 16-25 at home last year, and only Houston and Oklahoma City had fewer home wins in the Western Conference. The Clippers finished with a dozen more wins than Sacramento last season, and they are in far better shape now with a healthy Paul George, Norman Powell and Marcus Morris. Of course Kawhi is back as well, but after we learned he will sit out for load management, this line has dropped. Kawhi only scored 14 points in 21 minutes off the bench in a 103-97 win over the Lakers in the season opener. The Clippers should be in good shape without him here in Sacramento.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Over.

The Celtics ranked first in the NBA in opponents scoring average last season, but don't expect this year's squad to be a defensive juggernaut. The absence of a rim protector changes everything, and if the pre-season is any indication they may be playing at a much faster pace this season. They sent Daniel Theis to the Pacers, and Robert Williams starts the season sidelined by a knee injury. While Boston finished last season as the best scoring defense, they certainly didn't start that way. They allowed an average of 120 points per game in their first seven games of the season. They went well over the number in their season opener versus Philly, and this number looks a little low all things considered.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on Over.

The Blazers lost 124-121 to the Sacramento Kings in their season opener last year, and they play the Kings in their first game of the 2022 season. The Kings finished dead last in the NBA in opponent's scoring average last year, and Portland wasn't far behind. These teams have gone over in four of the last five head to head meetings, and the over is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings. Sacramento was 4-0 in the pre-season averaging 117 points per game. We should expect a lot more offense than defense here in this game.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on Over. 

The Celtics ranked first in the NBA in opponents scoring average last season, but don't expect this year's squad to be a defensive juggernaut. The absence of a rim protector changes everything, and if the pre-season is any indication they may be playing at a much faster pace this season. They sent Daniel Theis to the Pacers, and Robert Williams starts the season sidelined by a knee injury. While Boston finished last season as the best scoring defense, they certainly didn't start that way. They allowed an average of 120 points per game in their first seven games of the season. Joel Embiid should feast here in the season opener, and both teams should do plenty of scoring. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Boston.

There is a meme going around the internet with a picture of referee Tony Brothers, captioned as the Warriors MVP of Game 5. Boston fans certainly feel that the Warriors got the better of the calls, and that it influenced the result of the game. For those who subscribe to conspiracy theories, the idea that the NBA would want Boston to win Game 6 and extend the series to increase revenue isn't all that far fetched. I do expect the home team to get the better of the calls early here in Game 6, and Boston should respond coming off back to back losses. The Celtics are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games following a straight up loss.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on GSW.

The Warriors are back in the driver's seat after earning a split in Boston. They return home to play a pivotal Game 5, well aware that the team that takes a 3-2 lead has an 82 percent chance to win the Championship. The Zig Zag theory would favor the Celtics coming off a loss, but I am going to buck that trend and take the Warriors. Robert Williams has played through a knee injury and has been a huge factor in this series so far. He tweaked his knee in Game 4 and his status is in question for Game 5. Jason Tatum has been inconsistent, while Steph Curry is coming off a 43 point performance in Game 4. We have yet to see the best of Draymond Green, but I expect him to deliver in the clutch here at home in Game 5.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on GSW.

The Warriors appeared to be overmatched in Game 1 of these Finals, but they flipped a switch in Game 2 and looked like a completely different team. They will have to do the same here in Game 4 in Boston, after getting blown out in the fourth quarter again in Game 3. The Warriors are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following a straight up loss, while the Celtics haven't won consecutive home games since the first round versus Brooklyn. Boston has failed to cover in four of their last five following a win of 10 points or more. The Warriors are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games as an underdog.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Celtics.

The Celtics got a split on the road in the first two games of these Finals, and they are in the driver's seat here heading into Game 3. The Warriors are 1-5 ATS in their last six road games, and they could suffer a let down after such a one sided win in Game 2. The Celtics are 12-2 ATS in their last 14 games following a straight up loss. The Warriors have failed to cover in four of their last five at Boston. Expect the Celtics to jump all over Golden State early in Game 3.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on GSW.

Don't be foolish if you are a Warriors fan concerned about losing Game 1. Draymond Green said what should be obvious to everyone. Derrick White, Al Horford and Marcus Smart shot 15-of-23 from three point range, and that's like getting struck by lightning. Boston shooting better than 50 percent from beyond the arc is not something that can continue moving forward. The Warriors are 5-1 ATS in their last six games following a straight up loss, and they should blow the doors off here in Game 2.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on GSW.

The Warriors are just a small favorite in the NBA Finals, but I don't have high hopes that the Celtics can make this a competitive series. There are memes floating around social media right now, showing that the Celtics have won seven of the last 10 head to head meetings. If you are wondering how significant that is, keep in mind that similar memes showing Dallas winning three of four regular season meetings were floating around prior to the Western Conference Finals. The Mavs were lucky to win just one game in that series. The Celtics are young and inexperienced in comparison to the Warriors. We have a rookie head coach for Boston against a cagey veteran in Steve Kerr coaching the Warriors. Playing a seven game series against a banged up Miami Heat in the East Final doesn't bode well for the Celtics. A well rested Warriors team should take this series in 5-6 games, and Curry will finally win a Finals MVP.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Celtics.

I said this before Game 5: "So far this series has been back and forth, and the team coming off a loss has bounced back each time. The Heat come in looking to avenge a brutal 102-82 loss in Boston in Game 4. They are back home for Game 5, and with a healthy squad you would expect them to be far better on their home court. They don't have a healthy squad though, and without a healthy Jimmy Butler they are going to struggle to keep up to Boston. Butler scored just six points on 3-of-14 shooting in 27 minutes in Game 4. He's struggled while playing through a knee injury, and he's certainly not going to be at 100 percent just a few days later. The Celtics are 19-6-1 ATS in their last 26 road games, and they should have more healthy bodies to throw out there in tonight's game." It was another disappointing performance from Jimmy Butler, and the injuries appear to have derailed the Heat.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on GSW.

So the Warriors are now 0-3 in these playoffs in their first attempt to clinch a series. After losing Game 4 to the Nuggets in round 1, they came back and took care of business in Game 5. They lost Game  in their series versus Memphis, and won 110-96 back home in Game 6. Expect history to repeat itself here in Game 5 at Chase Center. The Mavericks are 1-5 ATS in their last six road games, and they have been blown out in three of their last four at Golden State. The Warriors are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 home games. This is a let down spot for Dallas, and I expect the Dubs to open up a can of whupass as they book their ticket to the Finals.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Celtics.

So far this series has been back and forth, and the team coming off a loss has bounced back each time. The Heat come in looking to avenge a brutal 102-82 loss in Boston in Game 4. They are back home for Game 5, and with a healthy squad you would expect them to be far better on their home court. They don't have a healthy squad though, and without a healthy Jimmy Butler they are going to struggle to keep up to Boston. Butler scored just six points on 3-of-14 shooting in 27 minutes in Game 4. He's struggled while playing through a knee injury, and he's certainly not going to be at 100 percent just a few days later. The Celtics are 19-6-1 ATS in their last 26 road games, and they should have more healthy bodies to throw out there in tonight's game.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Dallas.

This isn't the first time in these playoffs that the Warriors have had a chance to sweep. After going up 3-0 on Denver, they came out flat in Game 4. The Nuggets had a double digit lead at halftime, and went on to win by a score of 126-121. In the second round against the Grizzlies, they had a chance to close out the series in Game 5. Memphis jumped all over them early, clobbering them by a score of 134-95 to extend the series. It certainly wouldn't be any shock at all if the Warriors turned in another lackluster effort here, and then take the series back home in Game 5. The old saying goes: "History Repeats Itself".

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Dallas.

The Mavs came out on fire in Game 2, with a 32-25 lead after the first quarter, and a 72-58 lead at halftime. The Warriors were able to rally in the second half and take a 2-0 series lead, and that means Game 3 in Dallas is a must win for the Mavs. The Warriors have failed to cover in four straight road games, and the Mavs are 7-1 ATS in their last eight as a home favorite. The Mavericks are 38-17 ATS in their last 55 games following a straight up loss. I like Dallas to blow the doors off in the first half here at home.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Under.

The Celtics were dominant in the first half of Game 2, holding Miami to just 45 points. This comes after the Heat held Boston to just 45 points in the second half of Game 1. I am expecting both teams to bring their A-game on defense here in a pivotal Game 3 at the Garden. The Heat have failed to reach the total in four of their last five when coming off a loss, and the under is 9-4 in their last 13 overall. The Celtics have failed to reach the total in four of their last five home games, and the under is 4-1 in their last five playoff games as a favorite.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Over.

The Mavs were destined to suffer a let down after their epic Game 7 win over Phoenix, and sure enough they came out and shot just 36% from the field scoring only 87 points. They were 11-of-48 from beyond the arc, and it killed them. They will need to be more selective here in Game 2, and I would expect them to be far more competitive. The over is 8-3 in Mavericks last 11 road games, and they have gone over in 12 of their last 17 versus Golden State. The Mavs have won seven of the last 10 head to head meetings versus Golden State, scoring an average of 123 points in those games. The over is 7-3 in the Warriors last 10 games following a straight up win.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Boston.

The Celtics got off to a strong start in Game 1, but the Heat took over the game in the third quarter and went on to win 118-107. Boston has proven the ability to bounce back from a loss, covering in four straight when coming off a loss. The Celtics are 13-6 ATS in the last 19 meetings in Miami, and they are are 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 road games. While it looks like Al Horford will miss Game 2, Marcus Smart is expected to be in the lineup. I like Boston to even this series at 1-1.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on GSW.

After crushing the Suns in Game 7, there are no shortage of believers in this Dallas team. The Mavs do look like the real deal, but Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals looks like a let down spot for Dallas. The Warriors have won all six of their home games in these playoffs, and they are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six Conference Finals games. Prior to their win in Game 7, the Mavs had lost all three road games in their series versus Phoenix. You might here a lot of talk of how the Mavs won the season series 3-1, but it's important to put those games into perspective. Draymond Green wasn't even in the lineup in three of those games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Miami.

The Celtics come into the Eastern Conference Finals off an emotional Game 7 win over Milwaukee. This could set them up for a let down here on the road in Game 1 at Miami. The Heat won all three of their home games in the series versus Philly by a double digit margin. The Heat are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 Conference Finals games, and they are  8-1 ATS in their last nine home games. They started fast in both Game 1 in the first round versus Atlanta and in the second round versus Philly opening up a healthy lead after the first quarter.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on PHX.

The home team is 6-0 in this series heading back to Phoenix for Game 7. Historically home court advantage has been quite significant when an NBA series goes to a seventh game. The Mavericks are 3-10 ATS in the last 13 meetings in Phoenix. They shot just 38 percent from the field and scored just 80 points while losing Game 5 here at the Footprint Center. The Suns are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 Conference Semifinals games, and they are 5-1 ATS in their last six games following a loss.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Milwaukee Bucks.

Here is what I said before Game 6: "The Celtics are reeling after blowing a big lead late in Game 5, and now they have to win on the road in Milwaukee in Game 6 to avoid elimination. Boston looks banged up with Marcus Smart limping on the floor and Robert Williams siting out the last two games. Don't be fooled by the fact that Jason Tatum is coming off back to back 30 point games. He's just 5-for-21 from beyond the arc in those games. If the Celtics have to rely on Al Horford to be the best player on the floor, my money is on Giannis and the Bucks at home." Neither of these teams has won back to back games in this series, and I expect that trend to continue in Game 7.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Celtics are reeling after blowing a big lead late in Game 5, and now they have to win on the road in Milwaukee in Game 6 to avoid elimination. Boston looks banged up with Marcus Smart limping on the floor and Robert Williams siting out the last two games. Don't be fooled by the fact that Jason Tatum is coming off back to back 30 point games. He's just 5-for-21 from beyond the arc in those games. If the Celtics have to rely on Al Horford to be the best player on the floor, my money is on Giannis and the Bucks at home.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 2* play on Dallas.

I said the following before Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinal: "Call me a conspiracy theorist, but it's no secret that it's in the best interest of the NBA to extend a series when one team is facing elimination. That's particularly true when the game is officiated by Scott Foster. Teams facing elimination are 20-5 in such games that he's called in his career. As of now (Tuesday night), there is no guarantee Foster will be the crew chief for this game. Regardless, expect the Grizzlies to get the benefit of the doubt, and a few favorable calls." So fa the home team has won all five games in this series, and there is every indication that trend will continue.  The Suns are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games playing on 1 days rest, and they are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games as a road favorite. The Mavericks are 18-7 ATS in their last 25 games following a ATS loss.

GL, 

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Philly.

I said the following before Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinal: "Call me a conspiracy theorist, but it's no secret that it's in the best interest of the NBA to extend a series when one team is facing elimination. That's particularly true when the game is officiated by Scott Foster. Teams facing elimination are 20-5 in such games that he's called in his career. As of now (Tuesday night), there is no guarantee Foster will be the crew chief for this game. Regardless, expect the Grizzlies to get the benefit of the doubt, and a few favorable calls." So fa the home team has won all five games in this series, and there is every indication that trend will continue. The Heat are 0-5 ATS in their last five playoff games as an underdog, and they re 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings in Philadelphia.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Grizz.

Call me a conspiracy theorist, but it's no secret that it's in the best interest of the NBA to extend a series when one team is facing elimination. That's particularly true when the game is officiated by Scott Foster. Teams facing elimination are 20-5 in such games that he's called in his career. As of now (Tuesday night), there is no guarantee Foster will be the crew chief for this game. Regardless, expect the Grizzlies to get the benefit of the doubt, and a few favorable calls. When it was announced that Ja Morant will not play Game 5, the line moved 2.5 points. Of course Morant didn't play Game 4 in Golden State and that game went right down to the wire. Memphis is now 20-6 straight up in games without Morant this season. The Warriors are 0-5 ATS in the last five meetings in Memphis, and the Grizzlies are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games as a home underdog. I'll take the points.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play Boston.

The Celtics stole all the momentum in this series with a come from behind win in Milwaukee in Game 4. Al Horford took the game over in the 4th quarter, scoring 30 points on 11-of-14 shooting. A pivotal Game 5 on the road looks like a tough spot for Milwaukee. The Bucks are 8-18 ATS in their last 26 games as a road underdog, and they have failed to cover in five of their last six at The Garden. They are are 1-9-1 ATS in the last 11 head to head meetings. My money is on the home team.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on PHX.

I said this prior to Game 2: "The Suns just barely covered in Game 1, after allowing Dallas to score 35 in the fourth quarter. That being said the game was never in doubt, the Suns were up by 13 points at the half and they took a 17 point lead into the 4th quarter. The Mavericks are 8-22 ATS in the last 30 meetings, and they are 3-8 ATS in the last 11 meetings in Phoenix. The Suns have won 10 straight versus Dallas dating back to 2020. The Suns are 10-1-1 ATS in their last 12 Conference Semifinals games. As impressive as the Mavs were in the first round, they were facing a Jazz team that is notorious for falling apart in the Playoffs. Phoenix is looking to get back to the Finals, and at this point it's tough to see anyone stopping them." The Mavs went on to win both games in Dallas drawing level in the series, and Chris Paul really struggled in those games. CP3 has something to prove here, and I like the Suns to blow the doors off early. The home team has won the first quarter in all four games in this series so far.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Miami.

The Heat are reeling after losing back to back games in Philly, but some home cooking might be just what the doctor ordered. The 76ers are 1-6-1 ATS in the last eight meetings in Miami, and they are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 road games. The Heat are 7-1 ATS in their last eight home games, and they are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games as a favorite. Jimmy Buckets scored 40 in Game 4, and I expect him to take over this series here in Miami.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the Celtics.

The Bucks held on to win Game 3 as the Celtics game tying shot came just after the time expired. There was a lot of talk about controversial calls, and neither team was happy about the officiating. The fact that Jason Tatum scored 10 points on 4-of-19 shooting and the game nearly went to overtime might actually be a good sign heading into Game 4. Surely Tatum will be better here on Monday. The Celtics are 16-5-1 ATS in their last 22 road games, and they are 7-2 ATS in their last nine coming off a loss. The Celtics are 8-1-1 ATS in the last 10 head to head meetings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on PHI.

Who would of thought that Philly would come into Game 4 as the favorite, with a chance to tie the series. They looked completely overmatched in the first two games of this series, but now it's Miami that is dealing with injuries. Embiid is back, while Lowry, Butler, Hero, Strus, Tucker, Vincent, Martin and Dedmon are all playing hurt. Miami scored just 79 points on 35 percent shooting in Game 3, and I am expecting them to struggle again here in Philly.

GL,

Jesse Schule

    

This is a 5* play on Dallas.

The Mavs returned home trailing 0-2 in the series, and they took care of business in Game 3. Luka Doncic scored 35 points in a losing effort in Game 2, but Game 3 was more of a team effort. The Mavs started that game strong, and they actually held a lead at halftime. The Mavericks are 7-2 ATS in their last nine home games, and they were 3-0 ATS in the first quarter of their three home games in the first round. The Mavericks are 36-16 ATS in their last 52 games following a straight up loss.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on GSW.

The Grizzlies have had trouble with slow starts in these playoffs, and they are strutting into San Francisco with their chests puffed out after a big win in Game 2. This sets them up for a big let down here in Game 3, and I expect the Warriors to blow the doors off early. The Warriors lost once in their first round series versus Denver, and in the next game they started strong leading 30-25 after the first quarter. The Grizzlies are 6-14 ATS in their last 20 playoff games as an underdog.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Milwaukee.

The home team has won eight of the last 10 meetings between these teams, and Boston has lost four of their last five in Milwaukee. Their last visit was exactly a month ago, and the Bucks won that game 127-121. After the beating they took in Game 2 at the Garden, they will have a point to prove. Expect them to start like a house on fire, blowing the doors off in the first quarter and taking a healthy lead to the locker room at halftime. In the first round they lost Game 2 versus the Bulls, and went on to win the next game by 30 points. The Bucks are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following an ATS loss.

GL,

Jesse Schule

8*

This is a 5* play on the Bucks.

The Celtics had no answer for Milwaukee in Game 1, and it's difficult to imagine how they are going to turn things around a few days later without Marcus Smart. Boston was a 4.5 point favorite in Game 1, and they are again asked to cover points in Game 2. It seems quite clear that even if the Celtics can win this game (and that might be a big if) they shouldn't be asked to cover a bunch of points against a the two time MVP and defending NBA Champions. The Bucks are 7-1 ATS in their last eight road games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on PHX.

The Suns came into the post-season as the best team in the NBA, and in the first round they survived an injury to Devin Booker. They host the Mavs in the second round, and Booker is back at full strength. Chris Paul ia coming off a perfect shooting night, going 14-of-14 from the field in Game 6 versus the Pelicans. The Suns have won nine straight versus Dallas dating back to 2020. The Suns are 9-1-1 ATS in their last 11 Conference Semifinals games. As impressive as the Mavs were in the first round, they were facing a Jazz team that is notorious for falling apart in the Playoffs. Phoenix is looking to get back to the Finals, and at this point it's tough to see anyone stopping them.

GL,

Jesse Schule

5*

5*

This is a 5* play on Dallas.

I said this prior to Game 5: "I bet on Utah in Game 4, and I consider myself quite lucky to have escaped with a win. The Jazz held on to win by a score of 100-99, despite 30 points from Luka Doncic. The calf injury that kept him out of the first three games didn't seem to bother Luka, and he looked great in his return. The Jazz are 6-19-1 ATS in their last 26 road games, and they are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games playing on 1 days rest. They have failed to cover in eight of their last nine versus the Mavericks, and their reputation for choking in the post-season looms large." The Mavs have all the momentum and with Donovan Mitchell hurt this series could be over.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Suns.

The Suns were the best team in the NBA this season, and they have a chance to clinch this series here in New Orleans tonight. They proved that they have the depth to win without their leading scorer, even on the road. They will get Booker back tonight, and that makes it a daunting task for the Pelicans. The Suns have covered in four of their last five at New Orleans, and three of those four wins came by a double digit margin. Expect this to be a blowout.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on TOR.

Here is what I said prior to Game 4: "No team has ever come back from an 0-3 series deficit in the NBA Playoffs, so you have to think this series is over. That being said, the Raptors have to chance to prevent the Sixers from celebrating on their court if they can win Game 4 and extend the series. The Sixers are due for a let down after winning Game 3 with a buzzer beater three-point shot from Joel Embiid. The 76ers are 5-14 ATS in the last 19 meetings in Toronto, and I like the Raptors to salvage some pride here in Game 4." With Embiid struggling to play hurt, and Toronto potentially at full strength in Game 6, this series appears to be destined to go to a Game 7.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Miami.

I bet Miami in Game 4, and here is what I said prior to the game: "The Hawks win in Game 3 will prevent them from being swept, but I don't think they are back in the series. Trae Young hit the game winner in the final seconds, but it wasn't really a convincing performance. Kyle Lowry might be out with a hamstring injury, but the Heat were 12-7 in games he missed during the regular season. The Hawks are 5-15 ATS in their last 20 games following a straight up win. The Heat are 10-3-1 ATS in their last 14 road games, and I expect them to want it more here in Game 4." Back in Miami it's going to get ugly for Trae Young and the Hawks.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Dallas.

I bet on Utah in Game 4, and I consider myself quite lucky to have escaped with a win. The Jazz held on to win by a score of 100-99, despite 30 points from Luka Doncic. The calf injury that kept him out of the first three games didn't seem to bother Luka, and he looked great in his return. The Jazz are 6-19-1 ATS in their last 26 road games, and they are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games playing on 1 days rest. They have failed to cover in eight of their last nine versus the Mavericks, and their reputation for choking in the post-season looms large.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Miami.

The Hawks win in Game 3 will prevent them from being swept, but I don't think they are back in the series. Trae Young hit the game winner in the final seconds, but it wasn't really a convincing performance. Kyle Lowry might be out with a hamstring injury, but the Heat were 12-7 in games he missed during the regular season. The Hawks are 5-15 ATS in their last 20 games following a straight up win. The Heat are 10-3-1 ATS in their last 14 road games, and I expect them to want it more here in Game 4.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Utah.

Right now the Jazz are the laughing stock of the NBA. Everyone has them labelled as fraud, a team that can't win in the Playoffs despite success in the regular season. As bad as it is, they still have a chance to even the series at 2-2 with a win on their home court against a Dallas team that has been playing without it's leading scorer. It will be very important for the Jazz to get off to a good start in Game 4. This does look like a let down spot for the Mavs.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Toronto.

No team has ever come back from an 0-3 series deficit in the NBA Playoffs, so you have to think this series is over. That being said, the Raptors have to chance to prevent the Sixers from celebrating on their court if they can win Game 4 and extend the series. The Sixers are due for a let down after winning Game 3 with a buzzer beater three-point shot from Joel Embiid. The 76ers are 5-14 ATS in the last 19 meetings in Toronto, and I like the Raptors to salvage some pride here in Game 4.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on the Chicago Bulls.

The Bulls lost 15 of their last 22 regular season games, and an early exit in the Playoffs seemed likely. Heading into Game 3 versus the Bucks, everything has flipped on it's head. Chicago has been the better team in this series, and the Bucks were lucky to win Game 1. Now Milwaukee won't have Kris Middleton for the rest of the series, and the Bulls look to take advantage on their home court. DeRozan scored 41 points in Game 2, and Chicago has all the momentum. I expect the home crowd to fuel a hot start for the home team.

GL,

Jesse Schule