RADIO
An 11-game slate following last night's three-game showcase is sure to keep up with the flow of the season. Despite less points being scored this year compared to majority of the last decade, it's been refreshing. Less fouls are being called, more basketball is being played, and teams are relying on consistent play and defense, rather than consistent bailouts. Last night was nothing short of exciting from start to finish, but the lead story is, without a doubt, the one event that might impact multiple games.
The Jazz lost their first home game of the season to the Pacers Thursday night, and around the four minute mark of the fourth quarter, Myles Turner blocked a Rudy Gobert dunk attempt sending both to the floor, leading to a shoving contest that resembled a tango. Teammates got involved, Joe Ingles pushed a ref, and Donovan Mitchell was relentlessly jawing back at the Pacers. This was nothing compared to the Nikola Jokic' trucking of Markieff Morris, so the severity of the punishment should have already been dealt.
MonkeyKnifeFight.com is always ahead of the curve with their canceling of contests amid postponements, so don't worry about wasting money on a player or game that might not play. As always, you can find me in the NBA Chat Room or @HalfCourtJester on Twitter with any questions, especially since lines and players are subject to change throughout the day.
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NYK @ CHA
Julius Randle (NYK) MORE 23.5 Points - Miles Bridges (CHA) LESS 18.5 Points
There are some sites that have Julius Randle listed at a 22.5 point projected tonight, but him scoring 24 doesn't seem like that much more of a stretch. He hasn't been shooting particularly well, but the Hornets frontcourt hasn't really changed over the previous few seasons. They are letting up the most points to opposing power forward this season, and until P.J. Washington returns, they have no choice but to run small with few options at center. These are the games where Randle's playmaking opens up his scoring.
The Hornets looked good to start the season, but have lost some winnable games and have yet to beat a contending team this month. Miles Bridges had a small streak of high-scoring games, but that momentum seems to have left him now that a 20-point night from him seems more like a stretch than a floor. You can almost directly attribute Bridges scoring less points to him just missing shots, but that's still a trend we can move on. Until he starts hitting his shot consistently, it seems teams have figured out how to keep Bridges from having high-scoring games like he did earlier in the season.
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MIL @ BOS
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) MORE 27.5 Points - Jayson Tatum (BOS) MORE 27.5 Points
If Giannis Antetokounmpo plays, be wary about an ankle injury that could keep him from being 100%. Regardless, looking at this wager in a vacuum favors both players here. Tatum is playing with minimal support and is facing a dilapidated defense, where Antetokounmpo is playing with some support against a bad defense. The only real concern here, is whether Antetokounmpo is actually going to play.
If he does, we have to assume he's healthy, but there's not much reason to assume the Bucks will roll right over the Celtics. If Tatum and Dennis Schroder can get any offense going and are provided some support from the bench, Antetokounmpo might not have a choice but to carry this offense alongside Jrue Holiday.
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ATL @ DEN
Trae Young (ATL) MORE 24.5 Points - Will Barton (DEN) MORE 16.5 Points
Trae Young has been playing well, and even the best defenses don't stand much chance when that is the case. There's great chance for him to have another all-around game, so don't shy away from any fantasy bets here and look for his assists to pile up early and often. Even if he has a slow first-half trying to keep up with the re-Jokic'd Nuggets, he tends to shoot more in the second half anyway.
Jokic returning alters nearly everything about Denver's offense. Will Barton won't have the same usage obviously, but he was scoring over 20 points when Jokic was playing and he'll continue to do so regardless of availability. It's a nice boost that his projected has dropped because with Barton, it really is a nightly basis with his shooting. The good thing is that with Jokic back, Barton should see more shots with the extra space.
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MIN @ LAL
Anthony Edwards (MIN) MORE 23.5 Points - Russell Westbrook (LAL) MORE 8.5 Assists
You have to scroll slightly to find this one, but it is absolutely worth it. Anthony Edwards is coming off a career-game and the Lakers defense has been mediocre so far. It took a few games for Edwards to get going, but even in a loss, scoring 48 points means you're in a good place in terms of finding your rhythm.
Russell Westbrook hasn't altered everything about his style of play, but you don't have to be an expert to realize Westbrook's numbers have significantly dropped. However, it's mainly his rebounds. When LeBron James doesn't play, there isn't an assist total you take the under on, but it seems the triple-double-ing has taken a backseat...for now.
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