Summary and High confidence Picks for Jan 20th
1. Phoenix Suns at Philadelphia 76ers - 07:00 PM ET
Notable injuries: Joel Embiid (out - injury mgmt.)
Overall: I expect this to be a competitive game overall. PHX is currently sitting at #7 in the west with a 26-17 record and since we are almost at the all-star break, I expect them to try to keep their position. The 76ers sit at #5 in the East with a 23-18 record. We have 4 star players to watch on the Away team (PHX) and 5 players to watch on our Home team
Devin Booker: Elite in Points (expect him to score between 24-25 points with 4-5 assists (he has 5 games with at least 4 assists). Or a combined PTS+AST of 30.2. His 3 pointers are trending up at 1.6 per game (a 20% increase) so expect him to attempt and make more in this game against Maxey and Edgecombe. Target over 35.5 (Pts+reb+ast)
Grayson Allen: I expect the bench to be heavily involved in this game against the 76ers bench. I expect him to make at least two 3 pointers and score at least 10 points in the process. His points and 3s are also trending upwards
Collin Gillespie: Expect at least 2 three pointers and maybe a steal or 2.
Dillon Brooks: He is foul prone so his stats may fluctuate based on opponent. Expect at least one 3 pointer and at least 15 points.
Adem Bona - Embiid is out today so Bona is his backup. Expect at least 1 block, 2 steals+blocks, and at least 8 points + rebounds
Andre Drummond: Bona's backup today - expect at least 8 rebounds
Edgecombe: I expect increased usage due to lack of Embiid's scoring today. I expect at least 3 assists ,4 rebounds and one 3 pointer. Also over 22.5 pts + rebounds + assists.
2. LA Clippers at Chicago Bulls - 08:00 PM ET
Notable injuries: Josh Giddey (out)
Overall: The 19-23 clippers vs the 20-22 Bulls. Both under a 50% win percentage and close to seed 10. They will be fighting to retain their spot before the ASB. Josh Giddey's absence leaves a lot of room for rebounds and assists.
Tre Jones: Expectation - at least 5 assists, but expect close to 9 assists
Mataz Buzelis - Expectation - at least one 3 pointer and 4 rebounds. I expect PTS + Rebs to be at least 21 combined. His blocks are also trending so expect at least 1 in this game
3. San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets - 08:00 PM ET
I expect a very competitive game with young stars. The 30-13 spurs are not planning on slowing down momentum anytime soon but they will be facing an aggressive and disciplined coach (Udoka) and team (Houston). Houston is 25-15 - these teams might face each other in the 1st round.
Fox: Expect at least 4 assists and 1 three point made. I expect at least 21 pts+rebs or 25 pts+assists (his assists are trending up and I expect this game to be no different with Wembanyama at full strength)
Champagnie and Barnes: at least one 3 pointer each.
Stephon Castle: At least 24 pts+rebs+assists OR over 8 assists and 1 three pointer
Steven Adams: At least 7 rebounds or 14 Pts + rebounds
Tari Eason: At least 7 rebounds (trending up) or 9.5 rebs + assists.
Durant: Over 33.5 pts+rebs+ast
Note: With Wembanyama in the picture , a lot of rebounding numbers might decline for the Rockets. Field goal % (at the rim) for the Houston Rockets might also decline today.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves at Utah Jazz - 09:00 PM ET
The Jazz are tanking , I expect them to lose this game. The blowout risk is high (star players might be rested early, bench players and reserves might get more run)
Donte Divincenzo: ~ 17 pts + assists. 2 steals+blocks OR 22.5 pts+reb+ast. All his stats are trending up but this game might not be competitive.
Antman (Anthony Edwards): at least 3 three pointers, 33 pts + rebounds, or 34.5 pts+rebs+assists. High early usage.
Gobert: at least 10 rebounds OR 13.5 rebounds + assists
Keyonte George: at least 1 steal, 5 assists, 25 points and one 3 pointer OR 32 PTS+ ASSISTS OR 35.5 pts + rebounds + assists
Walter Clayton: At least one pointer, 3 assists or 11 points+assists. His assists are trending up and I expect him to play more in this game.
Kyle Filipowski: Since Nurkic is rested often and the Jazz are tanking. He might play more. If he does, expect at least 17 points+rebounds
Isaiah Collier: 10.5 combined points and rebounds OR 16 combined points and assists
5. Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets - 10:00 PM ET
Notable injuries: Braun (out), Jokic (out - but has resumed on-court workouts), Valanciunas (out), Cam Johnson (out)
Overall - The nuggets are shorthanded without Jokic and Valanciunas so I expect a lot of Laker's scoring in the paint with Aaron Gordon as center.
Doncic - at least 3 three pointers (TARGET: 4), 5 assists OR 36.5 PTS+AST OR 4.5 PTS+REB+AST. He is foul prone.
Lebron James: at least 4 assists or 29 PTS+AST. All his stats are trending upwards and he normally excels without Jokic on the court since Gordon will be guarding others.
Ayton: No Jokic so more space to work, at least 23 points + rebounds OR at least 6 Rebounds
Hachimura: At least one 3 pointer
Aaron Gordon: More usage without Jokic. He will be very busy on defense today. I expect 24.5 pts+reb+ast with heavy focus on rebounds (at least 7). Also expect one 3 pointer and at least 2 assists
Hardaway: 10 points and at least 1 three pointer
6. Toronto Raptors at Golden State Warriors - 10:00 PM ET
Notable injuries: Jimmy Butler (out for season - sad news) , De'Anthony Melton (DTD), Draymond Green (DTD), Al Horford (DTD)
This will be competitive despite injuries. Expect a lot of small ball. With Raptor major centers out, there is room for opportunity in the Raptors frontcourt. With Jimmy Butlers usage and scoring out of the picture, expect a lot of ball movement, pointers, assists and shot attempts.
Scottie Barnes: Very High usage, elite contribution across all stat categories. Expect 1 steal, 1 block, 6+ rebounds, 5+ assists OR 28 PTS+ REB , 25 PTS+AST, 1.5 REB+AST. Focus on assists since they are trending up. 30.5 pts+reb+ast
Brandon Ingram: Elite points and rebounds. Expect at least 15 points , 5 rebounds and 2 assists OR 27 PTS+REB or 28.5 pts+reb+ast
RJ Barrett: at least 15 points, 1 three pointer, 4 rebounds and 2 assists or 25 PTS+REBS
Draymond Green: Expect more usage without Jimmy, 5 rebounds, 3 assists at least.
Stephen Curry: Expect more scoring without Jimmy: at least 3 three pointers, 4 assists or 31 pts+assists. Target over 6 assists and 4 pointers or 34.5 pts+reb+ast
Al Horford: More usage without Jimmy, at least one 3 pointer
7. Miami Heat at Sacramento Kings - 10:00 PM ET
Expect a Miami heat blowout so star players are all at risk on both teams.
Bam Adebayo: at least 3 assists , one 3PM and 7 rebounds OR 32.5 PTS+REB+AST. Without Tyler Herro, expect his assists to increase (target 4 assists)
Derozan: At least 1 steal, 3 assists and 15 points. Target 25 PTS+AST or 25.5 Pts+Reb+Ast. His assist are trending up with Sabonis back in the mix so target 4 assists.
Precious Achiuwa: His rebounds and steals are trending up so target 1 steal and 6 rebounds
Zach Lavine: At least one 3 pointer and 10 points