NBA Season 2020-21

My model favors the Clippers. The Clippers worry me, they are an uber-talented team with a lackadaisical attitude. This criticism is directed towards their super star tandem. Paul George and Kawhi Leonard have a laid back demeanor and the latter may still be under load management. i.e. R&R on back to back with reduced practice times. Further, Tyrone Lue is a player’s coach, the team lacks the outspoken fiery leadership like the Cleveland team had with Lebron. That said, I still pick the Clippers because they are talented and their February loss to the Celtics and more recent loss to the Bucks on Sunday should motivate them. The Celtics have a nice two game winning streak going, but those wins were against teams with losing records. Clippers at -4.

OP STAFF | 10-9 NBA 2020 SEASON

* Kawhi Leonard pulled out of lineup minutes before game time due to back spasm.

My model favors the Clippers. Coming off an embarrassing loss to the Grizzlies yesterday, the Clippers will look to avenge. I like the match up favoring Los Angeles for the point and center spots. Morant and Valanciunas will have their hands full with Beverly and Ibaka, respectively. Morant will need to really work to get his points. No one on the Memphis side is going to stop the two Clippers perennial All-Stars. The Clippers have a top 5 ranked offense and defense in terms of points scored per game and points allowed per game, respectively again. The Grizzlies do not. Lay the points.

OP STAFF | 10-8 NBA 2020 SEASON

My model favors the Blazers. Portland is 8-2 in the last 10 ATS. Washington is ranked 30th (last) in points allowed per game, while Portland is ranked 3rd in points scored per game. The Wizards on the surface had an impressive two point win over the Nuggets this past Wed, but that was because David Bertans bailed them out with an uber-efficient 9-11 from the three for a 35 pt game of his life time. The Blazers should be able to cover this one. Lay it.

OP STAFF | 9-8 NBA 2020 SEASON