ORANJPEEL

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

My model favors the Pelicans. In the first match up on Dec 29 @Phoenix, the Suns blew them away by a score of 111-86. The following, on Feb 3 @New Orleans, the Pelicans evened the series with a 22 pt win for a final score of 123-101. The Pelicans will have home court tonight but will be without Steve Adams, so Ayton should have his way. However, I don’t think the Suns have an answer for Zion. But really, who does? The younger and longer Ball will neutralize Paul or Booker depending on the cover assignment. The game will be closer than the previous two. The Pelicans cover this one.

OP STAFF | 9-7 NBA 2020 SEASON