ORANJPEEL

None of the other four Christmas day games hit on my model run, with the exception of BKN vs BOS. My model barely favors the Nets. Kemba Walker is out, so it’s a matchup between Irving vs Dinwiddie and Durant vs Tatum – both favor the Nets. I reckon bench play for both teams will be a wash. Brad Stevens gets the nod over newbie Steve Nash (D’Antoni really), but a well rested Nets team playing the Celtics on their home turf won’t really be home court advantage this early on in a Covid year. It will be close, but Nets will cover.

OP STAFF | 2-1 NBA 2020 SEASON

My model favors the Raptors. There is no home court advantage here for the Raptors playing in Tampa, however the duo of Lowry and Vanvleet, along with super-star-lite Sakiam will prove to be too much for Pelicans to handle. Lay the points.

OP STAFF | 1-1 NBA 2020 SEASON

My model favors the Hawks. The team is armed with new long range snipers, ie Gallinari et al. This is going to be a shoot out with Trae leading the way. No one is playing D in this game. They haven’t done too well in preseason against the Grizzlies last Thursday, look for the Hawks to revenge that loss tonight. Take the points.

OP STAFF | 1-0 NBA 2020 SEASON

*This is a preseason game so treat it as such and take any direction lightly.