ORANJPEEL

The Kings are without Haliburton, Fox and Barnes. That’s two starters plus your first guy off the bench. Even if Fox clears covid protocols, there will be rust. After a brutal 30 pt loss to the Jazz on Wed, look for the Spurs with Dejounte Murray leading the way, and bounce back against the defensively challenged Kings. Lay the points.

OP STAFF | 24-13 NBA SEASON 2020-21

My model favors the Celtics. Jayson Tatums’ 60 points willed the team to a victory two days ago. Even though they lost the ATS, they pulled out a win from a 30 point deficit in the first half. Portland has been on a 3 game win streak, but this is their 4th road game. I think fatigue can be an issue here. I now know why the Celtics puzzle me. The Celtics need to build this team around Tatum, yea they play better when the ball moves and less iso-play but Tatum is the star, and if they want to maximize talent then an Allen Iverson model is the route. When the spread is this tight and i think it will be a close scoring game, the Celtics ML is better value.

OP STAFF | 23-13 NBA SEASON 2020-21

My model favors the Spurs. San Antonio is 22-8 on the road, and this is coming off of a narrow road and ATS loss in Miami in which they were spotted +4.5 pts, as well. I think the Spurs will make better use of these points against the Celtics. The Celtics continue to puzzle me, on paper they look great, they got playmakers, shooters, a lock down defender, rim protection, and coveted superstar 1a and 1b. Even so, they just can’t seem to put it together during games. They last won over the Hornets as they should but the day prior to that they lost to OKC? Take the points.

OP STAFF | 23-12 NBA SEASON 2020-21