RADIO
The second half of the season is fully underway and there won't be any smaller slates for another few days, so be sure to get the most out of the nights that offer the most variety. With eight games today, a few teams have already announced rotation changes, while teams like the Bulls have already benefitted from some these roster moves. Coby White and Wendell Carter Jr. were moved to the bench and it opened the floor up for them to produce that exact game.
More adjustments are going to happen in these coming days and starters will change, so stay updated on announcements and get as much information as you can before making bets. White and Carter Jr. are a very small percentage of the changes that have already happened since the start of the second half of the season, so take the time to get a refresher of each team by doing a quick box score check. It won't help with understanding the flow and dynamics of each team, but at least you'll see who is playing.
MonkeyKnifeFight.com continues to be ahead of the curve with their canceling of contests amid postponements, so don't worry about wasting money on a player or game that might not play. As always, you can find me in the NBA Chat Room or @HalfCourtJester on Twitter with any questions, especially since lines and players are subject to change throughout the day.
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MIL @ WAS
Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) MORE 31.5 Points - Russell Westbrook (WAS) MORE 23.5 Points
Bradley Beal is playing this time around and that is going to spike production for everyone else on the Wizards. Russell Westbrook stays consistent with his ability to control possessions and find teammates, but he was 5-11 from three last game. He won't get that many opportunities so even if stays efficient, 42 points is more likely to look like an outlier in his game log rather than a "launch pad."
Beal makes the Wizards defense better, but not really in terms of guarding Giannis Antetokounmpo. If anything, Antetokounmpo might see a few less rebounds. Washington was giving him open three's all game, and it's not like he's afraid to shoot them. Unless Robin Lopez gets new knees and Alex Len develops a mean-streak, Giannis is going to be in triple-double form again Monday.
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SAC @ CHA
De'Aaron Fox (SAC) MORE 25.5 Points - Gordon Hayward (CHA) MORE 20.5
De'Aaron Fox's projected scoring has shot up two points from earlier today and it should continue to rise throughout the day. The Kings have been reliant on Fox for most of the season even if he isn't scoring. Lately, he's averaging 29 points over the last four games and that's not just a trend. With two of those games happening before the All-Star Break, that's enough evidence to understand that Fox is doing everything for Sacramento.
Hayward on the other hand hasn't seemed to have much consistency outside of the direct, physical role he is playing. He is happily supporting LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier and if they can't get their shot going, Hayward seems to look to help those two rather than take it into his own hands. In return, those two players look to get Hayward involved when they can. That's led to iffy stat nights throughout the season, but the points should be spread out tonight since both defenses are fairly terrible.
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IND @ DEN
Nikola Jokic (DEN) MORE 25.5 Points - Malcolm Brogdon (IND) MORE 19.5
Nikola Jokic faces Myles Turner and that is going to force him to work from the outside-in. There's no doubt in Jokic' outside scoring ability and even though Turner is arguably the best defender in the league, great offense always beats great defense. Jokic with the appeal of more outside shots doesn't exactly make you want to shy away from taking him in any aspect, so although the Pacers play great defense outside of Turner, Jokic is too crafty in the paint. Even if he doesn't score, he is going to produce.
Since Malcolm Brogdon has been a primary scorer lately for Indiana, it's hard to see him passing up scoring when lining up against Jamal Murray. Murray has been decent, but he has been more of a liability now that he isn't scoring like he wants to. Brogdon isn't the type of player that rests on either end of the court, and with the Pacers ability to space the floor, it's easy for him to produce with minimal energy. This is a great two-way matchup and both are going to step-up to the competition like they have done time and time again.
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SAS @ DET
Jerami Grant (DET) MORE 23.5 Points - Dejounte Murray(MIA) MORE 15.5
The last game for the Spurs wasn't close and Dejounte Murray was still able to score 14 points in 22 minutes. Even with Delon Wright, the Pistons interior defense combined with Murray's ability to thrive in the midrange is a recipe for the Spurs to actually keep this game competitive. Until San Antonio is at full health, you need to invest in the Spurs guard tandem, Derrick White and Dejounte Murray.
There haven't been many players more important to the "success" of their team than Jerami Grant. He has carried them throughout this season with his scoring and even though his defensive stats don't show up as actual stats, teams are afraid to go at him just as much as they fear him hitting outside shots. The Spurs defense locks in on players who produce, but there's only so much you can do with someone who has a release point outside your center's reach. The Spurs know if they shut everyone else down and they'll be just fine.
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