Meatloaf is back on the menu. The Bet of the Night did not come through as Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves are simply not the team they were last year. However Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks played exactly as we predicted, terribly. Towns only earned half of the projected rebounding line as the Cleveland Cavaliers displayed their dominance again.

The Detroit Pistons easily covered their teased up spread against the San Antonio Spurs. Apparently we should have teased it up another 14 points as Detroit dismantled San Antonio. The successful pick on Towns and Detroit ensured a positive betting day, proving once again ‘Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad’

 

 

 

NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets: 2/22

There are only five matches today, and they begin at 5:10 PM ET. The nationally televised match on ABC/ESPN+ begins at 8:40 PM ET and features the two best players of this decade. One of them is featured in the Bet of the Night.

 

 

 

Lakers vs Nuggets Prediction: Nikola Jokic Over 11.5 Rebounds (+105 on Draftkings Sportsbook) *Bet of the Night

Nikola Jokic is putting up the best numbers of his career, and is such a difference maker when on the court. Although the Denver Nuggets bench is improving, the point differential is almost always a negative when Jokic is not on the floor.

Tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers there is an opportunity to cash in on a plus odd prop on the big man. Jokic is averaging 12.7 rebounds per game and will be playing the Lakers without Anthony Davis for the first time this decade. 

He has covered this prop in his previous two matches and did not play the fourth quarter in the three matches prior to that. The Nuggets can earn their tenth win in a row, which would be the longest of Jokic’s career. Look for him to play with effort tonight and earn twelve or more rebounds. Put a unit on it at DraftKings.

 

 

 

Lakers vs Nuggets Prediction: Luka Doncic Under 24.5 Points (-105 on Bet365)

Jokic’s rebounds are not the only great angle in the nationally televised match. Luka Doncic has a glaring proposition that has a 100% success rate with his new team. Doncic has displayed that a lower leg injury will cause him to get out of shape. LeBron James has never been out of shape, from high school to 40 years old, and the hope is he can help guide Doncic. It will take time though.

He has been given games off due to condition, not injury, since being with the Lakers. He is a focal point of attack for other team’s offenses, and is a liability on the court. Worse off all he has not displayed any offensive rhythm in his new role with the Los Angeles Lakers.

In his three games of action he has scored 14, 16, and 14 on 18, 13, and 14 field goal attempts. He is off rhythm, playing with tired legs, and watching Austin Reaves and James dominate time with the ball. Doncic is not an off the ball player, he needs the ball in his hand and is a much better isolation player.

This has led to scoring deficiencies as he can not find the rhythm without the ball in his hands. He can not back down guards repeatedly throughout the game to set up a good three point attempt. He can not call screens and match up on other teams centers to expose them in space either. 

It is clear that the combination of being out of shape and out of rhythm has caused low scoring. Now he is supposed to find his legs and lungs, to be in rhythm at the highest court in the NBA, Ball Arena? Highly unlikely. Place the under on Luka Doncic’s points as he has not even come close to 20 points much less 25.

 

 

 

NBA Player Props & Other Picks Today, 2/22

There is a special called ‘Slam Dunk Saturdays’ on Bet365. If you do not have Bet365 remember to check out the Fantasy Alarm promo code at the end of this column, and have two promotional offers.

Slam Dunk Saturdays is an offer for a bonus bet regardless of the outcome. Place a three fold same game parlay (SGP) with odds of +100 or greater, and of at least $50 to receive a $25 bonus bet.

 

 

 

Suns vs Bulls Prediction: SGP Royce O’Neale 10+ Points, Nikola Vucevic 10+ Rebounds, Coby White 1+ Three Made (+135 on Bet365) 

For this Slam Dunk Saturday, three slightly teased down player props are suggested with odds of +135. The Chicago Bulls are hosting the Phoenix Suns at the United Center and both of these teams desperately need a win. 

The Well, Nikola Vucevic, has not been as reliable as earlier this season, but we are not turning our back to him. Instead we have dropped the hook from his rebounding line, but it may not be needed. The Suns have allowed the fifth most rebounds over the last three games, with an average of 59.0 per game. We trust our guy to earn double digit rebounds for the foundation of this SGP.

Royce O’Neale is making his first appearance in NBA Best Bets with a slightly teased down point line. His point line is currently set at 11.5, but has been teased down to 10+, essentially one field goal less. The Bulls allow 120.6 points per game and there will be plenty of opportunity for O’Neale to earn 10 or more points, as he has done so in six of his last seven matches.

The third teased down player proposition is on Coby White of the Chicago Bulls. Last year there was a month-long stretch that Fantasy Alarm took advantage of the sportsbooks not knowing he was. This year they have the data and have drastically increased his lines.

His three points made line is currently set at 3.5, but has been teased down to 1+. This move adds very little to the odds, but finishes the requirement for Slam Dunk Saturdays. It also is as safe a wager as can be made in this match. White has made one or more three point field goals in eight of his last nine matches, and has an average of 8.1 attempts per game this season. 

Put a unit on the same game parlay, and if it is $50 or more you will receive a $25 bonus bet to use. A win, win scenario.

 

 

 

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