Follow my free NBA picks as they become available for the season. You can also follow me on twitter or Facebook to keep up with when I release picks.
Submitted by rsteel on
Sacramento Kings over Utah Jazz: Still the markets have not caught up to how competitive the Sac team is. Ut returns from a 5 game road trip. Ut early on is 30th at home in def fg%. This game will be a contrast a fast offensive minded Sac team vs. a Ut team that likes to play slow. I have this game at 7.0 giving us excellent value.
Submitted by rsteel on
Memphis Grizzlies over San Antonio Spurs: This figures to be a slow pace old school defensive low scoring game. So the small points offered become that much more important. Mem has won 4 in a row 6-1 in their last 7. Sa is 2-6 in their last 8. They have had a court change in what will be their 8th straight game. Conley after missing last year is rounding into form. SA is struggling to stay above 500 while Mem is challenging as a surprise for the conf lead. I have the s/u winner in doubt to the final possession the points offered providing the end game cushion.
Submitted by rsteel on
Minnesota Timberwolves over Portland Trailblazers: Port has played 14 games only 5 on the road. Despite all the troubles in Minn they are still 6-1 s/u at home. Addition by subtraction Butler out Covington, Saric in the Minn team has won 2 in a row. Wiggins has returned from injury and Rose is expected back tonight as well. Minn has underperformed early on and we get to take adv from a value standpoint tonight. Minn likes to play fast ranked 3rd pace wise while Port is 27th in pace on the road.
Submitted by rsteel on
Indiana Pacers over Houston Rockets: Yes it is very early but surprisingly Houst is 0-4 s/u at home and their offense is really struggling. 30th in points 30th in off fg%. Houst is still playing at a fast pace just not getting the results. We get a substantial adv in depth rest and the defensive side of the ball. Now they return home from a 5 game road trip zero rest 3rd game in 4 nights after losing in Sa 96-89. Last Monday as a 1 point dog Houst went to Ind and on a 29-19 4th quarter defeated Ind 98-94.
Submitted by rsteel on
Sacramento Kings over Minnesota Timberwolves: Minn will not take Sac out of their game. In other words no defence up and down the court. Minn is 0-7 on the road and now they are being asked to win at a small margin. Minn will play the 5th game of their road trip. Sac is an early season surprise. They had a successful 4 game road trip lost the last in Mil and lost their first game back at home against Tor. Tonight they take a step down in class and I expect a better effort in game 2. I have this game at pick-em giving us excellent value.
Submitted by rsteel on
Denver Nuggets over Utah Jazz: Den is off to their best start in 50+ years. It has come against decent competition as well. Ut will play their 3rd game in 4 days after losing at home last night to Mem. Back to back in the high altitude will be tough for them to remain in contact. SG Burks and Mitchell will both be game time decisions. Neither played last night. If Mitchell does not lay this line will rise so we will jump out in front of that now. Regardless even if he does play UT is in a tough spot against a hot team. I have tis game at 6.5 giving us excellent value.
Submitted by rsteel on
Sacramento Kings over Orlando Magic: Do not look now and this in not a misprint but Sac have won 3 in a row s/u. The latest last night in Mia 123-113. I am not worried about fatigue this is a young team do not always play smart but are working hard learning how to win. Sac also had 2 days off prior. Now they make the short trip to Orl to face a struggling east bad team Orl. Sac has a legit chance to win this outright with the points offered providing a substantial cushion.
Submitted by rsteel on
New Orleans Pelicans over Utah Jazz: We have a 4-0 team at home as a dog against a 2-2 team. In order to bet this game we must ask why? Well N.O. did play last night at home granted so no travel involved. They struggled and needed a 9-0 run to close the game to win against Brooklyn. Believe it or not Brooklyn is competitive. No one played more than 38 minutes for N.O. Ut is rested they play Dall tomorrow on the road. It is off a road win vs. Houst that on the surface lloks good. Houst was without Paul and Harden. This all explains the line movement by the market to Ut being favored.
Submitted by rsteel on
Milwaukee Bucks over Philadelphia 76ers: Phil is off a draining OT loss at Det. Key players played big minutes especially for this early in the year. Griifin was able to put up 50 on them. Simmons is questionable again tonight. Mil is off to a good start under new coach Budenholzer. He is implementing a new system and the team is adapting well. Tough to se once Phil falls behind where the energy will come from to fight back. I have this game at 7.5 giving us excellent value.
Submitted by rsteel on
Cleveland Cavaliers over Toronto Raptors: James leaves and now Tor for the 1st game of the year is a double digit favorite over Clev. Wow! The Leonard era begins in Tor but remember he was out almost all of last year. It will take sometime for him to impact a game for 40+ minutes. Meanwhile Tor is deep and they will be a top team in the East but spotting this many to a veteran team is too much. Tor also has who will be their main competition on deck Friday with Bost.