Kate Constable:
Good afternoon. Welcome into the BetUS NBA Show. Chris Barley, Alex Christensen, Kate Constable, here with you on this wonderful Friday, gentlemen, we’re going to start off Because we have some thing to clear up today on Monday we had the Spurs versus the Suns and Chris took the Spurs, Alex took the Suns and Alex who won that game?
Alex Christensen:
Well, the Spurs were up by a lot when I went to sleep. But if I remember correctly, Kristen didn’t sweep his bets that night. So if that were to be true, then the Suns must have won.
Kate Constable:
Yes, yeah. 109, 101.
Chris Barley:
You know what though? I love that Alex resigned himself thinking that he was going to lose that bet online only to… I mean, is there any better feeling than waking up to a win when you expect to lose? I actually did that a lot. You know what Alex, I’m going to turn this around and talk about one of my successes. I did that. I did that last night. I was going to take the Pacers first half, remember plus seven. So the Warriors cover at the half by eight. So really glad I didn’t take that, but I put a money line bed at halftime plus 1700 on the Pacers. Why not? I’m on vacation. Just a little sprinkle Pacers win the game in OT guys. That was Chris Duarte and the Pacers. They were playing hard that entire game. So that’s why I put it down. And I think I got mostly lucky on that, but that’s the real story of this show. Not the fact that Alex did me on Monday. That’s not a story anymore.
Kate Constable:
How many drinks did you have before you put that? Plus 17 after that?
Chris Barley:
I can either confirm or deny that I’ve had a [crosstalk 00:01:45] had two drinks in me at that point.
Kate Constable:
Well, the Suns also played last night. They beat the Mavericks by eight and the Suns just keep getting more impressive. It seems. What are we thinking about where this team’s going?
Alex Christensen:
And there’s no reason to think they’re not going to be in the Western Conference Finals. You look at the west, it’s as weak as it’s been in years. It just looks like it’s going to be a battle between them and Golden State. Utah looks like an 80% version of what they were last year with no real ways to improve the Lakers are just a mess. I don’t think Memphis is quite there yet. We know the Nuggets aren’t healthy. So I mean the Phoenix Suns again, if they can go into the playoffs with those three guys healthier, just as dangerous as any team in the league.
Kate Constable:
And they beat the Mavericks last night without Deandre Ayton. And so he’ll hopefully be back soon. I don’t know when he is. I don’t believe there’s been an update yet, but he’s still out with that ankle injury. Chris, what happened with the Knick’s last night? You had a minus four and Knick’s, couldn’t get it done.
Chris Barley:
I know and I was begging on this show for the Knick’s to get it done. Literally please Thibodeau Knicks. I don’t know. The Knicks, they always have these spots. I do. I do give some credit to the Pelicans too. I still believe even at this juncture of the season that the pelicans, at least they’re starting five is a very capable team. And when they can get in rhythm on offense, they can be a very above average team. It doesn’t always happen, but it makes too much sense that it happened against the Knicks at MSG and a great spot for the Knicks to get right. And they let down again. But just to build off where you guys are saying about the Suns, there is literally no better spot for the Mavericks. The Mavericks were surging at home and the Suns still take care of business. It is so impressive knock on wood for Suns fans because hopefully there’s no injuries heading into the postseason because they’re playing some elite basketball right now.
Kate Constable:
And especially in the fourth quarter, they are so clutched down the stretch. Evan Booker, Chris Paul, just take over in those final few minutes and that’s where they really won the game in the last six, seven minutes of that fourth quarter. We will start today taking a look at our overall record 11 games on the slate today. So quite a bit to talk about. I am [booth 00:03:56] couple losses this week and I’m almost back to 500, not looking good there Alex 55 and 45 Chris 61 and 43 overall 225, 197 looking pretty. All right, let’s start today by kicking things off with the Los Angeles Lakers who have not been looking pretty lately, they’re in Orlando. Taking on the Magic tonight. Lakers are a five point favorite totals 217 and a half. The Lakers are coming off of a loss to the Pacers. They’ve now lost four of their last five and are one game below 500 right now, Chris, can you bet on the Lakers anymore going forward?
Chris Barley:
I probably should not sports betting on the Lakers anymore, going forward. In in fact they got some messages on Twitter from just a lot of people who are like, man, how bad are the Lakers in these spots? They just keep on blowing it. But here I go again.
Chris Barley:
As a sports bettor you have to get comfortable making just ugly gross picks. And it doesn’t get much uglier than this. This is a Lakers team that’s underperforming on a regular basis, even a great spot, right? Vogel pulling out Westbrook in the final four minutes of that last game, saying outright that he thinks he had the best roster on the floor to win that game. I don’t know the vibes that that sends back to Westbrook and they’re starting roster, but usually, and I need to start taking trends on this, but usually when there out of controversy surrounding LA and they’re in a good position against the bad team, they do cover LeBron steps up and has a big game.
Chris Barley:
So I’m depending on that to happen today, five is not a big line. You can also get them at minus one in the first quarter, I believe minus two and a half or three in the first half. These are all four or four as volatile. And at disappointing as the Lakers had been this year these are not the right lines against a Magic team that they’re growing, they’re young. Sometimes they can play well, but they’re not a good basketball team. I think them and the Pistons, probably the worst teams in the league. So this is a Lakers team that outscored the Magic 36 to 10 in the third quarter, in their first matchup, and really came back in that game to take it over. I see no reason why the Lakers. Again, just like the Knicks last night, this is a game where the Lakers need to step up.
Chris Barley:
Their backs are against the wall a little bit, again, they’re all over the media. LeBron usually loves those situations and he, over these games, I love that Frank Vogel came out and set a precedent there to take Westbrook out of the game and say, I’m the head of coach. Maybe I can make some moves here. It bothered me a little bit that management approved him to take out Westbrook. I don’t know why a coach needs approval to do that. So there’s a lot of discord right now on the Lakers, but I do expect this spot. You can be facing a better team. I don’t care that it’s on the road.
Chris Barley:
This should be a big LeBron James game that should send a message to Russell Westbrook. Maybe to be a little bit more careful with the ball. Maybe not overshoot it every single game. And this is a game where the talent, the experience on the all favors the Lakers. If the Wagner brothers have a big game, maybe the Magic keep this close, but this really should not be a close game. Lakers are not a great basketball team, but they’re still a good basketball team. And I expect them to cover tonight.
Kate Constable:
I’m going to agree with you, Chris. I like the Lakers tonight as well. They got called up by Magic Johnson early or this week because of their performance, everything that happened in their last game against the Pacers that you mentioned with Westbrook. I mean, he left the court before the game was even over and he left the arena before even talking to any of his teammates after that. So he’s clearly upset about what’s going on. So those guys within the last day or two, had to have some sort of meeting where they’re regrouping and recalibrating how they’re going forward.
Kate Constable:
And so I expect them to come out tonight and put a little bit of that on the floor. And this number minus five, over the Magic. Magic are not a great team. It worries me a little that maybe the Lakers are more of a favorite, but they haven’t really done anything to prove that they should be more of a favorite.
Kate Constable:
It’s just that Laker name and LeBron James and a lot of people think that, okay, that’s, they should be heavy favorite because of that. But they’re really not at that spot at all in the season. So I like them tonight as a bounce back spot get right, get things back on track in terms of personnel, just everything on, in their program right now, Alex, do you think there’s any chance that Russell Westbrook comes off the bench tonight?
Alex Christensen:
I have no idea what’s going to happen. I just love it. I’m all about Lakers chaos. I’m all about infighting. I agree with Chris in the management approval of the decision of bench Russell Westbrook is easily. One of the strangest things that’s ever happened in history of the NBA that will go mostly unnoticed.
Alex Christensen:
The whole thing is weird. I agree with you guys. There’s some value on the Lakers here, minus five, they have done a good job of putting away bad teams here, but you look at their schedule. It’s the first game of a road trip. They have Miami and Brooklyn coming up two big games for them. I know that they’re looking forward again National TV games too.
Alex Christensen:
I wonder LeBron popped up as probable in the injury report that I don’t know what that means. Maybe it might be we’re going to try to rest him or do something. And there’s just too much mess and much like oddness floating around at this one for me to get involved with all the other basketball going on tonight, I think there’s a lot better ways to spend your money than trying to figure out whether or not you want to betting online on the Magic or the Lakers.
Kate Constable:
That’s very true. Chris, do you think if the Lakers lose tonight, obviously we lose as well, but do you think Frank Vogel loses his job?
Chris Barley:
Well, it’s all been very unfair with Frank Vogel from the beginning. So yes, I don’t think I would not be surprised at all if he was fired. I mean, if the Lakers win outright would not be surprised at all. I mean, the front management has missed in so many off season opportunities. They had a chance to get Kyle Lowry on the team, which I think would’ve been a great audition for the Lakers. You can play defense, you can shoot threes. They had a chance to make a few really smart things happen. What they made happen, bringing in Westbrook only keeping three guys in the roster getting rid of Caruso who is, is proving to be a crucial piece already for the Bulls. Just not smart moves.
Chris Barley:
And two years ago were what three ago now, I guess Vogel they had nothing but positive things to say about Frank Vogel and how he managed that team, right? And in that first year for LeBron, with the Lakers to win a championship, and now all of a sudden this is his fault. I think it’s a whole lot of fake news. Maybe it’s front management panicking a little bit, but I hope that he doesn’t get fired. I don’t think there’s any one person to blame, but if you were to blame any unit, it would be front management of the GM.
Kate Constable:
I agree. Yeah. Not necessarily something that should fall on Frank Vogel’s shoulders when he’s been led them to a championship just a couple years ago. But Chris and I both tonight’s taken the Lakers minus five, that Clippers are in Philadelphia tonight to take on the Sixers. Sixers are an eight and a half point, favorite totals, two, 13 and a half. Philly’s won 10 of their last 12. Joel Embiid has been an absolute monster lately. He’s coming off of a 50 point performance and he scored those 50 points in just 27 minutes, which is insane. He didn’t even play a second in the fourth quarter. Chris, if Embiid is scoring at that rate, where do you like the total in this game?
Chris Barley:
Yeah. So I still like this total going under, I mean, both of these teams know that they thrive when they’re controlling the game on defense. And we’ve seen that in a lot of their previous wins. They win usually when it’s a low scoring game, when they can slow down the game and the Sixers have mostly pretty good perimeter shooting and the Clippers they’re excellent at preventing those easy shots.
Chris Barley:
So I just think that this is going to be one of those gains where there’s going to be a lot of post ups to Joel Embiid a lot of pick and rolls. With Maxi, that’s been very successful for the Sixers this year, but this game should, I mean, these two teams should really cultivate the other as far as their defense, their slow pace goes. I mean the six years are giving up only 106 points per game.
Chris Barley:
When Embiid is on the floor, that’s equivalent to the fourth rank defense in the NBA. Now, we’ve seen in previous games, I believe when they faced the wizards, gave up a ton of points when they lose control, when there isn’t that active blue collar mentality on defense. And there’s absolutely way too much on Embiid shoulders from game to game. So I feel for Embiid as far as that goes, but that’s not really going to change, especially with the way that Tobias Harris is playing both sides of the floor, especially recently has not been good for the team. And he can’t make a three, he can’t play defense so far. So I expect him to step it up. I expect the Sixers to step it up in general. These are two teams who have mostly… I mean, the Clippers definitely more so, but they’re very good at guarding the perimeter.
Chris Barley:
So I think there’s going to be a lot of missed shots in this game. A lot of in the paint where the Clippers don’t exactly thrive in the pain. So I think the Sixers are probably the right side in this, but I expect this game to be very slowed down. I have it around 209 and we’ve seen this number fluctuate a little bit. It went up to 214 and a half at some books at one point, but now it’s starting to slow back down. I think it go down. And I think that’s the right side. I’d be surprised if this one goes too far over 200 points.
Chris Barley:
I like the under, in this one, both teams are going to succeed if they stick to that mentality. So I think they’re both going to approach that with the confidence that they can stop the other team from scoring.
Kate Constable:
Well, I like hearing you say, you think the Sixers are the right side in this one, because I like them minus eight and a half. They’re eight and two against the spread in their last 10 games.
Kate Constable:
And then I love the matchup between Joel Embiid tonight and Ivica Zubac I totally butcher that. I’m like you, Chris can’t say the name, but the matchup between the two of them, I think Embiid has the upper hand heavily in this one, both offensively and defensively and offensively.
Kate Constable:
I mean, we see what he’s done in the stats sheet, but he can create eight shots for himself in the post off the dribble, find his teammates. So he’s doing everything to facilitate for this team and their success. And when he does those things, the Sixers typically have success. So I think he’s able to do that tonight just based on match ups. So I like Philly in this one, minus eight and a half. Alex, what do you think of Embiid performance lately as a Philly fan?
Alex Christensen:
He’s spectacular. I mean, he is arguably the most valuable player in terms of the next guy behind him in the NBA with what he brings night to night, not only offensively, but at this point defensively, it’s just unbelievable. Not only the rotations he can make and the way he can stay with guards out near the three point line, but the way he controls the paint, you look at the way field teams feel goal percentage around the rim just drops like a rock. When he’s on the floor, you look at the other side of the ball. He continues to be one of the few positive players in the post. He’s getting better and better at passing out of the double team.
Alex Christensen:
And he was flirting with 40% shooting from three point land earlier this year. So he continues to get better. He continues to work on his body.
Alex Christensen:
If you look pretty quietly, again, it’s me knocking on wood. The only time he’s missed is from a brief stint with COVID outside of that, he’s been pretty healthy all year. I know people make fun of him for falling, but he’s trying to do that. That’s him trying avoid putting a lot of pressure and a lot of stress on his joints, as opposed to trying to stop himself from falling. He actually, I think went to some like skateboarding classes and stuff and learned how to fall and stuff. That’s why you see him sliding around.
Alex Christensen:
So he’s been fantastic. I will say though I’m curious about your bets here because I think only one of you is going to win. If the Sixers cover that eight and a half, I think we’re looking at a possible blowout here and the Sixers have done a good job of letting their backups come in and run with things here in the fourth quarter.
Alex Christensen:
So if it is a blowout and Kate, your eight and a half’s looking good, I think Chris is sweating is under. However, if Chris isn’t sweating his under and we’re looking at what I think Chris is laid out. I agree with it. I think it’s going to be a slow plotting game. I find it hard to think of a way that the Sixers are going to be able to put up a big number without there being a ton of points. So curious to see which one of you wins. I think maybe both of you win, but I think it’s going to be just one of you.
Kate Constable:
So earlier this week it was you versus Chris. Now it’s me versus Chris. So we’ll see Chris on Monday. I guess the three of us will be back and we talk about this one.
Chris Barley:
Yeah. He’s trying to plot us against each other here. That’s what you’re doing, Alex.
Alex Christensen:
So it worked.
Chris Barley:
Okay. We have a great chance of both winning tonight. Don’t let him Tell you any different.
Kate Constable:
Yeah, we’ll go with that. Well, okay. So Chris taking the under in this one, I’m taking the side minus eight and a half the Portland Trailblazers in Boston to night taken on the Sixers there’s also an eight and a half point favorite. Total in this one is 212. Celtics have won five of their last seven. CJ McCollum has been back recently for the Blazers and somehow they’ve won four of their last six looking a little bit better than they were with pretty much a completely depleted roster a couple weeks ago. Alex, you don’t think the Blazers are going to score much in this one. Tell me about it.
Alex Christensen:
I really don’t. I mean, you make a good point. They’ve been winning games lately and it’s honestly a little bit what we saw earlier in the season when Damian Lillard was missing games. It seems to simplify things a little bit here. I mean, Nurkic is still very good. McCollum is still very good and funny Simons is having himself a nice season.
Alex Christensen:
If you watch most improved, he’s not up near the favorites yet, but he’s kind of the name flying up the board, but this is going to be just a rough spot. It’s their fit game on the road of a six game road trip. Here they go into Boston against the Celtics team. That is just been fantastic defensively similar to what you talked about in the last game. They love to play a slow pace and Portland doesn’t really have the depth or players to push on that.
Alex Christensen:
The Celtics coming off a loss from Charlotte, we’ve seen them pick up defense in these situations. Everything to me looks just like a slow, ugly game. And although Marcus Smart is out, the Celtics have all the pieces to slow down McCollum. Robert Williams should do just fine against Nurkic. Al Horford has had success against him a well, so just looks like a fantastic matchup for the Celtics.
Alex Christensen:
And I can’t bring myself to lay the eight and a half points. I mean, I, I see some value in Boston, but I just don’t feel comfortable putting up that kind of number. But the Portland team total was 102 this morning and I only have them at 99. And honestly I had to tweak some things to get it up that high. It was closer to 97, 98 when I started.
Kate Constable:
Chris. I recently haven’t bet on this Celtics team because they blow big leads. But against this Blazers team where you hear Alex say, he doesn’t think they’re going to be able to do much put up a ton of points. What do you think about Celtics eight and a half?
Chris Barley:
Yeah. I mean, if I’m going to have to lean to any side, it would be the Celtics. And I consider to plan on that. But I do think the line is about right where it should be. I mean, the Celtics are also, aren’t typically a team that really blows out other teams.
Chris Barley:
Although that being said the last time they did face the Blazers, they blow them out by 28 points. So maybe this is an opportunity for them to do that again. Marcus Smart is questionable right now. So I mean, that’s a pretty big deal for the Celtics. He’s a great defender. So we’ll see if he plays tonight. At least Robert Williams will be back, which really solidifies the defense. I mean, if the Celtics play to their potential, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t dominate this game on both sides of the floor.
Chris Barley:
I mean, Jaylen Brown and Tatum should be able to take over this game easily. The Blazers as we probably all know by now, one of the worst defense in the NBA, the one thing that has me off this game in general is that the Blazers have found ways to win recently, Nurkic has stepped up Anfernee Simons has played well in inconsistent, but he’s played well in some spots. And obviously having to CJ McCollum back is a big deal.
Chris Barley:
The one other thing that worries me about taking an under here for example is that their offense has been bad in the last two games, but over the last 10 games, nine out of 10 games, they scored over 103 points. So the Blazers are finding ways to score points again, but lately happened the past two games.
Chris Barley:
So maybe there’s some positive regression tonight. I think Alex is on the right side. I think the Celtics this is a tough spot for Portland. It always is going over to the east coast and they really don’t have the firepower that they need to take on a Celtics team.
Chris Barley:
If the Celtics get ahead, I expect them to really slow this game down and play the kind of defense that they’re capable of if Marcus Smart place tonight. I lean towards the under on this one a little bit more, but I think the Blazer’s team total under is another good way to look at this.
Kate Constable:
I lean towards the under, in this one. I always like to play the unders when Alex is playing a team total under, because the game usually slows down quite a bit. You guys have touched on it. The of Celtics defense is going to be able to dictate the pace of this one.
Kate Constable:
And other than what Chris just notified me about the blazer scoring recently. I don’t see them being able to put up a ton against the Celtics tonight, but Chris, you made one point and you said, “If the Celtics play up to their potential, they should be fine.” How often this year do we think the Celtics have played up to their potential?
Chris Barley:
Yeah, well, the consistent problem for the Celtics right, has been that they really can develop a good rhythm on offense, but we have seen some changes in that this year with their new coach, finding more rhythm, finding more chemistry, a lot less ISO basketball. But if there’s any opportunity for the Celtics to really find some chemistry, it’s against a defense like Portland.
Chris Barley:
I mean, Portland is going to win games by outscoring the opponent, but there’s no reason why the Celtics can slow them down on that side of the floor. And the Celtics should have any of success, especially with the big bodies at Jaylen brown and Tatum. I mean, Celtics have a size advantage at the guard position, there should be plenty of open looks, the Blazers it just seems like the Blazers, especially on the road, have all be all been given up on playing focusing on defense. So this should be a game that it sets up for the Celtics to play well, but we’ve seen it. This is one of those weird weeks in the NBA where there a lot of teams in great spots and the underdog is winning outright, right? We saw that last night with the Pacers. We saw that previously in the week with the Rockets. So who knows in the Zany NBA environment, but this should a situation where Boston has plenty of success tonight.
Kate Constable:
All right. Well that makes me feel a little bit better, Alex and I both taken unders here. Alex has taken the Blazers team total. I am playing the under at 212 but Chicago bowls in Milwaukee tonight to take on the Bucks. Bucks are an 11 point favorite total’s 227 and a half. Bulls are still with that or still without Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball. But they are also still the top team in the east Bucks, though, right on their tail sitting in fourth in the east, Alex will start with you on this one. Can the Bucks cover this large 11 point spread?
Alex Christensen:
They certainly can. But I think this number is too big. It’s really tough. I think for the market, for anybody to try to make it up on this Bulls team, given how much flux it’s had. I mean, how do you evaluate a team without Lonzo, without Zach LeVine? It is going to be tough for them to score, but with a lineup of Kobe, White, Caruso, they’ll bring out DeMar DeRozan, Troy brown Junio, Vukovich.
Alex Christensen:
You have enough pieces there. Defensively, I think to slow the game down and Vukovic is someone that has always not necessarily given Giannis problems, but he forces Giannis to play a little differently because he really stretches the floor out.
Alex Christensen:
Everybody thinks of him as a big man. He has a tremendous postgame, but he’s a pretty good three point shooter. And at least he’ll get Giannis away from the basket here. I’ve been thinking about Chicago Bulls bed all day, but you look at the Milwaukee Depth Chart. They’re finally healthy everybody, but Brook Lopez is back. They all have a couple games under their belt here. They know this is a big game not only in terms of the rivalry here and maybe a possible playoff matchup, but to continue to get ups seating, to get the Bulls down here, I think we’re going to see a nice effort from Milwaukee, but I just can’t bring myself to lay double digits here.
Kate Constable:
So Chris, hearing Alex is not comfortable laying double digits. There’s a work around that here. And that might be playing, I don’t know, the first quarter?
Chris Barley:
Yeah, that’s exactly what I was looking for. Because the full game it’s a little must for me. I mean, I have the game around nine and a half. So if anything, I would find value on the Bulls full game, but the Bucks are a very good force quarter team. They’re top six in the league on both offense and defense. And I think the injury at this point on the Chicago end are going to cause enough of a problem where it’s going to allow a great team like the Bucks to have some success.
Chris Barley:
Zach LeVine, obviously one of their main scores he’s only six, five, and he hasn’t been the best on defense in his career, but he is starting to show some improvements. Yeah. At least has those long arms that can defend the rim and then Lonzo Ball has been more important.
Chris Barley:
I think that most people realize this year for the Bulls obviously with his facilitating and ball handling, he’s been shooting, he’s been making at least three pointers per game and shooting them at 42%. So a significant score for the bulls this year from that perspective.
Chris Barley:
And I totally agree with what Alex said. I mean, the Bucks are imposition right now. I feel to go on a run. I mean, they’re healthier than ever a drew holiday is back with, which makes their defense it raises it to the next level. Bobby Portis has been a rebound machine, just attacking the rim. Looks very comfortable in that position. Grayson Allen is shooting the ball really well. 39% from the perimeter. So this is just a team that feels like they’re primed. They’re healthy. They’re at home, I’m taking them in the first quarter minus three.
Chris Barley:
I actually got minus a half earlier today when the line was fresh out. But I still like the minus three, the Bucks have won first quarters by margin in their last four games. They’re very good first quarter team. And out of respect for Chicago, for a team that is built well, even with their injuries, I think they could probably keep this game close down the stretch, but you know this, yeah. This number is just a little too much for me for the full game. So I was working hard to find a different angle. I also liked the minus six in the first half, but I think just because of how well they played in the first quarter, I’ll settle for that with the minus three.
Kate Constable:
Zach LeVine for the Bulls he’s been out, but there’s reports that he could be back as early as next Wednesday, which I think is a lot earlier than most people had anticipated. So that would also be great for the Bulls just to get him back. One of their leading scores get starting to get the team back together.
Kate Constable:
Although Lonzo Ball will be out for six to eight weeks. I believe with that meniscus surgery he’s having. So Chris taking advantage of the Bulls players being out tonight and taking the Bucks minus three and a half in the first quarter, minus three Rockets at Warriors.
Kate Constable:
Warriors also an 11 point favorite total here is 229 and a half. Warriors are fresh off of a 121, 117 overtime lost the Pacers last night. And they’ve now lost six of their last nine games, which is hard to believe when you’re talking about this Warriors team, Alex, do they win tonight? What’s the deal?
Alex Christensen:
I think the Warriors do win tonight, but this is another situation where just the number is too big. And although I couldn’t take the 11 with the Bulls in the last game, I’m happy to take the 11 with the Rockets.
Alex Christensen:
In fact, I even took only 10 earlier this morning. That’s how much I like this. I mean, the Rockets have been done and winning games every once in a while, but more importantly, they’ve been keeping them close. I mean, they’ve been really avoiding the blowouts ever since they’ve been healthy. I know Chris loves this with his Rockets team wins over for the season. I mean, three in the last four are victories. They go up against a Golden State team that should just be decimated tonight.
Alex Christensen:
I mean, no Draymond Green, We know no Klay Thompson, Steph Curry played an outrageous amount of minutes last night and has for the last week. I wouldn’t be surprised if maybe he gets some rest or plays half of what his normal minute load would be here. I think this game sets up for Warriors early, maybe a decent third quarter because that’s how the Warriors roll. And then we see Rockets fourth quarter close the gap here. I have this closer to seven eight. So 10 looks good. 11 looks even better.
Kate Constable:
Andre Iguodala is also out for the Warriors tonight. So another player not in tonight, the Rockets are also three in one straight up and against the spread in their last four games.
Kate Constable:
And they beat the Jazz. The other night as 14 point road under docs won 116, 111, once again, a reminder don’t be the Jazz as double digit favorites. They never cover. But the Rockets to your point, Alex, they’re sticking around and covering these large first. Yeah. That the Rockets can get it done tonight?
Chris Barley:
I would definitely lean to that side. The Rockets have been shooting incredibly from beyond the arc. So that has to regress at some point I believe they shot above 45% against the Jazz. It was just absurd, especially for towards the end of the game so that’s not going to keep up. But yeah, the Rockets I have to take a step back here, guys.
Chris Barley:
We’re halfway to that futures win total on the year 27 and a half, I believe it was so we’re, we’re getting there three wins in the last four games, but this is, this is a tough game to figure out, cause the Rockets love to run the floor fast, even though I think it works to their detriment more often than it doesn’t. I think that I think the Warriors can really slow down this game, but Josh has mentioned previous times in this show too, Steve Curry has been very open to the fact that he’s playing around with the rotation.
Chris Barley:
So I think that Alex is on the right side here. It just feels like a Warriors team. That’s trying to figure things out and really at the tone going forward for their teams. So the Curry is going to try a lot of different things out here. Klay is out Draymond is still out. So this is a good opportunity for the Rockets to keep it close. The only thing that keeps me off of it is obviously the disparity in my own power ratings between these two teams.
Chris Barley:
I mean, this line is probably right, but at the same time with the difference in pace and how these two teams play and how Chris been so honest about the fact that he’s going to switch it up. I can’t take either side here, but I love that Alex is on my Rockets. I’ll call them my Rockets,
Alex Christensen:
Your Rockets?
Chris Barley:
Yeah. And could we do something here maybe by the end of the year, one of us can take a double digit favorite money line, just come on. Let’s just go for it. Because if one of us would’ve taken that earlier in the week on the Rockets against the Jazz.
Kate Constable:
I know.
Chris Barley:
That’s pretty impressive. I expect Alex next week to come up with one of those bets.
Kate Constable:
Right. How about each week for, I mean, maybe we start this after Allstar break each week we come up as a team, one underdog Money line bet.
Chris Barley:
As a team, Alex, as a team.
Kate Constable:
Come on, Alex, be a team player.
Alex Christensen:
We’ll talk about it.
Chris Barley:
We’ll see. We’ll talk About all.
Alex Christensen:
It’s just is tough. I’m fighting my urge to bet things at big odds, which I love to do, but also my desire to bet things that are valuable. I just don’t think there’s any value on the Rockets to win this-
Chris Barley:
We can always say sprinkle out-
Alex Christensen:
Half the Warriors around.
Kate Constable:
Yeah. But just use the term sprinkle and then it makes it sound you’re not actually, it’s not going to win, but want to do it anyway.
Chris Barley:
Exactly.
Alex Christensen:
I’m sure you’ll talk me into it.
Kate Constable:
Of course we will. Yeah. But for now you’re playing the Rockets plus 11 tonight over the Warriors questions. Thank you for sending those in. What do you guys make the line on the Raptors Wizards tonight?
Alex Christensen:
I had Wizards minus three, almost minus four. As I start to look at after the fact, I think this is a nice spot for the Wizards. The Raptors have been playing a little bit better, but we know how much worse they are on the road. You look at the last three games, the starters are all playing around 40 minutes each.
Alex Christensen:
I mean, just a ton of fatigue load on these guys. And what’s going to be the last game on a road trip before they go home for about a week. I just don’t think we’re going to a fully focused or health Raptors team tonight. So lean Wizards. But again, it would mean I’d have to back this Wizard’s team. It’s just a mess.
Kate Constable:
Chris, do you agree?
Chris Barley:
I disagree. Let’s go head to head on this one, Alex, and we could talk about it again on Monday. I have a personal play on the Raptors. I think the Warriors are, are I’m sorry, the Warriors. Yeah. The Wizards are sort of a juvenile version of the Raptors. I think the Raptors have the defense and the skill and the talent in place. They’re better shooters.
Chris Barley:
I know it’s on the road, but I think that it was predictable that the Raptors were struggle on the road after having so much success at home. But they’ve been on the road for such a long time now. And they’re about to go back home and they I believe they’re the better team, at least according to my power rating. So I have the Raptors money lines straight up and we’ve seen the line moving in that direction.
Chris Barley:
I like the Rap. I mean, I really love the Wizards of the star of the year. And I guess who did it with the way that they started the year, but there’s just been some regression for that team. I don’t think they have all the roles set up just yet. Harold’s still coming off the bench. He’s a real boost for that team, but they’re McGaffer has inconsistent. Beal has been inconsistent this year too. So I think this is a game where the Raptors show up. They’re buttoned up. They played defense looking forward to going back home. Alex, I expect you to send me a pizza after I win this bet
Alex Christensen:
Deal.
Kate Constable:
So what did you send Alex for winning this first son’s bet earlier?
Chris Barley:
Tears.
Alex Christensen:
Tears Exactly.
Chris Barley:
Tears.
Alex Christensen:
Regret.
Chris Barley:
That’s what I wanted.
Kate Constable:
All right. Well, let’s take a look at our best bets for today. 11 games on the slate today after a couple days with a very light slate. So tonight a couple plays on the Lakers, a couple unders going tonight, and then Chris taking the first quarter angle with the Bucks minus three. That is all we have for you today.
Kate Constable:
Thank you for joining us. We’d love it. If you’d head over to Twitter, give us all a follow. Chris is at Farley bets, new handle there, same page, but just, switching things up. I’m Kate Constable and Alex is at underscored noops. So give us a follow. We would appreciate it. So would love it. If you hit the like subscribe alert button, that way every time we’re going live and we will see you guys all here back next week, have a good weekend.
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