NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Basketball Betting Odds [Friday, Mar 31st]

Jay Money:

Yeah. Yeah. It’s getting crazy. Big line moves, all type of stuff. You have to be locked in to be betting these days in the NBA. But I believe we’re locked in. We’re doing real good on the show as well. Coming off another good day yesterday. Let’s take a look at that record, guys. I used to didn’t like looking at the record. Now, I love to. Now, I can’t wait to look at their record.

Alex:

It’s fun now.

Jay Money:

Yeah, 763 total plays, 382 wins, 371 losses, 10 pushes. We’re 11 games over 500 guys. At one point, I believe we were like 15 games under 500. So that’s a real task. We really climbed the ladder there. 11 games over 500. Let’s keep it going here. Rest of the season, rest of the playoffs as well guys. We’re going to talk about our six top games of the day.

Then we’re going to go through some Q and A as well. Obviously there’s a lot of games on the board. Some not so interested in, guys. But we’re still going to talk about them here. Let’s get straight to it. Let’s head over here to the first game of the day in this one, guys. We’re headed over to the streets of Charlotte here, where we have the Charlotte Hornets getting 10 points at the house in this one. From the Chicago Bulls in this one, land 10 points as the road favorite in this one. If you would like to go to moneyline route, Bulls are [inaudible 00:01:50] minus 450 on the moneyline this one. Or you can get back plus 340 if you think the hornets can win this one out right. Over and under sitting at 224 and a half in this one, Alex. You have an official play for us on this one. You think the line is… maybe you went a little too far in this one, my guy. What are you looking at in this game?

Alex:

Yeah, I love the way that Bull’s been playing the last couple weeks. This new starting lineup has really sorted things out and everybody seems to be happy. But 10 points on the road is way too much for a team that really doesn’t blow teams out. You go back and look at their whole season. There’s not a lot of huge wins sprinkled in there. It’s a team that is happy to play a slow pace. This total is very low. As I start to look at the matchup, a lot of part of the handicapping and the way the market seems to be setting numbers is based on whether or not we think these teams are going to tank. The Charlotte Hornets have no reason to tank. They’re the fourth worst record in the league. They’re going to be the fourth worst record in the league.

They got 26 wins. The next lowest team has 19. They’re not getting down that far. The next team above them has 32 wins. No one’s getting down into their range. They’re kind of where they are. So at this point, they’ve been letting these guys roll out and play. We’ve watched them win three consecutive games. Now again, I’m not taking them to win. I’m not going to bet that plus 340 on the money line. I think the Bulls win this 9 out 10 times, 8 out of 10 times maybe, but certainly not by double digit. So give me the Hornets here plus 10, going to hold my nose and eat some stinky cheese.

Jay Money:

And this line did open up at six and a half as well for the Bulls and has since got pushed all the way. I know it was seven for sure yesterday. Now all the way up to 10 in this one, Alex. So you definitely getting some extra points, extra value there. Do you know if Dennis Smith Jr. is playing in this game? Do you know? I’m just wondering. I’m really wondering why this line go up so much? Three points is a big move. Maybe some guys are out for the Hornets. Not saying that they can’t cover a 10, because they continue to be disrespected in the market and they just keep covering spreads, right? I believe they were were plus 16 versus the Mavs. Then they were plus 12, then they were plus nine and a half in the last game, and almost won that one versus the Thunder as well. So that doesn’t mean that they’re going to cover spread, but I just want to know, do we have any lineup confirmation here? Do you think that Dennis Smith Jr plays in this one?

Alex:

He’s listed as questionable, so maybe that was part of it. He popped up this morning questionable. But they’ve had some time since their last game. And the other side of the ball, Caruso popped up as questionable as well. So a couple pieces each way. And again, the way this Hornets team is, it’s weird to say this, but when you’re a bad team, losing one guy isn’t that big of a deal. Just roll the next guy out there. There’s not that big of a difference. Now, Smith Jr.’s been great the second half of the season. I’d obviously rather have him play, but whoever’s out there for the Hornets at this point, I’ll take him.

Jay Money:

Yeah, nah, three straight wins. Well so they won the last game. PJ Washington went out for 43 points. Three straight wins coming out this under double digit underdogs for the Hornets. Let’s see if they can make it four straight in this one. But Alex says he’s not looking for them to win, he just needs them to keep it within the plus 10 on that one. And it also rhymes as well. Sometimes, we make a little rap song on this show, guys. But our guy Alex, AKA Noops, rocking with the Hornets plus the 10 in this one, guys. It’s crazy because those are my NBA picks from the other day.

It’s all good. Hornets plus the 10. We know what you’re betting in this one man. Let’s head over here to the next game, man. And guys, help me out if Josh is on something as well. I didn’t get to see. I know Josh isn’t on the show, but we’re still going to… We can just [inaudible 00:05:10]. Okay, got you. Appreciate that, Alex. I appreciate it. When he has something, you let me know.

We got both of the hostess for the show today. So we’re going to co-host each of this, Alex. We’re going to get through this together, man. But let’s go over here to the streets of Washington DC in this one, man. We have the Wizards. Basically, as a pick, guys. So people that don’t know, that’s not really into betting like that, a pick’em is basically saying you pick the team that you would like to win. So we have the Washington Wizards matching up against the Orlando Magic in this one. Two kind of wizardry kind of teams in this one, Alex. It’s a pick’em type of game. Over and under sitting at 225 as well. Which magic do you think happens tonight, Alex? Do you think the Orlando Magic or the Wizards with their magic as well over there? You see how I did that, Alex?

Alex:

I like that.

Jay Money:

Which one do you think could…

Alex:

They should have Harry Potter Night or something tonight. You’re right. This is a missed marketing opportunity if there’s not some sort of wand giveaway or magical hat giveaway. But it should be a pretty fun basketball game. Two teams again that are completely out of it, but the Magic have been really good. Starting to figure out what they look like next year. Lean towards Orlando in terms of actually winning the game. I think the Wizards, it’s not so much about Bradley Beal being out, but about Kuzma being out.

I think Kuzma has quietly been one of their most, if not most, important piece this season. But when I look at this game, the total is much too high for me. I was looking at 225 there, had this game a little bit closer to 220. Again without Beal, without Kuzma, there is not… You take some great shooting off the floor. Kuzma really brings a lot in terms of ball creation there. It’s going to be a poor [inaudible 00:06:40] offense, which you as a Maverick fan know, there’s a lot of hold the ball, long possessions deep into the shot clock. And this Magic team, as fun as they’ve been, they’ve really regressed offensively. I think this is going to be an ugly game, pretty close back and forth. They remind you of a lot of the college basketball you’ve been watching. So give me the under tonight.

Jay Money:

Couldn’t talk you off that under whatsoever. I lean towards the Magic here. This team is quietly 7 and 0 against the spread in their last seven games. And I had them last game as well. Pick on the show. Alex, they were getting smacked by the Grizzlies. They were down by 18, 19 the whole game. I’m just like, “Man. Damn it.”

Alex:

I had them too.

Jay Money:

Man. I’m pissed off at them. I look up. Oh boy, they’re coming back, man. So hey I love that. This Magic team loves me right now. I could only look their way. And right before their last win, they just beat them a few days ago by 10 points, 122 to 112 in Orlando. They had Beal in that game as well, and they still smacked up the Wizards. Before that, the Wizards had absolutely owned the Magic. They had won seven straight verse them.

So maybe it’s the Magic’s turn to start back owning the Wizards in this one. And I agree with you as well. This should be an under type of game. Magic’s offense isn’t the same on the road. But their defense does travel really well. Wizards missed some offensive pieces. They should be able to play some defense here as well. We’ll see what’s up with Gafford. That’s a guy that could really help out the under as well. And if he’s out, it could probably still help out the under ’cause… So we’ll see what’s up with Gafford, but yeah, I could only look towards the Magic here. And I lean that under with you as well, Alex. I do believe that that’s the right side in this game. So my guy, Noops, here rocking with the under 225 officially in this one, guys. I like it. My guy. I like it.

I definitely think that’s cash in, Noops. Let’s head over here to the next game, guys. Let’s go over here to the streets of Philly in this one. Man, I believe our guy, Alex, somewhere around Philly. I don’t think you’re in Philly, but somewhere around there. But we’re rooting for the Sixers, man. I know me. I’m rooting for Embiid. I’m rooting for him every single game. You dig what I’m saying? We have the Sixers here land five points at the house versus the Toronto Raptors, getting back five points on the road in this one. If you would like to go to moneyline route, the 76ers are [inaudible 00:08:44] minus 190 is at home as the home favorites in this one. Or you can get back plus 163 with the Toronto Raptors as the role as underdog in this one. Over and under is sitting at 224 in this one.

These teams usually play close games. I know they have a lot of great defenders over there. And Alex, I was going to go with and Embiid points, but I do think we’re always trying to cash for the show, right? So I’m like, I think… Obviously with OG, Siakam, and they have Jakob Pöltl to throw it in Embiid. Now, I’d rather to go with the points. I’ll [inaudible 00:09:12] go with the rebounds, Alex. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but they’re getting out of in Embiid’s way; they’re letting him get the rebounds; they’re letting them step [inaudible 00:09:18], if you will. They know he’s going for the MVP. He’s going to win it. I like his over 10 and a half rebounds tonight. I think he could go… He gets at least 12 rebounds in this one tonight, Noops. Give me Embiid rebounds. I still like his points, but I do like the rebounds more. The safe route will probably be points and rebounds. Could you talk me off here, Noops, and who do you think is going to win this one?

Alex:

I actually think the even safer route, I’m going go rebounds and assist. You talk about all those defenders the Raptors have. What they do with Embiid basically is, it’s a lot of double teaming with a third guy lurking. They do everything they can to force the ball out of his hands. And he’s got much better at passing out of those double teams.

So maybe look at his assist number as well. And if you want to put those two together, I think that’s better because you’re right. He generally does not score well versus this Toronto team. Nick Nurse knows how to draw it up. And it should be a really fun game. This is another one. Josh had a pick here. Josh likes the Sixers minus five, and I really hope he’s right here man. The Sixers could use a comfortable win in a big way. And again, it’s always tough with these Philadelphia games. I expected Embiid to play. Actually, it looks like they pulled him off the injury report. So Embiid’s good right now. Harden’s good right now. The Sixers are much better than this Toronto team. It’s at home, in the Wells Fargo center. Again, just about 30 minutes away from me. But I’ll be sitting on the couch watching, being nervous for my Sixers and hopefully the MVP, Joel Embiid.

Jay Money:

Yeah, in theory, the Sixers now obviously, they do have the [inaudible 00:10:39] on deck, but that’s going to be in a few days. But in theory, they should come out with some here in the first quarter as well. Something I’d like to do Alex, is when a team is coming out four straight home games and their first game on the road, it’s usually like an adjustment period. You were comfortable with the house shooting on your own rims in your home gym that you’re used to, side lines, all of it. First game in a new arena really would go to advantage to the team that’s playing their second straight home team, home game here, and the Sixers did come out slow in their last game as well. They were down nine points in the first quarter. I’d lean Sixers here in the first quarter. I think they should come out here and have a much better start.

The Raptors, the they don’t have the bench. I’ll tell you that right now. The Raptors’ starting five is good or whatever, but their bench is not great at all. I think the Sixers bench could eat them up. Now I guarantee you, if our guy Punt was here, he’d say that, hey, look when the bench players come in, that’s when the Sixers really should push their lead up in this one. I could definitely see them winning by double digits in this one.

I lean with the Sixers their first quarter and full game with our guy, Punt. But I’m going with Embiid over his 10 and a half rebounds in this one, guys. He had 11 in their last meeting as well. I think he’s getting at least 12 in this one tonight, guys. So I couldn’t even talk you off [inaudible 00:11:47] up to 11 and a half as well. It’s some plus money. Embiid rebounds in this one. Looks like everybody’s getting out his way so he can at least attempt to go for like 30 and 30 and 12, or 13 rebounds every single night. And I still like those rebounds assists as will, Noops. Any thoughts on this total in this one? We know that sometimes these teams play like a playoff style type of game. Did you have any thoughts on the total in this one?

Alex:

I definitely lean towards an under here. They’re going to try to work Harden back and a little bit more slowly. My guess is that’ll take the pace down for the Sixers. Again, as good as Embiid is playing, what he brings on defense… And he does really slow this offense down. I’m looking at a total right now around 224. I had it about 222. So a little bit of an edge on the under, but I’ll let this one go.

Jay Money:

Yeah, now I’m right there with you on that. Yeah, so our guy, Punt, likes the Sixers. And give me Joel Embiid, over 10 and half for rebounds for my play of the day in this one my guys. Let’s go over here to the streets of Brooklyn in this one, man. We have the Nets here guys. What did they land? Where [inaudible 00:12:43] getting one and a half points here? I know at one point, they were laying a point. Now, some money has come in on the Hawks there, Alex.

The no defense playing Hawks. Hawks are [inaudible 00:12:51], minus one and a half here on the road as the road favorites. Or you can get back plus one and a half with the Brooklyn Nets as the home underdog. If you would like to go the moneyline route here, Nets are getting back plus 105 here as the home underdog. Or you can lay minus 125 with the Atlanta Hawks here on the road. Over and under is sitting at 240 and a half in this one. This Hawks team is very unreliable. I had them in the last game. They did pull it out versus the Cavs, but there is no way that that game should have been there close. They led by 14 the fourth quarter, and ended up having to win on some late free throws. The Cavs actually came back and took the lead. I did not trust this Hawks team, man. Great offense but as great as the offense is, this defense is certified [inaudible 00:13:27] here. Alex, what do you like in this game, my brother?

Alex:

Not a damn thing. Josh has a play on this one. I’ll share it with you in a second. These are two teams I have really struggled with. Everything in my numbers likes this Hawk team to somehow come under the 250 point totals they have every game. And they go over them one after another. It’s up and down. It’s back and forth. This team is a mess. And Brooklyn is just one of the most bizarre finishes to the season here.

Seemed like they were coalescing around kind of this new unit. And then all of a sudden, [inaudible 00:13:56] guys. It seemed like they’re almost trying to tank for some reason, but can’t seem to get out of the play and Hunter is still the six seed somehow. The bottom of the East is really bizarre. But Josh’s angle here, he’s just going to do what I never seem to be smart enough to do, and take the over. This Hawks team, you mentioned… You [inaudible 00:14:13] it up perfectly. It is an over machine. There is no defense being played by anybody. They’re just trying to get up and down the floor. I somehow hope we get like a Hawks Sacramento Kings finals. Every total will be like 280 or something. It’ll be nuts. So Josh likes the over here. But this is a game where, at this point, I’m happy to skip on these two teams until the post season.

Jay Money:

Yeah, I’m right there with you man. I had to skip this game. I would lean towards the Hawks to be able to get it done full game. But like I say, they’re just not a reliable team. They could be up by 10 points in the fourth quarter and you’re still going to be sweating your bet, going on… They’re unreliable, Alex. Great offense, but with them playing no defense, that’s why they’re letting all the teams come back in the fourth quarter because the other teams will lock up. When the last four minutes in a close game, that’s when the defense is supposed to be at the highest. The Hawks haven’t got that memo, man. That’s when they choose to play no defense at all. Especially when they have a lead, they feel like the game is already over. Probably one of the most unreliable teams in the NBA in my opinion.

But you could just rock with Josh in this one. Ride with the over. Two teams, they can score at above average pace. The Nets don’t really have a defender other than Claxton to defend the rim. So Capela or Okongwu could then… John Collins, there should be plenty of lobs for those guys as well. So I would lean towards the Hawks in full game, just really hard for me to trust them. But our guy Josh is rocking with the over 240 and a half in this one. No official play for myself or Alex in this one, guys.

Let’s head over here to the next game. Alex, I can’t believe you’re making me talk about this game play, man. I wanted to skip this game on my show, bro. But we do have the Rocket-

Alex:

I want to skip it too.

Jay Money:

We do have the Houston… I really would like to skip the next one, to be honest. But, no disrespect to any of these teams, man. We’re going to break down the games and try to find some cash. Houston Rockets here lands six and a half points here at the house, man. Versus the Detroit Pistons in this one. Getting back plus six and a half on the road. If you would like to go to moneyline route and lay minus 230 with the Rockets. What are we doing here? But that’s what they’re laying on the moneyline as the home favorite. Or you can get back plus 190 if you would like to go with the Detroit Pistons here, as the road underdog. Over and under sitting at 228 in this one. Alex, what are we doing? It’s six and a half, too many to lay with this Rockets team right now.

Alex:

Way too many to lay. And circle it back to my earlier first pick there on the Charlotte Hornets. You got to eat the stinky cheese and six and a half is too much. This Pistons team, again, you look at the standings. Both of these teams we’re tanking. But we’re done here. They’re going to have the three worst records in the league. Nothing is going to change and having one of the three worst records gives you the same amount of ping pong balls. So we might actually get an honest effort out of most of these teams going the rest of the way. That said, I like this matchup for the Pistons from a basketball perspective, Houston has got crushed by any team with some big men. The Pistons now are trying to work through James Wiseman, who’s been really nice finally getting some time.

Jalen Duren looks like an absolute steel at this point in terms of a nice young player. Again, the Pistons should be fun next year if they keep Cade Cunningham together. But yeah, this is as simple as… I don’t know why anyone on earth would make the Houston Rockets a six and a half point favorite over anybody. What is some of these college teams, I don’t know how that would even go given what they’re trying to do there in Houston. So yeah, six and a half is much too many, and I’ll hold my nose here and again, take a game that I had about two and a half.

Jay Money:

Couldn’t talk you off there whatsoever. It looked like it opened up at four and a half, pushed up to six and a half. I’m with you Alex. And I think it’s something to note because Alex has really had a good read on the Rockets all season. He’s taking them first halves, taking them full games in the right spots. So the fact that you’re on the other side of them here tells me everything I need to know. It tells me that this Pistons are nothing here and with the Rockets sitting at two more wins than the Pistons as well. This is like a little conspiracy Jay theory. If you’d like to, you could lose this game outright, give the other team with lesser wins another win, you get another loss, right? It gives you, I guess in theory, more chances. But they’re still, I think, all three guaranteed to be the bottom three in the league: Spurs, pistons and Rockets in this one.

But like I say, if you want a little bit better chances, they’re sitting at 18 and 59, Pistons sitting at 16 and 60. They can give them their 17th win in this one, man. And I also know that it’s Marvin Bagley’s birthday as well. So wouldn’t be surprised him and Wiseman. You could get whatever you want down there in the Cade versus Sengun. He’s a great offensive player, but defense is not his best area. He’s basically like an Atlanta Hawks player. He probably fit perfectly well on that Atlanta Hawks team, man.

But I just want to note that because you usually have Rockets first half or something. So the fact you’re on the other side tells us everything we need to know. You’ve had a great read on the Rockets all season in this one, guys. So our guy, Alex, rocking with the Pistons plus the six and a half, cannot talk you off. I would not lay six and a half with the Rockets with someone else’s money in this one. I would not do it. You’re going to give me your money, all right, I’m just going to put it in my pocket in this one. But Pistons plus six and a half. [inaudible 00:18:52] No, I’m putting it in my pocket, man. But Alex rocking with plus six and a half in this one, man. Could not talk you off at all. Alex, one more game, man. Oh boy.

Alex:

This is Josh’s fault. This one’s on Josh. ‘Cause Josh didn’t want to come on the show today because I don’t think he wanted to talk about this even though he bet it. But we’ll get through it.

Jay Money:

Man, aw man. It’s Portland Trail Blazers team. This is like a glorified G League squad, man. They’re literally not even trying to win. It hurts me as an NBA fan. It literally makes me cringe on the inside. But Trail Blazers here getting plus 14 here on the road. They just lost the same game by 40 points. Literally, it was 120 to 80 guys. But Sacramento Kings land 14 here on the road. If you would like to go to moneyline route, ah man, Kings lay minus 1200 on the moneyline. Seems like a lock in this one. If you would like to go to Blazers to get the outright win, you can get back plus 750 with the Portland Trail Blazers here on the moneyline. Over and under sitting at 231 in this one. Alex, what are we doing? We’re going all in on the Kings, on the moneyline in this one? What are we doing?

Alex:

I guess my favorite way to describe how I feel about the Portland Trail blazers is, I heard that they signed Veteran Guard Shaquille Harrison to a contract. I didn’t know he was a veteran. I’m not really sure who Shaquille Harrison is. One of my favorite games to play at the end of last season on the show, Jay, was… Is this person an NBA player that might play for the Portland Trail Blazers or did I make this name up? My favorite name tonight, Trendon Watford. He’s an actual Trail Blazer. He’s going to play minutes. Somebody named Jabari Walker might play tonight. Long lost Kevin Knox II. Maybe he’ll get some minutes tonight. I mean this Portland team is bad. This is really, really bad. And as hard as it could be to lay 14 points on the Sacramento Kings team that arguably plays less defense than the Hawks. You can’t do it. You just can’t.

This Trail Blazers team is nasty. It’s a mess. And that’s what Josh is going to do. He’s going to lay the 14 points. I’m pretty sure this is the most points Josh has ever laid in his NBA handicapping career. I’d have to go back and look. But he very rarely lays anything more than five or six, maybe double, maybe nine I think he laid once. But 14, this is nuts. So again, I’m happy to stay away from this. It’s the theme of the day. There was some huge numbers out there. You mentioned the Spurs. They’re plus 17 and a half on Golden State. I’m definitely not going to lay 17 and a half with Golden State, but I can’t take the Spurs on the road, right? So it’s just a funky spot. Josh likes Sacramento here, which I can see. But happy to let this one go as well.

Jay Money:

Yes. [inaudible 00:21:24] My guy Josh rocking with the Kings minus 14. That’s the only way I could look. Only thing that I could worry about is if the kings decide to rest some guys here. You’re not getting out of the three seed and you’re probably not going down to the four as well. So now ’cause Kings hadn’t really rested anybody all season, right? Now, Fox has been a little banged up but wouldn’t be surprised if they did choose to do that a few games with a few games left. And you don’t really want to risk injury as well, especially in a meaningless game like this, where the Blazers obviously don’t want to win. So I’m not laying a 14. I couldn’t talk Josh off. That’s the only way to look. The Blazers are not even trying to be competitive right now, guys. So I can’t even look their way. Maybe look towards the Blazer’s team total under here or maybe even a full game under. Alex, what do you think about a Blazer’s team total under in this one? They scored 80 points last game, bro.

Alex:

It’s so hard. I think Blazer’s team total under is a decent look, but I always get a little worried some of these big games, if things get out of hand at the end. You do still have Shaedon Sharpe going to be out there trying to make a career for himself tonight. He could just going to try to get up a bunch of points. Maybe Nassir Little has a good shooting that… I don’t know. I’m talking myself out of this. I don’t know who Skylar Mays is. Maybe he’s good. I don’t know. So again, it’s just, there’s too much unknown. Right? I don’t know what to tell you. I don’t even know who half these people are, so maybe. I don’t know.

Jay Money:

I could only look Blazer’s team total under in this one. Couldn’t talk you off a full game under as well. Like I said, last game went to 220 points guys. I mean 200 points. One 180. 120 to 80 guys. So Blazers didn’t even [inaudible 00:22:56] their team total on there. That’s crazy. We see teams have done their 80 points by the end of halftime here. And that’s what they scored for full 48 minutes here. I want no part to this game guys, but our guy Josh, [inaudible 00:23:08] liked the Kings minus 14 if you like something there guys. But we got some great questions in the chat. Let’s go over here to some Q and A in this one, guys. From our guy, Demony Strazner. Never seen you in the chat, my guys. “Noops and Jay, we’d love to hear your thoughts on Knicks’ first half moneyline. Everybody knows Reynold’s out, but the line moves towards New York. Like my Knicks early, I don’t know about full game in this one. Alex, what do you think about Knicks’ first half tonight?

Alex:

Yeah, Knicks’ first half has been a pretty good bet this year. There was a period maybe about a month ago, they were winning three out of every four games basically in the first half. But they’re going to run up against a truck here. Cleveland at home has been fantastic. So I think that that’s not a bad angle. Maybe watch and see how things start. See if you can scoop a number live. But a lot of that stuff looked pretty good to me and I lean towards Cleveland here. It should be a nice bounce back spot for them at home.

Jay Money:

Yeah, I can only look towards the Cavs here. The home team has won all three of these match-ups so far this season. The Knicks have won the previous two so this is the double revenge spot for the Cavs. I think Jared Allen is like doubtful, Alex? What do you think? Is he doubtful or still questionable? I hadn’t seen doubtful, but I know he went through a partial practice yesterday. If Allen is in there, I’d look towards the Cavs for sure in this one. But even regardless, I can only look towards Cavs early and often in this one, my guys. So Demony, I know the Knicks usually cover those first halves, but this is one where I do think the Cavs match up really well with the Knicks in this one. Alex, what do you think? You see anything on that Jared Allen?

Alex:

Yeah, he’s doubtful. So it’s going to be tough, but I think the Cavs probably still have enough.

Jay Money:

That’s why the Lions went down. Yeah, the Cavs [inaudible 00:24:37] came back and beat the Hawks without Allen and [inaudible 00:24:39] guys. And remember, doubtful is not out yet as well. But that’s probably a good reason why it came down from six and a half to three a half. [inaudible 00:24:46]-

Alex:

That’s why it moved.

Jay Money:

I don’t think it should’ve moved that much down. They can really still ball out the house. Alan hurts their defense obviously a ton, but Cavs at the house are [inaudible 00:24:56] on for me. I would not bet against the Cavs at the house in any shape, form, or fashion. They’re 30 and 8 straight up at the house, 24 and 13 and 1 against the spread, guys. So I lean Cavs there on the full game, but I couldn’t talk you out at your first half there, Demony. Next question up. Mark Holmes says, “Which first half dog one line do you prefer? First half moneyline or the Pacers plus 140 or first half moneyline for the Nuggets plus 270?” No thoughts for me at all on that one Alex. Any thoughts here?

Alex:

Yeah, we were talking about the Nuggets game before the show. For those of you that may not know, the Nuggets left everybody at home. Jokić stayed home. We think maybe Porter Jr. might have stayed home. Possibly Murray. We have no idea who’s there for the Nuggets. Should just be an absolute route by the Phoenix Suns who have been really good at home, really good at home as big favorites and really good at home early.

Chris Paul and that team, it’s a bunch of veterans. They know how to start these games and not really waste the time. I think Phoenix looks at this game where we could play three quarters only. We only have to play three quarters of this game if we play three good quarters. So I think they’ll come out and start well. Maybe look at a first quarter moneyline. Give yourself a little more randomness in a shorter period there. Pacer’s first half, Oklahoma City has definitely been slow starting on the road. No Shai Gilgeous Alexander here. So Pacers have been pretty solid. If I have to pick one, I’ll go with the Pacers. But again, it’s tough to get excited about either Indiana missing Tyrese Haliburton.

Jay Money:

Yeah, SGA got upgraded to questionable as well Alex. So he might play here. I know it looked like he was out at first, then they-

Alex:

[inaudible 00:26:22] upgrade to questionable.

Jay Money:

Alex, I know people say like… But you got to understand it’s a total new league, man. There’s things you’re not used to… There wasn’t even a such thing as from out to questionable. If you were out, you were out. Don’t even put him on an injured report as out if he’s questionable. So I really think it’s like absolute corruption in my opinion. You have guys going from probable to questionable then to out, out to questionable and end up playing. These things never used to happen. Everybody likes to bet on NBA these days guys. But I just want you to see that a lot of these times, it’s an injury report manipulation, guys. But out to questionable and then end up playing, we never used to see things like this two to three years ago and beyond that, Alex.

So I just wanted to make that a point. I just don’t understand how that’s fair. We thought that guys, [inaudible 00:27:10] you got people betting on the Pacers. Oh no, he’s questionable now, which means that he’s probably going to play in this one. So I would probably stay off the Pacers first. I’d stay off both of those, Mark, to be perfectly honest with you. That’s my take there. A question for me, not really sure how to take it if it’s a troll or what. But Kyle Bury says, “Jay, you make any official plays that you feel comfort in. Give me Joel Embiid over his 10 and half rebounds.” My guy.

Alex:

I remember [inaudible 00:27:32]-

Jay Money:

That’s my play. That’s my play for today, Kyle. I appreciate you for joining the show. My guy Ryan Jones in a chat in this one, says, “Houston team total over or Magic moneyline?” I’d look at Magic moneyline there, Alex. What do you think? Yeah, we don’t like the Rockets tonight, which it could cash on the team total. But I do like the Magic moneyline more. Alex, what do you think?

Alex:

Yeah, Magic moneyline, we both lean that way. Again, it should be a fun game versus Washington. The Wizards continue to be good but [inaudible 00:28:00] Kuzma are arguably their most important player. And the Magic, as you also mentioned, have had a great last week here. Again, there’s nothing to earn from tanking. They’re all settled to this point, which is odd with eight, nine games left. Usually, we’re used to teams fighting each other to lose. But I like the Magic tonight. And then Houston, team total over there. That’s fine. The Rockets should score a bunch of points at home. The Detroit Pistons are not great defensively, but I still like the Pistons in that game.

Jay Money:

Yeah. No, I’m right there with you. Yeah, I would probably go with Magic moneyline, but both of those could get there. Obviously it probably won’t be a whole lot of defense playing in that game in that one. But something tells me that the Magic come out here with a win tonight, my guys. Last question in chat, man. JG says, “LA, Minnesota over in that one.” As personally, I could only look towards the under. I know that the refs could be calling all type of BS, but this is probably going to be a playoff style type of game. I know Naz Reid as well definitely helps their scoring off the bench for the Wolves in this one. I can only look towards the under in this one. Two above average defensive squads in this one, Alex.

Alex:

Yeah, their playing tournament championship preview match might possibly be here. The Lakers have been a dead nut under teams since the trade deadline when they reshaped this roster to take advantage of what Anthony Davis could do defensively and to put enough guys around LeBron to keep him fresh. And LeBron James is one of those guys… You would think, “LeBron’s in there. Should be more points.” No, he slows the game down. It just takes the pace out of the ball. And now that we’ve got no Westbrook, these Lakers have been one of the slower teams in the league. And Minnesota, yes, they got Karl-Anthony Towns back. But this is not last year’s Minnesota Timberwolves. They’ve really redefined what this team looks like over the last couple months. And Edwards, again, as good as he’s been offensively, slows it down a little bit and takes over the air out of here. So I think it’s definitely under a pass.

Jay Money:

Yeah. Unless Anthony Edwards goes off in this game for like 40 or 50 points, this one stays under in my opinion. This will be a playoff style type of game in my opinion. I could only look towards the under in this one guys. And hopefully, Lakers get it done. I do need the Lakers to make the playoffs man. So I need them to win every game. This is a huge game for both teams really because the winner will basically will be kind of locked into the seven seed. So I’d lean Lakers there. Before I would bet the over, I would just take Lakers. But I would actually lean to the under on that one, guys. We went through all the questions in the chat. We broke down our top six games as well. Even gave out our guy’s Josh plays as well, man. Hope he’s doing fine over there and gets better. But he’ll have a few days off, so that makes it well, right? So little over management for our guy Josh in this one.

Alex:

[inaudible 00:30:26] management everywhere.

Jay Money:

Nah, but we got to take care of ourselves doing all of this. But let’s get out of here. Let’s recap the best bets for my guy Kyle in the chat, man. Our guy Josh, [inaudible 00:30:37] with Sixers minus the five. He’s also on Hawks, Nets over 240 in the half. He’s also taking Kings minus the 14 as well. For me, give me Joel Embiid over to 10 and a half rebounds.

I did like his points as well. But the rebounds is one where I see this cash in for sure. Nine times out of ten, I see him getting at least 11 and 12 rebounds in this game. He plays for the 76ers, guys, for people that didn’t know. Man, they know who Joel Embiid plays for. [inaudible 00:31:00] You can say MVP of the season. Look at the MVP of the league this year, man. But Alex rocking with Hornets plus the 10 on that one. Magic, Wizards, under 225, and he’s also taking the Pistonians plus six and a half in this one. Alex, I don’t know why I liked… I just like calling him the Pistonians guys. But that’s the show today. Alex, any closing words for you, man? We coming off a great week. We’re 11 games over 500. Alex, any closing words for you my brother, before we get out of here?

Alex:

Nothing too much to add. Just thanks everybody for watching. Thank you for trusting us. I know that Jay, you and I lead off the show here, and we got to look at that best bet record, and I know for about a month, it was really sad having to pull that thing up. But we told you we were going to get out of this. We’re 11 games over 500. I need to go back and look what we are in the last month. It has to be spectacular. It’s been a weird season. You talked about some of the stuff. We were dealing with an injury reports, but here we are as we’re talking along. So make sure, everybody, you keep watching because it only gets better.

Jay Money:

Yeah, it’s been a great March for me. I don’t like that this is the last day of the month. It’s been an incredible month for me, guys. So let’s keep it going.

Alex:

Let’s stretch it out.

Jay Money:

We appreciate it. Yeah, yeah, exactly.

Alex:

Tomorrow’s March 32nd.

Jay Money:

This guy here, man. We appreciate everybody for tuning in, man. Little ups and downs, sticking with us since we were like 20 games under 500. So we appreciate you guys for tuning in. Follow us on Twitter as well. That’s my guy, Noops. I’m your host, Jay Money. We will be back on Tuesday, guys. There are no NBA games on Monday. So I hope you guys enjoy the weekend, enjoy the national championship games, all that good stuff. We will win. Let’s get some cash today guys. Let’s say, take care of yourselves. Don’t forget to check out our sportsbook website. Have a great weekend. We’re back on Tuesday. Let’s cash.