Picks are subject to change as the article is written the night before. Be on the lookout for injuries as they can be released late.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets have experienced some trouble out of the gate. After making it to the Western Conference Final last season, they start this season 2-4.
The blame can be pointed at young superstar Center Jokic. He is leading the league in assists with 12.8. He is also averaging a triple-double putting up 22.3 PPG and 11.2 RPG.
One can begin to point the finger at guard Gary Harris. He is putting up an abysmal 7.7 PPG, 1.3 APG, and 1.7 RPG. Awful numbers after having a decent season last year. If the Nuggets want to return to their status as contenders, he will need to pick up his play.
Despite having the same record as the Nuggets, the Timberwolves are massive underdogs at +12.0 to cover the spread. A number they can cover if fully healthy.
Their star big man, Towns, will not play in this game once again with a wrist injury. A massive loss to a Timberwolves team already struggling with talent on their roster.
Russel will have to put on a show for them to cover, let alone win. So far this season, his play has been a little lackluster. He’s only averaging 16.8 PPG with 4.5 assists. Excluding Towns, that’s the most on the team.
The inability to get assists is plaguing this team. Lack of assists also takes a toll on every players PPG. The Timberwolves do not have any players averaging more than 20.0 PPG. Not a great look if you want to be competitive.
That being said, if you must bet this game, the Nuggets -12.0 is the play. The Timberwolves do not have the personal to match up with the Nuggets, especially Jokic who should have a field day this game.
Chicago Bulls at Portland Trailblazers
The Trailblazers have come out .500 through their first six games. They come off their latest game after dropping it to a 62 point effort by Steph Curry.
The duo of Dame and McCollum has been on fire. Dropping 26.3 PPG and 28.0 PPG, respectively.
The play of the rest of the roster has been the opposite. The next leading scorer is their sixth man, Carmelo Anthony, averaging 12.6 PPG. They have more double digit scorers on their bench than in their starting 5.
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If they want to contend for a championship, they will need their big man Nurkic to step up. Before his injury, he was a rapidly rising star in this league and we have not seen that this year.
The Bulls are only game behind .500. Their boom or bust roster has propelled them to a decent start. A lot better than what most analysts had then starting.
White and LaVine are leading the boom or bust charge. You never know what you’re going to get game to game.
LaVine is capable of dropping 40 points non any given night. He dropped 39 points last game, but just 16 points the game before.
The Bulls are the massive underdog at +10. A speed they can easily cover if the Bulls show up.
Power forward Markkanen is out another game with Covid. A severe blow to the team.
After getting 62 points getting scored against Dame, his competitiveness means he should ball out this game. I expect him to have a great night as the Trailblazers cover the -10.0.
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