Happy New Years eve! For those who are buying gym memberships to start the year, only buy for the month of January. Trust me, you won’t need it the rest of the year.
Chicago Bulls at Washington Wizards
The Wizards cannot catch a break. They remain winners through the first four games. The Bulls are not fairing much better. Their only win came against the Wizards in their previous game. Westbrook and Beal we’re both on the court, but failed to synchronize. A major problem we are seeing with this newly formed tandem.
Both Westbrook and Beal have put up decent numbers of 32.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.5 APG and 19.0 PPG, 13.7 RPG, and 12.7 APG, respectively. Amazing numbers on a winless team. A rare sight.
Westbrook is, however, on pace for another triple-double season putting him in a category all by himself. This will eventually translate to wins once Westbrook and Beal sync up.
The Bulls were able to scrap out the win off the backs of LaVine and Markkanen. So far this season, they are averaging 23.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG, and 3.0 APG and 17.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 1.3 APG, respectively.
The Bulls are obviously in rebuild mode but do have some promising pieces on the roster such as Wendall Carter Jr. and Coby White.
The Wizards are due for a win after dropping their first four games. Beal and Westbrook are bound to sync up. Beal has expressed concern about playing better. The Wizards -5.5 is the play.
Sacramento Kings at Houston Rockets
The Rockets have had early troubles, which for now, can be attributed to Covid protocol. They finally get to see their star guard John Wall dawn the Rockets uniform.
With John Wall and Eric Gordon coming back, it will be difficult to predict how they will mesh with each other in their first game.
However, we are seeing some great play from both Harden and Wood. Through two games, Harden is averaging 39.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 12.5 APG. Scorching. While getting 40.0 MPG, Wood is averaging 27.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 2.0 APG. Great numbers for a young center.
The Kings are starting off hot going 3-1 to start season with some big wins against the Nuggets twice, and the Suns once. They did drop their other game to the Suns.
I do believe this a fade game. Too many unpredictable factors are at play. But if you must bet, take the Kings at +4.5. They are hot and the numbers suggest this will continue with everyone contributing on the Kings roster.
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New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors
The Knicks and Raptors are a tale of two cities this season. The Knicks, and I can’t believe I’m typing this, do not have a losing record and have shown flashes of superiority in the first four games.
Julius Randle has become a problem in the league. He is averaging 24.8 PPG, 10.5 RPG, and 7.5 APG. About time someone grabbed the reins of this franchise.
The Toronto Raptors, on the other hand, are winless in the first three games. The Raptors need to hunker down and focus on what made them contenders last season.
Their troubles shouldn’t continue for much longer. No one wins forever and no one losses forever. The Raptors should get the win here.
However, Vegas has put out the line of -9.0 in favor of to Raptors. A line I do not believe they can cover given recent play.
The Knicks play suggests they are more than capable of covering the +9.0 if Randle continues his play.
Phoenix Suns at Utah Jazz
Both of these powerhouse Western teams have only dropped one game this season thus far.
The Suns are currently 1st in the Western Conference. The acquisition of Chris Paul was an excellent move by the GM. Through four games, Chris Paul is averaging close to a double-double on 11.8 PPG and 9.5 APG.
Pauls 11.8 PPG would be concerning, however, we are seeing scoring up and down the lineup and a ton of ball sharing. Moving the ball helps set up high percentage shots, which leads to wins in close games.
The Utah Jazz have seen some struggles despite sitting at 4th place early in the season. They dropped a game to the Timberwolves and nearly dropped their last game to the Thunder, winning by only one point.
Vegas has determined the Jazz as a -3.5 favorite. Although both teams can matchup against each other, the Suns ball movement and pace control should allow for the cover of +3.5.
Wizards -5.5
Kings +4.5
Knicks +9.0
Suns +3.5
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