Saturday NBA slate features eight games. However, I am most interested in the game between the Orlando Magic and the Sacramento Kings. Both teams are battling for seeding in their respective conferences. This is their second and final matchup of the season. Their first game went to double overtime and the Kings won. Two prop bets from that matchup immediately caught my attention, so without further ado, let’s dive into Saturday’s recommendations.
Domantas Sabonis over 39.5 points, rebounds and assists. Even though the Magic are a sound defensive team, the Kings rank 12th in pace. Sabonis has also been phenomenal lately clearing this line in 16 of his past 20 games. It’s also worth mentioning that he’s exceeded this line in eight of his past 10 road games. Sabonis finished with 57 points, rebounds and assists against the Magic on Jan. 3.
Paolo Banchero over 21.5 points. Defense isn’t the Kings’ strong suit, as Sacramento ranks 20th in points allowed per 100 possessions. It bodes well for Banchero, who’s scored 20 or more points in seven of his past 10 games. Banchero also scored 43 points on the road against the Kings on Jan. 3. The Kings rank 28th in points per game allowed to power forwards.
Jalen Brunson under 40.5 points, rebounds and assists. He’s gone under this line in two games against the Nets this season. The Knicks had their four game winning streak halted by the Denver Nuggets on Thursday. New York will be eager to bounce back and the Nets who are on five-game losing streak are unlikely to put up a fight on the road. Brunson has gone under this line in four of his past five home games. The Knicks are 7.5-point favorites. Brunson has gone under this line in 60% of the games this season New York has won by double digits.
Kevin Durant over 23.5 points. He has gone under this line in five consecutive games. It would be surprising for Durant not to bounce back against a Spurs team that ranks 22nd in points allowed per 100 possessions. The Suns are 9.5-point favorites and this matchup does have the second highest point total of Saturday’s slate. Durant surpassed this line in two games against the Spurs this season. He’s also eclipsed this line in 70% of his games this year.
Clint Capela over 24.5 points, rebounds and assists. He’s eclipsed this line in six of his past seven games. The Hornets rank 26th in points allowed per 100 possessions. Charlotte also ranks 27th in points per game and 25th in rebounds per game allowed to centers. Jalen Johnson has also been ruled out for the Hawks. Capela has surpassed this line in 11 of the 17 games that Johnson has missed this season.
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com.
Brooklyn Nets at New York Knicks
1 p.m. Madison Square Garden, New York
Records (Against the Spread)
Nets: 26-44 (30-37-3)
Knicks: 41-28 (36-32-1)
Line: Knicks (-7.5) Total: 203.5
Money Line: Nets (+240), Knicks (-295)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 5.7, straight up 70%, 221.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Nets: Dennis Smith Jr., (GTD – Hip); Keon Johnson, (OUT – Illness); Ben Simmons, (OUT – Back); Dariq Whitehead, (OUT – Lower Leg)
Knicks: Julius Randle, (OUT – Shoulder); Mitchell Robinson, (OUT – Ankle); OG Anunoby, (OUT – Elbow)
Sacramento Kings at Orlando Magic
7 p.m. Amway Center, Orlando
Records (Against the Spread)
Kings: 40-29 (35-33-1)
Magic: 42-28 (46-24-0)
Line: Magic (-2.5) Total: 218.5
Money Line: Kings (+120),…
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