Locks
NBA – Bucks -6 @ Hawks (-110): 6:30 PM CT on NBATV
A quick look at the injury report for this game should tell you everything you need to know here. Several key players for the Atlanta Hawks, including Trae Young and Clint Capela, are either out or unlikely to play in this game.
Another quick look into the season series should make it even more obvious that the Milwaukee Bucks are the right side. Two double-digit wins by the Bucks, including 10 days ago with Young and Capela in the lineup, showed how superior Milwaukee is despite a solid season from the Hawks.
The reason for this short of a line seems to be the scheduling spot for Milwaukee here on a back-to-back, but they have been a profitable 6-4 ATS in rest disadvantage spots this season. Because of that schedule be sure to check for any late inactives among the Bucks stars. But if they’re at full strength I like Milwaukee to cruise in this one.
NBA – Cavaliers @ Wizards -7 (-110): 6:00 PM CT on NBC Sports DC
Watch out for this Washington Wizards team because they’re going to give someone a tough time in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Today, I think they’ll give the Cleveland Cavaliers a tough time, especially because the Cavs come into this game as the worst road ATS team in the NBA, and minus Collin Sexton, who suffered a concussion on Friday. Not a great time to face this red-hot Washington team, winners of seven straight and 8-2 ATS over their last ten games.
I really like how the Wizards manhandle bad teams, with double-digit wins over the last five non-playoff teams they’ve faced. That should continue here since Washington needs to keep the pedal down as they cling to the last play-in spot, so expect their best effort in a comfortable win.
NBA – Kings @ Warriors -7.5 (-110): 9:00 PM CT on NBATV
The Sacramento Kings have shown flashes of competence this season, particularly when De’Aaron Fox has one of his superhuman performances.
Unfortunately, Fox will be out for up to two weeks as he’s entered the NBA’s COVID protocols, and the Kings will be far from competent without him. They’ll face a tough task against this Golden State Warriors team that’s 9-4 ATS when laying points at home, and 2nd best in the NBA for margin of victory and plus/minus against the number in those spots.
This has also been a season series of blowouts, with Golden State winning the first by 31 and Sacramento winning the second by 22 (with Steph Curry out for that game). With the Warriors jockeying for play-in position and wanting revenge for the 22-point loss a month ago, I expect the full effort from them here. Be mindful of late inactives in case Curry rests, but the schedule sets up well for Golden State here so lay the points.
Degenerates
No degenerates today.
Tiny Nick is 231-147 ATS (+76.1 Units) on his Locks since joining Zone Coverage.
Every day he will offer his Locks and Degenerate picks. Locks are the games he’s confident in. Degenerates are entertaining but riskier picks.
