Locks
NBA – Trail Blazers -1 @ Nets (-110): 7:00 PM CT on NBATV
This game comes down to which team is more motivated for a win, and to me, that’s the Portland Trail Blazers in this spot. They have finally broken out of their funk from missing Damian Lillard and then working him back in, eclipsing the 130 point mark in consecutive games. It’s just in time too, as Portland has a chance to pull themselves out of the play-in — they’re currently the 7th seed.
Coming into the second game of a back-to-back, the Brooklyn Nets appear poised to rest Kevin Durant, especially after needing to bring him back into the game late last night to stave off a collapse in Indiana. And Kyrie Irving is questionable again with a groin issue. The line movement reflects that as Portland opened as the favorite, moved to a short dog, and are now laying points once again.
I’ll follow the line move here and grab the Blazers at a short price, but be sure to check for last-minute news on star players being in or out.
NBA – Jazz @ Suns -4 (-110): 9:00 PM CT on Bally Sports AZ
The Phoenix Suns are playing like a team on a mission, and I think they capitalize in this high-stakes spot tonight. With a win, they can jump into the top seed in the West and the best record in the NBA.
They took advantage of the Los Angeles Clippers missing Kawhi Leonard on Wednesday (covering this exact same number in the process), and I see them taking advantage of the Utah Jazz missing Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley tonight. Yes, Utah just hung 154 points on the Sacramento Kings. But teams come back to earth after performances like that, and it’s also likely holding this number down a little from where it should be.
Phoenix is already 2-0 in the season series, winning both games against the full-strength Jazz roster by 4 and 11 points. Add in their 3rd-best 19-10 home ATS record and I see the Suns getting a comfortable win here as they continue to push for home-court throughout the playoffs.
Degenerates
No degenerates today.
Tiny Nick is 236-153 ATS (+73.9 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.
