Locks
NBA – Knicks/Grizzlies over 218.5 (-110): 8:00 PM CT on MSG
So the New York Knicks are good at offense now. Feels weird to say that about a Tom Thibodeau team, and the Knicks in general. But it’s true, their offensive production and efficiency numbers have been quietly on the rise while totals such as this one are still relatively low. Over their last 12 games, New York is averaging 113.3 PPG in regulation, coinciding with a 9-3 run to the over – a big shift for a team that scores 107.3 PPG and is 29-35 to the over on the season.
One of those 12 games was against this Memphis Grizzlies team where they easily cleared the total of 217 before heading into overtime. Memphis is 8-2 over this total in their last 10 games, and get a Knicks team on no rest that’s also likely missing rim protector Nerlens Noel.
By current NBA standards, this is a pretty low total, and I’ll take the over since I don’t think books have adjusted to how the Knicks are playing lately.
NBA – Trail Blazers/Hawks over 236 (-110): 7:00 PM CT on NBC Sports NW
This Portland Trail Blazers offense is insanely on fire lately, averaging 126.8 PPG over their last six contests and scoring 1.245 points per possession in their last three. Needless to say, those are tops in the NBA, and tonight they’ll be up against a struggling Atlanta Hawks defense.
The Hawks are 29th in the league in defensive efficiency over their past three games and are allowing a full 5 points more per game over their season average. With stars Trae Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic appearing to be healthy for this one, the offense should be firing on all cylinders — especially against a Blazers team on no rest (Atlanta is 8-5 to the over when they have the rest advantage).
Portland is a strong road over team at 59%, and even better in the position of road underdog, cashing overs at a 63% clip in those spots. I’ll bank on the hot Portland offense and a defense-optional game to carry this one over the total.
Degenerates
No degenerates today.
Tiny Nick is 239-155 ATS (+74.7 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.
