Sunday's Tip Sheet
Kevin Rogers
Game of the Night: Bucks at Thunder ? 6:05 PM EST
Milwaukee (35-12 SU, 26-18-3 ATS) owns the best record in the NBA after picking up its sixth consecutive victory on Friday in comeback fashion against Charlotte. The Bucks erased an 11-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter by outscoring the Hornets, 32-12 in a 108-99 triumph. Although Milwaukee failed to cover as 11-point favorites for the second straight game, the Bucks received another monster game from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 34 points on 14-of-21 shooting to go along with 14 rebounds and three blocks.
The Thunder (30-18 SU, 26-22 ATS) are streaking as well after coming off their fourth straight win on Thursday against the Pelicans. Oklahoma City had lost back-to-back games as a heavy favorite to the Hawks and Lakers, but the Thunder are back on the winning track after holding off New Orleans, 122-116. OKC failed to cash as 13 ?-point favorites, but Russell Westbrook and Paul George each scored 23 points, while Westbrook pulled down 17 rebounds and dished out 16 assists for another triple-double.
Oklahoma City is in the midst of an 8-1 run to the OVER the last nine games, while hitting the OVER in five consecutive home contests. The Thunder finish the regular season at Milwaukee in likely a meaningless game assuming both teams lock up playoff seeds. The road team won each meeting last season, including a 97-95 victory by the Bucks at Chesapeake Energy Arena last December.
Round Two: Target Center
The Wolves and Jazz finish off a home-and-home set in Minneapolis as the home squad has captured each of the first two meetings. Utah (28-22 SU, 24-24-2 ATS) held off Minnesota (24-25 SU, 26-23 ATS) as 10-point favorites, 106-102 in Salt Lake City on Friday to improve to 8-1 in the last nine games. Five Jazz players scored in double-figures, led by Donovan Mitchell?s 24 points and 11 assists. Utah started the season with a 2-6 record at Vivint Smart Home Arena, but the Jazz have won 13 of their last 16 home contests.
Now, Utah hits the highway as the Jazz have played one road game since January 8. Quin Snyder?s team has won four of their last six contests away from Salt Lake City, while trying to avenge a 128-125 defeat at Target Center on Halloween night. Last season, Utah covered three of four matchups with Minnesota, but the Wolves are 2-0 ATS in two meetings with the Jazz.
The Wolves begin a three-game homestand after going 2-1 on its recent road trip, while hitting the UNDER in all three contests. However, Minnesota is riding an 8-2 OVER run in its past 10 home games, while failing to cash in five of its previous eight contests at Target Center.
Welcome Back Chris
The Rockets (28-20 SU, 23-24-1 ATS) are likely to get point guard Chris Paul back following a 17-game absence due to a hamstring injury. Houston posted a solid 12-5 mark without CP3, while James Harden averaged an incredible 43.6 points per game in this span. The latest victory for the Rockets came as a home underdog on Friday night against the Atlantic division-leading Raptors, 121-119 as Harden was limited to 35 points following a 61-point effort against New York two nights earlier.
Houston welcomes in Orlando, as the Magic (20-29 SU, 24-24-1 ATS) have lost five of their last six games. Orlando erased a second half double-digit deficit on Friday against Washington to the game late, but the Magic ultimately lost, 95-91 to suffer their third consecutive home defeat. The last home win for the Magic came against the Rockets two weeks ago, 116-109 as five-point underdogs. Orlando limited Harden to 1-of-17 shooting from three-point range, while Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic each scored 22 points in the win. The Magic hit the road where they have lost six of seven games, while going 2-5 ATS in this stretch.
It?s a Rap
Although the first two games of a three-game trip were decided by six points, the Raptors (36-15 SU, 23-28 ATS) were on the losing side in defeats to the Pacers and Rockets. Toronto cashed as an underdog at Indiana with a late rally, but couldn?t come through in the favorite role on Friday at Houston. Kawhi Leonard paced the Raptors with 32 points, but Toronto dropped to 3-8 in its last 11 road games since winning at Golden State on December 12.
Toronto remains in the Lone Star State to face Dallas, as the Mavericks (22-26 SU, 28-19-1 ATS) try to improve on an 18-6 record at American Airlines Center. Dallas held off Detroit on Friday, 106-101, while cashing its fifth straight UNDER. Rookie standout Luka Doncic led Dallas with 32 points, as the Mavs are 6-1 to the UNDER in the last seven home contests. Toronto held off Dallas in its first matchup, 116-107, but the Mavs cashed as 11 ?-point underdogs.
One More in Texas
In a rare night with all three Lone Star State teams playing at home, the Spurs (28-22 SU, 30-19-1 ATS) are back in action after knocking off the Pelicans, 126-114 on Saturday. DeMar DeRozan sat out with a sore left knee and is listed as questionable for tonight?s contest, while the Spurs improved to 2-0 SU/ATS without the former Raptors? star in the lineup.
San Antonio hosts Washington tonight, as the Wizards (21-27 SU, 22-26 ATS) picked up only their sixth road win in 24 tries in Friday?s victory at Orlando. Washington moved to an impressive 10-2 ATS the last 12 games, including a 3-1 ATS mark away from Capital One Arena. The Wizards haven?t had much luck in San Antonio over the years by losing 18 consecutive visits since 2001, as the Spurs have covered 14 times in this stretch.
Kevin Rogers
Game of the Night: Bucks at Thunder ? 6:05 PM EST
Milwaukee (35-12 SU, 26-18-3 ATS) owns the best record in the NBA after picking up its sixth consecutive victory on Friday in comeback fashion against Charlotte. The Bucks erased an 11-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter by outscoring the Hornets, 32-12 in a 108-99 triumph. Although Milwaukee failed to cover as 11-point favorites for the second straight game, the Bucks received another monster game from Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored 34 points on 14-of-21 shooting to go along with 14 rebounds and three blocks.
The Thunder (30-18 SU, 26-22 ATS) are streaking as well after coming off their fourth straight win on Thursday against the Pelicans. Oklahoma City had lost back-to-back games as a heavy favorite to the Hawks and Lakers, but the Thunder are back on the winning track after holding off New Orleans, 122-116. OKC failed to cash as 13 ?-point favorites, but Russell Westbrook and Paul George each scored 23 points, while Westbrook pulled down 17 rebounds and dished out 16 assists for another triple-double.
Oklahoma City is in the midst of an 8-1 run to the OVER the last nine games, while hitting the OVER in five consecutive home contests. The Thunder finish the regular season at Milwaukee in likely a meaningless game assuming both teams lock up playoff seeds. The road team won each meeting last season, including a 97-95 victory by the Bucks at Chesapeake Energy Arena last December.
Round Two: Target Center
The Wolves and Jazz finish off a home-and-home set in Minneapolis as the home squad has captured each of the first two meetings. Utah (28-22 SU, 24-24-2 ATS) held off Minnesota (24-25 SU, 26-23 ATS) as 10-point favorites, 106-102 in Salt Lake City on Friday to improve to 8-1 in the last nine games. Five Jazz players scored in double-figures, led by Donovan Mitchell?s 24 points and 11 assists. Utah started the season with a 2-6 record at Vivint Smart Home Arena, but the Jazz have won 13 of their last 16 home contests.
Now, Utah hits the highway as the Jazz have played one road game since January 8. Quin Snyder?s team has won four of their last six contests away from Salt Lake City, while trying to avenge a 128-125 defeat at Target Center on Halloween night. Last season, Utah covered three of four matchups with Minnesota, but the Wolves are 2-0 ATS in two meetings with the Jazz.
The Wolves begin a three-game homestand after going 2-1 on its recent road trip, while hitting the UNDER in all three contests. However, Minnesota is riding an 8-2 OVER run in its past 10 home games, while failing to cash in five of its previous eight contests at Target Center.
Welcome Back Chris
The Rockets (28-20 SU, 23-24-1 ATS) are likely to get point guard Chris Paul back following a 17-game absence due to a hamstring injury. Houston posted a solid 12-5 mark without CP3, while James Harden averaged an incredible 43.6 points per game in this span. The latest victory for the Rockets came as a home underdog on Friday night against the Atlantic division-leading Raptors, 121-119 as Harden was limited to 35 points following a 61-point effort against New York two nights earlier.
Houston welcomes in Orlando, as the Magic (20-29 SU, 24-24-1 ATS) have lost five of their last six games. Orlando erased a second half double-digit deficit on Friday against Washington to the game late, but the Magic ultimately lost, 95-91 to suffer their third consecutive home defeat. The last home win for the Magic came against the Rockets two weeks ago, 116-109 as five-point underdogs. Orlando limited Harden to 1-of-17 shooting from three-point range, while Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic each scored 22 points in the win. The Magic hit the road where they have lost six of seven games, while going 2-5 ATS in this stretch.
It?s a Rap
Although the first two games of a three-game trip were decided by six points, the Raptors (36-15 SU, 23-28 ATS) were on the losing side in defeats to the Pacers and Rockets. Toronto cashed as an underdog at Indiana with a late rally, but couldn?t come through in the favorite role on Friday at Houston. Kawhi Leonard paced the Raptors with 32 points, but Toronto dropped to 3-8 in its last 11 road games since winning at Golden State on December 12.
Toronto remains in the Lone Star State to face Dallas, as the Mavericks (22-26 SU, 28-19-1 ATS) try to improve on an 18-6 record at American Airlines Center. Dallas held off Detroit on Friday, 106-101, while cashing its fifth straight UNDER. Rookie standout Luka Doncic led Dallas with 32 points, as the Mavs are 6-1 to the UNDER in the last seven home contests. Toronto held off Dallas in its first matchup, 116-107, but the Mavs cashed as 11 ?-point underdogs.
One More in Texas
In a rare night with all three Lone Star State teams playing at home, the Spurs (28-22 SU, 30-19-1 ATS) are back in action after knocking off the Pelicans, 126-114 on Saturday. DeMar DeRozan sat out with a sore left knee and is listed as questionable for tonight?s contest, while the Spurs improved to 2-0 SU/ATS without the former Raptors? star in the lineup.
San Antonio hosts Washington tonight, as the Wizards (21-27 SU, 22-26 ATS) picked up only their sixth road win in 24 tries in Friday?s victory at Orlando. Washington moved to an impressive 10-2 ATS the last 12 games, including a 3-1 ATS mark away from Capital One Arena. The Wizards haven?t had much luck in San Antonio over the years by losing 18 consecutive visits since 2001, as the Spurs have covered 14 times in this stretch.
