NBA 1/14

Kyle Kirms
13 minutes ago
3 min read

RAPTORS @ PACERS - 7:10 PM

Raps injuries.

We just saw the Raptors offense look pretty bad in back to back games without RJ Barrett.

You might say "Kyle well who cares? They're playing the Pacers"... well don't look now... but winning is contagious. After losing 13 straight games, the Pacers are on a winning streak and they're playing some defense. They just held the Heat and Celtics to 99 points and 96 points.

Indiana held the Celtics to 19 points in the 4th quarter to win that game.

This has been with the same injury situation.

Here's the problem.. the strength of this Indiana defense is the perimeter. 2 of their last 3 games were against CHA & BOS.

We've seen Toronto shoot a bit more 3's recently but this is still not a 3PT shooting offense.

But Toronto's offense has been so bad without Barrett. Also slower pace.

Also... even though I do think Indiana's able to play a great defensive game, do I trust them to score points on the Raptors defense?

Shoutout to the Pacers for playing better... but Toronto's actually a tough matchup for em. I'd lean Raptors but I think UNDER 224.5 might be solid.

CAVALIERS @ 76ERS - 7:10 PM

Same injury report for the Cavs. Thin at wing and De'Andre Hunter wants out?

Sixers most likely at full strength.

Sixers have been playing better basketball as of late.

Cleveland's played 3 poor defensive games in a row.

Sixers just getting back from a road trip but it's not like they were on the west coast.

I don't see any reason the market's valuing Cleveland above Philadelphia right here. They're healthier and it's not a bad scheduling spot. Sixers ML.

5-1 in their last 6 with all stars in.

6-2 in their last 8.

JAZZ @ BULLS - 8:10 PM

We should seee Coby White back for this one.

Jazz have been putting their full lineup out there recently.

Betting on the Jazz has been profitable (4-2 ATS in last 6)... but they're so inconsistent.

Jazz made some adjustments after the Portland loss. Will Hardy spoke on the defense and making changes. He put Svi Mykhailiuk and Cody Williams into the start lineup against the Cavs and they just blew them out in Cleveland.

The Bulls don't pose much of a threat on the offensive boards.

The last 4 times we've seen Chicago on a back to back.

Don't like the scheduling spot for Utah. The Bulls defense does seem to be slightly better since they put Isaac Okoro into the starting lineup.

Not sure.

NETS @ PELICANS - 8:10 PM

Nets in good shape. Demin is gonna play. Cam Thomas is playing but he's on a minutes limit I believe.

The Nets are 0-7 without Michael Porter Jr. in the lineup this season.

Not sure the status of Herb Jones.

Is anyone sitting for the Pelicans?

The offense has looked pretty bad to start this road trip but it was a back to back and they rested Porter in the 1st game and Demin and Thomas in the 2nd.

Pelicans.

not sure

NUGGETS @ MAVERICKS - 9:40 PM

Mavs serious home/away splits.

Who's gonna play for Denver?

KNICKS @ KINGS - 10:10 PM

Josh Hart is back.

Knicks should have no problems scoring points on the Kings defense. The Knicks have played some really tough defenses recently. POR, PHX, LAC, DET, PHI, ATL, SAS.

We've seen the Knicks play one game with Josh Hart back... it was the best defensive game they've played in a while.

So here's the thing... what do we think of the Kings offense right now? Schroder gets suspended and Westbrook takes over as the primary PG... they've gone nuts offensively in back to back games.