Well, I guess I am just like everyone else. The calendar turned to 2024, but nothing else really changed. I thought we would get a 2-2 split last night and show a little profit, but Brandin Podziemski was less productive in the second half than in the first. At the very least we are improving our NBA knowledge, right?
Tonight we have 12 games to choose from as the NBA gets back into full swing after some lighter scheduling over the holidays.
Bucks vs. Pacers might be my favorite watch in the NBA this season. I am high on this being another high-scoring affair and look for Dame to have a big night. You can take the over on his standard line of 26.5 but you know I am always looking for the + value. I am not thrown at all by his last game, against Indiana on New Year’s Day when he only made one shot. He has scored 30+ in two of his last four.
Jordan Poole 25+ Points and Assists (+190) Alt Line
I know Poole has been a disappointment this season, he has certainly burned me a few times that’s for sure. I do like the matchup against Cleveland, which is not nearly the defensive team it was a year ago. This will be the first time he has faced the Cavs with Washington but in a couple of games last season he scored 18 and 32 points. This is a very nice payoff but a little bump in his averages.
RJ Barrett has more Points than Jaren Jackson Jr. (+140)
Barrett has just one game under his belt with Toronto. He scored 19 points and made half his shots. That is a nice debut and I am looking for him to be even more effective against Memphis tonight. I think he can push into the 20s points wise, and the best payoff on those points looks like this one. Jackson is a streaky scorer but has just one 20-point game in his last five.
Dejounte Murray 25+ Points (+210) Alt Line
The Thunder just got a massive win last night. Tonight they are on the road and could be in a flat spot against Atlanta. Murray is in a great spot as Lu Dort probably focuses more of his attention on Trae Young, enabling him to be a more featured scorer. Last year with the Hawks he scored 24, 21 and 20 points against the Thunder. Great payoff.
