Sacramento Kings @ Milwaukee Bucks: Total Points Over 235.5 – 10/11
De’Aaron Fox is stepping up for the insurgent Sacramento Kings as they defy preseason expectations with a five-game unbeaten run. Their inexperience was supposed to show them up, but the second year point guard’s play has flashed his star potential as Kings make strides in the right direction (for once).
This is their fourth road game in a row though, and they face a tougher foe than those they’ve beaten recently.
A lot tougher. Milwaukee were the last undefeated team until they met the Celtic in their last game, a four-point loss to Boston. A mouthful for commentators, Giannis Antetokounmpo should be a handful for the Kings after a brief layoff prior to Boston.
Given Milwaukee’s strong start, that double-digit spread of 10.5 looks enticing, especially with Sacramento on the final leg of a four game road trip, but the over on the total points feels safer even at 235.5 because of the rate both of these teams have scored at through the opening games.
Nov 2, 2018; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards center Dwight Howard (21) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
New York Knicks @ Washington Wizards: Total Points Under 226.5 – 10/11
Oh boy. Washington have big notions about where they belong, and bottom of the league’s weakest division with one win in eight games is not it.
Dwight Howard is at least able to line up now, a back injury dealying his debut until their most recent loss, to OKC, and his presence should, in time, shore up their dreadful defence.
With John Wall and Bradley Beal alongside him, they’re too good to keep stinking it up this badly, but whether that corrects itself tonight is not something I’d want to bet on, especially with the handicap inching up to -7.
That number is a reflection of New York’s situation. They’re trying to make the best of a bad situation with Kristaps Porzingis out for the foreseeable future. Working in younger pieces hoping for vaguely encouraging results means there’ll be plenty of ups and downs this season.
Looking at the scoring rates of both these teams, the total looks a little high at 226.5, so I’m playing the under at 10/11.
Nov 2, 2018; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) shoots the ball over Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Memphis Grizzlies @ Phoenix Suns: Memphis -3.5 – 10/11
If Sacramento weren’t grabbing unexpected wins, the Grizzlies – one of their victims – would probably be the surprising overachievers everyone’s talking about.
They’ve made up for their loss to the Kings with two road wins against Utah’s formidable defence. Those kind of wins make the league take notice.
Everything for Memphis revolves around he health and well-being of Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. When they’re on it together, they can beat anyone.
They shouldn’t need to be to take care of the low-setting Suns. They’re probably the worst team in the league right now. Though Memphis aren’t an offensive powerhouse, the –3.5 looks cheap on them in this spot.
*All odds correct at time of posting
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