This article is part of our NBA Picks series.
Alex Barutha
Nets moneyline (-126) at Mavericks -- FanDuel, 2:17 PM CT
The Mavericks are pretty banged up, and they're worse than the Nets, so I'll gladly take this line. Obviously, Dallas has a better supporting cast, but that doesn't matter much when you have both James Harden and Kevin Durant. Dallas has also been poor against the spread lately, finishing with a -4.8 point differential ATS over the past two weeks. Brooklyn is -0.4 ATS during the same stretch.
Dejounte Murray triple-double + Spurs to win (+1200) -- FanDuel, 2:21 PM CT
At 12-to-1, why not? Murray is averaging a completely non-discussed 19.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game this season, and he has three triple-doubles. The Knicks are struggling right now, so it wouldn't be shocking if his energy is too much for them.
Nick Whalen
Boston Celtics moneyline (+130) at LA Lakers -- FanDuel Sportsbook, 2:30PM CT
Even with Jaylen Brown officially ruled out, I like the Celtics to win on the road against perhaps the most enigmatic team in the NBA. I understand why the Lakers are favored, but they've provided little evidence as to why they should be expected to beat any teams in the league's top half on a given night. Entering the night, the Lakers are just 4-11 ATS at home and a league-worst 3-12 ATS as a favorite. Meanwhile, Boston is 9-4-1 ATS on the road, including 4-3-1 as a road underdog.
Jacob Lebowitz
Dejounte Murray OVER 1.5 Three-Pointers Made (+164) vs New York Knicks -- FanDuel Sportsbook, 1:17 PM CT
The odds for this bet are what makes it so appealing in my opinion. Murray has hit at least two three-pointers in each of his last three games, and he's going up against a Knicks team that allows 3.1 three-pointers to the point guard position alone. Although the Spurs played yesterday, I expect Murray to continue attempting lots of threes (16 in his last three games). The Knicks have struggled to find a defensive identity all season, and I think it's very possible Murray dominates against a Knicks team that's lost three consecutive games.
