This article is part of our NBA Picks series.
Alex Barutha: Luke Kennard over 24.5 P+R+A (-115) vs. ATL -- FanDuel
Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Patrick Beverley are all sidelined for the Clippers. The spread of this game isn't worth betting on until the statuses of Trae Young and Clint Capela -- both questionable -- are clear. If both are in, smash the Atlanta side of the matchup since the Clippers have a -26 net rating with the aforementioned trio off the floor.
As far as Kennard goes, my thinking here is straightforward. What are Kennard's stats with Leonard, George and Beverley off the floor? There's a 55-minute sample, and Kennard leads the team in usage (28.2%) while averaging 23.6 points, 6.6 assists and 3.9 rebounds per 36 minutes. This is exactly the kind of situation the Clippers have Kennard for -- to fill in as a primary option if one or both of Leonard and George sit. With the Number set at 24.5 combined points, rebounds and assists, I feel like there's value.
Joe Bartel: Donovan Mitchell over 4.5 rebounds (+125) vs. NY - DraftKings Sportsbok
Three straight games with at least seven rebounds and a matchup against a team that allows the second-most rebounds to SGs for plus money? Sign me up. Mitchell recorded just four rebounds in their matchup earlier this month, but unless this is in the -120 range, I just don't see why you wouldn't at least consider taking this bet, particularly in such a small slate.
Ken Crites: Knicks-Jazz OVER 212.5 total points - Bet MGM
I've pointed this out before and I'll say it again, the Knicks are the best defense in the NBA, giving up a league-leading 103.6 points per game. And, generally, the Jazz like to slow things down as well as play great defense. But what's unusual is the Jazz offense is hot, improvising for 127, 129 and 118 over their past three games. For this over to hit, Utah probably just needs to slightly exceed their average of 113.2 per game. That assumes the Knicks get a few cheap buckets in garbage time (hello Alec Burks). The Knicks have lost two in a row. I expect coach Thibs to light a fire under his surprisingly resurgent club. That all said, this game will be ugly – hide the women and children.
Nick Whalen: DeMarcus Cousins OVER 32.5 P+R+A (-108) vs. HOU - DraftKings Sportsbook
The Rockets will almost certainly be without Christian Wood again, so Cousins is positioned well for another big night in an elevated role. In the Rockets' win over Dallas on Saturday, Cousins posted 28 points, 17 boards and five assists in 30 minutes of action. The previous night, he had a disastrous night from the field (2-16 FG, 1-6 3PT) and failed to get to the line, but he still managed 27 total P/R/A. I like Cousins' chances to fall somewhere between those two outputs Tuesday, which would give him a great chance to exceed that 32.5 number.