Handicapping the NBA: Tuesday Picks

Handicapping the NBA: Tuesday Picks

This article is part of our NBA Picks series.

Alex Barutha

Tyler Herro under 17.5 points (-110) vs. Hawks -- FanDuel, 1:02 PM CT

I really don't know where this number is coming from. Herro has had one good performance in this series -- Game 3, 24 points on 22 shots -- but in the remainder of the games, he's combined for 24 points on 30 shots. The whole picture is 12.0 PPG on 13.0 FGA. Even in Kyle Lowry's absence, Herro took just eight attempts in Game 4, with Victor Oladipo featured more prominently (10 shots, four assists). Maybe this just isn't the series for him.

Nick Whalen

Miami Heat -6.5 vs. Atlanta Hawks – DraftKings Sportsbook, 11:15 AM CT

This line feels at least a couple points too low, even with Kyle Lowry set to remain out for Game 5. The Hawks have only been able to keep one game close thus far, and with Lowry sitting Sunday night, Miami was able to cruise to a 24-point victory. As he did after a poor Game 1 performance, Trae Young should bounce back from Sunday's nine-point, five-turnover effort, but Miami is the far superior team. No Lowry simply means more opportunities for Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo – very few teams boast that level of backcourt depth.

New Orleans Pelicans +6.5 at Phoenix Suns – DraftKings Sportsbook, 11:15 AM CT

I should probably issue a disclaimer that this pick is almost 100 percent rooted in what I want to happen. I have no ill will against the Suns, but I cannot explain how much we – the collective we – need a Game 6 back in New Orleans with the Pelicans having a chance to close out the series. As the line indicates, there's a good chance the Suns refocus and come out with a much better effort at home, but there's no denying that Phoenix has looked a bit lost since losing its leading scorer.

Ken "K-Train" Crites

I'm taking the OVER on Max Strus scoring 13.5 points (+100, BetMGM as of 12:30pm ET)

Strus is averaging 13.0 points per game over his last 10 games, all starts.  That includes nine, 14, 20 and 12 points in Games 1 through 4 versus Atlanta.  Obviously, the Hawks are more concerned with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. That creates plenty of catch-and-shoot threes for Strus, who has far surpassed Duncan Robinson on the depth chart. I question Atlanta's perimeter D.  During the regular season, Atlanta ranked 21st in three-pointers allowed per game (12.8).

Kirien Sprecher

Ja Morant UNDER 26.5 points (-114) and OVER 8.5 assists (-138) -- FanDuel Sportsbook 12:30 PM

After exploding for 32 points in Game 1, Morant has averaged just 16.7 points per game over the last three contests. During that three-game stretch, he's also dished out at least 10 assists in each contest, including a season-high 15 during the Game 4 loss. The Timberwolves are clearly having success during this series so far, so I doubt they adjust their game plan too much, which should mean another low-scoring, high-assist night for the Grizzlies' phenom point guard. 

RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only NBA Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire NBA fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Alex Barutha
Alex is RotoWire's Chief NBA Editor. He writes articles about daily fantasy, year-long fantasy and sports betting. You can hear him on the RotoWire NBA Podcast, Sirius XM, VSiN and other platforms. He firmly believes Robert Covington is the most underrated fantasy player of the past decade.
Ken
An early RotoWire contributor from the 90's, K-Train returns with the grace of Gheorghe Muresan and the wisdom of Joe Gibbs. Ken is a two-time FSWA award winner and a co-host on the RW NBA Podcast. Championships incude: 2016 RW Staff NBA Keeper, 2019 RW Staff NFL Ottoneu Keeper, 2022-23 SiriusXM NBA Experts, 2022-23 SiriusXM NBA Kamla Keeper and 2023-24 FSGA NBA Expert Champions. Ken still owns a RotoNews shirt.
Kirien Sprecher
Kirien Sprecher is a University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate who has covered the NBA, NFL and MLB for RotoWire since early 2021. In his free time, Kirien is probably arguing a foul call during a pickup basketball game at a local rec center.
Nick Whalen
Now in his 10th year with the company, Nick is RotoWire's Senior Media Analyst, a position he took on after several years as the Head of Basketball Content. A multi-time FSGA and FSWA award winner, Nick co-hosts RotoWire's flagship show on Sirius XM Fantasy alongside Jeff Erickson, as well as The RotoWire NBA Show on Sirius XM NBA with Alex Barutha. He also co-hosts RotoWire's Football and Basketball podcasts. You can catch Nick's NBA and NFL analysis on VSiN and DraftKings, as well as RotoWire's various social and video channels. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @wha1en.
Fantasy Basketball Week 3: Biggest Questions from Managers
Fantasy Basketball Week 3: Biggest Questions from Managers
NBA Picks & Player Props Today: Bets for Monday, Nov. 4
NBA Picks & Player Props Today: Bets for Monday, Nov. 4
NBA DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Monday, November 4
NBA DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Monday, November 4
NBA Fantasy Week 3 Start/Sit: Tre Mann Over Jamal Murray?
NBA Fantasy Week 3 Start/Sit: Tre Mann Over Jamal Murray?
Fantasy Basketball Week 3 Start/Sit: Is Gradey Dick Here to Stay?
Fantasy Basketball Week 3 Start/Sit: Is Gradey Dick Here to Stay?
Week 2 Fantasy Basketball Recap: Here Come the Injuries
Week 2 Fantasy Basketball Recap: Here Come the Injuries