After a totally normal, drama-less weekend across the NBA, we're kicking off the week with eight games on the schedule, including two games on National TV: Clippers vs. Nets (7:30 p.m. ET) and Bucks vs. Trail Blazers (10 p.m. ET).
However, our staff's expert picks and predictions come from two other games on the day's slate and feature a player prop and total. Read on for their best bets for Cavaliers vs. Wizards and Kings vs. Rockets.
NBA Odds & Picks
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Washington Wizards
Joe Dellera: Jarrett Allen has been a monster on the interior this season and I expect that to continue tonight against the Wizards.
Washington has been one of the better rebounding teams in the league this season; however, this particular matchup aligns well with Cleveland’s defense. I expect Evan Mobley to roam with Kristaps Porzingis as he tries to stretch the floor and Jarrett Allen will go head to head with Daniel Gafford on the interior.
Allen has thrived against the Wizards over the last two seasons. He has recorded a double double in each of four games, with rebounding totals of 10, 13, 14, and 14. I love his rebounding prop of 10.5 at plus money, and I’d take 12+ (+155 FD) on an alternate line as well.
Sacramento Kings vs. Houston Rockets
Andrew O'Connor-Watts: The Sacramento Kings have been trending under in their games lately (8-2 to the under in their past 10 games), due in large part to their Offensive Efficiency taking a hit. What was the NBA’s second-most efficient offense on the season, has fallen to 18th over that 10-game stretch, according to NBA Advanced Stats.
The Kings are also playing at a much slower pace, moving from ninth to 19th over that span. One of those games was Sunday night where they gave up 134 points to the New Orleans Pelicans who were missing three of their four starters.
That’s certainly some cause for concern, but Sacramento has been solid defensively during this stretch, ranking 12th in Defensive Efficiency. They’ll suit up again tonight in Houston where they face a Rockets team that is one of the worst in the league, both offensively and defensively.
One area the Rockets particularly struggle is defending in transition. Houston ranks last in the league in Opponent Offensive Efficiency in transition according to Cleaning the Glass. The Kings have scored efficiently in transition for the majority of the season, however they’ve surpassed the 50th percentile just once in their last six games. I don't think Sacramento will be able to exploit that weakness without De'Aaron Fox in the lineup who remains out for personal reasons.
The two other meetings this season both went over, but Fox played in both those games. His absence should bode well for a slower game. According to Statmuse, the Kings play at a pace of 96.8 without Fox in the lineup, compared to 99.3 with him playing. I like the under down to 230.
