Ricky Dimon
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We are tipping off the week with a small four-game slate in the NBA, headlined by a 9:00 pm showdown on NBA TV between the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns. The New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, and New Orleans Pelicans are also taking the floor.
Here is our three-team mega parlay for the festivities.
Cavaliers -9.5 alternate spread (+140)
Thunder ML (+110)
Suns -9.5 (-110)
Parlay odds: +862
For this parlay we are going with two favorites against the spread – one on an alternate number – and one underdog on the money line. Let’s break down each of the three legs one by one.
Cavaliers -9.5 alternate spread over Knicks (+140)
New York halted a 3-game losing streak against the Clippers on Sunday thanks in part to RJ Barrett. Not only did Barrett lead the Knicks in scoring with 28 points, but he also did so in rebounds (14) and assists (tied with 6). If they can expect more all-around performances like that from him, the Knicks might have enough to make a return trip to the playoffs. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Things are not great for the Knicks right now and they are in a tough spot playing on back-to-back days – especially given that both Barrett and Julius Randle logged more than 40 minutes on Sunday. The Cavaliers won on Saturday, holding the Thunder to just 87 points. Lauri Markkanen (ankle) is out for this one, but Kevin Love has been solid this season and he can fill in. Cleveland’s defensive stinginess could lead to a double-digit victory.
Check out our Knicks vs Cavaliers preview
Thunder ML over Bulls (+110)
It has been a rough stretch for the Chicago Bulls. Not only are they 1-6 over their last 7 games, but they have also lost Zach LaVine, Lonzo Ball, and now Alex Caruso due to injury. The Thunder have also been struggling, as they have lost 10 out of their last 11 games. However, the Thunder are 29-16-1 ATS this season, 14-7-1 ATS when they are the home team and 6-3-1 ATS when they have the rest advantage. Take Oklahoma City, and don’t bother with the small spread. The home team can win this one outright.
Check out our Bulls vs Thunder preview
Suns -9.5 over Jazz (-110)
Phoenix enters on a 6-game winning streak and is winning by an average margin of 13.5 ppg in that span. The Suns are currently the only team in the NBA ranked in the top 5 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. The visiting Jazz are coming off a 94-92 road loss to the Warriors last night. Utah has lost 7 of its last 10 games and is just 4-8 in January. While the Jazz offense has stayed at the top of the league, their defense has declined from 6th to 11th this month (112.7 ppg allowed). Both teams are dealing with injury concerns. The Suns will be without Cameron Payne (wrist), Jay Crowder (wrist), Abdel Nader (knee), Dario Saric (knee), and Frank Kaminsky (knee). Donovan Mitchell (concussion) and Hassan Whiteside (Covid) are sidelined indefinitely for the Jazz, and Rudy Gobert (calf) and Bojan Bogdanovic (knee) are game-time decisions. Either way, the Suns should roll.
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