Ricky Dimon
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We have a 6-game slate in the NBA on Saturday, headlined by one nationally televised showdown between the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers on ABC. It’s an intriguing lineup all around, as the Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, Phoenix Suns, and Milwaukee Bucks are also taking the court.
Let’s take a look at today’s three-team mega parlay.
Magic ML (+250)
Suns -7.5 (-110)
Lakers ML (-135)
Parlay odds: +1063
For this parlay we are going with two favorites – one against the spread and one on the money line – and one underdog straight up. Let’s break down each of the three legs one by one.
Magic ML over Grizzlies (+250)
Memphis owns the third-best record in the Western Conference and has won six of its last 10 games. However, Ja Morant is listed as questionable for the Grizzlies and they have also ruled out Dillon Brooks. Morant and Brooks are the two leading scorers for the Grizzlies this season, combining to average 44.7 points per contest — although Brooks has missed more than half of the schedule due to injury. Per Cleaning the Glass, when Morant and Brooks are both off of the floor at the same time this season the Grizzlies rank in the 26th percentile in offensive efficiency and the 86th percentile in defensive efficiency. Orlando has no new injuries to report ahead of tipoff this evening. The Magic have the worst record in the entire NBA but have been playing better basketball of late with four wins in the last six contests. If Morant ends up sitting tonight, Orlando has a chance.
Check out all our NBA previews and picks for Saturday
Suns -7.5 over Wizards (-110)
Phoenix owns the best record in the NBA — including the best winning percentage in the league on the road. On Thursday, the Suns had their 11-game winning streak snapped when they were defeated by the Hawks. Washington currently sits three games below the .500 mark and will once again be without its best player, Bradley Beal. The Suns will be without role players Cameron Payne and Landry Shamet tonight, but that isn’t as significant as Washington’s absence. Since the beginning of January, Phoenix is 14-2 overall and possesses the league’s best Net Rating — having outscored opponents by 9.7 points per 100 possessions. The Suns are simply the much better team and will be eager to start a new winning streak.
Check out our Suns vs Wizards preview
Lakers ML (-135)
The Knicks have lost 7 of their last 9 games and face a tough trip to take on the Lakers. While the Lakers remain without LeBron James, they have been getting terrific production from Anthony Davis. The forward has at least 30 points and 12 rebounds in 3 of his last 4 games. With Carmelo Anthony also out tonight, look for him to assume an even larger role on offense. Considering he has been shooting better than 50% from the field in each of the last 4, that would not be a bad thing for the Lakers. The Knicks have a losing record on the road and have dropped 6 of their last 7 road games. Over the last 10 games most of the Knicks’ issues have been on offense. They rank just 27th in offensive rating. With the defensive presence of Davis, Julius Randle could struggle to get going tonight. The Lakers have ranked 7th in defensive rating over that same stretch and have been getting high level of play defensively from Stanley Johnson. With his physicality on the wing, he should be able to have an impact on RJ Barrett. Picks L.A. to win.
Check out our Knicks vs Lakers preview
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