Ricky Dimon
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We have a 10-game slate in the NBA on Saturday, including a showdown between the Lakers and Nuggets on NBA TV. Among the other teams taking the court today are the Bucks, Nets, 76ers, and Bulls. The once-proud Bulls are suddenly struggling, and they are part our 3-team mega parlay. Let’s take a look at the whole thing.
Hawks -2.5 (-110)
Pelicans ML (+185)
Celtics -9.5 (+155)
Parlay odds: +1287
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.
Hawks -2.5 over Knicks (-110)
The Knicks and the Hawks face off for the first time since Christmas Day, and a lot has changed since then. The Hawks have been surrounded with rumors that almost everybody on the team is available to be traded, and Cam Reddish has already been shipped off to the Knicks — where he joins Duke teammate RJ Barrett. The Hawks are also on the second game of a back-to-back after losing a close one to the Miami Heat 124-118. That was actually one of their best performances in recent weeks, so unloading Reddish may have been a good thing. He never really found a role in Atlanta. The Knicks are playing decent basketball but are without Kemba Walker and Reddish won’t be available for this one. Trae Young is in fine form despite Atlanta’s win-loss record and he should help his team get back on track.
Check out our Knicks vs Hawks preview
Pelicans ML over Nets (+185)
The Nets are playing at home today, so they will once again be without the services of Kyrie Irving. Brooklyn has not been in great form, with just 4 wins over the last 10 games. The Pelicans are on a 2-game winning streak. With LaMarcus Aldridge out and Nicolas Claxton potentially unavailable for the Nets, as well, the Pelicans should be confident that they can exploit Brooklyn’s front line. With the Nets likely having a combination of Blake Griffin and rookie Day’Ron Sharpe playing at the 5 spot, they could have real issues dealing with Jonas Valanciunas. The Lithuanian is level with Rudy Gobert in second-chance points per game and with the Nets giving up the 10th-most points in that category, he could cause them real issues.
Check out our Pelicans vs Nets preview
Celtics -9.5 over Bulls (+155)
Chicago was obliterated by 42 points last night by Golden State after previously losing to Brooklyn by 26. Adding insult to injury, the Bulls lost Zach LaVine to a knee injury after only 4 minutes of action. Lonzo Ball has also been added to the injury report. Per Cleaning the Glass, when both Ball and LaVine are off the floor at the same time this year, Chicago ranks in the 65th percentile in offensive efficiency and only the 34th percentile in defensive efficiency. The Bulls are reeling and the Celtics should be able to take advantage in the form of a double-digit win.
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