Ricky Dimon
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We have a 6-game slate in the NBA on Thursday, headlined by a doubleheader on TNT. It begins with Suns at Hawks before the Clippers and Lakers collide in an all-LA showdown. The Bulls, Heat, and Warriors are also in action. Let’s take a look at today’s 3-team mega parlay.
Timberwolves -9.5 alternate spread (+130)
Raptors -3 (-110)
Lakers ML (+140)
Parlay odds: +954
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.
Timberwolves -9.5 alternate spread over Pistons (+130)
The Pistons (12-38) are coming off a 111-101 home loss to the Pelicans on Tuesday. Detroit is 14th in Eastern Conference standings and has lost 4 of its last 5 games. The visiting Timberwolves (26-25) beat the Nuggets 130-115 on Tuesday. They have improved to 7th in the Western Conference and are 10-6 since the calendar turned to 2022. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards are both averaging at least 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists during the last 6 games. Minnesota has defeated the Pistons in their last 3 meetings by an average margin of 11.7 points. Take the Timberwolves to win big.
Check out all our NBA previews and picks for Thursday
Raptors -3 over Bulls (-110)
Since losing Lonzo Ball to a left meniscus tear, the Bulls rank only 16th in Net Rating, having been outscored by 0.9 points per 100 possessions in that span. However, the return of Zach LaVine to the floor has sparked a positive stretch for this group. Chicago has won 4 of its last 5 contests overall, including a 111-105 win over the Raptors last Wednesday. Still, the Bulls are sorely missing Ball and Alex Caruso. Per Cleaning the Glass, when those two are off the floor together this season Chicago ranks in the 92nd percentile in offensive efficiency but only the 6th percentile in defensive efficiency. Since LaVine returned to the floor, the Bulls are allowing 117.5 points per 100 possessions — which ranks 25th in the NBA during that time period. Conversely, the Raptors are at near full strength. Since December 31, Toronto is 12-6 overall and ranks 10th in the NBA in Net Rating — having outscored opponents by 3.3 points per 100 possessions. In that span the Raptors have been dominant at home, winning 7 of 9 contests and posting a +7.0 Net Rating.
Check out our Bulls vs Raptors preview
Lakers ML over Clippers (+140)
Neither Los Angeles team is in great shape. The Lakers have lost 3 in a row, all on the road (this is technically a road game). It looks like they are going to be playing without LeBron James for the foreseeable future, too, and the duo of Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook has not been picking up much of the slack. Malik Monk and Stanley Johnson are starting for the Lakers, which is something they definitely never planned on being the case. Monk, however, has been in fine form. The Clippers are without their best player, too, as Paul George is sidelined indefinitely. They may be used to playing without him, but the results are not there. Center Ivica Zubac is also hurt now, which is a big loss – literally – even though he isn’t a star. In his absence, the Clips are hoping that Serge Ibaka can finally give them something. He has been hurt or ineffective since leaving Toronto for the West Coast. Look for Davis to heat up against a Clippers team that won’t provide much resistance in the paint.
Check out our Lakers vs Clippers preview
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