Ricky Dimon
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The NBA offers a 10-game slate on Sunday, when the New Orleans Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, and Miami Heat are among the teams taking the court. There are more than enough options to come up with a mega parlay that has great value, and we think that is the case here.
Pelicans ML (-270)
Grizzlies -1.5 (-110)
Timberwolves ML (+167)
Clippers -10.5 (-110)
Parlay odds: +1204
For this parlay we mix in two favorites against the spread and two money line winners (one favorite and one underdog). Let’s break down each of the four legs one by one.
New Orleans Pelicans ML over Cleveland Cavaliers (-270)
Brandon Ingram finally returned to the Pelicans lineup and made a difference, as the Pelicans beat the 76ers 101-94 in their last outing. Lonzo Ball sat out, but with a healthy Ingram and a dominant Zion Williamson the Pelicans pulled through. They ended a two-game losing with that result. Brandon Ingram went just 5-for-21 from the field against Philadelphia; he should be much better tonight. It should be noted that New Orleans is 5-0 in the last five meetings against the Cavaliers and has covered in four of those five games. This winning streak over the Cavs includes a victory by 34 points earlier this season. After two big wins at San Antonio and Oklahoma City by 24 and 27 points, the Cavaliers were brought down to Earth by the Toronto Raptors last night. It finished 135-115 and was pretty much decided at the half with Toronto leading by 33 points and scoring an incredible 87 through two quarters of play. The Cavs simply didn’t have an answer for Gary Trent, who went 17-for-19 from the field and scored 44 points. Another loss is likely in the cards.
Memphis Grizzlies -1.5 over Indiana Pacers (-110)
Injuries have slowed down the Pacers all season long. Caris LeVert missed a chunk of time and Malcolm Brogdon did the same. Both of them are now back, but it looks like Indy could be without big man Myles Turner for a period of time. Turner didn’t play in Friday’s 111-106 win over Orlando due to an ankle sprain; he is listed as questionable for tonight. The Pacers rank ninth in the East with a 24-27 record. After beating three really good East teams in Philadelphia, Miami and Atlanta, the Grizzlies were finally stopped by the Knicks in overtime on Friday. With those wins though they are up to eighth in the West now at 26-24 and things are looking bright; they are two games up on the Spurs and three games up on the Warriors in the standings. In the loss to the Knicks, Ja Morant had 26 points, Dillon Brooks added 24, and Jonas Valanciunas had another double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Memphis is 4-0 ATS in their last four home games and has covered six of their last seven after scoring 100 or more points in their previous game. The Grizzlies have one especially notable advantage over the Pacers: rebounding. Memphis ranks fourth in the NBA, while the Pacers are only 29th. If Turner doesn’t play, Indiana gets even worse on the boards (he averages 6.4 per game). Indy is also just 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games following a win.
Minnesota Timberwolves ML vs. Chicago Blackhawks (+167)
After a five-game ATS run and three straight wins, the Bulls fell at earlier this week Atlanta. Zach LaVine scored 50 points but it just wasn’t enough. Minnesota has no playoffs to play for, but they are competing every night; that is a credit to new coach Chris Finch. Minnesota lost in OT in their last game at Boston, a push, they are 5-4-1 ATS in their last 10. D’Angelo Russell is back with the team and producing as a scorer off the bench, while rookie Anthony Edwards is scoring with the increased role he took when Russell and Malik Beasley were hurt. This could be a really good offensive team when healthy, but the defense will continue to hold them back. Minnesota is not the automatic fade they were for the first half of the season. Per the above, the T-Wolves have covered half of their last 10 games and in some of those they were even favored. That is not the case here but I like the way they match up with the Bulls. Karl-Anthony Towns can dominate at the center spot and so can Russell by scoring in bunches off the bench. At the other positions they might lose a little, but not by a ton with Edwards improving. Look for the Timberwolves to keep it close enough at home. Take Minnesota.
Los Angeles Clippers -10.5 over Detroit Pistons (-110)
The Pistons have been exchanging wins and losses on a nightly basis since their March 30 win over Toronto. They are 4-4 over their last eight games, but tonight’s game will be a difficult one as they’ve won only twice in the last seven meetings against the Clippers and are just 3-14 in the last 17 against them. The Pistons also have injury issues, as Jerami Grant is listed as day-to-day. He is their leading scorer at 22.5 points per game and didn’t play in their last game, which was a 118-103 loss at Portland. Detroit is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games and is just 7-22 in road games this season. Los Angeles is heating up at the right time. This team is on a four-game winning streak–all against Western Conference opponents, which has helped them get only within two games of the second-seeded Suns. Kawhi Leonard is on a roll after scoring 27 and 31 over his last two games. Paul George didn’t play in Friday’s 126-109 win over Houston, but he should be back and rested for tonight. Clippers have covered the spread in eight of their last 10 games and are 10-2 in their last 12 home games.
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