Tuesday night's NBA slate offers 14 games to choose from, yet my focus will be on the matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers. As the Western Conference playoff picture starts to take shape, this game holds significant importance. I have two recommendations from this game and a few others to share.
Stephen Curry over 35.5 points, rebounds and assists.
Curry has cleared this line in three of his past five games and three consecutive road games against the Lakers. The Warriors enter Tuesday night in a must-win scenario as they look to gain home-court advantage in a potential head-to-head play-in matchup with Los Angeles next week. Expect Curry to have a big night.
LeBron James over 32.5 points and rebounds.
While James has cleared this line only once in his past five games he has gone over 32.5 points and rebounds in seven of his past 10 games including his last two games against the Warriors this season. James has averaged 20.3 field goal attempts and 12.4 rebound chances in those games and the Lakers will need James to step up tonight with Anthony Davis listed as a game-time decision.
Jimmy Butler over 32.5 points, rebounds and assists.
Butler has surpassed this line in only two of his past 10 games and in his last two games against the Hawks. Miami has played well entering the final week of the regular season and will look finish strong against Atlanta and avoid participating in the play-in tournament.
Victor Wembanyama over 11.5 rebounds.
Wembanyama has surpassed 11.5 rebounds in four of his past five games, averaging 21 rebound chances and 36.1 minutes. Wembanyama has also cleared his rebound prop in two of past his three games against the Grizzlies this season. He faces a Memphis team on Tuesday night that ranks 29th in rebounds allowed per game to centers.
Deandre Ayton under 23.5 points.
Ayton has scored under 23.5 points in three of his past five games and twice against the Pelicans this season. The Blazers enter Tuesday night as 12.5-point underdogs to a New Orleans team that ranks 18th in points allowed per game to centers.
Vasilije Micic over 7.5 assists.
Micic has cleared 7.5 assists in five consecutive games, averaging 14.8 potential assists and 34.2 minutes over that span. While the Hornets are 12.5-point underdogs on Tuesday night, I still expect Micic to surpass this line against a Mavericks team that ranks 22nd in assists allowed per game.
Projections and injury reports
Odds provided by ESPN BET. Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com.
Dallas Mavericks at Charlotte Hornets
7 p.m. Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
Records (Against the Spread)
Mavericks: 48-30 (47-31-0)
Hornets: 19-59 (32-46-0)
Line: Mavericks (-12.5) Total: 221.5
Money Line: Mavericks (-900), Hornets (+550)
BPI Projection: Mavericks by 12.3, straight up 86%, 234.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Mavericks: Josh Green, (GTD - Ankle); Maxi Kleber, (GTD - Back); Greg Brown III, (OUT - Personal); Dereck Lively II, (OUT - Knee)
Hornets: Amari Bailey, (GTD - Illness); Cody Martin, (OUT - Ankle); LaMelo Ball, (OUT - Ankle); Mark Williams, (OUT - Back); Seth Curry, (OUT - Ankle)
Detroit Pistons at Philadelphia 76ers
7 p.m. Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
Records (Against the Spread)
Pistons: 13-65 (38-38-2)
76ers: 44-35 (45-34-0)
Line: 76ers (-15.5) Total: 221.5
Money Line: Pistons (+900), 76ers (-1600)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 11.6, straight up 86%, 226.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Pistons: Cade Cunningham, (GTD - Knee); Evan Fournier, (GTD - Knee); Simone Fontecchio, (OUT - Toe); Ausar Thompson, (OUT - Illness); Isaiah Stewart, (OUT - Hamstring); Quentin Grimes, (OUT - Knee); Stanley Umude, (OUT - Ankle)
76ers: De'Anthony Melton, (GTD - Back); Joel Embiid, (GTD - Knee); Kyle Lowry, (GTD - Knee); Tobias Harris, (GTD - Knee); Tyrese Maxey, (GTD - Hip); Robert Covington, (OUT - Knee)
Indiana Pacers at Toronto Raptors
7 p.m. Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
Records (Against the Spread)
Pacers: 45-34 (42-35-2)
Raptors: 25-53 (34-44-0)
Line: Pacers (-12.5) Total: 238.5
Money Line: Pacers (-800), Raptors (+500)
BPI Projection: Pacers by 12.3, straight up 86%, 235.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin, (OUT - Shoulder)
Raptors: Gradey Dick, (GTD - Groin); Chris Boucher, (OUT - Knee); D.J. Carton, (OUT - Ankle); Immanuel Quickley, (OUT - Rest); Scottie Barnes, (OUT - Hand); Jakob Poeltl, (OUT - Finger); Jontay Porter, (OUT - Personal)
Miami Heat at Atlanta Hawks
7:30 p.m. State Farm Arena, Atlanta
Records (Against the Spread)
Heat: 43-35 (38-38-2)
Hawks: 36-42 (28-50-0)
Line: Heat (-3.5) Total: 219.5
Money Line: Heat (-165), Hawks (+140)
BPI Projection: Heat by 1.9, straight up 57%, 228.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Heat: Bam Adebayo, (GTD - Hand); Kevin Love, (GTD - Ankle); Nikola Jovic, (GTD - Ankle); Orlando Robinson, (GTD - Back); Terry Rozier, (GTD - Neck); Duncan Robinson, (OUT - Back); Josh Richardson, (OUT - Shoulder)
Hawks: Seth Lundy, (OUT - Ankle); Trae Young, (OUT - Finger); AJ Griffin, (OUT - Ankle); Onyeka Okongwu, (OUT - Toe); Saddiq Bey, (OUT - Knee)
Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks
7:30 p.m. Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee
Records (Against the Spread)
Celtics: 62-16 (42-33-3)
Bucks: 47-31 (33-45-0)
Line: Celtics (-1.5) Total: 228.5
Money Line: Celtics (-125), Bucks (+105)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 9, straight up 78%, 244.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Al Horford, (GTD - Toe); Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD - Hamstring)
Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, (GTD - Hamstring); Khris Middleton, (GTD - Quadriceps); Patrick Beverley, (GTD - Ankle); MarJon Beauchamp, (OUT - Ankle)
New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls
8 p.m. United Center, Chicago
Records (Against the Spread)
Knicks: 46-32 (42-35-1)
Bulls: 37-41 (38-39-1)
Line: Knicks (-4.5) Total: 212.5
Money Line: Knicks (-200), Bulls (+170)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 5.6, straight up 70%, 225.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Bojan Bogdanovic, (GTD - Wrist); Duane Washington Jr., (GTD - Knee); Julius Randle, (OUT - Shoulder)
Bulls: Alex Caruso, (GTD - Ankle); Ayo Dosunmu, (GTD - Quadriceps); Coby White, (GTD - Ankle); Julian Phillips, (OUT - Foot); Lonzo Ball, (OUT - Knee); Patrick Williams, (OUT - Foot); Zach LaVine, (OUT - Foot)
Orlando Magic at Houston Rockets
8 p.m. Toyota Center, Houston
Records (Against the Spread)
Magic: 46-32 (49-29-0)
Rockets: 38-40 (42-34-2)
Line: Magic (-2.5) Total: 215.5
Money Line: Magic (-135), Rockets (+115)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 2.5, straight up 59%, 226.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Magic: Franz Wagner, (GTD - Ankle); Jonathan Isaac, (GTD - Back)
Rockets: Jae'Sean Tate, (OUT - Ankle); Alperen Sengun, (OUT - Ankle); Steven Adams, (OUT - Knee); Tari Eason, (OUT - Lower Leg)
San Antonio Spurs at Memphis Grizzlies
8 p.m. FedExForum, Memphis
Records (Against the Spread)
Spurs: 19-59 (40-37-1)
Grizzlies: 27-51 (37-41-0)
Line: Spurs (-3.5) Total: 214.5
Money Line: Spurs (-165), Grizzlies (+140)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 1.8, straight up 56%, 226.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Spurs: Cedi Osman, (OUT - Ankle); Dominick Barlow, (OUT - Knee); Keldon Johnson, (OUT - Foot); Charles Bassey, (OUT - Knee); Devin Vassell, (OUT - Foot); Jeremy Sochan, (OUT - Ankle)
Grizzlies: Jake LaRavia, (GTD - Ankle); Lamar Stevens, (GTD - Groin); Desmond Bane, (OUT - Back); Jaren Jackson Jr., (OUT - Quadriceps); John Konchar, (OUT - Heel); Luke Kennard, (OUT - Knee); Santi Aldama, (OUT - Foot); Vince Williams Jr., (OUT - Knee); Yuta Watanabe, (OUT - Personal); Marcus Smart, (OUT - Finger)
Washington Wizards at Minnesota Timberwolves
8 p.m. Target Center, Minneapolis
Records (Against the Spread)
Wizards: 15-64 (35-42-2)
Timberwolves: 54-24 (40-35-3)
Line: Timberwolves (-16.5) Total: 223.5
Money Line: Wizards (+1000), Timberwolves (-2000)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 17.7, straight up 94%, 223.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Wizards: Anthony Gill, (GTD - Knee); Johnny Davis, (GTD - Hip); Kyle Kuzma, (GTD - Ankle); Richaun Holmes, (GTD - Toe); Tristan Vukcevic, (GTD - Knee); Landry Shamet, (OUT - Calf); Marvin Bagley III, (OUT - Knee); Tyus Jones, (OUT - Back); Bilal Coulibaly, (OUT - Wrist)
Timberwolves: Jaylen Clark, (OUT - Achilles); Karl-Anthony Towns, (OUT - Knee)
Sacramento Kings at Oklahoma City Thunder
8 p.m. Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
Records (Against the Spread)
Kings: 45-33 (41-36-1)
Thunder: 53-25 (42-35-1)
Line: Thunder (-5.5) Total: 226.5
Money Line: Kings (+170), Thunder (-200)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 8, straight up 76%, 240.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Kings: Keegan Murray, (GTD - Calf); Malik Monk, (OUT - Knee); Kevin Huerter, (OUT - Shoulder)
Thunder: Jalen Williams, (GTD - Ankle); Gordon Hayward, (OUT - Lower Leg)
Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz
9 p.m. Delta Center, Salt Lake City
Records (Against the Spread)
Nuggets: 54-24 (35-41-2)
Jazz: 29-49 (39-39-0)
Line: Nuggets (-14.5) Total: 225.5
Money Line: Nuggets (-1800), Jazz (+900)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 8.7, straight up 79%, 231.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: Aaron Gordon, (GTD - Foot); Jamal Murray, (GTD - Knee); Julian Strawther, (GTD - Ankle); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, (GTD - Shoulder); Michael Porter Jr., (GTD - Knee); Nikola Jokic, (GTD - Hip); Vlatko Cancar, (OUT - Knee)
Jazz: John Collins, (OUT - Back); Jordan Clarkson, (OUT - Back); Kris Dunn, (OUT - Foot); Walker Kessler, (OUT - Nose); Lauri Markkanen, (OUT - Shoulder)
Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers
10 p.m. Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
Records (Against the Spread)
Warriors: 43-35 (41-35-2)
Lakers: 45-34 (37-42-0)
Line: Lakers (-2.5) Total: 234.5
Money Line: Warriors (+120), Lakers (-140)
BPI Projection: Warriors by 2.4, straight up 58%, 237.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Warriors: Andrew Wiggins, (GTD - Ankle); Gary Payton II, (GTD - Ankle); Dario Saric, (OUT - Knee)
Lakers: Anthony Davis, (GTD - Eye); LeBron James, (GTD - Illness); Jarred Vanderbilt, (OUT - Foot); Christian Wood, (OUT - Knee); Jalen Hood-Schifino, (OUT - Back)
LA Clippers at Phoenix Suns
10 p.m. Footprint Center, Phoenix
Records (Against the Spread)
Clippers: 50-28 (37-41-0)
Suns: 46-32 (35-42-1)
Line: Suns (-7.5) Total: 226.5
Money Line: Clippers (+230), Suns (-280)
BPI Projection: Suns by 3.2, straight up 62%, 236.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Clippers: Daniel Theis, (GTD - Thumb); Jordan Miller, (GTD - Thumb); Moussa Diabate, (GTD - Hand); Joshua Primo, (OUT - Ankle); Kawhi Leonard, (OUT - Knee)
Suns: Jusuf Nurkic, (GTD - Ankle); Damion Lee, (OUT - Knee)
New Orleans Pelicans at Portland Trail Blazers
10 p.m. Moda Center, Portland
Records (Against the Spread)
Pelicans: 46-32 (41-36-1)
Blazers: 21-57 (38-40-0)
Line: Pelicans (-12.5) Total: 212.5
Money Line: Pelicans (-900), Blazers (+550)
BPI Projection: Pelicans by 11.4, straight up 85%, 222.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Naji Marshall, (GTD - Shoulder); Brandon Ingram, (OUT - Knee)
Blazers: Ibou Badji, (GTD - Back); Jerami Grant, (GTD - Hamstring); Anfernee Simons, (OUT - Knee); Malcolm Brogdon, (OUT - Elbow); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT - Ankle); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT - Abdomen); Robert Williams III, (OUT - Knee); Toumani Camara, (OUT - Ribs)