This article is part of our NBA Picks series.
Alex Barutha
Rockets to cover +5 (-110) vs. Spurs -- FanDuel, 1:10 PM CT
These teams are trending in opposite directions, and it feels odd to say the Spurs are the team going the wrong way. Over the past two weeks, they are -3.4 ATS with a -1.3 point differential. Meanwhile, Houston is +8.5 ATS with a +0.3 point differential over the same period. Ultimately, neither of these teams are very good, and the Spurs are hardly better, so it's strange that they're 5-point favorites on the road.
Nick Whalen
Dallas Mavericks +3.5 at Golden State Warriors -- FanDuel Sportsbook, 10:45AM CT
While the Warriors have been able to stay afloat with some narrow wins of late, this is not the same juggernaut that rolled through the league over the first 20 or so games of the season. Stephen Curry remains in a prolonged shooting slump, and Golden State ranks 27th in offensive over its last 10 games. Even without Draymond Green, the defense has maintained, but the Warriors run into arguably the hottest team in the league tonight. Over its last 10, Dallas ranks first in defense and second in NET rating, and Luka Doncic appears poised for yet another second-half surge. Over his last 10 games, Doncic is up to 26.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 1.6 steals per contest.
Joe Bartel
CHA win at TOR (+128) -- FanDuel, 2:11 PM CT
It's interesting Fred VanVleet emerged on the injury report with knee soreness, but even if he plays, I think the Hornets simply have a better offense capable of attacking the Raptors. And if Gordon Hayward (knee) ultimately doesn't play, Kelly Oubre specifically is uniquely suited to spread the defense out enough to create driving lanes, provided he's actually able to hit a shot from deep (4-of-22 since returning from COVID-19 protocols).
