This article is part of our NBA Picks series.
Alex Barutha: Hornets (+100) vs. HOU -- BetMGM, 2:17 PM CT
The Hornets being without John Wall, Eric Gordon and Christian Wood is a bigger blow than the Hornets being without Devonte' Graham. Houston is -17.2 points per 100 possessions with that trio off the court, with an abysmal 87.0 offensive rating. The Hornets without Graham are bad, too, with a -14.1 net rating, but the team has many more legitimate lineup construction options.
Nick Whalen: Gordon Hayward OVER 31.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-110) -- DraftKings Sportsbook
The Hornets are presented with a tough matchup against the league's second-best defense, but at this number I still like Hayward's chances to go over. The Rockets will be without three key players in Christian Wood, John Wall and Eric Gordon, while Charlotte won't have Devonte' Graham. Hayward has already gone over 31.5 P/R/A in four of his last five games, and he should absorb some of Graham's vacated playmaking duties, in addition to a chunk of his 12.7 field goal attempts per game.
Jeff Edgerton: TOR/MEM OVER 224 POINTS (DK Sportsbook, 7:50 a.m. ET)
The ticket will be close, but the median totals for these two teams sit at around 222. It'll be up to the Raptors to ratchet up the tempo in this game, and they've gone well over their average total in four of their last five contests.
Kristaps Porzingis OVER 8.5 REBOUNDS (DK Sportsbook, 8:00 a.m. ET)
You couldn't ask for a better spot for Porzingis against the T-Wolves. He's hit the over on this line in four of his last five games.
