This article is part of our NBA Picks series.
Alex Barutha
Cavaliers to cover -3.5 (-115) at Spurs -- WynnBET, 12:58 PM CT
I'm not really sure what the argument for the Spurs +3.5 here would even be. San Antonio is down Derrick White, while the Cavs might be getting Isaac Okoro back -- the former is a bigger impact. At the most basic level, it's surprising this number is what it is given the Cavs are 24-18 and the Spurs are 15-26. Not only that, the Cavs are +2.2 against the spread over the past two weeks, and the Spurs are -5.5.
Nick Whalen
Phoenix Suns -5.5 (-110) at Indiana Pacers -- WynnBet Sportsbook, 11:00 AM CT
This is equal parts a vote of confidence in the Suns and a pick against the Pacers, who continue to be in free-fall after a 19-point loss at home to the Celtics in their last game. Malcolm Brogdon tweaked his Achilles in that contest and could very well sit tonight against a Suns team that's virtually fully healthy (if Cam Johnson plays). Even if Brogdon was in the lineup, I'd still like the Suns to cover a number that feels like it could be a point or two higher.
Joe Bartel
Deandre Ayton under 15.5 points (-115) at IND -- 2:22 PM CT
The Pacers allow the fewest points to opposing centers to go along with the second-fewest field-goal attempts and free-throw attempts. Couple that with Ayton's already minimal role in the Suns' offense, and I think targeting the under makes plenty of sense. It's obviously not a perfect precursor just given the abnormally small sample size, but Ayton only scored 12 points on five attempts against the equally feisty Heat defense six nights ago, which makes me think a similar figure is possible.
