Monday’s six-game NBA schedule has a couple of interesting matchups on tonight’s slate. It is certainly not a stacked slate like we have been spoiled with lately, but that’s why these games are on a Monday night.
Unfortunately, there is only game on national TV tonight – the Washington Wizards at Los Angeles Lakers. I will be writing about that game tonight and two others, looking to improve upon my 21-12-1 ATS record (57.1%) this season.
Here are my top three NBA picks for Monday night:
NBA Picks Today (2/22/21)
- Chicago Bulls (-1.5) at Houston Rockets – Total: 227
- Portland Trail Blazers at Phoenix Suns (-6.5) – Total: 227.5
- Washington Wizards at Los Angeles Lakers (-6.5) – Total: 225.5
Chicago Bulls (-1.5) at Houston Rockets – Total: 227
CHI: 3 games in 4 days, 4 games in 6 days
HOU: 4 full days rest
The trends are certainly adding up for the visiting Bulls, who are 10-4 ATS against Western Conference teams this season. This is a team that has been playing much better of late, with wins in three of their last four games. Zach LaVine is becoming one of the top players in the game, ranking sixth in the NBA with 28.9 PPG.
Zach LaVine to score 30+ and Bulls win is +250 on @FDSportsbook
— Mitch Carl 🍩 (@DFSnDONUTS) February 22, 2021
🔸Rockets are shorthanded. Might not have Oladipo. Who knows about DeMarcus Cousins.
🔸Bulls are 11-4 ATS on the road in last 15-Games
🔸Bulls are 4-1 ATS in last 5-Games against teams with a losing record
It’s already looking like a lost year for the Rockets, who traded away James Harden and are now looking to move some of their veteran talent away for assets. To put it bluntly, this isn’t a team that is interested in competing right now. Houston is 1-4 SU/ATS as a home underdog this season and even has a 5-11 SU/ATS record after a loss.
Betting Pick: Bulls (buy .5 point to make it -1)
Check out the latest NBA betting sites and their free bet offers to win big tonight.
Portland Trail Blazers at Phoenix Suns (-6.5) – Total: 227.5
POR: normal rest, front-end b2b (@PHX tomorrow)
PHX: 3 games in 4 days
The Suns have been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA this season, but I’m going against them in this spot. While Chris Paul and Devin Booker have done amazing things, some of these trends have to start coming back around to the norm; the Suns are 9-3 SU/ATS as a home favorite this season.
Damian Lillard will lead his team into Phoenix after a surprising loss to Washington on Saturday night. Perhaps that motivation is a good one, considering Portland is 7-2 SU/ATS after a loss this season. In addition, it has strong 8-4 ATS numbers as an underdog and 7-2 ATS numbers as a road underdog.
Betting Pick: Trail Blazers (+6.5)
Washington Wizards at Los Angeles Lakers (-6.5) – Total: 225.5
WSH: normal rest, front-end b2b (@LAC tomorrow)
LAL: normal rest
I can’t imagine the Lakers are going to put up another dreadful performance on offense, especially with one of the NBA’s worst defensive teams coming to town. It’s shocking to believe, but LA hasn’t topped 100 points in each of its last two games- both losses.
While the Lakers typically don’t play high-scoring contests like the Wizards, the latter’s pace should get this one going in the right direction. The 225.5 total seems like too much of a steal here.
Betting Pick: Over 225.5 points
