Utah @ Sacramento
The Utah Jazz roll onto Sacramento to take on the Kings for the second time this week.
The Kings were in Utah on Monday, and they left town after a tremendous seven-point beatdown. Having lost two of their last three, Sacramento has been surpassed by the Grizzlies in the standings, and there is now a clear distinction between the top four teams in the Western Conference.
If the regular season ended today, the Kings would have the terrible draw of the Warriors in the first-round. With just nine games to go, the Kings will try to catch Memphis and see if they can find a more favorable opponent for their first playoff series since 2006.
There is no way the Kings will lose to the Jazz twice in one week, and while seven and a half points is a large spread, they should be able to handle it at home so they can light the beam.
Sacramento -7.5 (-110) Over 236.5 (-110)
New Orleans @ LA
The Clippers have quietly been climbing the standings this month, winning six of their last eight. As a result, LA holds the four spot in the West and have a half-game lead on the Phoenix Suns. However, with just three games separating them and the 11-seed, it will be interesting to see how things in the regular season round out.
Both teams are missing a superstar but are hoping they can return before the playoffs. While the timetable for Paul George is promising, it seems like Zion’s return is a carrot dangling in front of the Pelicans they will never receive.
New Orleans team has bested the Clippers in their last two meetings, and they come into this one on a three-game winning streak. However, the starting five for both teams are slightly different in this one.
A five-point spread is perfectly appropriate. This game should be close, and while the Clippers may sneak out a win at home, they won’t cover against a Pelicans team that just always seems to have their number.
New Orleans +5 (-110) CJ McCollum Over 20.5 Points (-115)
