On an NBA Monday, the Boston Celtics search for their first win of the season against New Orleans. Elsewhere in the West, Cedric Coward has been the man for Memphis. They take on the Golden State Warriors in a battle between two potent offenses that feature some incredible young talent. Lastly, Keyonte George should pick apart this Suns defense in an early-season matchup between two Western Conference foes.
Celtics -1.5
Mazzulla and the Celtics are 0-3 to start the year and are looking to stop the early-season skid tonight in New Orleans. After tight losses to Philly, New York, and Detroit, I expect this team to come out with energy on defense, which should limit the Pelicans, who have plenty of ball-handling and turnover issues. Shooting just 31% from long range to open the year, Boston should find their rhythm from downtown with almost guaranteed contributions from White, Simons, and Pritchard - who have started the season off ice cold from 3. Look for a Boston bounce back tonight.
My man of the opening week of the NBA season, Cedric Coward, is light-years ahead of schedule. After dropping a game-high 27 points on 6/6 from downtown, Coward is a staple in this Memphis rotation as they take on Golden State tonight in what is bound to become a fast-paced affair. Coward is 8/11 from deep to start the year, and with Morant applying rim pressure and Memphis top 10 in scoring and 3s through three games, Coward should have plenty of opportunity tonight to get his shots up from all three levels.
Utah takes on a Phoenix defense in need of a lot of help. Utah is 1-1 with an upset victory over the Clippers and a one-point loss to Sacramento away from home. With this game against Phoenix set at a 231.5 point total, I like Keyonte George to lead this offense all night. The young playmaker has gone for 25 PA and 28 PA to start the year, averaging 9.5 dimes in two games against Western Conference opponents. In Will Hardy’s offense, that is full of shooters and scorers at all three levels, trust George to continue his winning ways on the offensive end.