O'Sullivan's Saturday NBA Picks: Grizzlies at Twolves, Pelicans at Pacers, Hornets at Hawks, D'Angelo Russell
Seattle O’Sullivan 2021-2022 NBA Season so far: 63-74-2, -$210.80
(Standing Caveat: The universe is chaotic. Life is unpredictable. Things happen. Like injuries. In following Seattle O’Sullivan’s betting advice, be advised that you should always monitor your bets during the day to make certain unforeseen things have not occurred which might change your wagering opinion. Thank you.)
Memphis Grizzlies at Minnesota Timberwolves, 8 pm Eastern
The Pick: Minnesota -118, bet $7.90 to win $6.69
Both Memphis and Minnesota are holding two-game winning streaks, and although the Grizzlies are 5-0 against the spread at Minnesota in their last five games, I like the Timberwolves to win a close one. Minnesota lost a tough one to Memphis in Tennessee on Nov. 8, 125-118 in overtime, so I think they’ll be looking to avenge that loss. The Grizzlies allow more points than any team in the league save Charlotte and the Los Angeles Lakers and give up a higher 3-point percentage than any team except Detroit, so Timberwolves Karl Anthony-Towns and Anthony Edwards should be able to score some points. I think Minnesota grabs this one tonight.
New Orleans Pelicans at Indiana Pacers, 7 pm Eastern
Charlotte Hornets at Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 pm Eastern
The Pick: Teaser Indiana -2.5 w/Charlotte +11, +100, bet $7.90 to win $7.90
Having put all my plays on the Indiana/Charlotte game last night, I was chagrined to see that at halftime, the Hornets were pounding the Pacers (and worse, that Mason Plumlee had three assists, blowing my player prop parlay). Assuming the game was lost, I moved on and tried to live my life. This morning I discover that the Pacers stormed back in the fourth quarter and almost covered. Almost (sigh). Both teams play tonight, and I’ll combine them in a teaser against teams with whom they should certainly be competitive. Indiana returns home to play a New Orleans team in disarray, so even on a back-to-back, they should be able to win with some ease. Charlotte goes to Atlanta to play a team that’s rested since Wednesday. But the Hawks are only 6-10 against the spread while the Hornets are 5-0 ATS in their last five. This is the Hornets' first game against the Hawks this year, and I think LaMelo Ball will be eager to show Trae Young he can hang with him. Teasing Charlotte up to +11 seems reasonable.
Player Prop: D'Angelo Russell under 19.5 points (-112), bet $3.95 to win $3.53
Minnesota guard Russell averages 18.1 points per game and will have his hands full with Memphis star Ja Morant tonight. I think Russell’s defense is distracting enough to hit the under, here.