Doc’s Sports NBA Picks & Against the Spread Plays

The Warriors have played a bunch of unders lately, but we are getting a too-low total as a result. In fact, this total is crazy low in today’s NBA. But the Knicks played last night and chased the Blazers up and down the court in a lousy effort. We don’t see them playing a lick of defense tonight, and the Warriors offense should thrive. And the Knicks will keep this competitive enough to where they will get their share of points to go over this posted number.

We just think the Thunder are the much stronger team here and this line is more than fair with them catching points on the road. In fact, we had them handicapped as a slight favorite in this game and we think they have a great chance for the outright win. They have won five of their last six and are playing very well right now. And this team is under the radar but they have been cashing tickets on a regular basis lately. There is value with the road team.

Phoenix started their season off hot then went into a bit of a lull. But they have got their groove back lately and this team has covered in four of its last five. After a four-game road trip they came back home in that tricky first game after a road trip and walloped the Timberwolves. Now they face an even bigger step down in competition against the Grizzlies. Memphis is a very bad team this season. They are getting a lot of points on a nightly basis from the oddsmakers but can’t cover any lines. They are coming off a win and a cover last time out against the Warriors, and they should be content tonight and won’t play desperate since not on a losing streak. This looks very much like a double-digit win for the home team.

5 Unit Play. Take #635 Wisconsin over Rutgers (7p.m., Wednesday, December 11 BTN) Rutgers is coming off two straight defeats and in appears obvious that this team will not be going anywhere come March for yet another season. Wisconsin played their best game of the season last time out against Indiana and expect to follow that up with another victory on Wednesday. Rutgers does not have a quality win this season and will lose this game straight-up. Both teams need this win, but Wisconsin has a history of coming up big during conference play and Rutgers does not.

3-Unit Play. #066. Take Washington over Boston (Wednesday at 7:05 pm) As per your selection on Washington, we feel as if this is a great spot for Washington to get back int he win column after losing their last game 5-2 to a Columbus team that always plays the Caps tough. Now they get to take on a Bruins team that is on the decline as of right now, losers of three straight and having given up 13 goals during that span. We know Washington's strength is putting the puck in the back of the net as they sit third in the league in goals scored per game and shooting percentage. Boston is in the middle game of a four-game road trip and has to travel to Tampa Bay for a division showdown tomorrow. Washington is the fresher of the two teams having just played twice since they've only had one game between Dec 6 and tonight. Give us Washington on home ice to continue our winning ways on the ice.