Dr. A's Monday Night NFL & NBA Picks Dec 5
Monday will feature a division rivalry between the Bucs and Saints in Tampa Bay and an eight-game slate in the NBA. Here are some of my picks for this evening.
New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I like the Bucs -3.5 here for a few reasons, mostly relating to the Saints. The Bucs are at home and the Saints are the only team in the NFL without a cover on the road this season (0-5). Alvin Kamara has been struggling and the Saints have scored between zero and 13 points in three of their last four games. All three of those were losses, including a 13-0 shutout to the Niners last week. Andy Dalton’s not exactly a ‘ready for prime time’ guy after losing seven straight night games by at least eight points and the Buccaneers are 4-1 against the spread in their last five home games against teams below .500.
Pick: Bucs -3.5
NFL Props
Tom Brady Passing touchdowns 1.5
Brady generally throws an interception against the Saints, but I don’t love the fact he’s only thrown two INTs on the season so I’m staying away from him throwing 0.5 picks. Instead, I like him throwing a couple touchdowns with targets like Chris Godwin, Mike Evans and Julio Jones available.
Chris Godwin receiving yards 70.5
I also like Godwin to get at least 71 receiving yards tonight as Brady’s favorite target. Godwin is coming off a 110-yard game, catching 12 of 13 passes for his best game of the season.
NBA
Phoenix Suns @ Dallas Mavericks
Dallas seemed to have the Suns’ number after taking them out in the playoffs last season and opening up a 17-point halftime lead against the Suns on opening night. But the Mavs collapsed in that one and lost by two points and now sit at 11-11 on the season. The Suns, who are still likely without their leader, Chris Paul are leading the West at 16-7 and haven’t missed a beat since losing Paul 10 games ago. This is undoubtedly now a rivalry and both Luka Doncic and Devin Booker, as well as the Dallas fans, are going to be fired up for this game. I may be a homer but I’ll take the Mavs at home tonight.
Pick: Mavericks -3.5
NBA Props
Giannis Antetokounmpo points 30.5
I like the over here in a fun matchup against rookie Paolo Banchero and the Magic. Giannis has undoubtedly noticed what the rookie has been up to and will likely try to show him up tonight. Giannis has scored at least 30 points in six straight games so I don’t see why that would change tonight, barring an early blowout.
Jayson Tatum rebounds 8.5
Tatum has hit double digits in rebounds in three straight games so the fact he only has to get nine of them against the Raptors seems fairly likely. He’s averaging 8.1 boards on the season and while the Raptors are fifth in the league in rebounds allowed, I still like Tatum’s chances tonight.
Stephen Curry assists 7.5
Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton is dealing with a groin injury and may not play tonight while Curry is coming off a 30-point, 10-assist effort in Saturday’s win over Houston. The Pacers give up 25.8 assists a game, good for 19th in the league and Curry has had at least eight dimes in 10 of his 22 games played this season.
Fantasy Play of the Night
Andrew Nembhard – If Haliburton is out again tonight Nembhard should get another start after he had a big night on Saturday. He played 37 minutes, hit 7-of-12 shots and two 3-pointers on his way to 16 points, six rebounds, eight assists and a steal in a 116-100 loss to Portland.
