Hawks/Pacers & Mavericks/Knicks - Check Out the Preview, Pick and Parlays
The Pacers, coming off an ugly, blowout loss in New Orleans on Monday will host a rested Hawks team in Indy on Tuesday, while the Knicks will visit Luka Doncic and the Mavericks in Dallas for the team’s first action since Christmas Day.
The Hawks have won three of their last four games and haven’t played since Friday. Starting center Clint Capela is out with a calf injury and De’Andre Hunter will be a game-time call due to an ankle injury. Onyeka Okongwu should get another start and is a decent value pick in DFS and fantasy tonight. He’s coming off a 12-point, nine-rebound, two-block game off the bench against the Pistons in just 21 minutes, and had 18 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks when he started for Capela last Wednesday. Trae Young and Dejounte Murray each scored 26 points in their last game and Young has scored between 26 and 37 points in four straight, and has racked up 13 or more assists in four of his last six outings.
The Pacers were run out of the gym by the Pelicans on Monday then had to travel home and get ready to do it again tonight. The Pacers had won two straight, including a win at Boston, before getting crushed by a completely decimated Pelicans team last night. Tyrese Haliburton was particularly disappointing in that one with 12 points and six assists on 4-of-12 shooting in 31 minutes. The Pacers were led by Bennedict Mahturin in that one with 15 points off the bench. The Pacers are relatively healthy though, with only Chris Duarte showing up on the injury report with a sprained ankle. He’s a game-time call.
According to the Oddscrowd algorithm the Pacers have a 2.5% Plus Exceptional Value Edge over the Hawks tonight.
This should be a fun matchup between two of the league’s best point guards in Haliburton and Young and while the Hawks will miss Capela, Okongwu is capable of handling things inside, along with John Collins. The Pacers will try to bounce back and will need big games out of Haliburton, Myles Turner and Buddy Hield if they’re going to right the ship. But given last night’s outcome, the travel and lack of rest, along with the fact the Hawks are rested and ready to go, I like the Hawks minus the points.
Pick: Hawks -1.5
Prop Parlay to score 20+ points at +742 at FadDuel
Trae Young
Tyrese Haliburton
Myles Turner
The Knicks, who recently won eight straight games, have now lost three straight, including a Christmas Day affair with the Sixers. Former Maverick Jalen Brunson is iffy with a hip injury and will be a game-time decision. He’s the motor that makes the Knicks run and if he’s out it’s going to be a huge blow to New York. However, you have to think he’s desperate to play against his former teammates and show them what he looks like running the Knicks’ offense. My guess is he’ll be out there tonight, but be sure to check prior to game time to make sure he’s playing if you’re planning to bet the Knicks. Julius Randle went off for 35 points and a full stat line on Sunday, Brunson had 23 points and 11 assists, and RJ Barrett came through with 17 points and 10 rebounds despite hitting just 6-of-21 shots in the loss to the Sixers. I like all three of these players in fantasy, DFS and prop bets tonight, assuming they’re all playing.
The Mavericks are coming off a win over the Lakers on Christmas Day and have now won three straight games. They’re going to be a bit shorthanded with Dorian Finney-Smith (hip), Josh Green (elbow) and Maxi Kleber (hamstring) all out, while Kemba Walker will be a game-time call due to knee management. Luka Doncic lit up the Lakers with 32 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and two 3-pointers on Sunday and Christian Wood had one of his best games ever with 30 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, four steals, two blocks and two 3-pointers. Tim Hardaway Jr. stepped up with 26 points and six triples and should be motivated to play against his former team, while also picking up the slack left by the absence of DFS.
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According to the Oddscrowd algorithm the Knicks have a 2.3% Plus Exceptional Value Edge over the Mavericks tonight. However, the Mavericks are rolling, the Knicks are reeling and if Brunson’s not at 100 percent, the Knicks are going to have their hands full tonight.
Pick: Mavericks -4.5
Prop Parlay to score 20+ points at -157 at FanDuel
Luka Doncic
Julius Randle
RJ Barrett
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