Mavs @ Rockets, Hawks @ Warriors, Picks & Props for Monday Night
Luka Doncic is the hottest athlete on the planet right now and his Mavericks have won six straight games. Four of those have been too close for comfort and they staved off the lowly Spurs by just one point on Saturday. Four of their six wins have been by six or fewer points and even though they’re on the road, you have to think they’re ready to win one in an easier fashion than relying on late heroics from Luka.
Luka is averaging a ridiculous 45.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 10.2 assists, 2.4 steals, 0.8 blocks and 4.0 3-pointers over his last five games. He has scored at least 50 or 60 points in three of his last five games and will look to keep it cooking tonight in Houston.
Dorian Finney-Smith (hip), Josh Green (elbow) and Maxi Kleber (hamstring) are all out tonight, so Luka will look to guys like a red-hot Christian Wood and well as Tim Hardaway Jr. and Spencer Dinwiddie for help tonight. Wood averaged 19.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 2.3 3-pointers in December and has scored at least 19 points in nine of his last 16 games and in four straight. The last time these teams met was on Dec. 23 when the Mavs held on for a 112-106 victory.
The Rockets are led by Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun but Sengun is banged up and listed as a game-time decision with a sore back tonight. If he’s out, Bruno Fernando and Usman Garuba could step up, while Smith Jr. should also get an uptick in usage.
Oddscrowd top bettor 999percentwrong likes the Dallas moneyline at -300 and I like the Mavericks to get a 10-point win tonight after so many close games.
Pick Mavericks -7.5
Prop 1: Luka Doncic to triple-double +370 at FanDuel (TDs in 2 of last 3)
Prop 2: Luka Doncic to score 35+ points +100 at FanDuel (He’s scored 35 in 4 of 5)
Prop 3: Christian Wood to score 25+ +260 at FanDuel (scored 25 in 2 of last 4)
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The Hawks are coming in cold, losers of three straight and dealing with some coaching and star-player drama, while the Warriors can’t seem to lose at home and have won four straight games. The Hawks are 6-11 on the road and the Dubs are 16-2 at the Oracle.
The Hawks will be without Clint Capela (calf) again and De’Andre Hunter is a game-time call due to an ankle injury.
The Warriors will be short-handed tonight with Stephen Curry (shoulder), JaMychal Green (leg), Andre Iguodala (hip), Jonathan Kuminga (foot), Andrew Wiggins (illness) and James Wiseman (ankle) all sitting this one out.
The Hawks were beaten by the Lakers in Atlanta on Friday when Trae Young had 29 points and eight assists, but missed all four of his 3-pointers. Dejounte Murray added 20 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and three triples in that one, while Onyeka Okongwu filled in for Capela and had 17 points, eight rebounds, two steals and three blocks. Bogi Bogdanovic also added 17 points off the bench in that one in 34 minutes. The Hawks also lost to the Nets on Dec. 28 and at Indy on Dec. 27.
The Warriors still have some firepower with all the injuries and will likely start Jordan Poole, Klay Thompson, Donte DiVincenzo, Draymond Green and Kevon Looney. Poole exploded for 41 points, six assists and five triples on Friday, Thompson had 31 points and seven 3-pointers, and Green added 10 points and 11 rebounds in the win.
The Warriors are taking a lot of pride in their home record and late drama from Nate McMillan, who is reportedly talking about stepping down as Hawks coach, isn’t going to help them. The fact the Warriors only need to win by two points should work in their favor and the home crowd will be in a frenzy in hopes of keeping the nearly clean record intact at home. I’m looking for the Warriors to get the win tonight and send the Hawks to their fourth straight L.
Pick: Warriors -1.5
Prop 1: Jordan Poole to score 25+ points -270 at FanDuel
Prop 2: Trae Young to score 25+ points -240 at FanDuel
Prop 3: John Collins to score 15+ points +120 at FanDuel
