This is the stretch run of the NBA regular season. There is just one more month of games to determine which 16 teams will be playing in the postseason in mid-April, and which teams will be crossing their fingers over ping pong balls in the Zion Williamson sweepstakes on June 20. As of now, only two teams have clinched their spot in the postseason (Milwaukee and Toronto) and only three teams are officially eliminated (Cleveland, New York, and Phoenix).
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Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers (Check Back Later)
There has yet to be a line released for this game as Toronto played last night in Miami, and the Raptors may rest some of their starters tonight after a long plane ride as part of the second night in a back-to-back.
Kawhi Leonard is probably going to play though. Leonard sat out last night for rest reasons, and he should play after taking yesterday’s game off. Veterans like Serge Ibaka, Marc Gasol, and Kyle Lowry might get time to rest with Toronto gearing up for the playoffs.
Unless Toronto decides to sit all three players and Leonard, they are going to be favored in this game. Cleveland is in the full throes of Tankapalooza, and the Cavaliers won’t be playing JR Smith, Matthew Dellavedova, Tristan Thompson, Larry Nance Jr., or John Henson tonight.
Sacramento Kings at Washington Wizards (WASH -2, O/U 240.5)
Both Sacramento and Washington are in contention to make the playoffs, but both teams’ hopes are fading fast. The Kings and the Wizards are each four-games back in their bid to make the postseason, and a loss here for either team is crushing. Sacramento has tailed off after promising rookie Marvin Bagley III was injured, and the Kings have now lost six of their last nine games. They are in the middle of a four-game road trip and aren’t expected to have him back until Thursday at the earliest.
The Wizards are 19-12 at home this season, and they shoot much better at home than they do on the road. That’s one of the major reasons why this game has by far the highest total of any on Monday.
Detroit Pistons at Brooklyn Nets (BKN -2, O/U 221)
The Nets and Pistons have played their way into the playoff picture in recent weeks. Brooklyn now has a four-game cushion on the ninth-place Orlando Magic after an 8-18 start, and this young team has not had letdowns in winnable games.
Detroit is now 12-2 in its last 14 games, as Andre Drummond has been unstoppable on the glass. He is averaging 16.5 rebounds per game during this run, and that will test Brooklyn’s ability to get second chances. Both previous meetings between these teams have been decided by one possession.
Charlotte Hornets at Houston Rockets (Check Back Later)
There is no line for this game since Houston played a road game in Dallas last night. All five Rockets starters played at least 32 minutes in the one-point win, so a night off might be in order.
If most of the starters end up playing, look for Houston to be favored and the total to be in the 230s. When these teams met in Charlotte two weeks ago, Houston was a five-point favorite and the total was 228, but the Rockets have won eight in a row and will be a little fatigued because of the back-to-back.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Utah Jazz (UTAH -3.5, O/U 227)
This is one of the marquee games of the day. Oklahoma City and Utah might meet in the playoffs, and both teams are separated by just 2.5 games in the standings. The Thunder are sliding though after losing seven of their last 10, while the Jazz have turned it on and are playing the best defense in the league with Rudy Gobert dominating in the paint.
Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Clippers (BOS -1, O/U 225)
Doc Rivers would love to get a win over his former team and strengthen the Clippers’ chances of making the playoffs. They are currently in line to be the No. 8 seed which would likely mean a first round meeting with Golden State, so a win would help their chances of getting a more winnable series too.
The Clippers have won four straight, yet they are home underdogs tonight despite beating the Celtics by double digits in Boston last month.
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