Mike Bets #439

Happy Monday. It’s a new week, and I need it. Last week was a disaster. It started with Iowa State giving up the largest second-half comeback in Big 12 history to create a ten-unit swing, and we never bounced back. The final tally: almost four units down in NBA (not bad) and a little over thirteen units down in CBB (real bad). We throw it away and move on. New week. New winners. Let’s roll. We’ll get back to the summaries tomorrow. The focus is on the plays tonight.

TODAY’S PLAYS

NBA record: 128-115-4 ATS, 24-38 ML, 55-46-1 O/U, 1-7 parlay, 0-1 props, -15.67 units

• Celtics -11

The Celtics have been all over the place lately, losing by 12 to Phoenix and beating Brooklyn by 43 in their last two. They’re 2-4 in their last six but also 11-4 in their last fifteen. But I like them here. Detroit is a mess; they’ve lost by double digits in four of eight and seven of thirteen. And Boston is the best team in the league on the road. Give me the Celtics, especially with a loss putting their sole possession of the 1 seed at risk.

• Wizards ML (+120)

The Wizards have blown leads of 20+ points in two straight games. They need to win at some point. A home game against a somewhat underwhelming Cleveland team that’s just 25-21 since their 8-1 start? That’s a solid spot.

• Clippers -7.5

Chaos in Brooklyn. A hot Clippers team takes advantage.

• Kings -5.5

The Kings need a bounce back after some losses. The Clips are right on their tails. They get a commanding win over a poor Rockets team.

• Warriors Thunder O234

The Warriors average more than 236 per game, and the Thunder easily clear 230 and play at the sixth-fastest pace in the league. Give me the points.

• Jazz -9.5

No Luka. Pieces gone in the Kyrie trade. The Jazz should roll tonight.

• Bucks -4

The Bucks are hot. They keep it rolling in Portland.

• Bucks Blazers U242

This is a few too many points. Let’s go under. The Blazers only average about 228 per game.

CBB record: 127-117-4 ATS, 21-43 ML, 4-3 O/U, 8-12 parlay, -19.4 units

• Miami ML (-150) – 3 UNIT PLAY

Going on the road to play a really good Miami team two days after a hard-fought win over your biggest rival is a tough, tough spot. Good luck Duke.

• Kansas ML (-183) – 3 UNIT PLAY

Kansas is 11-1 at home. They’re coming off a loss. They need this one to stay in the Big 12 title race. They’re not losing.