Tuesday's NBA Games - Odds, Predictions and Picks for 2/26/19

After a busy Monday schedule, the NBA only has a three-game schedule set for Tuesday night.  Lean as it is, we have two marquee matchups on hand with the favorites in the East slugging it out North of the Border and two of the Top 3 in the West squaring off in Mile High.

Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors

A showdown between Eastern Conference heavyweights happens as the Toronto Raptors play hosts to the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada.

The Celtics are in a funk right now as the men in green have lost four out of their last six games, including two in a row. In their last game, the Celtics were beaten by the lowly Chicago Bulls 116-126 in Chicago. Now the Celtics travel North of the border for their third straight road game against the Toronto Raptors.

Kyrie Irving leads Boston with 23.8 points and 6.8 assists per game. Second-year forward Jayson Tatum is averaging 16.4 points and 6.3 rebounds while Marcus Morris is contributing 14.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Al Horford leads the Celtics with 6.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks while also scoring 13.0 points per game. Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward round up the double-digit scorers at 12.8 and 11.1 points per game.

The Celtics rank 12th in the league in team scoring at 112.8 points per game. They are also 6th in assists with 26.3 dimes per contest. Boston is the 18th best rebounding team in the NBA at 45.0 boards per outing. The men in green are allowing their opponents to score only 106.8 points per game which is ranked 5th among 30 NBA teams.

Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors Odds

Toronto saw its seven-game winning streak snapped by the rising Orlando Magic last Sunday. Despite the loss, the Raptors are still in firm hold of the second spot in the Eastern Conference at 44-17. Toronto is two games behind the Milwaukee Bucks for the top spot and the Raptors are 3.5 games up on third place Indiana.

Kawhi Leonard has been the main man for the Raptors. The former Defensive Player of the Year is scoring 26.9 points while also collecting 7.6 rebounds per game. Leonard is also averaging 3.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Kyle Lowry leads Toronto with 9.1 assists while Serge Ibaka is the top rebounder of the team with 8.1 boards per contest. Pascal Siakam is contributing 16.1 points and 7.0 rebounds per game for Toronto.

The Raptors are 6th in the NBA in teams scoring at 114.1 points per game. They are also ranked 14th in assists with 24.7 dimes per contest and 14th off the glass with 45.2 boards per outing. Toronto is ranked 10th in scoring defense at 108.9 opponent points allowed per game.

The Celtics are 6-4 SU in their last 10 games played. Boston is 3-2 SU in its last five road games. The Raptors are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games overall. Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last six home games played. Head to head, these teams have split their last 10 meetings at 5-5.

Both these teams are coming off unexpected losses with Boston falling to Chicago and Toronto losing to Orlando in their last outing. Boston leads their season series 2-1 but the Raptors have won seven in a row at their home floor against the Celtics since the 2016 season.

Kawhi Leonard is averaging 31.7 points and 9.7 rebounds in his first three games versus the Celtics as a Raptor. Leonard sat out Toronto’s loss to the Magic this weekend and is expected to be fresh and ready against Kyrie and company. Toronto has also added more firepower since the last meeting between these teams. The Raptors have acquired Marc Gasol, Jeremy Lin and most recently Jodie Meeks who scored 10 points in his debut on Sunday.

Boston is 14-15 SU away from the TD Garden while Toronto is an impressive 25-6 SU at home this season. These two teams are still considered the top teams to beat in the East come playoff time given their experience but right now, the Raptors are in better form and playing much better.

I’m picking the Toronto Raptors to beat the Boston Celtics on 2/26/19.

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Boston is 5-4-1 ATS in its last 10 games played. The Celtics are 2-2-1 ATS in their last five road games. Toronto is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games played. The Raptors are 1-5 ATS in their last six games played at home. Head to head, Toronto is 6-4 in its last six meetings versus Boston.

Boston is 5-2 ATS in their last seven games against the Eastern Conference, 6-2 ATS in their last eight games against the Atlantic Division and 6-2 ATS in their last eight Tuesday games. Toronto is 0-4 ATS in their last four games when playing on one day rest, 0-4 ATS in their last four games at home and 0-5 ATS in their last five games overall. I think the Raptors’ struggles end in a big game like this one.It helps too that Boston is 0-7 ATS in their last seven games in Toronto and the favorite is 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings.

I’m picking the Toronto Raptors to cover the -4 spread at their home floor.

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The over is 6-4 in the Celtics’ last 10 games overall. The total has gone under in four out of the Celtics’ last five road games. The under is 6-4 in Toronto’s last 10 games played. Head to head, the over is 3-0 in the last three games between the Celtics and Raptors. The under is 6-2 in Toronto’s last eight games against their Eastern Conference rivals and the under is also 7-1 in Boston’s last eight games played on the road. These teams have played thrice this season and the only time they combined for more than 225 points was when they went to overtime during their second meeting. I’m expecting a playoff type game here with both teams playing good defense.

I’m predicting the total to go under 226 points.

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Orlando Magic at New York Knicks

The Orlando Magic head to the world’s most famous arena as they take on the New York Knicks on Tuesday night at the fabled Madison Square Garden in New York.

The Magic returned to their winning ways on Sunday night as they upset the Toronto Raptors 113-98 in Toronto as Terrence Ross had another big game with 28 points for Orlando. Ross has led the Magic in scoring 11 times this season including five in his last 10 games played.

Ross is averaging 14.9 points on the sason but it’s first-time All-Star center Nikola Vucevic who is leading the Magic in scoring at 20.5 points per game. Vucevic is also averaging 12.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. Aaron Gordon is contributing 15.6 and 7.3 rebounds per game while D.J. Augustin leads the team in assists with 4.9 dimes per contest.

Orlando has the 7th lowest scoring average in the league at 106.0 points per game They are ranked 13th in passing at 25.0 assists per game and are 20th in rebounding at 44.5 boards per contest. The Magic have the 6tn best scoring defense in the league at 106.8 points per game allowed.

Orlando Magic at New York Knicks Odds

The Knicks don’t have plenty to cheer about this season but they are coming off their best win of the year. New York downed the San Antonio Spurs 130-118 to snap an 18-game losing streak at the Madison Square Garden. One game later, the Knicks hope to avoid starting a new streak when they take on the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night.

The Knicks have the fifth lowest scoring average in the NBA at only 105.7 points per game. New York is ranked dead-last in passing at 19.9 assists per game and they are 22nd in board work at 44.5 rebounds per contest. The Knicks have the 6th worst scoring defense around as they allow 114.1 points per game this season.

The Magic are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games played. Orlando is 4-1 SU in its last five games on the road. The Knicks are 2-8 SU in their last 10 games played. New York is 1-6 SU in its last seven home games. Head to head, the Magic are 6-4 SU in their last 10 games against the Knicks.

Orlando has been playing well as of late. They have won five out of their last six games with their only loss a one-point setback at the hands of the Chicago Bulls. Terrence Ross has picked up his game lately and is averaging 19.5 points in his last 10 games played. If Ross continues his hot streak, the 9th placed Magic might just sneak into the postseason.

The Knicks have struggled mightily but in their first game after the All-Star break, the Knicks played their best basketball of the season to beat the Spurs. Damyean Dotson made 8 three pointers while Dennis Smith Jr. had 19 points and 13 dimes for New York who have the worst record in the East.

New York is coming off their best win of the year but remember they are 12-48 on the season. On the other had, Orlando is one game away from entering the playoff picture and that should be the better motive to win this game. The Magic have been on a roll as of late and their momentum should be enough to carry them against the worst team in the East.

I’m picking the Orlando Magic to beat the New York Knicks on 2/26/19.

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The Magic are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games played and are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games. The Knicks are 3-6-1 ATS in their last 10 games played. New York is 2-4-1 ATS in its last seven games at home. Head to head, the Magic are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games against the Knicks.

Orando is 4-1 ATS in their last five games after a win, 4-0 ATS in their last four road games played and 6-1 ATS in their last seven games overall. New York is 2-12 ATS in their last 14 games against teams with losing records and 4-15 ATS in their last 19 home games played. The Magic are on a roll as of late and the Knicks are well the Knicks. The Magic are 4-0 ATS in their last four games at Madison Square Garden.

I’m picking the Orlando Magic to cover the -7 point spread.

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The over is 5-3 in Orlando’s last eight games played. The total has gone under in three out of the last five game played by the Magic. The under is 6-4 in the Knicks’ last 10 games played. New York has seen the total go under in  five out of their last seven game played at home. Head to head, the under is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings between the Magic and Knicks.

The under is 13-3 in Orlando’s last 16 games on the road against a team with a losing home record and the total has gone under in 12 out of their last 15 Tuesday games. The under is 4-0 in the Knicks’ last four games after an SU win and the under is also 5-0 in their last five games against Southeast Division teams. These teams have also seen the total go under in five out of their last six meetings at Madison Square Garden. The trend should continue here given the offensive woes of both squads.

I’m picking the team to go under the 215.5 total set for this game.

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Oklahoma City Thunder at Denver Nuggets

The Oklahoma City Thunder travel to Mile High to take on the Denver Nuggets in a battle between the #2 and #3 teams in the West on Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center in Denver,

The Thunder will be looking to bounce back from a 116-119 loss to the Kings on Saturday night. One day after Paul George delivered the game winner in double overtime against the Utah Jazz, PG13 missed a game-tying three pointer that would have sent the game against Sacramento to overtime.

George leads the Thunder in scoring at 28.7 points per game while also averaging 8.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Russell Westbrook is having another triple double season with 22.4 points, 11.3 rebounds and 11.0 assists per game. Steven Adams is also having an excellent year with 14.7 points and 9.5 rebounds while Dennis Schroeder is scoring 15.6 points and issuing 4.1 assists per game.

Oklahoma City is the third highest scoring team in the NBA at 116.0 points per game. The Thunder are ranked 21st in assists at 23.4 dimes per contest. They are also rank 2nd in rebounding at 48.1 boards grabbed per game. OKC has the 13th-best scoring defense in the league at 110.9 opponent points per game allowed.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Denver Nuggets Odds

The Nuggets enter this game on a four-game winning streak after blowing out the Los Angeles Clippers 123-96 in their previous game. The win put the Nuggets within one game of the defending champions Golden State Warriors in the team standings. The victory also put them three games up on the 3rd placed Thunder.

Nikola Jokic has been a jack of all trades for Denver. The Joker is averaging 20.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.4 steals to lead the Nuggets. Jamal Murray is having an excellent year with 18.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists for Denver. Gary Harris and Paul Millsap are contributing 14.6 and 12.5 points per game, respectively.

The Nuggets rank 15th in the league in scoring at 112.2 points per game. They are also the second-best passing team at 27.2 assists per game andare ranked 7th off the glass with 46.8 rebounds per contest. Denver is 7th in scoring defense at 106.8 points per game allowed.

The Thunder are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games played and are also 3-2 SU in their last five games on the road. The Nuggets are also 7-3 SU in their last 10 games played. Denver is 4-0 ATS in their last four home games played. Head to head, the Nuggets are 6-4 SU in their last 10 games against the Thunder.

The Thunder had an off night for Paul George the last time out. PG13 is averaging 38.9 points per game in the month of February but he scored just 14 points on 4-19 shooting against the Kings. Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook has scored at least 40 points in three consecutive nights. Look for George to bounce back and Russ to maintain his pace as the Thunder try to catch the Nuggets in team standings.

For Denver, Paul Millsap is averaging 21 points and 14 rebounds per game in his last three games played. Meanwhile, Jokic has posted a double-double in his last four games played and has grabbed at least 12 boards per game in those ass. Denver’s frontline duo should lead the charge on Monday night.

The Thunder have a very good 17-13 road record but they are facing a Denver team that is an impressive 26-4 at home this season. No injuries are reported on both squads so we should see a great game on Monday. The Thunder have been rolling but the Nuggets have been near perfect at home this season.

I’m picking the Denver Nuggets to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder on 2/26/19.

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Oklahoma City is 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games played and are the Thunder are 3-2 ATS in their last five road games. Denver is 5-5 ATS in its last 10 games played and the Nuggets are 3-1 ATS in their previous four home games played. Head to head, the Nuggets are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 encounters with the Thunder.

The Thunder are 10-23 ATS in their last 33 games against Northwest Division teams. OKC is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games when playing on two days rest and 5-2 ATS in their last seven games on the road. The Nuggets are 4-1 ATS in their last five games against their Western Conference rivals and 16-5 ATS in their last 21 home games. Denver is 7-0 ATS in their last seven meetings. I like how good the Nuggets are at home and I like how they’ve dominated the Thunder in their recent meetings.

I’m picking the Denver Nuggets to cover the -3 spread at home.

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The total has gone over in six out of the last 10 games played by Oklahoma. The over is 4-1 in the Thunder’s last five games played away from home. The total has gone under in six out of the last 10 games played by the Nuggets. The over and under are at a 2-2 split in the last four home games by OKC.

The under is 4-1 in Oklahoma City’s last five games when their opponent scores at least 100 points in their previous game and the under is also 7-2-1 in the Thunder’s last 10 games  against teams with a winning SU record. Likewise, the Nuggets have seen the total go under in four out of their last five games against teams with a winning road record and also under in four out of their last five games overall.  OKC is a high scoring team but this is a game which Denver dictates with their physicality and defense. The under is also 6-2 in the last eight matchups between these two teams so

I’m picking these two teams to go under the total of 237 for this game.

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