Thursday: 1-2 (-1.17 units)

Season: 5-9 (-4.75 units)

Recap: JaVale McGee was unleashed to the tune of 1-for-9 shooting in the first quarter — that’s all you need to know about how Cavs +2.5 1st quarter went. Darius Garland came through on his point total, while I underestimated how not ready the Thunder are with their current roster.

First Pick: Hawks Team Total O119.5 vs BKN (-117)

Fact #1: The first meeting on Wednesday saw these two teams combine for 286, which went well over the closing O/U of 240.5.

Fact #2: The Hawks have eclipsed 120 points in every game following their season-opening total of 117.

Fact #3: Even with Brooklyn adjustments to the slip screens, the pace of this game should be very Big 12 football-like again.

Second Pick: Kevin Durant O27.5 points vs ATL (-110)

Fact #1: Durant has reached 28+ points three of his four games this season, including 33 against the Hawks on Wednesday.


Third Pick: Celtics -5 1st Half spread vs DET

Fact #1: Boston is 5-0 ATS in the first half this season, while Detroit is 2-2

Fact #2: Although it’s not in-his-prime Blake Griffin, he’s still a solid contributor, but he be out tonight as he continues to go through concussion protocol.

Fourth Pick: Clippers -1.5 1st Half spread vs UTA (-117)

Fact #1: The Clippers are 4-1 ATS in the first half this season compared to the Jazz who are 2-2

Fact #2: The lone loss ATS in the first half was that drubbing at the hands of the Mavs when Kawhi didn’t play

Fact #3: The Jazz played last night — granted at home — while the Clippers were resting in Utah. If PG13 and The Claw are playing, the Clippers should wear them down early.


Fifth Pick: Gordon Hayward O.18.5 points vs MEM (+101)

Fact #1: If you believe in trends like I do, then you’ll appreciate that Hayward’s point totals have been the following through four games: 28 — 12 — 28 — 11… which should the trend continue, indicates a good game on the horizon.

Fact #2: But let’s support that “outlandish claim” with supporting evidence: The Grizzlies are allowing a league-high 32.8 points per contest to the small forward position early on this season, including a 42-point thrashing at the hands Jaylen Brown just the other day.


Sixth and Seventh Picks: Donte DiVincenzo O11.5 points (-110) and O1.5 Made 3Pters (-134) vs CHI

Fact #1: DiVincenzo has hit at least three 3’s in four of five games and the fifth game featured two makes.

Fact #2: He has also scored 13+ points in four of five contests with the outlier game being a 10-point effort in Milwaukee’s uncharacteristic blowout at the hands of the Knicks (same game with only two made 3s.

Fact #3: The Bulls are allowing an average of 26 points per game to the 2-guard position early on this season.