Previewing Monday’s Washington Wizards and New York Knicks NBA matchup, with NBA betting odds, picks and best bets
The Washington Wizards (8-20) and New York Knicks (7-23) tip it off at Madison Square Garden at 7 p.m. ET Monday. We analyze the Wizards-Knicks odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Special Christmas Day NBA Prop Bet
BET $1, WIN $200 (in free bets) IF ANY NBA team playing December 25th, 2019 hits a 3-pointer. Bet now!
Wizards: PF Rui Hachimura (groin) is nearing a return, but remains out. PG Isaiah Thomas (suspension) will serve the first of a two-game suspension. PF Davis Bertans (quadriceps) is also ruled out.
Knicks: SG Reggie Bullock (neck) is week-to-week, while SG Wayne Ellington (Achilles) is out indefinitely.
Wizards at Knicks: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Monday at 3 p.m. ET.
While the Wizards (+140) have dominated this series in recent seasons, especially against the number, the KNICKS (-167) are the play due to a rash of injuries and a suspension keeping the visitors shorthanded.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Knicks to win outright returns a profit of $5.99.
Taking the KNICKS(-3.5, -115) is going against the series trends, as the Wizards (+3.5, -106) are 14-6-1 ATS in the past 21 in this series — including 8-2 ATS in the past 10 trips to MSG. But the loss of Thomas and Bertans will be especially big for the visitors.
The UNDER 228.5 (-115) has cashed in five in a row in this series. While the Over is the overwhelming trend lately for the Wizards, the Under is 13-4 in the past 17 for the Knicks at MSG, and 14-6-1 in their past 21 when working on a day of rest.
Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
Joel Embiid could miss the Sixers’ game against the Detroit Pistons on Monday due to an illness.
The Philadelphia 76ers might not have star big man Joel Embiid available Monday to defend the paint against Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin.
According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Embiid is questionable (illness) for the Sixers’ road game against the Detroit Pistons. Per Pompey, Embiid did not participate in the Sixers’ shootaround.
Embiid missed the Sixers’ game against the Brooklyn Nets on Dec. 15 due to an upper respiratory illness.
The Sixers ended a three-game losing streak Saturday with a win over the Washington Wizards. Embiid posted his 20th double-double of the season, scoring 21 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. It was also the 17th time this season Embiid has scored at least 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
The #Sixers center missed today’s shootaround due to an illness. He is questionable for tonight’s game. Reserve PG Raul Neto, who also missed shootaround, is probable with an illness. https://t.co/wR93dQpZZX
Embiid’s importance to the Sixers is significant on both ends of the floor. He’s the team’s leading scorer, rebounder and shot blocker. The Sixers are 3-3 this season when he hasn’t played.
With the Sixers having one of the biggest teams in the league, their offense is different compared to teams that like shooting threes. Rather, feeding Embiid is the No. 1 priority; he has the highest usage percentage on the team (30.8%).
The Sixers don’t shoot many threes and rank 26th in 3-point attempts. Philly is a solid shooting team, though, as it’s ranked 10th in 3-point field goal percentage.
But since Philly’s offense is built around Embiid and his success, his health going forward will be of the utmost importance.
The fan yelled swear words and put up both middle fingers.
Guard Isaiah Thomas brought context to his ejection in the fourth quarter of the Washington Wizards’ 125-108 loss to 76ers on Saturday in Philadelphia.
Thomas told reporters the Sixers fan stuck up both of his middle fingers up and swore repeatedly at the Washington guard. Thomas then went into to the stands to confront the fan when the Wizards called a timeout with three minutes left in the game. Thomas was ejected soon after.
“I’m never going to be disrespected in any way. It doesn’t matter where I am, that’s not going to happen,” he said after the game on Saturday. “So when I missed the first three throw and made the second, I’m running back and a fan has both of his middle fingers up and said, ‘(Expletive) you, (expletive),’ three times.
“Then the timeout goes and I go in the stands and confront him. I say, ‘Don’t be disrespectful. I’m a man before anything and be a fan.’
“His response was, ‘I’m sorry I just wanted a Frosty.’ Because if you miss two free throws, I guess the fans get a Frosty.
“So that’s what happened and I walked back and told my security who it was, so he can get kicked out the game because in no shape or form should that be allowed at all.”
He added: “That crossed the line, I’ve got kids, I’ve got a family, that is not okay at all, so I just went to go and tell him that.”
Isaiah Thomas, putting on an Iverson jersey, address reporters about entering the stands.
Thomas said a fan raised both middle fingers and screamed at him: “ F—-you, B—-!”
Previewing Saturday’s Washington Wizards at Philadelphia 76ers sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.
The Washington Wizards (8-19) and Philadelphia 76ers (20-10) tangle at Wells Fargo Center at 7 p.m. ET Saturday. We analyze the Wizards-76ers odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.
Wizards at 76ers: Key injuries
Wizards
C Thomas Bryant (foot) out
PF Rui Hachimura (groin) out
G Jordan McRae (finger) out
SF C.J. Miles (wrist) out
C Moritz Wagner (ankle) out
PG John Wall (Achilles) out
Wizards at 76ers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at noon ET.
The 76ers (-1000) are heavy favorites, and there is no way you can possibly risk more 10 times your money for such a small return. The Wizards are +625.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the 76ers to win outright returns a profit of just $1
The 76ERS (-12.5, -115) are 0-3-2 ATS in the past five as a favorite, 0-2-2 ATS in the past four at home and 0-3-1 ATS in the past four overall. So why bet them? Well, the Wizards (+12.5, -100) are just 1-6 ATS in the past seven trips to the City of Brotherly Love.
OVER 230.5 (-106) is where it’s at. The Over is 5-1 in the past six meetings in Philly, while also going 9-4-1 in Washington’s past 14 on the road and 4-0 in their past four as an underdog. The Over is 4-1-1 in Philly’s past six at home, and 4-1 in their past five overall.
Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
Previewing Friday’s Washington Wizards at Toronto Raptors sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.
The Toronto Raptors (19-8) host the Washington Wizards (8-18) Friday at Scotiabank Arena for a 7:30 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Wizards-Raptors odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.
Wizards at Raptors: Key injuries
Wizards
C Thomas Bryant (foot) out
PF Rui Hachimura (groin) out
G Jordan McRae (finger) out
SF C.J. Miles (wrist) out
C Moritz Wagner (ankle) out
PG John Wall (Achilles) out
Raptors
C Marc Gasol (hamstring) out
SG Stanley Johnson (groin) out
SG Norman Powell (shoulder) out
SG Matt Thomas (finger) out
PG Fred VanVleet (knee) questionable
PF Pascal Siakam (groin) out
Wizards at Raptors: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Both teams come in severely undermanned, lacking star players and bench depth. The Raptors (-278) have won three straight games, including a 112-99 victory at the Detroit Pistons Wednesday, but it’s the most recent losses of Gasol and Siakam which will be the most difficult to overcome.
It’s as good a time as any to back the WIZARDS (+220) with a $10 bet fetching a profit of $22 if they’re able to win outright. They suffered a 110-109 overtime loss against the Chicago Bulls Wednesday, but they’ll be able to exploit the absence of Gasol and Siakam at both ends of the court. Chase the value with the Raps getting too much respect at the books.
Liking the Wiz to win outright, they’re still getting plus-money on the spread. Back WASHINGTON (+5.5, +105) to stay within 5 points in a loss, or win outright. The same $10 wager will return a profit of $10.50. The Wizards are 13-12 ATS overall and 8-6 ATS on the road. They’ll be able to keep up with, if not outscore, the Raptors as they should be expected to outperform their 117.7 points per game average for the season.
Take the UNDER 230.5 (-115). The Raptors just won’t have enough options Friday behind PG Kyle Lowry, especially if VanVleet has to sit once again. This one may get ugly for the defending champs, and there’s great value to be had on the visitors.
Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
Previewing Wednesday’s Chicago Bulls at Washington Wizards sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.
The Chicago Bulls (10-19) and Washington Wizards (8-17) meet up at Capital One Arena at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday. We analyze the Bulls-Wizard odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.
Bulls at Wizards: Key injuries
Bulls: PG Ryan Arcidiacono (elbow), PG Zach LaVine (shin) and C Wendell Carter Jr. (abdominal) are each on the injury report, but all expect to be available.
Wizards: C Ian Mahinmi (eye) is expected to be ready, but PF Moritz Wagner (ankle) is ruled out, joining PF Rui Hachimura (groin) in street clothes.
Bulls at Wizards: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 8 a.m. ET.
The BULLS (-121) are worth a roll of the dice on the road, but keep a close eye on whether or not LaVine is officially cleared to go. If he has some sort of a setback, that’s a problem.
The BULLS(-2.5, +105) are an intriguing play at plus-money. Again, watch LaVine, as his status is important. Chicago is 4-0 ATS in the past four on the road, while going 5-1 ATS in the past six overall. They’re also 5-2 ATS in the past seven against teams with a losing overall mark. More importantly, Chicago is 5-0 ATS in the past five trips to D.C., and 4-1 ATS in the past five overall in this series.
The Wizards (+2.5, -125) are just 2-7 ATS in the past nine on a day of rest, and 1-4 ATS in the past five against teams with a losing overall mark.
PASS. The total is 230.5, and this one will be super close to the number. If there is a lean, it is slightly to the Under (-105). While the Over is 3-1-1 in the past five meetings in this series, the Under is 17-6 in the past 23 meetings in Washington.
Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
Admiral Schofield finding his stride with Wizards.
DETROIT — Former University of Tennessee basketball player Admiral Schofield is making the most of his recent playing time with the Washington Wizards.
Schofield, a 6-foot-5 rookie small forward, scored nine points in Washington’s 133-119 victory Monday night at Little Caesars Arena. He played 20 minutes and grabbed two rebounds and dished out one assist for the Wizards (8-17).
Schofield has played in 12 games and is averaging 9.8 minutes per game. He’s scoring 3.8 points per game and making 59.3 percent of his field goal attempts.
The former Vol is averaging 1.2 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.
Schofield had a career and season-high 14 points in Washington’s 128-111 loss to Memphis on Saturday, Dec. 14 in his return to the Volunteer State.
After over a month of the college basketball season, we are starting to get a better picture of what the 2020 NBA Draft will look like.
After over a month of the college basketball season, we are starting to get a better picture of what the 2020 NBA draft will look like.
For example, Georgia Bulldogs freshman Anthony Edwards is beginning to separate himself as a near-consensus No. 1 overall pick. On the other side of the coin, though, several of the projected top selections (LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman, Cole Anthony and RJ Hampton) will miss extended time due to either injury or suspension.
In order to get a better read of the bigger picture, we collected opinions from the top experts and analysts that cover the draft. The latest 2020 NBA mock drafts from ESPN, CBS Sports, SI.com, Bleacher Report, NBADraft.net, The Athletic as well as USA Today Sports Media Group’s Rookie Wire were used for these rankings.
Cassius Winston, Aaron Henry, Xavier Tillman in top-45 of The Athletic's NBA Draft Big Board https://t.co/LFrVsMcvZD
One of the most interesting takeaways is that the Michigan State Spartans have three players (Cassius Winston, Aaron Henry and Xavier Tillman) all trending up.
After making the Final Four in last year’s March Madness, the program was expected to take another leap forward for their 2019-20 campaign.
Despite three losses in their first 10 games, the Spartans still rank No. 15 overall this season. This can be attributed to the fact Michigan State currently has the third-best offense in college basketball, per KenPom.com.
They also have three of the most improved players since our last aggregate mock draft. The full list, and more on each of the MSU players moving up draft boards, is included below.
Since our last AMD, this has moved up 17 spots in our rankings.
Despite already being 21 years old, the 6-foot-1 guard currently has a first-round grade from ESPN as well as Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports.
Winston has been one of the best distributors since he began at MSU. 67.1 percent of all field goals for the Spartans have been assisted, which is the sixth-most among all teams so far this season. His career assist rate (44.1 percent) ranks No. 1 overall among all college players who have played at least 50 games since 2009-10, via Sports-Reference.
With 7 assists today vs Rutgers, Cassius Winston now has the 2nd-most career assists (770) in Big Ten History, passing Illinois’ Bruce Douglas.
Winston is now just 46 assists behind Mateen Cleaves for the conference career record (816). pic.twitter.com/BLzMQGjpzx
During his freshman season, he had the second-best assist rate (46.7 percent) in the NCAA. Then as a sophomore, his assist rate (43.5 percent) trailed only Trae Young for the best in college basketball. Last season, his assist mark (44.8 percent) ranked third-best and behind only Ja Morant among all who played for teams that made the tournament.
But he has also shown strength as one of the more accurate shooters in the NCAA.
Winston was 75-for-151 (49.7 percent) from beyond the arc in 2017-18. That helped him join the exclusive 50-40-90 club for field-goal percentage, three-point percentage and free-throw percentage. Even as a sophomore then, the guard was one of the few to have a membership with at least two three-point attempts per game.
There is some enough NBA readiness to show he can contribute right away for a winning team.
Aaron Henry, Wing
AMD Rank: 33
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Since our last AMD, this has moved up 26 spots in our rankings.
Henry was of the players who helped himself the most during the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Then a freshman, he put up 20 points with 6 rebounds and 6 assists during a victory over LSU.
While he has not yet taken the leap some expected as a sophomore, draft experts still have confidence in him as a prospect. His highest ranking right now comes from Jonathan Wasserman, who has him at No. 28 overall (via Bleacher Report):
“The eye test on Henry looks more convincing than the numbers. He isn’t a high-level creator, which limits him in Michigan State’s offense. But the 6’6″ guard is hitting open shots, capitalizing on driving lanes and making impact defensive plays. This late, teams will overlook Henry’s production for his fit.”
Perhaps the best news for the wing is that there is room for improvement. However, there have also been moments that show what Henry is capable of accomplishing at the next level.
This season, for example, the sophomore has been one of the most effective shooters off the catch. He is averaging 1.78 points per possession on catch-and-shoot attempts in a set offense, per Synergy Sports, which ranks in the 98th percentile.
Henry is also shooting 72.7 percent at the rim, which is an especially solid rate for a wing. Overall, he looks like someone capable of being a 3-and-D player in an NBA rotation.
Xavier Tillman, Big
AMD Rank: 50
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Since our last AMD, this has moved up 13 spots in our rankings.
Michigan State has always been a team that plays better with Tillman on the court. Last season, for example, the big actually had the third-best box plus-minus in the NCAA — trailing only Zion Williamson and Brandon Clarke.
Jeremy Woo recently helped contextualize what professional teams may like about the 6-foot-8 junior (via SI.com):
“Tillman specializes in doing the dirty work and has been a largely unheralded yet invaluable piece of the Spartans’ success dating back to last season. He’s not particularly tall for a center but has a chance to be a quality rotational big in the pros with what he adds defensively and on the glass. Tillman has worked on extending his shooting range, and if he ends up being able to shoot the three, he’ll have a fairly strong window of opportunity as a role player. A lot of the things he does as a screener and defender don’t show up in the box score, and while he’ll never be more than a fourth or fifth offensive option, he might be able to thrive in that capacity.”
His best trait so far this season has been his ability to cut to the basket. He is shooting 15-for-17 (88.2 percent) on these attempts, per Synergy.
But he has also added value on the offensive glass and as a rim protector for Michigan State. His willingness and ability to make the most of time on the floor makes him a draftable professional prospect.
Previewing Monday’s Washington Wizards at Detroit Pistons sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.
The Washington Wizards (7-17) visit the Detroit Pistons (11-15) Monday at Little Caesars Arena. Tip-off is scheduled at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Wizards-Pistons odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.
Wizards at Pistons: Key injuries
Wizards
PG Isaiah Thomas (calf) questionable
SF C.J. Miles (wrist) out
C Moritz Wagner (ankle) out
C Thomas Bryant (foot) out
SG Jordan McRae (finger) out
PG John Wall (Achilles) out
Pistons
C Andre Drummond (eye) questionable
PF Blake Griffin (knee) questionable
PG Reggie Jackson (back) out
SG Khryi Thomas (foot) out
Wizards at Pistons: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Monday at 12:50 p.m. ET.
The Pistons (-223) are sizable favorites coming off a 115-107 road victory over the Houston Rockets Saturday. They’re 6-4 over their last 10 games and 7-6 on home court for the season. The WIZARDS (+180) are on a four-game losing skid and are just 3-11 on the road. I like Washington in an upset spot with the Pistons’ two frontcourt stars in Griffin and Drummond not at 100%. The Wizards won the season’s first head-to-head meeting 115-99 in Washington in early November.
Washington plays to the league’s second-highest pace of 104.90 possessions per game while Detroit is 24th (99.08). The Wizards rank second in the Eastern Conference with 117.4 points per game, and without their top two interior defenders, the Pistons won’t be able to prevent the visitors from putting up an insurmountable score.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Wizards to win outright returns a profit of $18.
The spread is a much safer, if less profitable, play than the moneyline. Back the WIZARDS (+4.5, +105) to stay within 5 points in a loss or to win outright. The Wiz are 12-11 against the spread overall and 7-6 on the road. The Pistons are 11-14 ATS overall but 7-5 at home.
The quicker Wizards will be able to outlast the Pistons, especially if Drummond and Griffin need to sit out. If it’s unable to win outright, Washington will at least be able to add some late points to narrow the score.
Take the OVER 228.5 (-121). Detroit’s marquee injuries will open the paint for the Wizards. The Pistons are likely to rely more heavily on their shooting and, in turn, play to a quicker pace without either or both of the star big men.
The Wizards are 13-10-1 against the Over/Under for the year and top the projections by 8.8 PPG. The Pistons are 14-12 with a neutral point differential against the lines.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
