What’s up yall it’s Andrew Awad with today’s NBA picks on Jock MKT Pick’em. Hope you followed my last plays because we are stacking some CASH today. Love this NBA slate tonight but most of all I like the Lakers/Nets game for a bunch of reasons:
N. Claxton O 2.5 Blocks
Claxton has been a force to be reckoned with protecting the rim for Nets since Kevin Durant’s injury earlier this month. The 23-year-old center has recorded 7 blocks over the last 3 games and another seven in the two games before that. That brings his season average to 2.7 blocks per game and a resounding 3.2 blocks per game over the last 10 game split. With both LeBron James and Anthony Davis sidelined with injuries, expect Claxton to continue to feast on the defensive end tonight in Los Angeles. We like the over on this one.
Patrick Beverly O 1 Steals
With a depleted Lakers team, expect Beverley to play a heavy load tonight. The tenacious defender has at least 2 steals in three of his last four contests and with Kevin Durant sidelined by injury, expect Beverly to take advantage. Moreover, with Simmons out, the Nets are short on ball handlers, making the over for Beverley’s steals good pick tonight. Hammer it.
Troy Brown Jr. O 1.5 3-PT made
Expect Brown to take full advantage of Lebron and Davis being on the official injury report for tonight, excelling where he does most, on the offensive side of the court. Brown Jr. may only be splashing the long ball at a 33% clip this season, but against Brooklyn over his career, that number jumps to an impressive 50%. In the last 5 contests, Brown has 28 3-point attempts over the last 5 games, and that was with Lebron on the floor. Expect Brown to shoot at high volume tonight, taking advantage of his increased touches as he looks to continue to torch Brooklyn on the 3-ball, picking up where he has left off when playing them during his career.
N. Claxton O 11.5 Rebounds
Averaging 11.1 rebounds this season, Claxton should far exceed that number with Lakers’ top rebounders Lebron James and Anthony Davis on the bench tonight. Claxton has been hitting on all cylinders with Kyrie as of late, tallying a double-double in four straight games. Last night against the Knicks, Claxton stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 blocks while improving on his NBA-best field goal percentage by going 6-6 from the field. Expect another big night from Claxton as his rebound total has gone as high a 15 this month. Go heavy on the Over in this one.