Accuscore - NBA - Bart Lopez
Utah Jazz at New York Knicks: Over 196 points
This is a game between two teams that don’t play very good defense. The Knicks give up 95.3 points per game, good for 16th in the league. The Jazz are worse at 23rd in the league with 96.8 points surrendered per game. 196 points is a good amount, 98 per team, but I’m expecting this game to end up in the 100’s. AccuScore has the combined total being 200 points, and gives the over pick a 56.2 percent chance of success.
Portland Trail Blazers (+1) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder is a one point road favorite, which sets up a very appealing home underdog game. The last time these two teams played, the Blazers won by ten on the road. LaMarcus Aldridge punished the Thunders’ front court, scoring 30 points and grabbing eight rebounds. The Thunder are a very good team, but I like the Blazers at home, in front of an intense home crowd that makes the lives of opposing teams very difficult. AccuScore’s forecast has Portland winning by three points.