🔒NBA Rundown – 12/15/2024

NBA Rundown – 12/15/2024

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Indiana Pacers

• 4:00 PM ET

New Orleans: Ranks 2nd worst against RA, 4th worst against LC3, 8th worst against RC3, 6th worst against ATB three

Indiana:  Ranks 5th worst against RA, 6th worst against LC3

Y Missi could be in play for 15+ points for New Orleans. 

D. Murray is also in play for assists.  Murray is averaging 14+ potentials over his last 3.

Tyrese Haliburton is also in play for assists.  He is also right around 14 potentials per game and this is a really good matchup for PG assists.

I like Obi Toppin for 3 threes.  He should be able to get some volume from the corners and could get a few looks from ATB as well.

B. Mathurin is probably my favorite play for points.  As always, there is big boom/bust any time we play Mathurin.  He could be good for 20+ in this spot. 

Boston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards

• 5:00 PM ET

Boston:  Ranks 6th worst against non-RA

Washington:  Ranks 8th worst against RA, 4th worst against non-RA, 10th worst against ATB 

Major blowout potential.  I’m not touching Washington.

I like Jaylen Brown for a big game here due to his RA and non-RA scoring ability.  K. Porzingis is also in play for points. 

No team allows more assists to the PF position and Tatum leads the team with nearly 13 potentials over the last few games.  It’s honestly a good spot for his rebounds too, so it could be a triple double watch, but I’m concerned he won’t get full minutes with a blowout likely.

New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic

• 5:00 PM ET

NY Knicks: Ranks 2nd worst against LC3, 9th worst against RC3

Orlando:  

K. Caldwell-Pope is in play for 3 threes.  He should get some looks from the left corner.  He could knock down 3-4.  

I would expect J. Brunson to lead the Knicks in scoring but nothing really pops against a good Orlando defense.  

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs

• 6:00 PM ET

Minnesota:  Ranks 9th worst against mid-range

San Antonio:  Ranks 8th worst against non-RA, last against mid-range, 3rd worst against ATB

It’s probably an Anthony Edwards game.  J. Randle pops from the non-RA, but I like Edward’s chances from the mid-range and ATB.  He could go for 30+.  

Chris Paul is averaging 20+ potentials over his last 3.  The matchup is decent for PG assist output, so you could look there.

I don’t really see any big spots on paper for the Spurs offense, so they will need a team effort in the scoring department.

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Phoenix Suns

• 7:00 PM ET

Portland:  Ranks 3rd worst against RA

Phoenix:  Ranks 9th worst against ATB

It’s not a bad spot for Bradley Beal, who is leading this Phoenix team in RA scoring over the last 8 games.  Durant’s return to the lineup does complicate things, but Beal could go for 20 in this game. 

Devin Booker is averaging 14+ potential assists over his last 3 and this is a good matchup for him.  He could get 7 assists in this spot. 

I think A. Simons is the only person in play for Portland and it’s not something I would take.  He could knock down a handful of threes from ATB.  

One other interesting spot for Portland would be D. Banton for assists.  Phoenix allows a lot of assists to opposing PFs and Banton is averaging 8 potentials per game over his last 3, which is right up there with D. Sabonis and B. Adebayo.  He could get 3-5 assists here.  

Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors

• 7:30 PM ET
• NBA TV

Dallas:  Ranks 3rd worst against non-RA, 3rd worst against RC3

Golden State:  Ranks last against non-RA, 3rd worst against mid-range, 10th worst against LC3, 6th worst against RC3

You can look at Klay Thompson for corner threes.  We have the revenge narrative as well and he knocked down 6 in the first matchup against GS this season.

I would look at Luka as the best option for overall scoring for the Mavericks.  I wish I could recommend Kyrie because I actually like his matchup better, but he just doesn’t shoot nearly as much with Luka in the lineup, even though he’s incredibly efficient with his shooting right now (50% FG, 47% 3-Point).  

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers

• 8:30 PM ET

Memphis:  Ranks 10th worst against RA

LA Lakers:  Ranks 6th worst against RA, 8th worst against LC3, 5th worst against RC3, 8th worst against ATB

I like Anthony Davis to lead the Lakers in scoring.  

We will have to see Lebron’s status, as he could have nice rebound/assist output if he plays. 

Give me Santi Aldama again for 15-20 points.  The guy always produces when I mention him and this matchup really bodes well for what he has to offer.  

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