Once again Brooklyn outright is tempting in itself. The Nets were trounced at the hands of the Clippers last night who improved to a NBA best 10-1 overall this season. The Nets playing a back-to-back off a bad loss is likely the narrative driving this market. However, the Nets have been in this situation before and they still managed to prove on many occasions this year that they are often undervalued. The misconception here is that the Lakers and the Clippers are comparable. The Clippers are a far better basketball team compared to their inner-city rivals. The Lakers were in the running for the worst record in the NBA in 2015, now a couple of impressive wins and some shown improvement has driven this club to a point where they have a propensity to be overvalued against the very teams they were compared to just a season ago. The Nets were in this predicament just a few days ago against Phoenix. The Suns were spotting points to the Nets and Phoenix lost at home outright much to the disdain of the public who were all over them. Brooklyn is set up perfectly for a great bounce-back play.

The play on Brooklyn outright is almost tempting in itself as this market is a direct reflection of an overreaction to a red-hot Los Angeles. The Nets have already proven on a several occasions this year that no matter who they are up against, they are a tough task to handle. The Nets have taken down some good basketball teams already this year, most notably Indiana and Detroit. Nevertheless, LA’s portfolio of victories has left many spellbound and that is the motor behind this market. For the most part, Brooklyn has been in every game they lost this year and they could easily be 7-2 if a few bounces went their way. Los Angeles’s run is certainly impressive but this impression will almost guarantee takers are forced to pay a heavy price if they wish to take this unit back at home. We will have none of that. In the 2015-16 campaign, Brooklyn lost by no more than 10 points against the Clips and this team is far better in 2016.

In a situation where we see two teams both entering on losing streaks, taking the points seems to be the most viable solution. Orlando and Oklahoma have had some tussles for the ages in the 2015-16 season as both games were settled by a margin of three points in the last two encounters. In fact, one of the contests between Orlando and Oklahoma went to overtime where a combined 275 points were scored. If both teams’ offense get going, this one can be all the makings of a donnybrook with every possession bearing significance. Traditionally, both teams leave the defense at home and rely on their playmakers to catalyze the attack. For OKC, it’s Russell Westbrook. For Orlando, it’s Victor Oladipo. Both of these playmakers can be instrumental in turning the tide of the game and given the fact Oklahoma City has struggled as of late, way too many points to pass up with Orlando looking for a resurgence.

Despite what went down on Wednesday, the Nets are undoubtedly a different basketball team. This franchise has adopted a new attitude and as a result they own some impressive wins on their resume even if they are 3-5. The Suns while they are an excellent basketball team in the own right, but they are 3-6 because their defense can’t finish games. Phoenix can score with the best of them but they can also give up as many points as they attain. Brooklyn will certainly take advantage of this but perhaps adapt a different approach limiting Phoenix’s possessions. As a result, the Under is an excellent play in this market against public perception. Given Phoenix’s lack of defense, this basketball team should not be spotting this quantity of points to anyone.

The 76ers are the black sheep of the NBA, as they have been for the previous few seasons. They are due for a win here and have played the role well of being the league’s snake-bitten dog. What is most riveting about this market is the position being taken here on the number offered. Indy requires more points spotting juice than Philly taking back points, yet so many are willing to spot the points and drink the glass. Nevertheless a contrarian angle is usually very fruitful when dealing with a pooch as maligned as Philly. The 76ers often take back more points than they need and this is reflected in their 4-3 record ATS showcasing the fact they are often undervalued. We will be academic here and play the numbers, Philly with the points is the call.

When you see the catalogue of results that Lob City has put together, you can’t help but be impressed. However, this impression will leave a mark on the psyche of takers and thus create a psychological vulnerability. Bottom line, Portland and LA are both playing with hot hands and the result yielded on October 27th in Portland is more or less ancient history now as teams begin to settle in to regular season form. Los Angeles is a tough team to beat at home but that doesn’t scare Portland by the least. The Blazers have gone in to Memphis and beat the Grizzlies in a very rowdy environment out-muscling them in a physical game against expectation. Los Angeles’ stock is through the ceiling at the moment and thus with that being said the market is banking off the reactions of takers on the West’s current top dog. Perfect time to lay that angle and take the Blazers.

Cleveland has found themselves in games with teams they were supposed to blow out more and more and this season has worn on. Case and point, Philadelphia. The Cavaliers could have lost the game outright after leading by 18 at halftime against the 76ers. The final score would be a margin of one point separating both squads. Atlanta will come in to this contest and try to control the ball complemented by sound defense. With respect to this, the Under is also tasty play given the fact the Hawks will be successful in slowing the game down unless Cleveland opens the contest up early. The state of Cleveland is all the more nebulous given the fact they are getting closer and closer to a defeat against teams they are forecasted to trounce setting up takers for a huge potential let-down especially in Money Line markets. Cleveland at home is a premium play and thus the price here is likely inflated, perfect time to take the points and the Hawks.

The Warriors are renowned for their home court advantage at the Oracle Arena but since Cleveland took them down twice at home in the NBA Finals to defeat the Warriors, Golden State has seemed to have lost its edge in Oakland. Nothing signifies this more what transpired on opening night when San Antonio had their way with an apparently better Golden State team. Golden State is going to find itself in many positions this year where the selling point is that they are at the Oracle Arena and thus the points will be inflated, especially against teams like New Orleans. We will be sure to attack that angle every chance we get.

Playing three games in two days is a tough gig for any team. When you take a team from the Great North and send them across the country through two time zones and that team may be a bit beleaguered entering the contest. Sure, Dallas hasn’t won a game yet this season but they are hungry for their first win and this is a prime opportunity given the circumstances combined with the fact they get the Buckaroos at home. There is no denying that the Bucks are an improved basketball team but they are a .500 team on the road so far this season. Dallas has weapons on their roles and this cannot be overlooked by virtue of their difficult start. This team is still undergoing the rigors of finding chemistry as there are some new faces in the Metroplex. Derron Williams, Harrison Barnes and Wesley Matthews came in to Dallas while Tyson Chandler and Chandler Parsons have shipped out and they simply have to sort these changes out. Nevertheless, Dallas is in a great spot here with a potentially tired Milwaukee coming to town.

When we get a team on a winning streak that comes in off an impressive victory against a formidable opponent at home, we can’t help but endeavor and desire to take a look. When you throw in the fact, this same team is playing host to a squad with three straight losses while spotting minimal points and we will certainly buy in. Sacramento is a bit of a riddle. The Kings have the talent but they cannot produce the wins on the court. The same can be said for Milwaukee but so far, it is the Deers that have been endearing. Yet in public eye, the Kings are the sexier pick. California’s Capital City has DeMarcus Cousins on the court and while he has heralded as one of the game’s best centers, the fact he goes against a Milwaukee team that is sometimes called ‘soft’. Nevertheless the Bucks went muzzle to muzzle with a physical Indiana and had their way. This Bucks team has a new attitude and it is translating to the court. Milwaukee will look to continue their success.

The Clippers have taken advantage of playing some of the Western Conference’s weakest teams at home to start off the 2016-17 season. Now, they have to step out of their comfort zone and enter in to a rowdy environment where home court advantage may actually be on the table. Memphis feeds off their crowd and the FedEx Forum can be pulsing with energy. The Clippers may have the offensive credentials and employ an acrobatic and theatric West Coast style, but that means nothing to Memphis. The Grizzlies love to play physical and fundamental defense. Look no further than starters Tony Allen and Mike Conley, both players with a renowned reputation for sticking opponents and harboring a resentful style of basketball that can be outright intimidating. The market is implying this is going to be a low scoring affair for good reason and if this is the case, this plays perfectly in to Memphis’ hand. If their defense dictates, not only can Memphis cover but they can pull off the upset altogether.

Indiana has suffered both of their two losses on the road this season away from Indianapolis. Indiana has fallen on the road to the Brooklyn Nets, regarded as a team on the same level as Milwaukee in terms of pecking order within the Eastern Conference. Milwaukee and Indiana sit at the same record but Milwaukee is likely more battle tested in the early going. The Buckaroos have gone on the road to both Detroit and New Orleans and gone 1-1 during that span. Conversely, the Bucks also faced off with two playoff teams in aforementioned Detroit and Charlotte, accounting for their two losses. With this being said, Milwaukee is likely waiting for an opportunity to stretch their legs against Indiana as they have some robust and young talent in their ranks set for take-off. Indiana is not conveniently priced in this market out of kindness from the book. No this outfit is perceived as vulnerable on the road even if they have guys like Paul George and Jeff Teague running the court. Look for Milwaukee to be formidable in this one and take the Pacers every step of the way in this Central Division clash.

It’s easy to ride the team with the hot hand as Detroit has rattled off their last three in a row after losing to Toronto in the season opener. However, take a careful look at who Detroit has beaten: Milwaukee, Orlando and New York, three of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference in 2015. The same cannot be said for Brooklyn whose 1-3 record reflects the Nets going against some heavy hitters in the early going. Brooklyn owns a win at home over the Indiana Pacers, a team that for all intent and purposes can be regarded as a playoff contender again in 2016. Furthermore, two of Brooklyn’s three defeats came on the road. Brooklyn was given the daunted task of squaring off with Boston in the TD Garden to kick off the regular season. Boston is another team the books love as a second option for the East after the obvious choice Cleveland, yet Brooklyn managed to put 117 points and hang around as a heavy pooch. Detroit is not a good enough team to be spotting points on the road just quite yet and while they are we will take full advantage.

Both teams bank on shooting well and either two sides are cold night away from having an off performance. The amount of points in the Over/Under is nearly superfluous as the forecast is calling for both teams to eclipse 110 points each. While this is certainly plausible it is quite a risky play nevertheless. Overall, it is expected for the Warriors to be a trendy play be that they set records in 2015 and have a star-studded cast of players including one Kevin Durant. Nevertheless, so far the experiment has not yielded the dominance anticipated with the Warriors in the early going. Bottom line, Portland has the chemistry and home field advantage working in their favor. While Portland can actually pull off the upset, they can certainly make this one close as expected. Phoenix is a great barometer to measure Golden State against as they like Portland live and die by their offense. Golden State had their hands full with Phoenix, it is not unfathomable to imagine the same happening in Rip City.

The Nuggets are a team that can be exceptionally dangerous if they are taken lightly by any stretch. This team has a plethora of talent and while Toronto may have the shiny All-Star candidate names on their starting roles, Mudiay and Barton may soon be the next big thing to hit the NBA in terms of back court duos. To complement the duo of Barton and Mudiay, the Nuggets have even more athletes at their disposal in bench roles. Most notably, the Nuggets have employed the services of Small Forward Wilson Chandler and Power Forward Kenneth Faried. While many may speak of the potency of Toronto’s offense, this does not bear much consequence to Denver who enjoys applying a similar approach. Denver will let opponents score as much as they so desire as the Nuggets are a team that enjoy bursts of offense that can be outright explosive. The Nuggets can certainly keep this one close if at nothing else pull off the upset.

The Suns have an opportunity to make a statement here early in the season as they are far more talented than many perceive. The Suns have a sniper in point man Eric Bledsoe and if this game evolves in to an offensive-oriented affair, the Suns have the capability to get tit for tat with anyone in the league, this includes the hallowed defending Western Conference Champions. Golden State has had their fair share of road struggles even when they were on their historic run in 2015 as the Warriors lost 7 of their 9 losses on the road away from the Oracle Arena. The Total Line in this market says it all as this one is expected to be all scoring. Expect Phoenix to hang around in this one.

The Magic have a very potent offense despite sporting the abysmal 0-2 mark. The Magic have a reputation as being one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference, combining this with the fact they are going to Cleveland where the Cavs seem virtually un-beatable and this does not help their cause by any stretch. Nevertheless, there is enough wiggle room in this market for Orlando to keep this game closer than forecasted while furthering the home court advantage narrative that Cavs enthusiasts bank on. Nevertheless, a back-to-back is tough for any NBA team to navigate no matter who they are playing and the stock on Cleveland is through the ceiling, perfect time for a fade.

Toronto had a four-game home winning streak against the Cavaliers until Cleveland abolished that trend with style in the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals. One result isn’t going to change our stance especially when we consider the fact that this is the beginning of the season where we no longer have to deal with the intangibles of post-season experience. This game is of little consequence to either team in the early going but nevertheless, Cleveland is more prone for a “Championship Hangover” while Toronto may feel they have something to prove and avenge in spite of last season’s outcome. The Raps have about as good as a back court as any team in the NBA. When Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan get going, they are very difficult to beat. Look for the Great White North to power the Raps to a victory as Toronto will look to make a statement after last year’s heartbreaking conclusion.

Even with Paul and Griffin returning the starting ranks, the Clips are no shoe-in for a win here. Portland has some weapons of their own in Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. The duo of guards can proliferate points at will and may be prime to take advantage of a typical west coast defense which allows for a offense oriented the game. The proof is in the numbers as the books are expecting this one to be a donnybrook. Portland’s defense is typically porous in their own right but nevertheless we have to go with the team here with the notable home court advantage and fade the public in the process. No one knows how Griffin and Paul will play in their first game back and jumping all over the Clips by virtue of this precept is a risky play.

This game will likely be a classic for all the ages. While we cannot see Golden State losing this game outright, we can see this outfit having great trouble with putting Cleveland away. Initially, we were going to target an overreaction to the Cleveland resurgence but it seems that the sharp money has swarmed that opening line and late steam has been coming in on Golden State since. Line movements do not show this, but the overall changes in consensus may reflect this. This contest is basically one that is right down the middle in terms of outcome with teams against the spread. With this being said, we will play this one cautiously and lean on Cleveland with the points as that would be the academic move. On the contrary, the public's propensity for the over is a great target for us to set our sights on and opens the door for a "best bet" situation in taking the under, as we would expect Golden State to play a defensive game and force Cleveland to overcome their physical defense and raucous home crowd.