We're looking to turn in another winning night with this evening's Three at 3, and we're targeting the TNT doubleheader in which the Atlanta Hawks host the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Los Angeles Clippers in a battle for L.A.
1. Miami Heat at San Antonio Spurs - 7:00 p.m. ET
The Spurs are coming off an absolutely embarrassing loss to the Golden State Warriors, who were playing without Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green. Now, San Antonio will look to put that performance in the rearview mirror by coming out and playing at a high level against the Heat. The Spurs definitely have their work cut out for them in this one, but they do have a lot of talent in their backcourt. Dejounte Murray is questionable for San Antonio in this game, but the team still has Derrick White, Lonnie Walker and Devin Vassell. All of them are threats to play well on any given night. Keldon Johnson also has the size and ability to give Jimmy Butler some trouble in this one. Overall, it just isn't hard to envision a scenario in which the Spurs keep this game close. Over the last two seasons, the Spurs are 35-21 against the spread when coming off a game in which they failed to cover. They've actually won those games by an average of 1.5 points per game, but they just have to lose by five or less here.
THE PICK: Spurs +8 (Murray and Poeltl are now confirmed out for San Antonio)
2. Phoenix Suns at Atlanta Hawks - 7:30 p.m. ET
The Hawks could ultimately be without Trae Young in tonight's game, as the superstar is questionable with an injured shoulder. That, however, wouldn't rule out a cover for Atlanta in this game. The Hawks are actually 7-1 against the spread in their last eight games, and they gave the Toronto Raptors a run for their money without Young in their last game. The home team is also 6-0 both straight-up and against the spread in the last six meetings between the Suns and Hawks, and this Phoenix team is going to have to cool down eventually. The Suns are getting every team's best shot right now, yet the team has still won 11 in a row. That winning streak doesn't even have to end for Hawks bettors to cash in here. This has all the makings of a close game, with the Suns having to head to the other side of the country for the first game of a four-game road trip. Atlanta's outside shooting with Kevin Huerter and Bogdan Bogdanovic could come up huge in this one, and the center duo of Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu is also going to be big. The Suns usually have a massive advantage inside, but that won't be the case here. Also, Huerter's defense could end up being important, as he has the tools to make Devin Booker uncomfortable. De'Andre Hunter can also do some work on the defensive end, as he can handle a big wing assignment.
THE PICK: Hawks +4
3. Los Angeles Lakers at Los Angeles Clippers - 10:00 p.m. ET
The Lakers are coming off a hard-fought victory over the Portland Trail Blazers last night, and they now have to play on back-to-back nights and are facing an extremely tough Clippers squad. The Clippers are sixth in the league in defensive rating on the year, and the Lakers have struggled to get their offense going without LeBron James — the superstar is out for the next couple of games with knee swelling. With that being the case, it's hard to imagine Frank Vogel's team generating enough offense to win this game. That's especially true against a Clippers team that takes this matchup personally and goes for blood against its cross-town rival. The Lakers are also 4-16 against the spread when coming off a game in which they gave up 95 or fewer points over the last two seasons. Meanwhile, the Clippers are 26-10 against the spread in home games with a total of 220 or more since the start of last season. Keep an eye out for Luke Kennard in this game. With the Clippers being a defensive-minded team, you never know exactly where their offense will come from with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard out. It wouldn't be surprising if Kennard comes up big against an undisciplined Lakers defense.
THE PICK: Clippers -2.5
