We're looking to have a big night on an evening in which the NBA presents a loaded slate, with the New York Knicks hosting the Memphis Grizzlies and the Denver Nuggets playing the Utah Jazz in a doubleheader on ESPN.
1. Orlando Magic at Indiana Pacers - 7:00 p.m. ET
The Magic are a lot more talented than their record suggests, as they are actually loaded with high draft picks that are starting to play some good basketball. The backcourt of Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony is one that can go out and compete with anyone, and the two of them should play well against a Pacers team that is missing Malcolm Brogdon tonight. However, Orlando's frontcourt of Wendell Carter Jr. and Mo Bamba should be the X-factor in this contest. The two of them really have a chance to feast tonight, with Indiana being without its three-best centers: Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner and Goga Bitadze. Orlando also happens to be 3-2 against the spread in its last five games, and Indiana is just 1-8 against the spread versus Southeast division opponents this season. The Magic also have the luxury of throwing Franz Wagner on whichever Pacers wing has the hot hand. Wagner is an excellent perimeter defender.
THE PICK: Magic +4
2. Memphis Grizzlies at New York Knicks - 7:30 p.m. ET
The Grizzlies are a much better team than the Knicks right now, but New York is still capable of going out there and winning some big games — especially in front of what should be an insane Madison Square Garden atmosphere. The fans are going to come out with a lot of energy with Ja Morant being on the floor tonight, and Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks are going to be hoping to spoil the show. Over the last two seasons, New York is actually 58-34 against the spread when facing teams that average at least 23.0 assists per game. The Knicks are also facing a Grizzlies team that is 6-17 against the spread when coming off a loss by 6 or fewer points over the last three seasons. On top of that, New York played lights out basketball in the second half of the year last season, and the team is due for a slight turnaround this year. Perhaps this is a game in which Julius Randle will come through for the Knicks.
THE PICK: Knicks +4
3. Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz - 10:00 p.m. ET
The Jazz are going to be without Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert tonight, and they also lost Joe Ingles for the season just a few days ago. So, despite the fact that the Nuggets are coming off a 15-point loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves last night, it's hard to imagine them losing two in a row. With Gobert out, Nikola Jokic should be able to dominate this game and an impactful triple-double is more than likely. If Hassan Whiteside ends up missing this one, it could get really ugly for the Jazz around the basket. The Nuggets also happen to be 17-5 against the spread when playing on the road after a loss to a division opponent under head coach Mike Malone. The Jazz are also 8-17 against the spread when playing at home this year, which is pretty shocking. Utah usually has one of the best home-court advantages in the league, but that hasn't been the case thus far. Look for Denver to go out there and really take it to Utah, and don't be surprised if the Nuggets win this one outright.
THE PICK: Nuggets +6.5
