As we ring in the New Year, here are three games worth taking on the first Monday of 2023. Happy New Year to everyone from the Sporting Base!
Phoenix Suns @ New York Knicks–3 PM ET
In a rare Monday matinee, the New York Knicks (19-18) are hosting the Phoenix Suns (20-17) at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Suns have dropped to seventh in the West, while the Knicks are eighth in the East.
My Pick:
The Suns are desperately missing star shooting guard Devin Booker, who is out with a groin injury. So far this season the Kentucky product was averaging a career high 27.1 points per game. Phoenix struggled in their last game against the Toronto Raptors in a 113-104 loss, and I expect much the same on Monday. Take the Knicks at -1. The total line right now is 224. The Suns and Knicks have been involved in games with more than 224 points in four of their last five contests. Take the over.
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San Antonio Spurs @ Brooklyn Nets–7:30 PM ET
The Nets and Spurs have reverse records this season. The Nets are 24-12, and the Spurs are 12-24.
My Pick:
The Nets are 12.5 point favourites against the Spurs on Monday. In their last two home wins, Brooklyn clobbered Golden State 143-113 on December 21 and then Milwaukee 118-100 on December 23. It also helps to pick the Nets when they have won their last 11. The total line at the moment is 236.5. The Spurs have been involved in games with 237 points or more in each of their last six contests, so take the over.
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Dallas Mavericks @ Houston Rockets– 8 PM ET
In this all-Texas matchup, the Houston Rockets (10-26) host the Dallas Mavericks (21-16). Houston is worst in the West, with the Charlotte Hornets (10-27) and Detroit Pistons (10-29) as the only two teams that are worse in the NBA.
My Pick:
Literally, what can we say about Luca Doncic? The man is on fire. Take Dallas at -10.5 and the over at 224.5. In their last meeting head-to-head, the Mavericks beat the Rockets by 15 points–129-114 on Thursday. Doncic had a triple double in that contest (35 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds).
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