As the NBA season continues forward, Saturday brings us a basketball bonanza with seven captivating games on the schedule. The matchup I'm most excited about is the one between the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns, which will be on ABC. With star players like Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, among others, this game promises a showcase of talent. However, from a betting perspective, my focus will be on a few other games.
Here are some of my favorite bets for Saturday:
Nic Claxton over 24.5 points, rebounds and assists: The Hornets have been an abomination on defense all season, ranking 28th in points allowed per 100 possessions. The game between the Nets and Hornets has the lowest point total on the slate, but Claxton can contribute to multiple statistical categories. He has cleared this line in four of his past five games. The Hornets rank near the bottom of the league in points allowed (20th), rebounds allowed (27th), and assists per game allowed (26th) to centers.
Mikal Bridges over 3.5 assists: The Hornets rank 26th in assists per game allowed. Bridges has surpassed this line in 11 of his past 20 games and in 54% of his games this season. He has also cleared this line in two games against the Hornets. Bridges has had a usage rate of 25.7% in games without Ben Simmons this season.
Cade Cunningham over 7.5 assists: He has cleared this line in six of his past 10 games. The Pistons and Mavericks have the highest point total on the slate and neither of these teams are great on defense. Plus, they both play at a fast pace. Dallas ranks 22nd in assists per game allowed and 27th in fast-break points. These are all great conditions for Cunningham to shine as a facilitator.
Draymond Green over 15.5 points and assists: The Spurs have been a mess defensively. The Warriors are 10.5-point favorites against San Antonio. Although Green has surpassed this line in only six of his past 20 games, he has now cleared it in two consecutive games. Green should shine at home against a Spurs team that ranks 30th in points allowed per game to centers.
Aaron Gordon over 17.5 points and assists: The Nuggets are 12.5-point favorites, but Gordon's line is still low enough for him to clear it. The Jazz rank 26th in points allowed per 100 possessions. Gordon has cleared this line in six of his past 10 games. It's also worth mentioning that he's surpassed this line in 10 out of the 16 games in which the Nuggets have won by 10-plus points this season. Gordon should also benefit from Lauri Markkanen having been ruled out.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope over 14.5 points, rebounds and assists: He's playing well and has cleared this line in 13 of his past 20 games. Caldwell-Pope also has the added benefit of facing the Jazz on his home court. He's exceeded this line in four out of his past five home games.
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com.
Chicago Bulls at LA Clippers4 p.m. Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
Records (Against the Spread)
Bulls: 31-32 (33-29-1)
Clippers: 40-21 (31-30-0)
Line: Clippers (-7.5) Total: 220.5
Money Line: Bulls (+230), Clippers (-280)
BPI Projection: Clippers by 5.1, straight up 68%, 230.3 total points.
Injury report:
Bulls: Lonzo Ball, (OUT - Knee); Patrick Williams, (OUT - Foot); Zach LaVine, (OUT - Foot)
Clippers: James Harden, (GTD - Shoulder); Kawhi Leonard, (GTD - Groin); Paul George, (GTD - Knee); Russell Westbrook, (OUT - Hand)
Brooklyn Nets at Charlotte Hornets7 p.m. Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
Records (Against the Spread)
Nets: 25-38 (28-32-3)
Hornets: 15-48 (25-38-0)
Line: Nets (-6.5) Total: 207.5
Money Line: Nets (-230), Hornets (+190)
BPI Projection: Nets by 7, straight up 73%, 224.7 total points.
Injury report:
Nets: Cam Thomas, (GTD - Ankle); Day'Ron Sharpe, (GTD - Wrist); Cameron Johnson, (OUT - Ankle); Ben Simmons, (OUT - Back); Dariq Whitehead, (OUT - Lower Leg)
Hornets: Tre Mann, (GTD - Groin); LaMelo Ball, (OUT - Ankle); Cody Martin, (OUT - Ankle); Mark Williams, (OUT - Back); Seth Curry, (OUT - Ankle)
Dallas Mavericks at Detroit Pistons7 p.m. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
Records (Against the Spread)
Mavericks: 35-28 (34-29-0)
Pistons: 10-52 (31-30-1)
Line: Mavericks (-7.5) Total: 235.5
Money Line: Mavericks (-270), Pistons (+220)
BPI Projection: Mavericks by 4.6, straight up 66%, 232.3 total points.
Injury report:
Mavericks: Luka Doncic, (GTD - Elbow); Dereck Lively II, (OUT - Personal)
Pistons: Quentin Grimes, (GTD - Knee)
Boston Celtics at Phoenix Suns8:30 p.m. Footprint Center, Phoenix
Records (Against the Spread)
Celtics: 48-14 (31-28-3)
Suns: 37-26 (26-36-1)
Line: Celtics (-5.5) Total: 226.5
Money Line: Celtics (-210), Suns (+180)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 5.7, straight up 70%, 232.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Jaylen Brown, (GTD - Pelvis); Jayson Tatum, (GTD - Ankle); Neemias Queta, (GTD - Knee)
Suns: Devin Booker, (GTD - Ankle); Josh Okogie, (OUT - Abdomen); Nassir Little, (OUT - Knee); Damion Lee, (OUT - Knee)
San Antonio Spurs at Golden State Warriors8:30 p.m. Chase Center, San Francisco
Records (Against the Spread)
Spurs: 13-50 (30-32-1)
Warriors: 33-29 (33-27-2)
Line: Warriors (-9.5) Total: 228.5
Money Line: Spurs (+360), Warriors (-450)
BPI Projection: Warriors by 9.2, straight up 79%, 233.3 total points.
Injury report:
Spurs: Cedi Osman, (OUT - Ankle); Victor Wembanyama, (OUT - Ankle); Charles Bassey, (OUT - Knee)
Warriors: Trayce Jackson-Davis, (GTD - Ankle); Stephen Curry, (OUT - Ankle)
Utah Jazz at Denver Nuggets9 p.m. Ball Arena, Denver
Records (Against the Spread)
Jazz: 28-35 (35-28-0)
Nuggets: 43-20 (28-33-2)
Line: Nuggets (-12.5) Total: 228.5
Money Line: Jazz (+570), Nuggets (-800)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 7.9, straight up 76%, 229.6 total points.
Injury report:
Jazz: Keyonte George, (GTD - Illness); Otto Porter Jr., (GTD - Not Injury Related); Walker Kessler, (GTD - Foot); Lauri Markkanen, (OUT - Quadriceps); Taylor Hendricks, (OUT - Toe)
Nuggets: Nikola Jokic, (GTD - Arm); Vlatko Cancar, (OUT - Knee)
Toronto Raptors at Portland Trail Blazers10 p.m. Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
Records (Against the Spread)
Raptors: 23-40 (30-33-0)
Blazers: 17-45 (29-33-0)
Line: raptors (-2.5) Total: 227.5
Money Line: Raptors (-135), Blazers (+115)
BPI Projection: Raptors by 1, straight up 54%, 228.4 total points.
Injury report:
Raptors: Bruce Brown, (OUT - Knee); D.J. Carton, (OUT - Ankle); Jakob Poeltl, (OUT - Finger); Scottie Barnes, (OUT - Hand)
Blazers: Deandre Ayton, (GTD - Hand); Jabari Walker, (GTD - Hip); Jerami Grant, (GTD - Hamstring); Scoot Henderson, (GTD - Thigh); Malcolm Brogdon, (OUT - Elbow); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT - Abdomen); Robert Williams III, (OUT - Knee)