This article is part of our NBA Picks series.
Alex Barutha
Nikola Jokic over 47.5 points+rebounds+assists (-113) vs. MEM -- FanDuel (1:40 PM CT)
With starting center Jonas Valanciunas out, Memphis will likely start 6-foot-8 Xavier Tillman against Jokic. The reserve options aren't inspiring, either. The MVP-favorite should have no problem dismantling a Grizzlies defense that doesn't appear capable of stopping him. Over Jokic's past eight games, he's averaged 45.0 P+R+A. Expecting him to get three more combined P+R+A against Tillman and the Grizzlies seems well within reason.
Nick Whalen
Kevin Love over 14.5 points (-106) at DET -- DraftKings (2:06 PM CT)
Love has gone under this number in his last two games, but one of those contests was a blowout, and in the other, he went just 2-of-10 from beyond the arc. With Detroit on the schedule tonight, the game shouldn't be at risk of getting out of hand. Love is essentially cleared for a full workload at this point (he played 30 minutes Saturday), and the Cavs won't have Larry Nance (personal). Going up against an inexperienced Pistons frontcourt, I like Love's chances to approach 20 points for the first time this season.
Bradley Beal over 1.5 made three-pointers (-180) vs. OKC -- DraftKings
Beal is averaging north of 27 points per game since the start of March, but he's hitting only 1.8 threes per game during that 17-game stretch. His 5.4 attempts per game are a bit lower than you'd expect from a modern, high-scoring shooting guard, but Beal has increased his volume of late, taking 6.5 threes per game over his last four contests. He's hit multiple threes in four of those games while going a combined 1-of-14 from deep in the other two. Assuming that volume sustains tonight, Beal should have a great chance to hit multiple threes against a Thunder team playing without its best defender (by far) in Lu Dort.
