This article is part of our NBA Picks series.
Alex Barutha
Clint Capela OVER 30.5 points+rebounds (-118) vs. WAS -- FanDuel (1:29 PM CT)
Capela has slowed down a bit lately, as he's averaged just 12.1 points and 11.5 rebounds in 27.9 minutes across his past eight games. However, he's been in some tough matchups against good big men, including Domantas Sabonis, Deandre Ayton, Jusuf Nurkic, Nikola Vucevic and Joel Embiid twice. Monday's game against the Wizards is a great get-right spot for Capela, who was averaging 15.7 points and 14.7 rebounds before this recent stretch. Washington's center rotation -- Alex Len, Robin Lopez and Daniel Gafford -- is among the worst in the NBA.
Nick Whalen
Pelicans +9 (-110) at MEM -- DraftKings (1:21 PM CT)
The Pelicans will once again be without their entire starting frontcourt, but they've been able to win two of their last three games, including a narrow victory over Charlotte on Sunday. Memphis is a playoff-caliber team with bigs who can take advantage of the absence of Zion Williamson and Steven Adams, but New Orleans is still battling for a play-in spot, so I don't expect the Pels to lay down -- even on a tough back-to-back on the road.
Domantas Sabonis OVER 41.5 points + rebounds + assists (-113) at CLE -- DraftKings
Sabonis has blown this number out of the water in four of five games since returning from injury, with the lone exception being a 17-point, 13-rebound, eight-assist effort in which he took only nine shots. If Malcolm Brogdon finally returns tonight, that could complicate things. But assuming he remains out, Sabonis should be in a great position to continue his recent statistical rampage against a poor defensive team. Over the last five games, he's averaging 27.0 points, 14.4 rebounds and 10.6 assists in nearly 39 minutes per contest.
