This article is part of our NBA Picks series.
Alex Barutha: Nikola Jokic over 25.5 points (-106) vs. POR -- DK Sportsbook, 2:46 PM CT
Jokic has been less than his stellar self over the past two games, totaling only 31 points. However, one of those games was an easy win over the Cavaliers, and the other was a relatively tough matchup against Clint Capela. Tuesday's game against the Trail Blazers shapes up as the perfect get-right spot for the MVP candidate. Portland is on the second half of a back-to-back set, and the already-heavy legs of Enes Kanter will be even heavier. I wouldn't want to bet on Jokic's rebound prop since Kanter actually does that well, but he can't defend, and Jokic should tear him apart. The matchup is also at home for Denver, where Jokic averages 27.6 points per game.
Nick Whalen: Hawks -7.5 (-110) at Cleveland -- DraftKings Sportsbook
It took a little longer than usual, but we've officially entered the bet against Cleveland as often as possible stage of the 2020-21 NBA season. The Cavs have been by far the league's worst team in February. They've dropped 10 games in a row and have only kept one of those games within 16 points. Realistically, it's as bad of a 10-game run as we've seen in recent memory. The Cavs' net rating during that stretch? Minus-21.3. Minus-Twenty-One-Point-Three. The next-lowest is free-falling Houston at minus-12.3. And after that, it's Sacramento at minus-5.7. Atlanta isn't exactly a buzzsaw in its own right, but the Hawks should be more than capable of pulling off a comfortable victory.
Joe Bartel: Jarrett Allen under 12.5 rebounds/Clint Capela under 14.5 rebounds (+240) - FanDuel Sportsbook, 12:39 PM CT
Since Andre Drummond was unceremoniously removed from the starting lineup, Allen has been averaging 12.8 rebounds per game, although two of those games came against teams notoriously bad against centers in the form of the Thunder and Warriors. Capela has also had some monster rebound lines as of late, but he's gone over 14.5 rebounds just twice in the last seven games. I'm betting the low-post battle between the two will be a fun one to watch but will also whittle away at the highest-outcome opportunities either has in the rebound category.
