Can We Stay Perfect?

The Chicago Bears. The Cleveland Browns. Alexander Mattison. Ausar Thompson. Dorian Thompson-Robinson. A group of misfits and rejects, joining forces to throw the first perfect game in Sharpshooters history.

Five picks. No misses.

I don’t think I’d be victory-lapping this so hard if we had been off to a better start, but a 5-0 night was exactly what the doctor ordered.

The Bears (+8) tried to do everything in their power at the end of the game to not cover, but they (Darnell Wright) came through.

Thompson-Robinson (under 172.5 yards) came within seven yards of his line. The Browns (-2.5) covered their spread by a mere half point on a field goal as time expired. Ausar Thompson (over 9.5 rebounds) got his tenth rebound with less than three minutes to go after being miraculously subbed back into a 40-point game.

It was a day of close calls, but we finally got the ball to bounce our way.

Let’s stay hot tonight.*

Mitch’s Favorite Picks

Keldon Johnson, over 17.5 PTS (-102 / FanDuel) — 1.25 units

Clippers at Spurs, 8 PM EST

Devin Vassell is out tonight.

That’s really the only reasoning I needed to take this, but in case you want a little more convincing, I got you.

In the four games Vassell has missed this year, Johnson has scored 26, 16, 22, and 21 points — covering this 17.5 line in three of the four contests. The 16-point performance came in a blowout loss in which Johnson saw just 23 minutes of action and didn’t attempt a single three, despite averaging 5.6 three-point attempts a game this year. Over the past three games, Johnson has taken ten, nine and seven attempts from beyond the arc.

Johnson is averaging 16.3 PPG on the year, but 21.3 PPG in games without Vassell. At nearly even-money, this is a no-brainer.

Domantas Sabonis, over 19.5 REB + AST (-130) — 1 unit

Kings @ Pelicans, 8 PM EST

Sabonis is one of my favorite NBA players to bet on, especially when it involves a rebound prop. This 19.5 is a combined rebound and assist line, but Sabonis is a threat to hit this total with just rebounds on any given night. He’s averaging 12.9 RPG this year and has had 13, 14, and 16 rebounds in the past three games, respectively (to go along with at least six assists in all three games).

Sabonis has had at least 19 combined rebounds and assists in ten of 12 games this year, hitting this mark of 19.5 six times. He’s one of the best rebounders in the game today and the Kings’ fast-paced, run-the-floor offense gives Sabonis lots of potential transition assists.

I would also be OK with a sprinkle on a Sabonis triple-double at +430 (FanDuel).

Ani’s Favorite Picks

Giannis Antetokounmpo, over 11.5 REB (-110 / FanDuel) — 1 unit

Bucks @ Wizards, 7 PM EST

Giannis is averaging 9.9 RPG on the season and gets a plus matchup against the Wizards tonight. Washington struggles to grab rebounds and have been dominated by big men all season. The Wizards give up the most rebounds per game in the NBA this season (58.6), so the opportunities will be there for Giannis tonight.

The only problem here would be if the Bucks are blowing out the Wizards and Giannis doesn’t play at least 30 minutes. 

Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson grabbed a combined 15 rebounds against the Wizards on Friday night, but it was a 21-point blowout, so that number could have been higher. Daniel Gafford might be the worst starting center in the NBA and will struggle to keep Giannis off the glass.

Brandon Ingram, over 5.5 AST (-120 / FanDuel) — 1.5 units

Kings @ Pelicans, 8 PM EST

Without CJ McCollum in the lineup, Ingram has been the primary facilitator in the Pelicans’ offense. He has hit this mark in two of the Pelicans’ last three games and averaged 14.7 potential assists in those three contests as well and had 15 potential assists in his last game.

The game total tonight is set at 236.5 so the books are expecting a fast-paced and high-scoring contest. The Kings also give up 26.8 APG, which is 21st in the NBA. This is my favorite prop of the night, and I’m willing to place 1.5 units on the bet.

Other Picks We Like

Tyus Jones, over 3.5 1Q PTS (+134 / FanDuel) — 0.75 units

Bucks @ Wizards, 7 PM EST

Jalen Hurts, over 8.5 RUSH ATT (-130 / FanDuel) — 0.75 units

Eagles @ Chiefs, 8:15 PM EST

Bilal Coulibaly, over 8.5 PTS (+115 / DraftKings) — 0.75 units

Bucks @ Wizards, 7 PM EST

Ausar Thompson, over 9.5 REB (-105 / FanDuel) — 1 unit

Nuggets @ Pistons, 7 PM EST

Record Tracker

Mitch’s Favorites: 10-12 (-1.6 units)

Ani’s Favorites: 8-12 (-2.9 units)

All Picks: 35-46 (-6.2 units) 🤢

*I am fully aware that we will probably lose every pick tonight because that is just how the world works.