Money Melton

We’re…almost back? Ani went 2-0 last night and finished up 1.8 units. I went 1-1, but finally hit on a multi-unit bet — shoutout to Jaime Jaquez, a newly minted Sharpshooters King ™️ — and finished the night just north of 0.4 units.

Our favorites going 3-1 and being +2.2 units on the night is a big step in the right direction. But ULM was +9.5 and lost by ten. Keaton Mitchell finished five yards short of 38. And DayRon Sharpe was one board off from hitting his over 5.5 line. Three tough losses for our other picks kept us from having our first night in the green since our debut newsletter a week ago.

Today is a new day, and tonight has a massive NBA slate with 11 In-Season Tournament games on hand. Let’s have a night.

Ani’s Favorite Picks

Jalen Suggs, over 1.5 3PM (+106 / FanDuel) — 1.5 units

Magic @ Bulls, 8 PM EST

Moooooo! The cash cow is back tonight and the books have still not caught up with the odds. Suggs has made at least two threes in four straight games and continues to play big minutes with Markelle Fultz still sidelined. 

When the Magic played the Bulls on Wednesday night, Suggs went 2-8 from the field but both baskets were threes, and he attempted seven shots from beyond the arc.

Suggs has been a high-volume shooter from three this season and is shooting 33.3 percent from deep. The volume and efficiency is why I like this prop again tonight and hopefully our cash cow delivers once more.

Mitchell Robinson, over 11.5 rebounds (+110 / FanDuel) — 1 unit

Knicks @ Wizards, 7 PM EST

The Wizards are arguably the worst team in the NBA and the worst against opposing centers. Daniel Gafford struggles to defend and rebound against opposing centers, and I expect that to continue tonight against the Knicks.

Mitchell Robinson is averaging 11.7 rebounds on the season and is coming off a game in which he pulled down 15 boards. The last two times he played the Wizards he had 11 and 12 rebounds in those two contests. The Wizards recently gave up 24 rebounds — yes, 24 rebounds — to Mark Williams, and I can see Robinson having a similar outing tonight.

Ausar Thompson, over 22.5 PTS + REB (-108 / FanDuel) — 1 unit

Pistons @ Cavaliers, 7:30 PM EST

Thompson has been a rebounding machine to start begin rookie campaign in the league. He is averaging 10.3 RPG to go along with 12 PPG, which is right on this line tonight. 

He has eclipsed this total in three straight games and in eight of his last nine. His scoring has gone up slowly on the season, and that is why I like this prop tonight. He is good for at least 7-8 rebounds every game, but his recent scoring success is why he’ll go over this mark.

Mitch’s Favorite Picks

De’Anthony Melton, over 12.5 PTS (-110 / FanDuel) — 1 unit

Sixers @ Hawks, 7:30 PM EST

It’s a De’Anthony Melton kinda night, as both of my plays tonight rest on the shoulders of Mr. Melton. This is a decently steep line for Melton; he’s only hit the 13-point threshold three times this year. The good news is that two of those times were his two most recent games.

Melton has seen a jump in minutes over the past two games since Kelly Oubre was hit by a car. He’s played at least 34 minutes each of the past two games and in those two games, he’s scored 16 and 30 points. I’ll roll the dice here on Melton continuing this aggressive offensive play style.

De’Anthony Melton, over 2.5 3PM (+105 / DraftKings) — 1 unit

Sixers @ Hawks, 7:30 PM EST

These two plays go hand in hand. If Melton scores 13+ points, I think he’ll have done so by hitting at least three from deep. If Melton hits 3+ threes, I think he’ll surpass 12.5 points.

I like this line for the same reason I like his points. Melton has been aggressive the past couple games, especially from the beyond the arc. Not only that, but he’s been unconscious from deep — hitting five of six three balls on Tuesday night and four of six on Monday night.

I know that his 75-percent 3PT% is not sustainable, but he’s clearly feeling it. Even if he doesn’t hit 75 percent of his attempts tonight, his recent hot streak should make him want to keep shooting no matter what.

Other Picks We Like

Aaron Gordon, over 26.5 PRA (-115 / FanDuel) — 1 unit

Nuggets @ Pelicans, 8 PM EST

Tyus Jones, over 2.5 1Q PTS (-115 / DraftKings) — 0.75 units

Knicks @ Wizards, 7 PM EST

Paolo Banchero, over 4.5 AST (+100 / DraftKings) — 0.5 units

Magic @ Bulls, 8 PM EST

Collin Sexton, over 12.5 PTS + REB (-125 / DraftKings) — 1 unit

Suns @ Jazz, 10 PM EST

Record Tracker

Mitch’s Favorites: 5-12 (-6.1 units)

Ani’s Favorites: 8-10 (-0.9 units)

All Picks: 27-41 (7.8 units)