Ten, Nine, Eight, 76ers

This is it, folks — the first edition of the Sharpshooters newsletter. There are actual picks here, and I’m feeling pretty good about them.

We have a massive slate of NBA In-Season Tournament games, 81 games of college basketball, and a handful of NHL games. Plenty of action to choose from.

Mitch’s Favorite Picks

Sixers -9.5 (-110 / FanDuel) — 1.25 units

The Sixers are off to a much better start (6-1, first in the Eastern Conference) than anyone thought they would be after trading James Harden. And you know how the saying goes: Good teams win, great teams cover. So the Sixers have been downright incredible so far. They're 7-0 ATS to start the year, covering their lines by an average of 7.4 points.

The Sixers won the season series against the Pistons last year, 3-0, in dominating fashion, with a 21-point average margin of victory.

The Sixers have the deepest bench they’ve had in years, which can help make up for an off night by one of their starters not named Joel or Tyrese. Tobias Harris and Kelly Oubre have shot the ball incredibly well, and Nicolas Batum — broken finger and all — has been lights out since coming over in the Harden trade.

I got this line at 8.5 last night, and I know 9.5 points is a lot to lay down, but the Sixers are throttling the Pistons here.

Clippers ML -108 (FanDuel) — 0.5 units

I’m picking the Clippers for the exact opposite reason I’m picking the Sixers. I’m betting on them to snap their three-game losing streak both SU and ATS. They may have lost a lot of their depth in their trade for Harden, but a team with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Russell Westbrook (gross), and Harden is just too talented to continue as they have.

As lethal as the Mavericks are on offense (118.3 OFFRTG, 3rd in the NBA), they are equally brutal on defense (114.2 DEFRTG, 23rd in the NBA). And despite their 6-2 record, the Mavs’ 4.2 net rating (11th in the NBA) actually trails the 3-4 Clippers’ 5.2 net rating (6th).

The Clippers’ Big Four shot 24/63 (38 percent) from the field in their last game against Brooklyn, another poor defensive unit. Giving this group another crack at a bad defense should allow them to get in an actual rhythm — something they haven’t been able to do since Harden joined the team.

Give me the Clippers getting the dub on the road in Dallas.

Ani’s Favorite Picks

Cade Cunningham, over 6.5 AST (+100 / FanDuel) — 1 unit

The former number one overall pick from the 2021 draft is finally having his breakout season. Cunningham is averaging 24 points and 7.1 assists on the season and is a legitimate double-double threat in every game he plays. He had eight assists in his last game against the Bucks, but, more importantly, he had 17 potential assists (in other words, his teammates missed a ton of shots).

As long as his teammates can knock down their shots, Cade should soar past this number despite the tough matchup against the Sixers.

Jordan Poole, over 19.5 PTS (-115 / FanDuel) — 1 unit

Grab your bathing suit because we’re going to a Poole party. I’m throwing up in my mouth as I write this, but I can’t get away from the value. Is Jordan Poole one of the most inconsistent players in the NBA? Yes. Could he finish with five points tonight? Yes. One thing is for sure though, he is going to take at least ten shots in this game.

The game total between the Wizards and Hornets sits at 241.5 tonight and their matchup two nights ago had a combined 248 points. Poole only had 11 points in that matchup after going 3-12 from the field, but he only played 20 minutes. Let that sink in…he managed to hoist 12 shots in just 20 minutes of game time.

As long as neither team is getting blown out (which is a legitimate possibility), Poole should be one of the leading scorers in this contest. I don’t mind sprinkling a half unit on Poole 25+ points at +250 as well.

Keyonte George, over 4.5 AST (-140 / FanDuel), 6+ AST (+185), 8+ AST (+450)

We’re climbing the ladder tonight! The rookie guard out of Baylor got his first NBA start on Wednesday and tallied nine assists but only seven points. He was the primary ball handler, as Jordan Clarkson took on more of the shooting guard role.

George has hit at least four assists in every game he has played at least 25 minutes this season, so if he draws another start and logs minutes, he should be in good shape. He only had ten expected assists in the last contest, so he was pretty close to his ceiling with nine. With Clarkson and Markkanen as the primary scorers on the Jazz, George will have plenty of opportunities to rack up assists tonight.

The game total against the Grizzlies is 230, so the books are expecting a high-scoring affair. Let’s climb to the top of the ladder tonight and collect that cash.

Other Props We Like

Brandon Miller, 15+ PTS (+120 / DraftKings)

Victor Wembenyama, over 1.5 3PM (-130 / FanDuel)

Fred Van Vleet, double-double (+290 / FanDuel)

Domantas Sabonis, triple-double (+450 / FanDuel)

Luka Doncic, over 47.5 PRA (-104 / FanDuel)

In-Season Tournament Courts That Look Like Shit

All of them.

Well, most of them.

The Hornets’ court is hands-down the best, and I will hear no other arguments at this time.

It’s still not great, but it blows the doors off all the others. The colors actually complement each other and are in line with their color palette.

The Thunder, Timberwolves, and Jazz all have passable courts. All the others? Hard pass. But the worst of the worst: Pelicans, Wizards, Pacers, Kings, Pistons. Horrendous. Disgusting.

What the fuck is this? Who signed off on this? Fade the hell out of the Pelicans whenever they’re playing on this monstrosity.

And when did the Wizards turn into the Vancouver Grizzlies?

What in the world is this court? Where is the red, white and blue — they’re actual colors? Or why not go with the blue, black and gold they rocked during the Gilbert Arenas days?

Here’s to the first edition of Sharpshooters — let’s have some fun.