We went 0-2 in basketball yesterday, but both games went into overtime and were very entertaining. Twelve games today so let’s get to it!

Milwaukee at Toronto (-1.5):

Toronto was one of the biggest surprises in their first game, scoring 138 points in beating the Hawks. The 138 points were the most score in the league in their first game. Milwaukee’s defense is better than Atlanta’s so we are going with the Bucks to stymie the Raptors and win the game. Pick: Milwaukee 107 Toronto 102 (Win)

Atlanta at Orlando (-4.5):

If Toronto was one of the biggest surprises of opening day, Atlanta was definitely one of the biggest disappointments. This team has aspirations of being in the top of the Eastern Conference, but they have to play much better on defense for that to happen. Orlando is another team looking to climb the Eastern Conference ladder, and we like the Magic better than the Hawks. Give us Orlando to cover. Pick: Orlando 123 Atlanta 114 (Loss)

Cleveland (-11.5) at Brooklyn:

Cleveland came out on the wrong end in tough fought game against the Knicks, but now have a bit of a reprieve in facing the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets are going to be awful this year, as they look to get all of their rookies going. Like Atlanta, Brooklyn’s defense is abysmal. We like the Cavaliers to take advantage. Pick: Cleveland 128 Brooklyn 110 (Loss)

Boston at New York (-3.5):

Boston had every chance to beat the 76ers on Wednesday, but couldn’t stop the duo of Tyrese Maxey on VJ Edgecombe. The Knicks are a much deeper team than the 76ers are, and they are playing this game at Madison Square Garden. We like New York to cover and send the Celtics to 0-2. Pick: New York 116 Boston 108 (Win)

Detroit at Houston (-6.5):

We still think that Detroit is going to be a good team this year. The did lose their opener to the Bulls, but the Pistons still have talent. Houston is also going to be good this year, but the injury to Fred Van Vleet is going to stymie them early in the season. We are going with Detroit to not only cover, but win outright. Pick: Detroit 107 Houston 102 (Win)

Miami at Memphis (-2.5):

Memphis had to scratch and claw their way to a win over a Pelicans team that many think won’t be very good this year. The Heat were very competitive against a Magic team that many think will be good this year. We know this game is in Memphis, but we still like the Heat to win. Pick: Miami 116 Memphis 111 (Win)

San Antonio (-3.5) at New Orleans:

So, Victor Wembanyama is pretty good, eh? Wemby exploded for 40 points against the Mavericks, and the Spurs as a team looked amazing in dismantling a Dallas team that many people think will be good. The good vibes will keep rolling for the Spurs, as they take out Zion Williamson and the Pelicans here. Pick: San Antonio 121 New Orleans 112 (Win)

Washington at Dallas (-9.5):

We don’t like double digit lines this early in the season, but man the Wizards looked awful on Wednesday. The Mavericks looked bad too in losing to the Spurs, but they a better team and this game is in Dallas. As surprising as this is for us, we are laying the points and taking the Mavericks. Pick: Dallas 124 Washington 107 (Loss)

Minnesota (-2.5) at Los Angeles Lakers:

The Lakers are still without LeBron James, and now face the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year. If we consider Anthony Edwards vs Luca Doncic a wash, which supporting cast would we pick? The answer is Minnesota’s 100 times out of 100. Minnesota goes on the road and gets the win. Pick: Minnesota 114 Los Angeles Lakers 105 (Loss)

Golden State (-1.5) at Portland:

The Blazers had a chance to beat the Timberwolves on Wednesday, but didn’t make enough plays down the stretch. Now they get to face a Golden State team that looked good against the Lakers. Golden State has the Blazers number through the years, and that won’t change today. Pick: Golden State 122 Portland 106 (Loss)

Utah at Sacramento (-5.5):

How could anyone take a look at the first game these two teams played and have the Kings be favored? Sacramento lost to a terrible Phoenix team, while Utah took the Clippers behind the woodshed. Both of these teams will be bad this year, but the Jazz will make this line look silly. Pick: Utah 107 Sacramento 98 (Win)

Phoenix at Los Angeles Clippers (-9.5):

Another game that has a line way too high, how can anyone have the Clippers favored by this many after their game on Wednesday. Phoenix is going to be bad. Really bad. But the Clippers obviously have some of the offseason stink still on them, and this line is absurd. Pick: Los Angeles Clippers 107 Phoenix 103 (Loss)

Happy picking everyone!