Two games where the margin looks more open than the market suggests. Both lines were shaped by recent results that leaned on shooting swings, and both favoured teams are carrying frontcourt absences.
Atlanta against Washington is an immediate rematch of a game Atlanta won by 15, but that margin came from a huge three-point gap, nineteen of forty-nine against six of twenty-six. Atlanta has also been blown out when its threes go cold, and it is missing two centres plus Gueye and Newell. Washington has its own thin guard group, but its rim protection and free-throw trips keep it competitive. That's why I'm siding with Washington getting the points.
Memphis against Oklahoma City: Memphis scores around 120 at home and has two close home losses that look like variance. Oklahoma City is without Holmgren and Sorber and has conceded 114 to 125 in several box scores, while Memphis is newly without Stewart. I expect a high-scoring game that stays tight into the second half. That's why I'm siding with Memphis at home getting the points.
