Tonight’s Top NBA PICKS 2/23

Ricky Rubio- PG- Minnesota Wolves - $11,500

Slick Rick has looked amazing since coming back from his ankle injury, his past 2 games he’s averaged 14 pts, 2.5 steals, 9.5 assists, and 8.5 rebounds.  He is putting up Curry numbers at a Jarrett Jack/Tony Parker price.  He squares off against Patrick Beverley tonight, who has seen his Defense decline the past month.  I used to hate to start PG’s against Beverley, but he has been pretty mediocre.  With Mo Williams and Thad Young no longer with the team, a good portion of the scoring and stats will come from Rubio who looks like he did 2 years ago.

Deron Williams- PG- Brooklyn Nets- $10,800

Williams will be the starting PG tonight because Jarrett Jack has already been ruled out due to injury.  The Nets get Denver tonight, who are one of the worst defensive squads in the NBA.  Ty Lawson can be a beast, but hates defense, and currently hates his coach which doesn’t really up his motivation.  Williams has played Denver 22 times in his career, his AVERAGE is: 18.5 pts, 10 assists, 1 steal, 3 rebounds.  What else is there to say……………if you don’t have him in your lineup tonight at this price, you might be an idiot.

Matt Barnes- SF- LA Clippers- $8,800

Just like every other night this year, SF is the toughest spot to pick.  I’m going to go with a somewhat cheapy in Barnes.  I’m not promising an All-Start performance from him tonight, but for $8800, I think he will get the job done.  His usage % has gone up since Blake Griffin got injured, and I like his matchup tonight against Jeff Green.  I think he fills up the sheet just enough tonight to make him a “Nice Play”.  Just hope his mouth doesn’t get him in Technical Foul trouble.  He is a decent player, and a talented kid, but a bit of a clown.

Pau Gasol- PF- Chicago Bulls- $18,700

He is expensive, I know, but worth it tonight.  Last time Gasol played Milwaukee it looked like this:  46 points, 1 steal, 3 assisits, and 18 rebounds.   His pricetag could be $22,000 and he would be worth it with those stats.  The bucks are messy at PF,  and can’t seem to stop anybody, especially not a stud like Gasol.  Another reason to like him tonight:  Taj Gibson is out with an injury, Pau will get all the minutes he can handle.  If you are going to anchor your team tonight around one high priced guy, Gasol is the man.

 

Hassan Whiteside- Center- Miami Heat- $12,700

Whiteside is a monster!!  He is by far one of the most exciting young players in the NBA to watch.  He has the talent and ability to put up stupid stat lines, he is one of the only guys that on a good night can give you 20 points and 20 rebounds.  He plays The 76ers tonight, and if you’re curious how well The 76ers do against a rebounding Center, just look what Vucevic did to them last night.  Bosh is done for the season, leaving Heat with no real big man except Whiteside.  The only big guy, playing against a team that sucks against big guy’s, makes Whiteside a no brainer for tonight.  I like paring him up with D Wade too for a nice combo play.  (Side Note: if you want to go cheap tonight with a Center, ALEX LEN might return serious value at a small price tag)