Ricky Dimon
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We have a six-game slate in the NBA on Tuesday and it is headlined by a trio of games: Clippers vs. Celtics, Nuggets vs. Bucks, and Suns vs. Lakers. Two of those contests are getting the same game parlay treatment they deserve. Let’s take a look at the best such option for Nuggets-Bucks, and be sure to check out our full game preview for picks on the side and total.
Bucks -7.5 (-110)
Khris Middleton to record 8+ assists (+188)
Nikola Jokic to score 30+ points (+122)
Michael Porter Jr. Under 15.5 points (-122)
Parlay odds: +1811
Part of the value in same game parlays, of course, is that all of its components can be correlated if you so choose. That is some of the plan here. We feel good about the Bucks’ chances to take care of business, and Khris Middleton racking up a fair amount of assists would obviously go a long way in that effort. Containing Michael Porter Jr. would do the same. At the same time, plays that aren’t correlated drive up the overall payout of the parlay. That’s the case with tailing Nikola Jokic to reach the 30-point mark. Even if he does, though, it’s not like the Bucks can’t get the job done.
Bucks -7.5 (-110)
Jokic and Jamal Murray have been outstanding, and Porter Jr. comes up big on occasion, but the Nuggets are going to need contributions from other sources if they are going to compete with the Bucks. This is the second game of a back-to-back situation for Denver following a win over Chicago on Monday, and all three of the aforementioned players logged at least 35 minutes in that contest. There could be some tired legs against a Milwaukee squad that likes to push the pace. And as good as Jokic is on offense, he is not exactly a candidate to stop Giannis Antetokounmpo on the other end of the floor. The Bucks have won five in a row, including against the Clippers in their most recent outing.
Khris Middleton to record 8+ assists (+188)
In a Feb. 8 meeting between Milwaukee and Denver, Middleton recorded 12 assists. It is also worth mentioning that Antetokounmpo recorded a grand total of zero. Middleton may not get that many this time around now that Jrue Holiday is back, but Holiday logged only 18 minutes in his return from a three-week absence this past Sunday. He will still be limited, and therefore Middleton will have the ball in his hands a ton on Tuesday. The Nuggets allow the fourth-most assists per field goal made in the NBA.
Nikola Jokic to score 30+ points (+122)
Jokic is producing the best season of his career (which is saying a lot!), establishing himself among the top three favorites in the NBA MVP discussion (trailing LeBron James and Joel Embiid). For Tuesday’s game it is worth noting that the big man’s usage rate generally increases against high-quality opponents. He averages 28.2 ppg against teams above .500 and just 24.7 ppg against opponents with losing records. When these two teams squared off three weeks ago, Jokic scored 35 points in a losing effort. So it stands to reason that we could see another huge performance by the Serb while also getting a Denver setback that we need for this parlay.
Michael Porter Jr. Under 15.5 points (-122)
Look for this game to be one in which Jokic and Murray carry the load for Denver—I mean to an even greater extent than usual. Murray has scored at least 24 points in nine consecutive contests, including a 50-point barrage against Cleveland on Feb. 19. Moreover, Porter’s minutes have fluctuated wildy of late and you have to imagine that on the second game of a back-to-back they will be on the low side for this one, especially considering he is a player with an extensive injury history.
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