DFSGhost 
There may only be six games on the NBA schedule tonight, but many have playoff implications to them. Teams continue to fight injuries and aim to get healthy before the postseason, while others battle it out for the Play-In round. It’s a Mojito Monday edition of the Gems – let’s ride.
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Portland Trail Blazers @ Detroit Pistons (+5.5)
Portland Trail Blazers (-5.5)
Despite being on the outside looking in, Portland has a real shot to make the NBA Play-In tournament. On an Eastern Conference road trip, the Trail Blazers squeaked by Orlando last night and must win this game versus Detroit. Thus, Damian Lillard will need to give it all he’s got to carry his team to another victory on the second half of a back-to-back. After another 40-point performance last night, Lillard has now averaged 38.1/5.6/6.2 over his last 15 appearances. Moreover, the duo of Jerami Grant and Cam Reddish are good ways to get exposure to an elite offense, if you cannot get to Dame Time.
Detroit Pistons (+5.5)
Riddled with injuries, the Pistons will be one of, if not the most popular rotation on the NBA slate. Detroit will be without the trio of Bojan Bogdanovic, Jalen Duren, and Isaiah Stewart, in addition to Killian Hayes and James Wiseman listed as questionable. Until their final injury report is released, this rotation is up in the air. However, look for Marvin Bagley and Hamidou Diallo to play significant roles, in addition to Alec Burks, should any combination of Hayes and/or Wiseman miss this game.
New Orleans Pelicans @ Sacramento Kings (-5.5)
New Orleans Pelicans (+5.5)
A team that once looked to be poised to make noise in the NBA Playoffs has been suffering from injuries all season long. Brandon Ingram missed significant time earlier this year, while Zion Williamson has been out since the first week of January. After missing the team’s last two games, Jonas Valanciunas returned to practice and is a candidate to return, but will have to test out his calf injury before getting the green light. Thus, the backcourt duo of CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram will have to carry this offense. The former turned in two elite performances in the absence of Valanciunas, averaging 24.5/6.5/6 during that span. Moreover, Ingram continues to lead the team in field goal attempts, amassing 20 or more in five of his last seven appearances.
Sacramento Kings (-5.5)
With De’Aaron Fox listed as questionable, the Kings’ injury report will be crucial to this NBA slate. There is no indication that Fox will miss this game, but if he does, the Kings’ supporting cast will have to step up in a tight Western Conference playoff picture. Harrison Barnes has now dropped 20 or more points in three straight games, averaging 23/6.7/1.3 on 56.8% shooting. Moreover, Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter will have more shot attempts if Fox is ruled out, but no one will have a more important role than Domantas Sabonis. The all-star has nine double-doubles over his last ten games, averaging 20.7/12.8/6.4 on 63.7% shooting during that span.
Honorable Mentions:
- Philadelphia 76ers @ Indiana Pacers (+6.5)
- Atlanta Hawks @ Miami Heat (-3.5)
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