Losing every game is no fun, you have to find new ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The Rockets did not disappoint in that regard last night, managing to blow a 19 point second half lead and not score a single point for the last 7:31 of the game. Cleveland was a close 2nd in futility last night being outscored 28-10 in the 3rd quarter in a loss to the Lakers.

Don't worry, there's plenty of more bad teams in action for Friday's 9-game slate including a rematch of Houston at Minnesota. Look away Rockets fans, look away.

Today's NBA Matchups

Pistons @ Wizards (-3.5), O/U 224, 8:00 PM ET

Detroit hung tough last night in a 113-111 loss to the Nets, although they gave up 44/14/8 to James Harden. That's a quick turnaround to face Washington's #1 pace though.

Lineup Notes: Bradley Beal (foot) is questionable.

Knicks @ Bucks (-9), O/U 223, 8:00 PM ET

Milwaukee seems like a lofty favorite considering they are on 0 days rest after a 122-114 home loss to Boston last night. The Knicks lost by 33 in their last visit to Fiserv Forum though in the first game back from the all-star break.

Lineup Notes: Julius Randle (thigh) is probable.

Rockets @ Timberwolves (-5), O/U 229, 8:00 PM ET

Run it back and target the Minnesota front court after Towns (29 points), Hernangomez (19), and Reid (16) all dominated the Rockets last night. Does Wall and/or Wood sit on the back to back?

Lineup Notes: Malik Beasley is eligible to return from suspension.

Bulls @ Spurs (-2), O/U 219.5, 8:30 PM ET

It looks like it's time to retire bigs vs. Chicago as autoplay as Nikola Vucevic debuts at $9.5k for the Bulls. Chicago has tightened up their rotation by trading away Wendell Carter, Jr. and Otto Porter, Jr. which could mean good things for Lauri Markkanen. Not sure why the Spurs are favored on a 4-game losing streak.

Mavericks (-1) @ Pelicans, O/U 229.5, 9:00 PM ET

Dallas is a -1 point favorite at New Orleans with both teams on the back to back. That would point towards either Luka Doncic (back) playing after sitting out last night, or Zion Williamson not playing.

Celtics (-8) @ Thunder, O/U 218.5, 9:00 PM ET

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (foot) is out indefinitely, which is a big reason why the Celtics are huge 8-point favorites despite being in a letdown spot after beating the Bucks last night. Does Kemba Walker sit on the b2b, possibly giving Evan Fournier value in his first game with Boston?

Grizzlies @ Jazz (-9.5), O/U 227.5, 9:00 PM ET

A rematch of last night's game in which the Grizzlies covered the 10-point spread in a 114-117 loss. Oddsmakers don't care though, propping the Jazz up big again, despite 32 points and 11 assists from Ja Morant (55fp), and an 18 rebound performance from Jonas Valanciunas (47fp) against Rudy Gobert.

Sixers @ Clippers (-4.5), O/U 222, 10:00 PM ET

Kawhi Leonard is a GTD for a Clippers team that just beat the Spurs over two games by a combined 46 points. Both teams are on a 4-game win streak, but LAC has a lot of fluctuation in their lineup.

Cavaliers @ Kings (-8), O/U 222, 10:00 PM ET

Cleveland 🍳Laid an Egg🍳last night losing 100-86 against the shorthanded Lakers who were on a 4-game losing streak. Collin Sexton sat again, and the Cavs could be in for more of the same vs. a Kings team that quietly has wins in 5 of their last 6.

Tonight's Point Guard / Shooting Guard Notables

Russell Westbrook DK $11k | FD $11k

vs. Detroit

There's a chance Bradley Beal (foot) doesn't play tonight and Russell Westbrook gets a Detroit team that just allowed 44 points and 17 assists (78fp) to James Harden last night. The only thing you fear here is a blowout, which the Wiz usually don't have in their vocabulary.

Immanuel Quickley DK $5.3k | FD $4.9k

@ Milwaukee

It would really be nice to know who is playing for the Knicks tonight, with five guards on their injury report. It's still a nice opportunity for Quickley in what should be an up-paced game against a Bucks team on 0 days rest. Quickley has double figure real points in his last 11 games.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker DK $5.3k | FD $5.3

vs. Dallas

The first real test for Nickeil Alexander-Walker after stepping into the starting role for the injured Lonzo Ball as he plays on the back-to-back Saturday after logging 39 vs. Denver on Friday. For a guy used to playing 20-25 minutes all season though, this b2b could seem like heaven - plus Dallas is on 0 days rest too so it's a wash. His price jumped $1k last game, but he still responded with 6X after a 14/5/5 line.

Sterling Brown DK $5k | FD $4.8

@ Minnesota

Possibly no John Wall on the back to back while facing a Minnesota team that is 25th defensively overall and 24th vs. the SG. The back-to-back doesn't matter because Houston doesn't have anybody else to play.

Tonight's SF / PF Notables

RJ Barrett DK $7k | FD $7.6k

@ Milwaukee

Nice spot for RJ Barrett to continue his recent uptick. The Knicks get the 2nd best pace boost of the night and against a Milwaukee defense that will be playing on 0 days rest after a loss to the Celtics last night. It's a great opportunity for an NYK stack even.

Dillon Brooks DK $5.7k | FD $6.1k

@ Jazz

Utah's #4 defense got to Dillon Brooks last night, holding him to a four game low of 25fp. He still shot 16 times though and gets a rematch with the Jazz tonight. Does the back to back favor the offense? He still had 22 points last night, but with just 1 rebound as a peripheral. Everybody being fatigued should lead to increased stat stackers - maybe 2 rebounds.

Lauri Markkanen DK $5.2k | FD $5.4k

@San Antonio

Does the acquisition of Vucevic salvage Lauri Markkanen's career as well? Now that Chicago has a bona fide offensive threat on the inside that commands attention, you would think the 7-foot Markkanen is going to get some easy buckets on the weak side. Markkanen can turn into an Aaron Gordon type player.

Aleksej Pokusevski DK $5.2k | FD $4.8k

vs. Boston

No Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Boston coming in for a second road game in as many nights, and with the Celtics trading away some of their interior depth. 30+ fp is very doable.

Aleksej Poku DK $5.2k | FD $5.4k

@San Antonio

Does the acquisition of Vucevic salvage Lauri Markkanen's career as well? Now that Chicago has a bona fide offensive threat on the inside that commands attention, you would think the 7-foot Markkanen is going to get some easy buckets on the weak side. Markkanen can turn into an Aaron Gordon type player.

Tonight's Center Position Notables

Karl-Anthony Towns DK $9.7k | FD $9.9k

vs. Houston

Back-to-backs against the same team are tough because your guy is tired, but so is the other team. In that case, you have to go back to the Karl Anthony-Towns well because the Rockets offered absolutely no resistance on the post last night. Not only did Towns have 64fp (29 & 19), Naz Reid added 26fp, and Juancho Hernangomez 37. Any three of these guys are a solid play in the rematch.

Robert Williams DK $6.6k | FD $5.6k

@OKC

Run it back for the ⏲️Time Lord⏲️? Robert Williams is 7th in the NBA in fppm over the last 10 games and has moved into the starting lineup for Boston after the Daniel Theis trade. He put in 41fp last night, but in just 27 minutes meaning he's fresh(ish) tonight in a game that Kemba Walker is sitting. He gets to bang on old Al Horford tonight as well.

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