NBA: MLK Day pits Bulls against Grizzlies in a bear fight between NBA’s rising powers

Charlotte Hornets @ New York Knicks

(Monday, 6pm GMT)

On a rollercoaster of a season so far, the Knicks' promising 5-1 start gave way to sliding to a 17-20 record before an unexpected rebound.

Victors in five of their last six games and of six in a row at home, New York hosts Charlotte on Monday with the promise of gaining even more traction as the winners in the trade that swiped Cam Reddish away from Atlanta.

Remarkably, in going 8-3 since Christmas Day, the Knickerbockers have averaged an extraordinarily meagre 99.9 points while still riding a +3.4 points differential against the opponents. Defence certainly rules.

By contrast, over their last ten games, the very-fun-to-watch Hornets are the fourth-highest scoring team in the whole NBA at 114.9 per game – a spell that brought seven wins out of nine before Saturday’s surprise loss to Orlando.

Not from an easy schedule either – with back-to-back triumphs against the Bucks, plus topping the Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers. LaMelo Ball would be a deserving All Star on the evidence lately. They are a group worth watching and a decent bet at 2.08 for the victory.

And their ability to score big and defend well themselves is potentially a decisive edge in unpicking the Knicks locks.

Tip: Go under 216.5 total points in Hornets - Knicks at 1.93

Chicago Bulls @ Memphis Grizzlies 

(Monday, 8.30pm GMT)

The Bulls remain atop the Eastern Conference with a 27-14 record but the markets remain unconvinced about their potency in the NBA Playoffs, giving them a mere 9% chance of reaching the 2022 Finals.

Less so following three consecutive losses and a difficult Monday trip to the ascendant Memphis Grizzlies.

There’s been so much to like about Chicago, starting with their prime tandem of Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan who are combining for 50.6 points per night with Lonzo Ball an able string-puller.

Yet LaVine is expected to miss a short period with a knee injury and the blow out reverse that ensued to the Golden State Warriors – and the subsequent narrow drop to the Boston Celtics – illustrates the small margins in great chemistry.

Chicago also have a difficult week ahead in facing Cleveland and Milwaukee and they will take no real comfort from seeing Memphis’ 11-game winning run conclude with a Saturday rout to the Dallas Mavericks. That’s why they have drifted out to 2.98 for Monday merriment.

Intriguingly, during that three-week spell of dominance, the Grizzlies were 20^th in first quarter points (27.7) but 2nd in the second quarter (30.8, on a +4.9 differential) and 3^rd in the third – meaning the second quarter spread of 1.68 is worth keeping tabs on.

Tip: Take the Grizzlies at -6.0 on the handicap over the Bulls at 1.93

Milwaukee Bucks @ Atlanta Hawks 

(Monday, 11pm GMT)

Are the Hawks one-season wonders from last term? It certainly looks like it. 17-25 following five straight losses, the front office is now shaking up its roster and there are murmurs of discontent. Not inspiring signs.

Since November 28, when they had won seven straight, the Hawks have been outscored on average by 5.7 despite reasonable shooting percentages, struggling offensively in fourth quarters in particular. Over their last ten, that differential has grown to -9.

That’s despite 27.6 points per content from Trae Young, ranked fourth in the NBA, one spot behind the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo on 28.5.

The defending champs – currently a generous 8.2 to retain their title - have been up and down since the turn of the year and they lost 120-100 to Atlanta in November.

1.51 to take revenge, Milwaukee retains enough defensive chops and talent to keep the Hawks on the floor.

Tip: Take the Bucks at -5.0 on the handicap over the Hawks at 1.93

Recommended Bets:

Go under 216.5 total points in Hornets - Knicks at 1.93

Take the Grizzlies at -6.0 on the handicap over the Bulls at 1.93

Take the Bucks at -5.0 on the handicap over the Hawks at 1.93