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It is sad to say goodbye to NFL picks this week, though not too sad considering my picks failed to cash the last two weeks. That being said, it does feel good to focus exclusively on the NBA matchups. For the first time in 2018, a couple of the NBA matchups feel pretty obvious. There are still some very difficult decisions to make, but it is nice to feel confident about at least of few of these matchups.

As I noted above, these picks are the ones I am actually playing in my own entries. Each player is listed along with his opponent. My choice is in bold.

NBA Friday

Match-up 1: Blake Griffin (@MEM) vs. Devin Booker (NYK)

The Grizzlies are still sixth in the NBA in points allowed this season, while the Knicks are 19th. Devin Booker is averaging 24.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists over his last five games despite scoring fewer than 20 points in three of those, including each of his last two. It would be shocking if he doesn’t score at least 20 in this game, and if he keeps up his recent production in rebounds and assists, he could win pretty easily. Blake has been good against Memphis this season, and he has scored at least 20 points in five consecutive games, but he is due for a rough sooner than later.

Match-up 2: Dwight Howard (ATL) vs. Victor Oladipo (@CLE)

Cleveland’s defense is ridiculously bad, but Oladipo still managed just 19 points, three rebounds, one assists, one steal and one block against them two weeks ago. Dwight is working on a streak of nine consecutive double-doubles, and he is averaging 15.8 points, 13.9 rebounds , 2.9 blocks and 1.0 steals in 10 games in January. Dwight had 20 points and 15 rebounds in his only game against his former team this season, and he probably doesn’t have to be that good to win this matchup.

Match-up 3: Lou Williams (@MEM) vs. Khris Middleton (BKN)

In two games since Jason Kidd was fired, Middleton had a triple-double on Monday and scored 35 on Wednesday. Giannis Antetokounmpo was out for both of those games, and if he returns, Middleton will probably go back to being good but not great. Williams, on the other hand, has at least 20 points and seven assists in each of his last three games. If Giannis is out, I will change this pick, but since it looks like he will play, give me Lou Williams.

Match-up 4: Kemba Walker (ATL) vs. Jrue Holiday (HOU)

Dennis Schroder’s defense is terrible, and Kemba Walker took advantage by scoring 26 points to go with four rebounds and nine assists in his only game against the Hawks this season. Walker has scored at least 19 points in nine consecutive games and at least seven assists in five straight. Jrue Holiday should bounce back after failing to reach 20 points in each of his last two games, and he did have 37 points, four rebounds and five assists in his only game against Houston this season. As good as Kemba has been lately, he hasn’t actually shot better than 40 percent in any of his last four games, which gives me hope he can be even better if his shot starts falling.  

Match-up 5: Dennis Schroder (@CHA) vs. Marc Gasol (LAC)

The Clippers have the second worst rebounding rate in the NBA (Atlanta is the worst), which is the only reason Marc Gasol has a chance in this matchup. He probably needs a double-double (or at least close to it) to top Schroder, and even then he could fall short. Gasol has gove five consecutive games without a double-double, but he is averaging 16.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in three games against the Clippers this season. Only five teams have allowed more fantasy points to centers than the Clippers, while only seven teams have allowed fewer fantasy points to point guards than the Hornets. Give me Gasol (or give me death).

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