4* VEGAS INSIDER on Jazz +114

The Memphis Grizzlies are essentially fielding a G-League roster tonight with an injury list that reads like a medical textbook.
Star guard Ja Morant is sidelined with an elbow injury, and the frontcourt is completely gutted with Zach Edey, Brandon Clarke, and Santi Aldama all ruled out.

The Jazz are dealing with their own health issues, including the absence of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Keyonte George, but they still have the hammer in this matchup.
Lauri Markkanen is the best player on the floor by a wide margin, averaging 26.7 points and seven rebounds per game this season.

Memphis has lost consecutive games and their depth is non-existent right now, forcing heavy minutes onto secondary options like Jaylen Wells and Cam Spencer.
The Grizzlies already struggle with efficiency at home, ranking as the ninth-worst three-point shooting team in the league when playing at FedExForum.

Utah plays at the second-fastest pace in the NBA and will look to turn this into a track meet against a depleted Memphis bench.
Without Edey or Clarke to protect the rim, the Jazz should have no trouble scoring in the paint and getting to the line.

The Jazz already went into Memphis and walked away with a 130-126 win back in December, and that was against a much healthier Grizzlies squad.
This line is priced like these teams are on equal footing, but the talent gap created by the Memphis injury report is massive.

I expect Markkanen to carry the load early and the Jazz to pull away late against a tired rotation.
Getting plus money on the better-rested and more talented side is the clear sharp play here.

Bet Jazz ML (+114).

1* Free Pick on Canisius +105

This is a battle between the two teams at the bottom of the MAAC, but the wrong side is favored here. Rider is sitting on a miserable 3-22 record and has managed only two conference wins all season long.

Canisius is currently mired in an 11-game losing streak, but they have still been the more competitive team. The Golden Griffins have more than double the total wins of Rider and possess a much higher ceiling on the offensive end.

Kahlil Singleton and Bryan Ndjonga both average over 13 points per game for the Griffs. They should have a field day against a Rider defense that allows nearly 77 points per game and ranks near the bottom of the country in efficiency.

Rider is especially bad at defending the perimeter, giving up almost nine three-pointers per contest. Canisius has the shooters to stretch the floor and exploit those wide-open looks all night.

The Broncs have also been a nightmare for bettors when expected to win. They are winless against the spread this season in the rare spots where they have been listed as the favorite.

Canisius moves the ball much better in the half-court, averaging significantly more assists per game than a stagnant Rider offense. While Anthony Benard is out and Andreo Ash is questionable, the Griffs' primary scoring options are healthy and ready to go.

Rider just gave up 86 points in a double-digit loss to Sacred Heart and has shown no signs of fixing their defensive rotations. Even on the road, Canisius has the better talent and the better shooting to pull off the minor upset.

We are getting plus-money on the better team in a matchup where both sides are desperate to snap a slide. Trust the Golden Griffins to finally break their losing streak against the worst team in the conference.

I like the Canisius ML (+105).

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5* NO BRAINER on St. Peter's +105

St. Peters is catching a short price here despite owning the most physical defensive profile in the MAAC. The Peacocks have turned into a total nightmare for high-tempo teams like Iona that want to run and gun.

Bashir Mason has this squad locked in on the defensive end. St. Peters currently ranks in the top tier nationally in effective field goal percentage defense.

They force teams to play in the half-court and grind out every single possession. That is exactly where Iona falls apart.

The Gaels have struggled with ball security over their last three games. They are coughing it up 15 times per contest during this recent stretch.

St. Peters thrives on those mistakes and converts them into easy transition points. This is also a major revenge spot for the Peacocks after a tough home loss to Iona last month.

The Peacocks have been road warriors lately. They have covered the spread in five of their last six games away from home.

Iona relies way too much on the three-point shot to stay in games. That is a massive problem against this perimeter defense.

St. Peters is holding opponents to just 28% from deep over the last four weeks. They close out hard and do not give up second-chance looks.

The Peacocks also have a significant edge on the glass. They are top-50 in offensive rebounding rate and should dominate the put-back points tonight.

Iona does not have the size inside to keep St. Peter's off the boards for forty minutes. Expect a low-scoring scrap that favors the tougher team.

The Peacocks are playing for seeding and look like the more motivated group right now. Take the plus money with the better defensive unit.

Bet St. Peter's ML (+105).

5* NO BRAINER on Rockies +120

Arizona's roster is shredded with injuries to start this spring and they are being given way too much credit on this line.

Corbin Carroll is sidelined with a fractured hamate bone and won't be anywhere near the lineup for the Diamondbacks.

The pitching staff is even worse off with ace Corbin Burnes and high-leverage lefty A.J. Puk both recovering from major surgeries.

Arizona's bullpen is essentially a ghost town after Andrew Saalfrank and Justin Martinez were also ruled out for the long haul.

Colorado is bringing a much healthier group to the plate today at Salt River Fields.

Young stars like Ezequiel Tovar and Zac Veen are fully healthy and motivated to make an impact in the opening week of the Cactus League.

Mickey Moniak and Tyler Freeman are both in camp and provide roster depth that the Diamondbacks simply cannot match right now.

Arizona will be forced to rely on deep minor league arms and non-roster invitees for the bulk of these innings while their stars recover.

The Rockies traditionally play their primary hitters longer in these early spring games to get their timing down in the desert air.

With Arizona missing their best hitter and three of their most important arms, getting +120 on the Rockies is a massive gift.

The depth and motivation in the Colorado dugout are the clear differences for this Friday afternoon matchup.

Bet Rockies ML (+120).

3* HEAVY HITTER on Cavs -4

Cleveland is the hottest team in the NBA. They have won 11 of their last 12 games and are currently riding a six-game winning streak.

The Cavs are on the second night of a back-to-back, but the schedule spot isn't a concern. They blew out Brooklyn on Thursday and rested all their starters for the entire fourth quarter.

No Cleveland starter played more than 28 minutes in that victory. They will arrive in Charlotte with plenty of energy and momentum.

The return of Evan Mobley has transformed their interior defense. He looked sharp in his return to the lineup on Thursday and gives them an elite rim protector to pair with Jarrett Allen.

Charlotte sits at 26-30 and continues to struggle with consistency. While they have a rest advantage, they lack the defensive personnel to match Clevelands rotations.

The Hornets are giving up too many easy looks in the paint. Clevelands frontcourt should dominate the rebounding battle and generate frequent second-chance points.

Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland backcourt are playing at an elite level. They rank near the top of the league in eFG% during this current winning stretch and are moving the ball efficiently.

Charlotte doesn't have the perimeter defenders to contain Cleveland's star guards for 48 minutes. The talent gap is simply too wide in this matchup.

The Cavs have covered the spread in five of their last six games. They are 35-21 and playing like a legitimate title contender in the Eastern Conference.

This line is only -4.5 because of the back-to-back situation. Take the discount on the superior team while they are firing on all cylinders.

I like the Cavs -4.5.

5* NO BRAINER of the Week on Heat -2

Miami dominates this matchup because they have the better defensive structure to handle Atlanta's offensive pace. They use a physical, switch-heavy scheme that takes away easy looks and forces the Hawks into contested mid-range shots.

The Heat have won eight of their last 12 meetings against Atlanta. Erik Spoelstra consistently finds ways to exploit the Hawks lack of defensive discipline, especially in half-court sets.

Getting Tyler Herro back is the biggest edge for the Heat tonight. He returns from a 15-game absence, providing a massive scoring boost and much-needed spacing for Bam Adebayo to operate inside.

Both teams are coming off the All-Star break with fresh legs. Historically, veteran-led teams like Miami come out of the break more prepared than younger, high-variance teams like Atlanta.

The Hawks are dealing with a significant loss in the frontcourt with Jonathan Kuminga sidelined. His absence hurts their rim protection and leaves them vulnerable to Miamis aggressive drives.

Atlantas interior defense is currently a bottom-five unit in the league. They give up way too many easy buckets in the paint, which plays right into the hands of a physical Miami offense.

Miami also holds a major advantage on the offensive glass. They are one of the best teams in the league at generating second-chance points, which will be a killer for a thin Hawks rotation.

Atlanta relies far too much on three-point shooting to keep games close. Miamis perimeter defense is elite, and they excel at closing out and running shooters off the line.

Lay the small number with the more disciplined and healthier squad. The Heat are built for the post-break grind, while Atlanta still has too many holes on the defensive end.

Bet Heat -2.5 (-110).