The final night of NBA action before the 2026 NBA All-Star break gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET with Bucks vs. Thunder on Prime Video.
Tonight’s slate features two other games: Blazers vs. Jazz at 9 p.m. ET and Mavericks vs. Lakers at 10 p.m. ET.
Deni Avdija Over 23.5 Points (-106 at FanDuel) — 1 unit
Blazers at Jazz, 9 p.m. ET
Tonight’s matchup between the Blazers and Jazz is a great opportunity for first-time All-Star Avdija to head into the break on a high note.
Avdija, who is averaging 25.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game for a Blazers team in contention for a play-in spot, is coming off one of his worst offensive nights of the season in Wednesday’s blowout loss to Minnesota. Avdija went just 3-for-14 against the Timberwolves, including 0-for-7 from 3-point range.
But he’s facing a Jazz defense that is 30th in the league in both points allowed per game (125.8) and defensive rating (122.3), and he’s already had plenty of success against this team this year. Avdija finished with just 19 points in a 136-134 win over Utah on October 29, but he knocked down 6-of-12 FGA and managed to put up solid numbers despite missing all five of his 3-pointers in that contest.
In the most recent meeting between the Jazz and Blazers on January 5, Avdija once again shot better than 50 percent from the floor (10-for-19, including 4-for-10 from outside) and knocked down 9 of 10 free-throw attempts.
Throw in the fact that Utah — which is 8-22 over its last 30 games — will be without Jaren Jackson Jr., and this matchup looks that much more favorable for Avdija.
Note: Avdija is questionable for tonight’s game, and a decision on his availability is not expected to be made until right before tipoff.
Jared McCain Over 10.5 Points (+102 at FanDuel) — 1 unit
Bucks at Thunder, 7:30 p.m. (Prime Video)
The former Duke star has played just two games for the Thunder, but he’s quickly gotten acclimated to his role with the defending champs. McCain finished with 7 points in just 14 minutes in his OKC debut, a 119-110 win over the Lakers on Monday night.
He followed that up with a 12-point night in 22 minutes on Wednesday, as the Thunder blew out the Suns 136-109. With OKC favored by double digits tonight against a Milwaukee team that will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo, don’t be surprised to see the first breakout performance of McCain’s young tenure with OKC.
McCain played well enough last night that he could play a substantial role even if this game is close, and if it turns into another one-sided romp by OKC, he’ll have a chance to easily clear this line. On the year, McCain has logged 20-plus minutes 14 times, and he’s cleared this line in nine of those extended appearances, with double figures in 11 of his 14 games with 20 minutes or more.
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