ATL@CHA
Hawks
SPREAD -2.5
Don-K's DeskCharlotte is missing Knueppel, White and Williams, and Atlanta's rotation is deeper. If Knueppel or White is upgraded on the 5:30 PM report, I take another look.
Fri Oct 23
Don-K's Board: Featured Plays
The plays Don-K liked from Friday's slate, with the reason behind each.
Don-K saysHere's every play I liked Friday night, and why. Pick what fits your style and skip the rest.
Hawks at Hornets
NBA · Fri 7:00 PM ET · Peachtree Sports Network✔ Don-K Like
ATL@CHA
Brandon Miller
UNDER 33.5 PTS + REB + AST
Don-K's DeskMiller is Charlotte's top option and this under has hit in all of his last 10 games. The risk is extra shots with the backcourt out.
ATL@CHA
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
OVER 2.5 THREES
Don-K's DeskAlexander-Walker is Atlanta's scorer to watch, and the over has hit in 8 of his last 10. The risk is Charlotte taking away his looks.
ATL@CHA
Jalen Johnson
OVER 37.5 PTS + REB + AST
Don-K's DeskHe had 40 combined in an off-night opener. The risk is foul trouble or a lopsided game.
Knicks at Celtics
NBA · Fri 7:00 PM ETNY@BOS
Josh Hart
OVER 19.5 PTS + REB + AST
Don-K's DeskHart does a little of everything, and my numbers have him around 25 combined. He had 24 in the opener (14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists). Boston is the toughest defense he faces, and the risk is a blowout cutting his minutes.
Opener line: 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block in 30 minutes.
Pelicans at Jazz
NBA · Fri 9:30 PM ETNO@UTAH
Dejounte Murray
OVER 23.5 PTS + AST
Don-K's DeskHe went for 30 combined in the opener (23 points, 7 assists), and Utah ranks near the bottom of the league defending twos and threes. The risk is minutes: my numbers project about 27, and he played 34 in the opener.
NO@UTAH
Saddiq Bey
OVER 16.5 PTS + REB + AST
Don-K's DeskMy numbers have Bey around 19 combined in about 24 minutes, and Utah ranks last on Outlier's list for this market. The risk is one game of data and a blowout.
Shooting: 9 of 18 from the field. Also 2 steals. The Pelicans lost 123-120.
Opener line: 13 points, 5 rebounds, 0 assists in 24 minutes.
Grizzlies at Warriors
NBA · Fri 10:00 PM ETMEM@GS
Brandon Williams
OVER 14.5 PTS + REB + AST
Don-K's DeskButler, Moody and Porzingis are out, so Golden State needs his minutes. My numbers have him around 20 combined, and Memphis ranks near the bottom of Outlier's defense list. The risk is Podziemski playing, which would trim his role.
Opener line: 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists in 18 minutes.
Trail Blazers at Kings
NBA · Fri 10:00 PM ETPOR@SAC
Precious Achiuwa
OVER 16.5 PTS + REB + AST
Don-K's DeskMy numbers have him around 21 combined, and Sacramento is thin up front with Cardwell and Raynaud out. The risk is Monk playing and the rotation tightening.
Opener line: 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists in 29 minutes.
The finals.
How Friday games ended. Scores and player lines are from ESPN box scores.
Hawks at Hornets
Spectrum CenterFinal| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawks (2-0) | 33 | 35 | 29 | 31 | 128 |
| Hornets (1-1) | 20 | 23 | 19 | 19 | 81 |
Atlanta led after every quarter and won 128-81. The Hornets scored 23 or fewer in every quarter. Jalen Johnson had 19 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals in 29 minutes, and Aaron Wiggins added 19 on 7-of-9 shooting. For Charlotte, Naz Reid led with 17 points and Brandon Miller finished with 6 points on 2-of-14 shooting.
Shooting 9-16 FG, 0-3 3PT. Also 3 steals and 3 turnovers.
Shooting 7-9 FG, 3-5 3PT, 2-4 FT. Also 2 steals.
Shooting 5-12 FG, 2-7 3PT, 2-2 FT. Also 2 steals.
Shooting 2-14 FG, 1-11 3PT, 1-1 FT. Also 2 steals and 2 turnovers.
Shooting 7-16 FG, 3-8 3PT. Also 7 turnovers.
Don-K's take Atlanta won all four quarters, and Charlotte never scored more than 23 in any of them.
Knicks at Celtics
TD GardenFinal| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knicks (0-2) | 27 | 22 | 24 | 30 | 103 |
| Celtics (1-1) | 26 | 24 | 33 | 24 | 107 |
Boston won 107-103. The Celtics led 50-49 at the half and 83-73 after three, and New York closed to four in the fourth. Jayson Tatum had 36 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in 37 minutes. Josh Hart had 10 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals, and OG Anunoby had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists. Miles McBride went 6 of 8 from three for the Knicks.
Shooting 4-12 FG, 2-7 3PT. Also 3 steals and 0 turnovers.
Shooting 5-11 FG, 2-6 3PT, 8-10 FT. Also 3 turnovers.
Shooting 9-13 FG, 2-3 3PT. Also 4 turnovers.
Shooting 14-26 FG, 3-10 3PT, 5-5 FT. Also 3 steals.
Don-K's take Boston's third quarter (33-24) was the difference. New York cut it to four in the fourth and ran out of time.
Pelicans at Jazz
Delta CenterFinal| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelicans (0-2) | 28 | 24 | 38 | 29 | 119 |
| Jazz (1-1) | 31 | 31 | 24 | 34 | 120 |
Utah won 120-119. New Orleans scored 38 in the third to lead 90-86 going into the fourth, and Utah outscored the Pelicans 34-29 in the last 12 minutes. Jaren Jackson Jr. had 24 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks, and Keyonte George had 19 points and 10 assists. For New Orleans, Zion Williamson scored 23, Saddiq Bey scored 20 on 8-of-12 and Dejounte Murray had 16 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals.
Shooting 7-15 FG, 0-2 3PT, 2-2 FT. Also 3 steals and 3 turnovers.
Shooting 8-12 FG, 3-5 3PT, 1-1 FT. Also 2 turnovers.
Shooting 8-12 FG, 7-8 FT. Also 3 steals and 2 turnovers.
Shooting 7-15 FG, 2-4 3PT, 8-10 FT. Also 3 turnovers.
Shooting 6-12 FG, 3-7 3PT, 4-6 FT. Also 6 turnovers.
Don-K's take New Orleans led by four after three quarters and lost by one.
Grizzlies at Warriors
Chase CenterFinal| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzlies (2-0) | 33 | 27 | 24 | 27 | 111 |
| Warriors (0-2) | 34 | 22 | 34 | 18 | 108 |
Memphis won 111-108. Golden State led 90-84 after three and scored 18 in the fourth, while the Grizzlies scored 27. Ty Jerome had 28 points on 11-of-22 shooting and Cameron Boozer had 25 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists. Stephen Curry had 24 points for Golden State and went 11 of 11 at the line, and Yaxel Lendeborg had 18 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists.
Shooting 11-22 FG, 3-5 3PT, 3-5 FT. Also 4 turnovers.
Shooting 6-13 FG, 4-7 3PT, 9-9 FT. Also 6 turnovers.
Shooting 5-15 FG, 3-10 3PT, 11-11 FT.
Shooting 1-5 FG, 0-3 3PT, 2-2 FT. Also 1 steal and 2 turnovers.
Don-K's take Golden State led by six after three and scored 18 in the fourth. Memphis scored 27.
Trail Blazers at Kings
Golden 1 CenterFinal| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trail Blazers (2-0) | 27 | 32 | 44 | 25 | 128 |
| Kings (0-2) | 33 | 31 | 26 | 30 | 120 |
Portland won 128-120 behind a 44-point third quarter. Sacramento led 64-59 at the half. Deni Avdija had 26 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for Portland. For the Kings, Darius Acuff Jr. scored 33 and Domantas Sabonis had 27 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists, and Precious Achiuwa had 14 points and 6 rebounds in 26 minutes.
Shooting 8-16 FG, 1-5 3PT, 9-12 FT. Also 3 turnovers.
Shooting 7-11 FG, 0-1 3PT. Also 2 steals.
Shooting 10-13 FG, 6-7 FT. Also 5 turnovers.
Shooting 10-26 FG, 2-11 3PT, 11-12 FT. Also 3 turnovers.
Don-K's take Sacramento led at the half. Portland won the third quarter 44-26 and the game.
Don-K's ideas, not guarantees. Lines and injuries change, so check the number and the official injury report before you play. 21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.