O'Sullivan's Sunday NBA Picks: Nets vs Nuggets, Hawks vs Mavericks, Celtics vs Magic

Seattle O’Sullivan 2021-2022 NBA Season so far: 127-158-4, -$474.45

(Standing Caveat: The universe is chaotic. Life is unpredictable. Things happen. Like injuries. And COVID protocols. In following Seattle O’Sullivan’s betting advice, be advised that you should always monitor your bets during the day to make certain unforeseen things have not occurred which might change your wagering opinion. Thank you.)

Brooklyn Nets at Denver Nuggets, 3:30 pm Eastern

The Pick: Denver -6 (-110), bet $27.50 to win $25

This is Brooklyn’s fifth road game in eight days, and have lost seven games in a row. If you look up “reeling” in the dictionary, there’s a picture of Steve Nash on the Nets’ bench with his head in his hands. Stars Kevin Durant and James Harden, both injured, will not play tonight, and neither will Joe Harris, an underrated aspect of Brooklyn’s offense. The Nuggets are 4-2 against the spread in their last six games, and still have a bit of a homecourt advantage playing a mile high in Denver. Even though they’ve lost three in a row, the Nuggets are scrapping and fighting to keep a reasonable playoff position. After tonight, the Nets get to go home - this game won’t be over soon enough.

Atlanta Hawks at Dallas Mavericks, 6 pm Eastern

The Pick: Dallas -134, bet $26.80 to win $20

I’m taking Dallas tonight despite Tim Hardaway Jr. and Kristaps Porzingis being out with injuries. I’m sticking with the Mavericks because I’m banking on star Luka Doncic taking on the challenge of going up against fellow star Trae Young. Young is the third-best scorer in the NBA, while Doncic is sixth. Dallas is fighting for homecourt advantage in at least the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, nipping at the heels of the Utah Jazz. They’ve just come off a big win against the Philadelphia 76ers, and I think they’ll build on that tonight. The last time they played the Hawks, they got pasted, 113-87, and I think they’ll remember that tonight. I’ll take the moneyline for a straight win.

Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic, 6 pm Eastern

The Pick: Boston -9.5 (-108), bet $21.60 to win $20

Boston comes into Orlando tonight riding a four-game winning streak, and it seems like they may have finally figured out how to have Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown co-exist. They’ve won eight in a row and have gone 4-1 against the spread in their last five games against the Magic. The Celtics are fighting for a playoff position too. They’ve had two days’ rest, while Orlando played last night. I think the Celtics cruise tonight.