BetMGM host Olivia Harlan Dekker joins Cheddar Bets to break down her favorite, and sometimes surprising, bets in the NBA tonight.

Sponsored by BetMGM

Cheddar Bets

Best Bets for Tonight's NBA Slate

joining us now. Bet mgm Host Olivia Harlan Dekker. Olivia, let's kick things off this week with an underachiever and an overachiever. So hawks are 3.5 point underdogs going into Chicago tonight. So is the best bed money line or are you taking the points on this one? You know what either? So take the points. It kind of feels like playoffs start now to make that top six to avoid the play. And like you mentioned in the east, top five teams separated by 2.5 games and the clock is ticking. We always refer to this part of the season like the second half, but it's not a half, it's like the last quarter of the season. There's not many games to still be played. And I think because of that the bowls are more motivated coming out of all star break. So I like money line here for sure. Don't overthink it honks. The Hawks ranked 23rd in defensive rating in their last 10 games. They are horrible defensively and they've struggled really on both ends of the floor. So the key for Chicago to me slow down bogdanovich who's been a spark for the Hawks as they try to make the play in Trae Young. Obviously he'll get his, especially against Chicago. He has played really well. So keep bogdanovich under 20 I think the bulls get a home win. Well DEMAR DeRozan had an unreal end to his first half scoring over 30 points in each of his last eight games? His points prop tonight sits at just 28 a half. So do you think this is a no brainer over? Well February was definitely his best month of the season. So of course with that in mind, this number may initially look kind of low, but he averaged 27.5 in the two meetings with Atlanta. So I always think that this first game out of the break is a bit slow for everyone. So no, I wouldn't say it's a no brainer. I actually think that number sounds about right. So personally, I would stay away from that. Well, John Moran and the Grizzlies have won nine of their last 11 coming into tonight yet are only favorites in Minnesota by a point and a half. So what's the small line telling you? And what do you think is the best bet here? It tells me that Minnesota is gaining confidence. They're so well coached. Karl, Anthony Towns has great momentum leaving all star break winning the three point contest and I think they're just a very under the radar team. Top five in the league in scoring if they can improve defensively, I think they can cause some issues after this break. So the best bet here is probably Grizzlies. Money line, lots of talent on the floor in this game. What's your favorite player prop in Minnesota tonight? Okay, Hannah, I've got a very random one for you because I was pouring myself over this. So I like Patrick Beverley combined steals and blocks over 1.5. It's hit the last three games before All Star. I like him to be scrappy tonight. Taking a lot of pride on defense. Knowing Pat personally, he's the unique kind of player that will come out of the break. Strong rallying the troops. He'll come ready to play tonight. Oh, I love that one. Alright, well the first leg of tonight's nationally televised doubleheader is Celtics at nets. Last time boston was in, Brooklyn was just two weeks ago where they stormed out to a 28 to 2 lead en route to a blowout win the line moved another three points in boston's favor and the Celtics are now 9.5 point favorites this time around. So where do you think the smart money is on this one? Yeah, I like boston here with the spread, their building momentum, Brooklyn is still is not healthy with or without KD Ben Simmons, Kyrie new acquisition, Goran dragic's, they're all out so take boston in the points. Alright, Olivia, Let's parlay it out for the folks at home last week. You hit big on the MBD honest showdown. You've gone through all the matchups. What's the best one game parlay you've come up with for us tonight. Okay, it's Hawks at Chicago. I like the bulls win. Like I mentioned, I like Trae young over 28 a half and I like first half score under 1 18.5 was the last number I saw. And I just think that that again pertains to the slow start after the break. But Trae young will get his but I think Chicago wins. Alright, we're keeping score here you are hot during football season. So hopefully the momentum keeps going for you. Well yeah right there's so much hoops talk which by the way like I was I was the worst so you can only do better than me. But there's so much hoops to talk about these days. So let's break down some topics and our rapid fire buzzer beater. Are you ready for these? Yes, let's go. Alright. Which signing will have more of an impact down the stretch demarcus cousins in Denver or Goran dragic in Brooklyn. I think Goran dragic's for sure. It's a great signing for Brooklyn veteran leadership, playoff experience, a well liked guy. And in any games that Kyrie can't go. Which now with the vaccine rules could change. We might see more of them. I hope that Gordon is gonna be a very important piece. Who will be the breakout player of the second half for the last quarter. Like you said. Yeah. Yeah, I know it's the second half is easier to say. We can say I like Cameron Payne in phoenix while chris paul is out. He's gonna get a lot more minutes now and even Devin booker should see a different role with more ball handling but pain statistically will take that big jump. What do you think would make the dunk contest better capitalist. I think you have to make it mandatory for the best players. That's what the people want. Lebron James, john Moran. We should have been seeing them in that. I also feel like moving the three point contest to the final event would make sense because it's a three point lead. Now, you know when the dunk contest was at its absolute best, it was a dunking mid court league. Now we see all these great three point shooters. So people kind of want to see that. I think that should be the final event. That's so true. What are your feelings on the album ending? I think it's fun. Um it played beautifully with Lebron taking the final shot in Cleveland. And I like, I like how we see in the pro bowl. I like when the rules are different, it makes it more of an event and less of a game because we all know the first half of that game was no game. It was just guys having some fun. But the ending definitely was cinematic and last one we know it's only been two weeks now, but we have to bring it back to football for just a second, fill in the blank. The commander's having to revise their logo already is blank. Typical of the times. Nothing is permanent. Anything can happen. Uh no one's ever happy with anything. So I'd say typical of the times. Well, thank you Olivia as always, for joining us. That was Bet MGM Host Olivia, Harlan Dekker.