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We learned quite a bit on the first night of NBA action coming out of the All-Star break, including how valuable DeMar DeRozan is. Is he the most valuable? Well, he has dropped from +3000 yesterday to +1800 today, and the Chicago Bulls are looking as good as they have since Tom Thibodeau was coaching there six years ago.

Thibs is in New York now, and the Big Apple is home to two things this particular Friday: A Brooklyn Nets team that has now lost 13 of 15, and a crust of ice following an overnight storm that could hold down attendance tonight at Madison Square Garden when the Miami Heat come to town to try to keep pace with those first-place Bulls.

DeRozan was one of the few NBA players to pick up where they left off as Thursday brought a couple of surprises and a whole bunch of bad basketball. Perhaps the slam dunk contest should have prepared us?

Well, the lessons of yesterday are in play today as we look ahead to a nine-game slate that includes an ESPN doubleheader of Heat-Knicks and Lakers-Clippers. We know that Kemba Walker is out for the Knicks after that offseason addition failed, and we know that LeBron James is iffy for the Lakers despite taking part in the NBA’s showcase event last weekend in Cleveland.

So let’s go down the slate and have at it, shall we?

Toronto (-2.5) at Charlotte: The Raptors went into the break with nine wins in 11 games, and they are four games ahead of the eighth-place Nets in the loss column but will have their work cut out in order to catch the Boston Celtics, winners of 10 of 11 after a 23-point road victory at Brooklyn last night. The Hornets, who were six games over .500 late last month, have lost nine of 10 to drop to ninth in the East. If Washington can surge, then Charlotte may miss the postseason. The Raptors have gone over only twice in seven games as road favorites, so the plays here are giving the points (-105), since the Raptors are 2-0 vs. Charlotte and can sweep the season series tonight, and under 225.5 (-110).

Oklahoma City (+7.5) at Indiana: The Thunder played at home last night and lost by 20 to Golden State, but their against-the-spread record as a road underdog (which they will be tonight) is an impressive 20-10-0. This one shapes up as a track meet with Tyrese Haliburton unleashed in Indianapolis and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander coming off a 32-point outing against the Suns. The plays are Thunder and the points (-105) and Oshae Brissett of Indiana over 11.5 points (-125).

Houston (+3.5) at Orlando: The Rockets and Magic are the two worst teams in the league, and Tankathon will be watching this one closely along with dozens of others. The Magic are 1-0-1 ATS as a home favorite, while the Rockets are 0-0-0 as a road favorite. Yup, there is a first time for everything. There is absolutely no reason to wager a penny on this abomination, Got it? Next...

San Antonio (-3) at Washington: This is an intriguing matchup of No. 11 teams, both of which could make the playoffs if the teams above them (Portland and Atlanta) continue to fade. So, there is an incentive there for each of these teams, and it is safe to say Gregg Popovich will be more distracted than Wes Unseld Jr. by the events unfolding in Ukraine. Take the Wizards and give the points (-110), and add on a triple-double prop for Dejounte Murray (+425). He is +425 to get his 12th of the season. Only Nikola Jokic has more. For those who like longer odds, we will not counsel you to take this but we will point out that Keldon Johnson is overdue for a double-double, which is +1200 on the player prop sheet.

Miami (-6) at New York: The Heat won six of seven heading into the break, and the Knicks are a train wreck. This line is too small. Give the points (-105). Easiest pick of the night.

Philadelphia (-2.5) at Minnesota: James Harden is making his Sixers debut, and why ESPN did not switch to this game is beyond our comprehension. The Wolves had a terrific home victory over the Grizzlies last night behind D’Angelo Russell’s 37 points, and there is no reason why the Wolves should not keep this one close and cover. So take the points (-110). As for Harden, who knows? So stay away from his props until we have a body of Philly work to judge him on.

New Orleans (+7) at Phoenix: The Pelicans will have the rest advantage because the Suns played last night in Oklahoma City and traveled, but neither team shows a trend in that category. What has been trending for the Pels is 30-point games by C.J. McCollum, who has three of them in five games since being traded. We like a couple of player props here: McCollum over 22.5 points (-105) and Brandon Ingram over 4.5 assists (-140).

Dallas (+5.5) at Utah: The Mavs won six of seven going into the break, and Luka Doncic surpassed 40 points in three of those games. The Jazz are only 13-18-0 as a home favorite, which is way different than last season when they were unstoppable in Salt Lake City. Five-and-a-half points is too much for them to give. Take the Mavs and the points (-105).

L.A. Clippers (+1.5) at L.A. Lakers: The Clips scored 142 points in their final game before the break against Houston, and the Lakers are only a slightly better defensive team than the Rockets (at least they are better than someone). The play here is over 221 (-110) with Marcus Morris Sr. (-120) and Terrence Mann (-115) both going over their individual point totals, 17.5 and 12.5 respectively.