The Weekender:

February 05, 2025

Don’t look now, but there’s a bit of a newsletter hot streak forming. The last four bets, all even money or underdogs, have cashed outright. It’s time to keep the ball rolling with some more NBA action, right after some coverage surrounding what’s already been one of the craziest NBA trade deadlines of all time.

Here’s what we've got today:

  • NBA Quick Hitters

  • Trade Deadline Updates and Rumors

  • Suns-Thunder Game Pick

  • A Different Set of Trade Updates: NFL Rumors Update

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Quick Hitters: What You Need to Know Now


🔹 Sharp Money Alert: The Memphis Grizzlies opened as 8-point favorites against the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors, who will defend their home court, have cut the spread all the way to 6.5. Even without Desmond Bane, fading the public for Memphis might be a good look here.
🔹 Odds Boost to Grab: Sleeper Picks is currently offering a 100% deposit match up to $1,500, compared to a 50% deposit match from Underdog. If you need a new book, Sleeper is worth a gander.
🔹 Trap Game Warning: The Milwaukee Bucks are currently taking 64% of the money against the Charlotte Hornets for tonight’s game. That’s in spite of both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard entering with a questionable designation. The Bucks are -9, a large spread to cover with two hobbled stars.

🔥 Stay ahead of the books. Let’s cash tickets. 🔥

Bet Spotlight: What the Experts Are Saying

Source: Winners and Whiners
Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons: Pistons +4.5
Reasoning: The Pistons have had plenty of rest coming into this game, while the Cavs took a tough loss to the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night primetime.
Consensus: The public is fading this pick. Cleveland has received 86% of the bets at this point.
Our Take: Ballers agrees with fading the public here. The Cavs are going to be worn out, and Detroit is a feisty team looking to make a statement. A Pistons win would be a surprise, but a cover wouldn’t be.

Trade Deadline Updates and Rumors

We’ve covered the two major deadline deals that went down over the weekend, but there’s plenty more going on before Thursday’s 12:00 PM deadline.

Sixers and Mavericks Make a Deal

After the disastrous reception on their first move, the Dallas Mavericks decided to give it another go. General manager Nico Harrison dealt guard Quentin Grimes for small forward Caleb Martin, including a second-round pick to secure Martin’s move down south.

It would’ve been nearly impossible for this to be worse than Dallas’s worst trade, but credit where credit is due, this is a solid move. Grimes has been solid, but with the addition of Max Christie, he became expendable. Martin adds more size and defensive toughness to a lineup that promises to be one of the grittiest in the NBA.

Suns Rumors: Kevin Durant On the Move?

Kevin Durant might be on the move once more. Rumors surrounding the busiest front office in the NBA, Dallas, and Durant have been flying around the league. The Golden State Warriors are another popular suitor, although the asking price for KD is reportedly massive. A couple of first-round picks and several key players seems to be the minimum.

Bucks Rumors: A New Face From Our Nation’s Capital

There’s been some noise about a deal that would send Kyle Kuzma to the Milwaukee Bucks, likely in exchange for Khris Middleton.

Kuzma would be a healthier, more reliable piece than Middleton, but it’s hard to see this being a move that really shoots the Bucks to the top of the East.

Suns-Thunder Game Pick

Last time out, Ballers recommended picking the Grizzlies to cover against the San Antonio Spurs. Thankfully, it wasn’t even a sweat. Here’s hoping we can keep things going in this game between the Suns and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Here are the game odds.

This spread might seem massive, but it’s certainly justified. Durant is doubtful for this game, leaving Phoenix with a starting lineup of Tyus Jones, Devin Booker, Ryan Dunn, Royce O’Neale, and Nick Richards. That’s an absolutely horrific lineup. Definitely doesn’t help that they’ve dropped two games in a row, both to the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Thunder will be without shooting guard Cason Wallace but will otherwise sport their normal starters. Additionally, Oklahoma City is 16-7-1 against the spread as home favorites on the year, a ridiculous cover percentage of 69.6%. Meanwhile, Phoenix has covered only 37% of the time as underdogs. The Suns are playing bad ball and will miss one of their best players here. Take OKC to cover.

An Update on NFL Trade Rumors

The Super Bowl hasn’t even rolled around yet, and there are already trade rumors surrounding two hugely popular NFL stars. Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns requested a trade this week, and the Los Angeles Rams informed Cooper Kupp the organization would be looking to move him.

Garrett, as one of the best edge rushers in the NFL, will have no shortage of suitors. Potential landing spots include the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, and the Washington Commanders. Two of those teams made their respective conference championships and were torpedoed by their lack of impact players on defense. Each should be willing to sacrifice significant future assets to acquire Garrett.

The Lions fell in the Divisional Round, almost exclusively because their defense couldn’t get a stop to save its life. Pairing Garrett with the returning Aidan Hutchinson would ensure that that doesn’t happen again.

The market surrounding Kupp will be far less competitive, but there are several team fits. The Texans, Titans, Bills, and Ravens should all be interested. Houston will likely lose Stefon Diggs in free agency, leaving them thin at receiver.

Buffalo will suffer a similar fate as Amari Cooper and Mack Hollins test free agency. Kupp could help elevate the offense that came so close to tasting a Super Bowl berth.

 

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