The Lede: Boogie and the Brow
Don’t have time to read through 1,000 words, but need some informed betting tips? Here’s a quick rundown on today’s biggest sports story, and how it impacts the way you should bet.
DeMarcus Cousins to the Pelicans
In a time where everyone in the NBA is looking to get smaller, the Pelicans just constructed a big, powerful, and downright scary frontcourt by acquiring DeMarcus Cousins from the Kings. Omri Casspi comes over with Boogie, and New Orleans sends a package of Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, and a first and second-round pick.
Cousins and Anthony Davis currently combine for 55.5 points, 22.5 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks per game. New Orleans’ new Twin Towers will be able to pound teams in the post, plus they can both step outside and knock it back from range. At the other end, I wouldn’t want to be an opposing guard driving to the rim with those monsters in the paint.
Don’t get too carried away and bet the Pelicans to beat the Rockets on Thursday, when the new frontcourt debuts, as it’ll likely take some time for the two bigs to figure out how to play together. But New Orleans only sits 2.5 games out of the final playoff spot in the West and, realistically, only have Denver and Portland ahead of them; the Kings are headed for a free-fall. Betting the Pelicans to make the playoffs is a great move that will still bring a bit of value.
As for Sacramento, they have likely ensured they’ll hold onto their top-ten protected first-round pick in 2017, and are in good position to pick in the top-five.
After working in TV, Matt turned his focus towards numbers, specifically odds. He has been with us since 2016 and serves as SBD's Editor-in-Chief, credited with creating our futures trackers, SBD's score predictor, SBD Sharp, and his own model for calculating NFL SOS, among other products.
