Michael Alexander

Rating: 2 Units

Both the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New Jersey Devils enter tonight's game at Newark, N.J., buoyed by winning performances Thursday night. The visiting Penguins topped the New York Rangers 5-2, allowing just 24 shots and snapping out of a defensive funk during which they allowed 15 goals over two games, both losses. The Devils ended an 0-2-2 slide with a 6-3 road win over the Buffalo Sabres. New Jersey is languishing in also-ran territory in the East Division, while the Penguins are in contention for the East title. Consider that Pittsburgh is 18-4 in their last 22 games as a favorite.

Rating: 2 Units

A trio that is probably the T’Wolves’ three most explosive players – Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley -- haven’t played many games together this season. But Beasley is recently back from a suspension, Russell returned from his injury earlier in the week in grand style, Towns is finally playing himself into shape and rhythm, and a new head coach has the three of them to use for the first time since taking the reins as an upgrade to Ryan Saunders (anyone was going to be better). Therefore, Minnesota – NBA-worst straight-up record notwithstanding -- could be a sneaky-profitable team from here on out.

Rating: 3 Units

As the Knicks have slipped below .500, the Grizzlies have made a gradual climb above it to 25-23, with convincing victories against teams that have recently beaten the Knicks. Nobody else will use the tired and often-inappropriate cliché that this match-up is “two teams headed in different directions,” because it’s not obvious enough to them. But we’ll say it: These are two teams headed in different directions. Memphis won last season’s only meeting 127-106 and in the teams’ last ten games, Memphis is averaging 119 ppg vs. the Knicks’ 105.0. It’s nice to play defense and all that, but ball’s gotta get through basket, too.

Rating: 2 Units

The Pelicans seem to have too much talent to only be 22-29. This is a tricky game for them in the first back after going 2 and 1 on the road. New Orleans has lost 4 of 5 and the win during this span was against the grounded Rockets. The Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram has missed several games and they will be without Josh Hart and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. This is not a good match-up for Steven Adams. Adams has held his own on the glass in the last 2 games he has faced Joel Embiid but he has been outscored by 28 points the last couple of times these players have met.

Rating: 3 Units

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been dealing with a left knee issue and there is really no positive to rushing him back to extended action with 21 games left to play before the end of the season. Milwaukee is in a great position to have the home-court advantage in the first round as they are currently the 3rd seed in the East, several games ahead of the 4th seed. Milwaukee might be able to coast a little. Charlotte will not be intimidated by Milwaukee. The Hornets beat them in January despite the fact Giannis had 34 points, 18 rebounds and 9 assists. Charlotte played the right way that night with 32 assists. That stat is no fluke as only 6 teams have more assists nightly. Charlotte has won 3 of 5 on this trip and one loss was to Brooklyn.

Rating: 2 Units

Pitcher:  Musgrove

The Padres came into 2021 expecting to challenge the Dodgers for NL West supremacy. However, things have gone a bit sideways since a 3-0 start. Not only have they lost three of four, but Fernando Tatis Jr suffered when appears to be a significant shoulder injury. Still, we expect San Diego to easily defeat the Rangers on Friday. Padres' pitching has been great thus far as a 1.97 ERA leads the National league. Joe Musgrove gets the starting nod here after  throwing six shutout innings in his first outing. He allowed just three hits, no walks and had eight strikeouts, leading to a 7-0 win over Arizona. Although they have won three of their last four games, Texas is not going to be a good team this year. Kohei Arihara makes his second start after the first resulted in an 11-4 loss to Kansas City. The Rangers were 0-4 vs. San Diego last season, giving up a grand slam in every game. Don't overthink this one.

NOTE: Do not play if pitcher is different than actual

Rating: 2 Units

Although the A’s were once again outhit last night, it wasn’t by twice as many. Only 8 to 6. But the Astros tripled runs against them, 6-2. A 1-7 Oakland team consistently outhit, consistently outscored, can’t be anything but a go-against target until they get the wheel turned in their direction. They’re hitting .170 as a team, to Houston’s .289. They have 3 home runs and 10 doubles in 8 games, to Houston’s MLB-leading 15 homers with 17 doubles in 7 games. Five of the seven Astros games have been against Oakland pitching, which Dusty Baker’s boys have been feasting upon and finding to be super delicious.

Rating: 2 Units

Pitcher: Wheeler

Charlie Morton is a pretty good pitcher but of tonight’s two starters, Zach Wheeler is the guy more likely to get through the opposing lineup one more time than the other if both are pitching to their best form. It already happened six days ago in Philadelphia when Wheeler threw 7 innings of 1-hit, shutout ball (with 10 Ks, 0 BB) against the Braves as Morton went 5 innings, giving up 6 hits and 3 runs. Last season, Wheeler finally learned how to beat the Braves after leaving the Mets, a franchise that has developed a chronic habit of losing to Atlanta, and he didn’t slack off in his first crack at them this season. He was born and raised in the Atlanta area, a little extra miscellaneous thingie that flies under the radar. Bryce Harper can slap an ownership tag on Morton: 7-for-12 lifetime with 6 RBIs. Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman is hitting .447 lifetime against Wheeler but Freddie Freeman is last season’s NL Most Valuable Player, who obviously thought he could wave the award in front of pitchers this season and repeat as he enters this game 2-for-18 (.111). Most of the Braves’ bats have been quiet; the team has a .170 batting average with a .552 OPS, both numbers third lowest in MLB.

NOTE:  Do not play if pitcher is different than actual