It was a slow start to the season yesterday with the Bulls, Mavericks and Knicks failing to cover. Our only win, the Pistons, blew the Bucks out of the water and had secured the game by halftime. Let’s get some more of those type of wins tonight.

Wizards -1.5 First Quarter v. Lakers

The Lakers at Staples Center are a completely different team than the Lakers are on the road. The Lakers are +4.5 tonight and may be able to cover that spread by the end of the night and perhaps pull off a road victory; however, the Lakeshow will start slow tonight. Los Angeles has a difficult time stopping penetration from the point guard position and John Wall is one of the best in the business. The Wiz should be up by 5 or 6 after the first quarter.

Hawks -7 v. Magic

Atlanta is the third best team in the Eastern Conference right now at 8-6. That probably says more about how putrid the Eastern Conference has been than how good the Hawks are. The Hawks are 4-2 at home and are facing a Magic team that is currently winless on the road this season. While the Magic certainly have the talent to win this game in Atlanta, especially with the return of Tobias Harris, they don’t quite have the chemistry yet to beat the Hawks. This may be a competitive game for a while but Atlanta will run away in the fourth quarter. Hawks by 10.

Warriors -2 @ Pelicans

The Pellies have won 3 of their last 4 games and have been victorious in their last 3 in New Orleans. Meanwhile, the Warriors are struggling to find a groove without Andre Iguodala and are not the same shooting team on the road that they are in Oakland. So why take the Warriors tonight? The Pelicans lost last night by 30 in San Antonio. Always bet against the back-to-back team, especially after playing the Spurs. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson should find room on the perimeter to operate and if they are effective they will lead the Warriors to victory. Warriors by 8.

Raptors -7 v. Nets

What in the world in going on with the Nets? The answer lies somewhere between injuries and Jason Kidd’s inability to coach, at all. Kidd is the worst coach in the Association. The Nets will eventually turn it around because they simply have too much talent not to. But for right now keep riding against them until Deron Williams and Brook Lopez return to the lineup. Plus, the Nets are 1-7 on the road. Toronto by 12.

Season: 1-3

Jason Gold is the Founder and Co-Editor in Chief of SportsMoneyLife.com. Follow Jason on Twitter @TheSportsGuy33.