Sean Murphy

My selection is on Chicago plus the points over Atlanta at 7:30 pm ET on Thursday.

The Bulls find themselves looking to rebound after back-to-back losses both outright and against the spread, including a disappointing home defeat against Milwaukee on Monday. While the recent results have been frustrating for Chicago, this is a team that has performed respectably on the road this season, going 9-6 SU and 8-6-1 ATS.

Atlanta comes into this matchup following a confidence-boosting win over Minnesota on Monday, covering the spread as an underdog. However, consistency has eluded the Hawks, as they remain just 1-3 SU and ATS in their last four games and have managed to cover the number in only two of their last seven contests.

The Bulls should find themselves in a favorable position to capitalize on Atlanta's inconsistency and potential overconfidence. Expect Chicago's road-tested lineup to hang tough and potentially spring the upset in this matchup.

Take Chicago. Projected score: Chicago 121, Atlanta 120.

My selection is on Brooklyn plus the points over Milwaukee at 8 pm ET on Thursday.

The Nets come into this contest looking to stop the bleeding after back-to-back losses, both outright and against the spread. They’ll also have revenge on their minds following a narrow 118-113 defeat to the Bucks earlier this month. Brooklyn has demonstrated defensive tenacity recently, holding six of its last seven opponents to 43 or fewer made field goals. That defensive effort will be key against a Milwaukee squad that, despite its recent success, has struggled offensively at times, being held to 40 or fewer made field goals in seven of its last nine outings.

Milwaukee enters this game fresh off an "upset" victory in Chicago, marking its second consecutive win both SU and ATS. While the Bucks have shown they can grind out wins, their inconsistent shooting makes them vulnerable, especially against a Nets team that can apply defensive pressure and generate efficient offense when in rhythm.

Expect Brooklyn to step up and keep this one close in what should be a competitive matchup.

Take Brooklyn. Projected score: Milwaukee 112, Brooklyn 110.

Southeast Division Total of the Month. My selection is on the 'under' between Miami and Orlando at 7 pm ET on Thursday.

These two teams recently met in a surprisingly high-scoring affair, with the Magic pulling out a 121-114 victory on December 21st. However, I anticipate a much different outcome in this rematch, with a slower pace and stronger defensive play dictating the flow of the game.

Miami has excelled defensively of late, holding three straight opponents to 87 or fewer field goal attempts and seven of their last nine foes to 41 or fewer made field goals. On offense, the Heat have struggled to find rhythm, managing more than 41 made field goals only once in their last six games and being limited to exactly 36 in three straight contests.

Orlando has also leaned on its defense, holding four straight and seven of its last eight opponents to 40 or fewer made field goals. Offensively, the Magic have been kept to 41 or fewer made field goals in eight of their last 10 games, contributing to their consistent 'under' trends.

While the previous matchup saw an unusually high shooting percentage from both teams, I expect this rematch to be far more subdued, especially with both squads well-rested and emphasizing defense.

Take the 'under.' Projected score: Orlando 101, Miami 96.

My selection is on the 'under' between Seattle and Chicago at 8:15 pm ET on Thursday.

Both Seattle and Chicago enter this matchup off high-scoring contests last Sunday, with the Seahawks getting involved in a shootout against the Vikings and the Bears suffering a lopsided defeat at the hands of the Lions. However, the circumstances here suggest a slower-paced affair.

Seattle's struggles to establish its ground game in recent weeks have been directly tied to early deficits. In this spot as a road favorite against a struggling Bears squad, the Seahawks are more likely to dictate the pace and revert to their preferred run-heavy gameplan, shortening the game and limiting scoring opportunities.

On the other side, Chicago's defense has been a liability, allowing 30+ points in three consecutive games. That said, facing a less dynamic Seahawks offense should give the Bears an opportunity to deliver a more focused effort, especially after getting torched by an elite Lions unit last Sunday. Chicago’s best chance to stay competitive lies in controlling the clock offensively and reducing the burden on its defense.

With both teams likely to emphasize ball control, expect a more subdued scoring output in this Thursday night matchup.

Take the 'under.' Projected score: Seattle 23, Chicago 16.