Monday's NBA slate brings us five games including the beautiful absurdity of the Los Angeles Lakers being home underdogs against the Atlanta Hawks. In a league where home court is supposed to mean something, the Lakers continue to be the most confusing team in basketball.

The Quick Hit

• Featured game: Hawks (-3.5) at Lakers, O/U 231.5 at 10:30 PM ET
• Total games: Five games on the Monday slate
• Best ATS record: Suns at 27-10-2 this season
• The move: Rockets are massive home favorites against the Bulls—something's off

Hawks (-3.5) at Lakers | 10:30 PM ET

The Lakers (23-14) are 3.5-point home underdogs against the Hawks (20-21). Read that again. A team with a winning record. At home. Getting 3.5 points against a .500 team.

Atlanta is riding a three-game win streak and playing some of their best basketball of the season. Trae Young has been cooking, and the Hawks' offense has found rhythm after a rocky start. Meanwhile, the Lakers continue to be maddeningly inconsistent, capable of beating anyone and losing to anyone on any given night.

The total of 231.5 suggests oddsmakers expect a shootout. Neither team plays much defense, and both have the firepower to put up 120+.

Rockets (-12.5) vs Bulls | 8:00 PM ET

Wait, what? The Houston Rockets are 12.5-point favorites? The same Rockets who lost three straight coming into this week? Against a Bulls team that, sure, isn't great, but isn't THAT bad?

Houston (22-14) hosts Chicago (18-20) in what FanDuel's model projects as an 81.2% win probability for the Rockets. That's a massive spread for a team coming off losses. Either the books know something about Chicago injuries we don't, or this is a trap line designed to get public money on Houston.

The total is 224.5, suggesting a moderate pace game. Take the under if you think Houston's defense shows up.

Nuggets (-3.5) at Pelicans | 8:00 PM ET

Denver (26-13) heads to New Orleans (9-32) as 3.5-point road favorites. The Pelicans are an absolute disaster—9-32 and on a five-game home losing streak. Zion Williamson's injury-plagued season has derailed any hopes they had.

The Nuggets have a 23-16-0 ATS record this season and Nikola Jokic continues his MVP-caliber play. The total of 235.5 is the highest on the board tonight, reflecting Denver's up-tempo offense and New Orleans' complete inability to stop anyone.

Heat vs Suns | 7:30 PM ET

Phoenix (24-15) hosts Miami (20-19) as slim 1-point favorites at Kaseya Center. Wait, the Suns are the road team but they're hosting? Let me double-check that... Actually, Miami hosts, Phoenix visits. The Heat are 1-point underdogs at home.

The Suns are 27-10-2 against the spread this season—the best ATS record in the NBA. They're riding a three-game win streak. Miami is a mediocre 22-16-1 ATS.

The total of 230.5 is high but makes sense—both teams can score, neither plays lockdown D.

Warriors (-10.5) vs Trail Blazers | 11:00 PM ET

Golden State (21-19) closes the night as double-digit favorites against Portland (19-21) at Chase Center. Stephen Curry versus whatever the Blazers are running out there these days. The total of 225.5 suggests a normal-paced game.

Portland has been surprisingly competitive this season but laying 10.5 against the Warriors at home feels right. Curry can get hot at any moment, and Golden State's home court advantage is real.

The Bottom Line

Five games, plenty of action. The Lakers being home dogs is the story, but the Rockets -12.5 line smells like a trap. Trust the Suns ATS record, fade the Pelicans' disaster of a season, and maybe sprinkle something on the Hawks if you believe the Lakers will Lakers. Let's eat.