National Sports Service
3* Bulls -4
3* LA -4.5
Matt Fargo
9* Spurs -3.5
9* LA Lakers -5
Rocketman
3* Suns
Craig Davis
40 Dimer - Cleveland
Power Play Wins
Cleveland -5.5
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
8* Lakers -4.5
For a number of different reasons I believe the value in this contest is on the home side.
Utah is coming off a 128-104 victory over Golden State on Wednesday.
A big reason behind Utah's great play of late has been because of Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer; however each has struggled against the taller defenders of the Lakers.
Keep in mind, that despite how well they've been playing, the Jazz are in fact just 2-4 ATS their last six on the road; also just 8-14-1 ATS their last 23 vs. LA.
On the other side of the court: LA is coming off back to back sub par performances and will be looking to avoid a third straight.
“We’re not playing well defensively,” guard Kobe Bryant said. “This trip was consistently bad, so we’ve got to get back to work.”
A win tonight though and the Lakers can secure the Pacific Division title for the third time.
The Lakers are averaging 114.3 points and shooting 51.4 percent during their win streak over Utah, winning 101-77 on Dec. 9 in the only meeting at Staples Center this season.
Important to point out that LA is in fact 9-8 ATS after allowing 105 points or more; which means that after a sub-par effort, it responds with a dominant performance the next time out.
Bottom line: No need to over analyze this one; LA is not happy with its recent performances and is anxious to turn it around; it has a golden opportunity to do just that; when taking all of the strong trends into consideration and the rest of these factors, the sharp money in this game is on the LAKERS!
Rocketman
Phoenix -9
Phoenix is now 49-26 overall this year while Detroit is only 23-51 on the season. Phoenix is 21-5 SU and 18-7 ATS this year in the 2nd half of the season. Phoenix is 10-3 ATS on Friday nights this year. Phoenix is 27-13 ATS this year after allowing 105 points or more. Phoenix is 30-13 ATS last 3 years when playing against a team with a losing record in the 2nd half of the season. Phoenix is 41-18 ATS last 3 years and 15-4 ATS this year against poor defensive teams allowing 99 points per game or more in the 2nd half of the season. Detroit is 13-30 ATS this year revenging a loss against an opponent. Detroit is 7-17 ATS this year after a loss by 10 points or more. Detroit is 13-33 ATS last 3 years and 7-21 ATS this year after 3 or more consecutive losses. Phoenix is scoring 110.5 points per game this year. Phoenix has won 9 games in a row while Detroit has lost 9 games in a row. We'll play Phoenix for 3 units tonight!
Tony George
Golden St -3.5
I talked about this game on a podcast today and LOVE this game tonight. NY is on a 4th road game in a row, they are playing deplorable ball, and not scoring. T Mac and Harrington are out tonight and the Warriors always play tough ball on a strong homecourt. I have NO doubts of a 8-10 point win in this one, I have a 6 point overlay on the spread and look for Curry to have a big night at the point for GS. Play 2 Units on Golden State.
Lenny Del Genio
Charlotte -3.5
The Bucks have been playing very good basketball under Scott Skiles despite not having any superstars and a rookie point guard. However, this is a tough spot for the Bucks having to play their third game in four nights. After beating up the Clippers on Tuesday, they went to Cleveland in a back-to-backer and took the Cavs right down to the wire losing in the final minute 101-98. They did leave Cleveland with the money cashing as lofty 9-point dogs. Charlotte has a favorable schedule with this being their third straight home game and playing with rest. The Bobcats played very well on Wednesday night beating up the Sixers 103-84 easily covering the 10-point spread. Charlotte will make it tough for this Milwaukee team to score tonight as they are the number one defensive team in the league allowing only 94 points per game. Charlotte will also be looking for revenge from a 5-point loss in Milwaukee last month. A tired Bucks team will have lots of trouble tonight against the Bobcats. Charlotte is our NBA Oddsmaker Mismatch.
Marc Lawrence
Indiana -2
The Pacers host the Heat in an an Eastern Conference clash in Indiana tonight with triple revenge on their minds from a trio of losses suffered against Miami this season. The first of the three defeats was a 96-83 setback on this court in October. That loss snapped a 17-game home win streak in this series by the Pacers, who are 34-6 as a series host since 1990. In addition, Indiana 3-0 SU and ATS as a home dog versus Miami and 4-0 SU and ATS at home in games in which the Heat enter on a three game win streak. On the flip side, Miami is 2-8 ATS as a favorite off three straight win under head coach Erik Spoelstra, including 0-6 SU and ATS in this role when playing off an ATS win in its last game. With the pressure squarely on the Heat in their playoff push, look for the Pacers to settle a score here tonight. We like home dogs that have beaten their foe 17 of the last 18 times at this venue. We recommend a 3-unit play on Indiana.
Erin Rynning
Miami +1.5
TEDDY COVERS
Chicago Rush
KING CREOLE
2* Rockets +11
Street Rosenthal
*300 Memphis Grizzlies -3.5
*200 Phoenix Suns -9
*200 Houston Rockets +11
*200 Anaheim Ducks Over 5.5
ATS Lock Club
5 Units Phoenix -8.5
4 Units Cleveland -5