Kyle Hunter
3* Bobcats/Hawks Under 183
3* Jazz/Hornets Over 191
Wunderdog
Lakers / 76ers Over 197
Minnesota +9
Mike Lineback
Houston Rockets
Grizzlies/Rockets Over
Suns/Mavericks Under
Wayne Root
Billionaire - Arizona St
DAVID BANKS
LAKERS
HEAT
HORNETS
TENNESSEE
OREGON
Jeff Benton
20 Dime Philadelphia
10 Dime LA Clippers
76ERS
Both the Lakers and Sixers are in the tricky spot of playing their third game in four nights, but L.A. has been on the road for all three (part of a seven-game, 12-day road trip that ends Sunday in Toronto). Philadelphia, on the other hand, has played five of its last six and seven of its last nine at home. During this nine-game span, the 76ers have won seven times, going 6-1 at home (only setback was a last-second 102-101 loss to the red-hot Celtics last Thursday).
Not only has Philly won seven of nine overall, it is the hottest pointspread team the NBA, cashing in 10 straight games and 12 of the last 13. That includes eight consecutive spread-covers at home, going 4-0 ATS (and 3-1 SU) as a home underdog.
The key to Philadelphia’s success? Defense. Take out the 102-101 loss to the Celtics eight days ago, and the 76ers have held nine straight opponents under 100 points. And during its 12-1 ATS run, Doug Collins’ team is yielding just 91.2 points per game (and that includes a 116-114 overtime loss at Washington back on Nov. 23).
The Lakers have picked up their offense in their last two games, blowout road wins over the Wizards on Tuesday (103-89) and the Pacers on Wednesday (109-94). Prior to that, though, L.A. had averaged 90 ppg in its first three games on the trip (Clippers, Bulls and Nets). Not only that, but prior to winning and covering at Washington and Indiana, Los Angeles had been in a 1-9 ATS funk (obviously, all as a favorite), being held under triple digits in eight of those 10 contests.
Even if you throw in the wins over the fact that the Lakers have won six of seven overall (and four of five on this road trip), they’re still just a .500 road team since Nov. 26, going 4-4 SU and just 2-6 ATS.
More negatives for Los Angeles: It is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 overall, 2-5 ATS in its last seven against the Eastern Conference, 1-5 ATS in its last six against Atlantic Division foes, 2-5 ATS in its last seven after one day off and 2-5 ATS in its last seven after a victory. Meanwhile, in addition to covering in 10 straight games overall and eight straight at home, the 76ers are on pointspread upticks of 5-1-1 against the Western Conference, 5-0-1 after one day off, 8-0 following a victory and 5-0 after a double-digit win.
Bottom line: Like the Celtics eight days ago, the Lakers (just 9-5 on the road this year) may find a way to pull this game out in a final possession situation. But I see the 76ers staying within this impost most if not all of the way, and they’ll be challenging for the outright upset in the final two minutes.
CLIPPERS
It’s gotta happen at some point, right? I mean, sooner or later the Clippers have to win a road game, right? They’re 0-for-11 on the highway this season, the most recent setback coming at Philadelphia on Wednesday when L.A. got out scored 52-35 in the second half, turning a 56-53 halftime lead into a 105-91 loss.
Thing is, it’s not like the Clippers have been completely non-competitive on the road. Prior to falling apart in the second half against the scorching-hot Sixers, L.A. suffered road losses at Portland, Denver and Phoenix – three teams that are much better than Detroit – by nine, five and eight points. The Clippers also started the season with consecutive road defeats at Denver (111-104) and Utah (109-107 in double-overtime). There’s also a two-point loss at Minnesota on the ledger. So six of the Clippers’ 11 defeats have been by a total of 33 points.
Yes, I know the Clippers couldn’t get past Detroit in Los Angeles five weeks ago (losing 113-107 in overtime as a 1½-point home favorite). But L.A. swept the season series last year, including a 104-96 win in Motown as a 3½-point underdog.
Also, even though Detroit is coming off Monday’s 103-80 rout of the Hawks as a four-point underdog, this is still a team that’s lost 12 of 16 and is 4-8 ATS in its last 12. The Pistons have also failed to cover in four straight games against the Western Conference and 10 of 12 following a double-digit win.
Finally, think about this: The Clippers are in ATS slumps of 0-9 against Eastern Conference teams, 3-9 against the Clippers, 1-4 in Detroit (the one cover coming last year) and – to repeat – they’re winless through 11 road games this year … and yet despite all that, Detroit is barely favored here. Doesn’t that raise a red flag? It does to me, as there’s no doubt in mind which of these two squads has more talent. And with a Saturday game on deck at Chicago – a game the Clippers likely know they can’t win – they’ll bring supreme effort tonight because they realize this is a very winnable contest.
ATS Lock Club
4 Units Villanova -10
4 Units Jazz -1
4 Units Thunder -11.5
3 Units Grizzlies +3
Wizard of Odds Guaranteed Selections
BOOKIE-BUSTING LATE INFO NBA BOMB
Indiana -8.5
TOP RATED KILLER COLLEGE HOOPS WIZARD WINNER
Utah -2.5
Rocky Sheridan
5* Dallas Mavericks -7
5* NY Knicks +5.5
5* Charlotte 49ers +13.5
5* Utah Utes -3
Dr Bob
Opinion
Sacramento (+11½) over OKLAHOMA CITY
Sacramento applies to a very good 83-24-2 ATS big road underdog situation while Oklahoma City applies to a negative 19-51 ATS home favorite letdown situation that plays against teams on a 4 game spread win streak when hosting a bad team. Unfortunately, my ratings favor the Thunder by 12 ½ points in this game and I’m not willing to give up a full point of line value to make the Kings a Best Bet. I’ll lean with Sacramento at +11 ½ points.
Opinion
Charlotte (+13) over Tennessee
Tennessee is coming off their first loss of the season, an 82-89 upset loss to Oakland, Michigan in which they allowed 54% shooting. That loss actually sets up Tennessee in a very negative 14-73-1 ATS situation and I would have taken Charlotte in a Best Bet if the line were a bit higher. This game is being priced as if were on Charlotte’s home court, but this game is being played off campus at the Time Warner Arena. Tennessee still has a road disadvantage, but Charlotte shouldn’t have their usual home advantage and my ratings favor the Volunteers by 14 points in this game. Charlotte’s leading scorer was kicked off the team, but the 49ers have played at the same level in 5 games without Shamari Spears as they did in 5 games with him. Still, the line is a bit low to make this a Best Bet but I will lean with Charlotte at +13 points and I would make this a 2-Star Best Bet at +14 points or more.
Red Dog Sports
10* Virginia -7
UVA's coach Tony Bennett was at Washington State two years ago so he will be familiar with Oregon. UVA is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 vs. the Pac 10 and this will be Oregon's first true road game. UVA gets outside shooter Sammy Zeglinski back. Mike Scott can score inside and UVA plays better defense. I think UVA wins by 10-12 and covers the number Friday night!
Lenny Del Genio
Philadelphia +4.5
This smells like a trap game to us. The Sixers have been on an absolutely phenomenal run at the betting window, cashing ten straight games and winning seven of those outright (were favored in only two of the games). They have played the Lakers tough each of the last three meetings with the Lakers failing to top 100 points in all three meetings. Speaking of that, LA is really struggling to score of late despite what the overall season numbers may say. They've scored 99 or less in eight of their last 12 games. This is their fifth road game in eight nights and fatigue may be a factor. Philly has held its last three opponents under 40% shooting. Philadelphia is our NBA Upset Special.
OC Dooley
2 Units Heat / Knicks Under 210.5
This marks the second time in three days that the high-octane New York Knicks offense (108 points per game average) is being showcased on ESPN. The oddsmakers had no choice but to “inflate” this evening’s total considering that against one of the league’s premier defenses (Boston) on Wednesday, the Knicks were involved in a 118-116. In that contest the entire country got to see sizzling hot center Amare Stoudemire (39 points, 10 rebounds) surpass the 30-point plateau for a NINTH consecutive game, which is a Knicks franchise record. Stoudemire was aided on Wednesday as massive Boston center Shaquille O’Neal was forced to sit out with a calf injury. One of the biggest concerns involving tonight’s visiting side is that they have been unable to handle opponents who have a dominant center, so Miami has a chance at making a major “statement” this evening by handling Stoudemire. Of course tonight’s game has special significance since both LeBron James and Dwayne Wade essentially turned down the Big Apple during the offseason. I for one have no problem with LeBron’s public comments approaching this contest as he was simply looking for the best possible situation to win a championship and South Beach just happened to present his best opportunity. Miami comes into this evening’s contest riding a 10-game winning streak where the James/Wade combination has successfully hit on near 55% of their shot opportunities from the floor. LeBron James just happens to be one of only two visiting players (Michael Jordan the other) who have scored 50-PLUS POINTS twice inside New York’s famed Madison Square Garden, but once again all that has done is help “inflate” tonight’s spot and I am taking full advantage. While Miami is laden with three superstar players and are riding a current 10-0 run, they have been playing outstanding DEFENSE permitting just 88 points per contest. That Heat defense for the entire season to date is allowing only 91 points per contest which puts New York’s high-octane attack in jeopardy this evening. The Knicks thrive on the run-and-gun attack of head coach Mike D’Antoni who actually lost his job in Phoenix by having a “non” defensive philosophy which got him into trouble with upper management. Dating back to his days with Phoenix, teams coached by D’Antoni have gone 21-8 UNDER the total when off a home loss against a “divisional” opponent. Ever since Erik Spoelstra has been Miami’s head coach, his team has gone 40-17 UNDER when off consecutive victories
Master Sports
5* Miami
4* LA Lakers
3* Charlotte Bobcats
Hot Shot Sports
5* Pistons