Brett Atkins
My free winner for tonight is on the Denver Nuggets over the visiting Utah Jazz, as this little rivalry should end up being a blowout by late in the third quarter.
In some respect it's been sort of sad to see the Jazz struggle the way they have. In other ways it's been comical, but mostly, it's understanding this is a rebuilding team. And with the Nuggets back home for a four-game homestand, one night after the Denver Broncos sent fans home shaking their heads after a loss to the San Diego Chargers, it's a good time to lift some spirits.
Besides, the Nuggets could sure use a blowout win after a lackluster victory in Washington D.C., where they eked out a 75-74 win over the Wizards. Granted, it was the end of a six-game junket spanning nine days on the East Coast, the Nuggets would love nothing more than to build off the 4-2 showing on the trip by blasting their Northwest Division-rival.
Ty Lawson, who missed his second consecutive game with a left hamstring strain, should be in the lineup tonight, so you can expect to see the Nuggets recharged offensively.
The Jazz have lost two in a row and nine of their last 12 trips to the Mile High City. Tonight my money is on a blowout win.
2♦ DENVER
The Duke's Sports
Orlando -2
Orlando is getting good work out of Nikola Vucevic. He gives the Magic the much needed inside presence with Glen Davis to combat the Cavaliers' bigs Bynum, Thompson and Varejao. The Magic should get Nelson, Oladupo and Afflalo going tonight as well with increased production down low. On the other hand, Kyrie Irving is coming off a big game following a mini slump but he and the Cavaliers aren't out of the woods yet. They are very sluggish on the road with only one victory (OT at Washington). Cleveland is 2-11 ATS as a traveler, 1-6 ATS on Fridays, and 0-8 ATS after scoring 100+ previously. We'll look for Jacque Vaughn's bunch to deliver tonight.
River City Sharps
Iowa / Iowa St Under 165.5
OK, we know these teams get up and down the floor and score some points, but we really think this number is too inflated in this spot. This is obviously a very intense rivalry in many cases, that means teams tighten up a bit, especially in the first half. Both of these teams are exceptionally good rebounding teams (as well as FG% shooting), so if we can avoid one or both teams just shooting the lights out, then we are expecting to see limited second-chance opportunities in the game. Iowa ended a three-game losing streak to the Cyclones last year with an 80-71 home victory last December. Please note, however, that Iowa State has won the last five meetings at Ames. We think this is a really nice spot for the Under.
Harry Bondi
OKLAHOMA CITY (-12.5) over LA Lakers
Tonight we turn to an NBA match-up that finds the rehabbed Kobe Bryant making his first road start at one of the NBA best in the OK City Thunder. Even with Bryant back in the lineup the Lakers have not been playing well dropping home games to Toronto & Phoenix. LA problems have mainly been on the defensive side of the ball where they have given up over 100 points per game in five consecutive games! That's spells trouble coming in to play a Thunder team that has been on fire offensively lately going over 100 points in six of their last 7 games against the likes of San Antonio, Indiana, and Golden State all of whom bring it with much more intensity on the defensive end. The Lakers also are thin at the guard position due to injuries. Oklahoma City has not lost at home this season and have covered at home at a 60% clip and do it again tonight. Thunder Rolls.
Nelly
Orlando Magic -2
Cleveland has been one of the most disappointing teams in the league this season but the Cavaliers have shown some life of late with wins in four of the last five games, including wins over some quality teams. All four of those wins came at home however and Cleveland is 1-10 S/U on the road this season with that win coming in overtime. The offense has really struggled for Cleveland, scoring just 93 points per game on 42 percent shooting with a very poor 3-point shooting percentage and a very low assist-to-turnover ratio. Orlando is back at home after six straight road games but they managed to pick up a nice win in Charlotte on Wednesday. Despite the poor overall record the Magic are 5-5 at home with great statistics, shooting 47 percent and holding foes to just 98 points per game, well below the season average. In road games this season Cleveland has been outscored by almost 14 points per game and the Cavaliers are 1-7 ATS this season when favored or an underdog of less than three points. Cleveland is 2-9 ATS in road games and after battling injuries for several weeks the Magic are now at full strength despite being valued like a much worse team. Jameer Nelson and Nikola Vucevic have missed several recent games and this team has much more potential than the recent results show.
OC Dooley
Timberwolves +8.5
At the bottom of this analysis late INJURY information which favors tonight’s visiting side. It was just nine days ago when the Timberwolves were supposed to take on the Spurs in an NBA-TV contest broadcast from Mexico. Due to geographical reasons San Antonio would have had the advantage on that particular evening but an electrical fire spewed out enough smoke where the game had to be cancelled. In an ironic bit of scheduling these two teams will attempt to oppose each other in the deep south for the second time in a nine-day stretch. For those who have followed Minnesota this team finally has its star players HEALTHY including perennial All Star and “double double” machine Kevin Love who is tall in stature. The Timberwolves will have the advantage down low in the paint this evening due to LATE INJURY NEWS that sees San Antonio WITHOUT a pair of big men (Tiago Splitter, Aron Baynes) who will be forced to watch from the sidelines