Wunderdog
Cleveland @ Golden State
Pick: Golden State -6.5
This is no ordinary Golden State squad, but one of the best NBA teams we've seen in decades. They stormed to the title last year and are playing even better this season. The Warriors are first in the NBA in scoring and three-point shooting, fifth in field goal shooting defense, and third at defending beyond the arc. We are almost into the new year and they have one loss! The Warriors are on an 11-4-1 ATS run and 14-6 ATS when following a victory of more than 10 points -- which they've done a lot. This is a long road trip for the Cavaliers, a .500 road team out to the West Coast. The Cavaliers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games, plus 3-13 ATS when following a spread loss. Golden State is unbeaten at home and the Cavaliers are 5-13 ATS in the last 18 meetings, including 3-7 ATS at Golden State.
Andy Iskoe
San Antonio -7
Overshadowed by the 27-1 start by Golden State has been San Antonio's 25-5 start which gives the Spurs the second best record in the league. Which is surprising to absolutely nobody. The Spurs long run of excellence rivals New England in the NFL for the best dynasty of the past quarter century among the major sports. Both have been marked by the long tenure of an outstanding coach and key player. For the Spurs that combo is coach Greg Popovich and Tim Duncan. Houston showed its potential with last season's run to the Western Conference Finals But the Rockets started slowly this season, at one time dropping 7 of 8 before beginning to play well. They've followed that slump by winning 10 of 15 but, to be fair, none of the wins has been over an elite team. These teams are meeting for the first time this season. The Spurs won 3 of 4 meetings last season, including winning and covering both games in Houston. On the road the game is likely to be priced such that the Spurs make for an attractive play versus a foe they match up well against.
Brandon Lee
Lakers +13
I like the value we are getting with the Lakers in their showdown against the Lakers. The betting public wants nothing to do with the Lakers in this matchup, especially after watching them lose by 35 in their last game at home to the Thunder. Kobe Bryant has been shooting the ball much better of late and I look for him to come out and put on a show in what will be his final appearance on Christmas Day. Clippers have been overvalued on the spread most of this season, as they are just 10-16 ATS. They covered in their last game, but are just 1-8 ATS off a game where they covered this season. Look for the Lakers to keep this one competitive and within the number.
Tom Grassi
Chicago at Oklahoma City
Prediction: Over
Chicago is in a slump losing three straight games. It started with a 147-144 four overtime loss to the Pistons. They then dropped a game at New York and on Tuesday lost at home to the lowly Brooklyn Nets.
The Thunder are rolling having won eight of their last nine games including back-to-back games in LA this week, 100-99 over the Clippers and 120-85 over the Lakers. Only once in those last nine games as OKC been held to less than 100 points.
The total in this game is at 204 points and we like it to go over the total. The Bulls are trying to play up tempo this season and they are scoring 100 points per game but they?re allowing 102 points on the road. OKC is flying high on offense this year putting up 108 points per game. We don?t see the Bulls defense, or lack of, stopping the Thunder today.
Jeff Saad
San Antonio at Houston
Play: Houston
A talented Houston offense is home and a big dog against a state rival. The Spurs are 9-19 ATS in their last 28 vs. the NBA Southwest division. Houston is rolling offensively, fourth in the NBA in scoring, with the guns to stay close in this rivalry game. The Rockets are 14-6 ATS in their last 20 home games vs. a team with a winning road record, plus 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games. Houston is 8-2 ATS against San Antonio and the Spurs are 0-5 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Houston, plus the home team is 6-0 ATS when they clash.
Mr. Vegas
Clippers vs Lakers
Play: Over
Both teams like to run and who wants to play defense the day before Xmas? Not the LA Lakers, who haven't played defense all year, ranked No. 29 in allowing 107.2 ppg, on a 5-2 run over the total. The Clippers have the offensive depth to run with anyone ranked No. 8 in the NBA in points scored (102.4 ppg). The over is 6-1 in the Clippers last 7 vs. the NBA Pacific division. And when these teams meet the over is 9-1 in the last 10 meetings in Los Angeles.