DOM CHAMBERS
For my free selection, let’s look at the Minnesota Timberwolves to cover as road underdog against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Here, we have two teams having their troubles. But the Trail Blazers may be without LaMarcus Aldridge and that’s a big part of their offense. He is doubtful with an elbow injury
Portland has lost three of its last five games and is having its problems defensively, allowing teams to shoot 49.2 percent.
Minnesota will have the best player on the court with Kevin Love. The T-Wolves have gone 12-15 straight up on the road, but 16-10 ATS. They will keep the game competitive.
Take the points and the T-Wolves.
2♦ T-WOLVES
CRAIG DAVIS
Today's free play is on the Golden State Warriors plus the ridiculous amount of points vs. the Lakers.
It's not that I have a ton of faith in Golden State, but I do have to admit I'm surprised with that Mark Jackson has been able to do with this team... especially now that he's had to deal with some turnover with his personnel.
This team looks different than it did two months ago and it doesn't have Stephen Curry, who is out till mid-April with an injury. Golden State is definitely sporadic and is just as capable of losing by 15 as they are winning this game outright. I do like how they play... reckless abandon; not a care in the world.
The Lakers, on the other hand, have been very consistent lately... they aren't covering.
They've failed to cover five straight and nine of the last 10 games they've played because Vegas still lists them as if they were defending champs. They're not. They are winning and losing every other game... and just don't look good doing it.
Kobe is inconsistent. Pau Gasol looks old. Andrew Bynum is worried more about shooting three-pointers than getting physical in the post.
This team is heading in the wrong direction and should not be favored by double digits. That's crazy.
Take Golden State plus the number as your free play of the day.
4♦ GOLDEN STATE
Nelly
Chicago + over Oklahoma City
The Thunder has won five in a row but the schedule has been very tough in recent weeks. Oklahoma City was off Friday and Saturday but they still could face letdown potential following up Thursday’s big win in Los Angeles. In the last week the Thunder also have a win over Miami and the epic 149-140 multi-OT win against Minnesota. Oklahoma City is 22-4 at home this season but the Bulls are 21-6 on the road including 19-8 ATS. Chicago has won twelve of the last 13 road games S/U, having not lost a road game in six weeks. The Bulls tend to rise up for the biggest games as they have wins over Miami, New York, and San Antonio in the last month. This is the first meeting in over a year between these teams and the road team has won outright in five of the last seven games in this series. Over the last five games Oklahoma City has allowed 101 points per game while the Bulls defense continues to dominate, surrendering less than 88 points per game. Somewhat surprisingly Chicago is the vastly superior 3-point shooting team and the Bulls are not as reliant on outside shooting. In road games the Bulls have held foes to less than 32 percent shooting from beyond the arc so it will be difficult for the Thunder to get high quality opportunities. Derrick Rose is still out of action for Chicago but the Bulls have been 5-3 ATS in his absence as Luol Deng has carried the bulk of the scoring load and the Bulls still have effective guard play with Ronnie Brewer and C.J. Watson. Chicago's defensive focus won’t change and this should be a tight game.
Wunderdog
Chicago Bulls vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Play: Chicago Bulls ML
Chicago comes to play every night for demanding coach Tom Thibodeau. The Bulls are the top rebounding team in the NBA, the second best defensive team, allowing 88.5 points per game. They also own a sizzling road record of 21-6. The Bulls are 35-17 ATS in their last 52 road games, and the last time they were an underdog they won straight-up at Orlando 85-59! They are 2-1 SU/ATS this season a dog, winning 96-89 at San Antonio. The only loss as a dog was by 4-points at Miami, allowing 41% shooting in a game that was close all the way. Oklahoma City is home from a two-game trip, a pair of rugged wins in Portland and at the Lakers. The Thunder is 1-8 ATS in their last nine home games vs. a team with a winning road record, including 1-6 ATS in their last seven home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of greater than .600. Chicago has won two of the last three meetings by scores of 99-90 and 96-86, so they can contain this Ok-City offense. Oklahoma City is not a pressuring team as they average just 14 turnovers created per game. Chicago is 11-1 straight-up this season vs. such teams (those forcing under 15 turnovers per game). Under Scott Brooks, the Thunder are just 9-10 straight-up after 5+ straight wins. Play the underdog Chicago Bulls on the moneyline.