Monday's NBA Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Wolves at 76ers
Minnesota: 16-17 SU, 18-15 ATS
Philadelphia: 12-21 SU, 15-18 ATS
The 76ers started the season with the lowest win total in the league at 17. Philadelphia won its first three contests, before going on a 5-21 over a 26-game stretch. Now, the Sixers are riding a four-game winning streak heading back to Wells Fargo Center after knocking off the Blazers on Saturday night, 101-99 as 12½-point road underdogs.
Philadelphia lost its first two games on a six-game road swing at Milwaukee and Phoenix, but grabbed four consecutive victories (all as a heavy 'dog) against the Nuggets, Lakers, Kings, and Blazers. Even though the Sixers own of the worst defenses in the league, Brett Brown's team actually improved recently by allowing 104 points or less in each of the past four victories ('Under' went 3-1).
The Wolves wrapped up a three-game homestand after losing a pair of close games to the Mavericks and Thunder. Oklahoma City rallied from a 13-point deficit in the second half to stun Minnesota, 115-111, the second loss to the Thunder this season. Minnesota hit the 'over' for the fifth time in six games, as the Wolves have scored at least 111 points five times during this stretch.
The last time the Wolves and Sixers met up in December, Philadelphia jumped out to a 39-20 lead after just one quarter. The Sixers were limited to 38 points in the second half as the Wolves came back to beat Philadelphia, 106-99. Rick Adelman's club failed to cash as 12 ½-point favorites, as the Sixers shot 52% from the floor in the defeat.
Hawks at Nets
Atlanta: 18-16 SU, 19-15 ATS
Brooklyn: 12-21 SU, 14-19 ATS
The Hawks and Nets are going in different directions at the moment as Atlanta has lost two straight while Brooklyn has won two in a row. Atlanta fell short in Saturday's 91-84 defeat at Chicago as five-point underdogs, shooting just 37% from the field and missing 20 three-point attempts. The Hawks have lost seven of their past nine games away from Philips Arena, while only covering three times in this stretch.
Brooklyn is still behind the eight-ball in the Atlantic Division, but the Nets are coming off consecutive wins over Oklahoma City and Cleveland. Joe Johnson's game-winning jumper to knock off the Thunder last week helped Brooklyn cash outright as 12-point road underdogs, but the Nets have been limited to 95 points or less in six of the last seven games. The Nets have struggled off a home victory this season, going 1-4 SU and 2-3 ATS in this situation, coming off Saturday's triumph over Cleveland.
Last season, these teams split four meetings, as both clubs won once at home and once on the opposition's court. Three of the four wins came by double-digits, including both victories by the Hawks, while Atlanta is 7-2 the last nine meetings in the series.
Magic at Clippers
Orlando: 10-23 SU, 15-18 ATS
Los Angeles: 23-13 SU, 21-15 ATS
Orlando begins a five-game Western Conference road swing that starts at Staples Center against the Clippers. Los Angeles will be without All-Star point guard Chris Paul, who suffered a shoulder injury in Friday's win at Dallas and is out for at least three weeks. Now, the Clippers try to get on track after getting pummeled at San Antonio on Saturday, 116-92, as Los Angeles trailed by 35 points at the half.
The Magic has won just three of 15 road contests this season, while dropping six of their past eight overall. Orlando is riding a three-game skid after falling at home to Miami on Saturday, 110-94 as 10-point underdogs, the third loss to the Heat this season. Jacque Vaughn's club is winless in four road games against Western Conference foes this season, but has covered as a double-digit 'dog at Oklahoma City, Houston, and Minnesota.
The last time these teams hooked up in Orlando back in November, the Magic stunned the Clippers, 98-90 to cash outright as 6 ½-point underdogs. Los Angeles overcame a 15-point halftime deficit to take a two-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, but Orlando outscored L.A. 26-16 in the final quarter for the victory. The Magic has won four straight visits to Staples Center, including a 104-101 upset last January as 12½-point underdogs.