No line available at this time.
MIL Bucks
WAS Wizards
Scheduled Start Time: 4:05pm (Pacific Time)
Milwaukee (R: 16-17 SU, 16-16 ATS) couldn't hold on to a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter as Dallas forced overtime and eventually handed the Bucks a 112-106 loss at home on Tuesday. Anthony Mason and Glenn Robinson posted a combined 38 points and 22 rebounds for the Bucks, who played without Ray Allen and Sam Cassell and lost Michael Redd to a sprained knee. Tim Thomas scored 22 points despite a sore knee for the injury-riddled Bucks, who are 9-14 since the All-Star break and fell 3 1/2 games behind first-place Detroit in the Central Division. Washingtons’ swingman Richard Hamilton and guard Chris Whitney each scored 22 points as the Wizards (H: 18-16 SU, 18-15 ATS) dumped the Nuggets, 103-87, to stay in playoff contention in the Eastern Conference. Guard Courtney Alexander chipped in with 14 points, outscoring a Nuggets starting backcourt that only mustered six points, MJ netted nine in 20 minutes with only three in the first half as he watched his teammates build a 13-point lead after one quarter en route to a 61-33 halftime lead. The Bucks played Denver on Thursday and the Washington gets an extra day off. With the extra day off the Wizards get the home court action on Friday.
Projected Score: WAS Wizards 96, MIL Bucks 90
Matchup Report
Injury Report
SAC Kings 201½
CHA Hornets -2
Scheduled Start Time: 4:35pm (Pacific Time)
The Kings (R: 17-15 SU, 14-18 ATS) played at Houston on Thursday. On Tuesday, Chris Webber scored 35 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as the NBA-leading Sacramento Kings cruised to their second straight 50-win season with a 107-90 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. Doug Christie contributed 19 points, nine rebounds and six assists as Sacramento bounced back from a disappointing loss to the rival Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday despite dressing only nine players. All-Star forward Peja Stojakovic missed his third straight game with a strained right hamstring. Replacement Hedo Turkoglu sat out with the stomach flu, giving Gerald Wallace his first NBA start. He scored 14 points in 23 minutes. Jamaal Magloire was just one off his career-high on Wednesday, as he led the Hornets (H: 17-18 SU, 14-20 ATS) to a 111-104 win over Eastern Conference rival Orlando. Magloire finished with 21 points, Jamal Mashburn added 20, including a dagger three with 33 seconds left, and Baron Davis posted 15 points, nine assists and eight rebounds for the Hornets, who have won seven straight. The Hornets are a 6-0-1 ATS run and with the home court look like a solid play. The Kings are also playing well and right now they are the class of the NBA. Gotta go with the Kings.
Projected Score: SAC Kings 111, CHA Hornets 105
Matchup Report
Injury Report
MIN T'wolves -½
NY Knicks ½
Scheduled Start Time: 4:35pm (Pacific Time)
The Wolves (R: 18-17 SU, 14-21 ATS) host the Mavs on Thursday. On Tuesday, Kevin Garnett had 31 points and seven rebounds and Wally Szczerbiak had 28 points, but the Timberwolves couldn't catch the Warriors, losing 115-106 at home. Anthony Peeler and Felipe Lopez had 11 points apiece for Minnesota, which fell one game behind Portland for the No. 5 seed in the West. Lavor Postell, a little-used reserve, scored a career-high 20 points as the Knicks (H: snapped a three-game losing streak with a 89-82 victory over the Detroit Pistons. The second-year guard from St. John’s University had complained after the team's home loss to Denver on Monday that he wasn't getting enough playing time. "Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston don't do anything that I can't do," Postell had said. "The only difference is that they play and I don't. All I need is an opportunity." With Houston sitting out a second straight game with a sprained left ankle, Postell got more minutes off the bench. He did not play in the first quarter but scored 15 in the second. Said Sprewell, "I don't know about putting that added pressure on yourself, but if you strive in those situations, it's good." Kurt Thomas had 18 points, Sprewell 17 and Mark Jackson 11 and 12 assists for the Knicks, who improved to just 9-25 on the road this season. This Postell was no zero on Wednesday, as just when you figured the Knicks were a certain loser against the red hot Pistons, up pops a wild card. The T-wolves are on a 2-9 run and are having problems. The Knicks (H: 18-18 SU, 12-24 ATS) are still playing and pleasant surprises like Postell haven’t been commonplace for the New Yorkers whowill look to slow down the pace on Friday.. The Wolves beat the Knicks in Minny in November in a good defensive effort with an UNDER. The Knicks have had three straight UNDERS and with their deliberate offense that’s the play here as well.
Projected Score: NY Knicks 90, MIN T'wolves 86
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Injury Report
IND Pacers 198½
ORL Magic -7
Scheduled Start Time: 4:35pm (Pacific Time)
On Tuesday, the Pistons overpowered the Pacers, 96-77. Brad Miller had 18 points and 15 rebounds and Reggie Miller scored 16 points for the Pacers ((R: 15-21 SU, 20-15 ATS), who shot 40 percent (31-of-77) and committed 21 turnovers. Bursts by Detroit of 16-2 in the third quarter and 13-0 in the fourth quarter already had decided the outcome when Corlis Williamson drove the left baseline with 1:16 to go. As he went up for a layup, he was given a flying body b**** by Jermaine O'Neal who was suspended for two game for the action. Williamson fired the ball at O'Neal from about five feet away, hitting him solidly before chaos ensued. Ben Wallace stepped between them and O'Neal shoved him. Wallace had to be restrained before O'Neal took a swing at Pistons forward Michael Curry. The Magic (H: 23-11 SU, 19-14 ATS) were the latest victim of the Hornets' march through the East on Wednesday, as Charlotte handed Orlando a 111-104 loss on the road. Troy Hudson and Tracy McGrady scored 25 points apiece, and Darrell Armstrong had 10 points and 10 assists for the Magic. The Pacers were looking good but have stumbled going 1-3 the past week. They do have a 5-1 UNDER streak going and have been playing defense. The Magic don’t play much defense and they can be slowed down. Ergo, the UNDER is the play on Friday.
Projected Score: IND Pacers 94, ORL Magic 90
Matchup Report
Injury Report
ATL Hawks 179½
MIA Heat -6½
Scheduled Start Time: 4:35pm (Pacific Time)
The Hawks are also making a late attempt at an improbable postseason berth play the Raptors on Thursday. They have won seven of their last nine to pull within six games of the Pacers with 12 to play. Jacque Vaughn tied a career high with 18 points and Shareef Abdur-Rahim also scored 18 as Atlanta rolled to a 103-77 home victory over the Eastern Conference-leading New Jersey Nets on Tuesday. Jason Terry scored 13 points and DerMarr Johnson added 11 and tied a season high with 10 rebounds for the Hawks, who extended their home winning streak to seven games. Maurice "Mo" Peterson hit the go-ahead layup with 8.4 seconds left and Jim Jackson missed an attempted game-winning jumper from just inside the arc as the Raptors edged the Miami Heat, 81-80. After Rod Strickland gave Miami a 78-77 lead on a 3-pointer with 3:14 to go, Keon Clark responded with a reverse layup 24 seconds later to give the Raptors a one-point advantage. Strickland had a season-high 24 points, Mourning added 17 and 14 rebounds and Brian Grant 15 and 10 for the Heat (31-39), who have lost four in a row. They are four games behind Indiana (35-35) and 1 1/2 games behind Toronto and Washington with 12 games to go and are in dire need of a win. The Hawks are playing trouble maker right now and will give the Heat all they can handle on Friday but look for Miami to right their ship with a much needed “W”.
Projected Score: MIA Heat 90, ATL Hawks 84
Matchup Report
Injury Report
DAL Mavericks 211
BOS Celtics -1½
Scheduled Start Time: 4:35pm (Pacific Time)
If Don Nelson ever teaches these guys to play some defense, Dallas could win it all. As of now, they are talented enough to outscore many teams. Dallas is a sizzling 22-11 SU/21-11 ATS on the road where they outscore teams by a 106-105 average. Yes, Dallas is 24-9 OVER the total in games on the road! The Mavs are currently in second place in the Western Conference, 1 1/2 games behind first-place Sacramento and a half-game ahead of San Antonio in the Midwest Division. On Tuesday, the Mavs won their second straight game, 112-106 at Milwaukee in overtime. Nick Van Exel scored all of his 17 points in the fourth quarter and the extra session. Van Exel scored 13 points in the fourth quarter, helping Dallas erase an 81-68 deficit. Boston is solid at home: 22-13 SU, 17-18 ATS where they outscore teams by a 97-94 average. Paul Pierce scored 33 points, leading the Boston Celtics to a 102-99 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. Antoine Walker added 22 points for Celtics, who improved to 41-31, their finest record after 72 games in 10 years. Both these teams play better offense than defense, so take the OVER in what looks like a fun game.
Projected Score: DAL Mavericks 113, BOS Celtics 109
Matchup Report
Injury Report
GST Warriors 202
DET Pistons -10
Scheduled Start Time: 5:05pm (Pacific Time)
A contrast of styles in the Motor City. Detroit plays great defense, allowing 90 points per game at home, while Golden State allows 105 points per game on the road. Golden State is 7-29 SU/17-19 ATS on the road. The Warriors rallied from an eight-point deficit in the last 1:24 and took a 99-98 lead when Gilbert Arenas made a 3-pointer with 15.1 seconds remaining, before losing at Boston 102-99. "I liked our resolve at the end," Warriors coach Brian Winters said. "It says a lot about this team that we could come back and take a lead." Danny Fortson and Erick Dampier each finished with 13 rebounds for Golden State. Fortson led the Warriors with 20 points. Jason Richardson added 18 points and four teammates also scored in double figures. Arenas had four 3-pointers en route to 14 points, and added seven assists. Detroit is on a nice 6-2 SU/ATS run, but just lost a tough game at home to the Knicks, 89-82 as a big favorite. The Pistons are 22-12 SU, 15-18 ATS at home.
Projected Score: DET Pistons 104, GST Warriors 95
Matchup Report
Injury Report
LA Clippers 187½
PHX Suns -2
Scheduled Start Time: 6:05pm (Pacific Time)
What's going on with those almost-playoff-bound Clippers? LA is sitting at 36-36 but they are on 2-5 SU/ATS run after a tough 107-90 blowout loss to Sacramento. Elton Brand was held to just three points and four rebounds by Chris Webber and did not score in the second half. Michael Olowokandi scored 23 to lead the Clippers, who lost their third straight and dropped 3 1/2 games behind Utah in the race for the eighth playoff spot in the West. LA is 13-20 SU/14-20 ATS on the road. After losing 6 in a row, Phoenix is on a 3-0 SU/2-1 ATS run and they blitzed the Lakers, 118-106. Shawn Marion matched his season highs of 32 points and 18 rebounds in the Suns' highest-scoring game of the season. Stephon Marbury had 26 points and 11 assists. Jake Tsakilidis, coming off a career-high 23 points against Cleveland two nights earlier, added 19 points and 10 rebounds for Phoenix, fighting Shaquille O'Neal to a virtual standoff. "Jake was the MVP again," Marbury said. "He did it against a guy who I believe is the best player in the NBA." This looks to be a dogfight and you'd have to lean toward the home team as LA is so poor on the road, but either team could win this one.
Projected Score: PHX Suns 94, LA Clippers 92
Matchup Report
Injury Report
No line available at this time.
SAN Spurs
SEA Sonics
Scheduled Start Time: 7:05pm (Pacific Time)
Bounce back? Or start of a slump? The high-flying San Antonio Spurs finally lost a game, after winning 13 straight the Spurs lost 98-92 at Portland. Tiim Duncan had 34 points and 11 rebounds, his 57th double-double of the season, and David Robinson added 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Spurs, who had the league's longest win streak of the season. San Antonio shot just 38 percent in the fourth quarter, committed nine turnovers and got outscored 25-6 in second-chance points. "They were all over the glass, and they killed us with offensive rebounds," Duncan said. "That's why we lost the game. The Spurs shot 54 percent, making this their first loss when making at least half their shots. They had been 16-0 in that department. Tony Parker added 15 points and eight assists for the Spurs. Steve Smith, who missed five games with a sprained right ankle, returned and scored four points on 1-of-6 shooting in 22 minutes. The Spurs are 22-13 SU, 19-14 ATS on the road, but this is a tough road trip for them. SA is 10-3-1 ATS the last 14 games. Seattle is on a 5-1 SU/ATS run after an easy win over Memphis, 96-82. Rashard Lewis added 12 points and eight rebounds for the Sonics before leaving early in the third quarter with a sprained left ankle. He was being X-rayed Wednesday night and was listed as day to day. @#%$ Barry added 17 points and nine assists, and Desmond Mason had 14 points for Seattle. Look for the visitors to bounce back and steal a road win in a defensive duel.
Projected Score: SAN Spurs 89, SEA Sonics 86
Matchup Report
Injury Report
No line available at this time.
POR Trail Blazers
LA Lakers
Scheduled Start Time: 7:35pm (Pacific Time)
The battle of titans in the West! Portland is banged up, but they have been on a tear, going 18-3 SU/16-5 ATS the last 21 games! Shawn Kemp, Ruben Patterson and Dale Davis teamed up to limit Tim Duncan to just 10 points in the second half, and Bonzi Wells scored 24 points as the Blazers defeated the Spurs 98-93 Wednesday night. Davis added 19 points for the Blazers, who played the final three quarters without leading scorer Rasheed Wallace, who left with a sore lower back. Portland is 18-17 SU/17-17 ATS on the road. LA is 28-7 SU/21-14 ATS at home, but overall they're on a 2-7 ATS run the last 9 games which included a poor 118-106 loss in Phoenix. "With the score almost tied and an opportunity to win, we did just about everything possible to mess it up," Phil Jackson said. Los Angeles fell a game behind Sacramento in the race for best record in the NBA. The Lakers, especially Shaquille O'Neal, seemed slow in their second game in as many nights. "We're not going to make excuses for our poor play," Shaq O'Neal said. "We realize every team that plays against us is going to be playing above their heads, shooting the ball well and doing everything right. We just didn't match their intensity tonight. Why we wouldn't do that? Who knows?" O'Neal had 24 points, 10 in the fourth quarter, and 11 rebounds but was just 4-for-15 from the foul line. LA has had Portland's number of late and they need to give a 100% effort for a change, so look for a Laker rout.
Projected Score: LA Lakers 109, POR Trail Blazers 89
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