NBA Sports Betting Odds and Capsules: April 16
Atssportsline.com
Unfortunately there are only two NBA games tonight. The Indiana/Boston game was cancelled due to the tragedy at Monday's Boston Marathon. That game will not be made up as both teams are locked in at their playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. There are two matchups tonight and both have playoff implication. Check out a brief preview from these two games below.
Toronto Raptors (32-48 SU, 39-40-1 ATS, 40-40 O/U) at Atlanta Hawks (44-36 SU, 37-41-2 ATS, 41-38-1 O/U)
Intangibles:
Toronto has won and covered three straight games.
Atlanta can lock up the No. 5 seed by winning their final two games.
Atlanta has won nine of the last 10 in this series.
Last game: (3/27/13) Atlanta (-2.5) over Toronto, 107-88.
Keys to Success: The Raptors are ending the season on a roll. They've won five of their last six and three straight. In their last six matchups, five have gone under the total bet. DeMar DeRozan has been playing well, averaging 22.8 points over his last six games and shot over 50 percent in five of those games. Atlanta scored 18 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in their last game against Milwaukee. The Hawks need this game if they are to grab the fifth season. If they win out, they face Boston. If they fall to sixth, they end up taking on Indiana.
Toronto is coming off a 93-87 win over Brooklyn, getting 4 on Sunday at home. Atlanta has won two straight, but didn't cover on Friday against Milwaukee, in a 109-104 win giving 7.5. Toronto is 4-1 ATS last 5 on the road in series. Pro Basketball Odds: Atlanta is a 6-point betting odds favorite. Total: 197.0.
Portland Trailblazers (33-47 SU, 34-42-4 ATS, 44-34-2 O/U) at LA Clippers (54-26 SU, 44-36 ATS, 44-36 O/U)
Intangibles:
Portland has lost 11 straight games
Guard Nicolas Batum (shoulder) is out for the season.
The Clippers have won their last three home games by an average of 18.3 points
Last game: (1/27/13) LA Clippers (-8.5) over Portland, 96-83.
Keys to Success: The Clippers are hoping that veteran guard Chauncey Billlups will return tonight from a groin injury. He gives them playoff experience, even if its just for 15-20 minutes per game. The Clippers could take the third seed from Denver in the Western Conference. They could also fall to fifth, though they do have the tiebreaker over Memphis. They face a Portland team that has several key players out or questionable tonight. One of them is LaMarcus Aldridge (ankle), their best player who has played in just five of the last nine. Damian Lillard, a strong Rookie of the Year candidate, led the team with 30 points in their last loss to Denver on Sunday.
Portland lost to Denver on the road on Sunday, 118-109, but covered the 15. The Clippers won at Memphis, 91-87 on Saturday, getting 2. Portland is 0-5 ATS last 5 Tuesday games. Pro Hoops Odds:The LA Clippers are a 14.5-point betting odds favorite. Total: 202.5.