Heat to be caught looking ahead?
LAS VEGAS, LV (The Spread) – Which teams could possibly be caught looking ahead this week in the NBA? Let’s examine.
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You’ve heard it before the classic look ahead spot for a sports team. Fading their game before a big game is usually a sweet position to be in and that’s even more true in the NBA, a league that has been all about who you are playing. It’s the very reason the Spurs rest their aging veterans on a weekly basis.
I look at a few ingredients when looking at whether or not an NBA team is looking ahead. Part of it is common sense, but the are more factors involved think. For instance if a team is playing a big name player/team in their next game, a playoff team in their next game, a spot on national TV, or even the old revenge spot. Team A lost to Team B earlier in the season by 30 pts that typically is a spot where an NBA team may look past their current match up and onto the next game.
There are not many look ahead spots for next week, but there are plenty to choose from on Friday night including:
Washington Wizards (-4.5) vs. Orlando Magic 7pm ET
The Wizards get a game against the Magic who are 19-47 overall on the year so I doubt they will be taking them very seriously. Washington is in the #6 slot in the East playoff race. Just 3.5 games separate 3-6 in the East so you better bet they are looking at their game on Saturday with the Brooklyn Nets who are just a 1/2 game back.
I believe this is an excellent spot to fade the Wizards because the Magic have been solid at home going 15-17 and have defeated some quality teams like the Clippers, Pacers, Thunder, and Nets. The Magic are also 9-3 ATS in their last 12 home games.
Miami Heat (-10.5) vs. Denver Nuggets 7:30pm ET
The Heat are double digit favorites at home as they should be against the Denver Nuggets who are 12-20 on the road. However, the Heat fall into a double look ahead spot as they’ll host the Rockets on Sunday.
First of all the Rockets qualify as one of the top teams and they have star power too in Dwight Howard and James Harden. The Heat are also looking at Sunday’s game as an opportunity for revenge as they lost earlier this month in a thrilling game in Houston. Oh and the game will also be on ABC so it’s impossible for the Heat not to want to rest their guys late in Friday’s match up with the Nuggets.
Portland Blazers and Golden State Warriors
Both of these teams face non-playoff contenders on Friday night and will face off on Sunday. This is a look ahead for both of these teams because Portland holds the #5 seed with the Warriors just 1.5 games back. So both New Orleans +the points against Portland and the Cavs + the points would be considered fading the team that will be looking ahead. I’d play the Hornets who are home over the Cavs who have to travel across country to play a late game in Golden State.
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