Daily NBA picks with full analyses and predictions

[NbaTip]

Cavaliers vs Spurs 04/03

With play-offs starting in about 6 weeks, teams are starting to prepare for the late season push. That includes building up the team chemistry while using key players in a careful matter to avoid some stupid injuries. The Spurs as defending Western Conference champions (and coached by the genius) are of course the masters of making sure they click at the right time. The Cavaliers on the other hand are struggling with injuries and only have tiny outside chances to make it to the play-offs.

Cleveland is actually 6 games behind the Hawks for the final play-off spot in the East. With a record of 24-37 and only 21 games remaining thats a huge hole. They also will miss Anderson Varajeo and have Dion Waiters listed as probable. With 4 losses of last 6 games the Cavaliers have lost all their momentum they had going before the All-Stars break. They did have a huge win against the Thunder a week ago, but double digit loss against the Grizzlies underlines their inability to sustain the quality.

The Spurs are getting their key players back in their lineup. Kawhi Leonard has now played in 3 games after missing more than a month. Tony Parker game back from injury and played in their previous games. That means that the Spurs have no injuries to report and they are very dangerous team again. The Spurs have won 6 of their last 7 games and knowing how tight it is in the top of the Western Conference they want to keep winning. The difference in quality and in momentum is huge here, so the -6.5 line should be covered by the Spurs. 5/10 units.

read my other analyses from www.nbabets.net

GL

 

[NbaTip]

Trailblazers vs Hawks 05/03

The Trailblazers suffered a tough loss in their previous game against the Lakers. Being huge favorites they started the game flat and allowed the Lakers to take the early double digit lead. It proved to be a shock Portland never recovered from and although they adjusted to the D`Antoni`s “7-seconds or less” offense and came back to make it a close fight, the damage was done.

The matter of a fact is they are still a way better team than the Hawks. With a record of 41 wins and 19 losses they hold a 5th seed in the Western Conference, while having an exactly the same record with the 3rd seed. Difference between finishing 3rd or 5th is of course huge. So the Trailblazers know they have to keep winning.

The Hawks have lost 3 games in a row and are dangerously slipping in the standings. Their play-off spot could be safe at the moment, but what they really want is to make it to 6th or even 5th seed in the East to avoid meeting the Heat or the Pacers in first round. In that sense 3-game losing streak and going 1-9 over the last 10 games speaks volumes about their sufferings. Most of these losses have been pretty bad.
Losing to the Lakers was a “mistake” that the Trailblazers will look to fix tonight. They did win 5 games before that and have historically been strong home court team. Portland to cover -9 points with 5/10 units.

read my other analyses from www.nbabets.net

GL

 

[NbaTip]

Lakers vs Clippers 06/03

Thursday night game. Home team vs home team this time as both teams of course play their home games in Staples Centre. There has been an obvious change in how the Lakers play now. They have a short list of players available and since Nash and Kobe are still out with injuries (old guys who would force team to slow tempo) they play all out run`n`gun style of game.

Key factor here is that the Clippers are not going to shy away from the style the Lakers will offer. In fact they will try to take advantage of the Lakers style and hit them back as fast as they can. With Chris Paul running their offense and Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan being monsters inside to take advantage with dunks, dunks, layups and dunks, the Clippers are well matched to keep the scoring pace with their hometown rivals. The Clippers have been scoring a lot lately. They have stayed under 100 points only once in 2014 (96 pts vs Memphis). That means their scoring average over last 13 games is 111,7 points. They will be happy to use that game to even raise that number.

This should be a fun game with both teams running and pushing the ball from steals, offensive rebounds and even made baskets. 218,5 points is a high line, but this game will have crazy uptempo offense and lack any defense. Over 218,5 points with 5/10 units.

read my other predictions from www.nbabets.net

GL