Action play:
Minnesota Timberwolves +10 (1.5)
Fading a Philly team playing 1st game at home (East Coast), after a long 5-game West Coast road trip. This will be there 6th game in 9 days. Fatigue should be a factor. Minnesota, continues to cover on the road, they are 15-6-1 in their last 22 road games. Twolves also with some success, against Philladelphia, they are 4-1 SU in the last 5 matchups, and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games played in Philadelphia. Lots of points, which is great. I'll gladly take the dog here.
Action play:
Atlanta Hawks -6.5 (1.5)
Spurs playing b2b and 3rd game in 4 nights. San Antonio, also not playing good basketball lately, they almost lost a home game last night to the lowly Warriors, and expended alot of energy to get the 1 point victory. Before that, they had lost b2b games, and were losers of 3 of their last 4 played. They went 0-5 ATS in the process. Tonight they come into Atlanta, where the Hawks have been unstoppable during a scheduling stretch, which has them playing 11 out of 12 games at home. Hawks are 10-0-1 ATS in their last 11 games at home, and 8-0-1 ATS in their last 9 overall. My money will be with, a very good home team, that is playing the best basketball of their season, at the moment.
Action play:
Orlando Magic -3.5 (1.5)
Boston getting too much respect here, imo, courtesy of Kevin Garnet's return to the lineup. This will be Boston's 6th game in 9 days, so fatigue may be a factor, as well. A low line, for a 27-7 home team in Orlando. When playing the role of a 3.5-6 point, home favorite this season, Magic are 6-1 ATS. Orlando 6-1 SU in their last 7 games verse Boston, and 5-2 ATS. Big game for both teams, as they fight for the #2 seed in the East. I'll back a more rested, and healthier Magic team, who has been great at home all year.
Action play:
Boston/Orlando Under 189 (1.5)
Classic defensive matchup in this one..A game between, a Celtics team that ranks 1st in the NBA in FG% allowed at 42.9%, and 2nd in points allowed at 92.8ppg, vs. a Magic team that ranks 3rd in league in FG% allowed, at 43.3%. Celtics have better defensive numbers on the road this year, than in the Garden, while Orlando conversely, with better defensive numbers at home this year, than on the road. So where the game is being played is definitely in our favor. Celtics road games, have seen the Under cash at a 65% clip, (24-13) while Magic home games, have seen the Under cash at 64% clip (21-12). Also helps that Magic rank dead last in NBA, in FT percentage, at just a hair above 70%. The Under is 5-1, in that last 6, between the 2 teams, when playing in Orlando. I'll take the Under, in a matchup where 2 of the top 5 defenses in the NBA, will square off, in what is a huge game for both teams. This game will have a playoff atmosphere, imo, and the 1 on 1 matchups, and the situtation, favor the Under.
