SPORTS WAGERS
Miami +1.03 over INDIANA
Danny Granger is a great player and cashes in about as many tough shots as anyone the league, however, D-Wade is even better and the Pacers are at a huge defensive disadvantage here. The Heat was going through the motions most of the year and when they did show up on occasion they were tough as shoe leather. Well, now they appear to be focused, determined and in playoff push mode and man, do they look good. They’ve won six straight and they’re not only winning but they’re doing so with relative ease. In fact, its last four games on the road were all double-digit victories. Miami has also won six straight overall. As for the Pacers, well the good news is that they’re winning games lately and that’s good news because its recent performances have influence on this line. Having said that, they’re simply a very beatable team and they’re showing signs of getting back to the form that saw them go 7-20 from January 16 to March 12. There’s a reason they Pacers have just 28 wins and although Granger did miss a lot of time, the fact is the Pacers are dreadful on defense while the Heat are the exact opposite. If Granger is contained the Pacers have virtually no shot and the Heat are as capable as anyone of doing exactly that. Play: Miami +1.03 (Risking 2 units).
Milwaukee +3½/+1.45 over CHARLOTTE
Time Warner is proving to be one of the toughest arenas in the league to win at but damn, the Bobcats offense, or lack thereof is absolutely going to cost them some games soon. Charlotte is a remarkable 28-9 at home and anyone that can explain that is a genius. This is a very average ball club that plays great defensively but is hugely flawed as well. They’re not strong on the boards, they lack depth and they’ll be exposed in a big way come playoff time but that does not count for this one. What we all know is that the Bucks are strong on the boards, they can both score and defend and they’re still one of the hottest teams in the Association. They went into Cleveland on Wednesday and nearly pulled off the upset, losing by just three. If there’s such a thing as a “good loss”, that was it and it will not take away any momentum this team is carrying right now. If anything it was inspiring because they know they can compete with anyone in the East. The Cats last four games were against Minnesota, Washington, Toronto and Philly and after playing that quartet, playing the Bucks will be a much stiffer and unwelcome challenge. Bucks outright. Play: Milwaukee +3½ (Risking 1.06 units to win 1). Play: Milwaukee +1.45 (Risking 1 unit).
Utah +4½/+1.72 over L.A. LAKERS
The Lakers stock is down and they’re taking a bit of heat in the media so it might not be the best time to go against them. Thing is, these Jazz are in much better than L.A. and the Lakers have a Nationally televised game up next against San An on Easter Sunday. Furthermore, the Lakers return home from five game trip and they looked pretty ugly in all four games. Derek Fisher is way off, the Lakers bench has been virtually non-existent and aside from Kobe, so has the rest of the team. So, what we’re likely going to see tonight is Kobe trying to do it all himself and against a Jerry Sloan coached team, that’s unlikely to work. The Lakers reign of supremacy is showing flaws and in no way will the Jazz be intimidated in this setting. This is a game they want and they want it badly. They have the talent and momentum to succeed and while the Lakers are still highly qualified to beat anyone, this is too good a situation and price to ignore the pooch. Play: Utah +4½ (Risking 1.03 units to win 1). Play Utah +1.72 (Risking 1 unit).
