Steve Merril
(3% play) L.A. CLIPPERS -5.5 (at Dallas) - 8:35 pm ET #511
Los Angeles has played a tough schedule since the All-Star break, but the Clippers have managed to go 5-3 SU in those games. Los Angeles went 2-1 against the Spurs, Warriors, and Thunder which is certainly no easy feat. The Clippers now hit the road off a poor home performance where they lost 107-97 to the Hawks. Los Angeles was in a natural letdown spot for that game after making a big comeback in their previous game against Oklahoma City. The Clippers’ offense was terrible in defeat as they only shot 43% (34-79) from the field and 37.5% (12-32) from three-point land. Los Angeles was horrendous from the free throw line as well; they shot just 60.7% (17-28) from the stripe. The Clippers also turned the ball over 19 times in that game. Off such a poor performance, we expect Los Angeles to bounce back strong tonight in Dallas, especially since they are catching the Mavericks at the perfect time.
Dallas comes into tonight’s game against Los Angeles on a back-to-back set after playing in Denver last night. The Mavericks lost that game 116-114 in overtime after blowing a 106-102 lead with 21 seconds left to play in regulation time. That type of loss comes with a hangover, especially for an older team that played a lot of minutes. Dallas had four guys play 35 minutes or more with three guys playing 38 minutes or more. The Mavericks had seven guys play 24 minutes or more overall, including three guys on the second unit. Those extended minutes will have an impact on tonight’s game, especially since Dallas is playing on back-to-back nights. Los Angeles is simply the better team, and with the Mavericks in a terrible situational and scheduling spot, we’ll lay the points with the Clippers in this game on Monday night.
Play CLIPPERS (-) as a 3% play.
No College Plays
(3% play) L.A. CLIPPERS -5.5 (at Dallas) - 8:35 pm ET #511
Los Angeles has played a tough schedule since the All-Star break, but the Clippers have managed to go 5-3 SU in those games. Los Angeles went 2-1 against the Spurs, Warriors, and Thunder which is certainly no easy feat. The Clippers now hit the road off a poor home performance where they lost 107-97 to the Hawks. Los Angeles was in a natural letdown spot for that game after making a big comeback in their previous game against Oklahoma City. The Clippers’ offense was terrible in defeat as they only shot 43% (34-79) from the field and 37.5% (12-32) from three-point land. Los Angeles was horrendous from the free throw line as well; they shot just 60.7% (17-28) from the stripe. The Clippers also turned the ball over 19 times in that game. Off such a poor performance, we expect Los Angeles to bounce back strong tonight in Dallas, especially since they are catching the Mavericks at the perfect time.
Dallas comes into tonight’s game against Los Angeles on a back-to-back set after playing in Denver last night. The Mavericks lost that game 116-114 in overtime after blowing a 106-102 lead with 21 seconds left to play in regulation time. That type of loss comes with a hangover, especially for an older team that played a lot of minutes. Dallas had four guys play 35 minutes or more with three guys playing 38 minutes or more. The Mavericks had seven guys play 24 minutes or more overall, including three guys on the second unit. Those extended minutes will have an impact on tonight’s game, especially since Dallas is playing on back-to-back nights. Los Angeles is simply the better team, and with the Mavericks in a terrible situational and scheduling spot, we’ll lay the points with the Clippers in this game on Monday night.
Play CLIPPERS (-) as a 3% play.
No College Plays
Marco D'Angelo - 4%
PLAY: (528) HOFSTRA -2 (William Hill)
RATING: 4% PLAY
These have been the 2 best teams in the conference all year so the fact they are meeting in the finals is no surprise. They split the regular season meetings with each winning on the others home court. Tonight in the championship game I like Hofstra as this team is playing at the top of their game right now winning 8 in a row. They were able to win a close one last against William & Mary after having a blowout win the night before. NC Wilmington on the other hand has had 2 games in a row go the buzzer and I feel playing 3 games in 3 days will affect them more. My numbers have Hofstra winning this by 5 or more.
TAKE HOFSTRA as MARCO’S 4% TOURNEY BEST BET
PLAY: (528) HOFSTRA -2 (William Hill)
RATING: 4% PLAY
These have been the 2 best teams in the conference all year so the fact they are meeting in the finals is no surprise. They split the regular season meetings with each winning on the others home court. Tonight in the championship game I like Hofstra as this team is playing at the top of their game right now winning 8 in a row. They were able to win a close one last against William & Mary after having a blowout win the night before. NC Wilmington on the other hand has had 2 games in a row go the buzzer and I feel playing 3 games in 3 days will affect them more. My numbers have Hofstra winning this by 5 or more.
TAKE HOFSTRA as MARCO’S 4% TOURNEY BEST BET
