Sports Wagers NBA
Detroit @ SAN ANTONIO
Detroit +10½ -102 over SAN ANTONIO
The Pistons have a lot of bad habits. With all that talent this is a team that should not be on the outside looking in at a playoff spot. Detroit has lost five of its last six but in its defense, they did lose to some very warm teams like Dallas, Charlotte (twice), and the then very hot Cavs. After playing eight of their last nine at home, the Pistons are likely looking forward to getting on the road for a few days and when focused, they are not an easy out.
Few teams have enjoyed more point-spread success the past few seasons than the Spurs. During the 2011-12 lockout campaign, they covered a remarkable 44 of 66 games It was more of the same last season, as they opened on a 21-13 ATS run. It wasn't until an unheard of 100-game stretch of 65 percent point-spread winners that oddsmakers and the betting markets finally caught up as they finished the regular season 39-41-2 ATS. After their heartbreaking loss to the Miami Heat in last year's NBA Finals, it was obvious the regular season wasn't going to matter with their aging core of Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili hopeful for one last postseason push. But difficulties have crept in with virtually every important player on the roster missing significant time due to injury. The Spurs have always been able to win games with makeshift lineups, hence their 40-16 straight up record this season. However, there is profit potential in fading this team versus the number. Since the start of 2013, the Spurs have covered the point-spread as 7-point favorites or more at just a 40% clip. With the focus squarely on getting healthy and a postseason run, winning regular-season games by a margin will remain an afterthought. That applies here.
Our Pick
Detroit +10½ -102 (Risking 2.04 units - To Win: 2.00)
Brooklyn @ PORTLAND
Brooklyn +127 over PORTLAND
As a 2½-point favorite in Denver last night, the Trail Blazers were a huge public pick and they delivered the goods with a 105-100 victory. Portland had a 13-point lead entering the fourth quarter and so the final score was a little bit flattering to the Nuggets. One night later and still very fresh in the minds of the public, Portland and its 39-18 record (21-7 at home) is once again a small price, this time at home over an East team that is below .500. How can that be? The public is all over the Blazers again and that’s something we can’t get on board with. We haven’t been going so good of late but that doesn’t mean we can’t single out something that looks extremely fishy. This line is absolutely an enticement to wager on the Trail Blazers and we’re not taking the bait.
The first half of the season was, in essence, a bust for the Nets. Playing in the inept Eastern Conference, they went into the All-Star break with a sub-.500 record despite boasting the highest payroll in the NBA. But their struggles shouldn't come as a shock with so many new pieces, including extremely "green" head coach Jason Kidd. With age an issue as well, there was little reason for the Nets to hit the gas pedal during the early portion of the season. Of late, the Nets have shown signs of life on the defensive end of the court. During November and December, opposing teams shot 46 percent from the floor and averaged 102.4 PPG. Since the start of 2014, while making a few personnel adjustments, the Nets have allowed just 44 percent FG and 95 PPG. Brooklyn has competed with the very best in the NBA with wins over Miami, Oklahoma City and Golden State. Playing with a sense of urgency, the Nets have become very dangerous and the oddsmakers are betting on that to continue here.
Our Pick
Brooklyn +127 (Risking 2 units - To Win: 2.54)
Last 30 Days | 10 | 12 | 0.00 | -3.98 |
Season to Date | 41 | 47 | 0.00 | -7.58 |