SPORTS WAGERS
Indiana +140 over ATLANTA
The Hawks previous 16-5 record has now turned into a 16-8 record after they dropped three straight at home to Memphis, Philly and Phoenix. The Pacers are superior to any of those three teams and they catch the Hawks at the perfect time. As lame as this may sound, losing is different than winning. When a team is winning, they're loose and having fun. The coach is working on less things because if it ain't broke, why fix it? That's the difference between a veteran coach and a neophyte. Hawks coach Larry Drew spent years with the Pistons, Wizards and Nets before heading to Atlanta. Losing was the norm and Drew didn’t acquire the experience to turn a drought around. Now, he’s being asked to. With this group, we’re not sure he can do it. As mentioned numerous times this season, Atlanta is an imposter. It's no mystery as to why they're suddenly losing at home to teams like Phoenix. Atlanta's bench is awful. Its strength of schedule is ranked 23rd in the league and they've developed a false sense of security when defeating weak teams. They're an average rebounding team that is likely going to be dominated on the boards tonight by the Pacers. Indiana can beat you in so many ways. Unlike the Hawks, who rely heavily on Joe Johnson and Josh Smith for scoring, the Pacers have five guys averaging double figures per game and two others right on the verge of 10 per game. The Pacers are 17-7 and they have every edge tonight, outside of home court. Play: Indiana +140 (Risking 2 units).
Detroit +153 over NEW JERSEY
The Pistons are widely regarded as one of the three worst teams in the NBA and they've lived up to that with six wins in 26 games. That said, respectability is not that far off. They've had many close games in which they were in a position to win. Closing out games is a lesson that they're slowly learning and have done so in two straight games with wins over Milwaukee and New Orleans. They have recent three-point losses to the Heat, Trail Blazers and these same Nets in New Jersey exactly one week ago. The Pistons also have a recent OT loss to Atlanta in a game they led by six with 34 seconds remaining. In reality, the Pistons could easily have six wins in their last 10 games. New Jersey is banged up and they've dropped three in a row and five of six. They're considered to be the better team, playing at home, but there's a reason the odds makers made them such a enticingly short price. With Brook Lopez, MarShon Brooks and Deshawn Stevenson on the rack, this Nets teams that lacks strength in all aspects of the game is nowhere close to being better than they were two weeks ago. The Pistons are. Play: Detroit +153 (Risking 2 units).
CLEVELAND +6½ over L.A. Clippers
Chauncey Billups value vastly exceeded the 14.9 points, 4.0 assists and 2.5 rebounds he averaged per game. The Clippers can replace his numbers but they can't replace his experience and steadying presense on the court. Billups is out for the season after he ruptured his left Achilles' tendon in his last game. Losing a player is no big deal, as it happens every day. Losing an impact player for the season is another story, as adjustments that have to take place are permanent. The Clippers have won six of seven and are coming off an OT win in Orlando. They'll play their third straight on the road here and will continue their six-game trip in Philadelphia on Friday. The Clip Joint are sure to have a hiccup on this trip and cahnces are good it occurs here. The Cavaliers are coming off a misleading 16-point loss in Miami last night. They were down by just six going to the fourth and hung around all game until late in the fourth. The Cavs last five games have come against Boston twice, Orlando, Dallas and Miami. They went 2-3 in that set and didn't look a bit out of place in any of them. Fatigue should not be an issue, as Cleveland was off for two days prior to last night's game and they're 3-3 against the spread on zero days rest. Upset possibility. Play: Cleveland +6½ (Risking 2.1 units to win 2).