Stephen Nover
NBA
Atlanta (+4 -110)
The Lakers have been playing at a high level, but with the top record in the Western Conference clinched and playing their fifth straight road game out of seven in a row, I see this as a flat spot for them.
It won't be a flat spot for the Hawks. Not after consecutive home losses to the Spurs and Celtics. The Hawks previously had won seven consecutive games at home.
Philips Arena will be packed for this marquee matchup. There should be more than 20,000 fans. The Hawks have a strong home-court and want to prove they can beat an elite level team. They are capable of accomplishing this at home and this is the ideal spot.
The Lakers may choose to sit out or reduce the minutes of Kobe Bryant. He suffered an ankle injury in the Lakers' Friday win at the Nets. He said his ankle was very sore after the game.
The game means a great deal to Atlanta. It means very little to the Lakers.
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Oklahoma City (+11 -110)
Boston is going to be heard from again this season - just not in this matchup.
Even though Oklahoma City isn't playing well right now, the Celtics have reason to be concerned about this matchup, let alone covering a double-digit spread.
The Celtics are playing for the eighth time in 13 days. They've been on the road for four of their last five games, including their last two. These were tough games at Orlando and Atlanta.
Now they draw the lowly Thunder at home. The Celtics are not healthy yet, haven't had time to fully integrate their new teammates and their execution has been lacking. They haven't been sharp.
After this matchup, the Celtics don't play again until Wednesday. That's when the team will begin to get in sync. But there isn't enough time for this matchup.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers hasn't held a practice or team shootaround since his team returned from Atlanta following Friday night's satisfying victory. Kevin Garnett is playing reduced minutes as he gets back into shape. Point guard Rajon Rondo has a sore ankle and may not play in this game.
Rivers is just hoping to get past Oklahoma City because the spot is bad for Boston. The Thunder has covered 21 of 34 road contests this season.
The Thunder has a lot of young talent. Because of that, though, the Thunder youngsters have hit a wall this late in the season losing four of their past five games. But this is Oklahoma City's second game in five days so the Thunder should be fresh, loose and motivated against the wounded defending champions.
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San Antonio (+1 -110)
The Hornets should be primed for a strong effort at home following an embarrassing road loss to the Knicks on Friday.
The problem for New Orleans is quality bodies. The Hornets just don't have enough of them for this matchup.
New Orleans will be missing center Tyson Chandler and his backup Hilton Armstrong, both out with ankle injuries. In addition, Peja Stojakovic has missed the last 12 games because of back spasms and reserve forward James Posey may be suspended for this game.
The timing is especially bad for New Orleans because the Spurs have Manu Ginobili back. San Antonio has won its last three games. This will be Ginobili's third game back since missing a month and a half with an ankle injury.
Ginobili, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker were in the lineup together for the first time on Friday since Feb. 11. They helped San Antonio build a 27-point lead on its way to an easy 111-98 win against the Clippers.
Finally healthy, the Spurs are trying to peak with the playoffs coming up in three weeks. They should be ready to give an all-out effort with their next game on Tuesday at home against lowly Oklahoma City and then not playing again until Friday.
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San Antonio at New Orleans Over (177.5 -110)
The Spurs' offense has picked up. San Antonio is averaging 106.7 points in its last three games, while shooting 56.1 percent from the floor.
It's not a coincidence that Manu Ginobili has returned after missing 1 1/2 months because of an ankle injury. He's played the last two games. The Spurs scored 102 points at Atlanta, a strong defensive club at home, in Ginobili's first game back.
San Antonio then built up a 27-point lead in scoring 111 points at home against the Clippers in their last game on Friday. Ginobili, Tony Parker and Tim Duncan all seemed in sync in that contest despite Ginobili being away from the lineup for so long.
The Hornets are without center Tyson Chandler and his backup Hilton Armstrong. Both have ankle injuries. In addition, they could be without James Posey. He's facing a possible suspension.
This hurts the Hornets' defensively more than offensively. New Orleans, normally a strong defensive team, has allowed 101 and 103 points in its last two games.
This is a very low total, especially the way the Spurs have looked on offense.
Consequently, I see the Hornets playing a spirited game with Chris Paul at his best playing at home in a huge game for New Orleans. The Hornets will look to redeem themselves after an embarrassing effort in their last game, a road loss to the Knicks.
how many units is each worth