COVERS - PICK 'N' ROLL
(Tracking Started On 2/22/2011)
8-8-0 (NBA)
6-8-0 (NCAA HOOPS)
WEDNESDAY 3/9/2011
NBA
Oklahoma City Thunder at Philadelphia 76ers (-1)
If this was supposed to be a growing-up season for the Thunder, they still have plenty of room left to fill out in their britches. The mark of a true championship-caliber team is its ability to play on the road, and Oklahoma City has failed to live up to those expectations.
The Thunder are a mediocre 5-5 SU and ATS in their past 10 away games. In their most recent game on an opponent’s hardwood, Oklahoma City was handled by Memphis, 107-101. In four of the team’s five losses, it has surrendered 100 or more points.
"We got down 17 because our defensive effort wasn't where it needed to be," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "We gave them too many easy layups and points around the paint. We got back into it because we made some shots, but we still weren't playing the defense that it takes to win in this league."
And the balanced 76ers can’t wait to take advantage of those easy baskets. Philadelphia is 8-2 SU and 7-3 ATS in its past 10 games thanks to a diverse attack. Five players average double-figures and seven average above 7.5 points per game. In the team’s most recent win, a 125-117 overtime win against Golden State, the team had seven players in double digits with top scorers Evan Turner (20 points), Thaddeus Young (20 points) and Lou Williams (19 points) each coming off the bench.
Pick: Philadelphia
NBA
Detroit Pistons at San Antonio Spurs (-11.5)
The Spurs have the league’s best record by beating nearly all challengers this season. But they haven’t been very successful when they are installed as a large favorite.
San Antonio is a mere 3-7 ATS as a double-digit favorite this season. And it’s not like the team has exactly been playing well, either. The Spurs are 7-3 SU but just 4-6 ATS in their past 10 games overall. Even more telling, the team has been pasted by 16 points twice in its past four games, including its most recent--a 99-83 beatdown from the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.
“They were more physical then we were and very aggressive,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “I thought that we picked up our physicality and defense in the second half but that was way too late—we were down too far.”
On the other bench, Detroit is coming off a 113-102 win over the Wizards. The Pistons are just 3-7 SU in their past 10 but are a respectable 5-5 ATS over that span. Detroit also may not be good at much this season, but the team has remained competitive by scoring the ball. Over the team’s past 10 games, it has cracked the 100-point mark seven times.
Pick: Detroit
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