Records:
Straight Up: 9-6
Spread: 8-7
San Antonio Spurs @ Boston Celtics
Straight Up: Spurs (+140)
Spread: Spurs (+3.5)
Here’s a fact for you, the last time the Spurs lost in Boston was January 5th, 2011. Furthermore, San Antonio is riding an 11 game wins streak against Boston coming into tonight. Sure, they dropped their last two games against sub par opponents, but I’m going with history here. Spurs are 6-1 ATS in its last seven games against the Celtics, and are 5-0 ATS in its last five times visiting TD Garden.
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Miami Heat
Straight Up: Timberwolves (-157)
Spread: Timberwolves (-3.5)
KAT has been unstoppable thus far, averaging 24.8 PPG, 11.8 RPG, and 1.8 BPG. On Friday, the 21 year old star scored 33 points and grabbed 19 rebounds en route to a 119-116 victory over OKC. With Hassan Whiteside set to miss another game due to injury, the Heat will struggle to contain Towns in the trenches tonight. Also, the Heat have yet to cover the spread this year, going 0-4-1 ATS.
Denver Nuggets @ New York Knicks
Straight Up: Nuggets (-180)
Spread: Knicks (+4.5)
The Knicks are coming off a 114-95 thrashing of the Cavs thanks to big nights from Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardway. Tonight, they host a well-balanced Nuggets team. Denver, who has gotten consistent production from all facets of their team this year, saw all starts score double digit points in Sunday’s win against Brooklyn. The game stays close, but the Nuggets depth pushes them over the edge.
Philadelphia 76ers @ Houston Rockets
Straight Up: Houston (-275)
Spread: Houston (-6.5)
Last time these two teams met, it took an Eric Gordon buzzer beater to push the Rockets over the 76ers. However, I’m not expecting this matchup to be as close. The Rockets are far and beyond the better team and James Harden is averaging 34.8 PPG in 10 matchups against Philly. The 76ers are riding a 8 game losing streak against the Rockets and have lost their last five games in Houston
Charlotte Hornets @ Memphis Grizzlies
Straight Up: Grizzlies (-245)
Spread: Hornets (+6.5)
The Memphis Grizzlies are arguably the most impressive team in the NBA thus bar. Not only do they hold the league’s best record at 5-1, but three of their wins have come from the Warriors and Rockets. Tonight they face a Hornets team that is starting to come into their own, most recently beating the Magic on Sunday night. The last time the Hornets visited Memphis they bested the Grizzlies 104-85. The Hornets should put up a good fight tonight, but in the end the better team will prevail. It’s worth noting that the Hornets are 4-1 ATS in their last five games against the Grizzlies.
Orlando Magic @ NO Pelicans
Straight Up: Pelicans (-280)
Spread: Magic (+7.5)
Who would have thought that the Magic would have a better record than the Warriors and Cavs through six games? Regardless of being in a “rebuilding year” the Magic have impressed thus far. On the flip side, the Pelicans, after a slow start, have started to get the ball rolling. They have won three of their last four contests. While I believe that the Pelicans will ultimately win based on talent alone, 7.5 points is a lot to give a team that has been playing really good basketball as of late.
Dallas Mavericks @ Utah Jazz
Straight Up: Jazz (-335)
Spread: Jazz (-8)
The Jazz are the far superior team in this match-up, if that’s not obvious from these two teams records; however, the point spread creates a real dilemma. Surprisingly, the 1-6 Mavs have lost a number of close games this season. Most recently, they fell 112-110 in overtime to the 76ers. While I was tempted to take the Mavs with the points, I’m going with the Jazz here. Again, they are the far superior team and they should have no problem handily beating Dallas on their home court.
Toronto Raptors @ Portland Trailblazers
Straight Up: Trailblazers (-155)
Spread: Trailblazers (-3.5)
The Raptors face a tough test tonight as they are on their fourth game of a six game road trip. They’ll go up against one of the better offenses in the league as Portland ranks third in the NBA in offensive efficiency and second in the NBA in three point percentage. In the past, this match-up has favored Portland, with Toronto 2-7 ATS in their last nine games in Portland and 3-11 SU in their last 14 games in Portland. Everything is leaning toward the Trailblazers in this game.
Golden State Warriors @ LA Clippers
Straight Up: Warriors (-210)
Spread: Clippers (+5.5)
And finally the marquee match-up of the night. The struggling GS Warriors visit a red-hot Clippers team in what should be nothing short of a great game. While in the past the Warriors have dominated this match-up, I think this game deserves a different narrative. We have not seen the Warriors struggle like this in a couple years and it may be difficult for them to turn things around against a very good Clippers team. I’ll take the Warriors here based on the fact I can’t see them starting the year 4-4, but this should be a real battle.
