Records:
Straight Up: 45-30
Spread: 35-38-2
Teaser: 2-3-1
Dallas Mavericks @ Charlotte Hornets
Straight Up: Hornets (-280)
Spread: Hornets (-7.5)
After a West Coast road trip, the Hornets return home tonight to host the Mavs. Charlotte enjoyed their West Coast stint, winning three out of four games including a shocker against the Golden State Warriors. Dallas snapped their three game losing streak last night, but don’t expect them to put up much resistance against a well-rested, more talented Hornets side. Dallas is 6-17 SU in its last 23 road games.
Miami Heat @ Indiana Pacers
Straight Up: Heat (+170)
Spread: Heat (+5.0)
The Heat is on in Miami. After besting Toronto on the road last night, the Heat won their fifth straight game and eight out of their last 10. On the other hand, the Pacers have lost five out of their last seven games. The interest tidbit here is that Miami is riding a 10 game losing streak in Indiana. That all ends tonight. The Heat are too hot for the Pacers. Miami is 6-1 ATS in its last seven road games.
Utah Jazz @ Washington Wizards
Straight Up: Wizards (-265)
Spread: Wizards (-7.0)
The last time these two teams met, the Jazz were up 64-30 at halftime, en route to win their sixth straight game. Tonight, I figure things to be different. The Jazz have dropped six of their last seven, while the Wizards have won four of their last five. Utah is also 1-5 ATS in its last six road games.
Detroit Pistons @ Brooklyn Nets
Straight Up: Nets (+120)
Spread: Nets (+2.5)
The Pistons’ struggling defense travels to Brooklyn to face a Nets team that narrowly lost two games to top Eastern Conference opponents. Sure, the Pistons are the better team, but they are also one of the worst teams in the NBA on the road. Their 8-13 road record is the worst of any team in their division. To top it off, Detroit is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games against Brooklyn.
Chicago Bulls @ New York Knicks
Straight Up: Knicks (-185)
Spread: Knicks (-4.5)
Both the Bulls and Knicks have been struggling as of late. For New York, their win over the Mavericks on Monday snapped a three game losing streak. They also will have “MVP” Michael Beasley back for tonight’s game. His production off the bench has proved to be a huge aid for the Knicks pedestrian offense. As for the Bulls, they have lost five out of their last six, and are 1-4 ATS in their last five games.
Portland Trailblazers @ Houston Rockets
Straight Up: Rockets (-315)
Spread: Trailblazers (+8.0)
Despite the absence of all-star guard Damian Lillard, the Blazers have managed to stay afloat. Last night, they defeated the Thunder 117-106. A lot of this has to do with the play from C.J. McCollum, who is averaging 24 points and shooting 53% from the field during Portland’s three game win streak. It’s a tough task to beat the Rockets on the road, but I like the Blazers chances to make this a close game. Portland is 11-4-1 ATS in its last 16 games.
*Updated: Lillard will play tonight
New Orleans Pelicans @ Memphis Grizzlies
Straight Up: Grizzlies (+108)
Spread: Grizzlies (+1.5)
The Grizzlies haven’t played since last Friday, making them well-rested coming into tonight’s matchup against the Pelicans. To make matters worse for New Orleans, they will be forced to play without Anthony Davis, who suffered a right ankle injury against Detroit. The Grizzlies last five losses have been by less than two points and they played a very competitive game against Golden State. New Orleans is 1-4 ATS in its last five games.
Orlando Magic @ Milwaukee Bucks
Straight Up: Bucks (-565)
Spread: Bucks (-10.5)
Consider the Bucks’ last loss against the Pacers an anomaly as Giannis was held under 20 points for just the second time this season. Tonight’s matchup against the struggling Magic should be just what the doctor ordered for Milwaukee. Orlando is 3-14 ATS in its last 17 games and 0-5 SU in its last five games.
OKC Thunder @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Straight Up: Timberwolves (-183)
Spread: Timberwolves (-4.5)
Just when we thought the Thunder figured it out, they reverted back to inconsistent ways. OKC heads into Minnesota losing four of their last six. As for the Timberwolves, they look like a legitimate force to be reckoned with, coming off of two impressive wins against the Pelicans and Cavaliers. The T-wolves are 9-3 SU in its last 12 games.
Atlanta Hawks @ Denver Nuggets
Straight Up: Nuggets (-9.0)
Spread: Nuggets (-410)
After losing two consecutive road games to the Kings and Warriors, the Nuggets return home to face the Hawks, who are currently riding a 10 game road losing streak. Nothing crazy here, just picking the clear better team. Denver is 9-3 ATS in their last 12 home games and 11-2 SU in its last 13 home games.
LA Clippers @ Golden State Warriors
Straight Up: Warriors (-800)
Spread: Warriors (-12.0)
The Warriors are currently riding a 12 game winning streak against the Clippers. As if LA isn’t outgunned enough against the defending champs, they’ll be without Blake Griffin tonight. Kevin Durant and Steph Curry may be banged up, but even if they both don’t play I’d still take the Warriors with the spread. Golden State is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games against the Clippers.
Tonight’s Teaser
Heat (+10.0, -105)
Nets (+7.5, -112)
Grizzlies (+7.0, -113)
Pays 1 to 1.35
