Thursday Night NBA

By Divol

Golden State Warriors v Houston Rockets



4th December 03:35 GMT

I really like this bet on the Warriors tonight. Both teams are injured and depleted; both teams play fast ball and both teams want to get a few wins under their belt, even if they don't have too many ambitions. Still, I do like the Warriors tonight. Warriors had some rest, while Rockets are playing B2B. While Rockets are coming to this game after a nice win against the Clippers, Warriors got blown 107 - 135 by Denver.

Warriors are playing at home, the same rival that won them a month ago at home by a point, 107 - 108; they finally without two major distractions, Nelly and Jackson, one at home and the other won traded and even Ellis said that he doesn't want to leave anymore.

I really see no reason for such a line here. Warriors got the crowd going on their win against the Pacers and tonight they will come motivated to continue pleasing their home fans, just as they did all the years.

I do think that the line should have been -1 for the Warriors, not against them.

Pick: Warriors to win, 2.20 - 2.5 units play - Bet365


San Antonio Spurs v Boston Celtics



4th December 01:05 GMT

I think that Boston are a huge disappointment for me this season so far. They are the first in the East with the Magic, but still, 8 – 10 ATS (two previous seasons started made terrific starts SU), 7 – 3 at home, conceding in three games straight 100+ points. Now they look to be back on track with 5 wins in a row and we need to look how they did it and they did it with 4 Overs and only one Under.

Spurs hold an unimpressive 9 – 6 record, but a decent 8 – 2 home record. Still, despite this home record, they conceded 96 points at home and have such a record due to their 106 points average they score at home.
It seems that after seasons that both teams won through the defense, they got it going through the offense and are happy with that. I see no reason for either of them to suddenly change what is working for them. Spurs scored 100+ points in all home games but one, in games where all three star players have played and even on that one, they scored 97 points.

I think that 193 – 195 total would have been much more accurate here, unless you believe in Spurs blow out and bookies and the public (judging by line movement) don't believe it's the case.

I can't understand why people backing Boston instead of the Over. Spurs will score 90+ points here, so Boston can cover only by doing the same. On the other hand, both can score 90+ points and get the Over and Boston still will lose the game and the line.

99 – 97 is the score I like here, maybe 97 – 94, but still 5+ points above the total set today.

Pick: Over 186.5 points, 1.84 odds - 4 units play - Coral