Friday Night NBA

By Divol

Philadelphia 76ers v San Antonio Spurs

20th February 00:05 GMT

Spurs won a very tough game in Indiana after the ASG break and their history shows that they make very nice runs after the ASG break. I realize that Sixers are a team that Spurs struggle against (Sixers won 8 of the last 9 ATS and won three of the last four home games against the Spurs), but Spurs are in a very important moment right now. They need to give their aging stars some rest before playoffs and with West being as tight as it is, they need to make sure first they are in the playoff and to have at least HCA in the first round. They have three games now, all winnable and they will want to win all three to improve their positions for the last months of the regular season. Spurs are decent off one days rest, they are healthy finally and with this not being a B2B game, I fully believe they can win this one.



Pick: Spurs -3, 1.94 odds – 2.5 units play - Pinnacle


Portland Trailblazers v Boston Celtics



 20th February 03:35 GMT

This line really makes no sense. Lakers without Kobe have the same line as Portland perhaps without Roy? How can it be? More than that, Boston have looked really good against the Lakers. They focused and bring not their A defense, but their A+ defense. They still have trouble shooting (and this is why I can’t get why House has been released), but I doubt that Portland will score 85 points tonight even. I know that Under can be a better option, but I see better chance that the game will go Over and Boston still win, than the game will go Under and Boston will lose ATS.

Boston has KG on Aldridge, Perkins on Camby. Pierce is a big miss match here, with Rudy and Batum unable I believe to guard him and Rondo is a nightmare for Miller in my opinion. If Roy plays, Daniels should have extended minutes as his defender, so even if Tony Allen is out due to injury, Boston still has adequate coverage.

I believe this game will go to the wire. 87 – 86 again tonight? I can easily see it happen. The line is huge in such cases, because as long as Boston brings their defense, there isn’t a team in the league that can blow them away. Win? Yes. But they will work hard for that win.



Pick: Boston +3, 1.95 odds – 4.5 units play - Pinnacle


New Jersey Nets v Toronto Raptors



 20th February 01:05 GMT

I’m sorry, but what’s up? I feel like bookies are wrong on too many games and I know that if I think that, most chances, I’m the one that wrong, but what can I do?

Toronto easily won just a few weeks ago in Toronto, the same as the Nets, without Turkoglu and DeRozan. Today Bosh is out, but still, Raptors given almost even chances for a win against the worst team in the league? Public / bookies I guess saw them win in Charlotte and almost win against the Heat, but I think it’s wrong. Charlotte is a team that Nets beat twice already. I guess they simply match up well against them. Heat were also a team that was a three pointer of Wade away from losing to the Nets at home and only Wade’s buzzer beater allowed them to win by a point. In New Jersey, Heat played without Wade, O’Neal logging only 22 minutes, starting PG, Alston, played 21 minutes and didn’t score. Heat still won!

I’m sorry, but Raptors match up really well against the Nets, they are also very deep and can cover for Bosh not playing. The loss to Memphis at home turned this game to a crucial one, since a loss here can bring Heat and Bulls to only one game away from the Raptors that are in the 4th seed in the East.



Pick: Toronto -2, 1.95 – 4 units play - Pinnacle


Orlando Magic v Dallas Mavericks



 20th February 01:05 GMT

First of all, all three of last games between the teams, resulted in the road team winning (Dallas won twice and Orlando once). Dallas this season in general are much better on the road than at home and the trade gave the players great hope for a better future. I believe that both teams need the win the same and both are very talented. With Dallas being good on the road, the line seems a bit too high to me, especially since Haywood usually does a decent job on Howard and Dirk can guard Lewis. Not the surest bet of course, but I will gladly take Dallas and the points here.



Pick: Dallas +6.5, 1.96 – 3 units play - Pinnacle


Pheonix Suns v Atlanta Hawks



 20th February 02:05 GMT

Not an easy play, since the line is almost fair here. Would make it 5 points, but still, Hawks usually don’t lose by a small margin. They either win or lose by 5+ points. In Atlanta, Suns lead most of the game, but Hawks won due to a buzzer beating three pointer. Still, Suns won 7 of the last 10 games between the teams, while covering three of the last four ATS. Amare stayed in the Suns after the trading deadline and for the third season in a row, Amare stays despite all the rumors. Looking back, Suns usually respond well to the trading deadline. I think that Suns should be focused right now, especially with West being so tight and I doubt Suns won’t want to slip to 8th place and face the Lakers, not to mention slipping further down and be out of the playoffs.

Not too crazy about the line, so medium units only, but Suns should win here and hopefully cover as well.



Pick: Suns -4, 1.94 – 2.5 units play - Pinnacle

Divol