Monday Night NBA

By Divol

Minnesota Timberwolves v Dallas Mavericks



9th March 01:05 GMT

It's hard to argue with the fact that Dallas struggles against the Wolves. The teams played on February 5th, just before the big trade and Dallas lost at home 117 - 108 to them and then, after the trade, just 5 days ago, Dallas "got their revenge" with a 112 - 109 win at home. Needless to say that Wolves won both games ATS. Wolves played the second game without Jefferson but in both games they presented a great team game. In the first game six Wolves players scored in double figures and in the second game five.

Interestingly , that while the total has reacted to the first two games, going from 202.5 just five days ago to 207, up a whole 5 points, the line has stayed the same (normal 6 points swing home - road from 13 on the road to 7 at home). That is despite the fact that Jefferson is back with the team. Maybe it's the history between the teams, that the road team won all of the last 10 games between them ATS (!!!) that caused the line to remain the same. Still, Dallas are without Dampier and probably without Haywood, so Wolves can be better in the paint and Terry's absence hurts Dallas bench badly. Add the fact that Dallas are with 11 wins in a row and after this game they play at home the Nets, Knicks and the Bulls, so as weird as it sounds, Wolves are the best chance to break the streak for Dallas.

I can't place a big bet on a team that I have lost the most betting on them at home, but I will still take them small.



Pick: Wolves +7, 1.91 - 2 units play - Boylesports


New York Knicks v Atlanta Hawks



9th March 00:35 GMT

The teams had 8 Over results in the last 9 games they played each other and in the last 7 of 8 games between them, the score was higher than the total set today. In three games this season, the scores in regular time were 215, 221 and 208 points. That is 214.66 points average and I'm a strong believer that this is the best way to check the "right' numbers. I also look back at the Knicks' results and they have usually responded well to humiliations. Now they have lost at home by 20 points to Nets and set, while doing that, the worst behind the arc record in NBA history. No way to go but up from that.



Pick: Over 210 points, 1.96 odds - 2.5 units play - Pinnacle

Divol