Friday Night NBA

By Divol

Indiana Pacers v Detroit Pistons



19th March 23:05 GMT

With Pacers having only 4 wins in their last 18 matches it's easy to forget that Pacers are actually on a three game winning streak at home and that they are 6 - 1 ATS in the last seven games. As I see it, Pacers aren't trying to tank and trying their best to win, especially at home.  Granger's absence today is important, but Pacers played well without him in Cleveland and had a few solid results with him when injured this season as well.

Pistons should have Stuckey back, but they lost all of their last 7 games with Stuckey in the line up and went 2 - 5 ATS in those games as well, so I wouldn't get my hopes too high for Pistons backers because of his return.

Pacers beat them with ease by 12 points on the road and 24 points at home in both games they played this season and while Granger was the best player in both games, I do believe that Pacers can handle Pistons without him. It's hard to bet big units on two lottery teams, but still, it looks to me a nice bet.



Pick: Pacers -2, 1.96 - 2.5 units play - Pinnacle


Sacramento Kings v Milwaukee Bucks



20th March 02:05 GMT

I do think that Bucks are slightly over valued here tonight. The last time they played the Kings, they came on a 5 game ATS winning streak (though only 2 - 3 SU) and still lost to Evans buzzer beating shot. Tonight they come after a long winning streak, both SU (6 wins in a row and 12 - 1 run) and ATS with 12 ATS wins in a row, has ended. They lost SU to Clippers and lost already two games ATS in a row as well. I can't know of course is this a beginning of a bad streak, but I do believe that mediocre teams can't make too long runs.

Kings are giving their best to win in each game and at home especially. They had two days rest after playing the Lakers and will have a rest after this match as well. This is also a game between the two best PG's of this year's draft, Evans and Jennings.

I believe that Kings now, with Landry on board, can win Bucks at home for nice odds.



Pick: Kings to win, 2.46 - 2 units play - Pinnacle


Houston Rockets v Boston Celtics



20th March 00:35 GMT

I like the advantage that Boston has in the paint. KG, Perkins and Davis are bigger, stronger, meaner and better basketball players than Scola, Hayes and Andersen. With a similar type of backcourt (Martin and Brooks against Allen and Rondo) and I believe that no way Ariza is better than Pierce.  I do believe that the advantage in the paint could and should be enough for the win. That is without mentioning Sheed, another advantage in the paint, especially if he brings his offensive abilities today. I am also not so sure if Houston still believe in themselves. With less than 15 games left, Portland just got too many easy games on paper to erase the 4.5 games difference between them. Boston on the other hand, needs to get few wins under their belts I believe before the post season begins.



Pick: Boston -2, 1.94 - 2.5 units play - Pinnacle

Divol