Monday Night NBA

By Divol

Chicago Bulls v Houston Rockets



23rd March 00:05 GMT

Chicago will try to climb back to the playoff race, but it won’t be easy hosting the fighting Rockets. Bulls got a big boost with the return of Rose and Noah and it showed right away with a road win over the Sixers in their first game back from injury. Del Negro himself said that the return of the two stars (it’s weird to me regarding Noah as a star, but he is such in Bulls current roster) was huge for the team. Battier can be out tonight and Rockets played mediocre at best against Knicks that finished the season. B2B for Rockets, bigger motivation for the Bulls (Rockets know they won’t be in the playoffs) and home court are enough for me to try the Bulls

Pick: Bulls -2.5, 1.98 – 2.5 units play - Pinnacle

 
New Jersey Nets v Miami Heat

 

22nd March 23:35 GMT

I must be crazy to bet the Nets this season. 7 wins all season, 28 – 40 ATS overall and 11 – 22 ATS at home. But still, Heat played the Nets twice this year during their worse period of the season and during their best period of the season. In both the outcome was the same. Won, but failed to cover. I believe that Nets don’t deserve to be labeled the worst team in NBA history. They are young, they trying and they did have a lot of injuries. Now they have got back Harris and Yi and while I still find it hard to trust Nets at home, I still think that 6 points is a bit too much in this match that Nets no doubt see as one of their decent chances to get one of that much needed W.

Pick: Nets +6.5, 1.99 – 1.5 units - Pinnacle

 
New Orleans Hornets v Dallas Mavericks



 23rd March 00:05 GMT

Dallas are just a crazy team. They are 1 from 10 in the last home games ATS, but 6 – 4 ATS on the road and 12 – 5 ATS as a road favorite this season. Hornets are just horrible lately. 2 – 11 ATS and SU last 13 games. During that time, they lost to every team that needed the win. They play just terrible and it’s sad to see a once proud team just stop fighting. While I can understand them having trouble playing without CP3 on the road, to see them concede 131 points against GSW at home (won, but didn’t cover) and losing to Denver, Memphis and Spurs at home was just sad, especially since it came after some good home wins. Still, Hornets did beat Boston and Orlando at home without CP3 and gave a battle to Denver, Memphis and Utah so I feel I have to be a bit careful.

Pick: Dallas -5, 1.99 – 2 units play - Pinnacle

 
Minnesota Timberwolves v Toronto Raptors

 

23rd March 00:05 GMT

Wolves have stopped playing all together. A single win in the last 19 games! First ATS win against the Lakers after 7 losses ATS in a row as well. Toronto on the other hand improves. Got Bosh  back, won 2 of the last 3, finally won ATS after a draught and when they see that Bulls are back to live and Heat and Cats still can slip and Toronto can move up in the East, they must see this as a must win game. Add to that the fact that the refs for today don’t have much love for the Wolves and one has a good record against the Raptors and we have got a decent bet.

Pick: Toronto -4.5, 1.94 - 3 units play - Pinnacle

 
Milwaukee Bucks v Atlanta Hawks

 

23rd March 00:05 GMT

I just can’t agree with this line. I really don’t know who will win or who will cover this match, but to give a 6 point line to the better team that plays on the road in a game that Bavetta is a ref in? I’ll take the bait. Hawks are in B2B and after OT, but they are a very young team and shouldn’t fall off their feet tonight. Bucks are in great from, but so too the Hawks with 5 wins in 6 games and covered 4 of the last 5 games as well.

Picks:

Hawks to win, 3.14 odds – 0.5 units play - Pinnacle

Hawks +6, 1.96 odds - 1 units play - Pinnacle

 
Utah Jazz v Boston Celtics

 

23rd March 01:05 GMT

Boston are in the end of a three game road trip with wins on Houston and Dallas in their first two games. A win tonight can be a major boost to the team that desperately needs one. Utah are a team that loves to beat teams up, but against good teams they found ways to lose just as often as they won. Would say it’s 55% - 45% match in favour of Utah and not like the odds suggest, so I will try a small bet here.

Pick: Boston to win, 2.72 odds – 1.5 units play - Pinnacle

 
Sacramento Kings v Memphis Grizzlies

 

23rd March 02:05 GMT

Just can’t see Memphis as favorites. With Landry and without Gasol, I think that Kings maybe better even in the paint that Memphis and that is Kings biggest weakness and Grizzlies biggest strength. If they are equal in the paint, I will take my chances on the Kings, regardless of if Evans plays, since Memphis aren’t that good in the backcourt to be favourites on the road.

Pick: Kings to win 1.5 units play – 2.22 odds - Pinnacle

Divol