Sunday Night NBA

By Divol

Washington Wizards v New Jersey Jets


4th April 22:00 GMT

The teams met just a month ago and the result was 89 - 85 for the Wizards. I can easily see the same result, maybe even again in favour of the road team. Wizards are just not a basketball team. At least not on the level that should be appearing in front of a crowd. Nets lost interest in the league the moment that gained that 10th win and now they are playing for their pleasure. Actually, they are far more dangerous now, since they have no reason to tank, no pressure to win and they have got a decent roster. Still, I think that Under here is the safer option than playing the road team.

Wizards were so shocked from a game going to Over that it took them two games to realize that and then, still under the influence of the shocking Over, they won in NO and they didn’t even mean it. That win set the systems back (one shock neutralizes the second shock, even doctors will tell you that) and I see no reason for any game until the end of the season that they would win or go Over.

Nets celebrated the win over the Spurs that meant that they are not the worst team in NBA history and reacted with two Over results. But I would say that is a bit misleading. One Over was by 0.5 points, so nothing to learn from that. Second against the Suns was by 10 points and that is worrying a bit, but that was due to the second half only when they scored 118 points, while at halftime only 103 points were on board, so I won’t let one half to stop me from taking this bet, maybe only take a unit shorter than I wanted to.

In the end, both teams have problems putting the ball in the rim. Wizards have got no post options. To see their big guys trying to make a post move is just funny. Have you ever seen NBA player shoot an airball, two feet from the basket, twice in one half? If not and you want to, start watching Wizards games. They just have 2 – 3 stretches in a game when they simply can’t buy a basket, not to mention score one.

Nets are a streaky team. They have got the package – Lopez for the post, Harris can create points in many ways, and Yi can catch a game as well. Still, too many times the whole is much smaller that its parts.
I will recommend taking Under for the Wizards only, but I don’t have such option, so I will play for myself Under overall.



Pick: Under 97 points for Wizards to score, 1.85 odds – 3.5 units play – 888sport / Bluesq

 
Oklahoma City Thunder v Minnesota Timberwolves

 

4th April 23:00 GMT

Wolves are trying to be the worst team in the league and will fail even in that. They managed to hold on in few games, but they just did the entire job in the first half, digging a hole they can’t get out from. Wolves lost in the last month, all six of their road games, losing all SU for the first half as well, getting beaten by 5, 10, 10, 9, 18 and 17 points. The lost ATS 5 of those 6 first half bets as well.  Last game in Oklahoma between Thunder and Wolves, Thunder lead by 15 points at HT, winning by 27 points in the end of the game. I believe that Thunder will win both HT and full game, but will divide the bet, with HT being a bit safer bet, just to avoid the backroom cover by the Wolves.



Picks:

Thunder -7 at HT, 1.91 – 2 units play - Bet365

Thunder -12, 1.94 – 1.5 units play - Pinnacle

 
Orlando Magic v Memphis Grizzlies

 

4th April 22:00 GMT

Memphis biggest problem this year was getting production from the bench. To lose Gasol, with Thabeet and Haddadi the only two available options at Center position when facing Howard, can lead to a major blow out by the Magic. Orlando are trailing two games behind Lakers, with Lakers still playing in Denver. If Lakers will lose today, Orlando should really become focused. If Lakers win? Well, there may be small room for a let down by Orlando, but still, they have been abusing most of the small teams this season and they do have a small revenge after Memphis beat them earlier this year. Orlando’s play only three games this week, the other two being Knicks and Wizards, so this is actually their biggest game of the week. I will take the bigger bet on the game and a small one on the full game line as well.



Picks:

Orlando at HT -6.5, 1.91 – 2 units play - Bet365

Orlando -11, 1.95 – 1 units play - Pinnacle


Boston Celtics v Cleveland Cavaliers

 

4th April 17:00 GMT

To be honest, it’s scary to bet on Boston at the moment. Still, Cleveland plays poorly right now, mostly because they got their mind set on the playoffs and this game, though it used to be “the game” for them last season, I doubt they really care about it. Boston play so poorly at the moment, that it’s hard to see them as a rival to Cleveland in a 7 games series.

Still, this is a must bet for me. Boston have yet to lose four home games in a row since the trade on KG and they should finally show some effort tonight. Houston won in Boston after hitting 67% from 3pt and I think it will require Cleveland to post similar number (55% or higher) to win here as well. Cleveland got probably the best roster of shooters in the league, but still, can easily see them coming flat tonight.



Pick: Boston to win, 2.04 odds – 2 units play - Pinnacle

Divol