Friday Night NBA

By Divol

New Orleans Hornets v Utah Jazz



10th April 01:05 GMT
ESPN (01:00-03:30)

Utah have beaten the Hornets twice in the last month. They won by 20 points in Utah two weeks ago and by 8 points in NO two months ago. In the win by 8 points in NO, Peja still played and was the best in the Hornets team with 24 points, scoring 8 from 12 from the field. Today Paul and Peja are both out. Hornets proved they are fighters against the Cats, but Utah are much deadlier and if you give them a chance, they will beat you. The battles in the West will probably be decided in the direct matches between the teams and despite having only 3 games left; we have got plenty of those matches. But, it will only be true if the teams get the wins where they are suppose to and this is one of those games.



Pick: Utah -6.5 - 1.92 - 3 units play - Expekt


Boston Celtics v Washington Wizards



10th April 00:35 GMT

Another Under in the Wizards Under series. The last game was Over and I didn't touch it, since I figured that Orlando are the wrong team to bet an Under on when facing the Wizards. Boston on the other hand, are just the right team. The total is a bit lower than it should be from the Boston side, because the bookies and public give too much credit to Boston’s abilities on defence. But, on the other hand, I can't explain how much contempt I have for this Wizards team. I honestly think that if any decent team would have seen them as a threat, they would have been able to stop them on 55 - 60 points. Anyway, the reason I like Boston is that while I don't see them as the defensive force they used to be, unlike teams like Magic or GSW, Boston won't help Wizards to boost the pace.

The first game ended 86 - 83 for Boston and I fully believe that while Boston can score 90+ points, I honestly doubt Wizards ability to do the same.



Pick: Under 194, 1.95 - 3.5 units play - Pinnacle


Philadelphia 76ers v Milwaukee Bucks



10th April 00:05 GMT

Since losing Bogut, Bucks were 5.5 points dogs (been even bigger dogs) in Chicago and 7.5 points favourites at home against the Nets. Two wins SU and ATS and the team that two days ago was only 7.5 points favourite at home against the Nets are 4.5 points favourite on the road against the Sixers. The Sixers won in Milwaukee just two weeks ago 101 - 86 and now, at --ome, against gutless Milwaukee they get almost 2 to 1 odds? I will take it. Dalembert and Brand against Bucks without Bogut? Sixers that beat the Hawks at home and gave a hard time to the Heat two days ago are just the team that can exploit Bucks’ weak points to the fullest.



Pick: Sixers to win, 2.78 - 2 units play - Betsafe

Divol