Category: NBA

The Portland Trail Blazers, who have lost 3 straight and 7 out of their last 8, should get back on track tonight when they host the lowly Dallas Mavericks. Dallas is 7-21 on the season and an awful 1-13 on the road. On the flip side, Portland is 13-17 on the season and 8-4 at home. The Trail Blazers average 109.8 points per game and are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games, as opposed to the Mavericks who are averaging 94.1 points per game and are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games. Dirk Nowitzki and Andrew Bogut are still out for Dallas. Portland was embarassed by DeMarcus Cousins’ 55 points and the Sacramento Kings last night. I see a bounce-back game for them tonight.

Tonight’s pick:

Portland Trail Blazers -5.5

The Los Angeles Lakers are on an 8-game losing streak and if it’s going to end, it should be tonight when they travel to Philadelphia to take on the 76ers. The Lakers are having an awful season, with a record of 10-18, but Philadelphia is even more pathetic, with a record of 6-19. Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings and 7-2 ATS in their last 9 in Philadelphia. The Lakers have an edge in points per game, field goals, free throws, rebounding, turnovers and bench. This line opened at Philadelphia -1.5, M/L -125, and now has shifted to the Lakers -2, M/L -130, and we know what that means. I’ll take the Lakers here, M/L -130, and not sweat the 2.

Tonight’s pick:

Los Angeles Lakers -130

If the Los Angeles Lakers are going to snap their 4-game skid, it should be tonight when they play the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center. The Suns are an awful 3-10 on the road, averaging 107.8 points per game and allowing 115.0 when away from The Talking Stick. The Lakers are 6-5 at home, averaging 109.2 at Staples and allowing 109.0. The line in this game is Los Angeles -1.5. It only makes sense to take the money line and forget about the hook.

Tonight’s pick:

Los Angeles Lakers -125 M/L

The Toronto Raptors are a covering machine and they will play host tonight to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Raptors are 14-5-1 ATS on the season and 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 at Air Canada Centre. The Cavs are just 6-11-1 ATS on the season, 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games and 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games against the Eastern Conference. The number has been flip-flopping but I’ve got Toronto, +1.

Tonight’s pick:

Toronto Raptors +1

I like the Boston Celtics chances for a victory tonight when they head south to Miami to face the Heat. Miami is 5-11 on the season and just 2-6 at American Airlines Arena. The Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 in Miami.

Tonight’s pick:

Boston Celtics -5

The Toronto Raptors will try to make it 2 in a row today when they travel to Wisconsin to take on the Milwaukee Bucks. The Raptors are 9-5-1 ATS on the season, 4-1 ATS in their last 5 in Milwaukee, and 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 meetings overall with the Bucks. The Raps have the edge in points per game, field goal percentage, free throw percentage and turn overs. This line is Toronto -3.5. Get it early, I see this number climbing.

Todays pick:

Toronto Raptors -3.5

The Toronto Raptors are on a 2-game skid but a trip to Denver tonight should get them back on track. Toronto is 7-4 on the season, 3-1 on the road and when away from Air Canada Centre, they are averaging 113.8 points per game and giving up 109.2. Denver comes in tonight’s contest with a record of 4-7 on the season, 1-3 at home, and are averaging 107.2 points per game at Pepsi Center and allowing 112.5. The Raptors are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games. Toronto is laying 3.5 with a money line of only -160. The hook always burns you, so I’m rolling with Toronto and the money line.

Tonight’s pick:

Toronto Raptors M/L -160