Nba Game Predictions - February 20, 2009
We had a great night in the NBA last night as we nailed both of our picks to grab +6.4 units. With last night's NBA win, we are burning the books to the tune of 58%, 170-124 for +99.7 units over the last three months. We look to extend our NBA hoops run today with five picks including a 5-unit play!
Today's NBA Basketball Picks:
Game: Orlando at Charlotte (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 2 units on Charlotte +2.5 (-110) (risk 2 to win 1.8)
Charlotte is a well-distinguished team. They have one trait that teams with losing records don't usually possess. They play defense. The Bobcats are No. 4 in the NBA in fewest points allowed, the only losing team in the top 10. They have really been tough at home against some of the NBA's better teams. The Bobcats have won at home this season against Boston, Phoenix, Portland, Philadelphia, Miami, and Utah straight up. Orlando is struggling at the offensive end right now as they have scored just 84.3 ppg (not including OT) in their last three games, and these same Bobcats took them to OT on the road. The Bobcats are catching the Magic at the right time, and have a good chance to win this one straight up, and knock off yet another good team at home.
Game: Toronto at New York Knicks (7:30 PM Eastern)Pick: 3 units on Game Total OVER 214 -110 (risk 3 to win 2.7)
The Knicks are definately catching onto the Mike D'Antoni run-and-gun offense and are starting to work it to perfection. They have reached the 100-point mark for a season-high 14 straight games, but of course, that comes with a price. The Knicks’ opponents have also reached the 100-point mark in nine straight. So it looks like 200 points is a given in this one, so can these teams find an extra 15 points to push this one over? The Knicks defense may accommodate that themselves as they have issued a free pass under their hoop to the tune of 116.4 ppg in the last nine. The Knicks are giving the hoop a lot of use as well on the offensive end, dropping in 115 ppg in their last nine. This one looks destined to topple this number, so I'll back the OVER here.
Game: Indiana at Minnesota (8:00 PM Eastern)Pick: 5 units on Indiana +3 (-110) (risk 5 to win 4.6)
The Minnesota Timberwolves were coming together as a team, but then they got a bad break as Al Jefferson went down with a knee injury, which ended his season. His 23 ppg and 11 rebounds per game simply can't be replaced by an already fragile team. The T-Wolves had been 11-5, are now 1-5 in their last six and heading down again. The Pacers have proven when they play their "A" game, they are good and can beat anyone. They are still the only team in the league to beat the “Big Four” in Cleveland, LA Lakers, Boston, and Orlando. They will be catching a Minnesota team that is reverting back to the team that started the season 3-24, and will come away with the cover, and likely the win here as well.
Game: Dallas at Houston (8:30 PM Eastern)Pick: 4 units on Houston -3 (-110) (risk 4 to win 3.6)
The Houston Rockets have a score to settle with the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs handed the Rockets a 10-point loss earlier in the season in Houston. It was a bad loss for Houston - the worst they have suffered at home. Their other five losses total just 14 points, so it shows you just how good they have been at home. The Mavs have lost some games by huge amounts on the road against good teams. They lost by 28 each to Utah, and Phoenix, and 24 to Boston, so they certainly show the ability to be part of a blowout against a motivated team, which the Rockets will be tonight. Houston gets the call here.
Game: New Orleans at Los Angeles Lakers (10:30 PM Eastern)Pick: 2 units on Los Angeles Lakers -8.5 (-110) (risk 2 to win 1.8)
This line may look high with the defensive-minded Hornets coming to town, but that defense just hasn't translated for this New Orleans team on the road against winning teams. They have been pounded and scored on by the .500+ teams on the road. Cleveland, Orlando, and Boston beat this team by a combined 46 points or 15.3 points per game. Throw in San Antonio's 13-point win and Utah's 26-point win and this isn't a good spot for the Hornets. The Lakers offense is playing superb, having topped the 100-point mark in 23 of their last 25 games, and that is bad news for the Hornets who are now 2-12 ATS on the season when they allow 100+. The Lakers get the money in this one.
Results: 3-2
NBA Basketball Picks Resources:
Check out the last five NBA Basketball Picks Newsletters:
NBA-Basketball-Picks-February-19-2009
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NBA-Basketball-Picks-February-18-2009
The Grizzlies went through a dreadful 2-20 run, but have regrouped and the young talent is beginning to gel. The 22 game stretch featured 14 where the Grizzlies lost by 10+. Things have been different...
NBA-Basketball-Picks-February-17-2009
The break came at the right time for the Hornets as they would like to put an inconsistent and dissapointing first-half behind them. The good news is they came out of it with a 30-20 record and they a...
NBA-Basketball-Picks-February-12-2009
The Bulls have finally awakened and are playing their best basketball in two years. They followed a successful 4-3 road trip with a win at home over the Pistons. They have now gone 7-0-1 ATS in their ...
NBA-Basketball-Picks-February-11-2009
Nuggets rebounded nicely off 70 point offensive breakdown at New Jersey, but still managed under 100 points now for two in a row. That may be really bad news for Denver fans as good as the Denver offe...
