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“Play it Safe” NBA Parlay:
Toronto @ New Orleans – Toronto -5.5 @1.51 –WIN
Cleveland @ New York – Cleveland WIN @1.26 –WIN
Charlotte @ Milwaukee – Charlotte WIN @1.62 –WIN
Boston @ Phoenix – Boston WIN @1.20 –WIN
*All dates are U.S
Tonight’s 10 Expert Picks:
Points +/- Rank
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 10 | Indiana | 101.6 | 100.1 | +1.5 |
| 27 | Brooklyn | 98.4 | 104.6 | -6.2 |
The Say
This selection would have been an easy one for us with Indiana but when Brooklyn somehow defeated the Cavs at home last out, the risks opened up. The Pacers do hold the series against the Nets 2-0 this season but our issue is Paul George is doubtful to make the trip. Brooklyn don’t have any incentive for lottery positions as all their meaningful picks have been traded away so causing troubles for other East contenders would be their preference. Indiana should still win but look for the over here.
Best Bet: Over 196.5 @1.48
Feeling Lucky: Over 202.5 @1.88
Chicago @ Orlando
Points +/- Rank
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 18 | Chicago | 101.7 | 103.1 | -1.4 |
| 20 | Orlando | 100.8 | 103.3 | -2.5 |
The Say
With back to back losses to the Knicks, the Chicago Bulls are just about done for the year. 2 games behind the 8th seed Detroit, the storyline for the Bulls this season has wavered from injury to chemistry issues. The Magic too have their injury problems with no sign of Vucevic returning and Oladipo sitting out the previous game. No clear winner here for us but when Jimmy Butler is involved, anything could happen.
Best Bet: Orlando +15.5 @1.20
Feeling Lucky: Chicago WIN @1.50
Toronto @ New Orleans
Points +/- Rank
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 5 | Toronto | 102.7 | 98.2 | +4.5 |
| 24 | New Orleans | 102.9 | 106.3 | -3.4 |
The Say
Toronto have had their chances to take down the Cavs for the 1st seed but keep dropping winnable games. Tonight is another one. DeRozan and Lowry were both ejected last night which cost them the win so expect them both to do better against a well undermanned Pelicans team. New Orleans are basically missing their entire starting lineup and 6th man so expect the Raptors to get through this one, maybe with a few last minute lineup changes.
Best Bet: Toronto -5.5 @1.51
Feeling Lucky: Toronto 11+ @2.00
Atlanta @ Detroit
Points +/- Rank
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 6 | Atlanta | 102.8 | 99.1 | +3.7 |
| 13 | Detroit | 102.3 | 101.5 | +0.8 |
The Say
Two of the Eastern Conference inform teams square up at Auburn Hills tonight and it has us puzzled. Detroit have won 5 in a row and did it in style with a win against the Hornets last night while the Hawks have snuck into the 3rd seed. Atlanta hold the series 2-1 and won the last game in Detroit just over 10 days ago. Will be close.
Best Bet: Atlanta +11.5 @1.20
Feeling Lucky: Over 197.5 @1.48
Cleveland @ New York
Points +/- Rank
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 4 | Cleveland | 103.9 | 97.9 | +6.0 |
| 22 | New York | 98.8 | 101.4 | -2.6 |
The Say
Wouldn’t want to be the man bunking with LeBron on their New York road trip. After dropping a game to Brooklyn last out where The King scored 30 and the rest of the team barely showed up, expect the Cavs to come out firing under the lights of MSG. Maybe LeBron will go into beast mode and break a record. He will be in a better mood though, as he gets to spend some quality time with his buddy Melo.
Best Bet: Cleveland WIN @1.26
Feeling Lucky: Cleveland 7+ @1.71
Utah @ Minnesota
Points +/- Rank
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 12 | Utah | 97.6 | 96.6 | +1.0 |
| 26 | Minnesota | 101.9 | 105.7 | -3.8 |
The Say
The Twolves are coming off an overtime win against the Wizards last night, and face off tonight against the boys from the Bible Belt who’ve had the day’s break, and have won 6 of their last 8.
Having read others previews it’s clear to see that the majority are all aboard the Jazz wagon for this one. I think this may be a danger game though. The Jazz with have a pretty average 13-24 record on the road this year, and are up against the Minnesota youth, who are full of beans after an upset win last night. A back to back doesn’t hurt as much when you’re young,and for that reason we are going for a nice line for the Twolves to cover here against the tough Jazz defense.
Best Bet: Minnesota +11.5 @1.47
Feeling Lucky: Andrew Wiggins Over 20.5 Points @ 1.91
San Antonio @ Oklahoma
Points +/- Rank
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 1 | San Antonio | 104.4 | 92.2 | +12.2 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | 110.2 | 102.9 | +7.3 |
The Say
The Spurs travel to OKC in what will a battle of 2 in-form teams who’ve both gone 8-2 over their last 10. The Thunder are flying, and have won their last 6 after going through a rough patch in which they just couldn’t seem to close out games. One way you can tell how good they are going, is the current $4.40 price tag on the Spurs.
Another reason the lines are they way they are is the fact that the Spurs are a little “banged up”. I use quotation marks in reference to the fact that Pop may just be resting bodies, and injuries may not be a concern.
The Spurs have their eyes on the bigger picture, and will make rotations accordingly, whilst the Thunder will be looking for momentum. That is the reason for the line.
Best Bet: Spurs +18.5 @1.22
Feeling Lucky: Spurs +6.5 @2.50
Charlotte @ Milwaukee
Points +/- Rank
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 9 | Charlotte | 103.0 | 100.8 | +2.2 |
| 25 | Milwaukee | 99.1 | 102.8 | -3.7 |
The Say
The Hornets (36-31) are in a fight to secure a spot in the big dance, while the Bucks (27-43) are headed back to the drawing board, one that may involve some concerns with J Kidd’s role with the team into the future.
It’s a battle in the East at the moment, with the Wizards and Bulls just a game off sneaking their way back into a playoff spot. From here on in, every game is a must-win for the Hornets.
This is the 2nd night of a back to back for both teams, and with more to play for, and back at home against the struggling Bucks, the Hornets should get it done here. But there is something to say about playing freely and without pressure, that’s what the Bucks have tonight.
Best Bet: Charlotte WIN @1.62
Feeling Lucky: Nope
Boston @ Phoenix
Points +/- Rank
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 6 | Boston | 105.8 | 102.0 | +3.8 |
| 28 | Phoenix | 100.5 | 107.6 | -7.1 |
The Say
Boston are checkering wins with losses going 5-5 over the last 10, with only 2 of those wins to teams over.500. They do however protect home court well, with a 25-12 record. The Suns are travelling, and with a 7-29 road record this season, this one looks like, dare we say it, a certainty?
The Celts are tied 4th in the East with Atlanta and have secured a playoff spot with a 42-30 record, while the Suns are being held up only by the bottom placed Lakers in the West.
Boston are at home, with a day’s rest, and will be looking to start some momentum into the Finals after an impressive win over the Raptors last out. They will take it here.
Best Bet: Boston WIN @1.20
Feeling Lucky: Boston -8.5 @1.91
Philadelphia @ Portland
Points +/- Rank
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 30 | Philadelphia | 96.9 | 107.5 | -10.6 |
| 14 | Portland | 104.5 | 104.0 | +0.5 |
The Say
Philly are nearing the pointy end of a season they’d likely want to sweep under the rug. The Blazers aren’t flying at the moment either, going 6-4 over the last 10.
The 76ers are a different level of awful however, and are the only team in the league who haven’t managed to push to a double figure win record at this point. The Blazers will get over the line here, as the 76ers keep eyeing those lottery balls.
Best Bet: Portland -9.5 @1.48
Feeling Lucky: Portland 11+ @1.62
