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10 games today, and a few mismatches that should get us some pretty good results. From now on we are keeping track of wins and losses, so that we (and you) get a good gauge of where we are headed. Which is either to the pub this weekend, or to do some laundry and sweep the driveway.
Houston and Portland shape off in what is an intriguing match up, not just because they are both looking for a win (Houston’s lost the last 4, Portland the last 6), but because Dwight Howard has turned in one of the worst performances of his career against the Celtics. A 2/4 field goal effort which has me regretting my fantasy selections this year.
But let’s have a look at the rest of the predictions below…
$$$$$$ Today’s BEST BETS $$$$$
Charlotte WIN @$1.33 WIN
Orlando WIN @$1.38 WIN
Sacramento +3.5 @$1.91. LOSS
Denver +13.5 @$1.91.WIN
$5.00 on for : $39.78 return
Brooklyn Nets at Charlotte Hornets
| Brooklyn Nets (+7.0) | Charlotte Hornets (-7.0) |
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 28 | Brooklyn | 94.7 | 103.6 | -8.9 |
| 13 | Charlotte | 101.4 | 99.2 | +2.2 |
The Best Bet : Charlotte WIN @$1.33. The Nets have won 2 of the last 10 and each win has averaged out to 10+ points. Jarrett Jack has been sold with 21.0 points and 9.7 assists per game, but it won’t be enough to beat the Hornets who are loving playing at home. RESULT : WIN
Minnesota at Orlando
| Minnesota Timberwolves (+6.5) | Orlando Magic (-6.5) |
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 18 | Minnesota | 103.1 | 104.5 | -1.4 |
| 19 | Orlando | 100.9 | 101.2 | -0.3 |
The Best Bet : Orlando WIN @$1.38. Minnesota have lost 13 straight at home, but seem to love the road with a record of 5-1. Victor Oladipo should be returning for the Magic, and with Nikola Vucevic and Tobias Harris in solid form it should be enough. RESULT : WIN
Feeling Lucky : Orlando 1-10 @$2.37. With a Minnesota team that love the road it will be close. RESULT : WIN
Indiana at Philadelphia
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 16 | Indiana | 96.4 | 96.1 | 0.3 |
| 30 | Philadelphia | 90.6 | 103.5 | -12.9 |
The Best Bet : Indiana WIN @$1.34. Good enough odds for us against the last winless team. Even with their second leading scorer in George Hill (14.0 ppg) out, Paul George is in good enough form to get them over the line. RESULT : WIN
Feeling Lucky : Philadelphia +7 @$1.91. The 76ers have limited opponents to 39.5 on shooting in their last 3 games, and coming up against an Indiana team with limited firepower, this could be close. RESULT : LOSS
Dallas at Boston
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 12 | Dallas | 100.8 | 99.5 | +1.3 |
| 3 | Boston | 102.5 | 95.9 | +6.6 |
The Best Bet : Boston WIN @$1.49. Both teams are coming into the game in good form. Boston is dominating opponents, while Dallas is getting over the line as old pro’s do. Rajon Rondo returns to where it began in triple double form.RESULT : LOSS
Feeling Lucky : Dallas +5 @$1.91. The Mavs are rolling along as they always do, and this is a good feeling lucky bet. RESULT : WIN
Sacramento at Atlanta
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 23 | Sacramento | 103.8 | 107.9 | -4.1 |
| 10 | Atlanta | 102.8 | 100.3 | +2.5 |
The Best Bet : Sacramento +3.5 @$1.91. We will go with the form team (although they have lost
the last 15 in the H2H). Demarcus Cousins is averaging 36.3 ppg on 51.4 % shooting, including 9/15 from 3-point range during the 3 game streak. Darren Collison will return from a hamstring injury. RESULT : LOSS
Feeling Lucky : First Basket – Boogie Cousins @$5.35. Because he’s a monster right now.
Portland at Houston
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 21 | Portland | 100.4 | 102.9 | -2.5 |
| 27 | Houston | 100.8 | 108.5 | -7.7 |
The Best Bet : Houston WIN @$1.35 “We can’t hang our heads, we gotta keep fighting,” said Dwight Howard after a listless 5 point effort, from 2 shots. “At times, I wouldn’t say full effort all the time, no,” said coach Kevin McHale. The Rockets are soft, and out of sorts, but will avoid the boos in Houston with a narrow win. RESULT : WIN
Feeling Lucky : Portland +7 @$1.91. The Rockets are as emotionally out of sorts as they are physically. It should be close. RESULT : WIN
New Orleans at Oklahoma
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 29 | New Orleans | 100.2 | 109.4 | -9.2 |
| 6 | Oklahoma City | 110.8 | 105.7 | +5.1 |
The Best Bet : OKC WIN @1.15 The obvious tip is OKC, but it’s too short for our liking. Anthony Davis is out with a shoulder, and with that are the Pelicans hopes. RESULT : WIN
Feeling Lucky : No Bet. We don’t trust them enough to get over the spread. Changed lineups can be unpredictable.
Denver at San Antonio
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 22 | Denver | 98.3 | 103 | -4.7 |
| 2 | San Antonio | 101.4 | 90.6 | +10.8 |
The Best Bet : No Bet. Of course we think the Spurs will get up, but the -13.5 line and the $1.05 for the WIN just is not good value.
Feeling Lucky : Denver +13.5 @$1.91. This could be closer than the line. Gallinari has scored 25+ in three of his last four, averaging 23.0 points on 49.1 %. RESULT : WIN
Toronto at Utah
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 8 | Toronto | 102 | 97.1 | +4.9 |
| 9 | Utah | 95.5 | 91.8 | +3.7 |
The Best Bet : Toronto WIN @$2.39. DeRozan and Lowry run a nice double team scoring option. The Raptors are 4-4 on the road and we think it’s a good enough record to take this out against a Jazz team that is starting a 16 of 23 home game run. They have lost the last 4 against the Raptors by an average of 19.o. LOSS
Feeling Lucky : The Best Bet is enough here.
Chicago at Phoenix
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 11 | Chicago | 100.9 | 99 | +1.9 |
| 5 | Phoenix | 105.8 | 100.2 | +5.6 |
The Best Bet : Phoenix WIN @$1.70. With Derrick Rose likely out with an ankle injury, the Suns are in too good on form to pass on. Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight are both averaging 25.7 points in three straight double-digit victories. LOSS
Feeling Lucky : Bulls WIN @$2.21 Because who the hell knows what the Bulls will produce on a nightly basis. They are good enough to win without Rose. WIN
