“Play it Safe” Picks:
LA Lakers @ Indiana – Indiana -3.5 @1.22 – LOSS LA Clippers @ Philadelphia – LA Clippers @1.23 – WIN Denver @ Brooklyn – Denver +9.5 @1.20 – WIN Toronto @ Detroit – Detroit +12.5 @1.20 – LOSS Orlando @ Atlanta – Atlanta -4.5 @1.57 – LOSS Portland @ Memphis – Portland +13.5 @1.35 – WIN Oklahoma @ Phoenix – Oklahoma 11+ @1.70 – WIN
*All dates are U.S
Tonight’s 5 NBA Games:
Chicago @ Charlotte
Points +/- Rank
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 15 | Chicago | 101.6 | 101.6 | 0.0 |
| 12 | Charlotte | 101.6 | 101.2 | +0.4 |
The Say
Uh oh, it’s the Bulls….. With Jimmy Butler down, this team can’t be trusted anymore than before. Tough on the road to Charlotte. The Hornets are almost at full strength, should get it done at home.
Best Bet: Charlotte WIN @1.41
Feeling Lucky: Chicago Under 99.5 @1.54
Sacramento @ Cleveland
Points +/- Rank
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 20 | Sacramento | 106.8 | 108.5 | -1.7 |
| 4 | Cleveland | 102.2 | 96.6 | +5.6 |
The Say
Sacramento are feeling the pressure with Coach Karl on his last legs…. Not again. This game is not a lock with Boogie, Rondo and maybe Gay still formidable enough to get an upset. Cleveland have a great home record but this will be closer than expected.
Best Bet: Sacramento +15
Feeling Lucky: Cleveland 1-10
LA Lakers @ Indiana
Points +/- Rank
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 29 | LA Lakers | 96.4 | 106.2 | -9.8 |
| 8 | Indiana | 103.0 | 100.2 | +2.8 |
The Say
Kobe is winding back the clock and making us think he still has another season or two left… no way. This will be easy for the Pacers, great record at home is worth considering.
Best Bet: Indiana -3.5 @1.22
Feeling Lucky: Indiana 11+ @1.80
LA Clippers @ Philadelphia
Points +/- Rank
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 7 | LA Clippers | 104.3 | 100.3 | +4.0 |
| 30 | Philadelphia | 94.9 | 105.3 | -10.4 |
The Say
The only thing Philly have going for them here is that the Clippers may be fatigued after their game last night. Feels like LA have been on the road for a month but this shouldn’t be any concern.
Best Bet: LA Clippers WIN @1.23
Feeling Lucky: LA Clippers -8.5 @1.86
Denver @ Brooklyn
Points +/- Rank
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 24 | Denver | 100.4 | 103.8 | -3.4 |
| 28 | Brooklyn | 96.3 | 103.5 | -7.2 |
The Say
Denver are a tipster’s dream team with their ability to upsets on the road and stay within winning situations in most games. Mike Malone isn’t that bad of a coach after all. The Nets are just about to blow up and no matter what happens, Denver will be right in there.
Best Bet: Denver +9.5 @1.20
Feeling Lucky: Denver 1-10 @2.80
Toronto @ Detroit
Points +/- Rank
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 5 | Toronto | 101.6 | 97.2 | +4.4 |
| 11 | Detroit | 102.2 | 100.9 | +1.3 |
The Say
Detroit have shown they are hard to beat at home with the only losses coming against the top teams from both conferences. In saying that, the Raptors fit that criteria, being the form team in 2016. They were able to get past a tough Blazers side away so winning tonight at the Palace can add to their growing Eastern Conference finals credentials.
Best Bet: Detroit +12.5 @1.20
Feeling Lucky: Either team by less than 7 @2.50
Orlando @ Atlanta
Points +/- Rank
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 19 | Orlando | 99.2 | 100.8 | -1.6 |
| 9 | Atlanta | 102.2 | 99.6 | +2.6 |
The Say
Atlanta is looking to make this 6 wins from 7 games at Phillips Arena, and although Orlando beat them last time out after some Vucevic heroics, there is little to sway us against a Hawks home win in this back to back. They need to, because they sure as hell aren’t winning on the road.
Best Bet: Atlanta -4.5 @1.57.
Feeling Lucky: Atlanta 1-10 @2.50.
Portland @ Memphis
Points +/- Rank
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 13 | Portland | 102.0 | 101.8 | +0.2 |
| 17 | Memphis | 97.8 | 99.0 | -1.2 |
The Say
Lillard and McCollum have carved themselves a nice little backcourt in Portland, and are putting the detractors who gave them little chance of success this season in their place. The smart money is on the Grizzlies to lock down home court, with a hobbling Gasol and fellow big man Randolph to do enough for the W, but expect the Blazers to keep it close.
Best Bet: Portland +13.5 @1.35.
Feeling Lucky: Memphis 1-10 @2.40.
New Orleans @ Minnesota
Points +/- Rank
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 23 | New Orleans | 102.0 | 105.0 | -3.0 |
| 25 | Minnesota | 100.1 | 103.7 | -3.6 |
The Say
Both teams are on the up, with some exciting young talent. Which also means that they are up and down, and cause problems for the tipsters. Put them both on the court together, and you may as well toss a coin.
With Gordon and Evans out the Pelicans, and the Wolves with their own injury worries, flip that coin and walk away, don’t even bother looking at it.
Best Bet: New Orleans +6.5 @1.57.
Feeling Lucky: New Orleans WIN @2.03.
Oklahoma @ Phoenix
Points +/- Rank
| RK | TEAM | OWN | OPP | DIFF |
| 3 | Oklahoma | 109.7 | 101.9 | +7.8 |
| 27 | Phoenix | 100.3 | 106.4 | -6.1 |
The Say
OKC should do this in a canter. The Suns have lost 22 of the last 24 games of NBA basketball that they have played, and are still without leading scorers Bledsoe and Knight.
Time to go bowling again Phoenix.
Best Bet: Oklahoma 11+ @1.70.
Feeling Lucky: Oklahoma -13.5 @1.99.
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