Superbowl is done, now back to the Hardcourt

Tonight’s NBA picks

11 games tonight, and plenty of value out there, along with a lot to just ignore. That Super Bowl though…

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The Midfield NBA Parlay:

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Indiana Pacers – Indiana WIN @1.48 (-208) – WIN

Phoenix Suns @ New Orleans Pelicans – Phoenix +5.0 @1.91 (-110) – WIN

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Tonight’s Best Pick:

Cleveland @ Washington – Cleveland WIN @1.94 (-106) – Can the Champs do it… – WIN

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Cleveland @ Washington

Win/Loss

Points +/-

Picks –

The Wizards are currently the 3rd seed in the East and have won 12 from their last 13, but tonight will test how far they have come this season as they take on the defending Champions. Kyrie Irving is probable to play so there will be no excuses for either team. The Cavs got the win in Washington when the Wizards were 2-8. It’s not many times you get the Champs at even money.

Best Bet: Just enjoy the game

Feeling Lucky: Cleveland WIN @1.94 (-106)

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LA Lakers @ New York

Win/Loss

Points +/-

Picks –

Almost this day 6 years ago was the last time the Lakers went to MSG and got the win. Their lineup consisted on Kobe, Gasol, Bynum and Odom while Melo was still playing in Denver…. yes its been that long. Noah has been ruled out while Rose is 50/50. The Lakers matched it with the Wizards and Celtics in their last 2 games and will be going into tonight with some confidence in breaking a 6 year drought.

Best Bet: LA Lakers +6.0 @1.95 (-105)

Feeling Lucky: LA Lakers WIN @2.95 (+195)

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Oklahoma @ Indiana

Win/Loss

Points +/-

Picks –

The Thunder are coming off a tough B2B and hit the road to Indiana. The Pacers were able to get the win in OKC last time and go into tonight’s game with a 6 game streak. Indiana are beginning to repay us with their recent form and should be good to go again tonight.

Best Bet: Indiana WIN @1.48 (-208)

Feeling Lucky: Total Points Over 205.0 @1.91 (-110)

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LA Clippers @ Toronto

Win/Loss

Points +/-

Picks –

The Raptors and Clippers are pretty much on par with each other in home and road records and points +/- (see above) and another thing in common as both their seasons changed since losing an All-Star. Rumor has it that DeRozan may be right to go and the 2nd leg of a B2B which would give the Raptors the advantage they need. Furthermore, there is no time like now for Blake and DeAndre to step up and own the team.

Either way, with or without DeRozan, this game is a little too risky with both teams under immense pressure.

Best Bet: Too close to call

Feeling Lucky: LA Clippers +4.0 @1.95 (-105)

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Utah @ Atlanta

Win/Loss

Points +/-

Picks –

Another tight contest. The Hawks didn’t fair well against the Jazz at Salt Lake City getting destroyed 95-68 although, they have defeated Utah 8 out of 10 times back at home. Atlanta will be missing Thabo Sefolosha to cover Haywood but have gained some offensive punch in Hardaway Jnr.

Out of all the 50/50 matchups tonight, this one sticks out as the best of the bunch.

Best Bet: Atlanta WIN @1.86 (-116)

Feeling Lucky: Total Points Under 197.5 @1.91 (-110)

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Philadelphia @ Detroit

Win/Loss

Points +/-

Picks –

Over the last 10 the 76ers are 4-6, with the Pistons 5-5.

Philly continue to “trust the process”, and despite some joy for the fans, another season will end short of Finals action.

One thing that sticks out tonight is the Total Points line. With the 24th ranked offensive team in the Pistons, we can’t see this troubling the scorers table. Low scoring and low interest in this one.

Best Bet: Total Points Under 213.0

Feeling Lucky: Detroit 1-10 @2.52 (+150)

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Miami @ Minnesota

Win/Loss

Points +/-

Picks –

The Miami Heat have won their last 10 games, yep…

The Heat’s run has included wins over the Warriors, Rockets and Atlanta, however, they are still 9 games under .500. Just goes to show how much of a bitch goddess NBA betting can be. Good thing we’ve kept them well clear of most parlays.

The loss of LaVine is a major blow to the TWolves, and at 1-7 ATS over their last 8 games, we have no faith in the Minnesotans…

Best Bet: Nope.

Feeling Lucky: Miami WIN @1.94 (-105)

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Phoenix @ New Orleans

Win/Loss

Points +/-

Picks –

The Pelicans and Suns have split their first two games this season, both going to overtime, and this one should also be a close one.

Devon Booker is doing work of late, and coach Alvin Gentry has heaped some Kobe like praise on the 2nd year star-

“What you’re seeing right now is a player who, during that stretch, reminded me of Kobe (Bryant),” Watson said. “I’m just being honest with you. What he did was pretty impressive. And the fact that he’s only 20, he still hasn’t gotten into his grown-man strength yet. Eventually, he will.”

Many points is the best bet, with some turnstile defense on show.

Best Bet: Nope. Total Points Over 221.0 @1.91 (-110)

Feeling Lucky: Phoenix +5.0 @1.91 (-110)

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Dallas @ Denver

Win/Loss

Points +/-

Picks –

Dallas are the form team having won 4 straight and 7 from the last 10, with the Nuggets splitting their last 10.

If 10-day contract sensation Yogi Ferrell can stay hot, following a breakout 32 point game (9-11 from 3-point land) the Mavs could cause an upset here, but we can’t see it.

The increased minutes for Jokic tonight will get the Nuggets over the line in a close one, with the overs the best bet.

Best Bet: Total Points Over 213.5 @1.91 (-110)

Feeling Lucky: Denver 1-10 @2.50 (+150)

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San Antonio @ Memphis

Win/Loss

Points +/-

Picks –

This is the first of a 4 season matchups between these two. The Spurs have won the last 9 in this matchup, however with the dominance of Memphis on the glass, the return of Marc Gasol and Tony Allen from rest could give them the edge.

The glass to be the difference tonight.

Best Bet: Under 202.5 @1.91 (-110)

Feeling Lucky:  Memphis +2.5 @1.91 (-110)

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Chicago @ Sacramento

Win/Loss

Points +/-

Picks –

Boogie is averaging 28.1 ppg, 10.6 rpg and 4.7 apg over he season, which is great, however the Kings are still wildly inconsistent, beating the best and losing to the worst over the last fortnight.

The good new for them is that the Bulls are equally inconsistent.

Running with a 20-31 record  the Kings are as bad a home as they are on the road, which bodes well for a Bulls side that travels poorly. This is a tricky one, as the Bulls at their best could take this easily, however with Butler unlikely with a heel injury, it becomes more of a gamble.

Chicago won this matchup a couple of weeks back in a close one, this time it’s the Kings turn, with little confidence.

Best Bet: Sacramento WIN @1.71 (-137)

Feeling Lucky: DeMarcus Cousins 30+ Pts/Sacramento To Win @3.30 (+230)