NBA Weekend
The NBA took the day off on Thanksgiving but is right back to work on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with a full slate of games each night.
2007-11-22
The NBA took the day off on Thanksgiving but is right back to work on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with a full slate of games each night. Be sure to take advantage of it all with the great lines, totals, and props available at Sportsbook.com. Here’s a look at some of this weekend’s action, plus predictions on two of the games.
There’s almost a full month in the books and finally some teams are starting to separate from the pack. The Boston Celtics have lived up to advanced billing with a fast start, covering the spread in their first seven games before falling. They will face the Lakers at home on Friday before traveling to Charlotte on Saturday night. Keep in mind that the Celtics are a phenomenal 31 & 12 against the spread over the last season plus. Another team off to a fast start is New Orleans. The Hornets are in the toughest division with San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston all to contend with, but that hasn’t stopped them from putting up big numbers in the early going. When they travel to L.A. to meet the Clippers this weekend, don’t forget that Byron Scott’s New Orleans team is 31 & 12 ATS in his tenure on Saturday’s. Kind of an unusual trend. Speaking of unusual, how about the fact that heading into Monday’s games, six teams had yet to lose at home while that same high number had failed to win a game on the road. Home court advantage seems to be an important factor so far in the NBA.
Here are two games to consider for action on Friday and Saturday
11/23/2007 - (507) PHILADELPHIA at (508) DETROIT
Detroit is expected to win on the StatFox Forecaster by a 97-85 margin in this game. While that is a nice margin and certainly would take care of business for the Pistons where the spread is concerned, that is not the reason why I like what I see. The 85 points scored by Philly is what catches my eye since Detroit has had remarkable success against the spread when it allows 86 or less points in a game. The Pistons cover at a rate of better than 80% historically in that scenario. While Philly has started the season in respectable fashion you can still see that they are lacking veteran leadership and consistent scoring options. That doesn’t get it done in Motown. With a score to settle from an upset by the 76ers here in April, I’ll look for a comfortable double-digit win by the hosts.
Play: Detroit -9.5
11/24/2007 - (707) MIAMI at (708) ORLANDO
Dwyane Wade is back in the lineup and the early returns have been favorable for Miami. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the Heat are a team you might want to put on the radar for the next month or so. On Saturday night they will be an underdog at Orlando, a team making a serious statement of taking over the Southeast Division in 2007-08. The Heat won’t be so quick to give it up however. Even despite the upset of Boston on Sunday the Magic have done their best work on the road this season. For some reason, their scoring, field goal percentage, and free throw percentage are down on the home court. Miami meanwhile, has fared well as an underdog, 33-18 ATS over the last season plus. With the new kid in town looking to rule the division roost, watch for a revived Miami to come up with a strong effort.
Play: Miami +5.5
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