Hi all:
Warriors (+10) @ Raptors, 7:05 EST
Pick: Warriors
Is Golden State going to be a surprise team this year? The Warriors are 2-2 SU and 3-1 ATS, with both losses by six or less points. But Toronto is dominating teams at home in the early going, with double-digit wins over Indiana and Dallas in its last two outings. The Raptors were only 3-4 ATS last year when favored by double digits, so we'll take the Warriors who haven't been blown out yet.
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Cavs (+10) @ Knicks, 7:35 EST
Pick: Cavs
Cleveland is absolutely horrible. But most interesting about the Cavs is that they've been more successful on the road (1-1 SU/2-0 ATS) than at home (0-3 SU/ATS). All three home losses have been by at least 16 points. Question is, are the Knicks good enough to beat someone by double digits right now? Since they've only won once in four tries, probably not. The Knicks haven't scored more than 94 points yet while the Cavs are averaging 88.2 ppg. The Knicks will win, but give the points to the Cavs who have been decent on the road.
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Wizards (+6) @ Celtics, 8:05 EST
Pick: Wizards
A very tough game to call. Both teams are 2-2 SU and 3-1 ATS. Both of Boston's wins were blowouts over bad teams (Cleveland and Chicago). Washington was blown out once, in Detroit, while beating two teams with one win between them -- Philly and Atlanta. Since it is a tough one to call, let's take the points.
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Kings (-1?) @ Pacers, 8:05 EST
Pick: Pacers
Both teams played on the road last night, so the fatigue factor is equal. Sacramento blew out Cleveland thanks in part to 14-for-25 3-point shooting. That will be tough to reproduce against Indiana, which is fifth in the NBA in 3-point defense. The Pacers have already played four road games out of their first five, but are still 3-2 SU. They whipped Orlando in their only home game. This is Sacramento's fourth game in five nights, and it will be tough for a running team to keep its legs in that situation. Indiana went 4-1 ATS as a home dog over the second half of last year and already won SU in that situation this year in their lone home game. The Pacers as a home dog are again the choice.
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Pistons (-8) @ Bulls, 8:35 EST
Pick: Pistons
The Pistons are off to a surprising 3-1 SU/4-0 ATS start, but are they that good? All three of Detroit's wins have come against teams that will be hard-pressed to finish .500. Of course, Chicago will be hard-pressed to finish .200. The Bulls are 1-2 SU and in both losses were blown out. So far the Pistons look like a team that will be happy to take advantage of their situation -- meaning, they beat the teams they are capable of beating. All of Detroit's wins have been by eight or more, and both of the Bulls losses have been by double digits. We'll give the points here.
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Hawks (+11?) @ Jazz, 9:05 EST
Pick: Jazz
A promising season for Atlanta has already ended. Both Theo Ratliff and Toni Kukoc have landed on the IR, and it looks like the Hawks 1-3 SU start might be for real. Utah is even worse at 1-4 SU, but the Jazz have played playoff contenders in each outing -- two vs. the Lakers, and one each vs. Seattle, Portland, and Milwaukee. This is the kind of game Utah needs to get going -- blowout city.
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Grizzlies (+10) @ Clippers, 10:35 EST
Pick: Grizzlies
Wow, the Clippers -10. Say it again -- the Clippers -10. Still don't believe it? Me either -- Memphis' only loss by more than 10 was last night in Phoenix, when it blew a big lead and lost by 12. The Grizzlies have come within nine of Dallas and Minnesota, while the 1-3 Clippers have beaten up on only Atlanta. I think I need to SEE the Clippers cover a double-digit spread before I actually take give 10 with them. Memphis is the choice here.
Good luck,
Mike
Warriors (+10) @ Raptors, 7:05 EST
Pick: Warriors
Is Golden State going to be a surprise team this year? The Warriors are 2-2 SU and 3-1 ATS, with both losses by six or less points. But Toronto is dominating teams at home in the early going, with double-digit wins over Indiana and Dallas in its last two outings. The Raptors were only 3-4 ATS last year when favored by double digits, so we'll take the Warriors who haven't been blown out yet.
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Cavs (+10) @ Knicks, 7:35 EST
Pick: Cavs
Cleveland is absolutely horrible. But most interesting about the Cavs is that they've been more successful on the road (1-1 SU/2-0 ATS) than at home (0-3 SU/ATS). All three home losses have been by at least 16 points. Question is, are the Knicks good enough to beat someone by double digits right now? Since they've only won once in four tries, probably not. The Knicks haven't scored more than 94 points yet while the Cavs are averaging 88.2 ppg. The Knicks will win, but give the points to the Cavs who have been decent on the road.
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Wizards (+6) @ Celtics, 8:05 EST
Pick: Wizards
A very tough game to call. Both teams are 2-2 SU and 3-1 ATS. Both of Boston's wins were blowouts over bad teams (Cleveland and Chicago). Washington was blown out once, in Detroit, while beating two teams with one win between them -- Philly and Atlanta. Since it is a tough one to call, let's take the points.
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Kings (-1?) @ Pacers, 8:05 EST
Pick: Pacers
Both teams played on the road last night, so the fatigue factor is equal. Sacramento blew out Cleveland thanks in part to 14-for-25 3-point shooting. That will be tough to reproduce against Indiana, which is fifth in the NBA in 3-point defense. The Pacers have already played four road games out of their first five, but are still 3-2 SU. They whipped Orlando in their only home game. This is Sacramento's fourth game in five nights, and it will be tough for a running team to keep its legs in that situation. Indiana went 4-1 ATS as a home dog over the second half of last year and already won SU in that situation this year in their lone home game. The Pacers as a home dog are again the choice.
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Pistons (-8) @ Bulls, 8:35 EST
Pick: Pistons
The Pistons are off to a surprising 3-1 SU/4-0 ATS start, but are they that good? All three of Detroit's wins have come against teams that will be hard-pressed to finish .500. Of course, Chicago will be hard-pressed to finish .200. The Bulls are 1-2 SU and in both losses were blown out. So far the Pistons look like a team that will be happy to take advantage of their situation -- meaning, they beat the teams they are capable of beating. All of Detroit's wins have been by eight or more, and both of the Bulls losses have been by double digits. We'll give the points here.
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Hawks (+11?) @ Jazz, 9:05 EST
Pick: Jazz
A promising season for Atlanta has already ended. Both Theo Ratliff and Toni Kukoc have landed on the IR, and it looks like the Hawks 1-3 SU start might be for real. Utah is even worse at 1-4 SU, but the Jazz have played playoff contenders in each outing -- two vs. the Lakers, and one each vs. Seattle, Portland, and Milwaukee. This is the kind of game Utah needs to get going -- blowout city.
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Grizzlies (+10) @ Clippers, 10:35 EST
Pick: Grizzlies
Wow, the Clippers -10. Say it again -- the Clippers -10. Still don't believe it? Me either -- Memphis' only loss by more than 10 was last night in Phoenix, when it blew a big lead and lost by 12. The Grizzlies have come within nine of Dallas and Minnesota, while the 1-3 Clippers have beaten up on only Atlanta. I think I need to SEE the Clippers cover a double-digit spread before I actually take give 10 with them. Memphis is the choice here.
Good luck,
Mike
