Well, this bit me in the ass last night with the Lakers. Let's see if I can get some back tonight...
BKN/CHI/WAS ML Parlay 2x to win 6.5x
Few notes...
Brooklyn has won 3 in a row and do not own their 1st round draft pick, thus no incentive to tank.
Orlando has lost 5 in a row, just lost to Brooklyn on Saturday and are shutting guys down for the season. After the Lakers win last night, the Magic still have a shot to get a coveted top 3 lottery pick. Also, a good spot to go against the short home fav playing in their first game home after a road trip.
Bulls are fighting for a playoff spot, currently in a three way tie with MIA and IND for just two playoff spots, so their motivation shouldn't be a question. News of a possible Wade return for the playoffs could also provide a spark.
Philly, on the other hand, has shut down all their decent young players and are just a game behind the Magic for the fourth worst record in the league. The Sixers, currently on a four game losing streak, have already outperformed expectations this year, topping their projected wins total.
The Sixers also just beat the Bulls in Chicago two weeks ago (and nobody likes losing to Philly) so there's some revenge in play here as well.
The Knicks, oh the Knicks. What is there to say? They've won 2 of their last 3 and seem to be trying to screw themselves out of a decent draft pick, yet again. I remember two years ago (I probably posted about it on this board) when the Knicks were on track for the worst record with just a few games to go and holding their first round draft pick for the first time in many many years. Well, they had to go and win 2 of their last three games with the likes of Alexy Shved and Jason Smith running the show. Wow, was I mad.
Sorry, none of that has to do with tonight. The important thing here is that the Knicks won their last game (surprise!) in blowout fashion vs the Bulls (ahem). I don't think there is another team in the league that can claim such a futile feat, but the Knicks have not won consecutive games since December 11th. While no announcements have been made for tonights game regarding player availability, they have injuries galore: Melo (knee), Prozingis (back), Lance Thomas (hip) with Rose and Noah done for the season (those last two actually help the Knicks being out). Regardless, none of these guys should be playing at this point in the season and, if they do, they should be playing light minutes. The Wiz better watch out for Ron Baker!
The Wizards actually have a shot at the 3 seed in the East, which at this point, seems to mean that they would avoid the Cavs in the 2nd round (should they make it). It would also allow for a much easier 1st round matchup against the declining Hawks rather than the rising Bucks. Maybe they aren't thinking about all about all the playoff shuffling just yet and are taking it "a game at a time" as they say, but I expect this playoff-bound team to want to kick it into gear with a week left in the season. After a slight dip last week, losing 3 in a row, they face some weaker competition in the stretch run and should show some desire to head into the postseason with some momentum. The Knicks will gladly step aside and let the visitors drive past as they've done all season long on defense. Also, look for Wall to have a big scoring game as he seems to like to put on a show every time he plays under the Garden's bright lights.
BKN/CHI/WAS ML Parlay 2x to win 6.5x
Few notes...
Brooklyn has won 3 in a row and do not own their 1st round draft pick, thus no incentive to tank.
Orlando has lost 5 in a row, just lost to Brooklyn on Saturday and are shutting guys down for the season. After the Lakers win last night, the Magic still have a shot to get a coveted top 3 lottery pick. Also, a good spot to go against the short home fav playing in their first game home after a road trip.
Bulls are fighting for a playoff spot, currently in a three way tie with MIA and IND for just two playoff spots, so their motivation shouldn't be a question. News of a possible Wade return for the playoffs could also provide a spark.
Philly, on the other hand, has shut down all their decent young players and are just a game behind the Magic for the fourth worst record in the league. The Sixers, currently on a four game losing streak, have already outperformed expectations this year, topping their projected wins total.
The Sixers also just beat the Bulls in Chicago two weeks ago (and nobody likes losing to Philly) so there's some revenge in play here as well.
The Knicks, oh the Knicks. What is there to say? They've won 2 of their last 3 and seem to be trying to screw themselves out of a decent draft pick, yet again. I remember two years ago (I probably posted about it on this board) when the Knicks were on track for the worst record with just a few games to go and holding their first round draft pick for the first time in many many years. Well, they had to go and win 2 of their last three games with the likes of Alexy Shved and Jason Smith running the show. Wow, was I mad.
Sorry, none of that has to do with tonight. The important thing here is that the Knicks won their last game (surprise!) in blowout fashion vs the Bulls (ahem). I don't think there is another team in the league that can claim such a futile feat, but the Knicks have not won consecutive games since December 11th. While no announcements have been made for tonights game regarding player availability, they have injuries galore: Melo (knee), Prozingis (back), Lance Thomas (hip) with Rose and Noah done for the season (those last two actually help the Knicks being out). Regardless, none of these guys should be playing at this point in the season and, if they do, they should be playing light minutes. The Wiz better watch out for Ron Baker!
The Wizards actually have a shot at the 3 seed in the East, which at this point, seems to mean that they would avoid the Cavs in the 2nd round (should they make it). It would also allow for a much easier 1st round matchup against the declining Hawks rather than the rising Bucks. Maybe they aren't thinking about all about all the playoff shuffling just yet and are taking it "a game at a time" as they say, but I expect this playoff-bound team to want to kick it into gear with a week left in the season. After a slight dip last week, losing 3 in a row, they face some weaker competition in the stretch run and should show some desire to head into the postseason with some momentum. The Knicks will gladly step aside and let the visitors drive past as they've done all season long on defense. Also, look for Wall to have a big scoring game as he seems to like to put on a show every time he plays under the Garden's bright lights.
