- Mar 2, 2006
- 4,794
- 120
- 0
ATS: 129-91-7 (+45.4)
OU: 70-59-2 (+3.8)
ML dogs: 5-9 (+2.6)
San Antonio Spurs
The Rodeo Rode trip continues in L.A. tonight for the Spurs, where they look to improve to 6-1. The game of basketball is all about flow. Teams get into rhythms and routines that are either good or bad, and these habits can help to dictate and influence the outcomes of games. The Clippers were just getting into a nice winning streak before the all-start break. There is something to be said for ?too much? rest in the NBA, which can lead to sloppy play. The Clippers have now had a week off - their last game was a beat down of the Lakers on Thursday night TNT. The Spurs have had one game back and a day of rest. Ginobili and Duncan have had a couple games to dust off the rust.
The Spurs swept the Clippers in the playoffs last year, so we know they can match up. The Clippers are 0-11 SU this season when their opponents shoot better than 40% from beyond the arc and make at least 10 threes. The Spurs have the fourth best three point percentage and are third in total three pointers made.
Tonight, the Spurs have a chance to show why they have the best record in the league. The Spurs are the only team in the league that are in the top five in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Parker struggled in the first two meetings, but I expect a big game out of him tonight. Stars generally don?t have three bad games against the same team (reference James Harden last night). Parker is coming into this game averaging 29 points and nine assists in his last five. But really, no one player matters for the Spurs. While the Clippers have struggled without Paul (or in games when he plays poorly), the Spurs are 8-2 without Duncan, 10-3 without Ginobili, and 2-1 without Parker. Although these three are awesome players, for the Spurs it doesn?t really seem to matter who plays (reference their game against the Heat earlier this season). What?s the point of all this rambling about their players, when they are all playing tonight? To point out the real reason the Spurs will win tonight - because they have perhaps the BEST coach in the league in Popovich, and he will have his team prepared tonight.
If the Clippers win tonight, it would be the first time since the 1996 season, and the first time in Duncan?s career, that the Clippers have won the season series. Now that?s some history.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls tonight will take on the mighty task of defeating the Heat for the second time this season. The Bulls are 11-2 SU at home in their last thirteen during the regular season when they beat a team on the road as a dog in the same season.
Since the Lebron-Bosh-Wade era in Miami, the Heat have struggled in the regular season against the Bulls, going 2-6 SU and 1-7 ATS. In fact, they have not yet won any of their four regular season games played in Chicago. The Bulls seem to have figured out one big the key to beating the Heat (or any team for that matter) - rebounding, which also leads to more field goal attempts. The Heat are 13-33 ATS since the Lebron era when they are out-rebounded on the road. The Bulls out-rebounded them by 20 earlier this season and they have outrebounded them in 6 of their 8 regular season meetings, and they won all these games. If the Bulls can control the glass tonight, they have a good chance to win. The Bulls have an edge with their aggressive frontcourt over the Heat?s smaller sized forwards.
The Bulls have proven that they can play great defense against the Heat, who have the best effective field goal percentage in the league. During the past three seasons, the Heat have averaged their lowest field goal percentage and lowest three point percentage when playing against the Bulls, as opposed to any other team.
The Heat are coming off a hard-fought divisional game where they were trailing after the third quarter and had a huge fourth quarter rally to win.
Favorites went 8-2 ATS yesterday, so I?m hoping some dogs can get it done tonight. I?ll take the few points, and hope for two straight out upsets. After two weeks of blow-out games on TNT, I?m thinking that these dogs can keep it close tonight.
Bulls +3
Spurs +3.5
Good luck...
OU: 70-59-2 (+3.8)
ML dogs: 5-9 (+2.6)
San Antonio Spurs
The Rodeo Rode trip continues in L.A. tonight for the Spurs, where they look to improve to 6-1. The game of basketball is all about flow. Teams get into rhythms and routines that are either good or bad, and these habits can help to dictate and influence the outcomes of games. The Clippers were just getting into a nice winning streak before the all-start break. There is something to be said for ?too much? rest in the NBA, which can lead to sloppy play. The Clippers have now had a week off - their last game was a beat down of the Lakers on Thursday night TNT. The Spurs have had one game back and a day of rest. Ginobili and Duncan have had a couple games to dust off the rust.
The Spurs swept the Clippers in the playoffs last year, so we know they can match up. The Clippers are 0-11 SU this season when their opponents shoot better than 40% from beyond the arc and make at least 10 threes. The Spurs have the fourth best three point percentage and are third in total three pointers made.
Tonight, the Spurs have a chance to show why they have the best record in the league. The Spurs are the only team in the league that are in the top five in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Parker struggled in the first two meetings, but I expect a big game out of him tonight. Stars generally don?t have three bad games against the same team (reference James Harden last night). Parker is coming into this game averaging 29 points and nine assists in his last five. But really, no one player matters for the Spurs. While the Clippers have struggled without Paul (or in games when he plays poorly), the Spurs are 8-2 without Duncan, 10-3 without Ginobili, and 2-1 without Parker. Although these three are awesome players, for the Spurs it doesn?t really seem to matter who plays (reference their game against the Heat earlier this season). What?s the point of all this rambling about their players, when they are all playing tonight? To point out the real reason the Spurs will win tonight - because they have perhaps the BEST coach in the league in Popovich, and he will have his team prepared tonight.
If the Clippers win tonight, it would be the first time since the 1996 season, and the first time in Duncan?s career, that the Clippers have won the season series. Now that?s some history.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls tonight will take on the mighty task of defeating the Heat for the second time this season. The Bulls are 11-2 SU at home in their last thirteen during the regular season when they beat a team on the road as a dog in the same season.
Since the Lebron-Bosh-Wade era in Miami, the Heat have struggled in the regular season against the Bulls, going 2-6 SU and 1-7 ATS. In fact, they have not yet won any of their four regular season games played in Chicago. The Bulls seem to have figured out one big the key to beating the Heat (or any team for that matter) - rebounding, which also leads to more field goal attempts. The Heat are 13-33 ATS since the Lebron era when they are out-rebounded on the road. The Bulls out-rebounded them by 20 earlier this season and they have outrebounded them in 6 of their 8 regular season meetings, and they won all these games. If the Bulls can control the glass tonight, they have a good chance to win. The Bulls have an edge with their aggressive frontcourt over the Heat?s smaller sized forwards.
The Bulls have proven that they can play great defense against the Heat, who have the best effective field goal percentage in the league. During the past three seasons, the Heat have averaged their lowest field goal percentage and lowest three point percentage when playing against the Bulls, as opposed to any other team.
The Heat are coming off a hard-fought divisional game where they were trailing after the third quarter and had a huge fourth quarter rally to win.
Favorites went 8-2 ATS yesterday, so I?m hoping some dogs can get it done tonight. I?ll take the few points, and hope for two straight out upsets. After two weeks of blow-out games on TNT, I?m thinking that these dogs can keep it close tonight.
Bulls +3
Spurs +3.5
Good luck...
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