NBA Picks and Analysis
by Dave D
New Jersey Nets (19-20)
What a difference a month can make?
It seems like early on in December, we were talking about the New Jersey Nets were a surprise team in the East and good of a point guard Devin Harris had become.
Fast forward a month later and the Nets are still spinning their wheels with a .500 record.
Harris averaged 26.3 points per game in November, but has tailed off since averaging only 15.7 points per game this month. Injuries to Harris and now Vince Carter have caught up with the Nets and now they have really fallen back to the pack.
The Nets have really struggled at home this season and are just one of three teams in the Eastern Conference with a losing record at home.
Pick: Portland Trail Blazers -2
Chicago Bulls (17-22)
While the Boston Celtics have slumped, the Cleveland Cavaliers have maintained their torrid winning pace.
The Cavs have only lost six games on the season but two of those losses have come in their last six games.
Cleveland is a big nine-point favorite on the road in Chicago and they haven’t fared well in this role. They lost three of their last four games outright as a road favorite of 6.5 to nine points.
Sports betting handicappers should beware because the Cavs have just cover 31 of their last 73 in this situation.
The Bulls are reeling right now, winning just four of their last 12 games. Even more of a concern is that they are just 3-8 against the spread in their last 11, which indicates that when they are losing, they aren’t even close.
The Bulls may be a young team without an identity and without much leadership, but expect them to bring their best effort on a nationally televised game on Thursday Night Basketball.
Pick: Chicago Bulls +8
Phoenix Suns (22-13) @ Denver Nuggets (26-13)
The late game of the Thursday Night double-header will be a matchup of two teams that have made significant trades this season.
The Suns have also righted – what seemed to be – a failing ship after acquiring Jason Richardson.
Denver will be without the services of star forward Carmelo Anthony in this contest, which will obviously be a significant loss. The Suns are not necessarily a trustworthy team on the road but at least they will have their entire roster to use.
This matchup will be a contrast in style as the Nuggets like to get out and run while the Suns like to play a half court style. Look for the Nuggets to dictate the pace since they’ll be at home.
Pick: Denver Nuggets -1.5
