NBA Six Pack - Suns, Cavs and Spurs all in Action
by Dave D
Phoenix Suns @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Online betting handicappers know that the Cleveland Cavaliers haven’t lost many times at home. As a matter fact, it’s only happened once this year: in their previous home game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Cavs will face an easier Western Conference opponent as the Phoenix Suns visit on Wednesday.
The Cavs are a big home favorite mostly because the public expects them to bounce-back but also because the Suns don’t play well against teams with a winning record (9-14 this year).
Look for Cleveland to get back to dominating at home.
Denver Nuggets @ Orlando Magic
Both the Denver Nuggets and Orlando Magic wrap-up their pre-All-Star break season on Wednesday night. The Magic are 38-12 on the season but they are just 5-4 in their last nine games.
The Nuggets have quietly become one of the best teams in the NBA and NBA betting handicappers need to pay some close attention. The Nuggets are 14-5 in 2009 and just keep motoring along in the East.
The Magic are 16-9 against the spread in home games but just 3-5 as a home favorite of 6.5 to nine points. Look for the Nuggets to keep this contest close.
San Antonio Spurs @ Toronto Raptors
NBA betting handicappers will get to see one of the best teams in the Western Conference face one of the floundering teams in the East.
The Raptors ended a six-game losing streak on Tuesday night but they’ve still lost 13 of their last 17 games. Compounding their problems has been a knee injury to Chris Bosh, which will keep Bosh out through the All-Star game.
The Raptors are a 6.5 point home underdog and while some NBA betting fans might view that as good value, keep in mind that the Spurs are 2-0 as a road favorite of 6.5 to nine points.
Washington Wizards @ Charlotte Bobcats
Michael Jordan’s current team faces a former franchise that Michael Jordan played and worked for on Wednesday night in a seemingly inconsequential game.
The Wizards have only won three road games all season long, though, and are limping into the All-Star break. Meanwhile, the Bobcats have been reshaping their roster this season and have been building towards an identity under new head coach Larry Brown.
The Bobcats are laying eight points at home but that’s a small price to pay for the team that will be more motivated to win this contest.
Indiana Pacers @ Milwaukee Bucks
Few teams have had to deal with more injuries than the Milwaukee Bucks this season. First, they lost star guard Michael Redd for the season. Now Andrew Bogut and Luke Ridnour will miss at least the next month.
But the Bucks have still been a feisty team under new head coach Scott Skiles. The Bucks have picked up on the defensive end and that will be the contrast on Wednesday as the Pacers like to get out and run. The Bucks have won 13 of 19 games that they were favored in, while covering 11 of them, so they have the statistical edge.
The Pacers are 0-5 as a road underdog of 3.5 to six points and after an upset win over Cleveland last night, they might be a little tired for tonight’s game.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Utah Jazz
In a rematch of a sexy playoff matchup last year, the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz will matchup on Wednesday night.
The Jazz would normally be stiff competition for the Lakers but they are simply too beat up to compete. Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko will miss the game, while Andrew Bynum is out for the Lakers.
One thing the Jazz have going for them is that the Lakers are on a back-to-back situation and this will be their third game in four nights. Look for the Jazz to take advantage of the tired Lakers and earn a credible home win.
