NBA Thursday - The Best of the Best
by Dave D
Indiana Pacers (19-30) @ Philadelphia 76ers (23-24)
Two of the streakiest teams in the NBA meet up on Thursday night as the 76ers.
The Pacers haven’t lost more than three consecutive or won more than two consecutive games in 2009. Meanwhile, the 76ers have followed up their seven-game winning streak with a 3-4 stretch over their last seven.
The Pacers have dominated this series, winning four of the last five games in Philadelphia. The Pacers are 5.5 point underdog and they haven’t fared well as a small road underdog.
They are 0-4 straight up and 1-3 against the spread as a road dog of 3.5 to six points.
Pick: Indiana +5.5
Los Angeles Lakers (39-9) @ Boston Celtics (41-9)
Andrew Bynum was supposed to be the reason why the Boston Celtics this year. For now, we’ll have to wonder as Bynum will miss the next two or three months with an MCL sprain.
Home-court advantage in the playoffs is on the line on Thursday as a quick glance at both team’s loss column indicates that both teams have lost nine times. The Celtics have been smoking hot again after a mid-season slump and have won 12 straight, so they should have the upper hand as far as confidence.
For the Lakers, this will be the back end of a back-to-back situation on the road, so they might not be as sharp as the game wears on.
The Celtics have been a home favorite of 6.5 to nine points eight times this season and they have won all eight times, covering seven times. They are also 21-3 (straight up) and 17-6 (against the spread) in that role over the last three years.
Boston is 4-1 both straight up and against the spread in the last five meetings in Boston. Look for the Celtics to build that streak some more.
Pick: Boston -7
Dallas Mavericks (29-19) @ Utah Jazz (27-22)
The Utah Jazz in the standings and they’ll look to extend that lead on Thursday.
The Mavs have struggled against teams with a winning record, posting an 11-10 record against teams above .500, but they should get some breaks on Thursday.
The Jazz will be without power forward Carlos Boozer, forward Andrei Kirilenko and potential guard Deron Williams. NBA betting handicappers know that that might be too much to overcome for the Jazz, even if they are at home.
Williams is expected to be a game-time decision after practicing with a swollen knee on Wednesday.
Pick: Dallas +3
