Rough Traveling Across the League
Home sides were completely dominant as they went a perfect 7-0 straight up, while also managing to go 5-2 against the spread (ATS) to dominate the NBA betting lines.
The Milwaukee Bucks took a big step toward securing the two seed in the East with a 127-121 win at home to an undermanned Boston Celtics.
Jayson Tatum and Al Horford were given the night off for the Celtics, who hung around late and had the game tied at 121-121 in the final minute before failing to register a point down the stretch.
That said, they did manage to stay inside the closing number and cover the 8½ point spread.
The Philadelphia 76ers were unable to capitalize on that result and jump into the three seed as they fell 119-114 on the road to the Toronto Raptors as 3½ point favorites.
Despite resting Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby the home side was able to rally from an early 14 point deficit to secure a win that could result in these teams meeting in the first round of the playoffs.
Sixers coach Doc Rivers called it a “frustrating loss”.
“Offensively, I thought we lost our rhythm,” he said. “That’s happened about three times now. We’ve got to keep our pace going.”
This matchup will be made all the more interesting after Matisse Thybulle was forced to sit out this game when it was revealed that he is ineligible to play in Toronto due to vaccine requirements.
The Denver Nuggets officially sealed their playoff berth as they ran out 122-109 winners at home to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Nuggets received strong market support in this one as they went from -3.0 point favorites at open to -4½ point favorites by tip-off. Ultimately, market entry wasn’t a deciding factor as they used a 20-3 run to close out the first quarter as the springboard for a lopsided blowout in the end.
The Golden State Warriors kept their hold on the three seed in the West as they took care of a depleted LA Lakers outfit 128-112.
The hometown Warriors were made to work early by a Lakers team that was without LeBron James, Anthony Davis, or Russell Westbrook after the team was officially eliminated from playoff contention last time out.
After trailing by five points to end the first quarter, the Warriors proceeded to win the remaining period and ultimately cover the 12.0 point line in the process.
The New Orleans Pelicans made light work of the Portland Trail Blazers in front of their home fans as they secured a comfortable 127-94 win.
The Pelicans, who closed and covered as 16.5 point favorites, have all but secured home-court advantage in the opening play-in game against the San Antonio Spurs with this win after the Spurs couldn’t secure a road win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves held on for a 127-121 win that was more lopsided than the final scoreline suggests.
Anthony Edwards had a career-high 49-point and was allowed to chase a 50-point outing in the closing moments, which ultimately left the door open for San Antonio to sneak inside the number and cover the 7.0 point spread.
Minnesota led by 12 with 1:36 remaining but allowed the visitors to close out on a 10-4 run and secure a road cover as a result.
The Charlotte Hornets were comfortable winners in the day’s other game, taking care of the Orlando Magic 128-101 at home and covering the 14.0 point spread in the process.
