Houston Rockets at Toronto Raptors (+3 ½, 187 ½)
The Raptors could be without two starters in Sunday’s game against the Rockets.
Toronto’s Chris Bosh has missed five straight games with a groin injury. As a result, the club is just 2-3 both straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) during that stretch. Bosh is averaging more than 18 points and seven rebounds.
Raptors second-year sensation Andrea Bargnani, who has missed the last three outings with a knee injury, is averaging 12 points and four rebounds.
The Rockets covered the spread in their last trip to Canada.
Pick: Rockets
Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers (+3, 188)
Though Miami has lost four straight games outside of South Beach, that streak should end Sunday versus the struggling Clippers.
Los Angeles has lost four straight at Staples Center, including back-to-back setbacks to the Pacers and Bucks.
Clippers veteran guard Sam Cassell will miss his fifth straight contest with a strained calf. Cassell is averaging 13 points and four assists.
Pick: Heat
Charlotte Bobcats at Detroit Pistons (-12, 190)
Charlotte has lost six consecutive road contests, including Monday’s outing against the shorthanded Raptors.
The Bobcats have also lost three of their last four in the Motor City. The Pistons are 5-2 at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
The home team is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings between Charlotte and Detroit.
Pick: Pistons
Milwaukee Bucks at Portland Trail Blazers (-3 ½, 192)
The Bucks have struggled on the road, even losing to the lowly Sonics.
Milwaukee is a miserable 2-8 in its first 10 road games, including 1-4 in its last five where it has been outscored by a combined 72 points.
The Bucks could also be without reserve Bobby Simmons, who missed Friday’s loss due to personal matters. Simmons is averaging seven points and two rebounds.
Pick: Blazers
New Jersey Nets at Washington Wizards (-2 ½, 196)
The Nets have covered the spread in each of their last three visits to D.C.
Washington, meanwhile, has lost five of its last eight, including Friday’s setback to Phoenix. The Wizards have also failed to cover the spread in 15 of their last 23 meetings with the Nets.
The road team is also 5-1 ATS in the last six tilts between the Nets and Wizards.
Pick: Nets
Seattle Sonics at New Orleans Hornets (-8, 197 ½)
Seattle has won three of its last four, including Friday’s triumph over the Bucks.
Sonics rookie Kevin Durant, who matched a career-high with 35 points in Friday’s win, also scored 35 points in a Nov. 30 victory over the Pacers.
The Hornets have lost four of their last six in the Big Easy.
Pick: Sonics
Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers (-2, 225)
If anyone can match Golden State’s firepower, it’s Kobe Bryant.
Bryant is averaging 27 points on 46 percent shooting. Los Angeles is also the fifth-highest scoring club in the NBA, averaging nearly 106 points.
The Lakers have covered the spread in four of their last six tilts with the Warriors.
Pick: Lakers