TORONTO RAPTORS + 9.5 - - - Spread is way too high, no respect for the Raps. I don't blame vegas or the public, Raps lacked confidence but they do not lack skill as a roster. I was second-guessing this roster at one point. But after careful consideration placing my bias aside, I still think this is a decent roster. The new starting line-up move has come in handy the past few games as Kapono seems more comfortable as a starter and Anthony Parker seems to relish his role off the bench. Jermaine O'neal will be making his return to his original stomping grounds. Coming off his best offensive performance as a Raptor last night I suspect another big game from the big man. I also suspect Chris Bosh to own the Portland front-court tomorrow. Bosh loves playing against friends and Aldridge is a good one. J.O also knows Oden so the front-court battle should be solid tomorrow. The Raps are oozing with confidence and will want revenge on the Trail-Blazers for the heart-breaking loss at Toronto. Watch for Bargnani to play well as his confidence is very high and he is playing his best ball of the season. Riding my Raps, not a fan bet this time.
7.7 UNITS - - -
GRIZZLIES@SPURS UNDER 191 - - - Griz on a back to back run and gun affair with IND fly to Texas on the redeye. Griz are actually playing some pretty decent D and are on a 5-2 under run. San An locks up teams with ease and under is 14-5-1 in San An's last 20 home games. I suspect a 98-85 final for the Spurs.
5.5 UNITS - - -
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER + 7 - - - The worst two teams in the NBA matchup tonight. Instead of asking what team is better, this time I asked myself which team is worst? Well the Wiz are just not proper in my opinion. Unless Antawn and Caron play excellent, this team rarely has a chance to win. That CLE cover was a Christmas Day fluke and I don't think the Wiz have what it take to be a 7 point favorite at home against any team in this league. Mike James cannot be trusted, when he gets hot he can light up the score board, however when he is cold he can single handedly shoot his team into the ground. Thunder are an excellent 4-1-1 ATS on back to backs. The young guns Westbrook, Green and Durant should pose matchup problems and I suspect a cover in Washington if not a SU upset win for the Thunder.
5.5 UNITS - - -
ORLANDO MAGIC - 8.5 - - - Was watching the NO@ORL game and ralized ORL may have one of the deapest and best rosters in the league. Easily top 5. I have under-estimated this team all season, although I do suspect a bit of a drop-off as the season progresses, I think think ORL is a team I gotta respect now. With Jameer playing like an All-Star, Hedo and Lewis consistent as ever, and Dwight becoming arguably the best big man in the game. This ORL team is for real! Now, those 4 guys can't win alone. They have excellent underrated role players such as Mikael Pietrus and excellent SF. Keith Bogans a perfect SG for the system, good shooter and excellent defender. Toni Battie may be the most under-rated big man off an NBA bench. He is outstanding, not only do they have that big man but Gortat is a big body as well. Redick can shoot and rookie Courtney Lee is solid....deep deep talented team. Gotta ride ORL fellas.
5.5 UNITS - - -
CHARLOTTE BOBCATS - 2.5 - - - Why are you all on the Nets? I don't get it. Did anyone watch the game last night? Charlotte owned em, granted NJ fought back but the defense was no match for the impecable offensive sets that the Cats had. Larry Brown is damn good I must say. So is the front office for getting Bell and Diaw who are perfect vets and fits for Brown's style. Yes NJ plays better on the road but as I have said all season some teams just don't matchup well with others. Cats are solid with a great starting lineup. Felton, Bell, Wallace, Diaw and Okafor are a very formidable 5. With a great rookie in Augustine off the bench, this team still have a chance to contend for a bottom seed in the Eastern Playoffs. No revenge, Cats win back to back.
4.4 UNITS - - -
HOUSTON ROCKETS ATS - - - Utah is a woeful back to back team, will arrive in Houston around 5am and should be worn out come game time. Houston off a loss in New Orleans should be primed to attack from the get go. Tracy and Alston were awful last night and should have a nice bounce back game at home. Watch for Battier and Scola to step ina nd help out. Artest may or may not play, either way I would back the excellent home rockets against the woeful road jazz.
3.3 UNITS - - -
MILWAUKEE BUCKS ATS - - - I like the way the Bucks have been playing, off a back to back I suspect the Pistons to be a little bit lacksidasical. I love the Bucks roster and think they can contend with any team. I suspect a close game. Charlie V, Redd, Bogut, Sessions, Jefferson...this team is stacked. Pistons have no pride, they seem to drop these games on the road against teams they should beat. I suspect the same lame effort today against and under-rated Bucks team.
3.3 UNITS - - -
TEASERS
TOR Raptors+15.5 @ 4/15
ORL Magic-2.0 @ 4/15
SA Spurs-6.0 @ 4/15
3 Play Parlays
3.5 UNITS - - -
OKC Thunder+13.0 @ 4/15
ORL Magic-2.0 @ 4/15
CHA Bobcats-1.0 @ 5/8
3 Play Parlays
2.0 UNITS - - -