Wednesday 12/12/12:Second day of action, and I will start with a small recap.
OVERALL--> 3-0 for +9 units
PROPS--> 1-0 for +3units.
Plays for today:
BKN Nets @ TOR Raptors
This line opened at -4 for the Nets, which looked like a jump-in line, and now it is -7.5. From an ideal starting-5 in Toronto including Lowry, Fields, DeRozan, Bargnani and Johnson, we will only have some DeRozan today, and Toronto only has 8 healthy bodies today to try and compete against a underperforming Nets team. Both teams have been losing lately, but they have done that in such different ways, as Nets were at least losing close games, like last night in NY. I still see value at the Nets -7.5. Some trends, BKN is 4-0 as a road favorite in L4, TOR is 0-4 after L4 losses.
I will play a prop here on DeMar DeRozan Over 19.5 Points, as he has had two BIG games lately with 20 & 24 scored on them, and today is one of the few healthy bodies for the home team.
ATL Hawks @ ORL Magic
Yes, the Magic have improved in their last 4-5 games stretch, but that was not too much to ask with their awful numbers, and they are still 0-3 in L3 @ Home. They host the Hawks, a presumably better team than they are, who competed until last minutes @ Miami, and who dominates the series with 8-2 ATS in L10 against Orlando.
Entering the matchups, I thing Teague is better in both sides than Afflalo can be, and the inside couples of Davis+Vucevic should be framed by Smith+Horford, much more agressive and better scorers than they are. The only weakness I saw on this play was Redick did not have a competition on 3s, but knowing Korver will check in, although it will be in limited minutes, encourages me enough to get some ATL Hawks -4.5
MEM Grizzlies @ PHO Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a complete mess right now. They are on a big dip, horrible losing streak, and they need to make some changes, beginning with Scola back on the lineup today. They allow 103.9PPG, compared to Memphis, best Defense in the league with 91.2PPG allowed, this game can go defensive. Whenever their offenses come, Z-BO and Gasol look stronger than any Suns F, and Dragic (coming back from the flu) will not bail the Suns out himself. I like those Memphis on the road, and they should cover. Leaning happy Over 19,5, but I'm not firing as we could see some trash time here today.
CHI @ PHI
I will keep up backing the Bull's opponent PG, and in this case, Holiday seems a perfect fit for that. He scored 23 few days ago against CHI, and 25 last night, after declaring that he would be trying to shoot more than usual in the next few games. He afterwards shot 20 times (season-high, and i expect him to perform similarly today. If he gets 40% of shots in, Prop cashes on the Over 17,5.
GSW @ MIA
David Lee is a double-double machine as we all know, and I think he should keep up with this pace today. He averages 23.6 points in L7 and is in a sweet mood lately. Miami is weaker on the inner side of the D, and he should mark a good pace for their teammates with his scoring. The Over 19,5 should cash, and if you find a PTS+REB line at 29-30, it should go too.