Quick writeups here and there for Friday. Again, Honorable Mentions are my leans. Read ahead and ask Questions.
Milwaukee Bucks -3.0
Pretty low line here. Bucks are a decent defensive team and can take on this Wizard team who still lacks some semblance of a real offense. Washington is shooting only 39.9% from the field but makes up for it with their rebounding. Either way, I think Milwaukee will just shoot their way to victory here. My only concern is that the Bucks hosts the Celtics, who's looking for revenge, the next day. Other than that, the Bucks are better at every position agains the Wizards.
Miami Heat -5.5
I think this line will surely go up some more. I think I'd still take them at 7 or 7.5. Heat will continue to ball while slowlly improving defensively. They open this 6-game road trip with a bang in Atlanta.
Minnesota Timberwolves -2.5
Pacers will be playing the last of a quick 3 game road trip in Minnesota, who has a winning average of 13.5 at home. I think T'Wolves edges them because they are playing better defensively and have been taking care of the ball well. They also have a decent bench where they get enough production if their starters aren't clicking. Pacers' road games could've gone either way and I their need for a go-to guy during crunch time surfaces there. If the Pacers ever manage to make this a close game, I think they'll pretty much give it up in crunch time with bad shots/decision making.
Honorably Mentions:
Orlando Magic +2.5 - Orlando's effort on their loses are still there and could have easily translated into a win have they played weaker teams. Until G.Wallace returns, Brooklyn will still be that bad New Jersey team who can't seem to do things right. Orlando, even if they are shrot handed, plays well at home and has a high FG% at home.
Philadelphia 76ers +5.5 - Boston isn't the top tier team yet so taking the points until they figure themselves out is wise. I see this game going down the wire. The same 76ers team that forced them to 7 games hopefully will show up here.
Dallas/NY Knicks OVER 199.0 - Two of the League's most efficient offense collides and there's no better bet than the OVER. Both should hit the 90-point mark before they even eat up half the 4th quarter.
Hou/Mem UNDER 198.5 - Memphis have two of the league's best on-ball defender in Conley and Allen to play a Rockets' team who'll be looking for Lin and Harden to carry all of their offensive load. Grizz' back court checks them and get a final score of say 95-82.
Charlotte Bobcats +6.5 - I think A.Davis and A.Rivers plays. If there's a team the Cats can beat at the moment, that should be the Hornets. They should at least be able to keep this one close.
Cleveland Cavaliers +4.5 - Irving/Waiters will be an exciting back court in the years to come. I think they'll be fun to watch against a Suns team who been allowing opponents to score an average of 105 points on them.
Sacramento Kings +6.0 - I got this feeling that the Spurs will be going through the motion only to just win the game. My gut feel also tells me to go against people's expectation that the Spurs will bounce back with a monster performance after losing by 22 in LA.
Denver Nuggets -4.5 - I think they are slowly getting their shit together.
BOL.