Here's the writeup:
With just a game above the Cats and have 5 playoff team (including Boston tonight) in their remaining 8 games, they'd want to get separation as early as now. If they lose here and the Cats won against the Bucks, by edging the Cats in their season series, they hold the advantage in case of a tie and still hold on to the 8th spot. Cats have 10 more to go with only 4 play off bound teams in their schedule so Indiana needs to hustle here. Pacers not only plays for position here but also to avoid being swept this season by the Green gang.Boston hasn't been playing really well as of late, no it's not really that they're playing bad but the rotation is still a bit messed up because Doc is still experimenting and trying to keep his boys healthy nearing the playoffs. They lost two good leads in two games splitting the result. They are only half a game above the Heat and would rather face the Knicks or the Pacers (if ever they do move up) in the playoffs. I feel no side is safe in this spot because both teams have legit reason to go out and play. Having Rondo out is also huge for the Celtics' offense and so I believe that the way to go here is the total. The play in this game is
UNDER 189.0. Both teams are a combined 27-43-0 home-road O/U record. They also barely grazed the total in 3 games this season. With Rondo out, scoring will be slower for the Celtics, good thing they could always rely on their defense when things go sour.
Bucks and Cats are still in the race. Tough stretch for the Bucks, they'll be playing only 3 times at home in their remaining 10 games with 5 more playoff bound teams looking out. Cats never had a chance against the Bucks earlier this season and will need to muster up their remaining effort to distance themselves against another team vying for the 8th spot. Bucks holds the lead in their season series and they can't afford to tie with them. Anyway, I do not understand the line and so something might be up. Cats, like most of you thought, should be at least a 3-point dog. I don't really see any advantage for the Cats other than being at home. In the first two games this season, the difference was the 1st Quarter. Bucks out scored them in both games en route to a win. If the Cats can hold them and keep it low to start the game, they'll have a better chance grinding it out at home. My play still stands at
Charlotte Bobcats -1.5 only because of home court. As for the total, I'm leaning the
UNDER 178.0. The total went up half a point already from 177.5 is still a low number even if it's against two offensively challenged team.
Jameer won't suit up for the Magic and I don't know if anyone can back the self destructing Knicks team. I know a lot of guys is looking ahead to this rematch after the Magic run the Knicks over. If I were to play, I'm still going with
Orlando Magic -1.5 because of Knicks have no answer for Dwight. Amare is notorious in allowing the opposite team's big to score on him and everyone know what monster D12 is under the glass. The Knicks could turn this to a running game for all I care and the Magic can just have its way with them there. Spacing and defense is also key here where the Knicks sucks. They've been allowing 37% in 3 point % as well as allowing the other team to 47% from the field in their last 5 games. This is dangerous for them knowing the Magic has lived and died by the 3. They are shooting 36 in their last 5 where they only got pass 100 only one time. As for the total, the OVER 206.5 is pretty good but not solid enough to be a play for me. I see them turning this to a running game and scoring left and right though.
I believe the 76ers will give the Bulls a run for their money even if they're on the road and off an OT lose to the Kings. A play on the
Philadelphia 76ers +10.0 here and a good lean on the
UNDER 191.5. Bulls are crazy good especially at home and it's scary when to crazy good ATS team squares off tonight. This is more of a gut feel play than anything. So you guys might want to pass up on this one if you don't have any good angle going.
BOL.