Friday Locks with Write Ups

Timberwolves -6.5 (ML a lock) Minnesota's past 8 games consisted entirely of playoff qualified teams. A difficult test.  Coming off two days rest, and a BIG win at home, they certainly need wins now to avoid seeing warriors or rockets in 1st round, so after recently sharpening their blade against solid teams I expect them to run it up on the Knicks who can't beat anyone good without Porzingis. Kanter is good, Hardaway can go nuts, but they arent a great defensive team and MIN can put up points.  I still I think -6.5 is likely to cover, but Minnesota winning I consider nearly certain.   

Duke/Syracuse UNDER 133.5 (Zone vs zone. Played at Duke a couple weeks ago, lowest score for either team on year. 104 total.  Duke mopped them up while having their worst shooting night of year. 2/17 from 3pt. Against a zone. I predict a similar pace as kstate/Kentucky except Duke makes free throws but probably shoots less of them.  Syracuse best defense in country. At least remaining. 

Jazz/Spurs UNDER 195 (Jazz coming off a back to back must win in Dallas.  Spurs are at home. Almost missed this spot, because I couldn't figure out who had an edge because they both play good defense and they both desperately need wins. Therein lies the answer. The winner is UNDER the radar.)

Atlanta Hawks +10 ***Reverse System Play (1H reasonable, too.  Warriors without Durant, Thompson, Likely Green.  Curry's first game back in how long? Facing Schroder coming off 41 pts in a HUGE upset at Utah plus an extra day off. Hawks deliberately tanked against a tanker last night in SAC by sitting Schroder so he can be fresh to abuse Curry the next day and limiting everyone else's minutes. I see them fighting all game for pride. They almost beat a healthy warrior team two months ago, so revenge at play. They have nothing to lose, and can play freely. This is an exception to the tank the tankers system)

Pacers -2.5 (Both teams need wins. Clippers REALLY need wins. However, Pacers don't roll over.  Pacers have big edge in backcourt matchups especially as long as LA is missing Bradley and Beverly, and Gallinari to spread floor.  Austin Rivers isn't that good. Tobias Harris is very good and was a steal to get with Bradley in exchange for bozo Griffin.  I like Harris to go off for 30+ but that's about it.  New matchup this season, first game for both teams with home court edge and backcourt dominant matchups I like Indiana minus an Oladipo 3.)

March Madness. Besides Duke, the other 3 games are toss ups to me.  Any and all outcomes are believable.  Kansas is shaky. UW beat them. I like Clemson they don't quit. Rooting for the underdog but staying away.  Same feel with West Virginia. Nova is better than Kansas but WV is better than Clemson.  Purdue prob shoots threes better, but Tex Tech owns paint. As a gambler, I see little edge personally.  Anyone can win any game at this point and I would not be surprised in the least.  As a fan, how can you not love it?

GL