Jeff's NBA for Friday!!!

TOP PLAYS

3 UNIT PLAYS

Atlanta/ Orlando Under 182.5: Defense is the key to this one and both teams have been playing excellent at that end of the floor this year as the hawks have allowed just 91.3 ppg, while the Magic have allowed just 91.6 ppg. On the road the Hawks have been even stingier where they have allowed just 89.5 ppg on 42% shooting, while in their last 3 away from home (regulation only), they have allowed just 78.3 ppg. Orlando's offense has been getting it going of late as they have put up 100 ppg in their last 5 games, but they are coming off a huge game with Miami and there are internal problems with Howard so this team might not be that focused at the offensive end tonight. Atlanta has averaged just 9.3 ppg on the road, while in their last 5 overall they have put up just 90.2 ppg. I expect this to be a defensive struggled tonight as both teams have been excellent at that end of the floor this year. This game should fall in the 170's with ease.  

Oklahoma City/ Utah Under 201: Google News Play. On the surface it would look like a great over play as the Thunder's first 4 games on this trip have averaged 215.8 ppg, while Utah's last 5 games have averaged 201 ppg, but as Lee Corso always says "Not so fast my friend". This is the Thunder's 4th game in 5 days and their 2 time playing in BB games over that stretch and that has to have an effect on this team, especially when it comes to shooting the ball. Tired legs wont help them score as much or play the uptempo game they are used to. . What also won't help them score as much is the fact that Utah has allowed just 92.9 ppg at home on the year. Utah has averaged 99 ppg at home this year, but just 97.8 ppg in their last 5 games overall and while they will be playing a bad team< i don't expect them to hit more thn 95 in this one as the pace of the game should be slowed down, limiting the scoring chances of both teams. Judging by the numbers in the first part of this write up the OU line should be higher, but it stands at just 201. Hmmmm. Seems like someone wants us to take the Over but Ill head the other way and expect a game in the low 190's.

 

OTHER PLAYS

2 UNIT PLAYS

Chicago/ Charlotte Under 182.5: Talk about some tired legs. This will be Chicago's 8th straight on the road, so their shooting legs may not be all there. The Bulls have allowed just 87.7 ppg overall and 91.8 ppg on the road, while in their last game they allowed just 67 points to New Orleans. Charlotte has averaged just 87.2 ppg overall and 82.6 ppg in their last 5 games and should really be held in check by Chicago tonight. I really don't expect more than 80 from the Bobcats, while Chicago's tired legs should keep them at best 95 points.

UTAH +1 over Oklahoma City: I kinda like this play as well. OKC is playing their 4th game in 5 days (all on the road), while Utah has had a couple days rest and they are at home where they have gone a solid 11-4 on the year. This game should be close till we hit the 4th quarter, where i expect the Jazz to pull away from this tired team. 

1 UNIT PLAY