I seem to always post my worst cards of late, but I'm gonna be making three plays tonight with some ML sprinkles on some dogs.
Thunder -7 (-111) to win 35 units
I love watching the Grizzlies play their smashmouth basketball, but I think they are in for a rough ride here. Many people including the local media are suggesting that the Thunder may look ahead to the Miami matchup on Wednesday and overlook the Grizzlies. However, the Grizzlies took these guys to 7 games and have Randolph and their full roster ready to go (I think Conley will play here). The Grizzlies also led by double digits in OKC about a month ago, and lost by 3 and 5 points in games in Memphis so they know they are a good team. The Thunder also blew the doors off Miami, so they already made a statement. In addition, many people's darkhorse this year is Memphis and the Thunder would love to make a statment and sweep the season series. The Thunder are striving hard for number 1 overall seed and they are a game back.
The Grizzlies haven't looked great with Z-Bo yet for me to hit them in an intense game like this. Even against the Bucks, they were up late but fouled to 3-point shooters and made some mental errors. They haven't played a solid 48 minute game on the road in a while and I think that may bite them in the ass tonight. 7 point spread is nothing, as the Thunder were down double digits to Memphis earlier and still won by 7 in the last meeting.
Rockets +8 (-108) to win 30 units and Rockets ML (+318) to win 20 units
Both teams played a yesterday, but the Rockets had to endure a much tougher OT game. However, the Rockets are a gutsy gutsy team. They lost to Mavs in OT Friday, Kings in OT Sunday, and then lead the Mavericks in Dallas and only collapsed the lead cause they were so gassed. The Rockets were in a tough spot yesterday off of a big win against Memphis. They know they can play with the Bulls losing both meetings last season by 3 each, and they know they are a better team now. The Rockets will empty the tank with 3 days off after this in their playoff run. They also have enough scoring options to avoid long droughts against CHI.
The Bulls haven't undergone much controversy this season. They haven't gotten blown out in a statement game in a long time. I think mentally they'll be doubting themselves tonight. Even though the media is saying that the Bulls need Rose and the players on the team might want to prove them wrong. I think this is a tough spot for them. GO ROCKETS!
Clippers +4.5 (-107) to win 30 units and Clippers ML (+165) to win 10 units
Both teams have been playing well. The Clippers won 5 in a row at home, while not pretty they built their confidence up especially with a blowout of an emerging Utah team. The Mavs are off of some tough slugfests with the Rockets and then had a physical game in Miami and then finished the Florida trip with a buzzer beating comeback win in Orlando. That was the Mavs first comeback win on the road after trailing for 3 quarters so they had to really use up a lot of energy to win that one. Although Dirk and West hit key shots, the Magic really choked that game away more than the Mavs won it IMO. The Mavs are not great off of a big win with breaks of more than 2 days off. They have no "added" motivvation to blow out the Clip and I expect them to start out slugglishly off of a fat and happy rest tonight, similar to their game against the Rockets at home last Monday. This time the Clippers won't be tired like Houston, and they'll win it,
The Clippers are feeling good about themselves and beat the Mavs this year at home on b2b, and played at Dallas tough and only lost by 4 in a bad emotional spot earlier in the year. I think they get it done tonight.
GL