Miami Heat over San Antonio Spurs: Yes Ginobili and Parker rested last night. Yes SA cruised past NO at home. However this is still a lot of points to spot on the road with an early start in Mia. This will be the 4th game in 6 nights for SA. They started on the west coast GS Sac came home for last night now in Mia. Pop has never cared about winning by a margin and that will go even more so for a scheduling spot like tonight. SA from the beg of reg season is about preparing and staying fresh for the playoffs. Mia blew a 19 point second half lead at home vs. Charl last time out.
Cleveland Cavaliers over Golden State Warriors 1st Half ONLY: The value for this one is in the 1st half. GS is coming off that game 7 and down 3-1 to win the series over OKC. Clev has some extra prep time. This is the rematch from last year. However the difference Clev is healthy with both Love and Irving in the lineup. The addition of Frye also helps especially with all the 3’s that are going to be launched.
Toronto Raptors over Miami Heat: Mia has not been back to play a game at home since 05/01 game 7 against Charl. In that game they were spotting the same amount of points as today which is ridiculous. Much of the focus is on the shooting woes of Derozan and Lowry and reasonably so. However what is being overlooked the series is 1-1 with both games going to OT. Carroll Ross and JV have all stepped up at different times.
Atlanta Hawks over Boston Celtics: Give Bost all the credit in the world forcing this to a game 6. Great young coach this team is definitely headed in the right direction. The home team has won every game in this series granted one game in Bost went into OT. However the defensive adv and exp that Atl carries is wearing Bost down.
Detroit Pistons over Miami Heat: Both teams on their second last game of the season have something to play for. Mia still has a shot at the 4th seed and home court in the 1st round. Det although would not admit it can still finish 7th and avoid Clev in the 1st round.
San Antonio Spurs over Golden State Warriors: Word is Pop is not going to be resting any players tonight. SA plays in Den tomm night that that likely will be when he sits some. Conventional wisdom is GS will bounce back from a bad OT loss to Minn at home. That may happen but GS ia 1-2 s/u at home in their last 3. Kerr has said has much that chasing the record has had an effect on the team losing some focus down the stretch. Kerr should know he was on the 95-96 Bulls team where the same thing happened.
Phoenix Suns over Washington Wizards: This line is inflated partially because Wash needs this game to keep their slim playoff chances alive. Wash is not exactly in good form 1-4 s/u in their last 5.
Cleveland Cavaliers over Houston Rockets: Why is the line so low obvious reasons. 1 Lebron will not play and will rest. The last time Clev rested Lebron they were a 5.5 fav at home against Dall winning 99-98 on 03/16. Clev had also just returned from a west coast road trip.
Phoenix Suns over Boston Celtics: Phx is a bottom feeder and in complete rebuild mode. However since the trades they have been competitive going 5-6 in their last 11 s/u. Part of the reason for the inflated line is the markets slow to react. Phx has a emerging start in Booker and Knight is expected to return tonight after missing last night.
Milwaukee Bucks over Utah Jazz: Ut will be playing their 3rd game in 4 nights. This will be the 2nd game of their road trip which will determine if they will still have a chance to make the playoffs. Mil is a long shot although mathematically still have a chance.