NBA: 10 Hot-to-Trot Tips for Monday's 10 Big Games
In what many might see as just another day in the NBA, Monday's ten games provide us with some brilliant match-ups right throughout the night and, as always, the potential to take home some extra dough.
So here are your ten hot-to-trot tips for the ten big games, whether you're a diehard basketball follower or simply a sports fan interested in filling your pockets.
That's because with these tips, every game counts and you could be counting every game as a winner.
Washington Wizards @ Philadelphia 76ers
The flying 76ers are at home against the struggling Wizards in a match that is shaping up as a one-sided affair. The gap in class between the 11-5 Philadelphia side and the 2-14 Washington side is even greater in real life, and Philly should be simply too strong in this one.
After winning by 31 points in their first encounter and 13 in their next, expect the Sixers to put up another double-digit victory. With 209 points in the first match, and 193 in the second, the total points should be high, and will end up being too high.
For a side that prides itself on defense this year, expect Philly to shut down the Washington offense in a match that features around 180 points.
Philadelphia 76ers to win and cover the spread
Under total points for the match
Orlando Magic @ Boston Celtics
After losing Ray Allen to an ankle injury, and still getting the job done against the Wizards, the Boston Celtics now face a much tougher test at home against the Orlando Magic.
The Magic have been strong on the road so far this year, and with an offense that is still yet to click completely into gear, the Boston Celtics may struggle at home.
Orlando Magic to win
New Jersey Nets @ Chicago Bulls
Are the 4-12 Nets going to take down the 15-3 Bulls at home? No.
So the real question will be as to how much the Bulls will take this one by, and after recording the second-largest point differential in the league at over 10, they look set to chalk up a big one.
New Jersey has a differential of minus eight, and one has a feeling that this could get ugly.
Chicago Bulls to win and cover the spread
Atlanta Hawks @ Milwaukee Bucks
On paper, you'd back the Atlanta Hawks all day, and as they've showed already in the season that they are a serious championship contender this year, but there is something to like about the Milwaukee Bucks.
Forever one of those teams that seemed like it was "almost there," the Bucks have won their last two games and are now at home for the match against the Hawks. They were impressive in their last two and, after topping the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat, are riding their momentum going into this one.
While the Bucks rank in the middle of NBA teams in terms of points scored and points allowed, and Atlanta boasts a prolific record in this department, expect the ball movement of the Bucks to keep them in this one as they rally late to put up a great win in front of the faithful.
Milwaukee Bucks to win with the spread
San Antonio Spurs @ New Orleans Hornets
After all the aging talk around the San Antonio Spurs again, the Spurs started their season in strong form, though recent losses to the Sacramento Kings and Milwaukee have them in need of a win coming in to this road game against the Hornets.
They shouldn't have much to worry about against the Hornets, who are entrenched in last in the Western Conference at 3-13 and boast the third worst scoring average in the league at only 86 points per match.
As San Antonio looks to get back on the winning train, expect them to put up a clinical defensive performance against an already struggling offense and come away with the win here. The Spurs can score points fast, but against a solid defense, the under total points looks like the safer play.
I'd take anything down to around 185 points for this match; anything higher and I'd be going with the over.
Under total points for the match
Detroit Pistons @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Continuing our run of potentially one-sided encounters, the Pistons travel to Oklahoma City to take on a Thunder unit that not only sits atop the Western Conference, but also boasts one of the most explosive and dynamic offenses in the league.
I'm not going to get into discussion of Durant for MVP or anything, but what I will say is the obvious, which is that the Thunder are darn good and a serious threat to the title this year.
Considering the struggling offense of the Pistons combined with the Thunder's scoring abilities, I've got no trouble in going with the spread here.
Oklahoma City Thunder to win and cover the spread
Houston Rockets @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Statistically, this one is not going to be the most brilliant matchup in the NBA, as you have two relatively average sides taking on one another.
But the thing that will decide this one is momentum.
The Houston Rockets are currently riding a six-game winning streak that has taken them from the bottom of the Western Conference to the number eight spot. With wins over quality sides in the streak, the most recent being the San Antonio Spurs, who they took down on the road, take the Rockets to continue their red-hot form in this one.
Houston Rockets to win
Phoenix Suns @ Dallas Mavericks
While neither of these two sides is lighting it up this year as much as people have wanted, the Mavericks are quietly working their way up the Western Conference, and have notched two wins in a row going into this home game against the average Suns.
With the defensive strength that Dallas has this year, ranking third in points allowed, they'll be too good for the men from Phoenix, who they beat by nine last time the two met earlier in the year.
I'm almost willing to take the under in this one as well. The two sides only put up 187 in their last encounter, and the Mavs' defense continues to impress this year. Dallas does not have the offensive capabilities that they did last year, and the points might just get too high.
For the brave man, take the under total points, but I'm sticking with just the spread here.
Dallas Mavericks to win and cover the spread
Sacramento Kings @ Portland Trailblazers
After dominating earlier in the season, the Trailblazers now sit outside the top eight in the West and need a win to get back the momentum that they once had. A home game to the Kings, who are 2-8 on the road, is a great place to start.
Portland won by 22 earlier in the year and, despite the fact the Blazers aren't clicking as well as they were, they'll rectify it with a big win here.
Sacramento has allowed more points per game than any other team in the league, and against the offensive abilities of Portland, you just can't go doing that.
Portland Trailblazers to win and cover the spread
Memphis Grizzlies @ Golden State Warriors
Few would have predicted that the Memphis Grizzlies would today be sitting atop their division, fourth in the Western Conference and on a six-game winning streak.
However, don't jump on the bandwagon too quickly for this one. The Grizzlies travel to the home of the Golden State Warriors, who can be known to pull out a big one at home. Memphis are also 3-4 on the road this year, as opposed to 6-2 at home.
With the Warriors allowing nearly 100 points per match, and the Grizzlies striking at an impressive 0.467 of field goals this season, the over points looks like a much safer play. Golden State also averages 95-odd points per match, and has been known to get involved in the odd shoot-out or two.
Take the Grizzlies if you must, but I'm looking at the over total points here. I'd take anything up to around 205 points for the match; anything higher, and go with Memphis to win.
Over total points for the match
If you're looking for a multi that's going to line your pockets, take the 76ers, Magic, Bulls and Rockets.
Good luck and happy winning.
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