Digging for NBA Winners in Easter Basket

On Sunday, a number of kids will conduct Easter egg hunts, which is fun for both children and adults. In many ways, that’s what sports bettors do each and every day, search thru things, looking behind and under every place to find the elusive winner, especially before somebody (the oddsmaker in this case) beats them to it. Thus, enjoy the day and try and hunt a couple of televised winners.

Dallas at New Orleans

It’s been quite a week for the Dallas Mavericks (48-31, 39-40), going from being threatened for last playoff spot, to climbing up the ladder faster than a Dallas oilman who just found a massive oil discovery. The Mavs all but eliminated Phoenix last Sunday, trumped Utah to tie them Wednesday and nailed New Orleans to pull even with the Hornets. Those victories were all executed at home, in order for Dallas to take sole possession of the sixth slot in the Western Conference; they will have to go into the hornets nest to take down New Orleans.

We’ve won some nice home games, but our true tests are on the road,” Nowitzki said, who is averaging 29.8 points over the last five games. “How you respond to some adversity on the road? That’s really what determines if you’re a good team.”

The Mavs have won and covered three in a row with their 100-92 win as 7.5-point favorite over the Hornets Friday. They haven’t done both to take it to four straight since Nov. 21 against Memphis. Breaking the century mark in points score has been important for Dallas, with 10-4 ATS record when doing so.

New Orleans (48-31, 34-44-1 ATS) is going to need greater contributions from players other than Chris Paul and David West to fend off Dallas. Paul had 42 points (one off career high) and West chipped in 20, with those two being the only players to break into double digits. The Hornets have lost four of five with a faulty defense, allowing 102.1 points per game compared to 94.3 PPG on the season.

The Hornets are just 2-6 ATS against teams with winning records and are on 13-3 Under tear. Dallas is 19-28 ATS on the season after a victory and has played Under the last four times against clubs with winning home records.

ABC has the coverage with starting at 1 Eastern with the home team 9-3 ATS.

Boston at Cleveland

This Eastern Conference conflict is a battle being pulled and tugged in many different directions. Boston (60-19, 41-38 ATS) needs one more win to secure the second seed in the East ahead of Orlando, but will have to do battle without one its key components. Kevin Garnett will miss his 20th game out of the last 24, with coach Doc Rivers looking at one of the next two games to have Garnett participate in. The Celtics are on 10-1 and 7-4 ATS roll and have covered last five games against teams with winning records.

Cleveland (64-15, 46-33 ATS) has a little work to do of their own. The Cavaliers have already wrapped up the East and with two wins or a Lakers loss, will own homecourt advantage throughout the postseason.

The Cavs are also trying to get into the record books. This season they are 38-1 (25-14 ATS) at Quicken Loans Arena and if they win last two home games, they tie the record for most home wins at 40, held by the 1985-86 Boston Celtics. Cleveland is 10-2 ATS at home vs. teams with a winning road record.

Part two of the Easter doubleheader will begin at 3:30 Eastern with Boston 0-4 SU and ATS at LeBron’s place.

Check with Bookmaker.com for the side and total numbers on these matchups and Happy Easter from 3Daily Winners.