Monday NBA Systems

Five contests on the NBA docket to start the week leading up to Christmas holiday. Utah and Orlando and Cleveland at Phoenix will generate the most buzz, with each having a twist that sets them apart. The other three conflicts all have unique systems worth considering on sides or totals.

Milwaukee at Indiana (-2, 202.5)

After a fast start (8-3) giving Bucks fans hope about the future, Milwaukee has lost 11 of 14. This sets up potential totals play, as road teams that have lost four or five of their last six contests and sporting a win percentage of 40-49 percent, look to be OVER play when the total is 200 to 209.5 and facing a team with win percentage of 25 to 40 percent. (16-3 L3Y)

Utah at Orlando (-8, 204)

The Jazz have won two of three on their five-game road trip before Christmas. Orlando rebounded, literally, from a loss to Miami and bested Portland 92-83 as nine-point favorites. In that contest the Magic cleaned up on the glass with 64-43 edge and favorites that have a +3 or better rebounding edge on the season and off a game where they out-boarded the opposition by 15 or more, are 74-36 ATS in next contest since 2007.

Sacramento at Chicago (-4, 200.5)

The Bulls have been big disappointment this season with 10-15 record and even worse against the spread at 8-15-2 ATS. Chicago has managed to cover three in a row; however their luck might run out tonight. The Bulls escaped with 101-98 overtime win against Atlanta Saturday night and home squads being outscored by six or more points a game, after a close win by three points or less, are 20-57 ATS since 1996.

L.A. Clippers at San Antonio (-8.5, 193.5)

The Clippers have shown general improvement thus far at 12-14 and are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They won their last outing in Philadelphia 112-107 in OT and face a San Antonio club that has been scoring, averaging 107.3 points per game. Tonight watch the total, since it is best to play OVER when the total is between 190 and 199.5 points, after a team like the Clippers allowed 105 points or more, against opponent after they’ve scored 100 points or more five straight games. (40-12 L13Y)

Cleveland at Phoenix (-2, 209.5)

The “Shaq-tus” makes his return to the desert, to face Phoenix who has yet to lose at home with 10-0 record (6-3-1 ATS). The Suns are off a 26-point walloping of Washington and teams that score 102 or more points a night, off a win by 15 or more, against an opponent that scores between 98-102 points per game, are 30-7 ATS if the line is +3 to -3.