NBA Monday Systems

With college football taking a short sabbatical before the bowl games commence, the NBA will take a greater role in the minds of the public. We start a new week with increased focus on the hardwood and besides its comforting to know former NBA referee Tim Donaghy says he refused to make calls to affect games even if it meant he lost money and it angered those paying him. Thanks, Tim. Numbers from DiamondSportsbook.com.

Denver at Philadelphia (+6, 216)

The Nuggets have won three in a row and seven of last eight (6-2 ATS), with its top-ranked offense scoring at least 100 points in every single contest. Tonight is Denver’s second road tilt on a four-game trip and they are healthy road favorites. When a team is giving 3.5 to 9.5 points after a combined score of 205 points or more in four straight games, they are nicely profitable 30-11 ATS since 2005.

Portland at New York (-4.5, 203)

It not like the Trailblazers are not used to it, but at some point you have to wonder about big men in Portland. A generation ago, Sam Bowie was supposed to lead Portland and he suffered an injury-plagued career. Now Greg Oden is taking on the same characteristics, out again for the season, this time with broken left kneecap. Portland once again has to move on, however tonight is not the most favorable position. The Blazers stopped Houston 90-89 Saturday and teams that won last game by six or less points and face opponent that has scored 100 or more in four straight contests are 15-40 ATS the last 13 years.

Golden State at Oklahoma City (-7, 222)

There are positives building for the Thunder, sporting winning record (10-9) with a nucleus of young talent. One of Oklahoma City’s strengths in the first quarter of the season has been defense, allowing 95.4 points per game (7th). The last few games they have lost an edge on that end of the floor, allowing teams to break the century mark in three consecutive contests. In comes Golden State who ranks second in the NBA in scoring at 109.8 points per game. Here we find underdogs averaging 103 or more points a game on the season, facing opponent after allowing 100 points or more three straight games, are 38-15 ATS.

San Antonio at Utah (-1.5, 191.5)

As usual, the Jazz are among the best shooting teams in the NBA at 49.5 percent, second only to Boston. Utah shot the ball well in Minnesota on Saturday night, but was horrible defensively in allowing the Timberwolves to convert 57.1 percent of shot attempts in 108-101 defeat. This could benefit the Jazz tonight, as teams that shoot 48 percent or higher on the season, after a game allowing a shooting percentage of 55 percent or higher are 27-7 ATS, winning by over six points a game.