All Systems go on NBA Monday

It’s a special day in the NBA celebrating Martin Luther King Day. This has led a blitz of basketball most of the day, starting in early afternoon and going late into the evening, especially east of the Mississippi. A dozen different opportunities are presented to the sports bettor as the league honors a great man known for heroic deeds. Numbers from DiamondSportsbook.com.

Detroit (+5.5,192) at New York 1:05E MSG

The Pistons have followed losing 13 in a row with three straight triumphs against New York squad that has dropped four of five. In this situation, look to play on road team having lost 12 or more of their last 15 games against opponent having fallen four of their last five games. (63-28 ATS)

Portland (+1.5, 192) at Washington 1:05E NBA-TV

The short-handed Washington Wizards have fallen four of last five games and this afternoon will be their fifth game in a week. Home teams with a winning percentage of 25 to 40 percent, playing their 5th game in 7 days are 62-103 ATS since 1996.

Sacramento (+6, 196) at Charlotte 2:05E

The Charlotte Bobcats have won four in a row, seven of eight and covered the spread in 12 of their last 17 games. Sacramento on the other hand has lost three straight (not shooting over 38 percent), 10 of 12 and absolutely buried backers with 2-9-1 recent spread record. Naturally, the Bobcats would be the play correct? In the NBA, look the other way as a home favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points are 8-24 ATS the last three years after beating the spread by 24 or more points total in their last three games, against opponent after being beaten by the spread by 24 or more points total in their last three games.

Oklahoma City (+5.5, 196) at Atlanta 2:05E

The Thunder is proving to be one of the best young teams in all of the NBA, even producing a winning record. Oklahoma City is off an impressive wipeout of Miami 98-80 and road teams when the total is between 190 and 199.5 points, off a home win by 10 points or more, with a winning percentage of between 45-55 percent on the season, are 34-11 UNDER since 2007.

Milwaukee (+6.5, 197.5) at Houston 3:05E

This is the last stop on the Bucks six-game road trip that has seen then manufacture 1-4 (2-3 ATS) record. Don’t be surprised if Milwaukee plays OVER, as road teams where the total is between 190 and 199.5 points, after allowing 100 points or more two straight games, against opponent after a combined score of 205 points or more on two or more consecutive contests, are 35-12 the last five seasons.

Philadelphia (-1.5, 205.5) at Minnesota 3:35E

The Sixers and Timberwolves are a couple rumpled offensive teams, ranking 21st and 25th in points scored respectively in the league. In spite of their misgivings in placing the ball in the baskets, teams like Philadelphia off consecutive Under’s, playing in a matchup involving two squads that average 92-98 points per game, with a total over 200, are 33-7 OVER since 2005.

New Jersey (+9.5, 196) at L.A. Clippers 3:35E YES

In this battle of can’t dial up long distance vs. can’t guard from far away, something has to give. The Clippers are 27th in three-point accuracy and the Nets are 27th in stopping made baskets from beyond the arc. Home chalk that is poor three point shooting team (33% or less) who commit 14.5 to 16.5 turnovers a game, against lousy three-point defense (36.5% or higher) who average 14.5 or fewer TO's a contest are 13-35 ATS since 2004.

San Antonio (-1, 189) at New Orleans 3:35E

Like all good teams, San Antonio has hit the pot hole in the road, throwing the alignment off, which has caused them to lose last two road games. It appears this should not be a deterrent from considering play on the Spurs, as road favorites off two or more consecutive losses, with a winning percentage of 60-75 percent are 32-14 ATS the previous three years.

Chicago (-2, 219) at Golden State 4:00E WGN

The Bulls are playing their best basketball of the season by far, winning four in a row and eight of last 11, covering the number an imposing nine times. Road teams like Chicago after beating the spread by 48 or more points total in their last ten games, against opponent going over the total by 18 or more points total in their last three outings are 25-8 ATS when the line is +3 to -3.

Phoenix (+2, 225) at Memphis 5:35E TNT

The Suns lead the NBA in scoring at 109.3 points per game, but have managed to lose the first three games on their road excursion. The last contest was particularly brutal, losing by 26 points at Charlotte and they will have one more chance to win one time on this trip. Teams scoring 103 or more points a game, who trailed by 20 or more points in their last game at halftime, are 32-10 ATS the next time out.

Dallas (+5, 197) at Boston 8:05E TNT

The Mavericks were blasted at Toronto 110-88 yesterday afternoon and have failed to cover the spread in four consecutive tries. This doesn’t set up well for Dallas as underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points, playing on back-to-back days, in a game involving two good teams (60% to 75%), are 25-57 ATS.

Orlando (+6, 202) at L.A. Lakers 10:35 TNT

Last season Orlando had plenty of magic on the road, this year, not so much. They are off back to back losses to Denver and Portland by 18 and 15 points respectively. The Lakers on the other hand crushed the Clippers by 40 points Friday night, making exactly half their shots. Teams off blowout win by 15 points or more facing opponent after two straight blowout losses by 15 points or more are 13-33 ATS the last five seasons.