The Houston Rockets ended the Atlanta Hawks double digit win streak in lopsided fashion yesterday winning 117-95. They still have one of the stronger home records in the NBA at 24-10, but they've shown to be vulnerable as of late. Grab the Heat in a flat spot as the Rockets play their fifth straight home game. They also lost to the Heat by ten points in late February.
A team that Desmond Bane is familiar with is the Los Angeles Lakers, from being in the Western Conference with the Memphis Grizzlies. He scored 22 points against them in the first matchup this year for Orlando. The Lakers may be on an eight game win streak, but they did struggle defensively in their prior game against Miami. Look for Bane to take advantage with Anthony Black out of the lineup. Play his over.
The Pelicans have one of the more crowded lineups to evaluate for props since DeJounte Murray's return. With Murray the Pelicans have three starters averaging over 20 points per game. The fourth leading scorer is Bey who quietly has exceeded his points prop in seven out of the last nine games. Ride his consistency once again against the Cavaliers.
Just barely a little over a month ago Clemson had a 20 and 4 record, but finished their last ten games with a 4 and 6 record. They also lost big man depth with Carter Welling sustaining a season ending injury late in the season. Look for Iowa to possibly shoot a lower percentage overall then Clemson, but to make up ground with three point shots from Bennett Stirtz and one of the top percentage sharp shooters in Tavion Banks who shoots it at 47 percent. Take Iowa.
The Lakers are surging with seven straight wins, and victories in ten out of eleven games. It’s been a whirlwind week with games against Denver and consecutive road games against the Houston Rockets. Today, could be a spot where the Lakers value the long term health for the playoffs, rather then play their key players. Even if Luka and company are cleared, back the Heat who will be motivated off a thirty point loss to the Hornets.
For the second straight night the Pelicans are favored over the LA Clippers. They erased a 40 to 26 first quarter deficit to beat the Clippers by 15 points. Over the Clippers last two games they have blown big leads in the first quarter against the Spurs and Pelicans, which is maybe a sign of team fatigue. Back below .500 grab the Pelicans to take advantage for a second straight night.
The rest advantage for VCU and North Carolina, sides with the Tar Heels by three full days since North Carolina’s ACC exit last Thursday. That can be a factor early on for the Tar Heels to build a lead. Yet, VCU has shown their power all season long at adjusting to deficits and using their depth to rally. We saw it throughout Atlantic 10 conference play, and in the championship game against Dayton. Grab VCU plus the points.
The Toronto Raptors won both of their latest matchups at home over the Phoenix Suns, and Detroit Pistons. Now they will try and correct their issues on the road which has resulted in three straight losses and failures ATS. Chicago has been a team they have had strong results against with a sixteen point and nine point win this season. Lay the number with the Raptors.
Two teams that finished out the year strong meet in the play in today with Lehigh and Prairie View A&M. The Panthers have won nine out of their last ten games, but had the harder conference tournament path. They played four games in five days up through this past Saturday, while Lehigh played three conference tournament games in seven days. That’s a factor as well as the SWAC not being as strong as the past that has won the play-in four out of the last five years.
The Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic have the two best win streaks in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta has won nine straight games overall, where they have covered in each victory. They’ve also had an advantageous home schedule as this is their tenth home game out of their last eleven. Look for Orlando to keep this close as they look to avoid going 0 and 3 on the year to Atlanta. Grab the points.
South Florida has won thirteen of their last fourteen games, and has shown an uncanny ability to go on big scoring runs in the second half. A team that has kept it close in both matchups against the Bulls was Wichita State, earning a split in their two conference matchups. Pressure is heightened on South Florida to try and secure what will be a one bid American Conference. Grab the points with the Shockers.
After beginning the season 16-0, Vanderbilt lost three straight games in SEC play. They got revenge on one of those losses yesterday by defeating Florida 91 to 74. Now they have a chance to do it again in what was their worst loss of the season to Arkansas 93 to 68. Take Vanderbilt to finish off the job as they win the SEC Conference Tournament.
The LA Lakers have won seven out of their last eight games. The only loss during that stretch was against tonight’s opponent in the Denver Nuggets. A game that saw a big line move on the Lakers side from 5.5 to 3.5 but failed ATS. Teams are typically vulnerable on the back end of a long home stand. Look for that scenario tonight as the Lakers are playing their fifth straight home game. Tail Denver.
The Miami Heat have rode not just a seven game winning streak, but have covered each game as well. Another hot team lies atop the Southeast division with the Orlando Magic on a six game winning streak, and have already beat the Heat four times this year. They may not get a fifth win but look for the spread to be precise on a two point line move on the Heat side with Norman Powell back. Grab the points with Orlando.
After a four game losing streak towards the end of conference play, Kelvin Sampson has his Houston Cougars back on track. The offense had excelled during their win streak, but now the defense caught up in yesterday’s win against the Jayhawks limiting them to 47 points. Tournament momentum for March can be as simple as freshmen growing that extra level at the tail end of the season. We are seeing that with Houston’s trio in Kingston Flemings, Chris Cenac, and Chase McCarty. Tail Houston.