2015-2016 NBA Season Record:
8 – 9 @ 0% for -1.9 Units
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#1: Orlando Magic +1.5
The Jazz are dealing with a number of injuries, as both Hood and Gobert are GTD for this one. In addition, this will be a b2b game for them and 3rd in 4 nights, making it a difficult spot to be in. Yesterday Favors logged 40 minutes, Hayward played 38, Hood 38, and Burks 35. A few days ago in Cleveland these guys all logged 30+ minutes with Favors/Hayward at 35. Now taking on a Magic team that has been at home since the 10th won’t be easy. If Hood and Gobert miss the game, and/or are limited, it will be even more difficult. Orlando is also dealing with an injury as Oladipo is out with a concussion. But this team is fairly deep and I believe they should be in a good spot here physically. I’ll back them as a home dog in this spot.
#2: Cleveland Cavaliers -6.5
Last week the Knicks got up to a 32 – 18 lead in the first quarter @ Cleveland, only to completely fall apart and lose by 10. Cavs didn’t have JR Smith for that one as they started Richard Jefferson, and LeBron had a pretty inefficient day (9 for 23 with only 23 points). I doubt the Knicks will keep this one close either. Cleveland is too efficient offensively (3rd in Off-Eff / 6th in eFG%) and too big in the front-court for the Knicks to take advantage off. I like Cavs by double digits here.
#3: Charlotte Hornets +6.5
Last week the Hornets blew out the Bulls at home, 130-105. This week the Bulls continue to be over-valued. I just don’t see how they’re 3.5 points better. Bulls were supposed to be excellent offensively and poor defensively this year but the opposite is true. They’re 26th in Off-Efficiency and 6th in Def-Efficiency on the season. That’s not a very good sign actually. When a team is changing its philosophy, but unable to execute on it, that’s an indication that the process is slower than maybe some expected. Charlotte ranks 9th offensively and 15th on D, and I like the way this team has been playing lately winning 4 of their last 5. I’ll grab the points here.
#4: Los Angeles Lakers +8.5
The Mavs are coming off an emotional home game against the Clippers, as DeAndre Jordan made his long awaited debut in Dallas…of course he was wearing the other team’s colors. Mavs played with a lot of effort in that one and I would expect a natural let-down today. In addition, this team has a game @ Houston tomorrow night. Houston’s GM Morey and Dallas’ owner Cuban have had a long-running feud for awhile now, so this game is fairly meaningful to both. A bit of a look-ahead spot could be expected here. Lakers have lost 3 in a row but they’re 3-1 ATS in the last 4. I like their chances of keeping this one close.
Good Luck