Analysis:1* Take Atlanta (#706)
The Hawks are not likely to be a profitable bet for their
supporters on a regular basis during the final six weeks of the NBA regular
season. Atlanta was too hot for too long ATS to be
ignored by the betting markets. And the
Hawks have absolutely no sense of urgency, with a 10.5 game lead over current
#2 seed Cleveland. That’s why head coach
Mike Budenholzer – a former Gregg Popovich assistant in San Antonio – hasn’t been
shy about resting key starters in recent weeks.
That being said, we’re catching Atlanta today in a
particularly good spot – rested, at home, off a bad loss, against a team that
wants to go uptempo with them without a legitimate starting point guard! Budenholzer rested four key guys on Saturday
at Philly, and the Hawks ended up losing the game. Budenholzer: “A
lot of our guys have to learn and grow. It wasn't our best night, but sometimes
you learn from those as much as your good nights." The Hawks are 67% ATS this year when coming
off a defeat and 22-8 ATS with one day to prepare between ballgames.
Sacramento got a little boost
when George Karl took over as head coach, but that initial momentum hasn’t
lasted. They’ve lost three straight,
while allowing 112+ points per game in all three contests; pushing the tempo
despite playing with a weak Ray McCallum and an aging Andre Miller at point
guard. This season long eight game road
trip is no time for the Kings to suddenly turn things around near the end of
another lottery bound season. And any
bad team that wants to go uptempo with the Hawks off a loss is asking for
trouble. Expect a blowout. Take the
Hawks.
Pick Made: Mar 9 2015 8:13AM PST