Posted on
1/21/2008 5:16:48 PM
NBA Wagering –Mavericks, Wizards Should Get Offensive
By Eric Williams
The Washington Wizards, (21-17 SU, 24-14 ATS, 18-20 O/U) are 18-12 since losing starting point guard Gilbert Arenas and have won six of their last eight games, including Friday's 111-98 victory over the New York Knicks.
With small forward Caron Butler getting even better this season, averaging a team and career-high, 21.7 points per game this season, while getting a big helping hand from fellow all-star forward, Antawn Jamison, (21.5 ppg), the Wizards have overachieved immensely – and developed into one of the best ATS teams in the league ion the process.
The pair combined for 54 points against the Knicks and have helped the Wizards to cover the spread in four of their last five games.
The Dallas Mavericks, (27-12 SU, 17-20-2 ATS, 20-19 O/U) enter tonight’s contest coming off a solid 111-96 win over the young Seattle Supersonics on Saturday and have won eight of their last 10 games, but have failed to cover the spread in their last three games, going 0-2-1 ATS during this span.
The Mavericks, despite their solid SU record, have failed to maintain any real sense of consistency this season as evidenced by reigning MVP Dirk Nowitzki’s strange season.
Nowitzki is coming off a 20-point effort in Saturday's win over Seattle and is averaging just 22.1 points per game this season - his lowest average since scoring 21.8 points per night in 2003-04.
Here’s a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Betting Free Picks.
Key Mavericks Trends
The Mavericks are 9-23-2 ATS in their last 34 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Mavericks are 5-13 ATS in their last 18 games as a road favorite.
The Mavericks are 6-20-2 ATS in their last 28 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Key Wizards Trends
The Wizards are 4-0 ATS in their last four games playing on two days rest.
The Wizards are 8-1 ATS in their last nine after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Wizards are 5-1 ATS in their last six games as an underdog.
Key Totals Trends
The Under is 4-0 in Mavericks last four games as a favorite of 0.5-4.5.
The Under is 4-0 in Mavericks last four vs. Eastern Conference.
The Under is 4-0 in Wizards last four after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Under is 4-0 in Wizards last four vs. Western Conference.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
Analysis: The best pick for tonight’s contest is to take the ‘Over’. Neither team plays much defense – but both are extremely adept at putting the ball in the hole. Although I’m not a big fan of either team in this contest because of each team’s respective lack of defense, I say the better overall team – the Mavericks – should cover this spread tonight.
NBA Free Picks: Over 192½ Total Points/Dallas -4 Points
01:05 PM EST NBA Betting Odds
Dallas Mavericks -4 -110
Washington Wizards +4 -110
Over 192½ -110
Under 192½ -110
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