Posted on
1/18/2008 4:57:51 PM
NBA Betting Action – Atlanta Hawks at Toronto Raptors
By Eric Williams
Boy, things sure do change quickly in the NBA.
While the Atlanta Hawks, (18-18 SU, 19-17 ATS, 13-23 O/U) are still one of the biggest surprises in the league this season – and are still at a respectable .500 – the young Hawks have been very inconsistent recently, winning just four of their last ten games including a dismal 87-80 road loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in their last game.
The Toronto Raptors, (21-18 SU, 21-17 ATS, 20-19 O/U) on the other hand, are starting to come together after an inconsistent, injury-filled start to the regular season.
The Raptors have won four of their last five games including an emphatic 116-91 win over the Sacramento Kings in which they covered as 5.5-point favorites.
Toronto has been getting some, often-spectacular, play from backup point guard Jose Calderon, who has moved into the starting lineup to replace the injured T.J. Ford.
Calderon is averaging 14.4 points and 9.3 assists since moving into the starting lineup and has done an excellent job of getting perennial all-star Chris Bosh the ball in positions where he can be most effective.
Bosh has dropped an average of 34.5 points and 11.5 rebounds on 66.7 percent shooting from the field in his last two home contests.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my NBA Betting Free Picks:
Key Hawks Trends
The Hawks are 4-1 ATS in their last five games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Hawks are 4-1 ATS in their last five when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Hawks are 4-1 ATS in their last five games following a ATS loss.
Key Raptors Trends
The Raptors are 4-0 ATS in their last four games as a favorite.
The Raptors are 6-0 ATS in their last six games as a home favorite of 5.0-10.5.
The Raptors are 4-0 ATS in their last four games as a favorite of 5.0-10.5.
Key Totals Trends
The Under is 5-1 in Hawks last six road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
The Under is 5-1 in Hawks last six games as a road underdog of 5.0-10.5.
The Over is 4-1 in Raptors last five vs. NBA Southeast.
The Over is 4-1 in Raptors last five home games.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Over is 7-0 in the last seven meetings in Toronto.
The Favorite is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings.
The Over is 17-4 in the last 21 meetings.
Analysis: The Raptors, led the NBA in ATS wins last season and are really starting to look like that ‘spread-covering’ team from a year ago. Take the Raptors to win, though I must admit, the ‘Over’ in this contest is looking pretty darn good too.
NBA Wagering Free Picks: Raptors -7½ Points/Over 187 Total Points
07:05 PM EST NBA Point Spreads
Atlanta Hawks +6½ -110
Toronto Raptors -6½ -110
Over 187 -110
Under 187 -110
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