Posted on
4/16/2008 7:05:27 PM
NBA Basketball Betting Action - Seattle at San Antonio
By Charles Jay
WHO: Seattle SuperSonics (18-61 SU, 37-39-3 ATS) at San Antonio Spurs (53-25 SU, 36-42 ATS)
WHERE: AT&T Center in San Antonio
WHEN: Friday, April 11 at 8:35 pm ET
BetUS NBA basketball betting odds: San Antonio -17.5, Total 186.5
In the HEAD-to-HEAD NBA betting trends:
* SA has won six of the last seven meetings SU
* SA has covered five of the last six meetings
* Eight of the last 12 meetings have gone OVER the total
* SA is 7-0-1 ATS in the last eight meetings as the home team
* Four of the last six meetings in Seattle have gone OVER the total
* SA has had the shooting edge in six of the last seven meetings
* SA has had the rebounding edge in six of the last seven meetings
* SA has made more three-pointers in nine of the last ten meetings
Seattle has averaged 44.4 rebounds per game, which is third in the NBA. The Sonics turn the ball over 15.4 times per contest. Also:
* SEA is 2-4-1 ATS in its last seven games
* SEA has lost 18 of its last 20 games SU
* SEA has played four of its last five games UNDER the total
* SEA has covered two of its last six road games
* SEA has lost its last 11 road games SU
* SEA has played four of its last six road games UNDER the total
San Antonio allows just 89 points a game at home, which is third in the league. The Spurs have hit 7.3 three-pointers per game, which is more than three more than Seattle. Also:
* SA has covered eight of its last 23 games
* SA has won nine of its last 11 games SU
* SA has played five of its last six games UNDER the total
* SA has covered four of its last six home games
* SA has won 12 of its last 14 home games SU
* SA has played four of its last six home games UNDER the total
The Spurs appear to have hit a big scoring slump, with 64, 72 and 79 points in consecutive games. And now Manu Ginobili, who normally provides that big offensive spark off the bench, is sitting out with a groin injury. That leaves San Antonio a little thinned out on the bench.
Seattle's Kevin Durant isn't hitting shots at the same pace he was a couple of weeks ago, although he scored 26 in the 103-80 loss to Houston on Wednesday and 37 in that wild 151-147 double overtime win against Denver on Sunday. Jeff Green had 35 in that one, but he's experienced very uneven performances.
We have legitimate concerns about San Antonio being able to carry this number, considering the lack of offensive punch lately. And then there is that "look-ahead" situation, as San Antonio plays against the Lakers on Sunday. But a look at the standings reveals that at 53-25, the Spurs are facing the possibility of playing its first playoff series on the road, so winnable games can't be ignored. And keep in mind that snadwiched around that 151-point game in Denver, the Sonics tallied just 84, 66, 83 and 80 points, shooting below 40% each time.
We will offer a mild recommendation with the defending champion Spurs in this one, laying the 17.5 points as prescribed in the BetUS NBA basketball betting odds.
JAY'S PLAY: SAN ANTONIO
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(Charles Jay of http://www.eBookies.com is a freelance writer and handicapper who not only can make his shots from the top of the key, but also contributes with gusto to the BetUS Locker Room)