Up to NBA Betting Trends

posted March 7, 2008 at 17:11 in NBA Betting Trends

While the Washington Wizards, (29-31 SU, 35-25 ATS, 29-31 O/U), have done an admirable job of keeping their season afloat despite playing without two of its top three players for most of the regular season, the Wizards found out on Wednesday night just how tough it would be to beat a top-notch without all-star Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas, losing to the Magic by a whopping 30 points, (122-92).

"They took it to us," Wizards head coach Eddie Jordan said. "They were the aggressors, and we just didn't compete physically. ... I really thought we would compete at a higher level - and we didn't."

The Toronto Raptors, (33-27 SU, 33-26-1 ATS, 33-27 O/U), come into tonight’s matchup off their own emphatic victory, a 108-83 win over the hapless Miami Heat on Wednesday that snapped a three-game losing streak without its best player Chris Bosh.

"Chris is a really important guy, but today, everybody did a great job and that's the way we have to play basketball - like a team," said guard Jose Calderon, who had nine points and 13 assists. "And if we play like a team, we're going to be all right."

 

Toronto, who will face the Wizards tonight without Bosh, who is out nursing a knee injury, is 6-4 against the spread in their last ten games while the Wizards have gone 7-3 against the spread over the same span.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my analysis and NBA Betting Free Picks:

The Wizards are 4-0 ATS in their last four after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

The Wizards are 4-0 ATS in their last four games playing on one days rest.

The Raptors are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games as a home favorite of 5.0-10.5.

The Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games.

The Under is 5-0 in Wizards last five games as a road underdog.

The Over is 4-0 in Raptors last four games as a home favorite of 5.0-10.5.

The Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings in Toronto.

The Home team is 7-1 ATS in the last eight meetings.

Analysis: The best bet for NBA bettors in this matchup tonight is to take the ‘Over’ as both teams here can put the ball in the hole on a regular basis even with injuries to some of their key players. Despite their recent struggles, I like the Wizards to cover the spread fueled by their high-scoring offense against a Raptors team that is clearly hurting without Bosh.

NBA Free Picks: Over 192½ Total Points/Wizards + 5½ Points

07:05 PM EST NBA Odds

Washington Wizards +5½ -110

Toronto Raptors -5½ -110

Over 192½ -110

Under 192½ -110

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