Up to NBA Articles

posted February 21, 2008 at 14:18 in NBA Articles

Miami Heat (9-42) @ Houston Rockets (33-20)

The Houston Rockets need one more win to make their current winning streak hit double-digits. The last team they posted a 10-game winning streak they won an NBA Championship.

Posting a victory against the Heat shouldn’t be difficult. The Heat have only won nine times this season and are in the throes of a nine-game losing streak.

This will be the sixth time the Rockets are a home favorite of 9.5 to 12 points and they have yet to lose in that situation. But they have only covered two of those five spreads. They are only 17-22 ATS overall as a favorite.

This will be Miami’s first game since the All-Star break and they don’t fare so well when fully rested. When playing after three days or more of rest, the Heat are 0-3 ATS this season and 2-8 ATS over the last three years.

Miami has covered 14 of the last 22 meetings overall.

Free Pick: Miami

San Antonio Spurs (35-17) @ Minnesota Timberwolves (11-41)

The San Antonio Spurs haven’t made a big splash by acquiring a superstar the likes of Jason Kidd or Shaquille O’Neal, but they have made more subtle additions to a Championship roster.

Previously, they added Damon Stoudamire and on Wednesday, they acquired veteran forward-center Kurt Thomas.

But the biggest boost the Spurs can get will come in the form of a healthy body as Tony Parker is set to make his return against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He has missed more than three weeks of action with inflammation in his ankle.

Outside of the Miami Heat, there’s no better opponent for him to face in his first game back.

The Timberwolves have lost five of their last six overall, and eight of their last nine to San Antonio.

The Spurs are 6-3 ATS in their nine meetings and 38-18 ATS overall against the Northwest Division over the last three seasons.

Free Pick: Spurs

Seattle Supersonics (14-38) @ Portland Trail Blazers (28-25)

No NBA team is colder against the spread than the Portland Trail Blazers. They have paid their backers just once in their last 13 contests.

Seattle, on the other hand, has been a smart play of late as they’ve covered three of their last four, and eight of their last 12 games.

Portland’s five-game losing skid has been somewhat surprising, especially when you consider that the Trail Blazers posted a 13-game winning streak in December.

Seattle only has five road wins on the season, which should serve as an encouraging sign to the Blazers, who have lost seven home games this year.

Keep an eye on the status of Kevin Durant. He missed the Sonics last game on Tuesday because of the flu but practiced on Wednesday and is probably to start tonight. Durant has missed only two games this season.

Free Pick: Portland

Visit BetUS for more basketball odds and news!

You’ll find the latest 2007-2008 NBA odds and lines in the best online sportsbook, BetUS.com. Betting on NBA player and game props makes every aspect of the game exciting. Join BetUS.com today to bet on the NBA and make online sports betting work for you!