Posted on
1/31/2008 5:16:57 PM
NBA Basketball Odds – Bet on Thursday Night Games
By Dave Golokhov
Los Angeles Lakers (28-15) @ Detroit Pistons (32-13)
How important is Andrew Bynum to the Los Angeles Lakers? Possibly as important as Shaquille O’Neal was to the franchise, back when he wore the purple and gold.
With Bynum healthy, the Lakers soared to the top of the Western Conference – a place they hadn’t been since the days of The Big Aristotle.
Without him, are a mediocre 3-3 in their last six games and needed a home win against the lowly New York Knicks to snap a season-high three-game losing streak.
The Lakers now look to snap a nine-game losing streak in Detroit as they head to The Palace on Thursday night.
The Pistons are 7-1 straight up and 6-2 against the spread as home favorites of 6.5 to nine points. They’ve also covered eight of the last 11 home tilts with the Lakers.
Free Pick: Detroit -6.5
Dallas Mavericks (31-13) @ Boston Celtics (35-8)
Speaking of short-handed teams, the Boston Celtics have been battling some bumps and bruises themselves.
Kevin Garnett (abdominal strain) will not suit up on Thursday night for the Celtics. Ray Allen, who missed the Celtics last game with the flu, will be good to go.
Dallas has only been a road dog of three points or less once this season and they won that game outright. They are 2-0 ATS and 15-5 ATS in their last three years when playing on the road where the total is between 185 and 189.5.
Also, Dallas plays well against strong defensive teams. They are 4-0 ATS this year, and 27-10 in their last three years, against teams that allow less than 91 points per game.
Free Pick: Dallas +1
Cleveland Cavaliers (25-19) @ Seattle Supersonics (10-35)
Kevin Durant is finding life difficult in Seattle as he learns to carry the team on his own. LeBron James knows something about that.
The Cavaliers have thrived against Northwestern Division opponents this year. They are 5-1 ATS in six contests.
Seattle has only won once in January and has only two wins in 23 contests against winning teams. The good news is that Seattle plays better at home.
They are 4-0 ATS and 3-1 SU after playing three or more consecutive home games. They are also 2-0 ATS and SU at home against Cleveland over the last three years.
Free Pick: Seattle +5
San Antonio Spurs (28-16) @ Phoenix Suns (33-13)
The Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs, two of the Western Conference’s powerhouses, have been heading in opposite directions recently.
The Suns have won and covered seven of their last eight games while the Spurs are 3-5 in their last eight games. The Spurs have also been terrible against the spread recently. They have covered just three of their last 15 contests.
Tony Parker, who has been dealing with bone spurs in his left ankle, will be inactive for Thursday’s game. The Spurs have lost three straight and haven’t lost four consecutive games in four years.
Brent Barry is also expected to miss the game.
The Spurs look like a tired, short-handed team aching to hit the All-Star break.
Free Pick: Phoenix -7.5
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