Posted on
2/27/2008 6:14:31 PM
NBA Betting Free Picks - Sacramento Kings at Atlanta Hawks
By Eric Williams
When the Atlanta Hawks, (23-32 SU, 26-28-1 ATS, 25-30 O/U), and Sacramento Kings, (26-29 SU, 30-25 ATS, 28-23-4 O/U) agreed to a trade on Feb. 16 that would send longtime Kings point guard Mike Bibby to the Hawks in exchange for young forward Shelden Williams and a bag of marbles, each team was hoping to change its future, in the case of the Hawks, its’ immediate future.
The Hawks however, have dropped four of five with Bibby on the roster, including a gloomy 89-74 thumping by the San Antonio Spurs Monday night, endangering their slim playoff hopes even further.
The Kings have continued their season-long struggle as well, dropping two straight games coming into tonight’s matchup, including an absolutely unforgivable 107-86 loss at the lowly Miami Heat last night.
Atlanta has dropped eight of its last nine games overall and currently sit 1 1/2 games out of eighth place for the final spot in the eastern conference playoffs.
Bibby shot a pathetic 1-for-11 and scored just two points against the Spurs.
"I felt that our intensity went down as the second half started," rookie power forward Al Horford said. "We had a lot of opportunities but unfortunately we couldn't take care of the ball. And that's something where if we want any hope or anything we have to clean those things up."
The Kings will be looking to shake off the bad taste left in their collective mouths after last night’s debacle against Miami in which they shot just ten percent in the third quarter.
"That probably is about the worst we've played all year," Kings head coach Reggie Theus said. "The guys were not focused on what they were trying to do. I just thought it was a bad effort on our part."
The Kings have failed to cover the spread In three straight games while the Hawks are 2-1 against the spread in its last three but failed to cover against the Spurs on Monday.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my analysis and NBA Wagering Free Picks:
The Kings are 6-0 ATS in their last six games as an underdog of 0.5-4.5.
The Kings are 4-1 ATS in their last five games vs. a team with a losing S.U. record.
The Hawks are 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of less than .400.
The Hawks are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games as a home favorite of 0.5-4.5.
The Over is 4-0-1 in Kings last five games as a road underdog of 0.5-4.5.
The Over is 4-1 in Hawks last five home games following a road trip of seven or more days.
The Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings in Atlanta.
The Kings are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
Analysis: Both of these teams have played pretty poor basketball recently, but I say the Kings cover this spread while putting up a heck of a fight for the straight up victory. I like the ‘Over’ here first and foremost and I also say take the Kings to cover the spread in a knock-down, drag-out fight to the finish.
NBA Free Picks: Over 202 1/1 Total Points/Sacramento +4 Points
07:05 PM EST NBA Odds
Sacramento Kings +4 -110
Atlanta Hawks -4 -110
Over 202½ -110
Under 202½ -110
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