Posted on
3/10/2008 2:56:26 PM
NBA Wagering - Spurs Looking to Bounce Back from Loss at Denver's
By Eric Williams
While the Denver Nuggets, (37-25 SU, 31-31 ATS, 35-27 O/U), are still trying to find the consistency that has eluded them all season long despite having one of the more talented rosters in the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs, (43-18 SU, 28-31-2 ATS, 25-36 O/U), enter tonight’s contest with one simple thing on their collective minds - paying back the Nuggets for their 109-96 defeat last Friday while simultaneously shaking off their second consecutive loss to the Phoenix Suns, a dismal 94-87 road defeat they suffered on Sunday.
After winning 11 consecutive games in the BetUS.com Sportsbook, the Spurs have dropped their last two – and will undoubtedly be more focused down the stretch than they were against the Suns, whom they let off the hook with some uncharacteristic errors in the game’s final minutes.
"I had two turnovers and two missed layups down the stretch," said Spurs' Tim Duncan about his effort against the Suns. "We're up five with three-something left-a situation where we usually play a lot better than that."
The Nuggets are also looking to shake off a loss in this contest as they were blown out by the Utah Jazz on the road 132-105 on Saturday.
Denver’s Allen Iverson, universally regarded as the league’s toughest player despite his diminutive size, shook off a sprained finger on his shooting hand to score 28 points against the Jazz.
"It's important for us to take all of the positive things we did tonight - what little positive things there were - to San Antonio and leave the negative here," Iverson said.
The Nuggets are just 5-5 in their last ten games and have covered the spread over that same span in just four contests, while the Spurs are 8-2 in their last ten and have failed to cover the spread in three straight games prior to tonight’s matchup.
Here is a look at tonight’s Key Trends, followed by my NBA Betting Free Picks.
The Nuggets are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 vs. NBA Southwest.
The Nuggets are 7-16 ATS in their last 23 games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
The Spurs are 35-16-1 ATS in their last 52 vs. NBA Northwest.
The Spurs are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games playing on zero days rest.
The Over is 7-1 in Nuggets last eight vs. Western Conference.
The Under is 5-0 in Spurs last five Monday games.
The Home team is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings.
The Under is 11-1 in the last 12 meetings in San Antonio.
Analysis: With one of the league’s highest scoring offenses, I think the Nuggets would cover this spread tonight were it not for the fact that the Spurs are coming off consecutive losses and will be totally fired up and focused on their opponents tonight. Take the Spurs and the ‘Under’ and you’ll be a happy camper come Tuesday morning.
NBA Free Picks: San Antonio -7 Points/Under 204 Total Points
08:35 PM EST NBA Betting Odds
Denver Nuggets +7 -110
San Antonio Spurs -7 -110
Over 204 -110
Under 204 -110
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