NBA Furious Eastern Rundown – Raptors and Knicks Strong Road Dogs

O’Neal, Bosh to Battle Dwight Howard

The Raptors turned their recent woes in to a devastating win over Miami. Now the Raptors head south to Florida to battle another time vying for respect in the stiff Eastern Conference. Toronto may have struggled in past matchups with the tough Orlando Magic, but most of those struggles were rooted in the tall and physical Magic beating up on a lonely Bosh down low.

However, this is a new Toronto team that is one of the most difficult to score on under the rim. Jermaine O’Neal may not be the 21-7-2 guy that Toronto fans wish he was, but he’s doing what is being asked of him. Hauling in rebounds and terrifying anyone who attempts to crash the net is part of his job description. Protecting Chris Bosh is the other. So far, the plan is working extremely well.

The Raps are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games against Orlando, but that shouldn’t deter their betting faithful. Toronto is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 roadies, dragging the game in to the UNDER in 6 of their last 9 games when visiting the Magic.

NBA Free Pick: Toronto +6.5 (UNDER 192.5)

Wade, Beasley to Bully Washington Wizards

The Heat have struggled lately, going 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games on the road. Currently, this hot topic team has been brutal on the road with a 1-13 SU record in their last 14 contests away from home. Now they visit the Wizards, where they have always matched up well and are currently toting a 11-1-1 ATS record when they visit the nation’s capital. Nothing about the one-win Wizards instills a load of betting faith on my end. If there is anything that inspires you to bet on Washington, you’re probably hitting the bottle too early in the day. Put the beer down, buddy.

NBA Free Pick: Miami +2.5 (OVER 191)

Pacers A Bad Matchup for Hawks

Since losing their first game to the Celtics, the Hawks have incurred two more losses to New Jersey. If those games proved anything, it’s that the Hawks are going to struggle on the road and are also going to have matchup problems whenever a team boasts a formidable point-guard. For all you idiots in Toronto that inexplicably bashed T.J. Ford, look at what the kid is up to this season.

The speedster at the point is averaging 16-6-5 this season as the leading ball handler for the Pacers. As talented as the Hawks are with their three main superstars, the Pacers have Granger who can offset the production of Josh Smith. The Hawks have not rebounded from their first loss, and look for the Pacers to add to that tally tonight in NBA sports betting.

NBA Free Pick: Indiana-3 (OVER 205)

Knicks to Give Boston a Headache

The New York Knicks are becoming a new look team with D’Antoni at the helm. With Jamal Crawford and Chris Duhon leading the charge, New York has thundered to a 6-4 SU record, going 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games as well. Overall, the Knicks are at the top of the NBA scoring mountain with 105.7 points per game. That offense will be challenged by a Boston defense that ranks third in the NBA with 89.7 points per game allowed.