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NBA 2010.01.02, first 2 picks:
Indiana Pacers @ New York Knicks
First of all, there is a little tendency to unders on Sundays for most NBA teams. But that isn't the reason for this play. Knicks are 8-0 on under last 8 home games. The last time they scored more than 100 points were one month ago. The last time they allowed more than 100 points, were before the end of November. Long time without a doubt. That is because Knicks have made some adjusts, and after they started the season without caring about their defense, they realize that they needed to make also a defensive game when it's about to defense, in order to keep control of the games.
For Indiana this is a B2B game. The last time they passed the 100 points mark, was 6 road games away, more than 3 weeks ago. Despite a 233 points last nigh game, Pacers are without their major players, and will not play against a week team as Timberwolves are being right now. They were with 8 straight losses before last nigh win, showing that they miss Granger, and trying to adjust their "run and gun" game to a low pace, as Dunleavy is not so quick as Granger. In order to try to get a second win on a row, they need to be effective against a team that is showing a good home game.
Despite this seems a run and gun teams, and a low line, the truth is that neither of these teams have even been close of that number in their last home/road games respectively. Pacer are coming finally from a win, and without so many players, they will have a letdown due to euphoria. Knicks are with 2 straight losses at home, and will try hard to turn things, specially with the high moral they get on their last game. They will be solid on defense, as that will be something easy with their advantage, and Knicks are not a kind of team that shutdown their opponents as much as they can, and if they get a comfortable margin, they will certainly low down their pace.
Pick: Under 207.5 -110 (1.91) The Greek
Charlotte Bobcats @ Cleveland Cavaliers
This is a matchup that were already played in the the first games of the season. In that time, Cavaliers hold the Bobcats with a 90-79 and a 169 points game.
Now, Bobcats are quite different, as they added a pure scorer to their roster, Jackson. And they are motivated, as they won their last road game, something they were chasing in their last road games. Now, I believe that they use their motivation to discuss this game, and there is only a way to do it, being a bright defense, and keep a low pace. And that isn't difficult, as Bobcats are the best defenders on the league.
Cavaliers are playing better day by day. But there is a strange tendency, as they are 40-12 on unders on Sundays. Today we can expect the same. With their improvement it's hard to believe that they will be defeated today against a poor road game, and they are certainly aware of what kind of the team they will face. So, they will also have to be good defenders and hold the scorers for Bobcats, and take advantage of their scorers, particularly LeBron.
Both teams are good defenders, and in last 5 games, Cavaliers are holding the opponents allowing only 88 points and Bobcats with only 92 points. This is because both teams are trying to improve their game and making their defense better, as they have weapons to do so. Today, both teams will face each other, and the questions is, who is the better defense?
Pick: Under 187 -110 (1.91) 5Dimes
Indiana Pacers @ New York Knicks
First of all, there is a little tendency to unders on Sundays for most NBA teams. But that isn't the reason for this play. Knicks are 8-0 on under last 8 home games. The last time they scored more than 100 points were one month ago. The last time they allowed more than 100 points, were before the end of November. Long time without a doubt. That is because Knicks have made some adjusts, and after they started the season without caring about their defense, they realize that they needed to make also a defensive game when it's about to defense, in order to keep control of the games.
For Indiana this is a B2B game. The last time they passed the 100 points mark, was 6 road games away, more than 3 weeks ago. Despite a 233 points last nigh game, Pacers are without their major players, and will not play against a week team as Timberwolves are being right now. They were with 8 straight losses before last nigh win, showing that they miss Granger, and trying to adjust their "run and gun" game to a low pace, as Dunleavy is not so quick as Granger. In order to try to get a second win on a row, they need to be effective against a team that is showing a good home game.
Despite this seems a run and gun teams, and a low line, the truth is that neither of these teams have even been close of that number in their last home/road games respectively. Pacer are coming finally from a win, and without so many players, they will have a letdown due to euphoria. Knicks are with 2 straight losses at home, and will try hard to turn things, specially with the high moral they get on their last game. They will be solid on defense, as that will be something easy with their advantage, and Knicks are not a kind of team that shutdown their opponents as much as they can, and if they get a comfortable margin, they will certainly low down their pace.
Pick: Under 207.5 -110 (1.91) The Greek
Charlotte Bobcats @ Cleveland Cavaliers
This is a matchup that were already played in the the first games of the season. In that time, Cavaliers hold the Bobcats with a 90-79 and a 169 points game.
Now, Bobcats are quite different, as they added a pure scorer to their roster, Jackson. And they are motivated, as they won their last road game, something they were chasing in their last road games. Now, I believe that they use their motivation to discuss this game, and there is only a way to do it, being a bright defense, and keep a low pace. And that isn't difficult, as Bobcats are the best defenders on the league.
Cavaliers are playing better day by day. But there is a strange tendency, as they are 40-12 on unders on Sundays. Today we can expect the same. With their improvement it's hard to believe that they will be defeated today against a poor road game, and they are certainly aware of what kind of the team they will face. So, they will also have to be good defenders and hold the scorers for Bobcats, and take advantage of their scorers, particularly LeBron.
Both teams are good defenders, and in last 5 games, Cavaliers are holding the opponents allowing only 88 points and Bobcats with only 92 points. This is because both teams are trying to improve their game and making their defense better, as they have weapons to do so. Today, both teams will face each other, and the questions is, who is the better defense?
Pick: Under 187 -110 (1.91) 5Dimes
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