3-Unit Play #502 Take Detroit +7 Over Denver (7:30 p.m. EST, Thursday)
Taking a shot on the home underdog here. Detroit has been playing much better lately and they have won and covered in four of their last five outings. They do come in on a back to back and Denver had the night off and we are sure that is factored into this line already. However, what we don’t think is factored into this line is the fact that this will be Denver ‘s third road game in four nights and we really think the wear-and-tear level will be about equal for these teams tonight. Also, even though Ben Gordon is listed as questionable for the Pistons he was a game-time decision last night and he didn’t go so that increases the likelihood that he will be back tonight and his 19 points a game will be a great boon to this Detroit offense against a Denver team that can put the ball in the basket. Detroit has actually dominated this series as they have won four straight and four of five with the only loss coming in OT.
3-Unit Play #503 Take Boston/Washington UNDER 195 (8 p.m. EST, Thursday)
Boston loves to do what they do best on TNT Thursday and that is play defense. The under is 27-11 on TNT Thursday when the country is watching. We usually don’t put a lot of credence in “day of the week” stats but you can tell that Boston likes to play defense on the national stage and that this is a trend that started even before they were a defensive-oriented ballclub. We have to take a look at the under anytime we see a Boston total in the mid-190s and this one fit the bill for a pick. Boston has been playing some stifling defense lately and have not allowed an opponent to score more than 90 points in their last five contests. They have allowed just 87 PPG during that span. Washington is far from an offensive juggernaut an d their scores have been inflated lately by playing some real bad defensive teams.
3-Unit Play #506 Take Orlando/Utah UNDER 202 (10:35 p.m. EST, Thursday)
Utah scored a pitiful six points in the fourth quarter last night in a game against the Lakers and lost by 24 in a game where they actually led at halftime! I don’t know, but there is a very good chance that that bugaboo could carry over into tonight’s game. It has to be sticking around in their heads, at the very least. Orlando has had some very high totals lately but look at who they have played recently: Golden State, Milwaukee and New York twice on their recent string of overs. Orlando, however, is a team that can adapt to who they are playing and tonight we see more of a defensive-centered game. Orlando is Top 6 in the NB A in both points allowed and defensive field goal percentage. Also, Utah is pretty banged up right now and that has to be affecting their offensive continuity (again, see six-point fourth quarter last night). Orlando is also a team that likes to flex their defensive muscle on TNT as the under is 14-3 in the last 17 Thursday games.
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