End of January NBA Action
As you would expect, there were plenty of Friday night games in the NBA to look back on, and there are plenty of Saturday NBA games to look forward to. There are only two NBA games on Sunday to look out for; the SuperBowl demands attention in America but there is still more than enough great basketball action to keep you entertained.
The 76ers grabbed a big win on Friday night, defeating the Timberwolves by a score of 103-94. The Raptors edged a close game in Brooklyn, defeating the Nets by a score of 122-127. The Cavaliers were winners again, defeating the Kings 101-90 and the Pelicans edged the Clippers in a tight game in New Orleans, winning 108-103. The Suns downed the Bulls in Phoenix, winning 99-93.
The Rockets won in Boston, defeating the Celtics by a score of 87-93. The Hawks held out in the end against Portland, winning 105-99. The Heat were trounced in Miami by the Mavericks, losing 72-93. The Jazz won at home, defeating the Golden State Warriors by a score of 110-100.
Portland Trail Blazers @ Milwaukee Bucks
The Trail Blazers hold a 32-15 record, including a 12-10 record on the road but things have been a bit difficult for the team from Portland of late. They have managed to lose their last two games in a row and the 10 game record for the Trail Blazers makes for rather grim reading, they hold a 3-7 record.
Things are slightly brighter for the Bucks of late, even if their overall record pales when placed next to the Trail Blazers. The Bucks have a 24-22 record but they have won 2 in a row and they hold a 6-4 record in their last 10 games. The Bucks have a 10-10 record, which is poorer than their 14-12 record away from home.
With respect to average points scored, the Portland team have notched 102.7 while the Bucks have scored 98.8. With respect to average points allowed, the Trail Blazers have allowed 97.4 while the Bucks have given up 97.2, so there isn’t a lot between the two teams.
Even though the Trail Blazers were in the lead at the end of all the first three quarters on Friday against Atlanta, they lost out in the end, defeated by a score of 105-99. The Bucks were last in action on Thursday and they scored an excellent 100-115 win in Orlando against the Magic.
Nicolas Batum is being monitored on a daily basis by the Trail Blazers while John Henson, Ersan Ilyasova and Zara Pachulia are all causing concern for the Bucks.
This could go either way, and it may be the day when the Trail Blazers get their campaign back on track. Taking them with a -2 handicap, and odds of 1.90, is likely to be a smart option for Saturday. Bet Now!
Houston Rockets @ Detroit Pistons
The Rockets are on a winning streak of four heading into this game, and they have a 33-14 record in total. This includes a 17-7 record on the road, and the Rockets have won more games on the road (17) than home games so far this season (16). They come up against a Pistons side that rallied, but have now suffered four straight defeats in a row, holding a 17-30 record. The home record for the Pistons so far is 7-16.
There is a big difference between the average points scored for the teams, with the Rockets serving up 102.7 on average in a game while the Rockets have delivered an average of 97.5 points per game. When it comes to average points allowed, the Rockets are on 98.7 points and the Pistons have given up an average of 100 points per game. In their last ten outings, the Rockets have a 4-6 record while the Pistons are sitting on a 4-6 record.
This will be the first time Josh Smith gets to play against the Rockets since they waived him in December, a move that started the Rockets good run of form. It will be interesting to see how he performs in this game as he will no doubt have plenty to prove.
The Rockets come into this one on the back of Friday night win in Boston, defeating the Celtics 87-93 and the team from Houston will be keen to continue their success on the road. The Pistons were last in action on Wednesday and they lost to the 76ers! The 89-69 loss in Philadelphia was a crushing blow to the Pistons confidence, so there will be focus on how they start in this game.
Dwight Howard and Terrence Jones are likely to be absent for the Rockets while the Pistons look to be in good shape with respect to fitness.
The Pistons have proven that they can bounce back from difficult situations this season but taking the Rockets with a -5 handicap, and odds of 1.90, is likely to be a sensible bet for Saturday. Bet Now!
Philadelphia 76ers @ Atlanta Hawks
The 76ers have a massive task in this game, pitting their 10-37 record, and a road record of 5-19, against the NBA juggernauts. This is because they are heading to Atlanta, a team with a 39-8 record, which includes a 22-3 record at home, and 18 wins in a row. Yes, the Hawks have 8 more games in a row than the 76ers have managed all season so far. This could be a monumental night in Atlanta, no matter what the final score is!
The 76ers have actually won their last two games, so they have a bit of confidence about them, but they’ll be keen to overlook their 3-7 record in the last 10 games. With respect to average points scored, the 76ers have 89.7 while the Hawks are on 103.7. For average points allowed, the 76ers are on 101.4 and the Hawks hold a 96.3 record, so the stats are definitely with the home team for this one.
Both teams were in action on Friday night, the Philadelphia home fans enjoyed a 103-94 home win against the Bucks while the Hawks fans enjoyed a 105-99 win against the Trail Blazers.
Jason Richardson is a big doubt for the 76ers while Michael Carter-Williams is being monitored on a daily basis. The Hawks are likely to be without Shelvin Mack while DeMarre Carroll and Thabo Sefolosha are being monitored on a daily basis.
It should be a win for the Hawks, and it should be a comfortable win for the Atlanta side. However, having the option of the 76ers with a +17 handicap at odds of 1.90 is an enticing one that could make your weekend. Bet Now!
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