Posts tagged with “nba playoff seedings”

FREE PLAY BULLS VS BOBCATS

Wednesday, 16 April, 2014

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As of late the Chicago Bulls have been as erratic as can be for a team about to enter the playoffs. They lost badly to the Knicks a few nights ago and had to fight off a depleted Orlando Magic team just the other night. Two days ago I delivered on a free play winner right here with the Grizzlies over the Suns. The stakes in that game were the last seed in the Western Conference. The line crept higher and higher on Phoenix as bettors were attracted to the home court edge + the stakes.

Often times those are spots to reward yourself as a contrarian against the masses. Today should prove to be the same against a Bobcats team that I’ve been extremely disappointed in to conclude the season. It’s no secret they lack a true center. Opposing teams are able to get offensive rebounds at will and attack the interior with post-play or guards driving to the hoop.

Their strength had been perimeter defense and team ball on the offensive end of the court. Besides Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker this team as a whole has fallen on both ends of the court. Things could change but facing a Bulls team that has not exactly lived up to their solid play of around a month ago is going to prove to be a challenge.

The stakes factor is that the Bobcats could potentially swap spots with the Wizards and get a better playoff draw with a win and Wizards loss. Play against that notion and play the Bulls moneyline or +1.

NBA: Spurs vs Oklahoma City

Thursday, 3 April, 2014

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The San Antonio Spurs captured their 19th straight win last night, with a dazzling performance over the Golden State Warriors. It’s a continuous yearly theme for the Spurs that does not skip a beat. Last season the anticipated matchup of the Spurs and Thunder hit a snag when Russ Westbrook’s knee injury occurred. Tonight’s game should have a feel of a Western Conference finals matchup. Lets take a look at it from a point spread standpoint.

Oddmaker’s opened the line in favor of the Thunder at -4. A generous amount of points considering how hot the Spurs have been. Top tier teams in the western conference have been tough to beat at home, and the Thunder are definitely one of the elite. An important element to consider with the Spurs is how poor they were a season ago in back to back games. A main reason that occurred was because of Coach Poppovich’s strategy in reducing or resting his players.

I would not be surprised to see Poppovich pull that type of manuever tonight as he could careless about an early April victory. His eyes and his team’s are on what will be done playoff time. On the Thunder’s side of things they want to get the upper hand at home and do so in front of a nationally televised game.

Play the Thunder tonight at minus four.