Home court advantage is an enormous factor in this rivalry series. The home team has won seven of the previous ten meetings between these two sides. With the Knicks experiencing superfluous woes on the road this season, the Nets are a huge value play here. This is enhanced by Brooklyn being a short-sold favorite given all the attention the underdog Knicks received already in this contest. The Nets in their own right play an elevated brand of basketball in the Barclay’s Center and this situation sets up ideally for Brooklyn to take advantage. Spot the bucket.

We saw Chicago enter come in to their hosting duties against the New York Knicks taking back a similar tag. This is where Chicago’s home-winning streak begun. Utah is by no means a team that should be spotting points on the road given their track record this season. This is amplified by the fact the Jazz have been on a skid whilst Chicago has resurged. However, many look at the records in this contest alone and hit sell on Chicago. We would advise interested parties to do no such thing. Chicago’s recent run of victories in the United Center showcases why this outfit is known for its traditional home court advantage. The fact the Bulls can take down the Celtics in the Windy City should reveal that the Jazz could be stepping into a nasty trap here. Once again we are going to champion that the Bulls are worth a look on the Money Line.

Situational betting is a big part of what we practice and preach. The fact remains when you get a team like Atlanta who is in poor form and compare them to the likes of Cleveland who looks more and more like the juggernaut we see on a regular basis, there is an opportunity to snag some extraordinary value. When backing the Cavaliers, a hidden premium is inflicted on takers in any market regardless of the location of venue. This is especially true when their opponent is classed as weaker. However, Atlanta does not seem to think so. If there has been a team within the East that has been a pest for this outfit, it is indeed the Atlanta Hawks. That is why we have to step in and snag the Hawks with a likely inflated number.

The Raptors are playing excellent basketball winning six consecutive games, four of the games by double digits over that stretch and went a profitable 4-2 against the number. That said, the Clippers have a big scheduling edge tonight with Toronto playing their third game in four days, back to back with travel. The host is rested and are coming off a confidence building victory in their latest sand are my choice here.

Many may gaze at this line and consider it a gift given the fact the East’s best team is spotting such a low number to a team on a nasty skid currently. However, the market has faith that this game can change the dynamics for Detroit in particular. Undoubtedly, the Pistons are a dangerous team at home and play arguably as good as any team in the country when they are in the Motor City. The Pistons are 7-3 ATS in Detroit this season and thus we will ride the hot hand while we can. The Pistons outright get the call.

Any time we see a team with a charted record of trouble on the road spotting points, we see a prime fade target. This is especially the case with the Knicks. New York has one of the most renowned home court advantages in all of the league, the problem is they are playing an old rival in an animated environment of their own. All these narratives make Chicago an especially delectable play here. New York already has several woes from behind the three-point line (35.6%) and the free throw line (78.5%). This will likely be enhanced by the hostile crowd getting in the face of the team from the Big Apple. This also gives Chicago the chance to be a live dog be that they may have a tough team being put away here. Not only are the points an appetizing venture, the Bulls are worth a look on the Money Line.

Continuing a philosophy that we adhere to here and champion, we will urge any takers to stay clear of Golden State given the premiums they are bound to inflict upon punters. This could be an especially perilous spot given the fact the Warriors are spotting points to a Detroit team that has been dominant at home, this season. There is a very good chance that the price here is bait. Regardless of the public acknowledging the fact that the low hanging fruit is a huge trap, Golden State is in position here for a big let-down. Detroit may not only cover but win outright here.

Apparent home court advantage seems to be a prevailing factor in how this market taking shape. However, home court advantage has been invisible in this series as of late. The fact remains that Philadelphia opened spotting nearly ten points to the guests. As of recent, Philadelphia was more inclined to be in the position to be the taker than giver of such lumber. The Sixers’ performance against Phoenix brandishes why this team is a perilous prop when they are heavy favorites. There is no reason why Los Angeles can’t shock Philly on its own court here either. Take the points.

It is very hard to fade Detroit when they have been a value play all-season long and have also shown stark improvement as a unit overall. This is true even with the current losing streak. The Bucks assuredly play a different brand of basketball when at home but the Pistons were still able to generate a cover in the last meeting between the two regardless of the fact. This is likely due to the fact Milwaukee may subject takers to a hidden premium when they are on their own court. As is a commonality of any Bucks fixture, the talk of this game will surround the NBA’s next big thing the forward Giannis Antetokuonmpo otherwise known as The Greek Freak. However, as great as he is Milwaukee still finds itself running in the middle of the pack in the East. Detroit is the better team offered at a better price. Pistons outright get the call.

Seven out of the last eight in this series have gone over the number including their match this season where the Trailblazers won in Washington 108-105. That game was the first one missed by star point guard John Wall and I think that impacted the team. Portland shot 51.2 % in that game a number I ddon’t think that they repeat this go around. Washington is coming off of their worst offensive performance of any team this season in the NBA and will certainly improve, but I think that without Wall in the line-up, the team will have to rely on their defensive to lead them to victory and that starts tonight.

C Mason Plumlee finished plus 26 in their latest, but I just don’t feel that he is as defensively sound as C Nikola Jokic who is out for this game. Dallas has played well at home in recent games going 3-2 including in that number was an overtime loss to the Celtics. The Nuggets are just 1-5 in their last six on the road losing all but the Knicks loss (110-116) by double digits.

Despite Atlanta winning by convincing margins in Brooklyn, the market is reluctant to believe the Hawks are capable of such dominance again even on their own court. This is reflected in the low-hanging fruit we see in this market. The Hawks seem like a steal here and the public has followed suit and scoffed up Atlanta with the minimal spread. There is an old saying that we like to apply frequently to scenarios like this one: if it is too good to be true, it most certainly is. The Nets played extremely sloppy on Saturday and chances are they will clean this up and adjust. With that being said, we will happily give away the bucket and take Brooklyn outright as that enhances our return by 30% if successful. The Nets outright get the nod.

Laying road points can be a dicey proposition no matter what teams are playing. Sure, the Warriors are built to dominate anywhere it goes but a double-digit cushion is a lot to ask given the nature of basketball as a whole. The Warriors’ presence in this contest is bound to inflate the points to an even friendlier number to Heat takers. This narrative offers tremendous equity for Heat takers given the fact Miami has beaten the East’s best team Boston in Miami, already this season. So there is plenty upset potential to complement the generous cushion. Chances are Golden State’s name is driving this market alone but this team seems far more beatable compared to previous year’s editions. After all, one of the West’s lowlier teams the Lakers managed to take this Warriors team to overtime last Wednesday in the City of Angels. Take advantage of the Warriors whilst they are extremely overvalued. Grab the points.

Home court advantage seems to be a presiding factor in how this market taking shape. However, home court advantage was thrown out the window the last time these two met as Philadelphia had its way in the Motor City. Though Philadelphia has been a team that has been undervalued to an egregious extent, the market seems to finally be catching up to the Sixers as they are no longer the marginalized unit they once were. Now, Sixers takers can expect to lay more lumber when this club is at home which means the value on this unit has begun to evaporate. Given Detroit’s performance in DC, the Pistons are in a prime position to bounce back as a loss against a John Wall-less Wizards well activate the sell switch a lot quicker than Philly losing to the Celtics (the East’s best team). Great fade opportunity on the table. Take the points.

As we have stated previously, when you back the Raptors in the Air Canada Centre there is likely a premium to do so. When you add in the fact that Toronto continues to win at home and now sits at 7-1 SU this is almost a certitude. The Pacers have two key advantages that can not only foster a cover but perhaps orchestrate an upset: turnovers and rebounding. The Pacers are known for a more rugged brand of basketball and as a result they produce on average 1.2 more boards per game. This is vital in creating second chances and when turnovers are thrown into the mix, Toronto may have a tough time putting them away. Take the points.

Buying low and selling high is a key component of sports betting. These two teams typify that scenario. Cleveland is red-hot and appears to be back in its usual dominant form. As a result, takers will have to pay to back them and are likely subjected to an inflated point spread. Atlanta is likely to be on the beneficial end of such a narrative be that they own one of the worst records in the NBA. Cleveland backers have to pay to bet on them. Atlanta takers are bound to be courted with extra points. The Hawks offer tremendous value in this situation.

A huge scheduling edge for the Pelicans with the Timberwolves playing back to back with travel and their third game in four nights. Minnesota did pick up the win in their last visit here back on November 1st, but New Orleans has been playing well since winning four of their last five as a host getting the cover in three of the four victories. Lay the points.

Despite the Cleveland loss, the Sixers had won three in a row at home since falling to Golden State in the City of Brotherly Love. Against the Warriors, the 76ers even managed to make a game of that one while they were at it. Without Wall on the court, Philadelphia should feast here.

While we consistently mine the boards to find value on a side, Over/Under plays can offer tremendous value as well. This is the case certainly today with the market in this contest. In six of their last eight outings, Cleveland has eclipsed the 110-point mark. The offense has undergone a burst of a catalytic fury and the league has felt its effects. Miami has broken the 100-point mark in each of their three consecutive victories. The culmination of both teams’ offensive operations hitting their stride cultivates a scenario where defenses are left by the waste side in what will be a high-scoring affair. While there may be many incentives for both Dewayne Wade and LeBron James to play their best against a team they both powered to a NBA Championship, that is narration that we cannot bank on and often sets up takers for a let-down. If the previous edition of this series is any indicator of what to expect, the Over has incredible upside here.

The Lakers didn’t look good in their most recent getting beat down by Kings, but they were playing back to back with travel. They looked good in their previous two getting home victories over Chicago and Denver. They’re just 2-6 against the number on the road, but face a Clippers team who will be playing their first home game after a lengthy road trip. That’s a strong angle and I believe the expected return of Larry Nance Jr. will give the Lakers the added momentum to get us the money tonight.