NBA Eastern Conference Rundown – 5 Game Parlay

Sixers At Home, Miami and New Jersey On Road

PHILADELPHIA 76ers -10.5 over Minnesota Timberwolves
I think the Wolves are a team to watch in 2009, starting in the Fall of next season. They have four potential first-round picks and Al Jefferson returning. And while a 15-6-1 ATS record on the road is highly encouraging against a double-digit spread, Philadelphia is clicking on all cylinders right now going 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games. The Sixers have always had mountains of trouble with the Wolves, but Minnesota is entrenched with injuries making them an iffy play at best.

Charlotte Bobcats -6.5 over WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Will he or won’t he? If Gilbert Arenas actually suits up this weekend, the real question is: Do you really give a game? Lord knows the Wiz would need a fully healthy Arenas to challenge the surging Bobcats who are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games. On top of that, they’re 5-2 ATS on the road, and Washington has gone winless in the last five games. With a  paltry 1-4 ATS record at home, bet against the Washington Wizards tonight.

TORONTO RAPTORS -4 over Milwaukee Bucks
Yep, one more time with the Raptors! The odd thing about the Raptors is that Andrea Bargnani, widely suggested as a first overall draft pick bust, is playing out of his mind. With 17.8 points and 6.3 boards over the last five games, maybe the Raptors weren’t so wrong about the Italian boy wonder. Toronto has a long way to go, as do the Bucks, but the pieces are in place if they can resign Marion and acquire a stealthy do-it-all guard in the draft (Willie Warren, anyone?). Bet the Raptors to reward their betting faithful against the Bucks, who are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 on the road.

Miami Heat +1 over INDIANA PACERS
Dwyane Wade and the Heat have always struggled on the road, and a 1-4 SU record away from home is proof. But the Pacers are stumbling in a bad way. Indiana is 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games, and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 at home. Nobody can keep up with Wade, unless Granger explodes beyond his current abilities which I don’t see likely. The Heat are coming together at the right time, officially becoming the teams you don’t want to meet in Round One of the NBA Playoffs. Go against the grain, and bet Miami on the road tonight.

NEW YORK KNICKS -7 over LA Clippers
Clippers on the road! JOY! Knick at home! Uber Joy! Well, with this spread anyways. The Knicks’ oddsmakers started inflating lines on the Knicks whenever they played at Madison Square Garden, explaining their 2-6 ATS record in their last 8 games at home. But these are the Clippers, who are 3-8 ATS when playing New York. As the line normalizes against the Knicks, take the line even with the injuries. The beauty of D’Antoni’s system is that…well, who cares? It’s the freaking Clippers!