NBA Friday Night – All Your Games and Picks

Boston Celtics -5 over DETROIT PISTONS

The Pistons look freaking awful. I’m so sick of this team. Why did they trade, Chauncey?! A.I. may have revolutionized in to less of a me-first guy, but he’s still 33-years old! The Three Party is back to lay the smack down, and the Pistons are ready to get sent to the annex with the other mid-carders. Boston makes strong statements in games like this, especially when an old rival is limping through the 2009 NBA betting season. Take the C’s, undefeated against the spread in their last 5 games.

Miami Heat +3 over INDIANA PACERS

It’s times like these that I appreciate the fact that most oddsmakers I know are also drunk half the time. The Pacers are just 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games, but that’s facing some big spreads. The Heat are catching fire, going 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games on the road. Removing Shawn Marion, who’s locked in trade rumors lately, from the lineup has only made this team better. Adding Jermaine O’Neal might push this team over the edge…

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS -11.5 over Washington Wizards

Are the Wizards going to pop the Cristal when they reach double-digit wins? Probably. This season has been morbid for the Wizards. The Sixers, meanwhile, have been thrashing the spread with a 9-3 ATS record over their last 12 games, including going 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games. They’ve slowly earned the respect of the betting world back, but they’ve done it mostly without Elton Brand. And guess who’s back…it’s worth watching…

TORONTO RAPTORS -7.5 over Milwaukee Bucks

As I said the other day, all bets are off with the Bucks. They’re not going to put up points, or threaten the spread, against better teams without Redd trying to prove his trade value. Toronto, meanwhile, restored some faith by winning three games this past week in big ways. They crushed Sacramento and Chicago by double-digit margins, and also outlasted VC and the nets en route to a nail biting victory over their storied traitor. Now they get to face a Bucks team that has plummeted to 1-6 ATS in the last 7 games.

ATLANTA HAWKS -7.5 over New Jersey Nets

You’ve got four deadly scorers, but only one of them plays defense (Josh Smith). How exactly do the Nets plan on snapping out of this incredible slump? Lord knows, but a trade for Carter is in the works. I hope they send him to the Clippers. That would be so awesome. When in doubt, take the home team by the points. The Nets are 14-6 ATS in their last 20 road games, but I don’t trust them right now. They’re off kilter, and the Hawks are warriors.

LEBRON JAMES -16.5 over LA Clippers

How do you respond to a drubbing at the hands of an MVP candidate and a new elite team in the East (Orlando)? By beating the crap out of the Clipper. Have fun, LeBron!