re: Basketball Bet Thread 12-21-12

here's what caught my eye in the association

Raptors -3.5 - The team is dramatically better w/ Alan Anderson inserted in the starting lineup. Bargnani/Lowry injuries appear to be addition by subtraction, especially considering its giving Calderon more minutes. Team is actually good at home and Glen Davis is out. McRoberts/Nicholson might spell Davis effectively, but on a team that's already lousy offensively losing scoring hurts.

Bulls +6 - Somethings gotta give here.. the #1 team i the league at defending the 3 (not only in %, but in limiting attempts) v a team whose offensive production is 35% from beyond the arc. I just like this matchup for the Bulls. They held the Knicks to their worst offensive performance of the year last time, somethings gotta give. Knicks are a gimmicky offense... very few points in paint, from FT line, and in transition... its mostly reliant on the 3 ball and I think the Bulls can do a good job of disrupting the ball movement and chasing off the line.

Spurs -13.5 - Because the Hornets are that bad. Davis makes a negligible difference, as the team is horrid when he's on the court defensively. Spurs are a great 3-PT shooting team and Hornets are worst in league defending it. I saw Pekovic/Howard dominate the Hornets and expect Duncan can as well. Leonard is back. Spurs have the depth/bench to blow teams out (132-102 v Bobcats, 118-92 v Wizards, etc)...really think this could be a 20+ point beatdown.

Wizards +6- Team is better w/o Beal and with nene/Cartier Martin. solid defensive club. The Pistons essentially have no home court advantage. I think the Pistons bigs can maybe do some damage but the Wizards/Pistons gap isn't big enough to be 6 points IMO.