* denotes back to back - injuries and situations not included
First number is book opener - number in () is my projection
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Miami 178 (186.90)
Cleveland -18 (-6.79)
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San Antonio 191.5 (193.16)
LA Lakers -6 (-1.24)
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Toronto 186 (186.58)
Detroit -6.5 (-5.03)
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Orlando -4 (-18.36)
Chicago 203.5 (204.22)
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Houston 209 (201.64)
*Denver -6 (+3.4)
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*Dallas -9.5 (-10.38)
Seattle 198.5 (196.58)
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1. Houston +7 (on the buy)
This Denver team still doesn't impress me at all I don't understand why this line is so high, maybe because it's a 'must win' for them. Must win or not, Houston isn't just going to roll over and let Denver win. Houston has the biggest active winning streak going in the NBA with 5 straight wins AND 5 straight covers mainly because of the solid play of their bench. Houston is still jockeying for position with Phoenix and I can't see them just not showing up for this game. Denver is in the 2nd half of a back to back so that can't help too much either. The only concern i have for this game is Shane Battier being questionable. I have a value difference of 12 from books to my line and even if Battier doesn't play he's not worth 12 points. Like i said before, Houston's bench has been stepping up. I think it's worth the bet. Just too many points for a coin flip game. Don't be surprised if Houston wins outright.