MIN 1Q, O49 (2U) WIN
Both teams, defensively, give up an average of 25.4 points combined in the first quarter so far this year, and even though they're not exactly potent offenses in the first quarter (combined to average 22 points), both of these teams will be fatigued as they are both playing they're third game in four days. Defense will be few and far between, and I believe these teams can both score at least 25 points each in this first quarter.
OKC -2.5 (1U) WIN
Ok.. I get it. This is supposed to be a trap game. OKC only two point favorites is to good to be true. Everyone is saying it's a trap game so it must be, right? Well, no, not necessarily. It was a trap game when CHI came to BOS last Friday and were only favorites by 3.5, and that didn't exactly turn out how everyone thought. This will only be OKC's 2nd game in 5 days, while BOS is playing their 4th in 6 days. The ATS records at away and home, respectively, are not much different with OKC 3-3 away and BOS 2-4 at home. Despite 80% of the public being on OKC, I am actually going to go with OKC, as I like to fade the public in types of games like this. OKC is younger, bigger and better then BOS. I don't buy the angle that "BOS gets up for big games like this" (see Bulls, Chicago on 1/13), and I especially don't buy "there's no way BOS loses five in a row" or "BOS needs this win" because as a wise man once said, if a team NEEDS a win, then they must not be that good.
DAL/LAL 1Q, O 46.5 (1U) LOSS
DAL +3.5 (1U) WIN
To get this game started off, I believe the LAL will want to come out firing, especially Kobe, given he's been dropping 40+ a night the last couple of games and wants to come out with something to prove against the defending World Champions. The Mavs are going to want to come out firing as well, trying to establish themselves on LAL's home court, in front of a national audience. DAL last two games didn't require much energy (winning by 39 and 26, respectively) on top of a day off, they'll be pushing hard in the first quarter. Both these teams are on the older side so I expect it to slow down in the second quarter, with DAL outside shooting keeping it close. Both teams combine, on average, to score 49.9 points per 1st quarter, so my pick is over in the first quarter and DAL keeping it close throughout.
There might be a few picks later. Check back.
Both teams, defensively, give up an average of 25.4 points combined in the first quarter so far this year, and even though they're not exactly potent offenses in the first quarter (combined to average 22 points), both of these teams will be fatigued as they are both playing they're third game in four days. Defense will be few and far between, and I believe these teams can both score at least 25 points each in this first quarter.
OKC -2.5 (1U) WIN
Ok.. I get it. This is supposed to be a trap game. OKC only two point favorites is to good to be true. Everyone is saying it's a trap game so it must be, right? Well, no, not necessarily. It was a trap game when CHI came to BOS last Friday and were only favorites by 3.5, and that didn't exactly turn out how everyone thought. This will only be OKC's 2nd game in 5 days, while BOS is playing their 4th in 6 days. The ATS records at away and home, respectively, are not much different with OKC 3-3 away and BOS 2-4 at home. Despite 80% of the public being on OKC, I am actually going to go with OKC, as I like to fade the public in types of games like this. OKC is younger, bigger and better then BOS. I don't buy the angle that "BOS gets up for big games like this" (see Bulls, Chicago on 1/13), and I especially don't buy "there's no way BOS loses five in a row" or "BOS needs this win" because as a wise man once said, if a team NEEDS a win, then they must not be that good.
DAL/LAL 1Q, O 46.5 (1U) LOSS
DAL +3.5 (1U) WIN
To get this game started off, I believe the LAL will want to come out firing, especially Kobe, given he's been dropping 40+ a night the last couple of games and wants to come out with something to prove against the defending World Champions. The Mavs are going to want to come out firing as well, trying to establish themselves on LAL's home court, in front of a national audience. DAL last two games didn't require much energy (winning by 39 and 26, respectively) on top of a day off, they'll be pushing hard in the first quarter. Both these teams are on the older side so I expect it to slow down in the second quarter, with DAL outside shooting keeping it close. Both teams combine, on average, to score 49.9 points per 1st quarter, so my pick is over in the first quarter and DAL keeping it close throughout.
There might be a few picks later. Check back.