Originally Posted by
dRavidC
NBA 3/16
Denver @ Atlanta O 202 LOSS
The last 5 Atlanta home games have averaged 188.4 points, which means this goes under right? No, not exactly. Atlanta's last 3 opponents at home have been slow-tempo and defence-minded teams in the Lakers, Trail Blazers and the Bucks. The last 5 Denver road games have averaged 207.6. Now if we look at Denver's most recent road game, they played the New Orlean Hornets and the game total posted was 197.5. The game total sailed over to 217. If Denver can put up that many points against a side that plays a similar style to Atlanta, what's to say they won't do the same here. Also, Atlanta are playing the 2nd of a back-to-back so I think there will be less defensive pressure and I expect both teams to put up 100+ points. Just another point, the last time these teams played the game total only went up to 190 and the fact that the posted total is at 202 is a hint that the bookies believe that the game is a high-scoring one.
Oklahoma City @ Miami O 201.5 LOSS
The last 5 Miami home game totals have averaged 189.8 points. The last 5 Oklahoma City road game totalled have averaged 202.6 points. However Miami are averaging 100.8 points in their past 5 home games while Oklahoma City are averaging 106.6 points in thier past 5 away games. 100.8 + 106.6 > 201.5. It will be a full strength Miami side taking on a full strength Oklahoma City and I expect an offensive show here. What's to say this won't be a Laker-Miami type game total (i.e. a 160-180 game total)? Well for a start, Oklahoma City are an offensive-minded team and are in great shooting form. Miami is the sort of team that play with an adaptive approach. They'll play with a deffensive-approach against a team that they are on revenge against or a really good defensive team (i.e. Boston, Chicago, Lakers). They are in neither situation tonight, so I am expecting a free-flowing and exciting NBA game which might get slower in the 4th quarter if the scores are close but by then the total will be on track on hit.