THE GOLD SHEET
★★★ KEY RELEASES ★★★
“OVER” in the Washington-Dallas game (Wed., Jan. 1)
★★★ OVER THE TOTAL WASHINGTON 111 - Dallas 105—Rematch of
Dallas’ 105-95 win at AmericanAirlines Center back on Nov. 12 when Wizards
did not provide much help to Nene, by far the leading scorer in the game with 27
points. But Washington appears to be a different team than it did in mid-
November, as Wizards had won three in a row on recent road trip thru Dec. 26.
Return to active duty of G Bradley Beal has sparked an offensive surge that saw
Wizards score 107 ppg and hit 31 of 59 from 3-point range in last three before
facing Twolves last Friday. Might also look “over,” as Mavs that way last 5, and
7 of last 8, and Wizards “over” last five, both thru Dec. 26. 13-DAL -5' 105-95
(206); 12-DAL -8' 107-101 (192), Dal -4 103-94 (192)
Indiana 100 - TORONTO 89—While Toronto has been offering decent
spread value on the road (and where it slipped inside 8½ -point spread at
Indiana on Nov. 8), it has not been doing so at Air Canada Centre, where it had
dropped 9 of first 12 vs. points thru Dec. 27. Meanwhile, high-flying Indiana is
11-3 vs. line away; Raptors 3-9 vs. spread at Air Canada Centre thru Dec. 27.
13-IND -8' 91-84 (187); 12-Ind -1' 90-88 (188), Tor +9 74-72 (185), Tor +7' 100-
98 (OT-189), Ind -2 93-81 (185)
MINNESOTA 109 - New Orleans 107—Refer to Minny’s game on Monday
vs. Dallas, because heading into Christmas, T-wolves had covered back-toback
games only once since Nov. 13. Return of Anthony Davis to active duty
for Pelicans suggests that new Orleans might start to cover some numbers in
the dog role as it used to do with regularity in the earlier days of HC Monty
Williams’ regime, as near-miss at Portland and romp at Sacto prior to Christmas
provide some hope. Best call at Target Center, however, might be “over,” as
Hornets that way 13-6 last 19 thru Dec. 26. 12-Min -4' 113-102 (184), NO -2'
104-92 (183), No +7' 91-83 (179), MIN +1' 97-95 (190)
DENVER 102 - Philadelphia 87—Denver is struggling a bit lately (no
covers last four). Since ranking sixth in the NBA scoring with 104.0 points per
game on Dec. 7, the Nuggets have been one of the league’s lowest-scoring
teams with a 90.6-point average (thru Dec. 26) . Their 40.4 FG % and 26.9% 3-
point shooting were the NBA’s worst marks over that span, and Denver has
only reached 100 points twice in its last 10 games. But it’s going to take a lot of
adjustments on the Nuggets by the oddsmakers to get us interested in the
skidding Sixers, who had covered just 2 of their last 13 and had won SU just 3
of their last 19 thru Dec. 26. ”Totals” alert—Denver “under” last 8, and 10 of last
11 thru Dec. 26, though Philly “over” last 5 thru Dec. 27. 13-Den -7 103-92
(210); 12-PHI +1' 84-75 (198), DEN -14' 101-100 (205)
LA CLIPPERS 100 - Charlotte 96—One of the best road trends in the
league this season has been owned by none other than the Bobcats. Prior to
last Saturday at Atlanta, Charlotte has covered 10 of its first 11 as a road dog
this season! And Charlotte has been surging of late with four wins in its last five
games (thru Dec. 26), reaching the rarified air of a .500 mark in the process.
Yes, Bobcats are a playoff contender in the (L)East! Even with covers in five of
their last six entering last Thursday at Portland, reluctant lay hefty price with
Clips against combative Charlotte. 12-La -8' 100-94 (200), LA -16' 106-84 (197)
Reply With Quote