NBA
12-26-2014

Atlanta Hawks vs Milwaukee Bucks

Home - Atlanta Hawks
Last away matches - W-W-W-L-W-W

The Atlanta Hawks have won five straight games and are looking like one of the top teams in the East. On the season, the Hawks are averaging 103.2 points on 47.2 percent shooting and are allowing 97.4 points on 44 percent shooting.Jeff Teague is averaging 16.5 points and seven assists while Paul Millsap is averaging 16.3 points and eight rebounds. Al Horford is grabbing 6.4 rebounds and Kyle Korver is shooting 51.6 percent from the field. The Atlanta Hawks are 12-1 SU this month and are quickly becoming a team that could seriously make a run in the East. While the Hawks offense gets a ton of credit, their defense is allowing 97.4 points on 41.1 percent shooting in their last five games. The Hawks are also 13-2 SU at home.

Away - Milwaukee Bucks
Last away matches - L-W-L-W-L-L

The Milwaukee Bucks are looking for some consistency as they’ve split their last six games. On the season, the Bucks are averaging 99.6 points on 46.5 percent shooting and are allowing 101.2 points on 45.6 percent shooting. Brandon Knight is averaging 18.1 points and 5.3 assists while Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 12.3 points and 5.9 rebounds. O.J. Mayo is shooting 40.2 percent from the field and Jerryd Bayless is producing 2.5 assists. The Milwaukee Bucks have shown progress as of late offensively, shooting 49.2 percent from the field and 42.7 percent from three in their last five games. However, the Bucks just aren’t consistent on either side of the ball, especially on defense where they’ve allowed 100-plus points in seven of their last eight games. John Henson is questionable for this game with a foot injury.

Asian Handicap
Home - (-9.00)
Away - (+9.00)
Pick - Atlanta Hawks (-9.00)
Odds - 2.00
Stakes - 8/10
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NBA
12-26-2014

Detroit Pistons vs Indiana Pacers

Home - Detroit Pistons
Last away matches - L-L-W-W-L-L

The Detroit Pistons have lost their last four straight to drop to a miserable 5-23 on the season which, to put into perspective, is just one win better than the league-worst 76ers. In Sunday's 110-105 loss to the Nets, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 20 points while Andre Drummond added 18 points and 20 rebounds but Josh Smith had another quiet outing of just 13 points and I guess that was the straw that broke the camel's back because he has since been let go by the Pistons and looks to be on his way to sign with the Rockets. This really looks like a win-win sitation for everyone because the change of scenery could rejuvenate Smith's career and the only way for the Pistons franchise is up.

Away - Indiana Pacers
Last away matches - W-L-L-L-L-L

The Indiana Pacers struggled for most of the season, but they're suddenly in for a strong chance of getting a third straight win after clipping the Pelicans by 96-84 on Tuesday. Roy Hibbert had a nice outing with 14 points and a season-high seven blocks, while David West and Solomon Hill added 13 points each, but the story of the night was George Hill who scored 15 points in his return from a 28-game absence. It wasn't a massive win because the Pelicans are arguably the most inconsistent team in the league, but it was great seeing the Pacers looking so energized in Hill's return. With the win, Indiana improves to 10-19 overall and 6-8 at home.

Asian Handicap
Home - (+3.00)
Away - (-3.00)
Pick - Detroit Pistons (+3.00)
Odds - 1.86
Stakes - 10/10
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NBA
12-26-2014

Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves

Home - Denver Nuggets
Last away matches - L-L-W-W-L-L

The Denver Nuggets have split their last four games and play for the first time since Tuesday. On the season, the Nuggets are averaging 101.3 points on 43.1 percent shooting and are allowing 104 points on 44.8 percent shooting. Ty Lawson is averaging 15.8 points and 10.4 assists while Arron Afflalo is averaging 14.7 points and 3.6 rebounds. Wilson Chandler is shooting 42.6 percent from the field and Kenneth Faried is grabbing 7.1 rebounds. The Denver Nuggets have been one of the worst defensive teams in the league all season. And although the Nuggets are allowing 101.2 points in their last five games, they’ve holding teams to just 28.8 percent shooting from deep. Eight of the Nuggets 12 wins this season have come at home.

Away - Minnesota Timberwolves
Last away matches - W-L-L-L-L-L

The Minnesota Timberwolves have lost six straight games and has just one win all month. On the season, the Timberwolves are averaging 98.4 points on 43.7 percent shooting and are allowing 109 points on 49.8 percent shooting. Thaddeus Young is averaging 14 points and 4.5 rebounds while Shabazz Muhammad is averaging 13.4 points and 3.8 rebounds. Andrew Wiggins is shooting 39.4 percent from the field and Mo Williams is dishing out 6.5 assists. The Minnesota Timberwolves continue to play absolutely not a lick of defense, as they’re allowing teams to shoot 50.2 percent from the field and 41 percent from beyond the arc in their last five games. The Timberwolves have also allowed 100 or more points in six straight games and have lost their last six road games

Asian Handicap
Home - (-10.50)
Away - (+10.50)
Pick - Minnesota Timberwolves (+10.50)
Odds - 2.00
Stakes - 9/10
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NBA
12-26-2014

Portland Trail Blazers vs Philadelphia 76ers

Home - Portland Trail Blazers
Last away matches - W-L-W-W-W-L

The Portland Trailblazers have been red-hot all season and will be looking for a seventh win in eight outings after beating the Thunder by 115-111 in overtime on Tuesday. Damian Lillard continued his rise to superstar status with 40 points and 11 assists including eight 3-pointers, while LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesley Matthews added 25 and 22 points respectively as the Blazers beat the Thunder in a scrappy affair that involved an altercation after the final siren. Portland is now a healthy 23-7 on the season which puts them at second in the Western Conference standings.

Away - Philadelphia 76ers
Last away matches - W-W-L-L-W-W

Believe it or not, the Philadelphia 76ers will be going for a season-high third straight win tonight after beating the Heat on Tuesday by 91-87 in a shocker. Michael Carter-Williams led the way with 20 points, five assists and six steals while Luc Richard Mbah a Moute added 19 points as the Sixers stormed back from a 23-point deficit in the third quarter to beat the Heat and improve to 4-23 on the season. It wasn't even a lucky shooting streak that saved the day, but rather a fantastic showing of lockdown defense that forced turnover after turnover and tough shot after tough shot. Of course, the Heat did shoot themselves in the foot when they got a little trigger happy from the 3-point line, but you have to give credit to these young Sixers who continue to fight against all odds.

Asian Handicap
Home - (-14.00)
Away - (+14.00)
Pick - Portland Trail Blazers (-14.00)
Odds - 1.88
Stakes - 8/10