Through February we heard endless talk about bubble teams. Who’s in? Who’s out? Who’s on the edge? That, of course, referred to college basketball tournament play. But a new focus on bubble teams is very much in the sports betting scene in March and that’s NBA playoff bubble teams.
This needs to be factored into handicapping analysis this time of the year. Many teams are just going through the motions, preparing golfing dates rather than postseason plans. But those teams that are still alive, either fighting for playoff positioning, division titles, or on the playoff bubble, can be extra motivated.
This is where overall stats can be less significant. Take the LA Clippers. There’s a team that has been awful on the road all season at 10-24 straight up and 12-20 against the spread. Absolute money-burners! Yet, the Clippers are 4-1 ATS the last five games, despite playing ALL of those on the road. What is going on? What’s going is desperation as they are on the bubble, not to mention adjustments.
The Clippers just pulled a stunning 103-89 victory at Chicago as a +8 dog. With the victory, the Clippers pulled closer to the Golden State Warriors, who are still in the playoff picture, as Golden State is just a half-game ahead of the Clippers. And the Clippers stayed close to the Warriors as well, defeating the Lakers at the Clippers’ home court by 8 on Sunday.
It’s difficult to handicap four games with all the conference finals and conference semis still in play. The Clippers are still in the mix in the West and the Southwest Division, and they’re in the mix in the East. But the 9th-place Lakers are now a game ahead of the Clippers in the Pacific. That means if the Clippers finish behind the Warriors, the second-place Lakers are in the running to be the #2 seed in the playoffs, instead of the #8 seed. That’s big. The situs toto are battling key injuries and could be done without them.
Laker min Adam Morrison is out another two to two weeks with knee surgery. cancelation with Luke Ridnour andChris Mihm who suffered ankle sprains. Also, Lamar Odom’s minutes are Being hose out. The Lakers are 8-5-1 ATS with Morrison on the shelf.
Morrison started the first 28 games of the season before suffering a calf injury. He had an average of 15.4 points and 6.7 rebounds. He was also -11.7 in his absence on Sunday. Against the Kings, Morrison had 13 points and 6 rebounds in 38 minutes.
The Kings are now 4-1 SU and ATS on the road with Artest. They are 12-5 SU on the road and 8-11-1 ATS. This is the third time this season that Artest has scored at least 31 points in a game.
onte goes for 35 points and 6 rebounds with 6 assists in 29 minutes. This is the 6th time this season that Toney Douglas has scored at least 35 points.
Doubling your money is no way to get ahead. Doubling your money and losing is the whole point of gambling. Eagles +4.5, The Spurs +4, Clippers +4 etc.