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Betting Line:
Oklahoma City Thunder (-2.5)
Los Angels Clippers (+2.5)
Over/Under 196
Game Time 10:35 EST

What a great Western conference matchup we have as the Oklahoma City Thunder visit Los Angeles or should I say Lob City to play the Clippers at Staples Center. Both teams are in first place in their respective divisions, so I expect nothing short of a back-and-forth battle from tip off to the final buzzer.

GAME ANALYSIS:
The Thunder (16-3) have been the elite of the Western Conference and certainly look like a team with their sites set on a trip that is headed to the NBA finals. With their stellar record, it is obvious they are winning on the road (8-2), but what about against the spread? The Thunder are producing a 60% won/loss ATS record, currently sitting at 6-4 and score better than 100 points per outing, while giving up fewer than 95 points per game. They have a slew of young talent and bring it on the floor for 48 minutes every night – so expect nothing less than their usual effort tonight in Los Angeles.

The Clippers (11-6) come into this matchup riding a two game winning streak, notching two wins against the spread in the process. They have stayed true to a trend they have been following all but once this season – when they win a game, they cover the spread, when they lose a game, they don’t cover the spread. However, at home they have established themselves to be a force with a 9-2 overall record and an 8-3 record against the spread. There is no give in this matchup and as I stated in my opening paragraph. I expect a back-and-forth battle from tip off to the final buzzer.

WHO TO BET ON?
This is a game that can go either way giving how both teams have started out this season, but I give the edge to the Thunder because they have been playing together as a unit longer than the Clippers and that definitely counts for something. The Clippers are a good team that is heading in the right the direction, but the Thunder have been so dominate this season, I can’t see anyone in the West stopping their chase for an NBA title. In close matchups like this, the home team always has an edge, but the Thunder have proven this season it doesn’t matter where they play – they just win. The Thunder will win again tonight and cover the point spread.

Make your play on the Oklahoma City Thunder to cover the point spread.

SOME OTHER INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THIS GAME:
~ The Thunder are 11-1 straight up in its last 12 games.
~ The Clippers are 9-1 straight up in their last 10 games at home.
~ The total has gone UNDER in 7 of the Clippers last 10 games at home.

PREDICTION:
Thunder 107, Clippers 99

PJ Laferla is a practicing freelance writer, professional handicapper, and the founder of SportsInput.com. If you are interested in hiring PJ Laferla for freelance writing or for winning picks against the spread, please submit all inquires to PJ@sportsinput.com.

Betting Line:
Orlando Magic (+5.5)
Philadelphia 76ers (-5.5)
Over/Under 179.5
Game Time 7:05 EST

Six teams in the Eastern Conference have winning records and two of them square off tonight as the Orlando Magic visit the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia for a matchup against the 76ers. Before I get started with my analysis on this game, I must point out that I have now hit my last three out of four predictions and continue my dominance since I started writing this column, earlier in January. You can always contact me directly at PJ@sportsinput.com for assistance picking winners…consistently.

GAME ANALYSIS:
For the Orlando Magic (12-8) one thing matters to them, and that is ninety points. All eights of their losses have come when they have scored fewer than ninety. Furthermore, they own a record of 0-8 against the spread in those games. As I always say, research and analysis will give you the best shot of winning wagers, because there are so many factors that need to be taken into consideration; but with the Magic thus far, it’s obvious it only comes down to one. The question is can their opponent hold them under their threshold to ensure they will lose and not cover the spread?

The 76ers (14-6) are clearly one of the surprises in the Eastern conference as well as the entire league. Even more surprising is that they have managed to produce a better ATS record at 15-5 then their overall won/loss performance. A lot is talked about the 76ers and if they are for real, because most of their wins have come against teams with losing records. I say you still need to win those games if you want to contend in this league and the 76ers are getting the job done. However, the true test comes in their next seven games – all of their opponents are the elite of the league, so it is important for them to take advantage of the Magic’s recent struggles, because they have a long road ahead.

WHO TO BET ON?
The 76ers are clearly the team with the momentum in this matchup, but the Magic are a perennial team in this league who is in a bit of a slump. Still, with all their struggles as of late, they are right in the mix, fighting for first place in the Southeast division with Miami and Atlanta. I truly believe the 76ers will be over-matched in this game especially from the center position. Dwight Howard will be difficult to maintain and he will be the go to guy for the Magic all night. The 76ers are athletic and have been fun to watch, but the Magic will grind out this game and come away with a victory and point spread cover.

Make your play on the money line on the Orlando Magic to win this game outright!

SOME OTHER INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THIS GAME:
The Magic arae 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games.
The Magic are 5-2 straight up in its last 7 games on the road.
The 76ers are 11-2 straight up in its last 13 games at home.
The 76ers are 2-8 against the spread in its last 10 games when playing the Magic.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the 76ers last 5 games at home.

PREDICTION:
Magic 95, 76ers 90

PJ Laferla is a practicing freelance writer, professional handicapper, and the founder of SportsInput.com. If you are interested in hiring PJ Laferla for freelance writing or for winning picks against the spread, please submit all inquires to PJ@sportsinput.com.