Triple-Header Thursday In The NBA
Feb 16th, 2012 by PJ LaFerla
As we prepare for a big weekend of action in the NBA, tonight’s slate only features three matchups, highlighted by the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls.
I will break down all three games, as I will provide some notable trends, injuries and other important factors. I will not be releasing an official play tonight, so if you are looking to put yourself in action then hopefully the information below will be of some help.
New Jersey Nets at Indiana Pacers:
New Jersey owns a team record of 8-22, covering 12 of those 30 games. They visit Indiana riding a 7 game losing streak and continue to struggle against the Pacers, as they have lost 5 straight games.
Notable Injuries:
Nets – Jordan Farmar, Day-to-Day (groin injury), Damion James, Out For Season (foot injury), Brook Lopez, Out Indefinitely (foot injury), Mehmet Okur, Out Indefinitely (sore back), Shawne Williams, Day-to-Day (shoulder injury).
Indiana owns a team record of 17-12 SU, but against the spread they fall below the .500 mark at 13-16. Like the Nets, they to are riding a losing streak, currently sitting a 5 straight without a win. At home they can’t seem to buy a point-spread cover as they are 0-5 ATS the last five a home.
Notable Injuries:
Pacers – Danny Granger, Day-to-Day (ankle injury), George Hill, Out Indefinitely (ankle injury).
Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls:
Boston owns a team record of 15-13, but have it reversed against the spread at 13-15. Even though the Celtics are struggling to cover as of late (1-4 through the last five), they are winning outright on the road going 4-2 in their last six games.
Notable Injuries:
Brandon Bass, Out Indefinitely (knee injury), Kevin Garnett, Day-to-Day (hip flexor injury), Sasha Pavlovic, Day-to-Day (wrist injury).
Chicago owns a team record: 24-7 SU, but have a much more modest record against the spread at 18-13. They have been dominant at home this season, winning 10 of 11 straight up.
Notable Injures:
Richard Hamilton, Out Indefinitely (sore groin), Derrick Rose, Day-to-Day (sore back).
Los Angeles Clippers at Portland Trailblazers:
Los Angeles owns a team record of 18-9 and have managed to keep it up to par against the spread at 16-10-1. On the road has been good to the Clippers, as they have won 6 of their last 8 playing out of Staples Center.
Notable Injuries:
Chauncey Billups, Out For Season (achilles injury).
Portland is the only team on the board tonight that matches their overall record and against the spread numbers at 16-14. They have been brilliant when they face the Clippers in Portland as of late – dating back 5 games, they have come away with 5 straight wins.
Notable Injuries:
LaMarcus Aldridge, Day-to-Day (ankle injury), Greg Oden, Out Indefinitely (knee surgery).
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.