NBA: Thursday NBA Wagering Opportunities (8:05 PM ET, TNT)

As is the case most every Thursday night during the NBA season, a twin-bill is on tap for fans of the professional sport of basketball and sports bettors have the chance to watch and win (the other alternative is not nearly as much fun).

2008-12-19

As is the case most every Thursday night during the NBA season, a twin-bill is on tap for fans of the professional sport of basketball and sports bettors have the chance to watch and win (the other alternative is not nearly as much fun). Tonight, four teams all in different circumstances will hit the hardwood each looking to make a statement a week before Christmas. Follow the key stats, latest odds, and betting trends for the games with Sportsbook.com.

At 8:05 Eastern, despite injuries to Dwight Howard and its top three guards, the Orlando Magic (19-6, 16-9 ATS) is off to its best start since the 1994-95 team opened 22-5. The guy in the Superman cape from last season has missed the last two games with a bruised knee and is expected to be back for what is a very important stretch of contests for Orlando. Besides facing San Antonio tonight, the Los Angeles Lakers are on the docket for Saturday and big Christmas day contest with New Orleans.

“These are definitely two statement games, big games for us,” said forward Rashard Lewis. “This will let us know if we are an elite team.” The Magic return home off a success Western swing with 4-1 record and five covers. They are 21-6 ATS after playing two consecutive road games over the last two seasons.
Sportsbook.com has San Antonio (15-9, 12-12 ATS) catching 3.5-points after losing 90-83 to New Orleans last night, ending their six-game winning streak. The Spurs have won 10 of 14, with shooting leading to defeats in all four cases. San Antonio has shot below 40 percent in each situation causing them to lose, like last night when they finish the contest converting four of last 21 shots. San Antonio being an older squad has not done well with zero rest, showing a 6-17 ATS record when playing on back-to-back days since last season.

The total is 192 and these two have surpassed it in the Land of the Magic Kingdom eight of last 11 times.

Immediately following the opener, two Western Conference playoff contenders collide. Phoenix coach Terry Porter saw his No. 30 jersey retired Tuesday to a standing ovation in Portland and now will have the task of leading his new team to victory against his beloved former club. Porter was the point guard that took the Blazers to two NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992 and was known for his intelligent hard-nosed approach to the game. Porter’s basketball acumen may be starting to resonate with this Suns team, getting back to letting Phoenix do what they do best, run and shoot.

Phoenix (15-10, 10-15 ATS) has won four of five games, averaging 113 points per game. The defense has been shoddy in allowing almost 109 points per game, but this is who this team is and the Suns are 57-36 ATS in road games after scoring 100 points or more four straight games.

Portland (16-10, 12-14 ATS) ended a three game losing streak, sacrificing Sacramento 109-77 to the basketball gods. The Blazers were unmerciful to their backers, before last game, failing to cover seven straight times. Portland has had a few injuries issues and this young team, though talented is showing the peaks and valleys of its inexperience. They are 18-5 ATS at home after a game where they covered the spread.

The Blazers are 4.5-point favorites with a total of 203 and are just 2-13 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points over the last three seasons. Portland has lost 11 games in a row to the Suns, including all five at home where they have failed to cover the spread. Almost as bad is 8-19 ATS record revenging two straight losses where opponent scored 100 or more points since 2006.
StatFox Power Line- Orlando by 5, Portland by 7

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