NBA Saturday Night Preview
Two must-see games in the NBA this Saturday night crowd a busy weekend in sports
Saturday night's NBA schedule includes six games. At least two should interest fans and bettors.
Consider the Toronto-Miami matchup which starts at 4 pm ET, which is probably more critical to the Raptors at this point. After getting pounded at Chicago on Wednesday night, Toronto needs to show they can compete with the best teams in the East.
However, it's the late game out West that will garner most of the interest, and a fair amount of betting. Brooklyn at Golden State should be an action-packed game and a possible highlight reel.
Let's examine these two premier matchups more closely:
NBA Preview: Toronto at Miami
The Raptors (18-20) are on the brink of either making a move in the East or risk the possibility if gradually falling out of the race. Currently languishing just below the .500 mark on the season, Toronto holds a fragile advantage as the 8th seed.
However, to prove they really belong in the playoff hunt, the Raptors need to beat, or at least be competitive versus the East's top teams, and no lineup as been tougher than Miami (30-17), currently the top seed.
The game line is Miami -8.
POINTSPREADS.CA EXPERTS PREDICTION: We'll take the Raptors who played tough against Miami the last outing, losing by only 5. The Heat are also in a back-to-back scheduling situation, so that could add to some fatigue.
UPDATE: Overnight line was Miami -8, then opened elsewhere at -5.5. It's now down to Miami -3.5. We no longer like this play and might consider taking the other side.
(Tipoff is Saturday at 8:00 pm ET)
NBA Preview: Brooklyn at Golden State
Could Saturday night's game be a NBA championship finals preview? Many fans and bettors think so.
Brooklyn (29-18), currently seeded 3rd in the East, remains the odds on favourite to win it all this season. The Nets travel to San Francisco to play Golden State (35-13), regarded by many as the team to beat in the West, despite currently trailing the Suns in the standings, who have been on fire. Suns on fire, get it?
Okay, so let's get down on this must-watch game. The overnight game line is Golden State -5.5.
POINTSPREADS.CA EXPERTS PREDICTION: Brooklyn might not be getting enough respect at this number. Sure, the Warriors are the better team and should be laying points, but this looks a little high. We lean to the dog in this matchup.
UPDATE: Line officially opened at Golden State -6 and is now up to -8. We really like the Nets at this number.
(Tipoff is Saturday at 8:30 pm ET)
