Christmas may have been pleasant… but Boxing Day was a dirty day for The Big Dog. Dwayne Wade scored one point less than required, after shooting 7/20 from the field and 5/9 from the line, while the Thunder and Spurs disappointed and the Curry/LeBron scoring combo fell well short of expectation, in a game where both the Warriors and Cavaliers struggled to score. On a positive note, the Clippers took care of business against the Lakers and easily covered the 1st quarter line. Today gives us 13 games with which to pick up the pieces and The Big Dog has found a few gems, as we look to get back on track.
Memphis Grizzlies @ Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets have lost their last three but a return home against the Memphis Grizzlies should be just what they need to get back on the right side of the ledger. After not playing for around a month, due to a combination of injury and suspension, Al Jefferson returns to the starting lineup for the Hornets. His presence in the middle will no-doubt be a huge help against the Grizzlies’ star big man, Marc Gasol. Despite their losing streak, Charlotte still hold a very good home record (11-5), while Memphis have been inconsistent on the road (7-9). The Hornets also boast a 123-99 victory in Memphis, from December 11th. The line of 2.5 makes very little sense, given that the Grizzlies have won only one of their last five road games (and that was against the 76ers). The Big Dog says load up on the Hornets to get it done, at home.
Selection
Charlotte Hornets -2.5 @ $1.95 (William Hill)
Chicago Bulls @ Dallas Mavericks
The Bulls snapped a three-game skid in emphatic style on Christmas Day, with a 105-96 road win over the Thunder. Chicago started the game on an 11-0 run and were never headed, despite several runs by the home side, in the second and fourth quarters. The Bulls are the best rebounding team in the NBA and won the tally 53-48 against Oklahoma City, without the services of Joakim Noah, who is out with a shoulder injury. Dallas average 5.2 rebounds a game less than Chicago and will also feel the heat in the backcourt, where Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose will match up against J.J. Barea and Raymond Felton. Deron Williams will be missing with a hamstring injury and Devin Harris may also be out, with a similar ailment. That’s two significant areas where the Bulls will have a serious advantage in this game. The “sneaky interesting” fact here is that the Bulls have been good in the second game of back-to-back sets. They are 2-1 in games with no rest and the only loss was the night after a quadruple-overtime marathon, against the Detroit Pistons. The Mavericks are only 2-3 in their last five home games and The Big Dog thinks the Bulls will be full of confidence after causing the upset against the Thunder.
Selection
Chicago Bulls @ $2.20 (Luxbet)
Philadelphia 76ers @ Phoenix Suns
The Big Dog is aiming to go 3-0 on this option, as bookies continue to set the first quarter line too low, in 76ers games. It’s a nice simple one to explain. Philadelphia have lost the first quarter in 14 of their last 15 games, by four points or more and since The Big Dog has found this option, they have lost the opening period by 8 points to the Grizzlies and 17 against the Bucks.
Selection
Phoenix Suns -4.5 (1st Qtr Line) @ $1.89 (Luxbet)
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Portland Trail Blazers
After losing a fourth straight game to the Golden State Warriors, the Cavaliers will look to bounce back, against a Portland side that return home, after going 0-5 on a road trip where they also lost Damian Lillard to injury. Both sides will be without their All-Star point guards, with Kyrie Irving also out of this game for rest purposes, as he continues his return from a broken patella. The Trail Blazers have trailed at every break, in both games without Lillard, resulting in a 9-point loss to the Atlanta Hawks and a 26-point hammering by the New Orleans Pelicans. With William Hill offering better than even-money for the trend to continue, The Big Dog is all over it.
Selection
Cleveland Cavaliers Lead At The End Of All 4 Quarters (Wire To Wire) @ $2.10 (William Hill)
