The new year got off to an interesting start for The Big Dog, with success in player performance markets making up for a continuing struggle at the points spread. Big nights from Paul George (31 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals) and Dwight Howard (21 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks, 2 steals) weren’t enough to get their respective teams over the line. With five games to choose from today, The Big Dog is looking at a couple of early underdogs, as well as a rematch between the two worst teams of 2015.
Orlando Magic @ Washington Wizards
Given the injury troubles that the Wizards have had to battle through, it’s hard to be overly critical. Last year’s conference semi-finalists are two wins below .500 (14-16) and currently last in a bunched Southeast division. A big reason for their struggles as been the constant length of their injury list. Bradley Beal, Nene, Drew Gooden and Alan Anderson have all missed significant time and will remain out for this game, while Gary Neal and DeJuan Blair will be game-time decisions, as Washington look to extend their home-court dominance over the Orlando Magic. Although they have been mediocre at home this season (7-8), the Wizards have won ten straight against the Magic, including eight straight at Verizon Center. Beal also missed their last win over the Magic (108-99 on November 14) but Kris Humphries would score 23, including 5 of 8 from downtown, to make up for his absence. Since that game, Orlando have gone 5-3 on the road and 14-7 overall, thanks to improved effort on the defensive end. They have kept their opposition under 100 points in all but two of those 14 wins, with one of those coming in a 104-101 overtime victory against Minnesota. The Magic have vastly improved from last season and are very aware of their record in DC. With Elfrid Payton also returning from illness and an ankle injury, The Big Dog says that the even-money odds for the better team are too good to resist.
Selection
Orlando Magic @ $2.00 (bet365)
Dallas Mavericks @ Miami Heat
The Miami Heat haven’t exactly set the league on fire recently, while the Dallas Mavericks made headlines by routing the all-conquering Golden State Warriors, during their recent 3-0 homestand… but all may not be what it seems, in this contest. Miami remain a very good home team (13-7) in spite of their capitulation in the second half against the Brooklyn Nets, on Thursday night. The Heat appeared to be cruising at halftime, up 58-44, before collapsing to a 111-105 defeat. They would lose in Memphis 99-90, in overtime, the next night. The Mavericks are riding a wave of success, including a 114-91 thumping of a Curry-less Warriors, thanks to the stellar play of guard J.J. Barea. Starting for the injured Deron Williams, Barea has averaged 22.3 points and 6.8 assists, while shooting at 63 percent. Strange as though it may seem, the fact that Williams is set to return in this game might actually be a good thing for the Miami Heat. He has averaged just 13 points and 4.8 assists over his last five starts, numbers that should really make a case for Barea to keep his starting spot. In fact, the last game Williams played in was the last loss for the Mavericks, a 103-99 loss in Toronto, where he contributed 7 points and 6 assists in 23 minutes. Along with being a Miami home game, the other key factor here is the two days of rest that the Heat have been afforded. Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade are both at their most productive with two days between games and will be primed for big performances, after the loss to the Nets. Dallas have had a lot of support in both Head-to-Head and Line markets but The Big Dog thinks this is a trap. Miami will be refreshed and looking to bounce back and the addition of Deron Williams might just disrupt the Mavs enough to cause a few headaches.
Selection
Miami Heat -2.5 @ $1.95 (William Hill)
Philadelphia 76ers @ Los Angeles Lakers
Who could have guessed that the re-match between the two worst franchises in the NBA would see both of them coming off a road win? The 76ers are 2-2 on their current road trip, after beating Sacramento 110-105 on Wednesday night, while the Lakers caused a major upset in Boston, beating the Celtics 112-104. Former Pelican Ish Smith appears to have been the catalyst for Philadelphia, who have won two of three since acquiring the journeyman point guard on Christmas Eve. Along with 18.0 points and 8.3 assists from Smith, Nerlens Noel has also been more productive. The second-year big man has averaged 17.3 points on a combined 22 of 28 shooting, to go along with 8.7 rebounds, when starting at centre in the last three contests. The Lakers snapped a streak of four consecutive losses by ten or more points, when they emerged victorious in Kobe Bryant’s last visit to Boston. It was another bad shooting night for Kobe, who scored 15 on 5 of 18 shooting. However, those nights have become less frequent, as his scoring has increased to 20.6 per game at 40.3 percent shooting, over his last nine games. Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams combined for 43 points and hit 17 from 24 from the field, to propel the Lakers to the win. The concerning aspect of those numbers is in how far above their season averages those contributions were, making it appear unlikely to happen again straight away. With the 76ers already having a win over the Lakers to their credit, The Big Dog is happy to back them in for a second time. It might be on the Lakers’ home court but Philly are in better form and getting 3.5 points. That’s a good combination, in anyone’s language.
Selection
Philadelphia 76ers +3.5 @ $1.95 (William Hill)
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