Docs Website

53 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu
NBA Odds: Tuesday, April 12 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping

by - 4/11/2016

Zach Randolph of the Memphis Grizzlies

Just two days left in the NBA's regular season, and there's not much drama in the individual department. By that I mean for awards and league leaders. Steph Curry is a lock to win the NBA MVP and the scoring title, with James Harden finishing second in scoring for the second year in a row. Curry might even win Most Improved Player as he's been that good. Detroit's Andre Drummond is your rebounding king, and Rajon Rondo will take the assists title. Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns will win Rookie of the Year, with New York's Kristaps Porzingis finishing second. Defensive Player of the Year? Probably Golden State's Draymond Green, who was beaten out for that honor last season by San Antonio's Kawhi Leonard, also is in the running this year. Coach of the Year is probably the most wide-open race. I think it should go to Portland's Terry Stotts as that team was gutted this offseason but has made the playoffs.

Knicks at Pacers (-8.5, 198)

This closes the books on New York's season as it looks to avoid 50 losses. The Knicks are off a 93-89 home defeat to Toronto on Sunday. New York remained without injured starters Porzingis (strained right shoulder) and Jose Calderon (bruised right quadriceps), and you won't see them here, either. Indiana beat Brooklyn 129-105 on Sunday and is still battling Detroit for the No. 7 seed instead of No. 8. Rookie Myles Turner had 28 points and 10 rebounds vs. the Nets as the Pacers officially clinched a playoff spot. They led by as many as 42 points. Indiana goes for the season sweep and has won six straight overall vs. the Knicks and seven in a row at home.

Key trends: The Knicks are 1-7 against the spread in the past eight meetings in Indiana. The "over/under" has gone under in six of the past seven meetings.

Early lean: Pacers and under.

Heat at Pistons (-3, 202)

Miami is still aiming to finish as high as No. 3 in the East. In their home regular-season finale Sunday, the Heat beat Orlando 118-96. Hassan Whiteside moved back into the starting lineup for the first time since Jan. 20 and had 18 points and 15 rebounds. Justise Winslow left in the third quarter with a sprained left ankle and is questionable here. Detroit beat Washington 112-99 on Friday to clinch a playoff spot for the first time in seven years. Reggie Jackson had 39 points and nine assists. Detroit leads the season series 2-1 and has taken three straight at home.

Key trends: The home team is 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings. The over is 8-2 in Miami's past 10 on the road.

Early lean: Pistons and over.

76ers at Raptors (TBA)

Philly suffered loss No. 70 on Sunday, 109-108 in overtime in its home finale vs. Milwaukee. The Sixers would miss three shots on their final possession. They shot a franchise record 46 3-pointers but made just 13 of them. This is Toronto's final regular-season home game. The Raptors won a second straight Sunday, 93-89 at the Knicks. DeMar DeRozan converted a tiebreaking three-point play with 1:05 left and finished with 27 points to become the second-leading scorer in franchise history. He'll pass Chris Bosh for No. 1 sometime next season. Toronto has won 11 straight in this series.

Key trends: The 76ers are 0-4 ATS in the past four meetings. The under is 8-2 in Toronto's past 10 vs. the East.

Early lean: This is presumably TBA because the Raptors would have nothing to play for if Cleveland wins Monday night and clinches the top seed in the East. So wait on that result.

Thunder at Spurs (-6, 206)

First game of a TNT doubleheader and will have live betting at sportsbooks. Frankly, the game means absolutely nothing to either side so I doubt everyone of note plays. They will see each other again in the conference semifinals assuming both get there. Oklahoma City hosted the Lakers on Monday night. San Antonio's shot at the first-ever perfect home regular-season record went up in smoke Sunday in a 92-86 loss to the Warriors, the Spurs' third straight defeat. I was shocked that Gregg Popovich didn't play Tim Duncan. Hard to know if he goes here. The Thunder lead the season series 2-1 but have dropped two straight in San Antonio.

Key trends: The home team has covered 17 of the past 25 meetings. The over is 5-0 in OKC's past five overall.

Early lean: Wait and see who plays.

Grizzlies at Clippers (-8, 199.5)

Second TNT game. Memphis dropped a second straight Saturday, 100-99 at home to Golden State. The Grizzlies really had that one in the bag, blowing a 10-point fourth-quarter lead. Lance Stephenson missed two shots in the final seconds. Tony Allen missed the game with a hamstring injury and it's doubtful he goes here. The Clippers won a fifth consecutive game Sunday, 98-91 over Dallas. Blake Griffin had 17 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. The teams have split two meetings, each winning at home.

Key trends: The road team is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 4-1-1 in the past six.

Early lean: Clippers if everyone plays and under.

Read more articles by

Most Recent NBA Handicapping

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers