NBA Odds and Preview Capsules: April 14
Atssportsline.com
This is the final Sunday in the NBA regular season. The season ends on Wednesday, April 17 and the playoffs begin on April 20. Take a look at some of the betting tips below for two key games involving potential playoff teams. Looking for winners for the NBA regular season, playoffs and baseball? Go to ATS Sportsline. We have all your basketball betting statistics, matchups and odds.
Indiana (49-30 SU, 42-37 ATS, 37-41-1 O/U) at New York (52-27 SU, 44-33-2 ATS, 38-39-2 ATS)
Intangibles:
New York has won 14 of their last 15 games.
Indiana is three games behind New York for 2nd place in the East with 3 games left for both teams.
Indiana has lost three of their last four.
Last game: (2/20/13) Indiana (-4) over New York, 125-91.
Keys to Success: The Pacers are not going into the playoffs on a good note unless they can turn it around for the final three games. Since they went 4-0 on a successful road trip, Indiana lost three of four, including two games at home. They take on a very hot Knicks team that is playing a small lineup led by Carmelo Anthony at power forward and Nazr Mohammed at center. The Knicks live and die by the three-point shot and lately, they've been living by it. They Pcaers' defense allowed 117 to Brooklyn at home, 97 to Oklahoma City at home and 104 to Washington on the road. They have to defend the perimeter in this game and starts with the backcourt of George Hill and Lance Stephenson.
Indiana is coming off a 117-109 home loss to Brooklyn on Friday, giving 6. New York is coming off a 101-91 win over Cleveland on Friday, giving 4.5. Indiana is 8-3 ATS last 11 on the road in series. NBA Odds: New York is a 4-point betting odds favorite. Total: 192.5
San Antonio (58-21 SU, 39-38-2 ATS, 34-43-2 O/U) at Los Angeles (43-37 SU, 32-46-2 ATS, 42-37-1 O/U)
Intangibles:
Kobe Bryant is out for the season with torn Achilles tendon.
The Lakers are one game ahead of Utah for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
San Antonio is a 1/2 game behind Oklahoma City for first place in the Western Conference.
Last game: (1/9/13) San Antonio (-13.5) over Los Angeles Lakers, 108-105.
Keys to Succes: The Lakers are going to have to attempt to hold on to the last playoff spot in the West without Kobe Bryant. That's an uphill battle but they do have Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard to rely on up front. Unfortunately, they face a Spurs team that also has Tim Duncan and Tiago Splitter to match their only strength. The Lakers will need a big game from Steve Blake to not only control the tempo but to also hold Tony Parker from going nuts. Parker had 22 points and 10 assists on Friday for his 17th double-double of the season.
The Spurs are coming off a 108-101 win over Sacramento on Friday, giving 11.5. The Lakers edged Golden State, 118-116, giving 7 on Friday to stay in the playoff race. San Antonio is 4-1 ATS last 5 on the road in series. Basketball Odds: San Antonio is a 5-point betting odds favorite. Total: 196.0.