Parker set to return, line moves
CHARLOTTE, NC (The Spread) – Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Boris Diaw are set to return for the Spurs tonight in Charlotte and oddsmakers have jumped into action.
Jeff McDonald tweeted earlier this afternoon that Parker (back) will return to game action tonight after sitting out Thursday night’s game versus the Nets (a 103-89 loss as a 6.5-point underdog). Duncan will also play after resting in Brooklyn and Diaw returns after missing Thursday night with food poisoning.
The Spurs opened as 3.5-point road favorites tonight versus the Bobcats but since the announcement of Parker’s return, the spread jumped to 4.5 and then 5. According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the total opened at 191 and has moved while climbing to 192.5.
The Spurs have won the last five meetings with the Bobcats while averaging 108 points over that span. They’re also 14-5 against the Eastern Conference this season, although they’ve dropped three of their last four. The favorite is 3-1-1 against the number in the last five meetings between these two teams, but the home squad is 7-2-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
Betting Advice: If you catch the Spurs now, they’re a good bet with Parker and Duncan back in the lineup. But if the line climbs to 6-plus then you’re getting into over-priced territory. There’s always value in betting on good teams coming off losses because you often get its best focus. But everything has a price so if you like San Antonio, jump now.
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