NBA Betting Free Picks: San Antonio @ Portland
Added on Feb 05, 2010 by Jack Thurman in
Sportsbooks offering only two NBA betting opportunities (but plenty of march madness betting) for Thursday, but we’ll take a position on the San Antonio/Portland game. Spurs are 5th in the Western Conference while the Blazers are in the 8th and final playoff spot, but with a single game separating the two teams that seeding could change drastically after tonight’s game. Both teams have their share of injuries, but that doesn’t minimize the importance of this contest:
San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trailblazers
February 4, 7:35 PM Pacific
Blazers still without Brandon Roy, though he could return to the lineup by the end of the week. Portland will get key reserve Nicholas Batum back here. Spurs will be without Tony Parker, giving Portland a big advantage in the backcourt. Tim Duncan has sat out the second of back-to-back games on a number of occasions this year and could do so again tonight. Spurs have been in a pointspread slump lately, getting the money in only three of their last ten games. Portland has played reasonably well through their most recent spate of injuries, thanks to some big performances by LaMarcus Aldridge and Andre Miller. Blazers off a loss to Utah, but have covered 6 of their last 9. Spurs only 9-9 on the road this year and regardless of who is in the Blazers’ lineup the Rose Garden remains a very tough venue for visiting teams.
Spurs have struggled against the Northwest Division this year with a 2-9 ATS mark and the Blazers have really had their number in recent years. Portland has covered 7 of the L10 against San Antonio including four straight on their home floor. Blazers have won and covered both previous meetings this year and even if Duncan plays tonight will still enjoy a significant edge in the backcourt with Parker out of the lineup. We’ll gladly take Portland as a small home court underdog and look for them to get the outright victory.
Bet Portland +2 over San Antonio