NBA Betting Free Picks: Oklahoma City @ Atlanta
Added on Jan 19, 2010 by Jack Thurman in
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Big slate of action for NBA betting on Monday, and we’ll take a play on the Oklahoma City/Atlanta game to our favorite sportsbook. The Atlanta Hawks are one of four legit contenders for the Eastern Conference title and enter this game in third place. They’re a game and a half behind second place Boston and 3 1/2 behind East leading Cleveland. The Oklahoma City Thunder are also trying to fight their way into a playoff spot in the tough Western Conference. They’re currently tied for 8th with Houston and are 1/2 game behind 7th place Utah. The two teams will meet at Atlanta’s Phillips Arena in an early holiday start time.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Atlanta Hawks
January 18, 11:05 AM Pacific
We’ve found a lot of spots this season to bet the Western Conference against the East, but this doesn’t appear to be one of them. Price on the hometown Hawks seems very reasonable considering their success at home this year. Atlanta is 16-4 SU/14-6 ATS on their own floor and they’ve posted an impressive 20-11 record as a favorite. Those are signs of a team that takes care of business and are seldom caught in a ‘flat spot’. The Thunder have been very solid on the road this season with a 13-6 ATS mark and have dominated in games against the Eastern Conference with a 13-5 ATS mark. The Hawks have been an exception to the Western Conference dominance of the East, however, and boast a 10-4 record in non conference games.
While the Thunder are becoming a very good team as Kevin Durant matures into a superstar, they’re not quite at the Hawks level yet. Atlanta is a threat to make the NBA Finals this year, and their team has improved dramatically from last season. The Thunder’s ATS success gives us some good value here, however, and we’ll gladly lay a reasonable price with the hometown Hawks who should win this by 10+.
Bet Atlanta -5′ over Oklahoma City
