NBA Plays

Pick: Sacramento +2 (3 Stars)

The Sacramento Kings play game #2 of a short two game road trip as they travel to Minnesota to take on the winless Timber Wolves. The Kings come in off a blowout loss to Utah but previously had won two of three to put them at 2-5 SU and 3-4 ATS.

The Kings offense hasn't been all that bad averaging just over 94 points per game. It's their defense that has been a problem giving up a rather high 103 points per game. They have struggled under the glass as well being out rebounded by a 51 to 43 per game.

After the much publisized trade of Garnett to the Celtics the Timber Wolves have done nothing but go backwards as they come into this contest winless at 0-5 SU and 1-4 ATS. They haven't faired well in front of the home crowd going 0-2 both SU and ATS.

As suspected their offense is in shambles scoring only 94 points per game while the defense has been porous giving up a whopping 105 points per game at home. They have suffered under the glass being out rebounded by a 55-28 margin.

SUPPORTING ANGLES: MINNESOTA is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons. MINNESOTA is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) after playing 2 consecutive games as an underdog over the last 2 seasons. MINNESOTA is 9-21 ATS (-14.1 Units) off a road loss over the last 2 seasons.

Two teams not going anywhere soon but to have a winless team favored is a bit of a stretch. We're taking Sacramento in this one.

Play: Washington -6 (2 Stars)

Washington finally got into the win column with a win over Atlanta on Sunday and the Wizards might be ready to turn the corner. After averaging 18.8 turnovers in the first five games, the Wizards finished Sunday with a season-low 12 and after averaging only 15.2 assists in five losses, they totaled a season-high 26 against the Hawks. The shooting from behind the arc was dismal again but that will come around eventually and why not against a Pacers team allowing opponents to drain 38.9 percent from long range.
Indians is coming off a home loss against Boston last night, its fourth straight loss after starting the season with three consecutive wins. The four defeats have not been close as the Pacers are struggling to find an offensive rhythm as they have scored 89 points or fewer in three of those. The other side of the ball is not doing much to help. The Pacers have allowed 105 ppg over their last five games and the once proud defense has given up 100 or more points in five of seven games.

Washington knows what lies ahead and it is good news. The Wizards next seven games are against teams a combined 12-27 so that first victory can put a change into this team. All five starters scored in double figures for the first time this season as the Wizards shot a season-high 43.2 percent and once that shooting starts to get going, the offense really begins to shine. The season's first victory simply reminded the Wizards that good things happen when a team shares the basketball and avoids turnovers.

The Pacers have already won one meeting between the two teams this season and Washington falls into a great revenge spot here. Play on home favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points that are revenging a same season loss against their opponent as a road favorite and that are playing only their 2nd game in five days. This situation is 42-17 ATS (71.2 percent) over the last five seasons with the average point differential being +11 ppg. Look for the Wizards to begin their roll.