Pacers 114
Pistons 109
-3u

Cavaliers vs Clippers 05.Feb

Both teams like to play uptempo games and put points on board. Both teams have an offensive advantages over their opponent. Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan will dominate the Cavaliers under the rim, while the Clippers have all kind of problems stopping James from driving and scoring or driving and kicking out for open looks. We have J.J. Reddick, Jamal Crawford, J.R. Smith and Kyrie Irving who all like to take quick outside shots early in the shot clock. Shortly, this game takes a lot of bad shooting, very low shooting percentages to stay lower than 207 points.

We will get the good idea, when looking what happened in a game these 2 teams played 2 weeks ago. Final score was 126-121. The Clippers took 91 shots from the field and Cleveland had 83 attempts, with both teams going to the free throw line often as well (67 FT attempts). Mismatches in offense will cause many fouls tonight and uptempo style, taking early shots and going for fast breaks will keep the number of shots high.

The Clippers are putting many points on board. In this calendar year they have stayed under 100 points only 3 times. Their scoring average in last 16 games is 108,7 points per game. Cleveland has had no problems with their scoring as well. During their 11 game winning streak they are scoring 108,4 points per game. There are no reasons to believe this game should look any different to how it was played couple of weeks ago when these teams met. Even if shooting percentages drop a bit, the tempo should be high enough to take both sides over 100 points. Take over 206.5 points @1.909 with 2/5 units from Pinnacle.

GL

CLE 105
LAC 94
-2u

Magic vs Lakers 6.Feb

It probably took too long, but finally the Magic organisation has fired their head-coach Jacque Vaughn. Orlando`s record of 15-37 is bad enough, but even worse is the fact that team has stopped trying for their coach and recent games have just been humiliating and painful to watch. Their current losing streak is up to 10 games now.

So fresh start was badly needed and that is exactly why the decision was made now and not sooner or later. With Dallas, Oklahoma City and San Antonio being their opponents in previous 3 games, it is obvious that with or without Vaughn it would have been tough to win any of these games. With game against the Bulls and an away game against the Wizards coming up after tonight`s game, it is clear that to get a win in these games is unlikely as well. But tonight at home, against the struggling Lakers, it is a perfect opportunity to give the team a good, winning start.

The Lakers are of course as bad or even worse than the Magic. They have won only once in last 12 games and after losing Kobe to season ending injury the tanking has begun. The Lakers are not trying to win, but even if they would, their roster is just not good enough to give them realistic chance for most of the nights. And that is the big difference between the Magic and the Lakers. Orlando has more quality on paper, but they have lacked the desire.

First game with a new coach (even if it is an interim coach) has historically been helping NBA teams. Especially if the team has young players. We think that the Magic will end the slide now, when players feel like they have started the new season. Take Magic to cover -3.5 points @1.980 from Pinacle with 3/5 units.

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GL

Magic 103
Lakers 97
+2.94 units