The Charlotte Bobcats have logged a 3-2 spread record in their
last five contests, which have capped off a stretch of 15 straight defeats on
the hardwood. Paul Silas’ squad opens a
three-game road trip with Wednesday’s matchup against the Minnesota
Timberwolves.
Sportsbooks initially kept numbers off the NBA odds board for this
battle, with the uncertain status of Charlotte’s D.J. Augustin (13.6 PPG, 6.6 APG). The fourth-year point guard has been upgraded
to ‘probable’ after missing 11 straight games with a toe injury. Keep an eye below as we will have the lines as soon as they are released.
Bobcats fall to Sixers
Charlotte’s latest setback came in Monday’s 98-89 loss as a
12-point home dog against the Philadelphia 76ers (Sixers and the Magic feature in today's NBA picks). The Bobcats trailed by as many as 15 points,
while being edged out in rebounds, 40-37.
Bobcats forward Corey Maggette notched 22 points, hitting 8-of-16
field buckets. Maggette’s mates Boris
Diaw and Byron Mullens logged 10 assists and nine boards, respectively.
The contest’s combined 187 points leaped above the total of 178.5,
lifting the over to 3-1 in the Bobcats’ last four games. Charlotte drained 7-of-17 shots from
three-point land, while sinking 22-of-30 free throws.
Wolves buried in Orlando
Minnesota logged its fourth straight loss in Monday’s 102-89
defeat as a 4.5-point road dog against the Orlando Magic. The Timberwolves were held to 41.2 percent
field shooting, while connecting a sparse 17-of-25 at the foul line.
Timberwolves mates Kevin Love and Nikola Pekovic both logged a
double-double, uniting for 35 points and 28 rebounds. Minnesota’s Ricky Rubio recorded eight of his
squad’s 14 assists, while finishing with 11 points.
The lopsided affair’s combined 191 points jumped above the closing
total of 190.5 by a ‘hook.’ Minnesota
trailed by as many as 20 points, while outrebounding the Magic, 50-43.
Back the ‘over’ at
Target Center
Wednesday’s tip is scheduled for 8 p.m. (ET). Both squads have one day of rest ahead of
them, with Friday’s card sending the Bobcats and Timberwolves to Toronto and
Houston, respectively.
This sports betting handicapper is backing the over looking for a high-octane
affair between these foes. The over is
6-1 in their last seven meetings, including over tickets cashing in last
January’s 108-105 overtime win for the Bobcats in Minnesota.
Augustin’s presence last year against the Timberwolves saw the
24-year-old log 16 points and a team-high eight assists. Charlotte was lit up by Minnesota’s Kevin
Love and Michael Beasley, who united to hit 22-of-41 field buckets en route to
combining for 63 points.
Love has notched 28.6 PPG in the Timberwolves’ last five home
games, while ranking third in the Western Conference for overall scoring (25.3
PPG). The two-time All-Star has also
grabbed 4.1 RPG on the offensive boards, ranking third in the league.
Rubio has picked up steam for Minnesota, scoring double figures in
his last three games, while logging 8.8 APG this year, placing him just behind
Phoenix’ Steve Nash (10.5 APG) and Chris Paul (9 APG) - Check out the pick on the Clippers and Wizards tonight. The Barcelona native should stay heated up in
this spot, with Charlotte allowing a sizable 102.1 PPG and 48.3 percent field
shooting among its first 15 road spots.
The over is 6-1 in the Bobcats’ last seven games against clubs
with losing records, while cashing at 7-0 in Minnesota’s last seven spots that
followed a defeat. Look for the
Timberwolves to light up on their home floor, while Charlotte connects just
enough buckets to do their part for over tickets.