WASHINGTON WIZARDS @ PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
Basketball : North America : NBA
Tuesday, February 14th, 2012, 10:00PM US
(3:00AM GMT)

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TEAM STATS

WASHINGTON - Total 6-22 :: Home 4-12 :: Road 2-10 :: Streak - W1
PORTLAND ---- Total 15-13 :: Home 11-3 :: Road 4-10 :: Streak L1

PREVIEW

When I first saw this spread my gut reaction was to think it is too high. Portland giving up 15 points to Washington. Washington have just won away from home in Detroit, while Portland have lost their last 2 home games.

Then I looked a little closer and realised this spread might not be big enough. There is value in taking the home side here, as Portland have been great at home this season.

Prior to those last 2 home losses, which came in OT against a very good Oklahoma City and Houston, Portland had gone on an 11-1 start, which is the best they've started at home in well over a decade.

And a deeper look at the wins that Portland accumulated before those 2 losses shows that in the last 5 games before they started losing, Portland were winning by an average of over 25 points!

But what of Washington? Yeah, they went and beat Detroit on Sunday but they have a 2-10 record away from home, so you can forget about them winning here.

The Washington losses have not been small either, as the Wizards have been blown out many many times when travelling. Their last 7 road losses have come by an average of 19 points!

This is a prime let-down spot for Washington, who won and covered on the road just 2 nights ago.

Coupled with Portlands desire to make up for 2 straight home losses, we can expect ruthless play from the home side. So far, Washington have covered back to back games only once this season.

BETTING VERDICT

I have a feeling Washington will get blown out here by close to 20 points, so will take the Portland Trailblazers giving up 15.

The Pick :

Portland -15

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take the Portland Trailblazers -15 @ 1.98 (Pinnacle)