We offer the best of both basketball worlds in today’s edition of the Best Games To Bet On, as we have the Atlanta Hawks flying to Toyota Center for a showdown with the Houston Rockets. And over in the NCAA, the gigantic lineup of the UC Irvine looks to score an earth-shaking upset in Lawrence, when the Anteaters square off with No. 2 Kansas Jayhawks.
Line: Atlanta Hawks (+2.5) vs. Houston Rockets (-2.5); total: 209.5 – view all NBA lines
[sc:NBA250 ]The Hawks saw their six-game win streak come to end on Monday, when they suffered a 93-87 road loss to Indiana. Atlanta was doomed in that game by its carelessness on offense, turning the ball over 20 times. Atlanta will look to get it together tonight, as the Hawks go up against the Rockets, who are also coming off a loss.
Houston’s pathetic defense reared its ugly head again on Saturday, when the Rockets were dealt a 110-108 setback by New Orleans. The Rockets have one of the worst defenses in the league, allowing 105.0 points per game. Atlanta, which averages 99.5 points on the road this season, is 3-2 ATS in its last five contests away from Philips Arena. Houston, on the other hand, is 6-0 ATS in its last six at home.
Writer’s Prediction
Atlanta wins, 104-101.
UC Irvine Anteaters vs. Kansas Jayhawks (10:30 PM ET)
Line: UC Irvine Anteaters (+16) vs. Kansas Jayhawks (-16) – view all NCAAB lines
Kansas has one more challenge left before it enters Big 12 play, and it will come later tonight in the form of the Anteaters. In the Jayhawks’ most recent outing, they subdued San Diego State on the road, 70-57. Perry Ellis, who’s been waxing hot of late, led the way with 20 points. The senior forward will have quite a challenge inside, as UC Irvine parades once of the tallest lineups in the nation, one that features 7-foot-6 Mamadou N’Diaye, who paces the Anteaters with 12.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
The Jayhawks, meanwhile, will look to counter UC Irvine’s size advantage with some excellent outside sniping. They are 46.3 percent from deep, top five in the nation. UC Irvine is 2-1-1 ATS in its last four road games, while Kansas is 2-0 ATS in its previous two home games.
