NBA Sports Betting East Picks

Atlanta Hawks (20-10) vs. Indiana Pacers (10-20)

Tuesday, December 30th — Conseco Fieldhouse, Indiana — 7:00pm EST

NBA Betting Line: Indiana -1 (206.5)

The Hawks have been chugging forward like a nuclear powered locomotive, going undefeated in their last 5 games and 5-1 ATS in their past 6 games. With dominating victories over Detroit and Denver in the past couple weeks, the Hawks are looking more like steady contenders and less like the flash-in-the-pan we presumed they might be.

Meanwhile, Indiana, despite holding a 113-96 win over Atlanta the last, has stumbled in the month of December. They’ve lost their last three games, and one of those games is against the Clippers. The Pacers looked dangerous after shocking the Lakers but fell off the grid very quickly after that. I’ve been singing the praises of T.J. Ford and Danny Granger, but the production of those two is offset by Josh and Joe in Atlanta. Somebody tell me who’s going to stop Al Horford? Jeff Foster? Please.

NBA Betting Free Pick: Atlanta +1 (OVER)

Cleveland Cavaliers (26-4) vs. Miami Heat (16-13)

Tuesday, December 30th — American Airlines Arena — 7:30pm EST

NBA Betting Line: Cleveland -5 (183.5)

The only reason I’m worried about this game is that Dwyane Wade and the Heat have gone 4-1 ATS and SU in their past 5 games. Against Cleveland, they’re also 4-2 ATS the last 6 times they met Cleveland on the hardwood. It’s probably due to a lot of factors, but none greater than Dwyane Wade taking his playing level to another planet when LeBron is on the court.

Wade blew up for 29 points and 8 helpers the last time they played Cleveland. Known as a one-man wrecking crew, Wade has the ability to take the responsibility of the win on his own shoulders. The problem is that he’s not getting any help from Marian or Beasley. Wade is averaging more points per game than Marion or Beasley…combined.

As good as Miami has been as of late, Cleveland is on a rampage. The Cavs have toppled every conceivable challenge and are only getting better while the Heat just stay stagnant. On a big stage, in a prime time matchup that everyone will be watching, expect LeBron to outshine his 2003 Draft classmate by thundering through a depleted Heat frontcourt that won’t be able to stop the size and swagger of the contending Cavaliers.

The long and the short of it is that the Cavs have not let down their betting faithful in a long time. They are 14-4 ATS in their last 18 games,

NBA Betting Free Pick: Cleveland -5 (UNDER)