NBA Central Division Tightens a Bit
The Indiana Pacers had their five game win streak snapped last night by the Los Angeles Clippers 99-91. Chris Paul led the Clippers with 29 points while Blake Griffin added 18 points as they improved to 42-18 on the season. L.A. took advantage of the Pacers Roy Hibbert being out after he was suspended for the game following his fight with the Golden State Warriors David Lee earlier in the week. The fight led to a melee that spilled over into the stands. Lee was also suspended for one game.
The Pacers fell to 36-22. They are in a virtual tie for second place in the Eastern Conference with the New York Knicks who are 34-20. The Knicks lead the Pacers by nine percentage points. The Chicago Bulls were able to pick up a game on the Pacers with a 93-82 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Joakim Noah led the Bulls with a triple double. He had 23 points, 21 rebounds and 11 blocks on the night. Carlos Boozer had a double double for the Bulls with 21 points and 12 rebounds as they improved to 33-25, three games behind the Pacers in the NBA Central.
The rest of the division was idle on Thursday. The Milwaukee Bucks maintained their position in the Eastern Conference’s eighth spot this week. They are 28-28 and hold a comfortable six game lead over the Toronto Raptors and the 76ers.
The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers are fighting to stay out of the Central Division cellar. The Pistons hols a one game lead over the Cavs in the loss column at 23-37 while the Cavs are 20-38.
JustBet has odds on tonight’s games involving the NBA Central teams:
Indiana Pacers at Toronto Raptors– Pacers are -1.5 -110 while the Raptors are +1.5 -110 ATS. Over/Under is 186.5. We are going to go with the Raptors+1.5 -110 at home and the over-110.
Los Angeles Clippers at Cleveland Cavaliers– Clippers are -7 -110 while the Cavs are +7 -110 ATS. Over/Under is 199. We like the Cavaliers +7 -110 and the under -110.
Detroit Pistons at New Orleans Hornets– Pistons are +3.5 -110 while the Hornets are -3.5 -110. Over/under is 192.5. We are going with the Hornets -3.5 and the over-110.
