Denver Nuggets at New Orleans Hornets
Friday, 1/6/12, 8:00 PM EST, TV: CST
Opening Point Spread: Denver -5.5
Current Betting Line: Denver -4.5
Opening Total: 190.5
Current Total: 190.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Denver starts a two-game road trip after capturing three home games in a row, coming off a 110-83 victory over the Sacramento Kings as 11.5-point favorites. “We’re going to go after teams with our intensity, and hopefully, the flow of flooding good players on the court,’ stated Nuggets head coach George Karl this week. The Nuggets have won eight of their last 13 road games against the Hornets, including a 114-103 win as 2.5-point underdogs on March 14, 2011. Denver is 6-5 ATS as a road favorite of 3.5 to 6 points the last two-plus years.
The Nuggets had 12 players score at least six points in their victory against the Kings, marking the second time in franchise history this has occurred. Denver also got out on the break, scoring 31 fast break points, posting a 5-1 record this season when going for 20-plus points in that particular category. Point guard Ty Lawson is enjoying a solid season thus far, averaging a team-high 16.7 points and 5.6 assists per game. The bench is currently leading the NBA in combining for 11.9 assists and 20.0 rebounds per game.
New Orleans has fallen into a rut since beating the Boston Celtics on Dec. 28, 2011, looking to snap a four-game losing streak that includes a 101-93 defeat as 5.5-point home underdogs against the Philadelphia 76ers Wednesday night. “They are frustrated,” stated Hornets head coach Monty Williams. He will look to rally the troops, winning two of three in this series a year ago. New Orleans is 9-7 ATS as a home underdog of 3.5 to 6 points the last two-plus years.
The Hornets will need to take better care of the basketball in the fourth quarter tonight, allowing the 76ers to score 13 points in the fourth-quarter off their miscues last time out. New Orleans was certainly happy that guard Eric Gordon returned to the court after missing four games, as he managed to score 22 points. Williams is hoping that starting forward Trevor Ariza is able to overcome a groin injury, as he’s currently listed as questionable on the injury report.
Bettors will likely back the Nuggets due to their 22-5-1 ATS mark versus losing teams, while the Hornets are 2-5 ATS in their last seven home games.
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