Philadelphia managed to win two games over the weekend without Allen Iverson. That moved the 76ers into a virtual first-place tie with New Jersey in the Atlantic Division. The 76ers don't figure to have as much luck Tuesday when they host Phoenix unless Iverson returns to the court after missing his first two games this season.
The Suns have pummeled Philadelphia in six of the last seven series meetings by eight points or more. Phoenix has also covered the spread during the last three encounters by a combined 59 points. Phoenix had won two straight on its current six-game trip until it squandered a double-digit lead Sunday at Cleveland during a 113-106 setback.
The 76ers’ defense, non-existent for the better part of the season, rose to the occasion in Iverson's absence, allowing 81 points or less in two straight games for the first time this season. Philadelphia combined good ball movement and patience on offense, along with solid defense, to beat New York on Saturday and Orlando on Sunday.
The 76ers have won and 'covered' five of their last six. They are 2-1 as home dogs this season. The Suns have faltered in their last four chances as road favorites after cashing their first five in that role.
The last three series shootouts in Pennsylvania have been on the high side.
Trends and angles for the remainder of Tuesday's card appear below.
PACERS at WIZARDS
Indiana and Washington have already split a pair at Conseco Fieldhouse. The Wizards bounced back from a 24-point pounding in the first clash to win the rematch as seven-point dogs, 94-85. The Pacers have lost five straight as they try to cope without leading scorer Jermaine O'Neal. Indiana is 3-1-2 against the spread in its last six trips to the MCI Center. Seven of the last 10 series showdowns have been on the low side.
LAKERS at KNICKS
New York played Monday at Atlanta while the Los Angeles Lakers took the night off after losing at Detroit, 102-93. The Knicks have failed to cash four of their last five when toiling on consecutive nights. The Lakers won the initial test this season as five-point home favorites, 97-92. They have won and 'covered' two of three at The Garden. New York snapped a four-game home losing slide Friday when it edged Orlando, 97-94. The Knicks are 2-4 this season as home dogs. Los Angeles has lost seven of its last nine on the road. Five of the last seven series encounters have eclipsed the total.
PISTONS at NETS
New Jersey heads home after absorbing four straight losses on the road to face a Detroit squad that has won 11 in a row. The Pistons prevailed in their first visit to New Jersey this season as four-point favorites, 93-83. The Nets were unable to connect from three-point range that night, misfiring on all seven attempts. Detroit has won five straight on the highway and has cashed four straight as road favorites. New Jersey has failed to get the money in eight of the last 11 series squabbles, including four of five overall and four of six at home. The Nets have won eight straight at Continental Airlines Arena. Four of the last five tussles in the Garden State have tumbled 'under'.
BULLS at MAVS
Chicago has lost six of its last seven against Dallas, with four of the setbacks occurring by 13 points or more. The Bulls lone win came in their last trip to Texas when they upset the Mavericks as nine-point dogs, 107-100. Dallas gained revenge for that loss when it won at Chicago in this season's initial test as one-point favorites, 102-94. The Mavericks have won eight straight and cashed seven of their last eight, including three straight as home chalk. The Bulls have won four straight for the second time this season and they have prevailed in three of their last four on the road. Dallas has been on the low side in 14 of its last 19 trips to the post. Chicago has knuckled 'under' in seven of its last nine on the highway.
NUGGETS at KINGS
Denver will be looking to snap a six-game losing skid at Sacramento (1-4-1 ATS). The Kings return home after dropping five of six on the road, culminating in a Sunday overtime loss at Toronto, 124-123. The Nuggets have dropped two in a row for the first time since losing three straight at the end of December. Denver has won six of its last eight on the road. Sacramento has won three straight and five of its last seven at Arco Arena and has cashed three straight as home underdogs.
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