NBA basketball betting picks: Washington @ Philadelphia

Added on Jan 05, 2010 by Jack Thurman in

The Washington Wizards travel north to Philadelphia hoping to end a four game straight up losing streak and no doubt hoping to get away from the controversey caused by an alleged dispute over a gambling debt between Gilbert Arenas and Jarvis Crittenton. Everyone has no doubt heard the story now which reportedly involved Arenas and Crittenton pointing guns at each other though both men and everyone else involved has attempted to downplay the significance of the fracas. At this point, it doesn’t really have much significance in terms of NBA basketball betting other than providing some fodder for new insults for the Philly fans to yell at the Wizards.

Washington Wizards at Philadelphia 76ers
January 5, 4:05 Pacific

This play is more of a play against the 76ers than it is a play on the Wizards. The best thing that can be said about Washington’s involvement is that they enter the game in a double revenge spot, having lost twice this season to Philly. The Wizards were competitive in both games, losing by 7 in late December and 1 point in the team’s first visit to the Wachovia Center. Obviously neither team has done very well this year, but they are very evenly matched. Washington has a record of 10-21 while Philly has a record of 10-23. If you need any further validation of how ‘top heavy’ the Eastern Conference is this season consider this: Washington is just 3 1/2 games out of a playoff spot, while the Sixers are just 4 1/2 games back.

Philadelphia has won 6 of the last 10 meetings including 4 straight at the Wachovia Center. That translates into a 5-4-1 ATS mark overall and a 2-1-1 mark at home. Ultimately, however, the fundamental premise of this play is our desire to go against the Sixers who have been a horrible investment at home. Philly is a woeful 4-10 SU at home and their ATS mark is even worse at 2-12. They’re also 3-7 ATS as a favorite and 5-10 ATS against teams with losing records. The Wizards have a 5-4-1 ATS mark over their last 10 games and they should be able to bring home the bacon against a Sixers team that has failed to cover in 7 of their last 8 as a home favorite.

Bet Washington +4′ over Philadelphia