The Golden State Warriors have maintained their dominance in the NBA over the past week and are now 9-1 in their last 10 games. But the real surprise is the form of the Washington Wizards, who have gone 8-2 in their last 10 to become the second hottest team in the league, ahead of the Spurs, Cavaliers and many more excellent teams. It has thrust a spotlight on the Southeast Division, where the Wizards are battling the Atlanta Falcons for supremacy, and right now there is plenty of value to be had in backing the Wizards to win it.
Southeast Division
There are three teams in the running to win this competitive division: the Hawks, the Wizards and the Charlotte Hornets. A couple of weeks ago we said the Hornets looked a poor option at 9/4. That has borne out, with Charlotte going out to 9/2 on the back of a very poor run of form that has left them 3-7 in their last 10. It now looks like a straight fight between the Hawks and the Wizards. If you agree, you are guaranteed a profit by backing both. Bet Victor has 11/8 on the Hawks and 13/8 on the Wizards, so if you back the pair of them with an equal stake, you are guaranteed a healthy margin regardless of which one wins. You just have to hope the Hornets do not enjoy a resurgence, and that is not looking likely right now. Charlotte started the season well and went 20-14 to be in contention, but are 3-9 in their last 12. That leaves them on 23-25 and they are 0-7 on the road in January, so this away form is likely to cost them. Meanwhile, the Hawks are 27-20 and the Wizards are 26-20. Washington is really on a roll right now, so if you only want to back one team, they are the best option as they offer greater value and are soaring.
Atlantic Division
The other division offering a bit of value is the Atlantic, where the Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics have the identical record of 28-19. The Celtics are in marginally better form, 10-6 compared to the Raptors’ 5-5, but Toronto is odds-on favourites to win it. Sky Bet, William Hill, Paddy Power and Bet Victor all have 4/6 on the Raptors, while the Celtics are best priced at 6/5 with Coral. Both are interesting options, but the greater value is on the Celtics, and if they can get their defence playing as well as it was last season they can take this division, so they might make a nice double with the Wizards.
Upcoming Games
Wednesday sees the Wizards host a struggling New York Knicks team and they should keep the good form going there with a win. On the same day, a huge game sees the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the San Antonio Spurs. Both are 7/3 in their last 10 and the Spurs are second in the Western Conference behind only the all-conquering Warriors, while the Thunder are sixth but really knocking on the door of the top four places. It should prove an interesting game and the Spurs will have a tough job containing Oklahoma City’s MVP contender Russell Westbrook, but San Antonio has been in excellent form of late, beating the Cavaliers and the Raptors, and should win this one. On Thursday, the struggling Hornets travel to California to play the Warriors, and you can expect Golden State to crush them, covering a reasonable large spread in the process. On the same day, the in-form Utah Jazz should have too much for the Milwaukee Bucks, who are on a dreadful run, and should also cover a heavy spread there.
