In a classic case of listen to what the oddsmakers are telling you, going against underdogs on at least a 10-game winning streak is a fantastic 32-13 going back to 1996. Also remember another of our proven all-sports theories: rest hurts teams playing their best and benefits teams playing poorly. Well when the team with the winning streak is rested going against them is 18-4 for 8.18 percent since 1996.

Of course Atlanta is now the favorite. Our proven theory is using the oddsmakers knowledge against them. They opened as -2.5. Squares bet them to an underdog so that does not affect the system.

Toronto is outscoring teams by 9.1 at home, while Atlanta is +5.8 on the road. Also DeMar DeRozan back from a 21-game absence due to a torn tendon in his groin for Toronto. Yes often when a star player comes back there is a step back before several steps forward. However luckily he has game under his belt. Also the step back is generally when a team plays without their star. Toronto struggled without him, so comes in undervalued.

DeRozan scored eight of his 20 points in the fourth quarter of the Wednesday 100-84 home win over the 76ers. He was 9 of 14 in 29 minutes as Toronto improved to 14-3 with him in the lineup to just 12-9 straight up without him.