Sunday's NBA matchup notes
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chicago at New York
The Knicks have dropped 10 of 13 against the Bulls but have won the last two meetings at Madison Square Garden.
Philadelphia at Portland
On Nov. 16, Portland led Philadelphia by 25 points in the second quarter and 22 in the third before the Sixers outscored the Blazers 36-15 in the fourth quarter to win 92-88.
Golden State at Denver
Denver has won eight of the last 12 meetings against Golden State over the last four seasons.
Memphis at San Antonio
The Spurs have won six straight at home against the Grizzlies.
Phoenix at Sacramento
The Kings are 2-7 in games Ron Artest has missed this season. Sacramento had Artest in the lineup in its first matchup with Phoenix this season, losing 100-98 on Nov. 20.
Boston at L.A. Lakers
The Celtics won their first meeting with the Lakers 107-94 on Nov. 23 at TD Banknorth Garden
Spurs sign G Dermarr Johnson, waive draft pick Williams
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SAN ANTONIO -- The San Antonio Spurs signed journeyman guard DerMarr Johnson and waived 2007 draft pick Marcus Williams on Saturday.
Johnson has played for Atlanta, New York and Denver during a seven-year NBA career that was interrupted when he broke his neck in a car accident in 2002. He returned to the NBA 1 1/2 years later with the Knicks.
The 27-year-old Johnson had his best season in 2001-02, when he averaged 8.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 72 games with the Hawks. His career averages are 6.2 points and 2.3 rebounds. He started this season with the Spurs' NBA Development League team in Austin, averaging 15.8 points and 6.0 rebounds in 10 games.
Williams, the 33rd pick in the draft, appeared in his only game with the Spurs on Wednesday against Chicago. He averaged 3.3 points and 2.6 rebounds in seven preseason games.
Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks
- The fans at Madison Square Garden will be treated to a game between the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks when they take their seats on Sunday.
Chicago outscored Milwaukee by ten points in the fourth quarter in Friday's 103-99 win, failing to cover the 6-point home spread. The 202 points scored were OVER the posted total of 191.5.
Ben Gordon came off the bench with 31 points, and Luol Deng had 28 points and ten rebounds for the Bulls.
Jamal Crawford led the Knicks with 29 points and eight assists in their 110-96 loss to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.
The Magic covered as 11-point home favorites as the teams played over the 200-point total posted by books.
Current streak:
New York has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Chicago: 10-17 SU, 8-19 ATS
New York: 8-20 SU, 12-16 ATS
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Orlando are 4-6
After playing Milwaukee are 3-7
After a win are 2-8
New York most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Sacramento are 0-10
After playing Orlando are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing New York
Chicago is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing New York
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chicago's last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing on the road against New York
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 5 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York's last 6 games when playing at home against Chicago
New York is 8-16 ATS in its last 24 games at home
Next up:
Chicago home to Orlando, Monday, December 31
New York home to Sacramento, Wednesday, January 2
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Portland Trail Blazers
- The Philadelphia 76ers and the Portland Trail Blazers will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Rose Garden.
Philadelphia outscored Sacramento by 12 points in the fourth quarter of Friday's 92-80 win, coming in as 4-point road underdogs. The 172 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 190.
Samuel Dalembert had 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Andre Miller scored 18 points for the 76ers.
Six Portland players reached double figures in Friday's 109-98 win over Minnesota, covering the 8.5-point home spread. The 207 points scored were OVER the posted total of 188.5.
Brandon Roy scored 22 points, while LaMarcus Aldridge added 21 points for the Trailblazers.
Current streak:
Philadelphia has won 3 straight games.
Portland has won 12 straight games.
Team records:
Philadelphia: 13-16 SU, 14-14-1 ATS
Portland: 17-12 SU, 18-11 ATS
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Seattle are 4-6
After playing Sacramento are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
Portland most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 3-7
Before playing Utah are 3-7
After playing Minnesota are 3-7
After a win are 10-0
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games on the road
Philadelphia is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Portland is 11-1 ATS in its last 12 games
Portland is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Next up:
Philadelphia at Seattle, Monday, December 31
Portland at Utah, Monday, December 31
Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets
- The fans at Pepsi Center will be treated to a game between the Golden State Warriors and the Denver Nuggets when they take their seats on Sunday.
Golden State hit 14 three-pointers in Friday's 124-120 loss to Denver, falling as 4.5-point home favorites. The 244 points scored were OVER the posted total of 227.5.
Stephen Jackson dropped 32 points, while Baron Davis put up 29 points and 13 assists for the Warriors.
Denver shot 50.6% from the field in Friday's 124-120 win at Golden State, coming in as 4.5-point road underdogs. The 244 points scored were OVER the posted total of 227.5.
Allen Iverson poured in a game-high 39 points, and Carmelo Anthony added 30 points for the Nuggets.
Current streak:
Denver has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Golden State: 17-13 SU, 14-16 ATS
Denver: 18-11 SU, 14-15 ATS
Golden State most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Houston are 7-3
After playing Denver are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3
Denver most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 3-7
Before playing San Antonio are 6-4
After playing Golden State are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Golden State's last 12 games when playing Denver
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 5 games when playing on the road against Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Golden State's last 14 games on the road
Golden State is 17-7 SU in its last 24 games
Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Golden State
Denver is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Golden State
Denver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Denver's last 12 games when playing Golden State
Next up:
Golden State at Houston, Monday, December 31
Denver home to San Antonio, Thursday, January 3
Memphis Grizzlies vs. San Antonio Spurs
- The Memphis Grizzlies and the San Antonio Spurs will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at AT&T Center.
Memphis shot 36% from the floor in Friday's 103-83 loss to Houston, falling as 1-point home underdogs. The 186 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 195.5.
Pau Gasol was the high man with 23 points, and Darko Milicic dropped 12 points for the Grizzlies.
San Antonio shot 30.8% from the floor in Friday's 83-73 loss to Toronto, falling as 7-point home favorites. The 156 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 184.
Michael Finley had a game-high 20 points, and Tim Duncan added 16 points for the Spurs.
Current streak:
Memphis has lost 4 straight games.
Team records:
Memphis: 8-21 SU, 13-16 ATS
San Antonio: 20-8 SU, 16-12 ATS
Memphis most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Indiana are 5-5
After playing Houston are 5-5
After a loss are 2-8
San Antonio most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 8-2
Before playing Denver are 6-4
After playing Toronto are 7-3
After a loss are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Memphis's last 11 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Memphis's last 6 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Memphis's last 15 games on the road
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Memphis
San Antonio is 21-2 SU in its last 23 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of San Antonio's last 11 games when playing at home against Memphis
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of San Antonio's last 8 games
Next up:
Memphis at Indiana, Wednesday, January 2
San Antonio at Denver, Thursday, January 3
Phoenix Suns vs. Sacramento Kings
- The Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at ARCO Arena.
Phoenix held the Clippers to 34.7% from the floor in Friday's 94-88 win, failing to cover the 13-point home spread. The 182 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 210.
Amare Stoudamire put up 28 points and ten rebounds, while Grant Hill added 22 points and eight assists for the Suns.
Sacramento were outscored by 12 points in the final stanza of Friday's 92-80 loss to Philadelphia, coming in as 4-point home favorites. The 172 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 190.
John Salmons put up 22 points, while Beno Udrih added 19 points for the Kings.
Current streak:
Phoenix has won 2 straight games.
Sacramento has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Phoenix: 21-9 SU, 13-16-1 ATS
Sacramento: 11-17 SU, 15-13 ATS
Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 9-1
Before playing Seattle are 7-3
After playing LA Clippers are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
Sacramento most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
Before playing New York are 7-3
After playing Philadelphia are 5-5
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Phoenix is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
Phoenix is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Sacramento's last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Sacramento is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Sacramento is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Sacramento is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Next up:
Phoenix home to Seattle, Thursday, January 3
Sacramento at New York, Wednesday, January 2
Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at STAPLES Center.
Boston dominated the final few minutes and came away with a 104-98 win over Utah last time out. Boston failed to cover the 6-point spread, but the 202 points made it OVER the posted total of 193.
Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 24 points, six rebounds and four assists. Ray Allen chipped in with 23 points in the win.
The Lakers outscored Utah by 18 points in the fourth quarter of Friday's 123-109 win, covering the 4.5-point home spread. The 232 points scored were OVER the posted total of 212.5.
Kobe Bryant led the way with 31 points, while Lamar Odom added 17 points for the Lakers.
Current streak:
Boston has won 5 straight games.
Los Angeles has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Boston: 25-3 SU, 19-8-1 ATS
Los Angeles: 19-10 SU, 18-11 ATS
Boston most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 3-7
Before playing Houston are 5-5
After playing Utah are 6-4
After a win are 9-1
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Philadelphia are 3-7
After playing Utah are 3-7
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home
LA Lakers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 5 games at home
LA Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games at home
Next up:
Boston home to Houston, Wednesday, January 2
LA Lakers home to Philadelphia, Friday, January 4