Phoenix Suns vs. Seattle SuperSonics
- The Phoenix Suns and the Seattle SuperSonics will both be gunning for a victory on Wednesday when they meet at KeyArena.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Suns had six players reach double figures on Tuesday, as they ran past the Trail Blazers 111-98. The Suns covered the 4.5-point spread, while the 209 points fell UNDER the posted total of 210.5.
Shaquille O'Neal scored 16 points and hauled down 15 rebounds for a double-double in the win.
The Sonics lost to Denver 168-116 as a 15-point underdog last time out. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (212).
Kevin Durant led the Sonics with 23 points and Chris Wilcox had 17 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.
Current streak:
Phoenix has won 5 straight games.
Seattle has lost 8 straight games.
Team records:
Phoenix: 45-22 SU, 32-33-2 ATS
Seattle: 16-51 SU, 32-34-1 ATS
Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Houston are 8-2
After playing Portland are 7-3
After a win are 5-5
Seattle most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing LA Lakers are 2-8
After playing Denver are 3-7
After a loss are 1-9
A few trends to consider:
Phoenix is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing Seattle
Phoenix is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Phoenix's last 16 games when playing on the road against Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing Phoenix
Seattle is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Seattle's last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Seattle's last 16 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Next up:
Phoenix home to Houston, Saturday, March 22
Seattle at LA Lakers, Friday, March 21
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Clippers
- The Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers will both be trying to pick up a win on Wednesday when they battle at STAPLES Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Golden State lost 122-105 to the Kings last time out, as 3.5-point favorites on the road. The combined 227 points fell UNDER the posted total of 229.
Baron Davis shot 9-for-18 from the field with 24 points and eight assists in the loss.
The Clippers lost 99-90 to the Timberwolves last time out, as 7-point road underdogs. The 189 points fell UNDER the posted total of 197.
Corey Maggette threw in a game-high 34 points in the loss for the Clippers.
Current streak:
Los Angeles has lost 4 straight games.
Team records:
Golden State: 41-25 SU, 28-38 ATS
Los Angeles: 21-45 SU, 28-38 ATS
Golden State most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing Houston are 7-3
After playing Sacramento are 7-3
After a loss are 10-0
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 3-7
Before playing Portland are 5-5
After playing Minnesota are 3-7
After a loss are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
Golden State is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
Golden State is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games when playing LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Golden State's last 9 games when playing LA Clippers
Golden State is 4-10 SU in their last 14 games when playing LA Clippers
LA Clippers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Golden State
LA Clippers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games when playing at home against Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of the LA Clippers last 11 games at home
LA Clippers are 10-4 SU in their last 14 games when playing Golden State
Next up:
Golden State home to Houston, Friday, March 21
LA Clippers at Portland, Friday, March 21
History has been kind to NCAA basketball tournament favorites
Since the tournament began seeding teams in 1979, 21 of 29 champions have been seeded No. 1 or No. 2. UCLA is listed as 7-2 favorites to win it all.
The NCAA men's basketball tournament has a reputation for big upsets, but the key to March Madness for bettors is to support favorites when it comes to picking the eventual national champion.
Since the tournament began seeding teams in 1979, 21 of 29 champions have been seeded No. 1 or No. 2 and only three teams seeded higher than eighth have even reached the Final Four.
That's why on most betting boards, future odds for this year's tournament lean heavily on top-seeded teams UCLA, North Carolina, Kansas and Memphis.
The Bruins are listed as 7-2 favorites to win it all, followed by the Tar Heels at 9-2, Jayhawks at 5-1 and Tigers at 8-1, quality lines when you consider that every other team in the tournament faces double-digit odds or greater.
But there are a couple of "long-shot" teams attracting support to pull off an upset, and they are perennial powers Duke, Georgetown, Louisville and Texas.
According to Sportsbook.com's most recent tournament line, the Blue Devils -- who have reached the Final Four 10 times under Coach Mike Krzyzewski -- are at 15-1, with the Hoyas and Cardinals at 12-1 and the Longhorns at 10-1.
Note: Southern California's three other tournament teams are big-time longshots: USC is 40-1, San Diego is 400-1 and Cal State Fullerton is not listed on most boards.
For first-round games, Georgetown has gained the most support to cover its point-spread line, according to Wagerline.com's consensus betting list.
The Hoyas, favored by 16 points over Maryland Baltimore County, have been picked by 78.25% to beat the spread against the Retrievers.
USC is another team getting strong money play, according to theSpread.com's betting chart. The Trojans, who are favored by 2 1/2 points over Kansas State, have gained 77% of the bets against the spread as of Tuesday afternoon.
It's a much different story for UCLA, which is favored by 33 points over Mississippi Valley State. The Bruins have been selected to cover the spread against the Delta Devils by only 41%, according to theSpread.com's betting chart.
latimes.com
UAB (22-10, 15-11-1 ATS) at VCU (24-7, 17-10-1 ATS)
Alabama-Birmingham, seeded second in the Conference USA tournament, tumbled in Thursday’s quarterfinals, falling to Tulsa 78-68 in overtime as a three-point chalk. That setback followed a 94-56 blowout loss at Memphis to end the regular season. Prior to those two SU and ATS defeats, the Blazers had won five in a row (4-1 ATS).
Virginia Commonwealth, thought to be among one of the last teams left out of the NCAA Tournament, also fell victim to the upset bug as the Colonial Athletic Association’s top seed. The Rams lost to William & Mary 56-54 on March 9 laying 12 points in the tournament semifinals, halting a 5-0 SU run (4-1 ATS).
These two teams share a little history, having met six times over the past eight seasons, with UAB going 4-2 (3-2-1 ATS). Most recently, though, VCU posted a 53-44 home win, pushing as a nine-point favorite early in the 2006-07 season. And the year prior, UAB won 68-62 at home but failed to cover the 10-point spread.
The Blazers are 4-1 ATS in their last four after a pointspread setback and 5-2-1 ATS in their last eight against the CAA.
The Rams are on several positive ATS runs, including 5-0 after a SU loss, 4-0-1 against Conference USA teams, 5-1 on Wednesday, 4-1 after a non-cover and 11-5 against teams with a winning SU record. In addition, VCU is 17-5-2 ATS in its last 24 non-conference outings and 21-10-1 ATS in its last 32 overall.
The over for UAB is on streaks of 9-2 overall, 7-0 on Wednesday and 6-0 following a SU loss, though the under is 35-17 in the Blazers’ last 52 roadies. For VCU, the under is on a 5-0 tear overall and is also 10-2 in its last 12 at home and 5-2 in its last seven in non-conference action, but the over is 20-7 coming off a loss and 11-5 in Wednesday matchups.
ATS ADVANTAGE: VCU
Charlotte (20-13, 18-11-1 ATS) at Nebraska (19-12, 11-12 ATS)
Charlotte, as a No. 6 seed, reached the Atlantic 10 Conference semifinals last weekend before losing to eventual tourney champion Temple 60-45 Friday as a 2½-point underdog. The loss ended a 5-0 SU and ATS streak by the 49ers, including a last-second, 75-73 win over Rhode Island to open the A-10 tourney and a 69-65 upset of third-seeded UMass as a four-point pup in the quarterfinals.
Nebraska lost to second-seeded Kansas 64-54 Friday in the Big 12 quarterfinals, but cashed as a 14½-point pup for its fourth straight ATS triumph (2-2 SU). The Huskers are on a 7-1 ATS spree, going 5-3 SU in that span.
The 49ers are 6-14-2 ATS on the highway versus teams with a winning home record, but they carry positive ATS trends of 6-0 following a pointspread loss, 4-1 against winning teams, 7-2 in Wednesday contests, 6-2 after a SU loss and 9-1-1 against teams with a winning percentage above .600. Finally, the 49ers are 11-3 ATS as a ‘dog of less than 10 points this season.
The Huskers are also on a handful of ATS upticks, including 4-0 in Lincoln, 6-1 against winning teams, 5-1 after a SU loss and 5-1 following a spread-cover.
For Charlotte, the under is on runs of 4-0 overall (all on the highway) and 4-1 on Wednesdays, but the over is 5-1 in its last six outside the A-10 and 4-1 coming off a SU loss. For Nebraska, the under is 7-3 in its last 10 Wednesday matchups.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NEBRASKA
San Diego State (20-12, 15-14 ATS) at Florida (21-11, 11-12 ATS)
Florida, the two-time defending national champion, takes a big step down in class with its appearance in the NIT. But the Gators earned the demotion, going 0-4 SU and ATS in their last four games, including Thursday’s 80-69 loss to Alabama as a 3½-point chalk to open the Southeastern Conference tournament. Florida went 3-7 in its last 10 games and was even worse against the number (2-8).
San Diego State reached the Mountain West semifinals before losing to top-seeded BYU 63-54 Friday getting 6½ points, its third straight ATS setback (1-2 SU). The Aztecs are 4-6 SU and ATS in their last 10 starts overall, with the straight-up winner cashing in eight of those contests.
The Gators are on negative pointspread streaks of 0-6 in in Gainesville, 0-4 following a SU loss and 2-6 following a non-cover, but they are 24-9-1 ATS in their last 34 non-conference games and 13-3 ATS in their last 16 postseason tournament contests.
The Aztecs are 17-8-1 ATS in their last 26 when coming off a SU loss and 6-2 ATS in their last eight on Wednesday, but they are in the midst of ATS downturns of 1-4 overall, 2-5 on the highway, 0-4 against winning teams, 0-4 outside the Mountain West and 1-7 in postseason tournaments.
The under is on a 5-1 streak for San Diego State and is 6-0 in its last six in non-conference action, but the over is 7-1 in the Aztecs’ last eight after a SU loss. For Florida, the over is 10-1 after a SU loss, 5-1 in Gainesville, 4-1-1 overall and 11-4 outside the SEC.
ATS ADVANTAGE: FLORIDA and OVER
New Mexico (24-8, 22-8-1 ATS) at Cal (16-15, 15-13 ATS)
New Mexico was on a torrid late-season run, but Thursday’s 82-80 overtime loss to Utah as a 3½-point favorite to open the Mountain West tournament derailed the Lobos’ NCAA hopes. Before that loss, New Mexico was on an 8-1 SU and ATS tear, with the straight-up winner cashing in all nine games. In fact, the winner has gone 17-0 ATS in the Lobos’ last 17 outings.
California got drilled by top-seeded UCLA 88-66 in the Pac-10 quarterfinals Friday, failing as a 13-point ‘dog to end a three-game ATS surge (1-2 SU) that included an 84-81 win over Washington as a two-point chalk to open the tournament. The Golden Bears are on a 2-8 SU slide, going 5-5 ATS in that stretch.
These two teams met twice early this decade, with Cal going 2-0 (1-1 ATS). The Golden Bears won 71-62 as a 10½-point home favorite in November 2001, then won and cashed in a 76-68 road win giving one point a year later.
The Lobos are riding positive ATS streaks of 5-0-1 on Wednesday, 4-0 on the highway, 13-3-1 in non-conference play, 4-1 versus the Pac-10, 5-2 against winning teams and 15-7 after a pointspread loss. In addition, the SU winner is on an eye-popping 21-0-1 ATS run in New Mexico’s last 22 overall.
The Golden Bears are 6-0 ATS in their last eight Wednesday tilts and 6-2 ATS in their last eight outside the Pac-10, but they are on an 0-8 ATS freefall in Berkeley and are 1-7 ATS in their last eight at home following three or more consecutive road games.
The “over” trends are heavy for both these teams, including 20-8-1 for New Mexico overall, 8-1-1 for New Mexico on the highway, 5-1-1 on Wednesdays and 4-1 in non-conference play. For Cal, the over is 35-16-1 in its last 52 overall, 8-0 following a non-cover, 4-0 after a SU loss, 6-1 at home and 5-1-1 in non-conference action.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
Detroit (49-18, 37-29-1 ATS) at Cleveland (38-30, 32-36 ATS)
The Cavaliers will try to extend their seven-game home winning streak when the rival Pistons come calling at Quicken Loans Arena.
Cleveland has dropped three of its last four both SU and ATS, including Monday’s 104-90 loss at Orlando as 6½-point underdogs. The lone win in the last four was Sunday’s 98-91 home victory over the Bobcats, though the Cavs failed to cash in that one as 7½-point favorites.
Detroit has won five of its last six overall (3-3 ATS), including back-to-back blowout home wins over the Hornets on Sunday (105-84) and the Nuggets on Tuesday (136-120). The Pistons easily cashed in both contests and are 3-0 ATS in their last three after going 1-10 ATS in their previous 11.
Cleveland rallied to beat the Pistons in last year’s best-of-seven Eastern Conference Final in six games (6-0 ATS) after falling behind 2-0. Detroit won the only meeting this season, though, rolling to a 109-74 victory back in November as a nine-point home chalk. That ended an eight-game ATS series winning streak for the Cavs. The home team is 7-1 SU (4-4 ATS) in the last eight series clashes, and the underdog is 13-4 ATS in the last 17.
The Pistons are 11-5-1 ATS on the second night of back-to-backs, but just 2-6 ATS on the road against teams with a winning home record. Meanwhile Cleveland is 17-6 ATS in its last 23 against the Central Division but 0-5 ATS in its last five home games against teams with a winning road mark. Also, the Cavs are just 4-3 ATS during their seven-game home streak.
The under is 11-2 in the last 13 meetings in Cleveland and 22-6 in the last 28 series battles overall. The under is also 10-1 in the Pistons’ last 11 on no days’ rest, 39-16-1 in their last 56 as a road ‘dog, 5-0 in the Cavs’ last five at home, 4-1 in the Cavs’ last five on one day of rest and 21-6 in their last 27 against teams with a winning record.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Houston (46-21, 40-26-1 ATS) at New Orleans (45-21, 40-25-1 ATS)
A night after their 22-game winning streak came to an end against the Celtics, the Rockets look to get back on the winning track tonight against the Hornets in a critical Southwest Division matchup in the Big Easy.
Houston’s streak – the second longest in NBA history – ended with a thud Tuesday night, as the Celtics rolled to a 94-74 victory as a 4½-point underdog. The Rockets, who got outscored 54-34 in the second half last night, went 19-3 ATS during their incredible run, and they’re still 13-2 ATS in their last 15 overall and 6-1 ATS in their last seven on the highway. Going back even further, Rick Adelman’s squad is on a 36-16 ATS roll.
New Orleans is 6-2 SU and ATS in its last eight overall, including a 108-97 win over the Bulls on Monday as a four-point home chalk. The Hornets are 7-0 SU and ATS in their last seven in front of the home fans and 18-6 ATS in their last 24 in New Orleans.
These division rivals have already squared off three times this season with the Rockets taking the last two as part of their 22-game win streak. Houston got the win on March 8 106-96 as a 6½-point home favorite and also blew out the Hornets 100-80 as a four-point road pup on Feb. 22. Despite those two results, the Hornets are still 6-3 ATS in the last nine meetings, while the underdog 17-5 ATS in the last 22 clashes and the road team 10-3 ATS in the last 13.
Houston is on ATS runs of 14-3 on the highway, 8-0 on the road against teams with a winning home record and 6-0 on the second night of back-to-backs. Meanwhile New Orleans is on ATS streaks of 36-17-1 on Wednesdays, 4-1 against the Western Conference and 5-2 when coming off a day of rest.
The under is on streaks of 13-6 for the Rockets on back-to-back nights, 17-5 on the road against teams with a winning home record and 5-1 on the highway overall. Conversely, the Hornets have “over” trends of 9-4-1 against the Western Conference, 12-5-2 at home and 6-1 on Wednesdays.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
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Lakers don't expect to have Bynum back until first round of the playoffs
March 18, 2008
DALLAS (AP) -The Lakers have finally put a timetable on the return of Andrew Bynum: probably the first round of the playoffs.
Bynum has been out since Jan. 13, when he dislocated his left kneecap and bruised a bone landing on a teammate's foot while going for a rebound. The Lakers haven't been more specific about his recovery than saying he would be out for at least eight weeks.
But before the Lakers played the Mavericks on Tuesday night, coach Phil Jackson said he's not expecting the 20-year-old center to return until the playoffs begin the weekend of April 18-19.
``It's all about swelling, the pounding you take day to day,'' Jackson said. ``He continually battles that. So it could be a couple, three weeks before he's doing some things on the court.''
Going into the Mavs game, Los Angeles was 20-10 without Bynum, helped by the addition of Pau Gasol. The Lakers would probably rather not wait until the postseason to get them playing together, but it looks like they might not have a choice.
In his third year, Bynum is averaging 13.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.06 blocked shots. He was leading the NBA in field goal percentage (63.6 percent) and was among the best in rebounds and blocks when he got hurt.