Sunday's NBA betting matchup notes
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chicago at Toronto
The Bulls have lost three straight to the Raptors, which could mean more bad news for Chicago, as these two teams have been incredibly streaky lately.
Utah at Detroit
The Jazz have swept their two-game series with the Pistons (8-4) the last two seasons, but that run of success may be difficult to sustain against a Pistons team that is 4-0 at home.
Cleveland at Indiana
The Cavs have won three straight and six of seven against Indiana after losing 16 of the previous 21.
San Antonio at Seattle
San Antonio (11-2), which is tied with Phoenix for the Western Conference's best record and tries for a season-high fifth straight victory, looks for a sixth consecutive win over the lowly Sonics (2-11) and third straight in Seattle.
New Jersey at L.A. Lakers
The Lakers swept two games from the Nets last season after New Jersey won both meetings in 2005-06.
MRIs negative for Bobcats' Wallace, Hollins
ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Tests on injured Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace and center Ryan Hollins were negative, but the two did not play Saturday night against the Boston Celtics.
Wallace and Hollins each had MRIs a day after sustaining injuries in a loss to the Orlando magic.
Wallace, Charlotte's leading scorer, was limited to 12 minutes against the Magic after complaining of a strained right calf. Tests showed no tear, but Wallace suffered more discomfort warming up before Saturday's game against Boston and was a last-minute scratch from the starting lineup.
Rookie Jared Dudley replaced him at small forward.
Hollins left the game in the second half against Orlando holding his left shoulder. The MRI showed no tears or rotator cuff damage, but Hollins did not dress for Saturday's game. A team official said he'll be listed as day to day.
The Bobcats have already lost forwards Adam Morrison and Sean May to season-ending knee injuries.
Martin injures right knee in Houston
ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON -- Denver forward Kenyon Martin left the Nuggets' game Saturday night against Houston because of strained right knee.
Martin walked off the floor with 2:43 left in the half. He was evaluated in the locker room and the Nuggets announced in the third quarter that he wouldn't return
Martin has missed 106 games over the previous two seasons because of microfracture surgeries on both knees.
The 6-foot-9, 240-pound Martin is averaging 8.8 points and 5.3 rebounds.
O'Neal might play versus Cavs
Indiana Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said he anticipates starting forward Jermaine O'Neal will be back in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Conseco Fieldhouse.
But a couple of things have to happen before O'Neal, who missed his second straight game with swelling in his left knee, returns. He has to be medically cleared and be ready to play at least at a 90 percent level. The Pacers will practice today.
"He has to be ready to practice," O'Brien said. "It's difficult to just play games and not practice. Jermaine knows how important he is to our team on the practice floor and also in games. He also knows why having this swelling in this leg makes it hard to practice; you almost can't. If you're not practicing, you're not really playing to your capabilities."
O'Neal, who has missed three games this season, said he didn't have an MRI on Friday because the swelling in his knee has subsided. He got ice therapy treatment during Friday's game against the Dallas Mavericks.
Seeing an improvement
Center David Harrison, who has been foul prone during his career, has given the Pacers a key contribution off the bench over the past week.
He played 19 minutes in O'Neal's absence against New Orleans, totaling 12 points, four rebounds and a block.
O'Brien wants Harrison to string together a strong month.
"I have a lot of confidence (in him)," O'Brien said. "I think what he has done the last couple of games, he's stayed relatively foul free. He's starting to show the referees his hands on defense. That's good that he's letting referees know he's not going to be grabbing people . . . It's very important for this franchise that what we have seen over the last week we continue to see from David, because he's an extremely talented, athletic basketball player."
Harrison played almost 11 minutes Friday night, grabbing three rebounds and committing four fouls.
Harrison was benched the entire second half Nov. 10 against Denver after picking up a technical foul. O'Brien said Harrison has "no choice" but to be on his best behavior with the officials because the Pacers don't plan on "tolerating him being distracted" with the officials.
Walking around
Forward Ike Diogu, out since Nov. 6 with a torn left calf muscle, has started walking without his boot. He said he's doing some stretching and calf raises, but he still is not able to run.
"They don't know when that's going to happen yet," Diogu said. "They're still evaluating me."
Diogu was averaging nearly 14 points and four rebounds before he was injured.
www.indystar.com
Sunday's NCAAB betting matchup notes
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Eastern Kentucky at No. 10 Duke
The Blue Devils look to extend their home winning streak against non-conference opponents to 54 games as they face Eastern Kentucky (2-2) for the first time
Rider vs No. 20 Kansas State
This will be the first meeting between Kansas State and Rider (3-2), and the Wildcats may have forward Bill Walker back.
Air Force vs No. 9 Washington State
This is the first meeting between Air Force and Washington State.
No. 19 Villanova vs N.C. State
The Wolfpack, who hold an 11-10 lead in the all-time series, will try for their fourth straight victory over the Wildcats.
Arizona at No. 4 Kansas
Kansas is 6-3 all-time against the Wildcats, and these two schools will meet again next year in Arizona as part of the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series.
No. 18 Southern Illinois vs. Southern California
Sunday will be the first meeting between these schools.
Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors
- The Chicago Bulls and the Toronto Raptors will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Air Canada Centre.
The Bulls were defeated 68-63 by the Knicks last time out, as a 3-point favorite. The combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 188.
Andres Nocioni shot 5-for-12 from the field with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Ben Gordon added 13 in the loss.
The Raptors could not contain LeBron James, as they fell 111-108 to the Cavaliers on Saturday. The Raptors were 3.5-point underdogs in the contest, while the 219 points sailed OVER the posted total of 192.5.
Chris Bosh tossed in a game-high 41 points from 13-for-25 shooting in a losing effort.
Current streak:
Chicago has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Chicago: 2-9 SU, 2-9 ATS
Toronto: 6-7 SU, 8-5 ATS
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 8-2
Before playing Atlanta are 6-4
After playing New York are 6-4
After a loss are 3-7
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 3-7
Before playing Memphis are 2-8
After playing Cleveland are 1-9
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Chicago is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Chicago is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Chicago is 15-3 SU in its last 18 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Toronto is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago
Toronto is 14-7 SU in its last 21 games at home
Next up:
Chicago home to Atlanta, Tuesday, November 27
Toronto home to Memphis, Wednesday, November 28
Utah Jazz vs. Detroit Pistons
- The Utah Jazz and the Detroit Pistons will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Utah outscored New Orleans 24-7 in the fourth quarter in Friday's 99-71 win, covering the 6.5-point home spread. The 170 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 198.
Carlos Boozer put up 19 points and 16 rebounds, and Ronnie Brewer added 13 points for the Jazz.
Tayshaun Prince had 15 points and seven boards on Friday to lead the Pistons to an 83-78 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Pistons, however, failed to cover the 9-point spread in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (184).
Current streak:
Utah has won 2 straight games.
Detroit has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Utah: 9-4 SU, 7-6 ATS
Detroit: 8-4 SU, 5-7 ATS
Utah most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 1-9
Before playing New York are 4-6
After playing New Orleans are 3-7
After a win are 5-5
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
Before playing Cleveland are 5-5
After playing Philadelphia are 7-3
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Utah is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Detroit
Utah is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Utah's last 5 games
Utah is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Detroit's last 7 games at home
Detroit is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit's last 8 games when playing Utah
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Detroit's last 10 games when playing at home against Utah
Next up:
Utah at New York, Monday, November 26
Detroit home to Cleveland, Wednesday, November 28
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers
- The fans at Conseco Fieldhouse will be treated to a game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Indiana Pacers when they take their seats on Sunday.
LeBron James had a triple-double to help the Cavaliers defeat the Raptors 111-108 last time out. The Cavaliers failed to cover the 3.5-point spread at home, but the 219 points sailed OVER the posted total of 192.5.
James shot 14-for-29 from the field with 37 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists.
Danny Granger led the way with 25 points on Friday night as the Pacers defeated the Dallas Mavericks by a final score of 111-107.
The Mavs had been favored by 7 points on the road in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (206.5).
Current streak:
Cleveland has won 2 straight games.
Indiana has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Cleveland: 7-6 SU, 5-8 ATS
Indiana: 6-7 SU, 6-7 ATS
Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Boston are 7-3
After playing Toronto are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
Indiana most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Denver are 5-5
After playing Dallas are 5-5
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Cleveland is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Cleveland's last 10 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing on the road against Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Indiana's last 10 games when playing Cleveland
Indiana is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Next up:
Cleveland home to Boston, Tuesday, November 27
Indiana at Denver, Tuesday, November 27
San Antonio Spurs vs. Seattle SuperSonics
- The San Antonio Spurs and the Seattle SuperSonics will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at KeyArena.
Tim Duncan poured in 28 points on Friday night to lead the Spurs to a 101-88 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Spurs covered the big 12.5-point spread in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (206.5).
Seattle had 21 turnovers in Friday's 98-93 loss to New Jersey, falling as 3-point home underdogs. The 191 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 195.5.
Delonte West came off the bench with 17 points, while Jeff Green had 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Supersonics.
Current streak:
San Antonio has won 4 straight games.
Seattle has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
San Antonio: 11-2 SU, 7-6 ATS
Seattle: 2-11 SU, 5-8 ATS
San Antonio most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 8-2
Before playing Sacramento are 7-3
After playing Memphis are 7-3
After a win are 8-2
Seattle most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing LA Lakers are 3-7
After playing New Jersey are 4-6
After a loss are 1-9
A few trends to consider:
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Seattle
San Antonio is 17-2 SU in its last 19 games
San Antonio is 4-0-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Antonio's last 5 games when playing on the road against Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing at home against San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Seattle's last 10 games when playing San Antonio
Seattle is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Seattle's last 23 games when playing at home against San Antonio
Next up:
San Antonio at Sacramento, Monday, November 26
Seattle at LA Lakers, Tuesday, November 27
New Jersey Nets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- The fans at STAPLES Center will be treated to a game between the New Jersey Nets and the Los Angeles Lakers when they take their seats on Sunday.
New Jersey forced 21 Seattle turnovers in Friday's 98-93 win, covering 3-point road spread. The 191 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 195.5.
Richard Jefferson scored a game-high 30 points, and Vince Carter put up 15 points for the Nets.
Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 28 points in the Lakers' 107-94 loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday.
The Celtics managed to cover the 8.5-point spread at home in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the posted total (205.5).
Current streak:
New Jersey has won 2 straight games.
Los Angeles has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
New Jersey: 6-7 SU, 5-7-1 ATS
Los Angeles: 7-5 SU, 8-4 ATS
New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Memphis are 3-7
After playing Seattle are 7-3
After a win are 4-6
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Seattle are 4-6
After playing Boston are 5-5
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Jersey's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of New Jersey's last 17 games
New Jersey is 9-3-1 ATS in its last 13 games on the road
New Jersey is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
LA Lakers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games at home
LA Lakers are 18-7 SU in their last 25 games when playing New Jersey
LA Lakers are 10-4 SU in their last 14 games when playing at home against New Jersey
LA Lakers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games
Next up:
New Jersey home to Memphis, Tuesday, November 27
LA Lakers home to Seattle, Tuesday, November 27
NBA Today - Sunday, Nov. 25
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SCOREBOARD
Monday, Nov. 26
New Jersey at L.A. Lakers (9:30 p.m. EST). The road team is 6-1-2 ATS in the last 9 meetings.
STARS
Saturday
-LeBron James, Cavaliers, scored 37 points with 12 rebounds and 12 assists in a 111-108 win over the Raptors.
-Ray Allen, Celtics, made a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Boston a 96-95 win over the Charlotte Bobcats.
-Tracy McGrady, Rockets, scored 35 points to lead Houston to a 109-81 win over the Denver Nuggets.
-Kelenna Azubuike, Warriors, made a 3-pointer with 6.1 seconds left in overtime, giving Golden State a 100-98 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
BEAT THE CLOCK
Ray Allen made a 3-pointer at the buzzer after Eddie House knocked away Jason Richardson's inbounds pass with 4.7 seconds left to give the Boston Celtics a 96-95 win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday night. Allen had missed 11 of his previous 14 shots in a flat performance for the Celtics, yet hit nothing but net on the jumper from the left wing, setting off a wild celebration for the Celtics, who won their third straight game and improved to 11-1.
STAT STUFFER
LeBron James scored 37 points as part of his third triple-double of the season to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 111-108 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Saturday. James, who scored six points in the final minute to seal the win, had 12 rebounds and 12 assists for the 13th triple-double of his career.
SNAPPED
The New York Knicks snapped their eight-game losing streak with an 85-78 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. ... The Houston Rockets snapped a six-game losing streak with a 109-81 win over the Denver Nuggets.
STRONG IN DEFEAT
Chris Bosh scored 41 points for the Raptors in a 111-108 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. ... Dwyane Wade had 32 points for the Heat in a 120-99 loss to the Orlando Magic.
SPEAKING
''In New York, you're either dead or alive. You lose a game and you're dead and you win one and you basically get to survive.'' - Knicks coach Isiah Thomas after New York snapped its eight-game losing streak with an 85-78 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.