NBA ATS Report Card
by: Cajun Sports
I am often asked what do I use to make my selections in basketball especially with so many games each night and my response has remained the same over the years, very, very long days and nights in the office.
Although there are ways to cut down on the amount of statistical work one must do on each game. One of those ways is to use situational analysis, a team’s record against the spread in certain situations and for the purposes of this article we take a look at the Top 5 in the league against the spread.
Looking at NBA teams and their ATS records in certain situations can help narrow the field and possibly keep you off a losing play or put you on a winning side or total. One must remember that there are no easy or get rich quick schemes when it comes to handicapping any sport.
With that in mind we take a look at Orlando who has quietly put together a very nice SU and ATS record in the 2008-09 campaign, being overshadowed in the press by Cleveland, Boston and the LA Lakers. Their ATS record overall stands at 27-12 but a closer look shows that they are especially dangerous as a road underdog where they are 6-1 ATS averaging 101.3 points per game and only allowing 96.6 points per game.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are another team that has posted a strong ATS record this season. They are 26-10 ATS and are a very solid 15-4 ATS when installed as a home favorite. The Cavs are averaging 105.0 points per game at home this season and allowing only 88.5 points per game. Their numbers on the road are not as strong, as a road favorite they are 7-4 ATS and as a road underdog they are 3-2 ATS both winning records but quite a difference from the home favorite role.
Milwaukee has put together a nice balance when it comes to against the spread results they are 25-14-2 overall but a solid 9-4 ATS as a home favorite averaging 99.4 points per game and only allowing 93.8 points per game. When the Bucks take to the highway as an underdog they are 14-8 ATS averaging 95.8 points per game and allowing 99.3 points per game.
The fourth strongest team against the spread so far this season is certainly not mentioned in the same breath with the first two members of our list. Oklahoma City is 7-33 SU this season and has struggled against most of the league when it comes to winning the game straight up. The key for them has been against the spread for their backers where they have managed a 25-14-1 ATS record. They are 11-8 ATS as a home underdog and just defeated the Utah Jazz straight up but they are strong on the road as an underdog posting a record of 13-5 ATS this season.
The fifth and final member of our Top 5 teams ATS is the Charlotte Bobcats who are 22-17 ATS for 56.4 percent winners. The only area that the Bobcats have done well in is when they are installed as an underdog on the road. Their record in that role is 10-6 ATS and they are averaging 90.8 points per game and allowing 96.0 points per game. They will need to be watched closely because they are on the edge of profitability and only have one area that they are showing the ability to make their backers money.
When breaking down the NBA card each day it may help to check the team’s ability to cover the number when in a particular situation. Hopefully this will help with your profitability and the amount of time required to win on a consistent basis.