NBA Betting News And Notes
By CHRIS BERNUCCA
Each week, we take a look at different trends and news going on in the Association and project how it might impact NBA bettors.
Senseless Bayless
You would think that on a team with nine healthy players - and two of them are antique Juwan Howard and neophyte Dante Cunningham - there wouldn't be any issues about playing time. Think again.
All three point guards for the injury-ravaged Portland Trail Blazers are healthy, and third-stringer Jerryd Bayless isn't happy with his 10.6 minutes per game, which is actually below his career average.
"I know every time I play I've helped this team. Every single time," he told The Oregonian earlier this week. "It's tough. Especially since, and I hate saying this, seeing these other guys doing what they are doing. I know I can help this team. I know I can."
It wasn't clear if the "other guys" were players taken in Bayless' draft class, such as Russell Westbrook and Eric Gordon, or Blazers point guards Andre Miller and Steve Blake, both of whom have been rumored to be on the trading block.
Regardless, Portland has had more than its share of drama this season and doesn't need any more, especially with a four-game road trip consisting of two back-to-backs - Miami and Orlando, then Dallas and San Antonio.
The Blazers have lost six of their last seven road games straight up and are 2-7-1 against the spread in their last 10 overall.
Rocket's red glare
Houston Rockets coach Rick Adelman isn't happy with his team's upcoming schedule and let anyone who was listening know about it.
On Tuesday night, the Rockets began a stretch of eight games in 13 days that carries through the Christmas weekend. The slate includes four sets of back-to-back games, five road games and five time changes when you count return flights home.
"I don’t know if the league really understands that they gave us four back-to-backs. It’s awful," Adelman told reporters. "And it’s not just the back-to-backs. We play at home (Tuesday), then travel to Denver for the next one. Then the next week we play at home, then travel to Orlando for the next one. To me, it’s just utterly ridiculous."
Before pulling out the violins, it should be noted that both Boston and Dallas have had stretches of eight games in 12 days this season. And the Rockets - who just got back Tracy McGrady - are 5-1 straight up and 3-3 against the spread in the back end of back-to-backs.
On the road, Houston is 8-7 straight up and 9-6 against the spread.
King me
Last season, the Sacramento Kings won 17 games. This season, they already have won 16 - against the spread. Sacramento's 16-7-1 ATS record is second-best in the NBA.
It is a staggering achievement when you consider the Kings have played all but five games without their best player (Kevin Martin) and his backup (Francisco Garcia), and have a rookie point guard (Tyreke Evans) running the offense for a first-year coach (Paul Westphal).
The Kings aren't favored very often, but when they are, you should grab them. They are 7-0 straight up and 6-1 against the spread when giving points, winning those games by an average of 12 points.
Sacramento is 8-2-1 ATS overall in its last 10 contests. It has a road trip this week with eminently winnable games at Minnesota, Milwaukee and Chicago before a difficult four-game homestand.
On the schedule
Friday, Dec. 18, Philadelphia at Boston
The Celtics have won 11 in a row but have been much better on the road than at home, where they already have three straight-up losses and are just 4-7 against the spread. Meanwhile Allen Iverson appears to be finding a groove with the 76ers, who are getting healthier.
Saturday, Dec. 19, Utah at Charlotte
On Wednesday, the Jazz began a five-game, eight-day road trip that stays in the Eastern time zone and has just one back-to-back - but this is it. Utah is 3-6 straight up and ATS on the road while Charlotte has won six of its last seven home games, losing only to Boston while going 5-2 ATS.
Wednesday, Dec. 23, Atlanta at Denver
The Hawks have the best ATS record at 17-6. But this will be their fourth game in six nights, and the Nuggets are an excellent 11-1 straight up and 7-5 ATS at the Pepsi Center.