NBA Betting News and Notes
By Covers.com
Each week, we look back on the NBA betting scene and give you the best –and worst – basketball bets, as well as some spots to keep an eye on with the upcoming schedule.
For the week of Jan. 13-19
Hottest ATS team
Washington Wizards (2-2 SU, 4-0 ATS)
The Wizards have covered in six straigh gamest and eight of their last nine. The return of PG John Wall (knee) from injury has helped bolster the offense and Washington hasn’t been getting much respect from oddsmakers lately. The Wizards covered as double-digit dogs in their last two games at Denver and Los Angeles. Despite their horrendous SU record of 8-30, Washington has been a good bet with a 22-14-2 ATS mark.
Coldest ATS team
Houston Rockets (0-4 SU, 0-4 ATS)
The Rockets have dropped seven straight overall, failing to cover in each of those contests. Houston hasn’t had any issues scoring, but its matador team defense (30th allowing 103.5 ppg) is a major cause for concern. The Rockets were the hottest over bet in the Association out of the gates but oddsmakers are catching on, setting most of their totals well above 200 the past few weeks. Houston has a good chance to stop the bleeding Monday in Charlotte.
Best over team
Toronto Raptors (0-4 SU, 4-0 over/under)
The Raptors finished 2012 on an absolute tear, but they’re settling back into reality in January. Toronto has dropped four straight overall, smashing the totals in those contests. The Raptors have allowed an average of 108.7 points per game during the skid, but keep in mind two of those contests went to overtime. Toronto has a tough start to this week. The Raps host the Lakers Sunday afternoon before heading to Miami for a showdown with the Heat on Wednesday.
Best under team
San Antonio Spurs (4-0 SU, 0-4 over/under)
The Spurs’ roster may be aging, but the grizzled vets sure aren’t slacking on the defensive end. San Antonio allowed opponents to score an average of 87.7 points this past week, 8.4 points less than its season average of 96.1. The Spurs have a chance to really pull away from the pack in the West in the next couple weeks as their next eight opponents are all currently sub-.500 teams.
Scouting the schedule:
The Philadelphia 76ers play 10 of their next 11 games at the friendly confines of the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers begin a season-long eight-game homestand when they host the Knicks Saturday. Philadelphia boasts a 16-4 over mark at home this season.
The Detroit Pistons are back on American soil after their much-anticipated date with the Knicks across the pond in England last week. The Pistons had a few days to rest after Thursday’s loss but now play five games in seven nights, including tough stops in Chicago and Miami.