Friday's Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets (3, N/A)
The Denver Nuggets reeled off six straight paydays beginning with an upset win on the road against the Lakers on New Year's eve, but things have been a little rocky since then.
They have dropped two of the last three both straight up and against the spread after coming out on top of a 123-115 shootout with New Jersey Wednesday.
Danilo Gallinari, who picked up a slightly sprained ankle in the win, had another solid game with 23 points and five rebounds but it wasn’t enough to help Nuggets bettors cover 11.5-point chalk.
Part of the problem was Denver turned the ball over 20 times, which has coach George Karl concerned about Friday’s game.
"If we turn the ball over 20 times against Miami, we're in trouble,” Karl told reporters. “We have to be committed to making better decisions, simpler decisions."
We tend to agree. Miami will be on a mission after dropping consecutive decisions in overtime.
Pick: Heat
Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs (-1.5, 193.5)
The San Antonio Spurs have a perfect straight up record at home heading into Friday’s date with a Trail Blazers team that’s sure to put that streak to the test.
The Spurs have dropped four straight against the number and needed overtime to slip past Houston on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Portland is also coming off a tough loss to Orlando, but the team is trying to take some positives from it. The Blazers were down 20 points in the fourth quarter before rallying in the 107-104 loss.
"When you play so hard like that, there are good things in your team's future," Jamal Crawford told the Blazers' official website. "We didn't throw in the towel at all. We continued to fight and continued to play hard."
If Portland brings that momentum into this one, the Spurs’ home streak could be in jeopardy.
Pick: Trail Blazers
Hot Teams
-- Pacers won three of their last four games.
-- 76ers won/covered eight of their first ten games; they're 4-0 as a home gavorite this season.
-- Bulls won nine of last ten games (7-2-1 vs spread).
-- Spurs are 7-0 at home (4-2-1 as home favorites). Portland won seven of first ten games (1-2 on road).
-- Dallas won/covered five of its last six games.
-- Nuggets won six of their seven home games.
-- Lakers won their last seven home games (5-2 vs spread). Cleveland is 6-3 vs spread in its last nine games.
Cold Teams
-- Pistons lost their last six games (0-6 vs spread). Charlotte lost its last four home games, by 1-21-6-12 points.
-- Toronto lost four of its last five games.
-- Washington is 0-5 on the road, 1-3-1 as road underdogs.
-- Celtics lost last two games, covered one of last four at home.
-- Houston lost five of its last six games. Kings are 1-4 as road dogs, losing by 22-17-27-27 points.
-- Minnesota lost four of its last five games. New Orleans lost its last four home games, by 15-8-8-10 points.
-- Bucks are 0-6 on the road (1-3 as road underdog).
-- Nets lost five of last six road games, but are 4-3 as road dogs. Suns lost last two games, by 16-11 points.
-- Miami lost its last two games, both in OT; three of their four games on this trip went OT.
Totals
-- Four of five Detroit road games stayed under total.
-- Last four Indiana games stayed under the total.
-- Last five Washington games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Boston games stayed under total.
-- Four of five Sacramento road games stayed under.
-- Six of last eight Minnesota games stayed under total.
-- All three Portland road games stayed under the total.
-- Four of Bucks' last five games went over. Last three Dallas home games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 3-0-1 in Nets' last four games.
-- Five of seven Miami road games went over the total.
-- Last three Laker games stayed under the total.
Wear and Tear
-- Pistons: 6th game/8 nites. Bobcats: 8th game/11 nites.
-- Pacers: 3rd game/5 nites. Raptors: 6th game/8 nites.
-- Wizards: 3rd game/4 nites. 76ers: 6th game/8 nites.
-- Bulls: 6th game/8 nites. Celtics: 2nd game in last week.
-- Kings: 3rd game/4 nites. Rockets: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Wolves: Had last two nites off. Hornets:
-- Blazers: 6th game/9 nites. Spurs: 7th game/10 nites.
-- Bucks: 5th game/7 nites. Mavericks: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Nets: 3rd game/5 nites. Suns: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Heat: 3rd game/4 nites. Nuggets: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Cavaliers: 4th game/6 nites. Lakers: 6th game/9 nites.
DETROIT (2 - 8) at CHARLOTTE (2 - 8) - 1/13/2012, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 5-2 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE is 4-3 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDIANA (7 - 3) at TORONTO (4 - 7) - 1/13/2012, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 5-3 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 5-3 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON (1 - 9) at PHILADELPHIA (7 - 3) - 1/13/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 35-57 ATS (-27.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 27-49 ATS (-26.9 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 14-32 ATS (-21.2 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 34-56 ATS (-27.6 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 185 and 189.5 points since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 36-59 ATS (-28.9 Units) in road games in January games since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in road games against Atlantic division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 14-25 ATS (-13.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 57-39 ATS (+14.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 29-17 ATS (+10.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 5-2 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 5-2 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHICAGO (10 - 2) at BOSTON (4 - 5) - 1/13/2012, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 5-3 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 4-4 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SACRAMENTO (4 - 7) at HOUSTON (3 - 7) - 1/13/2012, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 4-4 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 5-3 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA (3 - 7) at NEW ORLEANS (3 - 7) - 1/13/2012, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 9-26 ATS (-19.6 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 5-2 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 5-2 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTLAND (7 - 3) at SAN ANTONIO (7 - 4) - 1/13/2012, 8:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 5-2 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 6-1 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MILWAUKEE (3 - 6) at DALLAS (6 - 5) - 1/13/2012, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 12-25 ATS (-15.5 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 68-44 ATS (+19.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 242-183 ATS (+40.7 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
DALLAS is 29-12 ATS (+15.8 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 11-23 ATS (-14.3 Units) in home games in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 12-25 ATS (-15.5 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 3-1 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 2-2 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW JERSEY (2 - 9) at PHOENIX (4 - 5) - 1/13/2012, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW JERSEY is 75-99 ATS (-33.9 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 13-26 ATS (-15.6 Units) in road games after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 12-26 ATS (-16.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 52-34 ATS (+14.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 3-1 against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 4-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MIAMI (8 - 3) at DENVER (7 - 4) - 1/13/2012, 10:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 3-1 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 2-2 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLEVELAND (4 - 5) at LA LAKERS (8 - 4) - 1/13/2012, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA LAKERS are 5-17 ATS (-13.7 Units) in home games on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 12-27 ATS (-17.7 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders over the last 3 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 11-25 ATS (-16.5 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 3-1 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 3-1 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington's last 7 games on the road
Washington is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
INDIANA vs. TORONTO
Indiana is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Indiana is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Indiana
Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
DETROIT vs. CHARLOTTE
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games on the road
Detroit is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Charlotte is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Detroit
Charlotte is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
CHICAGO vs. BOSTON
Chicago is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games on the road
Boston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Chicago
MINNESOTA vs. NEW ORLEANS
Minnesota is 1-13 SU in its last 14 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
New Orleans is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Orleans's last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota
SACRAMENTO vs. HOUSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Sacramento's last 7 games on the road
Sacramento is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston's last 9 games when playing Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 5 games at home
PORTLAND vs. SAN ANTONIO
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Portland's last 8 games on the road
Portland is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
San Antonio is 8-15-1 ATS in its last 24 games at home
San Antonio is 12-3 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Portland
MILWAUKEE vs. DALLAS
Milwaukee is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas's last 5 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
Dallas is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
NEW JERSEY vs. PHOENIX
New Jersey is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games
New Jersey is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Phoenix
Phoenix is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing New Jersey
Phoenix is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games at home
CLEVELAND vs. LA LAKERS
Cleveland is 8-3 SU in their last 11 games when playing LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cleveland's last 8 games when playing LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 9-3 SU in their last 12 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
MIAMI vs. DENVER
Miami is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Miami is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Denver is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games when playing Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games at home
DETROIT at CHARLOTTE
DETROIT: 0-8 ATS playing 5th time in 7 days
CHARLOTTE: 16-5 ATS off BB ATS losses
INDIANA at TORONTO
INDIANA: 9-19 ATS at Toronto
TORONTO: 6-0 Under playing 3rd game in 4 days
WASHINGTON at PHILADELPHIA
WASHINGTON: 14-32 ATS in road games
PHILADELPHIA: 17-5 Under off loss by 6 pts or less
CHICAGO at BOSTON
CHICAGO: 6-1 ATS playing 3rd game in 4 days
BOSTON: 14-28 ATS if home favorite L2 games
SACRAMENTO at HOUSTON
SACRAMENTO: 14-28 ATS off BB Unders
HOUSTON: 5-1 Under in January
MINNESOTA at NEW ORLEANS
MINNESOTA: 22-9 Under off home loss
NEW ORLEANS: 60-38 Under in all games
PORTLAND at SAN ANTONIO
PORTLAND: 43-20 ATS playing 3rd game in 4 days
SAN ANTONIO: 2-5 ATS vs. Portland
MILWAUKEE at DALLAS
MILWAUKEE: 12-25 ATS vs. non-conference
DALLAS: 37-17 ATS off BB SU wins
NEW JERSEY at PHOENIX
NEW JERSEY: 12-26 ATS vs. team w/ losing record
PHOENIX: 7-0 Under when the total is between 190 and 199.5
MIAMI at DENVER
MIAMI: 33-55 ATS off BB road losses
DENVER: 4-1 ATS as home dog
CLEVELAND at LA LAKERS
CLEVELAND: 35-17 Under Away off SU win as road dog
LA LAKERS: 5-17 ATS at home on Friday night