Friday's Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
Chicago Bulls at Orlando Magic (-1)
One of the league's best teams goes up against one of its hottest players Friday as the Chicago Bulls travel to Orlando for a date with Dwight Howard and the Magic.
A five-game winning streak has the Bulls riding high in the East with a 6-1 mark paced by some of the stingiest defense in the league. Chicago is among the league leaders in points against, yielding only 86.6 per game through the first 12 days of the campaign.
Chicago looked out of sync offensively in a two-point victory over Atlanta earlier in the week, but those concerns vanished in the club's next game. The Bulls shot nearly 53 percent from the field in an efficient 99-83 triumph over the host Detroit Pistons.
Chicago won three of four meetings between the teams last season. Orlando managed to break the 100-point barrier only once in the season series.
Pick: Chicago +1
Atlanta Hawks at Charlotte Bobcats (+1, 187)
After spending the last three games battling the Miami Heat (twice) and the Chicago Bulls, the Atlanta Hawks get to take a step down in competition level when they visit the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday.
The Hawks might not have the legs to keep pace with Charlotte’s scoring after losing in triple overtime 116-109 to Miami on Thursday night.
Atlanta looked as though it was primed to step up in the Southeast Division with an injury-plagued Heat team visiting on Thursday. But the Hawks could not pull away despite LeBron James and Dwyane Wade watching in street clothes. Joe Johnson scored 20 points in the setback but shot only 7 for 20 from the field and missed a free throw that would have sealed it in regulation. Johnson is 10 of 37 (27 percent) in the last two games - both losses.
The Bobcats found a way to win versus the Knicks in spite of their defense on Wednesday, when six players reached double figures and the team shot 55.3 percent from the floor at Madison Square Garden. Boris Diaw and Gerald Henderson led the charge, combining for 51 points on 22-of-28 shooting.
Pick: Charlotte +1
Hot Teams
-- 76ers won three of last four games, covered four of first five- this is their home opener.
-- Toronto won its last two games, covered its last three.
-- Boston won its last four games; they're 3-0 at home, winning by 11-8-19 points (2-1 as HF). Pacers won four of their first six games.
-- Bulls won their last five games (4-1 vs spread). Orlando won all four home games (3-1 vs spread).
-- Minnesota covered five of its first six games, with underdogs 6-0 vs spread. Cavaliers covered four of their last five games.
-- Denver won its last three games, by 9-5-27 points.
-- Utah is 3-0 at home, winning by 3-4-12 points. Grizzlies won three of their last four games.
-- Trailblazers won five of their first six games. Phoenix covered three of its last four games.
-- Lakers won last four home games (3-1 vs spread).
Cold Teams
-- Charlotte lost four of its last five games. Hawks lost three of their last four.
-- Pistons lost both their road games, by 12-11 points.
-- Nets lost their last six games (1-5 vs spread).
-- Washington is 0-6 this season (1-5 vs spread). Knicks lost four of their last five games.
-- Oklahoma City lost last two games, are 0-4 vs spread in last four. Rockets are 0-4 on road, losing by 9-30-9-28 points.
-- New Orleans lost its last four games (1-3 vs spread).
-- Warriors lost last three games, by 28-11-6 points.
Totals
-- Five of six Charlotte games went over total. All four Atlanta road games stayed under total.
-- Three of last four Detroit games stayed under.
-- Four of five New Jersey road games stayed under.
-- Four of six Washington games stayed under.
-- Last four Indiana games went over the total.
-- Five of seven Chicago games stayed under total.
-- Last three Houston road games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Minnesota games stayed under.
-- Last four Denver games stayed under the total.
-- All three Memphis road games stayed under total.
-- Under is 4-1-1 in Phoenix games this season.
-- Under is 4-1-1 in Golden State games this season.
Wear and Tear
-- 8th game in 11 nites for Hawks. 3rd game in four nites for Bobcats.
-- 2nd game in six nites for Philly. 3rd game in five nites for Detroit.
-- 6th game in nine nites for Nets. 4th game in six nites for Toronto.
-- 3rd game in five nites for Knicks. 4th game in six nites for Wizards.
-- 3rd game in five nites for Indiana. 4th game in six nites for Boston.
-- 4th game in six nights for Orlando. 3rd game in four nites for Bulls.
-- 3rd game in four nites for Rockets. Thunder had last two nites off.
-- 3rd game in four nites for Cavs. 4th game in six nites for Wolves.
-- 2nd game in four nites for Denver. 4th game in six nites for Hornets.
-- 3rd game in four nites for Memphis. 1st game in three nites for Jazz.
-- 3rd game in four nites for Portland. 3rd game in five nites for Suns.
-- 3rd game in five nites for Warriors. 9th game in 13 nights for Lakers.
ATLANTA (4 - 2) at CHARLOTTE (2 - 4)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHARLOTTE is 6-2 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE is 4-4 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT (2 - 4) at PHILADELPHIA (3 - 2)
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 PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 5-2 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NEW JERSEY (1 - 6) at TORONTO (3 - 3)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 6-2 against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 6-2 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK (2 - 4) at WASHINGTON (0 - 6)
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 29-16 ATS (+11.4 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 33-55 ATS (-27.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 26-47 ATS (-25.7 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 266-331 ATS (-98.1 Units) in home games since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 4-15 ATS (-12.5 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 195 and 199.5 points over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 39-63 ATS (-30.3 Units) in home games on Friday nights since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 63-96 ATS (-42.6 Units) in home games after a loss by 10 points or more since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 40-64 ATS (-30.4 Units) in home games after scoring 85 points or less since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 15-26 ATS (-13.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 6-1 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK is 6-1 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA (4 - 2) at BOSTON (4 - 3)
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 163-111 ATS (+40.9 Units) on Friday nights since 1996.
BOSTON is 8-26 ATS (-20.6 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 4-3 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 5-2 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO (6 - 1) at ORLANDO (5 - 2)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 4-3 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 4-3 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON (2 - 4) at OKLAHOMA CITY (5 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 9-23 ATS (-16.3 Units) in January games over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 82-38 ATS (+40.2 Units) in road games after allowing 105 points or more since 1996.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in home games after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 4-4 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 4-4 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND (3 - 3) at MINNESOTA (2 - 4)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 34-54 ATS (-25.4 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 195 and 199.5 points since 1996.
CLEVELAND is 0-9 ATS (-9.9 Units) against Northwest division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 2-2 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 2-2 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
DENVER (5 - 2) at NEW ORLEANS (2 - 4)
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ORLEANS is 152-108 ATS (+33.2 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
DENVER is 53-38 ATS (+11.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 114-157 ATS (-58.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 5-2 against the spread versus DENVER over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 4-3 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS (3 - 3) at UTAH (3 - 3)
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 63-37 ATS (+22.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 31-17 ATS (+12.3 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) against Northwest division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 37-50 ATS (-18.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 10-21 ATS (-13.1 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 4-3 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 4-3 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND (4 - 1) at PHOENIX (2 - 4)
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 374-317 ATS (+25.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
PHOENIX is 65-43 ATS (+17.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 7-5 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 7-6 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE (2 - 4) at LA LAKERS (4 - 3)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 5-3 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 7-1 straight up against GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NEW JERSEY vs. TORONTO
New Jersey is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Jersey's last 6 games when playing Toronto
Toronto is 5-14 SU in its last 19 games
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against New Jersey
ATLANTA vs. CHARLOTTE
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing on the road against Charlotte
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Atlanta's last 9 games
Charlotte is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
Charlotte is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
NEW YORK vs. WASHINGTON
New York is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games
New York is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games
Washington is 5-11 ATS in its last 16 games when playing at home against New York
Washington is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against New York
DETROIT vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Detroit's last 15 games
Detroit is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Philadelphia is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
Philadelphia is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
INDIANA vs. BOSTON
Indiana is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
Indiana is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Boston's last 15 games at home
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
HOUSTON vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
Houston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Oklahoma City is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 5 games when playing Houston
CHICAGO vs. ORLANDO
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 7 games on the road
Chicago is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Orlando
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Orlando is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
CLEVELAND vs. MINNESOTA
Cleveland is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Cleveland is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Minnesota is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Cleveland
DENVER vs. NEW ORLEANS
Denver is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Denver is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing New Orleans
New Orleans is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
New Orleans is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
MEMPHIS vs. UTAH
Memphis is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Memphis is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games when playing Utah
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Utah's last 10 games when playing at home against Memphis
Utah is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Memphis
PORTLAND vs. PHOENIX
Portland is 3-13 SU in its last 16 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
Portland is 7-15-2 ATS in its last 24 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
Phoenix is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Phoenix's last 8 games when playing Portland
GOLDEN STATE vs. LA LAKERS
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing LA Lakers
Golden State is 1-12 SU in their last 13 games when playing LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 6-10-2 ATS in their last 18 games when playing at home against Golden State
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Golden State
ATLANTA at CHARLOTTE
ATLANTA: 10-23 ATS after playing a game as a home favorite
CHARLOTTE: 19-6 ATS after having lost 4 of their last 5 games
DETROIT at PHILADELPHIA
DETROIT: 12-4 OVER after scoring 90 points or less in BB games
PHILADELPHIA: 19-13 OVER off a road win
NEW JERSEY at TORONTO
NEW JERSEY: 29-53 ATS after a loss by 10 points or more
TORONTO: 10-3 OVER after a blowout win by 15 points or more
NEW YORK at WASHINGTON
NEW YORK: 29-16 ATS in road games
WASHINGTON: 26-47 ATS as an underdog
INDIANA at BOSTON
INDIANA: 163-111 ATS on Friday nights
BOSTON: 3-14 ATS after a blowout win by 15 points or more
CHICAGO at ORLANDO
CHICAGO: 4-7 ATS off a road win against a division rival
ORLANDO: 34-59 ATS after playing a home game
HOUSTON at OKLAHOMA CITY
HOUSTON: 95-57 ATS in road games off a road loss
OKLAHOMA CITY: 3-12 ATS in home games after a division game
CLEVELAND at MINNESOTA
CLEVELAND: 0-9 ATS against Northwest division opponents
MINNESOTA: 20-9 UNDER off a home loss
DENVER at NEW ORLEANS
DENVER: 48-25 UNDER in road games against Southwest division opponent
NEW ORLEANS: 22-9 UNDER after a non-conference game
MEMPHIS at UTAH
MEMPHIS: 19-7 ATS when the line is +3 to -3
UTAH: 10-21 ATS after a non-conference game
PORTLAND at PHOENIX
PORTLAND: 20-9 ATS when playing their 3rd game in 4 days
PHOENIX: 26-12 UNDER on Friday nights
GOLDEN STATE at LA LAKERS
GOLDEN STATE: 15-8 UNDER off a road cover where the team lost straight up as an underdog
LA LAKERS: 5-1 OVER after a game making no 3 point shots
Hoop Trends - Friday
By Vince Akins
VegasInsider.com
SU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Bulls are 10-0 ATS (8.3 ppg) since January 08, 2010 as a road dog with at least one day of rest after a game in which they scored less than 15% of their points from the free throw line.
OU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Nuggets are 0-14 OU (-11.9 ppg) since December 22, 2006 with at least one day of rest after a home win in which they scored less than 10% of their points from the three-point line.
PLAYER BASED TREND OF THE DAY:
The Timberwolves are 0-9 ATS (-8.1 ppg) since January 07, 2011 at home after a loss in which Wesley Johnson shot worse than 33% from the field.
CHOICE TREND:
The Jazz are 11-0 OU (8.1 ppg) since April 02, 2008 at home after a home win in which more than 70% of their baskets were assisted.
TODAY’S TRENDS:
The Wizards are 0-12-1 OU (-11.2 ppg) since February 11, 2007 at home with at least one day of rest off a loss in which they never led.