Friday's Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
Miami Heat at Minnesota Timberwolves (8, 208)
If the first few games are any indication, the Miami Heat are going to be tough to get a read on again this year.
After opening up the year with solid wins at Dallas and at home to Boston, the Heat managed to rally from a 16-point deficit against Charlotte and Dwyane Wade hit the game-winning shot to lift the club to a 96-95 victory. That win dropped Miami to 1-2 against the spread.
“You’re going to win some of these games ugly and you need to find ways to grind it out and in different ways,” coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters. “Charlotte came out and really jumped us.”
The Heat seem more focused this season and are getting the ball into the paint more. They know they can’t get away with back-to-back sloppy efforts.
Pick: Heat
Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics (N/A)
For the first time since the Big Three came to Boston, the Celtics have slumped to an 0-3 start and they’re hearing all about it from the Beantown media.
Their latest loss was especially troubling. Boston was pounded 97-78 by the Hornets as a 4.5-point favorite and coach Doc Rivers didn’t mince words after the loss.
“I don’t think we were tight. I thought we just played tired,” Rivers told reporters. “We looked old tonight. It happens. It was frustrating because early on we had things going, and then we turned the ball over in that one stretch where they got the lead, and got their energy up. I never thought we could match their energy.”
With Paul Pierce still questionable for this contest with his heel injury, the Celtics need to step it up. This is when Kevin Garnett, who’s averaging only 11.7 points per game, needs to throw a tantrum in the locker room before the game instead of on the court after the game.
The Celtics have covered in two of three despite the losing skid, but need to start picking it up.
Pick: Celtics
ORLANDO (1 - 1) at CHARLOTTE (1 - 1)
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 37-52 ATS (-20.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 32-45 ATS (-17.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 16-28 ATS (-14.8 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 7-5 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO is 11-1 straight up against CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND (1 - 1) at INDIANA (2 - 0)
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 163-110 ATS (+42.0 Units) on Friday nights since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 4-3 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 5-3 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT (0 - 2) at BOSTON (0 - 3)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 3-3 against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 5-2 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
NEW JERSEY (1 - 1) at ATLANTA (2 - 0)
Top Trends for this game.
NEW JERSEY is 71-94 ATS (-32.4 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 6-2 against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA 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
MIAMI (3 - 0) at MINNESOTA (0 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 69-46 ATS (+18.4 Units) in road games in December games since 1996.
MIAMI is 16-4 ATS (+11.6 Units) in road games on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 26-44 ATS (-22.4 Units) against Southeast division opponents since 1996.
MINNESOTA is 6-24 ATS (-20.4 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 15-29 ATS (-16.9 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 3-1 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 3-1 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON (0 - 1) at MEMPHIS (0 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 60-36 ATS (+20.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 31-16 ATS (+13.4 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 6-2 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 7-1 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX (0 - 2) at NEW ORLEANS (2 - 0)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 4-4 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 5-4 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO (1 - 1) at DALLAS (0 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 61-42 ATS (+14.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 10-23 ATS (-15.3 Units) in home games in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 2-2 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 2-2 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON (0 - 2) at MILWAUKEE (1 - 1)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 32-52 ATS (-25.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 25-44 ATS (-23.4 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 13-29 ATS (-18.9 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 11-25 ATS (-16.5 Units) against Central division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 95-74 ATS (+13.6 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 5-2 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
MILWAUKEE is 4-3 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA (1 - 1) at UTAH (0 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 97-70 ATS (+20.0 Units) in home games after a division game since 1996.
PHILADELPHIA is 51-37 ATS (+10.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 14-3 ATS (+10.7 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 24-10 ATS (+13.0 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 22-8 ATS (+13.2 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 35-48 ATS (-17.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 15-26 ATS (-13.6 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 3-1 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 3-1 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO (1 - 1) at LA CLIPPERS (1 - 1)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 31-54 ATS (-28.4 Units) in road games in December games since 1996.
CHICAGO is 88-122 ATS (-46.2 Units) in road games first half of the season since 1996.
CHICAGO is 56-43 ATS (+8.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 26-42 ATS (-20.2 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 180-230 ATS (-73.0 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 3-1 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 3-1 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO vs. CHARLOTTE
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Charlotte
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Charlotte
Charlotte is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Orlando
Charlotte is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Orlando
CLEVELAND vs. INDIANA
Cleveland is 16-7 SU in its last 23 games when playing Indiana
Cleveland is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 6 games
Indiana is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
NEW JERSEY vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games on the road
New Jersey is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Atlanta's last 12 games at home
Atlanta is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
DETROIT vs. BOSTON
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Detroit's last 11 games
Detroit is 2-12 SU in its last 14 games on the road
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games when playing Detroit
MIAMI vs. MINNESOTA
Miami is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing Minnesota
Miami is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing Miami
Minnesota is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Miami
HOUSTON vs. MEMPHIS
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 9 games when playing Memphis
Houston is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Memphis
Memphis is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Memphis's last 12 games
PHOENIX vs. NEW ORLEANS
Phoenix is 2-6-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
Phoenix is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Orleans's last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix
New Orleans is 12-5-1 ATS in its last 18 games when playing Phoenix
WASHINGTON vs. MILWAUKEE
Washington is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Washington is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games when playing Washington
Milwaukee is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
TORONTO vs. DALLAS
Toronto is 2-22 SU in its last 24 games on the road
Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Dallas
Dallas is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Dallas's last 7 games when playing at home against Toronto
PHILADELPHIA vs. UTAH
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Philadelphia's last 16 games when playing Utah
Philadelphia is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Utah
Utah is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Utah is 12-4-1 ATS in its last 17 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
CHICAGO vs. LA CLIPPERS
Chicago is 6-16 SU in their last 22 games when playing LA Clippers
Chicago is 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 6 games when playing Chicago
LA Clippers are 16-6 SU in their last 22 games when playing Chicago
ORLANDO at CHARLOTTE
ORLANDO: 16-28 ATS in road games
CHARLOTTE: 96-59 ATS after playing a game as a home underdog
CLEVELAND at INDIANA
CLEVELAND: 13-3 OVER on Friday nights
INDIANA: 24-10 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points
DETROIT at BOSTON
DETROIT: 14-8 ATS off a home loss by 10 points or more
BOSTON: 10-4 ATS off a road loss by 10 points or more
NEW JERSEY at ATLANTA
NEW JERSEY: 12-23 ATS after a loss by 10 points or more
ATLANTA: 80-55 ATS in home games after 2 or more consecutive unders
MIAMI at MINNESOTA
MIAMI: 16-4 ATS in road games on Friday nights
MINNESOTA: MINNESOTA is 13-35 ATS off a close road loss of 3 points or less
HOUSTON at MEMPHIS
HOUSTON: MEMPHIS 26-14 ATS as a home favorite
MEMPHIS: 13-4 UNDER as a road underdog of 6 points or less
PHOENIX at NEW ORLEANS
PHOENIX: 17-12 UNDER off a home loss
NEW ORLEANS: 3-11 ATS off an upset win by 10 points or more as a home underdog
TORONTO at DALLAS
TORONTO: 24-38 ATS after playing a game as an underdog
DALLAS: 35-23 ATS after one or more consecutive overs
WASHINGTON at MILWAUKEE
WASHINGTON: 81-48 UNDER as an underdog
MILWAUKEE: 29-12 UNDER in home games
PHILADELPHIA at UTAH
PHILADELPHIA: 14-3 ATS in December games
UTAH: 15-26 ATS in home games
CHICAGO at LA CLIPPERS
CHICAGO: 31-13 ATS after playing 2 consecutive road games
LA CLIPPERS: 15-26 ATS after playing a road game
Hoop Trends - Friday
By Vince Akins
VegasInsider.com
SU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Hawks are 0-10 ATS (-11.2 ppg) since January 11, 2008 as a home favorite after a win in which they scored more than 25% of their points from the free throw line.
OU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Suns are 12-0 OU (20.8 ppg) since November 30, 2002 on the road after a game at home in which they scored less than 10% of their points from the three-point line.
PLAYER BASED TREND OF THE DAY:
The Wizards are 0-8 ATS (-6.3 ppg) since January 05, 2011 with at least a day of rest after a loss in which John Wall had at least 5 turnovers.
CHOICE TREND:
The Hawks are 0-11 OU (-13.0 ppg) since April 09, 2006 with at most one day of rest after a double digit home win in which they allowed less than 40% from the field.
TODAY’S TRENDS:
The Pistons are 0-11 ATS (-9.2 ppg) since March 23, 2005 after a double digit loss against the Cavaliers.The Hawks are 0-9 ATS (-7.0 ppg) since March 16, 2004 at home when playing the first game of four-games-in-five-days.