Friday's Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
New Jersey Nets at Orlando Magic (N/A)
Now that the Orlando Magic can finally put this Dwight Howard mess behind them, maybe they can finally start focusing on basketball.
After flip-flopping on whether he wanted to stay with the team numerous times, Howard waived his early termination option on Thursday, meaning he will be with Orlando through the 2012-13 season.
“It’s been very tough for me the past couple of months to make a decision," Howard told reporters. "I’ve gone back and forth. It’s not as easy as people think. It’s very hard. I just love this city too much. I love the people here. I love this organization."
Orlando took a 122-111 loss at San Antonio on Thursday, which snapped a three-game winning streak. Howard was his usual dominant self, putting up 22 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.
You can expect a real love-in when the club gets back on its home floor now that the Howard drama is over and the Magic have covered in six of their last seven at the Amway Center.
Pick: Magic
Miami Heat at Philadelphia 76ers (3.5, 190.5)
The Philadelphia 76ers will get a second chance to make a statement game at home against the Miami Heat on Friday night.
They hope it goes better than the last opportunity, when Miami snapped Philadelphia's four-game winning streak with a 20-point blowout victory on Feb. 3 that triggered a stretch of 11 losses in 17 games for the Sixers. The Heat have won the last nine regular-season meetings and have covered in four of the last six.
In the midst of a six-game stretch against Eastern Conference contenders, Miami is coming off back-to-back road losses at Orlando and Chicago, which was without reigning league MVP Derrick Rose. Dwyane Wade (36) and LeBron James combined for 71 of the 102 points vs. the Bulls as the Heat absorbed their fourth consecutive defeat away from home.
The Heat will get back on track and continue their dominance against Philly.
Pick: Heat
Hot Teams
-- Orlando won/covered six of its last seven home games. Nets covered six of their last eight road games.
-- 76ers won three of their last four games.
-- Wizards are 7-5 vs spread in last dozen road games.
-- Grizzlies won six of their last eight games.
-- Chicago won seven of last eight home games (4-3-1 vs spread).
-- Spurs won/covered three of last four games; this is their first away games in last 24 days. Thunder is 15-2 in last 17 home games (10-7 vs spread).
-- Celtics won eight of last ten games, covering seven of last eight.
-- Detroit won/covered four of its last five games. Suns won/covered seven of their last nine games.
-- Milwaukee won its last four games, covered eight of last nine. Golden State won/covered its last four games.
-- Lakers won last four games, covered four of last five.
Cold Teams
-- Miami lost its last four road games, by 1-10-6-4 points.
-- New York lost six of its last seven games. Pacers lost last three road games by 20-2-13 points.
-- Hawks lost three of their last four games.
-- Toronto lost three of its last four games.
-- Blazers won/covered twice in last nine road games.
-- Sacramento lost its last three games, all home, 7-26-12 points.
-- Timberwolves lost three of their last four games.
Wear-and-Tear
-- Nets: 3rd game/5 nites. Magic: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Heat: 3rd game/4 nites. 76ers: 2nd game/5 nites.
-- Pacers: 5th game/7 nites. Knicks: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Wizards: 5th game/7 nites. Hawks: 7th game/11 nites.
-- Raptors: 5th game/7 nites. Grizzlies: Had last two nites off.
-- Blazers: 3rd game/4 nites. Bulls: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Spurs: 3rd game/5 nites. Thunder: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Celtics: 4th game/6 nites. Kings: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Pistons: 3rd game/5 nites. Suns: 3rd in row, 4th/5 nites.
-- Bucks: 4th game/6 nites. Warriors: 5th game/7 nites.
-- T'wolves: 5th game/8 days. Lakers: 3rd game/4 nites.
Totals
-- Six of last eight New Jersey road games stayed under.
-- Over is 3-1-1 in last five Miami road games.
-- Four of last five New York games went over total.
-- Over is 8-1-1 in last ten Washington games.
-- Under is 7-3 in Toronto's last ten road games.
-- Last five Chicago games went over the total.
-- Last four San Antonio games went over the total.
-- Under is 8-2 in Boston's last ten road games. Five of Kings' last six games went over the total.
-- Nine of last ten Detroit road games went over total.
-- Last 11 Milwaukee games went over total, but these teams just made big trade, so teams must know each other's plays.
-- Five of last seven Minnesota games went over the total.
Back-to-Back
-- Washington is 4-5 vs spread if it played the night before.
-- Thunder is 3-7 vs spread if it won the night before.
-- Phoenix is 8-4-1 vs spread if it played night before.
-- Minnesota is 2-4 vs spread if it lost the night before.
NEW JERSEY (15 - 29) at ORLANDO (28 - 16) - 3/16/2012, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 5-4 against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO is 9-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MIAMI (31 - 11) at PHILADELPHIA (25 - 18) - 3/16/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 73-56 ATS (+11.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) in road games on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 69-104 ATS (-45.4 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 8-6 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 13-1 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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INDIANA (25 - 16) at NEW YORK (19 - 24) - 3/16/2012, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 166-114 ATS (+40.6 Units) on Friday nights since 1996.
NEW YORK is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) in home games on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 4-4 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK is 4-4 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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WASHINGTON (10 - 32) at ATLANTA (24 - 19) - 3/16/2012, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 15-27 ATS (-14.7 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 12-21 ATS (-11.1 Units) as an underdog this season.
WASHINGTON is 21-40 ATS (-23.0 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 107-140 ATS (-47.0 Units) on Friday nights since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 137-176 ATS (-56.6 Units) when playing on back-to-back days since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 129-175 ATS (-63.5 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 62-85 ATS (-31.5 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in road games off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 5-17 ATS (-13.7 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 21-34 ATS (-16.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 6-3 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 8-1 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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TORONTO (14 - 29) at MEMPHIS (24 - 17) - 3/16/2012, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 3-1 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS is 5-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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PORTLAND (20 - 23) at CHICAGO (36 - 9) - 3/16/2012, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 2-2 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 2-2 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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SAN ANTONIO (28 - 13) at OKLAHOMA CITY (33 - 10) - 3/16/2012, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 126-101 ATS (+14.9 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 27-13 ATS (+12.7 Units) on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 56-33 ATS (+19.7 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 70-56 ATS (+8.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) second half of the season this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 138-104 ATS (+23.6 Units) in March games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 247-192 ATS (+35.8 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 6-3 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 7-2 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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BOSTON (23 - 19) at SACRAMENTO (14 - 29) - 3/16/2012, 10:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 3-1 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 4-0 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DETROIT (16 - 27) at PHOENIX (21 - 22) - 3/16/2012, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 58-37 ATS (+17.3 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 23-10 ATS (+12.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) second half of the season this season.
DETROIT is 28-15 ATS (+11.5 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 24-11 ATS (+11.9 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 101-72 ATS (+21.8 Units) in road games after a win by 10 points or more since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 3-1 against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 3-1 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MILWAUKEE (19 - 24) at GOLDEN STATE (18 - 22) - 3/16/2012, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 14-29 ATS (-17.9 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 42-70 ATS (-35.0 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 37-22 ATS (+12.8 Units) in home games after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 30-15 ATS (+13.5 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 27-11 ATS (+14.9 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 51-33 ATS (+14.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 2-2 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
MILWAUKEE is 3-1 straight up against GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MINNESOTA (22 - 22) at LA LAKERS (27 - 16) - 3/16/2012, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 36-53 ATS (-22.3 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 13-24 ATS (-13.4 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 146-186 ATS (-58.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
LA LAKERS are 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) as an underdog this season.
LA LAKERS are 107-130 ATS (-36.0 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 6-19 ATS (-14.9 Units) in home games on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAKERS is 5-4 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 10-0 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI vs. PHILADELPHIA
Miami is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games when playing Philadelphia
Miami is 5-12 ATS in its last 17 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Philadelphia's last 11 games when playing at home against Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Philadelphia's last 13 games
NEW JERSEY vs. ORLANDO
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of New Jersey's last 18 games when playing Orlando
New Jersey is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Orlando
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Orlando's last 7 games at home
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against New Jersey
WASHINGTON vs. ATLANTA
Washington is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing at home against Washington
INDIANA vs. NEW YORK
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 7 games when playing on the road against New York
Indiana is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against New York
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 5 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York's last 6 games at home
PORTLAND vs. CHICAGO
Portland is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Portland's last 5 games on the road
Chicago is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Portland
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 5 games
TORONTO vs. MEMPHIS
Toronto is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Memphis
Toronto is 1-6-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Memphis
Memphis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 20 of Memphis's last 24 games when playing Toronto
SAN ANTONIO vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
San Antonio is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Antonio's last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing San Antonio
Oklahoma City is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games
BOSTON vs. SACRAMENTO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games when playing Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Sacramento's last 8 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Sacramento's last 6 games
DETROIT vs. PHOENIX
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing Phoenix
Detroit is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Phoenix
Phoenix is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games when playing at home against Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit
MINNESOTA vs. LA LAKERS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 6 games at home
MILWAUKEE vs. GOLDEN STATE
Milwaukee is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 5 games at home
NEW JERSEY at ORLANDO
NEW JERSEY: 3-10 ATS off a SU win
ORLANDO: 4-0 ATS after allowing 105+ pts last game
MIAMI at PHILADELPHIA
MIAMI: 4-18 ATS off loss by 6 pts or less
PHILADELPHIA: 9-0 Under off SU loss as favorite
INDIANA at NEW YORK
INDIANA: 14-4 Under off double digit win as a dog
NEW YORK: 1-10 ATS if total is 200+
WASHINGTON at ATLANTA
WASHINGTON: 6-26 ATS off SU win
ATLANTA: 23-8 Under vs. division
TORONTO at MEMPHIS
TORONTO: 3-10 ATS at Memphis
MEMPHIS: 34-14 ATS playing only 2nd game in 5 days
PORTLAND at CHICAGO
PORTLAND: 6-1 ATS off BTB double digit losses
CHICAGO: 7-1 Over in March
SAN ANTONIO at OKLAHOMA CITY
SAN ANTONIO: 13-5 ATS L18 games
OKLAHOMA CITY: 6-2 Over vs. Spurs
BOSTON at SACRAMENTO
BOSTON: 1-6 ATS off BB road games
SACRAMENTO: 9-2 ATS off 3+ losses
DETROIT at PHOENIX
DETROIT: 15-5 ATS L20 games
PHOENIX: 16-5 Under if total is 190 to 199.5
MILWAUKEE at GOLDEN STATE
MILWAUKEE: 9-1 Over after scoring 105+ pts
GOLDEN STATE: 8-20 ATS off BB ATS Wins
MINNESOTA at LA LAKERS
MINNESOTA: 18-8 ATS as an underdog
LA LAKERS: 16-4 Under off 2 straight road wins
Hoop Trends - Friday
By Vince Akins
VegasInsider.com
SU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Knicks are 0-12-1 ATS (-7.6 ppg) since February 22, 2009 with at most one day of rest after a home win in which they scored less than 15% of their points from the free throw line.
OU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Hawks are 0-15 OU (-14.9 ppg) since November 19, 2008 at home with at most one day of rest after a game on the road in which they allowed at least 50% from the field.
PLAYER TREND OF THE DAY:
The Grizzlies are 0-10-1 OU (-14.5 ppg) since November 06, 2010 after a loss in which Mike Conley played more than 40 minutes.
CHOICE TREND:
The Raptors are 0-10 ATS (-9.1 ppg) since March 12, 2008 on the road when facing a non-conference team they lost to in their first match-up of the season.
TODAY’S TRENDS:
The Warriors are 10-0 ATS (10.8 ppg) since January 16, 2009 at home with at most one day of rest after a game at home after a loss in which they made more baskets than their opponent.The Pistons are 10-0 ATS (14.4 ppg) since May 10, 2007 on the road with at least one day of rest after a win in which their DPS was at least plus 15 points.