Friday's Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
Milwaukee Bucks at Atlanta Hawks (-6, 189.5)
The All-Star break and the return of leading scorer Joe Johnson did little to help to help the Atlanta Hawks snap out of their offensive malaise. Maybe the sight of the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night will provide a spark for Atlanta.
The Hawks absorbed an 85-82 home loss to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. It was the fourth defeat in an ugly five-game stretch in which Atlanta has failed to surpass 83 points.
Despite getting double-doubles from three players in the loss to Golden State, Atlanta closed out the month of February with a 4-9 overall record and 2-5 mark at home.
Johnson missed the final two games prior to the All-Star break with a sore knee, and admitted he was not 100 percent Wednesday. He finished with 18 points on 6-of-17 shooting.
Johnson reached 20 points only once last month and struggled from behind the arc, connecting on 15 of 57 attempts in 11 games.
Pick: Under
Golden State Warriors at Philadelphia 76ers (N/A)
An inability to win on their home floor has caused the Philadelphia 76ers' lead in the Atlantic Division to dwindle to only three games over the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. Losers of six of seven overall and four straight at the Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia looks to get back on track when it hosts the Golden State Warriors on Friday night.
The continued absence of center Spencer Hawes (Achilles) was a big factor in Philadelphia's 92-88 loss to Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
His replacements, Lavoy Allen and Nikola Vucevic, combined for two points, six rebounds and six fouls. The Sixers were also manhandled on the glass (56-39) and saw the Thunder attempt nearly three times as many free throws (34 to 12).
Philadelphia has gone 12-2 with Hawes and 9-13 without him. He is not expected to return until March 12.
Pick: Warriors
Hot Teams
-- Grizzlies won six of their last seven games. Toronto covered its last four games as a home underdog.
-- Nets covered seven of last nine as a road underdog.
-- Bucks covered five of last seven games as a road underdog.
-- Cleveland is 5-2-2 vs spread in last nine games as a home dog. Bulls covered four of last five games as a road favorite.
-- Houston won eight of last ten at home (7-3 vs spread).
-- Warriors won three of last four games, covered four of last five.
-- Spurs covered six of last eight games as a home favorite.
-- Miami covered its last five games as a road favorite.
-- Clippers are 8-3 in last 11 road games, 6-3 vs spread in last nine. Suns won/covered three of last four home games.
-- Lakers won/covered their last six home games. Kings covered eight of last ten games as a road underdog.
Cold Teams
-- Celtics covered once in last six games as a home favorite.
-- Hawks covered once in last five games as a home favorite.
-- Hornets are 4-9 vs spread in last 13 games as a home underdog. Dallas lost four of its last five games.
-- Nuggets lost last four road games but are 4-1 vs spread in last five.
-- 76ers lost their last four home games.
-- Bobcats are 4-7 vs spread in last 11 games as a road underdog.
-- Jazz lost four of their last five games.
Back-to-Back
-- Miami is 4-6 vs spread if it played the night before.
-- Clippers are 6-2 vs spread if they played night before; teams are 9-1-1 vs spread the night after playing Sacramento. Phoenix is 3-0 vs spread if it won the night before.
Wear-and-Tear
-- Grizzlies: 2nd game/3 nites. Raptors: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Nets: Had last two nites off. Celtics: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Bucks: 3rd game/4 nites. Hawks: 2nd game/3 nites.
-- Bulls: 3rd game/4 nites. Cavaliers: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Mavericks: 3rd game/4 nites. Hornets: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Nuggets: 2nd game/3 nites. Rockets: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Warriors: 3rd game/4 nites. 76ers: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Bobcats: 2nd game/3 nites. Spurs: 2nd game/3 nites.
-- Heat: 2nd nite in row. Jazz: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Clippers: 3rd game/4 nites. Suns: 2nd nite in row.
-- Kings: 3rd game/4 nites. Lakers: 2nd game/3 nites.
Totals
-- Seven of last nine Toronto home games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Boston home games went over the total.
-- Six of last nine Milwaukee road games went over the total.
-- 10 of last 13 Cleveland home games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Dallas road games went over the total.
-- Seven of last ten Houston home games stayed under total.
-- Under is 9-4 in Philadelphia's last 13 home games.
-- Under is 7-1-1 in Spurs' last nine home games.
-- Four of last six Miami games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Clipper road games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Sacramento games went over total.
Armadillosports.com
MEMPHIS vs. TORONTO
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Memphis's last 5 games on the road
Memphis is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Toronto is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Memphis
Toronto is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Memphis
NEW JERSEY vs. BOSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Jersey's last 5 games when playing Boston
New Jersey is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against New Jersey
Boston is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
MILWAUKEE vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 6 games on the road
Atlanta is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Atlanta is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games
CHICAGO vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing Cleveland
Chicago is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland
Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago
Cleveland is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
GOLDEN STATE vs. PHILADELPHIA
Golden State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games
Philadelphia is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
DALLAS vs. NEW ORLEANS
Dallas is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
Dallas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing New Orleans
New Orleans is 2-15 SU in its last 17 games at home
New Orleans is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Dallas
DENVER vs. HOUSTON
Denver is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Denver's last 14 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Houston's last 22 games at home
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
CHARLOTTE vs. SAN ANTONIO
Charlotte is 4-9-1 ATS in its last 14 games when playing San Antonio
Charlotte is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
San Antonio is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Charlotte
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Antonio's last 7 games
MIAMI vs. UTAH
Miami is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Miami is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Utah
Utah is 2-11 ATS in its last 13 games when playing Miami
Utah is 3-12 SU in its last 15 games when playing Miami
SACRAMENTO vs. LA LAKERS
Sacramento is 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Sacramento's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 7 games at home
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home
LA CLIPPERS vs. PHOENIX
LA Clippers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
LA Clippers are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
Phoenix is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Phoenix's last 6 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
MEMPHIS (20 - 15) at TORONTO (11 - 24) - 3/2/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 77-52 ATS (+19.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 39-26 ATS (+10.4 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 34-19 ATS (+13.1 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 38-19 ATS (+17.1 Units) in road games against Atlantic division opponents since 1996.
MEMPHIS is 45-29 ATS (+13.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 3-1 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS is 4-0 straight up against TORONTO 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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NEW JERSEY (11 - 25) at BOSTON (17 - 17) - 3/2/2012, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW JERSEY is 86-112 ATS (-37.2 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 94-66 ATS (+21.4 Units) in road games vs. division opponents since 1996.
NEW JERSEY is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in road games revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
BOSTON is 52-69 ATS (-23.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 7-15 ATS (-9.5 Units) as a favorite this season.
BOSTON is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) second half of the season this season.
BOSTON is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) on Friday nights over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 23-35 ATS (-15.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW JERSEY is 5-4 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 7-2 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
7 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MILWAUKEE (14 - 21) at ATLANTA (20 - 15) - 3/2/2012, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 5-14 ATS (-10.4 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
MILWAUKEE is 28-13 ATS (+13.7 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 9-6 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 9-6 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
10 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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CHICAGO (29 - 8) at CLEVELAND (13 - 20) - 3/2/2012, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 78-56 ATS (+16.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 42-27 ATS (+12.3 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 28-13 ATS (+13.7 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) in road games off an upset win as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 24-13 ATS (+9.7 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 190 and 194.5 points over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 7-7 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 8-6 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
8 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DALLAS (21 - 15) at NEW ORLEANS (8 - 27) - 3/2/2012, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 5-4 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 6-4 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DENVER (19 - 17) at HOUSTON (21 - 15) - 3/2/2012, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 4-3 against the spread versus DENVER over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 4-4 straight up against DENVER over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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GOLDEN STATE (14 - 18) at PHILADELPHIA (21 - 15) - 3/2/2012, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 4-1 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 4-1 straight up against GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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CHARLOTTE (4 - 29) at SAN ANTONIO (24 - 11) - 3/2/2012, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHARLOTTE is 11-22 ATS (-13.2 Units) in all games this season.
CHARLOTTE is 11-20 ATS (-11.0 Units) as an underdog this season.
CHARLOTTE is 23-46 ATS (-27.6 Units) against Southwest division opponents since 1996.
CHARLOTTE is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 563-490 ATS (+24.0 Units) as a favorite since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 367-310 ATS (+26.0 Units) in home games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 134-102 ATS (+21.8 Units) in March games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) in home games against Southeast division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 245-190 ATS (+36.0 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 148-113 ATS (+23.7 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite since 1996.
CHARLOTTE is 65-42 ATS (+18.8 Units) in March games since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHARLOTTE is 2-1 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 3-1 straight up against CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MIAMI (28 - 7) at UTAH (16 - 18) - 3/2/2012, 9:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 2-2 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 2-2 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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LA CLIPPERS (21 - 12) at PHOENIX (15 - 20) - 3/2/2012, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 33-49 ATS (-20.9 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in road games after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 52-35 ATS (+13.5 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 5-3 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 7-1 straight up against LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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SACRAMENTO (12 - 23) at LA LAKERS (21 - 14) - 3/2/2012, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO is 29-16 ATS (+11.4 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in road games in March games over the last 3 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 6-18 ATS (-13.8 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 SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 7-2 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS at TORONTO
MEMPHIS: 27-11 ATS when the line is +3 to -3
TORONTO: 21-8 Under vs. Memphis
NEW JERSEY at BOSTON
NEW JERSEY: 11-3 ATS Away w/ revenge
BOSTON: 3-11 ATS L14 games
MILWAUKEE at ATLANTA
MILWAUKEE: 0-7 ATS w/ same season revenge
ATLANTA: 7-0 Under off BB home games
CHICAGO at CLEVELAND
CHICAGO: 56-43 Under off SU win
CLEVELAND: 8-1 ATS off road loss
DALLAS at NEW ORLEANS
DALLAS: 5-1 ATS on Friday nights
NEW ORLEANS: 13-4 Under playing their 3rd game in 4 days
DENVER at HOUSTON
DENVER: 6-1 ATS after scoring 60+ points in the first half last game
HOUSTON: 14-0 Under off a loss
GOLDEN STATE at PHILADELPHIA
GOLDEN STATE: 1-6 ATS after allowing 85 pts or less
PHILADELPHIA: 6-1 ATS off loss by 6 pts or less
CHARLOTTE at SAN ANTONIO
CHARLOTTE: 13-2 Under in March road games
SAN ANTONIO: 148-113 ATS off SU loss as favorite
MIAMI at UTAH
MIAMI: 5-1 Under on Friday nights
UTAH: 5-2 Under off double digit win
LA CLIPPERS at PHOENIX
LA CLIPPERS: 17-3 Over Away if total is 190 to 199.5
PHOENIX: 1-10 ATS if home favorite L2 games
SACRAMENTO at LA LAKERS
SACRAMENTO: 14-4 ATS in March road games
LA LAKERS: 15-29 ATS as double digit favorite
Hoop Trends - Friday
By Vince Akins
VegasInsider.com
SU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Bulls are 11-0 ATS (12.4 ppg) since December 26, 2009 with at least one day of rest after a game in which less than 45% of their baskets were assisted.
OU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Lakers are 0-11 OU (-16.8 ppg) since November 24, 2009 at home after a double digit win in which they allowed less than 40% from the field.
PLAYER TREND OF THE DAY:
The Mavericks are 10-0 ATS (9.0 ppg) since February 04, 2011 on the road after winning the previous matchup in which Jason Kidd had more assists than points.
CHOICE TREND:
The Nuggets are 10-0-1 ATS (8.6 ppg) since February 24, 2011 after a win in which they had an assist to turnover ratio of at least two.
TODAY’S TRENDS:
The Bobcats are 0-11 ATS (-12.7 ppg) since December 11, 2010 with at most one day of rest after a road loss in which they scored less than 10% of their points from the three-point line.
Friday's Tip Sheet
By Chris David
VegasInsider.com
Look-Ahead Spots
Sunday’s NBA slate features two nationally televised double-headers and all of the games should be solid. The Knicks-Celtics and Heat-Lakers start the day in the afternoon. Then the Bulls and 76ers meet in Philadelphia before Denver and San Antonio collide under the lights. Unfortunately we can’t get these matchups all the time, which means tonight’s card has some mismatches with the above clubs. And that could spell trouble for them.
New Jersey at Boston: Despite the Celtics winning their first two in the second-half, they didn’t cover either of them and they’re 0-7 against the spread in their last seven overall. The line (6) does seem a little short and New Jersey has been decent on the road lately (3-1 SU, 4-0 ATS). Plus, will the Rajon Rondo trade rumors create more chaos? Before you say “Yes,” he did have a triple-double the other night.
Golden State at Philadelphia: The Flyers were once called the “Broad Street Bullies” but that name should be given to this year’s 76ers squad and that’s not a compliment. Philadelphia dominates bad teams and loses to good teams. It’s safe to say the Warriors aren’t good and the 76ers already blasted them 107-97 on Dec. 31 in the Bay Area. ESPN will provide national coverage of this game at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Miami at Utah: How do you bet against the Heat these days? They’ve won nine straight (8-1 ATS) by double digits, including a blowout win at Portland (107-93) last night. The Jazz are always a tough out at Salt Lake City (13-6 SU, 12-7 ATS) but this game has “Pass” written all over it, especially with the Lakers on tap for Sunday. Chris Bosh missed last night’s win due to a family death and will be ‘out’ again here. Books opened Miami as a 5½-point favorite and the hook was bet immediately, pushing the number back to 5. The Jazz have gone 4-3 as home ‘dogs.
Sacramento at L.A. Lakers: Kings had their four-game ATS run come to a close Thursday as they lost at home to the Clippers (100-108). Now they head Los Angeles, who has been a solid investment (15-2 SU, 12-5 ATS) at Staples Center this season. The Lakers could have revenge on their minds, since they lost to the Kings (91-100) in the second game of the season on Dec. 26.
Road Favorites
Memphis at Toronto: The Grizzlies (20-15 SU, 17-18 ATS) are starting to come together, winning eight of their last 10 games but the ATS record (5-5) during this span is nothing to boast about. Toronto has been better for gamblers latterly, going 7-2-1 ATS in its last 10, which includes two straight covers to open the second-half. The Raptors have gone 4-4 ATS as home ‘dogs and the four covers came when the spread was listed between 3 ½ and 6 points. Memphis is giving 3½-points tonight but it has gone 7-2 versus the East this year. Still, the Grizz on the road (6-10 SU, 7-9 ATS) might scare you away.
Chicago at Cleveland: Chicago is giving 8½-points and you could argue that the number should be higher considering it has the best road record (15-6 SU, 14-7 ATS) in the Association. The Cavs are greatly improved but after watching them blow a big lead to the Knicks, you realized they foul too much and the offense is inconsistent. Also, Cleveland is 1-5 ATS in its last six. You could go revenge factor on the Cavs, since Chicago earned a 114-75 road win against them without Derrick Rose on Jan. 20.
Dallas at New Orleans: New Orleans is a very good hunter (underdog) and definitely a team to fade as a favorite (0-5 SU, 0-5 ATS). Tonight, the Hornets are catching points to Dallas, who has dropped three straight and four of five. This will be the third meeting between the pair this season. Dallas won and covered the first two, including an 83-81 win in “The Big Easy” without Dirk Nowitzki. The ‘under’ has cashed in both affairs and the numbers were very low (179.5, 170.5). Tonight is no different with an open of 176.5. Lastly, New Orleans is 0-7 against divisional opponents.
L.A. Clippers at Phoenix: This game will be featured on ESPN at 10:35 nationally and I’d expect the line on the Clippers (-2.5) to go up. Los Angeles stopped Sacramento 108-100 on the road and Phoenix downed Minnesota 104-95 at home. The Clips (6-2 SU, 6-2 ATS) have been a real good look on back-to-back nights this season, especially when they’re playing a team on no rest (3-0 SU, 3-0 ATS). The Suns have gone 3-3 ATS as home underdogs. This will be the first encounter between the two this season.
Something has to Give
The opening total at BetOnline.com for the Bucks-Hawks matchup was listed at 183, which was way off. Since the other major offshore shops opened, the line has spiked up to 189. The question is why? Milwaukee has been an ‘over’ team (21-13) but Atlanta is an ‘under’ (20-12) squad, plus the Hawks have had trouble scoring lately. Since February, the team has scored over 100 points once, which has helped produce a 10-2 ‘under’ mark in the last 12. Milwaukee’s defense hasn’t been great lately, surrendering 110, 118 and 102 in its last three games. Four of the last five in this series have gone ‘over’ the total, including their only meeting this season on Jan. 23 that saw the Hawks win 97-92 (180.5).
Worth a Shot?
To no surprise, Charlotte (4-29 SU, 11-22 ATS) is listed an underdog on Friday. This time, the Bobcats will be catching nearly two touchdowns (14.5) at San Antonio (24-11 SU, 20-14 ATS). Considering Charlotte has only two road wins and San Antonio has only lost twice at a home, an upset seems unlikely. Giving this many points is never a sound investment but bettors should know that Charlotte is 1-6 SU and 2-5 ATS versus the West this season and five of the losses were by double digits.
Game of the Night?
When you look at the records of each matchup for Friday, the battle between Denver (19-17 SU, 21-15 ATS) and Houston (21-15 SU, 20-16 ATS) should be the most competitive. Despite getting hit with the injury bug, the Nuggets opened the second-half of the season with a 104-95 victory over Portland on Wednesday. The Rockets had their four-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday in a blowout loss at Utah (83-104). The two teams met in early February and the Rockets earned a 99-90 road win as seven-point underdogs. Houston has been solid at home (15-4 SU, 13-6 ATS), but make a note that Denver hasn’t been too shabby on the road (9-9 SU, 13-5 ATS). Houston opened as a 3½-point favorite, with the total listed at 205.