Friday's Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
Memphis Grizzlies at Charlotte Bobcats (13, 182)
The pathetic Bobcats have scored 67 and 68 points in their last two games, both losses of course.
And they’re still dealing with the fallout from the physical confrontation between overpaid power forward Tyrus Thomas and coach Paul Silas.
The Grizzlies’ 103-91 victory over New Orleans on Wednesday was not as close as the score indicates. Rudy Gay scored 26 points and Mike Conley had 20 points and five assists as Memphis won for the 10th time in 13 games.
Charlotte is 0-7 ATS in its last seven games as an underdog. Memphis is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 road games against teams with home winning percentages under .400.
Pick: Grizzlies
Golden State Warriors at Dallas Mavericks (-12, 200.5)
The Warriors have dropped six straight, giving up 123, 118, 112, 112, 120 and 99 points in the process. The over is 4-2 in that span.
As the defending champs make a late push and gear up for the playoffs, they’re lighting up the scoreboard. Five of Dallas’ last six games have gone over, though two went to overtime.
Dirk Nowitzki has scored 75 points in the last two games, and at least 24 in each of the last five.
Both meetings this season between the Mavs and Warriors have gone over.
And the over is 6-0 in the Mavericks’ last six games against teams with winning percentages below .400.
Pick: Over
Friday's NBA Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
The final Friday card of the NBA regular season showcases six contests, including two potential playoff matchups. The Celtics and Hawks are on a collision course to hook up in the first round, while the Lakers and Spurs could potentially meet up in the Western Conference semifinals. We'll begin in Charlotte as the Bobcats look to end a hefty losing streak as large home underdogs against the playoff-bound Grizzlies.
Grizzlies at Bobcats
Charlotte has reached new lows this season by posting a 7-54 record, which is on pace to be historically the worst mark percentage-wise in NBA history (.114). Also, the Bobcats are riding an 18-game losing skid, the second time this season that Paul Silas' club has lost at least 16 in a row. The Grizzlies come to town off a sizzling 12-4 stretch, but Memphis is just 1-4 ATS the last five contests away from FedEx Forum.
Memphis will be a tough out in the playoffs after winning its eighth straight game at home on Wednesday over New Orleans, as that victory snapped a four-game ATS skid. The Bobcats have failed to cover in eight consecutive contests, while going 1-10 ATS the past 11 games at Time Warner Cable Arena. The 'under' may be a good look as Charlotte is 5-1 to the 'under' the last six games, while Memphis is 13-5 to the 'under' the previous 18 opportunities.
Celtics at Hawks
Atlanta and Boston have some history over the past five seasons, starting with their hard-fought first round series that went to the limit in 2008. The two Eastern Conference rivals could meet again in the opening round this season if the seeds hold up, as Boston tries to get healthy in time for the playoffs.
The Hawks are 11-5 SU and 10-5-1 ATS since falling to the Celtics at home on March 19 by a 79-76 count as two-point favorites. Atlanta's offense is rolling recently by compiling an 11-2 mark to the 'over' the last 13 games, while winning seven straight games when scoring at least 100 points. The Celtics will be without Rajon Rondo (back) and Ray Allen (ankle) on Friday, as Boston is 7-2 SU and 5-4 ATS the last nine games.
Knicks at Cavaliers
In the 20 games since Mike Woodson took over for Mike D'Antoni as head coach, New York has won and covered 15 times to creep closer to a playoff spot. The Knicks are 8-1 SU/ATS in this stretch against below .500 teams, including a blowout of the Cavs at Madison Square Garden as 11-point favorites on March 31.
Cleveland has basically packed it in after cashing five straight times in early April as the Cavs are 1-4 SU/ATS the last five contests, while losing each game by double-digits. TO make things worse for Byron Scott's squad, the Cavs have covered just once in the last 10 opportunities as a home underdog with nine losses by nine points each. The Knicks may get Amar'e Stoudemire back in the lineup after missing the last 13 games with a bulging disc in his back.
Warriors at Mavericks
The defending champs are play their final regular season home game before embarking on a mini two-game road trip prior to the postseason. Dallas has split its previous 10 games, which included a pair of overtime losses to the Lakers and Jazz. Golden State is doing a fantastic job by mailing in its season with six consecutive losses, while playing without its top two scorers in Stephen Curry and David Lee.
The Warriors have failed to cover five times during this six-game skid, including four-straight defeats to playoff teams (Lakers, Spurs, Clippers, and Mavericks). The last time these teams hooked up at Oracle Arena, Dallas held off Golden State, 112-103 as 6½-point favorites. The Mavericks are an 'over' machine as of late with six in the last eight games, while busting the 108-point mark five times in this stretch.
Lakers at Spurs
Kobe Bryant is expected to return to the Los Angeles lineup on Friday night in a quick revenge spot against San Antonio. The former MVP sat out the previous seven games with a shin injury, as the Lakers compiled a 5-2 SU and 4-3 ATS record. One of those losses came at home to the Spurs on Tuesday, a 112-91 thumping by San Antonio as three-point 'chalk.'
The Spurs return home following a perfect 3-0 SU/ATS road swing that including all three victories by at least 21 points. Gregg Popovich's team is covering at a ridiculous 65% clip this season (38-20-3 ATS), including a 9-1-1 ATS run the last 11 games at the AT&T Center. The lone loss came to the Lakers without Bryant on April 11 as Los Angeles stunned San Antonio as 10-point road 'dogs, 98-84.
Thunder at Kings
For as bad as Charlotte has been, Sacramento has one-upped them in the ATS futility department recently. The Kings last covered on April 2 in a home win over the Wolves, while delivering nine consecutive ATS losses since then (1-8 SU). Sacramento hosts Oklahoma City, who surprisingly needs to win this game for the top overall seed in the Western Conference.
The Thunder continues a five-game road trip after knocking off the Suns on Wednesday, 109-97 as four-point favorites. Oklahoma City lost in its last trip to Sacramento in early February, 106-101, the only victory for the Kings in the previous eight meetings with the Thunder. Sacramento is just 1-11 ATS the last 12 times as an underdog, while OKC owns a 4-6 ATS record the past 10 games overall.
Hot Teams
-- Atlanta won seven of its last nine home games, covered eight of last ten overall. Celtics won seven of their last nine games.
-- Knicks won/covered six of last eight games.
-- San Antonio won/covered its last five games. Lakers won eight of their last ten road games.
-- Thunder is 6-5 vs spread in last 11 games as a road favorite.
Cold Teams
-- Memphis is 2-5-1 vs spread in its last eight games as a road favorite. Bobcats lost their last 18 games (4-14 vs spread).
-- Cleveland covered twice in its last ten home games.
-- Golden State lost its last six games (1-5 vs spread) as media folks are suggesting they may be tanking games. Denver is 4-8-1 vs spread in last 13 games as home favorite, 3-2 in last five.
-- Sacramento lost eight of last nine games (0-8-1 vs spread).
Wear-and-Tear
-- Grizzlies: 7th game/10 nites. Bobcats: 8th game/12 nites.
-- Celtics: 12th game/17 nites. Hawks: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Knicks: 3rd game/4 nites. Cavaliers: 8th game/11 nites.
-- Warriors: 3rd game/5 nites. Nuggets: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Lakers: 3rd game/4 nites. Spurs: 9th game/13 nites.
-- Thunder: 3rd game/5 nites. Kings: 2nd game/5 nites.
Totals
-- Seven of last eight Memphis road games stayed under total.
-- Last five Atlanta home games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Cleveland home games went over total.
-- Four of last five Warrior games went over the total.
-- Nine of last eleven Laker road games went over the total.
-- Under is 8-3 in last eleven Oklahoma City road games.
Back-to-Back
-- None
Armadillosports.com
MEMPHIS (37 - 25) at CHARLOTTE (7 - 54) - 4/20/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 89-66 ATS (+16.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 46-33 ATS (+9.7 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
CHARLOTTE is 20-40 ATS (-24.0 Units) in all games this season.
CHARLOTTE is 20-37 ATS (-20.7 Units) as an underdog this season.
CHARLOTTE is 8-21 ATS (-15.1 Units) in home games this season.
CHARLOTTE is 0-8 ATS (-8.8 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 180 and 184.5 points this season.
CHARLOTTE is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in home games in April games over the last 2 seasons.
CHARLOTTE is 13-25 ATS (-14.5 Units) second half of the season this season.
CHARLOTTE is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) on Friday nights this season.
CHARLOTTE is 25-49 ATS (-28.9 Units) against Southwest division opponents since 1996.
CHARLOTTE is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders over the last 2 seasons.
CHARLOTTE is 11-23 ATS (-14.3 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more this season.
CHARLOTTE is 4-19 ATS (-16.9 Units) after scoring 85 points or less this season.
CHARLOTTE is 12-26 ATS (-16.6 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses this season.
CHARLOTTE is 7-23 ATS (-18.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CHARLOTTE is 0-8 ATS (-8.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHARLOTTE is 2-2 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE is 3-1 straight up against MEMPHIS 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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BOSTON (37 - 26) at ATLANTA (37 - 25) - 4/20/2012, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 6-3 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 5-4 straight up against BOSTON 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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NEW YORK (33 - 29) at CLEVELAND (20 - 41) - 4/20/2012, 7:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 6-4 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 7-3 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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GOLDEN STATE (22 - 39) at DALLAS (35 - 28) - 4/20/2012, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 92-71 ATS (+13.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in home games after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 24-11 ATS (+11.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 17-31 ATS (-17.1 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 5-5 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 7-3 straight up against GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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LA LAKERS (40 - 23) at SAN ANTONIO (45 - 16) - 4/20/2012, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA LAKERS are 26-36 ATS (-13.6 Units) in all games this season.
LA LAKERS are 161-204 ATS (-63.4 Units) after a division game since 1996.
LA LAKERS are 24-36 ATS (-15.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 39-20 ATS (+17.0 Units) in all games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 30-15 ATS (+13.5 Units) as a favorite this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 21-8 ATS (+12.2 Units) in home games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 28-9 ATS (+18.1 Units) second half of the season this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) against Pacific division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 36-22 ATS (+11.8 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 53-36 ATS (+13.4 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 6-4 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 5-5 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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OKLAHOMA CITY (45 - 17) at SACRAMENTO (20 - 42) - 4/20/2012, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) after scoring 105 points or more this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 136-110 ATS (+15.0 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 71-52 ATS (+13.8 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 26-36 ATS (-13.6 Units) in all games this season.
SACRAMENTO is 29-42 ATS (-17.2 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in April games this season.
SACRAMENTO is 21-41 ATS (-24.1 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
SACRAMENTO is 11-23 ATS (-14.3 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 6-4 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 8-2 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON vs. ATLANTA
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta
Boston is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing at home against Boston
MEMPHIS vs. CHARLOTTE
Memphis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Charlotte
Memphis is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Charlotte is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Charlotte is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home
NEW YORK vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of New York's last 9 games when playing Cleveland
Cleveland is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Cleveland's last 9 games when playing New York
GOLDEN STATE vs. DALLAS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing Dallas
Golden State is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing Golden State
Dallas is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games at home
LA LAKERS vs. SAN ANTONIO
LA Lakers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of the LA Lakers last 10 games when playing San Antonio
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of San Antonio's last 13 games at home
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. SACRAMENTO
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Oklahoma City's last 21 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
Oklahoma City is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Sacramento's last 21 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
Sacramento is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Oklahoma City
Memphis at Charlotte
Memphis: 12-4 ATS off ATS losses in 4 or 5 of their last 6 games
Charlotte: 1-8 ATS off a home loss by 20+ points
Boston at Atlanta
Boston: 13-4 Under off BB ATS losses
Atlanta: 4-12 ATS off BB ATS wins
New York at Cleveland
New York: 18-7 ATS off ATS wins in 4 or 5 of their last 6 games
Cleveland: 1-8 ATS off BB games scoring 90 or less points
Golden State at Dallas
Golden State: 7-0 ATS away off BB ATS losses
Dallas: 8-18 ATS off ATS wins in 2 of their last 3 games
LA Lakers at San Antonio
LA Lakers: 5-13 ATS after winning 4 of their last 5 games
San Antonio: 13-3 ATS with a total of 200+ points
Oklahoma City at Sacramento
Oklahoma City: 23-11 ATS away after playing as as road favorite
Sacramento: 9-20 ATS with a total of 200+ points
Hoop Trends - Friday
By Vince Akins
VegasInsider.com
SU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Kings are 12-0 ATS (11.2 ppg) since April 12, 2009 with at most one day of rest after a double digit loss in which they allowed at least 55% from the field.
OU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Bobcats are 10-0 OU (16.2 ppg) since March 06, 2006 at home with at least one day of rest after a game in which they controlled 40% or less of the available rebounds.
PLAYER TREND OF THE DAY:
The Grizzlies are 11-0 ATS (12.5 ppg) since April 03, 2009 with at least a day of rest after a win at home in which Rudy Gay shot better than 50% from the arc.
CHOICE TREND:
The Spurs are 0-10 ATS (-8.0 ppg) since April 06, 2008 as a favorite after winning the previous matchup in which Tony Parker shot better than 66% from the field.
TODAY’S TRENDS:
The Mavericks are 11-0 ATS (5.7 ppg) since December 09, 2010 after Shawn Marion scored fewer than 10 points the last two.
The Warriors are 0-8 ATS (-11.6 ppg) since November 08, 2000 on the road with at least one day of rest after a double digit home loss in which they scored less than 15% of their points from the free throw line.
The Celtics are 9-0 ATS (13.8 ppg) since January 05, 2008 as a road dog off a win of four points or fewer in which they held a double digit lead.
NBA Cheat Sheet
By Scott Spreitzer
GRIZZLIES @ BOBCATS: Memphis still fighting for home court, but trail 4th seed LAC by 1 1/2 games. Bobs 0-18 SU slide and 0-8 ATS.
WARRIORS @ MAVERICKS: Golden State injury list grows by one more with Nate Robinson (hamstring) downgraded to doubtful. Mavs not covering decent-sized numbers against non-playoff contenders. Warriors allowing well over 110 ppg in their last half-dozen games. Mavs wrapped up a playoff spot.
LAKERS @ SPURS: Kobe is expected to play tonight. And it looks as though all hands will be on deck for the Spurs. Popovich sat Blair down and started Splitter alongside Duncan earlier this week in L.A. to combat Gasol's and Bynum's size. Bynum went from 30 boards in the previous meeting to 7 on Tuesday. Spurs trying to hold off OKC for the top spot in the Western Conference. Lakers just a game up on the Clippers with 3 games to go.
THUNDER @ KINGS: Sacto leading scorer Marcus Thornton (quad) is questionable. Kings allowing 108.3 ppg in 10 April contests. OKC trying to catch SAS. Thunder trail by 1/2 a game and Spurs own the tiebreaker.
No lines on Boston/Atlanta as the teams battle it out for home court advantage in the opening round. Rondo & Allen are doubtful & expected to miss, respectively, for the Celtics.
No line Knicks/Cavs: Amare Stoudemire is expect to play tonight for NY. Kyrie Irving is probable for the Cavs, while Alonzo Gee is doubtful with an ankle injury.