Friday NBA Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
The Friday NBA card puts several interesting matchups in the spotlight with the regular season winding down. The Thunder plays with no rest at Indiana, while the Grizzlies look to stay hot against the Lakers at Staples Center. We'll start with a pair of Eastern Conference playoff squads going in different directions at Madison Square Garden.
Bucks at Knicks
Unless Boston melts down and Milwaukee goes on an insane run in the final eight games of the season, there is an unlikely chance that the Bucks and Knicks will meet in the first round of the playoffs. Currently, Milwaukee is 2½ games behind Boston for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference, while New York is pretty much set for the second position after winning 10 consecutive contests.
The latest victory for Mike Woodson's team came in Atlanta on Wednesday, sweeping a back-to-back set over the Heat and Hawks. New York has done a tremendous job cashing in this hot streak, covering nine of 10 times with the lone ATS defeat coming against Charlotte as 14-point favorites. The Knicks' offense is clicking at home during this span, topping the 106-point mark in all five contests at MSG.
Milwaukee is going backwards at the moment by losing six of their last eight games, while posting a 2-6 ATS mark. The Bucks have dropped four straight games away from the BMO Harris Bradley Center, as Jim Boylan's squad has been limited to less than 93 points in each defeat. The Knicks took the first two meetings with the Bucks this season, including a 96-86 home triumph as five-point favorites in early February.
Thunder at Pacers
Indiana returns home from a four-game road trip after winning all four contests, as the Pacers welcome Oklahoma City. The Thunder is fresh off a home victory over the Spurs, as OKC owns an 8-5 SU and 7-6 ATS record on the second of a back-to-back. Oklahoma City trimmed its deficit to a half-game behind San Antonio for the top record in the Western Conference after last night's victory.
The Pacers have won five straight games overall, but the perfect 4-0 road trip distanced themselves from the Bulls in the Central Division race. Indiana's once dormant offense has exploded during this winning streak by topping the 100-point mark five times, including 109 points in Monday's victory over the Clippers. Frank Vogel's team is playing with revenge after losing at Oklahoma City in December, 104-93 as 11-point underdogs.
The Thunder has taken five of their last six games following a two-game skid to the Grizzlies and Nuggets in mid-March. OKC has cashed the 'under' in six of the past seven contests, including four straight 'unders' with totals listed at 200 or below. In four games as a road underdog this season, the Thunder has put together a 1-3 SU and 2-2 ATS record, with the lone outright triumph coming over the Clippers last month.
Warriors at Suns
When these two teams met on opening night in Phoenix, the Suns closed as a two-point favorite and lost by two points to their division rivals. The roles have definitely changed five months later as Golden State goes for the four-game series sweep of Phoenix, while trying to solidify the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoff race.
Mark Jackson's team is rolling with victories in six of the past eight games, as four of those wins came at Oracle Arena. The Warriors went through a 1-9 stretch away from the Bay Area from February through mid-March, but Golden State grabbed two of three on its last road trip, including a blowout of the Rockets in a triple-revenge spot. The Warriors are coming off consecutive triumphs over the Hornets and Blazers at home, but Golden State is 0-4 SU/ATS in their last four opportunities to win three straight games.
Since trouncing the Lakers at home on March 18, the Suns' season has officially set with seven consecutive setbacks. Phoenix has covered just twice in this stretch in home losses to Indiana and Brooklyn, while getting destroyed by the Clippers on Wednesday, 126-101 as 16½-point underdogs. The defense has been to blame by allowing at least 102 points in six straight contests, resulting in five 'overs.'
Grizzlies at Lakers
Three teams are fighting it out for the third seed in the Western Conference playoff race, as Memphis tries to stay hot with its fifth consecutive win. The Grizzlies captured their fourth victory in a row by dispatching a beat-up Portland squad on Wednesday, 94-76, while limiting their fourth straight opponent to less than 94 points.
Memphis grabbed the first two meetings at home with Los Angeles this season, while scoring exactly 106 points in each victory. The Grizzlies cashed each time as short favorites, while Memphis seeks its third win in the last four trips to Staples Center. Lionel Hollins' squad owns a mediocre 6-7 ATS mark in the road 'dog role, while losing the last two times when receiving points on the highway at Utah and Denver.
The Lakers are battling it out with the Jazz for the eighth and final playoff position in the West, as Los Angeles has won three of four since a three-game skid. The Purple and Gold has hit the 'under' in the last two victories against the Mavs and Kings, while limiting each team to below 98 points. Since losing to the Clippers to close out the first half of the season, the Lakers have won eight of nine home contests, while barely grinding out a profit at 5-4 ATS.
NBA Betting Odds and Preview Capsules: April 5
Atssportsline.com
Get ready for the Final Four on Saturday with a big NBA schedule on Friday night. Check out the Final Four Preview. In the NBA, teams are looking to move up in the standings. Take a look at some of the betting tips below for the NBA's top games on Friday. Looking for winners for the Final Four, NBA and baseball-go to ATS Sportsline. If you are looking for some assistance for the Final Four, we have all your college basketball betting statistics, matchups and odds.
Oklahoma City (55-20 SU, 45-26-2 ATS, 35-38-2 O/U) at Indiana (48-27 SU, 42-33 ATS, 34-30-1 O/U)
Intangibles:
Oklahoma City moved to a 1/2 game behind the Spurs in the Western Conference.
Veteran guard Derek Fisher led the Thunder with five three-pointers against the Spurs.
Indiana has won five straight games.
Last game: (12/9/12) Oklahoma City (-10) over Indiana, 104-93.
Keys to Success: Oklahoma City played on Thursday night and after beating the Spurs, is now just a half game away from the first seed in the West. Indiana is half game behind New York for second place in the East. The Pacers last played on Monday as they are coming off an impressive four-game road trip, beating the Clippers, Suns, Mavericks and Houston. They can clinch the Central Division crown with a win. They need to make this a halfcourt game and not try and run with Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.
Oklahoma City is coming off winning two straight and five of the last six. The Thunder beat the Spurs, 100-88 on Thursday night, giving 7.5. The Pacers are 16-5 last 21 matchups on the over bet against Oklahoma City. Basketball Odds: Indiana a 2.5-point betting odds favorite. Total: 191.0.
Memphis (51-24 SU, 42-32-1 ATS, 30-44-1 O/U) at Los Angeles (39-36 SU, 31-43-1 ATS, 38-36-1 O/U)
Intangibles:
Memphis won the first two games of the series at home.
The Lakers are a half game up on Utah for the last playoff spot in the East.
Dwight Howard has 14 straight double-doubles
Last game: (1/23/13) Memphis (-3.5) over LA Lakers, 106-93.
Keys to Success: The Grizzlies have won four straight as they appear to firing on all cylinders with Marc Gasol (abdominal) back in the lineup. They are fifth in the Western Conference but 4.5 games behind the Spurs in the Southwest Division. Point guard Mike Conley has seven 20-point outings in his last 10 games. He'll be going up against Steve Blake, as Steve Nash (hip) is not expected to play. That puts more pressure on Kobe Bryant to score and defend. Bryant has averaged 21 points, 12.5 assists and 10 rebounds in his past two games and played 47 minutes against Dallas in an easy win on Tuesday night. He may need to go 48 tonight.
The Grizzlies are coming off a 94-76 win over Portland on the road on Wednesday, giving 7.5. The Lakers beat Dallas at home, 101-81, giving 3.5 on Tuesday. NBA Odds: The Los Angeles Lakers are a 2.5-point betting odds favorite. Total: 194.0.
Friday's NBA Betting Notes
By Covers.com
Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics (-6.5, 201.5)
The Cavaliers are riding the longest losing streak in the NBA at 10 games and have fallen by an average of 13.5 points during the skid. Celtics F Paul Pierce (right ankle) sat out Thursday’s practice and is questionable. The home team is 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings.
Milwaukee Bucks at New York Knicks (-7.5, 202.5)
Carmelo Anthony is rolling and so are the New York Knicks, who look to win their 11th straight Friday. After scoring 50 points in a win over Miami on Tuesday, Anthony produced 40 to spark a 95-82 win over Atlanta on Wednesday. The Knicks have won four straight meetings, including two this season by double digits. New York is 10-1 ATS in its last 11 games overall.
Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks (-6.5, 193)
The teams have split the first two contests, with the home team winning each. The Sixers had won six straight meetings before a 107-96 loss at Atlanta on March 6. The under is 5-0 in the Hawks’ last five home games.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers (-2.5, 191.5)
Indiana has won five straight games as it seeks to wrap up its first division title since the 2003-04 campaign. The Pacers have won four of their last five home games against the Thunder, but OKC took the previous meeting this season, 104-93 on Dec. 9 at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The over is 9-0 in the last nine meetings in Indiana.
Orlando Magic at Chicago Bulls (-8.5, 191)
Orlando has lost three straight on its current five-game road trip and is 1-11 in its last 12 games overall. Chicago has won three straight and seven of eight against Orlando. The Bulls are 5-1 ATS in the second half of back-to-backs this season.
Toronto Raptors at Minnesota Timberwolves (-6, 198)
The Raptors won for just the second time in their last nine games on Wednesday night, topping Washington 88-78. Toronto has won 15 of the last 16 meetings, but the T-Wolves have won five of eight overall after a 7-28 stretch. Minnesota is 8-0 ATS in its last eight games vs. a team with a winning percentage below .400.
Miami Heat at Charlotte Bobcats (+5, 194)
Miami already has clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, so the Heat could sit stars LeBron James (hamstring) and Dwyane Wade (ankle), fellow starter Mario Chalmers (ankle) and key reserve Ray Allen (ankle). The under is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
New Orleans Hornets at Utah Jazz (-8, 194)
Utah has won two of the first three matchups against New Orleans this season, including a 104-99 victory on Jan. 30. The road has not been kind to the Hornets, who haven’t recorded a win away from home since Feb. 11. New Orleans is 0-7 ATS in its last seven road games.
Golden State Warriors at Phoenix Suns (+7.5, 203)
The Suns are in last place in the West and have dropped seven straight. Golden State will be trying to sweep the season series. Phoenix has allowed an average of 112.8 points in the last six games, capped off by a 126-101 loss at the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. The Suns have been awful on the road but have not been much better at home of late, dropping five straight in their own arena. The Warriors are 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings.
Dallas Mavericks at Sacramento Kings (-2, 214)
Sacramento has lost four straight and 14 of 15 to Dallas. The Kings lead the league in scoring (108.1 points) since the All-Star break and Dallas has averaged 119.7 points in its three wins over the Kings this season. The over is 10-1 in the Mavericks’ last 11 vs. a team with a losing record.
Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers (+6, 207.5)
The Rockets have dropped two of the first three meetings with the Trail Blazers, including two overtime losses in November. Portland expects to have LaMarcus Aldridge back in the lineup after the All-Star power forward was forced to miss the last four games with a sprained right ankle. Aldridge leads the Trail Blazers in scoring (21) and blocks (88) and ranks second in rebounding (8.9). The last three games between the teams played at the Rose Garden have been decided by seven points or fewer.
Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Lakers (-2.5, 191)
Memphis has won four straight games and is a half-game behind the third-place Denver Nuggets. The Grizzlies are 2-0 against the Lakers this season but this is the first meeting in Los Angeles. The over is 4-0 in the last four meetings.