NBA Knowledge
Friday's hot teams
-- Wizards won three of last five games (3-5 last 8HF).
-- Miami won six of its last nine games (3-1 last 4AU).
-- Thunder won seven of last eight games (8-1 last 9HF).
-- Pacers won five of their last eight games (2-7 last 9AU).
-- Minnesota won three of last four games (3-1 ast 4AU).
-- Grizzlies won six of its last eight games (8-4-1 last 13HF).
-- Toronto won 14 of its last 16 games.
-- Charlotte won five of its last six games (2-5AF).
-- Milwaukee won its last two games, covered its last three (4-1 last 5HU).
-- Denver won three of last four games, covered 11 of last 13.
-- Golden State won its last 11 games (6-4 last 10AF).
-- Portland won eight of last nine games (2-4 last 6HU).
-- Spurs won six of their last seven games (15-8AF).
-- Celtics won nine of their last 11 games (7-3 last 10AF).
-- Utah won seven of its last nine games (5-2HU).
Cold teams
-- Detroit lost four of last five games (4-3 last 7AU).
-- Orlando lost four of last six games, but covered six of its ast seven.
-- Dallas lost four of its last five games (1-3 last 4AU).
-- Knicks lost their last six games (1-3AF).
-- Brooklyn lost seven of its last nine games (4-3 last 7HU).
-- Pelicans lost five of their last seven games (1-4 last 5HF).
-- 76ers lost their last nine games (5-3 last 8AU).
-- Atlanta is 5-7 in its last 12 games (5-2 last 7HF).
-- Chicago lost six of its last seven games.
-- Houston lost six of last eight games (2-5 last 7AF).
-- Phoenix lost its last nine games (8-5HU).
-- Sacramento lost eight of last ten games (4-6 last 10HF).
-- Lakers lost last three games, are 8-3 vs spread in last 11.
Series records
-- Wizards won five of last seven games with Detroit.
-- Mavericks won their last seven games with Orlando.
-- Nets won five of last six games against the Knicks.
-- 76ers lost four of last five games with New Orleans.
-- Miami won last two games with Atlanta, after losing previous seven in row before that.
-- Thunder won six of last nine games with Indiana.
-- Grizzlies won five of last eight games with Minnesota.
-- Bulls won their last seven games with Toronto.
-- Hornets won eight of last ten games with Milwaukee.
-- Rockets won six of last seven games with Phoenix.
-- Nuggets are 6-4 in last ten games with Sacramento.
-- Warriors won last six games, covered last five vs Portland.
-- Lakers lost last four games with San Antonio; they're 4-2-1 vs spread in last seven series games.
-- Celtics won eight of last nine games with Utah.
Totals
-- Three of last four Washington games went over total.
-- Four of last five Dallas games went over the total.
-- Nine of last eleven Brooklyn games went over total.
-- Three of last four Philly games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 9-4 in Miami's last thirteen games.
-- Eight of last ten Thunder games went over the total.
-- Over is 4-0-1 in last five Minnesota games.
-- Over is 5-2-1 in last eight Chicago games.
-- Three of last four Milwaukee games stayed under.
-- 12 of last 14 Houston games went over the total.
-- Seven of last eight Sacramento games went over.
-- Four of last six Golden State games stayed under.
-- Over is 8-2-1 in last dozen San Antonio games.
-- Six of last eight Boston games went over the total.
Back/backs
-- Washington is 5-3 vs spread last eight times they played nite before.
-- Spurs are 10-0 (7-3 vs spread) if they played night before.
-- Utah is 6-5 vs spread if it played the night before.
Armadillosports.com
NBA: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Golden State vs Portland
There is a good chance that we may be watching history unfold before our very eyes, as the Golden State Warriors continue their quest to post the best ever single season record in NBA history. There is a lot that can happen to derail that, with injuries and resting players in the latter part of the season possibly playing a role in the final outcome. You also have to consider that every other team in the league are going to up their game in an effort to knock off the best team in the league. The Portland Trail Blazers are on a good run of for right now, and they may well pose a very tough test for the Warriors in Friday night. Can the Trail Blazers muster up what could be a close to titanic feat and come up with a NBA betting lines upset vs the Warriors?
Why bet on the Golden State Warriors
There is nothing I can say about the Golden State Warriors (48-4) that hasn’t already been said by thousands of other sports writers. It is often said that repeating as a champion is one of the toughest things to do in sports, but this team is making it look like the easiest. The numbers that they are positing are just staggering, and are pretty much what you would expect from a team that has only dropped 4 games all season long. If you had to pick a weakness, it would be that all their losses have come on the road, but how can you really say that a 24-4 road record is any sign of weakness. It is going to be interesting to see just how hard this team plays in the second half, as they try to figure out if setting the record or repeating as champions is more important. The Warriors re averaging 115.5 PPG, and are giving up 103.3 PPG.
Why bet on the Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers (27-27) were one team that were probably a little disappointed to see the All-Star Break arrive. Portland have been on a great run of form, and closed out the first half going 8-2 in their last 10 games. They will definitely want to improve on their current #7 ranking in the Western Conference, but they are probably realistically looking ahead to the game against the Utah Jazz over the weekend. A win in that one would give them the tiebreaker over the #8 ranked Jazz, which may come in handy of the playoff race stays as tight as it is right now. The Trail Blazers have lost each of their last 4 meetings with the Warriors, which is not really anything to be ashamed about. Portland are a heathy 16-11 on home court, and will try to use a raucous home crowd to their advantage in this one. The Trail Blazers are averaging 102.5 PPG, and are giving up 101.9 PPG.
Pick and Final Score Prediction
It has been fun to watch the Trail Blazers get back to .500 over the past few weeks, but I think their momentum is going to be temporarily stalled versus the Warriors. I see a pretty comfortable double digit win for Golden State as the most likely outcome here.
Golden State Warriors 112 Portland Trail Blazers 101
Friday's Tip Sheet
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Heat at Hawks
These two Southeast division rivals are separated by one game heading into the second half of the season. The Heat (29-24 SU, 26-26 ATS) will be without All-Star forward Chris Bosh, who is sidelined with a calf injury, as Miami closed the first half with home losses to the Spurs and Clippers. However, the Heat have won and covered each of their past two as a road underdog at Dallas and Charlotte, while ripping the Hawks in their last two meetings, including a 105-87 home blowout as three-point ‘dogs on January 31.
The Hawks (31-24 SU, 26-27 ATS) have won four of six games this month, including home victories over Dallas and Indiana. Atlanta has stepped up defensively of late by allowing 97 points or less in five of the past six games, while cashing the ‘under’ in three of the last four contests. The last five matchups between the Heat and Hawks have finished ‘under’ the total, while Atlanta has captured four of the previous five meetings at Philips Arena since 2014.
Pacers at Thunder
The first year of the Billy Donovan era in Oklahoma City (40-14 SU, 22-32 ATS) has been a success, even though the Thunder trail the Warriors and Spurs in the Western Conference. OKC has won seven of eight games since getting upset at Brooklyn as 13½-point favorites in late January, as the Thunder have eclipsed the 100-point mark in 12 straight games. The Thunder owns a solid 7-2 ATS mark in their last nine home contests, while trying to avoid a look-ahead spot with the Cavaliers invading Oklahoma City on Sunday.
Indiana (28-25 SU, 26-26-1 ATS) has dropped five straight visits to Oklahoma City, including each of the last four losses by double-digits. The Pacers slumped to the finish of the first half, putting together a 6-9 SU and 4-10-1 ATS record, while losing six of eight road games with the two wins coming against the Nets and Suns. Frank Vogel’s squad has dropped eight of their last 11 away contests against Western Conference foes, as Indiana has stumbled to 1-6 ATS mark in its past seven in the underdog role.
Raptors at Bulls
In spite of a loss at Minnesota to end the first half, Toronto (35-17 SU, 29-23 ATS) won 14 of its final 16 games prior to the All-Star break. The Raptors have compiled a 1-5 ATS record in their last six opportunities in the favorite role, while losing to the Bulls in their last matchup at the Air Canada Center, 115-113 in early January. Toronto won’t have to worry about containing Jimmy Butler, who went off for 42 points in the victory for Chicago as the shooting guard is sidelined with a knee injury. The Raptors have dropped seven straight matchups with the Bulls since 2014, including three consecutive setbacks at the United Center.
The Bulls (27-25 SU, 19-33 ATS) return home with no rest following Thursday’s contest at Cleveland, as Chicago owns a dreadful 3-6 SU/ATS record on the second of a back-to-back. Fred Hoiberg’s club has allowed at least 100 points in seven consecutive contests, while dropping five straight games at the United Center. In each of the past four home defeats, the Bulls’ offense has been non-existent, scoring 94 points or less each time, while finishing ‘under’ the total three times in this span.
Warriors at Blazers
The runaway train known as Golden State (48-4 SU, 31-20-1 ATS) embarks on a six-game road trip to start the second half of the season. The Warriors face the Clippers in Los Angeles on Saturday following Friday’s affair in Portland as the defending champions are riding an 11-game winning streak, including six straight victories away from Oracle Arena. Golden State has eclipsed the 100-point mark in all 11 of those victories, but the ‘over’ has hit just six times as each total closed at 210 or higher. Steve Kerr’s team blasted the Blazers in their first matchup at the Moda Center in January, 128-108 as 9½-point favorites.
Following a sluggish start, the Blazers (27-27 SU, 30-24 ATS) rectified things and reached the .500 mark thanks to an 8-1 finish to the first half. Six of those victories came at home, even though only one of those wins came against a team that currently owns a winning record (Charlotte). Terry Stotts’ club has struggled of late in the role of a home underdog, posting a 1-4 SU/ATS record with the lone victory coming against Oklahoma City in a lights-out shooting performance in the fourth quarter. Portland has dropped five of the past six home meetings with Golden State, as the Blazers last beat the Warriors at home in April 2014 in a two-point overtime victory.
Celtics at Jazz
Since dropping four straight games in early January, Boston (32-23 SU, 31-23-1 ATS) has stormed back to win 13 of 17 contests to move into the top three of the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Celtics start a three-game road swing against the Northwest division that continues to Denver and Minnesota on Sunday. Since losing consecutive games at Dallas and Toronto last month, the C’s have covered nine of their last 12 games, including a 4-2 ATS mark away from TD Garden. Boston swept the season series from Utah last season, as the Celtics won in Salt Lake City as seven-point underdogs, 99-90.
The Jazz (26-26 SU, 27-25 ATS) are in a tough scheduling spot as they had to travel to Washington on Thursday for a make-up game before heading home with no rest for Boston. Utah finished the first half with a 7-1 SU and 5-3 ATS record to move into the eighth playoff position in the Western Conference, including five consecutive home victories. Utah’s defense at home has been exceptional of late by allowing 96 points or less in 12 of the past 13 games at Vivint Smart Home Arena (‘under’ is 8-4-1).
Game of the Day: Raptors at Bulls
By Covers.com
Toronto Raptors at Chicago Bulls (+6, 201.5)
The Toronto Raptors have lost seven straight games against Chicago and seek to halt the skid when they visit the Bulls on Friday. Toronto, which has the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, hasn't defeated Chicago since recording an 85-79 road victory Dec. 31, 2013.
The Bulls fell 106-95 to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday for their fifth straight loss and seventh in eight games. "We've just got to stay together through the good, the bad and the ugly - and it's the ugly right now," Chicago point guard Derrick Rose said afterward. "I'm going to keep controlling what I can control. We're trying to fight to be in the playoffs." The Raptors won 14 of their last 16 games prior to the All-Star break and being one of the best teams in the league is new ground for the franchise. "I think this time around we haven’t let our success, winning games, any of that, get to our heads," All-Star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan told reporters. "We still feel like we have a long way to go. This time around it feels like we haven't done anything."
LINE HISTORY: The Raptors opened as 5.5-point road favorites and have been bet to -6 in what will be the Bulls' second game in two nights. The total hasn't moved off the opening number of 201.5.
INJURY REPORT:
Raptors - F D. Carroll (out indefinitely, knee).
Bulls - G J. Butler (Early March, knee), PF N. Mirotic (Mid March, appendix), C J. Noah (out for season, shoulder).
POWER RANKINGS: Raptors (-7.3) - Bulls (-2) + home court (-3) = Bulls +2.3
WHAT SHARPS SAY: "It may be a good spot to take the Raptors on Friday. They catch Chicago coming off the game versus Cleveland and are 5-0 SU/4-1 ATS when working on 3 or more days rest. While the Bulls did manage to cover in last night's loss, they're still worst ATS team in the league." - Power Sports.
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (35-17, 29-23 ATS, 26-25-1 O/U): Toronto didn't make a move prior to Thursday's trading deadline, which sends a signal that the organization feels it can compete with the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers should the teams square off in a playoff series. "That’s a strong statement to our players: We believe in them, this is what we're going into battle with," Raptors coach Dwane Casey told reporters after Thursday's practice. "Our charge is to every day get better, whether it's passing, footwork, whatever it is, something small. Get better." Small forward DeMarre Carroll is nearing a return from early January knee surgery and the Raptors view him as the extra contributor they are currently lacking.
ABOUT THE BULLS (27-26, 20-33 ATS, 27-25-1 O/U): All-Star center Pau Gasol was shopped prior to Thursday's trading deadline but Chicago didn't find a match and Gasol will finish the season with the Bulls. Gasol is a free agent after the season and he reiterated after Thursday's game that he is open to re-signing with the club. "I was surprised there was so much noise about it," Gasol told reporters. "The positive is hearing that a lot of teams are interested in my services. The negative is the uncertainty and waiting for your team to pull the trigger. If they didn't trade me, the assumption is they would like to keep me. I assume that's their mindset."
TRENDS:
* Over is 5-0 in the last five meetings.
* Raptors are 0-7 ATS in the last seven meetings.
* Bulls are 0-5 ATS in their last five home games.
* Under is 5-0 in Bulls last five versus Eastern Conference teams.
CONSENSUS: Despite the history, bettors think Toronto will buck the trend, with 61 percent of wagers backing the Raptors. As for the total, 63 percent of wagers on the over.
Friday's Top Action
By Sportsbook.ag
INDIANA PACERS (28-25) at OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (40-14)
Sportsbook.ag Line: Oklahoma City -9, Total: 215
The Pacers will be looking to make a statement with a victory over the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Friday.
The Pacers lost 117-95 as 3.5-point home favorites against the Hornets before the All-Star break and the team will be hoping for a better performance in Oklahoma City on Friday. Indiana allowed Charlotte to shoot 51.7% from the field in that game and that is something that can’t happen against the Thunder. The Pacers also need to shoot the ball a lot better in this one, as they hit less than 25% of their threes in each of their final two games before the break.
The Thunder, meanwhile, won-and-covered in each of their past two games. They most recently hosted the Pelicans and defeated them 121-95 as 12-point favorites. Oklahoma City shot 45.5% from the outside against Phoenix two games ago and followed it up by hitting 37.5% against New Orleans. If this team can continue hitting the three consistently then it should be hard to beat moving forward.
These teams most recently met on Apr. 2, 2015, and the Pacers won that game 116-104 as 2.5-point home favorites. The Thunder have, however, won five straight at home in this series. One thing that sticks out when looking at this game is that Indiana is a miserable 6-17 ATS when facing Western Conference teams this season.
C Jordan Hill (Finger) is listed as questionable for the Pacers in this game and the Thunder will continue to be without SG Andre Roberson (Knee) for the next couple of weeks.
The Pacers will be looking to get off to a good start after the All-Star break and one guy that will be feeling extremely confident heading into this game is SF Paul George (23.3 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.8 SPG). George was on fire in the All-Star Game, pouring in 41 points on 16-for-26 shooting from the field and 9-for-19 shooting from the outside. Performing that way amongst the league’s best should have him feeling good heading into this matchup with a talented Oklahoma City team. He’ll need to also be ready to play defense, though, as he’ll be going up against Kevin Durant in this game.
Two other guys that will need to step up for Indiana are SG Monta Ellis (13.9 PPG, 4.8 APG, 3.0 RPG, 1.8 SPG) and C Myles Turner (9.9 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.4 BPG). Ellis had really been struggling before the break, averaging 9.6 PPG in 33.8 MPG over the past five contests. He was shooting just 22.2% from the outside in those games and he will need to find his stroke. He is the second-best scorer on the Pacers and needs to start to show it soon. Turner, meanwhile, was averaging 12.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG and 1.0 BPG in five games before the break. He has provided this team with some much needed rim protection and if he can continue to avoid foul trouble then this Pacers team will be much more threatening the rest of the way.
The Thunder will be going for their third straight victory on Friday and they will need big performances from their superstars. Both PG Russell Westbrook (24.1 PPG, 10.0 APG, 7.6 RPG and 2.3 SPG) and SF Kevin Durant (27.7 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.2 BPG, 1.0 SPG) have to show up in order for Oklahoma City to defeat a tough Indiana team in this one. Westbrook should be able to have a monstrous game against the Pacers. Indiana does not have anybody with the size or speed to really stick with him, so if he attacks the basket then he should have a lot of success on Friday.
Durant, meanwhile, will need to work very hard for his points. Paul George is an excellent defender and he will make things difficult on Durant. He should, however, be able to score regardless. Defensively, Durant is going to need to lock in as well. He can’t afford to let George get hot in this one.
An x-factor for Oklahoma City in this game just might be C Enes Kanter (11.9 PPG, 7.7 RPG). Kanter will be matched up against Turner for a majority of this contest and the Thunder can use a solid performance from him on both ends of the floor. He was averaging 12.6 PPG and 9.0 RPG in the five games leading up to the All-Star break and the Thunder need him to provide that type of consistent production moving forward.
BOSTON CELTICS (32-23) at UTAH JAZZ (26-27)
Sportsbook.ag Line: Boston -1, Total: 195.5
The Jazz will be looking to avoid a three-game losing streak when they host the Celtics on Friday.
Boston has not played since facing the Clippers before the All-Star break, but the team won that game 139-134 as a 1.5-point home favorite on Feb. 10 and was really playing well before the time off. The Celtics have won-and-covered in five of their past six games and they have also won 10 of their past 12 SU.
The Jazz, meanwhile, are coming off of a brutal 103-89 loss in Washington on Thursday. Utah was a two-point favorite in that game and has now lost two straight contests both SU and ATS. Boston has gotten the better of this matchup in recent years, going 3-1 SU but just 2-2 ATS over the past three seasons. The teams have split victories both SU and ATS when playing in Utah in that span.
One thing that favors the Celtics in this game is the fact that the team is 18-6 ATS after a game where they made 12 or more threes over the past two seasons. The Jazz are, however, an impressive 7-0 ATS off an upset loss as a favorite this season and 13-4 ATS after failing to cover two of their past three as well.
C Kelly Olynyk (Shoulder) is out indefinitely for Boston and PG Shelvin Mack (Acquired) is expected to make his debut for Utah in this game.
The Celtics were one of the hottest teams in the league before the break and a lot of that had to do with the play of All-Star PG Isaiah Thomas (21.5 PPG, 6.6 APG, 3.0 RPG, 1.2 SPG). Thomas has been a force offensively on the year and had possibly his best game of the season in the win over the Clippers before the break. Thomas had 36 points and 11 assists in that victory and he should be in for a big game on Friday. The Jazz are weak at the point guard position and Thomas is going to be aggressive in this one. His speed should allow him to get to the basket and when his opponents overplay the drive, he won’t hesitate to knock down an outside shot.
One guy that must play well in this one is SF Jae Crowder (14.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.8 SPG), who will be matched up against Gordon Hayward for a majority of the game. Boston will need Crowder to really play a good game defensively, but he’ll also need to knock down some shots. That shouldn’t be a problem for him, as he was averaging 18.5 PPG in the two games prior to the All-Star break.
C Jared Sullinger (9.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG) will also be counted on to come through in this one. Sullinger was excellent in a win over the Clippers before the break, finishing with 21 points, 11 boards and seven assists. If he can be more consistent the rest of the season then the Celtics are going to be a very tough team to beat.
The Jazz have lost two straight games and will now be hungry to get back into the win column in this meeting with the Celtics at home. One guy that will need to really play well in this one is SF Gordon Hayward (19.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.2 SPG). The forward is this team’s best player, but he is not shooting the ball well at the moment. Over the past five games, Hayward is making just 42.2% of his shots from the field and a miserable 25.0% of his threes. If he cannot be a bit more efficient then the Jazz are going to continue to lose games.
Fortunately for Utah, SG Rodney Hood (15.0 PPG) has taken his game to another level offensively. Over the past five games, Hood is averaging 22.0 PPG on 47.1% shooting from the floor and 38.2% shooting from three. He is long and has the ability to make difficult shots, so he should be able to find some success against a smaller Celtics backcourt on Friday.
Inside, both PF Derrick Favors (16.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.3 BPG) and C Rudy Gobert (10.5 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.4 BPG) will need to make their presence felt. Favors is a very good offensive player and should be able to score around the basket against a smaller Celtics frontcourt. Gobert, meanwhile, is one of the best rim protectors in basketball and he’ll need to make Isaiah Thomas be afraid to drive into the paint.