Clippers at Spurs: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com
Los Angeles Clippers at San Antonio Spurs (-5.5, 199)
It's starting to look as though the road to the NBA Finals will go through San Antonio, and the Los Angeles Clippers will get a taste of what that entails when they travel to face the Spurs on Friday. San Antonio sits atop the Western Conference with a 1 1/2-game cushion over Oklahoma City in large part because of a 31-4 mark at home, where the Spurs have won six straight.
The Clippers have had the Spurs' number lately, winning their last three games in San Antonio and holding a 2-1 edge in the season series. They could use a win to preserve their No. 3 spot in the West, as Denver is only a 1/2 game behind Los Angeles and Memphis is 1 1/2 back. A win would also give the Clippers a franchise record, surpassing their 49 victories in 1974-75.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (49-23): Los Angeles is enjoying the best season in franchise history and its magic number to clinch its first division title is two, but the Clippers have been up and down a bit lately. They're coming off a 105-91 win at New Orleans but are just 6-5 in their last 11 after winning eight of their previous nine. "It's all about improving throughout the season," coach Vinny Del Negro told the team's website. "I expect a lot from this team, but more importantly they expect a lot from themselves. We just want to play as consistently as possible."
ABOUT THE SPURS (54-17): If San Antonio is going to clinch the top seed in the playoffs, it won't come easily. Of the Spurs' remaining 12 games, eight are against teams in position to make the playoffs. "We've got some really tough games this part of the schedule down the stretch here," veteran forward Tim Duncan told reporters. "It's going to be tough for us, so we need to win every one we can get." They've had to scratch and claw to win two of their last three with an overtime victory over Utah and a 100-99 win over Denver sandwiched around a one-point loss at Houston.
TRENDS:
* Clippers are 0-5 ATS in their last five games vs. a team with a winning record.
* Spurs are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games overall.
* Over is 4-1 in Clippers’ last five overall.
* Underdog is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Duncan is averaging 20 points, 11.6 rebounds and 2.9 blocks in March.
2. Clippers C DeAndre Jordan is shooting 83.9 percent (47-for-56) from the field in the month of March. He has made 15 consecutive field goals.
3. Spurs PG Tony Parker, who is questionable with a sprained finger, has scored in double figures in a career-high 53 consecutive games.
NBA: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Heat to New Orleans
Miami Heat's 27-game winning streak came to an end at the hands of Chicago Bulls Wednesday night as Luol Deng netted 28 points, Carlos Boozer pitched in for 21 points and 17 rebounds in the 101-97 victory. Heat one of the top offensive teams in all of basketball scoring 103.4 PPG on a league best 49.6% from the field, league second-best 39.1% from long range can clearly beat New Orleans from any area on the floor. However, Miami looking ahead to a matchup in San Antonio a venue that has seen Heat post a dismal 1-12 (3-9-1 ATS) mark last thirteen trips into Alamo City the Bugs could sting Miami at the betting window. Hornets playing better of late producing wins and cashing in three out of four are on a sparkling 9-1-1 ATS stretch at home vs Miami.
Friday's NBA Betting Notes
By Covers.com
Washington Wizards at Orlando Magic (+3.5, 196.5)
The over-under for healthy bodies will be about eight when the injury-riddled Washington Wizards visit the decimated Orlando Magic on Friday. A combination of injuries and illness - namely the flu - left the Wizards with only eight players available for Wednesday's game at Oklahoma City. The Wizards may be getting some reinforcements back against Orlando, which also had eight players in uniform for Wednesday's 114-108 loss in Charlotte. The Wizards have won two of three meetings this season, with the home team prevailing each time.
Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics (-3, 194)
The Celtics snapped a five-game slide by barely topping the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday and are trying to survive a two-week stretch without defensive anchor Kevin Garnett. Atlanta has won six of its last nine and is trying to close out a four-game road trip with a winning mark. The last two meetings have gone to overtime, with the home team winning each. The Celtics are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 home games.
Charlotte Bobcats at New York Knicks (-14, 197)
The New York Knicks have rebounded from their worst stretch with one of their best and will go a for a season-high seventh straight victory when they host lowly Charlotte. The Knicks have also won four straight meetings, including a two-point decision at Charlotte on Dec. 5. The over is 4-0 in New York’s last four home games.
Toronto Raptors at Detroit Pistons (-1.5, 195)
The Detroit Pistons haven’t won a home game since Feb. 13 and lost their last two such contests by an average of 30 points. Detroit seeks to end a seven-game home losing streak when it hosts the sliding Toronto Raptors. The Raptors have lost five straight and 12 of their last 15. Toronto is winless in its last four visits to Detroit and has played over the total in its last five games overall.
Philadelphia 76ers at Cleveland Cavaliers (+2, 194)
The Sixers are coming off a win over eighth-place Milwaukee on Wednesday, but they still sit seven games back of the Bucks in the race for the final playoff spot. Philadelphia has dropped 16 of its last 17 road games, but Cleveland has lost six in a row after Wednesday's collapse against Boston, which used a 21-6 run to close out the game. The Cavaliers are 5-0 ATS in their last five games vs. a team with a winning percentage below .400.
Houston Rockets at Memphis Grizzlies (-4.5, 195)
The Memphis Grizzlies will try to claim their fifth consecutive home win over the Houston Rockets - and their 10th straight overall at FedEx Forum - on Friday night. The home team has won the past nine meetings dating to Houston's last victory in Memphis on Dec. 3, 2010. The Rockets have played under the total in seven consecutive games.
Miami Heat at New Orleans Hornets (+5.5, 189.5)
With their pursuit of the longest winning streak in NBA history now over, the Miami Heat can set their sights on starting another one when they visit the New Orleans Hornets on Friday. The Heat saw their 27-game run, the second-longest in league history, come to an end in Chicago on Wednesday. The team's first loss since Feb. 1 prevented Miami from clinching the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, a near-inevitable result that likely will occur on their current four-game road trip. The Heat are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following a loss.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves (+8, 202.5)
Oklahoma City has held each of its last four opponents to 90 or fewer points and is coming off a 103-80 drubbing of the Washington Wizards. But Minnesota beat the Thunder 99-93 at the Target Center on Dec. 20 behind 28 points and 11 boards from Kevin Love, who is still out with a hand injury. The home team is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings.
Los Angeles Clippers at San Antonio Spurs (-4, 197.5)
The Clippers have had the Spurs' number lately, winning their last three games in San Antonio and holding a 2-1 edge in the season series. They could use a win to preserve their No. 3 spot in the West, as Denver is only a half-game behind Los Angeles and Memphis is 1 1/2 back. A win would also give the Clippers a franchise record, surpassing their 49 victories in 1974-75. The Spurs are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games overall.
Brooklyn Nets at Denver Nuggets (-6.5, 203.5)
Guard Joe Johnson scored a game-high 26 points in the Nets’ 119-108 win over Denver on Feb. 13, but he could miss his third straight game due to a right quadriceps contusion. Denver is 31-8 all-time at home against the Nets, including five straight wins. Brooklyn has played over the number in eight consecutive games.
Utah Jazz at Portland Trail Blazers (-2, 196)
The Utah Jazz attempt to end their longest road losing streak in 31 years when they visit the Trail Blazers. Utah has lost nine straight away games, the franchise’s worst stretch since a 17-game skid during the 1981-82 campaign. The teams have split two meetings this season and the over is 5-0 in the last five meetings in Portland.