Hawks at Celtics: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com
Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics (-4, 188)
The Boston Celtics have moved a season-high six games over .500 after winning four in a row, including a dramatic 83-81 victory at Indiana on Wednesday. Paul Pierce is dealing with a bone bruise on his left knee, but is expected to be in the lineup when the Celtics host the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. Atlanta and Boston are both battling for playoff position, with the Celtics holding the seventh spot and the Hawks in fifth. The teams split two games at Philips Arena earlier this season.
The Celtics are 13-4 since starting point guard Rajon Rondo suffered a season-ending knee injury, and their improved defense has been a key part of the surge. Against Indiana, the Celtics rallied from a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit to win after Jeff Green scored with 0.5 seconds remaining. Atlanta, which has dropped two straight in Boston, snapped its three-game losing streak on Wednesday with a 107-96 victory over Philadelphia.
ABOUT THE HAWKS (34-26): Guard Jeff Teague scored a game-high 27 points and recorded his 1,000th career assist in the win over the 76ers, and he’s averaging 20 points while shooting 60 percent in two games against Boston this season. Forward Al Horford, averaging 23.7 points and 11.3 rebounds over the last 11 games, had 24 points and with 13 boards in a 123-111 double-overtime victory over the Celtics on Jan. 25. Forward Josh Smith has had recorded five straight regular season double-doubles against the Celtics while averaging 15.6 points, 11.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists during that stretch.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (33-27): Kevin Garnett, who had a team-high 18 points along with 10 rebounds against Indiana, led Boston with 24 points and 10 boards in the double-overtime loss at Atlanta in January. Guard Jordan Crawford, acquired from Washington at on Feb. 21, has been a valuable addition to the Celtics’ bench while allowing coach Doc Rivers to rest Avery Bradley and Pierce. Crawford is averaging five points in 13.3 minutes with Boston. Bradley, averaging 13.8 points over his last five games, scored a career-high 28 points against Atlanta last season.
TRENDS:
* Celtics are 7-1 ATS in their last eight home games.
* Under is 5-1 in Celtics’ last six games following a win.
* Under is 4-0 in Hawks’ last four road games.
* Hawks are 5-1 ATS in their last six vs. NBA Atlantic foes.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Hawks are 28-2 when leading after three quarters.
2. Boston is 18-4 when scoring at least 100 points.
3. Atlanta G Kyle Korver is shooting 46.1 percent from 3-point range to lead the NBA, and he’s made at least one 3-pointer in each of his last 53 games.
Friday NBA Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
The Friday night NBA card is loaded with March Madness coming around the corner. Twelve games take place on Friday, including the Hawks battling the Celtics in Boston, while the Rockets and Warriors renew their rivalry in the Bay Area late night. We'll start with the Pacers playing in an interesting revenge spot in Central Florida.
Pacers at Magic
Indiana eliminated Orlando in the first round of last season's playoffs, but the Magic somehow exacted revenge in January. Orlando shocked Indiana as short home underdogs, 97-86, while limiting the Pacers to just 35 first-half points. The Magic has struggled mightily this season, but Jacque Vaughn's club has covered five of the last eight games, including Wednesday's 97-96 defeat at Miami as 15½-point 'dogs. The Pacers hope to avoid a look-ahead situation with a trip to South Florida on Sunday, as Indiana has won seven of its last nine games. Indiana got tripped up in Wednesday's 83-81 home setback to Boston, while the Pacers head into Friday's action with four consecutive road covers.
Thunder at Bobcats
These two teams are no doubt on different ends of the spectrum, as Charlotte enters this mismatch with a league-high 48 losses. The Bobcats led the Nets, 53-43, but a nine-point third quarter doomed Charlotte in a 21-point home defeat. The Thunder travels to Charlotte with no rest after winning by one at New York on Thursday, as OKC took the first matchup with the Bobcats in a rout, 114-69 as 11½-point favorites in late November. Since winning at Orlando to start the second half, the Bobcats have lost and failed to cover eight consecutive games, including three times as a double-digit underdog.
Wizards at Nets
Washington was the hottest ATS team in the month of January, but the Wizards have failed to cash in three March contests. The Wizards head to the Barclays Center for the first time this season after splitting a pair of home contests with the Nets, including an 89-74 blowout of Brooklyn last month. The Nets have won just two of their previous six contests following a four-game hot streak in mid-February. Washington is playing plenty of low-scoring affairs recently by cashing the 'under' in 14 of the last 18 trips to the court, while Brooklyn has hit the 'under' in three straight home games.
Grizzlies at Cavaliers
Memphis is on fire with victories in 10 of the last 11 games, including a 91-85 home triumph over Portland on Wednesday. The Grizzlies failed to cash in their fourth straight opportunity at FedEx Forum, but Memphis owns a terrific 4-1 SU and 5-0 ATS record the last five road contests. The Cavaliers rallied past the Jazz on Wednesday, 104-101 to cash as 1½-point 'chalk,' while snapping a two-game home skid. Cleveland owns a solid 13-6 ATS record the last 19 games, while posting a 6-4 ATS mark the previous 10 opportunities in the home 'dog role. Memphis makes it first trip to Cleveland since November 2010, as the Grizzlies have dropped seven straight visits to Quicken Loans Arena.
Mavericks at Pistons
Detroit has gone backwards since the All-Star break with losses in seven of its last nine trips to the court, including four home defeats by double-digits. The latest setback for the Pistons came on Wednesday as Detroit squandered a 10-point lead in an 87-77 loss at the Palace. The Pistons have put together a 3-6 ATS record the last nine games as a home 'dog, hosting a Dallas squad that is 12-3 ATS the previous 15 road contests. The Mavs took care of the Pistons in the first meeting at American Airlines Center, 92-77 on December 1 as seven-point favorites. Dallas is riding a 5-1 'under' run the last six games, while facing a Detroit team that has been limited to 96 points or fewer in four straight contests.
Hawks at Celtics
Boston returns to TD Garden after rallying past Indiana on Wednesday, 83-81 as nine-point underdogs. The Celtics have won four straight, while posting a 13-4 SU/ATS record in the 17 games since Rajon Rondo suffered a torn ACL. Boston blew a 27-point lead in a double-overtime loss at Atlanta, as Rondo was lost for the season with that devastating knee injury on January 25. However, the C's are putting things together in this stretch, while the Hawks are playing in their eighth different city since February 23. Atlanta has dropped three straight road contests, as the Hawks ended their losing streak with Wednesday's 11-point home triumph over the struggling Sixers. Boston is riding a five-game home winning streak against Atlanta, which includes three victories in last season's second round of the playoffs.
76ers at Heat
Miami continues to roll with 16 straight wins, in spite of not covering as 15½-point favorites against Orlando on Wednesday. The Heat hosts Philadelphia on Friday, taking nine of the last 10 meetings in the series. Miami drilled Philly in the last matchup at the Wells Fargo Center, 114-90 on February 23 as 8½-point favorites, as the Sixers have dropped 10 of the last 11 games overall. Since January 2, Philadelphia has scored less than 100 points in 10 of the past 11 road contests, while posting an 8-3 mark to the 'under' in this span. Miami is going the opposite way in the totals department by cashing the 'over' in seven straight home contests.
Rockets at Warriors
Houston has beaten Golden State twice this season, including the infamous 140-109 rout at the Toyota Center in early February in which the Rockets drilled a franchise-record 23 three-pointers. The Warriors return to their home court fresh off consecutive wins over the Raptors and Kings, while failing to cash as 11-point favorites against Sacramento. The Rockets have allowed at least 103 points in nine of the last 10 games, including 112 points in Wednesday's loss at Dallas. Houston has cashed in six of its previous eight opportunities in the underdog role, including outright victories over Oklahoma City, Utah, and Golden State in this stretch.
Friday NBA Bullet Points
By GoodFella
San Antonio -11.5 vs Portland (201.5)
This is the 3rd meeting between these teams this season, but the 1st meeting AT San Antonio. San Antonio won (112-109) as 2.5 pt road chalk, way back on Nov. 10th. The Blazers won on Dec. 13th (98-90) as 7 pt home dogs, and a note that Coach Pop did not rest any players in those games. Portland coming off a 6 pt loss at Memphis on Wednesday, a game in which they gagged away a 16 pt lead and barely hung on to cover the +7. The Spurs are coming off an easy 18 pt win over the Bulls on Wednesday & all 4 of the Spurs L/4 wins have been by at least 10 points. The Spurs do host Western Conference rival Oklahoma City up next on Monday, and they have a little payback on their mind, due to the 14 pt loss at OKC the last time they played in mid December. So, a bit of a look ahead spot here, as San Antonio is 2 games up on OKC for that #1 seed. Portland continues to hang with the upper echelon teams in the league, as they are now (9-2 ATS L/11) games vs teams with a .600 win% or more. Tonight marks the largest dog that the Blazers have been this season, as the prior largest spread was them getting +11 at the Heat three weeks ago (13 pt loss). The OVER is 6-1 L/7 Portland games vs teams with a winning home record. The Spurs have been HOME FAVS of 11.5 pts or more eleven times this season (6-5 ATS). As of this writing the side is getting close to split action, and the OVER is a very popular choice early on. I have an early small lean to the OVER here.
Sacramento -7 vs Phoenix (207)
We have the ol' double in-season revenge here for the Kings, including their last meeting (Jan. 23rd) at Sacramento (106-96) as 3 pt home favs. The Kings are back home off a quick 1 game roadie at Golden St. on Wednesday (87-83) but easily covered the +11. The Kings had covered their L/4 HOME games prior to falling 2 points short their last home game vs the Nuggets. The Suns playing a quick 1 game roadie here tonight, and are coming off a 27 pt blowout home loss to the Raptors on Wednesday. Phoenix will be very thin up front tonight, as they will be w/out both O'Neal (personal) and Gortat (injury) tonight. The OVER is 8-2 L/10 Sacramento HOME games vs teams with a losing road record. Tonight marks the 2nd biggest FAVORITE the Kings have been this season. They were 7.5 pt FAVS vs Charlotte five days ago (119-83) boatrace win. Both the side and total are getting split action early on, and I have a lean to the Kings here.
Golden St. -2 vs Houston (221.5)
Again we have the ol' in-season double revenge angle going here, as the Warriors have dropped both meetings this season, including a (116-107) loss AT Golden St. three weeks ago as 4 pt favs. That game was a "payback game" for Golden St. due to the Rockets putting up 140 and trying to break the 3-point record in a 30 point blowout win. The Rockets sit 2 games behind the Warriors for the #6 seed in the Western Conference, and they sit just half a game over #8 seed Utah and the Lakers are lurking just 2 games back. Houston coming off a 4 point loss AT Dallas on Wednesday, while Golden St is playing their 3rd game of a 7 game home stand. They are coming off a (87-83) win over Sacramento as 11 pt favs on Wednesday & are (2-0) on said home stand entering tonight. Golden St. is just (2-8 ATS L/10) vs teams with a winning record, as they have struggled vs playoff bound teams of late. The OVER is (4-1 L/5) Golden St. HOME games vs teams with a losing ROAD record. The Warriors have been HOME FAVS of -1 to -2 three times this season (2-1 ATS). The Rockets have been ROAD DOGS of +1 to +2 four times this season (1-2-1 ATS). The side is getting split action early on and we have seen some "big money" get down on the UNDER early on. I have a lean to the OVER here.
Friday's NBA Betting Notes
By Covers.com
Check out our quick-hitting betting notes on all 12 NBA Games on Tap Friday:
Oklahoma City Thunder at Charlotte Bobcats (+14, 204.5)
Oklahoma City eked out a one-point win Thursday at the New York Knicks, who were playing without Carmelo Anthony, the league's second-leading scorer. The Thunder have won three straight overall but are only 2-3 (1-4 ATS) in their last five road games - with the margin of victory four points or fewer in the past four.
Indiana Pacers at Orlando Magic (+9, 189.5)
The Indiana Pacers will have to avoid the dangers of looking ahead when they travel to face the Orlando Magic with a showdown with the Miami Heat looming Sunday. Indiana can't afford to overlook the Magic, who nearly knocked off the Heat on Wednesday. Orlando has won the past three meetings, including a 97-86 home win Jan. 16, and hasn't lost to Indiana at home since December 2007. The Pacers are 4-0 ATS in their last four road games.
Washington Wizards at Brooklyn Nets (-6, 182.5)
Wizards G Bradley Beal is considered day-to-day with a sprained left ankle suffered Sunday in a win over Philadelphia. Initially, it looked as if the standout rookie would miss a significant period of time, but the sprain is considered mild. Washington is 2-6 this season without Beal in the lineup, averaging just 85.4 points in the process. The Nets are 0-6 ATS in their last six Friday games.
Dallas Mavericks at Detroit Pistons (+3.5, 200)
Dallas seemed like it had some momentum going in the right direction for the first time in months with a strong start to February. Losses in four of the last six games have taken some wind out of the sails. The Pistons have dropped three straight and have been held below 80 points in each of their last two contests. Detroit will be trying to snap a four-game home losing streak against the Mavericks, who are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 road games.
Memphis Grizzlies at Cleveland Cavaliers (+6, 186.5)
Riding the momentum of one of their hottest stretches of the season, the Memphis Grizzlies will be seeking to end a drought of nearly 10 years in Cleveland when they visit the Cavaliers. The surging Grizzlies have won 10 of their last 11 games, with the only loss coming at the red-hot Miami Heat last Friday but they have dropped seven straight in Cleveland dating back to Nov. 29, 2003. Memphis F Zach Randolph (ankle) and Cavaliers G Kyrie Irving (flu) are both game-time decisions. The Grizzlies are 1-10 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat (-13, 194.5)
The Miami Heat will put its franchise-record 16-game winning streak on the line when it hosts the struggling Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. Things have gone in the wrong direction for the 76ers, who have dropped three straight and 10 of 11 after a 107-96 loss at Atlanta on Wednesday. They have two more chances on their current road trip - at Miami and at Orlando - to snap an 11-game skid away from home. It's the second of four meetings this season. Miami won the first one, 114-90 in Philadelphia, and has won 12 straight against the Sixers. The over is 7-1 in the Heat’s last eight home games.
Utah Jazz at Chicago Bulls (-4, 184.5)
The Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls are both fading entering Friday’s contest in Chicago. Utah has lost five of six contests after a late-game collapse in Cleveland on Wednesday and stands just 1 1/2 games ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Chicago was routed by San Antonio on Wednesday and fell to 6-9 since the beginning of February to slip to sixth in the Eastern Conference playoff chase. Utah could be without C Al Jefferson (ankle) for the fourth straight game and are 0-4 ATS in the last four meetings.
Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics (-4.5, 188.5)
The Boston Celtics have moved a season-high six games over .500 after winning four in a row, including a dramatic 83-81 victory at Indiana on Wednesday. Paul Pierce is dealing with a bone bruise on his left knee, but he’s expected to be in the lineup when the Celtics host the Hawks. Boston is 7-1 ATS in its last eight home games.
Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs (-11.5, 201.5)
The San Antonio Spurs have shown no ill effects from the Tony Parker injury. Since Parker was ruled out for four weeks with an ankle injury, the Spurs have won two games by 39 and 18 points, respectively. The Trail Blazers have somewhat recovered from a recent seven-game losing streak, but they began their three-game road trip with a 91-85 loss at Memphis on Wednesday. After scoring 122 points two nights earlier vs. Charlotte, Portland managed just 35 second-half points in the setback. The Blazers are 5-0-1 ATS in their last six games overall.
Phoenix Suns at Sacramento Kings (-7, 207)
The Phoenix Suns may need to ask for volunteers for their depleted frontcourt on Friday. Phoenix will be without center Marcin Gortat, who suffered a season-ending foot injury against the Raptors. Suns center Jermaine O’Neal remains out while attending to his ailing 13-year-old daughter. Sacramento isn’t dealing with any health issues, but its frustration level is clearly rising. The Kings have lost nine of their last 11 games, and star forward DeMarcus Cousins was benched for much of the team’s 87-83 loss to Golden State on Wednesday. The Suns are 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings.
Toronto Raptors at Los Angeles Lakers (-7.5, 206.5)
Los Angeles trailed by as many as 25 points before eventually closing the game on a 20-0 run to beat the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday. The Raptors are just 2-13 all-time against the Lakers in Los Angeles, with their last victory coming on Dec. 28, 2001. Toronto notched a 108-103 home win over Los Angeles on Jan. 20 and the over is 9-1 in the last 10 meetings.
Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors (-2, 221.5)
The Warriors will be looking to make it three in a row when they host the Houston Rockets on Friday. After dropping four straight on the road, Golden State returned home and trailed in the fourth quarter against both Toronto and Sacramento before pulling out narrow wins. The Rockets, who matched an NBA record with 23 3-pointers in a 140-109 home triumph over the Warriors back on Feb. 5, won at Golden State on Feb. 12 and are trying to close the two-game gap between the teams in the Western Conference standings. Houston has allowed an average of 108.5 points over its last 12 games and the over is 5-0 in the Rockets’ last five games vs. a team with a winning record.