NBA Betting News and Notes Monday, March 6th, 2017

NBA Knowledge

New York lost nine of last 12 games; they’re 5-8 vs spread in last 13 road games, 5-6 vs spread if they played night before. Last five NY games stayed under. Orlando lost 8 of last 11 games; they’re 3-7 vs spread in last 10 home games. Under is 4-2 in their last six games. Knicks won three of last four games with Orlando; they beat Magic by 11 at home five days ago. Teams split last four games played here. Six of last eight series games stayed under.

Miami won five of last seven games but is 2-3 in last five road games. Under is 4-2 in their last six games. Cavaliers lost three of last five games; they’re 5-2 vs spread in last seven games. Six of their last seven games stayed under. Home side won last nine Miami-Cleveland games; Cavs lost by 28 in Miami Saturday. Heat lost last four visits to Ohio (0-4 vs spread). Over is 3-2 in last five series games played here.

Milwaukee won six of its last nine games, covering three of last four on road. Under is 4-0-1 in their last five games. Philly lost four of last five games; they’re 13-1 vs spread in last 14 home games. Over is 8-3 in their last 11 games overall. 76ers won last two games wth Milwaukee after losing previous eight series games; six of last seven series games went over total. Bucks won their last four visits to Philly (3-1 vs spread).

Chicago won five of its last seven games but lost three of last four on road; five of their last seven games stayed under the total. Detroit won eight of its last ten home games, four of last six overall. Under is 6-3 in their last nine games. Pistons won six of last nine games with Chicago; under is 5-2 in last seven series games. Bulls lost four of last five visits to Detroit (1-4 vs spread).

Golden State won five of last seven games but is 0-6 vs spread in last six games, 3-7 vs spread on road if they played night before. Last five Warrior games stayed under total. Hawks lost three of last four home games, are 1-5 vs spread in last six at home. Under is 5-1-2 in their last eight games. Warriors won nine of last ten games with Atlanta, winning four of last five visits here (3-2 vs spread). Over is 3-2 in last five series games.

Trailblazers is 4-7 in its last 11 games, 3-7 vs spread in its last ten road games. Last four Blazer games went over total. Timberwolves won four of last six games; they’re 4-7 vs spread in last 11 home games. Six of last seven Minnesota games stayed under. Portland won five of last six games with Minnesota; they won last three visits to Twin Cities by 5-6-6 points. Under is 7-3 in last ten series games.

Indiana is 3-2 since All-Star break; they covered last three road games. Last seven Pacer games stayed under total. Charlotte is at home for first time in three weeks; they’re 3-2 in last five games, 0-8 vs spread in last eight home tilts. Under is 7-3 in their last ten games. Hornets won four of last five games with Indiana; Pacers lost four of last five visits to Charlotte (0-5 vs spread, over 4-1).

Brooklyn lost 18 of last 19 games; they’re 7-4 vs spread in last 11 road games. Five of their last seven games went over. Grizzlies lost four of last six games, are 2-5 vs spread in last seven home games. Last three Memphis games went over total. Nets lost their last five games with Memphis; four of last six series games went over total- they lost three of last four visits here, but covered the last three.

Rockets won eight of last ten games, covered last three road games. Last four Houston road games stayed under. San Antonio won its last seven games, is 13-5 vs spread in last 18 home games. Five of their last six games stayed under the total. Spurs won eight of last ten games with Houston; last four series games stayed under. Rockets lost four of last five visits to the Alamo (1-4 vs spread).

Pelicans lost four of last six games; they’re 3-9 vs spread if they played night before. NO is 4-3 vs spread in last seven road games. Utah won five of last seven games, is 3-7 vs spread in last ten home games. Three of their last four games went over the total. Jazz won four of last six games with New Orleans; over is 8-2 in last ten series games. Teams split last four meetings in Utah.

Sacramento lost its last four games, is 1-3 vs spread in last four road games. Seven of their last eight games stayed under total. Nuggets lost five of their last nine games, losing three of last four home games. Under is 5-2 in their last seven games. Kings won their last five games with Denver, winning last three visits here, by 4-9-7 points. Eight of last nine series games went over total.

Boston is 3-4 in its last seven games, 2-3 vs spread in its last five road games, 5-3 vs spread on road if they played night before. Under is 6-0-1 in their last seven games. Clippers lost four of last six games, are 1-5 vs spread in last six home games. Under is 3-1-1 in their last five games. Home side won seven of last nine Celtic-Clipper games; Boston lost last four series games here- they did beat Lakers here Friday. Under is 4-1 in last five series games played here.

Armadillosports.com

NBA: Streaks, Tips, Note
Sportspic.com

Houston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs

The red-hot Spurs reeling off seven straight (3-4 ATS), twelve of fourteen (6-8 ATS) host Houston Rockets at the AT&T Center in San Antonio Monday night. Currently Bodog.eu has Spurs laying 4 points with the total set at 220.0 across most shops.

Overall, Spurs are netting 109.7 in offensive efficiency metrics while allowing opponents 100.6 points per 100 possessions. Here in San Antonio the Spurs have a 21-6 (14-13 ATS) record with an offensive efficiency rating of 109.6 and defensive efficiency rating of 99.3.

The Rockets winners of four of last five (3-2 ATS), nine of the past twelve (7-5 ATS) drop 112.2 points per 100 possessions through the hoop while allowing 105.7 in defensive efficiency metrics. On the road, Rockets are 21-11 SU/ATS putting up 110.9 per 100 possessions while allowing 107.4 in defensive metrics.

This is the fourth meeting between the two rivals from the Texas Triangle with San Antonio winning/covering both meetings in Houston but Spurs lost and dropped the cash in the lone matchup in San Antonio. Going back to the 2014-15 campaign the Spurs have a commanding 8-3 stretch vs Rockets (7-4 ATS) including 4-1 SU/ATS record at this venue.

Spurs tightening things up defensively the past fourteen allowing just 94.9 points per opponent 100 possessions keeping 'Under' gamblers happy posting a 3-11 O/U record over the span, no need bucking trends here. Spurs-Rockets have played 'Under' in each meeting this season and hit the hardwood a combined 24-8 'Under' in division play.

Monday's NBA Essentials
By Tony Mejia
VegasInsider.com

Game of the Night - Boston at LA Clippers

The last time Paul Pierce saw the Celtics just happens to be the last time he took the floor in a competitive situation. He knocked down a 3-pointer on the game's final shot to help the Clippers cover in a 107-102 road loss, then kissed the floor at the TD Garden, where he won so many games over 15 seasons and helped hang Boston's most recent championship banner in 2008.

It was a nice moment, but the fact Pierce hasn't played since illustrates just how far he's fallen out of Doc Rivers' rotation. That was the only time the 39-year-old has taken the floor in 2017 and that may remain the case if his head coach can't find a moment for him tonight. While Draymond Green was wrong for his "can't get no farewell tour" comments directed at the future Hall of Famer late last month, he wasn't incorrect. Pierce is averaging just 3.7 points in his final season, shooting just over 36 percent.

His Clippers opened the month with losses to Houston and Milwaukee before registering a 10-point win in Chicago on Saturday night and are just 2-3 since getting Chris Paul back early following a 14-game absence after thumb surgery. L.A. went 6-8 without him and have to be encouraged that he was able to shake off a wrist issue that forced him to leave the loss to the Bucks early. He's shot 14-for-26 from 3-point range since returning, so the hope is that he can finish these final six weeks on a strong note in order to help the Clips clinch a top-four seed in the Western Conference, securing the homecourt advantage in a first-round series that goes with it. They open the week fifth, 1.5 games behind Utah, but are just 2.5 games up on Oklahoma City, which sits in seventh place. This will be the Clippers' final home game until March 11, as they'll be on the road in Memphis and Minnesota later this week.

The Celtics looked like they were going to be flying into town fresh off a win in Phoenix since they were putting on the finishing touches on what would've been a third straight win, but a wild finish robbed them of that. After blowing a 3-point lead they held with 20 seconds left when Eric Bledsoe made his second of two late layups with four seconds left, All-Star Isaiah Thomas, who had uncharacteristically left the door open with a free-throw miss, called for the ball to try and frantically get up the floor and fumbled it away. Rookie Tyler Ulis scooped it up and sent everyone home with a game-winning 3-pointer.

Boston has only lost consecutive games once since Jan. 25, so it will be looking to bounce back quickly in order to keep the heat on Cleveland in the race for the Eastern Conference's top seed. The Celtics' 19-14 road record is the best in the East and fifth-best overall, and they just made themselves at home at Staples Center to open their current Western swing with a 115-95 win at the Lakers on Friday. This will be their 10th road game in a 13-game stretch with their next to stops coming in Oakland and Denver, so they could really come to regret Sunday night's collapse if it leads to a skid.

Boston starters Al Horford (elbow sprain) and Avery Bradley (hamstring strain) missed the Suns loss. Horford's issue isn't considered a long-term issue, but he's not a lock to be back out there tonight against Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Bradley sitting was more of a precaution to get him some rest with a back-to-back in store, so he'll be expected to take the floor. If Horford can't go, Jonas Jerebko is expected to start again next to Amir Johnson with Kelly Olynyk, Tyler Zeller and Jordan Mickey all available off the bench.

The Clippers are looking to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Celtics for the first time since '08, when Rivers and Pierce were on the other side. L.A. has won five of seven in the series and haven't lost at home against Boston since March 2012.

Game of the Night II - Houston at San Antonio

The top teams in the Southwest Division will battle for the final time this regular season as the Spurs look to put more distance between themselves and the Rockets with a third straight win against their in-state rival, who they lead by five games. Each of this season's contests has been close and come in under the posted total, with today's number opening at 220, the highest seen in a game in this series in years.

Consider it part of the Mike D'Antoni effect, as the top candidate for Coach of the Year will also be looking to engineer a sweep of both meetings in San Antonio, something the Rockets have pulled off only once in the last eight years. The Spurs have won eight of 10 over the Rockets, which includes back-to-back wins in Houston, the most recent of which came in comeback fashion on Dec. 20. James Harden scored 31 points but shot 1-for-11 from 3-point range in that loss, while the Spurs made 12-of-23 shots from beyond the arc to overcome Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge combining to shoot 11-for-30. Leonard committed seven turnovers in that game, so both teams will look for a better effort here.

The Rockets have since added elite bench scorer Lou Williams since they last saw the Spurs and come in off an impressive 123-109 win over Memphis on Saturday. Harden had 33 points and 11 assists, strengthening his case for MVP by securing his league-leading 49th double-double. Houston has won four of five but still hasn't been able to make up ground on San Antonio, which owns the NBA's longest winning streak at seven games. The Spurs registered overtime wins against New Orleans and Minnesota over the weekend, clinching a 20th straight playoff berth.

Although Tony Parker has been out of the lineup with a quad contusion and has been bothered by nagging injuries, both he and Manu Ginobili will be available tonight, which means this team is at full strength.

Pau Gasol has provided a major boost since returning from a broken finger and is averaging 16 points and 7.8 rebounds in 26.8 minutes off the bench. Considering he and Aldridge struggled defensively earlier this season when Gregg Popovich was starting them in tandem, it appears that having him fill a reserve role is the best may to maximize his efficiency. Houston's ability to run the floor and punish opponents via the pick-and-roll could limit his effectiveness here, but he's clearly returned with fresh legs, which means San Antonio will get a great look at how to get the most out of him against the Rockets should the teams wind up meeting in a playoff series.

Houston has averaged 129 points in their four wins since the All-Star break and were held to 108 in their lone loss against Indiana, so D'Antoni's wish to try and get up 50 3-point shots per game is clearly paying dividends. It will be interesting to see how the Spurs look to slow them down or if they show off their own firepower in a track meet. Only one opponent has managed to score 100 or more points against San Antonio in its last nine games. The under is 7-2 in that span.

Injury Concerns

Orlando's Nikola Vucevic (14.4 ppg, 10.1 rpg) sat out the Magic's 115-114 loss to the Wizards on Sunday with a sore Achilles and is questionable to suit up against New York. After blowing a 16-point halftime lead in a game it led by double-digits entering the fourth, Orlando will look to avoid consecutive home losses against the Knicks in a six-day span. Vucevic left that March 1 game after reaching his averages in less than 27 minutes action, so the Magic can certainly use him against Kristaps Porzingis, whose 20 points led the way in that 101-90 win.

After sitting out Saturday's 120-92 loss in Miami, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving are expected to be back in the mix for Cleveland in this rematch. Bickering ensued at the very end of the Heat's blowout win when injured guard J.R. Smith took exception to the Heat's Rodney McGruder late dunk, leading to both benches emptying as time expired. Andrew Bogut, who joined the Cavs after reaching a buyout with Philadelphia following his trade from Dallas, is available to make his debut.

The 76ers have already shelved Joel Embiid for the season and won't be exposing Ben Simmons either, but they've still got other injury-related issues to be concerned with. Center Jahlil Okafor (knee) and shooting guard Gerald Henderson (hip) are questionable tonight as Philadelphia attempts to bounce back from Saturday's 30-point home loss to Detroit. Milwaukee's Michael Beasley (Achilles) will be re-evaluated this week but remains out. He had taken Jabari Parker's place in the starting lineup after the young forward tore his ACL last month.

The Pistons could catch a break as they try and remain ahead of the pack in the race for the East's No 8 seed since Chicago's Dwyane Wade (thigh) and Rajon Rondo (ankle) are questionable to play. The Bulls are just one game ahead of Detroit in the No. 7 spot and come off a puzzling 30-point second-half in a home loss to the Clippers where Jimmy Butler took just seven shots.

Head-to-head trends

The Warriors look to sweep the Hawks for the second consecutive season, but should face a difficult test in Atlanta. The Hawks have actually covered the last two meetings and get Golden State coming in on a second of a back-to-back after it survived in New York on Sunday afternoon to snap a two-game losing streak. Six of the Warriors' last seven games have come in under the posted total, including four straight on the road. The under has prevailed in 10 of 13 Hawks games since Feb. 2. Atlanta also played a day game on Sunday, losing 97-96 to Indiana when Glenn Robinson III hit a 3-pointer in the final second. The Hawks are currently 1-2 on a six-game homestand to open March.

In the first game of tonight's TNT doubleheader, the Pacers will look to continue building momentum as they take the floor in Charlotte for the last of a five-game road trip that has seen them alternate wins and losses. Indiana is on a seven-game under run and has covered four of five. They snapped a four-game losing streak at the hands of the Hornets with a 110-94 home win on Dec. 12, but have dropped their last two games in the Queen City. Charlotte just concluded a seven-game road trip, so it will be playing on its home floor for the first time sine Feb. 13. The Bees are 1-6 SU/0-7 ATS at home since Jan. 25.

It's a big night in the race for the final playoff spot in the West since five of the six teams in the chase are in action and four are in head-to-head matchups with one another. Denver is 1.5 games up on Portland and two ahead of idle Dallas as they take the floor against the Kings, who they currently lead by three games. The Nuggets have lost five straight times against Sacramento, including a blowout loss as the Kings opened the DeMarcus Cousins-less era in style against them on Feb. 23 with a 116-100 win. The Nuggets have been favored in each of the last four losses, while the over has hit in seven of the last eight games involving Denver and Sacramento.

The Trail Blazers are in Minnesota looking to win a third straight game, which would match their longest run of success this season. Portland has opened March with home wins over Brooklyn and OKC and have seen the over prevail in each of its last four games. They'll have Allen Crabbe in the mix to help lead the bench but are a slight underdog despit the fact they've won three consecutive games in Minneapolis. These teams will square off three times between now and April 6. Minnesota hung tough at San Antonio on Saturday to continue a strong run that saw them go on the road and blow out the Kings and Jazz. The under has prevailed in five of the last six Timberwolves games as Tom Thibodeau has finally gotten through in getting his young team to play at a more deliberate pace, allowing them to set their defense.

On the heels of a wild, last-second win in OT in Sacramento, Utah returns home to clash with the surging New Orleans, which has covered three consecutive games, winning two outright. The under is 8-1 over the last nine Pelicans games as the posted total has been surpassed only once since they acquired Cousins at the All-Star break. The Jazz posted a 127-94 blowout win on Feb. 8 in the only meeting between the teams this season, but obviously face a far different challenge in dealing with both Cousins and Anthony Davis.

Monday’s NBA Game of the Day: Rockets at Spurs
By Covers.com

Houston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs (-4, 221)

The knee injury suffered by Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant is giving a team or two reason to believe it can jump up and challenge for the top spot in the Western Conference. The San Antonio Spurs, who sit second in the West, will try to keep the pressure on when they host the third-place Houston Rockets on Monday.

The Spurs, who sit five games clear of the Rockets, might be the only team with a realistic shot at the Warriors and are winners of seven in a row after outlasting the Minnesota Timberwolves in a second straight overtime victory on Saturday. San Antonio, which hosts the Warriors this weekend, began a stretch with six of seven at home with Saturday's triumph after playing nine of 10 on the road. Houston won eight of its last 10 games and just got done breezing past a pair of West playoff contenders with wins over the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies by an average of 17 points. "It doesn't matter who we're playing," Rockets star point guard James Harden told reporters. "We're winding down to the end of the season, and it's very important for us to take care of business and lock in. We can face any of these opponents at any point in the postseason. We just want to continue to get better and win as many games as we can."

LINE HISTORY: The Spurs opened as 4-point home favorites and the point spread has yet to move off that opening number. The total hit the betting board at 220 and was bumped up a full point Monday morning. Check out the complete line history here.

INJURY REPORT:

Rockets - No injuries to report.

Spurs - No injuries to report.

POWER RANKINGS: Rockets (-9.1) - Spurs (-12.2) + home court (-3) = Spurs -6.1

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (44-19 SU, 36-27 ATS, 33-30 O/U): Harden continues to make a strong case for MVP and scored 20 of his 33 points in the third quarter on Saturday as Houston pulled away from the Grizzlies. Harden, including assists, accounted for 30 of the team's 38 points in the decisive period and takes his playmaking responsibilities seriously. "I've been scoring and just being aggressive," Harden told reporters. "I'm a playmaker, as well as a point guard, so I just pick and choose when I'm able to make plays. And in that third quarter was just about being aggressive."

ABOUT THE SPURS (48-13 SU, 33-27-1 ATS, 33-28 O/U): One of Harden's challengers for the MVP is San Antonio's Kawhi Leonard, who is the offensive and defensive anchor for the team with the second-best record in the NBA. Leonard showed off his broad skillset in Saturday's 97-90 win over Minnesota by collecting 34 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and six steals. "I try not to praise Kawhi too much," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told reporters. "He's getting paid to do that."

TRENDS:

* Rockets are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. Western Conference.
* Spurs are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 Monday games.
* Under is 5-0 in Rockets last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
* Under is 10-1 in Spurs last 11 games following a straight up win.
* Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.

CONSENSUS: 53 percent of are taking chalk with the home favorite San Antonio Spurs and Under is picking up 57 percent of the totals wagers.