Saturday's Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
New Jersey Nets at Utah Jazz (-9, 187.5)
Utah rested Friday night while the Nets played in Phoenix.
The 6-4 Jazz have gotten a lift from reserve Josh Howard, who had 16 points and four rebounds in the team’s 90-87 overtime loss to the Lakers on Wednesday. Howards is averaging 11.4 points and 1.1 steals and shooting 89 percent from the foul line.
Look for his minutes – he’s averaging 23 – to keep growing.
“This is the best I’ve actually felt since I’ve been back playing ball professionally this season,” Howard said. “So, the sky’s the limit.”
This will be Deron Williams’ first game back in Utah as a Net.
"I’m excited about it,'' Williams told the Star-Ledger. “I get a chance to play in Utah. I spent the first part of my career (there); they gave me a chance. My first chance, my first opportunity, my first big contract. So I owe them a lot, I’m looking forward to going back and playing."
Despite Williams’ efforts, the Nets remain a horrific defensive team.
Pick: Jazz
Los Angeles Lakers at Los Angeles Clippers (-3, 187.5)
After their rousing overtime win over the Heat, the new-look Clippers get a chance to stake their claim to Los Angeles.
The Clips earned their first statement win of the season thanks to Chris Paul’s 27 points and 11 assists, and DeAndre Jordan’s six blocks. They have the benefit of having faced the Lakers twice in the preseason, winning both, and of being more rested than Kobe’s crew, which hosted Cleveland on Friday night.
But the Lakers are playing strong defense. They entered Friday night’s game ranked fourth in points allowed (89.8) and fifth in field-goal percentage defense (41.6).
Kobe Bryant, averaging 30.3 points entering Friday’s game, will be plenty motivated to keep the Clippers in their place.
The Clippers’ starting five is one of the league’s best, but they don’t have much of a bench. Reserves contributed eight points against the Heat.
Pick: Lakers
BOSTON (4 - 6) at INDIANA (8 - 3)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) when playing on back-to-back days over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 6-17 ATS (-12.7 Units) when playing on back-to-back days over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 4-4 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 5-3 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA (8 - 3) at WASHINGTON (1 - 10)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 58-39 ATS (+15.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) as a favorite this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 30-17 ATS (+11.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 35-58 ATS (-28.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 27-50 ATS (-28.0 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 268-332 ATS (-97.2 Units) in home games since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in January games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 89-124 ATS (-47.4 Units) on Saturday games since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 134-172 ATS (-55.2 Units) when playing on back-to-back days since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 65-96 ATS (-40.6 Units) in home games after a loss by 10 points or more since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 14-26 ATS (-14.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 6-2 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 5-3 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA (4 - 7) at ATLANTA (8 - 4)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 37-63 ATS (-32.3 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 185 and 189.5 points since 1996.
MINNESOTA is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) on Saturday games over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 10-21 ATS (-13.1 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 2-2 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 4-0 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE (3 - 7) at CHARLOTTE (2 - 10)
Top Trends for this game.
CHARLOTTE is 70-45 ATS (+20.5 Units) after scoring 85 points or less since 1996.
CHARLOTTE is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHARLOTTE is 3-1 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE is 3-1 straight up against GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND (7 - 4) at HOUSTON (4 - 7)
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 28-15 ATS (+11.5 Units) when playing on back-to-back days over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 42-64 ATS (-28.4 Units) in home games in January games since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 4-3 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 4-3 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK (6 - 5) at OKLAHOMA CITY (10 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 38-23 ATS (+12.7 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW YORK is 28-14 ATS (+12.6 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 30-18 ATS (+10.2 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) against Northwest division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
NEW YORK is 26-15 ATS (+9.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 26-14 ATS (+10.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 3-1 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 3-1 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS (3 - 8) at MEMPHIS (4 - 6)
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 64-40 ATS (+20.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 32-19 ATS (+11.1 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 34-17 ATS (+15.3 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 18-6 ATS (+11.4 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 21-9 ATS (+11.1 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 63-35 ATS (+24.5 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=91 points/game since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 6-2 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS is 4-4 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO (4 - 8) at CHICAGO (11 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 65-45 ATS (+15.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 27-12 ATS (+13.8 Units) in January games over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 79-51 ATS (+22.9 Units) in home games when playing on back-to-back days since 1996.
TORONTO is 29-14 ATS (+13.6 Units) as a road underdog of 12.5 to 18 points since 1996.
TORONTO is 29-14 ATS (+13.6 Units) as a road underdog of 12.5 or more points since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 4-3 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 4-3 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NEW JERSEY (3 - 9) at UTAH (6 - 4)
Top Trends for this game.
NEW JERSEY is 76-99 ATS (-32.9 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
UTAH is 65-43 ATS (+17.7 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 185 and 189.5 points since 1996.
UTAH is 96-69 ATS (+20.1 Units) against Atlantic division opponents since 1996.
UTAH is 39-23 ATS (+13.7 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 3-1 against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 3-1 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO (4 - 8) at DALLAS (7 - 5)
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 69-44 ATS (+20.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) against Pacific division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 243-183 ATS (+41.7 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
DALLAS is 22-7 ATS (+14.3 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 30-12 ATS (+16.8 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 4-3 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 7-0 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS (9 - 4) at LA CLIPPERS (5 - 3)
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 17-3 ATS (+13.7 Units) in home games in January games over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 67-101 ATS (-44.1 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=91 points/game since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 6-2 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 5-3 straight up against LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE vs. CHARLOTTE
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Golden State's last 8 games when playing Charlotte
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Charlotte's last 8 games when playing Golden State
Charlotte is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home
BOSTON vs. INDIANA
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 7 games
Indiana is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games
PHILADELPHIA vs. WASHINGTON
Philadelphia is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Philadelphia's last 10 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games
Washington is 1-11 SU in its last 12 games
MINNESOTA vs. ATLANTA
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games
Atlanta is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Atlanta is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
NEW YORK vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
New York is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of New York's last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Oklahoma City's last 13 games when playing New York
Oklahoma City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
NEW ORLEANS vs. MEMPHIS
New Orleans is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Memphis
New Orleans is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games when playing Memphis
Memphis is 16-4 SU in its last 20 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Memphis's last 5 games at home
TORONTO vs. CHICAGO
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 5 games at home
Chicago is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
PORTLAND vs. HOUSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Portland's last 5 games on the road
Portland is 6-11-1 ATS in its last 18 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Houston's last 11 games when playing Portland
Houston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Portland
SACRAMENTO vs. DALLAS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Sacramento's last 5 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Sacramento's last 11 games when playing on the road against Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Dallas's last 9 games
Dallas is 14-4-1 ATS in its last 19 games when playing at home against Sacramento
NEW JERSEY vs. UTAH
New Jersey is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games when playing on the road against Utah
New Jersey is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Utah
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Utah's last 17 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Utah's last 5 games
LA LAKERS vs. LA CLIPPERS
LA Lakers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
LA Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games when playing LA Clippers
LA Clippers are 8-17 SU in their last 25 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of the LA Clippers last 11 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
BOSTON at INDIANA
BOSTON: 5-16 ATS playing on back to back days
INDIANA: 31-14 Under playing on back to back days
PHILADELPHIA at WASHINGTON
PHILADELPHIA: 8-1 ATS as favorite
WASHINGTON: 3-14 ATS revenging road loss of 20+
MINNESOTA at ATLANTA
MINNESOTA: 14-3 Under if favored last game
ATLANTA: 10-21 ATS vs. Western Conference
GOLDEN STATE at CHARLOTTE
GOLDEN STATE: 16-5 Over in January
CHARLOTTE: 12-1 ATS off 3+ ATS losses
PORTLAND at HOUSTON
PORTLAND: 17-5 ATS playing 2nd road game in 2 nights
HOUSTON: 48-28 Under at home playing on back to back days
NEW YORK at OKLAHOMA CITY
NEW YORK: 26-9 ATS as road underdog
OKLAHOMA CITY: 23-12 Over as home fave of 6.5 to 12 pts
NEW ORLEANS at MEMPHIS
NEW ORLEANS: 4-13 ATS off home loss
MEMPHIS: 13-0 ATS after losing 3 of L4 games
TORONTO at CHICAGO
TORONTO: 29-14 ATS as road dog of 12.5 to 18 pts
CHICAGO: 35-19 Under in home games
NEW JERSEY at UTAH
NEW JERSEY: 33-56 as underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 pts
UTAH: 39-23 ATS vs. Eastern Conference
SACRAMENTO at DALLAS
SACRAMENTO: 27-51 ATS playing 5th time in 7 nights
DALLAS: 22-7 ATS off double digit win
LA LAKERS at LA CLIPPERS
LA LAKERS: 20-8 Under as underdog
LA CLIPPERS: 17-3 ATS in January home games
Hot Teams
-- Pacers won four of their last five games.
-- 76ers won/covered seven of their last eight games.
-- Hawks won four of last five games (2-2 as home favorite). Minnesota covered three of its four road games.
-- Houston covered all four home games (3-1 SU).
-- Oklahoma City won its last five games (4-1 vs spread). Knicks won four of their last five games.
-- Bulls won all four home games (2-1-1 as home favorite).
-- Nets/Jazz both covered four of their last five games.
-- Dallas won/covered its last five home games.
-- Lakers won their last eight games at Staples Center. Clippers won four of their last five games.
Cold Teams
-- Celtics lost last three games, scoring 79.3 ppg.
-- Wizards lost 10 of 11 games; they're 1-3 as a home dog.
-- Warriors lost six of last seven games (2-1 as road dog). Bobcats lost their last six games (1-5 vs spread).
-- Portland lost three of its four road games.
-- Hornets lost eight of their last nine games. Grizzlies lost three of four. -- Raptors lost five of their last six games.
-- Kings covered once in their six road games.
Totals
-- Last four Boston games stayed under the total.
-- Five of Philly's last six games stayed under total.
-- Last four Atlanta home games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Golden State games went over total.
-- All four Portland road games stayed under the total.
-- Five of six New York road games stayed under total.
-- Last five New Orleans games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Toronto games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 4-0-1 in last five New Jersey games. Four of last five Utah games stayed under the total.
-- Five of six Scaramento road games stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four Laker games stayed under the total.
Wear and Tear
-- Celtics: 3rd game.4 nites. Pacers: 6th game/9 nites.
-- 76ers: 6th game/8 nites. Wizards: 4th game/5 nites.
-- Wolves: 5th game/7 nites. Hawks: 7th game/10 nites.
-- Warriors: 3rd game/5 nites. Bobcats: 3rd nite in row, 9th in last 12.
-- Blazers: 7th game/10 nites. Rockets: 6th game/9 nites.
-- Knicks: 6th game/9 nites. Thunder: Had last two nites off.
-- Hornets: 6th game/9 nites. Grizzlies: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Raptors: 7th game/9 nites. Bulls: 9th game/12 nites.
-- Nets: 6th game/9 nites. Jazz: Had last two nites off.
-- Kings: 4th game/5 nites. Mavericks: 4th game/5 nites.
-- Lakers: 7th game/10 nites. Clippers: Had last two nites off.