Saturday's Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
Dallas Mavericks at New Orleans Hornets (5.5, 175)
With shooting guard Eric Gordon (21.0 ppg) still sidelined by a bruised right knee, the Hornets are reeling. They’ve lost six straight. They haven’t lost seven in a row since Chris Paul’s rookie season of 2006.
New Orleans is shooting an abysmal 27.5 percent on 3-pointers. Marco Belinelli is the only Hornet with at least 10 attempts who’s hitting more than 30 percent.
The Mavs beat Utah 94-91 on Thursday behind Shawn Marion’s season-high 22 points, winning for the first time in six road games against Western Conference foes.
"We're making steady progress," coach Rick Carlisle said. "But it is work. We've got to continue with it. It doesn't happen overnight."
When these teams met on Jan. 7 in Dallas, the Mavs covered as 11.5-point favorites, winning 96-81 as six players scored in double figures.
Pick: Mavericks
Oklahoma City Thunder at New Jersey Nets (8.5, 202)
Fresh off signing a five-year, $80 million contract extension, Russell Westbrook gets to square off with Nets point guard Deron Williams. Westbrook averages 20.5 points, 5.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds for the Thunder, who owns the Western Conference’s best mark at 12-3.
The Nets got their first home win Wednesday, 107-100 over Golden State, thanks to a 24-point, 10-assist, 8-rebound night from Williams.
Oklahoma City, coming off a shocking loss to the Wizards, is 6-2 ATS after a SU loss and 6-0-1 ATS when playing on two days’ rest.
Despite Wednesday’s win, the Nets are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 home games.
Pick: Thunder
CLEVELAND (6 - 8) at ATLANTA (11 - 5)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 5-1 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 4-3 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
6 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA (11 - 4) at MIAMI (10 - 4)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 6-6 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 11-1 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND (9 - 6) at DETROIT (3 - 13)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) in all games this season.
DETROIT is 46-78 ATS (-39.8 Units) in home games when playing on back-to-back days since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 3-1 against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 4-0 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
DENVER (11 - 5) at NEW YORK (6 - 9)
Top Trends for this game.
DENVER is 126-169 ATS (-59.9 Units) when playing on back-to-back days since 1996.
NEW YORK is 28-16 ATS (+10.4 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) against Northwest division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
NEW YORK is 26-15 ATS (+9.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 58-42 ATS (+11.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 32-20 ATS (+10.0 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 24-12 ATS (+10.8 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in all games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 4-0 against the spread versus DENVER over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK is 2-2 straight up against DENVER over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO (6 - 10) at MEMPHIS (8 - 6)
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 67-41 ATS (+21.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 34-20 ATS (+12.0 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 35-18 ATS (+15.2 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 18-3 ATS (+14.7 Units) when playing on back-to-back days over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 42-27 ATS (+12.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 5-3 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS is 6-2 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS (9 - 7) at NEW ORLEANS (3 - 12)
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 72-45 ATS (+22.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 39-20 ATS (+17.0 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 101-69 ATS (+25.1 Units) in road games vs. division opponents since 1996.
NEW ORLEANS is 76-104 ATS (-38.4 Units) after a division game since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 4-4 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 5-4 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO (10 - 6) at HOUSTON (8 - 7)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 190 and 194.5 points over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 6-4 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 6-4 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY (12 - 3) at NEW JERSEY (4 - 11)
Top Trends for this game.
NEW JERSEY is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) in home games in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 40-24 ATS (+13.6 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 77-101 ATS (-34.1 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW JERSEY is 2-2 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 4-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE (3 - 12) at CHICAGO (14 - 3)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 5-3 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 5-3 straight up against CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA (7 - 8) at UTAH (9 - 5)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in road games on Saturday games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 5-3 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 5-3 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Cleveland is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Atlanta is 6-15 SU in its last 21 games when playing Cleveland
PHILADELPHIA vs. MIAMI
Philadelphia is 1-11 SU in its last 12 games when playing Miami
Philadelphia is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami
Miami is 16-3 SU in its last 19 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Miami's last 15 games at home
PORTLAND vs. DETROIT
Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
Portland is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games on the road
Detroit is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games
Detroit is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Portland
DENVER vs. NEW YORK
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games on the road
Denver is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing New York
New York is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 5 games at home
DALLAS vs. NEW ORLEANS
Dallas is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
Dallas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
New Orleans is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Orleans's last 7 games when playing Dallas
SAN ANTONIO vs. HOUSTON
San Antonio is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Houston
San Antonio is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Houston is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Houston's last 10 games at home
SACRAMENTO vs. MEMPHIS
Sacramento is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Memphis
Sacramento is 5-10 ATS in its last 15 games
Memphis is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Sacramento
Memphis is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. NEW JERSEY
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Oklahoma City's last 9 games when playing New Jersey
Oklahoma City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New Jersey's last 9 games when playing Oklahoma City
New Jersey is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City
CHARLOTTE vs. CHICAGO
Charlotte is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Charlotte is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games
Chicago is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Charlotte
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Chicago's last 8 games at home
MINNESOTA vs. UTAH
Minnesota is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Utah
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games
Utah is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Utah is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Minnesota
CLEVELAND at ATLANTA
CLEVELAND: 6-1 Under vs. Atlanta
ATLANTA: 5-1 ATS vs. Cleveland
PHILADELPHIA at MIAMI
PHILADELPHIA: 3-0 ATS on Saturday games
MIAMI: 7-3 Over in January
PORTLAND at DETROIT
PORTLAND: 12-2 ATS at Detroit
DETROIT: 11-1 Over at home if total is 180 to 184.5
DENVER at NEW YORK
DENVER: 0-4 ATS vs. Knicks
NEW YORK: 28-16 ATS as underdog
SACRAMENTO at MEMPHIS
SACRAMENTO: 27-14 ATS with same season revenge
MEMPHIS: 17-7 Over at home if total is 190 to 199.5
DALLAS at NEW ORLEANS
DALLAS: 15-4 Over Away if total is 179.5 or less
NEW ORLEANS: 0-7 ATS at home if underdog L2 games
SAN ANTONIO at HOUSTON
SAN ANTONIO: 17-6 Over as road underdog
HOUSTON: 21-9 ATS off BB Unders
OKLAHOMA CITY at NEW JERSEY
OKLAHOMA CITY: 11-1 ATS Away off BB Away games
NEW JERSEY: 11-25 ATS if total is 200+
CHARLOTTE at CHICAGO
CHARLOTTE: 3-10 ATS off road division loss
CHICAGO: 5-1 Under in home games
MINNESOTA at UTAH
MINNESOTA: 2-11 ATS in Saturday road games
UTAH: 28-11 Over vs. division
Hot Teams
-- Hawks won last five home games; they're 3-4 as a home favorite.
-- Miami covered four of its last five home games. 76ers won/covered 11 of their last 13 games overall.
-- Portland covered seven of last ten games when favored.
-- Nuggets won four of their last five road games (2-1 as road fave).
-- Memphis won its last five games (4-1 vs spread).
-- Dallas won six of last eight games, covered four of last five on road.
-- Rockets won/covered six of their seven home games.
-- Thunder won seven of last eight games (4-4 as road favorite).
-- Bulls are 6-0 at home (3-2-1 as home favorites).
-- Utah covered five of last six games as a home favorite. Minnesota covered five of its six road games.
Cold Teams
-- Cavaliers lost last two games by 10-39 points; they're 6-3 as dogs on the road.
-- Detroit lost 10 of last 11 games; they're 0-5 vs spread in their last five home games.
-- Knicks lost last five games; they're 1-7 vs spread at home.
-- Sacramento is 2-7 as a road underdog.
-- New Orleans lost its last six games; they're 0-7 vs spread in last seven home games.
-- Spurs lost five of their six road games.
-- Nets lost four of their five home games (1-3 as home underdog).
-- Bobcats lost eight of their last nine games (3-4 as road dogs).
Totals
-- Five of last six Cleveland games went over the total. Under is 4-1-1 in last six Atlanta games.
-- Six of last eight Miami games went over the total.
-- Seven of eight Portland road games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last eight New York games stayed under total.
-- Eight of nine Sacramento road games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last six Dallas games stayed under the total.
-- Four of Spurs' last five road games went over the total.
-- Six of Thunder's eight road games stayed under total.
-- Four of last five Charlotte games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Minnesota road games stayed under total.
Wear and Tear
-- Cavaliers: 4th game/6 nites. Hawks: 4th game/6 nites.
-- 76ers: 3rd game/4 nites. Heat: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Blazers: 4th game/6 nites. Pistons: 7th game/10 nites.
-- Nuggets: 5th game/7 nites. Knicks: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Kings: 4th game/6 nites. Grizzlies: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Mavericks: 8th game/12 nites. Hornets: 6th game/9 nites.
-- Spurs: 5th game/7 nites. Rockets: 8th game/12 nites.
-- Thunder: Had last two nites off. Nets: Had last two nites off.
-- Bobcats: Had last three nites off. Bulls: 13th game/19 nites.
-- Wolves: 3rd game/4 nites. Jazz: 3rd game/5 nites.