Saturday's Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
Boston Celtics at New Jersey Nets (7, 184.5)
The aging Boston Celtics are getting their toughest test of the compacted lockout schedule with three games in three days.
After mailing in the first night at Toronto, the Celtics will be looking to rediscover their sense of urgency at the New Jersey Nets. Boston knocked off four straight playoff teams before shooting 37.5 percent against the Raptors. The Nets did the Celtics a solid by taking out the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.
Boston had everyone anointing it as a title contender after rolling through the Indiana Pacers, 76ers, Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks. The Celtics were within two games of the Pacers for the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference entering Friday but fell three games back with an uncharacteristically poor performance at Toronto.
Boston’s big Achilles heel is rebounding, and the Raptors exposed that by crashing the boards. The highlight lately has been Rajon Rondo, who extended his streak of double-digit assist games to 20 with 12 on Friday.
Pick: Under
Utah Jazz at Memphis Grizzlies (N/A)
The Memphis Grizzlies are trying to catch the Los Angeles Clippers for the fourth seed in the Western Conference, but they also have to be wary of a number of pursuers within striking distance of the No. 5 slot.
The Utah Jazz are on the outside of the playoff picture, sitting 1.5 games out of the final playoff spot as they prepare to visit the Grizzlies on Saturday night.
Memphis’ four-game winning streak was snapped at San Antonio on Thursday.
Memphis had held 11 consecutive opponents under 100 points until Thursday’s 107-97 loss to the Spurs. Zach Randolph had his fourth double-double in five games and is averaging 13.2 points and 11.4 rebounds during that stretch. After he was forced to sit out 2.5 months with a knee injury, Randolph is still not ready to rejoin the starting unit.
''Zach can come in and score anytime,” Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said. “He's getting his double-doubles, so what else is there?''
Pick: Grizzlies
Saturday's NBA Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
The Saturday night NBA card showcases six games, including several contests that have playoff implications on the line. The final showdown of the night takes place in San Antonio with the Suns trying to improve their seed against the Spurs, while the Pacers and Bucks hook up in Milwaukee. We'll begin with two teams that were blown out on Friday night, while trying to get in the win column in the Nation's Capital.
Cavaliers at Wizards
This game won't win any beauty contests from an aesthetic standpoint, as Washington attempts to bounce back from a 103-65 thumping at the hands of New York last night. The Wizards take on a Cavs' squad that was run out in the second half at Indiana as 12-point 'dogs, 102-83. Washington won the only meeting this season at the Verizon Center, 101-98, but failed to cash as four-point 'chalk' on March 3. Cleveland is 5-1 ATS the last six games in spite of last night's defeat at Indiana, while Washington has dropped 15 of 18 contests with no rest.
Celtics at Nets
Boston plays the second of three games in three nights at New Jersey, as the Celtics fell at Toronto on Friday as 7½-point favorites. The Nets managed to beat the 76ers for the second time this season as 11-point road 'dogs by holding off Philadelphia, 95-89. The Celtics have been horrible on the road with no rest, compiling a 2-9 ATS mark in this situation with only cover in the favorite role. New Jersey is 0-2 SU/ATS in two meetings with Boston, both double-digit losses at TD Garden.
Jazz at Grizzlies
Utah is losing bodies at a rapid pace as the Jazz stubbed their toe last night in a 96-85 setback at New Orleans. Paul Millsap managed to play through a wrist injury to score a team-high 27 points, but Utah tallied only 38 points in the second half of Friday's loss. The Jazz travels to Memphis to take on a Grizzlies' squad that has won seven of their past nine games. Utah has taken each of the first two meetings this season, including a 98-88 triumph as six-point 'dogs at FedEx Forum on February 12.
Thunder at Wolves
The last time these teams met up at Chesapeake Energy Arena three weeks ago, Oklahoma City held off Minnesota, 149-140 in two overtimes. The Wolves cashed as 10-point underdogs as Kevin Love scored a career-high 51 points in the defeat, while Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined for 85 points. Love will sit out Saturday's contest after suffering a concussion in Wednesday's loss at Denver, as the Wolves fell apart in the second half of Thursday's home to defeat to the Clippers. OKC ran out Sacramento last night as 13-point favorites, 115-89, only the third cover in the past seven games for the Thunder.
Pacers at Bucks
These two division rivals meet up twice in the next week as Indiana wrapped up a playoff berth in last night's blowout of Cleveland. The Pacers destroyed the Bucks in the first matchup of the season, 125-104 at the Bradley Center on March 24, as both teams played their third game in three nights. Milwaukee has won 14 straight games against clubs sitting below .500 after last night's victory at Detroit, but the Bucks are just 3-17 SU since the start of February against teams currently above .500. Scott Skiles' squad has struggled also with no rest by posting a 7-12 SU/ATS mark on the second of a back-to-back.
Suns at Spurs
Phoenix picked up a critical victory last night at Houston to creep closer in the Western Conference playoff race, trailing the Rockets by just one game behind the Rockets for eighth place. The Spurs snapped a two-game skid with Thursday's triumph over the Grizzlies, the fourth victory over Memphis this season. San Antonio sits one game behind Oklahoma City for the top spot in the West, as the Spurs are 8-1-1 ATS the last 10 contests at the AT&T Center. The Suns have dropped each of the first two meetings with the Spurs this season, including a 107-100 home loss last month as short 'dogs. Phoenix is riding an 8-4 ATS run the past 12 games on the highway, as the Suns play just one more road contest after Saturday (April 24 at Utah).
GOLDEN STATE vs. LA CLIPPERS
Golden State is 4-11 SU in their last 15 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Golden State's last 7 games
LA Clippers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games when playing Golden State
LA Clippers are 8-1 SU in their last 9 games at home
CLEVELAND vs. WASHINGTON
Cleveland is 2-12 SU in its last 14 games
Cleveland is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Washington is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games at home
Washington is 5-12-1 ATS in its last 18 games at home
BOSTON vs. NEW JERSEY
Boston is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone OVER in 14 of New Jersey's last 21 games at home
New Jersey is 6-14 SU in its last 20 games at home
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. MINNESOTA
Oklahoma City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Oklahoma City is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games at home
UTAH vs. MEMPHIS
Utah is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Memphis
Utah is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games
Memphis is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Utah
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Memphis's last 7 games when playing Utah
INDIANA vs. MILWAUKEE
Indiana is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Indiana is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
Milwaukee is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 7 games when playing at home against Indiana
PHOENIX vs. SAN ANTONIO
Phoenix is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Phoenix's last 6 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
San Antonio is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Phoenix
San Antonio is 4-8-1 ATS in its last 13 games when playing at home against Phoenix
GOLDEN STATE (22 - 36) at LA CLIPPERS (36 - 23) - 4/14/2012, 3:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 7-4 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 6-5 straight up against LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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CLEVELAND (19 - 38) at WASHINGTON (14 - 45) - 4/14/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 37-50 ATS (-18.0 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 121-157 ATS (-51.7 Units) after scoring 85 points or less since 1996.
CLEVELAND is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 23-35 ATS (-15.5 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 45-65 ATS (-26.5 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 6-17 ATS (-12.7 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 195 and 199.5 points over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 90-128 ATS (-50.8 Units) on Saturday games since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 141-181 ATS (-58.1 Units) when playing on back-to-back days since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 16-32 ATS (-19.2 Units) against Central division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 15-30 ATS (-18.0 Units) in home games after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 43-66 ATS (-29.6 Units) in home games after scoring 85 points or less since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 5-3 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 4-4 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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BOSTON (34 - 25) at NEW JERSEY (22 - 38) - 4/14/2012, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 45-59 ATS (-19.9 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 15-27 ATS (-14.7 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 11-26 ATS (-17.6 Units) when playing on back-to-back days over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 44-62 ATS (-24.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 63-77 ATS (-21.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) in home games this season.
NEW JERSEY is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) in home games second half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW JERSEY is 5-5 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 8-2 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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UTAH (31 - 29) at MEMPHIS (34 - 24) - 4/14/2012, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 5-4 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 6-3 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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OKLAHOMA CITY (43 - 16) at MINNESOTA (25 - 35) - 4/14/2012, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 135-108 ATS (+16.2 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 70-50 ATS (+15.0 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 27-42 ATS (-19.2 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 4-17 ATS (-14.7 Units) in April games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 29-43 ATS (-18.3 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) on Saturday games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) after scoring 85 points or less over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 54-78 ATS (-31.8 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1996.
MINNESOTA is 13-25 ATS (-14.5 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 150-191 ATS (-60.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 7-3 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 10-0 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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INDIANA (37 - 22) at MILWAUKEE (29 - 30) - 4/14/2012, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 14-28 ATS (-16.8 Units) when playing on back-to-back days over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 31-17 ATS (+12.3 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 140-180 ATS (-58.0 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 4-3 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
MILWAUKEE is 6-3 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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PHOENIX (31 - 28) at SAN ANTONIO (41 - 16) - 4/14/2012, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 23-40 ATS (-21.0 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 35-20 ATS (+13.0 Units) in all games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 26-15 ATS (+9.5 Units) as a favorite this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 20-8 ATS (+11.2 Units) in home games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 24-9 ATS (+14.1 Units) second half of the season this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) after a division game this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 53-36 ATS (+13.4 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 20-10 ATS (+9.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PHOENIX is 24-14 ATS (+8.6 Units) second half of the season this season.
PHOENIX is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.
PHOENIX is 67-49 ATS (+13.1 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 39-23 ATS (+13.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 9-4 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 7-6 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
10 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Golden State at LA Clippers
Golden State: 11-0 ATS Away off BB losses
LA Clippers: 18-8 Under at home w/ double revenge
Cleveland at Washington
Cleveland: 10-2 Under off division game
Washington: 15-30 ATS at home off loss by 10+
Boston at New Jersey
Boston: 10-0 ATS off division loss
New Jersey: 9-19 ATS in home games
Utah at Memphis
Utah: 0-4 ATS playing 4th road game in 7 days
Memphis: 5-1 Under off division loss
Oklahoma City at Minnesota
Oklahoma City: 70-50 ATS in road games
Minnesota: 10-2 Under when total is 200 to 209.5
Indiana at Milwaukee
Indiana: 14-28 ATS playing on back to back days
Milwaukee: 20-8 Over in home games
Phoenix at San Antonio
Phoenix: 11-28 ATS w/ double revenge
San Antonio: 20-8 ATS in home games
Hoop Trends - Saturday
By Vince Akins
VegasInsider.com
SU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Clippers are 0-11 ATS (-10.5 ppg) since February 06, 2000 as a home favorite with at most one day of rest after a game in which they shot less than 60% from the free-throw line.
OU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Jazz are 12-0-1 OU (11.9 ppg) since November 13, 2009 on the road with at most one day of rest after a loss in which they scored less than 10% of their points from the three-point line.
PLAYER TREND OF THE DAY:
The Suns are 16-0 OU (14.1 ppg) since January 29, 2009 after a win in which Grant Hill had more rebounds than points.
CHOICE TREND:
The Bucks are 0-10-1 ATS (-11.9 ppg) since December 14, 2005 at home after a double digit road win in which they shot at least 50% from the field.
TODAY’S TRENDS:
The Jazz are 0-13 ATS (-9.0 ppg) since December 22, 2010 when they are playing in at least their third straight road game.
The Thunder are 8-0 OU (18.2 ppg) since December 29, 2009 with no rest after a win in which Kevin Durant had at least 5 turnovers.
The Clippers are 0-10 OU (-12.0 ppg) since January 29, 2005 as a home favorite with at most one day of rest after a game on the road in which they had an assist to turnover ratio of at least two.
Hot Teams
-- Cavaliers don't win much, but they covered their last five games.
-- Hawks are 8-4 vs spread in their last dozen road games.
-- Celtics are 11-3 in last 14 games, covering six of last eight on road.
-- 76ers won their last two games, by 19-18 points. Nets covered three of their last four road games.
-- New York won/covered all eight of its home games under Woodson. Wizards are 7-4 vs spread in last 11 road games.
-- Houston won/covered four of last five games, but lost last two home games. Suns won five of their last seven games.
-- Bucks won seven of their last eight road games. Detroit won seven of its last eight at home.
-- New Orleans covered its last six home games (4-2 SU). Jazz won three of its last four games.
-- Nuggets covered seven of last eight as a road underdog.
Cold Teams
-- Pacers covered twice in last seven games as a home favorite.
-- Orlando lost five of its last seven games.
-- Raptors covered twice in last seven games as a home dog.
-- Miami lost three of last four games, including OT loss on road last night. God-awful Bobcats lost last 14 games (4-10 vs spread).
-- Thunder lost four of its last six games. Sacramento lost its last six games (0-5-1 vs spread).
-- Portland is 3-9 vs spread in game following its last 12 wins. Dallas lost 10 of its last 14 road games.
-- Lakers are 1-10 vs spread in last 11 games at Staples and only cover was against the Clippers, who also call Staples home.
Wear-and-Tear
-- Cavaliers: 3rd game/4 nites. Pacers: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Hawks: 2nd game/6 nites. Magic: Last two nites off.
-- Celtics: 7th game/10 nites. Raptors: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Nets: Last two nites off. 76ers: 5th game/7 nites.
-- Wizards: Last two nites off. Knicks: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Bobcats: 8th game/11 nites. Heat: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Suns: 3rd game/5 nites. Rockets: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Kings: 5th game/7 nites. Thunder: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Bucks: 3rd game/5 nites. Pistons: 6th game/9 nites.
-- Jazz: 4th game/6 nites. Hornets: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Mavericks: 3rd game/4 nites. Blazers: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Nuggets: 3rd game/5 nites. Lakers: 3rd game/5 nites.
Totals
-- Seven of last eight Indiana games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Atlanta games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Toronto games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last seven New Jersey games went over total.
-- Last four Washington road games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Charlotte games went over the total.
-- Last three Houston games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last seven Sacramento road games went over total.
-- Over is 10-2 in Milwaukee's last dozen road games.
-- Over is 10-4 in Utah's last fourteen road games.
-- Seven of last nine Dallas road games went over the total.
-- Four of five Laker games went over the total.
Back-to-Back
-- Bobcats are 2-6 vs spread on road if they played at home nite before. Miami is 0-3 vs spread if it lost the night before.
-- Pistons are 1-4 vs spread at home if they played on road nite before.
-- Mavericks are 4-2 vs spread playing second nite in row on road.
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