Weekend Lean Sheet
By David Banks
Tiredoflosing.net
Detroit at Charlotte
You may be fooled in deciding which of these two teams has the worst record in the NBA if looking at their recent form. The Pistons have lost nine straight games as of this writing and it should be 10 straight losses by the time this game tips off as Detroit has date at Miami on Friday. The Bobcats are the team that still has the worst record in the league, but they come in winners of two straight after beating Washington and Toronto here at home this week while uncharacteristically topping 100 points in both games and Charlotte will be playing with two days off having not played since Wednesday. Detroit is 6-14 ATS in its last 20 games when playing its second straight road game. LEAN: CHARLOTTE
Indiana at Chicago
This is a huge game for the Bulls if they want to entertain any thoughts about winning the Central Division, as they have lost all three meetings with the Pacers this season but still trail Indiana by a manageable five games as of midweek. A Chicago loss here would basically assure the Bulls not having home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Pacers hit a bit of a lull beginning with a loss in a statement game at Miami two weeks ago, as they then lost at home to the Lakers and at Philadelphia soon after that. They did regroup to beat the Cavaliers and Magic earlier this week, but this assignment looks tougher. Chicago is 18-10, 64,3 percent ATS in its last 28 division games. LEAN: CHICAGO
Boston at Memphis
The Celtics had a massive letdown when losing 87-86 at New Orleans on Wednesday as that came on the heels of having the Miami Heat on the ropes before getting nipped 105-103 on Monday. That marked the third straight game that the Celtics topped 100 points as they have oddly continued to get better offensively since All-Star Rajon Rondo went down, showing their pride with other players rising to the occasion. Even with that stinker on Wednesday, Boston is 16-8 since losing Rondo while averaging 97.8 points per game. Now Memphis leads the NBA is scoring defense, but that may actually result in a deflated total here, especially if Boston's year-to-date numbers are weighted more heavily than its recent offensive improvement. The 'over' is 10-2 in the last 12 head-to-head meetings. LEAN: OVER
Saturday's NBA Betting Notes
By Covers.com
Detroit Pistons at Charlotte Bobcats (-1.5, 198.5)
The Charlotte Bobcats will be in an unaccustomed role of favorites when they host the skidding Detroit Pistons. Charlotte will be seeking a season high-tying third consecutive victory against a Detroit squad that has dropped 10 consecutive games and is coming off a 14-point loss at red-hot Miami on Friday. The Pistons’ margin of defeat during the 10-game skid is a bloated 17.2 points. The over is 5-0 in the last five meetings.
Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks (-6, 192)
New York posted a 99-94 victory in Toronto on Friday and remain one game behind Indiana in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Raptors have lost 10 of 13 games and could be without forward Rudy Gay due to a back ailment. The underdog is 14-3 ATS in the last 17 meetings.
Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls (-3.5, 180)
The Pacers look to complete a four-game season sweep of the Bulls Saturday. Chicago has lost six of eight games and is holding out hope that star point guard Derrick Rose will soon return from knee surgery. The Pacers prevailed 80-76 in their last visit to Chicago on Dec. 4 and are 8-1 ATS in their last nine vs. NBA Central foes.
Boston Celtics at Memphis Grizzlies (-8, 177.5)
The Celtics have suffered season-ending injuries to a pair of guards and may be without another on Saturday after Courtney Lee went down with a sprained ankle in the fourth quarter of Friday’s 104-94 loss at Dallas. The Grizzlies are on the verge of clinching a playoff spot and are locked in a battle for positioning with the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference. Memphis has won nine straight home games, but the road team has taken six of the last seven in the series, including a 93-83 Grizzlies' triumph in Boston on Jan. 2.
Sacramento Kings at Denver Nuggets (-10.5, 220.5)
Denver needed a miraculous comeback to keep its winning streak intact and will seek its 15th consecutive victory against the visiting Sacramento Kings on Saturday. The Nuggets erased a five-point deficit in the final 10 seconds to overcome Philadelphia on Thursday, marking their 16th straight win at home and wrapping up a postseason berth in the process. The Nuggets have won eight straight meetings against Sacramento, which is in the midst of one of its better stretches and can match a season high with its third straight victory. Denver has averaged 119 points in its six wins over the Kings the past two seasons and Sacramento has scored 100 points in 17 of its last 19 games. The over is 5-0 in the last five meetings.
Brooklyn Nets at Los Angeles Clippers (-8.5, 193)
The Brooklyn Nets have clinched a playoff spot and they are 2-0 on a season-long, eight-game road trip entering Saturday’s contest. The Clippers are closing in on the franchise record of 49 wins, set in 1974-75 when they were known as the Buffalo Braves. They are also on the verge of wrapping up the Pacific Division title. The teams split the previous two regular-season meetings, which both teams winning on their home floors. The over is 5-0 in the Nets’ last five overall.
Washington Wizards at Golden State Warriors (-8.5, 194)
The Wizards have won back-to-back road games for the first time this season and overcame an 18-point deficit to take down the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. Washington has picked up wins in five of its last six games and is playing the traditional role of spoiler down the stretch. But the Warriors have taken four straight in the series while averaging 110.3 points. The Wizards are 8-0 ATS in their last eight Saturday games.