Sunday's Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons (+5.5, 183)
One thing is certain about the Detroit Pistons: they are getting better.
Detroit is 9-1 against the spread its past 10 games and not surprisingly the team is 6-4 straight-up over that span. The Pistons have emerged as a scrappy team due to the backcourt duo of Brandon Knight and Rodney Stuckey learning to play together. Knight has emerged as the primary facilitator, averaging 12.4 points and 3.6 assists per game, while Stuckey is developing into more of a shooting guard.
Stuckey is averaging 14.7 points per game this season but is averaging 28 points over the past three. In a 98-88 win over Boston last week, Stuckey finished with 25 points, four rebounds and three assists as he outplayed Rajon Rondo.
“The 16 games that they started together, the time that they've spent on the practice floor, all of that is good in terms of helping in building a bond, a brothership, a kinship,” Pistons coach Lawrence Frank told Mlive.com.
Expect that bond to keep growing against Boston.
Pick: Detroit
Philadelphia 76ers at Minnesota Timberwolves (-1, 190)
The 76ers may be hitting the wall. Philadelphia surprisingly got off to one of the hottest starts in the league, but the team has dropped four of its past six, including losses to the Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio, Dallas and Orlando.
In the loss to the Mavericks, the Sixers built a commanding halftime lead thanks to 10 first-half fastbreak points. But Dallas held them to just two transition points after intermission and Philadelphia wilted down the stretch.
“We started thinking too much instead of just letting it be fluid,” Sixers guard Andre Iguodala told Philly.com. “You forget the mechanics of just catching and shooting.”
And if the Sixers are at their best in the open court, don’t expect Minnesota to argue.
The Timberwolves are giving up an average of nearly 99 points the past five games and guard Ricky Rubio (8.6 assists per game) keeps the team up-tempo at all-time.
“We had a look on our faces of concern and we have to do a better job of getting out of those funks like that,” Iguodala said. “It kind of lingered with us and it’s a learning experience.”
Consider the lesson learned.
Pick: Sixers
Sunday's NBA Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
The Sunday NBA card is filled up with action throughout the day and night with 10 games. The Knicks look to bounce back following Friday loss to the Hornets as the Mavericks invade Madison Square Garden, while the Heat and Magic hook up for a Sunshine State battle.
Mavericks at Knicks
Two of the hottest teams in the league meet for a matinee affair in Manhattan, as Dallas attempts to win its seventh consecutive game. The Mavs wrap up a mini two-game road swing against a Knicks' squad that is coming off their first loss in eight games. New York has turned into the most polarizing team to watch in the league over the last two weeks thanks to the play of point guard Jeremy Lin.
The former Harvard standout scored 26 points in Friday's home loss to the lowly Hornets, 89-85 as 9½-point favorites. Lin committed a season-high nine turnovers, but the Knicks have played better since his insertion into the starting lineup by putting together a 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS mark. Even prior to the "Linsanity," New York has turned into pointspread goal by covering nine of the last 11 games, while holding nine straight opponents to less than 100 points.
The Mavs are coming off one of their most impressive victories of the season with Friday's 82-75 triumph at Philadelphia. The Sixers were limited to just 24 second half points, including an eight-spot in the third quarter. Dallas shot just 38% from the field, but Rick Carlisle's team picked up their sixth straight win following a three-game skid. The Mavs have aided backers with a 5-1 ATS record during this hot streak, while limiting 10 straight opponents to below 100 points.
Dallas has won 10 of the last 11 games in this series, including a season sweep in 2011. The Mavericks ran the Knicks out twice, while scoring at least 113 points in each victory. The Knicks haven't taken care of business at home against the Mavs by losing eight of the previous nine meetings, including five straight wins by Dallas coming by double-digits.
Magic at Heat
Miami returns home after winning the final five games of a six-game road trip as the Heat welcomes in the Magic. Orlando handed Miami a loss to start that road swing on February 8, while the Magic looks to extend their winning streak to five with a Sunday victory at the American Airlines Arena.
The Heat picked up three wins in three nights at Atlanta, Milwaukee, and Indiana, all coming by at least 15 points. Miami finished off the trip with a visit to LeBron James' former home by disposing of Cleveland, 111-87 as 9½-point favorites. James scored 28 points as the Heat jumped out to a 21-point advantage after one quarter and never looked back. However, the Heat knows in order to keep their hot streak alive, they need to slow down an Orlando team that shot lights out in their last meeting.
The Magic beat the Heat less than two weeks ago at Amway Arena, 102-89 as 3½-point underdogs. Orlando attempted a season-high 42 three-pointers, as Stan Van Gundy's squad knocked down 17 treys in the victory. Miami never led in that defeat, as Orlando's largest advantage ballooned to 19 points, the third win in the last four matchups in this series.
Orlando is trying to stay hot after a late 17-0 run to stun Milwaukee, 94-85 as 7½-point 'chalk' on Friday. The victory was the fourth in a row for the Magic, while finishing off their three-game homestand a perfect 3-0 SU/ATS. The Magic has covered seven of their past nine games, as Orlando is a solid 4-1 ATS the previous five road contests. Since a perfect 4-0 SU/ATS away swing in mid-January, the Magic has finished 'under' the total in four of the last six contests on the highway.
Hot Teams
-- Dallas won last six games, covering last three on road; Knicks are 7-1 in last eight games, covering six of last seven at home.
-- Orlando won/covered its last four games. Miami won/covered its last five, but covered just two of last seven at home.
-- Pistons won six of their last eight games.
-- Thunder won their last eight home games (6-2 vs spread).
-- Lakers won last three games, by 2-8-12 points, but they're 1-4 against the spread as a road favorite.
Cold Teams
-- Celtics lost four of their last five games.
-- Kings lost last four games, by 14-6-15-6 points.
-- Indiana lost five of last six games, is 0-7 vs spread in last seven home tilts. Bobcats lost 13 of last 14 on road, but covered last four on road.
-- Minnesota covered once in its last seven home games (3-4 SU). 76ers lost four of their last six games.
-- Utah lost six of its last seven road games (2-5 vs spread). Houston lost three of its last four games.
-- New Jersey lost seven of its last eight games. Bucks lost their last four games, by 5-18-3-9 points.
-- Nuggets lost seven of their last nine games.
-- Suns lost last four games, by 6-17-2-12 points.
Wear and Tear
-- Mavericks: 3rd game/5 days. Knicks: 4th game/6 days.
-- Magic: 3rd game/5 nites. Heat: 2nd game/5 nites.
-- Celtics: Had last two nites off. Pistons: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Kings: 4th game/6 nites. Cavaliers: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Bobcats: 3rd game/5 nites. Pacers: Had last two nites off.
-- 76ers: 3rd game/5 nites. Wolves: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Jazz: 2nd game/5 nites. Rockets: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Bucks: 3rd game/5 nites. Nets: 4th game/5 nites.
-- Nuggets: 4th game/6 nites. Thunder: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Lakers: 2nd game/5 nites. Suns: 5th game/7 nites.
Totals
-- Last five New York home games stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four Orlando games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Detroit games went over. Five of last seven Boston road games stayed under total.
-- Four of last five Cleveland games stayed under total.
-- Five of last six Charlotte games went over the total.
-- Six of last eight Philly games went over the total.
-- Six of last eight Utah games stayed under the total.
-- 12 of last 15 Milwaukee games went over the total.
-- Over is 7-3 in Denver's last ten road games.
-- Under is 9-6 in Laker road games.
Armadillosports.com/
DALLAS (20 - 11) at NEW YORK (15 - 16) - 2/19/2012, 1:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 3-1 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 3-1 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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ORLANDO (20 - 11) at MIAMI (24 - 7) - 2/19/2012, 3:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 71-100 ATS (-39.0 Units) in home games vs. division opponents since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 5-4 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO is 5-4 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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BOSTON (15 - 14) at DETROIT (10 - 22) - 2/19/2012, 6:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 37-51 ATS (-19.1 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 38-56 ATS (-23.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in February games this season.
DETROIT is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) second half of the season this season.
DETROIT is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 4-4 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 6-3 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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SACRAMENTO (10 - 20) at CLEVELAND (11 - 17) - 2/19/2012, 6:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 2-2 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 3-1 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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CHARLOTTE (4 - 26) at INDIANA (18 - 12) - 2/19/2012, 6:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHARLOTTE is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 5-3 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 7-1 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
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PHILADELPHIA (20 - 11) at MINNESOTA (15 - 16) - 2/19/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 68-49 ATS (+14.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 27-12 ATS (+13.8 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
MINNESOTA is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 19-34 ATS (-18.4 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 3-1 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 3-1 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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UTAH (15 - 14) at HOUSTON (17 - 14) - 2/19/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 13-24 ATS (-13.4 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 4-3 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 4-3 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MILWAUKEE (12 - 18) at NEW JERSEY (9 - 23) - 2/19/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 26-12 ATS (+12.8 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 17-4 ATS (+12.6 Units) against Atlantic division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 105-73 ATS (+24.7 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 49-32 ATS (+13.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 84-110 ATS (-37.0 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 4-15 ATS (-12.5 Units) in home games in February games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in home games against Central division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 17-30 ATS (-16.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 7-0 against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
MILWAUKEE is 7-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DENVER (17 - 14) at OKLAHOMA CITY (23 - 7) - 2/19/2012, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 7-5 against the spread versus DENVER over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 8-5 straight up against DENVER over the last 3 seasons
10 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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LA LAKERS (18 - 12) at PHOENIX (12 - 19) - 2/19/2012, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA LAKERS are 101-124 ATS (-35.4 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 159-199 ATS (-59.9 Units) after a division game since 1996.
PHOENIX is 60-40 ATS (+16.0 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 16-35 ATS (-22.5 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAKERS is 9-7 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 12-4 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
10 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS vs. NEW YORK
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against New York
Dallas is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing New York
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 5 games
New York is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games when playing Dallas
ORLANDO vs. MIAMI
Orlando is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Miami
Orlando is 17-5 SU in its last 22 games when playing Miami
Miami is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Miami's last 9 games
CHARLOTTE vs. INDIANA
Charlotte is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Charlotte's last 6 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Indiana is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games when playing at home against Charlotte
Indiana is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Charlotte
BOSTON vs. DETROIT
Boston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Detroit's last 10 games when playing at home against Boston
Detroit is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Boston
SACRAMENTO vs. CLEVELAND
Sacramento is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Sacramento is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing Sacramento
UTAH vs. HOUSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Utah's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Utah's last 10 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Houston's last 18 games at home
Houston is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games at home
PHILADELPHIA vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games on the road
Philadelphia is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
MILWAUKEE vs. NEW JERSEY
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Milwaukee's last 10 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
New Jersey is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home
New Jersey is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
DENVER vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
Denver is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Denver's last 7 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games at home
Oklahoma City is 18-5 SU in its last 23 games
LA LAKERS vs. PHOENIX
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the LA Lakers last 9 games
LA Lakers are 8-16 SU in their last 24 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
Phoenix is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Phoenix's last 6 games when playing LA Lakers
Hoop Trends - Sunday
By Vince Akins
VegasInsider.com
SU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Rockets are 0-11 ATS (-11.3 ppg) since March 23, 1996 at home after a 10-25 point home loss in which they allowed at least 50% from the field.
OU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Suns are 10-0 OU (9.2 ppg) since February 26, 1998 with at least one day of rest after a loss in which more than 75% of their baskets were assisted.
PLAYER TREND OF THE DAY:
The Rockets are 11-0 ATS (10.5 ppg) since February 14, 2011 at home after a loss in which Luis Scola was not the Rockets’ high scorer.
CHOICE TREND:
The Kings are 10-0 OU (14.0 ppg) since February 04, 2011 with at least a day of rest after a loss in which Demarcus Cousins was the Kings’ high scorer.
TODAY’S TRENDS:
Magic are 0-9 ATS (-6.4 ppg) since March 11, 2011 after a win in which Dwight Howard had at least 5 turnovers.