Sunday's Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
Miami Heat at Oklahoma City Thunder (-1, 201)
Oklahoma City is 21-4 (13-12 ATS) at home this season and is 2-0 to kick off its current homestand. The Thunder disposed of the Clippers easily on Wednesday before outlasting Minnesota 149-140 in double overtime on Friday night.
Three players scored at least 40 points in Friday's shootout. Rusell Westbrook poured in 45 for OKC while Kevin Durant notched 40 points and grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds (Kevin Love scored 51 points for the T-Wolves).
It will be interesting to keep an eye on newly-acquired guard Derek Fisher, who played all but one second of the last 26 minutes and 18 seconds of Friday's game. Fisher, though, had just five points on 2-for-11 shooting.
“Had I made a few shots earlier in the game, I wouldn't have gotten so many minutes [suggesting the game would not have gone to a pair of OTs]. Had (head coach Scott Brooks) pulled me, I would have understood.”
The Heat, meanwhile, have won four in a row (3-1). They won at Detroit on Friday and at Philly last Friday, but their four previous road games against winning teams were not encouraging. Miami fell at Utah and at the Lakers early in the month then succumbed at Orlando and at Chicago on March 13 and 14, respectively.
Pick: Thunder
Philadelphia 76ers at San Antonio Spurs (N/A)
The Spurs may be getting older, but some things never change. They are still dominant at home (19-4, 16-7 ATS).
San Antonio is 4-0 (4-0 ATS) in its last four at home after drubbing Dallas 104-87 on Friday night. The squad once again used a balanced attacked with six players in double-figures, including veteran Tim Duncan (15 points and 12 rebounds).
It should be noted that the Spurs will be coming off a road game at New Orleans on Saturday and will be playing back-to-back-to-back games for the first time this season. While that would normally be troublesome for an "old" team, Gregg Popovich has managed this unique season extremely well to date.
The Sixers beat Boston 99-86 on Friday but they are still 2-4 (2-4 ATS) in their last six overall. Philly lost at home 100-90 on February 8 in the only previous meeting between the two teams this season.
Pick: Spurs
What Bettors Need to Know: Heat at Thunder
By Covers.com
THE STORY: The Oklahoma City Thunder have rung up some of the highest point totals in the NBA this season and are coming off a 149-140 double-overtime victory on Friday. The Miami Heat have been just effective at getting wins and can run with the best of them, but they also excel at the defensive end. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the Western Conference-leading Thunder will try to find a way through LeBron James and company.
ABOUT THE HEAT (35-11): Miami pushed its latest winning streak to four games on Friday by holding the Detroit Pistons to 39 percent shooting in an 88-73 triumph. In their last four games, the Heat have allowed an average of 82.8 points. Still in second place in the East, Miami is percentage points ahead of Oklahoma City for the second-best record in the league and appears to have licked a small problem of not being able to win on the road. After dropping four straight away from south Florida, the Heat have won their last two, including Friday. James is in the midst of a shooting slump, going 18 for 47 (38.3 percent) over the last three games.
ABOUT THE THUNDER (36-12): Westbrook scored a career-high 45 points and Durant added 40 and a season-high 17 rebounds in Friday’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. After trading wins and losses for two weeks, Friday marked the first back-to-back wins for Oklahoma City since Mar. 5 and 7. The Thunder have put up over 112 points in the last eight games but have surrendered an average of 103.3 at the other end. Oklahoma City has been integrating veteran point guard Derek Fisher into the mix over the last two games. Signed to backup Westbrook, Fisher played 36 minutes on Friday, often alongside Westbrook in a smaller lineup.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. James has averaged 28.6 points and 6.9 assists in 14 career games against Oklahoma City.
2. Sunday begins a stretch of facing seven playoff teams in the next eight games for the Heat.
3. Westbrook and Durant are the first teammates in NBA history to have two games in a season with 40 points apiece.
TRENDS:
- Miami is 1-4 ATS in its last five against the Western Conference.
- Oklahoma City is 17-5 ATS in its last 22 against the Eastern Conference.
- The under is 4-0 in Miami's last four overall but the over is 6-0 in Oklahoma City's last six home games.
- The road team is 13-3 ATS in the last 16 meetings between the two teams.
PREDICTION: Heat 108, Thunder 99.
Sunday Night Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
The Sunday night NBA card is extremely intriguing with the NCAA Tournament winding down. Three games take center-stage, including a potential NBA Finals preview in Oklahoma City involving five of the biggest stars in the game taking the court.
Heat at Thunder
Miami and Oklahoma City are headed on a collision course for a meeting in June, as these two clubs will play twice over the next 11 days. The Heat heads to Chesapeake Energy Arena on a four-game winning streak after holding off the Pistons on Friday, 88-73 as nine-point favorites. The Thunder is fresh off the most exciting game of the season by topping the Wolves, 149-140 in two overtimes, but failed to cash as 10-point 'chalk.'
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Russell Westbrook (45) and Kevin Durant (40) combined to shoot 32 of 54 from the field, while going 16 of 16 from the line in the shootout win over Minnesota. The Thunder improved to 36-12 with the victory, as OKC has now alternated ATS wins and losses the last 11 games following the non-cover. Scott Brooks' team has hit the 'over' in seven of the previous 10 contests, including six straight 'overs' at home.
Miami has turned up the defensive heat recently by limiting each of its last four opponents to 81.7 points per game, while cashing the 'under' in all four contests. Erik Spoelstra's squad is coming off consecutive road victories at Detroit and Philadelphia, which was preceded by four straight defeats on the highway. In the four away losses, the Heat was favored each time, as Miami is listed as an underdog for the first time this season with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh all healthy.
The road team captured both meetings last season, including a thrilling 108-103 triumph by the Heat in Oklahoma City last January. Wade led the Heat with 32 points, while James poured 23 points and dished out 13 assists in the victory. The Thunder picked up revenge in South Florida six weeks late, 96-85 as six-point underdogs, even though OKC shot 39% from the floor.
Warriors at Blazers
Portland is slowly finding its way back by picking up consecutive ATS wins over the Grizzlies and Lakers. The Blazers begin a three-game homestand on Sunday against an unrested Warriors' squad coming off a home contest versus Sacramento. Golden State is still playing without leading scorer Stephen Curry, who is out with an ankle injury.
The Blazers put together a nice comeback in Friday's road loss to the Lakers, 103-96 as 9½-point 'dogs. Portland owns a 4-10 record the last 14 contests, while getting limited to below 100 points eleven times in this span. Kaleb Canales' team is 1-7 ATS the previous eight games off a cover, but has compiled a 4-2 ATS mark the last six games in the favorite role.
The Warriors have been busy as Mark Jackson's club is taking the court for the seventh time in 10 days. Golden State has turned in a respectable 6-3 ATS record the last nine games, including a 4-1 ATS mark away from Oracle Arena. These two teams split the first two meetings this season in Oakland, as the Blazers captured the last matchup as five-point underdogs, 93-91 on February 15.
Grizzlies at Lakers
Memphis attempts to halt a three-game losing streak in the final stop on a four-game road trip on Sunday night. The Grizzlies finish their double-dip at Staples Center after getting trounced by the struggling Clippers on Saturday, 101-85. The Lakers aren't helping backers with a 1-4 ATS record of late, but the Purple and Gold is fresh off consecutive wins over the Mavericks and Blazers.
The last time these teams hooked up in Memphis on March 13, the Lakers rallied for a 116-111 double overtime victory as 1½-point 'dogs, rallying from a 17-point deficit. Memphis attempted 33 more shots from the floor than Los Angeles (116-83), but the Grizzlies tried only five free throws in 58 minutes of play. The Lakers have won five of the last six home matchups with the Grizzlies, including a 90-82 triumph as 7½-point 'chalk' in early January.
The Grizzlies are pointspread poison recently by failing to cover each of the last six games, even though five of those ATS losses came in the favorite role. Lionel Hollins' team has thrived playing with no rest by posting an 8-3 SU/ATS record, while the Lakers are just 4-8 ATS facing a team on the second of a back-to-back.
Hot Teams
-- Suns covered 13 of their last 17 games.
-- Hawks won five of their last six games; they're 3-7 in last ten games as a home favorite. Utah won its last six games (5-1 vs spread).
-- Washington covered six of last seven games, losing last two by total of five points. Celtics won last five home games, covered last four.
-- Spurs won/covered their last four home games.
-- Miami won its last four games, covering three of them. Thunder won its last three home games, winning by 16-23-9 points.
-- Warriors covered five of their last six road games.
-- Lakers won seven of last nine games (1-5 vs spread last six at home).
Cold Teams
-- Cavaliers lost five of their last six games.
-- Nuggets lost five of last seven road games; they're 0-6-1 vs spread in last seven games overall. Minnesota lost seven of its last nine games.
-- 76ers are 3-7-1 vs spread as a road underdog.
-- Portland lost ten of its last fourteen games.
-- Grizzlies lost five of their last six games (0-6 vs spread).
Wear-and-Tear
-- Suns: 8th game/12 days. Cavaliers: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Nuggets: 3rd game/5 nites. T'wolves: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Jazz: 8th game/12 nites. Hawks: 3rd in row, 6th game/8 nites.
-- Wizards: 4th game/5 nites. Celtics: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- 76ers: 3rd game/5 nites. Spurs: 3rd nite in a row.
-- Heat: 2nd game/5 nites. Thunder: 7th game/11 nites.
-- Warriors: 11th game/16 nites. Blazers: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Grizzlies: 3rd game/4 nites. Lakers: 3rd game/4 nites.
Totals
-- Five of last six Phoenix road games went over the total.
-- Last three Denver games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Atlanta home games stayed under total.
-- Last six Washington games stayed under the total.
-- Four of Philly's last five road games went over total.
-- Thunder's last six home games went over the total. Last four Miami games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Golden State road games stayed under.
-- Four of last five Memphis road games stayed under total.
Back-to-Back
-- Hawks are 6-1 vs spread at home if they played night before.
-- Wizards are 1-3 vs spread if they played the night before.
-- Spurs are 4-7-1 vs spread if they played the night before.
-- Warriors are 6-2 vs spread on road if they played nite before.
Armadillosports.com
PHOENIX (24 - 24) at CLEVELAND (17 - 28) - 3/25/2012, 3:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 21-38 ATS (-20.8 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 44-26 ATS (+15.4 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points since 1996.
PHOENIX is 62-38 ATS (+20.2 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) in March games this season.
PHOENIX is 65-40 ATS (+21.0 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 24-10 ATS (+13.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 45-63 ATS (-24.3 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 4-1 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 3-2 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
5 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DENVER (26 - 22) at MINNESOTA (23 - 26) - 3/25/2012, 3:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 4-4 against the spread versus DENVER over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 8-1 straight up against MINNESOTA 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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UTAH (26 - 22) at ATLANTA (29 - 20) - 3/25/2012, 6:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 45-28 ATS (+14.2 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 15-29 ATS (-16.9 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 3-1 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 3-1 straight up against UTAH 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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WASHINGTON (11 - 36) at BOSTON (25 - 22) - 3/25/2012, 6:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 18-28 ATS (-12.8 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 40-65 ATS (-31.5 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 23-41 ATS (-22.1 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 138-177 ATS (-56.7 Units) when playing on back-to-back days since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 9-22 ATS (-15.2 Units) against Atlantic division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 65-86 ATS (-29.6 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 23-35 ATS (-15.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 60-74 ATS (-21.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 40-56 ATS (-21.6 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 41-61 ATS (-26.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 37-54 ATS (-22.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 6-5 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 8-3 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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PHILADELPHIA (27 - 21) at SAN ANTONIO (32 - 14) - 3/25/2012, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 3-2 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 3-2 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MIAMI (35 - 11) at OKLAHOMA CITY (36 - 12) - 3/25/2012, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 128-104 ATS (+13.6 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) against Southeast division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 46-26 ATS (+17.4 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) in road games after allowing 85 points or less over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 12-26 ATS (-16.6 Units) on Sunday games over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) after scoring 105 points or more this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 3-1 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 3-1 straight up against MIAMI 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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GOLDEN STATE (20 - 26) at PORTLAND (22 - 26) - 3/25/2012, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 60-88 ATS (-36.8 Units) as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 points since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 8-2 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 6-4 straight up against PORTLAND 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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MEMPHIS (25 - 21) at LA LAKERS (30 - 18) - 3/25/2012, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA LAKERS are 107-67 ATS (+33.3 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs since 1996.
MEMPHIS is 80-59 ATS (+15.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 38-24 ATS (+11.6 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 25-6 ATS (+18.4 Units) when playing on back-to-back days over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 39-26 ATS (+10.4 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 62-77 ATS (-22.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 16-31 ATS (-18.1 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAKERS is 5-4 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 6-3 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX vs. CLEVELAND
Phoenix is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Cleveland
Phoenix is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Cleveland is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Cleveland is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
DENVER vs. MINNESOTA
Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Denver is 6-0-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 7 games
Minnesota is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
WASHINGTON vs. BOSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games
Boston is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games at home
UTAH vs. ATLANTA
Utah is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Utah's last 5 games on the road
Atlanta is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Utah
PHILADELPHIA vs. SAN ANTONIO
Philadelphia is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 8 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Antonio's last 8 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 7 of San Antonio's last 9 games
MIAMI vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
Miami is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Miami is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Oklahoma City is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing Miami
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 5 games at home
GOLDEN STATE vs. PORTLAND
Golden State is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Golden State's last 11 games when playing on the road against Portland
Portland is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Golden State
Portland is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
MEMPHIS vs. LA LAKERS
Memphis is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
Memphis is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of the LA Lakers last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 5 games when playing Memphis
PHOENIX at CLEVELAND
PHOENIX: 11-3 ATS in March
CLEVELAND: 5-0 Under vs. Phoenix
DENVER at MINNESOTA
DENVER: 15-6 ATS in road games
MINNESOTA: 3-11 ATS as home favorite
UTAH at ATLANTA
UTAH: 10-3 Over vs. non-conference
ATLANTA: 12-3 Under vs. non-conference
WASHINGTON at BOSTON
WASHINGTON: 2-12 ATS off BB ATS wins
BOSTON: 9-0 ATS off division loss
PHILADELPHIA at SAN ANTONIO
PHILADELPHIA: 5-16 ATS Away revenging SU loss as favorite
SAN ANTONIO: 13-4 ATS off ATS loss
MIAMI at OKLAHOMA CITY
MIAMI: 10-1 ATS Away after allowing 85 pts or less
OKLAHOMA CITY: 12-26 ATS on Sundays
GOLDEN STATE at PORTLAND
GOLDEN STATE: 14-4 Under on Sunday
PORTLAND: 6-16 ATS off ATS win
MEMPHIS at LA LAKERS
MEMPHIS: 25-6 ATS playing on back to back days
LA LAKERS: 17-8 Over off ATS loss
Hoop Trends - Sunday
By Vince Akins
VegasInsider.com
SU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Suns are 16-0-2 ATS (6.6 ppg) since January 18, 2006 as a road favorite after a game on the road in which they allowed at least 50% from the field.
OU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Wizards are 0-10 OU (-13.7 ppg) since December 14, 2009 on the road when they lost their last two games and both were at home.
PLAYER TREND OF THE DAY:
The Thunder are 11-0 OU (18.3 ppg) since January 13, 2010 at home after two wins in which Kevin Durant scored at least 30 points in each.
CHOICE TREND:
The Cavaliers are 13-0 ATS (7.3 ppg) since February 08, 2008 with at most one day of rest after a game on the road in which they had fewer than fifteen assists.
TODAY’S TRENDS:
The Celtics are 0-11-1 ATS (-7.9 ppg) since December 29, 2010 as a favorite after a game on the road in which they had five or fewer offensive rebounds.The Wizards are 0-10-1 ATS (-4.5 ppg) since February 08, 2008 as a dog with at most one day of rest off a home loss in which they led at the end of the third quarter.
Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Miami Heat at Oklahoma Thunder
The West-leading Thunder on Westbrook's career-best 45 points, Kevin Durant's 40 points and season-high 17 rebounds overcame Love's 51 points to beat the Minnesota 149-140 in double-overtime Friday night. Thunder tops in the Western Conference (36-12) and one of the best in the league at home at 21-4 hope to build off the performance and halt Heat's current four-game win streak when the teams collide Sunday. Amazing offensive performance by OKC. However, tough spot for Thunder against the three 'Amigos' allowing 93.2 PPG on the season and a team tightening defensive screws the past four on the hardwood surrendering just 81.8 points/game. With Thunder on a 2-9 ATS skid following a game in which they scored >125 points. Thunder having dropped the cash in six of their last seven scoring <100 points. Heat cashing a ticket in nine of eleven on the road holding opponents under the century mark Miami is the NBA Sport Pick.