Sunday’s Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
Denver Nuggets at Orlando Magic (-5.5, 201.5)
The Magic will be looking to bounce back from a 100-98 homes loss to Dallas on Friday in which it blew a late lead and turned the ball over 16 times, including 12 times in the second half.
“You turn the ball over 12 times in the second half, and almost all of ’em go for baskets the other way, and that’s what got ’em back in the game,” Orlando head coach Stan Van Gundy stewed afterward. “That’s where the problem is. We keep doing it and doing it and doing it and doing it, and it’s an area we’re just not getting better in. We’re just not.
“Until we get that under control we have no chance to beat good teams on a consistent basis.”
The Magic, which lost by 22 points at New York on Wednesday and coughed up the basketball on 18 occasions, will be going up against another pretty good team in the Nuggets. Denver is an even 5-5 in its last 10 overall (3-7 ATS) and is clinging to one of the last two playoff spots in the Western Conference.
Pick: Nuggets
Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers (-10.5, 197)
The Monta Ellis trade was a move for the future, because the Warriors certainly aren’t going anywhere this season. And the trade, as expected, certainly hasn’t paid any immediate dividends.
Seven-footer Andrew Bogut, acquired from Milwaukee in the deal, is still out with an ankle injury. Stephen Curry, who made Ellis expendable, has a recurring ankle problem and will be sidelined until mid-April. Andris Biedrins (groin) is questionable for Sunday’s contest.
Golden State has not been winning games, but it at least has been competitive. Mark Jackson’s squad is just 2-9 in its last 11 overall but is 9-5 ATS in its last 14. The Warriors are also 6-1 ATS in their last seven road games.
The Lakers have been winning their fair share of contests (9-4 in their last 13 overall), but they have not done so convincingly. They are 0-4 ATS in their last four overall, 0-4 ATS in their last four against the Western Conference, and 0-6 ATS in their last six at home.
L.A. will be playing on back-to-back days after edging lowly New Orleans 88-85 at the Staples Center on Saturday.
Pick: Warriors
NBA on ABC: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com
Chicago Bulls at Oklahoma City Thunder (-5.5, 193)
THE STORY: The Oklahoma City Thunder, riding a five-game winning streak, turn their attention to the top contender from the Eastern Conference when they host the Chicago Bulls Sunday afternoon. The matchup between the teams with the two best records in the league will lose a little of its luster due to the absence of Bulls point guard and reigning MVP Derrick Rose, who will sit out his 10th consecutive game because of a groin injury.
ABOUT THE BULLS (42-11, 32-21 ATS): Winners of six of seven, Chicago has gone 7-2 without Rose and holds a 3.5-game lead over Miami for the top seed in the East. The Bulls have clamped down defensively in winning the past two games after having surrendered over 100 points in each of the previous two. Chicago has held five of its last seven opponents to 82 points or fewer and ranks second in the league with an average of 88.6 points allowed per game.
ABOUT THE THUNDER (39-12, 29-22 ATS): Oklahoma City is at the other end of the spectrum, leading the league in scoring at 103.7 points per game. After playing .500 ball for most of the month, the Thunder have turned it up a notch, dusting the Miami Heat and beating the Los Angeles Lakers on the road during the five-game winning streak. Point guard Russell Westbrook shredded the Lakers for 36 points and is averaging 31.5 points and 6.4 assists in the past four games.
TRENDS:
* Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
* Bulls are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings in Oklahoma City.
* Bulls are 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
* Road team is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Oklahoma City leads the league in home wins (22-4) while the Bulls are first in road victories (21.5).
2. G Richard Hamilton may return for Chicago, which is 22-0 when holding opponents under 91 points.
3. Thunder superstar Kevin Durant has been held under 20 points only twice in the past 44 games.
PREDICTION: Thunder 101, Bulls 94
Miami Heat at Boston Celtics (+3, 186.5)
THE STORY: Although the Boston Celtics have climbed into first place in the Atlantic Division on the heels of a four-game winning streak, they'll be taking a step up in class when they host the Miami Heat Sunday afternoon. Miami owns the best home record in the league but has struggled on the road. The Heat have lost their last seven regular-season games in Boston, although they won at TD Garden in eliminating the Celtics from the playoffs last season.
ABOUT THE HEAT (37-13, 25-25 ATS): Miami is coming off a 113-101 win in Toronto that gave the team a 4-6 road record in March. Chris Bosh tormented his former team with 30 points and eight rebounds. He is averaging 21.1 points in his last seven games. In last season's playoff series against Boston, he was more of a presence on the boards than offensively, averaging 12.8 points and 10.2 rebounds. Forward Udonis Haslem will be back with the team after sitting out Friday's game due to personal reasons.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (29-22, 25-26 ATS): Boston has won four straight despite the absence of shooting guard Ray Allen, who has sat out five straight games with an ankle injury. He was a late scratch Friday and could be ready for Sunday. Allen scored a season-high 28 points in a loss at Miami in December and put up a season-best 35 points in 2010-11 in a victory at Miami. Forced to play center due to injuries, Kevin Garnett has averaged 23.3 points in his last three games.
TRENDS:
* Favorite is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings.
* Over is 5-1 in the last six meetings.
* Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Boston.
* Home team is 9-3 ATS in the last 12 meetings.
* Heat are 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings.
* Heat are 1-6 ATS in the last seven meetings in Boston.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Miami is 12-0 when Bosh scores at least 24 points.
2. Boston has a seven-game home winning streak and hasn't lost at TD Garden since Feb. 15.
3. Heat superstar LeBron James is averaging 30.4 points lifetime against the Celtics.
PREDICTION: Heat 97, Celtics 94
Sunday Night Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
The Sunday night card wraps up with a handful of games, including several key interconference matchups. The Rockets look to keep their hold on the eighth playoff spot in the Western Conference against the Pacers, while the Lakers and Warriors wrap up the night at Staples Center. We'll start with the Nuggets continuing their road swing in the Sunshine State.
Nuggets at Magic
The sixth of seven stops for Denver on its long road trip comes in Orlando, taking on a Magic team seeking consistency before the playoffs. Orlando blew a 15-point lead, as Dallas mustered up enough energy on the second end of a back-to-back to stun the Magic, 100-98 as five-point road underdogs. The Magic will try to snap a two-game skid against a Nuggets' club that has alternated wins and losses the last four contests, coming off Friday's victory at Charlotte. Denver hasn't won consecutive games since March 5, while posting an 0-6 SU/ATS mark off a victory the last six opportunities.
Wizards at Raptors
Washington attempts to cover for the third straight cover, fresh off Friday's home rout of Philadelphia as eight-point underdogs, 97-76. The Wizards head north of the border for a fourth meeting this season with the Raptors, as the home team has captured each of the first three matchups. The Raptors are just 2-6 SU and 3-5 ATS the last eight games, including Friday's 113-101 home loss to the Heat. Washington has won consecutive contests only once this season, while owning a 1-10 SU and 3-8 ATS mark off a victory.
Pacers at Rockets
Houston is quietly putting things together following a rough stretch after the All-Star break with wins in four of the last six games. The Pacers continue their Texas swing after Saturday's contest in San Antonio, as Indiana owns a 3-6 ATS record the previous nine games. Frank Vogel's team has cashed in four of the previous six opportunities in the underdog role, while winning five of the last six games against Western Conference opponents. The Rockets embark on a four-game road trip following Sunday's contest, as Houston goes for its sixth victory in the last seven at the Toyota Center.
Hornets at Suns
Phoenix returns to the court after three days off, looking to halt a two-game losing streak against New Orleans. The Hornets have lost each of the last two meetings with the Suns at home, but New Orleans stunned Phoenix in the season opener, 85-84 as 6½-point 'dogs. The Suns can get back to .500 with a win on Sunday, as Alvin Gentry's squad owns a 10-3 SU/ATS the last 13 home contests. This is the final stop on a five-game road trip for the Hornets, as New Orleans is 8-1 ATS the last nine times as a single-digit 'dog on the highway.
Wolves at Blazers
Minnesota has had its way with Portland through two meetings this season, beating the Blazers by double-digits each time. The Wolves aren't playing their best basketball of the season by going 4-9 the last 13 games since beating Portland at the Target Center on March 7. Rick Adelman's club has put together a 5-2 ATS mark off a loss the last seven opportunities, coming off Friday's home defeat to the Celtics. The Blazers lost in the final seconds on Friday night to the Clippers as 9 ½-point underdogs, the first cover for Portland in four games. All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge missed the Clippers game with an elbow injury, as the Blazers' forward is listed as a game-time decision against the Wolves.
Warriors at Lakers
Quite a stir was made the last time these teams met in Oakland on Wednesday, as Lakers' center Andrew Bynum was benched after attempting a three-point quarter in the third quarter of a 104-101 victory. L.A. failed to cash as seven-point road 'chalk,' the second time the Warriors have covered in a loss to the Lakers this season. Golden State dropped all three games on its recent homestand, including a disappointing two-point setback to New Jersey after blowing a 19-point lead. The Warriors are rolling as a road 'dog of late with a 6-1 ATS mark, including a pair of outright wins at Sacramento and New Orleans with rest.
Hot Teams
-- Bulls won six of last seven games; they're 5-1 as a road dog. Thunder won their last five games (4-1 vs spread).
-- Boston won/covered its last four games. Heat won six of its last eight games.
-- Nuggets are 11-4-1 vs spread as a road underdog.
-- Houston won/covered five of last six home games.
-- Phoenix won/covered eight of last ten home games. Hornets covered five of their last six road games.
Cold Teams
-- Wizards lost four of last five games, but are 8-3 vs spread in last 11. Raptors lost six of last eight games; they're 5-3 as home favorite.
-- Magic lost five of their last nine games.
-- Pacers won/covered twice in last eight road games.
-- Portland covered twice in its last eight home games. Minnesota lost six of its last eight road games.
-- Warriors lost last four games, but covered six of last seven on road. Lakers are 1-5 vs spread as home favorite of 9+ points.
Wear-and-Tear
-- Bulls: 3rd game/5 days. Thunder: Last two days off.
-- Heat: 3rd game/4 days. Celtics: 3rd game/5 days.
-- Wizards: 8th game/12 nites. Raptors: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Nuggets: 3rd game/5 days. Magic: 3rd game/5 days.
-- Pacers: 8th game/11 nites. Rockets: 2nd game/5 nites.
-- Hornets: 4th game/5 nites. Suns: Last 3 nites off.
-- T'wolves: 4th game/6 nites. Blazers: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Warriors: 8th game/12 nites. Lakers: 3rd game/4 nites.
Totals
-- Under is 6-1-1 in last eight Chicago games.
-- Last three Miami games went over the total.
-- Last ten Washington games stayed under total.
-- Four of last five Orlando games went over total.
-- Six of last eight Houston home games went over total.
-- Four of last five Phoenix home games went over total.
-- Four of last five Portland games went over total. Last three Minnesota games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last six Golden State road games stayed under.
Back-to-Back
-- Pacers are 2-7 vs spread if they lost the night before.
-- Hornets are 7-3 vs spread on road if they played night before.
-- Lakers are 2-5 vs spread if they won the day before.
Armadillosports.com
CHICAGO (42 - 11) at OKLAHOMA CITY (39 - 12) - 4/1/2012, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 131-104 ATS (+16.6 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 47-26 ATS (+18.4 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 32-21 ATS (+8.9 Units) in all games this season.
CHICAGO is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in road games this season.
CHICAGO is 42-28 ATS (+11.2 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 38-24 ATS (+11.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 13-26 ATS (-15.6 Units) on Sunday games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 2-2 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 2-2 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MIAMI (37 - 13) at BOSTON (29 - 22) - 4/1/2012, 3:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 148-191 ATS (-62.1 Units) in home games revenging a loss vs opponent since 1996.
BOSTON is 13-31 ATS (-21.1 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 11-7 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 11-7 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
11 of 18 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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WASHINGTON (12 - 39) at TORONTO (17 - 35) - 4/1/2012, 6:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 20-30 ATS (-13.0 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 42-67 ATS (-31.7 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 24-42 ATS (-22.2 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 10-23 ATS (-15.3 Units) against Atlantic division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 1-10 ATS (-10.0 Units) in road games off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 33-57 ATS (-29.7 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 6-4 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 5-5 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DENVER (28 - 24) at ORLANDO (32 - 20) - 4/1/2012, 6:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
DENVER is 35-21 ATS (+11.9 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) in road games this season.
DENVER is 25-10 ATS (+14.0 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 30-16 ATS (+12.4 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 24-37 ATS (-16.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 3-0 against the spread versus ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO is 2-2 straight up against DENVER over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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INDIANA (30 - 21) at HOUSTON (28 - 24) - 4/1/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 12-27 ATS (-17.7 Units) when playing on back-to-back days over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) in home games this season.
HOUSTON is 20-6 ATS (+13.4 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 240-187 ATS (+34.3 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 2-2 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 2-2 straight up against INDIANA 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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NEW ORLEANS (13 - 39) at PHOENIX (25 - 26) - 4/1/2012, 9:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 6-4 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 6-5 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MINNESOTA (25 - 28) at PORTLAND (24 - 28) - 4/1/2012, 9:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 7-3 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 8-2 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
8 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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GOLDEN STATE (20 - 30) at LA LAKERS (32 - 20) - 4/1/2012, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA LAKERS are 21-30 ATS (-12.0 Units) in all games this season.
LA LAKERS are 13-22 ATS (-11.2 Units) as a favorite this season.
LA LAKERS are 59-84 ATS (-33.4 Units) as a home favorite of 9.5 to 12 points since 1996.
LA LAKERS are 29-43 ATS (-18.3 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 16-34 ATS (-21.4 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 18-34 ATS (-19.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 2-13 ATS (-12.3 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 18-32 ATS (-17.2 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 5-18 ATS (-14.8 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 7-3 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 9-1 straight up against GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
Chicago is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chicago's last 8 games
Oklahoma City is 19-3 SU in its last 22 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Oklahoma City's last 7 games at home
MIAMI vs. BOSTON
Miami is 1-11 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Boston
Miami is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games
WASHINGTON vs. TORONTO
Washington is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Toronto's last 23 games when playing Washington
Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
DENVER vs. ORLANDO
Denver is 4-0-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Orlando
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Denver's last 6 games when playing on the road against Orlando
Orlando is 0-4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Denver
Orlando is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games when playing Denver
INDIANA vs. HOUSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Indiana's last 16 games when playing on the road against Houston
Indiana is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Houston
Houston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Houston's last 19 games when playing Indiana
MINNESOTA vs. PORTLAND
Minnesota is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games
Minnesota is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Portland is 6-12 ATS in its last 18 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Portland's last 5 games
NEW ORLEANS vs. PHOENIX
The total has gone OVER in 7 of New Orleans's last 8 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
New Orleans is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Phoenix
Phoenix is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Phoenix is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing New Orleans
GOLDEN STATE vs. LA LAKERS
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Golden State's last 6 games on the road
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Golden State
LA Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games when playing Golden State
CHICAGO at OKLAHOMA CITY
CHICAGO: 16-6 ATS as an underdog
OKLAHOMA CITY: 13-26 ATS on Sundays
MIAMI at BOSTON
MIAMI: 21-9 Under after scoring 110+ pts
BOSTON: 2-11 ATS off win by 20+
WASHINGTON at TORONTO
WASHINGTON: 4-22 ATS off home win
TORONTO: 8-1 ATS at home off home loss
DENVER at ORLANDO
DENVER: 12-3 ATS as road underdog of 3.5 to 6 pts
ORLANDO: 22-9 Under on Sunday games
INDIANA at HOUSTON
INDIANA: 12-27 ATS playing on back to back days
HOUSTON: 18-9 ATS in home games
NEW ORLEANS at PHOENIX
NEW ORLEANS: 5-0 ATS playing 2nd road game in 2 days
PHOENIX: 11-3 Under vs. Southwest Division
MINNESOTA at PORTLAND
MINNESOTA: 4-13 ATS after scoring 85 pts or less
PORTLAND: 6-17 ATS off ATS win
GOLDEN STATE at LA LAKERS
GOLDEN STATE: 8-0 ATS Away off BB losses
LA LAKERS: 4-12 ATS off win by 6 pts or less