Thursday's Best NBA Bet
By Covers.com
Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trail Blazers (1, 194.5)
The Portland Trail Blazers look to bounce back from their worst home loss in more than three years when they host the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday. Portland was routed 116-87 by the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday while dropping to 1-2 under new coach Kaleb Canales.
The Grizzlies haven't covered a pointspread in four straight games as the long-awaited return of star forward Zach Randolph isn’t yet paying dividends. Randolph returned to the starting lineup in the loss to the Kings and had 13 points and seven rebounds.
Memphis has allowed 114 or more points in three of the last four games.
“I don’t want to talk about any individual person,” Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said. “All I want to talk about is that we got our butts kicked because we did not play hard and did not play together.”
The Grizzlies might get a bit of a boost with Gilbert Arenas is expected to make his Memphis debut, and you have to think Randolph might break out against this shoddy defense.
Pick: Grizzlies
Surging Bucks
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
The hottest team in the NBA right now from both the straight-up and against the spread standpoint resides in Wisconsin. The re-tooled Bucks are riding a 7-1 SU and 8-0 ATS run the last eight games, while returning home for a crucial contest against the veteran Celtics on Thursday night at the Bradley Center.
Milwaukee finally parted ways with the oft-injured Andrew Bogut and malcontent Stephen Jackson in a multi-player deal with Golden State last week. The Warriors dumped leading scorer Monta Ellis into the Bucks' laps, giving Milwaukee a stout scoring backcourt alongside Brandon Jennings. Ellis is averaging 16 points per game in his first two games in a Milwaukee uniform, while the Bucks cruised to a pair of easy victories over Golden State and Portland.
Scott Skiles' club has been an 'over' machine all season long, while cashing the 'over' in 11 of the last 13 contests. Milwaukee is in the midst of a seven-game streak of scoring at least 100 points, but six of those clubs (New York, Toronto, New Jersey, Cleveland, Golden State, and Portland) own records of .500 or below. The key for the Bucks is spreading out the scoring, as six players reached double-figures in Tuesday's blowout of the Blazers, including Drew Gooden (19), Carlos Delfino (16), Mike Dunleavy (15), and Beno Udrih (15).
The Bucks own a 4-7 ATS record the last 11 games at the Bradley Center, while three of those covers came in the underdog role against Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York. Milwaukee has thrived in the "bully" role this season by going 10-2 SU against the bottom six teams of the Eastern Conference, including two wins each versus Cleveland, Detroit, Washington, Toronto, and New Jersey.
On the flip side, the Bucks are just 3-12 SU in 15 games against the Magic (0-4), Bulls (0-4), Heat (2-1), Hawks (0-2), and 76ers (1-1). In the only meeting with the Celtics earlier this season at TD Garden, Boston held off Milwaukee, 102-96 as 6 ½-point favorites on February 29. The C's rallied from a four-point halftime deficit to take a 10-point lead after three quarters, before the Bucks were able to pick up the late cover.
Boston is playing the seventh of an eight-game road swing that has taken Doc Rivers' club through California to Denver to Atlanta. The Celtics snapped a two-game skid with Monday's 79-76 barnburner over the Hawks, cashing as two-point road 'dogs. The Bucks/Celtics series has been dominated by Boston recently, taking five of the last six meetings. The lone victory for Milwaukee came in a late meaningless regular season contest in Beantown as the Bucks beat the Celtics, 106-95 in April 2010.
What else to watch for:
The Clippers play their third game in three nights as Los Angeles heads to the Big Easy to battle New Orleans. Teams in this situation are 6-10 ATS the last 16 games, including a 4-6 ATS mark for road clubs. The Hornets own a 6-11 ATS record as home underdogs this season, while going 2-5 ATS the previous seven games when receiving points at home.
The struggling Blazers look to get on track after getting bounced by 29 points to the Bucks, as Portland hosts Memphis. The Grizzlies' normally reliable defense was anything but in a 119-110 setback at Sacramento on Tuesday, the fourth straight ATS loss for Memphis. Portland beat Memphis earlier this season at the Rose Garden, 97-84 as both teams played without rest on January 24. However, the Grizzlies are expected to bring in a secret weapon as Gilbert Arenas will likely suit up after being signed by Memphis earlier in the week.
Two of the hotter teams in the Western Conference lock horns in California's capital city as the Kings host the Jazz. Sacramento wraps up a nine-game homestand following three straight wins over Boston, Minnesota, and Memphis. Utah is riding a four-game hot streak after knocking off Oklahoma City as three-point home 'dogs on Tuesday, while looking to avenge a 103-96 defeat at Sacramento in late February.
Hot Teams
-- Washington covered four of last five games, all on road; they're 5-9 as a home underdog this season.
-- Celtics are 7-5-1 as a road underdog this season. Milwaukee won its last six games, covered its last eight.
-- Houston is 7-3 vs spread as a home favorite of 6+ points. Warriors are 7-3 vs spread as road underdog of 6+ points- they're 5-0 vs spread in their last five road games.
-- Jazz won five of their last six games. Sacramento won/covered its last three games, all at home- they're 8-2 as home dogs of less than 6 points.
Cold Teams
-- Pacers lost their last four road games.
-- Clippers lost four of last five road games; they're 1-7 vs spread in last eight games overall. Hornets lost last five home games (0-5 vs spread).
-- Portland lost eight of its last eleven games. Grizzlies lost three of their last four games (0-4 vs spread).
Wear-and-Tear
-- Pacers: 2nd game/5 nites. Wizards: 7th game/11 nites.
-- Celtics: Had last two nites off. Bucks: 2nd game/6 nites.
-- Warriors: 9th game/13 nites. Rockets: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Clippers: 3rd in row, 9th game/12 nites. Hornets: 2nd nite in row after having previous three nites off.
-- Grizzlies: 3rd game/5 nites. Blazers: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Jazz: 6th game/9 nites. Kings: 3rd game/5 nites.
Totals
-- Last four Indiana games went over the total. Last four Washington games stayed under.
-- 12 of last 13 Milwaukee games went over the total. Four of last five Boston games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last nine Golden State road games stayed under. Over is 9-2 in Houston's last eleven games.
-- Over is 7-2 in last nine Clipper road games.
-- Five of last seven Memphis road games went over total.
-- Nine of last eleven Utah games went over the total.
Back-to-Back
-- Washington is 4-5-1 vs spread if it played nite before, 0-2-1 if it won.
-- Golden State is 6-1 vs spread on road if it played night before.
-- Clippers are 3-2 vs spread if they played the nite before. New Orleans is 6-5 vs spread if it played night before, 0-2 at home.
Armadillosports.com
INDIANA (26 - 18) at WASHINGTON (11 - 34) - 3/22/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 17-28 ATS (-13.8 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 39-65 ATS (-32.5 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 7-15 ATS (-9.5 Units) in home games this season.
WASHINGTON is 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 195 and 199.5 points over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 137-177 ATS (-57.7 Units) when playing on back-to-back days since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 13-29 ATS (-18.9 Units) against Central division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 5-18 ATS (-14.8 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 22-35 ATS (-16.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 6-2 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 6-2 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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BOSTON (24 - 21) at MILWAUKEE (21 - 24) - 3/22/2012, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 59-73 ATS (-21.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 10-24 ATS (-16.4 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 11-24 ATS (-15.4 Units) after allowing 85 points or less over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 25-37 ATS (-15.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 117-94 ATS (+13.6 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 13-2 ATS (+10.8 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 195 and 199.5 points over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) against Atlantic division opponents this season.
MILWAUKEE is 29-11 ATS (+16.9 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 44-70 ATS (-33.0 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 5-2 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 6-2 straight up against MILWAUKEE 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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GOLDEN STATE (19 - 25) at HOUSTON (25 - 22) - 3/22/2012, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 60-87 ATS (-35.7 Units) as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 points since 1996.
HOUSTON is 33-17 ATS (+14.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 76-108 ATS (-42.8 Units) in home games against Pacific division opponents since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 5-3 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 6-2 straight up against GOLDEN STATE 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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LA CLIPPERS (26 - 20) at NEW ORLEANS (11 - 35) - 3/22/2012, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 24-37 ATS (-16.7 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 15-28 ATS (-15.8 Units) in March games over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 13-30 ATS (-20.0 Units) against Southwest division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 12-27 ATS (-17.7 Units) in road games after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 184-232 ATS (-71.2 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 9-22 ATS (-15.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) in home games this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 1-11 ATS (-11.1 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 180 and 184.5 points this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in home games second half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 6-1 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 6-1 straight up against LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MEMPHIS (25 - 19) at PORTLAND (21 - 25) - 3/22/2012, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 80-57 ATS (+17.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 37-24 ATS (+10.6 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 39-24 ATS (+12.6 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
PORTLAND is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) as an underdog this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 4-3 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 5-3 straight up against MEMPHIS 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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UTAH (24 - 22) at SACRAMENTO (17 - 29) - 3/22/2012, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO is 21-36 ATS (-18.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 7-2 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 5-4 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indiana's last 7 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 6 games
Washington is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games at home
Washington is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games at home
BOSTON vs. MILWAUKEE
Boston is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 6 games when playing Boston
LA CLIPPERS vs. NEW ORLEANS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Clippers last 6 games on the road
LA Clippers are 1-15 ATS in their last 16 games when playing New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 9 of New Orleans's last 11 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
New Orleans is 15-1 SU in their last 16 games when playing LA Clippers
GOLDEN STATE vs. HOUSTON
Golden State is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Golden State's last 9 games on the road
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston's last 9 games when playing at home against Golden State
UTAH vs. SACRAMENTO
Utah is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Sacramento
Utah is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Sacramento's last 10 games when playing Utah
Sacramento is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing Utah
MEMPHIS vs. PORTLAND
Memphis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Portland
Memphis is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Portland
Portland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Portland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
INDIANA at WASHINGTON
INDIANA: 29-16 ATS after failing to cover 2 of their last 3 against the spread
WASHINGTON: 7-15 ATS in home games
BOSTON at MILWAUKEE
BOSTON: 4-13 ATS after allowing 80 points or less
MILWAUKEE: 8-1 ATS against Atlantic division opponents
GOLDEN STATE at HOUSTON
GOLDEN STATE: 1-11 ATS in road games after a game where they made 12 or more 3 point shots
HOUSTON: 31-19 ATS after covering 2 of their last 3 against the spread
LA CLIPPERS at NEW ORLEANS
LA CLIPPERS: 5-15 ATS in road games after a combined score of 205 points or more
NEW ORLEANS: 32-19 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points
MEMPHIS at PORTLAND
MEMPHIS: 26-13 ATS off a road loss
PORTLAND: 0-11 ATS when the line is +3 to -3
UTAH at SACRAMENTO
UTAH: 56-35 ATS after playing a game as an underdog
SACRAMENTO: 38-63 ATS in home games after a home game where both teams score 100 or more points
Hoop Trends - Thursday
By Vince Akins
VegasInsider.com
SU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Rockets are 9-0 ATS (10.2 ppg) since March 08, 2003 off a win as a dog in which they trailed at the end of each of the first three quarters.
OU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Pacers are 0-10 OU (-10.9 ppg) since December 03, 1997 on the road after a double digit home win in which their opponent shot less than 60% from the free-throw line.
PLAYER TREND OF THE DAY:
The Pacers are 9-0 OU (7.9 ppg) since March 23, 2011 on the road after a win in which Darren Collison took fewer than 10 shots.
CHOICE TREND:
The Trailblazers are 9-0 ATS (14.7 ppg) since April 12, 2006 with at most one day of rest after a loss in which they committed at least twenty turnovers.
TODAY’S TRENDS:
The Jazz are 8-0 OU (14.8 ppg) since December 30, 2009 on the road with at least one day of rest after a game in which they shot at least ten three-pointers and made at least half of them.