Tuesday's Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
Houston Rockets at Memphis Grizzlies (-3.5, 191)
The Memphis Grizzlies have covered the number just once over the last five games and you probably shouldn't expect too much from this club before the All-Star break.
They fell 98-88 to Utah on Sunday as a 6.5-point favorite.
"Repetition is the best way to improve, and right now we're just holding on," Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins told reporters. "When we come back from the All-Star break, we'll have at least two days to practice, and hopefully we'll get our plays and schemes down. We haven't had multiple days off since the start of the season."
If the Grizz are looking for sympathy, they won’t get any from Houston. The Rockets have been on the road for the last 10 days and will finish off the six-game voyage Tuesday. So far they’re 3-2 straight up and against the spread after dropping a 106-97 decision to Golden State.
The good news was that Kevin Martin broke out of his slump with 28 points in the losing effort.
We like Houston to finish the trip on a positive note.
Pick: Rockets
San Antonio Spurs at Detroit Pistons (8, 186.5)
The San Antonio Spurs withstood the loss of Manu Ginobili and have stayed on a roll despite being booted out of their home arena because of the rodeo.
The Spurs look to remain perfect on their season-long nine-game road trip when they visit the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday. San Antonio is seeking its eighth straight victory overall and four in a row on its annual Rodeo Road Trip.
Ginobili returned from a 22-game absence because of a broken hand and scored eight points in 17 minutes in Saturday’s 103-89 win at New Jersey. One of his goals will be to avoid disrupting the team’s chemistry.
“I just want to contribute, help a little bit, don't change anything of what the team's doing, just try to fit in again,” he said.
Forward Tim Duncan is riding a streak of four consecutive double-doubles – his longest of the season. The Spurs will be looking to win eight straight for the first time since Jan. 7-21, 2011.
Pick: Spurs
Game of the day: Atlanta Hawks at L.A. Lakers
By Covers.com
Atlanta Hawks at Los Angeles Lakers (-5, 178.5)
THE STORY: The last time the Atlanta Hawks went on a five-game trip (Jan. 23-31), they finished 4-1 for their best record since going 5-0 in 1968-69, their inaugural season. Atlanta begins another five-game journey Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers return home, where they are 11-2, after a 3-3 trip that ended with a 94-92 victory at Toronto. “We've just got to keep getting better little by little, and again, whether we won or lost (in Toronto), I thought we got a little better,” coach Mike Brown said.
LINE: Some books opened with L.A. set as a 5.5-point favorite at the open, but most shops were serving Lakers -5 Monday evening. The total is holding at 178.5 after opening a point higher.
ABOUT THE HAWKS (18-10): Maybe it’s a good thing the Hawks are getting out of town. They have lost four of five at home, and were trounced 107-87 by Miami on Sunday. “You're only as good as your last game,” power forward Josh Smith said. “And we were awful. So we have to take whatever people say about us and just use it as motivation.” Center Jason Collins (strained left elbow) will be evaluated Wednesday in Los Angeles. He is expected to miss two weeks.
ABOUT THE LAKERS (16-12): The Lakers’ six-game trip was supposed to determine just where this team might be headed. Instead it raised doubt and was inconclusive. So it is not surprising that the Lakers worked out free agent guard Gilbert Arenas, a three-time All-Star, on Sunday. “We are a poor road team, and that is what we need to turn around,” said Kobe Bryant, who scored the winner at Toronto. “If we could figure out a way to win on the road, our record would be much, much better. We are a very good home team.”
TRENDS:
- The Hawks are 1-4 against the spread in their last five road games against the Lakers.
- The Lakers are 2-8 against the spread in their last 10 games against the Eastern Conference.
- The under is 6-2 in Atlanta's last eight overall.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Atlanta has lost five consecutive games in Los Angeles, last winning there on Feb. 15, 2006.
2. Hawks guard Joe Johnson needs 13 points to reach 10,000 for his career.
3. Los Angeles has not lost a season series to the Hawks since 1978-79, losing three of four games. Tuesday’s game will be their only meeting this season.
PREDICTION: Lakers 97, Hawks 91
Tuesday's NBA Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
The Tuesday NBA card showcases nine contests, including a pair of teams playing their third game in three nights. The Heat heads to Indiana for a key Eastern Conference matchup with the struggling Pacers, while the Jazz looks for revenge against division foe Oklahoma City.
Heat at Pacers
Miami has not been a great team with no rest this season, putting together a 2-6 ATS record. The Heat finishes their only three-in-three nights sequence of the season at Indiana, as the Pacers look to get on track. Indiana is riding a three-game losing streak after Saturday's home loss to Denver, the fifth straight non-cover for the Pacers. Miami pounded Indiana in its first meeting of the season, 118-83 as 7½-point favorites in early January. The Heat is 3-0 SU/ATS in the last three trips to Indiana, including a seven-point victory last February.
Knicks at Raptors
The Jeremy Lin mania heads north of the border on Tuesday as New York heads to Toronto. The Knicks are the hottest ATS team in the league with eight consecutive covers, while winning five straight games overall. New York is set to get All-Star Amare Stoudemire back in the lineup following a four-game absence, but Carmelo Anthony is still out with a groin injury. Toronto is 5-1 ATS the last six games, including consecutive home covers against the Celtics and Lakers. The Raptors upset the Knicks at MSG in early January, 90-85 as 8½-point underdogs.
Spurs at Pistons
San Antonio continues its annual "Rodeo Trip" with the next stop coming at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The Spurs is rolling by picking up victories in seven straight games, while cashing in eight consecutive contests. The Pistons had their four-game winning streak come to a screeching halt in Sunday's embarrassing home loss to the lowly Wizards. San Antonio has struggled in the role as a road favorite, putting together a 1-5 SU/ATS mark. The lone win came on Saturday in Manu Ginobili's return to the lineup in a 103-89 blowout of the Nets as 9½-point 'chalk.'
Jazz at Thunder
Utah is playing its third game in three nights, all away from Salt Lake City. The Jazz picked up a victory in the first contest on Sunday night at Memphis, only their third road triumph of the season. Tyrone Corbin's squad fell at home to the Thunder last Friday, 101-87 as one-point underdogs. Oklahoma City returns home after a five-game road trip in which the Thunder finished 3-2 SU/ATS. The Thunder has failed to cover in each of their last two opportunities as a home favorite, while going 1-5 ATS against unrested opponents.
Rockets at Grizzlies
Houston concludes a six-game road swing in Memphis, attempting to finish things off with a 4-2 SU/ATS record. The Rockets were tripped up at Golden State on Sunday as 1½-point 'dogs, halting a three-game winning streak. The Grizzlies have failed to maintain consistency this season by compiling a 14-14 record, while coming up short in Sunday's home defeat to the Jazz. Memphis owns a 4-8 ATS mark since a seven-game hot streak in mid-January, while the Grizzlies beat down the Rockets in late December, 113-93 as six-point home 'chalk.'
Kings at Bulls
Sacramento has surprisingly been ATS gold recently with covers in seven of its last eight contests as the Kings begin a six-game roadie at Chicago. The Bulls finished up a nine-game trip at 6-3 SU/ATS, but things ended on a sour note with Sunday's 95-91 setback at Boston. Last season's MVP Derrick Rose is listed as 'questionable' with back spasms, as the point guard sat out the last two games. The Kings are 4-0 ATS the last four games away from home, but Sacramento owns a 3-8 ATS record as a road 'dog of seven points or more.
Suns at Nuggets
Denver is looking to get its groove back after snapping a five-game skid in Saturday's four-point triumph at Indiana. The Nuggets return home for just one game before hitting the road for three games starting Wednesday at Dallas. George Karl's squad is 1-8 ATS the previous nine contests at the Pepsi Center, while going 2-7 ATS the last nine games overall. Phoenix has performed very well in the role of a road underdog of late, posting a 4-1 ATS ledger, including outright wins at Atlanta, Milwaukee, and Sacramento.
Wizards at Blazers
Washington picked up only its sixth victory of the season in Sunday's rout of Detroit as six-point underdogs. The Wizards continue a five-game trip in Portland against a Blazers' club that is 10-3 SU/ATS as home 'chalk' this season. Portland is coming off consecutive covers at New Orleans and Dallas, but Nate McMillan's team owns an 0-5 ATS record when cashing in its last two games. However, the Blazers have compiled a 5-0 ATS mark at the Rose Garden off a road loss, while winning each game by double-digits.
Hawks at Lakers
Los Angeles returns home after their "Grammy Road Trip" in which the Lakers went 3-3 SU and 2-4 ATS. The Lakers battle the Hawks, as Atlanta starts a five-game highway swing, while trying to snap a five-game skid at Staples Center dating back to 2006. Atlanta has won four of its past five road contests, but each victory came against below .500 teams. The Lakers are 10-2 SU and 7-5 ATS at home, while hitting the 'under' in eight of 12 games at Staples Center.
Hot Teams
-- Miami won/covered four of last five road games.
-- Knicks won last five games, covered last eight.
-- Spurs won/covered their last seven games. Detroit won/covered four of its last five.
-- Thunder won last six home games, are 5-5 as home favorite.
-- Rockets won three of their last four games.
-- Bulls won five of last six games, covered four of last five; this is their first home game in 18 days.
-- Suns won/covered four of their last six road games.
-- Lakers won 11 of last 13 games at Staples Center (7-5 as home faves). Hawks won five of their last six road underdogs.
Cold Teams
-- Pacers lost four of their last five games.
-- Raptors lost six of last eight games; they're 4-4 as home underdog.
-- Jazz lost six of their last eight games.
-- Memphis lost four of its last six games (6-5 as home favorite).
-- Kings covered their last four games as a road underdog.
-- Nuggets lost five of their last six games.
-- Portland lost three of last four games; they're 10-3 as a home favorite. Wizards are 3-7-1 vs spread as a road underdog.
Wear and Tear
-- Heat: 3rd nite in row, 6th/8 nites. Pacers: Had last two nites off.
-- Knicks: Had last two nites off. Raptors: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Spurs: Had last two nites off. Pistons: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Jazz: 3rd in row, 4th/5 nites. Thunder: Had last three nites off.
-- Rockets: 2nd game/5 nites. Grizzlies: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Kings: Had last two nites off. Bulls: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Suns: 3rd game/4 nites. Nuggets: Had last two nites off.
-- Wizards: 3rd game/5 nites. Blazers: Had last two nites off.
-- Hawks: 3rd game/5 nites. Lakers: 4th game/6 nites.
Totals
-- Over is 9-5 in Miami's road games this season.
-- Under is 11-3 in New York's road games this season.
-- Five of last seven San Antonio games stayed under.
-- Five of last six Utah games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last nine Houston games stayed under total.
-- Under is 11-2 in Kings' last thirteen road games.
-- Five of last seven Phoenix games stayed under total.
-- Last five Portland games went over the total.
-- Under is 5-2-1 in last eight Atlanta road games.
Armadillosports.com
MIAMI (22 - 7) at INDIANA (17 - 10) - 2/14/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 15-26 ATS (-13.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 6-2 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 7-1 straight up against INDIANA 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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NEW YORK (13 - 15) at TORONTO (9 - 20) - 2/14/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 35-21 ATS (+11.9 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 19-6 ATS (+12.4 Units) on Tuesday nights over the last 3 seasons.
NEW YORK is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) in road games vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) in road games after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 37-58 ATS (-26.8 Units) as a home underdog of 3.5 to 6 points since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 5-3 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 5-4 straight up against NEW YORK 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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SAN ANTONIO (19 - 9) at DETROIT (8 - 21) - 2/14/2012, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 561-488 ATS (+24.2 Units) as a favorite since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 116-80 ATS (+28.0 Units) on Tuesday nights since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 244-189 ATS (+36.1 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 48-30 ATS (+15.0 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 2-2 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 3-1 straight up against DETROIT 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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UTAH (14 - 13) at OKLAHOMA CITY (21 - 6) - 2/14/2012, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 117-94 ATS (+13.6 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 6-2 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 7-2 straight up against UTAH 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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HOUSTON (16 - 12) at MEMPHIS (14 - 14) - 2/14/2012, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 73-49 ATS (+19.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 36-24 ATS (+9.6 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 38-22 ATS (+13.8 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 30-16 ATS (+12.4 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 155-120 ATS (+23.0 Units) after allowing 105 points or more since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 6-3 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 7-2 straight up against MEMPHIS 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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SACRAMENTO (10 - 17) at CHICAGO (23 - 7) - 2/14/2012, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 4-1 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 4-1 straight up against SACRAMENTO 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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PHOENIX (12 - 16) at DENVER (16 - 12) - 2/14/2012, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DENVER is 63-49 ATS (+9.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in road games in February games over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 49-32 ATS (+13.8 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 31-17 ATS (+12.3 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 66-45 ATS (+16.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 5-2 against the spread versus DENVER over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 4-4 straight up against PHOENIX 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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WASHINGTON (6 - 22) at PORTLAND (15 - 13) - 2/14/2012, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) as an underdog this season.
WASHINGTON is 17-36 ATS (-22.6 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 0-8 ATS (-8.8 Units) in road games off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 4-16 ATS (-13.6 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 17-32 ATS (-18.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 3-1 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 2-2 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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ATLANTA (18 - 10) at LA LAKERS (16 - 12) - 2/14/2012, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 12-25 ATS (-15.5 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 134-171 ATS (-54.1 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
ATLANTA is 41-65 ATS (-30.5 Units) in road games versus good defensive teams - allowing <=91 points/game since 1996.
LA LAKERS are 53-67 ATS (-20.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 11-26 ATS (-17.6 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAKERS is 2-2 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 3-1 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI vs. INDIANA
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Miami's last 10 games when playing on the road against Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Miami's last 12 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games when playing Miami
Indiana is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home
NEW YORK vs. TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of New York's last 22 games
New York is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Toronto's last 12 games when playing New York
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing at home against New York
SAN ANTONIO vs. DETROIT
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Antonio's last 5 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Antonio's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 7 games at home
Detroit is 5-1-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home
UTAH vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
Utah is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City
Utah is 1-5-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games
Oklahoma City is 5-1-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Utah
HOUSTON vs. MEMPHIS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games when playing on the road against Memphis
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Memphis's last 13 games
Memphis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
SACRAMENTO vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Sacramento's last 18 games
Sacramento is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Chicago is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games when playing Sacramento
Chicago is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
PHOENIX vs. DENVER
Phoenix is 3-5-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Denver
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Phoenix's last 8 games when playing on the road against Denver
Denver is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Denver is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Phoenix
WASHINGTON vs. PORTLAND
Washington is 6-19 SU in its last 25 games
Washington is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Portland's last 5 games when playing Washington
Portland is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games at home
ATLANTA vs. LA LAKERS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 7 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
Atlanta is 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta
MIAMI at INDIANA
MIAMI: 29-13 Under off win by 15+
INDIANA: 80-47 ATS revenging loss where they scored 85 pts or less
NEW YORK at TORONTO
NEW YORK: 13-1 ATS Away off 5+ ATS wins
TORONTO: 37-58 ATS as a home underdog of 3.5 to 6 points
SAN ANTONIO at DETROIT
SAN ANTONIO: 4-0 Over vs. Detroit
DETROIT: 38-18 Over in home games
UTAH at OKLAHOMA CITY
UTAH: 19-8 Under revenging double digit loss
OKLAHOMA CITY: 33-18 ATS off BB road games
HOUSTON at MEMPHIS
HOUSTON: 11-0 Under off a loss
MEMPHIS: 8-1 Under if total is 180 to 189.5
SACRAMENTO at CHICAGO
SACRAMENTO: 12-3 Under in road games
CHICAGO: 13-4 ATS off SU loss as road favorite
PHOENIX at DENVER
PHOENIX: 15-5 Under as underdog
DENVER: 24-8 Under off win by 6 pts or less
WASHINGTON at PORTLAND
WASHINGTON: 0-8 ATS Away off SU dog win
PORTLAND: 9-0 Under as double digit favorite
ATLANTA at LA LAKERS
ATLANTA: 9-0 Over Away off loss by 20+ points
LA LAKERS: 11-26 ATS at home off road win by 3 pts or less
Hoop Trends - Tuesday
By Vince Akins
VegasInsider.com
SU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Hawks are 0-11-1 ATS (-9.0 ppg) since November 09, 2004 as a dog after a double digit loss in which they had an assist to turnover ratio of at least two.
OU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Grizzlies are 10-0 OU (9.3 ppg) since December 30, 2000 as a home favorite when they shot less than 25% on threes in each of their last two games.
PLAYER BASED TREND OF THE DAY:
The Wizards are 0-10 ATS (-7.4 ppg) since December 05, 2010 on the road after a win in which John Wall was not the Wizards’ high scorer.
TODAY’S TRENDS:
The Knicks are 0-12-1 OU (-9.0 ppg) since December 15, 2008 on the road with at least one day of rest after a win in which they scored less than 15% of their points from the free throw line.
CHOICE TREND:
The Heat are 0-10 OU (-5.9 ppg) since April 25, 2009 as a favorite after a road win in which they shot at least ten three-pointers and made at least half of them.
Jeremy Lin Hysteria Continues Tuesday
Sportspic.com
The biggest story in the NBA right now is easily the Lin-sanity in New York surrounding Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin. From out of nowhere, Lin has become a media sensation and he looks to lead New York to its sixth straight win on Tuesday night when the Knicks visit Toronto. New York opened as a 3-point favorite on BOVADA's NBA basketball odds.
Lin, the former Harvard star and NBA’s first prominent Asian-American, was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday after averaging 27.3 points, 8.3 assists and 2.0 steals in leading to New York to a 4-0 week. His 109 points over his first four career starts are the most by any player since 1976-77, and he became the first player in NBA history to score at least 20 points and seven assists in each of his first four starts. Lin scored a career-high 38 points on Feb. 10, in a 92-85 win over the Lakers.
A year ago, Lin played 29 games for the Golden State Warriors and shot 38.9 percent, averaging 2.6 points per game. He also spent time in the D-League a year ago. A week ago he had 114 points in his NBA career; in five games since he's racked up 134. He scored more points in his first four starts than any other player since the ABA-NBA merger. New York is averaging 11 more points per 48 minutes with Lin on the floor. The Knicks' shooting percentage is five percent higher with Lin.
What’s even more astounding is that the Knicks (13-15) have played the past four games without stars Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony (Melo did play a few minutes last Monday). Stoudemire was away from the team because his brother died in car accident last Monday but is expected to play Tuesday. Anthony probably won’t be back before Friday due to a groin injury. Some are wondering whether Anthony can co-exist with Lin, but Stoudemire should thrive because he did playing alongside a good point guard in Steve Nash in coach Mike D'Antoni's system. He is likely going to be the Knick who benefits the most from Lin's playmaking ability. Anthony, meanwhile, traditionally thrives in isolation situations.
The Raptors (9-20) shouldn’t pose much of a problem for the Knicks. They have lost four of five and are just 4-8 at home. Plus leading scorer Andrea Bargnani remains out with a strained calf. Bargnani is averaging career bests of 23.5 points and 6.4 rebounds, as well as a 47.6% field-goal percentage and 6.4 free-throw attempts per game.
This is the second meeting of the season between the teams. Toronto pulled a 90-85 upset at New York on Jan. 2. Anthony had 35 points and 11 boards in the game, which Stoudemire missed with a sprained ankle. Lin didn’t play a single second.