Tuesday's Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Clippers (-6.5, 196.5)
Kevin Love may not have showed it last weekend, but he desperately needed a few days off.
After leading the league in the first half of the season by averaging about 40 minutes of work per game, the 6-foot-10 sharpshooter went out and won the 3-Point Shootout and then chipped in 17 points in 18 minutes to help the West win the All-Star game.
Outside of that, he didn’t do much over the break.
"I don't party, I don't drink, I won't be going out at night," Love told reporters before heading to Orlando. "I'm going to take this time to rest."
"Exhausted," he said after last week’s win over Utah. "I thought I was going to die in the first quarter. Yes, I need a break."
That win was the first time in five games that the Timberwolves failed to cover the number in five games and as long as Love doesn’t wear down, Minnesota is going to be a tough team to deal with in the second half.
The Timberwolves only won 17 games last year and have already reached that plateau this season while going 19-15 against the spread.
Pick: Timberwolves
Washington Wizards at Milwaukee Bucks (-8, 200)
Neither the Milwaukee Bucks nor the Washington Wizards had any representation at Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game.
Being a combined 26 games under .500 makes it hard to get individual players noticed in a positive light.
The Bucks stumbled into the break losers of two straight and six of seven, while covering just once over the last eight games. They got some good news over the weekend when it was revealed that Andrew Bogut will not need surgery on his ankle. But they are still without the starting center and his backup, Drew Gooden.
Milwaukee has not given up yet on its season but it also has yet to prove it can beat the better teams in the East. Of the Bucks’ last six losses, three came to the Orlando Magic along with one each against the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat.
They have also lost to Atlanta and Philadelphia, two more teams expected to coast into the playoffs. After the Wizards, Milwaukee will get a chance to measure itself as it begins a three-game road trip through Boston, Atlanta and Orlando before returning home to face Philadelphia and Chicago.
Pick: Bucks
Tuesday's NBA Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
The NBA season is back following a four-day pause thanks to All-Star weekend in Orlando. Nine games take place on the Tuesday card, including the Timberwolves and Clippers wrapping up the night at Staples Center. We'll highlight every contest as things begin in Cleveland with the upstart Cavaliers hosting the broken-down Celtics.
Celtics at Cavaliers
This Boston team is starting to resemble your father's Celtics. Unfortunately, the C's are beginning to look like old men in a hurry by dropping seven of their last eight games heading into the break. Boston isn't helping backers either with a 1-8 ATS record the previous nine contests, including five straight road losses. The Celtics head to Cleveland to face a Cavs' squad that has failed to cover each of their last four games. These two teams split a home-and-home series in late January, but the Cavs cashed each time as an underdog.
Warriors at Pacers
Indiana turned into one of the bigger surprises in the first half by posting a 21-12 record, as the Pacers welcome in the Warriors. Golden State continues a six-game road trip that began prior to the break with a 106-104 victory at Phoenix as four-point 'dogs. The Warriors own a 6-2 ATS record the last eight games, while busting the 100-point mark in nine of the previous 11 contests. Indiana is just 2-8 ATS the last 10 games, but the Pacers did steal a win at Oracle Arena on January 20 by beating the Warriors in the final seconds, 94-91.
76ers at Pistons
Philadelphia continues to lead the Atlantic Division at 20-14, but that also has to do with Boston and New York starting slow out of the gate. The Sixers wrapped up the first half in an unimpressive fashion with five consecutive SU/ATS defeats, while eclipsing the 90 point mark just once in this stretch. Philadelphia has beaten Detroit twice already this season, each as double-digit home favorites. The Pistons were a 'play-against' team the first month of the season, but Detroit is riding a 10-2 ATS run in February. In the last 10 games at the Palace of Auburn Hills, the Pistons own an 8-1-1 ATS ledger.
Raptors at Rockets
Houston finished the first half on an 18-9 ATS run, including a 7-2 ATS stretch at the Toyota Center. The Rockets host a Toronto squad that wrapped up a seven-game homestand at 2-5 after beating Detroit as short 'chalk.' The Raptors are still playing without leading scorer Andrea Bargnani, who has missed the last 14 games with a calf injury. Toronto has turned a profit recently by going 7-2-1 ATS the previous 10 contests, including covers as road 'dogs at Miami and Washington. The Rockets have won each of the last four home meetings with the Raptors, while going 3-0-1 ATS.
Hornets at Bulls
The hottest ATS team heading into the All-Star break was the Hornets, and that wasn't a question. New Orleans cashed in each of its final six games prior to the break, including four times when receiving at least nine points. The Hornets head to Chicago on Tuesday, looking to avenge a 23-point home setback to the Bulls on February 8. Derrick Rose returned to the Bulls' lineup after missing five games to lead Chicago to consecutive double-digit favorite victories over Atlanta and Milwaukee. The Bulls have compiled an 8-5 ATS record when laying at least 10 points, while the Hornets are 8-4 ATS when receiving at least nine points.
Wizards at Bucks
Milwaukee hasn't been able to duplicate the magical run of two seasons ago to the playoffs, as the Bucks look to get on track against the woeful Wizards. Washington hits the highway after losing each of its last four games, while dropping each contest by at least eight points each. The Bucks are just 1-7 ATS the last eight games, as Milwaukee has been limited to less than 100 points in each of the previous seven contests. Milwaukee routed Washington in the first meeting of the season at the Bradley Center, 102-81 as nine-point favorites.
Nets at Mavericks
New Jersey has turned into a tough team to figure out this season, as the Nets grabbed huge underdog road victories at Chicago and New York prior to the break. However, the Nets still remain at 10-25 as New Jersey heads to Dallas for a battle with the surging Mavericks. Dallas won 13 of its final 19 games of the first half, while going 13-4 the last 17 games at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks have done a fantastic job bouncing back from a loss, owning an 8-4 ATS mark, as Rick Carlisle's team was tripped up by the Lakers at home before the break.
Jazz at Kings
Sacramento came on late in the first half by cashing in 11 of its last 14 contests, as the Kings return home to host the Jazz. Utah dropped on its third straight game in last Wednesday's buzzer-beating setback at Minnesota, but the Jazz covered as five-point 'dogs. The Kings return to Northern California after winning just one of six games on their East Coast swing, while Sacramento looks to move to 4-1 in its last five home contests with a win. Utah's defense needs to improve after allowing at least 100 points in each of the previous five games, while going for its second win over Sacramento this season in two tries.
Wolves at Clippers
Minnesota embarks on a four-game road trip that starts at Staples Center on Tuesday. The Clippers lead the rival Lakers by 1½ games inside the Pacific Division race, as Vinny Del Negro's club picked up their 12th home victory in last Wednesday's 103-95 triumph over the Nuggets. Los Angeles hasn't covered in any of its previous three games, including losses to San Antonio and Golden State. The Wolves have turned into one of the best underdog plays in the league at 14-6 ATS, including a 5-1 ATS mark the last six road 'dog opportunities. Minnesota shocked Los Angeles, 101-98 as 4½-point 'dogs at Staples Center on January 20, thanks to a last-second three-pointer by Kevin Love.
Hot Teams
-- Warriors covered seven of their last ten games as a road underdog.
-- Pistons covered their last seven games as a home underdog.
-- Rockets covered six of last eight games as a home favorite. Toronto is 5-2 vs spread in last seven games as a road underdog.
-- New Orleans is 10-2 vs spread in last 12 games as road underdog.
-- Nets covered six of last eight games as a road underdog.
-- Minnesota covered five of last six games as a road underdog.
Cold Teams
-- Celtics lost their last five games, covered one of last nine. Cavaliers are 3-4 in last seven games, with all seven games at home.
-- 76ers lost six of their last seven games.
-- Pacers covered once in last seven games as a home favorite.
-- Bulls are 1-4-1 vs spread in last six games as home favorite.
-- Milwaukee lost six of its last seven games. Wizards are 3-9-1 against spread as road underdog this season.
-- Mavericks are 2-6-1 vs spread in last nine games as home favorite.
-- Jazz lost five of their last six games. Sacramento lost five of last six games but covered last three; locals will be happy about the agreement for a new arena that keeps the Kings from moving.
-- Clippers covered once in last four home games.
Wear and Tear
-- Teams all had the last few days off, so no wear-and-tear index until Thursday at the earliest.
Totals
-- Five of last six Cleveland home games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 9-1-1 in Golden State's last 11 road games.
-- 76ers' last four games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Toronto road games stayed under total.
-- Under is 5-2 in Chicago's last seven games.
-- Eight of last ten Milwaukee home games went over total.
-- Four of last five Dallas road games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Utah road games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last nine Minnesota road games went over the total.
Armadillosports.com
BOSTON (15 - 17) at CLEVELAND (13 - 18) - 2/28/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 52-67 ATS (-21.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 37-52 ATS (-20.2 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 11-24 ATS (-15.4 Units) in February games over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 19-31 ATS (-15.1 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 38-57 ATS (-24.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 13-24 ATS (-13.4 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 7-7 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 9-6 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
10 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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GOLDEN STATE (13 - 17) at INDIANA (21 - 12) - 2/28/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 52-31 ATS (+17.9 Units) in home games against Pacific division opponents since 1996.
INDIANA is 118-85 ATS (+24.5 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1996.
INDIANA is 15-27 ATS (-14.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 4-1 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 3-2 straight up against GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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PHILADELPHIA (20 - 14) at DETROIT (11 - 24) - 2/28/2012, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in February games this season.
DETROIT is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) second half of the season this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 68-52 ATS (+10.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 27-15 ATS (+10.5 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 5-4 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 5-4 straight up against PHILADELPHIA 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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TORONTO (10 - 23) at HOUSTON (20 - 14) - 2/28/2012, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 34-22 ATS (+9.8 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) in home games this season.
HOUSTON is 239-183 ATS (+37.7 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
HOUSTON is 31-19 ATS (+10.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 2-1 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 2-2 straight up against TORONTO 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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NEW ORLEANS (8 - 25) at CHICAGO (27 - 8) - 2/28/2012, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 77-55 ATS (+16.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 26-14 ATS (+10.6 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 14-2 ATS (+11.8 Units) after playing 3 consecutive home games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 155-114 ATS (+29.6 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 4-1 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 5-0 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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WASHINGTON (7 - 26) at MILWAUKEE (13 - 20) - 2/28/2012, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 10-23 ATS (-15.3 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 7-19 ATS (-13.9 Units) as an underdog this season.
WASHINGTON is 18-39 ATS (-24.9 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 31-51 ATS (-25.1 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 12-28 ATS (-18.8 Units) against Central division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
WASHINGTON is 168-212 ATS (-65.2 Units) after allowing 105 points or more since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in road games after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 50-32 ATS (+14.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 262-315 ATS (-84.5 Units) second half of the season since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 6-2 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
MILWAUKEE is 5-3 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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NEW JERSEY (10 - 25) at DALLAS (21 - 13) - 2/28/2012, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW JERSEY is 85-112 ATS (-38.2 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 35-57 ATS (-27.7 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 80-54 ATS (+20.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) as a home favorite of 9.5 to 12 points over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 2-2 against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 4-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY 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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UTAH (15 - 17) at SACRAMENTO (11 - 22) - 2/28/2012, 10:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 6-2 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 5-3 straight up against SACRAMENTO 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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MINNESOTA (17 - 17) at LA CLIPPERS (20 - 11) - 2/28/2012, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 32-48 ATS (-20.8 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) as an underdog this season.
LA CLIPPERS are 78-116 ATS (-49.6 Units) in February games since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 32-48 ATS (-20.8 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 5-4 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 6-3 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Hoops Trends - Tuesday
By Vince Akins
VegasInsider.com
SU TREND OF THE DAY:
The League is 10-0 ATS (10.6 ppg) since December 26, 2006 as a favorite with two or more days of rest after a home loss in which they attempted at least 10 more three pointers than their season-to-date average.
OU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Celtics are 10-0 OU (13.3 ppg) since January 25, 2000 with two or more days of rest after a double digit road loss in which they allowed at least 50% from the field.
PLAYER TREND OF THE DAY:
The Wizards are 0-14 ATS (-7.2 ppg) since December 16, 2010 with at least a day of rest after a loss in which Javale Mcgee shot better than 66% from the field.
CHOICE TREND:
The Kings are 10-0 OU (17.4 ppg) since November 21, 2008 at home off a win as a dog in which they trailed by 10+ points.
TODAY’S TRENDS:
The Wizards are 0-10 OU (-17.3 ppg) since April 18, 2007 on the road after a game in which they shot less than 60% from the free-throw line.
GOLDEN STATE vs. INDIANA
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Golden State's last 10 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Golden State is 1-9 ATS in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Indiana's last 20 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Indiana's last 10 games when playing at home against Golden State
BOSTON vs. CLEVELAND
Boston is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Boston's last 15 games when playing Cleveland
Cleveland is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Cleveland's last 15 games when playing Boston
PHILADELPHIA vs. DETROIT
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games
Detroit is 18-6 SU in its last 24 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Detroit is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
WASHINGTON vs. MILWAUKEE
Washington is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Milwaukee's last 13 games at home
Milwaukee is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home
TORONTO vs. HOUSTON
Toronto is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Houston's last 14 games when playing at home against Toronto
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
NEW ORLEANS vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Orleans's last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
New Orleans is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
Chicago is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing at home against New Orleans
NEW JERSEY vs. DALLAS
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games on the road
New Jersey is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games on the road
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against New Jersey
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas's last 7 games when playing New Jersey
UTAH vs. SACRAMENTO
Utah is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Utah is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Sacramento is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
Sacramento is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
MINNESOTA vs. LA CLIPPERS
Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games when playing LA Clippers
Minnesota is 3-6 SU in their last 9 games when playing LA Clippers
LA Clippers are 11-5 SU in their last 16 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 6 games
BOSTON at CLEVELAND
BOSTON: 32-9 Over Away w/ 3 days rest
CLEVELAND: 15-6 Under w/ revenge
GOLDEN STATE at INDIANA
GOLDEN STATE: 6-19 ATS off BB ATS wins
INDIANA: 19-9 Under at home off SU win
PHILADELPHIA at DETROIT
PHILADELPHIA: 11-1 Under off 3+ ATS losses
DETROIT: 10-2 ATS in February
TORONTO at HOUSTON
TORONTO: 14-4 Under off 3+ Overs
HOUSTON: 13-5 ATS in home games
NEW ORLEANS at CHICAGO
NEW ORLEANS: 28-13 Under vs. Eastern Conference
CHICAGO: 14-2 ATS off 3+ home games
WASHINGTON at MILWAUKEE
WASHINGTON: 7-16 ATS w/ revenge
MILWAUKEE: 6-2 ATS vs. Washington
NEW JERSEY at DALLAS
NEW JERSEY: 5-16 ATS Away off double digit home loss
DALLAS: 7-0 ATS as a home favorite of 6.5 to 12 points
UTAH at SACRAMENTO
UTAH: 2-6 ATS vs. Sacramento
SACRAMENTO: 11-0 Over at home if total is 200 to 204.5
MINNESOTA at LA CLIPPERS
MINNESOTA: 14-5 ATS as underdog
LA CLIPPERS: 0-7 ATS if favored L2 games