Pick 'n' roll: Tuesday's Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
Portland Trail Blazers at Indiana Pacers (-3.5, 190)
Now that the Indiana Pacers are facing an opponent with a sub-.500 record, maybe they can grab a victory.
The Pacers have not beaten a winning team since Feb. 3, and enter Tuesday’s contest with the visiting Portland Trail Blazers having dropped four straight - all to Eastern Conference playoff contenders.
The Blazers are only one game under .500 but have lost five of their last seven. Portland is at the midway point of a seven-game road trip, with the lone victory coming at the lowly Washington Wizards.
Indiana has sandwiched a pair of lengthy skids around a six-game winning steak, but the run came against some of the worst teams in the NBA.
“We beat up on bad teams but just can’t compete against the good teams,” forward David West said after a 107-94 loss to the Orlando Magic. “Games we’ve had against playoff-caliber teams, we’ve lost them. That’s the measure of where we are.”
One of the better defensive teams in the league at the beginning of the season, the Pacers have surrendered an average of 100.4 points in their last nine losses.
Pick: Pacers
Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers (-4, 193.5)
Everyone expected big things from Kyrie Irving, but maybe not this big, this early.
He scored 16 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 118-107 win over Houston and at this point, his teammates are starting to get used to his late-game heroics.
“This was fun to be a part of this because our guys, we like winning, man,” forward Samardo Samuels told reporters. “Our job is to come in and provide energy, so the starters can get a break. And when it comes to the fourth quarter, I’m like, ‘Here comes the Kyrie Show.’ He’s an unbelievable talent.”
Irving’s composure and talent has been a major part of Cleveland’s success so far this season. The Cavs were just a game out of eighth place heading into Monday’s action and had covered the number in four of their last five.
Toronto is 7-2 against the spread in its last nine, but will likely be without Jose Calderon (ankle).
Pick: Cavs
Tuesday's NBA Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
The Tuesday NBA card gives bettors eight games to wager on as the first round of the NCAA Tournament gets underway. There is plenty of quality of matchups, including the Lakers hitting the road in Memphis, while the Hawks and Nuggets meet in Denver. We'll start with the battle of the Sunshine State in Orlando as the Dwight Howard trade countdown continues.
Heat at Magic
These two rivals meet up for the third time this season with the home team claiming each of the first two matchups. The trade deadline hits on Thursday afternoon as the Magic takes on two of the top teams in the league with the Heat on Tuesday and the Spurs on Wednesday. Howard's name has been rumored since before the season started as being the top candidate to be traded before he hits the free agent market this summer. In spite of all the trade whispers, Orlando is riding an 11-4 SU and 9-6 ATS run the last 15 games to sit five behind Miami in the Southeast. The Heat has covered only one of the previous five contests, but Miami owns a 6-2 ATS mark the last eight road games.
Raptors at Cavaliers
Cleveland is quietly making an impact in the ATS department by winning three straight games. The Cavs knocked off the Nuggets and Thunder as double-digit underdogs, while outlasting the reeling Rockets on Sunday. The Raptors were in the midst of a 7-0 ATS run before dropping each of the last two games against Pistons and Bucks. Toronto owns a 4-1 ATS record the past five games on the highway, including close losses at Washington and Houston. The Cavs are playing with double-revenge after losing the first two meetings with the Raptors, including a 104-96 setback in the season opener at Quicken Loans Arena.
Blazers at Pacers
Two of the league's oddest teams to figure out meet in Indianapolis as the Blazers continue a seven-game road trip. Portland hasn't won consecutive games since January 24, while compiling a 1-8 SU/ATS off a victory the last nine times out. Indiana returns home following a pair of losses at Miami and Orlando, as the Pacers are in the midst of a four-game losing skid. The home-court advantage for Indiana has been missing for a while with a 2-9 ATS mark the last 11 games, as the lone covers came against Charlotte and Golden State. These two teams split a pair of meetings last season as the home squad won each time.
Lakers at Grizzlies
Memphis is back at home after getting kicked out of the FedEx Forum for a few days thanks to the Conference USA tournament. The Grizzlies finished up a three-game road swing at 2-1 SU/ATS after holding off the Nuggets as six-point 'dogs, 94-91 on Sunday. The Lakers head to Tennessee following Sunday's victory over the Lakers, the fifth in the last seven games. Los Angeles owns a putrid 1-6-1 ATS record the previous eight contests away from Staples Center, while going 4-8 ATS in the road 'dog role. The Grizzlies are a strong 15-5 SU mark at home, but just 8-7 ATS as a favorite. Memphis and Los Angeles split four meetings last season, while the Lakers took the first matchup in early January, 90-82 as 7½-point home 'chalk.'
Rockets at Thunder
Houston has hit the skids since a promising start, putting together a 2-6 SU and 0-8 ATS mark since the All-Star break. The Rockets wrap up this disastrous five-game road swing with a trip to Oklahoma City. The Thunder has lost only two games at home all season, while coming off a blowout of the dreadful Bobcats on Saturday, 122-95 as 17-point favorites. OKC owns a 2-1 SU and 1-2 ATS record against Houston this season, but the Rockets will once again be without starting point guard Kyle Lowry, who is out with an infection. The Thunder has dominated at Chesapeake Energy Arena all season long, but Oklahoma City has covered two games in succession at home only once this season.
Wizards at Mavericks
Dallas became the third team in 27 tries this season that failed to cash in all three games in the 3/3 nights sequence. The Mavs lost at Phoenix, Sacramento, and Golden State on three consecutive nights, while dropping eight of their previous 10 contests. The Wizards continue their trip through Texas following Monday's game at San Antonio, as Washington is 1-7 SU and 3-5 ATS with no rest. Dallas has been solid at home off a road loss, going 6-0 SU and 5-1 ATS, as the lone ATS loss came against Utah in which the Jazz made a late run to grab the backdoor cover.
Hawks at Nuggets
Atlanta snapped a two-game skid with Sunday's comeback victory at Sacramento as short road 'dogs. The Hawks continue their road trip at the Pepsi Center, battling a Nuggets' team that is 1-3 ATS the previous four games at home. Denver is in the midst of a season-high nine-game homestand, but George Karl's club has cashed just three of the last 12 contests in the 'chalk' role. The Hawks are riding a 5-0 ATS streak in their last five games as an underdog, including outright victories over Orlando, Indiana, and Oklahoma City.
Warriors at Kings
Golden State is coming off consecutive impressive victories over the Mavericks and Clippers, as the Warriors head to Sacramento on Tuesday. The Kings fell short in Sunday's loss to the Hawks, as Sacramento will be favored for the seventh time this season (3-3 ATS). The Warriors and Kings have split their first two meetings with the home team winning each time. Golden State owns a 1-4 SU/ATS record the last five road games off a victory, as all four losses are by seven points or more.
Hot Teams
-- Orlando won/covered five of last six home games.
-- Cleveland won its last three games, covered four of last five.
-- Memphis won its last six home games (4-2 vs spread).
-- Thunder won 15 of last 16 home games (6-6 vs spread last 12).
-- Hawks won five of their last six games. Denver won five of seven, but is 3-10 vs spread in its last 13 home games.
-- Warriors won three of their last four games.
Cold Teams
-- Miami lost three of its last five games (1-4 vs spread).
-- Raptors lost four of last five on road, but covered four of the five.
-- Trailblazers lost five of their last seven games. Indiana lost its last four games (1-3 vs spread).
-- Lakers are 4-7 in their last eleven road games.
-- Rockets lost six of their last seven games.
-- Dallas lost seven of its last nine games. Wizards lost nine of last 11 games (1-4 vs spread last five on road).
-- Kings lost five of their last seven games.
Wear-and-Tear
-- Heat: Had last two nites off. Magic: 2nd game/3 nites.
-- Raptors: 3rd game/4 nites. Cavaliers: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Blazers: Had last two nites off. Pacers: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Lakers: 3rd game/5 nites. Grizzlies: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Rockets: 3rd game/4 days. Thunder: Had last two nites off.
-- Wizards: 3rd game/4 nites. Mavericks: Had last two nites off.
-- Hawks: 3rd game/5 nites. Nuggets: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Warriors: 3rd game/4 nites. Kings: 3rd game/5 nites.
Totals
-- Last four Miami games stayed under the total.
-- Last three Toronto games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Portland games went over the total.
-- Five of Lakers' last seven road games went over.
-- Last six Houston games went over the total.
-- Over is 7-0-1 in last eight Washington games.
-- Under is 9-3 in Atlanta's last twelve road games.
-- Six of last seven Sacramento games went over total. Five of last six Golden State road games stayed under.
Back-to-Back
-- Washington is 3-4-1 vs spread if it played night before.
Armadillosports.com
MIAMI (31 - 9) at ORLANDO (27 - 15) - 3/13/2012, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 5-5 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO is 5-5 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TORONTO (13 - 28) at CLEVELAND (16 - 23) - 3/13/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 31-54 ATS (-28.4 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 190 and 194.5 points over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 6-3 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 5-4 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTLAND (20 - 21) at INDIANA (23 - 16) - 3/13/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 0-8 ATS (-8.8 Units) in road games after a win by 10 points or more this season.
PORTLAND is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 119-85 ATS (+25.5 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 2-1 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 3-1 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LA LAKERS (25 - 16) at MEMPHIS (24 - 16) - 3/13/2012, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 4-4 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 5-3 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOUSTON (22 - 20) at OKLAHOMA CITY (32 - 9) - 3/13/2012, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 6-5 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 6-5 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WASHINGTON (9 - 31) at DALLAS (23 - 20) - 3/13/2012, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 13-27 ATS (-16.7 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 10-21 ATS (-13.1 Units) as an underdog this season.
WASHINGTON is 19-40 ATS (-25.0 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 21-33 ATS (-15.3 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 136-176 ATS (-57.6 Units) when playing on back-to-back days since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 171-213 ATS (-63.3 Units) after allowing 105 points or more since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 20-34 ATS (-17.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 82-61 ATS (+14.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 124-91 ATS (+23.9 Units) when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 3-1 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 3-1 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
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATLANTA (24 - 17) at DENVER (23 - 19) - 3/13/2012, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 55-80 ATS (-33.0 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points since 1996.
ATLANTA is 14-28 ATS (-16.8 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 136-174 ATS (-55.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
DENVER is 71-55 ATS (+10.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 36-23 ATS (+10.7 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) in home games against Southeast division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
DENVER is 27-13 ATS (+12.7 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 3-1 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 3-1 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOLDEN STATE (17 - 21) at SACRAMENTO (14 - 27) - 3/13/2012, 10:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 5-5 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 5-5 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
TORONTO vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Toronto is 2-11 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Cleveland's last 18 games
MIAMI vs. ORLANDO
Miami is 7-15-1 ATS in its last 23 games when playing Orlando
Miami is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Orlando's last 7 games
Orlando is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
PORTLAND vs. INDIANA
Portland is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games when playing Indiana
Portland is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Indiana is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Indiana's last 19 games at home
LA LAKERS vs. MEMPHIS
The total has gone OVER in 9 of the LA Lakers last 12 games
LA Lakers are 9-3 SU in their last 12 games when playing Memphis
Memphis is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Memphis's last 6 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
HOUSTON vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games when playing Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston
Oklahoma City is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing Houston
WASHINGTON vs. DALLAS
Washington is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington's last 7 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Dallas's last 7 games at home
Dallas is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games
ATLANTA vs. DENVER
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing on the road against Denver
Atlanta is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Denver
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver's last 6 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Denver is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Atlanta
GOLDEN STATE vs. SACRAMENTO
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 5 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Golden State's last 16 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
Sacramento is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Sacramento's last 5 games when playing at home against Golden State
MIAMI at ORLANDO
MIAMI: 13-5 UNDER after having won 8 or more of their last 10 games
ORLANDO: 15-5 UNDER on Tuesday nights
TORONTO at CLEVELAND
TORONTO: 14-5 ATS after having lost 2 of their last 3 games
CLEVELAND: 13-26 ATS revenging a loss vs opponent of 10 points or more
PORTLAND at INDIANA
PORTLAND: 0-8 ATS in road games after a win by 10 points or more
INDIANA: 42-27 ATS after failing to cover 2 of their last 3 against the spread
LA LAKERS at MEMPHIS
LA LAKERS: 0-7 ATS in road games after a win by 6 points or less
MEMPHIS: 34-21 ATS as a home favorite
HOUSTON at OKLAHOMA CITY
HOUSTON: 4-14 ATS in road games after 2 consecutive non-conference games
OKLAHOMA CITY: 33-19 ATS revenging a road loss vs opponent
WASHINGTON at DALLAS
WASHINGTON: 11-24 ATS after 2 or more consecutive overs
DALLAS: 82-61 ATS in all games
ATLANTA at DENVER
ATLANTA: 14-28 ATS in non-conference games
DENVER: 10-1 ATS in home games against Southeast division opponents
GOLDEN STATE at SACRAMENTO
GOLDEN STATE: 6-16 ATS after having won 3 of their last 4 games
SACRAMENTO: 17-6 OVER in March games
Hoop Trends - Tuesday
By Vince Akins
VegasInsider.com
SU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Warriors are 0-10 ATS (-15.1 ppg) since December 18, 2005 on the road after a road win in which they shot at least ten three-pointers and made at least half of them.
OU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Heat are 11-0 OU (10.5 ppg) since November 05, 2010 on the road with at least one day of rest after a game in which they allowed less than 40% from the field.
PLAYER TREND OF THE DAY:
The Hawks are 0-10 OU (-12.7 ppg) since February 16, 2011 on the road after a win on the road in which Jeff Teague was not the Hawks’ high scorer.
CHOICE TREND:
The Rockets are 13-0-1 ATS (7.8 ppg) since November 20, 2004 on the road with at least one day of rest after a loss in which they made more baskets than their opponent.
TODAY’S TRENDS:
The Mavericks are 0-8 OU (-14.6 ppg) since March 20, 2011 at home after a loss in which Dirk Nowitzki was the Mavericks’ high scorer.