Tuesday's Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
Oklahoma City Thunder at Portland Trail Blazers (4.5, 198.5)
The Oklahoma City Thunder used Sunday’s game against Miami as a major stepping stone, blowing out the Heat 103-87.
Kevin Durant put up 28 points, but also had a lot of help from Kendrick Perkins, Serge Ibaka and Nick Collison inside. Those three bigs combined for 37 points.
"Those guys do such a great job playing off everybody," Durant told reporters. "They are bigs that do not need the ball in their hand all the time to score. They get offensive rebounds, they get into the paint, and Serge is such a great jump shooter. He makes it easy on me. They did a great job tonight not only on offense but on defense as well."
The Thunder look ready to get on a nice run, but you have to be a little wary of a letdown after Sunday’s big win.
We’ll stick with the over.
Pick: Over
San Antonio Spurs at Phoenix Suns (2, 201.5)
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich knows this condensed schedule is going to be tough for his aging team down the stretch and he’s doing everything he can to save their legs.
With his club playing three games in as many days, he went without Tony Parker one night, Manu Ginobili for another and Tim Duncan for the last contest. San Antonio won all three games, covering the number twice.
"I think that they showed a lot of toughness, a lot of character to do that three nights in a row with different combinations and different players playing each night," Popovich said. "What's really great is they appreciate and are happy with the success of their teammates. Whoever's not playing isn't hoping that something bad happens so he can get into the game or anything like that. They really pull for each other."
The Suns are in good spirits as well, having won six of eight while covering seven times. They’re right in the thick of the playoff race and need to keep the hot streak going, but will have a tough time against the Spurs.
Pick: Spurs
Tuesday's NBA Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Seven games take place on the Tuesday NBA card, as each contest involves conference opponents hooking up. The night wraps up with three games on the West Coast, including the Thunder heading to the Pacific Northwest for a battle with the Blazers. We'll begin in Philadelphia as the struggling Cavaliers play with revenge against a 76ers' squad looking to find their identity.
Cavaliers at 76ers
Cleveland has dropped six of its last seven games, including Sunday's home blowout loss to Phoenix. The Cavs head to the City of Brotherly Love to take on Sixers' team that has alternated wins and losses in each of the previous five games. Philadelphia scored just 27 second half points in Sunday's 93-76 loss at San Antonio as three-point underdogs, dropping to 2-4 ATS the last six games. Cleveland is riding a 4-2 ATS run the previous six contests in the road 'dog role, including victories at Oklahoma City and Denver. The Sixers routed the Cavs in their last meeting at Quicken Loans Arena, 99-84 as 7½-point favorites on February 11. Philadelphia received 50 points from its bench, while limiting Cleveland to 37% shooting from the floor.
Wolves at Grizzlies
Memphis returns home following a four-game road trip in which the Grizzlies closed it out with a win over the Lakers. The Wolves head to Memphis with double-revenge after Minnesota dropped the first two meetings earlier this season. Both games finished 'under' the total, while the Wolves picked up a backdoor cover in the last matchup in Memphis without Kevin Love in the lineup. The MVP candidate racked up his eighth 30-point, 15 rebound performance of the season in Sunday's home blowout of the Nuggets. The Grizzlies own a solid 16-7 record at FedEx Forum, but have failed to cover each of their last three home contests. Minnesota is profiting in the role of a road 'dog, going 5-2 ATS the previous seven games in this situation.
Hawks at Bucks
Atlanta outlasted Utah in the longest game of the season, 139-133 in four overtimes on Sunday night. What made that win even more impressive for Larry Drew's team is that was the third game in as many nights for the Hawks. Now, Atlanta heads to Milwaukee to take on a Bucks' team playing for the fifth time in six nights. The Bucks haven't had the best of luck against the Hawks this season, losing twice, including a late meltdown in a 99-94 defeat at Philips Arena in early March. Scott Skiles' club is 9-2 ATS the last 11 games, but both losses came at the Bradley Center to the Celtics and Pacers. However, this is the worst rest situation for the Bucks, who are 5-11 ATS when playing with no rest following Monday's loss at New York.
Rockets at Mavericks
Dallas held off Houston in overtime on Saturday night as three-point road 'dogs, 101-99, as the Texas state rivals meet for the second time in four days. The venue shifts to the American Airlines Center, as the Mavs hope to avoid a look-ahead spot by heading to Miami for an NBA Finals rematch on Wednesday. Rick Carlisle's squad is riding an 8-1 'over' run the last nine games, even though they have broken the 100-point mark only five times in this stretch. The Rockets are still without their starting backcourt of Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin, but Houston is 2-1 ATS the last three games as a road underdog. The Mavs are 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS in the previous five meetings in the series, including a pair of home victories last season.
Spurs at Suns
Phoenix salvaged its four-game road trip following losses at Miami and Orlando, as the Suns knocked off the Pacers and Cavs in the final two stops. The Suns return to the Valley for a meeting with old playoff rival San Antonio, as the Spurs go for their eighth win in nine games. San Antonio is playing its fourth game in five nights after winning all three times in the 3-in-3 sequence, including Sunday's rout of Philadelphia. Phoenix has compiled an impressive 12-3 ATS mark the last 15 contests, including an 8-1 ATS record at home. The Spurs grabbed the first meeting of the season at home, 102-91 on January 15 as 8½-point 'chalk.'
Thunder at Blazers
Oklahoma City and Portland meet for the fourth and final time this season, as the Thunder goes for their third victory in the series. The Blazers rallied past the Warriors on Sunday night, 90-87, but failed to cash as 10-point home favorites. The Thunder looks to avoid a letdown after dominating the Heat on Sunday, 103-87, but OKC has struggled to maintain consistency in the ATS department. Oklahoma City has alternated ATS wins and losses in each of the last 12 games, coming off the cover as two-point 'chalk' against Miami. The Blazers haven't been able to capitalize off a win recently, posting an 0-12 SU and 2-10 ATS the last 12 games off a victory (each cover came in the 'dog role against the Mavs and Lakers).
Lakers at Warriors
Golden State returns to the Bay Area for a three-game homestand starting with the Lakers heading to town. Los Angeles has struggled recently to cover numbers by going 1-5 ATS the last six games, including an 0-5 ATS ledger as favorites. Mike Brown's team isn't cashing tickets in the road 'chalk' role, posting a 2-8-1 ATS record in that situation, as both wins came in overtime. The Warriors own an 8-3 ATS mark the last 11 games, but Mark Jackson's club has split its previous eight home contests from an ATS perspective. The Lakers topped Golden State, 97-90 in early January at Staples Center, but the Warriors cashed as 10½-point 'dogs.
Hot Teams
-- 76ers are 8-1 vs spread as home favorite of 8+ points.
-- Minnesota is 12-4 as road underdog of 4+ points.
-- Hawks won six of their last seven games.
-- Rockets won three of last four games; they're 5-3 as road underdogs of 6+ points. Dallas won nine of last twelve home games, but covered just two of last eight at home.
-- Phoenix is 12-3 vs spread since All-Star break. Spurs won seven of last eight games, but are 2-7 as road favorite.
-- Oklahoma City won four of its last five games- they're 5-8-1 as road favorites of 3+ points. Blazers won three of last four at home.
-- Lakers won/covered four of their last five road games.
Cold Teams
-- Cavaliers lost six of last seven games; they're 13-8 as road dogs.
-- Grizzlies lost five of their last seven games.
-- Bucks lost three of their last four games.
-- Warriors lost four of their last six home games.
Wear-and-Tear
-- Cavaliers: 3rd game/5 nites. 76ers: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- T'wolves: 3rd game/5 nites. Grizzlies: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Hawks: 7th game/10 nites. Bucks: 5th game/6 nites.
-- Rockets: 3rd game/4 nites. Mavericks: Had last two nites off.
-- Spurs: 4th game/5 nites. Suns: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Thunder: 3rd game/5 nites. Trailblazers: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Lakers: 3rd game/5 nites. Warriors: 12th game/18 nites.
Totals
-- Over is 6-3-1 in Cleveland's last ten road games.
-- Four of last five Minnesota games went over total.
-- Six of last seven Milwaukee home games went over.
-- 11 of last 14 Houston games went over the total.
-- Six of last nine Phoenix games went over the total.
-- Six of Thunder's last seven road games stayed under.
-- Last five Laker games went over the total.
Back-to-Back
-- Milwaukee is 1-7-1 vs spread at home if it played on road nite before.
-- Rockets are 2-7 vs spread on road if they played night before.
Armadillosports.com
CLEVELAND (17 - 29) at PHILADELPHIA (27 - 22) - 3/27/2012, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 4-4 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 5-3 straight up against PHILADELPHIA 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 (24 - 26) at MEMPHIS (26 - 21) - 3/27/2012, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 81-59 ATS (+16.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 42-27 ATS (+12.3 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 43-22 ATS (+18.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 24-12 ATS (+10.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 21-9 ATS (+11.1 Units) as an underdog this season.
MINNESOTA is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) in road games after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 21-12 ATS (+7.8 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 7-3 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS is 9-1 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
8 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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ATLANTA (30 - 20) at MILWAUKEE (22 - 27) - 3/27/2012, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 195 and 199.5 points over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 138-175 ATS (-54.5 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 10-6 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 10-6 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
11 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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HOUSTON (27 - 23) at DALLAS (28 - 22) - 3/27/2012, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 85-65 ATS (+13.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 124-92 ATS (+22.8 Units) when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.
DALLAS is 53-30 ATS (+20.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 31-14 ATS (+15.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 84-43 ATS (+36.7 Units) in road games after allowing 105 points or more since 1996.
DALLAS is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) in home games in March games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 6-3 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 7-2 straight up against HOUSTON 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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SAN ANTONIO (33 - 14) at PHOENIX (25 - 24) - 3/27/2012, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 63-38 ATS (+21.2 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in March games this season.
PHOENIX is 67-47 ATS (+15.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 39-21 ATS (+15.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 28-18 ATS (+8.2 Units) in all games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 570-493 ATS (+27.7 Units) as a favorite since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) second half of the season this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 142-106 ATS (+25.4 Units) in March games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 116-82 ATS (+25.8 Units) on Tuesday nights since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 248-192 ATS (+36.8 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
PHOENIX is 22-38 ATS (-19.8 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 9-3 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 7-5 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
9 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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OKLAHOMA CITY (37 - 12) at PORTLAND (23 - 26) - 3/27/2012, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 129-104 ATS (+14.6 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 67-48 ATS (+14.2 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) in road games on Tuesday nights since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 5-5 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 6-5 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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LA LAKERS (30 - 19) at GOLDEN STATE (20 - 27) - 3/27/2012, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA LAKERS are 62-78 ATS (-23.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 52-66 ATS (-20.6 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 18-32 ATS (-17.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 107-68 ATS (+32.2 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs since 1996.
LA LAKERS are 79-49 ATS (+25.1 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 6-3 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 8-1 straight up against GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND vs. PHILADELPHIA
Cleveland is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Philadelphia's last 19 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Cleveland
ATLANTA vs. MILWAUKEE
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games at home
Milwaukee is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games at home
MINNESOTA vs. MEMPHIS
Minnesota is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing on the road against Memphis
Memphis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Memphis's last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota
HOUSTON vs. DALLAS
Houston is 2-7-1 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
Houston is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas's last 6 games at home
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Houston
SAN ANTONIO vs. PHOENIX
San Antonio is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 7 of San Antonio's last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Phoenix's last 9 games at home
Phoenix is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. PORTLAND
Oklahoma City is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Oklahoma City's last 7 games on the road
Portland is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Portland's last 6 games
LA LAKERS vs. GOLDEN STATE
LA Lakers are 8-17 ATS in their last 25 games on the road
LA Lakers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games on the road
Golden State is 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games
CLEVELAND at PHILADELPHIA
CLEVELAND: 1-6 ATS revenging loss where team scored 85 pts or less
PHILADELPHIA: 4-0 Under off double digit road loss
MINNESOTA at MEMPHIS
MINNESOTA: 21-9 ATS as underdog
MEMPHIS: 8-2 Under vs. Minnesota
ATLANTA at MILWAUKEE
ATLANTA: 3-14 ATS Away after allowing 120+
MILWAUKEE: 12-3 Over playing on back to back days
HOUSTON at DALLAS
HOUSTON: 11-3 Over in March
DALLAS: 11-0 ATS off division win
SAN ANTONIO at PHOENIX
SAN ANTONIO: 17-7 ATS L24 games
PHOENIX: 4-12 ATS revenging road loss
OKLAHOMA CITY at PORTLAND
OKLAHOMA CITY: 8-0 Under Away if they made 50%+ or better of 3pt shots last game
PORTLAND: 2-13 ATS revenging loss where opp scored 110+
LA LAKERS at GOLDEN STATE
LA LAKERS: 4-13 ATS off home loss
GOLDEN STATE: 21-7 Over vs. Lakers
Hoop Trends - Tuesday
By Vince Akins
VegasInsider.com
SU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Mavericks are 10-0 ATS (9.5 ppg) since November 28, 2008 with two or more days of rest after a game in which their field goal attempt per turnover ratio was at least eight.
OU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Hawks are 0-11 OU (-9.7 ppg) since May 04, 2010 on the road after a game in which they allowed less than 40% from the field.
PLAYER TREND OF THE DAY:
The 76ers are 11-0 ATS (9.4 ppg) since October 29, 2010 at home after a loss in which Thaddeus Young took fewer than 10 shots.
CHOICE TREND:
The Warriors are 11-0 ATS (11.8 ppg) since February 08, 2009 after a game on the road in which they had at least ten fewer assists than in the game before.
TODAY’S TRENDS:
The Thunder are 0-11-1 OU (-13.6 ppg) since January 30, 2009 on the road after a home win in which they shot at least ten three-pointers and made at least half of them.The Warriors are 10-0 OU (12.1 ppg) since March 26, 2007 as a home dog with at most one day of rest after a loss in which they made more baskets than their opponent.