Tuesday's Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
Sacramento Kings at Dallas Mavericks (NA)
The Mavericks have been sputtering and need a sharp turnaround to ensure they will get a chance to defend their NBA championship. Dallas has lost four of six, while the Kings have dropped four straight and nine of 11.
Forward Lamar Odom’s brief stay in Dallas is over after the organization’s patience ended. Odom has been a nonfactor all season long after being acquired from the Los Angeles Lakers. He never found his groove and has been bothered by personal issues while averaging a career-low 6.6 points. “We’ve got to be able to look down that bench and count on folks to be consistent,” general manager Donnie Nelson said. “Unfortunately with him in his state right now, he’s just not capable of doing that.” Odom was the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year last season.
Sacramento’s mid-January visit to Dallas resulted in one of the poorest efforts in franchise history. The Kings scored just 60 points – fewest ever allowed by the Mavericks – and shot just 25.6 percent from the field. Sacramento set a dubious mark for points scored in a half as it trailed 52-23 at intermission. The Kings rebounded to defeat Dallas at home in March to end a 10-game losing skid to the Mavericks.
Sacramento hopes to get leading scorer Marcus Thornton back on Tuesday. Thornton, who averages 18.7 points, has missed the four-game skid with a calf injury.
The home team is 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings.
Pick: Mavericks
Orlando Magic at Washington Wizards (N/A)
Washington received 67 points from its bench as the Wizards destroyed the lowly Charlotte Bobcats on Monday in a matchup of the NBA's worst teams.
Orlando has won two straight after dropping five in a row. Center Dwight Howard sat out Monday because of back spasms and is questionable Tuesday.
Washington guard John Wall managed only two points, but dished out 12 assists in the romp. In his previous 23 games since the All-Star break, Wall averaged 17.0 points and 7.8 assists.
The Magic are 61-30 all-time against Washington and Orlando have scored at least 100 points in their last nine contests versus the Wizards.
Pick: Over
Tuesday's NBA Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
The Tuesday NBA card showcases just six contests, with five games involves Eastern Conference opponents. The ESPN doubleheader features the Heat and Celtics in the opener, followed by a rematch of Sunday's thriller between the Knicks and Bulls as the venue shifts to Chicago. We'll start in the Nation's Capital with the beat-up Wizards hosting a dysfunctional Orlando bunch.
Magic at Wizards
These two Southeast Division rivals aren't playing their best basketball right now, as Orlando attempts to get on track with a victory. Washington has struggled all season long, but recent injuries to their frontcourt in Nene and Trevor Booker has left this team with absolutely no depth. The Magic hopes to pencil Dwight Howard back into the lineup after missing Monday's game against the Pistons with back spasms. Orlando is just 1-5 SU/ATS the last six games, while allowing at least 100 points four times in this span. The Wizards have dropped 10 of the past 11 contests, as the Washington offense has failed to bust the 100-point mark in this stretch.
Celtics at Heat
The last time these two clubs hooked up in Boston on April Fool's Day, the Celtics embarrassed the Heat in a 91-72 rout as four-point underdogs. Miami looks not to get fooled again as the Heat wraps up a five-game homestand, while going for its 19th victory in 20 tries at the American Airlines Arena. Dwyane Wade is expected to return to the Heat lineup after missing Sunday's blowout of Detroit with a sore ankle. Boston is quietly riding a 7-2 SU and 7-1-1 ATS stretch, as the defense has tightened up by limiting each of its last 13 opponents below 100 points. The Heat continues to cash 'unders' at a rapid pace at home with a 16-4 'under' mark the last 20 games in South Florida. Miami attempts to win its sixth straight home meeting against Boston, while the Heat is 4-1 ATS.
Bobcats at Cavaliers
There's always got to be one of these games on the card, but the good news is one of these two teams will pick up a win. Charlotte plays its second game in as many nights following Monday's contest against Washington, while Cleveland goes for its fourth consecutive cover. The Cavs have lost 10 of their previous 11 games, with the only victory coming as seven-point 'dogs at Toronto on Friday without Kyrie Irving and Anthony Parker in the lineup. Cleveland is 2-0 SU/ATS in two meetings against Charlotte this season, while scoring at least 102 points in each win. Byron Scott's team isn't wowing the home fans by posting a 3-11 SU and 2-12 ATS mark the previous 14 games at Quicken Loans Arena.
76ers at Nets
Philadelphia has hit a wall following a strong start by compiling a 4-10 SU/ATS record the last 14 contests. The Sixers try to snap a four-game skid against a Nets' team that is coming off consecutive home victories over the Wizards and Cavaliers. New Jersey is suddenly a solid ATS play by cashing in six of the last nine games, including a 4-1 ATS ledger as an underdog. The Nets shocked the Sixers in the only meeting of the season on January 25, a 97-90 overtime triumph as 11½-point 'dogs, one of three outright victories by New Jersey when receiving double-digits. Philadelphia is in the midst of a 1-6 SU run away from the Wells Fargo Center, as the lone win came at Charlotte on March 19.
Kings at Mavericks
The defending World Champions may be running out of gas right now by dropping six of their previous 10 games. Dallas looks to snap a two-game skid as Sacramento comes to town, going for its first victory in five contests. The Kings have turned into a great 'fade' recently by failing to cover nine of their last 11 games, including a 1-7 ATS record as an underdog in this stretch. Dallas has dominated this series with nine wins in the last 10 meetings, but the Kings took care of the Mavs as 1 ½-point home 'dogs, 110-97 in early March.
Knicks at Bulls
Chicago has dropped three of its past four, including Sunday's overtime defeat at New York, 100-99 as three-point favorites. Derrick Rose returned to the Bulls' lineup after a 12-game absence, but Carmelo Anthony took center-stage by dropping 43 points, including the game-winning jumper in overtime. The Knicks are rolling during this current 11-3 SU/ATS stretch, while cashing five of seven opportunities in the 'dog role. The Bulls are 9-4 ATS off a loss this season, but three of those ATS defeats came in straight-up wins as double-digit 'chalk.'
NBA on ESPN: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com
Boston Celtics at Miami Heat (-7.5, 183.5)
THE STORY: The compressed 66-game schedule is a test of teams’ conditioning, so it’s a surprise that the Heat, and not the veteran-laden Celtics, are hitting the wall with three weeks to go. Miami, which led the NBA in scoring for most of the season, is averaging under 90 points in its last five games and has topped the century mark just twice in the last 13 outings.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (32-24, 28-26-2 ATS): While younger clubs fade down the stretch, the Celtics’ toughness and experience has boosted them to the top of the Atlantic Division and into the No. 4 spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Boston made a huge statement with a 24-point win over Philadelphia Sunday, marking its seventh win in the last nine games. Defense remains the backbone in Beantown; the Celts have allowed just 81.6 points in that span, keeping five of those nine opponents under 80 points.
ABOUT THE HEAT (40-15, 27-28 ATS): Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has denied claimshe’ll rest players down the final stretch of the season, but he did give star guard Dwyane Wade the night off against Detroit on Sunday. Wade has been nursing a sore right ankle and has missed 11 games this season, with Miami going 10-1 in those contests. LeBron James scored 26 points Sunday and is averaging 30 points when Wade is out of the lineup.
TRENDS:
* The home team is 7-2 ATS in the last nine meetings.
* The over is 4-0 in the last four meetings in Miami.
* Boston is 15-5-2 ATS in its last 22 games overall.
* Miami is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games vs. winning teams.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Chris Bosh, the other member of the Heat’s Big Three, averages 24.5 points when Wade is sidelined – more than six points above his season average.
2. These teams have split two games this season, but Miami has won six of the last eight meetings.
3. Avery Bradley continues to start in place of Ray Allen. The second-year guard is averaging 13.6 points since joining the starting five on March 25.
New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls (-9, 186)
THE STORY: The Knicks are coming off an impressive victory over the Bulls and can bolster their playoff aspirations when they visit Chicago on Tuesday. New York posted a 100-99 overtime victory over Chicago on Sunday behind Carmelo Anthony’s 43 points. The Knicks are tied with the Philadelphia 76ers for the final two Eastern Conference playoff spots, with the Milwaukee Bucks in close pursuit. Chicago has lost three of four but still owns the league’s top record.
ABOUT THE KNICKS (29-27, 29-27 ATS): New York is 11-3 since Mike Woodson replaced Mike D’Antoni as coach. Anthony is thriving after drawing a lot of criticism when the team slumped right before D’Antoni’s resignation. The 43 points against Chicago were his most since joining the Knicks 14 months ago, and he also has rung up outputs of 39 and 36 in the last five games. The offense revolves around Anthony with forward Amar’e Stoudemire (back) and guard Jeremy Lin (knee) sidelined. Anthony, who has 20 career 40-point games, is averaging 30.0 points in three games against Chicago this season.
ABOUT THE BULLS (43-14, 32-24-1 ATS): Point guard Derrick Rose (groin) returned to the lineup after a 12-game absence but struggled with his shot and decision-making in the loss to the Knicks. Rose scored 29 points but was just 8 of 26 from the field and committed a season-high eight turnovers. The reigning MVP also missed two late free throws late with Chicago nursing a three-point lead. A positive was that Rose played nearly 39 minutes. “It felt good,” Rose said afterward. “When I was out there, I was just getting my groove back. My wind was OK. It just felt good to be out there.” Rose is averaging 31.0 points against the Knicks this season.
TRENDS:
* The Knicks are 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings, and 6-2 ATS in their last eight visits to Chicago.
* The over is 6-2 in the last eight meetings.
* The Bulls are 35-14-2 ATS in their last 51 games following a SU loss.
* The Knicks are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 road games.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Chicago won this season’s first two meetings before losing in New York on Sunday.
2. Bulls forward Carlos Boozer had 16 rebounds Sunday against the Knicks for his fifth straight double-digit game on the boards.
3. The Knicks finish a two-game road swing at Milwaukee on Wednesday in a crucial contest for playoff positioning.
Hot Teams
-- Orlando won its last two games, allowing 82-89 points, after losing its previous five games. Dwight Howard didn't play last night.
-- Miami won seven of its last eight home games (4-4 vs spread). Celtics won/covered five of their last seven road games.
-- Nets won four of their last five home games.
-- Knicks won/covered 10 of 13 games under Woodson.
Cold Teams
-- Wizards are 2-8 vs spread in game following their last ten wins.
-- Cleveland lost their last six home games (0-6 vs spread). Bobcats lost their last 12 games (4-8 vs spread).
-- 76ers lost five of their last six games.
-- Sacramento lost its last four games (0-4 vs spread); they're 11-7 vs spread in last 18 road games. Dallas lost four of its last six games.
-- Bulls lost three of their last four games.
Wear-and-Tear
-- Magic: 3rd game/4 nites. Wizards: 9th game/12 nites.
-- Celtics: 5th game/7 nites. Heat: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Bobcats: 6th game/8 nites. Cavaliers: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- 76ers: 3rd game/4 nites. Nets: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Kings: 3rd game/4 nites. Mavericks: Last two nites off.
-- Knicks: 2nd game/5 nites. Bulls: 2nd game/5 nites.
Totals
-- Last six Washington games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Boston games stayed under total.
-- Six of last nine Cleveland home games went over.
-- Over is 13-7 in New Jersey's last 20 home games.
-- Four of last five Sacramento road games went over total.
-- Six of last nine Nw York road games went over the total
Back-to-Back
-- Orlando is 3-7 vs spread if it won the night before. Washington is 2-3 vs spread if it won the night before.
-- Bobcats are 4-8 vs spread on road if they played night before.
Armadillosports.com
ORLANDO (34 - 23) at WASHINGTON (13 - 44) - 4/10/2012, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 6-5 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO is 9-2 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOSTON (32 - 24) at MIAMI (40 - 15) - 4/10/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 14-26 ATS (-14.6 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 15-32 ATS (-20.2 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 37-59 ATS (-27.9 Units) in home games in April games since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 12-7 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 12-7 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
11 of 19 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHARLOTTE (7 - 48) at CLEVELAND (18 - 36) - 4/10/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHARLOTTE is 20-34 ATS (-17.4 Units) in all games this season.
CHARLOTTE is 20-31 ATS (-14.1 Units) as an underdog this season.
CHARLOTTE is 14-26 ATS (-14.6 Units) when playing on back-to-back days over the last 2 seasons.
CHARLOTTE is 10-21 ATS (-13.1 Units) against Central division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CHARLOTTE is 15-28 ATS (-15.8 Units) after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
CHARLOTTE is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) revenging a home loss vs opponent this season.
CHARLOTTE is 11-28 ATS (-19.8 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
CHARLOTTE is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) after scoring 85 points or less this season.
CLEVELAND is 26-40 ATS (-18.0 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 4-15 ATS (-12.5 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 190 and 194.5 points over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in home games second half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHARLOTTE is 5-4 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE is 5-4 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHILADELPHIA (29 - 27) at NEW JERSEY (21 - 37) - 4/10/2012, 7:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 5-4 against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 8-1 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SACRAMENTO (19 - 38) at DALLAS (31 - 26) - 4/10/2012, 8:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 5-4 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 8-1 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
7 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW YORK (29 - 27) at CHICAGO (43 - 14) - 4/10/2012, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 33-24 ATS (+6.6 Units) in all games this season.
CHICAGO is 21-7 ATS (+13.3 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 41-23 ATS (+15.7 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 22-12 ATS (+8.8 Units) second half of the season this season.
NEW YORK is 40-26 ATS (+11.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 6-4 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 6-4 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON vs. MIAMI
Boston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami
Boston is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
Miami is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Miami's last 9 games when playing at home against Boston
ORLANDO vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Orlando's last 9 games when playing Washington
Orlando is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing at home against Orlando
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Washington's last 16 games
CHARLOTTE vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Charlotte's last 6 games when playing Cleveland
Charlotte is 1-12 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games
Cleveland is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games
PHILADELPHIA vs. NEW JERSEY
Philadelphia is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Philadelphia is 4-11 ATS in its last 15 games on the road
New Jersey is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
SACRAMENTO vs. DALLAS
Sacramento is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Sacramento's last 7 games when playing Dallas
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Sacramento
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Dallas's last 12 games when playing at home against Sacramento
NEW YORK vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 6 games on the road
Chicago is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against New York
Chicago is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against New York
Orlando at Washington
Orlando: 6-1 ATS off ATS wins in 5 or 6 of their last 7 games
Washington: 8-27 ATS off a win as an underdog
Boston at Miami
Boston: 6-19 ATS off a win by 15+ points
Miami: 12-1 Under at home off a win by 20+ points
Charlotte at Cleveland
Charlotte: 4-14 ATS after scoring 85 points or less
Cleveland: 24-12 Under at home after playing 5+ games as an underdog
Philadelphia at New Jersey
Philadelphia: 9-1 Under revenging a home loss
New Jersey: 3-10 ATS after playing as a favorite
Sacramento at Dallas
Sacramento: 6-1 ATS off 4+ losses
Dallas: 3-7 ATS after losing 4 or 5 of their last 6 games
New York at Chicago
New York: 7-0 Under off a win by 6 points or less
Chicago: 19-9 ATS playing with same-season revenge
Hoop Trends - Tuesday
By Vince Akins
VegasInsider.com
SU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Wizards are 0-9 ATS (-14.2 ppg) since December 14, 1999 as a dog off a road win that broke at least a five-game losing streak.
OU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Knicks are 10-0 OU (11.8 ppg) since December 02, 2007 as a dog with at least one day of rest after a win in which less than 45% of their baskets were assisted.
PLAYER TREND OF THE DAY:
The Nets are 0-11 OU (-21.2 ppg) since January 07, 2011 with at least a day of rest after a win at home in which Kris Humphries had a double double.
CHOICE TREND:
The Wizards are 0-11 OU (-16.3 ppg) since March 02, 2000 as a dog with no rest after a road win in which they had an assist to turnover ratio of at least two.
TODAY’S TRENDS:
The Mavericks are 9-0-1 ATS (6.0 ppg) since January 21, 2003 at home when they allowed revenge in each of their last two games.
The 76ers are 0-8 ATS (-7.5 ppg) since April 11, 2008 as a favorite when facing a team they lost to at home in their previous same-season match-up.