Tuesday's Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
Los Angeles Clippers at Atlanta Hawks (-2, 192.5)
The Cllippers' chances of securing the third seed in the Western Conference are hanging by a thread as they visit the Hawks on Tuesday night. The Clippers need victories over the Hawks and Knicks, combined with a loss by the rival Lakers to Sacramento.
While the Clips may not be able to overtake Kobe Bryant and Co., they aren't entirely secure in the fourth spot, either. They need a win in either of their final two games to ensure they'll open the playoffs at the Staples Center, with a first-round meeting with the Memphis Grizzlies awaiting them. Two losses, combined with two Memphis wins, would give the Grizzlies the edge.
Point guard Chris Paul helped keep the Clippers' Pacific Division title hopes intact Sunday, scoring 33 points and adding 13 assists and eight steals in a 107-98 win over New Orleans.
Atlanta is enjoying a strong finish to the season, going 7-3 in its last 10 games. Two of those losses have come by two points or less -- an 88-86 defeat in Boston on April 11 and a heart-wrenching 113-112 defeat against New York on Sunday. The back-and-forth affair left team scoring leader Joe Johnson with a decidedly bad taste in his mouth. "It's frustrating that we're still playing for something and defensively we were non-existent," he said. ''There was no help (on defense). If you were guarding somebody 1-on-1, you were definitely guarding 1-on-1."
The Clippers prevailed 96-82 in the previous meeting on March 14. They are 6-2 ATS in their last eight visits to Atlanta.
Pick: Clippers
New Orleans Hornets at Golden State Warriors (2, 192.5)
Two franchises that can only lament falling short of expectations meet Tuesday night in Oakland when Golden State hosts New Orleans. The Hornets are last in the Western Conference, one game behind Sacramento. They need a win tonight and at Houston on Thursday and two losses by the Kings to avoid the cellar. Golden State has been decimated by injuries in coach Mark Jackson’s first season, and has started four rookies the past five games. Rookie Charles Jenkins had 24 points and nine assists to rally the Warriors from 21 down for a 93-88 victory over Minnesota on Sunday.
The Warriors’ huge rally ended an eight-game losing streak and fellow New Yorker Jackson was pleased with Jenkins. “He's a tough New York City kid,” Jackson said. “A tough, hard-nosed kid who has no quit. Totally competes, gets after it. He was banged up, bruised up, battered up, but found a way to gut out a big-time performance.” They could use more of that since the Warriors are just 5-11 in games decided by three points or fewer.
Eric Gordon led the Hornets with 17 points on 4-for-13 shooting but also had six turnovers in his first game against the Clippers since the Chris Paul trade. Gordon has missed 55 games this season after knee surgery and it no doubt impacted the Hornets’ record. “All I can do is look forward to trying to win,” Gordon said. “One thing I wanted to create is that I can help this team win games whoever is on the court.”
Golden State is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings.
Pick: Warriors
Tuesday's NBA Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
The regular season in the NBA wraps up on Thursday, but there are still several unresolved issues. Most of the playoff positions are spoken for, while seeding is undetermined in some spots. The biggest game for postseason implications comes in Salt Lake City as the Jazz tries to sneak closer to a playoff berth against the Suns. We'll start in Atlanta with the Clippers still looking to take home the Pacific Division title against the Hawks.
Clippers at Hawks
In a rare instance, Vinny Del Negro's team travels cross-country for its final two games of this shortened season. The Clippers have made plenty of strides with the acquisitions of Chris Paul and Caron Butler, as L.A. owns a 40-24 mark with an opportunity to win the division title for the first time in franchise history. Meanwhile, the Hawks know they will face the Celtics in the opening round of the playoffs, but the team with home-court advantage is undetermined.
The Clippers beat the Hawks in their last meeting at Staples Center, 96-82 as seven-point favorites on March 14. That loss was the final stop on Atlanta's six-game road swing in which the Hawks finished 2-4 SU and 4-2 ATS, while the Clippers shot 54% from the floor in the win. Los Angeles is running through opponents at a rapid pace by compiling a 14-3 SU and 11-6 ATS record the last 17 games to vault into the top four in the West. The Hawks are 11-1 to the 'over' the previous 12 contests, including seven straight at Philips Arena.
Kings at Thunder
Oklahoma City suffered a major blow to receiving the top seed in the Western Conference after squandering an 18-point lead in a double-overtime defeat to the Lakers on Sunday. The Thunder returns home following a 3-2 SU and 2-3 ATS road swing, as OKC battles Sacramento for the third time in 12 days. The Kings snapped out of a 10-game ATS slump in Sunday's blowout of the hapless Bobcats.
Sacramento may be without center DeMarcus Cousins, who picked up his 13th technical foul of the season at Charlotte, resulting in a one-game suspension (Cousins is appealing). The Thunder has won five straight games as a double-digit favorite, while going 3-2 ATS in this span since late March. Two of those covers came against Sacramento, including a 103-92 victory at Power Balance Pavilion last Friday as 10-point 'chalk.' James Harden is listed as 'doubtful' for the Thunder after suffering a vicious elbow by Lakers' forward Metta World Peace in Sunday's loss.
Heat at Celtics
Both teams are going through maintenance and injury issues at the moment, as these two rivals will likely not face each other in the postseason (unless it's the Eastern Conference Finals). Dwyane Wade is 'doubtful' with a finger injury, while Chris Bosh has sat out the last four games to heal up before the postseason. The Celtics will likely be without point guard Rajon Rondo and sharpshooter Ray Allen, as Boston has been off since Friday's setback at Atlanta.
Boston is one of the hottest teams down the stretch with 14 wins in its last 20 games, even though just seven of those contests came at TD Garden (6-1). The Heat is playing with double-revenge following a 115-107 home defeat as 7½-point favorites on two weeks ago as Boston shot a sizzling 61% from the field. Miami is riding a 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS run, while cashing the 'under' in 10 of the last 12 games.
Suns at Jazz
The most important game on the card could be the final stand for Phoenix, who needs a win over Utah to stay alive for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The Jazz can clinch a playoff berth with a victory, while looking to extend their current winning streak to four. However, Utah will have to do something it has not been able to do this season, which is beat Phoenix.
The Suns are 2-0 SU/ATS against the Jazz in two meetings, including a 107-105 squeaker at Energy Solutions Arena as six-point 'dogs earlier this month. Phoenix has alternated wins and losses in each of the last eight games, while coming off a 118-107 home loss to Denver on Saturday afternoon. Channing Frye left that contest with a shoulder injury, as his status is 'questionable' for Tuesday. Utah has scored at least 112 points in each of the last three victories, as two of those games went to overtime.
Hornets at Warriors
Golden State rallied from a 21-point deficit in Sunday's triumph at Minnesota, putting a halt to an eight-game losing streak. The Warriors return to Oracle Arena to battle the Hornets, who have covered eight of their last nine games, including an ATS victory in Sunday's loss to the Clippers as 9½-point 'dogs.
New Orleans hasn't succeeded in the favorite role this season by putting together a 2-8 ATS record, but both those victories came in the last two weeks over Sacramento and Charlotte. Golden State has dominated on the road with a 14-3 ATS record since early March, but the home ledger isn't as remarkable recently. The Warriors own a 1-5 ATS record the last six games in Oakland, including three straight losses in the underdog role. The road team has taken each of the first two meetings this season, as the Hornets blew out the Warriors, 102-87 in late March at Oracle Arena.
Hot Teams
-- Clippers won eight of last ten games; they need one win to clinch the home court edge in first round of playoffs. Hawks won five of their last seven home games.
-- Thunder covered six of their last nine home games.
-- Celtics are 11-1 at home since the All-Star break. Miami won six of its last seven games.
-- Utah won its last four home games, last two in OT. Suns are 10-1 vs spread in game following last 11 losses.
-- Hornets covered eight of their last nine games.
Cold Teams
-- Kings are 2-5-1 vs spread in their last eight road games.
-- Warriors lost nine of their last eleven home games.
Wear-and-Tear
-- Clippers: 2nd game/5 nites. Hawks: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Kings: 3rd game/5 nites. Thunder: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Grizzlies: 9th game/13 nites. Celtics: Last three nites off.
-- Suns: Last two nites off. Jazz: Last two nites off.
-- Hornets: 2nd game/5 nites. Warriors: 4th game/5 nites.
Totals
-- Last seven Atlanta home games went over. Five of last seven Clipper road games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last nine Sacramento road games went over total.
-- 10 of last 12 Miami games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last seven Phoenix games went over the total.
-- Last three New Orleans games went over the total.
Back-to-Back
-- None.
Armadillosports.com
LA CLIPPERS (40 - 24) at ATLANTA (38 - 26) - 4/24/2012, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 391-459 ATS (-113.9 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 269-321 ATS (-84.1 Units) second half of the season since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 4-15 ATS (-12.5 Units) on Tuesday nights over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 7-19 ATS (-13.9 Units) in road games after scoring 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 147-185 ATS (-56.5 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 133-183 ATS (-68.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
ATLANTA is 16-29 ATS (-15.9 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 3-2 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 4-1 straight up against LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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SACRAMENTO (21 - 43) at OKLAHOMA CITY (46 - 18) - 4/24/2012, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 7-4 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 9-2 straight up against SACRAMENTO 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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MIAMI (46 - 18) at BOSTON (37 - 27) - 4/24/2012, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 13-7 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 13-7 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
12 of 20 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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PHOENIX (33 - 31) at UTAH (34 - 30) - 4/24/2012, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 46-29 ATS (+14.1 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 47-26 ATS (+18.4 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points since 1996.
PHOENIX is 26-17 ATS (+7.3 Units) second half of the season this season.
PHOENIX is 14-6 ATS (+7.4 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.
PHOENIX is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more this season.
PHOENIX is 33-19 ATS (+12.1 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 32-16 ATS (+14.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
UTAH is 1-10 ATS (-10.0 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 16-31 ATS (-18.1 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 6-3 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 7-2 straight up against UTAH 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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NEW ORLEANS (20 - 44) at GOLDEN STATE (23 - 41) - 4/24/2012, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ORLEANS is 20-32 ATS (-15.2 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 40-58 ATS (-23.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 29-20 ATS (+7.0 Units) as an underdog this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 27-18 ATS (+7.2 Units) second half of the season this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 20-11 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 50-80 ATS (-38.0 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 6-3 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 5-4 straight up against GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS vs. ATLANTA
LA Clippers are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing Atlanta
LA Clippers are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games when playing LA Clippers
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Clippers
MIAMI vs. BOSTON
Miami is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Miami's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games when playing at home against Miami
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing Miami
SACRAMENTO vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
Sacramento is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games
Sacramento is 1-10 ATS in its last 11 games
Oklahoma City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games at home
PHOENIX vs. UTAH
Phoenix is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Utah
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 7 games when playing Utah
Utah is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Utah's last 5 games
NEW ORLEANS vs. GOLDEN STATE
New Orleans is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Golden State
New Orleans is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Golden State's last 14 games at home
Golden State is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing New Orleans
LA Clippers at Atlanta
LA Clippers: 12-2 Over Away if total is 190 to 194.5
Atlanta: 5-21 ATS at home if home favorite last game
Sacramento at Oklahoma City
Sacramento: 2-10 ATS in April
Oklahoma City: 13-4 ATS off SU loss
Miami at Boston
Miami: 11-3 Under in April
Boston: 12-4 ATS vs. Southeast Division
Phoenix at Utah
Phoenix: 21-11 Under in road games
Utah: 10-0 ATS at home if they made 50+% of 3-pt shots or better last game
New Orleans at Golden State
New Orleans: 20-11 ATS in road games
Golden State: 2-10 ATS at home if underdog L3 games
Hoop Trends - Tuesday
By Vince Akins
VegasInsider.com
SU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Hawks are 0-11 ATS (-9.9 ppg) since November 26, 2003 with at most one day of rest after a home loss in which their opponent stole the ball at least twelve times.
OU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Clippers are 9-0 OU (11.3 ppg) since February 21, 2004 on the road with at most one day of rest off a win as a home favorite in which they trailed by 10+ points.
PLAYER TREND OF THE DAY:
The Thunder are 11-0-1 ATS (11.2 ppg) since November 25, 2008 with a day of rest after a loss on the road in which Russell Westbrook shot worse than 33% from the field.
CHOICE TREND:
The Jazz are 10-0-1 ATS (6.5 ppg) since April 18, 2007 at home with at least one day of rest after a win in which their DPS was at least plus 15 points.
TODAY’S TRENDS:
The Hawks are 0-9 ATS (-8.7 ppg) since January 04, 2010 with at least one day of rest when their DPA was at least plus 15 points in their previous game.
The Hawks are 0-9-1 OU (-11.5 ppg) since November 07, 2007 at home after a game in which they had at least 12 steals.