NBA: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Toronto at Golden State
Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors netting 102.9 PPG on 47.2% from the field and league best 43.9% from long range look primed to land one in the win/cover column when they host Toronto Raptors. Warriors have had great success vs Purple Dinos' the past four years winning 6-of-7 encounters (6-1 ATS). Looking further back Warriors have won 14-of-17 (14-3 ATS) meetings including a perfect 8-0 SU/ATS hosting Toronto. Given those betting numbers and knowing Raptors have a strong tendency not to respond on the road after a double digit home loss (2-10-1 ATS) lay the expected 7.5 points with the Warriors.
Nuggets visit Nets
By Sportsbook.ag
DENVER NUGGETS (10-6) at BROOKLYN NETS (5-12)
Sportsbook.ag Tip-off: Tuesday, 7:35 p.m. ET
Line: Denver -4.5, Total: 205
The Nuggets go for their seventh straight win on Tuesday night when they visit the Nets, who will be without star PG Deron Williams (ankle).
Denver won its sixth straight game on Sunday when it began a six-game road trip with a 112-98 thumping of the Raptors. Brooklyn also won its last game against a depleted Grizzlies team, prevailing 97-88 in Memphis. Last season these teams met twice with both teams winning by double-digits when they played at home. Since 1996, the Nets hold a 19-13 ATS advantage (17-15 SU) in this series, including a commanding 11-4 SU (10-5 ATS) edge at home. Over the past three seasons, Denver is 54-32 ATS (63%) after playing a game on the road, while Brooklyn is a woeful 5-15 ATS (25%) in December games during that same timeframe. However, the Nets are 19-13 ATS (59%) after two straight games where they were called for 18 or less fouls. In addition to Deron Williams being out for Tuesday's game, SF Paul Pierce (hand) is out indefinitely for the Nets with a fractured right hand. PF Kenneth Faried (knee) is probable for the Nuggets.
The Nuggets struggled out of the gates this season, but have since turned it around with a six-game winning streak, prevailing due to hard work and hustle. They are averaging 45.5 RPG (5th in NBA) while continuing to play an up-and-down style that nets them 104.9 PPG (4th in NBA). PG Ty Lawson has been playing the best basketball of his career, averaging 20.6 PPG, 8.2 APG, 3.9 RPG and 1.2 SPG. C Timofey Mozgov was dominant in extended minutes last game, scoring 16 points while also grabbing 15 rebounds, blocking two shots and tallying two steals in the win in Toronto. He’ll likely see big minutes again going against Brook Lopez, but he’ll need to stay out of foul trouble. PG Nate Robinson has been on a tear off the bench for Denver, averaging 16.2 PPG and 3.0 APG in just 20.8 MPG over the past five contests. When he is shooting well, it’s very difficult to stop him in a backcourt with Lawson. It will be interesting to see how PF Kenneth Faried plays with a banged up knee, as Faried is the Nuggets leading rebounder with 9.3 per game, and was just fine on Sunday with 12 points and 12 boards in only 20 minutes.
The Nets won their last game 97-88 against the Grizzlies, but they have just been miserable to start this season. Brooklyn is really slacking defensively, as the team has allowed 102.4 PPG (25th in NBA). Without PG Deron Williams and SF Paul Pierce, it will also be even more difficult to get more offensive production from a unit averaging just 95.8 PPG (22nd in NBA) and 20.0 APG (23rd in league) on the season. C Brook Lopez will be relied on even more heavily than usual and he has been great this season, averaging 20.0 PPG, 6.2 RPG and 2.4 BPG. One player who is seemingly ready to step up is C Andray Blatche, who poured in 21 points while adding eight rebounds in Saturday's win, and even connected on three three-pointers. SG Joe Johnson must continue to be aggressive for Brooklyn with Pierce out, and recently he has been playing better, averaging 20.8 PPG (55% threes) with 3.4 APG in his past five contests. PF Kevin Garnett must find his shot for the Nets as he has really struggled since arriving in Brooklyn. He is averaging just 6.8 PPG (37% FG) and 7.7 RPG, but must be more aggressive in looking for his shot and not hesitate when he is open.