Tuesday Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Three days of basketball remain before the All-Star break in the NBA, as teams attempt not to slow down any momentum built up from the first 50+ games of the season. We'll take a look at all six contests on the Tuesday card, starting with Denver trying to bounce back off a tough triple-overtime defeat.
Nuggets at Raptors
Denver's nine-game winning streak was snapped in dramatic fashion in Sunday's loss at Boston, 118-114. The Nuggets failed to cover as two-point underdogs in the triple-overtime setback, despite busting the 100-point mark in 11 straight games (9-2 to the 'over'). The Raptors picked up their second consecutive victory on Sunday, holding off the Hornets as 3½-point favorites, 102-89. Toronto has put together a 3-2 SU/ATS record since Rudy Gay entered the lineup, while allowing 99 points or less four times in this stretch. The Nuggets held off the Raptors, 113-110 at the Pepsi Center in early December, but Toronto cashed as 10 ½-point 'dogs.
Blazers at Heat
This is an interesting spot for the defending World Champions, as the Heat is coming of a 10-point victory over the Lakers on Sunday. Miami heads to Oklahoma City on Thursday night for the final game prior to the All-Star break, but the struggling Blazers invade South Florida on Tuesday. Portland travels south from Orlando after getting tripped up by the Magic as three-point favorites, 110-104. The Blazers have dropped seven of their last eight games away from the Rose Garden, while covering just three times in this stretch. The Heat is riding a five-game hot streak, as Miami goes for its sixth 'over' in the last seven home contests. Miami is playing with revenge after squandering a late double-digit lead in a 92-90 defeat at Portland last month.
Kings at Grizzlies
Sacramento picked up a pair of high-scoring home victories over Utah and Houston, as the Kings attempt to avenge two blowout losses to the Grizzlies. Memphis has cashed the 'over' in six of the last seven games, including in home wins over Golden State and Minnesota. The Grizzlies destroyed the Kings in two previous meetings by 32 and 26 points, while limiting Sacramento to an average of 75 points per game. Sacramento has struggled on the road of late by dropping eight of 10, while cashing tickets just three times (7-3 to the 'under').
Thunder at Jazz
Oklahoma City ran through Phoenix twice in the span of three days, as the Thunder has won each of their last four games by at least 20 points. The defending Western Conference champs look to become the second team (Spurs) to 40 victories in the league, while traveling to Salt Lake City for the first time this season. The Jazz returns home after Saturday's 120-109 defeat at Sacramento, as Utah attempts to snap a two-game skid. After losing just four games in January, the Jazz has already dropped three contests in six trips to the court in February. Utah has cashed in all four tries as a home underdog this season, while Oklahoma City owns a 1-3-1 ATS record the last four road games off a cover.
Suns at Lakers
The Grammy trip is over for Los Angeles, as the Lakers found a way to finish 4-3 SU and 3-4 ATS. The Lakers started with wins in three of the first four games, but lost two of the final three contests at Boston and Miami. Mike D'Antoni's club is quickly making up ground in the Western Conference playoff race with victories in seven of the previous 10 games, including three straight home wins. The last time these two division rivals hooked up, the Suns rallied late to shock the Lakers, 92-86 on the first leg of L.A.'s Grammy swing. Phoenix has dropped seven of its past nine games overall, including five of the previous six road contests.
Rockets at Warriors
Houston sent Golden State into orbit last Tuesday night by dropping a season-high 23 three-pointers on the Warriors in a 140-109 drubbing. The Warriors limp home from a dreadful 0-4 SU/ATS road swing, including three defeats by at least 21 points. Houston's leading scorer is limping at the moment, as shooting guard James Harden is listed as questionable with a knee injury. The Rockets have lost three straight road games, including Sunday's 117-111 setback at Sacramento as 6½-point favorites. The total of 221 for this contest is the second-highest in the league this season, as the Rockets outlasted the Lakers, 125-112 last month with a closing total of 223.
BA: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Denver Nuggets at Toronto Raptors
Toronto (19-32, 27-23-1 ATS) took care of business against the Hornets Sunday squashing Bugs 102-89 for their second consecutive win/cover. Meanwhile, Nuggets (33-19, 31-21 ATS) saw a nine game win streak come to a halt in Boston last time out falling 118-114 in OT. Denver should feel good about their chances of a bounce-back. The Nuggets have owned the Raptors winning 15-of-17 matchups (11-6 ATS) and head north of the border knowing they've won 6-of-8 (5-3 ATS) on Raps hardwood. Nuggets on a 9-1 (8-2 ATS) stretch following a loss, 4-1 SU/ATS after allowing 110 or more points, Raptors 1-4 SU/ATS following back-2-back wins consider sticking with Denver.
Tuesday NBA Bullet Points
By GoodFella
Miami -11.5 vs Portland (199)
Payback game for the Heat tonight, as Portland beat the Heat at the Rose Garden 92-90 as 3.5 pt dogs on Jan. 10th. Portland is really struggling on the road (1-7 SU & 3-5 ATS L/8) and their lone victory over this stretch was a 2 pt win at bottom dwelling Minnesota. That win over Minny was their 1st game of this 6 game, 10 day roadie that concludes tomorrow night in New Orleans.-
Miami has been double digit HOME favs 10 times this season, and they are 5-5 ATS. Miami is rollin' right now, as King James is simply playing out of his freakin' mind. He has become just the 3rd player in NBA history to roll out 5 consecutive games of at least 30 pts, while shooting the ball at 60% or better. ONLY legend Moses Malone and Adrian Dantley have accomplished this.-
Some will say "sandwich spot" here for the Heat, but with them losing AT Portland, and King James playing prolly his worse game of the season, in that game ( I was at that game, as I took my 10 yr old son to the game) I expect a big effort from James and Miami tonight. This is their 5th and final game of their home stand, and they are looking for the home stand sweep. "Big Game" for them last game, as they took care of the Lakers by 10 and covered the 9 pt spread late. They do travel to play AT Oklahoma City on Thursday Night on TNT before the All-Star break begins.-
Oklahoma City -5.5 AT Utah (200.5)
Payback game for Utah here, as OKC won and covered as 9.5 pt favs (106-94) back on Nov. 30th. OKC has dominated the series lately, as they are 6-1 SU & 5-1-1 ATS L/7-
Utah had the L/2 days off, and are coming off a 11 pt loss AT Sacramento on Friday Night. Utah is 4-1 ATS L/5 games following a double digit loss.
Utah has been HOME DOGS just 3 times this season. 3-0 ATS in those 3 games (Heat, Clipps, Spurs).-
OKC wraps up a quick 2 game roadie tonight, and they are coming off an easy 28 pt blowout win AT the Suns. It should be noted that Durant, Westbrook, and Ibaka ALL played 29 minutes or less.-
OKC does return home to host the Heat on Thursday Night on TNT, before the all-star break begins. Of course they lost to Miami in the NBA Finals last season, and they lost this season (103-97) as 2.5 pt dogs back on Christmas Day.-
Utah sharp shooter Gordon Hayward has been out since Jan. 26th (shoulder), did practice on Monday, but remains questionable. OKC gunner/scorer Kevin Martin (flu) missed Sundays game, and is questionable for tonight.-
Golden St. -5 vs Houston (219)
The ol' payback game for Golden St. and head coach Mark Jackson tonight. Houston destroyed Golden St. at Houston (140-109) last Tuesday Night. Houston tied the NBA record for 3pt shots made in an game (23) and they were still shooting 3-balls up 25-30 pts late, and Gold St coach was not having it, and intentionally fouled the last minute and change, to PREVENT the Rockets from setting the record vs his club.-
Houston playing their 2nd game of a 3 game roadie before the all-star break, and they are coming off a 6 pt loss AT Sacramento as 6.5 pt favs Sunday Night. Houston is just (2-8 ATS L/10) road games vs teams with a winning SU record.-
Golden St. 1st game back home, off their 4 game roadie, which saw them go (0-4 SU & ATS). They got smashed by at least 20 pts in 3 of those 4 road losses. Golden St. is (8-2 SU & 6-4 ATS L/10) HOME games vs teams with a winning SU record. This is the Warriors final game before the all-star break begins.
Houston all-star James Harden is listed as questionable (sore left knee). He did play full minutes their last game, but did sit out yesterdays practice. Golden St. C Andrew Bogut missed the last game (ankle), is expected back in the lineup tonight.
NBA Point Spreads and Betting Guide
By: The Linemakers
Sportingnews.com
Despite the NBA's top two teams the Miami Heat (34-14 SU, 24-24 ATS) and Oklahoma City Thunder (39-12 SU, 31-18-2 ATS) — in action, the most intriguing matchup on tonight's NBA card may be the Houston Rockets (28-25 SU, 28-24-1 ATS) at the Golden State Warriors (30-21 SU, 27-23-1 ATS), who are No. 2 and No. 8 in scoring, respectively.
These two teams met on February 5th, and both left with a bad taste in their mouths. The Rockets tied the record for three-pointers made and won, 140-109, but they were irked by Golden State coach Mark Jackson’s tactics at the end of the game to prevent Houston from breaking the record.
Not only will the Warriors be seeking revenge tonight, but they will also be looking to break out of a slump that has seen them lose four in a row and six of their last 10.
The Warriors are 5-point favorites at home, where they are 13-9 ATS. The Rockets are 11-15-1 ATS away from the Toyota Center. This games features two of the best OVER teams in the NBA -- Golden State is 32-18-1 overall and 13-8-1 at home to the OVER. The Rockets are 30-23 overall and 14-13 on the road to the OVER.
Here are some more trends and injury news to help you with your pro basketball selections. The lines are from the LVH SuperBook as of about 8:45 a.m. PT.
NBA Trends:
* The Nuggets have covered 20 of their last 28 games following a loss, but have failed to cover their last five against Atlantic Division teams. The Raptors have covered 10 of their last 14 home games against teams with a losing road record. The Nuggets have been dictating the pace of most of their games and have gone OVER the total in 14 of their last 17 games. The Nuggets are -2, and the total is 207.5.
* The Blazers have covered only twice in their last eight games. The Heat have covered four of their last five against Western Conference teams. The Blazers have gone OVER the total in their last five games, while the Heat have gone OVER in five of their last six home games. The Heat are -11.5, and the total is 199.
* The Kings have covered only five of their last 19 games, including their last five against teams with a winning percentage of .600 or higher. The Grizzlies have covered and gone OVER the total in five of their last seven home games. The OVER has occurred in four of the last five meetings between the Kings and Grizzlies. The Grizzlies are -9, and the total is 190.5.
* The Thunder have covered in their last four games overall, but only once in their last five road games. The Jazz have covered only once in their last five games. The Thunder and Jazz have stayed UNDER the total in their last five meetings. The Thunder are -5.5, and the total is 200.5.
* The Suns have covered twice in their last eight games, one of which was a straight-up win against the Lakers on Jan. 30 at Phoenix. The Lakers have covered only five of their last 19 games against teams with a win percentage of .400 or below. The home team has covered in the last six meetings between the Suns and Lakers. The Lakers have stayed UNDER the total in six of their last seven home games. The Lakers are -9, and the total is 200.5.
* The Rockets have covered only three times in their last 12 road games. The Warriors have failed to cover their last four games. The Rockets have gone OVER the total in their last four games, as have the Warriors in eight of their last 10. The Warriors are -5, and the total is 220.
Injury report:
* Nuggets guard Andre Iguodala (neck) is questionable.
* Raptors forward Andrea Bargnani (flu) is questionable.
* Thunder guard Kevin Martin (flu) is questionable.
* Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (shoulder) is questionable.
* Rockets guard James Harden (knee) is questionable.
* Warriors guard Jarrett Jack (hip) is questionable.