NBA Knowledge
Tuesday's hot teams
-- Clippers are 12-3 in last 15 games, 2-3 in last five (3-4AU).
-- Raptors won their last eight games (7-1 vs spread).
-- Washington won five of last seven games (8-2 last 10AU).
-- Thunder won seven of its last eight games (0-6 last 6AF).
-- Milwaukee won its last three home games (3-3HF).
-- Portland won five of its last seven games (4-0 last 4HF).
-- Kings won five of their last six games (6-2 last 8AU).
Cold teams
-- Indiana lost five of its last six games (9-6HF).
-- Suns lost six of their last seven games (1-9 last 10AU).
-- Sixers lost six of last eight games, but covered five of last six (1-0HF).
-- Miami lost four of its last five games.
-- Brooklyn lost ten of its last 12 games.
-- New York lost four of its last six games (4-6HU).
-- Orlando lost nine of its last ten games (0-4 last 4AU).
-- Mavericks lost three of last four on road (4-3AF).
-- Lakers lost six games in a row (1-5 vs spread).
Series records
-- Clippers lost four of last six games with Indiana.
-- 76ers lost five of last six games with Phoenix.
-- Raptors won their last three games with Washington.
-- Nets lost seven of last eight games with Miami.
-- Thunder won six of last nine games with New York.
-- Magic lost three of last four visits to Milwaukee.
-- Kings lost seven of last nine games with Portland.
-- Lakers lost last nine games with Dallas (2-7 vs spread).
Totals
-- Four of last five Indiana home games went over.
-- Six of last nine Phoenix road games went over.
-- Seven of last eight Washington road games went over.
-- Six of last seven Miami games stayed under.
-- 10 of last 12 New York home games went over.
-- Five of last six Milwaukee home games went over.
-- Four of last five Sacramento games stayed under.
-- Seven of last eight Dallas road games stayed under.
Back/backs
-- Washington is 3-2 vs spread on road if it played night before.
-- Miami is 2-4 vs spread on road if it played night before.
-- Sacramento is 7-4 vs spread if it played night before, but they had a tough OT game with Hornets at home last night.
Armadillosports.com
Tuesday's Tip Sheet
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Clippers at Pacers
Los Angeles (28-16 SU, 20-21-3 ATS) continues its five-game road trip after losing two of its first three contests. The Clippers were tripped up in Toronto on Sunday, 112-94 as 2½-point underdogs, the second defeat on this road swing of 13 points or more. Since Christmas, the Clippers have won 12 of their last 15 games, including an impressive 7-2 SU and 6-3 ATS record on the highway. Point guard Chris Paul didn’t play in the first meeting against the Pacers in early December at Staples Center, as the Pacers beat the Clippers, 103-91.
Indiana (23-21 SU, 23-21 ATS) returns home from a 1-3 SU/ATS West Coast road trip, capped off by an 11-point setback at Sacramento on Saturday. The Pacers have dropped six of their last eight contests, with the only two wins in this stretch coming against a 14-31 Suns’ squad. This is an important four-game homestand for Frank Vogel’s team, who faces three playoff teams, including Eastern Conference foes Atlanta and Cleveland. Indiana’s defense needs to step up after allowing at least 100 points in five of the past six games, while the ‘over’ is 5-2 in the last seven contests.
Wizards at Raptors
Talk about going for revenge. After Washington swept Toronto in the opening round of last season’s playoffs, the Raptors (29-15 SU, 26-18 ATS) look for the four-game regular season sweep with a victory at the Air Canada Center. Toronto won the first two matchups by a combined five points before cruising past Washington at the Verizon Center earlier this month, 97-88, as all three meetings finished ‘under’ the total. Since losing by 22 points at Cleveland on January 4, the Raptors have run off eight straight wins, including four consecutive victories and covers at the Air Canada Center.
The Wizards (20-22 SU, 22-20 ATS) just can’t find a way to maintain consistency this season, as Randy Wittman’s team finished off a four-game homestand with a 1-3 SU/ATS mark. For some reason, the Wizards have struggled with the top three teams in the Atlantic Division, losing all eight matchups with the Raptors, Celtics, and Knicks this season. However, Washington has played well away from the Verizon Center of late by winning four of its last five road contests, including outright underdog victories at Chicago and Indiana.
Magic at Bucks
Two below .500 teams hook up at BMO Harris Center each look to end losing streaks and attempt to get back in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Orlando (20-23 SU, 23-19-1 ATS) has dropped six straight games and owns only one victory in January, coming at Brooklyn nearly three weeks ago. The Magic are playing with no rest after getting squeezed in overtime for the second straight game, falling at Memphis on Monday, 108-102 in overtime. Orlando has lost five of seven games with no rest this season, but has posted a 4-2 ATS road record on the second of a back-to-back.
The Bucks (19-27 SU, 23-22-1 ATS) will have head coach Jason Kidd back on the bench after missing the last month due to hip surgery. Milwaukee captured the first two games of their recent four-game road swing, but lost the final two contests at Houston and New Orleans. The Bucks have responded well at home by winning three straight against Dallas, Chicago, and Atlanta at BMO Harris Center since getting blown out by San Antonio earlier this month. The Magic have covered four of the last five matchups against the Bucks, as Milwaukee looks to avenge a 114-90 defeat at Orlando in late November.
Kings at Blazers
Sacramento (20-24 SU, 22-22 ATS) saw its five-game winning streak end in double overtime on Monday to Charlotte, 129-128, as the Kings blew an early 17-point lead. DeMarcus Cousins scored a franchise-record 56 points before fouling out in the second overtime, as the All-Star center put up 48 points against the Pacers on Saturday, his previous career-high. The Kings have won four of their last five games away from Sleep Train Arena, while posting a 5-0 ATS record in this span. George Karl’s club has struggled on the road with no rest, winning once in nine tries, while covering three times as a double-digit underdog.
The Blazers (20-26 SU, 24-22 ATS) continue a seven-game homestand after splitting the first two games against the Hawks and Lakers. Portland has won three of its past four contests at the Moda Center, while finishing ‘over’ the total in five of the last eight home games. The Blazers beat the Kings in their first meeting at Sleep Train Arena, 98-94 last month to cash as nine-point underdogs, but point guard Damian Lillard missed that game due to injury. Portland has failed to cash in its last two home victories over Sacramento, but the Kings were listed as 9½-point underdogs and higher.
Mavericks at Lakers
Dallas (25-21 SU, 27-18-1 ATS) is coming off back-to-back losses to Oklahoma City and Houston, while traveling to Golden State tomorrow night. The Mavericks hope to get a reprieve with a trip to Staples Center, looking to beat the Lakers for the third time this season. Rick Carlisle’s club has allowed 109 points or more in four of the past five games, resulting in a 3-1-1 mark to the ‘over.’ In the first two victories over the Lakers this season, the Mavericks have given up 93 points or less, while attempting to beat Los Angeles for the 10th straight time since 2013.
There are two teams in the NBA that failed to win at least 10 games, the 76ers and Lakers. Los Angeles (9-37 SU, 19-27 ATS) began January with consecutive victories against Philadelphia and Phoenix, but has lost 10 of its last 11 games. The last seven defeats for Byron Scott’s squad have come by double-digits, while failing to break the 95-point mark in each of its past five games at Staples Center. The Lakers have posted a respectable 6-4 ATS record in the last 10 home games, which includes covers as double-digit ‘dogs against the Thunder, Clippers, and Spurs.
Tuesday's Top Action
By Sportsbook.ag
WASHINGTON WIZARDS (20-22) at TORONTO RAPTORS (29-15)
Sportsbook.ag Line: Toronto -8, Total 205
The Raptors will be going for their ninth straight victory when they host the Wizards on Tuesday.
The Wizards hosted the Celtics on Monday and ended up losing 116-91 as 2.5-point favorites. Washington has now lost three of its past four games both SU and ATS, and this meeting with Toronto is not what the team needs.
The Raptors have won eight straight games after defeating the Clippers 112-94 as 2.5-point home favorites on Sunday.
Toronto has also owned this head-to-head series this season, winning all three of the meetings between these teams SU. The Wizards have, however, covered in two of those games.
One thing that trends in the Wizards’ favor is the fact that the team is 11-2 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to nine points over the past two seasons. Toronto, however, is 12-2 ATS after a combined score of 205 points or more on the season. The Raptors are also 20-9 ATS after playing a game as a favorite this season.
SG Bradley Beal (Concussion) is expected to miss this one for Washington and PF Kris Humphries (Knee) is questionable for the team. The Raptors will be without SF DeMarre Carroll (Knee), who remains out indefinitely.
The Wizards are struggling recently and they will need PG John Wall (19.6 PPG, 9.7 APG, 4.2 RPG, 2.1 SPG) to come through in a big way in order to win in Toronto on Tuesday. Wall had just eight points against the Celtics on Monday, but he has dished out 10 or more assists in four straight contests. Wall will need to keep setting up his teammates for good shots, but he must also be a bit more aggressive as a scorer in this game.
Wall’s averaging 19.3 PPG against the Raptors this season, but he is shooting just 32.4% from the field in those contests. It’ll likely take an efficient performance with 20 or more points for Washington to win this one. C Marcin Gortat (13.5 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 1.3 BPG) is the other guy that will really need to step it up against the Raptors on Tuesday. Gortat has recorded a double-double in four straight games and is playing very well coming into this one. He is averaging 13.3 PPG and 10.0 RPG against Toronto on the season and his matchup with Jonas Valanciunas will come a long way in determining the outcome of this game.
The Raptors are currently riding the league’s longest winning streak and the team will be going for a season sweep of the Wizards on Tuesday. The focal point of the Raptors’ attack is going to be SG DeMar DeRozan (23.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.0 SPG) in this one. DeRozan has absolutely torched the Wizards this season, averaging 29.7 PPG in three meetings with the team.
He should be even better on Tuesday with Beal expected to miss this game. PG Kyle Lowry (20.7 PPG, 6.4 APG, 5.0 RPG, 2.2 SPG) has a tough matchup with John Wall in this game and he’ll need to play well for Toronto to come away with a victory here. Lowry is averaging 19.7 PPG in three meetings with the Wizards, but he is shooting just 38.8% from the field in those games and averaging just 4.3 APG. He will need to make better decisions on Tuesday or the Wizards could steal this one in Toronto.
C Jonas Valanciunas (12.4 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 1.3 BPG) could be the x-factor for the Raptors in this game. Valanciunas is averaging 13.4 PPG and 10.8 RPG over the past five contests and had 20 points and eight boards in Sunday’s win over the Clippers. The big man has been extremely hard to stop around the basket and will need to make life on Marcin Gortat tough defensively.
DALLAS MAVERICKS (25-21) at LOS ANGELES LAKERS (9-37)
Sportsbook.ag Line: Dallas -8, Total 201.5
The Lakers will be looking to prevent a seven-game losing streak when they host the Mavericks on Tuesday.
The Mavericks have not been playing well recently and are coming off of a 115-104 loss in Houston on Sunday. Dallas was a four-point underdog in that game and has now lost two straight contests. The team is not playing well defensively and must turn it around, as it will not win games allowing the 112.0 PPG it’s been giving up over the course of the two-game losing streak.
Fortunately for the Mavericks, they do face a Lakers team that has lost six straight games and failed to score over 100 points in five of those games. Los Angeles has also been horrible defensively, allowing 113.0 PPG over the course of its six-game losing streak.
These two teams have met twice this season and the Mavericks have won-and-covered in each of those meetings.
Dallas has been absolutely dominant in this head-to-head series over the year, going 9-0 SU and 7-2 ATS versus Los Angeles over the past three seasons. Another thing favoring the Mavericks heading into this game is the fact that the team is 14-4 ATS after a game where they failed to cover the spread this season.
PG Devin Harris (Toe), C Zaza Pachulia (Achilles) and SF Jeremy Evans (Shoulder) are listed as questionable for Dallas in this game and PF Larry Nance Jr. (Knee) is probable for Los Angeles.
The Mavericks have not been playing to their potential recently, but the team has a golden opportunity to get back into the win column against the Lakers on Tuesday.
One guy that will need to play well for Dallas in this one is PG Deron Williams (14.2 PPG, 5.6 APG, 3.1 RPG, 1.0 SPG). Williams had his worst game of the season against Houston on Sunday, putting up just four points on 1-for-9 shooting from the field. He will need to get back on track or it will be tough for the Mavericks to get their offense rolling.
PF Dirk Nowitzki (17.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG) will also need to step his game up for Dallas in this one. Nowitzki is going to be facing a Lakers team that is not good at defending the power forward position and he should be able to knock down some shots in this one.
SG Wes Matthews (12.9 PPG, 1.1 SPG) could be an x-factor in this game. Matthews has scored 12 or more points in five straight games and will need to play some excellent defense in this game. The Lakers are solid at the guard position and Matthews will be counted on to slow some of Los Angeles’ young players down.
Los Angeles has been wildly disappointing this season and the team needs to start winning some games soon. The Lakers don’t need their young, talented players to feel that losing is okay and that is the reason SG Kobe Bryant (15.8 PPG) called out his teammates after a loss to the Blazers on Saturday. Bryant has struggled recently, shooting 34.1% from the floor. He is, however, a competitor and will give it his all on a nightly basis. Bryant wants his teammates to share the same mentality.
SG D’Angelo Russell (12.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.2 SPG) is the guy that Bryant really wants to help mold. Russell is extremely talented and is averaging 19.5 PPG over the past two games. Not only is he scoring, but he has done so on 16-for-22 shooting from the field. He does, however, get lackadaisical on defense and needs to show more of a consistent effort moving forward.
PF Julius Randle (10.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG) is another young guy that must be more consistent the rest of the way. Randle is averaging 9.4 PPG and 10.4 RPG over the past five contests, but he is shooting just 38.5% from the field and has been awful on defense.
Randle needs to play solid on the defensive end against Dirk Nowitzki on Tuesday or the team has no chance to win this one. He’ll also need to show that he can defend at a high level the rest of the season or the Lakers might just have to wonder whether or not he can be an effective piece for them in the future.