NBA Betting: Opening Night Cheat Sheet
By Covers.com
Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat (-4.5, 188.5)
Derrick Rose sat on the bench and watched the Chicago Bulls fall to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals last spring while recovering from knee surgery that kept him out the entire 2012-13 campaign. The Heat, who went on to win their second straight NBA Championship, will begin their title defense against a healthy Rose when they host the Bulls on Tuesday. Rose and Heat superstar LeBron James mark one of several intriguing matchups.
James and Rose combined to win the last five NBA MVP awards, with Rose stealing the crown from James in his last fully healthy season, 2010-11. The dynamic point guard could spend some time going up directly against James, who proved during the playoffs last season that he could guard all five positions on the court with little trouble.
LINE: The Heat opened s 5.5-point faves and are now -5. The total opened 187.5.
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Chicago (-13.3) - Miami (-15.0) + home court (-3.0) = Heat -4.7
TRENDS:
* Over is 5-2 in the last seven meetings.
* Road team is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
* Over is 7-2 in Bulls last 9 vs. Eastern Conference.
Orlando Magic at Indiana Pacers (-12, 187.5)
The Indiana Pacers nearly ousted the Miami Heat in a stellar seven-game Eastern Conference finals last season and the goal is to dethrone the two-time NBA champions this time around. The task begins Tuesday when the Pacers open against the visiting Orlando Magic, a squad that struggled to a league-worst 20-62 record last season after dealing Dwight Howard. The Pacers open the campaign a man down after it was revealed Monday that swingman Danny Granger (calf) will miss at least three weeks.
Orlando is hoping to display improvement and is counting on rookie guard Victor Oladipo – the second pick of the 2013 draft – to excel immediately. The Pacers are on the other side of the equation with their fan base expecting a deep run that includes reaching the NBA Finals.
LINE: The Pacers opened -11 and are now -12. The total opened 187 and is up to 187.5.
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Orlando (-1.0) - Indiana (-13.1) + home court (-3.0) = Pacers -15.1
TRENDS:
* Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Indiana.
* Favorite is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings.
* Home team is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers (+8.5, 198.5)
The Los Angeles Lakers officially ruled Kobe Bryant out for Tuesday’s season opener, leaving the stage set for Doc Rivers and the rival Los Angeles Clippers. Rivers will spend his first game on the sidelines with his new team when the Clippers serve as visitors Tuesday in the arena they share with the Lakers. Bryant, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon toward the end of last season, is practicing with the team in a limited capacity.
Rivers made headlines over the summer when he jumped from the Boston Celtics to the Clippers, drawing criticism from Celtics fans while giving Clippers fans hope that the team can build on last season’s progress. The Clippers quickly re-signed Chris Paul and brought in J.J. Redick to help spread the floor for Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan inside.
LINE: The Clippers opened -8 and are now -8.5. The total opened 197 and is up to 198.5.
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Clippers (-13.5) - Lakers (-4.6) + home court (-3.0) = Lakers +5.9
TRENDS:
* Clippers are 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings.
* Over is 9-0 in the last nine meetings.
* Home team is 10-4 ATS in the last 14 meetings.
NBA: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat
The NBA tips off the 2013-14 campaign with a tripleheader on Tuesday. High-lighting opening night, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat will raise their title banner at home before running the hardwood against Chicago Bulls. These two heated rivals faced each other in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last year but Bulls without Derrick Ross were sent packing in five. The betting market has Heat laying 4.5 to 5.0 points in the opener. Sports bettors who follow Heat closely will be aware of Heat's negative numbers during the first month of action. Heat are just 6-12 ATS last eighteen as a favorite in South Beach during Oct/Nov. Sports bettors who dig a little deeper will also be tuned into the fact the past fourteen NBA Champions have posted an 11-3 SU record in season opening games but are a vig-losing 7-7 against-the-oddsmaker. In other action, Orlando Magic (+11.5) will visit Indiana Pacers and in the finale LA Clippers (-8) under new coach Doc Rivers will tip things off against a Laker club minus Kobe Bryant who is working his way back from a torn Achilles tendon.
Opening Night Card
VegasInsider.com
Magic at Pacers (-11½, 188)
2012-13 Records:
Orlando: 20-62 SU, 36-44-2 ATS
Indiana: 49-32 SU, 42-39 ATS
Last year's season series: Indiana won two of three games, although only one game was played at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers lost the first meeting in Orlando, but won the next two matchups, including a 95-73 trouncing of the Magic as 11-point home favorites in the final regular season meeting.
Betting notes: The Pacers will be without swingman Danny Granger, who is out with a lingering calf injury. Orlando isn't expected to do much this season, but will have to start the campaign short-handed as Glen Davis and Tobias Harris will be out tonight due to injury.
Bulls at Heat (-4½, 188½)
2012-13 Records:
Chicago: 45-37 SU, 37-44-1 ATS
Miami: 66-16 SU, 46-36 ATS
Last year's season series: The two teams split the four-game regular season series, including Chicago snapping Miami's 27-game winning streak in a 101-97 home triumph in late March. The Heat took care of the Bulls in the postseason, knocking Chicago out in the second round in five games.
Betting notes: The much-anticipated return of Derrick Rose to the Chicago lineup is the major storyline tonight, in spite of Miami raising its second straight championship banner. The Bulls covered 17 of their final 28 games as a road underdog last season, while the Heat put together a 16-6 ATS record during the 12-13 regular season as a home favorite of single-digits.
Clippers (-8½, 198½) at Lakers
2012-13 Records:
Clippers: 56-26 SU, 45-37 ATS
Lakers: 45-37 SU, 34-46-2 ATS
Last year's season series: The Clippers took ownership of pro basketball in the city of Los Angeles with a four-game sweep of the Lakers, including three victories by double-digits. All four games sailed 'over' the total, as the Clippers scored at least 105 points all four times against the porous Lakers defense.
Betting notes: The fall of the Lakers begins tonight, as Kobe Bryant continues his rehab off a torn Achilles' tendon suffered this past April. Bryant will be out for an extended period of time, but both Steve Nash and Chris Kaman will be in the Lakers' lineup after being listed as questionable earlier in the week. The Lakers put together a 3-6 ATS record as a home underdog in the regular season and postseason in 2012-13, while the Clippers compiled a 3-5 ATS mark as a road favorite of at least six points, even though both these teams are playing in their home building tonight.