Wednesday's Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
Atlanta Hawks at Indiana Pacers (N/A)
Indiana has used strong team defense to build up its record, allowing only one team – the Heat – to break the century mark.
The Pacers fell at Philadelphia 96-86 on Monday and are enduring a difficult early travel schedule with 13 of 20 games on the road through the end of January.
Indiana’s hot start has been a result of its improved defense. The Pacers have allowed an average of 90 points despite playing six of their first nine on the road.
They played Monday without Danny Granger (food poisoning) and George Hill (back). Instead, Indiana leaned on the inside combination of Roy Hibbert and David West for points while giving Dahntay Jones and Lance Stephenson bigger roles in the rotation.
The under has cashed in nine of Indiana's last 13 and that trend might be a good bet Tuesday as well.
Pick: Under
New Jersey Nets at Denver Nuggets (-12, 195)
Everybody’s entitled to a bad day and that’s exactly how the Denver Nuggets are dealing with Monday’s 94-81 loss to New Orleans.
Before taking that blowout as 13-point favorites, the Nuggets had reeled off six straight paydays for their supporters.
"It just seemed like we had dead legs," Al Harrington told reporters after the loss. "We just weren't ourselves and, as a result, we weren't getting up and down the court like we usually do. We just have to lick our wounds ... and beat New Jersey on Wednesday."
That shouldn’t be much of a problem if Denver gets back to its game. The Nets are giving up 97.6 points per game and have cracked the 100-point plateau at the offensive end just once this season.
Pick: Nuggets
Wednesday Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
The Wednesday NBA card is filled with 11 games for bettors to wager on. Three of the late games involve each team sitting above .500, while the night concludes with the Heat and Clippers hooking up from Staples Center. We'll start in Salt Lake City with a rematch from the third day of the season between a pair of purple squads that are playing with no rest.
Lakers at Jazz
Los Angeles has rebounded nicely after losing the first two games of the season to win six of their last eight. This hot stretch began with a 96-71 rout of Utah at Staples Center on December 27 as 5½-point favorites, as the two teams meet up again Wednesday. The venue shifts to EnergySolutions Arena, where the Jazz owns a perfect 4-0 mark, while coming off Tuesday's matchup with the Cavaliers.
The Jazz attempted 91 shots from the floor in the first meeting, but Tyrone Corbin's club scored just 46 points through the first three quarters. Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol combined for 48 points, while Andrew Bynum sat out as part of his four-game suspension to start the season. However, the Lakers haven't been the same team away from Southern California, by losing at Sacramento, Denver, and Phoenix in three road contests.
Utah is 3-3 ATS as an underdog this season, while winning twice outright as a home 'dog against Philadelphia and Milwaukee. The Jazz have turned into a solid 'under' team as of late by cashing in three straight games, as Utah's defense has allowed 87 points or fewer in all three contests. The Lakers started the season as an automatic 'under' club with a 6-0 mark, but have seen the 'over' hit in three of the previous four games.
Magic at Blazers
Orlando continues its West Coast swing as the Magic heads to the Pacific Northwest for a showdown with the Blazers. In spite of Dwight Howard's trade demands making all the headlines for the Magic, Orlando picked up its sixth win in nine games with Sunday's victory at Sacramento as 6½-point favorites. Howard got into early foul trouble and finished with a season-low five points and four rebounds in just 19 minutes of play.
The Blazers are turning into one of the forces inside the Western Conference at 6-2, including a 5-0 record at the Rose Garden. Nate McMillan's team does own several impressive wins early on, including victories over the Lakers, Nuggets, and Thunder. Portland has limited five of its first eight opponents to less than 100 points, including 'unders' in four of the previous five contests.
Orlando faces its first unrested team this season as the Blazers are coming off Tuesday's game against the Clippers. The Magic finished last season at 7-10 ATS against teams playing without rest, while losing in their only opportunity as a road underdog at Oklahoma City, 97-89, as 7 ½-point 'dogs. Portland swept the season series from Orlando last season, including a 97-83 victory at the Rose Garden.
Heat at Clippers
Miami makes the trip down I-5 from Oakland to Los Angeles on Wednesday for the fourth of a five-game road trip. The Heat takes on the exciting Clippers for the first and only time this season, as Miami plays its fourth game with no rest (1-2 ATS). Los Angeles returns home for just their eighth contest of the season, the least amount of games played by any team through the first 2½ weeks.
The Heat's offense continues to roll in spite of Dwyane Wade missing three games, as Miami has eclipsed the 100-point mark in seven of nine games, while the 'over' is 6-3. Miami hasn't fared well at Staples Center by losing each of the last three road meetings with the Clippers, including a six-point defeat as seven-point 'chalk' last January.
The Clippers will be in their first back-to-back spot of the season on Wednesday, as L.A. owns an 0-2 SU/ATS record as an underdog. Los Angeles has been outrebounded in five of six games, while sitting in last place in the league in rebounds per game. The formula is simple for the Clippers as Vinny Del Negro's squad is 4-0 when allowing less than 100 points, as the Clippers have given up more than 114 points in two losses.
Hot Teams
-- Atlanta won its last three games, by 6-15-5 points. Indiana is 3-0 at home, winning by 13-7-14 points.
-- 76ers won/covered their last six games. New York won its last three games, by 3-23-4 points, but they're 0-4 vs spread at home.
-- Bulls won eight of last nine games (7-2 vs spread).
-- Thunder won their last four games (3-1 vs spread).
-- Boston won four of its last five games. Mavericks won/covered four of last five games.
-- San Antonio is 6-0 at home (4-1-1 vs spread).
-- Nuggets are 3-1-1 as a home favorite.
-- Utah won last five games, covered last four; they're 5-0 at home.
-- Portland is 6-0 at home, covering last five.
-- Miami won five of six on road (2-3 as road favorite).
-- Clippers won last three home games, by 5-28-6 points.
Cold Teams
-- Sacramento is 0-4 as road underdog, losing by 22-17-22-27 points. Raptors lost three of their last four games.
-- Wizards are 1-3 as road dog, losing all four games by 18-21-8-18.
-- New Orleans lost six of its last seven games.
-- Rockets lost four of their last five games.
-- Nets lost eight of their last nine games.
-- Lakers are 0-3 on road, losing by 9-9-11 points.
-- Orlando is 0-2 as underdog this year, losing by 8-14 points.
Totals
-- Five of six Atlanta road games stayed under the total.
-- Eight of ten Toronto games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last six Philly games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of nine Washington games stayed under the total.
-- Four of Thunder's five road games stayed under total.
-- Three of four Boston home games stayed under total.
-- Last three Houston games stayed under the total.
-- Last four Denver home games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 8-3 in Laker games this season.
-- Under is 6-2-1 in Orlando games this season.
-- Eight of ten Miami games went over the total.
Wear and Tear
-- Hawks: 5th game/7 nites. Pacers: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Kings: 3rd game/4 nites. Raptors: 3rd in row, 6th game/8 nites.
-- 76ers: 3rd in row, 5th/6 nites. Knicks: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Wizards: 4th game/6 nites. Bulls: 3rd in row, 7th game/9 nites.
-- Thunder: 5th game/6 nites. Hornets: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Mavericks: 7th game/11 nites. Celtics: 1st game since Friday.
-- Rockets: 5th game/8 nites. Spurs: 6th game/8 nites.
-- Nets: 4th game/6 nites. Nuggets: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Lakers: 5th game/7 nites. Jazz: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Magic: Had last two nights off. Trailblazers: 5th game/7 nites.
-- Heat: 7th game/11 nights. Clippers: 2nd game/2 nights.
ATLANTA vs. INDIANA
Atlanta is 5-16 SU in its last 21 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Atlanta is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Indiana is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games when playing Atlanta
Indiana is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games when playing at home against Atlanta
SACRAMENTO vs. TORONTO
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Sacramento's last 6 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Sacramento is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Sacramento
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing Sacramento
PHILADELPHIA vs. NEW YORK
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games on the road
Philadelphia is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing New York
New York is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 9 of New York's last 13 games at home
DALLAS vs. BOSTON
Dallas is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas's last 7 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Dallas
Boston is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games when playing at home against Dallas
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. NEW ORLEANS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
Oklahoma City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
New Orleans is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games when playing Oklahoma City
New Orleans is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
WASHINGTON vs. CHICAGO
Washington is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
Washington is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games
Chicago is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Washington
Chicago is 21-4 SU in its last 25 games at home
HOUSTON vs. SAN ANTONIO
Houston is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Houston is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
San Antonio is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Houston
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
NEW JERSEY vs. DENVER
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games
New Jersey is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Denver
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games at home
LA LAKERS vs. UTAH
LA Lakers are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of the LA Lakers last 18 games on the road
Utah is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
Utah is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games when playing LA Lakers
ORLANDO vs. PORTLAND
Orlando is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Orlando's last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Portland's last 5 games when playing Orlando
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Portland's last 6 games
MIAMI vs. LA CLIPPERS
Miami is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
LA Clippers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against Miami
LA Clippers are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games at home
ATLANTA (7 - 3) at INDIANA (6 - 3)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 6-1 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 6-1 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO (3 - 7) at TORONTO (4 - 6)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 2-2 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 2-2 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA (7 - 2) at NEW YORK (5 - 4)
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 25-14 ATS (+9.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 25-9 ATS (+15.1 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) after allowing 85 points or less over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 68-45 ATS (+18.5 Units) after playing 3 consecutive home games since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 6-2 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK is 5-3 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON (1 - 8) at CHICAGO (9 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 35-56 ATS (-26.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 27-48 ATS (-25.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 14-31 ATS (-20.1 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 36-58 ATS (-27.8 Units) in road games in January games since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 134-171 ATS (-54.1 Units) when playing on back-to-back days since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 11-26 ATS (-17.6 Units) against Central division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 30-47 ATS (-21.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 63-45 ATS (+13.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 25-12 ATS (+11.8 Units) in January games over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 78-51 ATS (+21.9 Units) in home games when playing on back-to-back days since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 4-3 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 6-1 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY (9 - 2) at NEW ORLEANS (3 - 6)
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ORLEANS is 115-158 ATS (-58.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 6-1 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 5-2 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS (5 - 5) at BOSTON (4 - 4)
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 67-44 ATS (+18.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 24-13 ATS (+9.7 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 36-19 ATS (+15.1 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 241-183 ATS (+39.7 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
DALLAS is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 21-7 ATS (+13.3 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 0-10 ATS (-11.0 Units) in home games against Southwest division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 26-41 ATS (-19.1 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 2-2 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 3-1 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON (3 - 6) at SAN ANTONIO (6 - 4)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 11-24 ATS (-15.4 Units) in January games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 37-22 ATS (+12.8 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 146-112 ATS (+22.8 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 16-30 ATS (-17.0 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 5-4 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 5-4 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NEW JERSEY (2 - 8) at DENVER (6 - 4)
Top Trends for this game.
NEW JERSEY is 74-99 ATS (-34.9 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 12-26 ATS (-16.6 Units) in road games after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
DENVER is 55-39 ATS (+12.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 2-2 against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 3-1 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS (7 - 4) at UTAH (6 - 3)
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 65-43 ATS (+17.7 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 185 and 189.5 points since 1996.
UTAH is 42-26 ATS (+13.4 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAKERS is 9-4 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 10-3 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
8 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO (6 - 3) at PORTLAND (7 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 41-55 ATS (-19.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 14-26 ATS (-14.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
PORTLAND is 28-14 ATS (+12.6 Units) when playing on back-to-back days over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 3-0 against the spread versus ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 3-1 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI (8 - 2) at LA CLIPPERS (4 - 3)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 2-2 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 2-2 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Hoop Trends - Wednesday
By Vince Akins
VegasInsider.com
SU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Jazz are 11-0-1 ATS (7.7 ppg) since April 18, 2007 at home after a win in which their DPS was at least plus 15 points.
OU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Bulls are 13-0 OU (15.7 ppg) since February 22, 1997 as a favorite with no rest after a game on the road in which they sh ot at least ten three-pointers and made at least half of them.
PLAYER BASED TREND OF THE DAY:
The Celtics are 9-0 ATS (10.2 ppg) since April 16, 2006 after a loss at home in which Paul Pierce shot worse than 33% from the field.
CHOICE TREND:
The 76ers are 0-11 ATS (-10.1 ppg) since March 20, 2003 as a road dog when they have won and covered their last three games.
TODAY’S TRENDS:
The Heat are 0-9 ATS (-9.9 ppg) since December 20, 2007 with no rest after a loss in which Dwyane Wade scored at least 30 points.The Knicks are 11-0-1 ATS (6.3 ppg) since October 29, 2010 after a win in which Amare Stoudemire had a double double.
ATLANTA at INDIANA
ATLANTA: 7-17 ATS after scoring 100 points or more 4 straight games
INDIANA: 34-26 ATS off a road loss
SACRAMENTO at TORONTO
SACRAMENTO: 38-25 OVER after playing 2 consecutive games as an underdog
TORONTO: 40-20 OVER after scoring 35 points or less in the first half last game
PHILADELPHIA at NEW YORK
PHILADELPHIA: 25-9 ATS after a non-conference game
NEW YORK: 23-9 UNDER after playing 2 consecutive games as favorite
WASHINGTON at CHICAGO
WASHINGTON: 27-48 ATS as an underdog
CHICAGO: 22-10 ATS when playing 6 or more games in 10 days
OKLAHOMA CITY at NEW ORLEANS
OKLAHOMA CITY: 59-38 UNDER in all games
NEW ORLEANS: 31-19 UNDER after playing a game as an underdog
DALLAS at BOSTON
DALLAS: 21-7 ATS after a win by 10 points or more
BOSTON: 0-10 ATS in home games against Southwest division opponents
HOUSTON at SAN ANTONIO
HOUSTON: 11-24 ATS in January games
SAN ANTONIO: 37-22 ATS after a non-conference game
NEW JERSEY at DENVER
NEW JERSEY: 32-45 ATS after playing a game as an underdog
DENVER: 21-10 ATS in non-conference games
LA LAKERS at UTAH
LA LAKERS: 55-39 UNDER as a favorite
UTAH: 42-26 ATS after scoring 105 points or more
ORLANDO at PORTLAND
ORLANDO: 58-35 UNDER in road games
PORTLAND: 17-6 UNDER after 2 consecutive covers as a favorite
MIAMI at LA CLIPPERS
MIAMI: 5-1 OVER in January games
LA CLIPPERS: 36-25 OVER in non-conference games