Wednesday's Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
The Wednesday NBA card is loaded with 11 games to wager on, including four key contests with plenty of storylines. The Thunder will welcome in old friend James Harden as the Rockets invade Oklahoma City, while the Bulls try to rebound from Monday's meltdown against the Bucks. We'll begin with an Atlantic Division battle from Boston.
Nets at Celtics
Brooklyn is fresh off a victory over cross-town New York in overtime on Monday, as the Nets go for their second win over the Celtics this season. The Nets finished off their homestand at a perfect 3-0 SU/ATS, while holding each opponent to less than 89 points. The Celtics go for their second winning streak of three games on Wednesday after beating the Thunder and Magic.
The last time the Celtics faced the Nets at Barclays Center, Boston fell short in a 102-97 defeat as Rajon Rondo missed the game with an ankle injury. The C's managed to 'push' as five-point underdogs, while the 'over' of 190 ½ was never in doubt thanks to 109 points scored in the first half. Boston attempts to extend its winning streak to five games over Brooklyn at TD Garden, as the Celtics have won each of the last three home meetings by double-digits.
The Nets begin a three-game road trip which extends to the Sunshine State starting Friday in Orlando. Avery Johnson's club has won just two of five away contests this season, while cashing just once in three tries as an underdog. Brooklyn is rolling for 'under' bettors by hitting in five of the last six games, as the Nets own a 4-1 mark to the 'under' on the highway.
Mavericks at Bulls
Chicago squandered a 27-point lead in Monday's one-point defeat to Milwaukee, falling to an incredible 0-7 ATS at the United Center this season. The Bulls go for their first home cover against a Mavs' squad that is coming off Tuesday's two-point defeat at Philadelphia. Dallas has struggled to cover numbers this season at 6-9 ATS, including a 3-4 ATS mark away from Texas.
The Bulls returned from their annual Circus trip with a 2-3 SU/ATS record, with victories at Phoenix and Milwaukee to start and finish the stand, respectively. However, Chicago couldn't complete the home-and-home sweep after Milwaukee's bench helped spark a 31-4 run in the second half to erase a 78-51 deficit. Chicago's offense has failed to bust the 100-point mark in seven home games, while cashing the 'under' five times.
Dallas continues to play without leading scorer Dirk Nowitzki, but the defense is suffering as the Mavs allowed at least 100 points in 10 of the previous 11 contests. Rick Carlisle's team has drilled the 'over' in five of seven games with the total listed at 195 or below, as Wednesday's total opened at 191.
Knicks at Bucks
Since starting 8-1, New York has dropped three of the last four games to fall into a first-place tie with Brooklyn atop the Atlantic Division. The Knicks were tripped in a back-and-forth overtime affair on Monday against the Nets as short road favorites, while scoring the fewest points in regulation (84) this season. Now, New York travels to Wisconsin for a matchup with a Bucks' team trying to maintain momentum from Monday's massive rally.
We chronicled earlier how Milwaukee overcame a 27-point deficit to shock Chicago, the first win in 10 tries against the Bulls. Brandon Jennings didn't contribute much during the comeback as he was still suffering from an ankle injury that came in the final minute of last Saturday's home loss to the Bulls. The point guard scored just six points on 2-for-9 shooting, while backcourt mate Monta Ellis tallied just 10 points on Monday. Scott Skiles' club has covered just once in five games this season at BMO Harris Bradley Center.
The Knicks actually played better defensively in Monday's overtime loss as Mike Woodson's squad allowed less than 100 points for the first time four contests. New York is not a team to back when playing away from Madison Square Garden, going 1-4 ATS the last five road contests. Both meetings in Milwaukee last season finished 'over' the total, as each game had a total listed at 200 or higher.
Rockets at Thunder
Days before the season, James Harden turned down a contract extension from Oklahoma City and was shipped to Houston in a megadeal. The defending Western Conference champions acquired Kevin Martin (among others) and haven't skipped a beat with an 11-4 SU and 9-5-1 ATS record. Harden returns to OKC on Wednesday to lead his Rockets on the second of a back-to-back following Tuesday's home blowout of the Raptors.
Houston has dialed up its scoring recently by topping the 100-point mark in six of the last eight games, while hitting the 'over' six times in this stretch. Harden is the driving force by leading the Rockets at 25.2 points per game, including a combined 51 points in home victories over the Bulls and Knicks. Since picking up underdog victories at Detroit and Atlanta to start the season, the Rockets have lost each of their last four games away from Toyota Center.
The Thunder annihilated the Bobcats on Monday in a 114-69 rout as 11½-point home favorites. OKC allowed just 24 points in the first half, while grabbing a 54-point advantage in the third quarter. Scott Brooks' team is picking up plenty of covers lately by posting a 5-1 ATS record the last six contests.
NBA Knowledge
Hot Teams
-- Spurs won last four games, covered six of last seven as road favorite.
-- Nets won/covered last three games (1-2 as AU).
-- Boston won three of its last four at home (1-3-1 as HF).
-- Atlanta won its last five games (0-4 as HF).
-- Bobcats won six of last nine games (2-3 as AU).
-- Suns won three of last four games (1-3 as AU).
-- Pistons are 4-3 in last seven games, after an 0-8 start (0-3 as F).
-- Memphis won 10 of last 11 games (9-2 vs spread, 4-2 as HF).
-- Jazz won four of last five games (2-2 as AF).
-- Thunder won five of last six games (5-4-1 as HF).
-- Rockets won/covered their last three games (0-3-1 last four AU).
Cold Teams
-- Washington lost first 12 games (1-4 as HU).
-- Portland lost three of last four games (2-5 SU on road).
-- Magic is 2-5-1 vs spread in last eight games as a dog (1-3 as HU).
-- Bulls lost four of last five games (0-6 as HF).
-- Dallas lost three of last four games (3-3 as AU).
-- Knicks lost three of last four games (2-2 as AF).
-- Milwaukee also lost three of last four (3-3 SU at home).
-- Raptors lost their last five games (4-5 as AU).
-- New Orleans lost seven of last eight games (2-3 as HU).
-- Minnesota lost five of last six games (4-3 as AU).
-- Clippers lost last four games (3-3 as HF).
Totals
-- Last four Washington games went over the total.
-- Six of Spurs' last seven games went over the total.
-- Last six Brooklyn games stayed under the total.
-- Five of Boston's last six games went over.
-- Four of last five games went over for both Charlotte/Atlanta.
-- Over is 9-3-1 in last thirteen Phoenix games.
-- Three of last four Dallas games went over the total
-- Four of last five Chicago games stayed under.
-- Over is 5-2-1 in New York's road games.
-- Four of last five Toronto games went over total
-- Six of Grizzlies' last nine games stayed under.
-- Over is 5-2-1 in last eight Utah games.
-- Six of last eight Houston games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Minnesota road games stayed under total.
Armadillosports.com
NBA : Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Toronto at Memphis
Things are not going well for Purple Dinos. Last night's loss at Houston sends the skid to 0-5 (3-2 ATS) overall, 1-8 (4-5 ATS) away from the Air Canada Center in Toronto. The free-falling Raptors won't catch much of a break Wednesday when they go up against the red-hot Grizzlies sitting at 10-2 on the campaign with a profitable 9-2 mark at the betting window. Barring poor play from the home side, Raptors allowing 101.4 points/game aren't about to sneak up and win this game vs Grizzlies one of the better defensive teams in the league surrendering 91.8 PPG and that has a decent offense too boot. But, the Atlantic division cellar-dwelling Raptors could keep this one close enough to cover the expected double-digit spot. Raptors are on a smart 8-2 ATS road streak taking double digits, 12-4 ATS stretch as road dogs without rest, 4-2 ATS on the road following a loss by => 15 points, 17-6 ATS on the road after a road underdog loss, 11-4-1 ATS vs non-conference opponents.
Game of the day: Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics
By Covers.com
Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics (-4.5, 191.5)
The Brooklyn Nets have taken to their new home, winning seven of eight at Barclays Center to jump to the top of the Atlantic Division. The road has not been nearly as kind. The Nets will be looking to move to .500 on the road when they visit the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. The Celtics have won back-to-back games but have yet to solve the defensive problems that have plagued them over the last two weeks.
New Jersey beat the crosstown-rival New York Knicks in overtime on Monday to forge a tie between the teams atop the division. Boston enters Wednesday in fourth place, behind the Philadelphia 76ers. The Celtics have controlled the Atlantic with a stingy team defense since bringing Kevin Garnett to town five seasons ago but have had trouble incorporating several new pieces into their scheme.
ABOUT THE NETS (9-4, 8-3-2 ATS): Brooklyn got things done Monday with the inside-outside combination of Deron Williams and Brook Lopez, each of whom recorded a double-double. Those two are part of the home-road problem for the Nets. Lopez is averaging 21.3 points and 6.6 rebounds in eight home games but has seen those numbers dip to 16.0 and 6.4 in five contests on the road. Williams is averaging 18.3 points and 10.1 assists at Barclays Center but 14.2 and seven away from it. Third-leading scorer Joe Johnson has had the same problems. Brooklyn is beginning a three-game trip at Boston.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (8-6, 5-7-2 ATS): Boston has never been a great rebounding team in this era of success, preferring to run back on defense instead of crashing the boards. While the Celtics still are last in the NBA in rebounding, they also have slipped into the bottom third in scoring defense recently. Boston needed overtime to squeeze out a 116-110 victory at the lowly Orlando Magic on Sunday and has allowed the opposition to reach the century mark in four straight games. Some of the problems on defense began on Nov. 15, when the Celtics dropped a 102-97 decision at Brooklyn.
TRENDS:
* Favorite is 3-0-1 ATS in the last four meetings.
* Home team is 4-1-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
* Under is 6-2 in the last eight meetings.
* Nets are 0-3-1 ATS in the last four meetings.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Celtics PG Rajon Rondo missed the Nov. 15 meeting with an ankle injury. Rondo has recorded at least 10 assists in each of his last 37 games.
2. Boston had taken three straight in the series before dropping the first meeting this season.
3. The Nets have been at their best defensively in the fourth quarter of the last three games, holding teams to an average of 15 points.
NBA Points Spread and Trends
By: The Linemakers
Sportingnews.com
There are 11 games on Wednesday night’s NBA card. While the Wizards are still searching for their first win, Rockets guard James Harden makes his first trip back to Oklahoma City since being traded from the Thunder to Houston just before the season.
The lines below are from the LVH SuperBook as of about 10:15 a.m. PT.
NBA Trends:
* The Wizards are the only winless team in the NBA at 0-12, and are also 0-6 at home. But they are 5-0 ATS on Wednesdays. The Wizards have also gone OVER the total in their past four games. The home team has gone 8-3 ATS the last 11 times the Blazers and Wizards have met. The Blazers are -3, and the total is 193.5 for tonight’s game in Washington.
* The Spurs handle business well on the road against bad teams, going 12-2-2 ATS in their past 16 against teams with a winning percentage below .400. They also have covered six of their past seven road games. The favorite has covered in five of the past six meetings between the Spurs and Magic, and the OVER has occurred in seven of the past eight meetings. The Spurs are -7.5, and the total is 197.
* The Bobcats and Hawks have gone OVER the total in their past five meetings. The favorite has also covered in the last six meetings. The Hawks are -8.5, and the total is 193.5 tonight in Atlanta.
* The Suns have not covered their past four games when playing on the back end of back-to-back nights. They are also 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games following a win. The Pistons have covered four of their past five games against Western Conference teams. The Pistons are -3 at home tonight, and the total is 198
* The Nets keep momentum going well this season, going 5-0-2 ATS in their last seven instances coming off a win. They are 7-1-2 ATS in their past 10 games coming into tonight. The Celtics have covered only two of their last eight home games. The Celtics are -3.5, with a total of 190.
* The Bulls have not covered their last seven home games. The also haven’t covered in their past four against a team with a losing record. The underdog has covered in six of the past eight meetings between the Bulls and Mavericks. The Bulls are -6, with a total of 191.
* The Knicks have covered only once in their past five games at Milwaukee. The underdog has covered six of the last seven meetings between the Bucks and Knicks. The Knicks are -1.5 with a total of 201.
* The Raptors have covered their last six games on the back end of back-to-back games. They also respond well after getting beat by 10 points or more the game before, going 8-1 ATS in their last nine instances. The Grizzlies have covered nine of their past 11 games. The underdog has covered six of the past seven meetings. The Grizzlies are -10 at home tonight, and the total is 191.
* The Jazz have only covered twice in their past 11 road games. The Hornets are 8-1 ATS in their last nine home games against a team with a losing record. The UNDER has occurred in the last five meetings between the Jazz and Hornets in New Orleans. The Jazz are -3, with a total of 190.5.
* The Rockets have covered their last four games when coming off a win of 10 points or more. The Thunder have covered five of their past six games coming into tonight. The home team has covered eight of the past 10 meetings between the Rockets and Thunder. The Thunder are -10.5 with a total of 209.5 for Harden’s return to OKC.
* The T’Wolves are 4-1 ATS in their past five games following a game they covered. However, they have only covered only once in their past six games (1-3 ATS w/Kevin Love). The Clippers have covered four of their past five home games. The road team has covered the past five meetings between the Clippers and T’Wolves. The Clippers are -9, with a total of 192.
Dr. Ed Meyer Trend of the Night:
* The Bucks are 0-8 against-the-spread since April 10, 2010, at home after a win on the road in which Brandon Jennings was not the team’s high scorer.
Did You Know?
* NBA favorites are 105-97-6 ATS (52.98 percent) this season, but the best overall play has been laying the points with the road favorite. Unlike the NFL where the away underdog has been the best play (63-43-3 ATS - 59.43 percent), the NBA road favorites have been hitting at 56.06 percent (37-29 ATS) this season.
NBA injuries:
* Wizards center Nene (shoulder) is questionable tonight -- that didn‘t take long.
* Hawks guard Kyle Korver (back) is questionable tonight.
* Hawks guard Devin Harris (turf toe) missed Atlanta’s last game and is questionable tonight.
* Knicks guard Jason Kidd (back) missed Monday’s game vs. the Nets and is OUT tonight.
* Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (flu) missed the team’s last game and is probable tonight.
* Hornets center Anthony Davis (ankle) remains OUT indefinitely.