Wednesday's Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
San Antonio Spurs at Philadelphia 76ers (-3, 182)
The Philadelphia 76ers are after their league-leading 14th home victory Wednesday night.
The 76ers have won six of their last seven games, covering the number five times, including a 95-90 win over the Los Angeles Lakers as 4.5-point favorites on Monday.
Super sixth man Lou Williams had a huge role in that win again with 14 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter. Williams leads the team with 15.5 points per game.
"From the start of my basketball career, and for as long as I could remember, I've always played well in the fourth quarter," Williams told reporters. "I know that's the most important time of a basketball game."
Williams and the Sixers will have to be awfully good in the fourth to get by the surging Spurs. San Antonio has won five straight outright and six in a row against the number.
This one might go down to the final buzzer.
Pick: Spurs
Detroit Pistons at New Jersey Nets (-4, 185.5)
When these two teams got together last week, New Jersey came away with a 99-96 win over Detroit. The Pistons may be ready to get their revenge Wednesday.
Detroit comes into this one having won consecutive games for the first time in a month and has covered the number in three straight.
Second-year center Greg Monroe averaged 21 points and 13.5 rebounds in Detroit’s last two games and has seven double-doubles in his last eight overall.
"He wants to be a really special player, yet the thing that's amazing is unbelievable upside and growth," coach Lawrence Frank told the Pistons' official website. "He literally is just scratching it. There's so much more to come."
New Jersey has lost three in a row and the Pistons are playing with a lot of confidence right now.
Pick: Pistons
Wednesday Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
It will be a busy Wednesday night in the NBA with 11 games on the card, as four teams are listed as road favorites. The Heat, Bucks, Clippers, and Bulls will all be laying points on the highway, while the 76ers and Hawks face major tests at home. We'll begin in the Sunshine State with a pair of Southeast division rivals meeting for the first time this season.
Heat (-3, 191½) at Magic
Miami makes the trip up the Florida Turnpike for a division showdown with an erratic Orlando squad. The Heat is fresh off Tuesday's game against the Cavs, while the Magic looks to get back on track following Monday's overtime loss to the Clippers. Orlando blew an early 15-point lead, but rallied from nine down in the fourth quarter to force overtime. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Magic, even though Orlando busted the 100-point mark for the third time in four games.
The Heat begins a season-high six-game road trip, including the first three contests against divisional foes. Erik Spoelstra's team hasn't helped out backers by going 2-7 ATS the last nine games, while putting up a putrid 1-5 ATS mark the previous six road contests. Since losing three straight at the end of their last lengthy trip, Miami's defense has allowed less than 100 points in 11 of the last 12 games.
The Magic started the season at 10-3, but Stan Van Gundy's club is just 5-7 the past 12 contests after Monday's defeat. Orlando owns a solid 4-1 ATS record the last five opportunities as an underdog, while splitting four meetings with Miami last season. Each team won at home and picked up a victory on the opponent's home court, as LeBron James scored a season-high 51 points in a 104-100 triumph at Amway Arena last February.
Spurs at 76ers (-3, 182)
San Antonio continues its annual "Rodeo Trip" that will span over two weeks and nine stops. The Spurs took care of business against the Grizzlies for the third time this season in Monday's 89-84 victory, the fifth in a row for Gregg Popovich's squad. The 76ers are in the midst of a difficult three-game homestand that concludes with the Clippers on Friday, as Philadelphia knocked off the other L.A. team in a 95-90 triumph over the Lakers on Monday.
The Spurs are still playing without guard Manu Ginobili (hand injury), as San Antonio is holding its own with a 14-7 SU and 12-9 ATS record. During this current five-game winning streak, the Spurs have limited each opponent to less than 100 points, while cashing the 'under' four times. In fact, this San Antonio club is 7-1 ATS the last eight contests, with the lone ATS loss coming as short road favorites at Minnesota.
The Sixers have turned into one of the early-season surprises by putting together an 18-7 mark through the first six weeks. Doug Collins' team has won six of their last seven games, with the only defeat coming at home to the Heat last Friday (Sixers are 1-13 the last 14 meetings with Miami). Philadelphia's frontcourt is beat up as Elton Brand has missed the last two games with a thumb injury, while center Spencer Hawes is nursing an Achilles' injury. The Sixers have won each of the last four home meetings with the Spurs, but Philadelphia was listed as an underdog each time.
Pacers at Hawks (-3, 185½)
Atlanta is free-falling after a solid start to the season following three consecutive home losses to Memphis, Philadelphia, and Phoenix. The Hawks look to turn things around against a Pacers' squad that ran Atlanta out of Conseco Fieldhouse, 96-84 on January 11. Indiana travels to Philips Arena with no rest after Tuesday's home contest against Utah, as the Pacers are in a good betting spot here.
Frank Vogel's club has played well in the role of an underdog, winning and covering each of the last five times in this scenario. The Pacers have pulled off some nice victories in this stretch, including triumphs over the Lakers, Bulls, Magic, and Mavericks. Indiana is 4-2 ATS with no rest this season, while compiling a 2-0 ATS ledger as an underdog.
The Hawks have profited on the second of a back-to-back at 6-1 ATS, but the problem is Atlanta will be playing with rest following Monday's setback to the Suns. Larry Drew's team is 9-5 ATS as a single-digit favorite, while going 1-5 ATS the last six times as home 'chalk' of three points or more. The Hawks have dominated the Pacers in the Peach State with an 8-0 SU and 7-1 ATS mark the previous eight home matchups.
Rockets at Blazers (-7½, 198)
Portland suffered only its second home loss of the season in Monday's controversial defeat to Oklahoma City. The Blazers were set to close out the Thunder with a late two-point lead, but officials called LaMarcus Aldridge's block of Kevin Durant a goaltend, forcing overtime. Oklahoma City came through in the extra session, sending Portland to 11-2 at the Rose Garden. Now, the Blazers attempt to get on track against the Rockets.
Houston is coming off its most impressive road victory of the season after upending the Nuggets in Denver on Monday as seven-point underdogs, 99-90. The Nuggets were missing several key pieces, but the Rockets knocked down 10 three-pointers in the triumph for just their fourth away win in 12 tries. Kevin McHale's team beat the Blazers in their last meeting at the Toyota Center in overtime, 107-105 as one-point 'dogs in mid-January.
Portland wraps up a three-game homestand before hitting the road for two games at New Orleans and Dallas this weekend. The Blazers have done a solid job off an ATS loss by covering in eight of 10 opportunities in this situation, including a 6-0 ATS mark at home off a non-cover. Point guard Raymond Felton is listed as 'questionable' for the Blazers with a foot injury, as the former UNC star missed his first game of the season in Monday's loss to the Thunder.
Hot Teams
-- Miami won eight of its last nine games. Magic won three of four.
-- Philly won six of its last seven games. Spurs won last five games, covered last six.
-- Clippers won six of their last seven games.
-- Pacers won five of their last six games.
-- Bulls covered 11 of their last 15 road games.
-- Minnesota won four of its last five games.
-- Portland won/covered five of its last six home games.
Cold Teams
-- Knicks lost six of their last seven road games; they're 5-0 vs spread in last five games overall. Wizards lost four of their last five games.
-- Toronto lost four of its last five home games. Bucks lost their last three games, scoring 91.7 ppg.
-- Cavaliers lost eight of last eleven games (2-1-1 as home dog).
-- Hawks lost last three games, all at home, scoring 84.7 ppg.
-- Pistons are 2-10-1 vs spread as a road underdog. Nets lost four of last five games (2-2 as home favorite).
-- New Orleans hasn't won/covered any of its last six games.
-- Grizzlies lost last three games, scoring 86 ppg.
-- Denver lost five of its last six games. Mavericks lost last three games, scoring 87 ppg.
-- Rockets are 3-7 against spread as a road underdog.
Wear and Tear
-- Heat: 3rd game/4 nites. Magic: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Knicks: 5th game/7 nites. Wizards: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Bucks: 4th game/6 nites. Raptors: 6th game/9 nites.
-- Spurs: 3rd game/5 nites. 76ers: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Clippers: 3rd game/5 nites. Cavaliers: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Pacers: 6th game/9 nites. Hawks: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Pistons: Had last three nites off. Nets: 6th game/9 nites.
-- Bulls: 3rd game/5 nites. Hornets: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Wolves: 4th game/6 nites. Grizzlies: 7th game/10 nites.
-- Mavericks: Had last three nites off. Nuggets: 5th game/7 nites.
-- Rockets: 4th game/6 nites. Blazers: 3rd game/5 nites.
Totals
-- Over is 8-3 in Miami's road games this season.
-- Under is 11-1 in New York's road games.
-- Eight of last nine Milwaukee games went over.
-- Four of last five San Antonio games stayed under.
-- Five of last seven Clipper road games went over.
-- Eight of last ten Indiana games went over total.
-- Five of last seven Detroit games went over total.
-- Last four Chicago games went over the total.
-- Over is 8-3 in Minnesota's last eleven games. Under is 10-2 in last 12 Memphis games.
-- Under is 7-3 in last ten Dallas road games.
-- Six of last eight Houston road games stayed under.
MIAMI (19 - 6) at ORLANDO (15 - 10) - 2/8/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 49-63 ATS (-20.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 4-4 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO is 4-4 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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NEW YORK (10 - 15) at WASHINGTON (5 - 20) - 2/8/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 33-21 ATS (+9.9 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 8-17 ATS (-10.7 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) as an underdog this season.
WASHINGTON is 37-64 ATS (-33.4 Units) as a home underdog of 3 points or less since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 271-338 ATS (-100.8 Units) in home games since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 8-21 ATS (-15.1 Units) against Atlantic division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 56-78 ATS (-29.8 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 167-208 ATS (-61.8 Units) after allowing 105 points or more since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 6-2 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK is 7-1 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MILWAUKEE (10 - 14) at TORONTO (8 - 18) - 2/8/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 25-11 ATS (+12.9 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 16-4 ATS (+11.6 Units) against Atlantic division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 104-72 ATS (+24.8 Units) after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1996.
TORONTO is 124-160 ATS (-52.0 Units) in home games second half of the season since 1996.
TORONTO is 30-51 ATS (-26.1 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 6-1 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
MILWAUKEE is 6-1 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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SAN ANTONIO (17 - 9) at PHILADELPHIA (18 - 7) - 2/8/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) as a favorite this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in home games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 26-10 ATS (+15.0 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 24-13 ATS (+9.7 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 66-96 ATS (-39.6 Units) as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 3-1 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 2-2 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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LA CLIPPERS (15 - 7) at CLEVELAND (9 - 14) - 2/8/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 74-112 ATS (-49.2 Units) in February games since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 28-44 ATS (-20.4 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 14-27 ATS (-15.7 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 3-1 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 3-1 straight up against LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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INDIANA (17 - 7) at ATLANTA (16 - 9) - 2/8/2012, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) in road games when playing on back-to-back days over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in home games in February games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 6-2 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 6-2 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DETROIT (6 - 20) at NEW JERSEY (8 - 18) - 2/8/2012, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in road games revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
DETROIT is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 82-106 ATS (-34.6 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) in home games against Central division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 35-54 ATS (-24.4 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 29-48 ATS (-23.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 4-3 against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
NEW JERSEY is 4-4 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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CHICAGO (21 - 6) at NEW ORLEANS (4 - 21) - 2/8/2012, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 3-1 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 4-0 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MINNESOTA (13 - 12) at MEMPHIS (12 - 13) - 2/8/2012, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 38-63 ATS (-31.3 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 185 and 189.5 points since 1996.
MINNESOTA is 27-44 ATS (-21.4 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 72-47 ATS (+20.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 35-22 ATS (+10.8 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 37-20 ATS (+15.0 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 29-14 ATS (+13.6 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 41-28 ATS (+10.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 7-2 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS is 8-1 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DALLAS (14 - 11) at DENVER (15 - 10) - 2/8/2012, 9:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 4-4 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 5-3 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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HOUSTON (14 - 11) at PORTLAND (14 - 11) - 2/8/2012, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 34-22 ATS (+9.8 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 45-26 ATS (+16.4 Units) in road games after 3 or more consecutive unders since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 4-4 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 4-4 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland is 9-1 SU in their last 10 games when playing LA Clippers
Cleveland is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
MIAMI vs. ORLANDO
Miami is 5-16 SU in its last 21 games when playing Orlando
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games when playing on the road against Orlando
Orlando is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games when playing Miami
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Orlando's last 5 games when playing at home against Miami
SAN ANTONIO vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone OVER in 12 of San Antonio's last 16 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
San Antonio is 5-17 SU in its last 22 games on the road
Philadelphia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 7 games when playing San Antonio
MILWAUKEE vs. TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Milwaukee's last 10 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Milwaukee is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Milwaukee
Toronto is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Milwaukee
NEW YORK vs. WASHINGTON
New York is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New York's last 9 games when playing Washington
Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing New York
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington's last 9 games when playing New York
DETROIT vs. NEW JERSEY
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Detroit's last 10 games when playing New Jersey
Detroit is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games when playing New Jersey
New Jersey is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 6 of New Jersey's last 7 games when playing at home against Detroit
INDIANA vs. ATLANTA
Indiana is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indiana's last 7 games
Atlanta is 2-4-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Atlanta is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing Indiana
MINNESOTA vs. MEMPHIS
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Minnesota's last 11 games
Memphis is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis's last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
CHICAGO vs. NEW ORLEANS
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
Chicago is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
New Orleans is 1-12 SU in its last 13 games at home
New Orleans is 5-12-1 ATS in its last 18 games when playing at home against Chicago
DALLAS vs. DENVER
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Dallas's last 7 games on the road
Dallas is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Denver
Denver is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Denver is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games at home
HOUSTON vs. PORTLAND
Houston is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Portland's last 13 games
Portland is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games at home
MIAMI at ORLANDO
MIAMI: 62-41 UNDER after a game where they covered the spread
ORLANDO: 18-7 UNDER off a home loss
NEW YORK at WASHINGTON
NEW YORK: 32-19 ATS after 1 or more consecutive wins
WASHINGTON: 8-21 ATS against Atlantic division opponents
MILWAUKEE at TORONTO
MILWAUKEE: 16-4 ATS against Atlantic division opponents
TORONTO: 21-38 ATS after allowing 110 points or more
SAN ANTONIO at PHILADELPHIA
SAN ANTONIO: 19-8 OVER as a road underdog
PHILADELPHIA: 18-7 ATS in all games
LA CLIPPERS at CLEVELAND
LA CLIPPERS: 28-44 ATS second half of the season
CLEVELAND: 3-13 ATS after a road game where both teams score 100 or more points
INDIANA at ATLANTA
INDIANA: 4-14 ATS in road games when playing on back-to-back days
ATLANTA: 91-65 ATS in home games revenging a road loss vs opponent of 10 points or more
DETROIT at NEW JERSEY
DETROIT: 9-1 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points
NEW JERSEY: 70-93 ATS after playing a game as an underdog
CHICAGO at NEW ORLEANS
CHICAGO: 5-0 ATS after playing 3 consecutive games as a road favorite
NEW ORLEANS: 14-27 ATS off a home loss
MINNESOTA at MEMPHIS
MINNESOTA: 27-44 ATS second half of the season
MEMPHIS: 37-20 ATS in home games
DALLAS at DENVER
DALLAS: 66-39 ATS in road games
DENVER: 17-24 ATS against Southwest division opponents
HOUSTON at PORTLAND
HOUSTON: 17-7 ATS in road games after covering 2 of their last 3 against the spread
PORTLAND: 17-7 UNDER after a combined score of 205 points or more
Hoop Trends - Wednesday
By Vince Akins
VegasInsider.com
SU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Rockets are 14-0 ATS (9.8 ppg) since December 12, 2007 after a game in which they has more than 10 refereed turnovers.
OU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Nets are 10-0 OU (13.1 ppg) since January 16, 2006 as a home favorite off a loss in which they never led.
PLAYER BASED TREND OF THE DAY:
The Pacers are 10-0 OU (12.6 ppg) since January 17, 2011 on the road after winning the previous matchup in which Tyler Hansbrough scored fewer than 10 points.
CHOICE TREND:
The Wizards are 0-12 ATS (-6.8 ppg) since March 14, 2003 with at least one day of rest after a win in which their opponent shot at least ten three-pointers and made at least half of them.
TODAY’S TRENDS:
The Magic are 0-9 OU (-14.3 ppg) since April 22, 2009 with at least a day of rest after a loss in which Dwight Howard scored at least 30 points.