Wednesday's Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
Indiana Pacers at New Jersey Nets (5.5, 193.5)
The Pacers have won four of their last five games outright and are coming off what could have been the club’s biggest win of the season.
Indiana downed a sluggish Miami Heat team 105-90 as a 3.5-point underdog Monday night. Danny Granger and Darren Collison combined for 45 points as the club moved into fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
"Our guys had a determination that they weren't going to be denied," coach Frank Vogel told reporters. "We're competing at a high level. We're looking forward to making a serious run at the end of the season and be one of the hottest teams going into the playoffs."
Indiana has won all three meetings between these two teams this season and even though the Nets managed to cover the last two of those, they could be in trouble Wednesday.
New Jersey is just 1-6 straight up and against the spread in its last seven after an ugly 105-84 loss to Utah as a 1.5-point favorite.
Pick: Pacers
Utah Jazz at Boston Celtics (-4, 190.5)
Even though the Boston Celtics have themselves back in the playoff picture, coach Doc Rivers knows there is a lot of work to be done with his club.
The Celtics beat up on the Bobcats Monday for their fourth win in five games and even though they covered as 6.5-point favorites, Rivers wasn’t pleased about being up by only two after leading 33-15 in the first quarter.
“If we’re a quote-unquote defensive team then we have to be better than that,” Rivers told reporters. “For us, we have to keep plugging along and keep playing. It is important, but we’ve still got some games left. Since the All-Star break we haven’t played well every night but we’re winning some of the games where we don’t play well.”
And despite Boston’s defensive focus, the Celtics and Jazz normally top their posted totals. Utah has scored at least 100 points in four straight and each of the last four meetings between these two teams have played over.
Pick: Over
Wednesday Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Ten games take place on the busy Wednesday NBA card, as four of those contests involve both teams in playoff contention. The night wraps up with three games in California, including the Suns going for their third win over the Clippers in three tries. We'll start in Charlotte with the stumbling Bobcats attempting to knock off a hungry Wolves' squad.
Wolves at Bobcats
Charlotte continues to own the worst record in basketball at 7-40, as the Bobcats look to snap an 0-4 SU/ATS funk against the Wolves. Minnesota finishes up a quick two-game road trip following Tuesday's contest at Memphis, as the Wolves go for the season sweep of the Bobcats. In the last meeting at the Target Center on February 15, Rick Adelman's team held off Charlotte, 102-90 as 10½-point favorites. The Bobcats covered three straight games in the home underdog role in early March, but Charlotte owns a 1-4 SU/ATS record the last five opportunities when receiving points at Time Warner Cable Arena.
Pistons at Cavaliers
These two struggling Central Division rivals meet for the third time this season as Cleveland has claimed each of the first two matchups. The last time these clubs hooked up at Quicken Loans Arena on February 21, the Cavs rallied from a 17-point deficit to stun the Pistons, 101-100. Detroit snapped a five-game skid in Monday's ugly 79-77 victory at Washington, the third straight game the Pistons have scored less than 80 points. The Cavaliers have compiled a 2-9 ATS record the last 11 games at home, while two wins came by one point apiece.
Magic at Knicks
New York is a beat-up club right now as Amare Stoudemire is on the shelf with a bulging disc in his back. Jeremy Lin missed Monday's home victory over the Bucks along with Stoudemire, as the point guard is battling through a knee injury. The Knicks will try to win their eighth game in nine tries since Mike Woodson took over as head coach, hosting a Magic club that is riding a three-game hot streak. Orlando picked up a 102-93 victory at Madison Square Garden on January 16, as the Magic outscored the Knicks, 29-18 in the final quarter. The Magic owns a 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS record on the final stop of a multi-game road trip this season, even though Stan Van Gundy's club is just 1-4 ATS the previous five contests as an away favorite.
Nuggets at Raptors
Denver bounced back from a pair of double-digit losses by handling Chicago in Monday's 108-91 victory as eight-point road 'dogs. The Nuggets haven't been listed as an away favorite since January 31 as Denver travels to Toronto. The Raptors were the NBA's hottest ATS team in February and early March, but Toronto has fallen backwards in that department by posting a 4-7 ATS record since March 10. The last time the Raptors faced the Nuggets at the Pepsi Center in late January, Denver blew out Toronto as 13-point favorites, 96-81. George Karl's team is riding a five-game 'over' streak, even though the Nuggets have allowed more than 112 points four times in this stretch.
Pacers at Nets
Indiana and New Jersey hook up for the fourth and final time this season as the Pacers go for the sweep. Frank Vogel's club blew out the Nets, 108-94 as six-point road 'chalk' in early January, but Indiana failed to cash in two home victories over New Jersey in the last two months. The Pacers took care of the Heat as short home 'dogs on Monday, while the Nets were blasted by the tired Jazz two nights ago by 21 points. Indiana owns a 3-5 ATS record the last eight games as a road favorite, while New Jersey is 1-4 ATS the previous five contests at home.
Jazz at Celtics
Utah is the hottest ATS team in the league as of late, cashing in five of the last six games. Overall, the Jazz has won seven of eight with the lone loss coming in a four-overtime thriller at Atlanta on Sunday. The road trip continues in Beantown, as the Celtics look to extend their winning streak to three. Granted, the C's got through the last two victories without Ray Allen by beating the Wizards and Bobcats. Allen is expected to return after missing the last three games with an ankle injury, but Boston has put together a 6-1 ATS record without the former UConn star in the lineup. Utah is 4-1 SU/ATS the previous five contests in the underdog role, but the Jazz have lost in each of the last three trips to TD Garden.
Bulls at Hawks
Atlanta has given Chicago all it can handle this season by cashing in two of three meetings, including a 109-94 blowout of the Bulls as six-point home 'dogs in early January. The Hawks play their fifth game in six nights after Tuesday's contest at Milwaukee, as Atlanta owns an 11-3-1 ATS record with no rest this season. The Bulls will likely be without point guard Derrick Rose for an eighth straight game with a groin injury. Chicago is 5-2 SU and 4-3 ATS without the reigning MVP during this stretch, including road wins at Orlando and Toronto.
Spurs at Kings
San Antonio's veteran legs are getting a nice workout by playing for the fifth time in six nights on Wednesday. The Spurs head to Sacramento looking to avenge an 88-86 home defeat to the Kings as 10-point favorites on January 20. The Kings return home attempting to snap a three-game losing streak, as Keith Smart's club failed to cover as six-point road underdogs in Monday's overtime setback at Houston. Sacramento is riding an 8-2 'over' run, including six of those 'overs' coming at Power Balance Pavilion. The Spurs go for their seventh straight road win in the series, as San Antonio dominated Sacramento in the previous matchup in California's capital city last April, 113-100.
Hornets at Warriors
Two teams that are staring at the lottery meet in the Bay Area, as New Orleans tries to snap a two-game skid. The Hornets were blitzed early in Monday's 12-point loss to the Clippers, but New Orleans has been solid as a single-digit road 'dog recently by posting a 6-1 ATS mark the last seven opportunities. The Warriors play with no rest following Tuesday's showdown with the Lakers, as Golden State looks to beat New Orleans for the second time this season. Mark Jackson's squad picked up a 101-92 victory on March 21 in the Big Easy, cashing outright as two-point 'dogs.
Suns at Clippers
Phoenix has seen its share of success against Los Angeles this season, knocking off the Clippers twice in two meetings. Each matchup went comfortably 'under' the total, including a huge Suns' rally at Staples Center on March 15, overcoming a 17-point deficit in a 91-87 upset as nine-point 'dogs. The Clippers bounced back from a 0-3 disastrous road trip last week by beating the Grizzlies and Hornets at home over the last three days. Phoenix has cashed in four of the last five road games, while compiling a 12-3 ATS record this month.
Hot Teams
-- Knicks won/covered seven of eight under Woodson. Orlando won its last three games, by 10-13-16 points.
-- Pacers won four of their last five games; they're 4-6-1 as road faves.
-- Jazz won seven of their last eight games (6-2 vs spread). Celtics won, covered four of last five.
-- Bulls won seven of their last nine games. Atlanta won six of eight.
-- Spurs won their last five games (4-1 vs spread).
-- Clippers won their last four home games (2-2 vs spread). Suns are 9-4 as road underdog if less than 8 points.
Cold Teams
-- Minnesota lost eight of its last eleven games. Bobcats lost six of last seven (0-4 vs spread last four).
-- Pistons lost five of their last six games; they're 5-1 vs spread on road when spread is less than 5 points. Cavs lost seven of last eight games.
-- Raptors lost five of their last six games. Denver is 0-6 vs spread in game following its last six wins.
-- Nets won/covered one of their last seven games.
-- Kings lost last three games by 1-3-7ot points; they're 8-2 vs spread as a home underdog of 6 or less points.
-- Hornets lost six of last eight games; they're 8-5 as single digit road dog. Warriors lost four of their last five home games.
Wear-and-Tear
-- T'wolves: 3rd game/4 nites. Bobcats: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Pistons: 4th game/6 nites. Cavaliers: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Magic: 2nd game/5 nites. Knicks: 5th game/7 nites.
-- Nuggets: 3rd game/4 nites. Raptors: 6th game/9 nites.
-- Pacers: 5th game/7 nites. Nets: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Jazz: 10th game/15 nites. Celtics: 5th game/7 nites.
-- Bulls: 3rd game/5 nites. Hawks: 8th game/11 nites.
-- Spurs: 5th game/6 nites. Kings: 3rd game/5 nites.
-- Hornets: 3rd game/5 nites. Warriors: 13th game/19 nites.
-- Suns: 6th game/9 nites. Clippers: 12th game/16 nites.
Totals
-- Six of last seven Charlotte games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Detroit games stayed under the total.
-- Last four New York games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 5-2-1 in Denver's last eight road games.
-- Seven of last eight Indiana games went over the total. New Jersey's last four stayed under.
-- Eight of last ten Utah road games went over the total.
-- Under is 4-1-1 in Chicago's last six games.
-- Nine of Spurs' last ten road games went over the total.
-- Four of last five New Orleans road games went over total.
-- Seven of last eight Clipper home games stayed under. Five of last seven Phoenix road games went over total.
Back-to-Back
-- Minnesota is 7-3 vs spread on road if it played night before.
-- Cleveland are 3-1 vs spread at home if they lost night before.
-- Hawks are 7-1 vs spread at home if they played night before.
-- San Antonio is 2-6-1 vs spread on road if it played night before.
-- Phoenix is 9-5-1 vs spread if it played the night before.
Armadillosports.com
MINNESOTA (24 - 26) at CHARLOTTE (7 - 40) - 3/28/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHARLOTTE is 40-22 ATS (+15.8 Units) in home games in March games since 1996.
CHARLOTTE is 17-30 ATS (-16.0 Units) in all games this season.
CHARLOTTE is 17-28 ATS (-13.8 Units) as an underdog this season.
CHARLOTTE is 9-24 ATS (-17.4 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
CHARLOTTE is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive losses over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 3-2 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE is 4-1 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DETROIT (17 - 32) at CLEVELAND (17 - 29) - 3/28/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) second half of the season this season.
CLEVELAND is 45-64 ATS (-25.4 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 4-15 ATS (-12.5 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 190 and 194.5 points over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 6-4 against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 8-2 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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ORLANDO (32 - 18) at NEW YORK (25 - 25) - 3/28/2012, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 6-2 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO is 7-1 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
8 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DENVER (27 - 23) at TORONTO (16 - 34) - 3/28/2012, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 4-1 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 5-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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INDIANA (29 - 19) at NEW JERSEY (16 - 35) - 3/28/2012, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW JERSEY is 20-29 ATS (-11.9 Units) in all games this season.
NEW JERSEY is 79-102 ATS (-33.2 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in home games this season.
NEW JERSEY is 9-18 ATS (-10.8 Units) second half of the season this season.
NEW JERSEY is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in home games against Central division opponents this season.
NEW JERSEY is 37-60 ATS (-29.0 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 8-2 against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 10-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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UTAH (27 - 23) at BOSTON (27 - 22) - 3/28/2012, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 16-29 ATS (-15.9 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 46-29 ATS (+14.1 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
UTAH is 22-9 ATS (+12.1 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 42-56 ATS (-19.6 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 31-50 ATS (-24.0 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 3-1 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 3-1 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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CHICAGO (40 - 11) at ATLANTA (30 - 20) - 3/28/2012, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 30-21 ATS (+6.9 Units) in all games this season.
CHICAGO is 18-8 ATS (+9.2 Units) in road games this season.
CHICAGO is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 180 and 184.5 points this season.
CHICAGO is 24-12 ATS (+10.8 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) in road games in March games over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
CHICAGO is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 37-24 ATS (+10.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 8-8 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 9-7 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
8 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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SAN ANTONIO (33 - 14) at SACRAMENTO (17 - 32) - 3/28/2012, 10:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 4-3 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 7-1 straight up against SACRAMENTO 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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NEW ORLEANS (12 - 37) at GOLDEN STATE (20 - 27) - 3/28/2012, 10:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 6-2 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 4-4 straight up against NEW ORLEANS 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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PHOENIX (25 - 24) at LA CLIPPERS (28 - 21) - 3/28/2012, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 63-38 ATS (+21.2 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
PHOENIX is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in March games this season.
LA CLIPPERS are 39-59 ATS (-25.9 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 128-180 ATS (-70.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 7-3 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 9-1 straight up against LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA vs. CHARLOTTE
Minnesota is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Minnesota's last 21 games on the road
Charlotte is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Charlotte's last 5 games at home
DETROIT vs. CLEVELAND
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Detroit's last 15 games on the road
Detroit is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Cleveland is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games at home
DENVER vs. TORONTO
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games on the road
Denver is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Toronto is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
ORLANDO vs. NEW YORK
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Orlando's last 6 games when playing on the road against New York
Orlando is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against New York
New York is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New York's last 6 games when playing at home against Orlando
UTAH vs. BOSTON
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Utah's last 12 games
Utah is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Boston's last 11 games when playing at home against Utah
CHICAGO vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games
Chicago is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing Chicago
INDIANA vs. NEW JERSEY
Indiana is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games
New Jersey is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Indiana
New Jersey is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
SAN ANTONIO vs. SACRAMENTO
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Antonio's last 8 games when playing Sacramento
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Sacramento is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Sacramento's last 8 games when playing San Antonio
NEW ORLEANS vs. GOLDEN STATE
New Orleans is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Golden State
New Orleans is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games
Golden State is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Golden State's last 8 games at home
PHOENIX vs. LA CLIPPERS
Phoenix is 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
Phoenix is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games
LA Clippers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games
LA Clippers are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against Phoenix
MINNESOTA at CHARLOTTE
MINNESOTA: 1-8 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points
CHARLOTTE: 4-13 ATS off home loss
DETROIT at CLEVELAND
DETROIT: 9-0 ATS when the line is +3 to -3
CLEVELAND: 48-26 Under vs. Detroit
ORLANDO at NEW YORK
ORLANDO: 8-0 Over vs. Knicks
NEW YORK: 9-2 ATS off BB ATS wins
DENVER at TORONTO
DENVER: 5-1 ATS off 3+ Overs
TORONTO: 0-6 ATS off combined score of 205+ pts
INDIANA at NEW JERSEY
INDIANA: 15-7 Under when the total is between 190 and 199.5
NEW JERSEY: 0-7 ATS at home vs. Central Division
UTAH at BOSTON
UTAH: 8-1 ATS playing their 5th game in 7 days
BOSTON: 20-8 Over vs. Utah
CHICAGO at ATLANTA
CHICAGO: 11-0 ATS Away after having won 4 of their last 5 games
ATLANTA: 15-7 Under as underdog
SAN ANTONIO at SACRAMENTO
SAN ANTONIO: 50-26 ATS revenging SU loss as favorite of -7 or more
SACRAMENTO: 11-3 Over as home underdog
NEW ORLEANS at GOLDEN STATE
NEW ORLEANS: 9-2 ATS after scoring 90 pts or less BB games
GOLDEN STATE: 11-3 ATS off BB losses
PHOENIX at LA CLIPPERS
PHOENIX: 12-4 ATS in March
LA CLIPPERS: 17-8 Under in home games
Hoop Trends - Wednesday
By Vince Akins
VegasInsider.com
SU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Pistons are 10-0 ATS (6.7 ppg) since March 22, 2006 when seeking revenge for a loss in which they led by double digits at the half.
OU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Pistons are 0-14 OU (-10.8 ppg) since November 26, 2003 as a dog off a win as a favorite in which they trailed at the end of the third quarter.
PLAYER TREND OF THE DAY:
The Spurs are 0-15 ATS (-10.6 ppg) since April 15, 2009 as a favorite after losing the previous matchup in which Tim Duncan had a double-double.
CHOICE TREND:
The Jazz are 0-12 ATS (-9.1 ppg) since December 22, 2010 when they are playing in at least their third straight road game.
TODAY’S TRENDS:
The Jazz are 0-11-1 OU (-13.0 ppg) since April 08, 2008 as a dog with at least one day of rest after a game in which they allowed less than 40% from the field.
The Spurs are 0-11-1 OU (-13.5 ppg) since January 15, 2005 as a favorite when seeking revenge for a loss as a favorite in which they shot less than 40% from the field.