Wednesday's Best NBA Bets
By Covers.com
Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Bobcats (N/A)
Chicago has a pivotal contest against the Miami Heat on Thursday so it will be interesting to see if ailing point guard Derek Rose (foot) and forward Luol Deng (rib) will be held out against the lowly Bobcats.
Neither played in the loss to Washington and Rose’s durability is becoming worrisome to coach Tom Thibodeau with the playoffs looming.
“I’m always concerned,” Thibodeau said. “He’s missed a lot of games. I’m concerned about that, but also disappointed (overall). We have to play a lot better.”
The Bulls have committed 38 turnovers over the last two games and are hanging on to a 2 1/2-game lead over the Heat for best record in the Eastern Conference.
Pick: Under
Oklahoma City at Phoenix Suns (3.5, 207)
The Phoenix Suns have taken advantage of the Houston Rockets’ recent slide to jump into a tie for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Winners of seven of the last 10, the Suns have gotten back to their high-scoring ways, averaging 112 points in their victories this month. Another team that doesn’t mind getting out on the run are the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are still fighting for the top spot in the West.
If Phoenix is going to hang onto a playoff berth, it won’t be easy. The last five games are against the Thunder, the Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs. Fortunately, four of those five are in Phoenix, where the Suns have gone 18-11 (11-2 since the All-Star break).
Phoenix holds the tiebreaker with the Rockets based on a stronger record against conference opponents. The Suns have scored 125 points in each of their last two home games, including a 125-107 triumph over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.
Phoenix shot a season-high 60 percent in that contest as Steve Nash fought off a sore hip to hand out 13 assists.
Pick: Over
Hot Teams
-- Bulls are 8-4 vs spread in last dozen games as a road favorite.
-- Bucks won/covered eight of their last nine road games.
-- Toronto covered four of its last five as a road underdog.
-- New Orleans won five of last six games (6-0 vs spread). Memphis is 4-2 vs spread in last six games as a home favorite.
-- Miami won its last three games, but they're 4-7 vs spread in last 11 home games.
-- Celtics won nine of last ten at home (8-1-1 vs spread).
-- Lakers won 10 of last 11 home games (6-3 last nine as home fave).
-- Clippers won four in row, 12 of last 14 games. Nuggets won their last five home games (4-1 vs spread).
-- Suns won seven of their last ten games.
-- Lakers won four of last five games, but they're 0-4 vs spread last four times they were favored on the road.
Cold Teams
-- Charlotte lost its last 17 games (4-13 vs spread).
-- Wizards lost seven of their last nine home games.
-- 76ers lost seven of their last nine games; Cavaliers were down 100-50 after three quarters last night in Detroit; they're 1-7 in last eight games as a home underdog.
-- Pistons covered twice in last six games as road underdog. Atlanta has covered once in its last five home games.
-- New Jersey lost its last three home games, by 19-12-3 points. Knicks lost four of their last six road games.
-- Orlando is 4-8 vs spread on road since All-Star break.
-- Rockets lost their last four games (0-4 vs spread). Dallas is 4-8 vs the spread in their last dozen home games.
-- Oklahoma City lost three of last five road games.
-- Sacramento covered twice in its last eight home games.
-- Utah lost five of last six road games (2-3-1 vs spread). Trailblazers lost five of their last six games.
-- Kings lost seven of their last eight games (1-5 vs spread).
Wear-and-Tear
-- Bulls: 3rd game/4 nites. Bobcats: 11th game/16 nites.
-- Bucks: Last 3 nites off. Wizards: 4th game/6 nites.
-- 76ers: 3rd nite in row. Cavaliers: 7th game/9 nites.
-- Pistons: 5th game/7 nites. Hawks: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Knicks: 6th game/9 nites. Nets: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Raptors: 3rd game/4 nites. Heat: 5th game/7 nites.
-- Hornets: 3rd game/4 nites. Grizzlies: 6th game/8 nites.
-- Magic: 3rd game/4 nites. Celtics: 11th game/15 nites.
-- Rockets: 3rd game/4 nites. Mavericks: 5th game/7 nites.
-- Clippers: 3rd game/5 nites. Nuggets: 3rd game/4 nites.
-- Thunder: 4th game/6 nites. Suns: 4th game/6 nites.
-- Spurs: 3rd nite in row, 6th/8 nites. Kings: Last 2 nites off.
-- Jazz: 7th game/11 nites. Blazers: Third game in four nites.
-- Lakers: 3rd game/4 nites. Warriors: 3rd game/5 nites.
Totals
-- Last three Charlotte games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last eight Washington home games stayed under total.
-- Four of last five Philly road games went over the total.
-- Nine of last ten Detroit games went over the total.
-- Four of last five New Jersey home games went over total.
-- Six of last eight Toronto games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last six New Orleans games stayed under total.
-- Last three Orlando road games stayed under the total.
-- Last three Houston road games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Clipper road games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 7-3 in Thunder's last ten road games.
-- Last four Sacramento home games stayed under. Over is 13-3 in last sixteen San Antonio road games.
-- Over is 5-2-1 in Portland's last eight home games.
-- Nine of last ten Laker road games went over the total.
Back-to-Back
-- 76ers are 3-7 vs spread if they played the night before. Cavaliers are 7-6 vs spread if they lost the night before.
-- Pistons are 3-5-1 vs spread on road if they played nite before.
-- Knicks are 5-2 vs spread on road if they played nite before.
-- Grizzlies are 5-3 vs spread at home if they played nite before.
-- Celtics are 3-3-1 vs spread when playing 2nd nite in row on road.
-- Lakers are 6-8 vs spread on road if they played nite before.
Amadillosports.com
CHICAGO (46 - 15) at CHARLOTTE (7 - 53) - 4/18/2012, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 6-4 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 7-3 straight up against CHARLOTTE 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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MILWAUKEE (29 - 31) at WASHINGTON (15 - 46) - 4/18/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 66-47 ATS (+14.3 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 36-16 ATS (+18.4 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 62-42 ATS (+15.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 54-35 ATS (+15.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 34-20 ATS (+12.0 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 24-36 ATS (-15.6 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 46-72 ATS (-33.2 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 10-19 ATS (-10.9 Units) in home games this season.
WASHINGTON is 17-33 ATS (-19.3 Units) against Central division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 70-90 ATS (-29.0 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 9-28 ATS (-21.8 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 7-3 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
MILWAUKEE is 7-3 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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PHILADELPHIA (31 - 30) at CLEVELAND (20 - 40) - 4/18/2012, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 15-25 ATS (-12.5 Units) second half of the season this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 31-19 ATS (+10.1 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 28-41 ATS (-17.1 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 38-52 ATS (-19.2 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 122-158 ATS (-51.8 Units) after scoring 85 points or less since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 5-4 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 5-4 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DETROIT (23 - 38) at ATLANTA (36 - 25) - 4/18/2012, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 24-14 ATS (+8.6 Units) second half of the season this season.
DETROIT is 33-18 ATS (+13.2 Units) against Southeast division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 8-3 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 7-4 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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NEW YORK (32 - 29) at NEW JERSEY (22 - 40) - 4/18/2012, 7:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 5-4 against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK is 7-3 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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TORONTO (22 - 40) at MIAMI (43 - 17) - 4/18/2012, 7:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 6-4 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 8-2 straight up against TORONTO 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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NEW ORLEANS (19 - 42) at MEMPHIS (36 - 25) - 4/18/2012, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 7-4 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS is 6-5 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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ORLANDO (36 - 25) at BOSTON (36 - 26) - 4/18/2012, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 9-5 against the spread versus ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 9-6 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
10 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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HOUSTON (32 - 29) at DALLAS (34 - 28) - 4/18/2012, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 91-71 ATS (+12.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 57-34 ATS (+19.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 35-18 ATS (+15.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 77-41 ATS (+31.9 Units) in road games off a upset loss as a favorite since 1996.
HOUSTON is 85-45 ATS (+35.5 Units) in road games after allowing 105 points or more since 1996.
HOUSTON is 50-20 ATS (+28.0 Units) in road games after 3 or more consecutive losses since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 7-3 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 8-2 straight up against HOUSTON 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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LA CLIPPERS (38 - 23) at DENVER (34 - 27) - 4/18/2012, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 390-458 ATS (-113.8 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 28-49 ATS (-25.9 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 146-184 ATS (-56.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 132-182 ATS (-68.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 18-35 ATS (-20.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) in road games after allowing 85 points or less over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 7-3 against the spread versus DENVER over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 5-5 straight up against LA CLIPPERS 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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OKLAHOMA CITY (44 - 17) at PHOENIX (32 - 29) - 4/18/2012, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 52-31 ATS (+17.9 Units) in home games in April games since 1996.
PHOENIX is 25-15 ATS (+8.5 Units) second half of the season this season.
PHOENIX is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.
PHOENIX is 39-24 ATS (+12.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 135-110 ATS (+14.0 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite this season.
PHOENIX is 24-41 ATS (-21.1 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 5-4 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 7-2 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
8 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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SAN ANTONIO (43 - 16) at SACRAMENTO (20 - 41) - 4/18/2012, 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 5-3 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 8-1 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
7 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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UTAH (32 - 30) at PORTLAND (28 - 34) - 4/18/2012, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) after scoring 105 points or more this season.
UTAH is 45-29 ATS (+13.1 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 7-3 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 7-3 straight up against PORTLAND 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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LA LAKERS (39 - 22) at GOLDEN STATE (22 - 38) - 4/18/2012, 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 8-3 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 10-1 straight up against GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA vs. CLEVELAND
Philadelphia is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Philadelphia's last 8 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games at home
Cleveland is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games at home
MILWAUKEE vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Milwaukee's last 13 games on the road
Milwaukee is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Washington is 5-13-1 ATS in its last 19 games at home
Washington is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games at home
CHICAGO vs. CHARLOTTE
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing Charlotte
Charlotte is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago
Charlotte is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home
DETROIT vs. ATLANTA
Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta
Detroit is 6-2-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games at home
Atlanta is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
TORONTO vs. MIAMI
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Toronto's last 13 games when playing Miami
Toronto is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games at home
Miami is 19-2 SU in its last 21 games at home
NEW YORK vs. NEW JERSEY
New York is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
New York is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Jersey's last 6 games
New Jersey is 6-14-1 ATS in its last 21 games at home
ORLANDO vs. BOSTON
Orlando is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Orlando's last 19 games when playing Boston
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Orlando
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games
NEW ORLEANS vs. MEMPHIS
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Orleans's last 6 games on the road
New Orleans is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Memphis is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against New Orleans
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Memphis's last 14 games
HOUSTON vs. DALLAS
Houston is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 8 games on the road
Dallas is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Dallas's last 9 games at home
LA CLIPPERS vs. DENVER
LA Clippers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games
LA Clippers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Denver's last 8 games
Denver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
SAN ANTONIO vs. SACRAMENTO
San Antonio is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games when playing Sacramento
San Antonio is 15-2 SU in its last 17 games
Sacramento is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Antonio
Sacramento is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against San Antonio
UTAH vs. PORTLAND
Utah is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Portland
Utah is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing Portland
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Portland's last 7 games when playing at home against Utah
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Portland's last 13 games
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. PHOENIX
Oklahoma City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Phoenix
Oklahoma City is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Phoenix's last 8 games at home
Phoenix is 4-12 ATS in its last 16 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
LA LAKERS vs. GOLDEN STATE
LA Lakers are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against Golden State
LA Lakers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games on the road
Golden State is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
Golden State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
MILWAUKEE vs. INDIANA
Milwaukee8-1-1 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Milwaukee is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Indiana
Indiana is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 7 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
Chicago at Charlotte
Chicago: 16-4 ATS off ATS losses in 2 of their last 3 games
Charlotte: 8-23 ATS playing with double-revenge
Milwaukee at Washington
Milwaukee: 14-3 ATS away with a total of 200+ points
Washington: 3-14 ATS off a win by 6 points or less
Philadelphia at Cleveland
Philadelphia: 17-8 ATS playing their third game in four days
Cleveland: 1-8 ATS at home playing their third game in four days
Detroit at Atlanta
Detroit: 12-2 ATS away off a win by 30+ points
Atlanta: 9-19 ATS at home after playing BB games as a favorite
New York at New Jersey
New York: 6-0 Under off a division win
New Jersey: 11-5 ATS after playing as a home underdog
Toronto at Miami
Toronto: 14-5 Over revenging a home loss
Miami: 5-1 ATS off BB road wins
New Orleans at Memphis
New Orleans: 2-12 ATS after winning 4 of their last 5 games
Memphis: 9-1 ATS after allowing 85 points or less
Orlando at Boston
Orlando: 20-39 ATS revenging a loss as a favorite
Boston: 9-0 ATS off a division road loss
Houston at Dallas
Houston: 22-8 ATS away off 4+ ATS losses
Dallas: 15-4 Under after playing BB games as an underdog
LA Clippers at Denver
LA Clippers: 9-1 ATS with a total of 200 points or higher
Denver: 14-6 Over revenging a road loss
Oklahoma City at Phoenix
Oklahoma City: 11-3 ATS off a loss as a favorite
Phoenix: 5-14 ATS revenging a road loss
San Antonio at Sacramento
San Antonio: 18-7 ATS after playing 3+ games as a favorite
Sacramento: 1-8 ATS in April
Utah at Portland
Utah: 1-8 ATS at home after scoring and allowing 100+ points
Portland: 15-5 ATS off a road game scoring and allowing 100+ points
LA Lakers at Golden State,
LA Lakers: 4-13 ATS after winning 4 of their last 5 games
Golden State: 27-11 ATS after allowing 120+ points
Hoop Trends - Wednesday
By Vince Akins
VegasInsider.com
SU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Magic are 19-0 ATS (9.7 ppg) since February 26, 2007 with at most one day of rest after a game at home in which their opponent shot at least ten three-pointers and made at least half of them.
OU TREND OF THE DAY:
The Bobcats are 0-11 OU (-10.8 ppg) since December 15, 2009 with at least one day of rest after a loss in which they had fewer than fifteen assists.
PLAYER TREND OF THE DAY:
The Thunder are 13-0 ATS (11.5 ppg) since April 08, 2009 on the road after a loss in which Russell Westbrook shot worse than 33% from the field.
CHOICE TREND:
The Cavaliers are 0-10 OU (-13.7 ppg) since March 08, 2011 at home when seeking revenge for a double-digit road loss.
TODAY’S TRENDS:
The Nets are 0-9 ATS (-11.3 ppg) since April 01, 2008 at home after a game at home after a loss in which they made more baskets than their opponent.
The Suns are 9-0 ATS (11.1 ppg) since March 16, 2010 at home when they had at least ten more assists in their previous game than in the game before.
The Wizards are 0-9 OU (-16.2 ppg) since March 02, 2008 with at least one day of rest after a win in which they blocked at least 10 shots.
Rockets Must Win at Mavericks Wednesday
Sportspic.com
It appears that neither Houston nor reigning NBA champion Dallas is eager to grab hold of a playoff spot in the Western Conference as they get set to face off Wednesday night in Dallas in a game that could well determine the eighth and final spot in the conference. The Mavericks are 5-point favorites on BOVADA's NBA basketball odds for this one.
Houston (32-29) is technically tied with Phoenix for the No. 8 spot but the Suns hold the tiebreaker over the Rockets. Dallas (34-28) is 1.5 games ahead of Phoenix and Houston.
The Rockets have dropped four straight (0-4 ATS) including being swept in a home-and-home by Denver. The Nuggets won 105-102 on Monday night as Houston’s Luis Scola missed from five feet to tie the game at 104 with just over five seconds left and then Chandler Parsons missed a 30-foot 3-pointer at the buzzer to tie it at 105. Houston played without starting center Marcus Camby due to a sore back and he’s iffy for this game. Shooting guard Kevin Martin was in uniform for the first time since aggravating a shoulder injury March 11 that forced him to miss the Rockets’ last 18 games. He did not play Monday night, however. Coach Kevin McHale said before the game he would only consider playing Martin on Monday if the Rockets needed to make free throws in the final minute. He might be able to play in this one.
Houston has five games left including this one. The Rockets also are at New Orleans, home to Golden State, at Miami and home to New Orleans. So it’s conceivable Houston could win all those if the Heat have nothing to play for, which is quite possible.
Dallas is trying to avoid being the first reigning NBA champion to miss the next year’s postseason since Michael Jordan’s Bulls were broken up following their sixth title. The Mavs have dropped two straight, including a crucial 123-121 triple-overtime loss at Utah on Monday despite 40 points from Dirk Nowitzki. The Jazz are also in the playoff mix, just a half-game behind Houston at No. 10. A season ago, the Mavs were 17-11 in games decided by five points or fewer. Now they're 10-13 and 7-7 in games decided by three points or fewer.
Dallas has already clinched the season series against Houston, winning 101-99 in overtime at Houston on March 24 and then 90-81 at home three days later. The Mavs’ winning streak vs. Houston is now at six and Houston is 0-4 ATS in the past four meetings. So the Rockets obviously can’t finish tied with the Mavs and hope to get into the playoffs on a tiebreaker with Dallas. This starts a three-games-in-four-nights run for the veteran Mavericks.