What Bettors Need to Know: Wednesday's NBA Action
By Covers.com
Utah Jazz at San Antonio Spurs (-11.5, 204)
THE STORY: The last time Gregg Popovich was named NBA Coach of the Year, the San Antonio Spurs went on to win the NBA championship. That bodes well for the Spurs, who resume their best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series Wednesday night against the visiting San Antonio Spurs. Popovich was named coach of the year for a second time Tuesday after leading the Spurs to 50 regular-season victories. San Antonio earned a convincing 106-91 win over Utah in the series opener.
ABOUT THE JAZZ: Utah had no answer for the Spurs in the opener, surrendering 58 points in the paint while allowing San Antonio to shoot nearly 48 percent from the field. Franchise power forward Al Jefferson said he and his teammates remained upbeat despite the one-sided loss. "Believe it or not, we do walk out with our heads up a little bit," said Jefferson, who finished with 16 points and nine rebounds in his first taste of postseason action since his rookie 2004-05 campaign. "Now let's just go and watch film and learn from our mistake, then get ready for Game 2."
ABOUT THE SPURS: Ever humble, Popovich credited much of his success with San Antonio to the fortuitous arrivals of franchise centers David Robinson and Tim Duncan. "If you can draft David Robinson and follow that up with Tim Duncan, that's a couple of decades of very, very possible success unless you just screw it up," he said. "So it's hard to take credit when circumstances have gone your way so consistently." The aging Duncan showed signs of his old self in the series opener, erupting for 17 points and 11 rebounds. Tony Parker led the way with 28 points and eight assists
TRENDS:
- San Antonio is 21-5-1 against the spread in its last 27 home games.
- The over is 2-8-1 in San Antonio's last 30.
- Utah is 1-3-1 against the spread in its last five meetings with San Antonio.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Popovich, who last won the coach-of-the-year award in 2003, earned 77 first-place votes to easily outdistance runner-up Tom Thibodeau of the Chicago Bulls (27). Indiana's Frank Vogel (seven) finished third.
2. San Antonio hasn't lost at home to Utah since dropping a 105-98 decision Jan. 20, 2010.
Indiana Pacers at Orlando Magic (3, 183.5)
THE STORY: The Orlando Magic earned a split in Indiana against the third-seeded Pacers but their Game 2 performance didn’t provide much encouragement that they can win the first-round series. The Magic were outplayed and outworked in the second half of the 93-78 loss and now Indiana can take the lead in the series with a victory in Orlando on Wednesday. The Pacers have held the sixth-seeded Magic below 40 percent from the field in both games.
ABOUT THE PACERS: Starting guards George Hill (18 points) and Paul George (17) combined to make 13 of 20 shots in Game 2 while thoroughly outplaying Orlando’s backcourt. Forwards David West and Danny Granger scored 18 points apiece but Granger had his second consecutive poor shooting game – he’s connecting at a 34.1-percent clip in the series. The Pacers outscored Orlando by 17 points in the second half when they had a 26-13 rebounding edge. “This time of year, games are a lot harder,” Granger said. “Everybody’s playing twice as hard. You have to be the team with the most resolve, the team just playing with the most attitude to try to get the win.”
ABOUT THE MAGIC: Orlando is averaging just 79.5 points in the series with a high game of 81. The loss of center Dwight Howard for the series has thrust Glen Davis into a leading role and that has produced mixed results. Davis is averaging 17 points and 11.5 rebounds but is shooting just 36.1 percent and disappeared in the second half of Game 2. Forward Ryan Anderson has experienced back-to-back poor games, averaging just eight points after making the most 3-pointers (166) in the league in the regular season. “We’re going to have to be better offensively,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. “I’m going to have to find something that works.”
TRENDS:
- The over is 4-0 in Orlando's last four home games.
- Indiana has covered in four of its last five road games.
- Indiana is 2-6 against the number in the last eight meetings between the two teams.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Orlando scored just 64 second-half points in the two games at Indiana.
2. The Pacers shot 89.3 percent (25 for 28) from the free-throw line in Game 2 after hitting just 13 of 22 attempts in the opener.
3. Magic guard Jason Richardson had 17 points and five 3-pointers in the opener, but scored just two points in Game 2 while dealing with an early-game injury to his left thumb.
Los Angeles Clippers at Memphis Grizzlies (-6.5, 185)
THE STORY: Having lost home-court advantage, the Memphis Grizzlies will try to regain their wits after blowing a huge lead in the series opener against the Los Angeles Clippers. Memphis can ill afford to fall into a 2-0 hole when it hosts the Grizzles on Wednesday night in Game 2 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series. Memphis led by as many as 27 points and entered the fourth quarter with a 21-point cushion, tying a playoff record for the largest blown lead in the postseason.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS: Lost in the afterglow of the stunning comeback was an injury to starting forward Caron Butler, who is out four to six weeks with a broken hand. That underscored the importance of acquiring reserve swingman Nick Young in a midseason trade with the Washington Wizards. Young was sensational down the stretch in Game 1, burying three 3-pointers in a 60-second span and finishing with a team-high 19 points. That matched his season-high output since joining the Clippers. Los Angeles head coach Vinny Del Negro said he may start veteran Bobby Simmons in place of Butler and keep Young in his role as sixth man.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES: Memphis played a near-perfect three quarters before the collapse and must overcome the emotional wreckage of a loss that center Marc Gasol admitted was “heartbreaking.” Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins made a somewhat curious choice to start Zach Randolph, who came off the bench in 20 of the final 24 games after missing 2 1/2 months with a torn medial collateral ligament. The hero of last season’s playoffs, Randolph scored only six points on 3-of-13 shooting. Memphis went 37-17 with Marreese Speights in the starting lineup and 23-14 while Randolph was sidelined. With Randolph in a reserve role, the bench averaged a shade over 36 points per game.
TRENDS:
- Memphis is 0-5 against the spread in its last five overall.
- Los Angeles is 1-4 against the spread in its five.
- The under is 14-6 in Memphis' last 20.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Led by PG Chris Paul, Los Angeles had a league-high 14 regular-season wins when trailing by at least 10 points.
2. Three teams have blown 18-point leads in the postseason – and all three (Dallas 2011; New Jersey 2002; Houston 1994) advanced to the NBA Finals. The Mavericks and Rockets each won championships.
3. Memphis has dropped three of four meetings with the Clippers this season and had its 11-game home winning streak snapped.
Wednesday Playoff Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
The Wednesday NBA playoff card showcases three matchups, including two in the Western Conference. The lone Eastern Conference battle involves the Pacers and Magic heading back to Florida with the series tied at one game apiece. The late game in the West comes from Memphis, as the Grizzlies try to put the Game 1 meltdown behind them and even up their series with the Clippers. We'll start in the Lone Star State with San Antonio attempting to build a 2-0 lead over Utah.
Jazz at Spurs
San Antonio is the hottest ATS team in the league right now by compiling a 10-0-1 ATS record the previous 11, while winning 11 consecutive games. The most recent triumph came in the series opener against Utah, as the Spurs rolled past the Jazz, 106-91. San Antonio cashed as 11½-point favorites, improving to 10-1-1 ATS the last 11 opportunities as double-digit 'chalk.' The task is tall for Utah to even things up heading back to Salt Lake City after being held to 42% shooting in Game 1.
Utah's frontcourt duo of Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap carried the load by combining for 36 points on 16-for-30 shooting from the field. However, the Spurs limited Devin Harris to just seven points, while his counterpart in Tony Parker put up a game-high 28 points. The Spurs received solid contributions from two mid-season pickups as Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw combined to pour in 23 points and rebounds.
San Antonio has eclipsed the 100-point mark in 17 of the last 20 games, but the 'under' in Game 1 was just the fifth in this span. Gregg Popovich's squad owned the best ATS record in the league, including a tremendous 14-2 SU and 12-3-1 ATS record as a home favorite off a home victory (two of the ATS losses came to Denver). Utah owned a pedestrian 3-10 SU and 6-7 ATS record as a road underdog coming off a loss, while posting an 0-3 SU/ATS mark as a double-digit 'dog.
Pacers at Magic
Indiana rebounded from its Game 1 meltdown by making Orlando's outside game disappear in Monday's 93-78 rout to even the series at one apiece. The Magic scratched together just 34 points in the second half after holding a two-point edge at the half, while the Pacers put the game out of reach with a 30-13 third quarter blitz. The venue shifts to the Amway Center on Tuesday, where Indiana split a pair of meetings this season.
The first four meetings came with Dwight Howard in the Magic lineup, but the 'under' has cashed in each of the first two contests in this series. Indiana's offense struggled in Game 1 by shooting 34% from the floor and missing nine free throws. Things improved in Game 2 as the Pacers knocked down 43% of their attempts from the field, but Indiana's long-range game has much to be desired after going a putrid 2-for-20 from downtown.
The Magic finished the regular season at 9-6 SU and 7-8 ATS at home off a loss, but failed to cover in their last five opportunities in this situation. Indiana did not profit in the role of a road favorite off a victory, cashing in four of 11 chances, but the Pacers won seven times straight-up. Since 2009, the Magic are 3-6 ATS off a playoff loss, as four of those ATS defeats are at home.
Clippers at Grizzlies
Los Angeles pulled off a historic playoff rally by overcoming a 27-point deficit in Sunday’s shocking upset at Memphis as 5 ½-point underdogs. The Clippers lost Caron Butler to a hand injury in the win, but L.A. managed to knock down 50% of its shots from the floor. The Grizzlies hit 11 of 16 attempts from three-point range, but this meltdown snapped an 11-game winning streak at FedEx Forum.
Memphis will try to put Game 1 in the rear-view mirror, but the Grizzlies haven’t helped backers recently with a 1-9 ATS record the last 10 contests. The Clippers halted a four-game ATS skid with the series opening victory, while picking up their third win (and cover) against the Grizzlies in four tries this season. Blake Griffin continued to play well in this season series by scoring 17 points in Game 1, the fourth time the former top pick has scored at least 17 on Memphis.
NBA Preview
Jazz @ Spurs -- San Antonio have won last 11 games (10-0-1 vs spread) with eight of last nine going over the total. Spurs won seven of last eight games vs Utah, winning last four played here by 9-15-10-15 points, as 106-91 Game 1 win came fairly easily. Utah won five of their last six games, is 3-1-1 vs spread in its last five games as an underdog. SA subs were 6-12 behind arc, 10-26 inside it; those were only six treys Spurs made. So far in playoffs, Game 1 losers are 5-1 vs spread in Game 2.
Magic @ Pacers -- Orlando got split in Indiana; they're 9-2 in last 11 vs Indiana, winning six of last seven played here, with only one of the six wins by less than 13 points. Magic took 49 3's, 30 FTs in two games at Indiana, a bad ratio- they need some inside scoring. Pacers were down a hoop at half in Game 2, outscored Orlando 30-13 in 3rd quarter- starting guards were 13-20 in Game 2, a marked improvement. Scoring 81-78 is not going to get it done; where does Magic find more offense?
Clippers @ Grizzlies -- LA was down 27 at one point in Game 1, trailed by 24 with 7:52 left, rallied to stun Memphis in 99-98 Game 1 win, as big a comeback as ever happened in NBA playoffs. Clippers won five of last six series games, with home team winning five of last seven, three of four this season. Clippers lost Butler with broken left hand; they got 19 points from Young in 24:00 off bench. Game 1 loss snapped Grizzlies' 6-game win streak. Previous three NBA teams that blew such a big lead wound up getting to NBA Finals.
Armadillosports.com
UTAH (36 - 31) at SAN ANTONIO (51 - 16)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 44-20 ATS (+22.0 Units) in all games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 34-15 ATS (+17.5 Units) as a favorite this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 24-8 ATS (+15.2 Units) in home games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 39-22 ATS (+14.8 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) after scoring 105 points or more this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 20-6 ATS (+13.4 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 25-10 ATS (+14.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 11-3 ATS (+7.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 37-21 ATS (+13.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 87-61 ATS (+19.9 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
UTAH is 47-29 ATS (+15.1 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 6-5 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 7-5 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
7 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA (43 - 25) at ORLANDO (38 - 30)
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 21-34 ATS (-16.4 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) after playing 3 consecutive road games over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 29-42 ATS (-17.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 12-23 ATS (-13.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 7-6 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO is 10-3 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
8 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS (41 - 26) at MEMPHIS (41 - 26)
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 392-460 ATS (-114.0 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 17-33 ATS (-19.3 Units) against Southwest division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 148-187 ATS (-57.7 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 134-185 ATS (-69.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
MEMPHIS is 89-71 ATS (+10.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 47-33 ATS (+10.7 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 46-31 ATS (+11.9 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 6-6 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 7-5 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
UTAH vs. SAN ANTONIO
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Utah's last 14 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
Utah is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of San Antonio's last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 12 of San Antonio's last 17 games at home
INDIANA vs. ORLANDO
Indiana is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Orlando
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indiana's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Orlando's last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Orlando's last 5 games
LA CLIPPERS vs. MEMPHIS
LA Clippers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the LA Clippers last 8 games when playing Memphis
Memphis is 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Memphis's last 8 games when playing LA Clippers
Utah at San Antonio
Utah: 10-1 Over away playing with 2+ days rest
San Antonio: 18-3 ATS with a total of 200+ points
Indiana at Orlando
Indiana: 16-31 ATS off a home win
Orlando: 16-5 Under in playoff games
LA Clippers at Memphis
LA Clippers: 12-4 Over off ATS losses in 2 of their last 3 games
Memphis: 0-8 ATS after plaing 5+ games as a favorite
NBA: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Utah at San Antonio
Spurs have been solid at the AT&T Center in San Antonio posting a 29-5 (26-7-1 ATS) mark on the season and they'll be putting a 6-0 SU/ATS home streak on the line a span that has seen them score a whopping 110+ points per game. This venue has been an absolute house of horrors for Utah as Spurs have posted a sparkling 20-2 record last twenty-two hosting Jazz with a smart 15-6-1 mark at the betting window. If that were not enough, Jazz have not done well on the road this season (11-22, 13-19-1 ATS) and enter just 1-16 (3-13 ATS) on the highway giving up >100 points/game. The betting markets have San Antonio 11.5 point favorite a number Spurs have handled at home as they're 7-2-1 ATS as DD home favorite including 2-0-1 ATS vs Jazz.