Wednesday's NBA Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Mavericks at Pacers
Dallas: 31-21 SU, 30-22 ATS
Indiana: 40-11 SU, 32-19 ATS
The Pacers have been the best home team in the NBA through the first, looking to improve to 27-2 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse with a win over the Mavs. Indiana dominated Denver, 119-80 on Monday to easily cash as 10½-point favorites, while picking up its largest margin of victory this season. Frank Vogel's club owns a 4-7 ATS record the last 11 games, but the Pacers are 9-3 SU this season after allowing 80 points or less in their previous contest.
The Mavs head to the Hoosier State with no rest following Tuesday's contest at Charlotte, as Dallas has compiled a 3-4 SU and 4-3 ATS record on the road on the second of a back-to-back. After starting the season 0-3 ATS as an away underdog from the American Airlines Center, Rick Carlisle's team is a stellar 11-3 ATS the last 14 games when receiving points on the highway. In the last two visits to Indiana, the Mavs have lost each time by double-digits, while the past seven meetings overall have been decided by at least eight points.
Hawks at Raptors
Atlanta: 25-24 SU, 26-23 ATS
Toronto: 27-24 SU, 30-20-1 ATS
The two teams trailing the Pacers and Heat in the Eastern Conference hook up in Toronto on Wednesday. The Raptors snapped a two-game skid in Monday's 108-101 home triumph over the Pelicans, as Toronto pushed as seven-point favorites. Since losing in overtime to the Bobcats on December 18, the Raptors have won seven of their last nine games at the Air Canada Center, while covering six times in this span.
The Hawks are on the second of a back-to-back following Tuesday's game at Chicago, as Atlanta has put together a dreadful 1-6 SU/ATS record with no rest on the highway this season. The last time the Hawks and Raptors met up at Philips Arena in early November, Atlanta came out with a 102-95 triumph to cash as 3 ½-point favorites, the eighth win in the last 10 meetings with Toronto. The last six road games for the Hawks have finished 'over' the total, while topping the 100-point mark each time.
Heat at Warriors
Miami: 35-14 SU, 21-28 ATS
Golden State: 31-21 SU, 23-27-2 ATS
The Heat concludes a four-game road trip, even though Miami plays two more away contests immediately after the All-Star break. The previous meeting between the Heat and Warriors went to Golden State going away in South Florida in early January, 123-114. Golden State cashed outright as 5½-point underdogs, as the Warriors shot a scorching 56% from the floor and knocked down 15 three-pointers. The victory was the third in the last four meetings for Golden State, but the Heat dominated the Warriors last season at Oracle Arena, 92-75.
Golden State cruised past a hapless Philadelphia squad on Monday, 123-80 as 15-point favorites, as the Warriors have split their last 16 games overall. Mark Jackson's team has covered just four of their past 10 contests at Oracle Arena, including outright losses to Eastern Conference foes Indiana, Charlotte, and Washington in this span. Meanwhile, the Heat owns a 1-3 ATS record when playing with revenge this season, while compiling 5-2 SU/ATS record on the road with no rest, coming off Tuesday's contest at Phoenix.
Blazers at Clippers
Portland: 36-15 SU, 28-23 ATS
Los Angeles: 36-18 SU, 31-23 ATS
The Blazers wrap up a brutal travel schedule, playing in their sixth different city in 10 days. After battling the Northwest Division-leading Thunder on Tuesday, Portland draws another division leader with a meeting against the Clippers at Staples Center. Since winning at San Antonio and Dallas in a back-to-back set last month, the Blazers have lost five of their last seven road contests, but Portland has put together an 8-4 ATS record as an away underdog this season.
The Clippers are ready for the stretch run with their leader back in the lineup as Chris Paul took the court for the first time on Sunday after missing 18 games with a shoulder injury. Los Angeles responded well with a 123-78 blowout of Philadelphia, the fourth straight game in which the Clippers scored at least 112 points. Doc Rivers' club fell to the Blazers in overtime on December 26 by a 116-112 count, but the Clippers have won 10 consecutive games against teams playing with no rest.
NBA: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Blazers at Clippers
The leagues top two scoring machines square off in LA LA Land on Wednesday when the high-scoring Trail Blazers (107.7) visit Staples Center to take on Clippers dropping 106.7 per/contest. Neither great at the defense end with Clips middle of the road allowing 100.3 PPG, Blazers ranked 27th at 103.4 per contest this has the markings of a fast-paced shootout. Might want to consider 'Over' knowing Clippers have hit 'Over' in 24-of-29 when allowing =>100 points, Blazers going 'Over' in 27-of-34 when giving up =>100 points. Other trends of note - Clippers are 21-9 O/U vs a team with a winning record, Blazers 16-9-1 O/U vs a winning team.