NBA betting trends, odds and predictions for Wednesday, February 8th, 2017 from various handicappers and websites
NBA Knowledge
Cleveland won five of its last six games, but they played wild game in Washington on Monday; Lebron played 42:04, Irving played 44:08. Cavs are 6-8 vs spread in their last 14 road games. Indiana won its last seven games; they’re 6-3-1 vs spread in last ten home games. Their last five games stayed under the total. Home side won nine of last ten Cleveland-Indiana games; Cavaliers lost four of last five visits to Indiana (0-4-1 vs spread, over 3-2).
San Antonio won eight of last 11 games; they split their last six road games. Spurs’ last four games stayed under the total. 76ers lost their last four games (0-4 vs spread); they won seven of their last eight home games (8-0 vs spread). Eight of their last ten games went over. Spurs won their last ten games with Philly, but 76ers covered three of last four; San Antonio won its last four visits here (2-2 vs spread). Nine of last ten series games stayed under the total.
Denver won five of its last eight games, but lost last two road games; they’re 6-9 vs spread in last fifteen road games. Atlanta won five of its last eight home games, but 1-4 vs spread in last five. Over is 9-4 in their last thirteen games. Hawks won five of last six games with Denver, winning last four games played here, by 18-12-5-4 points. Over is 3-0-1 in last four series games.
Lakers lost five of their last seven games but covered the last six; they covered their last five road games. Three of their last four games went over. Detroit won five of its last six home tilts, covered last three. Over is 7-2 in their last nine games. Pistons won their last two games with the Lakers, after losing previous seven series games; Los Angeles lost three of last four visits here (2-2 vs spread). Under is 7-3 in last ten series games.
Washington seven of last eight games, winning four of last five (5-0 vs spread) road games. Three of their last four games went over. Nets lost their last ten games; they’re 2-8 vs spread in last 10 home games. Under is 4-1 in their last five games. Wizards won five in row, eight of last ten games with Brooklyn; they won last three visits to Barclays Center, by 5-9-15 points. Four of last five series games went over. Nets are 3-2-1 vs spread if they played night before.
Miami won its last 11 games (9-2 vs spread); they’re 3-2 vs spread in last five road games. Four of their last five games went over. Milwaukee lost 10 of last 12 games, is 2-5 vs spread in last seven home games. Over is 5-2 in their last seven games. Bucks won seven of last ten games with Miami; Heat lost last two visits to Milwaukee, by 6-8 points. Four of last five series games went over.
Phoenix lost seven of last eight games; they covered four of last five road games. Over is 6-2 in last eight Suns games. Grizzlies won four of last six games overall, are 1-4 vs spread in last five at home. Six of their last seven games went over the total. Memphis won eight of its last ten games with Phoenix; three of last four series games went over total. Suns lost three of last four visits to Memphis (2-2 vs spread).
Utah won four of its last five games, is 1-7 vs spread in its last eight road games. Three of their last four games went over. New Orleans lost four of last five games, is 5-8 vs spread in last 13 home games. Four of their last five games stayed under. Pelicans are 6-4 in last ten games with Utah; eight of last ten series games went over. Jazz lost four of last six visits to Bourbon Street (4-1-1 vs spread).
Raptors lost five of their last six road games but covered three of last four; they’re 4-3 in last seven games overall. Four of their last five games stayed under. Minnesota lost its last four games, is 0-5 vs spread in its last five. Last eight Wolves games went over. Toronto won nine of last ten games with Minnesota, they won/covered three of last four visits to Twin Cities. Last four series games went over total.
Clippers are 2-7 since Paul got hurt; they’re 5-10 vs spread in last 15 road games. Six of their last seven games went over. Knicks lost four of last five games, are 1-4 vs spread in last five home games. Five of their last six games went over. Clippers won their last eight games with New York; they won/covered their last four games in Madison Square Garden. Seven of last eight series games stayed under.
Golden State won 12 of last 14 games; they’re 5-0 vs spread in last five home games. Under is 9-5 in their last 14 games. Chicago won three of last four road games, covered five of last six. Five of last six Chicago games went over the total. Warriors won three of last four games with Chicago; teams split last four series games played here. Six of last eight series games went over total.
DeMarcus Cousins is suspended for this game. Boston won its last seven games, last four of which were home; they’re 6-2-1 vs spread in last nine road games. Last three Celtic games stayed under. Sacramento lost four of last five games, is 2-11 vs spread in its last 13 home games. Celtics won six of last eight games with the Kings; home team won nine of last ten series tilts. Boston lost four of last five visits to Sacramento (2-3 vs spread, over 4-1).
Armadillosports.com
Bulls, Warriors clash
By: Sam Chase
StatFox.com
No one wants to play the Warriors when they’re coming off a loss, but that’s exactly the matchup awaiting the Bulls tonight.
The Chicago Bulls won for the third time in four games on Monday night, leading by as much as 27 points before barely holding on to a 112-107 victory in Sacramento (CHI +4.5). The win got Chicago back to .500 at 26-26 (26-26 ATS), a record currently good for seventh in the Eastern Conference, 3.5 games behind the sixth-place Pacers and two games ahead of the eighth-place Pistons. The Bulls get every East team’s least favorite game of the year on Wednesday night, as they’ll play the third game of their Western Conference road trip in Oakland against the Warriors. After winning five straight, Golden State will be playing the rare game coming off of a loss on Wednesday, as they most recently lost 109-106 in Sacramento on Saturday (SAC +14.5). At 43-8 (24-25-2 ATS), the Warriors hold a nice four-game cushion atop the West standings and are on pace for 69 wins. Over the last five seasons, teams that have allowed at least 105 points in three straight games (GSW) are 76-40 ATS against teams coming off a win of six points or fewer. On the other hand, favorites outscoring their opponents by at least three points per game that have put up a combined score of at least 215 points in three straight games (GSW) are 35-64 over the same time frame. Star SF Jimmy Butler is questionable for Chicago on Wednesday night. C Zaza Pachulia and PF David West remain out for Golden State, while PF Draymond Green is questionable and SG Klay Thompson is probable.
The Bulls are 17th in the league with an offensive efficiency rating of 107.7 points scored per 100 possessions, and they are ninth with a defensive efficiency rating of 107.2 points allowed per 100 possessions. Averaging 94.8 possessions per 48 minutes, they play at the eighth-slowest pace in the NBA. Butler (24.6 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.8 SPG) has sat out the last two games, and will likely be a game-time call on Wednesday. As should go without saying, whether or not he plays will have a tremendous impact on the Bulls’ game plan. His PER of 25.7 is 12th in the NBA and nearly six points better than anyone else on the roster. He’s 12th in the league in scoring, third among small forwards in assists and second among SFs in steals. However, he only has the 29th-highest usage rate in the NBA (27.1), while aging teammate SG Dwyane Wade (19.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.6 SPG) is 11th in that category (30.0). Wade is still great—his 19.9 efficiency rating is fifth among all shooting guards in the NBA, but it is odd that he has been doing a bit more than Butler. He was phenomenal in the Sacramento victory, scoring 31 points—11 in the last eight minutes—on 12-of-18 shooting. Wade’s usage rate is 37.3 when Butler’s off the court, which would be second highest in the league if projected over the season thus far. With Butler out, PG Michael Carter-Williams (8.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG) has been back in the starting lineup and, surprisingly, has been great. He had 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting against the Kings. Second-year PG Jerian Grant (5.6 PPG) played a season-high 35 minutes in that game and scored 13 points. PF Taj Gibson (11.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.0 BPG) and C Robin Lopez (9.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.6 BPG) are consistent contributors as starters in the frontcourt.
Unsurprisingly, the Warriors lead the league in offensive efficiency rating (116.5) and defensive efficiency rating (103.9). They average 100.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and only the Nets play a faster pace. Since the calendar turned over to 2017, PG Stephen Curry (25.6 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 6.4 APG, 1.7 SPG) has started to look like the two-time MVP that he is. He’s on a sixteen-game streak of scoring at least 20 points, the longest such run of his career. In January, he averaged 27.8 PPG and shot 43% from three, and after shooting 22-of-39 from deep in three games this month, he is up to 42.3% on the year. That’s seventh best in the NBA, which is remarkable considering he spent most of the season below 40%. With Steph playing like this alongside SF Kevin Durant (25.8 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.7 BPG), it’s hard to imagine the Warriors. (Of course, the Kings just did, and the Heat beat them several games ago.) Curry’s red-hot January didn’t seem to slow Durant any, as KD averaged 27.4 PPG on 56.5% shooting in the month. As we must mention every time we profile the Warriors, Durant is 10th in the league in shooting percentage, a remarkable number considering the high volume with which he shoots. Thompson (21.4 PPG, 3.9 RPG) is shooting 40.3% from long range, and he is fifth in the league with 3.1 threes made per game. (Curry is first at 4.2). Green (10.5 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.9 SPG, 1.5 BPG) took a beating to his knee and tailbone against the Kings, so it remains to be seen if he’ll give it a go on Wednesday. He’s the catalyst of the offense (second only to LeBron James in assists among forwards) and once again a candidate for defensive player of the year. The absences of Pachulia (5.9 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.0 SPG) and West (4.1 PPG, 2.7 PPG) weakens the interior presence of a team that is already shorthanded in the paint, and it means C JaVale McGee (5.8 PPG) starts. He has only been playing about 15 minutes per game, though.
Wednesday's Tip Sheet
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Game of the Night – Celtics at Kings
Boston looks to extend its season-high winning streak to eight games as the Celtics embark on a four-game road swing. The Celtics (33-18 SU, 26-23-2 ATS) begin their trip in Sacramento, as six of the seven victories during this hot streak came at TD Garden.
Brad Stevens’ club finished off a sweep of the Los Angeles squads, capped off by Sunday’s 107-102 triumph over the Clippers. However, old friend Paul Pierce knocked down a late three-pointer to give L.A. the cover as 5½-point underdogs, as Boston is 0-4 ATS the last four games.
Sacramento (20-32 SU, 25-25-2 ATS) erased a 27-point deficit to tie Chicago on Monday night, but the Kings ultimately fell to the Bulls, 112-107 to suffer their 15th loss at Golden 1 Center. The Kings couldn’t capitalize off Saturday’s upset of Golden State as Dave Joerger’s team has dropped nine of their last 11 home contests, including a 2-4 ATS mark in its last six opportunities as a home underdog. To make matters worse, star center DeMarcus Cousins will be out after getting slapped with a one-game suspension following his 16th technical foul of the season.
The Celtics held off the Kings in their first matchup back in early December, 97-92 at TD Garden. Sacramento managed a cover as six-point underdogs in spite of shooting 37% from the floor, while Celtics’ star Isaiah Thomas was limited 6-of-21 shooting, but scored 20 points. Boston has lost its last four of its last five visits to Sacramento, but owns a solid 11-2 SU and 10-3 ATS mark in the role of a road favorite.
Bounce-Back Mode
Golden State returns to the court for the first time since getting tripped up at Sacramento on Saturday in overtime as 14½-point favorites. The Warriors own a perfect 7-0 record this season off a loss, but have covered only three times in this situation as the defending Western Conference champions host the Bulls. Golden State has won 15 of its past 16 contests at Oracle Arena, while averaging 123.3 points per game during this home stretch.
Chicago staved off Sacramento on Monday, 112-107 to pick up the second victory on its six-game road swing, as the Bulls have three contests remaining before heading home. Fred Hoiberg’s squad has covered in all three games in the role of an underdog, while cashing the OVER in all three contests. Jimmy Butler will sit out his third straight game with a heel contusion, as the Bulls try to avenge a pair of losses to the Warriors from last season.
Central Clash
The top two teams in the Central division meet up in Indianapolis as the Pacers look to beat the Cavaliers for the second time this season. Indiana extended its winning streak to seven by edging Oklahoma City on Monday, 93-90, while limiting his fourth straight opponent to below 97 points. Dating back to December 30, the Pacers have won 14 of their past 18 games, including nine of the last 10 contests at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The Cavaliers outlasted the Wizards on Monday in overtime, 140-135 in probably the top game of the regular season so far. Cleveland snapped Washington’s 17-game home winning streak behind Kevin Love’s 39 points and LeBron James’ game-tying three-pointer late in regulation. Tyronn Lue’s squad is rolling of late following a three-game skid in late January by winning five of the past six contests, but own a 3-7 ATS mark in the previous 10 games away from Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavaliers have struggled in Indianapolis recently by dropping four of the past five road meetings, including a 10-point defeat (without James) in mid-November.
Do It Again?
The Heat keep finding ways to win as Miami’s winning streak moved to 11 games after edging Minnesota on Monday by two points. Miami was sitting in the basement of the Southeast division at 11-30 last month before putting together 11 consecutive victories to have an outside shot at the playoffs. The Heat faces Milwaukee for the final time in the regular season after the home team captured the first three meetings.
The Bucks return home following a 137-112 blowout of the Suns on Saturday to close out a three-game road trip as Milwaukee posted a 45-point first quarter. Last season’s leading scorer Khris Middleton will make his season debut tonight after missing the 50 games following hamstring surgery. The Bucks have slumped to a 2-5 record the past seven contests at BMO Harris Bradley Center, including a 1-5 ATS mark in the last six in the role of a home favorite.
Big-Time Backwards
New York and Los Angeles basketball is trending in the wrong direction of late as the Knicks and Clippers meet at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are a complete mess on the court by going 6-18 since Christmas and off the court with all the Carmelo Anthony trade rumors.
The Clippers haven’t been much better since Chris Paul injured his thumb by compiling a 2-6 SU and 3-5 ATS mark in the last eight games. Los Angeles has allowed over 100 points in all eight of these contests, but the Clippers have beaten the Knicks eight straight times.
Perfect Philadelphia
Since the calendar turned to 2017, the 76ers have put together an 8-0 ATS mark at home, while winning seven times at Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers will be tested tonight when the Spurs invade the City of Brotherly Love as San Antonio is coming off only its sixth road loss of the season on Monday in Memphis. In spite of Philadelphia’s recent home prowess, the 76ers have dropped six of their past seven games overall, including a 102-86 setback at San Antonio as 17-point underdogs last Thursday.
Taking It Easy
The first team of New Orleans meets the current Big Easy squad tonight as the Jazz visit the Pelicans. Utah continues a three-game road trip following an impressive 120-95 blowout of Atlanta on Monday to extend its winning streak to three. The Jazz snapped an 0-7 ATS run on the road, while improving to 9-4 ATS in the role of an away favorite.
Utah faces New Orleans for the first time this season after splitting four matchups last season, as the Pelicans look to build a winning streak following Monday’s victory over the Suns. New Orleans has held its own as a home underdog of three points or more this season by posting a perfect 5-0 ATS mark, including outright wins over San Antonio, Cleveland, and Boston.
Head-to-Head Trends
The Wizards have captured five straight matchups with the Nets, including two victories this season. Washington heads to Brooklyn seeking its sixth consecutive road cover, while the Nets have dropped 10 straight games.
The Hawks edged the Nuggets by one point in Denver back in December as the teams meet in Atlanta tonight. The Nuggets have fallen in seven of their past eight trips to Philips Arena with their last victory in Atlanta coming in March 2011.
The Lakers snapped a 12-game road skid in Monday’s blowout of the Knicks as Los Angeles ventures to Detroit. The Pistons rallied past the Lakers at Staples Center last month, but Detroit has lost three of the past four home meetings with Los Angeles.
Memphis routed Phoenix on the road last month as the Suns travel to FedEx Forum. The Suns cashed in both visits to Memphis last season as an underdog, while posting a 6-3 ATS mark in its past nine as a road underdog.
Toronto has owned Minnesota through the years by winning 18 of the last 20 matchups since 2006. The Raptors outlasted the Wolves in December, 124-110, but Minnesota tripped up Toronto at Target Center last season, 117-112.