NBA Knowledge
Hot teams
-- Hawks won nine of their last 12 games (2-4 last six AF).
-- Knicks won five of last six games, covering all six.
-- Pacers won three of their last four games (1-4 last five AU).
-- Warriors won their last seven games (13-5-1AF).
-- Thunder won seven of their last nine games (1-6 last 7HF).
-- Houston won its last four games (6-2 last eight HF).
-- Clippers won their last nine games (4-2 last six HF).
Cold teams
-- Charlotte lost its last seven games (1-6 vs spread).
-- Washington lost its last three home games (1-7 last 8HF).
-- Bucks lost three of last five games (10-11AU).
-- Nets lost their last five games (0-5 vs spread).
-- Celtics lost six of their last seven games (0-3 last three HF).
-- Mavericks are 3-4 in last seven games (8-6AU).
-- Minnesota lost its last seven games (1-6 vs spread).
-- Denver lost seven of its last nine games (3-0-1 last four HU).
-- New Orleans lost six of last seven games (4-8 last 12AU).
-- Kings are 3-5 in their last eight games (1-3 last four HF).
-- Utah lost seven of its last eight road games (1-4 last five AU).
-- Portland lost three of last four games (4-4HF).
-- Miami lost three of its last four games (4-1 last five AU).
Series records
-- Hawks won four of last five games with Charlotte.
-- Wizards won six of last seven games with Milwaukee.
-- Knicks lost four of last five games with Brooklyn.
-- Pacers won seven of their last ten games with Boston.
-- Dallas won five of last seven games with Oklahoma City.
-- Rockets won eight of last nine games with Minnesota.
-- Warriors won last four games with Denver, but Nuggets are 4-1 vs spread in last five.
-- Pelicans won three of last four games with Sacramento.
-- Jazz lost seven of last ten games with Portland.
-- Clippers lost four of last five games with Miami.
Totals
-- 11 of last 12 Atlanta games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Washington games went over.
-- Last six Brooklyn games stayed under the total.
-- Last four Indiana-Boston games stayed under.
-- Five of last six Maverick-Thunder games went over.
-- Last six Houston-Minnesota games went over total.
-- Last five Golden State-Denver games went over total.
-- Six of last seven New Orleans games stayed under.
-- Six of last seven Utah-Portland games went over.
-- Three of last four Clipper games went over total.
Back/backs
-- Milwaukee is 7-2 vs spread if it played night before.
-- Knicks are 5-3 vs spread if they played night before.
-- Indiana is 2-6 vs spread if it played night before; Boston is 3-4.
-- Dallas is 6-2 vs spread if it played night before; Thunder is 2-4.
-- Pelicans are 4-4 vs spread if they played the night before.
Armadillosports.com
Wednesday's Tip Sheet
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Hawks at Hornets
The coldest team in the Eastern Conference returns home from an 0-4 road trip as Charlotte (17-20 SU, 16-20-1 ATS) looks to snap a seven-game losing streak. The Hornets shot 36% from the floor in Sunday’s 95-92 loss at Denver, including an 0-for-8 effort from guard Jeremy Lin off the bench. Steve Clifford’s club has been miserable against the number recently by posting a 1-7 ATS record, while scoring less than 94 points or less four times during this current seven-game skid. Charlotte is playing with double-revenge after losing to Atlanta twice during the opening week of the season in a pair of games decided by a total of five points.
The Hawks (23-15 SU, 19-18-1 ATS) have pulled back into first place of the Southeast thanks to consecutive double-digit wins over the 76ers and Bulls. Atlanta is riding a 11-1 streak to the ‘over,’ while Mike Budenholtzer’s team has put up at least 100 points ten times during this stretch. The Hawks have won four of their last six games away from Philips Arena, while winning and covering three of their past four in the road favorite role. Each of the first two matchups with the Hornets finished ‘under’ the total, as Atlanta held Charlotte to less than 94 points in both wins.
Pacers at Celtics
When the calendar flipped to 2016, big things were expected for Boston. However, the Celtics (19-19 SU, 19-18-1 ATS) have fallen apart of late by losing four straight games and six of the past seven. The latest defeat came last night in a 120-114 setback at New York, as the Celtics allowed its most points in regulation this season. Brad Stevens’ club has been pointspread poison of late, compiling a 1-6 ATS record in the past seven contests, including an 0-3 SU/ATS mark in the last three games at TD Garden.
Indiana (22-16 SU, 22-16 ATS) travels to Boston with no rest after pulling away from Phoenix on Tuesday at home, 116-97 to cash as 12-point favorites. Frank Vogel’s team has lost five straight games in the role of a road underdog, while covering only once in this stretch. The Pacers have seen success against the Celtics this season with a 2-0 mark, including a 102-91 triumph at TD Garden in mid-November as 3½-point underdogs. Since Christmas, the Pacers have cashed seven of the last 10 games, but their three road wins came at New Orleans, Orlando, and Minnesota.
Mavericks at Thunder
There’s no rest for Dallas (22-17 SU, 23-15-1 ATS) after falling in overtime at home to Cleveland on Tuesday, 110-97. The Mavericks managed a cover as six-point underdogs, but allowed the Cavaliers to knock down 17 three-pointers in the loss. Rick Carlisle’s squad has performed well on the second of a back-to-back set this season, especially on the road by posting a 5-2 SU and 6-1 ATS record in this situation. The Mavs will be looking to avenge a 117-114 setback at Oklahoma City in late November, but the Thunder played without leading scorer Kevin Durant.
Oklahoma City (27-12 SU, 15-24 ATS) also plays with no rest after holding off Minnesota on Tuesday, 101-96. The Thunder failed to cover as 10½-point road favorites to fall to 2-8 ATS since Christmas Day, which includes a 1-5 ATS mark at home. Billy Donovan’s team has eclipsed the 100-point mark in nine straight games, as the Thunder own a 7-2 mark to the ‘over’ in this stretch. Since the start of last season, the Thunder and Mavericks have played several high-scoring affairs, resulting in four ‘overs’ in the past five matchups.
Jazz at Blazers
The Thunder is running away with the Northwest division less than three months into the season as the two teams trailing OKC hook up in Portland. Utah (17-20 SU, 20-17 ATS) has won consecutive games seven times this season, but Quin Snyder’s club has yet to string together three straight victories. The Jazz are coming off a pair of low-scoring wins over the Heat and Lakers, as Utah has yet to bust the 100-point mark in 2016, a span of six games.
The Blazers (16-24 SU, 20-20 ATS) used a late flurry of three-pointers by Damian Lillard to stun the Thunder on Sunday, 115-110 to cash as seven-point home underdogs. Portland attempted 100 field goals in that win, including 44 shots from three-point range, as the Blazers sailed ‘over’ the total for the sixth time in seven games. The Blazers and Jazz have split a pair of meetings this season, both in Salt Lake City with Portland losing the previous meeting on New Year’s Eve, 109-96 as three-point underdogs.
Heat at Clippers
Miami (22-16 SU, 19-18-1 ATS) continues a six-game road trip after losing at Utah and Golden State the last two times out. The Heat picked up a cover at Oracle Arena as 14-point underdogs in Monday’s 111-103 defeat, as center Hassan Whiteside sat out with a knee injury. Whiteside is listed as questionable for tonight’s contest, as Miami is trying to avoid its second three-game losing streak of the season. The Heat have been up and down in the road underdog role by compiling a 3-4 SU and 4-3 ATS record, but Erik Spoelstra’s team has won five of its past eight games away from South Florida.
For as well as the Warriors and Spurs have played this season, many people are forgetting about the Clippers. Los Angeles (25-13 SU, 17-18-3 ATS) continues to play without Blake Griffin, but the Clips have run off nine straight victories, including each of the past eight with their All-Star forward sidelined due to a quad injury. The Clippers continue a five-game homestand after holding off the Pelicans on Sunday in overtime, 114-111 as 9½-point favorites, snapping a seven-game ATS hot streak. Los Angeles has lost its last two home matchups with Miami, including a 104-90 setback last season as 10-point favorites.
Wednesday's Top Action
By Sportsbook.ag
INDIANA PACERS (22-16) at BOSTON CELTICS (19-19)
Sportsbook.ag Line: Boston -2.0
The Celtics will be looking to prevent a five-game losing skid when they host the Pacers on Wednesday.
The Pacers are playing some good basketball right now winning three of their past four games both SU and ATS. Indiana most recently hosted Phoenix and won 116-97 as 12-point favorites on Tuesday. The Pacers have held five of their past six opponents to under 45% shooting from the field and three of those six to under 40%. They’ll look to continue to play defense at a high level moving forward.
The Celtics, meanwhile, have played lousy over the past few weeks. Boston lost 120-114 as a 1.5-point favorite in New York on Tuesday night and has now lost four straight games and six of the past seven. The team also failed to cover in all of those contests. The Celtics are also going to be dreading this game, as the Pacers are 2-0 both SU and ATS versus Boston this season. Indiana also happens to be 7-3 SU in this head-to-head series over the past three seasons.
Working in the Pacers’ favor in this game is the fact that Boston is 4-16 ATS in home games after allowing 110 points or more over the past three seasons. The Celtics are, however, 9-1 ATS revenging a straight up loss versus an opponent as a home favorite over the past two seasons.
SG Rodney Stuckey (Foot) is questionable for Indiana and Boston will be close to full strength in this one.
The Pacers are playing very well recently and that is with SF Paul George (24.1 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.9 SPG) going through a bit of a shooting slump. George has averaged just 21.2 PPG on 39.3% shooting from the field and 26.2% shooting from the outside over the past five contests. A meeting with the Celtics could be just what the doctor ordered for him, as he is averaging 26.0 PPG and 10.0 RPG on 45.0% shooting from the field and 43.8% shooting from three in two meetings with Boston. If George can regain his shooting stroke then this team is going to be very tough to beat on Wednesday.
SG Monta Ellis (13.3 PPG, 5.1 APG, 2.8 RPG, 1.8 SPG) has stepped his game up for Indiana recently. Ellis is averaging 14.2 PPG and 8.8 APG over the past five contests and he has done so on an efficient 45.5% shooting from the field. He is not forcing shots and is getting his teammates the ball in the right spots. If he can continue to play the right way then the Pacers might just be a contender in the Eastern Conference when all is said and done.
The X-factor for Indiana in this game is likely going to be SF C.J. Miles (13.8 PPG). Miles is inconsistent as a scorer, but he did have 19 points and eight boards on 6-for-13 shooting from the field and 4-for-6 shooting from behind the arc against Phoenix on Tuesday. If he can find his stroke against the Celtics then it’ll be tough for Boston to cover this team.
The Celtics have been playing poorly as of late, but that is not due to the play of PG Isaiah Thomas (21.4 PPG, 6.8 APG, 1.3 SPG). Over the past two games, Thomas is averaging 34.5 PPG and 8.0 APG in 33.5 MPG. He has been playing some of the best basketball of his career and will need to be on his game on Wednesday. He is quicker than all of the Pacers’ guards that will be trying to check him, so he should be in for yet another huge game.
Another guy that could play well in this one is C Jared Sullinger (9.8 PPG, 8.8 RPG). Sullinger caught fire down the stretch against New York and finished the game with 14 points and seven boards in 20 minutes of action. He was knocking down midrange shots and likely earned himself some more minutes against Indiana for this one. The Pacers are small inside, so he could have his way in the post.
SF Jae Crowder (14.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.8 SPG) will be the most important player for Boston, though. Crowder is averaging 17.8 PPG over the past five contests and has really picked up his game offensively. He’ll also be the guy that needs to guard Paul George all game. If he can hold his own then Boston might just snap its losing streak on Wednesday.
MIAMI HEAT (22-16) at LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (25-13)
Sportsbook.ag Line: Los Angeles -5.0
The Heat will be looking to get back on track when they face a Clippers team that has suddenly won nine straight games heading into Wednesday.
Miami faced Golden State on Monday and lost 111-103 as a 14.5-point road underdog. The Heat have now lost two straight games and three of their past four as well. This team prides itself on its ability to play defense, but the Heat’s opponents have shot 54% or better in two of the past four contests. The Clippers, meanwhile, are as hot as could be at the moment. Los Angeles has won nine straight games and has covered in seven of those contests. This team has been scorching hot from the field as well, shooting 45% or better in six of the nine wins.
The Heat have gotten the best of this head-to-head series recently, though. Miami is 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS when facing Los Angeles since 2013. Another thing favoring the Heat is that the team is 10-4-1 ATS when coming off of a SU loss this season. They are also 11-4 SU and 9-5-1 ATS versus Western Conference opponents on the year. The Clippers, however, are 10-3 SU and 7-4-2 ATS versus Eastern Conference opponents on the year.
PF Josh McRoberts (Knee) is out indefinitely for the Heat and C Hassan Whiteside (Knee) is questionable for this one. For Los Angeles, PF Blake Griffin (Quad) remains out indefinitely.
The Heat are coming off of a tough loss in Golden State on Monday and will now look to earn a victory over a red-hot Clippers bunch. If the Heat are going to win then SG Dwyane Wade (18.5 PPG, 4.6 APG, 4.1 RPG, 1.0 SPG) will need to play a spectacular game. Wade was good against the Warriors, finishing with 20 points, 11 assists and seven boards in 33 minutes. He was, however, just 6-for-20 from the field in that game. He will need to shoot the ball a lot better in this game against Los Angeles.
PF Chris Bosh (19.1 PPG, 8.0 RPG) is also going to need to shoot the ball well in order to pick up a win on Wednesday. Bosh had 15 points, 12 boards, four assists and two blocks against the Warriors, but he was really lousy from the field. Bosh finished the game just 6-for-15 from the field and a terrible 0-for-5 from the outside. The Heat rely heavily on Bosh’s ability to shoot and stretch the floor, so he will need to find his touch quickly.
The Clippers are playing some unbelievable basketball right now and PG Chris Paul (18.1 PPG, 9.5 APG, 1.9 SPG) is in a groove offensively. Paul had 25 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and three steals in 40 minutes against the Pelicans on Sunday. It was his second straight game with 25 points and Paul had 21 points and 19 assists in a win over Portland three games ago. He will need to continue to be aggressive as a scorer with Griffin out of the lineup and he should be able to put up some solid numbers against a struggling Miami team on Tuesday.
Other guys who need to continue to play well are SG J.J. Redick (15.9 PPG) and C DeAndre Jordan (11.6 PPG, 13.4 RPG, 2.4 BPG). Redick is averaging 18.0 PPG over the past five contests and is shooting 50% from the outside in those games. He is really stepping it up offensively with Griffin out and Jordan is making up for the loss of Griffin on the boards. Over the past five games, the Clippers big man is averaging 14.0 PPG and 15.4 RPG. He makes it extremely tough on opponents inside and must continue to anchor this defense moving forward.