Wednesday's NBA Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Bulls at Cavaliers
Chicago: 20-20 SU, 18-22 ATS
Cleveland: 15-26 SU, 18-23 ATS
The Cavaliers returned from a five-game road trip and fell to the Mavericks on Monday, 102-97 as 1½-point underdogs. Cleveland rallied from a 22-point halftime deficit to cut the lead down to three points in the fourth quarter, but couldn't get over the hump. Mike Brown's club has had plenty of success as a home 'dog (8-2 ATS), but not so much when laying points at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs have covered just three of nine times in the role of a road favorite, but Cleveland is 6-3 straight-up in these contests.
The Bulls staved off the Lakers in overtime on Monday to win their eighth game in 10 tries. Chicago has won four of its previous five contests away from the United Center, while limiting four of those opponents to 96 points or less. The home team has won each of the first three meetings this season, including a 97-93 triumph by the Cavaliers as five-point home 'dogs in late November.
Mavericks at Raptors
Dallas: 25-18 SU, 24-19 ATS
Toronto: 20-20 SU, 23-17 ATS
The Mavs have alternated wins and losses in each of their last five trips to the court, coming off the five-point victory at Cleveland on Monday. Dallas has now won seven of its past nine games away from the American Airlines Center, while covering eight times in this stretch. Rick Carlisle's club is playing with revenge on Wednesday after the Raptors went into Dallas last month and edged the Mavs, 109-108 in overtime as 6 ½-point underdogs.
The Raptors look to get on track following consecutive losses to the Lakers and Bobcats, while falling behind at Charlotte by 30 points before losing, 100-95. Toronto is riding a 6-1 SU/ATS hot stretch at the Air Canada Center since mid-December, but has dropped four of six home contests against Western Conference foes. The Raptors have tightened up their defense at home lately, allowing 94 points or less in four of their last five games at the ACC.
Thunder at Spurs
Oklahoma City: 31-10 SU, 23-18 ATS
San Antonio: 32-9 SU, 21-20 ATS
The Thunder has had the Spurs' number this season with two victories over the defending Western Conference champions. Oklahoma City heads to the Alamo with no rest following Tuesday's home contest against Portland, while owning a 4-1 ATS record the last five opportunities as an underdog. Since winning eight straight road games from December through early January, the Thunder has dropped three of their past four on the highway, while going 'under' the total in three straight road games.
The Spurs are rolling with wins in seven of their previous eight contests, including Sunday's 110-82 rout of the hapless Bucks as 15-point favorites. Tony Parker sat out that rout with a shin injury, but the Spurs' point guard is expected back in the lineup on Wednesday. San Antonio is riding a 5-1 stretch to the 'under,' while limiting four of those opponents to 95 points or less. In the last meeting between these two Western powers, the Thunder built an 11-point halftime lead en route to a 113-100 triumph as three-point road 'dogs on December 21.
Pacers at Suns
Indiana: 33-7 SU, 28-12 ATS
Phoenix: 23-17 SU, 26-13-1 ATS
The Pacers are continuing to make the argument that they are the team to beat in the Eastern Conference, as Indiana won its fifth straight game on Monday at Golden State. Frank Vogel's team put together a complete effort in a 102-94 victory over the Warriors to cash outright as 1½-point underdogs, while grabbing a 14-point advantage after the first quarter. Indiana continues a five-game Western Conference road swing, as the Pacers have held 16 straight opponents to below 100 points, including a 4-0-1 mark to the 'under' in the past five road contests.
The Suns have hit the skids of late following a fast start, losing five of their past eight contests. Phoenix outlasted Denver on Sunday, 117-103 as 1½-point home favorites, but the Suns are just 0-4 SU/ATS the last four games following a defeat. Jeff Hornacek's team is defenseless of late by giving up at least 103 points in six of the last seven contests, while the 'over' has hit five times in this span.
Thunder at Spurs: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com
Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs (-6, 207)
The Western Conference leadership is on the line when the host San Antonio Spurs attempt to cool off Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. Durant scored 46 points in Tuesday’s victory over the Portland Trail Blazers to move Oklahoma City within a half-game of the Spurs, who have won have won seven of their last eight games. The Thunder have beaten the Spurs twice this season, including a 113-100 win in San Antonio on Dec. 21.
Durant is averaging 20.5 points against the Spurs this season but the previous two contests were played prior to Russell Westbrook being sidelined due to another knee surgery. The 46-point outing in which he was 6-of-7 from 3-point range is only Durant’s fourth-highest output of the month and he is averaging 39.3 points over the past eight games entering the latest showdown with San Antonio. “We know how tough it is to win there,” Durant said after the victory over Portland. “We know how tough that team is. You’ve just got to come prepared and with a lot of energy. I think our group is ready to come out there and play our game and we’ll see what happens.”
LINE: Books opened San Antonio as a 5.5-point favorite and that was bet up to -6. The total opened at 207 points and has come down to 205.
COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Thunder (-12.5) - Spurs (-14.0) + Home Court (-3.0) = Spurs -4.5
ABOUT THE THUNDER (32-10, 24-18-0 ATS): Durant has scored 30 or more points in eight straight games and he finished with a flourish against the Trail Blazers after drawing an ill-advised technical foul with 3:45 remaining to help Portland increase its lead to five. He stepped up his play by scoring 11 points – including three 3-pointers — during a decisive 15-0 run as Oklahoma City recorded a 105-97 victory. “It was really a stupid, stupid reaction by me,” Durant said. “I could’ve hurt my team really badly. I was just more frustrated with myself, turning the ball over. I can’t hurt my team like that.”
ABOUT THE SPURS (32-9, 21-20-9 ATS): San Antonio has had a couple of days to rest up since Sunday’s victory over Milwaukee, and the timing was good with point guard Tony Parker (shin), center Tiago Splitter (shoulder) and forward Matt Bonner (broken nose) all ailing. Parker is expected to attempt to play against Oklahoma City and Bonner has been fitted with a protective mask. Forward Kawhi Leonard will again draw the assignment of attempting to slow down Durant, and he did a solid job in this season’s first two meetings.
TRENDS:
* Thunder are 8-1-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
* Under is 5-1 in the last six meetings.
* Favorite is 5-1-1 ATS in the last seven meetings.
* Home team is 5-1-1 ATS in the last seven meetings.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Thunder had lost six straight visits to San Antonio prior to last month’s victory.
2. The Spurs have scored 100 or more points in 12 consecutive games.
3. Oklahoma City is 13-7 on the road but has lost three of its last four away games.