Wednesday Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
The NBA card on Wednesday is filled up with 11 games, including a handful of contests involving Western Conference foes. The Clippers look to stay hot at home against a stumbling Mavericks' squad, while the Thunder attempts to get on track as the Wolves invade OKC. We'll start in the Lone Star State with the Spurs laying a big number against the struggling Lakers.
Lakers at Spurs (-13, 212)
San Antonio returns home following its most surprising loss of the season at New Orleans on Monday night. The Spurs (27-10 SU, 22-14-1 ATS) fell to the young Hornets, 95-88 as eight-point favorites, while New Orleans covered for the third time against San Antonio this season. The Lakers (15-18 SU, 13-19-1 ATS) travel to the Alamo following Tuesday's contest at Houston, as Los Angeles will be without big men Dwight Howard (torn labrum) and Pau Gasol (concussion) on Wednesday.
In the first meeting this season at Staples Center, the Spurs escaped past the Lakers, 84-82 in mid-November as one-point road favorites. Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 28 points for L.A., while the Spurs won in spite of shooting just 39% from the field. San Antonio grabbed two of three matchups last season, but Los Angeles managed a victory as 10-point road 'dogs in a 98-84 triumph without Bryant last April.
As a road underdog this season, the Lakers own a dreadful 0-7 SU and 1-6 ATS mark, as the only pointspread cover came in a six-point defeat at Oklahoma City in early December. The Spurs are just 2-4 ATS the last six games off a loss, but Gregg Popovich's team is 5-1 ATS the previous six home contests when laying at least nine points.
Wolves at Thunder (-11½, 200½)
Minnesota heads to Oklahoma City with no rest to battle a Thunder (26-8 SU, 20-13-1 ATS) squad that will likely be extremely motivated. The woeful Wizards tripped up the Thunder on Monday night as 11-point home underdogs, 101-99, as OKC fell to 5-4 the last nine games following a 12-game winning streak. The Wolves (15-15 SU, 16-14 ATS) hit the road following Tuesday's home game against the Hawks, while Minnesota looks to shock Oklahoma City for the second time this season.
In the last matchup between these Northwest Division teams, Minnesota caught an unrested OKC squad by surprising the Thunder, 99-93 as two-point home 'dogs. The Wolves led from the start, while holding the Thunder to just 40% shooting from the floor. Kevin Love led the way for Minnesota with 28 points, but the All-Star forward will be out on Wednesday after suffering a hand injury last week at Denver. The win snapped a 12-game skid to Oklahoma City dating back to 2009, but the Wolves have covered each of the last six meetings.
Since starting the season at 8-3 ATS as a home favorite, Scott Brooks' club has covered just four of their last ten games at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The 'over' is hitting at a solid 6-3 clip the previous nine home contests for the Thunder, while OKC has eclipsed the 104-point plateau in 12 of the last 14 home games. The Wolves have dropped five of seven road games with no rest, but managed a victory as an away 'dog in this situation last Thursday at Denver, 101-97.
Grizzlies at Warriors (-2, 189)
Memphis wraps up its three-game West Coast swing in Oakland as the Grizzlies seek a perfect 3-0 SU/ATS trip. The Warriors (22-11 SU, 20-12-1 ATS) hit the court for the first time since getting slaughtered by the Clippers on Saturday night, falling by 26 points. Golden State is also playing with revenge after falling to Memphis back in early November.
The Grizzlies (22-10 SU, 19-12-1 ATS) picked up their first win of the season at Oracle Arena, 104-94 as 1 ½-point favorites on November 2. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph combined for 36 points and 20 rebounds, while Memphis converted 28 free throws in the win. Memphis has owned this series, beating Golden State seven straight times, including three in a row in the Bay Area.
The defense of the Grizzlies continues to stifle opponents, holding six straight foes to less than 88 points (5-1 to the 'under'). Memphis is riding a three-game road winning streak, as Lionel Hollins' club has knocked off each opponent in this span by double-digits. Golden State has won 10 of its previous 12 home contests, while covering the number nine times.
Mavericks at Clippers (-10½, 200½)
Dallas can't get out of its own way recently, losing three straight games with the lead in the fourth quarter. The latest meltdown came in Salt Lake City on Monday as the Mavs (13-22 SU, 16-19 ATS) scored just 14 points in the final quarter of a 100-94 setback as five-point 'dogs. The Clippers (27-8 SU, 22-13 ATS) got back to their winning ways following a short two-game skid by beating the Lakers and Warriors on consecutive days.
Los Angeles is rolling recently at Staples Center by winning 12 straight home contests, including 10 of those victories by double-digits. One of those triumphs came over Dallas on December 5, a 112-90 rout as 8½-point favorites. Six Clippers scored in double-figures, led by Jamal Crawford's 20 points. L.A. will be without their veteran sixth man, as Crawford is out due to a foot injury.
Rick Carlisle's team is a disaster away from Dallas, winning five of 20 road contests, including eight losses in the last nine games on the highway. The Mavs have sailed 'over' the total in 11 of the past 16 games, while going 5-2 to the 'over' in the last seven away contests. The Clips are nearly automatic at home off a win, posting a 14-1 SU and 13-2 ATS record in this situation.
Lakers at Spurs: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com
Los Angeles Lakers at San Antonio Spurs (-13.5, 214)
The Los Angeles Lakers are dragging along with a four-game losing skid and things don’t figure to get better when they face the angry San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. San Antonio had won eight of nine games before succumbing to the lowly New Orleans Hornets on Monday, a loss that makes for bad timing for Los Angeles to show up in town. The Lakers are just 5-11 on the road and the Spurs are 14-2 at home.
San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich succinctly described the loss to the Hornets this way: “They did a great job at both ends of the court. They just whipped us.” The Spurs committed 19 turnovers in the sloppy, uncharacteristic effort. Los Angeles will again be without center Dwight Howard (shoulder) and forwards Pau Gasol (concussion) and Jordan Hill (hip). The shorthanded Lakers played well early in Tuesday’s 125-112 loss to the Houston Rockets before wilting over the final 17 minutes. “We could offer up a number of excuses,” said point guard Steve Nash, “but what is troubling is when we were healthy, we weren’t stopping people, either.”
ABOUT THE LAKERS (15-19, 13-20-1 ATS): Los Angeles doesn’t yet know long it will be without Howard, who matched his career-high with 26 rebounds in Sunday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets before the severity of his shoulder injury was discovered the next day. Rookie Robert Sacre started in his place against Houston and had 10 points and four blocked shots but grabbed just three rebounds. Forward Metta World Peace scored a season-high 24 points against the Rockets and is miffed over the team’s troubles. “I thought we had the better team,” World Peace said while comparing his injury riddled team with the Rockets. “We definitely had the better team, but every night we have the better team and it’s just not translating to wins.” Kobe Bryant scored 20 points to end a streak of 17 consecutive games with 27 or more points.
ABOUT THE SPURS (27-10, 22-14-1 ATS): San Antonio has won 10 consecutive home games dating back to Nov. 19 when they lost to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Spurs defeated the Lakers 84-82 on Nov. 11 in Los Angeles when guard Danny Green hit the game-winning 3-point basket with 9.3 seconds remaining. Green has struggled of late and missed all five of his shots while going scoreless in the loss to New Orleans. Green has reached double digits just once in the last six games. Veteran guard Manu Ginobili has averaged 20 points and made 56.5 percent of his field-goal attempts over the past two games to raise his season average to 12.7.
TRENDS:
* Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
* Under is 19-7 in the last 26 meetings in San Antonio.
* Under is 19-7 in the last 26 meetings.
* Road team is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. San Antonio has won the last three regular-season meetings with the Lakers.
2. The Spurs are 17-4 when forcing 15 or more turnovers.
3. Gasol will be re-examined Thursday in hopes of determining a return date. He suffered the concussion on Sunday.
NBA Streaks, Trends, Notes
Sportspic.com
Minnesota at Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City Thunder look to bounce back after a humbling 101-99 loss to lowly Wizards as 11.5 point favorite. Thunder are 17-3 SU on Chesapeake Energy Arena hardwood cashing twelve tickets (12-8 ATS). Thunder are also a smart 11-1 SU with a solid 9-3 mark at the betting window following a loss as a favorite. Oklahoma City netting 107.5 PPG on home court, Minnesota managing 94.3 PPG on the road would suggest Thunder showcase their talent in a big way. TWolves without Kevin Love and playing without rest aren't about to topple Thunder. But, Twolves could give Thunder a run for the money. Thunder are 0-6 ATS the past six meetings, have a 2-5 ATS skid going as double digit favorites while Twolves enter 6-4 ATS last 10 away vs a division foe, 4-1 ATS playing without rest vs a division opponent.
NBA Point Spreads and Betting Guide
By: The Linemakers
Sportingnews.com
The Los Angeles Lakers may have won the offseason, but they’re losing when it counts.
They head into Wednesday’s game at the San Antonio Spurs as the biggest underdogs they’ve been in nearly eight years.
The ailing Lakers are 13.5-point dogs against the Spurs tonight in the second of back-to-back games; they lost in Houston on Tuesday, 125-112. L.A. was a 15.5-point underdog at Phoenix on April 5, 2005 (via OddShark.com). That Lakers team finished 34-48 and missed the playoffs.
This year’s team, with offseason acquisitions of Dwight Howard and Steve Nash, was considered a legitimate championship contender. In early August, the Lakers were listed at 5-to-2 to win the title and were the favorites to win the Western Conference at the LVH SuperBook. Only the defending champion Miami Heat, at 9-to-4, had shorter odds.
Things haven’t gone as planned.
Entering this week, the Lakers (15-19, 13-21 ATS) were 16-to-1 to win the NBA Championship.
Only the Chicago Bulls (12-20 ATS) have covered the spread in fewer games than the Lakers, who are 1-9 ATS as underdogs this season, and 4-16 ATS in their last 20 games as underdogs overall.
Howard (shoulder), Pau Gasol (concussion) and reserve Jordan Hill (hip) are out tonight against a Spurs team that has won 10 consecutive home games. The Spurs are 17-3 in their last 20 home games, 12-7-1 against the spread.
Here are some more trends and angles for you to consider as you’re making you’re NBA wagering decisions this evening.
NBA trends:
* The 76ers have covered four of their last five games coming off a double-digit home loss. The Raptors have covered eight of their last 11 home games. The Raptors and 76ers have gone UNDER the total in five of their last six meetings. The Raptors are -4.5 with a total of 189.
* The Jazz have covered five of their last six games against teams with a losing record. They have also gone UNDER the total in their last four games. The home team has covered nine of the last 11 meetings between the Jazz and Bobcats. The Jazz are 4.5-point road favorites with a total of 197.5.
* The Hawks are 11-3-2 ATS in their last 16 road games against teams with a home winning percentage below .400. The Cavs have covered only six of their last 20 games. The Hawks are 4-point road favorites with a total of 193.
* The Celtics have covered four of their last five home games against teams with a losing road record. The Suns are 2-15 on the road this season. The Celtics are -9 with a total of 192.
* The Bucks have covered nine of their last 11 games against Eastern Conference teams. The Bulls have covered only two of their last seven games. The Bulls are -6 with a total of 188.5.
* The Rockets have covered their last six road games. The Hornets have not covered six games in a row at home against teams with a losing road record. The Rockets are 2.5-point road favorites with a total of 200.5.
* The Lakers bounce back well, having covered seven of their last nine games following a loss of 10 points or more. The Spurs have covered only two of their last nine against Western Conference teams. The Spurs are -13.5 with a total of 215.
* The T’Wolves have covered four of their last five games against teams with a winning percentage above .600. They have also covered their past six meetings with the Thunder. The Thunder are -12.5 with a total of 201.5.
* The Magic have covered eight of their past 10 road games. The Nuggets have covered six of their past seven home games. The Magic have gone OVER the total in their past eight games. The Nuggets are -11.5 with a total of 204.5.
* The Clippers have covered 16 of their past 21 home games. The home team has covered four of the last five meetings between the Clippers and Mavericks. The Clippers are -10.5 with a total of 201.
* The Warriors have covered eight of their last nine games on Wednesdays. The road team has covered the last five meetings between the Warriors and Grizzlies. The Warriors are -1.5 with a total of 189.5.
NBA injuries:
* Cavs forward Anderson Varejao (knee) is OUT indefinitely.
* Raptors forward Andrea Bargnani (elbow) is OUT indefinitely.
* T’Wolves forward Kevin Love (hand) is OUT indefinitely.
* Lakers center Dwight Howard (shoulder) is OUT indefinitely.
* Lakers forward Pau Gasol (concussion) is OUT indefinitely.
* Lakers forward Jordan Hill (hip) is OUT indefinitely.
* Magic forward Glen Davis (shoulder) is OUT indefinitely.
* Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (foot) is OUT.