Bulls at Spurs: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com
Chicago Bulls at San Antonio Spurs (-7.5, 190.5)
The San Antonio Spurs seek their ninth victory in 11 games when they host the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. San Antonio has the top record in the NBA and will be playing its second game since losing standout point guard Tony Parker for approximately a month with an ankle injury. Chicago also has ailing players and will be without forward Taj Gibson (knee) and guard Richard Hamilton (back) while point guard Kirk Hinrich (foot) is doubtful.
The Bulls lost at Indiana on Sunday to begin a stretch in which they play five of six games on the road. Chicago has been without star point guard Derrick Rose (knee) all season and the recent injuries have further depleted the team’s depth. Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said he doesn’t want the injuries to be used as an excuse. “It’s the NBA,” Thibodeau said after the loss to the Pacers. “We’ve got plenty in that locker room. We’ve got to get the job done.” San Antonio is 24-3 at home and has won 20 of its last 21 home games as it plays the fourth contest of a six-game homestand.
ABOUT THE BULLS (34-26, 27-33-0 ATS): Center Joakim Noah has recorded three straight double-doubles and has 30 on the season. Noah is averaging 19.3 points, 13.7 rebounds and 5.3 blocks during the stretch. He had 15 rebounds when Chicago lost to San Antonio last month but tallied just seven points. Guard Marco Belinelli scored 20 points against Indiana after a dismal three-game stretch in which he averaged seven points and shot 29.6 percent from the field. Forward Jimmy Butler also fared well against the Pacers with a season-best 20 points.
ABOUT THE SPURS (47-14, 34-25-2 ATS): Second-year guard Cory Joseph drew the start in place of Parker against the Pistons and had eight points, four assists and one turnover in 18 minutes. Joseph was recently recalled from the Austin Toros of the D-League and impressed San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich with this showing against Detroit. “I thought he did a fine job,” Popovich said afterward. “He played a good floor game. I like his defense. I like his aggressive attitude, as far as loose balls and sticking his nose in. He’s a really committed, physical player and runs the show well.” Gary Neal will see more time at the point as his leg injury improves. Neal played 8 1/2 minutes off the bench against the Pistons after sitting out the previous three games.
TRENDS:
* Bulls are 7-19 ATS in their last 26 vs. Western Conference.
* Spurs are 38-16-3 ATS in their last 57 home games.
* Under is 6-0 in the last six meetings in San Antonio.
* Under is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The teams have split the last 12 meetings but San Antonio has won eight of its last 11 home games against the Bulls.
2. Spurs F Kawhi Leonard scored a career-best 26 points in a 104-94 victory in Chicago on Feb. 11.
3. Chicago F Luol Deng is shooting just 35.1 percent from the field over the last three games.
Wednesday Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Wednesday night is one of the busiest cards in the NBA all season long with 14 contests. Four games highlight the slate, including the Bulls heading to San Antonio, while the Bucks try to stay red-hot in a revenge situation against the Clippers. We'll begin in the Hoosier State with two Eastern Conference rivals looking to keep up their momentum moving towards the playoffs.
Celtics at Pacers
Boston is playing in its eighth different city in the last eight games, as the Celtics travel to Indianapolis with no rest on Wednesday night. The Pacers are rolling at the moment with seven wins in their past eight trips to the court, while slowly opening up the advantage over the Bulls inside the Central Division race.
Indiana held off Chicago on Sunday night, 97-92, but failed to cover as 7½-point home favorites. The Pacers own the tiebreaker advantage over the Bulls with three head-to-head victories, which will help Indiana potentially be in line for the second overall seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race behind Miami. However, the Pacers are playing with revenge after losing at Boston, 94-75 as three-point underdogs in early January, while Indiana was limited to just 31% shooting from the floor.
The Celtics head to Indiana with no rest following Tuesday's contest at Philadelphia, as Boston owns a 7-8 SU and 6-8-1 ATS record on the second of a back-to-back. On the road in this situation has turned into a profitable 'fade' spot, as Doc Rivers' club is just 2-7 SU and 2-6-1 ATS when Boston hits the highway with no rest. Boston has put together a 5-3 ATS mark in the last eight road underdog opportunities, including outright victories at Utah, New York, and Atlanta.
Blazers at Grizzlies
Memphis is ascending through the Western Conference with a sparkling 9-1 SU and 7-3 ATS record the previous 10 contests, as the Grizzlies look to solidify a top-four seed in the West. The Grizzlies shoot for their sixth consecutive home win on Wednesday as the Blazers invade FedEx Forum, coming off a 3-1 SU and 4-0 ATS homestand.
Portland drilled offensive stalwarts Minnesota and Charlotte by double-digits to win consecutive games for the first time since early February. The Blazers were one of the coldest ATS teams heading into the All-Star break (0-5), but Terry Stotts' squad has cashed in five straight games, including as a 9½-point 'dog at the Lakers on February 22. Portland has actually beaten Memphis once already this season, shocking the Grizzlies, 86-84 as eight-point 'dogs on January 4, as Zach Randolph didn't face his former team due to injury.
The same story is written again on Wednesday as Randolph will miss his second straight game with a sprained ankle. Memphis' defense is back on track by allowing 84 points or fewer in five of the last six games, resulting in a 4-2 mark to the 'under.' In spite of the Grizzlies winning each of their past five home contests, Memphis has failed to cover in each of the last three opportunities as favorites of 7 ½ or more against Dallas, Orlando, and Sacramento.
Bulls at Spurs
San Antonio owns the most victories in the NBA (47), while winning 19 of its last 22 games overall. The Spurs go for the season sweep of the Bulls after picking up a 103-89 triumph in mid-February as part of the Rodeo road trip, cashing outright as 3½-point 'dogs. Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker both sat out that contest due to injury, but San Antonio shot a blistering 52% from the floor, including 8-of-16 from three-point range.
Parker remains out for the Spurs with a sprained ankle, as San Antonio managed a 114-75 blowout of Detroit without the All-Star point guard on Sunday. The Spurs easily covered as 13-point favorites to avenge a loss last month at the Palace of Auburn Hills, while allowing the second-lowest amount of points in a game this season (73 vs. Nets on 12/31). Gregg Popovich's team has put together a 3-6-1 ATS record the last 10 games as a single-digit favorite, but only two of those contests came at the AT&T Center.
The Bulls have been very ordinary lately by splitting the last eight games to fall further back of the Pacers in the Central (four games). Chicago is coming off three consecutive covers, while cashing in nine of the previous 12 road contests in the underdog role. Tom Thibodeau's club has failed to eclipse the 100-point mark in 11 of the last 12 games, while hitting the 'under' just six times in this span.
Bucks at Clippers
Milwaukee is slowly coming back to life after several struggles to close the first half as the Bucks put their four-game winning streak on the line at Los Angeles. The Bucks staved off the Raptors and Jazz in overtime at home the last two games, while failing to cash as 4 ½-point 'chalk' in Monday's 109-108 squeaker over Utah.
The Clippers lost for the third time this season to the Thunder on Sunday, falling in a seesaw affair, 108-104 as short home favorites. L.A. is riding a five-game hot streak against Eastern Conference opponents, while winning seven of nine home contests in interconference action. The Clips seek a sweep of the Bucks after routing Milwaukee at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in December, 111-85 to easily cash as five-point road favorites.
Milwaukee began the season owning a 5-12 ATS record against Western Conference foes, but the Bucks covered in two of the last three, including outright underdog triumphs at Dallas and Houston. The Bucks begin a three-game road swing through the state of California, which extends to Golden State (Saturday) and Sacramento (Sunday).
NBA: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Toronto at Phoenix
The Toronto Raptors losing 125-118 at Golden State Monday were handed a fifth consecutive loss and non-cover. Raptors road swing threatens to get worse when they continue their trip at Phoenix Wednesday then close the trek with a Friday matchup against the Lakers. Raptors 8-22 (14-15-1 ATS) on the road are on a 1-7 (3-4-1 ATS) slide playing in Suns back yard, 0-9 (4-5 ATS) skid running the hardwood at the Staples Center. Toronto smacked on a regular basis playing Pacific division opponents on their hardwood are clearly in dangerous betting territory. Raptors are ridding a 1-9 (4-6 ATS) road skid vs the Pacific division outscored 10.0 PPG and a 2-13 (7-8 ATS) road slide last fifteen vs Pacific opponents outscore 8.2 points/game.
Wednesday's NBA Betting Notes
By Covers.com
Brooklyn Nets at Charlotte Bobcats (+8.5, 190.5)
The Brooklyn Nets are in the early stages of a stretch that has them playing 12 of 15 games away from home, so they will be looking to exploit a matchup with the league's worst team when they visit the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday. Brooklyn has dropped two straight and four of five to fall 3 1/2 games behind the front-running New York Knicks in the Atlantic Division and into a logjam with Chicago and Atlanta in a battle for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The Nets have won the last five meetings.
Utah Jazz at Cleveland Cavaliers (-2, 200.5)
The Utah Jazz are in the midst of a slump and hope to halt it when they visit the host Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. The Jazz have lost four of five games and have slipped to eighth in the Western Conference. Utah fell to the Milwaukee Bucks in Monday’s opener of a four-game road trip. Cleveland has lost back-to-back games and is 1-2 during a five-game homestand. The Cavaliers have lost six consecutive games against Utah.
Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers (-9, 184.5)
If the season ended today, the Boston Celtics would visit the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. An early preview of that will take place on Wednesday, when the Pacers host the Celtics. Boston has won three straight games and will be playing the second night of a back-to-back after outlasting Philadelphia on Tuesday. Indiana is playing as well as any team in the NBA not named the Miami Heat.
New York Knicks at Detroit Pistons (+4, 196.5)
The city that never sleeps was staring at its worst nightmare when New York Knicks star forward Carmelo Anthony crashed to the floor without being touched in Monday's comeback victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Anthony escaped serious injury and was diagnosed with a stiff and sore right knee, putting his availability in question for New York's game at the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. The league's second-leading scorer said the knee has been bothering him for a while and he recently underwent an MRI exam.
Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks (-8, 189.5)
The Atlanta Hawks will try to stop a three-game slide that has seen them slip to sixth in the Eastern Conference standings when they return home to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. Philadelphia lost for the ninth time in 10 games with a 109-101 home loss to Boston on Tuesday and is trying to avoid being swept in a back-to-back set for the seventh time this season.
Orlando Magic at Miami Heat (-15, 204)
The Miami Heat look to extend their 15-game winning streak on Wednesday when they visit the Orlando Magic, who face an uphill battle against their in-state rivals. Ten of Miami’s 15 victories during their franchise-record winning streak have come by double digits, including Monday’s 97-81 win at Minnesota. Orlando is 7-29 against Eastern Conference opponents, but they’re coming off an encouraging 105-102 win over the New Orleans Hornets on Monday.
Washington Wizards at Minnesota Timberwolves (-3, 188.5)
The banged-up Minnesota Timberwolves will try to avoid a season-worst seventh consecutive loss and a season sweep at the hands of the visiting Washington Wizards on Wednesday. The short-handed Timberwolves have dropped six straight after a 97-81 home loss to Miami on Monday. The Wizards have played much better over the past month, as they've won eight of their last 12 games and are coming off a 90-87 home win over Philadelphia in which they rallied late.
Portland Trail Blazers at Memphis Grizzlies (-8, 185.5)
The Portland Trail Blazers are desperately trying to get back into the playoff race in the Western Conference and have won three of their last four games. Things get a lot tougher this week with a three-game road trip, beginning Wednesday at the Memphis Grizzlies. The Blazers are 3 1/2 games behind the eighth-place Utah Jazz but own an 8-21 record on the road, where they will play 12 of their last 23 games.
Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Hornets (+1, 205.5)
After working hard to get back to the .500 mark for the first time since late December, the Los Angeles Lakers fell right back below the break-even point by losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday. Los Angeles takes a stab at evening its record again when it visits the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday. New Orleans suffered a humiliating home loss to the Orlando Magic on Monday and is just 11-19 at home.
Houston Rockets at Dallas Mavericks (-2.5, 222)
The Houston Rockets snapped a nine-game losing streak at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks with a vengeance, rolling to a 33-point victory on Sunday. The Mavericks will have a chance to avenge that rout and extend their home domination of their in-state rival when they host Houston on Wednesday. Dallas has won the last five matchups against the Rockets at American Airlines Center and cannot afford to give up much more ground in the Western Conference, trailing eighth-place Utah by 5 1/2 games.
Toronto Raptors at Phoenix Suns (+2, 193)
The streaky Toronto Raptors head into Wednesday’s contest against the Phoenix Suns looking to snap a five-game skid and keep their dim postseason hopes alive. The Raptors appeared ready to make a serious push after winning five straight in early February, but they’ve since fallen 8 1/2 games behind Milwaukee for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot. Phoenix abandoned its playoff dreams long ago, but the Suns have strung together their first three-game winning streak since mid-December.
Chicago Bulls at San Antonio Spurs (-8, 191.5)
The San Antonio Spurs seek their ninth victory in 11 games when they host the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. San Antonio has the top record in the NBA and will be playing its second game since losing standout point guard Tony Parker for approximately a month with an ankle injury. Chicago also has ailing players and will be without forward Taj Gibson (knee) and guard Richard Hamilton (back) while point guard Kirk Hinrich (foot) is doubtful.
Sacramento Kings at Golden State Warriors (-11.5, 222.5)
The Golden State Warriors are enjoying their longest homestand of the season and will be playing 15 of their remaining 21 games in their own arena. That continues when they host the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. The Warriors dropped the final four games of a five-game road trip but returned home on Monday and earned a win over the Toronto Raptors. The Kings are hitting the road after falling at home to Denver on Tuesday.
Milwaukee Bucks at Los Angeles Clippers (-9.5, 203.5)
The Milwaukee Bucks look to extend their four-game winning streak on Wednesday when they visit the Los Angeles Clippers, who have won eight of their last 10. The Bucks have solidified their standing as the eighth and final playoff team in the Eastern Conference, and are in position to move up a few spots with five of their next eight games against teams with losing records.