Wednesday Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Clippers at Magic
Los Angeles: 3-1 SU, 3-1 ATS
Orlando: 2-2 SU, 4-0 ATS
The Clippers embark on a three-game road trip that begins in Orlando. Los Angeles has won three straight games since losing the opener to the rival Lakers, as the Clippers routed the Rockets on Monday night, 137-118 as five-point home favorites. The Clips have easily cashed the 'over' in all four games, while busting the 110-point mark in all three victories.
The Magic have been the biggest surprise from the pointspread perspective, cashing in their first four contests. Orlando returned home to knock off New Orleans and Brooklyn as underdogs, winning both games by at least 20 points. From a defensive standpoint, the Magic has limited three of four opponents to 97 points or less, but Orlando has hit the 'under' just twice this season. The road team won each of the two meetings last season, including a 10-point triumph by Los Angeles as five-point favorites at Orlando.
Bulls at Pacers
Chicago: 1-2 SU, 0-3 ATS
Indiana: 3-0 SU, 2-1 ATS
The Bulls have failed to cover in each of their first three contests, including twice as a favorite. Chicago plays its first divisional contest at Indiana, as the Pacers are heading home with no rest following Tuesday's matchup at Detroit. The Bulls squandered a 20-point lead in Saturday's loss at Philadelphia, while scoring just 40 points in the second half of a 107-104 defeat as nine-point favorites. In two road games, Chicago has allowed 107 points in losses to Miami and Philadelphia, but the Bulls have given up over 100 points just once in the last five visits to Indianapolis.
The Pacers own one of the league's best defenses and that has resulted in three 'unders' through three games. Indiana hasn't played a team yet this season which made the playoffs last season, while allowing less than 87 points in home victories over Orlando and Cleveland. The Pacers beat the Bulls twice at Bankers Life Fieldhouse last season, as each game went 'over' the total of 178 ½ or below.
Cavaliers at Bucks
Cleveland: 2-2 SU, 1-3 ATS
Milwaukee: 1-2 SU, 2-1 ATS
The Cavs threw away a 23-point lead on Monday night, but Cleveland held off Minnesota, 93-92 to pick up its second victory of the season. Since cashing outright as home 'dogs in the season opener against the Nets, Cleveland has failed to cover in each of its last three contests, while finishing 'under' the total in all four games overall. The Cavs and Bucks split four meetings last season, but Cleveland covered three times, including twice at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.
Milwaukee rallied from two huge deficits in each of its first two road games, while managing a split at New York and Boston. The Bucks ran out of miracles in their home opening loss to the Raptors on Saturday, erasing a 13-point Toronto advantage in the fourth quarter, but ultimately fell 97-90 as short 'dogs. Milwaukee hopes to get starting point guard Brandon Knight back in the lineup after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury.
Warriors at Wolves
Golden State: 3-1 SU, 2-1-1 ATS
Minnesota: 3-1 SU, 3-1 ATS
The Warriors are expected to do big things in the Western Conference this season, as Golden State hasn't disappointed with three wins in its first four contests. Stephen Curry and Andre Iguodala shot lights out in Golden State's 110-90 rout at Philadelphia on Monday, combining for 50 points in the victory. Golden State is known for its shooters, but the Warriors' defense has stepped up by limiting three of its four opponents to 94 points or less.
Minnesota's undefeated run came to a screeching halt in Monday's one-point setback at Cleveland. The Wolves fell behind early just one night after running out the Knicks in New York, as Kevin Love couldn't give Minnesota the lead on a three-point attempt in the final seconds. Minnesota is a perfect 2-0 at the Target Center, including a blowout of Oklahoma City as slim two-point favorites, although the Thunder played without Russell Westbrook. The Wolves lost all four meetings with the Warriors last season, while the final three meetings finished 'under' the total.
Mavericks at Thunder
Dallas: 2-1 SU, 2-1 ATS
Oklahoma City: 2-1 SU, 0-3 ATS
The Thunder has won 10 straight meetings with the Mavericks dating back to February 2012, which includes a four-game sweep in the first round of the 2012 playoffs. Oklahoma City has failed to cover a game in three tries this season, while holding off Phoenix on Sunday night as 12½-point favorites. The Suns led the Thunder by three heading into the final quarter, but OKC rallied by scoring 36 points in the last 12 minutes.
Dallas has taken care of its business at home with victories over Atlanta and Memphis, but the Mavs stubbed their toes in their lone road contest at Houston. The Mavs allowed 113 points in an eight-point defeat to the Rockets, in spite of attempting 27 more field goals than Houston. Dallas has found a way to cash tickets at Oklahoma City recently despite five straight losses by posting a 4-1 ATS record the last five visits to Chesapeake Energy Arena.
NBA: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves
Golden State Warriors off a 110-90 beat down of Sixers' as 7 point road favorites take their up-tempo offense netting 112.0 PPG on a league best 50.3% from the field, 46.9% from long range into Minnesota Wednesday night to take on T'Wolves. Stephen Curry and company will be feeling pretty good about their chances when they invade Target Center. Warriors sweeping the four game series last year (3-1 ATS) have won six straight running the hardwood vs T'Wolves cashing five tickets in the process (5-1 ATS). Always tough to win and cash on the road but in this pick'em game the Warriors' high-octane offense rules the day. Stick with Golden State knowing Warriors are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 road games, 7-2-1 ATS after scoring 100 or more points the previous game and that T'Wolves hit the hardwood 10-21-2 ATS when allowing =>100 points.