Chicago (1-0 SU and ATS) at Boston (2-0 SU and ATS)
The Celtics look for their third straight win in four nights to open the season when the Bulls come into Banknorth Garden in Boston.
Chicago kicked off the season on Thursday with a 92-85 upset home win over San Antonio, cashing as a three-point underdog. Six Bulls scored in double-digits, led by Luol Deng’s 17 points, and Deng also added nine rebounds.
The Celtics opened their season with Tuesday’s 95-89 win in Cleveland as a five-point underdog, then followed it up Wednesday with a 92-59 rout of Charlotte, easily covering as a 10-point favorite. Ray Allen paced Boston on Wednesday with 18 points while point guard Rajon Rondo had a double-double with 10 points and 11 assists.
These teams played a thrilling seven-game opening-round playoff series in April (3-3-1 ATS) with four of the games going into overtime before the Celtics prevailed 109-99 in Game 7 in Boston, cashing as 5½-point favorites. The teams split the money in the series (3-3-1 ATS), but the road team went 5-1-1 ATS. Also, the underdog is 6-1-1 ATS in the last eight clashes.
The Bulls are just 1-3-1 ATS in their last four against the Atlantic Division, but they are on positive ATS runs of 5-1 on the road, 5-1 when playing the second night of a back-to-back and 4-1 on Friday. Boston is on ATS runs of 4-1-1 against Central Division teams and 4-1 on Friday.
Chicago is on “over” streaks of 4-0 on the road, 4-1 overall, 4-1 as an underdog and 4-0 against the Atlantic Division. The Celtics are on “over” runs of 25-10-1 at home, 5-0 against Central Division teams and 4-0 on Fridays, but they have stayed under the total in five of six overall and four of five as a favorite. Finally, the last four playoff games between these squads last spring topped the total, and the over is 5-0 in the last five meetings in Beantown.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
Orlando (1-0 SU and ATS) at New Jersey (0-1 SU and ATS)
The Nets open the home portion of their season by welcoming the defending Eastern Conference champion Magic into the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J.
Orlando opened its season with 120-106 home win over the Sixers on Wednesday, cashing as a 10-point chalk. Former All-Star Vince Carter had 15 points in his debut with the Magic, but it was Dwight Howard who led the way with 21 points and 15 rebounds. Orlando had a 70-47 halftime lead.
New Jersey went to Minnesota on Wednesday and dropped its season opener 95-93 as a two-point favorite, losing in buzzer-beating fashion. Brook Lopez paced the Nets with 27 points and 15 rebounds while Yi Jianlian (17 points, 12 rebounds) and rookie Terrence Williams (15 points, 10 rebounds) both chipped in with double-doubles.
The Magic took two of three over the Nets last season (1-2 ATS), but lost in New Jersey 103-93 as a 6½-point favorite in April, long after Orlando had clinched its playoff seed. Prior to that setback, the Magic had won four straight (3-1 ATS) in this rivalry. The favorite has cashed in eight of the last 11 series clashes.
Orlando is on ATS runs of 8-1 against the Eastern Conference, 7-3 against the Atlantic Division and 5-2 on Friday. The Nets are on ATS streaks of 4-0 at home, 4-1 as an underdog, 6-2 as a home ‘dog and 18-7-1 against Eastern Conference opponents.
The Magic have stayed below the posted total in nine of 13 as a favorite, five of seven as a road favorite and four of five against the Atlantic Division. New Jersey has topped the total in 10 of the last 14 following a non-cover, but it has stayed below the total in eight of 11 as a ‘dog, 11 of 16 overall, seven of nine at home and four of five as a home ‘dog. In this rivalry, the under is 7-2 in the last nine meetings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ORLANDO
Dallas (0-1 SU and ATS) at L.A. Lakers (1-0 SU, 0-1 ATS)
The Lakers will try to extend their winning streak over the Mavericks to seven when they host Dallas inside the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
It’s been almost two years since Dallas beat the Lakers, with the last time coming in January 2008. Los Angeles is 6-0 (2-4 ATS) in the six games since, winning all three matchups last year by seven points (1-2 ATS), including home wins of 114-107 and 107-100, failing to cover in either meeting. Despite struggling to beat L.A. on the scoreboard, the Mavericks are 5-0 ATS in their last five on the Lakers’ home court and 6-2-1 ATS in the last nine overall, and the road team is 7-0-1 ATS in the last eight clashes.
Dallas opened the season with Tuesday’s 102-91 home loss to the Wizards, falling as an eight-point favorite. The Mavs shot just 39.5 percent from the floor but did get a game-high 34 points from Dirk Nowitzki. Dating back to last year’s playoffs, Dallas is now 1-5 SU (0-6 ATS) in its last six contests.
The Lakers received their championship rings on Tuesday night then followed up the ceremony with a 99-92 win over the Clippers, coming up short as 11½-point favorites. Kobe Bryant led the way with 33 points while Andrew Bynum added 26 points and 13 rebounds. Dating back to last season’s run to the NBA championship, Los Angeles has now won seven of its last eight (6-2 ATS).
The Mavericks are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games after getting two days of rest and 7-1 in their last eight against Pacific Division teams, but they are on pointspread slides of 1-4 on the road, 0-4 after a non-cover and 0-5 against the Western Conference. The Lakers are on positive ATS streaks of 5-1 on Fridays, 6-1 after a non-cover and 9-3 when getting two days off.
Dallas is on several “over” runs, including 4-1 overall, 7-1 on the road, 4-1 against the Pacific Division and 5-1 as an underdog. Conversely, the Lakers are on a plethora of “under” streaks, including 35-15-1 overall, 20-7 at home, 9-2 against the Western Conference, 20-5-1 after a non-cover and 5-0 when getting two days off.
Lastly, the over is 5-2 in the last seven series matchups in this rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. LAKERS
Tips and Trends
Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers
Mavericks: Dallas has lost 33 of its past 36 road games to the Lakers. The Mavericks, however, have covered in their last five games against the Lakers at the Staples Center. The Mavericks are 6-2-1 against the spread in the last nine meetings versus Los Angeles. This has been a road team series with the visitor going 7-0-1 against the number. Dallas is 0-1 having lost 102-91 at home to Washington on Tuesday. The Mavericks shot just 39.5 percent from the floor. Dirk Nowitzki scored 34 points. Shawn Marion had 16 in his Dallas debut, but no other Maverick managed more than 13 points. Top reserve Jason Terry shot a miserable 4-for-15 from the field. Terry has averaged 23.5 points on 51 percent shooting from the field in his last six games against the Lakers. Josh Howard is out recovering from ankle and wrist injuries.
Dallas is 10-1 ATS the past 11 times when playing on two days rest.
The Mavericks are 13-3-1 against the number following a double-digit loss at home.
Key Injuries - Forward Josh Howard (wrist, ankle) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 98 (Side of the Day)
Lakers (-8.5, O/U 203.5): The Lakers overcame 41.2 percent shooting from the field to win, but not cover, against the Clippers on Tuesday, 99-92. The Lakers missed 13 of 17 3-point shots. Kobe Bryant scored 33 points and center Andrew Bynum contributed 26 points and 13 rebounds. Los Angeles didn’t have forward Pau Gasol, who is sidelined with a strained hamstring. Gasol averaged 21.5 points and 63.3 percent shooting from the floor in his last four games versus Dallas, but won’t play against them tonight. Ron Artest, playing in his first game as a Laker, held Clippers forward Al Thornton to four-of-11 shooting. The Lakers outscored the Clippers by 14 points when Artest was on the floor. Artest will be guarding Nowitzki. The Lakers have beaten the Mavericks six straight times, although none were decided by more than seven points. The under is 35-15-1 in the Lakers’ last 51 games.
The Lakers are 9-3 ATS when playing on two days rest.
The Under has cashed in 9 of the Lakers’ last 11 Western Conference games.
Key Injuries - Forward Pau Gasol (hamstring) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 106