NBA Today
SCOREBOARD
Friday, Nov. 28
Miami at Phoenix (8 p.m. EST). The teams meet for the first time since the Heat sent Shaquille O’Neal to the Suns for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks in February. O’Neal helped Miami win its lone NBA championship in 2006.
STARS
Thursday
— Dwight Howard, Magic, had 26 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks in Orlando’s 105-90 victory over Washington.
— James Posey and Chris Paul, Hornets. Posey made a 3-pointer with 19.1 seconds left and finished with 10 points, and Paul had 22 points and 10 assists in New Orleans’ 105-101 victory in Denver.
SKIPPER
Detroit coach Michael Curry said Allen Iverson will be fined for missing practice Thursday, won’t start Friday night against Milwaukee and might not play in the game. Iverson was the only Pistons player who didn’t show up for the Thanksgiving workout.
STATS
Orlando beat Washington 105-90 on Thursday night for its eighth victory in nine games and sixth in a row on the road. … New Orleans beat Denver 105-101 for its fourth straight victory.
SPEAKING
“He takes up a lot of space. It’s like a quarter-mile around his shoulders, he’s so broad.”—Washington interim coach Ed Tapscott on Dwight Howard. The 6-foot-11, 265-pound Orlando star had 26 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks in the Magic’s 105-90 victory over the Wizards on Thursday night.
ATLANTA (9 - 5) at TORONTO (7 - 7)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 4-4 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 4-4 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA (7 - 8) at BOSTON (14 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 75-48 ATS (+22.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 56-40 ATS (+12.0 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 29-16 ATS (+11.4 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 15-3 ATS (+11.7 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 25-14 ATS (+9.6 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 33-16 ATS (+15.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 54-83 ATS (-37.3 Units) in home games after allowing 105 points or more since 1996.
BOSTON is 44-73 ATS (-36.3 Units) in home games after scoring 105 points or more since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 5-3 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 4-4 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE (5 - 10) at CLEVELAND (12 - 3)
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 41-56 ATS (-20.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 25-46 ATS (-25.6 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 27-12 ATS (+13.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 3-1 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 3-1 straight up against GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA (3 - 10) at OKLAHOMA CITY (1 - 15)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 76-97 ATS (-30.7 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 15-28 ATS (-15.8 Units) on Friday nights over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 34-20 ATS (+12.0 Units) in road games revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 6-2 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 7-2 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI (7 - 8) at PHOENIX (11 - 5)
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 39-56 ATS (-22.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 179-225 ATS (-68.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 3-1 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 3-1 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MILWAUKEE (7 - 10) at DETROIT (9 - 5)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 4-4 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 6-2 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE (4 - 10) at INDIANA (6 - 8)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHARLOTTE is 4-3 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE is 4-3 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS (4 - 11) at SAN ANTONIO (8 - 6)
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 42-55 ATS (-18.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 30-44 ATS (-18.4 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 14-30 ATS (-19.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 457-393 ATS (+24.7 Units) as a favorite since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 297-243 ATS (+29.7 Units) in home games since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 5-4 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 7-2 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO (5 - 12) at UTAH (10 - 6)
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO is 83-122 ATS (-51.2 Units) in road games after a non-conference game since 1996.
UTAH is 35-18 ATS (+15.2 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in home games against Pacific division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) in home games after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 4-3 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 4-3 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
6 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS (9 - 5) at PORTLAND (10 - 6)
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PORTLAND is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
PORTLAND is 28-13 ATS (+13.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 62-45 ATS (+12.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 29-14 ATS (+13.6 Units) when playing on back-to-back days over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 5-3 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 4-4 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS (7 - 7) at LA LAKERS (12 - 1)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAKERS is 4-4 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 5-4 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA vs. TORONTO
Atlanta is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta's last 9 games
Toronto is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Toronto's last 8 games when playing at home against Atlanta
GOLDEN STATE vs. CLEVELAND
Golden State is 3-12 ATS in its last 15 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Golden State is 3-12 SU in its last 15 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Cleveland is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games
PHILADELPHIA vs. BOSTON
Philadelphia is 3-9-1 ATS in its last 13 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Philadelphia's last 16 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Boston is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games at home
CHARLOTTE vs. INDIANA
Charlotte is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games when playing Indiana
Charlotte is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Indiana
Indiana is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
Indiana is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
MIAMI vs. PHOENIX
Miami is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games
Miami is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Phoenix is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games when playing Miami
Phoenix is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Miami
MILWAUKEE vs. DETROIT
Milwaukee is 2-4-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Milwaukee is 1-11 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 5 games
Detroit is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
MINNESOTA vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
Minnesota is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games
Oklahoma City is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Minnesota
Oklahoma City is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Minnesota
MEMPHIS vs. SAN ANTONIO
Memphis is 2-11 SU in its last 13 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Memphis's last 8 games when playing San Antonio
San Antonio is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
San Antonio is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
SACRAMENTO vs. UTAH
Sacramento is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Sacramento is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games on the road
Utah is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Sacramento
Utah is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing Sacramento
NEW ORLEANS vs. PORTLAND
New Orleans is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
New Orleans is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Portland
Portland is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against New Orleans
Portland is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against New Orleans
DALLAS vs. LA LAKERS
Dallas is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
LA Lakers are 22-3 SU in their last 25 games when playing at home against Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 7 games when playing at home against Dallas
Hot Teams
-- Hawks won three of their last four games.
-- Celtics won last five games, 11 of last 12 (4-1 vs spread in last five).
-- Cavaliers won three in row, 11 of last 12 games (6-1 vs spread in last seven).
-- Minnesota covered its last four road games.
-- Suns won their last three games, by 10-1-8 points.
-- Milwaukee is 8-0-1 vs spread in its last nine games.
-- Spurs won three in row, six of last seven games.
-- New Orleans won its last four games, by 25-12-12-4 points. Blazers won four of their last five games.
-- Mavericks won last five games (4-1 against the spread). Lakers won five in row, 12 of first 13 games.
Cold Teams
-- Raptors covered two of their seven home games.
-- 76ers lost five of their seven road games (2-5 vs spread).
-- Warriors lost their last four games (1-3 vs spread).
-- Thunder lost its last thirteen games (2-7 vs spread in last nine).
-- Miami lost three of its last four games.
-- Pistons are 2-3 in last five games; Iverson may not play after blowing off team practice Thanksgiving morning.
-- Bobcats lost seven of last nine games, but covered five of last seven. Pacers lost five of their last seven games.
-- Memphis lost eight of last nine games (2-7 vs spread).
-- Jazz lost five of last seven games. Kings lost last seven games, but covered three of last four on road.
Totals
-- Over is 4-0-1 in Atlanta's last five games.
-- 76ers' last four games all stayed under the total.
-- Nine of last eleven Cleveland games went over the total.
-- Eight of last ten Oklahoma City games went over the total.
-- Over is 6-3 in Miami's last nine games.
-- Last five Detroit games stayed under the total; over is 9-3 in Bucks' last dozen games.
-- Under is 12-1-1 in Charlotte's games this season.
-- Six of last eight Memphis games went over the total; nine of last ten San Antonio games stayed under.
-- Four of last five Sacramento games went over the total.
-- Four of last five New Orleans games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Dallas games stayed under the total.
NBA RESEARCH REPORT
By Indiancowboy
Atlanta vs. Toronto
There is no overnight line for this game. Note, the Hawks beat this team 110-92 earlier this year and they were only 2 point favs in that game. Raptors did beat Charlotte by 7 but did not cover in their last game. Hawks also defeated the Bucks by a similar margin but they too did not cover. Hawks have lost 7 straight covers coming into this game. Lean on Raps with revenge. Hawks have lost their last 3 covers on the road (cle, nj and indiana0.
Philly vs. Boston
The NBA this year at times is so unpredictable. When you are ready to put your own money on a team, you better make sure you believe in that team, in that situation. That's what it comes down to. I don't even bet on "teams" any more. I bet on teams in that situation and if that makes sense, roll with it. These two teams have not met this year. Philly just comes off a home loss to an Orlando Magic team that was Nelson-less and philly lost to Charlotte on the road before that. Boston has won 9 of 10 SU, had covered 4 in a row before their ATS non-cover against the Warriors at home. no lean.
Golden State vs. Cleveland
GS covered against Boston in their last game. Cleveland is undefeated at home and is on a nice 6 of 7 ATS run. This includes hammering Atlanta and New Orleans at home, winning at New York, at New Jersey and clobbering Utah and Denver at home. I hate betting on or against the Cavs. I lean on GS here with the points, but how do you go against the hot Cavs. And frankly, I don't trust GS all that much as they have had lost 3 ATS in a row before the Boston cover.
Milwaukee vs. Detroit
Man, I like the Bucks. They are a solid team. Note, that Iverson could be questionable due to some disciplinary issues. Bucks are 8-1-1 over their last 10 ballgames and I think Milwaukee can hang tough here regardless of the line and regardless if Iverson plays.
Charlotte vs. Indiana
Indiana comes off a monster outright win at Houston, the play a Charlotte team who covered but lost to the Raptors on the road. There is no line to this game, but Indiana has been strong the last two games in Dallas and Houston and I can see them having a great effort at home today. Charlotte is just so young right now and that is costing them a lot of games although Augustine is playing better each game.
Miami vs. Phoenix
Miami comes off a 38 point loss to Portland. Man, that stinks. This team didn't even pop 70 points at the Rose Garden. These two teams have not met before but of course, Shaq plays against hi former team and Wade gets to face Shaq. Call me crazy, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a Miami cover nor an over tomorrow given how bad they played in their last game. Who knows, Miami did win at San Antonio and is around a .500 team so maybe anything is possible.
Memphis vs. San Antonio
Memphis looked terrible in their last game. They lost by 17 to Utah and have frankly been terrible covers of late. This team has lost 4 covers in a row and 6 of 7 for that matter. They do have a bit of revenge from the 13 point home loss to the Spurs earlier this year. Spurs have covered their last 6 of 7 games. I think Memphis shows up and plays well with some revenge tomorrow and a bounce-back of sorts from their blowout loss to the Jazz.
Dallas vs. Lakers
Another NBA Classic awaits it seems. The Lakers beat this team on the road by 7 in their last game, so this is a revenge game for Dallas. Dallas has won 5 games in a row to their credit with the most significant being at Houston by double-digits but you better believe the Lakers will get up to play Dallas and note the Lakers have won straight up the last 4 times these two teams have played. Also note, that these two teams have gone back and forth in covers for the last four years. It has gone Dallas ATS, LA ATS, Dallas ATS and LA ATS most recently at Dallas - so it seems it is Dallas's turn to cover, as per me, I will gladly stay away.