NBA Today
SCOREBOARD
Friday, April 10
Utah at San Antonio (8:30 p.m. EDT). A possible first-round playoff matchup. The Jazz have fallen off the pace in the Northwest Division behind first-place Denver and Portland. The Spurs are trying to hold on to first in the Southwest without injured Manu Ginobili.
STARS
Thursday
— Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, Lakers. Bryant scored 33 points and Gasol added 27 points and 19 rebounds in Los Angeles’ 116-102 win over Denver that tied Cleveland for the league lead at 63 victories.
— Ben Gordon and Tyrus Thomas, Bulls. Thomas set a season-high with 24 points and Gordon also had 24, helping Chicago close in on a playoff berth with a 113-99 victory over Philadelphia.
— Ron Artest, Rockets, scored 26 points against his former team in Houston’s third straight victory, 115-98 over Sacramento.
STREAKS
The 76ers have lost three straight after a 113-99 defeat at Chicago. Last year, Philadelphia dropped its last four regular-season games. … Houston has won three straight after a 115-98 victory over the Kings, who have lost six in a row and have the NBA’s worst record at 16-62.
NIGHT OFF
Lakers coach Phil Jackson will skip Friday night’s game at Portland because of pain and swelling in his lower right leg caused by plantar fasciitis. Assistant coach Kurt Rambis will replace the 63-year-old Hall of Famer, who plans to rejoin the team for practice on Friday.
WELCOME BACK
Lakers center Andrew Bynum was back on the court for the first time since tearing the medial collateral ligament in his right knee on Jan. 31. He went 7-for-11 from the field and finished with 16 points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes in the the Lakers’ fifth straight win, 116-98 over Denver.
CASHING IN
The Hornets have decided to take advantage of an NBA loan program despite having by far their best season at the ticket office since moving to New Orleans in 2002. The NBA had lined up a $200 million line of credit with several major financial institutions. Between $13 million and $20 million was made available to teams expressing interest in the funds.
AILING
Bulls forward Luol Deng will miss the rest of the season because of a stress fracture in his right tibia, unless Chicago makes a long playoff run. … Philadelphia’s Thaddeus Young missed his fifth game with a sprained right ankle. … The Kings’ Kevin Martin missed his fourth straight game with a sore ankle. … The Nuggets’ Kenyon Martin missed his fourth consecutive game, but should return to the lineup on Monday against Sacramento.
SPEAKING
“We’re the most dangerous team going into the playoffs in the Eastern Conference right now. I wouldn’t say anyone is counting us out, but we’re the underdog right now. I think we’re going to come out and shock a lot of people.” — Tyrus Thomas of the Bulls, who beat Philadelphia 113-99 on Thursday night to reduce their magic number in the playoff chase to one over Charlotte.
Game of the day: Lakers at Trail Blazers
By Alex Smart
Los Angeles Lakers at Portland Trail Blazers (+1, 195)
A playoff experience like no other
What's left for the Los Angeles Lakers doesn't come close in comparison to what Portland still has to accomplish.
The NBA's best road record travels north to Oregon Friday night for another routine contest in the West. But the Blazers see something bigger to draw even more fans to the arena: The possibility of hosting a first-round playoff series.
With a 95-83 comeback victory over San Antonio at the AT&T Center Wednesday night, Portland moved into a three-way tie for the third-best record in the Western Conference. The Blazers are now even with not only the Spurs but also Houston, a team that just handed Portland a double-digit loss on April 5.
A third-place finish would likely eliminate any chance of seeing both of those teams in the first and possibly second round. Though, that mindset isn't quite active for the Blazers with L.A. coming to town. Just because Kobe and Co. have the Western Conference on lock down, don't dismiss the fact that the Lakers aren’t out for blood.
With Cleveland possessing the league's best record and home-court advantage for the entire postseason, Los Angeles could be just a half-game back of the Cavs by the time they reach Portland. But with the Blazers' making their first trip to the postseason since 2002-2003, this is hardly just another walk through the Rose Garden.
Road warriors
Portland All-Star Brandon Roy was absolutely ecstatic after Wednesday night's win in San Antonio. So much that he made the statement that it was the biggest win of his NBA career.
Granted, the former Washington standout has only two years of professional experience. The "W" that his team basically stole from the four-time champs was of significant importance.
Roy shouted, "What's our road record? We're road warriors!" as he left the showers after the game.
Already with six more road wins than last season, Portland has some legitimacy to Roy's argument. Although, Friday night’s opponent stands 29-11 when traveling.
"We won at one of the toughest teams in the league, in April, and they needed a win," Roy told reporters. "So we got to use it if we want it to be something special."
No Phil
Lakers head coach Phil Jackson won’t make the trip to Portland Friday.
He will stay in Los Angeles following Thursday’s game against Denver to rest his swollen right leg. Jackson’s leg pain is due to plantar fasciitis.
Assistant coach Kurt Rambis will coach the Lakers in his absence. Jackson is expected to be back on the sideline this weekend as well as the remainder of the season and playoffs.
TGIF
Portland has been blazing on Friday nights, going 4-0 ATS in the last four weeks. Not only has the start of the weekend been kind, NBA Pacific teams have aided in the cause and pushed Portland to 5-1 ATS recently.
Add in a 4-1 record against the spread in its last five home games and Portland's Rip City Uprise seems to be a safe bet. And if that's not enough reason to believe in the Blazers, take into account that the Lakers are 3-14 ATS their last 17 trips to Portland.
CLEVELAND vs. PHILADELPHIA
Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 15-2 SU in its last 17 games
Philadelphia is 12-6 ATS in its last 18 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Philadelphia is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Cleveland
INDIANA vs. ATLANTA
Indiana is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Indiana is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta is 11-3-1 ATS in its last 15 games at home
Atlanta is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
MIAMI vs. BOSTON
Miami is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Boston
Miami is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Boston
Boston is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Miami
Boston is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Miami
CHARLOTTE vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
Charlotte is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Charlotte's last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
Oklahoma City is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games
NEW JERSEY vs. DETROIT
New Jersey is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Detroit
New Jersey is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing Detroit
Detroit is 7-16 ATS in its last 23 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games at home
PHOENIX vs. MEMPHIS
Phoenix is 8-15-1 ATS in its last 24 games on the road
Phoenix is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games on the road
Memphis is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Phoenix
Memphis is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Phoenix
WASHINGTON vs. TORONTO
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Toronto
Washington is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
Toronto is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
NEW YORK vs. ORLANDO
New York is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
New York is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
Orlando is 10-5 ATS in its last 15 games when playing New York
Orlando is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing New York
NEW ORLEANS vs. DALLAS
New Orleans is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
New Orleans is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Dallas is 12-6 ATS in its last 18 games when playing at home against New Orleans
Dallas is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games when playing at home against New Orleans
UTAH vs. SAN ANTONIO
Utah is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing San Antonio
Utah is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing San Antonio
San Antonio is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games at home
San Antonio is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games at home
LA LAKERS vs. PORTLAND
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games
LA Lakers are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 games when playing Portland
Portland is 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games when playing LA Lakers
Portland is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
HOUSTON vs. GOLDEN STATE
Houston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Houston is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Golden State is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Golden State is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
SACRAMENTO vs. LA CLIPPERS
Sacramento is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Sacramento's last 8 games when playing LA Clippers
LA Clippers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games
LA Clippers are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games
Hot Teams
-- Magic won nine of their last eleven games.
-- Cleveland is 24-4 in last 28 games (1-4 vs spread in last five).
-- Pacers won six of their last eight games.
-- Celtics won five in row, nine of last ten games.
-- Pistons won their last two games, by 7-27 points.
-- Grizzlies covered their last six games. Suns won three of last four.
-- Mavericks won four of their last five games.
-- Lakers won last five games, covered three of last four. Blazers won six of their last seven games.
-- Warriors won three of their last four games. Rockets won, covered their last three games.
Cold Teams
-- Knicks lost 12 of their last 14 games.
-- 76ers lost last three games, by 29-3-14 points.
-- Hawks lost three of their last four home games.
-- Miami lost three of its last four games.
-- Nets lost seven of their last nine games.
-- Raptors lost last three games, by 9-8-29 points. Wizards lost five of their last six games.
-- Bobcats lost three of their last four games. Thunder lost four in a row and seven of last eight games.
-- Hornets lost three of their last four games.
-- Spurs lost four of their last six games. Utah lost four of last five.
-- Clippers lost their last six games (1-5 vs spread). Sacramento also lost its last six games, failing to cover last four.
Totals
-- Knicks last five games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 6-2-1 in last nine Cleveland games.
-- Last four Atlanta games all went over the total.
-- Three of last four Boston games went over the total.
-- Over is 9-4 in Detroit's last thirteen games; under is 8-3 in Nets' last eleven contests.
-- Four of last five Toronto home games went over the total.
-- Six of last seven Memphis home games went over the total.
-- Last four Charlotte games went over the total.
-- Mavericks' last three games all went over the total.
-- Over is 6-2-1 in last nine San Antonio games.
-- Seven of last nine Laker games stayed under the total.
-- Last three Golden State games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last seven Clipper games went over the total.
Back-to-Back
-- Magic covered three of last four if they play again the next night.
-- 76ers are 1-6 vs spread last seven times they played the nite before.
-- Pacers are 4-1-1 vs spread last six times they had game next night.
-- Pistons covered one of last eight if they play again the next night.
-- Suns covered six of last eight if they played again the next night.
-- Charlotte covered seven of last eight if they play again the next nite.
-- Jazz covered one of last four when they played again the next night.
-- Lakers covered seven of last ten when they played the night before.
-- Warriors covered four of last five if they play again the next night.
-- Kings are 3-6 vs spread last nine times they played the night before.
CLEVELAND (63 - 15) at PHILADELPHIA (40 - 38)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 16-29 ATS (-15.9 Units) in road games after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 41-24 ATS (+14.6 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 45-33 ATS (+8.7 Units) in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 40-27 ATS (+10.3 Units) as a favorite this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 5-4 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 7-2 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK (30 - 49) at ORLANDO (58 - 20)
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 49-29 ATS (+17.1 Units) in all games this season.
ORLANDO is 37-26 ATS (+8.4 Units) as a favorite this season.
ORLANDO is 49-34 ATS (+11.6 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) after a non-conference game this season.
ORLANDO is 24-15 ATS (+7.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
ORLANDO is 25-13 ATS (+10.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
ORLANDO is 23-8 ATS (+14.2 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
NEW YORK is 45-33 ATS (+8.7 Units) in all games this season.
NEW YORK is 36-20 ATS (+14.0 Units) as an underdog this season.
NEW YORK is 25-13 ATS (+10.7 Units) in road games this season.
NEW YORK is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in road games second half of the season this season.
NEW YORK is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) revenging a home loss vs opponent this season.
NEW YORK is 31-21 ATS (+7.9 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
NEW YORK is 25-10 ATS (+14.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NEW YORK is 14-3 ATS (+10.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
NEW YORK is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 5-5 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO is 7-3 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI (41 - 37) at BOSTON (59 - 19)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 6-4 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 7-3 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA (34 - 44) at ATLANTA (45 - 34)
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 44-34 ATS (+6.6 Units) in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in home games second half of the season this season.
ATLANTA is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) against Central division opponents this season.
ATLANTA is 24-10 ATS (+13.0 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 143-91 ATS (+42.9 Units) on Friday nights since 1996.
INDIANA is 28-18 ATS (+8.2 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 6-4 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 6-4 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NEW JERSEY (32 - 46) at DETROIT (38 - 40)
Top Trends for this game.
NEW JERSEY is 11-23 ATS (-14.3 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 34-44 ATS (-14.4 Units) in all games this season.
DETROIT is 19-28 ATS (-11.8 Units) as a favorite this season.
DETROIT is 13-26 ATS (-15.6 Units) in home games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 7-3 against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 8-2 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX (43 - 35) at MEMPHIS (22 - 56)
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 34-43 ATS (-13.3 Units) in all games this season.
PHOENIX is 193-237 ATS (-67.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
MEMPHIS is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) second half of the season this season.
PHOENIX is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season this season.
PHOENIX is 24-12 ATS (+10.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 51-65 ATS (-20.5 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 32-47 ATS (-19.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 12-23 ATS (-13.3 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 6-3 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 9-0 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON (18 - 61) at TORONTO (30 - 48)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 5-4 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 5-4 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
9 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE (35 - 43) at OKLAHOMA CITY (21 - 57)
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 42-34 ATS (+4.6 Units) in all games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 38-26 ATS (+9.4 Units) as an underdog this season.
CHARLOTTE is 46-32 ATS (+10.8 Units) in all games this season.
CHARLOTTE is 23-13 ATS (+8.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
CHARLOTTE is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season this season.
CHARLOTTE is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
CHARLOTTE is 14-6 ATS (+7.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHARLOTTE is 3-2 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE is 3-2 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS (48 - 30) at DALLAS (47 - 31)
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ORLEANS is 34-43 ATS (-13.3 Units) in all games this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 11-23 ATS (-14.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
DALLAS is 165-128 ATS (+24.2 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
DALLAS is 21-35 ATS (-17.5 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 8-7 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 8-7 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
UTAH (47 - 31) at SAN ANTONIO (50 - 28)
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 60-86 ATS (-34.6 Units) revenging a home loss vs opponent since 1996.
UTAH is 10-19 ATS (-10.9 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
UTAH is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
UTAH is 1-10 ATS (-10.0 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) in home games against Northwest division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 90-62 ATS (+21.8 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 140-105 ATS (+24.5 Units) after scoring 85 points or less since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 221-178 ATS (+25.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 24-14 ATS (+8.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
UTAH is 26-14 ATS (+10.6 Units) against Southwest division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 10-5 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 10-5 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
9 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS (63 - 16) at PORTLAND (50 - 28)
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 23-14 ATS (+7.6 Units) in home games this season.
PORTLAND is 18-9 ATS (+8.1 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.
PORTLAND is 38-20 ATS (+16.0 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 97-82 ATS (+6.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 53-35 ATS (+14.5 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 30-13 ATS (+15.7 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) when playing on back-to-back days over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 33-20 ATS (+11.0 Units) in road games after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 8-2 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 5-5 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO (16 - 62) at LA CLIPPERS (18 - 60)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 6-5 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 6-5 straight up against LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON (51 - 28) at GOLDEN STATE (28 - 50)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 7-3 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 6-4 straight up against GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
8 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND at PHILADELPHIA
CLEVELAND: 16-29 ATS AWAY after a DD win
PHILADELPHIA: 41-24 ATS after a DD loss
NEW YORK at ORLANDO
NEW YORK: 11-2 UNDER off a home win by 3 points or less
ORLANDO: 13-5 ATS after 2 consecutive non-conference games
MIAMI at BOSTON
MIAMI: 9-3 ATS off a home loss
BOSTON: 0-4 ATS after playing 3 consecutive home games
INDIANA at ATLANTA
INDIANA: 13-5 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to 12
ATLANTA: 29-45 ATS when playing their 3rd game in 4 days
NEW JERSEY at DETROIT
NEW JERSEY: 19-9 ATS after having lost 5 or 6 of their last 7
DETROIT: 11-22 ATS as a home favorite
PHOENIX at MEMPHIS
PHOENIX: 30-16 ATS as a road favorite of 6 points or less
MEMPHIS: 14-26 ATS after 2+ consecutive losses
WASHINGTON at TORONTO
WASHINGTON: 3-11 ATS against Atlantic division
TORONTO: 17-8 OVER off a road loss
CHARLOTTE at OKLAHOMA CITY
CHARLOTTE: 23-11 ATS after 1 or more consecutive wins
OKLAHOMA CITY: 14-6 UNDER as a home underdog of 6 points or less
NEW ORLEANS at DALLAS
NEW ORLEANS: 60-42 ATS after 1 or more consecutive losses
DALLAS: 5-18 ATS after having won 4 of their last 5 games
UTAH at SAN ANTONIO
UTAH: 5-13 ATS after playing 2 consecutive road games
SAN ANTONIO: 41-22 ATS off a DD loss as a favorite
LA LAKERS at PORTLAND
LA LAKERS: 22-7 ATS AWAY after 2+ consecutive overs
PORTLAND: 8-17 ATS after playing a game as an underdog
SACRAMENTO at LA CLIPPERS
SACRAMENTO: 10-1 ATS after playing 3 consecutive home games
LA CLIPPERS: 25-45 ATS as a home underdog
HOUSTON at GOLDEN STATE
HOUSTON: 10-3 ATS after a DD cover
GOLDEN STATE: 12-4 OVER revenging 2 straight DD losses
Tips and Trends
New York Knicks at Orlando Magic
Knicks: New York has dropped 12 of 14 and seems to have given up after failing to stay in contention for one of the last playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks are coming off a 113-86 shellacking at the hands of Detroit on Wednesday, prompting head coach Mike D'Antoni to say his team was "sagging" and "didn't compete." “Our guys got overwhelmed and we lost a lot of our mojo and a lot of determination, which is inexcusable but it happens, and that’s more or less the story of the game,” said D’Antoni.
Knicks are 3-1 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
The UNDER is 9-0 in New York's last 9 games vs. Eastern Conference.
Key Injuries - C Eddy Curry (knee) is OUT.
PROJECTED SCORE: 98 (UNDER - Total Play of the Day)
Magic (-10.5, O/U 210.5): Orlando is still chasing the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference and sits one game behind Boston with less than a week to go. The Magic are coming off their worst offensive performance in almost two months on Wednesday in an 81-78 win over Memphis, which came just a day after they lost 93-83 at Houston. “I’m not faulting anybody’s effort. I’m not faulting anybody’s desire,” Orlando head coach Stan Van Gundy said. “But offensively we are playing the game very poorly.”
Magic are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 Friday games.
The UNDER is 6-2 in Orlando's last 8 home games.
Key Injuries - PG Anthony Johnson (eye) is questionable.
G Mickael Pietrus (knee) is questionable.
G Jameer Nelson (shoulder) is OUT.
PROJECTED SCORE: 108