Friday's Tip Sheet
By Chris David
After ripping off 23 straight victories, it appears that Houston (46-22 straight up, 40-27 against the spread) has finally hit a wall. The Rockets had their winning streak snapped on Tuesday as they were humbled by the Celtics 94-74 as 4 ½-point home favorites. The team was outscored by 20 points (54-34) in the second half en route to their first loss in the previous 24 outings.
On Wednesday, the Rockets lost their second straight game in a 90-69 setback to New Orleans as six-point road underdogs. The club was dominated again in the second half, getting outscored 51-25 by the Hornets.
The once potent offense hasn’t been able to connect in the back-to-back losses, watching the team hit just 37.5 percent (57-of-132) of their shots. The ‘under’ has cashed in both of the defeats.
Houston hopes to snap its two-game slide Friday with a road trip to Golden State (42-25 SU, 29-36 ATS). This will be the third and final regular season meeting between the two schools and a rubber match too.
The Warriors captured a 112-95 victory on Dec. 31 as 3 ½-point home favorites, while the Rockets avenged that setback with a 111-107 win on Jan. 29 as two-point home favorites. The ‘over’ easily cashed in both outings.
Total players should note that the ‘over’ has gone 6-1 in the previous seven meetings between the two teams.
Golden State snapped a three-game ATS losing skid with a 116-100 win against the L.A. Clippers on Wednesday. The combined 226 points fell ‘under’ the closing total of 219.
The ‘under’ has gone 5-1 in the last six games for the Warriors.
Golden State has outscored teams 113-108 at home this year en route to a 23-10 SU record. Unfortunately, Don Nelson’s team is just 12-20 ATS at home. The ‘over’ has gone 20-11.
The Rockets have been solid on the road, posting a 20-12 SU and 19-13 ATS ledger. The ‘under’ has gone 18-14.
After this contest, Houston faces another tough test with back-to-back spot at Phoenix on Saturday. This will be the club’s fourth game in five nights.
CD’s Bonus Hits:
The Sixers are on an 8-1 SU and 7-2 ATS run in their last nine games. More importantly the club has won and covered five straight road games heading into Friday’s battle at Orlando.
If you’re looking for a fade team the rest of the season, go no further than Seattle. The Sonics have dropped nine straight games, going 3-5-1 ATS. The defensive effort has been pathetic, giving up triple-digits in 14 straight games.
Another team to go against these days is the L.A. Clippers, who have gone 2-13 both SU and ATS in their last 15 games. Ten of the 13 losses have come by double digits.
Denver (4-0) and New Jersey (4-0) have both been on ‘over’ runs in their last four games and their battle on Friday has all the signs of another shootout. The Nuggets have given up an average of 118 PPG during this stretch, while the Nets have surrendered 110.8 PPG.
vegasinsider.com
Sonics reserve Mickael Gelabale is out for season with a torn ACL
March 20, 2008
SEATTLE (AP) -The Seattle SuperSonics have lost reserve swingman Mickael Gelabale for the remainder of the season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Gelabale was injured in practice on Tuesday. He underwent an MRI on Wednesday and team physicians confirmed the injury Thursday morning. He will require surgery.
Gelabale played in 39 games this season, also briefly playing with Idaho in the NBA Development League. Gelabale averaged 4.3 points and 1.5 rebounds in about 12 minutes per game for the Sonics, and had played better since being recalled from Idaho. He had a four game stretch last month scoring in double figures, including a career-high 21 points against the Lakers.
Gelabale, in his second full season in the NBA, is the second player Seattle has lost this season to knee surgery, joining oft-injured center Robert Swift.
REYNOLDS ON BASKETBALL: 54-point Heat finally hit rock bottom
March 20, 2008
MIAMI (AP) -When an NBA team can't give its coach at least one point for every birthday candle, then you know things are really going bad.
Historically bad.
Diabolically bad.
Miami Heat bad.
Happy birthday, Pat Riley. The ever-proud, coach and president of the Heat turns 63 on Thursday. He won't forget this one, either: His team scored 54 points in Toronto on Wednesday night, the third-lowest score in the NBA shot-clock era, which began at approximately the same moment that the last peach basket was taken off a backboard.
So in case anyone ever asks the 'What does the man who has everything get for his birthday?' question, Riley can say the answer, apparently, is this: The biggest freefall in the history of basketball. Two years removed from winning the NBA championship, the Heat are the unhealthiest team in the league and unbelievably, the worst team in the league.
Toronto 96, Miami 54.
The lowest score in Heat history. Only the 1998-99 Bulls (49 points against, coincidentally, Miami) and the 2002-03 Nuggets (53 points against Detroit) have done worse.
The worst shooting night - 26 percent - in team history, too.
Let's go out on a limb: Riley's had better birthdays.
``We'll have our day again,'' Riley said. ``I don't know when, but we will have our day again.''
The injury-ravaged lineup the Heat offered Wednesday night wasn't one that wouldn't make the Final Four on anyone's NCAA bracket.
Bobby Jones? Earl Barron? Joel Anthony?
Good guys all, but they won't be confused for Dwyane Wade, Alonzo Mourning and Udonis Haslem - three of the four standout Heat players who all have been shut down for the season with injuries.
Shawn Marion's back is hurting, so he couldn't play. Jason Williams was held out with a thumb injury. The Heat only had seven players available, and even when you factor in the Canadian exchange rate, none of them could make a basket.
Miami missed 10 straight shots against the Raptors. Twice.
Chris Quinn, who played all 48 minutes and led Miami with 14 points, made a jumper with 8:37 left in the half, getting Miami within 16 points. A bad game was about to get ridiculously worse.
Over the next 7 minutes, the Heat went scoreless on 13 straight possessions, giving up 18 unanswered points and falling behind 54-20.
At halftime, the Heat had 26 points. The previous night, when they rallied from a double-digit deficit to win at Milwaukee, they had 28 in the first 7 1/2 minutes of the fourth quarter alone.
``We left everything in Milwaukee,'' Riley said.
Toronto could have only shot half-courters in the final two quarters, missed them all and still won by four. The Raptors had 58 points at halftime. The Heat combined for 12 assists in 240 minutes; Raptors guard Jose Calderon had 10 assists in 25 minutes. And maybe in the most ridiculous stat of all, Miami had more missed shots (58) than points (54).
``No sympathy,'' Raptors forward Chris Bosh said afterward, laughing at the Heat plight.
At long last, the Heat have finally hit rock bottom.
``Embarrassing?'' Haslem said a couple weeks back, repeating the last word of a question posed his way. ``Were you here two months ago? It was embarrassing then. This, man, I've said this before, but did I steal money from someone or something? How is this possible? Do we deserve this? What did we do for this?''
A better question: How do they get out of this?
That process started Feb. 5, when the Heat closed the deal that sent Shaquille O'Neal to the Phoenix Suns for Marion and Marcus Banks. Wade was shut down last week to rehabilitate his surgically repaired left knee and expects to be 100 percent next year, which will obviously help. Haslem's season ended this week because of a bone spur in his ankle and his eyes welled with tears when told he was done.
However, the most crucial part of the rebuilding process continued Thursday when Riley left for another NCAA scouting mission, studying the college standouts who might be Miami's draft pick this summer.
The plan for the Heat - who, as of now, stand the best chance of landing the No. 1 draft pick, thanks to having the league's worst record - is to add an immediate-impact guy who can be paired with Wade and instantly bring the Heat back to respectability.
Maybe next year, it'll be a better birthday.
``I am Pat Riley,'' he says in a video recently produced for the team's season-ticket renewal campaign. ``I'm a winner. I'm a champion. Seven times. And I'm going to do it again. And there's nobody more qualified than me.''
If he fixes this mess, who could argue?
NBA Today
Toronto at Cleveland (7:30 p.m. EDT). The Raptors held the Heat to 54 points on Wednesday night.
STARS
- Kobe Bryant, Lakers, scored 27 points and Los Angeles beat Utah 106-95.
- Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, Celtics. Pierce had 22 points and a season-high 13 rebounds and Garnett added 20 points and 13 boards in a 94-90 win at Dallas.
- Tim Duncan, Spurs, turned in a 22-point, 10-rebound performance to help San Antonio defeat Chicago 102-80.
SWEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS
Boston beat Dallas 94-90 on Thursday night, completing an impressive sweep in the Lone Star State. The Celtics become the first team to go 3-0 in San Antonio, Houston and Dallas since Sacramento in November 2001. Boston, which swept the season series for the first time since 1993-94, ended a seven-game losing streak in Dallas, last winning there on March 18, 2000.
OUR-TAH
The Los Angeles Lakers ended Utah's 19-game home winning streak with a 106-95 victory over the Jazz on Thursday night. Utah, which hadn't lost at home since Boston won 104-98 on Dec. 29, had tied the longest home streak in franchise history, set from Jan. 19-March 29, 1996 and again from Dec. 13, 1989 to March 3, 1990. Los Angeles had lost six of its last eight games at Utah, including a 120-96 defeat on Nov. 30.
STRONG IN DEFEAT
Dirk Nowitzki topped Dallas with 22 points and 19 rebounds, but the Mavericks fell to Boston 94-90 on Thursday night. ... Deron Williams had 26 points and 12 assists to lead all five Jazz starters scored in double figures, but Utah failed to extend its 19-game home winning streak, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers 106-95.
SPEAKING
``The first seed could be the eighth and the eighth seed is as good as the first and that's no exaggeration. None of us is better than the other. So the seeds are really irrelevant this season more than any other time.'' - San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich on the balance of the Western Conference after the defending NBA champs avoided their first five-game losing streak since the 1996-97 season with a 102-80 win over Chicago Thursday night.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Indiana Pacers
- The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Indiana Pacers will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Timberwolves scored 36 points in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's 98-94 win over the Grizzlies. The Timberwolves failed to cover the 7-point spread, and the 192 points fell UNDER the posted total of 202.5.
Al Jefferson led the way with a double-double, tossing in 29 points with 13 rebounds in the win.
Ronald Murray had a team-high 22 points on Wednesday night as the Pacers got past the Charlotte Bobcats by a final score of 102-95.
The Pacers managed to cover the 5-point spread in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (214).
Current streak:
Minnesota has won 2 straight games.
Indiana has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Minnesota: 17-50 SU, 32-34-1 ATS
Indiana: 27-41 SU, 31-35-2 ATS
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing New York are 4-6
After playing Memphis are 7-3
After a win are 3-7
Indiana most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Chicago are 3-7
After playing Charlotte are 4-6
After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 7 games
Indiana is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Indiana is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Indiana is 11-5 ATS in its last 16 games when playing Minnesota
Next up:
Minnesota home to New York, Saturday, March 22
Indiana at Chicago, Saturday, March 22
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Orlando Magic
- The Philadelphia 76ers and the Orlando Magic will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Amway Arena.
Oddsmakers currently have the Magic listed as 6-point favorites versus the 76ers, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Andre Miller led the way for Philly with 28 points in their 115-113 win over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.
The Sixers failed to cover the 3-point spread at home in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (221.5).
Hedo Turkoglu exploded for 39 points in Orlando's 87-86 loss to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.
The Magic had been favored by 7.5 points at home in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (206.5).
Current streak:
Philadelphia has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Philadelphia: 34-34 SU, 37-30-1 ATS
Orlando: 45-25 SU, 43-25-2 ATS
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing New Jersey are 6-4
After playing Denver are 3-7
After a win are 7-3
Orlando most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing Atlanta are 4-6
After playing Washington are 7-3
After a loss are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Philadelphia is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Philadelphia is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Philadelphia is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Orlando
Orlando is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Orlando is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Orlando's last 5 games
Orlando is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Next up:
Philadelphia home to New Jersey, Saturday, March 22
Orlando at Atlanta, Saturday, March 22
Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
- The fans at Quicken Loans Arena will be treated to a game between the Toronto Raptors and the Cleveland Cavaliers when they take their seats on Friday.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cavaliers listed as 5-point favorites versus the Raptors, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Andrea Bargnani picked up 14 points on Wednesday night as the Raptors cruised to a 96-54 win over the Miami Heat.
The Raptors had no trouble covering the 18.5-point spread in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the posted total (199).
LeBron James threw in a game-high 30 points in leading the Cavaliers to an 89-73 win over the Pistons on Wednesday. The Cavaliers easily covered the 1.5-point spread, while the 162 points fell UNDER the posted total of 184.5.
James shot 11-for-19 from the field with seven rebounds and six assists. Zydrunas Ilgauskas chipped in with 20 points in the win.
Team records:
Toronto: 35-33 SU, 36-32 ATS
Cleveland: 39-30 SU, 33-36 ATS
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Denver are 2-8
After playing Miami are 3-7
After a win are 3-7
Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Milwaukee are 7-3
After playing Detroit are 7-3
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Toronto's last 8 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Toronto is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Toronto is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 5 games at home
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
Cleveland is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
Next up:
Toronto home to Denver, Sunday, March 23
Cleveland at Milwaukee, Saturday, March 22
Memphis Grizzlies vs. New York Knicks
- The Memphis Grizzlies and the New York Knicks will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Madison Square Garden.
Oddsmakers currently have the Knicks listed as 4-point favorites versus the Grizzlies, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The Grizzlies squandered a late lead and fell 98-94 to the Timberwolves last time out, as 7-point underdogs. The 192 points fell UNDER the posted total of 202.5.
Rudy Gay had 25 points and seven rebounds in a losing effort.
The Knicks were defeated 110-98 by the Pacers as 7.5-point road underdogs last time out. The 208 points fell UNDER the posted total of 215.
Zach Randolph had a double-double for the Knicks, tossing in 21 points with 14 rebounds.
Current streak:
New York has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Memphis: 16-51 SU, 28-39 ATS
New York: 19-48 SU, 30-36-1 ATS
Memphis most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Sacramento are 3-7
After playing Minnesota are 4-6
After a loss are 2-8
New York most recently:
When playing on Friday are 1-9
Before playing Minnesota are 4-6
After playing Indiana are 2-8
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Memphis's last 7 games when playing on the road against New York
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis's last 6 games when playing New York
Memphis is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against New York
The total has gone OVER in 7 of New York's last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New York's last 7 games when playing at home against Memphis
The total has gone OVER in 13 of New York's last 18 games
New York is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Memphis
Next up:
Memphis home to Sacramento, Saturday, March 22
New York at Minnesota, Saturday, March 22
Denver Nuggets vs. New Jersey Nets
- The Denver Nuggets and the New Jersey Nets will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Izod Center.
Oddsmakers currently have the Nuggets listed as 4-point favorites versus the Nets, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Allen Iverson's 32 points weren't enough on Wednesday night as the Nuggets fell 115-113 to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Sixers failed to cover the 3-point spread at home in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (221.5).
Vince Carter had a game-high 39 points on Wednesday night as the Nets got past the Atlanta Hawks by a final score of 125-117.
The Hawks had been favored by 2.5 points on the road in that contest, while the combined score went well OVER the posted total (195.5).
Current streak:
Denver has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Denver: 40-28 SU, 36-32 ATS
New Jersey: 29-39 SU, 27-40-1 ATS
Denver most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Toronto are 5-5
After playing Philadelphia are 3-7
After a loss are 6-4
New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing Philadelphia are 4-6
After playing Atlanta are 5-5
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Denver's last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Denver's last 8 games on the road
Denver is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Denver's last 13 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
The total has gone OVER in 6 of New Jersey's last 7 games
New Jersey is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Denver
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games at home
New Jersey is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next up:
Denver at Toronto, Sunday, March 23
New Jersey at Philadelphia, Saturday, March 22
Washington Wizards vs. Miami Heat
- The Washington Wizards and the Miami Heat will meet on the court at AmericanAirlines Arena on Friday in a battle of division rivals.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Antawn Jamison poured in 31 points on Wednesday night to lead the Wizards to an 87-86 win over the Orlando Magic.
The Magic had been favored by 7.5 points at home in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (206.5).
Chris Quinn tossed in 14 points for Miami in their 96-54 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.
The Raptors had no trouble covering the 18.5-point spread in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the posted total (199).
Team records:
Washington: 34-33 SU, 38-28-1 ATS
Miami: 12-55 SU, 24-42-1 ATS
Washington most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Detroit are 4-6
After playing Orlando are 7-3
After a win are 4-6
Miami most recently:
When playing on Friday are 1-9
Before playing Charlotte are 4-6
After playing Toronto are 5-5
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
Washington is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami
Washington is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Washington's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington's last 7 games on the road
Miami is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Washington
Miami is 19-3 SU in its last 22 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games when playing Washington
Next up:
Washington home to Detroit, Sunday, March 23
Miami at Charlotte, Saturday, March 22
Sacramento Kings vs. San Antonio Spurs
- The Sacramento Kings and the San Antonio Spurs will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at AT&T Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Sacramento dominated the second and third quarter on Tuesday, as they ran over Golden State 122-105. Sacramento won the game as 3.5-point underdogs, while the combined 227 points fell UNDER the posted total of 229.
Kevin Martin scored a game-high 34 points, and Ron Artest added 26 points in the win.
Tim Duncan scored 22 points and hauled down 10 rebounds for a double-double in leading the Spurs over the Bulls 102-80 on Thursday. The Spurs easily covered the 4-point spread, while the combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 189.5.
Tony Parker scored a team-high 23 points, and Ime Udoka added 13 off the bench for the Spurs.
Current streak:
Sacramento has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Sacramento: 31-36 SU, 35-31-1 ATS
San Antonio: 45-23 SU, 30-38 ATS
Sacramento most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Memphis are 6-4
After playing Golden State are 5-5
After a win are 5-5
San Antonio most recently:
When playing on Friday are 10-0
Before playing Dallas are 7-3
After playing Chicago are 5-5
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Sacramento's last 6 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Sacramento's last 5 games
Sacramento is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Sacramento is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Sacramento
San Antonio is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
San Antonio is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Sacramento
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Antonio's last 6 games when playing at home against Sacramento
Next up:
Sacramento at Memphis, Saturday, March 22
San Antonio at Dallas, Sunday, March 23
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Portland Trail Blazers
- The Los Angeles Clippers and the Portland Trail Blazers will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Rose Garden.
Oddsmakers currently have the Trail Blazers listed as 11-point favorites versus the Clippers, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The Clippers were dumped 116-100 by the Warriors last time out, as 9-point underdogs. The 216 points fell UNDER the posted total of 218.5.
Al Thornton had 24 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double in the loss.
The Trail Blazers lost 111-98 to the Suns last time out, as 4.5-point underdogs. The 209 points fell UNDER the posted total of 210.5.
LaMarcus Aldridge tossed in a game-high 31 points for the Trail Blazers, and grabbed eight rebounds in the loss.
Current streak:
Los Angeles has lost 5 straight games.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 21-46 SU, 28-39 ATS
Portland: 35-33 SU, 35-33 ATS
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Portland are 5-5
After playing Golden State are 7-3
After a loss are 2-8
Portland most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing LA Clippers are 2-8
After playing Phoenix are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
LA Clippers are 7-2 SU in their last 9 games when playing Portland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 6 games when playing Portland
LA Clippers are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games on the road
LA Clippers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games
Portland is 21-4 SU in their last 25 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
Portland is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Portland's last 9 games at home
Portland is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games
Next up:
LA Clippers home to Portland, Saturday, March 22
Portland at LA Clippers, Saturday, March 22
Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors
- The fans at Oracle Arena will be treated to a game between the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors when they take their seats on Friday.
Oddsmakers currently have the Warriors listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Rockets, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The Rockets lost their second straight in a 90-69 thumping by the Hornets last time out, as 6-point underdogs. The 159 points were UNDER the posted total of 187.
Dikembe Mutombo shot 4-for-6 from the field with 10 points and 13 rebounds in a double-double performance for the Rockets.
Stephen Jackson tossed in a game-high 29 points in lifting the Warriors to a 116-100 win over the LA Clippers on Wednesday. The Warriors covered the 9-point spread, while the 216 points fell UNDER the posted total of 218.5.
Monta Ellis shot 13-for-18 from the field with 28 points, three rebounds and six assists in the win.
Current streak:
Houston has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Houston: 46-22 SU, 39-27-2 ATS
Golden State: 42-25 SU, 29-38 ATS
Houston most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Phoenix are 7-3
After playing New Orleans are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5
Golden State most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing LA Lakers are 4-6
After playing LA Clippers are 2-8
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Houston is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games on the road
Houston is 22-2 SU in its last 24 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games when playing Golden State
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Golden State's last 7 games when playing Houston
Golden State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 5 games when playing at home against Houston
Next up:
Houston at Phoenix, Saturday, March 22
Golden State at LA Lakers, Sunday, March 23
Seattle SuperSonics vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- The fans at STAPLES Center will be treated to a game between the Seattle SuperSonics and the Los Angeles Lakers when they take their seats on Friday.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The SuperSonics fell 110-98 to the Suns last time out, as 12-point underdogs at home. The combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 228.
Jeff Green had 19 points, while Kevin Durant and Luke Ridnor had 16 apiece in the loss.
The Lakers dominated the first half and went on to upset the Jazz 106-95 on Thursday. The Lakers won the game as 6-point underdogs, while the 201 points were UNDER the posted total of 216.5.
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 27 points, while Lamar Odom had a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds in the win.
Current streak:
Seattle has lost 9 straight games.
Los Angeles has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Seattle: 16-52 SU, 32-34-2 ATS
Los Angeles: 47-21 SU, 41-26-1 ATS
Seattle most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing Utah are 3-7
After playing Phoenix are 3-7
After a loss are 1-9
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing Golden State are 8-2
After playing Utah are 3-7
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Seattle's last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Seattle's last 8 games on the road
Seattle is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games on the road
Seattle is 13-4-2 ATS in their last 19 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing Seattle
LA Lakers are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games at home
LA Lakers are 16-4 SU in their last 20 games
LA Lakers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle
Next up:
Seattle at Utah, Saturday, March 22
LA Lakers home to Golden State, Sunday, March 23