NBA Today
SCOREBOARD
Monday, Nov. 17
Phoenix at Utah, (9 p.m. EST). The Jazz, back home after a 1-4 trip through the Eastern Conference, try to improve on their 4-0 home record.
STARS
Sunday
— Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks, scored seven of his season-high 39 points in overtime and had 15 rebounds in Dallas’ 124-114 victory over New York.
— Amare Stoudemire, Suns, had 29 points and 11 rebounds on his 26th birthday in Phoenix’s 1-4-86 victory over Detroit.
— Chauncey Billups, Nuggets, had 26 points in Denver’s 90-84 victory over Minnesota. Denver is 5-1 since acquiring Billups in the trade that sent Allen Iverson to Detroit.
— Chris Bosh, Raptors, scored 27 points in Toronto’s 107-96 victory over Miami.
SWINGS
Dallas closed with a 19-2 run in its 124-114 overtime victory over New York on Sunday night. The Knicks didn’t have a field goal after Quentin Richardson’s basket with 2:28 remaining in regulation that made it 112-105.
STREAKS
Denver beat Minnesota 90-84 to hand the Timberwolves their eighth straight loss. Minnesota’s lone win came in its opener. … Oklahoma City has lost seven straight after opening 1-1.
SIGNED
San Antonio signed Blake Ahearn on Sunday, adding a new face to the backcourt with Tony Parker recovering from a sprained ankle. The Spurs signed the 6-foot-2 Ahearn from Dakota of the NBA Development League. He played in 12 games for Miami last season, averaging 5.8 points and 1.6 assists. The Spurs also waived guard Desmon Farmer.
SPEAKING
“The laws of physics say that a body in motion stays in motion. So if you have two objects meet in the air, the smaller object is going to fall much harder. I’ve never been the type of player to take anybody out, so I obviously went to the ball. The little guy ran into a brick wall.”—Shaquille O’Neal after he was ejected for a flagrant foul in Phoenix’s victory over Detroit on Sunday night. Detroit’s Rodney Stuckey went up for a layup and O’Neal sent him crashing chest-first to the court.
Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Tracy McGrady netted 18 points and hauled in nine rebounds to help the Rockets defeat the Hornets 91-81 on Saturday. The Rockets covered the 2.5-point spread, while the 172 points fell UNDER the posted total of 181.
Yao Ming scored a game-high 21 points with six rebounds.
The Thunder were crushed 110-85 by the 76ers last time out, as 11-point road underdogs. The 195 points made it OVER the posted total of 190.
Jeff Green netted 21 points with three rebounds and four assists in that loss.
Current streak:
Oklahoma City has lost 7 straight games.
Team records:
Houston: 6-4 SU, 4-6 ATS
Oklahoma City: 1-9 SU, 5-5 ATS
Houston most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Dallas are 7-3
After playing New Orleans are 7-3
After a win are 3-7
Oklahoma City most recently:
When playing on Monday are 2-8
Before playing LA Clippers are 3-7
After playing Philadelphia are 3-7
After a loss are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City
Houston is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 7 games when playing at home against Houston
Next up:
Houston home to Dallas, Wednesday, November 19
Oklahoma City home to LA Clippers, Wednesday, November 19
Phoenix Suns vs. Utah Jazz
The Suns defeated Detroit 104-86 as a 2-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (197).
Amare Stoudemire scored 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Phoenix, while Steve Nash added 17 points and seven assists in the win.
The Jazz lost 105-93 to the Cavaliers last time out as a 10.5-point favorite. The 198 points made it OVER the posted total of 191.
Carlos Boozer had 17 points with nine rebounds for the Jazz.
Current streak:
Phoenix has won 2 straight games.
Utah has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Phoenix: 8-3 SU, 6-5 ATS
Utah: 6-4 SU, 4-6 ATS
Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Monday are 6-4
Before playing LA Lakers are 7-3
After playing Detroit are 5-5
After a win are 5-5
Utah most recently:
When playing on Monday are 5-5
Before playing Milwaukee are 4-6
After playing Cleveland are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Phoenix is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Phoenix is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Phoenix is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 6 games
Utah is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
Utah is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Phoenix
Utah is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Phoenix
Utah is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Next up:
Phoenix home to LA Lakers, Thursday, November 20
Utah home to Milwaukee, Wednesday, November 19
San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Clippers
The Spurs edged Sacramento 90-88 as a 2-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (181).
Michael Finley scored 21 points for San Antonio and Tim Duncan added 20 points and 10 rebounds in the win.
Baron Davis had 25 points in the Clippers' 121-103 loss to the Warriors on Saturday.
The Clippers had been favored by 2.5 points at home in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the day's posted total (202).
Current streak:
San Antonio has won 2 straight games.
Los Angeles has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
San Antonio: 4-5 SU, 3-6 ATS
Los Angeles: 1-8 SU, 1-8 ATS
San Antonio most recently:
When playing on Monday are 5-5
Before playing Denver are 5-5
After playing Sacramento are 9-1
After a win are 3-7
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Oklahoma City are 6-4
After playing Golden State are 5-5
After a loss are 1-9
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 5 games
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
San Antonio is 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the LA Clippers last 5 games when playing at home against San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 5 games
LA Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 6 games at home
Next up:
San Antonio home to Denver, Wednesday, November 19
LA Clippers at Oklahoma City, Wednesday, November 19
Phoenix (8-3, 6-5 ATS) at Utah (6-4, 4-6 ATS)
The Jazz return to the friendly surroundings of EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City when they host the Suns in a Western Conference matchup.
Utah is coming off a five-game East Coast road swing that saw the Jazz go just 1-4 SU and ATS, including Saturday’s 105-93 loss in Cleveland as 10½-point favorites. Not only has Utah lost three in a row, it is just 1-5 ATS in its last six. At home, though, the Jazz are a perfect 4-0 (2-2 ATS), averaging 10 more points per game (101.5-91.5) and shooting 49.5 percent from the field as opposed to 43.4 percent for their visitors.
Phoenix is coming off last night’s 104-86 win over the Pistons, easily cashing as a two-point home favorite. The Suns are on a 4-1 SU roll, but are just 2-4 ATS in their last six, with last night’s spread-cover snapping a three-game ATS slump. Phoenix has been doing it with defense lately, allowing just one opponent to top the 100-point mark in its last five games.
Utah won two of the three meetings with Phoenix last season (3-0 ATS), and the Jazz are 6-2 SU and ATS in the last eight with the Suns. In the only battle in Salt Lake City last season, the Jazz crushed the Suns 108-86 as 7½-point favorites, but otherwise the road team is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings.
Phoenix is just 1-4 ATS in its last five games against Western Conference squads and 2-4-1 ATS in its last six against teams with a winning record. Utah is on positive ATS streaks of 41-18-2 at home, 13-3 on Mondays and 4-1 against Pacific Division foes, but the Jazz are just 3-8-1 ATS in their last 12 against teams with a winning record.
The over is on streaks of 4-1 when the Suns play the second night of a back-to-back and 6-0 when they play on Mondays. For Utah, the over is on runs of 24-10 against Pacific Division teams, 5-2 at home against teams with a winning road record and 5-1 when they return home after a road trip of seven or more days.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UTAH and OVER
Gametimepicks.com
Monday's NBA Tip Sheet
By Brad Young
**Rockets at Thunder**
-Las Vegas Sports Consultants installed Houston as a nine-point road ‘chalk’ over Oklahoma City, with the total set at 186. This game is scheduled to tipoff at 8:05 p.m. ET.
-Houston (6-4 straight up, 4-6 against the spread) has alternated SU and ATS wins and losses the past five games after upending New Orleans Saturday as a two-point home favorite, 91-82. The combined 173 points failed to eclipse the 181-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ improve to 4-1 the past five games.
-The Rockets out rebounded the Hornets, 41-35, while shooting 46 percent (30-of-66) from the field. Yao Ming accounted for 21 points and six rebounds in the victory, while Luis Scola added 12 and 10.
-Houston begins a stretch of playing four of its next five games on the road. The Rockets are 3-3 SU and ATS away from home, dropping those games by an average score of 93-92.
-Oklahoma City (1-9 SU, 4-5 ATS) continues to struggle after getting run over by Philadelphia Saturday as a 10½-point road underdog, 110-85. The combined 195 points eclipsed the 189-point closing total, enabling the ‘over’ to cash the fourth consecutive contest. The Thunder have failed to cover their last three games.
-Oklahoma City was out rebounded by the Sixers, 58-45, while shooting 40 percent (34-of-86) from the field. Forward Jeff Green paced the offense with 21 points, while Johan Petro contributed nine and 12 rebounds off the bench.
-The Thunder are just 1-4 SU and 1-3 ATS at home, with the ‘under’ going 4-1. Oklahoma City has been dropping its home endeavors by an average score of 95-87.
-Houston is 8-0 SU and 2-4-2 ATS the past eight meetings with Seattle/Oklahoma City, while the ‘under’ has gone 5-1 the last six contests. The Rockets dumped the Thunder November 1 as a 14-point home favorite, 89-77, while the combined 166 points went ‘under’ the 191-point closing total.
-Houston guard Brent Barry (thumb) is ‘questionable’ against the Thunder, while forward Shane Battier (foot) is ‘out.’
-Oklahoma City forward Chris Wilcox (knee) is ‘questionable’ versus the Rockets.
**Suns at Jazz **
-There is no overnight line or total on this contest due to various injuries on both sides. This game is slated to start at 9:05 p.m. ET.
-Phoenix guard/forward Matt Barnes (suspension) and guard Leandro Barbosa (personal) are ‘out’ versus the Jazz.
-Utah guard Deron Williams (ankle) and forward Matt Harpring (ankle) are ‘questionable’ against the Suns, while forward Andrei Kirilenko (hand) is ‘probable.’
-Phoenix (8-3 SU, 6-5 ATS) throttled Detroit Sunday night as a two-point home 'chalk,' 104-86, while the combined 190 points went 'under' the 198-point closing total.
-The Suns sport a 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS road record, winning those affairs by an average score of 102-96.
-Utah (6-4 SU, 4-6 ATS) is currently mired in a three-game SU and ATS losing skid after Saturday’s setback to Cleveland as a 10½-point road underdog, 105-93. The combined 198 points eclipsed the 191-point closing total, helping the ‘over’ cash the second consecutive contest.
-The Jazz were outrebounded by the Cavs, 40-37, while shooting 46 percent (33-of-72) from the field. Forward Carlos Boozer had 17 points and nine rebounds, while CJ Miles accounted for 12 and three.
-Utah is 4-0 SU and 2-2 ATS at home, winning those contests by an average score of 102-92.
-The Jazz are 2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS the past three meetings with Phoenix, but this is the first encounter this season.
**Spurs at Clippers**
-Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Los Angeles as a 1½-point home favorite over San Antonio, with the total set at 176. Opening tipoff is scheduled for 10:35 p.m. ET.
-San Antonio (3-5 SU, 2-6 ATS) is playing for the second time in as many nights after Sunday’s late game against Sacramento. The Spurs are 1-2 SU and 0-3 ATS on the road heading into that matchup.
-Los Angeles (1-8 SU and ATS) has dropped its last two games SU and ATS after falling to Golden State Saturday as a 2 ½-point home ‘chalk,’ 121-103. The combined 224 points soared past the 201-point closing total, enabling the ‘over’ to improve to 4-1.
-The Clippers lost the rebounding battle with the Warriors, 48-40, while the team shot 40 percent (36-of-91) from the field. Five players reached double digits in scoring, led by Baron Davis’ 25 points and 11 assists.
-Los Angeles is now 1-6 SU and ATS at home, with the ‘over’ going 4-3. The Clippers have been losing those games by an average score of 104-92.
-San Antonio has won the last four meetings with the Clippers SU, while failing to cover each time. This marks the first matchup of the season between these teams.
VegasInsider.com
HOUSTON (6 - 4) at OKLAHOMA CITY (1 - 9)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 267-217 ATS (+28.3 Units) in road games since 1996.
HOUSTON is 24-11 ATS (+11.9 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 4-2 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 8-0 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX (8 - 3) at UTAH (6 - 4)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 5-2 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 5-2 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO (4 - 5) at LA CLIPPERS (1 - 8)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) as a road underdog of 3 points or less over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 19-35 ATS (-19.5 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) when playing on back-to-back days over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in all games this season.
LA CLIPPERS are 16-32 ATS (-19.2 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 11-24 ATS (-15.4 Units) in November games over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) first half of the season this season.
LA CLIPPERS are 126-167 ATS (-57.7 Units) after allowing 105 points or more since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 4-3 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 7-0 straight up against LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 6 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
Houston is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 7 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Houston
Oklahoma City is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston
PHOENIX vs. UTAH
Phoenix is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Phoenix is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Utah is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Utah is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Phoenix
SAN ANTONIO vs. LA CLIPPERS
San Antonio is 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
LA Clippers are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games at home
LA Clippers are 1-10 SU in their last 11 games at home
Hot Teams
-- Suns won seven of their last nine games.
Cold Teams
-- Rockets are 1-4 vs spread in game following a win. Oklahoma City lost its last seven games (0-3 vs spread in last three).
-- Utah lost its last three games, is 1-5 vs spread in last six.
-- Clippers lost eight of their last nine games. Spurs won three of their last four games.
Totals
-- Four of last five Houston games stayed under the total; the last four Thunder games went over.
-- Last three Phoenix games stayed under the total.
-- Last five San Antonio games stayed under the total.
Andre Gomes NBA Preview
Houston @ Oklahoma City
When the worst offense on the league with 89.9 ppg for 40.8% FG allows more than 100 points in their last four games, the scenario isn't favorable to them. That's why the Thunder are currently on a losing streak of 7 games, but lately not only they are losing, as they are suffering blowouts after blowouts. They lost by 17 points against Orlando, lost by 10 against the Knicks, in a game where they were down by 30 points at one time and in their last time, they lost by 25 points against the Sixers. Today they will face the Rockets, who are coming from a big win against the Hornets. The Rockets have been extremely inconsistent and I don't know if you have noticed it, but they have been alternating wins with losses in their last 6 games! However, it's important to refer that every time they faced a losing team this season, they won those games without any problems: 82-71 vs Memphis, 89-77 vs Oklahoma and 92-83 vs Clippers. Rafaer Alston will be back on the team after a suspension of 2 games. The key for this game is on the 8.5 points, which seems to be a solid line. The reaction or not of the Thunder after their disasters on the road will be the key for this game. If they come to this game fired up, they will be competitive. If that doesn't happen, the Rockets won't have any problem in winning this game.
Phoenix @ Utah
The Jazz ended their road trip with a 1-4 record and today they are in the spot they like the most: an home game. However, injuries have been so many that it's understandable why the team wasn't competitive in this road trip. Okur was in his home country with personal problems, while Kirilenko and Deron have been out due to injuries. Also Harping has just played once game before aggravating his injury. Today they will face the Suns, who is coming from a big win. Very few people have been giving the credit Phoenix deserves right now. They are in a transition period with a new coach and while for example, Dallas is struggling, the Suns have now a 8-3 record and we need to say Terry Porter have been doing an amazing job in Phoenix. Yesterday Shaq was ejected early on the game against Detroit, but the Suns still easily defeated a team who was coming from a win against the Lakers at LA. There is the possibility of Shaq not playing today, due to last night's ejection. The Suns are 5-1 on the road this season and they can be competitive against a short handed team of the Jazz, however Utah at home is always a very strong team and they will come fired up for this game.
San Antonio @ LA Clippers
The Spurs have showed once again that a team isn't a group of players. It's much more than that. They are 3-1 on their last 4 games, with their defeat being by just 4 points at Milwaukee. Tim Duncan was once again decisive down the stretch and the tactic has been working until now. Their games are ballgames until the last seconds and then, Duncan takes the leading role in both floors of the court. Today they will face a team who has already played 7 home games and won just one of them! The Clippers is coming from back to back home losses against winnable teams and today they will have another chance against the Spurs. The Clippers are the clear opposite example of the Spurs. Great players don't guarantee a good team chemistry and the team has been constantly defeated. The Spurs have won their last 8 games against the Clippers, even though the Clippers have covered the last four games. Today the tactic of the Spurs will be the same from the last games of the team: play at a very slow pace and then wait for Duncan to solve the game. The totals line is extremely low, so a possible play on the under loses all the value in here.
NBA RESEARCH REPORT
By Indiancowboy
Houston vs. Oklahoma City
Houston comes off a big win over New Orleans at home. But, as I've been reporting for a time, I don't trust the Hornets one bit this season. The lines are not favored towards them, Vegas has caught on and this team has lost a great deal of value. As remember, the Hornets are simply not making the cut this year winning the games or even being in competitive in some of the games they were in the past. Oklahoma City on the other hand, comes off an absolute embarrassment at Philly. This team comes home to be an 8.5 dog here. Note, that the total for this game has come down about 3 points and the spread has come down about a 0.5 point. Regardless of the fact that I do lean slightly on Oklahoma City as I'm a sucker for dogs, I simply can't wager on this team simply because of their lack of play for a full 48 mins. Yet, I wouldn't be surprised to see them cover here.
Spurs vs. Clippers
Be careful in this game. There is a reason why the Clips are favored. They come off an embarrassing loss at home to their once star Maggatte and this team typically responds well to blowout losses. See their win against the Mavs for example. I know this team is 1-8 but I am staying away. Remember, the Spurs are coming off back to back games as well. No thanks, I want no part of this game as this will be a tight game similar to the Kings game for the Spurs and can go either way as after all, this team doesn't have the offense to blowout anyone at this point. Lean on the Clippers to get it done, but no play.