Game Of The Day: Hawks at Bucks
By Nick Parsons
If the season ended today these two teams would meet in the opening round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The sizzling Bucks return home after a three-game road trip where they beat Denver and Sacramento. At 44-23-1 ATS on the season, the Bucks have been a cash cow for their faithful this season.
Who needs sleep?
The Bucks’ win at Denver on Saturday was all the more impressive considering they didn’t even get into their hotel rooms the night before until 3 a.m.
Denver guard Chauncey Billups gives all the credit to Bucks coach Scott Skiles.
“(Milwaukee’s) one of the worst teams you can play in the regular season,” Billups said. “Skiles has them playing hard, diving on loose balls, it doesn’t matter if they played (the night) before or not. In my times playing against his teams, I just respect him a lot because he just gets his teams playing hard every single night.”
Denver had won seven straight at home.
Johnson comes up big
Joe Johnson returned to the Hawks’ lineup on Friday after missing two games with Achilles tendinitis. He scored 18 points in Atlanta’s overtime win including the game-winner at the buzzer.
Maybe a little rusty, Johnson missed his first nine shots of the game but scored seven of Atlanta’s nine points in the extra period and canned the game-winner in the teeth of three defenders.
"Joe's a pro," Hawks coach Mike Woodson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "He's an All-Star. You expect him to make shots when it counts."
Fear the Deer
Milwaukee’s slogan is based on a fierce defense. The Bucks have won eight of their last nine games overall and continually climbed the Eastern Conference standings in the process.
Milwaukee is eighth in the NBA in scoring defense and the under is 7-2 in its last nine games.
Redd leaves them in the black
When Michael Redd suffered a season-ending knee injury in January, some thought the Bucks, already in the midst of a three-year playoff drought, were in deep trouble.
Maybe the oddsmakers made too much out of it since Milwaukee is 26-7-1 ATS without its former All-Star shooting guard. Then again, that’s when Brandon Jennings truly emerged. He scored 35 against Sacramento two games ago then had just nine against Denver and the Bucks still won.
But give the Bucks’ front office a lot of credit for this team’s surge.
They made the trade of the year when they acquired John Salmons from the Bulls. Since the deal, Milwaukee is 14-2, the best mark in the NBA and Salmons is averaging nearly 20 points per game.
Last meeting
These teams have met just once this season with Atlanta winning 106-102 in overtime. The Hawks were an 8.5-point favorite in the game and did not cover. Joe Johnson and Josh Smith combined for 46 points in the game. John Salmons had 32 points in the loss.
The total was 189 and needed the overtime session to go over the number.
The Bucks shot 50 percent in the first three quarters but when the game was on the line Atlanta’s defense held them to 6 of 17 from the field in the fourth quarter.
Atlanta trailed by seven in the fourth quarter and by five points in overtime but still pulled it out.
Trend-setting
The favorite is 8-2-1 ATS in last 11 games in the series and the home team is 7-3-1 against the spread in that span. The over is 6-0 in the last six meetings between these two teams.
The Bucks are 11-1 ATS in their last 12 games playing a game with a day of rest.
The under is 5-0 in the last five Bucks home games.
San Antonio (41-27, 35-32-1 ATS) at Oklahoma City (42-26, 40-28 ATS)
The Spurs wrap up a quick two-game, two-day road trip with a stop at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City for a battle with the Thunder.
San Antonio was in Atlanta last night where it fell to the Hawks 119-114 in overtime, just missing as a three-point underdog. Despite the setback, the Spurs have won five of their last seven games and nine of their last 12, going 4-3 on the highway. They’re also on a 9-2 ATS run (including 5-2 ATS as a visitor). For the season, Gregg Popovich’s troops are 16-17 outside of San Antonio (15-18 ATS).
Oklahoma City suffered a shocking 20-point loss at Indiana on Sunday, falling 121-101 as a 5½-point road favorite. Still, like the Spurs, the Thunder are playing solid basketball over the past few weeks, winning nine of their last 12 (7-5 ATS) and 18 of their last 23 (13-10 ATS). During this 23-game stretch, Oklahoma City is 7-1 at home (5-3 ATS), boosting their overall mark at the Ford Center to 22-11 (18-15 ATS).
The Thunder knocked off the Spurs 101-98 as an 8½-point road underdog back on Nov. 14, but San Antonio has taken the last two meetings, prevailing 109-108 in overtime as a 1½-point road ‘dog in mid-January and 95-87 as a 4½-point home chalk in late February. The Spurs are 6-2 in the last eight meetings, but the teams have split the cash in those contests. Also in this rivalry, the Spurs are 5-2 ATS in their last seven trips to Oklahoma City, the underdog is on a 5-2 ATS roll and the visitor has cashed in four of the last five.
In addition to their current ATS surges of 9-2 overall and 5-2 on the road, the Spurs are on pointspread upticks of 4-2 as an underdog (all on the road), 6-0 against the Western Conference, 4-2 versus winning teams and 14-5-1 on Monday. However, they’ve failed to cash in 15 of 22 against Northwest Division squads.
It’s been nothing but positive ATS runs for the Thunder, including 12-4 versus winning teams, 4-0 against the Western Conference, 5-1 versus Southwest Division squads, 11-1 as a favorite of less than five points, 5-0 at home in that price range and 40-19 on Monday.
San Antonio sports “under” trends of 4-2 on the road, 7-2 as an underdog (all on the highway), 5-1 as a pup of less than five points, 5-0 against the Northwest Division, 4-2 versus winning teams and 11-4 when going on back-to-back days. Also, Oklahoma City has stayed low in 10 of 11 on Monday, 17 of 25 as a small favorite (less than five points) and 4-1 against the Southwest Division, Conversely, the Thunder are on “over” runs of 8-3 overall, 10-4 as a favorite, 4-1 at home and 4-1 when playing on no rest.
Finally, four of the last five series meetings overall and seven of the last 10 clashes at the Ford Center have topped the posted total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OKLAHOMA CITY
Boston (45-24, 29-38 ATS) at Utah (45-25, 43-24-3 ATS)
The Celtics shoot for their fifth straight victory when they conclude a three-game road trip with their one and only visit of the season to Energy Solutions Arena for a matchup with the Jazz.
Boston has registered four straight comfortable victories (seven points or more), cashing in all four, including Saturday’s 102-93 upset victory at Dallas as a four-point underdog. The winning streak comes on the heels of 1-3 SU and 1-3-1 ATS slumps, and the Celtics continue to perform much better on the road (24-12 SU, 19-16-1 ATS) than at home (21-12 SU, 10-22-1 ATS).
Utah is coming off Saturday’s 106-86 beat-down of the Hornets, easily covering as a 9½-point home favorite. Still, the Jazz have split their last six games both SU and ATS (three home wins, three road losses) after a 30-game surge that saw them go 24-6 SU and 22-5-3 ATS. Also, Utah has won six in a row SU and ATS at home and it is 16-2 in its last 18 in Salt Lake City (13-3-2 ATS).
The home team has won three in a row in this rivalry, including Boston’s 105-86 rout of the Jazz back on Nov. 9, easily cashing as an 11-point favorite to halt Utah’s 5-1 ATS run in this rivalry. Despite losing 90-85 as a two-point favorite in last year’s game in Utah, the Celtics are still 5-2 ATS in their last seven visits to Salt Lake City.
Boston is on ATS runs of 4-0 overall, 4-1-1 on the road, 3-1-1 after a SU win, 5-2 after a spread-cover, 3-1-1 when playing on one day of rest, 52-24-2 as an underdog, 14-6 as a ‘dog of five to 10½ points and 23-10 as a road pup of five to 10½ points. However, the C’s are still 2-8 ATS in their last 10 on Monday and 4-10-1 ATS in their last 15 against western Conference opposition.
The Jazz are on spread-covering sprees of 37-16-3 overall, 21-6-2 at home, 17-5-1 versus the Eastern Conference, 5-0 against the Atlantic Division, 20-5-2 as a favorite, 20-6-2 as a home chalk, 25-10 on Monday and 13-6-3 when coming off a double-digit win. The lone negative: a 2-5 ATS mark in their last seven when coming off one day of rest.
Utah has gone over the total in eight of 11 as a favorite, six of seven as a chalk of five to 10½ points and eight of 11 on Monday. Also, the over is 5-1 in Boston’s last six against the Northwest Division, 13-5-1 in the last 19 Jazz-Celtics meetings overall and 5-2 in the last seven meetings at Energy Solutions Arena.
On the flip side, Boston is on “under” stretches of 8-2 against the Western Conference, 4-1 on the road, 7-1 after a SU win, 6-1 after a non-cover and 26-11-1 on Monday, while the under is 3-0-1 in the last four against Atlantic Division foes.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
NBA RoundUp For 3/22
By Dan Bebe
Magic @ Sixers - This line is OFF. I have to admit, I don't know why this line is off, and maybe it's obvious, but so it goes. My injury report has nothing relevant, but that probably means my injury report didn't get updated because it's a Sunday. In terms of what to expect with this one, we're most likely going to see the Magic as a medium-sized favorite on the road. They played in Philadelphia at the start of the month as just a 4-point road favorite, but I think we might see a higher line this time around, since the Magic were on back-to-back in that game. Here, Orlando is rested, coming off an OT road win in Miami back on Thursday, so they've had a ton of time off, and Philadelphia gets set to play off yet another loss. They're getting more and more pathetic by the day, the Sixers are. The Sixers are 2-12 SU in their last 14 games, and just 4-10 ATS in that same stretch. I would love to say that the Sixers are a good bet here, but neither team is in a particularly good or bad situational spot, and it seems pretty clear that the Sixers are content to just got creamed on a nightly basis. The Magic have whacked the Sixers around twice already this season, shooting the lights out both times. If the Sixers were a decent team, or were trying at the very least, I might suggest that the Magic are due to just not shoot as well, but the Sixers are playing so bad right now, that there's just no way I can advocate a play on them. I'm leaning towards a pass, but I'd be more inclined to back the Magic, amazingly, in this ultra-square spot. The total, I believe, is a better bet. The last meeting featured 231 combined points, soaring over the total of 196. If this line is only adjusted a few points, I'd say to give a strong look at the Under. If the total is adjust up near 205-210, I'd leave it alone.
Heat @ Nets - This line is OFF. Again with the no-line, this just because Jermaine O'Neal is qusetionable. Weak sauce, books - weak sauce. Well, whatever, let's break this bad boy down. The Heat are still battling their butts off for a playoff spot and subsequent seeding in the East, so they know that these games against terrible opposition are quite important. Right now, Miami would be playing Boston in the first round of the playoffs without home court. They're just a half game ahead of the Bobcats, who are slated to play Orlando in the opening round, and no one in the East wants to play Orlando or Cleveland in the first round, so I believe the Heat should have postseason motivation on their side here. The Nets appear to be regressing, and I foolishly advocating backing them against the Raptors in their last game, which they lost by 10. After a nice little 6-game ATS win streak, the Nets have now lost 3 straight against the spread, and it's tough for me to envision that changing here. There isn't anything particularly special about this meeting, except that they have actually played strong defense against the Heat so far this year in two previous meetings. I'll be doing some digging tomorrow to see what extraneous factors might have played a role in those games, but while the Heat have won both games with Jersey, they've done so by the final scores of 81-80 and 87-84. Both teams have shot the ball just horribly in those games, and I almost can't imagine another game quite that ugly, but then, looking at Miami's 77-71 home win over Charlotte, yes, it can get uglier. Still, like with the Orlando game above, I think Jersey might be just about ready to resign, and if they fall behind, they pretty much can't come back - Miami isn't going to look past them, and I expect the Heat to be laying 4-6 points. They'll cover, but it won't be easy. Lean to Miami. The total, well, I just have to see where oddsmakers bring this thing out. We might see a number in the high 170's, in which case I'd have to look at the Over because of overadjustments.
Raptors @ Wolves - Toronto by 5 with a total of 218.5. Here's another team that seems to have gone ahead and waved the white flag. The Minnesota Timberwolves haven't won a game since February 23rd. Yikes. They've covered just 3 games in that long span, as well. They got blown out in 3 of their 4 road games out West, and the only game that remained close was the finale in Los Angeles, where it seemed like maybe Kurt Rambis got his guys to give a better effort against the defending champs. Now, the struggling Raptors come to town looking to take advantage of what I suppose you could call an easy 2-game road trip through New Jersey and Minnesota. And Toronto needs these, too. The Raptors are the 8-seed in the East right now, just 2.5 games ahead of the Chicago Bulls, who suddenly have Derrick Rose back and don't appear quite ready to give up. Every win for Toronto is colossal, and we saw that strong 2nd half effort in New Jersey led, as usual, by their superstar, Chris Bosh. Believe me, I don't trust Toronto as far as I can throw 'em, but Minnesota's officially done, and amazingly, when these teams met in Toronto back in December the Raptors shot 32% from the field...and won! Toronto is going to shoot the ball better than that tonight - Bosh should be able to get what he wants, and we've seen Minnesota allow over 100 points to 11 straight opponents. Toronto likes to score and enjoys a game where they force their opponents to keep up, and they'll do just fine to cover here. I think the Raptors win another one by 3 or 4 points above the spread. This total of 218.5 is hyper-inflated because of the teams involved, but it could really get there. I happen to think we see a total near 216, so I'd probably pass or just lean slightly to the Under.
Hawks @ Bucks - Milwaukee by 4 with a total of 189.5. This game has a ton of psychology to it, and unfortunately, I'm not sure I'm fully confident enough to say which psychological edge comes into play. For one, these two teams are slated to meet in the first round of the playoffs if the season were to end today, so which teams responds? The Bucks are playing their first game home off a long West coast swing, so they're in a tough spot, but we've seen how well Milwaukee has played in the extremely difficult situational spots the season has thrown at them. In addition, somehow these teams have only played one previous time this season, and it was less than a month ago in Atlanta. The Hawks won that game 106-102 with the Bucks on the second game of a back-to-back (yet another fatigue cover for Milwaukee). I really have to say, it's a darn shame the Bucks are playing a first game home, since otherwise this would be a very nice situational spot for them. The Hawks, as I'm writing this, are just about to wrap up an overtime win over the Spurs. They may or may not cover, though I suppose by the time I'm done writing the next paragraph we'll know for sure, but either way, this line is going to go up from 4 points to, probably, 5 or 6. With that in mind, I'm not sure I like either team. The Hawks have been decent this year when playing tired, so there's no huge disadvantage there, and with both teams in a bad spot (Atlanta off OT, Milwaukee coming home), it might be wise to pass on this side. However, if you feel so inclined, I don't think I could really talk to anyone into or out of a particular play. This total looks extremely low, especially with the Hawks most likely too tired to play defense. Of course, that also means the Bucks will probably control the tempo, and we know they enjoy a slower game. I would love nothing more in this game than to lean to the Bucks and the Over, but I can't quite bring myself to do it. Tiny lean to the Under on the total, no lean on the side.
Spurs @ Thunder - Oklahoma by 3.5 with a total of 195. The Spurs are the other team involved in the Hawks game I mentioned above, but they, unfortunately for San Antonio fans, dropped a heartbreaker in OT, and now they have to try to get to Oklahoma and compete with a strong, and potentially angry Thunder club. It seems like the Spurs have enjoyed showing the Thunder who's boss ever since Oklahoma beat them back at the beginning of the season. The last two meetings have featured a Duncan-less win in Oklahoma City, courtesy of a 20-20 game for Dajuan Blair, and more recently, the Thunder played in San Antonio on a back-to-back off a tough home loss to Phoenix, and just looked flustered in a letdown spot. I believe that was also the game Kevin Durant's scoring streak came to an end. I happen to think this line is too succulent on the Thunder side to pass up. Both teams are on back-to-back, and we know how the Spurs have had issues scoring on back-to-back. They've been able to make up for that by playing better defense (or making the game ugly, as it were), but after playing an overtime period last night, and with the Thunder actually playing in the morning, it's really not a true back-to-back for the Thunder. Yet, I believe this line is set as if both teams are indeed going to be fatigued. The Spurs also have a date with the Lakers coming up, and I honestly wouldn't be surprised if we saw a poor effort in one of these two games. I think the Spurs are old enough to know they're not going to win both games, and might feel like they have a better shot to win the home game. In any case, I lean Oklahoma - they won't stay down long after looking awful in Indiana. The Spurs tend to play very low-scoring games on the second night of a back-to-back, but I'm not convinced this one doesn't get to be a little bit of a quick pace, with the Thunder annoyed and wanting to put in some buckets early, and the Spurs very tired and looking to make life easier on themselves. I lean Over.
Rockets @ Bulls - Chicago by 2 with a total of 207. Here's an interesting game, though not so much from a betting standpoint. On one side, we have the home Bulls, who are coming off winning their first game in about 3 weeks. They had lost 10 straight, but Derrick Rose brought the fire and they beat up on the flailing Sixers back on Saturday. And they did it with defense. The Bulls have held their last 2 opponents under 100 points, and they've covered 4 in a row, but prior to these two reasonable defensive outbursts, the Bulls had allowed 100 points or more in 12 straight games, losing 10 of those 12. The Bulls, especially shorthanded, are just not a team that's going to win with firepower, so that swarming defense that they were playing back in early February, before Chicago mysteriously traded away John Salmons, then Tyrus Thomas to get, um, smaller, may have returned in some small degree. Honestly, it's tough to win when you have Chicago's revolving door of middling ballplayers, and Vinny Del Negro, captain of the S.S. Nearly-getting-fired, keeps having to teach new guys how to play defense like he wants. I wonder if Chicago has one final grunt left in them. That's why this game gives me the shivers. Houston made a heck of a run at the end of that New York game yesterday, and it appears youngster Aaron Brooks isn't ready to give up just yet, even though the deficit Houston faces in the West is nearly insurmountable. It's not quite there; not quite. So, we have two teams making their final push; which one buckles first? Houston has been awful on back-to-backs at 5-12 ATS, but their game yesterday was in the morning, so they should get a decent night of rest. This one is a very, very tough call, but I lean Chicago to play one more strong game. I lean to the Under, because of the same reasons - Chicago isn't going to win a shootout with a team like Houston that has a bunch of weapons. If I like one, I have to like the other -- but really, I don't much care for either.
Mavericks @ Hornets - This line is OFF. Don't fade the Mavs on the road. If I haven't learned that lesson yet, well, I deserve to be slapped. Right now, really, the Mavs are something of a tough read. I had a strong lean to Boston in the last game, and once again Dallas came up short at home, but just when you think they can't play much worse, the Mavs go on the road and stomp someone. Okay, so, with this game, there's one angle I like, and one I don't. I like the fact that the Hornets are coming home off a 5-game West coast swing that also involved 2 games in altitude. I have no idea how the Hornets are going to muster any strength here to compete. On top of that, the reason this line is off is because Chris Paul is getting close to playing. I would love to see Paul try to play, and move this line 2.5 points, because then, suddenly, the Mavericks would look like a great play. Instead, the angle I'm not a huge fan of is that the Hornets are coming off getting clobbered in Utah. It's never a great idea to fade a team off a huge loss, if only because oddsmakers will usually move the line a half point or a point due to public perception. The Hornets have been playing terrible basketball lately, and I have to think they'll be getting a solid 6ish points at home in this one. Still, I can't trust them. The Hornets just don't look interested in playing defense, and we've seen how Dallas can surprise you by actually winning by 10 points on the road. I hate to say it, but I have to go square again and lean to Dallas. On the total, Dallas has slipped into playing bad defense again, and we know the Hornets are going to try to get some easy buckets. I lean Over.
Celtics @ Jazz - Utah by 5 with a total of 200. This game is going to be a doozy! Even if we don't find a great betting angle, I want to watch it. As far as previous meetings go, Boston beat the pants off Utah way back in November, but I still happen to think this is an important game for both teams. We know Boston wants to show that they're still among the NBA elite, and we know Utah wants to show that they can beat the best, especially at home. I don't feel either team is in a particularly good or bad situational spot. Yes, the Celtics are on the last game of a tough 3-game road trip, but it's only 3 games, and they're focused on the finish line right now, not concerned about getting home. Plus, Boston beat both Houston and Dallas so far, and you know those old farts want to make it a little tic-tac-toe on this trip. Honestly, right now, I wouldn't want to step in front of this Celtics freight train. They're playing angry, and that's really the only time to fear them. Boston doesn't have the legs they had a few years ago, but what they do have, mostly thanks to Kevin Garnett, is a fire within. Don't get me wrong, they're still an awful ATS wager most days, but as we pointed out about 2 weeks ago, Boston would never have more value than they did after getting creamed at home by Memphis, and they've responded with a strong, strong run. Still, Utah is just the kind of team that Boston could have issues defending because of their unique offensive style. I happen to think this one comes down to the wire, so I would have to lean to the team getting points, but Utah could just as easily hit 2 buckets down the stretch and win by 6 or 7. Still, gun to my head, I lean Boston. On the total, I have to lean Under, since if Boston is going to keep it close, it's going to be a grudge match.
Grizzlies @ Kings - This line is OFF. I feel like we're back in January with all the games without lines! Is this because of Marc Gasol? Tyreke Evans isn't supposed to be back yet, but whatever. Fact of the matter is that it looks like the Grizzlies haven't completely given up just yet. I would love to say that the Kings are the obvious play, and I'm guessing that the line that comes out is going to be a decent value on Sacramento, but at the same time, the Injured Star Theory would tell us to be very careful backing a bad team without its Superstar the second night he's out. The non-Tyrekes stepped up big yesterday in a road beating of the hapless Clippers, but can Beno Udrih drop 20 and 17 again? Can Carl Landry go 11-of-14 from the field again, or Spencer Hawes drop another double-double? I dunno. I do like the fact that it's a pseudo-back-to-back, with the Kings playing yesterday in the daytime, so they've had plenty of time to get home and rest up. If indeed the line is brought out as if the Kings are on back-to-back -- that is getting 2 bonus points -- then I think I'd have to lean to Sacramento, so we'll find out how oddsmakers truly feel about this one. The Kings are playing confident basketball these days, and though they did lose in 2OT to Milwaukee, they're competitive just about every night, and you have to like that. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, are probably one loss away from giving up on the season. I don't trust this Grizzlies team in pressure spots, and they lost in Sacramento way back in November, but damn if they don't need this game more. I'd love to just say the motivation is the only key, but I don't think Memphis is going to be a good value. I guess we'll see, but I expect to lean Sacramento when we see a line. I also expect to lean Under, since the Kings are much more of a post-based team, either high or low (Landry or Hawes) with Evans out, and they don't want to let Memphis get out and run too much.
Suns @ Warriors - Phoenix by 4.5 with a total of 243.5. Hahaha! Look at that total! If my fiance weren't fast asleep in the other room, I would actually be laughing out loud right now. That's just ridiculous. Alright, what we have here is a Phoenix team coming in from a late ESPN game with Portland that required every ounce of strength they had, and, in fact, played very strong defense in the 4th quarter. We also have a Warriors club coming home off getting positively worked over in a 2-game trip to the Southwest. But, if there are a few things we know about the Warriors, it's that they always get slaughtered by the Spurs, and they always get killed on back-to-backs, since all those young guys go full tilt every night, and they don't really have a reasonable bench. Also, we know the Warriors play like maniacs at home, running at a ridiculous pace, and giving bigger teams fits by turning the game into streetball. I don't have the numbers, but I wonder if this is the highest single game total of any match-up all year. We know the Warriors and Suns are going to hit 210, that goes without saying, but I do find it interesting that the last meeting had a posted mark of 233.5, and the final score of 215. It came in 18 points lower, and this total is higher by 10. I know that last meeting was in January, so it's not hugely relevant, and I don't believe this is a true "Oddsmaker Hint", but it certainly is a high number, and it might be up there for a reason. The Suns aren't particularly different in totals on back-to-backs, though they're a bit weaker on sides at just 6-10 ATS, and I happen to think the Suns get sucked into a silly game with Golden State. Lean to the Warriors to push the Suns to the brink, though I do think Phoenix wins this one late, and No Lean on the side, since this total is just so high, that if even one thing goes wrong, it might not clear. What if Curry, Ellis or Nash gets in foul trouble or turns an ankle? What if the teams don't score for 60 seconds? That might be enough to do it in, but I do think there are going to be some serious points scored.
Trend Report - Monday
By Ed Meyer
Hawks at Bucks – The Hawks are 8-0 ATS (8.3 ppg) since February 10, 2005 as a road dog after a win in which their DPS was at least plus 15 points. The Bucks are 15-0-1 ATS (8.8 ppg) since January 05, 2010 before playing at home. The Bucks are 8-0 ATS (5.1 ppg) since February 19, 2010 when facing a team they lost to in their previous same-season match-up.
Rockets at Bulls –The Rockets are 0-10-2 ATS (-5.8 ppg) since March 02, 2005 with no rest after a game on the road in which they shot at least 50% from the field. The Rockets are 9-0-1 ATS (5.7 ppg) since November 21, 2004 as a dog off a road win in which they trailed at the end of the third quarter. The Bulls are 6-0 ATS (11.0 ppg) since December 27, 2003 at home off a road win that broke at least a four-game losing streak.
Mavericks at Hornets – The Mavericks are 0-6 ATS (-7.7 ppg) since April 13, 2009 with at most one day of rest after a loss in which they allowed at least 50% from the field. The Hornets are 0-6 ATS (-7.2 ppg) since April 29, 2009 with at least one day of rest after a game in which their opponent stole the ball at least twelve times.
Celtics at Jazz – The Celtics are 0-10 ATS (-8.5 ppg) since December 08, 2009 after a game on the road in which they shot at least 50% from the field. The Jazz are 9-0-2 ATS (7.4 ppg) since November 28, 2009 at home with at least one day of rest after a game in which they had an assist to turnover ratio of at least two.
Grizzlies at Kings – The Grizzlies are 0-8 ATS (-8.0 ppg) since January 22, 2010 after a game in which they shot at least 50% from the field. The Kings are 7-0 ATS (4.0 ppg) since December 11, 2005 after a double digit road win in which they had an assist to turnover ratio of at least two. The Kings are 5-0-1 ATS (6.9 ppg) since April 12, 2009 when seeking revenge for a double-digit road loss.
Heat at Nets – The Heat are 0-7 ATS (-12.6 ppg) since December 02, 2007 after a game at home in which they scored at least 25 fewer points than in the game before. The Nets are 0-9-1 ATS (-6.0 ppg) since June 13, 2003 as a home dog with at most one day of rest after a game at home in which they shot less than 40% from the field.
Magic at 76ers – The Magic are 0-8 ATS (-9.1 ppg) since November 28, 2009 on the road after a game on the road in which they scored more than 30% of their points from the three-point line. The 76ers are 0-8 ATS (-10.1 ppg) since December 26, 2009 when seeking revenge for a loss in which they allowed at least 50% shooting from the field.
Spurs at Thunder – The Spurs are 0-9 ATS (-5.9 ppg) since March 06, 1998 as a dog when they scored at least 25 fewer points in their previous game than in the game before. The Spurs are 5-0 ATS (12.8 ppg) since February 06, 2010 and when facing a team they beat in their previous two match-ups of the season. The Spurs are 0-4 ATS (-9.1 ppg) since January 03, 2010 when playing the second of back-to-back road games. The Thunder are 6-0 ATS (8.8 ppg) since December 22, 2009 when facing a team they lost to as a dog in their previous same-season match-up.
Raptors at Timberwolves – The Raptors are 0-7 ATS (-7.6 ppg) since February 15, 2006 on the road after a road win in which the percentage of their baskets that were assisted was at least ten percentage points lower than their season-to-date average. The Timberwolves are 0-6 ATS (-8.0 ppg) since February 19, 2010 at home when facing a team they lost to as a road dog in their previous same-season match-up.
Suns at Warriors – The Suns are 0-10 ATS (-12.2 ppg) since February 06, 2004 as a favorite after a game in which they had fewer than fifteen assists. The Warriors are 9-0 ATS (10.5 ppg) since March 07, 2000 as a home dog with at least one day of rest after a double digit loss in which their opponent shot at least ten three-pointers and made at least half of them.