NBA Today
SCOREBOARD
Tuesday, Nov. 4
Boston at Houston (8:30 p.m. EST). The Rockets look to remain unbeaten when they play host to the defending champion Celtics, who lost their first game of the season Saturday to Indiana.
STARS
Sunday
— Richard Jefferson, Bucks, scored 18 points to lead Milwaukee to a 94-86 win over the New York Knicks.
— Russell Westbrook, Thunder, finished with 14 points to spark Oklahoma City to an 88-85 comeback win over Milwaukee for the team’s first victory.
STEPH ON THE BENCH
Stephon Marbury was inactive again Sunday, and Knicks president Donnie Walsh plans to speak with coach Mike D’Antoni and his point guard this week in hopes of clearing up an uncomfortable situation. D’Antoni tabbed Jerome James instead of Marbury to replace the injured Eddy Curry on the active list against Milwaukee, even though the 7-foot-1, 285-pound James played in just two games last season and would seem a horrible fit for an uptempo system.
SIDELINED
Milwaukee guard Michael Redd sprained his right ankle in the third quarter of the Bucks’ 94-86 victory over the Knicks. Redd was hurt when he landed awkwardly chasing a loose ball late in the period.
“It hurts right now. It hurts,” Redd said after the game. “Just got to take it day by day, continue to get treatment on it. Little swollen, but I didn’t hear anything crack or anything. It’s a high ankle sprain right now.”
SIGNINGS
The Golden State Warriors signed forward Rob Kurz, transferring guard Monta Ellis to the suspended list to make room. Kurz averaged 4.5 points and 3.8 rebounds while appearing in four preseason games with Golden State. He also hit the winning 3-pointer at the buzzer in the Warriors’ 109-108 exhibition victory over Milwaukee in Beijing, thrilling a Chinese crowd.
SPEAKING
“Any win feels good, honestly. It’s very good to get a win in this building. It’s very good to get a win the way we got it.”—Oklahoma City coach P.J. Carlesimo after the Thunder won their first game with an 88-85 victory over Minnesota
Hot and Cold Bets - Week 2
By Matt Fargo
Monday – Golden St. Warriors at Memphis Grizzlies
The Warriors are off to a 1-2 start but they have padded the pockets of their backers in all three games, going a perfect 3-0 ATS. Golden St. dropped a tight game at home against New Orleans and then an overtime game in Toronto before taking out New Jersey on Saturday. How long can the Warriors keep this up without a true point guard? My guess is not too long as teams may have been taking them lightly to start the season. Memphis comes in at 1-2 with losses in both road games but winning its lone home contest. The Grizzlies are the lowest scoring team in the NBA while Golden St. is the 4th highest so something is going to have to give here. Memphis will likely get its points here based on the Warriors up and down style.
Chicago (2-1 SU and ATS) at Orlando (1-2 SU and ATS)
The Magic will try to make it five straight wins over the Bulls when they welcome them to AmWay Arena in Orlando.
Orlando got its first win of the young season Saturday, blowing out Sacramento 121-103 as a 10½-point home favorite, with the dynamic duo of Dwight Howard (29 points and 14 rebounds) and Rashard Lewis (26 points and seven rebounds) doing the majority of the damage.
Chicago squad is coming off Saturday’s 96-86 win over Memphis, covering as an eight-point home chalk. No. 1 overall draft pick Derrick Rose poured in 26 points and Drew Gooden pulled down 20 rebounds to lead the Bulls. In their lone road game to this point, the Bulls fell 96-80 in Boston on Friday as 10-point road ‘dogs.
Orlando swept the season series against Chicago last season, going 4-0 SU (3-1 ATS). At home against the Bulls a year ago, the Magic scored wins of 102-88 as a 6½-point favorite and 115-83 as a 9½-point chalk. Orlando is 7-2 SU (6-3 ATS) in its last nine against Chicago and 3-1 ATS in the last four at home.
Chicago is on ATS slides of 1-7 following a spread-cover and 6-22 after a straight-up win, but otherwise the Bulls are on positive ATS streaks of 4-1 overall and 15-7 when playing with a day of rest. Orlando carries strong pointspread streaks of 15-7-2 at home and 8-3-1 against teams from the Central Division.
For the Bulls, the over is 13-5-2 in their last 20 road games, but the under is on runs of 8-2 overall, 4-0 after a spread-cover, 4-0 against teams from the Southeast Division and 5-0 after a straight-up win. For Orlando it’s been a plethora of unders, including 4-1 overall, 8-2 against the Central Division, 7-2 against the Eastern Conference, 17-5 after a spread-cover and 19-7 after a straight-up win.
In this series, the under is 5-1 in the last six overall, but the over is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings in Orlando.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Cleveland (1-2 SU, 2-1 ATS) at Dallas (1-1 SU and ATS)
The Cavaliers will be looking for their first road win this season when they visit American Airlines Center in Dallas to take on the Mavericks.
Cleveland opened the season with Tuesday’s 90-85 loss in Boston but covered as a six-point underdog, and after a blowout home victory over Charlotte, the Cavs went back on the road Saturday and fell 104-92 in New Orleans as a three-point pup. Dating back to last season’s Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series, the Cavs have dropped six straight road games, but they’re 4-2 ATS.
Dallas went to Minnesota on Saturday and got a 95-85 win as a six-point favorite with Dirk Nowitzki getting 21 points and point guard Jason Kidd contributing nine points, nine rebounds and seven assists. However, in their home opener against the Rockets on Thursday, the Mavericks lost 112-102 as a four-point chalk.
These teams split two meetings last year with the home team winning each contest, including the Cavaliers’ 88-81 victory as a seven-point pup in Dallas in December. The host has won three straight (3-0 ATS) in this matchup after the road team had rattled off six straight wins from 2004 to 2007 (4-2 ATS). Dallas is 7-3 SU in the last 10 meetings, but Cleveland has gotten the cash lately, going 5-2 ATS in the last seven (3-0 ATS in Dallas).
The Cavs are just 1-5 ATS in their last six against the Southwest Division and 2-7 ATS in their last nine against the Western Conference, but otherwise they’re on positive ATS streaks of 7-1 overall, 6-2 on the road, 6-1 after a day of rest, 5-0 after an non-cover and 6-1 after a straight-up loss. Meanwhile, the Mavs are 5-1 ATS in their last six against the Eastern Conference, but going back to last year, they’re 3-8 ATS in their last 11 at home, 6-17-1 in their last 24 against Central Division teams and 0-5 ATS in their last five after a straight-up win.
For Cleveland, the under is on runs of 15-7 overall, 16-7-1 against Western Conference teams and 15-5-1 after a straight-up loss. For Dallas, the under is on streaks of 4-1 overall, 8-3 at home, 5-2-2 against the Eastern Conference and 6-1 when coming in off a day of rest. Lastly, the under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings in this series.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Gametimepicks.com
Tips and Trends
Chicago Bulls at Orlando Magic
Bulls: Chicago rookie point guard Derrick Rose is coming off the best performance of his young career, scoring 26 points in a 96-86 win over Memphis on Saturday. "All I’m trying to do is win the game," Rose said. "If that takes me to score 20 some points or five points it doesn’t matter as long as we win." The Bulls are hoping Rose can help them avoid a fifth straight loss to the Magic, who won all four meetings last season by an average of 17 points.
Bulls are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
The UNDER is 8-2 in Chicago's last 10 games overall.
Key Injuries - G Larry Hughes (shoulder ) is OUT.
PROJECTED SCORE: 92
Magic (-7, O/U 196): Orlando finally turned in a good offensive performance after averaging 84.5 points in losing its first two games. The Magic exploded in a 121-103 win over Sacramento on Saturday, shooting 55 percent from the field with all five starters scoring in double figures. "This was good for our confidence," Orlando head coach Stan Van Gundy said. "People don’t realize how fragile confidence can be. They think when you hit the major league level, confidence is a given because you have so much success, but a couple of bad nights and all the sudden you’re pressing."
Magic are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games overall.
The UNDER is 8-2 in Orlando's last 10 games vs. Central Division.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 103 (Side Play of the Day)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Dallas Mavericks
Cavs: Cleveland star LeBron James is coming off his worst shooting performance of the season and only made it to the free-throw line four times in a 104-92 loss at New Orleans on Saturday. James did dish out a season-high 13 assists, but he still has not made a 3-pointer this year, going 0-for-9 from long range. Another problem offensively for the Cavs is that new point guard Mo Williams continues to struggle with his shot as well. Williams was 5-for-15 against the Hornets and finished with 11 points.
Cavs are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
The UNDER is 15-7 in Cleveland's last 22 games overall.
Key Injuries - F Darnell Jackson (wrist) is OUT.
PROJECTED SCORE: 93 (UNDER - Total Play of the Day)
Mavs (-2.5, O/U 192): Dallas earned its first victory of the season on Saturday at Minnesota, 95-85. The Mavs got outstanding support from their reserves, who totaled 42 points. Jason Terry led the Dallas bench with 19 while Gerald Green added nine, seven of which came during a three-minute stretch in the fourth quarter. Green did not even play in the season opener, and new head coach Rick Carlisle is still working on his regular rotation.
Mavs are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 home games.
The UNDER is 8-3 in Dallas' last 11 home games.
Key Injuries - F Devean George (hand) is day-to-day.
PROJECTED SCORE: 95
SACRAMENTO (0 - 3) at PHILADELPHIA (1 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO is 82-121 ATS (-51.1 Units) in road games after a non-conference game since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 2-2 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 2-2 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT (2 - 0) at CHARLOTTE (1 - 1)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 57-40 ATS (+13.0 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 4-3 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 5-2 straight up against CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO (2 - 1) at ORLANDO (1 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) in road games in November games over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 9-22 ATS (-15.2 Units) in road games first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
ORLANDO is 57-36 ATS (+17.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 38-24 ATS (+11.6 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 15-3 ATS (+11.7 Units) in November games over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 24-12 ATS (+10.8 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 22-9 ATS (+12.1 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 5-2 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO is 6-1 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE (1 - 2) at MEMPHIS (1 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 24-41 ATS (-21.1 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 4-4 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 7-1 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND (1 - 2) at DALLAS (1 - 1)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 2-2 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 3-1 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
UTAH (2 - 0) at LA CLIPPERS (0 - 3)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 7-2 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 7-2 straight up against LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO vs. ORLANDO
Chicago is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Orlando is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Chicago
Orlando is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Chicago
DETROIT vs. CHARLOTTE
Detroit is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Detroit is 16-7 SU in its last 23 games
Charlotte is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Detroit
Charlotte is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit
SACRAMENTO vs. PHILADELPHIA
Sacramento is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Sacramento is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Philadelphia is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games at home
GOLDEN STATE vs. MEMPHIS
Golden State is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
Golden State is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Memphis is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Golden State
Memphis is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Golden State
CLEVELAND vs. DALLAS
Cleveland is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games
Cleveland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Dallas is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Dallas's last 11 games when playing at home against Cleveland
UTAH vs. LA CLIPPERS
Utah is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
Utah is 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
LA Clippers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games at home
LA Clippers are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games at home
NBA RESEARCH REPORT
By Indiancowboy
Detroit vs. Charlotte
There is something interesting with this game. The line opened up at -5 and actually has gone down to -4. Note, that over 66% are on the Pistons and yet the line has gone down. The total has also gone down 4 points as well. Charlotte has already come through for me defeating the Heat on Saturday and this is a game they very well could win outright. As per this game, I actually lean on the Bobcats to possibly win this game outright.
Chicago vs. Orlando
The odd thing about this game is the fact that Chicago has looked strong thus far this year going 2-1 and in that same token Orlando has also looked strong as they come off a much needed big win against Sacramento. Frankly, can you not see Chicago winning this game outright since the Hawks have done it – or can you not see the Magic winning this game big as well? As per the lean on this game, I just prefer the over and that’s about it.
Sacramento vs. Philadelphia
Note that for this game the Sixers started out as a 10 point favorite and has moved up to a -11.5 favorite. Roughly 52% are riding the Sixers here. Remember, Philadelphia and the new look Sixers behind Elton Brand rolled over the Knicks. They looked solid in that game but looked very shaky against the Hawks as they lost on the road. To be frank, I am passing on this game. Remember, the Sixers returned home ticked off but the Kings can certainly cover this spread coming off back to back ugly losses. In short, I don’t want to lay the big number nor go against the ticked off Sixers returning home. No thanks.
Golden State vs. Memphis
Golden State has actually played very well in the first few games considering the new motley crew of players that they have. However, the public favors them by nearly 70% which irritates me. Golden State did win at New Jersey of course, but having said that, Memphis beat Orlando at home and they come off a loss. This is a game that I think Memphis could win outright but I just hate going against the Warriors. But, I still lean on Memphis to win this baby outright as they likely get down early and then pull ahead late.
Cleveland vs. Dallas
The line on this game started off at -4 and has actually gone down to -3. What makes this odd is that most of the public is on Dallas. Note, that Cleveland comes off that loss in New Orleans so they will be fired up for this game and this is a game that they can certainly win outright on the road as they have consistently had Dallas’s number over the past few years.
Utah vs. Clippers
I swear the Clippers are terrible thus far. Utah is 2-0, they are favored by the public to a tune of 72% without a surprise. But, usually teams do much better on a home and home and they get fired up on the bounce-back. Remember, Utah defeated the Clippers in an ugly fashion just the other day and now has to face them on the road at the Clippers. But, how do you wager on the Clippers when they have yet to prove they can beat any team this year and even stay competitive in games? No thank on the Clips here.