NBA Today
SCOREBOARD
Saturday, Dec. 27
Orlando at Minnesota (8 p.m. EST). Southeast Division-leading Orlando has won six straight to improve to 23-6.
STARS
— Dwyane Wade, Heat, scored 28 points, and Miami eclipsed last season’s win total by beating the Chicago Bulls 90-77.
— Stephen Jackson, Warriors, scored eight straight points during the decisive fourth-quarter stretch to finish with 28, and Golden State sent Boston to back-to-back losses for the first time this season by rallying past the Celtics, 99-89.
— Chris Paul, Hornets, had 26 points and 10 assists to help New Orleans end a two-game skid with a 88-79 win over the Houston Rockets.
— Allen Iverson, Pistons, hit an off-balance runner with 0.2 seconds left to lift Detroit over Oklahoma City 90-88.
— Jermaine O’Neal, Raptors, scored 36 points in his highest-scoring game in two seasons and the Raptors ended a 10-game losing streak in Sacramento with a 107-101 win over the Kings.
SNAPPED
The Minnesota Timberwolves snapped a 13-game losing streak and won for the first time this season under Kevin McHale, getting a season-best 23 points from Rashad McCants in a 120-107 victory over the New York Knicks. They came in 28th in the league in 3-point percentage and were making 4.6 per game—6.0 fewer than New York’s league-best average—but made a season-best 13 in 24 attempts (54 percent).
SLUMPING
The Boston Celtics lost a second-straight game for the first time this season with a 99-89 loss to Golden State. The Celtics couldn’t hold a 14-point lead a day after their franchise-record 19-game winning streak ended with a nine-point loss to the Lakers in Los Angeles on Christmas.
STRONG RATINGS
The Christmas Day game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics was the highest rated regular-season NBA game in four years. The rematch of last season’s NBA finals earned a 5.3 fast national rating on ABC, the network said.
SIDELINED
Utah Jazz forward Paul Millsap will miss seven to 10 days because of a sprained knee ligament. He injured his left knee Tuesday night in Milwaukee, but returned to play the second half in a brace. Millsap is scheduled for another MRI on Monday.
STATS
Raptors’ Jose Calderon made all six of his free throws, extending his streak to 69 consecutive made foul shots. … The Hornets have held 10 of their last 11 opponents to 95 or fewer points. …
SEBASTIAN SPEAKS
Minnesota guard Sebastian Telfair said he hadn’t seen his cousin, Stephon Marbury, while back in New York. He added he didn’t know much about Marbury’s status with the Knicks, other than knowing the banished guard misses playing and hopes to continue his career. “We all want our ending stories to be a certain way. I mean, he’s still healthy. I think this is a chapter in his book and hopefully he smartens up and creates his own ending and don’t let nobody else create it for him.”
SPEAKING
“We send a lot of people to different places around the world, and they’re up there, walking the wall, while we’re home having a wonderful holiday. There’s somebody protecting us and I don’t take that lightly. Not anymore, not with what’s going on in this world. I think we all need to reach out.”—Miami Heat president Pat Riley after hosting six soldiers, who have recently returned home from Iraq and Afghanistan, and their families with a holiday party.
Chicago Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks
The Bulls were defeated 90-77 by the Heat as 5.5-point underdogs last time out. That game's 167 points fell UNDER the posted total of 197.
Aaron Gray had 12 points with 11 rebounds for a double-double in the loss.
Marvin Williams went for 21 points and seven rebounds to lead the Hawks past the Thunder 99-88 on Tuesday night.
Atlanta couldn't cover as 12-point home favorites as the game played under the 194-point total listed by sportsbooks.
Current streak:
Chicago has lost 2 straight games.
Atlanta has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Chicago: 13-16 SU, 14-15 ATS
Atlanta: 18-10 SU, 16-12 ATS
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 9-1
Before playing New Jersey are 4-6
After playing Miami are 5-5
After a loss are 7-3
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 2-8
Before playing Denver are 2-8
After playing Oklahoma City are 4-6
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Chicago is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Chicago is 12-4 ATS in its last 16 games when playing Atlanta
Chicago is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games at home
Atlanta is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games at home
Atlanta is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Next up:
Chicago at New Jersey, Monday, December 29
Atlanta home to Denver, Monday, December 29
New Jersey Nets vs. Charlotte Bobcats
Gerald Wallace netted 16 points to go with 13 rebounds for a double-double on Friday, as the Bobcats upset the Nets 95-87. That game's 182 points fell UNDER the posted total of 199.
Raymond Felton led the way with a team-high 22 points, and Emeka Okafor added 21 in the win.
Vince Carter had 19 points and three rebounds in the loss.
Current streak:
Charlotte has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
New Jersey: 14-15 SU, 15-14 ATS
Charlotte: 11-19 SU, 18-12 ATS
New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Chicago are 7-3
After playing Charlotte are 8-2
After a loss are 7-3
Charlotte most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 2-8
Before playing New York are 7-3
After playing New Jersey are 5-5
After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
New Jersey is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Charlotte
New Jersey is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
New Jersey is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
New Jersey is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games when playing Charlotte
Charlotte is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Charlotte is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Charlotte is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games
Charlotte is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games when playing New Jersey
Next up:
New Jersey home to Chicago, Monday, December 29
Charlotte home to New York, Tuesday, December 30
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Washington Wizards
The Thunder lost a tough 90-88 decision to the Pistons last time out, as 11-point road underdogs. That game's 178 points fell UNDER the posted total of 186.
Kevin Durant tossed in a game-high 26 points for the Thunder, who have just three wins on the season.
Antawn Jamison was good for 28 points in Washington's 93-89 loss to Cleveland on Thursday night.
The Cavaliers failed to cover the 15.5-point spread at home in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the posted total (192).
Current streak:
Oklahoma City has lost 3 straight games.
Washington has lost 8 straight games.
Team records:
Oklahoma City: 3-27 SU, 18-12 ATS
Washington: 4-23 SU, 10-17 ATS
Oklahoma City most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 2-8
Before playing Phoenix are 4-6
After playing Detroit are 3-7
After a loss are 1-9
Washington most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Houston are 4-6
After playing Cleveland are 5-5
After a loss are 1-9
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games when playing Washington
Oklahoma City is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Washington
Oklahoma City is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Washington
Oklahoma City is 2-23 SU in its last 25 games
Washington is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
Washington is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Oklahoma City
Washington is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Oklahoma City
Next up:
Oklahoma City home to Phoenix, Monday, December 29
Washington at Houston, Monday, December 29
Orlando Magic vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Hedo Turkoglu tossed in a team-high 20 points on Thursday afternoon to lead the Magic to an 88-68 win over the Hornets.
The Magic easily covered the 5-point spread in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the day's posted total (190).
Al Jefferson dropped 21 points with 15 rebounds in a double-double performance on Friday, leading the Timberwolves past the favored Knicks 120-107. The Timberwolves won the game as a 7.5-point underdog, while the 227 points made it OVER the posted total of 215.
Rashad McCants had 23 points, and Sebastian Telfair dropped 20 in that victory.
Current streak:
Orlando has won 6 straight games.
Team records:
Orlando: 23-6 SU, 19-9-1 ATS
Minnesota: 5-23 SU, 11-17 ATS
Orlando most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Detroit are 6-4
After playing New Orleans are 4-6
After a win are 8-2
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Memphis are 4-6
After playing New York are 3-7
After a win are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
Orlando is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Orlando is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Orlando's last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing at home against Orlando
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Minnesota's last 8 games when playing Orlando
Minnesota is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Next up:
Orlando at Detroit, Monday, December 29
Minnesota home to Memphis, Monday, December 29
Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets
The Jazz jumped out to a lead in the second quarter and held on for a 97-88 victory over the Mavericks on Friday. The Jazz covered the 2-point spread, while the 185 points fell UNDER the posted total of 194.
Deron Williams dropped 17 points with 13 assists for the Jazz, and Ronnie Brewer added a team-high 21 points.
The Rockets fell 88-79 to the Hornets as a 2.5-point road underdog on Friday. That game's 167 points went UNDER the posted total of 185.
Yao Ming had a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.
Current streak:
Houston has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Utah: 18-13 SU, 17-14 ATS
Houston: 19-11 SU, 15-15 ATS
Utah most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Philadelphia are 4-6
After playing Dallas are 3-7
After a win are 3-7
Houston most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 2-8
Before playing Washington are 8-2
After playing New Orleans are 8-2
After a loss are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
Utah is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Houston
Utah is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Utah's last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
Utah is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Houston
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing at home against Utah
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Houston's last 19 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 6 games at home
Next up:
Utah home to Philadelphia, Monday, December 29
Houston home to Washington, Monday, December 29
Detroit Pistons vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Pistons had all they could handle on Friday, as they managed to pull out a 90-88 victory over the Thunder. The Pistons failed to cover the 11-point spread, while the 178 points fell UNDER the posted total of 186.
Allen Iverson netted 22 points to lead the way, and Tayshaun Prince chipped in with 16 in the win.
Michael Redd had 27 points and six rebounds to lead the Bucks past the Jazz 94-86 on Tuesday night.
Milwaukee cashed as 1-point home underdogs as the game played under the 197-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Detroit has won 2 straight games.
Milwaukee has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Detroit: 16-11 SU, 11-16 ATS
Milwaukee: 14-16 SU, 20-9-1 ATS
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Orlando are 8-2
After playing Oklahoma City are 5-5
After a win are 5-5
Milwaukee most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 8-2
Before playing San Antonio are 2-8
After playing Utah are 7-3
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
Detroit is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Detroit's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit's last 7 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Detroit is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Milwaukee is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Milwaukee's last 7 games when playing at home against Detroit
Milwaukee is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Next up:
Detroit home to Orlando, Monday, December 29
Milwaukee at San Antonio, Tuesday, December 30
Memphis Grizzlies vs. San Antonio Spurs
The Grizzlies played better defence in the second half as they came back to defeat the Pacers 108-105 on Friday. The Grizzlies covered the 1.5-point spread, while the 213 points sailed OVER the posted total of 204.
O.J. Mayo led the Grizzlies with 18 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Hakim Warrick added a team-high 21 points.
Tony Parker had 27 points on Thursday afternoon as San Antonio rallied for a 91-90 win over Phoenix.
The Suns had been favored by 2 points at home in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the day's posted total (200).
Current streak:
San Antonio has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Memphis: 10-19 SU, 13-15-1 ATS
San Antonio: 19-10 SU, 14-14-1 ATS
Memphis most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Minnesota are 5-5
After playing Indiana are 4-6
After a win are 3-7
San Antonio most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Milwaukee are 7-3
After playing Phoenix are 6-4
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Memphis's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Memphis's last 13 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Memphis's last 25 games when playing San Antonio
Memphis is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing San Antonio
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Memphis
San Antonio is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games when playing Memphis
San Antonio is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games
Next up:
Memphis at Minnesota, Monday, December 29
San Antonio home to Milwaukee, Tuesday, December 30
Toronto Raptors vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Jermaine O'Neal tossed in 36 points to lead the Raptors to a 107-101 victory over the Kings on Friday. The Raptors covered the 3-point spread, and the 208 points made it OVER the posted total of 197.
O'Neal also hauled down nine rebounds for the Raptors, and Jose Calderon added 16 in the win.
Brandon Roy had a team-high 22 points in Portland's 102-94 loss to Dallas on Thursday night.
The Blazers had been listed as 4.5-point home favorites in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the posted total (192).
Current streak:
Toronto has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Toronto: 12-17 SU, 11-17-1 ATS
Portland: 18-12 SU, 14-16 ATS
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Golden State are 3-7
After playing Sacramento are 4-6
After a win are 4-6
Portland most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Boston are 2-8
After playing Dallas are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Toronto is 10-2 ATS in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Portland
Toronto is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Portland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing Portland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games when playing on the road against Portland
Portland is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Toronto
Portland is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Portland's last 5 games when playing Toronto
Portland is 14-7 SU in its last 21 games when playing Toronto
Next up:
Toronto at Golden State, Monday, December 29
Portland home to Boston, Tuesday, December 30
CHICAGO vs. ATLANTA
Chicago is 12-4 ATS in its last 16 games when playing Atlanta
Chicago is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Atlanta is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
NEW JERSEY vs. CHARLOTTE
New Jersey is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Charlotte
New Jersey is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Charlotte is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games when playing New Jersey
Charlotte is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. WASHINGTON
Oklahoma City is 2-23 SU in its last 25 games
Oklahoma City is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Washington is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
ORLANDO vs. MINNESOTA
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Orlando's last 8 games when playing Minnesota
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Minnesota is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home
DETROIT vs. MILWAUKEE
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit's last 7 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Detroit
Milwaukee is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Detroit
MEMPHIS vs. SAN ANTONIO
Memphis is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
Memphis is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
San Antonio is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
UTAH vs. HOUSTON
Utah is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games when playing Houston
Utah is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Houston
Houston is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
TORONTO vs. PORTLAND
Toronto is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Portland
Toronto is 7-14 SU in its last 21 games when playing Portland
Portland is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games at home
Portland is 2-10 ATS in its last 12 games when playing at home against Toronto