NBA Today
SCOREBOARD
Sunday, Nov. 23
Sacramento at Los Angeles Lakers (9:30 p.m. EST). The Lakers beat Denver on Friday night to improve to an NBA-best 10-1.
STARS
— Elton Brand, 76ers, hit a 15-footer with 57 seconds left and finished with 17 points in his first game against his former Clippers teammates, leading Philadelphia to an 89-88 victory over Los Angeles.
— Kobe Bryant, Lakers, scored 11 of his 29 points in the third quarter before sitting out the fourth in Los Angeles’ 104-90 victory over Denver.
— Vince Carter and Devin Harris, Nets. Carter scored 39 points against his former team, and Harris added 30 in New Jersey’s 129-127 overtime win over Toronto.
— Dwight Howard, Magic, had 24 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks in Orlando’s 100-98 overtime victory over Indiana.
— Larry Hughes, Derrick Rose and Drew Gooden, Bulls. Hughes made five 3-pointers and finished with 26 points, Rose scored 23 of his 25 points in the second half, and Gooden had 18 points and 16 rebounds in Chicago’s 115-110 victory over Golden State.
— Roger Mason, Spurs, scored 29 points in San Antonio’s 119-94 win over Utah.
— Joe Johnson, Hawks, had 30 points in Atlanta’s 88-83 victory over Charlotte.
SWAPS
New York traded Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford on Friday, parting with their two top scorers to free up coveted salary-cap space for the summer of 2010. Crawford was sent to Golden State for Al Harrington. Hours later, Randolph was shipped to the Los Angeles Clippers along with Mardy Collins for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas.
SWEET HOMECOMINGS
Kevin Garnett scored 17 points on 8-for-12 shooting in his first game in Minnesota since being traded to Boston before last season, helping the Celtics beat the Timberwolves 95-78 on Friday night. Garnett played 12 seasons for Minnesota. … The New Orleans Hornets made a triumphant return to Oklahoma City, routing the Thunder 105-80. The Hornets spent two seasons in Oklahoma City after they were displaced by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.
SIDELINED
Utah forward Carlos Boozer sat out the Jazz’s game Friday night against San Antonio because of a left quadriceps strain. … Manu Ginobili could return to the San Antonio Spurs’ lineup next week, earlier than expected after he had surgery on his left ankle in September to repair ligament damage.
SLUMPS
Oklahoma City fell to an NBA-worst 1-12 with its 105-80 loss to New Orleans on Friday night. … Houston beat Washington 103-91 to drop the Wizards to 1-9, the franchise’s worst start since the 1966 Baltimore Bullets opened 1-10.
SPEAKING
“It’s always good to go somewhere and feel the love in the building. It’s even better to win in the place I used to play. It was a good feeling. There was a lot of great energy in the building. I was just blessed that the people came out, so thank you, fans.”—Kevin Garnett after his first game in Minnesota since being traded to Boston before last season. Garnett had 17 points on 8-for-12 in the Celtics’ 95-78 victory over the Timberwolves on Friday night.
Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors
The Celtics outscored the Timberwolves by 25 points in the third quarter and came away with a 95-78 victory on Friday. The Celtics covered the 6-point spread, while the 173 points fell UNDER the posted total of 183.5.
Paul Pierce had 12 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double for the Celtics, while Kevin Garnett netted a team-high 17 points.
Chris Bosh had a game-high 42 points in Toronto's 129-127 overtime loss versus the Nets on Friday night.
The Raptors had been favored by 8.5 points at home in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (196).
Current streak:
Boston has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Boston: 12-2 SU, 7-7 ATS
Toronto: 6-6 SU, 6-6 ATS
Boston most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Golden State are 2-8
After playing Minnesota are 6-4
After a win are 8-2
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Charlotte are 2-8
After playing New Jersey are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Boston is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Toronto's last 8 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Toronto's last 9 games when playing at home against Boston
Next up:
Boston home to Golden State, Wednesday, November 26
Toronto home to Charlotte, Wednesday, November 26
Golden State Warriors vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The Warriors were upset 115-110 by the Bulls last time out, as 4-point favorites at home. The 225 points sailed OVER the posted total of 213.5.
Stephen Jackson tossed in a game-high 32 points in a losing effort for the Warriors.
Elton Brand picked up 17 points on Friday night to lead the 76ers to an 89-88 win over the Clippers.
The Sixers failed to cover the 9.5-point spread in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (189).
Team records:
Golden State: 5-7 SU, 6-6 ATS
Philadelphia: 6-6 SU, 5-7 ATS
Golden State most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Washington are 5-5
After playing Chicago are 3-7
After a loss are 7-3
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Charlotte are 4-6
After playing LA Clippers are 5-5
After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 5 games
Golden State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Golden State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing at home against Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Philadelphia's last 11 games at home
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next up:
Golden State at Washington, Tuesday, November 25
Philadelphia at Charlotte, Monday, November 24
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Detroit Pistons
The Timbewolves were outplayed in the third quarter and could not recover in a 95-78 loss to the Celtics last time out, as 6-point underdogs. The 173 points fell UNDER the posted total of 183.5.
All Jefferson shot 8-for-20 from the field with a game-high 23 points in that loss.
The Pistons lost 98-80 to the Celtics last time out, as 6.5-point road underdogs. The 178 points fell UNDER the posted total of 184.
Rasheed Wallace tossed in 13 points with six rebounds.
Team records:
Minnesota: 2-9 SU, 5-6 ATS
Detroit: 8-4 SU, 6-6 ATS
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 3-7
Before playing Phoenix are 2-8
After playing Boston are 7-3
After a loss are 3-7
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
Before playing New York are 7-3
After playing Boston are 6-4
After a loss are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
Minnesota is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Minnesota is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing Detroit
Detroit is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Minnesota
Detroit is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Detroit is 19-5 SU in its last 24 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Detroit's last 8 games at home
Next up:
Minnesota home to Phoenix, Wednesday, November 26
Detroit home to New York, Wednesday, November 26
Chicago Bulls vs. Denver Nuggets
The Bulls upset the Warriors with a 115-110 victory on Friday, as 4-point underdogs. The 225 points sailed OVER the posted total of 213.5.
Larry Hughes had 26 points with four rebounds and four assists to lead the way.
The Nuggets were defeated 104-90 by the Lakers on Friday, as 8.5-point underdogs. The 194 points fell UNDER the posted total of 205.5.
Chauncey Billups had 15 points with nine assists in a losing effort.
Team records:
Chicago: 6-7 SU, 8-5 ATS
Denver: 8-5 SU, 8-4-1 ATS
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Utah are 5-5
After playing Golden State are 6-4
After a win are 2-8
Denver most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing LA Clippers are 5-5
After playing LA Lakers are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing Denver
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chicago's last 7 games when playing on the road against Denver
Chicago is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Chicago is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games when playing Denver
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Denver's last 5 games when playing Chicago
Denver is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Denver's last 7 games when playing at home against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games
Next up:
Chicago at Utah, Monday, November 24
Denver at LA Clippers, Wednesday, November 26
Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Kings lost 117-96 to the Trail Blazers on Friday, as 4.5-point underdogs. The Trail Blazers covered th 4.5-point spread, and the 213 points sailed OVER the posted total of 198.
Jason Thompson shot 6-for-9 from the field with 19 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double in the loss.
Kobe Bryant poured in a game-high 29 points on Friday, as the Lakers ran over the Nuggets 104-90 on Friday. The Lakers covered the 8.5-point spread, while the 194 points fell UNDER the posted total of 205.5.
Bryant shot 12-for-18 from the field with four rebounds, and Andrew Bynum had 13 points with 13 rebounds for a double-double.
Current streak:
Los Angeles has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Sacramento: 5-9 SU, 7-7 ATS
Los Angeles: 10-1 SU, 8-3 ATS
Sacramento most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 2-8
Before playing Portland are 4-6
After playing Portland are 7-3
After a loss are 4-6
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing New Jersey are 6-4
After playing Denver are 6-4
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Sacramento's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Sacramento's last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Sacramento's last 8 games when playing LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Sacramento's last 6 games
LA Lakers are 21-2 SU in their last 23 games at home
LA Lakers are 10-1 SU in their last 11 games
LA Lakers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games when playing Sacramento
LA Lakers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Sacramento
Next up:
Sacramento at Portland, Monday, November 24
LA Lakers home to New Jersey, Tuesday, November 25
BOSTON (12 - 2) at TORONTO (6 - 6)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 5-4 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 5-4 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE (5 - 7) at PHILADELPHIA (6 - 6)
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 40-54 ATS (-19.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 45-70 ATS (-32.0 Units) as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 points since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 25-45 ATS (-24.5 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 3-1 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 4-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA (2 - 9) at DETROIT (8 - 4)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 75-96 ATS (-30.6 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 35-59 ATS (-29.9 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 185 and 189.5 points since 1996.
DETROIT is 63-48 ATS (+10.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 50-36 ATS (+10.4 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 28-15 ATS (+11.5 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 32-16 ATS (+14.4 Units) in road games on Sunday games since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 3-1 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 3-1 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO (6 - 7) at DENVER (8 - 5)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 3-1 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 2-2 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO (5 - 9) at LA LAKERS (10 - 1)
Top Trends for this game.
LA LAKERS are 65-47 ATS (+13.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 26-15 ATS (+9.5 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 16-3 ATS (+12.7 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 27-12 ATS (+13.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 36-12 ATS (+22.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAKERS is 6-2 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 6-2 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON vs. TORONTO
Boston is 14-7 ATS in its last 21 games
Boston is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games
Toronto is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Toronto's last 9 games when playing at home against Boston
GOLDEN STATE vs. PHILADELPHIA
Golden State is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 5 games
Philadelphia is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing at home against Golden State
MINNESOTA vs. DETROIT
Minnesota is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Detroit
Minnesota is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Detroit
Detroit is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Detroit is 19-5 SU in its last 24 games at home
CHICAGO vs. DENVER
Chicago is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Denver
Chicago is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Denver
Denver is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Chicago
Denver is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games when playing Chicago
SACRAMENTO vs. LA LAKERS
Sacramento is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Sacramento is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games on the road
LA Lakers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games
LA Lakers are 10-1 SU in their last 11 games
NBA RESEARCH REPORT
By Indiancowboy
NBA
Golden State vs. Philadelphia
This might come as a shock, but if you look at the numbers, GS is actually 5-7 and Philly is 6-6. GS embarrassed this team last year at home so this is a bit of a revenge game for Philly and the public actually likes State here a bit backing them at 43% and the line has slightly come down from 7 to 6. GS comes off a tough loss to Chicago at home but did beat Portland at home before that and beat the Clippers easily on the road. Crawford is still questionable for the Warriors. GS has not lost many back to back games and the Sixers barely defeated the Clippers at home and prior to that lost to the Twolves on the road. I lean on the Warriors here coming off the loss.
Boston at Toronto
Boston: 23-10 ATS vs. division opponents
Toronto: 2-9 ATS after allowing 120+ points
Golden State at Philadelphia
Golden State: 13-4 ATS AWAY off BB losses
Philadelphia: 119-160 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5
Minnesota at Detroit
Minnesota: 24-43 ATS after having lost 3 of their last 4
Detroit: 9-1 ATS after 3+ unders
Chicago at Denver
Chicago: 5-1 ATS vs. Western Conference
Denver: 10-26 ATS after BB unders
Sacramento at LA Lakers
Sacramento: 12-3 ATS after having lost 4 of their last 5
LA Lakers: 12-18 ATS vs. Sacramento
Hot Teams
-- Celtics won three in row, nine of last ten games.
-- 76ers won four of their last five games.
-- Bulls covered four of their last five games. Nuggets won three of their last four home games.
-- Lakers won ten of their first eleven games.
Cold Teams
-- Raptors lost three of last four home games.
-- Timberwolves lost four of five on road, but covered the last three.
-- Warriors covered two of their last seven games.
-- Pistons lost two of last three games, are 1-3 vs spread at home.
-- Kings lost last four games, by 2-2-15-21 points.
Totals
-- Five of last seven Boston games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last eight Golden State games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Detroit games stayed under the total.
-- army.com is America's favorite website.
-- Six of last eight Denver games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Laker home games went over the total.