Philadelphia 76ers vs. Detroit Pistons
The fans at The Palace of Auburn Hills will be treated to a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Detroit Pistons when they take their seats on Sunday.
The 76ers took control late in the fourth quarter and pulled out a 97-94 victory over the Nets on Friday. The 76ers failed to cover the 12-point spread, while that game's combined score went UNDER the posted total of 194.
Louis Williams led the 76ers with 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
Charlie Villanueva collected a game-high 28 points in the Pistons 110-101 loss to the Magic on Friday. The Pistons were 13-point underdogs, while the 211 points sailed OVER that game's posted total of 192.
Current streak:
Detroit has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Philadelphia: 3-2 SU, 2-3 ATS
Detroit: 2-4 SU, 3-3 ATS
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Phoenix are 8-2
After playing New Jersey are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Charlotte are 7-3
After playing Orlando are 5-5
After a loss are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Philadelphia's last 15 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Philadelphia's last 10 games
Philadelphia is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games
Philadelphia is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Detroit's last 9 games
Detroit is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Detroit is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games when playing Philadelphia
Next up:
Philadelphia home to Phoenix, Monday, November 9
Detroit home to Charlotte, Wednesday, November 11
Phoenix Suns vs. Washington Wizards
The Phoenix Suns and the Washington Wizards will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Verizon Center.
Jason Richardson poured in a game-high 34 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double on Friday, leading the Suns in a 110-103 upset win over the Celtics. The Suns won the game as 10.5-point underdogs, and the 213 points made it OVER the posted total of 206.5.
Amare Stoudemire had 22 points and seven rebounds in that game.
The Wizards were toppled 102-86 by the Pacers on Friday, as 1.5-point underdogs. That game's 188 points went UNDER the night's posted total of 209.
Caron Butler netted 24 points with 12 rebounds in a double-double for the Wizards.
Current streak:
Washington has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Phoenix: 5-1 SU, 4-2 ATS
Washington: 2-4 SU, 2-4 ATS
Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 8-2
Before playing Philadelphia are 6-4
After playing Boston are 8-2
After a win are 6-4
Washington most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 3-7
Before playing Miami are 4-6
After playing Indiana are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Phoenix is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
Phoenix is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Phoenix is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Phoenix is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Washington's last 15 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Next up:
Phoenix at Philadelphia, Monday, November 9
Washington at Miami, Tuesday, November 10
Orlando Magic vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
The fans at Ford Center will be treated to a game between the Orlando Magic and the Oklahoma City Thunder when they take their seats on Sunday.
Dwight Howard dropped 22 points to go with 12 rebounds for a double-double on Friday, leading the Magic in a 110-101 victory over the Pistons. The Magic failed to cover the 13-point spread, while the 211 points sailed OVER that game's posted total of 192.
Jameer Nelson and Matt Barnes tossed in 18 points apiece in the win.
The Thunder were defeated 105-94 by the Rockets last time out, as 6.5-point underdogs. That game's 199 points made it OVER the posted total of 188.5.
Russell Westbrook collected a game-high 33 points in a losing effort.
Current streak:
Orlando has won 2 straight games.
Oklahoma City has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Orlando: 5-1 SU, 4-2 ATS
Oklahoma City: 2-3 SU, 3-2 ATS
Orlando most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Charlotte are 4-6
After playing Detroit are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
Oklahoma City most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 3-7
Before playing Sacramento are 4-6
After playing Houston are 3-7
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Orlando's last 7 games when playing Oklahoma City
Orlando is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Orlando's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Oklahoma City's last 7 games when playing Orlando
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Oklahoma City's last 15 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 7 games when playing at home against Orlando
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Oklahoma City's last 12 games
Next up:
Orlando at Charlotte, Tuesday, November 10
Oklahoma City at Sacramento, Tuesday, November 10
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Portland Trail Blazers
The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Portland Trail Blazers will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Rose Garden.
The Timberwolves fell 87-72 to the Bucks last time out, as 2.5-point favorites. That game's 159 points went UNDER the posted total of 189.
Jonny Flynn had 20 points from 9-for-17 shooting in the loss.
The Trail Blazers got out to an early lead and went on to defeat the Spurs 96-84 on Friday. The Trail Blazers covered the 4-point spread, while the teams played UNDER the posted total of 185.5.
Brandon Roy led the Trail Blazers with 24 points and five rebounds from 9-for-15 shooting in that victory.
Current streak:
Minnesota has lost 5 straight games.
Team records:
Minnesota: 1-5 SU, 3-2-1 ATS
Portland: 3-3 SU, 3-3 ATS
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Golden State are 2-8
After playing Milwaukee are 5-5
After a loss are 3-7
Portland most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Memphis are 4-6
After playing San Antonio are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Minnesota is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Minnesota's last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Portland's last 5 games at home
Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Portland's last 10 games
Next up:
Minnesota at Golden State, Monday, November 9
Portland at Memphis, Tuesday, November 10
New Orleans Hornets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The New Orleans Hornets and the Los Angeles Lakers will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at STAPLES Center.
The Hornets were upset 107-90 by the Raptors last time out, as 4.5-point favorites. That game's 197 points went UNDER the posted total of 206.5.
Chris Paul had 21 points with seven rebounds and 18 assists in that loss.
The Lakers dominated the second half and ran away with a 114-98 victory over the Grizzlies on Friday. The Lakers covered the 9.5-point spread, while the 212 points made it OVER the posted total of 210.5.
Kobe Bryant led the way with a game-high 41 points, and Ron Artest added 19 in that win.
Current streak:
Los Angeles has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
New Orleans: 2-4 SU, 2-4 ATS
Los Angeles: 5-1 SU, 1-5 ATS
New Orleans most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 3-7
Before playing LA Clippers are 5-5
After playing Toronto are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Phoenix are 6-4
After playing Memphis are 8-2
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
New Orleans is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 7 of New Orleans's last 8 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Orleans's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Orleans's last 7 games when playing LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of the LA Lakers last 8 games when playing at home against New Orleans
LA Lakers are 19-3 SU in their last 22 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of the LA Lakers last 11 games at home
Next up:
New Orleans at LA Clippers, Monday, November 9
LA Lakers home to Phoenix, Thursday, November 12
Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings
The fans at ARCO Arena will be treated to a game between the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings when they take their seats on Sunday.
The Warriors were defeated 118-90 by the Clippers last time out, as 4.5-point favorites. That game's combined score went UNDER the posted total of 216.
Anthony Randolph collected a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds in the loss.
The Kings were dominated in the fourth quarter and held on for a 104-99 victory over the Jazz last time out, as 15-point underdogs. That game's 203 points fell UNDER the posted total of 206.5.
Tyreke Evans led the Kings with a game-high 32 points, and Jason Thompson grabbed 11 rebounds.
Team records:
Golden State: 1-3 SU, 1-3 ATS
Sacramento: 2-4 SU, 3-3 ATS
Golden State most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Minnesota are 7-3
After playing LA Clippers are 2-8
After a loss are 3-7
Sacramento most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Oklahoma City are 4-6
After playing Utah are 1-9
After a win are 0-10
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Golden State's last 11 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Golden State's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Golden State's last 18 games on the road
Golden State is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Sacramento's last 11 games when playing at home against Golden State
Sacramento is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Sacramento's last 5 games at home
Sacramento is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Golden State
Next up:
Golden State home to Minnesota, Monday, November 9
Sacramento home to Oklahoma City, Tuesday, November 10
NBA Round-Up for Sunday
By Dan Bebe
Quite a day for the public in the NBA, yesterday. Without digging into totals, we can say with certainty they lost with Denver, they lost with Boston, Utah, the Clippers, and Chicago, and the other two games were split 50/50. So, by my count, the public went a solid 0-5-2, if you can count split money as a push.
But most days won't go like that, and it makes you think that today, or some day very soon, the public is due to hit a few, since they DO generally hit a shade under 50%. We just need to keep our eyes open for the right opportunity to join 'em, but until then, it's always the safer play to avoid games where we see the public betting a team in greater than 80% of situations.
Sports Wagering
Pistons/Sixers - This line is currently OFF, and while I'd normally wait to write this little Roundup until the lines are released, with a full slate of NFL today, and this game's start time as 1pm eastern, there just simply isn't time to wait. The Sixers barely squeaked by the severely undermanned Nets at home, so my guess is that oddsmakers aren't currently thinking too highly of them. The Pistons had a nice home win over the Magic last week, but got creamed in Toronto and then in a rematch in Orlando, so they probably won't be getting much credit, either. When it all shakes out, I figure the Sixers talent advantage will make the difference in oddsmakers' power rankings, and we should see a pretty short line on this one, maybe even a pick. The part where oddsmakers need to use a little more math is on the total, since Detroit likes to play a slower, half-court game, and the Sixers like to get out on the break and use their winged humans to score near the bucket. I think they'll lay the total somewhere in between where the two teams want it, and we'll see a number in the high 180's. Time will tell, and I promise to post some thoughts closer to game-time, when we get to see the official line.
Wizards/Suns - The Suns are laying a point on the road to Washington, a line that smells a little fishy. Phoenix is coming off a road win over the Celtics, while the Wizards have lost three straight. Yet, despite the perception of both teams being so disparate, the Wizards are only dogs by a single point. You can bet your gluteus the public is going to be coming in HARD on the Suns, and if this line doesn't move much, we may have a great spot to take the Wizards. Phoenix is near the end of their road trip, and we've already seen this year how poorly teams play when they're finishing up a relatively meaningless early-season roadie. The total is at 214.5, somewhat low given both of these teams like to shoot early in the clock. Strong lean to the Wizards, and slight lean to the Over.
Thunder/Magic - This line is OFF right now, as well, though at least the game isn't until 7pm eastern, so we'll have some time to react to the numbers the books put out. The Magic should definitely be laying a few points on the road, and they've proven to be a very resilient road club over the last year-plus. Line should be near 7. Rather than run in circles with a total that hasn't been released, let's save our time for NFL and just wait on that one.
Kings/Warriors - The Kings are getting 5 points at home with a total of 216.5. This line feels significantly off, with the Warriors really not good enough to lay 5 points on the road to anyone in the NBA. The Kings, meanwhile, lost Kevin Martin for an extended period, then promptly went on the road, and beat Utah despite being 15 point underdogs. They did play last night, so some of the energy might be missing, but the Kings are playing with the "lost-comrade" adrenaline right now. This is a great time to back Sacramento, then we'll jump on the fade train when the Kevin Martin loss catches up with them. The total feels a tad low, as well. Both teams are going to want to get that rock up near the basket as fast as humanly possible, and the only reason we're seeing this number below 220 is because Sacramento played last night, and oddsmakers feel their jumpshots might be an inch or two short.
Blazers/Wolves - Minnesota heads to the Pacific Northwest, and gets a chunky 13.5 points at the Rose Garden with a total of just 183.5. Minnesota has not looked impressive at all in the early-going, so this side is yelling at me to avoid it at all costs, but I do believe we can find some value in the total. Portland plays very slow, defensive games, and the Wolves do NOT have the personnel to push the tempo, relying heavily on Al Jefferson to stay in games. Minnesota's defense isn't all that impressive, but Portland just simply will not push the pace, even to get easy buckets, and I believe the total stays in the 170's, with the Blazers holding the Wolves to a team total in the low 80's. Slight lean to the Under.
Lakers/Hornets - Another line not yet posted, so what else is new? The Hornets had one solid game against the Mavericks, picking up something of a miracle win, then came right back with another dud, getting spanked on their home floor by a Raptors club that just simply isn't that good on the road. Now, the Hornets roll into LA to take on a Lakers club that, even without both of their big men, finds ways to win. You know Chris Paul will put on a show in LA, and you know the Hornets will bring their A-game to face the Champs, but at the end of the day, the Lakers just won't be beat by a club with only 2 guys worth guarding. Lakers will be favored by a handful in this one, and I see them winning this one by a closer margin than they should, as usual. The total, if the Lakers are indeed beginning to shoot the ball better, should be near 200.
Fantasy Advice
John Salmons - He has been dropped in some Leagues due to a very slow start, but Salmons is a proven scorer, and last night he showed that he's capable of posting a solid game even in a game with a total in the 180's. 27 points, 7 boards, 6 assists and 3 steals is enough to get anyone's fantasy juices flowing.
Joakim Noah - With Tyrus Thomas going down due to a weight-lifting incident, Noah stepped up his play inside, bopping the Bobcats for 21 points and 16 boards. He should be a solid source of defensive stats while Thomas remains out, and his minutes should get a nice little 5-6 boost, as well, since Brad Miller is the only other legitimate big guy on Chicago's roster.