Sunday's NBA Tip Sheet
By Brad Young
**Celtics at Suns**
-Las Vegas Sports Consultants installed Boston as a slight one-point road ‘chalk’ over Phoenix, with the total set at 226. ABC Sports will provide coverage of this contest beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET.
-Boston (44-12 straight up, 31-25 against the spread) takes the court for the first time since suffering Thursday’s setback to Utah as a 2 ½-point road favorite, 90-85. The combined 175 points never seriously threatened the 200-point closing total. The ‘under’ has cashed the Celtics’ past three games.
-Boston won the rebounding battle, 43-35, while shooting 44 percent (31-of-71) from the field. Four starters reached double digits in scoring, while Kevin Garnett managed just eight points before going down with an injury. Paul Pierce paced the offense with 20 points and nine rebounds in the loss.
-The Celtics are 20-8 SU and 15-13 ATS on the road, with the ‘under’ going a solid 20-8. Boston has been winning its road endeavors by an average score of 96-91. The Celtics continue their six-game road trip after this contest with games against Denver and the Los Angeles Clippers.
-Phoenix (31-23 SU, 20-32 ATS) is currently riding a three-game SU and ATS winning streak after routing Oklahoma City Friday as an eight-point home ‘chalk,’ 140-118. The combined 258 points soared past the 230 ½-point closing total, enabling the ‘over’ to cash the fourth consecutive contest.
-The Suns were outrebounded by the Thunder, 47-40, but prevailed by shooting a robust 58 percent (53-of-91) from the field and 55 percent (12-of-22) from behind the arc. Leandro Barbosa stepped up with 41 points and seven assists, while Jason Richardson added 34 and five rebounds.
-Phoenix has gone 16-10 SU at home, but is just 9-16 ATS by winning those affairs by an average score of 109-103. The Suns conclude a three-game homestand Monday against Charlotte.
-Boston has won the last two meetings with Phoenix SU and ATS after prevailing January 19 as an 8 ½-point home favorite, 104-87.
-Boston forward Kevin Garnett (knee) is ‘out’ for the next 2-3 weeks, while guard Tony Allen (thumb) is also ‘out’ versus the Suns. Phoenix forward Amare Stoudemire (eye) is ‘out’ indefinitely.
**Heat at Magic**
-LVSC opened Orlando as a nine-point home favorite over Miami, with the total listed at 191. ESPN will provide coverage of this contest beginning at 5:35 p.m. ET.
-Miami (29-25 SU, 25-28 ATS) has alternated SU wins and losses its last six games after knocking off Philadelphia Saturday as a 3 ½-point home ‘chalk,’ 97-91. The combined 188 points landed directly on the closing total.
-The Heat were outrebounded by the Sixers, 42-38, but won by connecting at a 51-percent clip (38-of-74) from the field. Guard Dwyane Wade had 25 points and nine assists in the victory, while center Jermaine O’Neal added 17 and 10 rebounds.
-Miami is a modest 11-15 SU and 13-12 ATS away from home, with the ‘under’ going 14-12. The Heat have been dropping their road endeavors by an average score of 100-97. Miami is in the midst of a five-game stetch that has the team alternating home and away games.
-Orlando (40-14 SU, 34-19 ATS) has alternated SU wins and losses its last nine games after upending Charlotte Friday night as a 2 ½-point road ‘chalk,’ 92-80. The Magic had dropped three games in a row ATS before covering against the Bobcats. The combined 172 points went ‘under’ the 188-point closing total, ending back-to-back ‘over’ outings.
-Orlando lost the rebounding battle, 45-42, but prevailed by shooting 43 percent (31-of-73) from the field. Forward Hedo Turkoglu accounted for 24 points and seven rebounds in the victory, while center Dwight Howard contributed 13 and 16.
-The Magic sport a solid 21-6 SU and 16-11 ATS home ledger, with the ‘over’ going 16-11. Orlando has been winning its home endeavors by an average score of 101-91. The Magic embark on a two-game road trip against Chicago and New York after this contest.
-Miami had lost nine games in a row to Orlando SU (1-7-1 ATS) before beating the Magic Jan. 24 as a 7 ½-point home underdog, 103-97. The combined 200 points went ‘over’ the 193-point closing total, ending back-to-back ‘under’ outings in this series.
-Miami forward Dorell Wright (knee) is ‘doubtful’ against the Magic, while guard James Jones (hand) is ‘out.’ Orlando forward Rashard Lewis (facial) is ‘probable’ versus the Heat, while guard/forward Mickael Pietrus (wrist) is ‘doubtful.’
**Pistons at Cavaliers**
-LVSC lists Cleveland as a 10-point home ‘chalk’ over Detroit, with the total set at 181. ESPN starts its coverage of this Central Division matchup at 8:00 p.m. ET.
-Detroit (27-26 SU, 20-33 ATS) begins a brutal five-game road trip trying to snap out of its current five-game SU and ATS losing skid. The Pistons continued their downward spiral with Thursday’s setback to San Antonio as a one-point home favorite, 83-79. The combined 162 points never seriously threatened the 180-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ cash the second game in a row.
-Detroit shot 40 percent (33-of-82) from the field, but just 17 percent (2-of-12) from 3-point land. Allen Iverson netted 31 points on 13-of-28 shooting, while Antonio McDyess added 13 and 13 rebounds.
-The Pistons are 13-11 SU and ATS away from home, with the ‘under’ going 14-10. Detroit has seen an average score of 94-94 during its road endeavors. The Pistons follow this game by traveling to Miami, New Orleans, Orlando and Boston.
-Cleveland (42-11 SU, 35-18 ATS) has strung together three consecutive victories SU and ATS after outlasting Milwaukee Friday night as a 7 ½-point road favorite, 111-103. The combined 214 points eclipsed the 196 ½-point closing total, helping the ‘over’ improve to 2-1 the past three games.
-The Cavaliers were on the short end of the rebounding battle, 39-33, but prevailed by shooting 51 percent (38-of-75) from the field and 50-percent (13-of-26) from behind the arc. LeBron James led all scorers with 55 points and nine assists, while Mo Williams added 23 and six.
-Cleveland is a stellar 24-1 SU and 19-6 ATS on its home court, with the ‘over’ going a modest 13-12. The Cavs have been winning their home games by an average score of 105-90.
-Cleveland beat Detroit in the last meeting February 1 as a 4 ½-point road ‘chalk,’ 90-80, ending a three-game SU and ATS losing streak in this series. The combined 170 points failed to topple the 180-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ cash the sixth straight game in this series.
-Cleveland guard Delonte West (wrist) is ‘doubtful’ versus the Pistons.
vegasinsider.com
CHICAGO vs. INDIANA
Chicago is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Chicago is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
Indiana is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Chicago
Indiana is 20-3 SU in its last 23 games when playing at home against Chicago
NEW YORK vs. TORONTO
New York is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
New York is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Toronto is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing New York
Toronto is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games when playing New York
BOSTON vs. PHOENIX
Boston is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
Boston is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games on the road
Phoenix is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Boston
Phoenix is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Boston
CHARLOTTE vs. HOUSTON
Charlotte is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Houston
Charlotte is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston
Houston is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
DENVER vs. MILWAUKEE
Denver is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Denver is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Milwaukee is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Denver
Milwaukee is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Denver
MIAMI vs. ORLANDO
Miami is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
Miami is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Orlando is 4-0-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Miami
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Miami
LA CLIPPERS vs. PORTLAND
LA Clippers are 2-11 ATS in their last 13 games
LA Clippers are 5-20 SU in their last 25 games
Portland is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Clippers
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Portland's last 8 games when playing LA Clippers
LA LAKERS vs. MINNESOTA
LA Lakers are 10-1 SU in their last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of the LA Lakers last 12 games
Minnesota is 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games when playing LA Lakers
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
DETROIT vs. CLEVELAND
Detroit is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Cleveland
Detroit is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games when playing Cleveland
Cleveland is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
Cleveland is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games
What bettors need to know: Celtics at Suns
By VICTOR RYAN
Boston Celtics at Phoenix Suns (-2, 225)
Men Down
Both teams will be without the services of starting All-Stars for this one. The Suns lost leading scorer Amare Stoudemire for the season this past week after undergoing surgery to repair a torn retina and the Celtics will be without Kevin Garnett because of a knee injury suffered in Boston’s 90-85 loss at Utah Thursday.
The injury to Stoudemire is a particularly large blow to the Suns, who have come out of the All-Star break 3-0 and playing high-octane ball for interim coach Alvin Gentry. The run-and-gun style employed by the Suns in past seasons was immediately reinstalled by Gentry and resulted in outputs of at least 140 points a game in the three wins.
Friday’s 140-118 win over Oklahoma City was the Suns’ first since Stoudemire was lost for the year. The Suns are clinging to the hope their wide-open style will help offset the loss of their top player.
“We’re a deep team. We’re going to keep running and that style is going to get us a win sometimes,” forward Matt Barnes told local media.
Still, the timing of the injury couldn’t have been worse. It comes just after the trade deadline and leaves the Suns, who sent forward Boris Diaw packing in December, woefully thin on the front line.
General manager Steve Kerr didn’t downplay the loss.
“Our team obviously is feeling very good about things, just about the way the last couple of games have gone, and this is a major blow,' he told the Associated Press.
Garnett returned to Boston to have his knee examined this weekend and it was discovered he had a strained muscle behind his right knee. Boston plans to take a very cautious approach and sit its All-Star for at least two weeks.
"I'd rather see what we can do without him these (next) couple of games, try to get him healthy and then go from there," coach Doc Rivers told the local press.
Slow into stride
The Celtics have played just once in 10 days and they looked rusty during the Friday loss against Utah. They committed 19 turnovers and were just 19-for-29 from the foul line to snap a three-game winning streak. Recent history says we should expect a much better performance from the Celtics today. Boston is 5-0 ATS in its last five games with two days rest.
Put to the test
The Suns ran it up against a couple of NBA weaklings last week in the Clippers and Thunder. The defending champs come to town now. Boston ranks among the league leaders in most defensive categories and it will be interesting to see whether the Suns return to wide-open basketball can pass the grade. Even with Garnett out, this could go a long way in proving whether the revitalized Suns can make a serious postseason push. Currently they are on the outside of the Western Conference playoff picture.
Head to head
Boston pasted the Suns 104-87 at the Garden in the last matchup Jan 19. Boston, favored by 8.5 in the contest, led by as many as 35 points and rested its starters the entire fourth quarter. Stoudemire was held to just three points on 0-for-7 shooting.
“They put on a clinic for us,” Suns guard Steve Nash said after the game.
More betting trends
-Boston is 4-1 ATS in the last five games in Phoenix.
-The road team is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 games of this series.
-The over is 4-0 in the Suns last four overall.
Hot Teams
-- Bulls won seven of last ten games, are 9-1-1 in last eleven.
-- Knicks are 2-0 since All-Star break, covered 12 of their last 15 games.
-- Bobcats covered five of their last six games. Rockets won four of their last five games.
-- Nuggets won seven of their last nine games.
-- Magic won four of their last five games.
-- Portland won four of its last five games.
-- Lakers won three in row, 10 of last 11 games.
-- Cavaliers won three in row, seven of last nine games.
Cold Teams
-- Pacers are 0-4 vs spread in game after their last four wins.
-- Raptors lost nine of their last ten games.
-- Celtics split last six games, are without Garnett now.
-- Bucks are 3-4 in their last seven home games.
-- Heat lost three of their last four road games.
-- Clippers lost ten of their last thirteen games.
-- Minnesota lost six of its last seven games.
-- Pistons lost last five games, are 0-9 vs spread in last nine.
Totals
-- Seven of last eight Chicago games went over the total.
-- Knicks' last ten games all went over the total.
-- Last Phoenix games went over the total.
-- Last three Charlotte road games all went over the total.
-- Four of last five Denver games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 6-3-1 in Miami's last ten games.
-- Nine of last ten Clipper games went over the total.
-- Nine of last twelve Laker games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Detroit games went over the total.
Back-to Back
-- Pacers are 8-5-1 vs spread if they play again the next day.
-- Knicks are 4-4 vs spread if they play again the next night.
-- Celtics are 8-4 vs spread if they play again the next night.
-- Denver is 8-3-1 vs spread if it plays again the next night.
-- Miami is 3-8 vs spread if it played the day/night before.
-- Clippers are 6-4-1 vs spread if they play again the next night.
Tips and Trends
Boston Celtics at Phoenix Suns
Celtics: Boston's defense will be tested without All-Star Kevin Garnett, who will miss 2-3 weeks with a strained muscle behind his right knee. Garnett's absence should make it easier for the Suns to run-and-gun, as the Celtics will be hard-pressed to stay on course with their season average of just 92 points allowed per game. However, if this turns out to be a game decided by guards, Boston still might have an advantage. The Celtics are a perfect 9-0 this season when point guard Rajon Rondo scores 18 points or more.
Celtics are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 road games.
The UNDER is 3-0 in Boston's last 3 games overall.
Key Injuries - F Kevin Garnett (knee) is OUT.
PROJECTED SCORE: 110
Suns (-2, O/U 222): Phoenix has scored 140 points or more in all three games played since the All-Star break, thanks in part to interim head coach Alvin Gentry. The Suns did not miss Amare Stoudemire in a 140-118 win over Oklahoma City on Friday, but they certainly could use him against the Celtics. Stoudemire is expected to miss the rest of the season with a detached retina, and this meeting with Boston could be played to a much different tempo. “I can promise you we are not going to get 140 Sunday, not against Boston,” said Gentry.
Suns are 3-0 ATS in their last 3 games overall.
The OVER is 4-0 in Phoenix's last 4 games overall.
Key Injuries - F Amare Stoudemire (eye) is OUT.
F Grant Hill (foot) is questionable.
PROJECTED SCORE: 112
Miami Heat at Orlando Magic
Heat: Miami could be a dangerous team in the second half of the season if newly acquired big man Jermaine O'Neal plays up to his potential. O'Neal improved in his second game with the Heat on Saturday, totaling 17 points and 10 rebounds in a 97-91 win over Philadelphia after scoring 13 in his debut on Wednesday. “I felt so much more comfortable tonight than I felt the previous night,” O’Neal said. “I’ve been working hard and we feel like we have a chance to keep building from here.”
Heat are 2-8-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
The UNDER is 7-3 in Miami's last 10 games vs. Southeast Division.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 89 (UNDER - Total Play of the Day)
Magic (-9, O/U 192): Rafer Alston's first game with Orlando shouldn't be judged on how many points he scored, as the veteran point guard contributed in several other ways during a 92-80 win at Charlotte on Friday. Alston was dealt to the Magic at the trade deadline as a replacement for the injured Jameer Nelson and scored only three points on 1-of-9 shooting. But he did dish out eight assists with just one turnover while totaling three steals. “Everywhere I looked, I had a weapon to pass it to,” Alston said. “I think point guards in this league would love to be in that situation. Everywhere you turn, you’ve got a guy who can flat-out shoot it or can drive it and finish.”
Magic are 24-10 ATS in their last 34 games overall.
The UNDER is 12-5 in Orlando's last 17 home games.
Key Injuries - G Jameer Nelson (shoulder) is OUT.
F Rashard Lewis (head) is probable.
G Mickael Pietrus (wrist) is questionable.
PROJECTED SCORE: 98
Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers
Pistons: Detroit will look to avoid losing six straight for the first time in more than five years following an 83-79 setback at home on Thursday. “We lost again,” Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey said. “I don’t know. I really can’t explain anything anymore. We just keep losing, and now we’ve got some great teams to play.” The Pistons are just 2-10 at The Palace of Auburn Hills since January 13th but have surprisingly won four of the last five regular-season meetings at Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena.
Pistons are 1-11 ATS in their last 12 Sunday games.
The UNDER is 12-3 in Detroit's last 15 Sunday games.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 82
Cavs (-9, O/U 180): Cleveland star LeBron James is coming off another unreal performance on Friday in a 111-103 win at Milwaukee, making insiders wonder what he will do for an encore. James totaled 55 points and also dished out nine assists, hitting a career-best eight 3-pointers in the process. He scored 24 points in the third quarter alone, including 16 in a stretch of less than three minutes. “Just got in the zone, man,” James said. “I saw a few go down, so I just kept going at it, man. Every shot that I made tonight, every shot that we all made tonight, we needed.”
Cavs are 22-6 ATS in their last 28 home games.
The UNDER is 7-1 in Cleveland's last 8 games vs. Eastern Conference.
Key Injuries - G Delonte West (wrist) is day-to-day.
F Sasha Pavlovic (ankle) is OUT.
PROJECTED SCORE: 98 (Side Play of the Day)