NBA News and Notes Sunday 2/28

What Bettors Need To Know: NBA on ABC
By RICKY DIMON

Phoenix Suns at San Antonio Spurs (-4, 209.5)

The Suns also rise

Phoenix (37-23, 34-26 ATS) has been on fire since the All-Star break. The Suns are 6-1 (6-1 ATS) to start the second half and they have not only won five straight games, but they have also covered the spread in five consecutive outings.

Although the team is known for its offense, Phoenix has actually been doing its damage on the other end of the floor. The Suns held three of their first four opponents since the break to fewer than 100 points, but after beating Philadelphia 102-95 Wednesday, they outscored the Clippers 125-112 Friday.

Coach Alvin Gentry hopes his squad regains its defensive prowess for Sunday’s trip to San Antonio.

“It was a good win, but on defense, not so good,” Gentry said after the win over Los Angeles. “They had a lot of penetration and we didn't do a good job keeping them out of the paint.”

Home sweet home

The Spurs recently completed their annual “Rodeo trip”, an eight-game trek across the nation due to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo taking over the AT&T Center. They went 4-4 (2-6 ATS) during the trip and have played just one home game since January 31 - a 95-87 win over Oklahoma City Wednesday.

While the Spurs are a disappointing 12-14 (10-16 ATS) on the road, they are 20-10 (16-13-1 ATS) with home-court advantage. In keeping with the trend, San Antonio traveled to Houston Friday and lost 109-104.

Still, not all is well with the Spurs (32-24, 26-29-1 ATS) even though they are at home Sunday. Tony Parker missed last Sunday’s game with a hip problem and now he is dealing with food poisoning which kept him out against the Rockets. Parker (16.5 ppg, 5.8 apg) is listed as day-to-day and his status is uncertain.

Prior engagement

The Suns and Spurs have met just once this season, back on December 15. A 2-point underdog despite playing at home, Phoenix prevailed 116-104 behind 28 points from Amare Stoudemire, who led five Suns in double figures. Tim Duncan controlled the paint to the tune of 34 points and 14 rebounds, but Manu Ginobili and Parker combined to shoot a mere 6-for-19 from the floor.

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The Suns are 6-1 ATS in their last seven road games and 5-1 ATS in their last six outings as underdogs.

The Spurs are 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall and 1-4 ATS in their last five as favorites.

Phoenix (25-33-2 O/U) has been a solid under play so far this season, while San Antonio has been decent in the same department (25-30-1 O/U). The under is 9-2 in the Suns’ last 11 overall and 5-1 in their last six road games; the under is also 5-1 in the Spurs’ last six against the Western Conference.

Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers (-6, 208.5)

Curious George

Denver head coach George Karl missed his first game of the season due to cancer treatment, but he said prior to Thursday night’s contest at Golden State that he would watch from his living room with no sharp objects in the vicinity.

“I can’t drink, so I’ll probably walk away a few times,” Karl told reporters. “I’ll be cussing at my family instead of my coaches.”

Karl did not have to cuss at all, as the Nuggets (39-19, 27-28-3 ATS) maintained their fine form and hammered the Warriors 127-122. With Karl back one day later, Denver took care of business at home against Detroit, 107-102. Karl’s team has now won three in a row and four of five since the All-Star break.

While it does not seem to matter who is roaming the sidelines as head man, it is worth noting that Karl will be in command for Sunday’s showdown at Los Angeles.

Kobe doin’ work

A high ankle sprain that kept Kobe Bryant out of action for four games (two before the All-Star break and two after) appears to be a thing of the past. Kobe scored 32 points in his first night back and contributed 19 points in a 99-90 home win over Philadelphia.

But he could have gone for far more.

“If they needed me to go off, I could have,” Kobe assured.

Of course, they did not need him to go off, not with a strong supporting cast that improved in Kobe’s absence. Consider the following lines against the Sixers: Pau Gasol had 23 points and 11 rebounds, Andrew Bynum added 20 and 13 and Lamar Odom chipped in 11 points while grabbing nine boards.

With the trio of big men in fine form the Lakers (44-15, 25-32-2 ATS), Denver better hope Kenyon Martin is back from a knee injury. Martin missed Friday’s game and is listed as questionable.

Prior engagements

This will be the third meeting this season between the two teams and the Lakers are looking for a first win in three tries against their Western Conference rivals. A 4-point home favorite on November 13, Denver destroyed Los Angeles 105-79. Without Carmelo, the Nuggets then went into the Staples Center as 8-point underdogs on February 5 and came away with a 126-113 victory.

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The Nuggets are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six road games and 18-6-2 ATS in their last 26 games as underdogs.

The Lakers are 0-5 ATS in their last five overall and 1-5-1 ATS in their last seven outings at home.

Denver (29-29 O/U) has not been a strong over/under play this season, while Los Angeles (26-32-1 O/U) has been a decent under play. The over is 4-1 in Denver’s last five overall, but the under is 7-1 in LA’s last eight overall and 4-0 in the team’s last four home games. The under is also 11-4 in the last 15 meetings between the two Western Conference contenders.

Denver is just 4-12 ATS in its last 16 road games against the Lakers.

Phoenix (37-23, 34-26 ATS) at San Antonio (32-24, 26-29-1 ATS)

The Suns take aim at their sixth straight victory when they visit the AT&T Center in for a matchup with the struggling Spurs, who have lost three of four.

Phoenix beat up the Clippers in the desert on Friday, winning 125-112 and extending a late lead to cash as a 9½-point chalk, the team’s fifth-straight win and cover. The Suns got a huge game from center Robin Lopez who had a career-high 30 points on 13-for-16 from the field, and pulled down 12 rebounds. Phoenix is 6-1 (SU and ATS) since the All-Star break, including 2-1 on the highway. The SU winner has covered the pointspread in 15 straight Suns games and 19 of the last 20.

San Antonio is coming off Friday’s 109-104 loss at Houston as a 3½-point road chalk as it played without the services of point guard Tony Parker who is listed as questionable for today after a bout with food poisoning. The Spurs have dropped 11 of 19 games overall, going 6-13 ATS during this stretch.

In the lone clash between these teams this season, Phoenix scored a 116-104 home win back on Dec. 15, easily cashing as a two-point favorite. The win snapped a three-game SU and ATS San Antonio winning streak in the series. The Spurs are 5-3-1 ATS in the last nine head-to-head meetings.

The Suns are riding a plethora of positive ATS runs, including 6-1 on the road, 9-2 against Western Conference teams, 7-0 after one day off and 4-0 after an ATS win. San Antonio is 8-3-1 ATS in its last 12 games against the Pacific Division, but otherwise is on ATS skids of 0-4 on Sunday, 0-4 after one day off and 1-5 at home against teams with losing road records.

Phoenix is on several “under” streaks, including 9-2 overall, 7-2 against Western Conference teams, 5-1 on the road, 5-1 on Sunday and 7-2 after a spread-cover. It’s also been all “unders” for the Spurs lately as well, including 5-1 against the Pacific Division, 9-2-1 on Sundays, 3-1-1 at home, 7-3-1 after a straight-up loss and 9-4-1 after a non-cover. However, in this rivalry, the “over” has been the play in six of the last 10.

ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER

Denver (39-19, 27-28-3 ATS) at L.A. Lakers (44-15, 25-32-2 ATS)

The Nuggets bring a three-game winning streak with them to the Staples Center in Los Angeles for a Western Conference showdown with the Lakers, who are looking to get past Denver for the first time in three tries this season.

Denver followed up Thursday’s 127-112 whipping of the Warriors in Golden State with Friday’s 107-102 home win over the Pistons but came up short as a 10-point chalk. Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony combined for 49 points to lead the way for the Nuggets, who have won four of their last five games while averaging 112.6 ppg and shooting 47.7 percent from the field.

The Lakers have yet to cover a spread since the All-Star Break (0-5 ATS), including Friday when they beat the Sixers 99-90 but came up short as 11-point home favorites. Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum teamed up for 43 points and 24 rebounds to lead Los Angeles, which has alternated SU wins and losses in its last five games.

After falling to the Lakers in six games (3-3 ATS) in last year’s Western Conference Finals, Denver has won and covered in both matchups this season with the Lakers, including a 126-113 win inside the Staples Center on Feb. 5 as an eight-point pup. Despite that result, the Lakers have dominated the rivalry in Southern California, cashing in 12 of the last 16 clashes.

The Nuggets are just 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight after a straight-up win and just 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight on Sunday, but they are on positive ATS runs of 4-1-1 on the road, 3-0-1 on the road against teams with winning home records and 3-1-1 against Western Conference teams. Los Angeles is 6-1-1 ATS in its last eight Sunday affairs, but otherwise is on negative ATS streaks of 0-5 overall, 1-5-1 at home, 3-7-2 against winning teams and 0-4 following a non-cover.

Denver has stayed below the posted number in 11 of 15 against winning teams, but from there the Nuggets are on “over” runs of 4-1 overall and 4-1 on the road. For the Lakers, the under is on streaks of 7-1 overall, 4-0 at home, 19-5-2 on Sunday, 14-6 against Northwest Division teams and 4-0 after getting a day off. In this rivalry, the “under” is 11-4 in the last 15 clashes overall, including 5-2 inside Staples Center.

ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER

New Orleans (31-28, 30-29 ATS) at Dallas (38-21, 25-34 ATS)

The surging Mavericks look for their seventh straight victory when they welcome the Hornets to American Airlines Center in Dallas.

New Orleans comes in off Friday’s 100-93 come-from-behind win over Orlando as a 4½-point pup. The Hornets trailed by as many as 18 in the third quarter before David West took over the game, scoring 40 points and pulling down 10 rebounds to lead the comeback. New Orleans has dropped three straight on the road (2-1 ATS), including back-to-back losses Tuesday and Wednesday at Cleveland and Milwaukee (1-1 ATS).

Dallas scored a 111-103 overtime win in Atlanta on Friday, cashing as a three-point pup behind the outstanding play of Jason Kidd (19 points, 16 rebounds, 17 assists) and Dirk Nowitzki (37 points, 9 boards). Over their last five, the Mavs are outscoring opponents by nearly eight points per game (99-91.4).

The home team has won five straight in this series, but the Hornets have cashed in three straight and six of the last eight. In November, New Orleans scored a 114-107 overtime home victory, cashing as a four-point chalk and then went to Dallas on Dec. 14 and cashed as 8½-point pups in a 94-90 loss. The favorite is 21-9 ATS in the last 30 meetings.

The Hornets are on several positive pointspread pushes, including 7-1 on the road, 6-0 after a day off, 9-1 on the road against teams with winning home records and 19-7 against winning teams. On the opposite side, the Mavericks are on ATS downturns of 7-16 overall, 8-20 against Western Conference teams, 6-20 at home, 3-10 after a straight-up win, 3-13 after a spread-cover and 1-5 against Southwest Division squads.

New Orleans has topped the total in seven of eight on the road, but it is on “under” runs of 5-2 overall, 4-1 after a day off and 33-16-2 after a straight-up win. Dallas is riding “over” streaks of 9-4 at home, 7-2 after a straight-up win and 4-1 after a spread-cover. In this series, the under has been the play in 11 of the last 13 clashes in the Lone Star State.

ATS ADVANTAGE: NEW ORLEANS

NBA RoundUp For 2/28
By Dan Bebe

Suns @ Spurs - Spurs by 4 with a total of 209.5. This is a tough game to find value, if only because the clear "hotter" team is Phoenix, but the clear "line value" team is the Spurs. Here's what I mean by this: the Suns have won, and covered, 5 consecutive games, so they are straight up rolling. Since Alvin Gentry started putting a slight priority on defense, the Suns have been stepping up their game all around. They're winning at home AND on the road, and as we've all seen a thousand times, winning on the road comes with playing some defense. Hell, on this 5-game winning streak, the Suns have held 3 of those opponents under 100 points! When was the last time you heard about Phoenix pulling that off? We're talking about a team that allows 106.3 ppg to its opponents, on average, and to hold 2 of those 3 teams under 90 is just remarkable. I think anyone that watches Phoenix has to be impressed with what they're showing right now. They're playing with purpose on both ends of the floor, even winning the "Injured Star" game without Steve Nash, and snapping the Thunder's 9-game losing skid in the process. Unfortunately, though, a red hot team like Phoenix doesn't have a great deal of line value anymore. They're a hugely public team in general, and couple that with the winning streak, and unless you really feel the Suns are playing so well that line value doesn't matter, they're a tough bet to make in this outrageously early game. On the Spurs side, San Antonio has been flat-out stinking, covering only 1 of their last 5 games. This is a nice chance for them to make a statement, especially against a team that, prior to the one meeting this year, they had dominated. Of course, Phoenix beat the Spurs 116-104 back in December. Tony Parker is a huge key to this game, and he's questionable from food poisoning, and especially with this early game, the Spurs need to get out to a good start. Very, very tough call on the side, but I have to lean to the red hot team, square as it may be. I also have very weak feelings about the total, but if I had to choose, I'd take a stab at an Under, if only because these teams played to 220 in their only meeting, but the total is right where it was last time.

Nuggets @ Lakers - Los Angeles by 6.5 with a total of 208.5. This is the true monster on tomorrow's card -- the Western Conference Finals rematch, version 3. So far, this year, the Nuggets have dominated the series, showing that the playoff revenge factor is powerful. However, based on what we saw over in the Eastern Conference, with the Cavs smacking the Magic around twice, but Orlando getting a key win in the 3rd meeting of the year, maybe we can expect the same from the Lakers? I'm not sold, but I'm willing to lob a guess out there, that given the way the previous meetings have gone, and given that the Lakers are rolling along to the tune of an 0-5 ATS streak, they aren't looking quite as snazzy as, perhaps, a couple weeks back. Over on the Nuggets side, Denver is sort of bouncing between a couple ATS wins and a few losses. What that means is that this team has officially entered the realm of the elite, another of the teams where bettors would have to pay a premium to bet on them. I have to say, when I first looked at this line, I thought it was a little off-kilter, especially since the last time these teams met in LA, the Lakers were 8-point favorites, the Nuggets were playing without Carmelo, and Chauncey went nuts. Now, as 6.5 point favorites, what we're being told is that Carmelo is playing, and the Lakers actually got 1.5 points stronger in the power rankings since then. I just don't believe that. This line is either off by AT LEAST 1.5 points, or is suckering folks into taking the Nuggets, who are due to drop one to their rivals. It certainly is tough to fade the Nuggets, considering how strong they've been against the best teams in the NBA, but I just can't see them shooting 57% again for the game against a big, strong team like LA. Believe it or not, I think the Lakers win this thing by 8, and I lean to Kobe and his band of maniacs. I think the total is spot on, too, with maybe a slight lean to the Under, given the early start and huge stage.

Bucks @ Hawks - Atlanta by 7 with a total of 191. I'll tell you, I would absolutely LOVE to take Milwaukee and the hefty chunk of points in this one, but one bright red, glowing angle is telling me to stay far, far away from Milwaukee for just one night. And that angle is the fact that they've played on the 24th, 25th, 27th, and now today. And what's more, Milwaukee is on a sick 6-game straight up winning streak, and they have been no worse than 5-0-1 ATS, and as good as 6-0 if you got the line at a good time. So, really, there is no team hotter than the Bucks, yet here they are, rolling into Atlanta, the victim of an overtime rally by the Mavericks, and a team that has failed to cover both home games on their current short, 3-game stint in Hotlanta. I just wish I had any sort of clue which way the public was going to bet on this one. Every once in a while a game comes along where you just don't know what the betting public is going to value more: the name, which would be the Hawks, or the vicious hot-streak, which would be Milwaukee. And generally, when I encounter a spot like this, I just assume that the action is going to be fairly split. I guess we'll know better by morning. In any case, this is another extremely tough spot, and I hate to lean to the favorite yet again, but I just can't back the Bucks on a 4th-in-5 situation, even though Milwaukee is a ridiculous 11-3-1 ATS in back-to-backs. This game feels like a PASS in almost every respect, but I promised I'd at least give a TINY lean for folks to work with, and I just have to look at the home team that isn't completely fatigued. Milwaukee, amazingly, is an Under team on back-to-backs, so I think we're getting some value on the Under, especially with both teams playing a few high-scoring games recently.

Wizards @ Nets - This line is OFF. New Jersey brings their circus home off the huge road upset of the Boston Celtics. And that game alone makes this game a tremendous spot for the Wizards. I suppose my biggest concern here is whether Washington is starting to run a little lower on energy. They rattled off 6 straight covers before dropping home games to the Grizzlies and Knicks, and while those 2 losses only increase Washington's value in the short term, I'm not sure how confident I am that they'll bounce back so quickly. Also, Washington has knocked off Jersey twice this year, once in both locations, so while that is indeed evidence that they can win in Jersey, it's also evidence that Jersey is on double-revenge. I've mentioned in the past that double-revenge doesn't really matter with terrible teams, but I think Jersey takes this one personally given that Washington is in the same "weight class" as they are. Yet another reason the side on this game becomes incredibly difficult to call. When push comes to shove, though, I just can't advocate backing Jersey at home. They have no fans, and when they're going against another low to mid-level opponent at home, and not getting a ton of line value, that lack of any true home court prowess means that those 3 points a home team gets adjusted are probably a waste. So, really, playing low-level teams against the Nets when they're at home is a pretty good bet. I lean Washington. The total is off right now, but I still believe the Nets Over is one of the sneakiest bets in the NBA. Plus, these teams played a 160-point hideous affair in January, and I just can't imagine they drop another of those stank lumps.

Heat @ Magic - This line is OFF.

Raptors @ Thunder - This line is OFF.

Clippers @ Kings - Kings by 3 with a total of 202.5.

Hornets @ Mavericks - Dallas by 8.5 with a total of 200.

NBA Hoops with a Western flavor
By Doug Upstone

Four of the top seven teams in the highly competitive Western Conference will be on display Sunday afternoon before a national television audience. Phoenix starts the day with southwest theme, traveling to face their postseason nemesis San Antonio. Later, two of the three division leaders from the West, Denver and the L.A. Lakers, will meet for a second time this month. This should be two quality contests and who knows; maybe Phil Jackson will give a parabolic dissertation during a break talking to ABC sideline reporter.

Suns are hot

The Phoenix Suns (37-23, 33-26-1 ATS) are at their highest winning percentage in two years and look to make it six wins in a row. Phoenix has won six of seven and is doing it in a way nobody thought possible, with defense. The suddenly defensive-minded Suns have held last seven opponents to 97 points per game, a jaw-dropping 8.2 points below season average. Coach Alvin Gentry is going to hate to see February disappear since his club is 9-2 SU and 9-2 ATS this month, performing like a ruling dictator, with a perfect 9-0 record when leading by 10 points or more in a contest.

Dont dismiss San Antonio (32-24, 26-29-1 ATS) just yet. A measure of a teams strength is their margin of victory. The Spurs might have just the seventh best record in the West, but they are fourth in point differential at +4.o, ahead of division leading Dallas (+2.1). They have blown an uncharacteristic number of leads and suffered defensive meltdowns at inopportune times. This team might not resemble the won that won four NBA titles is nine years, but there core players are still intact, making the Spurs dangerous. San Antonio is just 1-3 in previous four tries and is 22-10 ATS at home after failing to cover three of their last four against the spread over the last three seasons.

Betus.com has the Spurs favored by four points with total of 209.5 and after losing to Houston Friday, is just 1-8 ATS after a division game this season. Phoenix beat the Clippers two days ago 125-112 and is 20-11 ATS after allowing 105 points or more this season.

The opening game is set for 1:00 Eastern with the Suns 4-2-1 ATS in last seven visits.

Revenge is best served cold

The Lakers (44-15, 25-32-2 ATS) lost at the Staples Center just over three weeks ago to Denver 126-113 and will be thinking payback. The great orator coach Jackson, seldom passes up an opportunity to play with opponents minds and recently said, Some of these guys' (the Lakers) sentiment is Utah is going to outplay Denver,". Phil, Phil, Phil.

Los Angeles has been meandering most of the month with 7-4 (3-8 ATS) record and players have wondered aloud about their own effort. Maybe we weren't going to get the ball with the will necessary." -- Pau Gasol, on the Lakers getting outrebounded in Dallas and Memphis this past week.

The Lakers defeated Philadelphia in last contest 99-90 as 11-point favorites and is 3-8 ATS off a home no-cover were the team won straight up as a favorite.

The Nuggets (39-19, 27-28-3 ATS) start a strenuous week, beginning with the Lakers, followed up at Phoenix and home to Oklahoma City. Denver understands the way to beat the Lakers, you have to be more aggressive, limit mistakes and not let them control the lane. In the last contest, they took the game to L.A. shooting 57.1 percent and doing a better job in half court sets in shot selection. Denver comes in 12-1 ATS after three straight games where both teams scored 100 points or more.

L.A. is six-point favorite and total is posted at 208.5. They may have the edge since Denver is 3-11 ATS playing their third game in four days this year. The Lake show is 22-8 UNDER on Sundays since last season. Mark this matchup for 3:30 Eastern.

Tips and Trends

Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers

Nuggets: Denver has won 3 consecutive games SU in route to a season record of 39-19 SU. Denver is currently 2nd in the Western Conference playoff chase, and have the 3rd best record overall in the NBA. The Nuggets have been dealing with the emotional stress of dealing with Coach George Karl's health issues. The Nuggets are 14-14 SU and 12-14-2 ATS on the road this season. Denver is a very impressive 8-2 ATS as the listed underdog this season. A big reason for the Nuggets success against the Lakers and the rest of the NBA this season is their ability to get to the foul line. Denver has attempted 14 more free throws than the Lakers in their first 2 matchups combined. Denver attempts nearly 32 free throws per game, easily leading the entire NBA this season. F Carmelo Anthony leads the Nuggets in scoring, averaging 29 PPG this season. Anthony is 3rd in the NBA in scoring, and helps the Nuggets average nearly 108 PPG this season. Denver is averaging 116 PPG over their past 3 contests, allowing the Nuggets to average the 2nd most PTS in the NBA this year.

Nuggets are 5-0-1 ATS last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % greater than .600.
Under is 17-8 last 25 games as a road underdog.

Key Inuries - F Kenyon Martin (knee) is questionable.
F Renaldo Balkman (back) is out.

PROJECTED SCORE: 97

Lakers (-6, O/U 208.5): It's not often the Lakers lose SU to another team twice in the same season. That is exactly the case today, as the Lakers look to exact some revenge against the team that's beaten them by double digits each time they've played this season. Denver has won both meetings by a combined 39 PTS SU and 43 PTS ATS. The Lakers lead the Western Conference with a record of 44-15 SU, which is also good enough for the 2nd best record in the entire NBA. Los Angeles is 27-5 SU and 14-17-1 ATS in home games this season. The Lakers are 10-6-1 ATS as a single digit home favorite this season. The Lakers have lost 5 consecutive games ATS entering today's contest. Los Angeles has been held under 100 PTS in 5 of their past 6 games. Part of the lack of offense has been the absence of G Kobe Bryant. Bryant averages 27.7 PPG in leading the Lakers in scoring, and also averages a team high 4.7 APG this season. The Lakers have held 12 of their past 14 opponents under 100 PTS. The Lakers only allow 96.2 PPG this season, the 8th lowest in the NBA.

Lakers are 0-5 ATS last 5 games overall.
Under is 4-0 last 4 games as a home favorite.

Key Inuries - G Sasha Vujacic (shoulder) is out.
F Luke Walton (back) is out.

PROJECTED SCORE: 102 (UNDER - Total of the Day)

New Orleans Hornets at Dallas Mavericks

Hornets: Very quietly New Orleans has won 7 of their past 9 games SU. Even more quitely, the Hornets are sneaking back into the playoff chase in the Western Conference. The Hornets are currently in 9th place in the playoff chase, sitting 2 games back of Portland for the final playoff spot. PG Darren Collison continues to shine in PG Chris Paul's absence. The former UCLA star is averaging 22.7 PPG and 8.7 APG over his past 9 games. Collison also has the ability to play lockdown defense thanks to his long arms. F David West averages 18.6 PPG this season, and is coming off a 40 point, 10 rebound game in his last start. That was the first time in his last 12 games that West achieved a double double. New Orleans has struggled when playing in Dallas, as they've lost 15 of their past 16 games there SU. The Hornets are 11-19 SU and 16-14 ATS in road games this season. The Hornets are 21-13 ATS as the listed underdog this season. New Orleans has won 7 of their past 8 games ATS as an underdog on the road entering tonight's nationally televised game.

Hornets are 9-1 ATS last 10 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Over is 7-1 last 8 road games.

Key Inuries - C Darius Songaila (ankle) is out.
G Chris Paul (knee) is out.

PROJECTED SCORE: 97 (SIDE of the Day)

Mavericks (-8.5, O/U 200): Dallas has won 6 consecutive games SU, and appear to be reinvigorated since their mid season trade. Dallas has held their past 7 opponents under 100 PTS in regulation entering tonight's contest. Dallas has completely changed their identity from an offensive team to a much stronger defensive minded club. The Mavericks are 38-21 SU this season, leading the Southwest Division. If the playoffs started today, the Mavericks would be the 3rd seed in the Western Conference. Dallas is 19-9 SU and 7-21 ATS at home this season. That's right, 7-21 ATS at home this season. Dallas has earned a reputation of being able to win games SU, but not by nearly enough to cover the spread. The Mavericks are only 3-7 ATS as a favorite of 6.5 to 9 PTS this season. Dallas will look to win their 7th straight game SU since 2007. F Dirk Nowitzki and PG Jason Kidd have clearly enjoyed the midseason trade and the players they acquired. Nowitzki is averaging nearly 28 PPG since the trade, while Kidd is 2 APG short of averaging a triple double during this same time span.

Mavericks are 6-23 ATS last 29 games as a home favorite.
Over is 9-4 last 13 games as a home favorite.

Key Inuries - Caron Butler (illness) is probable.
C Erick Dampier (finger) is out

PROJECTED SCORE: 99