Sunday's Best NBA Bet
New York Knicks at Milwaukee Bucks (-1, 197.5)
Carmelo Anthony owes the Knicks a check for his most recent game. The All-Star had just six points, four rebounds and two assists in 37 minutes; he finished 2 of 12 from the floor in a 99-95 loss to the Pistons.
To add insult to injury, Anthony also missed a late layup that could have tied the game. After the loss, he bolted for the team bus, but teammate Amar’e Stoudemire said it was the responsibility of all the players to work harder to execute their coach’s scheme.
"We've just got to buy into Mike D'Antoni's system," he said. "That's the way we're going to win. We've proven that it works with the team we had before the trade. And it can work with the guys we have now."
If there is one team for Anthony to get back on track against, it would be the Bucks. Melo is averaging 26.3 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists against Milwaukee this season. Equally important, his teams are 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS against the Bucks.
"We've got to stress ball movement, especially early in the shot clock," D'Antoni said. "And I told them, at the end of the 24 seconds, that's where their superstardom comes into play. You get them the ball, they'll get you a shot. But before that we have to play as a team, move the ball and get to our spots."
Pick: New York
NBA Betting Preview: Utah Jazz at Houston Rockets
By: Brad Young
Utah (36-33 straight up, 29-39-1 against the spread) begins a three-game road trip with Sunday’s matchup at Houston (36-34 SU, 37-31-2 ATS). Both teams would be on the outside looking in on the NBA Playoffs if the regular season ended today. The Jazz currently reside in ninth-place, one game behind eighth-place Memphis while the Rockets are just a half-game behind Utah.
The Jazz have strung together back-to-back SU and ATS victories after dumping Minnesota Wednesday as six-point home ‘chalk,’ 119-104. The combined 223 points soared past the 209½-point closing total, helping the ‘over’ improve to 8-2 the past 10 games.
Utah jumped out to a 21-point halftime advantage, 71-50, and finished the contest with advantages in points in the paint (62-42) and assists (28-13). The Jazz shot a stellar 55 percent (46-of-84) from the field, and 37 percent (7-of-19) from behind the arc.
All five starters reached double digits in scoring, led by small forward C.J. Miles who scored 40 points on 14-of-18 shooting. Center Al Jefferson provided 26 and 11 rebounds in the victory, while small forward Andrei Kirilenko added 15, six and six assists.
Houston has posted three consecutive SU victories and back-to-back wins ATS after Friday’s triumph over Boston as a 1½-point home underdog, 93-77. The combined 170 points never seriously threatened the NBA odds, helping the ‘under’ cash the third consecutive contest.
The Rockets cruised to an easy victory despite getting outscored in the fourth quarter, 21-12. Houston also won the rebounding battle, 44-35, while also delivering more assists, 22-19. The Rockets shot 44 percent (32-of-73) from the field, and 36 percent (8-of-22) from 3-point land.
Shooting guard Kevin Martin paced the offense with 25 points, while point guard Kyle Lowry added 20 and nine assists. Power forward Patrick Patterson provided 18 and 12 in the victory, while center Chuck Hayes had 11 and 11.
The road team has won both matchups this season in the Utah-Houston series, while the ‘under’ has cashed the previous three encounters. The Jazz prevailed Jan. 8 in overtime as a one-point road underdog, 103-99, while the combined 202 points went ‘under’ the 207 ½-point closing total. The Rockets won Feb. 2 as a two-point road ‘dog, 97-96, while the combined 193 points went ‘under’ the 203-point closing total.
Utah guard Raja Bell (toe injury) and guard Ronnie Price (toe) are ‘probable’ versus the Rockets, while forward Andrei Kirilenko (back), forward Paul Millsap (knee) and center Francisco Elson (knee) are ‘questionable.’ The Jazz conclude their road trip with games against Memphis and Oklahoma City.
Houston forward Luis Scola (knee) is ‘questionable’ against the Jazz, while forward Terrence Williams (abdominal) is ‘doubtful.’ The Rockets wrap up a six-game homestand with Wednesday’s outing with Golden State.
Utah is just 11-26 ATS the past 37 games overall, while the ‘under’ is 13-6 the past 19 outings versus Southwest Division opponents. The Jazz have seen the ‘under’ go 7-2 the previous nine games in Houston.
The Rockets are 8-3 ATS their last 11 games overall. Houston has seen the ‘under’ go 7-3 its past 10 outings overall.
Sunday’s contest is scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m. PT from Houston’s Toyota Center.