Sunday's NBA Slate
By Brian Edwards
Bettors have a six-pack of NBA games to wager on Sunday, including a trio of televised games. As always at this time of year, the most important aspect of handicapping is figuring out who is still motivated to play hard. We’ll get you set in that department.
The teams in the West are jockeying for position in hopes of avoiding the top-seeded Lakers in the first and/or second round of the playoffs. That fact mostly applies to Sunday’s early game. Let’s get right to that matchup and the rest of Sunday’s action.
**Mavericks at Hornets**
--Due to the “questionable” status of New Orleans (48-31 straight up, 33-44-2 against the spread) point guard Chris Paul, Las Vegas Sports Consultants did not release an overnight line. However, Sportsbook.com had the Hornets as three-point favorites as of late Saturday afternoon.
--Dallas (48-31 SU, 39-40 ATS) had lost four straight head-to-head meetings against the Hornets until capturing a 100-92 victory Friday night as a seven-point home favorite. Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard scored 25 points apiece, while Jason Kidd dished out 15 assists. In the losing effort, Chris Paul had 42 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals, while David West finished with 20 points and 14 boards.
--With three games remaining, these teams are tied for the No. 6 spot in the West, one game ahead of Utah for the dreaded eighth slot (pending the Jazz’s Saturday night result vs. Golden St.) that means a first-round series against the Lakers.
--Byron Scott’s team has a 27-13 SU record and an 18-21-1 ATS mark in home games this season. Meanwhile, the Mavericks are 18-22 SU and 21-19 ATS on the road.
--The ‘under’ is 42-37 overall for Dallas, 26-14 in its road assignments. The ‘under’ has also been a steady money maker for the Hornets, cashing at a 45-32-2 overall clip and to the tune of 25-15 in their home outings. Paul was dominant with 27 points and 15 assists.
--When these teams collided in the Crescent City on March 5, New Orleans spanked the Mavs by a 104-88 count as a 6 1/2–point home ‘chalk.’
--The ‘under’ is 5-1 in the last six head-to-head meetings between these squads.
--ABC will provide television coverage at 1:00 p.m. Eastern.
**Celtics at Cavaliers**
--LVSC opened Cleveland (64-15 SU, 47-32 ATS) as a 6 ½-point ‘chalk’ with a total of 185. As of late Saturday afternoon, most books had the Cavs as 5 ½-point favorites with the total adjusted to 186.
--Since dropping back-to-back games at Washington and at Orlando, Mike Brown’s team has won three straight while going 2-1 ATS. The Cavs won a 102-92 decision Friday at Philadelphia as 6 ½-point road favorites. LeBron James produced 27 points and 10 assists for the winners.
--Boston (60-19 SU, 41-38 ATS) has won six in a row, posting a 4-2 spread record in the process. The Celtics beat Miami 105-98 Friday as six-point home favorites. Paul Pierce was the catalyst with 28 points and eight rebounds. Glen “Big Baby” Davis added 22 points and eight boards.
--James is enjoying a career year, battling Miami’s Dwyane Wade and L.A.’s Kobe Bryant for league MVP honors. James’ numbers for the season look like this: 28.3 points per game, 7.6 rebounds per game and 7.3 assists per contest. James is also shooting a career-best 48.7 percent from the field and 77.8 percent from the charity stripe.
--Boston power forward Kevin Garnett (15.8 PPG, 8.5 RPG) remains “out” along with Leon Powe and Brian Scalabrine.
--Cleveland has been virtually untouchable at QuickenLoans Arena this season, compiling a 38-1 SU record to compliment its 26-13 ATS ledger. The Cavs’ lone home loss came to the Lakers in a game they led by double digits at intermission.
--Boston is 26-13 SU and 21-18 ATS on the road. The C’s are 6-3 ATS in nine games as road underdogs.
--The ‘under’ is 44-34-1 overall for the Cavs, 23-15-1 in their home games. Meanwhile, Boston has watched the ‘under’ cash at a lucrative 25-14 clip in its road contests.
--The Cavs still have something to play for even though they have locked up the No. 1 seed in the East. They own a 1 ½-game edge on the Lakers for home-court advantage in the NBA Finals. As for the C’s, they are two games ahead of Orlando for the No. 2 slot in the East that would provide home-court advantage in a second-round series with the Magic.
--Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Eastern on ABC.
**76ers at Raptors**
--LVSC opened this game as a pick ‘em with a 205-point tally. As of late Saturday afternoon, most spots had Toronto (30-39 SU, 30-47-2 ATS) as the one-point home favorite with the total at 205 ½.
--Philadelphia (40-39 SU, 36-41-2 ATS) has plenty to play for as it is one game back of the Heat for the No. 5 seed in the East. The 76ers are also trying to hold off Chicago and Detroit for the No. 6 spot, as the Bulls and Pistons are just one game behind Philly.
--Although Toronto was eliminated from playoff contention a few weeks back, it had started to play well with a six-game winning streak. However, the Raptors have now dropped each of their last four games both SU and ATS, including Friday’s 100-98 loss to Washington as seven-point home favorites. In the losing effort, Chris Bosh finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
--Toronto is an abysmal 17-23 SU and 15-24-1 ATS at home this year. The 76ers haven’t been much better on the road, posting a 16-23 SU record and an 18-21 ATS mark.
--Philadelphia was already playing without Elton Brand (shoulder) due to a season-ending injury, but things got worse a couple of weeks ago when Thaddeus Young (ankle) was lost for the rest of the year. Young was enjoying a breakout campaign, averaging 15.2 PPG.
--Since winning three straight home games, Philadelphia has lost four in a row with three of those defeats coming on the road prior to the aforementioned home loss Friday to the Cavs.
--The ‘over’ is 46-33 overall for the Raptors, 21-19 in their home assignments. On the flip side, the 76ers have watched the ‘under’ go 39-36-4 overall, 23-15-2 in their road games.
--NBA-TV will have the telecast at 6:05 p.m. Eastern.
VegasInsider.com
What bettors need to know: NBA on ABC
By DAVE CAREY
Dallas Mavericks at New Orleans Hornets (-3, 193)
Head to head
The Hornets have beaten the Mavericks twice this year, claiming a 104-97 victory earlier this season and a 104-88 victory last month. The Mavericks won the most recent match up, a 100-92 win Friday night to set the stage for today's season finale.
Who's No. 6?
The eighth through sixth place teams in the Western Conference are separated by just one game and the Mavericks (48-31 SU, 39-40 ATS) and Hornets (48-31 SU, 33-44-2 ATS) both have the sixth spot in their sights. Dallas will have to win its three remaining games to have a chance, as both the Jazz and Hornets hold the tie breaker against them.
"Knowing the importance of each game and the sense of urgency, we treat every game like it's a Game 7 playoff game," Mavericks forward Jason Terry told reporters. "We go out there and fight and scrap and do whatever it takes to win. We've got each other's back."
Dallas is playing some of its best baksetball of the season, winning five of its past six and going 4-2 ATS in those games.
“We've won some nice home games, but our true tests are on the road," Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, who scored 25 points in the win over New Orleans, told reporters. "How you respond to some adversity on the road? That's really what determines if you're a good team."
Paul needs a little help from his friends
The Mavericks may have won, but they had no answer for guard Chris Paul, who torched them for 42 points, nine rebounds and seven assists Friday.
But he was the only Hornet with sting on the evening. Paul's only teammate to crack double figures was David West (20 points), who took 20 shots to reach his point total. This was the same story last week for the Hornets in a 111-103 loss to the Golden State Warriors, when Paul went for a career-high 43 points. West finished with 31 points and no one else cracked double figures in that game.
"It's the second time in the last few games where I had 40-something points and we lost," Paul told the media. "It's not about how I do. It's about how we do."
The Hornets have also been hurt by injuries. Center Tyson Chandler, who has missed the past 13 games, continues to mend a sore left ankle. Swingman James Posey also returned to the lineup for the first time since March 27, but missed his first five shots and had a meager five points in 19 minutes.
"We can't put the whole load on David and Chris,'' Hornets Coach Byron Scott told reporters. "Those two guys played great. But we didn't get anything from anybody else. It's difficult to beat a team that can score when you are playing with only two guys."
Trends
The Mavericks are 2-3 SU and ATS in their past five road games
The Mavericks have hit the under five times in their past six road games
The Hornets have hit the under 13 times in the past 16 games, including three straight
The Hornets are 2-3 SU and ATS in their past five home games
Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers (-5.5, 186)
Head to head
The Celtics took both meetings at TD Banknorth Garden this season, winning the season opener 90-85 and the team's most recent meeting 105-94 last month. Sandwiched between was a 98-83 Cavaliers win at Quicken Loans Arena.
No place like home
The home team just doesn’t dominate this series - it never loses.
The past 15 meetings between the teams have been won by the home team, including a 4-3 series win by Boston in last year's Eastern Conference semifinals. During the streak, Boston (60-19 SU, 41-38 ATS) is 9-0 in its own gym, scoring 91.4 points per game on 46.3 percent shooting and winning by an average margin of 7.2 points per game. In Ohio, the Cavaliers (64-15 SU, 47-32 ATS) are averaging 98.5 points per game on 46.8 percent shooting and winning by an average of 10.2 points per game.
"Both teams know it takes on a different meaning because we may face each other late in the season," Cleveland guard LeBron James told reporters."At one point, somebody's going to have to get a win on the other's home court."
The Cavaliers have beaten nearly everyone at home this season, with their lone loss coming against the Lakers early in the New Year. Posting two home winning streaks of at least 15 games is an NBA single-season record and their 38-1 mark at home is two wins shy of tying the 1985-86 Celtics for the best home record in NBA history.
And the Celtics haven't won at Cleveland since Dec. 18, 2004.
"The day LeBron was drafted, it made Cleveland a tougher place to play," Celtics coach Doc Rivers told reporters. "I'm just going to leave it there."
Bench pressed into action
The Celtics are getting healthy at the right time, but still resemble a MASH unit as the regular season winds down.
Kevin Garnett has missed 20 of 24 games with a knee injury and won't return until next week. Reserve Leon Powe is expected to miss more time with a knee injury of his own and backup Brian Scalabrine is suffering from the effects of a concussion.
The lone good news for the Celtics is the return of guard Tony Allen, who missed 34 games with a hand injury. The team's best on-ball defender wasted little time in announcing his return to the lineup, slamming home a reverse ally-oop in his first game back last week.
"The bench pretty much won the game," Celtics forward Paul Pierce told reporters after the win over the Nets. "Shoot, Doc could have probably left them in the whole game and it probably wouldn’t have been as close. They have great energy. Stephon is doing a great job getting into the defense and finding guys. Eddie House is shooting lights out right now. Mikki Moore is being active. We’re extremely happy with the way the bench is coming in and picking up the starters when we’re down."
Cleveland also is dealing with its share of injury woes. Forward Anderson Varejao has been battling a sore right wrist that has forced him to miss time. Backup forward J.J. Hickson could miss up to three weeks with a sore back and forward Ben Wallace, who admitted he is out of shape, is easing his way back into the lineup after breaking his leg on Feb. 26.
"It feels pretty good, I've got most of my strength back and that was one of the biggest things," Wallace told reporters. "I've just got to trust I can go out and play. It might hurt a little bit but I don't think it'll kill me."
Trends
The Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their past five road games
The Celtics have hit the over in four straight and five of six
The Cavaliers have hit the under six times in the past 10 games
DALLAS (48 - 31) at NEW ORLEANS (48 - 31)
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ORLEANS is 75-54 ATS (+15.6 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 23-9 ATS (+13.1 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 190 and 194.5 points over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 24-13 ATS (+9.7 Units) in home games revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 214-170 ATS (+27.0 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
DALLAS is 166-128 ATS (+25.2 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
NEW ORLEANS is 34-44 ATS (-14.4 Units) in all games this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 58-84 ATS (-34.4 Units) after a division game since 1996.
NEW ORLEANS is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 18-27 ATS (-11.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 11-24 ATS (-15.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 8-8 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 8-8 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
9 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON (60 - 19) at CLEVELAND (64 - 15)
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 55-80 ATS (-33.0 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs since 1996.
CLEVELAND is 46-33 ATS (+9.7 Units) in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 41-27 ATS (+11.3 Units) as a favorite this season.
CLEVELAND is 25-14 ATS (+9.6 Units) in home games this season.
CLEVELAND is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) against Atlantic division opponents this season.
CLEVELAND is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in home games after a win by 10 points or more this season.
CLEVELAND is 40-24 ATS (+13.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 108-78 ATS (+22.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 23-10 ATS (+12.0 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 68-45 ATS (+18.5 Units) as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 points since 1996.
BOSTON is 54-38 ATS (+12.2 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 36-21 ATS (+12.9 Units) in road games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 38-24 ATS (+11.6 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 49-33 ATS (+12.7 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 55-39 ATS (+12.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 26-13 ATS (+11.7 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 11-5 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 9-8 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
9 of 17 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK (31 - 49) at MIAMI (41 - 38)
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.
NEW YORK is 46-33 ATS (+9.7 Units) in all games this season.
NEW YORK is 37-20 ATS (+15.0 Units) as an underdog this season.
NEW YORK is 26-13 ATS (+11.7 Units) in road games this season.
NEW YORK is 20-5 ATS (+14.5 Units) in a road game where the total is greater than or equal to 210 this season.
NEW YORK is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) in road games second half of the season this season.
NEW YORK is 32-21 ATS (+8.9 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
NEW YORK is 26-10 ATS (+15.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NEW YORK is 15-3 ATS (+11.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
MIAMI is 70-89 ATS (-27.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 35-53 ATS (-23.3 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 31-48 ATS (-21.8 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in home games in April games over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 12-23 ATS (-13.3 Units) against Atlantic division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 13-25 ATS (-14.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 6-4 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK is 7-3 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA (40 - 39) at TORONTO (30 - 49)
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 41-25 ATS (+13.5 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 30-46 ATS (-20.6 Units) in all games this season.
TORONTO is 27-45 ATS (-22.5 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 17-28 ATS (-13.8 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
TORONTO is 11-26 ATS (-17.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
TORONTO is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 5-5 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 7-4 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
8 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO (51 - 28) at SACRAMENTO (16 - 63)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 25-14 ATS (+9.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
SACRAMENTO is 15-25 ATS (-12.5 Units) in home games this season.
SACRAMENTO is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 205 and 209.5 points this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 5-5 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 9-1 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS (23 - 56) at LA LAKERS (63 - 17)
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 33-47 ATS (-18.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 97-83 ATS (+5.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 87-57 ATS (+24.3 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs since 1996.
LA LAKERS are 26-13 ATS (+11.7 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 51-34 ATS (+13.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 34-15 ATS (+17.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 23-10 ATS (+12.0 Units) second half of the season this season.
MEMPHIS is 69-46 ATS (+18.4 Units) after a win by 10 points or more since 1996.
MEMPHIS is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) after scoring 105 points or more this season.
MEMPHIS is 34-18 ATS (+14.2 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
MEMPHIS is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 16-32 ATS (-19.2 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 13-26 ATS (-15.6 Units) in home games after allowing 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 7-3 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 7-3 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS at NEW ORLEANS
DALLAS: 19-28 ATS off SU win
NEW ORLEANS: 19-5 ATS at home with same season revenge
BOSTON at CLEVELAND
BOSTON: 20-5 Under Away off SU win
CLEVELAND: 25-14 ATS as home favorite
NEW YORK at MIAMI
NEW YORK: 20-5 ATS Away if total is 210 or higher
MIAMI: 2-11 ATS at home in April
PHILADELPHIA at TORONTO
PHILADELPHIA: 30-14 ATS Away playing their 3rd game in 4 days
TORONTO: 2-10 ATS as home dog of 6pts or less
SAN ANTONIO at SACRAMENTO
SAN ANTONIO: 40-25 Under off home win
SACRAMENTO: 15-25 ATS in home games
MEMPHIS at LA LAKERS
MEMPHIS: 12-4 ATS after scoring 105+ points
LA LAKERS: 20-35 ATS off road loss
DALLAS vs. NEW ORLEANS
Dallas is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
Dallas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
New Orleans is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
New Orleans is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
BOSTON vs. CLEVELAND
Boston is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Boston
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Boston
NEW YORK vs. MIAMI
New York is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami
Miami is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Miami is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
PHILADELPHIA vs. TORONTO
Philadelphia is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Philadelphia's last 14 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games at home
Toronto is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
SAN ANTONIO vs. SACRAMENTO
The total has gone OVER in 7 of San Antonio's last 10 games
San Antonio is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Sacramento
Sacramento is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against San Antonio
Sacramento is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Antonio
MEMPHIS vs. LA LAKERS
Memphis is 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
Memphis is 5-20 SU in their last 25 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games at home
LA Lakers are 11-1 SU in their last 12 games at home
Tips and Trends
Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers
Celtics: “We’re mad we didn’t get the No. 1 seed,” said Paul Pierce. "It’s going to be on one of us in the East to beat them there,” Celtics guard Ray Allen said. “But we’re geared toward a month from now, knowing we might have to go into that building and win.” All-star Kevin Garnett will miss the game with a strained right knee, and backups Leon Powe and Brian Scalabrine are also sidelined. It will be the 20th game out of the last 24 Garnett has missed and the seventh in a row. The Celtics come into this game having won six straight overall, with the last five coming at home. The Celtics need one more win to clinch the East’s #2 seed.
The Celtics are 1-7 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
The Celtics are 41-16 ATS in their last 57 games as a road underdog.
Key Injuries - F Kevin Garnett (knee, missed the last 6 games) is OUT.
PROJECTED SCORE: 87
Cavaliers (-6.5, O/U 185.5): The Cavaliers might be tempted to rest up for the playoffs, but they still have the Western Conference to worry about. Cleveland needs two more wins to earn home court in a possible NBA finals matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers, who beat the Cavs twice in the regular season. “You can’t think about the finals because you have to win in the first round,” forward LeBron James said. The Cavaliers, who are 38-1 in Cleveland so far this season, also have a chance to match the NBA record of 40-1 for the best home mark. The current record-holders: The 1985-86 Boston Celtics.
The Under is 13-3-1 in the Cavaliers' last 17 games as a home favorite.
The home team has won each of the last 14 meetings SU.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 94 (UNDER - Total Play of the Day)
Hot Teams
-- Celtics won six in a row, 10 of last 11 games. Cavaliers won three in a row, 16 of last 18 games.
-- Mavericks won five of their last six games.
-- Lakers won five of their last six games. Grizzlies won five of their last seven games (7-0 vs spread).
Cold Teams
-- Hornets lost four of their last five games.
-- Heat lost six of their last eight games. Knicks lost 12 of last 15 tilts.
-- 76ers lost their last four games (1-3 vs spread). Toronto also lost last four games (0-4 vs spread).
-- Kings lost their last seven games (0-5 vs spread in last five). Spurs are 3-4 in their last seven games.
Totals
-- Three of last four Dallas games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Boston games went over the total.
-- Over is 4-1-1 in last six Miami games; last six New York games stayed under the total.
-- Last three Philadelphia games went over the total.
-- Six of last eight Sacramento games went over the total.
-- Last three Laker games went over the total; last three Memphis games stayed under
Back-to-Back
-- Mavericks covered three of last four if they have game the next nite.
-- Cavaliers are 1-6 vs spread last seven times they had game next nite.
-- Raptors covered three of last four if they play again next night.
-- Kings are 6-3 vs spread last nine times they played again next night.
-- Grizzlies covered six of last seven if they play again the next night.