Inside the Paint - Thursday
By Chris David
During the NBA regular season, TNT usually provides a double-header on Thursday and this week is no different. Orlando hosts Cleveland in the first battle before Phoenix welcomes San Antonio to the desert in the late-night contest. Handicapping sports involves many factors, but some gamblers like to ride trends. Since both games are nationally televised on TNT tonight, we did a quick check on the four teams playing on this network and how they fared so far this season.
Orlando has played on TNT four times and has gone 3-1 both straight up and against the spread, with the lone loss coming last Thursday to Boston, 90-80. Low-scoring games have been common for the Magic, which has helped the ‘under’ go 4-0. Cleveland owns a 2-3 record both SU and ATS on TNT, and the ‘under’ has gone 4-1 in those five games. If you’re backing these past trends, then Magic/Under looks like the play. Otherwise, folks bucking the theory would take Cavs/Over. Having said that, it will probably be neither of the two combinations, right?
San Antonio doesn’t have a big sample size on TNT on this year, only playing two games under the network’s lights. The Spurs are 1-1 both SU and ATS and the total has gone 1-1 too. On the other side of the spectrum, Phoenix has been awful in its six games on TNT this season. The Suns are 0-6 both SU and ATS and that includes a pair of losses at home. The ‘over’ has gone 4-2 in Phoenix’s six games.
As I’ve written before, trends aren’t always your friends.
Let’s take a closer look at tonight’s matchups!
Cleveland at Orlando: A nice little showdown in the first game of TNT’s double-header between two of the big three in the Eastern Conference. The Magic have already lost twice to the Celtics and have the opportunity to get some respect back with a win against the Cavaliers. Stan Van Gundy’s team has outscored teams by 10 points per game (101-91) at home this year, which has translated into a 17-4 SU and 13-8 ATS ledger. All of Cleveland’s eight losses this year have come on the road, but the team has shown it can beat good competition away from home. LeBron James and company just concluded a four-game West Coast trip, which saw the team go 3-1 SU and 2-2 ATS. The Cavs’ offense hasn’t been as potent on the road (98 PPG) compared to at home (105 PPG). Cleveland has seen the ‘under’ go 23-20 on the year, including 13-9 on the road. Orlando has also leaned toward the ‘under’ (22-20) this season, with a 60 percent (12-8) mark at home. The Magic and Cavaliers haven’t clashed this season but the recent battles have all leaned toward the club from Florida. Orlando won and covered three of the four regular season battles last year and is 6-1 ATS in the past seven meetings. The ‘under’ has gone 5-2 during this stretch. These two teams only square off three times this year, with the next game slated in Cleveland on Mar. 17.
San Antonio at Phoenix: The late-night battle in the desert is a tough one to handicap for gamblers, considering both teams are very hard to gauge. San Antonio has won five of its last six, but only one win came against a team with a winning record. This contest will be the Spurs third consecutive game on the road and Greg Popovich’s team is a formidable 13-7 SU and 11-9 ATS away from home. A lot of handicappers normally look to fade or pass on teams in their first tilt at home following a long road trip, which fits the Suns tonight. Phoenix just finished a six-game road trek (3-3 SU, 2-3-1 ATS) to the East Coast and it was 1-1 against teams with winning records. The Suns are no longer invincible at home (12-8 SU, 6-14 ATS) at home this year, evidenced by upset losses to the Heat, Nets, Pacers and Timberwolves. Total players should note that the Spurs and Suns have both seen the ‘under’ go 4-1 in their last five games. Also, three of the previous four in this series have gone ‘under’ the number. The books opened with a 199-point total, which seems fair. On Christmas, San Antonio dropped Phoenix 91-90 with a Roger Mason 3-pointer as time expired. Another close battle could be expected considering the last three have been decided by five points or less.
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Tips and Trends
Cleveland Cavaliers at Orlando Magic
Cavs: Cleveland star LeBron James believes teammate Mo Williams will be named one of the reserves for the Eastern Conference All-Star team when they are announced on Thursday night, and it's hard to argue against him after his last performance. Williams scored a career-high 43 points in a 117-110 win over Sacramento on Tuesday while James notched his 20th career triple-double to help the Cavs improve to 21-0 at home. “He deserves it,” James said. “Look at our record. Look at the way he’s playing. I’ll be really disappointed because he’s part of the reason we’ve played the way we have, and he’s put up the numbers.”
Cavs are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 Thursday games.
Cavs are 1-7 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
Key Injuries - G Delonte West (wrist) is OUT.
C Zydrunas Ilgauskas (ankle) is OUT.
PROJECTED SCORE: 95
Magic (-4, O/U 197): Orlando got Mickael Pietrus back on Tuesday in a 135-111 rout of Indiana following a 12-game absence due to a broken wrist, and it's scary to think about his potential when he's fully healed. Pietrus totaled a season-high 27 points and 10 rebounds against the Pacers, proving how valuable he can be to a Magic team that already has several weapons. “I still have my shot - that didn’t go anywhere,” Pietrus said. “I didn’t leave it at home. I came back aggressive and with plenty of energy. I was rested and ready to come back.”
Magic are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 home games.
The UNDER is 8-0 in Orlando's last 8 Thursday games.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 102 (Side Play of the Day)
San Antonio Spurs at Phoenix Suns
Spurs: There's no question that Manu Ginobili is the key to San Antonio's success, and you can look no further than last year's loss to the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. Ginobili was not healthy in that series and was still recovering from an ankle injury heading into this season that limited him when playing for Argentina in the Olympics over the summer. He has struggled a bit lately, averaging 10 points on 33 percent shooting in the last three games. However, Ginobili was the difference maker in a 106-100 win at Utah on Tuesday, scoring 10 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter. “Manu is an important part of us winning basketball games,” Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said. “He was aggressive and got to go to the line.”
Spurs are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Thursday games.
The UNDER is 13-3 in San Antonio's last 16 games vs. Pacific Division.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 96 (UNDER - Total Play of the Day)
Suns (-1.5, O/U 199): Shaquille O'Neal seems to have discovered the Fountain of Youth in the Valley of the Sun, as the future Hall of Famer is averaging 22.1 points in his last 18 games. This after a dominating performance against the Wizards on Monday in which he totaled 29 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Phoenix have won two in a row following that 103-87 victory, snapping a skid of five losses in six games. “I feel like I can play three or four more years,” O'Neal said. “I’ve got a new medical staff that does stuff that I haven’t really had before. I’m dunking, I’m getting up and hanging on the rim and getting techs, and I haven’t felt this good in about two years.”
Suns are 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
The UNDER is 6-2 in Phoenix's last 8 home games.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 98
Thursday Research
By Indiancowboy
Cleveland vs. Orlando
Orlando got plenty of frustration out with their burial of Indiana at home after back to back losses. Orlando actually beat this team by 15 on the road back in 2008 so Cleveland certainly remembers that game. Now, bear in mind, Cleveland is still undefeated at home this year as they are 21-0 at home. You have a team in the Magic who are 7-3 ATS and you have a team in the Cavs who have yet to lose back to back games ATS in ages - not to mention the Cavs are 29-14 ATS - which just happens to be the same ATS mark for the Magic. This game can go either way.
San Antonio vs. Phoenix
Phoenix first played this team back on 10/29 and won 103-98 on the road. Then, San Antonio played this team on the road and won 91-90 returning the favor on the highway. Now, Phoenix looks to return the favor as they come off a 6 game road trip on the east coast as they went 3-3 SU in those contests. San Antonio comes off a big win over Utah on the road and I can see Phoenix stemming for a revenge here. But, having said that, San Antonio is the better team imo and I just don't know if I trust Phoenix here despite having the revenge. After all, who would you rather take in a close game as per coaching - Porter or Coach Pop who has won several NBA Championships with this same squad?
CLEVELAND (35 - 8) at ORLANDO (34 - 10)
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 30-14 ATS (+14.6 Units) in all games this season.
ORLANDO is 57-35 ATS (+18.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 40-25 ATS (+12.5 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 24-8 ATS (+15.2 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 14-5 ATS (+8.5 Units) after scoring 105 points or more this season.
ORLANDO is 34-22 ATS (+9.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 13-1 ATS (+11.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
CLEVELAND is 29-14 ATS (+13.6 Units) in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in road games after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 20-8 ATS (+11.2 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 34-15 ATS (+17.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 6-1 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO is 5-2 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO (30 - 14) at PHOENIX (25 - 18)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 16-29 ATS (-15.9 Units) in January games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 211-169 ATS (+25.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
PHOENIX is 15-27 ATS (-14.7 Units) in all games this season.
PHOENIX is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) in home games this season.
PHOENIX is 19-35 ATS (-19.5 Units) in home games against Southwest division opponents since 1996.
PHOENIX is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 10-8 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 12-8 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
12 of 20 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND vs. ORLANDO
Cleveland is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Cleveland is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
Orlando is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Cleveland
Orlando is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland
SAN ANTONIO vs. PHOENIX
San Antonio is 3-5-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Phoenix
San Antonio is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Phoenix
Phoenix is 2-7-1 ATS in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games
Hot teams
-- Cavaliers won last four games, by 5-1-5-7 points.
-- Spurs won five of their last six games. Suns won last two games, but are 1-5 vs spread in last six at home.
Cold Teams
-- Magic lost three of their last four games.
Totals
-- Six of last eight Orlando games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Phoenix games, five of Spurs' last six contests stayed under the total.
Back-to Back
-- Cavaliers are 5-4 vs spread if they play again the next night.
What bettors need to know: TNT NBA double header
By MATT SOUTHARD
Cleveland Cavaliers at Orlando Magic (-4, 197)
Recent history
This is the first meeting this season. Orlando held the series edge last year at 3-1 SU and ATS.
A little Mo offense
As if the Cavaliers (35-8 SU) weren't scary enough with the threat of LeBron James exploding on any given night, now opponents have to contend with the threat of Mo Williams shooting the lights out.
Williams scored 43 against Sacramento Tuesday in a 117-110 shootout victory. He hit seven 3-pointers and also dished 11 assists and grabbed eight rebounds. Not to be outdone, James tallied his third triple-double of the season with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists.
But don't expect the team to make a jump towards a run-and-gun style. The Cavaliers are the top defensive unit in the league (90.6 points allowed) and they have to keep it that way to keep high-powered offensive teams like Orlando in check.
Magic mired
Go ahead and look past the 135-111 pounding of the Indiana Pacers Tuesday. That was just Orlando venting. The Magic struggled in their previous two games against actual playoff contenders in Boston and Miami.
Orlando (34-10 SU) has a tendency to live and die with the three (despite the inside presence of Dwight Howard). Orlando shoots a league-best 40.8 percent from 3-point range. Against Boston and Miami, the Magic were just 16-for-47 from beyond the arc. That's a paltry 34 percent compared to the 45 percent they shot against Indiana.
The Magic have to get used to being top dog and expect big games and high effort from other teams across the league. This contest against Cleveland should go a long way in testing the mettle of the Magic in how they can handle vying for the top seed in the East.
Best of the bets
This game may be more difficult to prognosticate than you think.
Cleveland is tops in the league with a 29-14 ATS record while Orlando comes in at 29-14-1. The Magic's ATS home record is 13-8, while Cleveland is 13-9 ATS on the road.
Think a wager on the total might ease the headache? Try again. Cleveland is 9-13 against the number on the road. Orlando? 9-12.
San Antonio Spurs at Phoenix Suns (-1.5, 199)
Recent history
The regular season series is split 1-1 SU and ATS with both teams winning on the road.
Same (not-so) old Spurs
People try to write them off when they get out to slow starts at the beginning of the season but the San Antonio Spurs still have life in those aging legs. The Spurs (30-14 SU, 20-23-1 ATS) have found themselves at the top of the Southwest Division standings once again.
What is setting the Spurs apart this season from last is how fresh the legs are coming off of the bench and how it effects the teams rotations.
For example, with Bruce Bowen relegated to spot-duty rather than starting minutes and the better offensive option Roger Mason taking his place in the starting rotation, San Antonio finds themselves able to shut down teams in different ways late in games (especially in high-scoring affairs like Tuesday's 106-100 victory over Utah).
A Sun rising or just a flare-up?
He seems to be the talk of the league right now considering his recent resurgence, but is Shaquille O'Neal's performance indicative of ATS success?
Not quite.
In the month of January, O'Neal is averaging 20.5 points and 9.4 rebounds and he has seven double-doubles. But the Suns (25-18 SU, 15-26-1 ATS) have not been able to capitalize on O'Neal's resurgence going 7-6 SU and 3-9-1 ATS. To be fair, two of those losses came with O'Neal sitting out one of back-to-back games.
And it seems most of the center's "Shaq-like" games have come against teams with either injury- battered or non-existent frontcourts. Three of his best games statistically came against Dallas, an Al Horford-less Atlanta team and a sorry Washington Wizards bunch.
Broken home
Phoenix just can't get it together at home. The Suns are 6-14 ATS at home. They have not covered in a home game since their 128-100 victory over Dallas on Jan. 9.
The Suns haven't seen the friendly confines of the U.S. Airway Center since Jan. 16, having played their last six straight games on the road.
Perhaps some minor homesickness will cure what ails the Suns and help fend off a Spurs team that is 11-9 ATS on the road but has not covered in consecutive road games yet this season.