Denver Nuggets vs. Detroit Pistons
The Denver Nuggets and the Detroit Pistons will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Carmelo Anthony led the way for Denver with 34 points and seven rebounds in its 107-95 loss to Charlotte on Tuesday night.
Charlotte cashed as 3.5-point home underdogs, while the game played OVER the 199.5-point total set by sportsbooks.
Rodney Stuckey had 27 points and eight assists to lift the Pistons over the 76ers 90-86 on Wednesday night.
Detroit cashed as 4-point road underdogs, while the game played UNDER the 190-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Detroit has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Denver: 16-6 SU, 13-9 ATS
Detroit: 9-12 SU, 12-8-1 ATS
Denver most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 8-2
Before playing Phoenix are 5-5
After playing Charlotte are 6-4
After a loss are 8-2
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Golden State are 8-2
After playing Philadelphia are 7-3
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Denver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Denver is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Denver's last 25 games on the road
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Denver
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Denver
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit's last 7 games at home
Detroit is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Denver
Next up:
Denver home to Phoenix, Saturday, December 12
Detroit home to Golden State, Saturday, December 12
Boston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards
The Boston Celtics and the Washington Wizards will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Verizon Center.
Kevin Garnett had 25 points and nine rebounds to lead the Celtics past the Bucks 98-89 on Tuesday night.
Boston couldn't cover as 12-point home favorites, while the teams played UNDER the 193-point total listed by sportsbooks.
The Wizards lost to Detroit 97-94 as a 2.5-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score caused this game to be a PUSH on the posted over/under total (191).
Caron Butler led Washington with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Earl Boykins dropped in 18 points.
Current streak:
Boston has won 8 straight games.
Washington has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Boston: 17-4 SU, 10-11 ATS
Washington: 7-12 SU, 5-14 ATS
Boston most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Chicago are 6-4
After playing Milwaukee are 5-5
After a win are 8-2
Washington most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing Indiana are 2-8
After playing Detroit are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Boston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Boston
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games at home
Next up:
Boston at Chicago, Saturday, December 12
Washington home to Indiana, Saturday, December 12
Orlando Magic vs. Utah Jazz
The Orlando Magic and the Utah Jazz will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at EnergySolutions Arena.
Dwight Howard had 25 points, 11 rebounds, and seven blocks to lead the Magic over the Clippers 97-86 on Tuesday night.
Orlando covered as 7-point road favorites, while the game played UNDER the 191.5-point total posted by sportsbooks.
The Jazz were pounded 101-77 by the Lakers on Wednesday, as 10.5-point underdogs. The 178 points went UNDER the night's posted total of 206.
Deron Williams had 17 points and eight assists in a losing effort for the Jazz.
Current streak:
Orlando has won 6 straight games.
Team records:
Orlando: 17-4 SU, 13-8 ATS
Utah: 12-9 SU, 11-10 ATS
Orlando most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing Phoenix are 6-4
After playing LA Clippers are 4-6
After a win are 9-1
Utah most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 8-2
Before playing LA Lakers are 4-6
After playing LA Lakers are 4-6
After a loss are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Orlando is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Utah
Orlando is 6-0-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Utah
Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Utah is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Utah is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Utah's last 7 games at home
Next up:
Orlando at Phoenix, Friday, December 11
Utah home to LA Lakers, Saturday, December 12
Orlando (17-4, 13-8 ATS) at Utah (12-9, 11-10 ATS)
The red-hot Magic continue a four-game Western Conference road trip with their only visit of the season to EnergySolutions Arena for a battle with the Jazz.
Orlando dumped the Clippers 97-86 as a seven-point road favorite on Tuesday, its sixth consecutive victory (4-2 ATS). Going back to the middle of November, the Magic have won 11 of their last 12 games overall (8-4 ATS), and they’ve won eight straight road games (6-2 ATS). During its current six-game winning streak, Stan Van Gundy’s squad has posted five wins of nine points or more, with an average margin of victory of 10.3 ppg (108-97.3).
Utah is coming off Wednesday’s 101-77 loss to the Lakers as a 10½-point road underdog. The Jazz, who led 52-48 at halftime, managed just 25 points in the second half, including only six points on two field goals in the fourth quarter. Despite the ugly second half last night, Utah is still 9-4 SU and ATS in its last 13 contests, and it has won and covered five straight home games.
The Magic swept the season series from the Jazz last year, winning 103-94 in Salt Lake City as a 7½-point road underdog exactly one year ago, then rolling 105-87 as a 5½-point home chalk three months later. Orlando is 5-2 SU and 6-1 ATS (3-0 ATS last three) in the past seven meetings, and going back further, the Magic are on a 13-3-1 ATS roll against the Jazz, including 6-0-1 ATS in the last seven trips to Utah. Finally, the underdog has covered in five of the last six series clashes.
For the season, the Magic are 10-2 SU and 8-4 ATS on the road, allowing an average of just 93.6 ppg (43.3 percent shooting), while Utah is 9-3 SU and 8-4 ATS at home, scoring 104.2 ppg (51.2 percent shooting).
The Magic are riding positive ATS streaks of 7-3 overall, 6-2 on the highway, 5-1 when playing on one day of rest and 6-2 against the Northwest Division. The Jazz are on ATS runs of 5-2 overall, 5-0 at home, 4-0 on Thursday and 5-1 against the Eastern Conference, but Jerry Sloan’s squad is also just 10-25-2 ATS in its last 37 contests against Southeast Division opponents and 8-20 ATS in its last 28 when playing on back-to-back nights.
Orlando has gone over the total in four of its last five games, but otherwise the Magic are on “under” runs of 10-4 on the road, 10-4 against the Western Conference, 4-1 against the Northwest Division, 14-3 on Thursday and 5-1 against winning teams. Utah has topped the total in four of its last six overall and five of its last seven at home, but the under is 4-1 in its last five against teams from the Southeast Division and 5-2 in its last seven in the marquee Thursday slot.
The under is 5-1 in the last six matchups between these teams and 5-2 in the last seven battles at EnergySolutions Arena.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ORLANDO and UNDER
Inside the Paint - Thursday
By Chris David
The NBA slows down the pace Thursday with just three games on the docket, including the weekly TNT double-header. The Celtics visits the Wizards in the first televised game, while the Jazz hope to cool off the Magic in the nightcap. Prior to those battles, the Nuggets and Pistons square off from the Palace of Auburn Hills.
Let’s take a quick look at all three matchups.
Denver (16-6 SU, 13-9 ATS) at Detroit (9-12 SU, 12-8 ATS)
The Nuggets are hoping to conclude their four-game road trip with a victory on Thursday at Detroit. George Karl’s team has gone 2-1 both SU and ATS in the first three affairs, with defense being the key. In the two wins, the team gave up 83 and 99 but surrendered 107 in a loss on Tuesday to Charlotte.
Denver starting forward Kenyon Martin (pinkie) missed the setback against the Bobcats and is listed as day-to-day.
The Nuggets own the second-best record (16-6) in the Western Conference but four of the team’s losses have come against the East.
Detroit has been playing with some confidence lately, evidenced by its 90-86 victory over Philadelphia on Wednesday. Including last night’s win, the Pistons have won and covered three games in a row albeit against sub .500 clubs.
The Pistons also won last night without the services of Richard Hamilton (ankle), Tayshaun Prince (back) and Ben Gordon (ankle). Hamilton and Prince are both expected to miss tonight but Gordon should be good to go.
Gamblers looking for the zero days rest trend might want to be weary of the Pistons tonight. Detroit is 0-5 SU and 1-4 ATS when playing its sec
ond game of a back-to-back spot this year. And the lone cover was backdoor style against Portland (81-87) on Nov. 21. Detroit swept the season series last year against Denver, and it has won and covered the previous four. However, the Nuggets’ Carmelo Anthony missed both contests last year. The total has gone 2-2 during this stretch. Gamblers should also note that Denver hasn’t won at Auburn Hills in nearly 15 years.
At home this year, the Pistons have gone 6-4 both SU and ATS. Denver owns a 7-5 SU and 6-6 ATS mark on the road.
After this game, Denver hosts Phoenix and the Pistons play host to the Warriors on Saturday.
Boston (17-4 SU, 10-11 ATS) at Washington (7-12 SU, 5-14 ATS)
Are the Celtics back? It’s hard to say no after watching the team rip off eight straight wins (5-3) and five of them came on the road too. Doc Rivers’ team has always been able to withstand tough environments and that’s been the case again this season. Boston has gone 9-1 SU and 6-4 ATS away from home this year, which has been helped by a solid defensive (89 PPG) effort.
This will be the first of three road games for Boston and while they all might not be winnable, the team will be favored in all three.
The Celtics opened as 7 ½-point favorites over the Wizards for Thursday. On the year, the club hasn’t been able to produce a winning record at the betting counter (10-11 ATS) but that’s largely due to heavy numbers. As a road favorite this season, Boston has gone 4-4 ATS.
Last year, Boston owned Washington by winning and covering all three meetings during the regular season. Two of the three wins came by double digits and all three games went ‘over’ the number.
Washington had high hopes of improving this season with the return of Gilbert Arenas (20.4 PPG) but the chemistry and offense has been lacking. The point guard hasn’t been able to find his All-Star form and the attack (96.7 PPG, 43.8 %) has hurt the club, especially when your defense gives up 100.4 PPG.
Despite the poor start, the Wizards are only one game out of a playoff spot, which tells you how top-heavy the East really is.
The Wizards have been money burners for gamblers all season (5-14 ATS), especially at home. Head coach Flip Saunders and company have gone 4-5 SU and 2-7 ATS at Verizon Center.
Orlando (17-4 SU, 12-8 ATS) at Utah (12-9 SU, 11-10 ATS)
Stan Van Gundy and the Magic made a statement last year by reaching the NBA Finals and it’s arguable that this is even better. The Magic enter tonight’s matchup with a six-game (4-2 ATS) winning streak and five of those wins came on the road.
On the season, Orlando has gone 10-2 SU and 7-4 ATS outside the Magic Kingdom. Defense (94 PPG) has played a major part on the road for Van Gundy’s squad, which has helped the ‘under’ go 8-4.
The Magic have feasted on the Western Conference this year, going 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS with three of the four wins coming by double-digit fashion.
The opening line on tonight’s matchup says a lot, especially with the Magic listed as road favorites. In the last two games played at Salt Lake City, Orlando was catching 7 and 7 ½ against Utah.
With that being said, it’s fair to say that Jerry Sloan’s team is down this year or perhaps just tough to figure out. After opening the year with a 7-7 record, the Jazz strung together four impressive (4-0 ATS) victories while outscoring opponents by 18 PPG (107-89) during this run.
Then, the team lost outright at Minnesota (101-108) but quickly bounced back against a solid San Antonio (104-101) club at home. Unfortunately the pendulum swung back the other way on Wednesday when the Lakers embarrassed the Jazz, 101-77. What’s more depressing is Utah was outscored 28-6 in the fourth by Los Angeles last night.
Utah has gone 1-3 SU and 2-2 ATS on zero days rest this season. The total gone has 2-2.
The Jazz are still a tough out at home, evidenced by their 9-3 SU and 8-4 ATS record. Utah hasn’t been listed as a home underdog all year.
Orlando will look to finish up its West Coast trip strong on Friday when it faces Phoenix. The Magic have gone 2-1 both SU and ATS in back-to-back situations.
vegasinsider.com
NBA RoundUp for 12/10
By Dan Bebe
Sports Wagering
Pistons/Nuggets - This line is OFF, as those darn Pistons just refuse to get healthy. They did pick up a nice road win last night in Philadelphia against the floundering Sixers. The confidence factor is nice, but the tired legs against the Nuggets can truly be a death nil. Both of these teams have been playing solid ball ATS, and if you neglect the Nuggets most recent loss in Charlotte, land of the poisoned visiting team drinking fountains (that's just my theory), Denver and Detroit are a combined 7-0-1 against the spread. I think we'll see Denver with a fairly sizable favorite line in this one, especially with the bounceback theory in effect, and with Detroit on the second half of a back-to-back. When I look at a game like this one, I look for a way to try to back the home dog, but it isn't all that easy to find. The Pistons remain wildly undermanned, and the small nuggets of information I'm finding that would tell me to back the Pistons include the Nuggets doing a very poor job of rebounding the ball on their current road trip, and the propensity of teams to mail in the last game of a road trip, especially coming off a loss, as Denver might begin to look ahead to hosting the Suns on Friday. The third, and really, final note on why I might convince myself to take the Pistons is that I think Detroit serves the same water as Charlotte, where visiting teams seem to just stink it up at the Palace, and without Kenyon Martin, the Nuggets are a much less feisty team, and I think they lose a bit of their edge on the road. We can't make any plays until the lines com out, but I'd expect to see Denver favored by 6-8 with a total in the mid-190's.
Wizards/Celtics - Wizards getting 7.5 with a total of 193. Well, what can you say? The Celtics are the second-hottest team in the NBA behind the Lakers, and what's more, they've done most of their ATS damage on the road. On the Celtics recent 4-game road trip through Miami, Charlotte, San Antonio and Oklahoma City, we saw them as 4-point favorites 3 times and 1-point dogs once, and they won and covered all four. Then, right on schedule, Boston came home, beat the Bucks, and failed to cover. The only value anyone can get with Boston is when they play on the road, and here we are, staring down the barrel of Boston's largest road spread since mid-November. Last year, these teams played three times, and Boston won and covered all three. The Wizards, meanwhile, have gone 4-3 in their last 7 straight up, and just 2-5 ATS in those same seven contests. It's strange to think the Wizards might have been overvalued, but such was the case. After failing to cover in 3 straight, though, Washington would seem to be the value play. This is one of those spots, though, where value might be the key. Boston is the team dominating on the road, so the concept of value goes out the window if your high-value team is just going to get rolled. Still, much like with the Denver-Detroit game, I'm going to be looking for a reason to play the home dog. The better play in this one might be on the total. I'm not sure I can see the Wizards scoring enough to push this one Over, and I lean just slightly to the Under. Very tough game to make a final call on, though. Let's watch the line.
Jazz/Magic - Orlando is laying 2.5 on the road with a total of 203. This is a very, very tough spot for Utah. After finishing up in LA extremely late, they fly home, get in at some point in the middle of the night, then have to get themselves all gussied up for a home date with one of the top three road teams in the NBA. This will round out the ALL-HOME-DOG Thursday card, something of an anomaly, considering the quality of this particular home team. The Jazz are tough as nails in their building, but I'm just not sure you can rely on anyone flying into an altitude, coming from the West coast, then getting forced to deal with the rebounding prowess of Dwight Howard, et al. Remember, Salt Lake City is 4,200 feet above sea level. It's not quite a mile, but the air is a tad thinner, so the Jazz might be hard-pressed to put together 2 quality halves. Still, in this game we have our trademark battle of marquee-ness, with Orlando being the team the public is going to throttle, so giving the public this short favorite spread feels like a trap. Let's take a look at the Magic and see if we can't figure out why. Obvious reason number one -- the Magic play TOMORROW in Phoenix. You just know Stan Van Gundy is going to want to start preparing for a game he may very well be coaching in front of his analyst brother on ESPN. This game has a makings of an Orlando letdown. Second reason to look at the Jazz is simply that Utah has been playing spectacular basketball. True, Orlando has won 6 in a row and 9 of 10, but Utah has won 8 of 10, so there's certainly no shortage of hotness in this one. In terms of the total, I think the Jazz dictate the tempo, so I'd lean Over for that reason, but I also feel Orlando doesn't completely show up, so I'd lean Under due to that. No real early lean on the total, unfortunately.
Boston Celtics at Washington Wizards
Celtics (-7.5, O/U 193): Boston has won 8 straight games to make them 17-4 SU on the season, tied for the 2nd best record in the NBA. The Celtics are 9-1 SU away from home this year. They are also 6-4 ATS on the road this year, including winners of 4 straight. Boston is 4-1 ATS this year when favored by single digits on the road. Boston has all 5 starters averaging double digits, led by F Paul Pierce at 18.4 PPG. Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins, and Rajon Rondo average double figures in points while shooting better than 50% from the field. It's no surprise then that the Celtics lead the NBA in shooting percentage at 49.8%, while averaging exactly 100 PPG. The Celtics also lead the NBA in points allowed, allowing only 90.5 PPG. 14 of the 21 opponents the Celtics have faced have scored 90 PTS or fewer.
Celtics are 4-0 ATS last 4 road games.
Under is 8-1 last 9 vs. NBA Southeast.
Key Injuries - F Glen Davis (thumb) is out.
G Marquis Daniels (wrist) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 97 (UNDER - Total of the Day)
Wizards: Washington is 7-12 SU, and 5-14 ATS on the season. Washington has really struggled at home as they are only 2-7 ATS. As poorly as they've played, this will be only the 3rd time all season the Wizards will be a home underdog. They are 1-1 ATS in this home underdog role. Washington finally has a healthy compliment of players, and that's led to this offense getting on track as they've scored 100 points or more in 3 of their past 4 games. Both G Gilbert Arenas and F Antawn Jamison average more than 20 PPG for Washington. 5 other players average 9 PPG or more for the Wizards. The Wizards play uninspiring defense at home, as they've allowed 6 teams to score 100 PTS or more against them. Washington is 1-8 in games they've trailed at the end of the first quarter.
Wizards are 3-8 ATS last 11 games as an underdog.
Under is 7-0 last 7 games as an underdog of 5 to 10.5 points.
Key Injuries - G Mike Miller (calf) is out.
G Mike James (hand) is out.
PROJECTED SCORE: 86