NBA News and Notes Thursday 12/11

Boston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards

The Celtics defeated Indiana 122-117 in overtime as an 8-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (199).

Ray Allen scored a game-high 35 points for Boston, while Kevin Garnett added 17 points and 20 rebounds in the win.

Caron Butler dropped 33 points and dished out six assists to lead the Wizards over the Pistons 107-94 on Tuesday night.

Washington cashed as 4.5-point home underdogs as the game played over the 195-point total set by sportsbooks.

Current streak:
Boston has won 12 straight games.

Team records:
Boston: 20-2 SU, 12-10 ATS
Washington: 4-15 SU, 9-10 ATS

Boston most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing New Orleans are 5-5
After playing Indiana are 6-4
After a win are 10-0

Washington most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Philadelphia are 3-7
After playing Detroit are 6-4
After a win 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
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
Washington is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Washington is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Boston
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Boston
Washington is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Boston

Next up:
Boston home to New Orleans, Friday, December 12
Washington at Philadelphia, Saturday, December 13

Charlotte Bobcats vs. Dallas Mavericks

The Bobcats got behind early and could not recover in their 105-89 loss to the Hornets last time out, as 15-point road underdogs. That game's 194 points made it OVER the posted total of 185.

D.J. Augustin scored a game-high 28 points in the loss.

Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 35 points and 10 boards in its 133-126 double overtime loss to San Antonio on Tuesday night.

San Antonio won as 1.5-point road underdogs as the game played over the 190-point total set by sportsbooks.

Current streak:
Charlotte has lost 4 straight games.

Team records:
Charlotte: 7-15 SU, 12-10 ATS
Dallas: 11-9 SU, 9-11 ATS

Charlotte most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 2-8
Before playing Detroit are 4-6
After playing New Orleans are 4-5
After a loss are 4-6

Dallas most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Oklahoma City are 7-3
After playing San Antonio are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Charlotte's last 9 games when playing Dallas
Charlotte is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Charlotte is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Dallas
Charlotte is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Charlotte
Dallas is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Charlotte
Dallas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Dallas is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games

Next up:
Charlotte home to Detroit, Saturday, December 13
Dallas home to Oklahoma City, Saturday, December 13

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Utah Jazz

Brandon Roy poured in 30 points and grabbed nine boards for Portland in its 109-108 loss to Orlando on Tuesday night.

Orlando upset Portland as 5.5-point road underdogs as the game played over the 187-point total posted by sportsbooks.

Ronnie Brewer scored 25 points to lead the Jazz past the Timberwolves 99-96 on Tuesday night.

Utah couldn't cover as 4-point road favorites as the game played under the 197-point total listed by sportsbooks.

Team records:
Portland: 15-8 SU, 11-12 ATS
Utah: 14-9 SU, 12-11 ATS

Portland most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing LA Clippers are 3-7
After playing Orlando are 5-5
After a loss are 8-2

Utah most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Orlando are 2-8
After playing Minnesota are 7-3
After a win are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Portland's last 6 games on the road
Portland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Portland's last 10 games
Portland is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
Utah is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Utah's last 6 games
Utah is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games at home
Utah is 11-4 ATS in its last 15 games when playing at home against Portland

Next up:
Portland home to LA Clippers, Friday, December 12
Utah home to Orlando, Saturday, December 13

BOSTON (20 - 2) at WASHINGTON (4 - 15)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 37-25 ATS (+9.5 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 14-3 ATS (+10.7 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 79-50 ATS (+24.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 60-42 ATS (+13.8 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 38-24 ATS (+11.6 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 195 and 199.5 points over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 33-18 ATS (+13.2 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 35-18 ATS (+15.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 39-21 ATS (+15.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 4-2 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 6-1 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

CHARLOTTE (7 - 14) at DALLAS (11 - 9)
Top Trends for this game.
CHARLOTTE is 12-29 ATS (-19.9 Units) against Southwest division opponents since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 4-0 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 5-0 straight up against CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

PORTLAND (15 - 8) at UTAH (14 - 9)
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 37-20 ATS (+15.0 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 82-57 ATS (+19.3 Units) in home games after a division game since 1996.
UTAH is 33-19 ATS (+12.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
PORTLAND is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 6-3 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 5-4 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

BOSTON vs. WASHINGTON
Boston is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Washington is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Boston
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Boston

CHARLOTTE vs. DALLAS
Charlotte is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Charlotte is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Dallas is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games at home
Dallas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

PORTLAND vs. UTAH
Portland is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Utah
Portland is 4-11 ATS in its last 15 games when playing on the road against Utah
Utah is 20-5 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Utah's last 6 games at home

Tips and Trends

Boston Celtics at Washington Wizards

Celtics (-9.5, O/U 197): Boston is looking to improve to 21-2 for the first time in franchise history and win 13 in a row overall in the process. The Celtics have also won eight straight away from home, but they lost twice at Washington a year ago. “At the end of the day, our record’s going to be what it is," Boston forward Paul Pierce said. “But we just want to concentrate on continuing to get better, and that’s about it. We never come into the season saying this is our goal to win this many games or break any records.”

Celtics are 8-4 ATS during current 12-game winning streak.
The OVER is 6-2 in Boston's last 8 games vs. Southeast Division.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 103

Wizards: Washington is coming off a 107-94 win over Detroit on Tuesday and hopes to build upon that victory following a three-game losing streak. “I just walked down and said ‘We’re better than we’re playing,’” Wizards head coach Ed Tapscott said. "When we play with energy, we move the ball, all of a sudden we look like a different team.” Washington has won four straight home meetings with Boston and was one of just two teams to have a winning record against the Celtics a year ago (3-1).

Underdog is 11-3 ATS in the last 14 meetings.
The OVER is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings at Washington. G Key

Injuries - Gilbert Arenas (knee) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: 93

Portland Trail Blazers at Utah Jazz

Blazers: Portland has won four of its last five road games and returns home on Friday to play 10 of 12 there. However, the Blazers are coming off a surprising home loss to Orlando on Tuesday as they blew a 108-100 lead in the final 2:21. The Magic hit three 3-pointers and held Portland scoreless to pull off the win. “Our offense was really bad the last minute and a half,” Blazers guard Brandon Roy said. “It’s a tough loss but tomorrow’s a new day.”

Blazers are 4-11 ATS in the last 15 meetings at Utah.
The UNDER is 8-2 in Portland's last 10 games overall.

Key Injuries - G Martell Webster (foot) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: 93

Jazz (-2.5, O/U 192.5): Utah is just 6-5 without Carlos Boozer in the lineup and despite solid production from Paul Millsap, who is averaging 16.9 points and 10.8 rebounds in starting the last 10 games. Millsap has totaled nine straight double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Jazz earn a 99-96 win at Minnesota on Tuesday. Mehmet Okur scored 21 points and hit the go-ahead shot with 1.7 seconds remaining to beat the Wolves.

Jazz are 46-21-2 ATS in last 69 home games.
The UNDER is 5-1 in Utah's last 6 games overall.

Key Injuries - F Carlos Boozer (quad) is doubtful.

PROJECTED SCORE: 99 (Side Play of the Day)

Hot Teams
-- Celtics won their last dozen games (8-3 vs spread in last 11).
-- Mavericks won nine of their last eleven games.

Cold Teams
-- Wizards lost five of last six games, but covered their last four.
-- Bobcats lost last four games, by 5-20-4- points.
-- Blazers lost two of last three games (0-4 vs spread in last four). Jazz is 2-6-1 vs spread in game following their last nine wins.

Totals
-- Three of Celtics' last four games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Charlotte games went over the total.
-- Under is 7-2-1 in last ten Portland games, 5-1 in last six Utah games.

Inside the Paint - Thursday
By Chris David

Despite getting humbled by the Celtics in last year’s NBA Finals, the Lakers are still the favorite to win the 2008-09 championship according to oddsmakers at Brobury Sports.

Los Angeles has jumped out of the gate with an impressive 18-3 straight up and 11-10 against the spread ledger, with a dozen of the victories coming against the so-called Big Bad West. The conference was very strong last year especially when you put it up against the Eastern Conference, who had two teams with a losing record make the playoffs.

This season, it’s a different ball game on the hardwood. The Lakers are a serious contender in the West, but is there anybody else that can stop Phil Jackson and company?

New Orleans, Houston and San Antonio are listed as the next group of contenders at Brobury Sports to unseat L.A. in the West, while second-tier clubs Denver, Portland, Utah and Dallas follow.

A pair of teams chasing the Lakers will go head-to-head on Thursday, when Portland (15-8 SU, 11-12 ATS) makes its second trip of the season to Utah (14-9 SU, 12-11 ATS). The Trailblazers and Jazz are looking up to Denver, who sits in first place of the Northwest Division.

Utah dropped Portland 103-96 on Nov. 5 as a 6½-point home favorite in their first meeting of the year. The Jazz trailed by four points (78-74) after three quarters but outscored the Blazers 29-18 in the final stanza for the win and cover. The Jazz connected on 53 percent of their shots and made 21-of-22 from the charity stripe. Mehmet Okur led five Utah players in double figures with 22 points, while Brandon Roy paced Portland with 18 points in a losing effort.

The Jazz went 37-4 at Energy Solutions Arena last year, outscoring opponents by an average of 14.4 points per game. Things haven’t changed in Utah this season. After 12 games, Jerry Sloan’s team stands at 9-3 SU and 7-5 ATS.

Portland has played a league-high 15 contests outside of the Great Northwest and has put together an impressive 8-7 SU and 6-9 ATS mark. The Blazers just concluded a five-game trip to the East Coast, their second one of the young season, and notched a 4-1 record. The lone loss came to Boston (93-78), but not many teams expect to win in Beantown these days.

Gamblers backing Portland lately haven’t been treated well at the counter, watching the team lose five straight games against the spread, including Tuesday’s 109-108 heartbreaking setback to Orlando at home. The club was outscored 9-0 over the final 2:21, which makes you wonder if they bounce back tonight in Utah.

Even though the Blazers already lost to the Jazz this season, Nate McMillian’s team went 3-1 both SU and ATS against their division rival last year. And that included 97-89 upset win on the road as 14-point underdogs. The ‘under’ is on a 3-2 run in the last five matchups.

Utah won’t have All-Star Carlos Boozer (quadriceps) in the lineup for the 12th straight game tonight. Portland will be without guard Martell Webster (foot), who is expected to miss four weeks. The Blazers will show off center Greg Oden to the Utah faithful, who missed the big fella in the first go ‘round.

Thursday’s Mismatches

Two other games slated for Thursday are clearly lopsided on paper and the oddsmakers agree.

Boston (20-2 SU, 12-10 ATS) at Washington (4-15 SU, 9-10 ATS) – Celtics (-9.5, 197)

The Celtics have strung together 12 straight victories, seven coming by double digits. On Thursday, Boston will look for No. 13 as a 9½-point road favorite against the Wizards. Washington is 2-3 SU in its last five, but the club has posted a 5-0 ATS run. If there has been a team that’s had Boston’s number over their championship run, it’s been Washington. Last year, the Wizards won and covered three of the four regular season battles, including both games in D.C. The ‘under’ went 3-1. Boston is 8-1 SU and 5-4 ATS on the road, while the Wizards have gone 3-8 SU and 5-6 ATS at home.

Charlotte (7-14 SU, 12-9 ATS) at Dallas (11-9 SU, 9-11 ATS) – Mavs (-10.5, 191)

Dallas hopes to rebound off a 133-126 double-overtime loss to San Antonio on Tuesday. The setback snapped a four-game winning streak for the Mavericks. Tonight’s opponent, Charlotte, should get the Mavs back on track. The Bobcats have lost three straight (1-2 ATS) and they just traded away one of their best players, Jason Richardson, to Phoenix for a pair of solid standouts, Raja Bell and Boris Diaw. It’s unknown at this time if the pair will suit up for head coach Larry Brown against Dallas. Charlotte has struggled to a 1-7 SU and 5-3 ATS ledger away from home. Dallas is 5-5 SU at home, but just 2-8 versus the number. The Mavs’ defense has allowed 103 PPG at home, which has helped the ‘over’ go 6-3. The Bobcats are still waiting on Gerald Wallace to return to the lineup, who remains in Alabama after learning of his grandmother’s death. He’s listed as ‘out’ tonight. In the last five encounters, Dallas is 5-0 SU and 4-0 ATS against Charlotte. The ‘under’ has gone 3-2.

vegasinsider.com

Hot and Cold Bets - Week 7
By Matt Fargo

NBA Cold Bets This Week

Thursday – Portland Trailblazers at Utah Jazz 10:30 PM ET

Utah has been struggling with a 4-4 record (5-3 ATS) over its last eight games as injuries are playing havoc with this lineup. The most shocking thing is that three of those losses took place at home after starting the season 8-0 and after last year going 37-4 at EnergySolutions Arena. Injuries have no doubt played a role but losing to Chicago, New Jersey and Miami is pretty inexcusable. Overall the Jazz have played the 29th ranked schedule in the NBA and have played only three teams in the top ten. Surprisingly, Portland is part of that group. The Blazers are 15-7 (11-11 ATS) and this is with playing the 7th ranked schedule in the league. They are 7-1 (3-5 ATS) in their last eight games but three of those spread losses came by a total of 3.5 points combined. Portland is 8-7 (6-9 ATS) on the road and because of the solid straight up record, the value in its lines has been eliminated as proven by the dismal ATS records. The Blazers have turned into a very public team and with the recent struggles of Utah, the Jazz could be in great shape here.

Portland (15-8, 11-12 ATS) at Utah (14-9, 12-11 ATS)

The Trail Blazers, just one game removed from an Eastern Conference road trip on which they went 4-1 SU, hit the highway again to take on the Jazz in a key Northwest Division matchup at EnergySolutions Arena.

Portland was on the wrong end of a heartbreaking 109-108 decision against the Magic on Tuesday night, losing on a last-second, bank-shot 3-pointer from the Magic’s Hedo Turkoglu to fall as a five-point chalk. Guard Brandon Roy (30 points, nine rebounds, five assists) and forward LaMarcus Aldridge (25 points, 13 rebounds) paced six Blazers who scored in double figures, and Portland outrebounded Orlando 44-29, but it wasn’t enough to avoid the team’s first home loss and its fifth consecutive non-cover.

Utah edged Minnesota 99-96 Tuesday, coming up short as a six-point road favorite, with Mehmet Okur hitting the go-ahead shot in the waning seconds. The Jazz, who have now alternated SU wins and losses over the last seven games (4-3 ATS), were paced by Ronnie Brewer’s 25 points, and Okur had 21 points and 13 boards.

These two Northwest Division rivals have gone 2-2 SU and ATS in their last four clashes, with the SU winner cashing in each contest, all on the home floor. Utah is on an 11-4 ATS tear in the last 15 meetings with Portland in Salt Lake City, including a 103-96 victory as a 6½-point chalk back on Nov. 5.

The Trail Blazers are on ATS surges of 10-4 against winning teams, 7-3 after a SU loss, 5-2 as an underdog and 29-11 as a ‘dog of less than five points. But along with their current 0-5 ATS slide, they are on pointspread dips of 0-4 when playing on one day’s rest, 0-4 on the road and 1-4 on Thursdays. The Jazz are on spread-covering streaks of 46-21-2 at home, 5-0 after an ATS setback, 5-1 against the West, 5-2 on one day’s rest and 25-11-1 against winning teams.

The under for Portland is on stretches of 8-2 overall, 5-1 on the road, 8-3 against winning teams and 43-20 in Western Conference play, and the under is 5-1 in Utah’s last six overall.

ATS ADVANTAGE: UTAH and UNDER

Gametimepicks.com

NBA RESEARCH REPORT
By Indiancowboy

Boston vs. Washington

Note, that Antonio Daniels has been traded and that that this game is on TNT. It seems Washington is getting no respect here considering they have new coaching, they just beat the Pistons outright at home and they also beat the Nets outright on the road a couple of games ago as well. Note, that Washington has covered their last 5 straight. Boston comes off an OT win over the Pacers on the road as that game went well over. They lost the cover in that game and prior to that they had won 3 straight covers. These two teams have not met this year. I have around a 69% consensus on Boston here and I lean on Washington to hang tough, but more importantly on the over.

Charlotte vs. Dallas

Note, that Richardson is traded for Charlotte and Wallace is questionable. There is a big line in this game for Dallas. Why? Well, this team comes off the 2OT loss to the Spurs so obviously might have some bounce in their step. The Mavs have 70% of the backing here at home. They beat Charlotte 100-83 back on 11/18. Charlotte comes off getting blown out at New Orleans, but that was to be expected some what as that was a revenge game for NO. Josh Howard is out indefinitely for this game but it seems that little Juan B. has picked up some of the scoring as he dropped 20+ points in the last game against the Spurs. Charlotte has played the over in 4 of their last 5 contests.