Thursday's Best NBA Bet
Golden State Warriors at Phoenix Suns (-6, 203.5)
The Warriors have to shoot the three better. That’s not something you would expect to hear about the top-ranked team in three-point shooting, either.
Golden State leads the NBA in threes, making 39.5 percent of their attempts from distance. But in their 104-92 loss to Phoenix earlier this week, the team shot a horrific 11.1 percent from beyond the arc as the Warriors connected on just 2-of-18 attempts.
Forward Dorell Wright, who was selected to participate in the Three-Point Shootout on Saturday night before the All-Star game, was a terrible 3-of-13 from the floor and 0-for-4 from downtown.
"We played terrible," guard Monta Ellis said. "It was embarrassing the way we came out and played. We had been playing great, and to come out here and put on a performance like this is very disappointing."
And it’s not like the Suns are an elite defensive team. Phoenix is mediocre at defending the three-point line, letting opponents bury 35.2 percent of their treys.
Want another statistical anomaly? Golden State had been playing some of its best defense of the season entering the matchup with the Suns, but forced a season-low six turnovers after making them cough up the rock 16 times in a meeting earlier this year.
"We have to look at what we have," Warriors coach Keith Smart said. "We can't wish and hope for something we don't have."
What the Warriors have is one of the top three-point shooting attacks in the game. Look for it to connect on Thursday night in Arizona.
Pick: Golden State
NBA TNT Doubleheader: What Bettors Need to Know
By David Chan
Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics (-3, 187.5)
The Lakers lost to the Celtics in the 2008 NBA Finals, but got revenge last summer by winning Game 6 and Game 7 at the Staples Center to culminate a thrilling series with yet another championship. When the two rivals meet on Thursday night, L.A. will once again be looking for a measure of revenge.
That’s because the Lakers and Celtics faced each other less than two weeks ago, with Boston going on the road to hammer Los Angeles 109-96 on Jan. 30. Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 41 points, but the Lakers (36-16, 23-28-1 ATS) did little in the way of fundamentals or defense.
The Celtics shot 60.3 percent from the floor (including nine for 17 from downtown) and out-rebounded their opponents 43 to 30. Six Celtics scored in double-figures, led by Paul Pierce’s 32, while Kevin Garnett added 18 and pulled in 13 boards.
Rajon Rondo, who led Boston in rebounds, assists and steals during the 2010 NBA Finals, torched Los Angeles again. He went for 10 points and 16 assists in last month’s tilt. The Celtics also did a better job handling Pau Gasol, who averaged more than 11 rebounds in the Finals. Gasol had just seven boards and shot 5-of-13 for 12 points.
NO LUCK FOR THE IRISH
The injuries continue to pile up for the Celtics (38-13, 24-25-2 ATS), who lost Marquis Daniels for at least a month in Sunday's 91-80 win over the Magic. Daniels endured a scary fall and bruised his spinal cord. Jermaine O'Neal is likely out until April after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery last week and Shaquille O'Neal has been sidelined for three straight games. Shaq is expected to miss Thursday's contest and could be left on the shelf until the All-Star break for extra rest.
“You’ve got to keep rolling,” said head coach Doc Rivers, who has used eight different starting lineups this season. “I really try not to live in the past or in the what-ifs. I tell our guys that all the time. We’ve just got to keep playing and finding a way.”
Los Angeles, on the other hand, escaped a 93-84 win over Memphis on Monday night in pretty good shape. Kobe tweaked his left ankle but should be fine for Thursday and Ron Artest got popped in the nose by Marc Gasol, brother of Pao. Artest stayed in the game and while his nose was swollen afterward, it is not broken.
TRENDING TOPICS
The Celtics are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six against teams with winning SU records and they are 22-8 ATS in their last 30 following an SU loss.
The over is 9-1 in Boston’s last 10 following an SU loss and 9-2 in its last 11 home games.
Head-to-head, the Lakers are 1-4 ATS in the last five showdowns between the two powerhouses. The under is 5-1 in their last six encounters and 4-0 in the last four in Boston.
Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets (N/A)
It will be the third of four meetings between the Mavericks and Nuggets this season when two of the Western Conference’s best teams go head-to-head on Thursday.
In each of their previous two encounters, the underdog went on the road to pull out a victory. Dallas—as a 4-point dog—edged Denver 102-101 on Nov. 3. Playing their next game on Nov. 6 with two days of rest while their opponents played on zero days rest, the Mavericks—as 6.5-point faves—fell 103-92.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 35 points and had 10 rebounds in the Mavs’ victory, which ended when Carmelo Anthony missed a potential game-winner in the final seconds. Anthony made amends by scoring 27 points against Dallas three days later, hitting all four of his 3-pointer attempts as the Nuggets (30-22, 22-27-3 ATS) went a ridiculous 13 for 21 from beyond the arc. The Mavericks turned it over 21 times (seven by Nowitzki) to Denver’s 12.
The Mavericks, who are visiting Sacramento on Wednesday night, boast a solid 7-3 record (6-4 ATS) in the second of back-to-back games this season. The Nuggets, who are making a trip to Golden State on Wednesday, are 6-6 (5-7 ATS) playing on zero days rest.
WE'RE GOING STREAKING!
The Mavericks (36-15, 27-22-2 ATS) were down in the dumps last month, losing six in a row and going 2-6 while Nowitzki was out with a sprained knee. It did not help that Caron Butler was lost for the season on Jan. 1 due to a ruptured patellar tendon. To say Dallas has rallied, though, would be an understatement.
“It wasn’t pretty there for a while, but I think what we talked about was that we’re too talented and just too good,” Nowitzki said last week. “We just got to get healthy and do some of the stuff we were doing in November, December and we’d get back to our winning ways. That was good to see that we got our stuff back and now we've just got to keep going.”
The Mavs are doing just that, having won nine straight for the longest current winning streak in the NBA. They avoided a recent embarrassment against the team at the opposite end of the spectrum (to say the least!), surviving 99-96 at home on Tuesday to send Cleveland to an NBA worst-ever 25 consecutive losses.
TRENDING TOPICS
The Mavericks are 5-1 ATS in their last six overall.
The under is 6-1 in Denver’s last seven against the Western Conference, but the over is 6-2 in Dallas’ last eight overall.
Head-to-head, the under is 4-1 in the last five meetings between the two teams. The Nuggets are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 at home against the Mavs.
Celtics and Lakers meet again
By: Michael Robinson
The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers meet in their historic rivalry for the second time in 12 days, this one Thursday night from the East Coast. Boston’s bench has been ravaged by the injury bug lately.
Los Angeles (36-16 straight-up, 23-28-1 against the spread) has been in the news recently as rumors are swirling about a potential Carmelo Anthony acquisition. Denver is looking to ship the impeding free agent somewhere and there were at least preliminary discussions with Lakers’ center Andrew Bynum the main trade bait.
The addition of Anthony (24.6 PPG) would certainly increase L.A.’s offense, but the loss of the seven-foot Bynum would hurt defensively and on the boards. Pau Gasol would be forced to play center and Lamar Odom would likely start at power forward. Ron Artest would head to the bench.
Ironically, it was the Lakers size up front with Bynum and Gasol that allowed them to get by Boston (4-3) in the NBA Finals last year. Don’t expect this trade to happen.
Bynum had 11 points and six rebounds in the first meeting against Boston this year. It came in SoCal on Jan. 30, with the Celtics winning 109-96 as three-point underdogs. Paul Pierce had 32 points and the Lakers wasted a 41-point effort from Kobe Bryant.
That was part of a recent five-game homestand for the Lakers (2-3 SU, 1-4 ATS). They began a seven-game road trip last Saturday in New Orleans, a 101-95 win as five-point favorites, with the Hornets missing starters Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza.
Another win and ‘cover’ came Monday night in Memphis, 93-84 as three-point ‘chalk.’ All five starters scored in double-digits, a great sign with Derek Fisher (6.5 PPG) and Artest (8.2 PPG) non-factors offensively for much of this year. Artest’s struggles are a reason the Anthony addition is appealing.
Los Angeles is 17-8 SU on the road and 13-11-1 ATS. It’s 0-4 ATS in its last four games on two days rest and 1-10 ATS in its last 11 Thursday contests.
This is a statement game for the Lakers. Not only do they want to avoid a season-sweep by their hated rival, but they’ve come up small in big games. They’re 0-4 SU and ATS against Boston, Miami and San Antonio, the teams with the three best records. Three of those games were in Los Angeles.
The Celtics (38-13 SU, 24-25-2 ATS) are fighting hard to keep the best record in the Eastern Conference. They currently have a half-game lead over Miami (38-14 SU).
Boston is coming off a 94-89 loss at Charlotte as 4 ½-point favorites on Monday. That was the second-half of a back-to-back, where the aging team is just 3-10 ATS. The team does progressively better on more rest, 12-11 ATS on one day, 5-3-1 ATS on two days (Thursday’s situation) and 4-1 ATS on three days or more.
The Celtics got a big boost recently with Kendrick Perkins coming back sooner than expected from a torn ACL. He’s now starting and playing over 30 minutes per game. He could be the only center playing Thursday with Jermaine O’Neal (knee) out and Shaquile O’Neal (Achilles) and Semih Erden (hip) doubtful.
Backup small forward Marquis Daniels (neck) is also out indefinitely, which means more playing time for Von Wafer. Glen Davis will be the backup at power forward and center, but the older starters like Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen will also have to play more minutes.
Boston is 23-4 SU at home this year, but just 11-14-2 ATS. The ‘over’ is 9-2 in its last 11 home games.
Los Angeles went 1-2 SU and ATS in Boston during the NBA Finals last year, and is 2-6-1 ATS in the last nine games there overall. The ‘under’ is 4-0 in the last four meetings in Boston.
TNT will have the broadcast at 5 p.m. (PT) from TD Banknorth Garden. It will be followed by Dallas at Denver.
Nuggets, Mavericks cap NBA doubleheader
By: Brad Young
A possible postseason preview takes place Thursday night between a pair of teams playing on back-to-back nights. Dallas (36-15 straight up, 27-22-2 against the spread) is playing at Sacramento Wednesday night, while Denver (30-22 SU, 22-27-3 ATS) is at Golden State.
The Mavericks are presently the second-seeded team in the Western Conference, and would host the seventh-seeded Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs if the regular season ended today. Dallas remains in second place in the Southwest standings behind San Antonio, while Denver is in third place in the Northwest Division.
The Mavericks are riding a nine-game SU winning streak heading into Wednesday’s matchup after holding off Cleveland Monday as a decided 14-point home ‘chalk,’ 99-96. The combined 195 points failed to topple the 206 ½-point closing total, ending a string of three straight ‘over’ outings. Dallas had covered five games in a row before hosting the Cavaliers.
The Mavericks finished the contest with advantages in rebounding (51-43) and assists (21-18), shooting 41 percent (34-of-83) from the field and 39 percent (7-of-22) from behind the arc. Shooting guard Jason Terry led the team with 23 points and five assists, while forward Shawn Marion added 17 and 10 rebounds.
Denver has alternated wins and losses SU and ATS its last five games heading into Wednesday night. The Nuggets continued their uneven playing with Monday’s setback to Houston as a five-point home favorite, 108-103. The combined 211 points failed to topple the 218 ½-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ cash the second consecutive contest.
Denver made things closer by outscoring the Rockets in the fourth quarter, 37-27, but the deficit was too big to overcome. The Nuggets grabbed more rebounds (47-37), but Houston delivered more assists (27-14). Denver shot 46 percent from the field (35-of-77), led by forward Carmelo Anthony who produced 50 points and 11 rebounds in the defeat.
Dallas and Denver have met twice this season, with the road team prevailing SU and ATS each time. The Mavericks won Nov. 3 as a four-point road underdog, 102-101, while the combined 203 points went ‘under’ the 205 ½-point closing total.
The Nuggets returned the favor three days later as a 6½-point road ‘dog, 103-92, while the combined 195 points failed to eclipse the 203½-point closing total. The ‘under’ has cashed the previous three games in this series. Denver is 14-4 ATS the past 18 matchups with the Mavericks, and 7-3 ATS the last 10 home encounters.
Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki is ‘probable’ versus the Nuggets with an injured wrist, while guard Dominique Jones (foot) is ‘out’ indefinitely. The Mavericks conclude a three-game road trip with Saturday’s matchup at Houston. Dallas is 6-2 ATS its previous eight outings against Northwest Division opponents.
Denver center Nene Hilario (illness) and guard Chauncey Billups (knee) are ‘questionable’ against the Mavericks. The Nuggets follow this contest with a three-game road trip against Memphis, Houston and Milwaukee. Denver has seen the ‘over’ go 7-3 its last 10 outings overall.
TNT will provide national coverage of Thursday’s matchup beginning at 7:30 p.m. PT from Denver’s Pepsi Center. The game is preceded on TNT by the Celtics, Lakers contest in Boston.
NBA RoundUp for 2/10
by Dan Bebe
Los Angeles Lakers @ Boston Celtics (-3.5) with a total of 187.5
I guess the question is whether the Celtics desire or Lakers revenge is more important, and on the surface, it's tough to say. Boston was a 3-point underdog in Los Angeles and beat the pants off the Lakers with a dominant second half. It probably also didn't hurt Boston's cause that they shot an absurd 60% from the field in that game, including 9-of-17 from distance. Boston outrebounded the Lakers 43 to just 30, and despite turning it over at a greater clip, those outrageous shooting numbers were far more than the Lakers could overcome. Yes, the Celtics are the best shooting team in the NBA, but 60% for a game against the Lakers massive front line is a sure indicator that those bigs just weren't involved. The box score bears that out, as well: Pau Gasol was just 5-for-13 from the field, Ron Artest was 1-for-10, and got benched when it was clear to the Zen Master that Ron-Ron just had his head somewhere else. The simple solution would be to come out in this game and play with a purpose, but will they? Gasol has a track record of playing a little soft in big, regular-season games, and no one knows what to expect from Artest on a game-to-game basis. The difference-maker, in my opinion, is going to be Andrew Bynum. The kid logged only 28 minutes in the last meeting, picking up 5 fouls that curtailed his aggression. If he can keep his cool and defend without fouling, this game should be a heck of a lot more of a slugfest, and consequently, anyone's game. I wouldn't be surprised to see this one come down to the final shot, so with that in mind, I lean slightly to LAKERS, but the fact that the last game hit 205 points, and this total only moved 1.5 points, well, that pushes me to the UNDER.
Golden State Warriors @ Phoenix Suns (-6) with a total of 217
Can the Warriors finally wake up and give the Suns a better game? I'm honestly a little surprised at the ownage Phoenix is flexing over Golden State this season, since, on paper, these games should be about as close a back-and-forth game as we can expect between any two teams. Oh well - guess that's why they play. However you cut it, Golden State is now on double home-revenge with a team they should be able to handle. Certainly, the large line is a result of the Warriors playing a late game with Denver last night and creating a scheduling fatigue spot that could only be worsened if Phoenix was at an altitude. Still, we've seen teams make this trip and perform just fine (Charlotte, most recently, from NorCal to Arizona), and I'm inclined to believe the Warriors take offense to the way the Suns have slapped them around at Oracle Arena. The Suns have been far better this year as the underdog, a flimsy defense keeping them from covering spreads as a favorite, and this game falls right into that wheelhouse. If the Warriors could perhaps consider making a 3-pointer and cracking 70% from the free throw line in a game with the Suns, they SHOULD be able to hang right with them. Instead, the Warriors almost seem like they try to change their style of play to mess with Phoenix, and instead, it just ends up creating discontinuity on offense and ugly basketball. I think the WARRIORS get things squared away and get off to a better start, and some game in this series has to go OVER, doesn't it?
Dallas Mavericks @ Denver Nuggets with a total of N/A
Road warriors in Denver, but both teams flying into altitude off a West coast game the night before. This game has sluggish plastered all over it. This game also has "wait and see how the two teams handle the Bay Area" before making a play. If we are going to look at this game in a vacuum, however, you have to like Dallas. The Mavericks play the better defense between these two teams, they aren't afraid of Denver (or the Pepsi Center), and they're hotter. The teams split the two meetings earlier this year, with each club taking care of business on the road, and I don't see any reason why that trend doesn't continue. Denver has been decidedly Melo-centric, and that is not a way for them to win games. Everyone else bails out on defense, and the fast breaks disappear. Again, though, let's see if either of these teams has especially easy or difficult games on Wednesday night that could impact them, here. Also worth noting that this game is an 8:30 local start, meaning that the time difference is not a factor. The altitude and back-to-backs are, and somehow Dallas has shown a knack for keeping the defensive intensity even when tired. I can't argue with the fact that Dallas allows fewer points on back-to-backs than the team's season defensive average (93.5 vs. 94.6). Lean to DALLAS and while my brain is currently debating whether sluggishness will lead to missed shots or missed defensive assignments, I want to see the line, but early tilt to the UNDER.
Thursday NBA Tips
By Kevin Rogers
Three games grace the NBA card on Thursday night, which includes five Western Conference teams being showcased. The Nuggets and Mavericks each play the second end of a back-to-back in the late game at the Pepsi Center, while the Suns and Warriors look to light things up in the Valley. We begin in Beantown with a rematch of last season's NBA Finals, and the greatest rivalry in NBA history.
Lakers at Celtics
Boston picked up a smidgen of revenge on Los Angeles after last June's Finals defeat to the Lakers with a 109-96 victory on January 30 at Staples Center. The Lakers continue a seven-game road trip following wins in their first two games at New Orleans and Memphis, while the Celtics try to rebound from Monday's setback at Charlotte.
In their earlier meeting, the Celtics outscored the Lakers, 59-42 in the second half to easily cash as three-point underdogs. Los Angeles native Paul Pierce torched the Lakers for 32 points, while Ray Allen chipped in 21 points. The C's shot 60% from the floor, as Boston cleaned up on the boards by outrebounding Los Angeles, 43-30. Kobe Bryant was the only Laker to show up offensively by tying a season-high with 41 points, but it was not nearly enough despite a season-best 16 field goals made.
The Celtics are rolling through a tough home stretch after playing Dallas and Orlando, while hosting the Lakers on Thursday and the Heat on Sunday afternoon. Boston has been off since Monday's loss in Charlotte, as the Celtics couldn't hold a lead while failing to cash as 4 ½-point road 'chalk.' The Celtics enter Thursday's contest with a 23-4 SU mark at TD Garden, but they have covered just 11 of 27 games on the new parquet.
These two rivals have been polar opposites with at least two days of rest this season. The Lakers own a dismal 2-6 ATS and 3-5 SU mark in this rest scenario, while the Celtics have compiled an 8-3-2 ATS and 11-2 SU ledger with two or more days off. This will be only the second instance all season in which the Lakers are listed as a road underdog, as Phil Jackson's club lost at San Antonio on December 28 as 3 ½-point 'dogs, 97-82.
Warriors at Suns
Golden State's season-long eight-game homestand came to a close on Wednesday night against Denver as the Warriors make the trip to Phoenix to battle the Suns. This will be the second meeting in four nights between the Pacific Division rivals with Phoenix looking to capitalize off of Monday's 104-92 victory at Oracle Arena as five-point 'dogs.
Phoenix has won eight of the last nine meetings with Golden State dating back to February 2009, including the 12-point triumph on Monday. In that win, the Suns drilled 13 three-pointers, while limiting the Warriors to just 43% shooting from the field. Something very uncharacteristic happening to Golden State as Keith Smart's squad was held to 17 points in two separate quarters, resulting in a fourth straight 'under' for the Warriors.
With a win on Thursday, the Suns climb back to the .500 mark for the first time since December 19 when Phoenix owned a 13-13 record. The Suns are a dreadful 1-7 ATS this season as a favorite against teams with no rest, as the lone victory came over the Hornets as 1 ½-point favorites on January 30. The key for Phoenix is finding consistency since the acquisition of Vince Carter, as the Suns are 4-1 SU/ATS since a three-game skid.
The Warriors haven't left the state of California since a comeback victory at New Orleans on January 5. The only two road contests in this stretch came at Staples Center against the Clippers as Golden State lost each time to its division rivals to the South. Golden State is a profitable 11-9-1 ATS as a road underdog, including an 8-2 ATS record in the last 10 games when receiving single-digits on the highway.
Mavericks at Nuggets
Three weeks removed from being the coldest team in the Western Conference, the Mavs have rebounded nicely with nine consecutive victories. Dallas has helped out backers with covers in six of the last nine games, as the Mavs play the second of a back-to-back in Denver against the unrested Nuggets.
The Carmelo Anthony trade rumors are still hanging over the head of this franchise on whether or not the Nuggets' star will be dealt before the February 24 deadline. Since a four-game winning streak in late January, the Nuggets have been cold recently with 2-4 SU/ATS mark the previous six games. Denver's offense has put up at last 100 points in eight of the last 10 games, resulting in seven 'overs.'
Dallas put together an impressive road trip prior to their close-shave victory over hapless Cleveland. Rick Carlisle's club knocked off the Knicks, Celtics, and Bobcats in succession, while holding each of their last six opponents to 97 points or less. The Mavs look to continue the trend of road teams dominating this series with both Denver and Dallas winning on the other team's court this season.
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Tips and Trends
Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics
LAKERS: Los Angeles is off to a good start on their road trip, as they were able to beat both New Orleans and Memphis SU and ATS. Tonight is a critical game for Los Angeles, as they have revenge on their minds from their blowout to the Celtics at home earlier this season. The Lakers are 36-16 SU and 23-28-1 ATS overall this year. Los Angeles is currently in 3rd place in the Western Conference, 7.5 games behind San Antonio. The Lakers are 17-8 SU and 13-11-1 ATS on the road this season. Los Angeles lost their only game both SU and ATS as the listed underdog this season. The Lakers are averaging 103.1 PPG overall this season, 7th best in the NBA. G Kobe Bryant is averaging a team best 25.4 PPG this year. F Pau Gasol has been far more aggressive offensively of late, a welcome sign from Bryant and the rest of his team. Gasol is averaging 18.7 PPG and a team high 10.5 RPG this season. The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games against a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600%. Los Angeles is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following a SU win. The Lakers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 2 days rest.
Key Injuries - F Matt Barnes (knee) is out.
Top Trends
Lakers are 1-10 ATS last 11 Thursday games.
Under is 5-1 last 6 games against a team with a winning SU record.
Projected Score: 97 (SIDE of the Day)
CELTICS: (-3.5, O/U 187.5) Boston has been merely average of late, as they appear to be looking ahead to the upcoming All-Star Break. Despite their average play of late, the Celtics still have the best record in the Eastern Conference. Boston is 38-13 SU and 24-25-2 ATS overall this season. The Celtics are an impressive 23-4 SU and 11-14-2 ATS in home games this year. Boston is 15-21-2 ATS as the listed single digit favorite this year. The Celtics have already beaten the Lakers once this year, so they will be looking for the regular season sweep tonight. F Paul Pierce is leading the Celtics in scoring yet again this year, averaging 19 PPG. G Ray Allen is averaging 17.5 PPG this season, and is 2 made three pointers from becoming the most prolific 3 point shooter in NBA history. Defensively, Boston is allowing just 91.5 PPG, the fewest in the entire NBA. The Celtics are 11-3-1 ATS in their last 15 games playing on 2 days rest. Boston is 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600%. The Celtics are 22-8 ATS in their last 30 games following a SU loss. Boston is 25-10-2 ATS in their last 37 games following an ATS loss. The Celtics are 7-15-1 ATS in their last 23 games against the NBA Pacific. Boston is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games against a team with a road winning percentage greater than .600%.
Key Injuries - C Shaquille O'Neal (achilles) is doubtful.
Top Trends
Celtics are 5-1 ATS last 6 Thursday games.
Over is 9-2 last 11 home games.
Projected Score: 93
Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets
MAVERICKS: Dallas is the hottest team in the NBA right now, as they've won their past 9 games SU. The Mavericks are so much better when F Dirk Nowitzki is healthy and doing his best MVP impersonation. Dallas is 36-15 SU and 27-22-2 ATS overall this season. The Mavericks have used their 9 game winning streak to climb to the 2nd best record in the Western Conference. Dallas is 16-7 SU and 15-8 ATS on the road this season. Dallas appears to be getting healthier on their bench, as F Peja Stojakovic and Rodrigue Beaubois get closer to playing time. Defensively, Dallas is allowing just 94.6 PPG this season, 7th fewest in the NBA. Nowitzki is averaging a team best 23.1 PPG this season, while shooting better than 52% from the field. C Tyson Chandler is averaging 10.3 PPG and a team best 9.6 RPG this year. The Mavericks are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 road games against a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600%. Dallas is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games against the NBA Northwest. The Mavericks are 13-6-1 ATS in their last 20 games against a team with a winning SU record. Dallas is 13-37-1 ATS in their last 51 Thursday games.
Key Injuries - F Dirk Nowitzki (wrist) is probable.
Top Trends
Mavericks are 5-1 ATS last 6 games overall.
Over is 4-1 last 5 Thursday games.
NUGGETS: It appears Denver is finally starting to show signs of cracking. The Nuggets have lost 4 of their past 6 games SU, no surprise if you considering all the injuries and trade rumors swirling around them. The Nuggets are 30-22 SU and 22-27-3 ATS overall this season. If the playoffs started today, Denver would be the 7th seed in the Western Conference. The Nuggets are 21-7 SU and 12-14-2 ATS in home games this year. Denver has played Dallas twice at the beginning of this season, with each team winning SU on the road as the listed underdog. The Nuggets have the most prolific offense in the NBA, as they are averaging 107.6 PPG this year. F Carmelo Anthony is coming off a 50 point outburst, and is averaging a team best 24.6 PPG. PG Chauncey Billups is averaging 16.2 PPG and a team high 5.3 APG this season. The Nuggets are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games playing on 0 days rest. Denver is 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games against the NBA Southwest. Nuggets are 16-5 ATS last 21 home games against a team with a winning road record.
Key Injuries - C Nene (illness) is probable.
Top Trends
Nuggets are 16-5 ATS last 21 home games against a team with a winning road record.
Under is 6-1 last 7 games against the Western Conference.