NBA News and Notes Thursday 2/11

NBA Doubleheader on TNT
By RICKY DIMON

Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers (-6.5, 195)

Players only

Dwight Howard revealed earlier this week that he called a players-only meeting following Orlando’s 96-94 home victory over Boston on January 28. The Magic were just 7-8 for the month and needed a furious fourth-quarter rally to overcome the reeling Celtics.

Orlando (35-17, 26-25-1 ATS) has won five of six since that meeting, including a home win over Atlanta and a victory at Boston. The team has won two straight heading into Thursday’s trip to Cleveland.

“We all told each other we have to be honest with each other,” Howard explained to reporters. “When we’re out there playing and we’re in the locker room, don’t be afraid to tell the next man anything. We have to hold each other accountable. When we’re not playing well and when we’re taking bad shots, we have to be able to talk to each other, be able to tell each other, ‘Yo, that was not a good shot at this time.’ Little things like that.”

Two days later, Howard erupted for 31 points and 19 rebounds as the Magic handled Atlanta 104-86. Howard has six double-doubles in six outings since the meeting to extend his double-double streak to 13 games.

Player of the Week, team of the month

LeBron James was named NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week (February 1-7) Monday, picking up his fifth such honor of the season. In home blowouts of Memphis, Miami and the New York Knicks, LeBron averaged 35 points, seven rebounds and 10.3 assists per game.

LeBron has also won all three NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month awards this season, and if there had been a team of the month honor for January, Cleveland certainly would have garnered it.

The Cavs (42-11, 27-25-1 ATS) compiled a 12-3 record for the month and they have not lost since January 14 at Utah. Since December 20, they have a mere three losses, none of which came by more than three points. Cleveland is currently riding an NBA season-best winning streak of 12 games (7-5 ATS).

Making this streak all the more impressive is that Cleveland has done it without Mo Williams and Delonte West. Williams, who has missed 10 games with a shoulder injury, will be out another two weeks and West is expected to miss his 10th straight game due to a broken finger Thursday.

Trending topics

The Magic, who played at Chicago Wednesday, are 7-6 (6-7 ATS) in the second of back-to-back games this season. They are 3-1-1 ATS in their last five road games and 4-1 ATS in their last five against the Eastern Conference. Cleveland is 6-2 ATS in its last eight outings overall.

The Cavs (24-26-3 O/U) have not been a strong over/under play so far this year, but the Magic (22-30 O/U) have been a stellar under play. In Orlando’s last six overall, the under is 5-1.

Head-to-head, the Magic are 7-1 ATS in their last eight trips to Cleveland and 15-3 ATS in the last 18 meetings overall. The over is 4-0 in the four most recent matchups.

San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets (-5.5, 204)

“Not getting through”

With the annual San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo currently taking over the AT&T Center, the Spurs (29-21, 24-25-1 ATS) are halfway through their eight-game “Rodeo trip.” They owned a worst-ever record to start the trek (27-19) and things have not gotten much better. San Antonio is 2-2 so far, having scraped past Sacramento and the Clippers only to fall against Portland and the Lakers.

“It’s about mental toughness and physical toughness and passion, a group jelling together and playing together,” coach Gregg Popovich said after his team succumbed to the Lakers 101-89 on Monday night. “And we’re not doing it. For some reason, I’m not getting through to this group.”

Tony Parker’s return from an ankle injury has helped matters but has not yet translated into victories. Parker, who missed three games in late January and early February, is averaging 17.7 point in three games since his comeback but the Spurs went 1-2 in those contests.

No longer feeling Melo

After sitting out eight games with an ankle injury, Carmelo Anthony returned to the lineup Tuesday and the Nuggets promptly destroyed Dallas 127-91 at the Pepsi Center. Anthony finished with 19 points, six assists and four rebounds in just 30 minutes of action.

“I felt good,” Anthony told the media. “I wanted to see what I can do and can't do, and I found I can do pretty much what I've been doing.”

Denver (35-17, 24-25-3 ATS) now hopes that it can get back to doing what it had been doing with Anthony on the floor. The Nuggets were on a six-game winning streak when Anthony went down but they went a pedestrian 5-3 with Anthony on the sidelines.

Prior engagements

Denver is 2-0 against San Antonio this season, with both wins coming on the road. As 4-point underdogs on December 5, the Nuggets prevailed 106-99. In a January 31 contest with both Parker and Anthony sitting out, Denver drubbed the Spurs 103-89 behind Kenyon Martin’s 27 points as a 5.5-point underdog.

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The Spurs are 2-5 ATS in their last seven road games and 1-4 in their last five overall. The Nuggets are 1-7-3 ATS in their last 11 outings following an ATS win.

San Antonio (22-27-1 O/U) has been a decent under play this season, but Denver (25-27 O/U) has not been a particularly strong over/under play. The under is 6-1 in the Spurs last seven road games and 4-1 in their last five overall, but the over is 4-1 in the Nuggets last five home dates and 4-1 in their last five overall.

Head-to-head, the under is 21-7 in the last 28 meetings and the underdog is 6-0 ATS in the last six matchups. The Spurs are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 trips to Denver, but they are 2-6 ATS in the last eight showdowns overall.

Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Quicken Loans Arena.

Seven players reached double figure scoring to help the Magic crush the Bulls 107-87 on Wednesday. The Magic covered the 5-point spread, while the 194 points went UNDER the posted total of 195.5.

Dwight Howard poured in 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for a double-double in the win.

LeBron James went for 32 points and 11 assists to lead the Cavaliers past the Nets 104-97 on Tuesday night.

Cleveland failed to cover as 16-point home favorites, while the game played OVER the 189-point total listed by sportsbooks.

Current streak:
Orlando has won 3 straight games.
Cleveland has won 12 straight games.

Team records:
Orlando: 36-17 SU, 26-24-3 ATS
Cleveland: 42-11 SU, 26-25-2 ATS

Orlando most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 2-8
Before playing Detroit are 7-3
After playing Chicago are 5-5
After a win are 7-3

Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 9-1
Before playing Denver are 7-3
After playing New Jersey are 3-7
After a win are 10-0

A few trends to consider:
Orlando is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Orlando's last 8 games when playing Cleveland
Orlando is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Orlando is 10-2 ATS in its last 12 games when playing Cleveland
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Cleveland's last 8 games when playing Orlando
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games at home

Next up:
Orlando home to Detroit, Wednesday, February 17
Cleveland home to Denver, Thursday, February 18

San Antonio Spurs vs. Denver Nuggets

The San Antonio Spurs and the Denver Nuggets will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Pepsi Center.

Manu Ginobili scored 21 points off the bench for the Spurs in their 101-89 loss to the Lakers on Monday night.

Los Angeles covered as 2.5-point home favorites, while the game played UNDER the 192.5-point total set by oddsmakers.

Nene dropped 21 points and hauled down eight rebounds, as the Nuggets drilled the Mavericks 127-91 on Tuesday night.

Denver covered as 7-point home favorites, while the game played OVER the 210.5-point total set by oddsmakers.

Team records:
San Antonio: 29-21 SU, 24-25-1 ATS
Denver: 35-17 SU, 24-25-3 ATS

San Antonio most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Indiana are 6-4
After playing LA Lakers are 6-4
After a loss are 7-3

Denver most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Cleveland are 7-3
After playing Dallas are 6-4
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Antonio's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Antonio's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of San Antonio's last 17 games when playing Denver
San Antonio is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Denver
Denver is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games
Denver is 12-3 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games at home

Next up:
San Antonio at Indiana, Wednesday, February 17
Denver at Cleveland, Thursday, February 18

NBA RoundUp For 2/11
By Dan Bebe

Magic @ Cavaliers - Cleveland by 6.5 with a total of 194. I have fairly strong feelings about this game, for whatever reason; and I shouldn't admit this, but probably the strongest I've felt about certain angles since Saturday. I love the drama in this one, and I will be hosting a Live Chat for the TNT game(s), hopefully with Goodfella, if I can track him down! If not, whoever's around and wants to have a little fun -- that includes all of you guys. In any case, I think this is one of those games where the "surface" angles all point to the Magic, but the "deeper" ones point back to the Cavs, and we have to decide how the All Star Break is going to effect these teams. For instance, the Magic are coming off a tremendous comeback win over the Hornets at home 3 days ago, and a throttling of a tired Bulls team last night in Chicago. On the surface, it looks like this team is finding a groove; if you look deeper, though, I believe the narrow win over the Hornets was a bit lucky, with Vince Carter having his best game since 2006, and the beatdown of a banged-up Chicago club clearly ready for a week off not only told us nothing about Orlando, but actually may have created a tiny bit of value on Cleveland, courtesy of folks trying to "ride the wave." The biggest angle worth exploring is the revenge angle. Which is a bigger factor, the Cavs beating Orlando in Florida earlier this year, or the Magic ousting Cleveland from the playoffs last season. If recent history is any indication, a playoff elimination is a stronger motivator than one home loss -- if you want proof, take a peek at the results of the Nuggets-Lakers season series so far this year. Nuggets are angry with LA, and trying to show they're the better team, while the Lakers, content in their Championship ways, play hard in those games, but don't seem to sweat them quite the same way. I think this will be roughly the same. The Cavs, for all their success (a 12-game SU win streak isn't half bad), are still taking aim at those big dogs in the East, and trying to make sure the world knows they're the best. In terms of the line of 6.5, that's like saying the Cavs are just 1.5-point neutral court favorites over the Magic, and I think we all know they're better than that. I believe this line is actually DEFLATED for Cleveland based on the in-season Magic revenge angle, and that without Cleveland's win in Orlando earlier this year this line would be at 7, so the Cavs are getting a half point. On the other side of things, the Cavs are coming off 7-point wins over the Knicks and Nets: you might argue they took those stinker-teams lightly, but Cleveland took the foot off the gas, and now they have to prove they can put it back down against a top tier club. Orlando has struggled a bit against the Central division at just 2-8 ATS, but you guys know how I feel about random trends. I believe Cleveland, amazingly, has some line value here on the side, and I lean Cavs. On the total, I think this one turns into a classic battle, with Lebron running pick and rolls on one side, and Superman-1 vs. Superman-2 on the inside, and when teams get locked into these types of games, there are very few easy buckets, jumpshots start to tighten up, and unless you have the speed and athleticism of King James, you're probably not going to get a run-out. I lean Under.

Spurs @ Nuggets - Denver by 5.5 with a total of 204.5. This side looks low to me, and this write-up is going to be spent digging around and trying to figure out why. A cursory overview would suggest that the line is where it is because of one of three factors (or multiple, I guess). One, and this one is the less likely candidate, Kenyon Martin is battling patella tendinitis, and may miss the game. I would think that would move the line, at MOST, half a point, and probably not at all. Two, and this is more likely, the line is hyper-friendly to Nuggets-backers because the Spurs are on double-home-revenge. I think sometimes we get caught up in this revenge thing maybe more than we should. The Spurs are just 8-12 ATS on revenge, and 5-5 when revenging a home loss, so it's not like they come into these games and just steamroll. Whether or not you like either of these teams, it's very important to realize that oddsmakers see the revenge factor, and they know damn well that bettors are going to look at it, and immediately try to put all the pieces together starting with that one stat. So we have to be careful before just leaping at one particular team because it doesn't look like thay can lose to the same team again. That's just not always the case. Look at the Hawks and Celtics this year -- Atlanta had a bone to pick with Boston, and because the Celtics just aren't as stout on defense this year, Atlanta brought their A-game in all 4 meetings, and beat Boston all 4 times. The same COULD be the case here, as the Spurs are a step slow this year, dropping precipitously in their defensive ranking this year compared to years past, while Denver is a team on the rise, and their strength both inside and on the perimeter, as well as their versatility might just be too much for the Spurs to handle. For this game specifically, I do believe the Nuggets win the game, but I'm not sure that ALL the value adds up. Denver is coming off a THROTTLING of the Mavericks, so their value isn't terribly high right now, courtesy of the public falling back in love with them, when they're healthy. On the other side, the Spurs are coming off getting worked by the Kobe-less Lakers, so there IS some value with San Antonio coming off a loss. I'd like to say this game is a trap spot, but I'm just not convinced the Spurs can keep up for all 48 minutes. I simply cannot believe that with all this info, I am looking at the square side -- I hate to say it, but I have a tiny lean to Denver to squeeze above the spread (I predict a 6 point win). I lean more strongly to the Over on the total, as the last meeting, just over a week ago, hit just 192 combined points (on a posted mark of 197.5), and now suddenly this total opens up 7 points higher? Oddsmakers know Denver is going to push the pace, and I think the Spurs score some points on the big late TNT stage.

Trend Report - Thursday
By Ed Meyer

Magic at Cavaliers – The Magic are 0-7 ATS (-8.2 ppg) since March 09, 2009 when facing a team they lost to as a home favorite in their previous same-season match-up. The Magic are 6-0 ATS (9.4 ppg) since December 27, 2008 before playing the Pistons. The Cavaliers are 11-0-1 ATS (8.2 ppg) since November 19, 1996 as a home favorite when they shot at least 50% from the field in each of their last two games. The Cavaliers are 0-9 ATS (-6.9 ppg) since February 07, 2008 after a win in which they allowed at least 50% from the field. The Cavaliers are 7-0 ATS (8.1 ppg) since November 15, 2008 at home with at most one day of rest after a home win in which they shot at least 50% from the field.

Spurs at Nuggets – The Spurs are 9-0 ATS (5.8 ppg) since January 25, 2002 on the road when seeking revenge for a double-digit loss as a home favorite. The Spurs are 6-0 ATS (8.5 ppg) since November 30, 1996 after a double digit loss in which they had at least 10 more personal fouls than their opponent. The Spurs are 0-5 ATS (-11.9 ppg) since April 05, 2009 when seeking revenge for a double-digit loss. The Nuggets are 8-0 ATS (8.3 ppg) since November 11, 2001 at home with at most one day of rest after a win in which they controlled at least 60% of the available rebounds. The Nuggets are 7-0 ATS (9.6 ppg) since January 20, 2009 at home with 3+ days rest upcoming. The Nuggets are 0-6 ATS (-7.8 ppg) since December 08, 2009 with at most one day of rest after a double digit win in which they shot at least ten three-pointers and made at least half of them.

Best-of-the-Best
By SportsPic

Cleveland Cavaliers the leagues best at 42-11 (27-25-1 ATS) aim to extend not only a 12-game (7-5 ATS) win streak but a 10-game run on home hardwood (6-4 ATS) when they host Orlando Magic in one of only two scheduled before All-Star Weekend. King James and his Cavaliers virtually unstoppable at Quicken Loans Arena winning 23-of-26 (11-15 ATS) overall are 21-1 (10-12 ATS) the last twenty-two at home averaging 104.4 points/game while holding visitors to a minuscule 93.8 PPG. Meanwhile, Magic destroying Chicago by 20 points last night are 36-17 (27-25-1 ATS) on the season, 16-12 (14-13-1 ATS) on the highway and head into Cleveland on a smart 10-2 (7-5 ATS) run averaging 100.6 while allowing opponents 92.8 PPG. Cavaliers won an earlier meeting 102-93 as 1 point road dogs exacting a little revenge for last seasons Eastern Conference Finals loss to Orlando but it is well to note Dwight and Company have been like a personal ATM machine for backers in this series cashing 15-of-18 tickets. Magic 14-6 against-the-spread as road underdogs, 3-1-1 ATS in their last five road games, 7-6 (6-7 ATS) in the second of back-to-back's have been pegged 6.5 point underdogs.

Tips and Trends

Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers

Magic: Orlando is rounding into form, finally playing with a full complement of players. The Magic have won 6 of their past 7 games SU for a season record of 36-17 SU. The Magic have the 3rd best record in the NBA, thanks to nearly a 6 point differential. The Magic average more than 101 PPG on offense, while only allowing 95.6 PPG defensively. Orlando has been playing great defense recently, holding 5 of their past 6 opponents to 92 PTS or fewer. Orlando is 15-12 SU and 13-13-1 ATS on the road this season. The Magic are 3-3 SU and 3-2-1 ATS as the listed underdog this season. 8 different Magic players average at least 8 PPG this season for the Magic. C Dwight Howard leads the team with 17.9 PPG and an NBA high 13.4 RPG this season. G Vince Carter averages 16.5 PPG this season, but has averaged more than 24 PPG over his past 5 games. The Magic only allow opponents to shoot 43.5% from the field, the 2nd lowest percentage in the NBA.

Magic are 2-7-1 ATS last 10 road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600.
Under is 7-1 last 8 games as a road underdog.

Key Injuries - None.

PROJECTED SCORE: 95 (Side of the Day)

Cavaliers (-6.5, O/U 194): Cleveland is enjoying the overall best record in the NBA as they approach the All Star Game, sitting at 42-11 SU. The Cavaliers have won 12 consecutive games SU, and will look to tie a franchise record 13th straight victory tonight. This will be the 2nd time these teams have faced off since the Magic eliminated the Cavaliers last year in the Eastern Conference Finals. Cleveland won the first meeting this season SU in Orlando as 1 point underdogs. Cleveland is 23-3 SU and 11-15 ATS at home this season. The Cavaliers are a profitable 5-4 ATS as single digit home favorite this season. Despite having a 12 game winning streak, the Cavaliers are only 7-5 ATS during that time. F LeBron James leads the NBA in scoring at 29.8 PPG. James has been extra hot of late, averaging 38.3 PPG his past 3 contests. Defensively, Cleveland only allows 94 PPG this season, the 2nd fewest in the entire NBA.

Cavaliers are 11-4 ATS last 15 games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600.
Over is 4-0 last 4 vs. a team with a winning SU record.

Key Injuries - G Delonte West (finger) is questionable.
G Mo Williams (shoulder) is out.

PROJECTED SCORE: 97

San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets

Spurs: As poorly as it seems this 1st half of the season has gone for the Spurs, they are still 29-21 SU, sitting in 7th place in the Western Conference playoff chase. San Antonio has revenge on their mind, as they have lost both contests SU to the Nuggets this year season. Even worse, both contests came in San Antonio. The Spurs have a losing record on the road this season, 10-11 SU and 9-12 ATS. The Spurs are 4-6 ATS as the listed underdog this season. San Antonio has struggled both on offense and defense this season. The Spurs have been held under 100 PTS in 4 of their past 5 games, and they're only averaging 94 PTS in their games against Denver this season. The trio of F Richard Jefferson, G Manu Ginobli, and PG Tony Parker have struggled on offense, with all 3 players having career low scoring averages this season. Defensively, the Spurs are allowing teams to shoot 45.6% from the field, their worst percentage since 1997.

Spurs are 2-11 ATS last 13 road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600.
Under is 7-0 last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600.

Key Injuries - None.

PROJECTED SCORE: 96

Nuggets (-5.5, O/U 204): Denver has alternated SU wins with losses over their past 4 games. While the Nuggets have been inconsistent of late, they did beat the Mavericks by 36 PTS in their most recent game. Denver is 35-17 SU, the 4th best record in the entire NBA. The Nuggets are 23-4 SU and 14-12-1 ATS at home this season. Denver is 9-5-1 ATS as a single digit home favorite this season. Today represents the final game before the All-Star break, so the Nuggets will be looking to keep their momentum going with F Carmelo Anthony back on the court. Anthony missed 8 games recently, but still is 3rd in the NBA in scoring with 29.5 PPG. Anthony has struggled against the Spurs in his career, only averaging 20 PPG, his lowest average against any Western Conference team. Denver averages 107.5 PPG, the 2nd highest scoring team in the NBA. Denver averages 24.5 made free throws per game, easily the most of any team in the NBA.

Nuggets are 6-15-1 ATS last 22 games as a favorite.
Under is 20-6 last 26 vs. a team with a winning SU record.

Key Injuries - F Kenyon Martin (knee) is questionable.
F Renaldo Balkman (back) is questionable.

PROJECTED SCORE: 99 (UNDER - Total of the Day)