Thursday's Best NBA Bet
Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz (-3.5, 210)
Both the Nuggets and Jazz have undergone major changes over the last couple of weeks, though that's about the only thing the two clubs have in common.
The Jazz have won just once over their first seven games under Tyrone Corbin since Jerry Sloan rode off into the sunset, covering just twice over that span. Plus, the club is now trying to adjust after superstar point guard Deron Williams was shipped to New Jersey, leaving the reins to Devin Harris.
"Despite the fact we're losing games, we're playing way better basketball right now,” forward Andrei Kirilenko told reporters. “We basically started from scratch. We lost coach [Jerry Sloan] first, we lost Deron. Right now, we start building again. So we're playing better, but we're not happy with the result."
Of course, Denver knows all about that following its facelift. The difference is George Karl is getting the most out of versatile lineup. The Nuggets head into this one playing the second of a back-to-back, but the more this club team plays right now, the quicker it will come together.
Pick: Denver
Miami Heat host Magic on TNT
By: Barry Daniels
NBA bragging rights in the state of Florida will be on the line Thursday night when the Southeast Division-leading Miami Heat host the second place Orlando Magic in the first game of a TNT pro hoop doubleheader.
The overnight line for this 5:00 p.m. (PT) tip-off has Miami installed as a six-point home favorite, with the total set at 199.
These Florida foes have met three times this season, with the Heat winning twice and the ‘over’ cashing twice.
The initial meeting occurred on Oct. 29, with the Heat spanking the Magic as four-point home favorites, 96-70. The combined 166 points dipped well ‘under’ the 188 ½-point closing total.
Miami held Orlando to a season-low 30.4 percent from the floor (21-of-69), including 4-of-24 (16.7 percent) from beyond the three-point line. The Heat out-rebounded the Magic, 60-52, and held a wide 17-5 advantage in the assist department.
Miami’s Dwayne Wade led all scorers with 26 points, while Dwight Howard’s 19 points was tops for Orlando.
The middle meeting (Nov. 24) saw the Magic get revenge with a 104-95 victory as four-point home favorites. The combined 199 points skipped ‘over’ the 188 ½-point closing total.
This time, the Magic shot a torrid 54 percent from the floor (36-of-70) and 31.6 percent from downtown (6-of-19). Orlando also out-rebounded Miami, 57-44, led by Howard’s 18 boards. The big center also led Orlando’s offense with 24 points.
The big difference between this game and the first meeting was Orlando dishing off 24 assists, compared to five in the first matchup. Magic point guard Jameer Nelson led the way with 14 assists.
The rubber game (Feb. 3) saw Miami upset Orlando as a small one-point road underdog, 104-100. The ‘total,’ which had closed at 188 ½ in the first two meetings, closed at 198 points.
LeBron James scored an NBA-high 51 points and had 11 rebounds and eight assists to lead Miami. James scored a franchise-record 23 points in the first quarter and hit a career-best 11 straight shots to start the contest.
The Magic trailed by 23 points with less than eight minutes to play, but nearly forced overtime. Ryan Anderson missed a game-tying 3-point attempt with 6.9 seconds left.
Nevertheless, Orlando is 13-6-1 ATS in its last 20 meetings against Miami, with the ‘over’ going 7-3 in the last 10 matchups.
The Magic extended their current winning streak to three games with Tuesday’s 116-110 victory against the New York Knicks. However, the Magic barely failed to cover as seven-point home favorites, which lowered their spread record to 28-32-1.
Though the combined 226 points soared ‘over’ the 212-point closing total, the ‘under’ is still 9-2 in Orlando’s last 11 contests and 33-26-2 overall.
Orlando is a respectable 15-13 SU away from home, but just 11-16-1 ATS. The club is outscoring its opponents on the road by one point per game (98-97).
The well-rested Heat have not played since Sunday’s 91-86 setback to the Knicks. Miami failed to cover as 10-point home favorites, lowering the club’s home ledger to 22-6 SU and 11-17 ATS. The Heat are outscoring the opposition at home by an average of 10 points per game (103-93).
Despite the combined 177 points ducking well ‘under’ the 217-point closing total, the ‘over’ is still 32-27-1 in Miami’s first 60 overall encounters and 9-4-1 in the squad’s last 14 home dates.
Miami has used a suffocating defense to open a 4½-game lead over Orlando in the Southeast Division. The Heat are allowing an average of 94.4 PPG (6th), thanks to holding the opposition to a league-low 42.7 percent shooting from the field and 32.7 percent from beyond the arc.
TNT will follow this game up with the Denver Nuggets visiting the Utah Jazz to cap its weekly televised twinbill.
Orlando returns home Friday for a meeting against the Chicago Bulls, while Miami travels to San Antonio for a Friday matchup against the league-leading Spurs.
Utah Jazz and Nuggets cap NBA betting twinbill
By: Stephen Nover
The way they are going the Utah Jazz won’t have to worry about being knocked out in the playoffs by the Los Angeles Lakers for a fourth straight year.
The Jazz are far more a lottery team than a serious playoff contender minus Jerry Sloan and Deron Williams.
Utah hosts Denver Thursday at 7:35 p.m. PT on TNT having lost 16 of its past 21 games. Preceding this game on the same network is the battle between the Magic and Heat in Miami.
The Jazz have dropped six consecutive games at home, their worst home skid since 1982. They have covered only 38 percent (12-19) of their home contests this season.
Despite being in contention for a postseason berth at 32-29, the Jazz are a team in transition. It would be a surprise if they did make the playoffs.
Utah has finished at or above .500 in all but one of the last 27 seasons. That mark is in jeopardy, too.
Since Sloan’s abrupt retirement after 23 seasons, Utah has lost five of six games under coach Tyrone Corbin. The Jazz are 1-2 since Williams was dealt to New Jersey for Devin Harris and Derrick Favors.
Williams has averaged 18 points and 10 assists three straight years while being in the argument for best point guard. He had the most 20-point, 10-assists game of any player last season.
The jury remains out on Harris, a speedy point guard who has been injury prone. Favors is a 6-foot-10 rookie forward averaging 6.4 points and 5.2 rebounds.
Harris and Favors made their home debut this past Monday against Boston. The Celtics won, 107-102, covering as 4 ½-point favorites. The combined 209 points went ‘over’ the 188½-point total.
Harris scored 19 points while dishing off five assists. Favors contributed nine points, four rebounds and a blocked shot in 15 minutes.
Al Jefferson had 28 points and pulled down a season-high 19 rebounds. Jefferson now is Utah’s best player. He’s coming off a strong February where he averaged nearly 24 points a game, nine rebounds per game and shot 55 percent from the field.
The Jazz have been hard hit by injuries. Most of their walking wounded are back with the exception of Mehmet Okur, sidelined with a lower-back problem.
If you discount a 116-point performance against Detroit two games ago, the Jazz are averaging 95.1 points in their last seven games. That’s four points less per game than their season average.
Denver isn’t about Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups anymore. Instead the Nuggets are about interchangeable parts following a blockbuster deal with New York that brought them Danilo Gallinari and point guard Raymond Felton.
Gallinari scored 30 points in a 107-106 overtime road loss to Portland this past Friday, but suffered a broken left big toe in the game. He’s expected to be out at least another week.
The Nuggets were 3-1 through Tuesday since dealing Anthony and Billups to the Knicks. Denver committed a season-low six turnovers in a 100-90 home win versus Atlanta this past Monday covering as 6½-point favorites. The combined 190 points dipped ‘under’ the 202-point total.
Denver currently is leading the NBA in scoring at 107.3 points per game and is fourth in field goal percentage at 47.3 percent. Nene is No. 1 in the league in field goal percentage making 62.5 percent of his shots.
The Nuggets had won and covered five in a row entering their Wednesday night home matchup versus Charlotte.
Denver plays seven of its next eight games on the road starting with the matchup against the Jazz.
The ‘over’ has cashed in 13 of the Nuggets’ last 19 games. The Nuggets ranked 23rd defensively allowing 104.5 points per contest. Utah is 18th on defense yielding 100.2 points a game.
NBA TNT Doubleheader Preview
By David Chan
Orlando Magic at Miami Heat (-5, 198)
Orlando will be looking to even up the season series with Miami when the two Eastern Conference giants meet for the fourth and final time Thursday night.
Appropriately, they have traded blows up to this point. For one of their few early-season highlights, the Heat humiliated the Magic 96-70 as 4-point home favorites on October 29. Less than a month later, on November 24, Orlando got the best of Miami 104-95, also as a 4-point favorite.
The ball bounced back in the Heat’s favor on February 3, when they went on the road as 1-point underdogs and picked up an impressive 104-100 win. Miami nearly blew a massive fourth-quarter lead, but LeBron James’ 51 points (not to mention 11 rebounds and eight assists) proved to be enough.
Dwight Howard has been slowed by the Miami Heat.
Full Nelson
The Heat have done well to contain (relatively speaking) Dwight Howard, whose 20 ppg in three games is well under his 23.2 season average. Howard is averaging 13.7 rebounds against Miami (just about at his season average) and only 0.7 blocks (a far cry from his 2.2. average).
Jameer Nelson, though, often does some of his best work at the Heat’s expense. Nelson averaged 16.3 points, seven assists and four rebounds in the previous three tilts.
He has posted double figures in five straight outings and is coming off one of his best games of the season. On Tuesday, Nelson scored a season-high 26 points, including 23 in the second half and 14 in the fourth quarter, to give Orlando (39-22, 28-32-1 ATS) a big 116-110 home win over New York.
“Jameer takes us to another level,” teammate J.J. Redick told the Orlando Sentinel afterward.
Heating problem
The Heat (43-17, 29-30-1 ATS) need to take it to another level if they want to have any shot at doing damage in the playoffs. They own a respectable record, especially compared to earlier in the season, but continue to be woeful against good teams.
Just take the last 11 games, for example. In that span, Miami beat the Bobcats, Clippers, Pacers (twice), Pistons, Raptors and Wizards. The team lost to the Celtics, Bulls, and most recently 91-86 at home to the Knicks Sunday.
Sense a pattern? And the bad news for the Heat is that their next 10 games come against teams that are at least six games over .500.
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The Heat are 1-4 ATS in their last five overall and 0-4 ATS in their last four against the Eastern Conference.
The under is 9-2 in the Magic’s last 11 overall and 5-1 in their last six against the Eastern Conference.
Head-to-head, the favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last four meetings. The over is 7-3 in the last 10 encounters.
Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz (-3.5, 210)
It will be a much different game from their previous two meetings this season when the Nuggets visit the Jazz Thursday night. Gone, of course, are respective stars Carmelo Anthony (now with New York) and Deron Williams (now with New Jersey).
The head-to-head series is split 1-1 following a pair of tilts in Denver. The Nuggets and Jazz opened the 2010-11 campaign against each other on October 27, with Denver dominating 110-88 and obliterating the 3.5-point spread. Utah, though, got revenge in the form of a 113-106 win on February 4. The visitors laughed at being 9-point underdogs, covering by a healthy 16 points.
Raja Bell isn't happy with his production in Utah.
The Nuggets (35-26, 28-30-3 ATS) will be coming off a Wednesday night home game against Charlotte when they head to Utah. Denver is a mediocre 7-8 (6-9 ATS) in the second of back-to-back contests so far this season.
Jazz feeling the blues
First the Jazz (32-29, 26-34-1 ATS) lost the longest-tenured coach in the NBA when Jerry Sloan resigned last month. Then star point guard Deron Williams was shipped off to New Jersey just before the trade deadline.
Not coincidentally, Utah has lost seven of its last eight (2-6 ATS) and two straight (0-2 ATS). Prior to a 107-102 home loss to Boston Monday, the Jazz fell at lowly Detroit 120-116 Saturday night.
Frustration is starting to boil over, especially for 34-year-old guard Raja Bell. He is not happy with the losses, nor is he content with his own contributions. Bell put up a goose-egg in last Friday’s win over Indiana and scored just two points against the Celtics.
“Any time we lose, frustration comes along with that, especially at this point in the season,” Bell told the Salt Lake Tribune. “…I said when I came here I would do whatever people asked me to so. And that hasn’t changed. I don’t have to like it every night. But I will do whatever is asked of me to the best of my ability.”
The Nuggets, on the other hand, have won four of five (5-0 ATS) and are 3-1 since the Carmelo trade. Newly-acquired Danilo Gallinari, though, will miss the next week due to a toe injury.
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The Nuggets are 5-0 ATS in their last five overall.
The Jazz are 0-6 ATS in their last six home games.
The over is 9-2 in Denver’s last 11 road games and 5-1 in its last six playing without a days rest. The over is also 11-1 in Utah’s last 12 playing on two days rest.
Head-to-head, the favorite is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings and the over is 8-2 in the last 10 encounters. The Jazz are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four at home against the Nuggets.
NBA Previews
by Dan Bebe
Orlando Magic @ Miami Heat (-5) with a total of 198.5
Doesn't this game just feel like it has all the makings of an epic finish? My gut has certainly been wrong before (see yesterday's prediction that the Warriors would just barely sneak under the number in Indianapolis), but with the way this season series has unfurled, I can't help but feel this game gets that playoff feel. The first meeting, way back in October, Miami crushed Orlando by 26, easily covering a short 3.5-point spread and keeping the total 22 points under the posted mark of 188; the second meeting occurred a month later, and the Magic got their revenge, beating Miami by 9, covering their own 3.5-point chalk in a game that went over the posted mark of 189 by 10 points. Flash forward to meeting 3, much more recent, and the Magic lost, at home, as a 1-point favorite, allowing the Heat to shoot 50% from the field and send the total over by a handful. Now, finally, back in Miami, the Heat laying the biggest number of any game in this season series, but each game's final result getting closer, and each game has actually had a higher total each time. I think one of those trends continues, namely, the close result, and I think the other breaks - that is, I expect a little more defense from both sides, a tempo more like the first meeting, but the Magic will shoot better than 30% from the field. Miami, as you've gathered, leads the season series 2-1, and I fully expect a red-hot, motivated Dwight Howard to completely dominate the paint, and if he can stay out of foul trouble, force this game to stay close the whole way through. A final note - these teams have taken 150, 152 and 157 shots in their meetings - a tempo that should look more like a mid/high 180's final score, not 200. I lean to ORLANDO and the UNDER.
Denver Nuggets @ Utah Jazz (-3) with a total of 210
The Nuggets are actually a pretty fun team to watch these days, with that Melo-shaped monkey off their back and one of the deepest rosters in the NBA on display. Of course, 2 games into his altitude career, Danilo Gallinari is out for 2 weeks with a broken toe, but the depth is still pretty substantial. Maybe the most amazing part of the post-trade Nuggets play is the team's energy on defense. See, the talent has always been there - Denver has (and had) some extremely gifted athletes that, if they bothered, could certainly play some defense. Nene is a mobile big, Ty Lawson is quick as heck, J.R. Smith is extremely strong for his size, Kenyon Martin is best suited to play defense, and now they've added a stout leader in Ray Felton, and shot-blocking wings named Chandler and Gallo. The issue here isn't skill, since Denver has the edge in that department - the issue is energy. If Denver fatigues, which they very well might given the back-to-back games being played at an elevation, Utah could exploit the somewhat discombobulated Nuggets offense by forcing more outside shots and then run on a tired Denver defense. The easy play in this game is on Denver, for sure. They're playing better (covering 5 straight with a Charlotte game pending), and actually defending some, as noted above. Utah is focused entirely on the offensive end, scoring 218 points in their last 2 games, combined, but allowing a ridiculous 227. Utah is playing at a breakneck speed, which doesn't make a ton of sense given that the team's strength is on the interior. But hey, who am I to judge? That team is trying to find a post-Sloan identity, and the quest continues. In terms of the season series, Utah lost its season-opener in Denver, but won there a month ago, so I'm inclined to think that, though Denver's roster looks pretty different, they might have about a quarter-point worth of revenge floating around, and the only scheduling note is that Denver is coming off a game yesterday. We don't have much to work with, in terms of the Nuggets new roster playing back-to-back games, though they did seem to poop out in the 4th quarter in Portland a few days back. The team is deep enough to have success in fatigue spots, so, while I'd love to back Utah to get some confidence-boosting win, I think I have to ride the hot hand. Leans to DENVER and the OVER.
Tips and Trends
Orlando Magic at Miami Heat
MAGIC: Orlando has won their past 3 games SU, and they've looked dominant at times during this stretch. The Magic are currently in 4th place in the Eastern Conference heading into tonight. Orlando is 39-22 SU and 28-32-1 ATS overall this season. Tonight is a huge game for the Magic, as they get an opportunity to split the season series with the team they are looking directly up at in their division. Orlando is 15-13 SU and 11-16 ATS on the road this season. The Magic are 1-5 ATS as the listed underdog this season, including 0-4 ATS as a road underdog between 3.5 and 6 PTS. Orlando is allowing just 94.3 PPG this season, 5th fewest in the NBA. The biggest reason for the Magic's defensive success is the play and effort of star C Dwight Howard. Howard is averaging 2.2 BPG this season, 3rd most in the NBA. Howard is also averaging team highs of 23.3 PPG and 13.9 RPG this season. G Jameer Nelson is averaging 12.6 PPG and a team high 6.2 APG for the Magic this year. The Magic are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following an ATS loss. Orlando is 8-3 ATS in their last 11 Thursday games. The Magic are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games following a SU win. Orlando is 5-12-1 ATS in their last 18 road games against a team with a winning home record.
Magic are 3-12-2 ATS last 17 games as a road underdog.
Under is 9-2 last 11 games overall.
Key Injuries - G Gilbert Arenas (knee) is probable.
Projected Score: 100 (SIDE of the Day)
HEAT: (-4.5, O/U 198) Miami has lost 2 of their last 3 games SU, both times scoring less than 90 PTS. The Heat are trying to catch the Celtics in the Eastern Conference, as they currently trail them by 1.5 games. Miami is 43-17 SU and 29-30-1 ATS overall this season. The Heat are 22-6 SU and 10-17 ATS at home this year. With a SU win tonight, Miami will win the season series with Orlando 3-1. Miami is averaging 102 PPG this season, 9th most in the NBA. F LeBron James is destined to win yet another MVP award, as he's having arguably his finest season ever. James is averaging team highs of 26.2 PPG and 7.2 APG this year, as well as 7.5 RPG. Defensively, the Heat are allowing 94.4 PPG, sixth fewest in the league. Miami is 1-1 ATS as a home favorite between 3.5 and 6 PTS this year. The Heat are 9-4-1 ATS in their last 14 games following an ATS loss. Miami is 8-18 ATS in their last 26 games playing on 3 or more days rest. The Heat are 6-14-1 ATS in their last 21 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600%. The Heat are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as the listed favorite. Miami is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Heat are 0-4 ATS last 4 games against the Eastern Conference.
Over is 9-3 last 12 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600%.
Key Injuries - F Udonis Haslem (foot) is out.
Projected Score: 99
Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz
NUGGETS: Denver might have made their blockbuster trade much earlier had they known how well their team was going to respond. The Nuggets are playing their best basketball of the season, and having fun as a team in the process. Denver has won 4 of their last 5 games SU, with each win coming by at least 7 PTS. The Nuggets are 35-36 SU and 28-30-3 ATS overall this year. Denver is currently in 5th place in the Western Conference playoff standings. The Nuggets are just 10-19 SU and 14-15 ATS in road games this year. Denver is 12-11 ATS as the listed underdog this season, including 2-0 ATS as a road underdog between 3.5 and 6 PTS. F Wilson Chandler is fitting in well with his new team, as he's averaging 18 PPG while shooting nearly 50% from the field. C Nene Hilario is averaging 14.9 PPG and a team high 7.2 RPG for the Nuggets this season The Nuggets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games against a team with a winning SU record. Denver is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games against the NBA Northwest. The Nuggets are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games playing on zero days rest. Denver is 5-12-1 ATS in their last 18 games as a road underdog up to 4.5 points.
Nuggets are 5-0 ATS last 5 games overall.
Over is 6-0 last 6 games against the Western Conference.
Key Injuries - G Raymond Felton (flu) is probable.
Projected Score: 106
JAZZ: (-3.5, O/U 210) Utah can't buy a win, regardless of how hard they try. The Jazz have lost 7 of their last 8 games overall SU heading into tonight's contest with Denver. Utah has had a tumultuous season, as they are still getting over the loss of PG Deron Williams and Coach Jerry Sloan. The Jazz are 32-29 SU and 26-34-1 ATS overall this year. Utah is 17-14 SU and 12-19 ATS at home this season. The Jazz are just 1-4 ATS as a home favorite between 3.5 and 6 PTS this year. Utah has alternated SU wins and losses with Denver over their last 5 meetings. The Jazz need to pick up their defensive intensity immediately, as they've allowed 5 of their last 6 opponents to score at least 102 PTS. F Al Jefferson is averaging team highs of 18 PPG and 9.2 RPG for the Jazz this season. F Paul Millsap is averaging 17.3 PPG and 7.9 RPG this year. The Jazz are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 Thursday games. Utah is 7-17 ATS in their last 24 games against the Western Conference. The Jazz are 8-21 ATS in their last 29 games overall. Utah is 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games against a team with a winning SU record.
Jazz are 0-5 ATS last 5 games as a home favorite.
Over is 11-1 last 12 games playing on 2 days rest.
Key Injuries - G Ronnie Price (foot) is questionable.
Projected Score: 112 (OVER-Total of the Day)
Inside the Paint - Thursday
By Chris David
The NBA Finals don’t begin until June but gamblers can already predict who will hoist the hardware at Sportsbook.com. Currently, Miami is the favorite at 2/1 (Bet $100 to win $200) but is the club out of South Florida overvalued?
The Los Angeles Lakers (+300) and Boston (+400) are second and third choices behind the Heat, while San Antonio (+700), Dallas (+800) and Chicago (+900) round out the top six at Sportsbook.com.
Against those five, Miami is just 1-7 on the season, with the lone win coming on Christmas against the Lakers (96-80). The Heat hasn’t played San Antonio but they will do so soon, meeting twice over the next two weeks. Fortunately for Miami, the Spurs won’t have point guard Tony Parker (calf) in the lineup.
Miami’s inconsistent run reminds some pundits of Cleveland the past two seasons, when LeBron James then led his team to dominating regular seasons before coming up short in the playoffs. At least to James’ credit, he did win a handful of big games during the season and he captured some postseason series as well.
Will we ever see the Heat win a big game and make a statement? Can LeBron avoid another postseason meltdown?
Head coach Erik Spoelstra believes his squad will answer the bell as he answered the media following Sunday’s home loss to New York (86-91). He said, "We will have our breakthrough. And as painful as this is right now, there will be a time when we break through, and execute, and win a game like this.”
Do you believe coach Spo? Did you know Miami is 5-11 in games decided by five points or less this season? Most would lay the blame on coaching, while some look at late-game execution. This writer believes it’s the play-calling and if you continue to count on LeBron and Dwyane Wade to make a clutch 3-pointer late in the game, you’re going to come up empty more often than not. Seriously, isn’t that why you signed sharpshooters Mike Miller, Eddie House and James Jones?
Another chucker that you can add to that threesome is Mike Bibby, who was just picked up by the Heat. He’s got a decent jumper and playoff experience, but his defense is shady, which is Miami’s main problem when facing Chicago’s Derrick Rose and Boston’s Rajon Rondo.
Despite the dreadful records against quality foes and outcomes in close games, Sportsbook.com odds consultant Mike Pierce still believes his outfit would make the Heat favorites in a best-of-seven series against all comers.
Series Prices according to Sportsbook.com (3/3/11):
Miami vs. Boston (Heat -130)
Miami vs. Chicago (Heat -220)
Miami vs. Orlando (Heat -260)
Miami vs. New York (Heat -320)
Miami vs. L.A. Lakers (Heat -130)
Miami vs. Dallas (Heat -200)
Miami vs. San Antonio (Heat -300)
Tonight, the Heat will try to right the ship against a quality team when Orlando (39-22 SU, 29-32 ATS) visits the American Airlines Arena. The Magic aren’t considered a top contender anymore, but they’re still a legit playoff team. Miami has won two of the three meetings against Orlando (+1500) this season, including a 104-100 road win on Feb. 3. The ‘over’ has gone 2-1 in these encounters.
Most offshore sportsbooks opened Miami as a five-point home favorite over Orlando, with a total of 198.
The Magic started the second-half with an embarrassing home loss to Sacramento (105-111) last Wednesday but the team has bounced back with three straight wins (2-1 ATS). On Tuesday, Orlando rallied from an 11-point hole to beat New York (116-110) at home.
Orlando owns a 15-13 SU and 11-16 ATS mark on the road this season, while Miami has gone 22-6 SU and 10-17 ATS at home. Keep in mind that the Heat’s poor ATS numbers are due to some heavy point-spreads. Only twice have they been favored by six or less at home, and they’ve gone 1-1 both SU and ATS, the win coming against Orlando on Oct. 29.
After this game, both teams have some tough paths on tap. The Magic will face Chicago tomorrow at home on zero days rest before welcoming Portland on Monday. Then, the team begins a five-game road trip that’s spread out over seven days.
Miami’s schedule is just as tough, with nine straight games against playoff opponents including some tough tests against the aforementioned Spurs, Bulls, Lakers and Thunder. Fortunately, seven of the nine will be played at American Airlines Arena.
Golden Nuggets
Carmelo Anthony was the centerpiece for the Denver (35-26 SU, 28-30 ATS) franchise the past 6 ½ seasons and deservingly so. Now that the All-Star is no longer in Colorado, a lot of pundits didn’t expect the team to be as competitive. Fortunately for Denver backers, that hasn’t been the case. The Nuggets have gone 4-1 SU and 5-0 ATS since sending Anthony and point guard Chauncey Billups to New York.
The bottom line is that the team is good even without the above pair and they proved it last night with a wire-to-wire blowout win over Charlotte, 120-80. Denver has now covered six in a row and could be a very tough out during the playoffs.
George Karl’s team will look to stay hot in Salt Lake City on Thursday when they face Utah (32-29 SU, 26-35 ATS). Since the Nuggets have played last night, gamblers should note that they’ve gone 7-8 SU and 6-9 ATS on zero days rest this season.
Even though Denver has been blazing, most books have listed the Jazz as 3 ½-point home favorites. Utah made a blockbuster trade before the deadline too, shipping point guard Deron Williams to New Jersey for Devin Harris and Derrick Favors. Utah has been in a major funk for the entire month of February, which saw head coach Jerry Sloan leave the sidelines.
All of the chaos produced a dismal 3-9 SU and 4-8 ATS record, which included a 0-6 record at home. The Jazz were once invincible in Salt Lake but now it’s become close to an automatic win for visitors. Do you lay points with them tonight? Especially against a team that is playing great basketball?
The recent history between this pair shouldn’t be weighed too heavily due to the new faces but the first two meetings this season were split. Both games occurred in Denver and the total went 1-1 as well.
Tip-off is set for 10:35 p.m. EST, with TNT providing coverage.
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