Tuesday's Tip Sheet
By Chris David
If you’re reading this column, then your more than likely betting on tonight’s five-game slate in the NBA. And, it’s probably safe to say that you wager on hoops everyday – let’s hope you win more often than not. My days of handicapping with the VI Experts are long gone, but I still analyze every game every night and attack the books, just like you.
Instead of just providing the pertinent information in tonight’s Tip Sheet, I’m going to shoot from the hip and let you know how I prepare for the card.
In order of rotation, let’s (try to) predict the winners!
Pacers at Magic: After winning four straight on the road against Western Conference, Orlando was humbled with back-to-back losses to the Celtics (90-80) and Heat (103-97) – who were the last two Eastern Conference teams to win championships. Do the Magic bounce back tonight against a comparable jump shooting team in Indiana? You would think Dwight Howard should have his way with the Pacers’ frontcourt but the big fella certainly frustrates you at times, evidenced by his last two outings. Fortunately for Howard and company, they get to face one of the worst defensive squads in the league after tough matchups against a pair of defense-first teams in Boston and Miami. Prior to the losses, Stan Van Gundy’s team had posted six games with at least 100 point per game. Orlando hasn’t lost three straight all year and the only time they suffered two in a row was in the first two games of the season. In the third game, the Magic crushed the Kings 121-103 at home as 10 ½-point favorites. We’re going to back that theory again versus a very similar club in the Pacers. The total is high but if Orlando hits their bombs from downtown, then it’s very doable. Final Score: Orlando 118 Indiana 100
Kings at Cavaliers: It’s hard to lay double-digits in the NBA but if you want to do it, then you can make a strong case for Cleveland, especially at home. The Cavaliers are 11-4 against the spread when laying 9 ½ points or more this season. At home, Mike Brown and company are 20-0 SU and 16-4 ATS. The Kings have been decent on the road versus the number (13-10 ATS) but the team is still 3-20 SU. Sacramento is a young team and two things stick out to me about this club -- it doesn’t play any defense and trade rumors are starting to circle in the locker room. If you’re backing the Kings in this game, you’re hoping Salmons and Garcia go nuts from downtown and somehow LeBron gets hurt. This will be the third game in four nights for Sacramento, which is also trouble for a young team too. It’s a lot of wood, but Cleveland looks like the right side. You might want to watch the first 24 minutes, and possibly come in with a second-half play if the Cavs are down. It’s the Cavs or a pass for this writer. Final Score: Cleveland 108 Sacramento 90
Nuggets at Grizzlies: I personally don’t like to think of myself as a chalk eater but I can’t argue against this favorite tonight either. Denver comes into this matchup with two solid wins and they’re facing a Memphis team that has seen the wheels fall off the wagon. The Grizzlies have lost EIGHT games in a row, both SU and ATS. The franchise just fired the coach and I ask why? It’s not Marc Iavaroni fault that team hasn’t scored over 100 points during this slump, is it? The ownership in Memphis is a joke and the talent on the court is years away from being any good – and please don’t send me comments about O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay. The Grizzlies don’t have one legit outside shooter on the team and nobody in the paint either. A few weeks ago, I would’ve told you that Oklahoma City was the worst team in the NBA but Memphis won’t crack 20 wins and they’re 11-32 right now. Sorry for the rant, now back to the matchup tonight. Did you know Denver is 6-2 ATS as a road favorite? That should give you a little more confidence with the Nuggets, who have are 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS in the last five against the Grizz. The one factor that might make me pass on this matchup is the look-ahead – Denver visits New Orleans on Wednesday. And the due factor on the Grizzlies, who are way over due. Staying away from this one is your best bet. Final Score: Denver 97 Memphis 90
Spurs at Jazz: Easily the best matchup of the night and you can tell just by looking at the opening number. The Jazz have been reeling lately (1-4 SU, 0-5 ATS) and a large part of the decline recently and overall has been the play of the defense. The team has given up 100 PPG or more in seven of the last eight and the only team that didn’t bust the century mark was Memphis (go figure). San Antonio normally likes to slow it down so that could keep the number below the 100-point mark. The Spurs have won four of five (2-3 ATS) but the wins came against the Bulls, Bobcats, Pacers and Nets. Not exactly a quality quartet. When they’ve stepped up in class, they were embarrassed by the Lakers (99-85) on Sunday. Utah isn’t Los Angeles but it is a playoff contender – when healthy. This head-to-head series has been all about the home team, who has won and covered six straight (four by double digits). The Spurs routed the Jazz 119-94 on Nov. 21 and the ‘over/under’ on that matchup was 174. Now, the number opened at 196 by Las Vegas Sports Consultants and is sitting around 194 ½ at most offshore outlets. That tells me a lot, like the ‘over’ is the play. Final Score: Utah 104 San Antonio 99
Bobcats at Lakers: It’s probably a little much to say the Bobcats are a good team, but they’re certainly not a bad club. They’re on a decent pace to break their franchise-record of 33 wins and might have an outside shot to reach the playoffs. Still early, but you never know what can happen in the NBA, just ask Michael Redd (tough break for him and the Bucks). Tonight, Charlotte has the daunting task of facing the Lakers at Staples Center but the venue hasn’t been unkind for this visitor lately. The Bobcats are 2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS in their last three road battles against L.A. Also, Charlotte has also covered six of the last seven against Los Angeles, yet the number is always leaning to the Lakers, deservingly so too. The Lakers have ripped four straight (3-1 ATS) and their defense (91.8 PPG) has been good during this stretch. The total for Tuesday is 195, which is lower than all four of the past head-to-head meetings. The ‘under’ has cashed in three straight and another one seems possible, especially with Larry Brown’s slow-it-down tempo. Grabbing the points seems like the right way to go here, since the ‘Cats are 5-2 SU and 6-0-1 ATS in their last seven, with the two losses coming by two and five points. Still, L.A. should be focused tonight with a big six-game road trip on deck. Hard to argue against either team but the obvious trend is defense. Final Score: Los Angeles 100 Charlotte 92
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Sacramento Kings vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Kings lost to Toronto 113-97 as a 9-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (210.5).
John Salmons led the Kings with 21 points and Francisco Garcia scored 18 points off the bench.
LeBron James tossed in a game-high 33 points and hauled down 14 rebounds, helping the Cavaliers to a 102-97 victory over the Jazz last time out. The Cavaliers won that game as a 3-point road underdog, while the game's 199 points made it OVER the posted total of 196.
James shot 14-for-27 from the field and dished out nine assists, while Mo Williams contributed 25 points in the win.
Current streak:
Sacramento has lost 5 straight games.
Cleveland has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Sacramento: 10-35 SU, 20-25 ATS
Cleveland: 34-8 SU, 29-13 ATS
Sacramento most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Boston are 5-5
After playing Toronto are 8-2
After a loss are 2-8
Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 8-2
Before playing Orlando are 6-4
After playing Utah are 5-5
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Sacramento's last 6 games on the road
Sacramento is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Sacramento's last 13 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Sacramento is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games when playing Cleveland
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Cleveland is 14-2 ATS in its last 16 games at home
Cleveland is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Sacramento
Cleveland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Next up:
Sacramento at Boston, Wednesday, January 28
Cleveland at Orlando, Thursday, January 29
Indiana Pacers vs. Orlando Magic
The Pacers defeated Charlotte 98-93 as a 5.5-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (201.5).
Danny Granger scored a game-high 27 points for Indiana, while Mike Dunleavy and T.J. Ford each scored 13 points in the win.
The Magic fell 103-97 to the Heat as 7.5-point favorites last time out. That game's combined 200 points made it OVER the posted total of 194.
Dwight Howard led the Magic with a double-double, collecting 22 points and 10 rebounds.
Current streak:
Indiana has won 2 straight games.
Orlando has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Indiana: 17-27 SU, 23-20-1 ATS
Orlando: 33-10 SU, 28-14-1 ATS
Indiana most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
Before playing Milwaukee are 4-6
After playing Charlotte are 3-7
After a win are 4-6
Orlando most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Cleveland are 3-7
After playing Miami are 7-3
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games when playing Orlando
Indiana is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Indiana's last 23 games
Orlando is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Orlando's last 6 games at home
Orlando is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Indiana
Orlando is 16-4 SU in its last 20 games
Next up:
Indiana home to Milwaukee, Wednesday, January 28
Orlando home to Cleveland, Thursday, January 29
Denver Nuggets vs. Memphis Grizzlies
The Nuggets defeated Utah 117-97 as a 7.5-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (214).
Nene Hilario scored 28 points and added nine rebounds for Denver, while Chauncey Billups and J.R. Smith each netted 22 points in the win.
The Grizzlies were defeated 99-88 by the Nets last time out, as 1.5-point underdogs. The 187 points fell UNDER the night's posted total of 192.
O.J. Mayo had 23 points on 8-for-14 shooting, and Marc Gasol had 11 points to go with 10 rebounds in the loss.
Current streak:
Denver has won 2 straight games.
Memphis has lost 9 straight games.
Team records:
Denver: 29-15 SU, 25-18-1 ATS
Memphis: 11-32 SU, 15-27-1 ATS
Denver most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-7
Before playing New Orleans are 6-4
After playing Utah are 6-4
After a win are 7-3
Memphis most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
Before playing Oklahoma City are 3-7
After playing New Jersey are 1-9
After a loss are 1-9
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Denver's last 5 games on the road
Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Denver's last 5 games when playing Memphis
Denver is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Memphis's last 5 games when playing Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Memphis's last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis's last 6 games when playing at home against Denver
Next up:
Denver at New Orleans, Wednesday, January 28
Memphis at Oklahoma City, Wednesday, January 28
San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz
The Spurs lost to the Lakers 99-85 as a 7.5-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (201).
Tony Parker led the Spurs with 19 points and Tim Duncan netted 15 points in the loss.
The Jazz lost to Denver 117-97 as a 7.5-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (214).
Ronnie Brewer led the Jazz with 16 points and Deron Williams had 15 points and 10 assists in the loss.
Current streak:
Utah has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
San Antonio: 29-14 SU, 19-23-1 ATS
Utah: 25-20 SU, 22-23 ATS
San Antonio most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 7-3
Before playing Phoenix are 7-3
After playing LA Lakers are 4-6
After a loss are 8-2
Utah most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Oklahoma City are 5-5
After playing Denver are 6-4
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of San Antonio's last 10 games on the road
San Antonio is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of San Antonio's last 12 games when playing Utah
Utah is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Utah's last 7 games at home
Utah is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Antonio
Utah is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Antonio
Next up:
San Antonio at Phoenix, Thursday, January 29
Utah home to Oklahoma City, Friday, January 30
Charlotte Bobcats vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Bobcats lost to Indiana 98-93 as a 5.5-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (201.5).
Raja Bell and Boris Diaw both netted 18 points for the Bobcats, while Emeka Okafor had 14 points and eight rebounds.
The Lakers defeated to San Antonio 99-85 as a 7.5-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (201).
Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 22 points for the Lakers, while Trevor Ariza added 17 points.
Current streak:
Los Angeles has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Charlotte: 18-26 SU, 27-17 ATS
Los Angeles: 35-8 SU, 21-22 ATS
Charlotte most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 1-9
Before playing Portland are 4-5
After playing Indiana are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Minnesota are 4-6
After playing San Antonio are 5-5
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
Charlotte is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Charlotte is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games when playing LA Lakers
Charlotte is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
Charlotte is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
LA Lakers are 20-2 SU in their last 22 games at home
LA Lakers are 14-3 SU in their last 17 games
LA Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of the LA Lakers last 9 games
Next up:
Charlotte at Portland, Wednesday, January 28
LA Lakers at Minnesota, Friday, January 30
INDIANA vs. ORLANDO
Indiana is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Indiana is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Orlando is 3-7-1 ATS in its last 11 games when playing at home against Indiana
Orlando is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Indiana
SACRAMENTO vs. CLEVELAND
Sacramento is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Sacramento's last 13 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
Cleveland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
DENVER vs. MEMPHIS
Denver is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Denver is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
Memphis is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Denver
Memphis is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Denver
SAN ANTONIO vs. UTAH
San Antonio is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
San Antonio is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Utah is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Antonio
Utah is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Antonio
CHARLOTTE vs. LA LAKERS
Charlotte is 12-5 ATS in its last 17 games on the road
Charlotte is 5-14 SU in its last 19 games on the road
LA Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games
LA Lakers are 14-3 SU in their last 17 games
Tips and Trends
San Antonio Spurs at Utah Jazz
Spurs: San Antonio has gone 12-7 on the road this season but just started a tough stretch of playing 11 of 12 away from home with a 99-85 loss to the Lakers on Sunday. The Spurs visit Phoenix on Thursday after this game before returning home against New Orleans on Saturday, which is followed by an eight-game road trip that doesn't end until February 21st. Needless to say, they face a difficult stretch and must get better production from reserves Roger Mason and George Hill, who totaled a combined nine points against LA but scored 52 between them in the last meeting with Utah.
Spurs are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
The OVER is 9-3 in the last 12 meetings.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 93
Jazz (-2.5, O/U 193): Utah will try to avoid losing four straight for the first time this season and beat San Antonio at home for the fifth time in a row during the regular season. The Jazz have lost just one of their last eight home games, but that took place on Saturday, as the Cavs left Salt Lake City with a 102-97 victory. One player who will need to step up for Utah is center Mehmet Okur, who is averaging just eight points on 20.6 percent shooting (7-of-34) during the team's three-game losing streak.
Home team is 17-4 ATS in the last 21 meetings.
The OVER is 8-2 in Utah's last 10 games vs. Western Conference.
Key Injuries - F Andrei Kirilenko (ankle) is OUT.
F Carlos Boozer (quad) is OUT.
PROJECTED SCORE: 100 (Side Play of the Day)
Hot Teams
-- Cavaliers covered their last four home games.
-- Nuggets won five of last six games (covered last five).
-- Spurs are 8-2 SU (6-4 vs spread) in game after their last ten losses.
-- Bobcats won five of last seven games (6-0-1 vs spread). Lakers won last four games, by 17-11-20-14 points.
Cold Teams
-- Kings lost last five games (1-4 vs spread).
-- Pacers lost three of last four games, but are 7-3 vs spread in last ten. Orlando lost last three games, by 7-10-6 points.
-- Grizzlies lost last nine games (0-9 against spread).
-- Jazz lost last three games, by 9-5-20 points.
Totals
-- Over is 4-1-2 in last seven Sacramento games.
-- Last four Indiana games stayed under the total; over is 5-2 in Magic's last seven games.
-- Over is 4-0-1 in last five Denver games, 1-4 in Memphis' last five.
-- Spurs' last five games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 5-2-1 in last eight Charlotte games; over is 6-3 in last nine Laker games. .
Back-to Back
-- Denver is 6-3-1 vs spread if they play again the next night.
-- Charlotte is 7-4 vs spread if they play again the next night.
NBA Report Tuesday
By Andre Gomes
Indiana at Orlando
The Magic looks to snap a rare losing streak, in fact this is only the second time that they have lost consecutive ballgames. The loss suffered against the Celtics can be considered as normal but after that they lost in Miami against a team who usually the Magic dominated. Now they return to Orlando in a bad mood and like the Heat, the Magic owns the Pacers lately as they've won 5 of the last 6 h2h's. The Pacers meanwhile are in a good run with 4-2 L6 games, they were able to finish off last couple of games against the Rockets and Bobcats. Those close wins were a surprise taking in account their record in close games and no matter what this team is involved in ballgames practically in each game but take note that finally they are a healthy team. We are talking about a big spread in here which is related to the bounce back spot for the Magic, however this Pacers team is now more confident and don?t will let the game go away so easily.
Sacramento at Cleveland
The Cavs completed a tough West coast road trip with some style by winning three consecutive games against Portland, Golden State and Utah. The most amazing thing is that they bounced back strongly after the worst loss of the season suffered in LA, in fact they are 8-0 SU & ATS after losing one game this season! Tonight they face the lowly Kings in an easy anticipated win for them. We are talking about a 20-0 team at home against a team who is 0-18 vs Eastern conference teams this season. Don't forget also that both teams have tough games following this one: the Kings plays tomorrow in Boston and the Cavs go to Orlando next Thursday.
Denver at Memphis
This game sounds like a trap game, the line opened at -7 for Denver and despite the fact the public is all over the Nuggets in here the line regressed for -5.5 for them. The reason is simple: the Grizzlies will make the first game with their new head coach and usually in this kind of situations the teams fares well and starts being more competitive, ?competitive is an unknown word for the Grizzlies lately. The Nuggets played 10 of its last 11 games at home and this could be a dangerous game for them. Last season this team had innumerous road losses against questionable quality teams but this isn't happening in this season as the Nuggets are 7-2 ATS and 9-0 SU while being away favorites!
San Antonio at Utah
The Jazz are struggling right losing their last 3 games and showing an incredible lack of commitment on the defensive end. They are 0-5 ATS L5 games and naturally they allowed more than 100 points to opponents in each game. Carlos Boozer remains injured and Andrei Kirilenko is questionable for tonight's game. Without these 2 players, the Jazz are a soft team down the post and easily dismantled by the opponents, in the last game Nene Hilario finished the game with 12-12 FG! I think that I don't need to say more things about that Meanwhile the Spurs lost against the Lakers which was a revenge game for the LA team, note that the Spurs don't lost consecutive games since mid December against the Hornets and the Magic. They continue to play stellar defense and this will be definitely the key for this game: if the Jazz plays better on the defense they will be competitive in here, if not they're in trouble because they can't outscore their opponents anymore.
Charlotte at LA Lakers
The Bobcats are one of the hottest teams on the league lately by winning against the likes of Boston, Detroit, Portland or Phoenix, they are 7-3 ATS L10 games but they failed on the last game by losing in Indiana against the Pacers 93-98. Now they will face one of the best NBA teams and surprisingly they are 4-4 SU against the Lakers since the Bobcats existence. The Lakers comes to this game after a huge revenge game against the Spurs easily defeating them 99-85, this is the last home game before the longest road trip of the season and the x factor of this game is to know if the Lakers will be a committed team for tonight's game. Eleven points seems to be too much for a much improved team lately like the Bobcats but for some reason we have a big line in here.