NBA Today
SCOREBOARD
Tuesday, Nov. 25
Cleveland at New York (7:30 p.m. EST). LeBron James comes to New York, days after the Knicks made two trades that freed up salary cap space for a potential run at him in the summer of 2010.
STARS
Monday
— Larry Hughes, Bulls, hit a 22-foot jumper as time expired and Chicago dealt the short-handed Jazz their first home loss of the season 101-100.
— Yao Ming, Rockets, had 28 points and 12 rebounds to help Houston finish 3-0 on an Eastern Conference road swing with a 107-98 win over Miami.
— D.J. Augustin, Bobcats, scored 25 points and added a career-high 11 assists to help Charlotte end a four-game skid with a 93-84 win over Philadelphia.
— Brandon Roy, Trail Blazers, scored a season-high 28 points and Portland rallied during the final six minutes to beat Sacramento 91-90.
WELCOME BACK
Manu Ginobili scored 12 points in his first game of the season to help the Spurs beat the Grizzlies. Ginobili missed San Antonio’s first 12 games after offseason ankle surgery. He entered with 5:34 left in the first quarter and promptly made his first two shots, the first from outside the arc and the second on a dunk. He played 11 minutes.
SIDELINED
Heat forward Dorell Wright will have debris removed from his surgically repaired left knee on Tuesday, which will further delay his comeback plans. The team said Monday night that Wright is not having anything repaired in the joint, but that team doctors believe “loose bodies” within the knee are disrupting his rehabilitation and recovery.
SEE YA
Eddie Jordan was fired as coach of the Washington Wizards on Monday after opening the season 1-10 without injured starters Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood. The Wizards’ record matches the worst start in franchise history. The only other time the team was 1-10 was in 1966, when it was called the Baltimore Bullets. Ed Tapscott, the Wizards’ director of player development, took over for Jordan on an interim basis.
SHAKY START
Greg Oden, the first pick of the 2007 NBA draft, returned to the starting lineup for the first time this season since Portland’s opening game. He was held to three points, six rebounds, and four turnovers in 19 ineffective minutes.
SPEAKING
“We needed a stop somewhere in that last span. We kept trading baskets and you can’t win games trading baskets, especially when they hit the last one.”— Utah’s Ronnie Price, who had 11 points and eight assists in the Jazz’s 101-100 last-second loss to the Chicago Bulls on Monday.
Tuesday's NBA Preview
By Josh Jacobs
The Lakers and Celtics are a combined 24-3 to begin the season. Their dominance is apparent both at home and on the road. But let’s not leave Cleveland out of this picture. A 10-3 record has accompanied a 9-4 against the spread performance right to the bank.
Thanksgiving is only a few days away. Can we begin the week off with fat paydays heading into Turkey Day?
Cleveland (-7, 213) at New York – 7:30 p.m. EST
The new headline is 2010 for the New York Knicks (7-6 SU, 6-7 ATS) but there’s plenty of time to dissect the different avenues that this club will take. Cutting loose of Zach Randolph and Carl Crawford has cleared cap space but it's also leaving several gapping holes on the roster.
New York is coming off a 122-117 win over Washington this past weekend. Most books had installed the Knicks as two-point favorites, with a total closing at 203. The total play was golden yet again, bringing the team’s ‘over’ record to 5-1 in the last six high scoring affairs (averaging 112 points per game during that period).
The Cavaliers (10-3 SU, 9-4 ATS) are on a smooth run. Beginning with a 100-81 win over Dallas on Nov. 3, Cleveland has outscored the opposition 104.3 PPG to 93.7 PPG for a 9-1 record. More importantly is that nine games have covered the spread this season as most books have installed the Cavs as underdogs just four times (2-2 ATS).
Thanks to LeBron James and company shooting a fourth best 47.4 percent from the field, Cleveland has awarded total players with an 8-5 record on the ‘over’. The ‘over’ has gone a blistering 6-1 at home versus 2-4 on the road.
The Knicks are 0-2 ATS off two days of rest, while the Cavaliers are 2-1 ATS in the same spot.
After its Tuesday contest with New York, Cleveland will host Oklahoma City and Golden State before traveling to Milwaukee to end its weekly schedule.
Indiana at Dallas – 8:30 p.m. EST
The Mavericks (6-7 SU, 6-7 ATS) dropped seven of their first 10 games before deciding to turn up the heat. Dallas has taken four in a row aided by shooting 44.8 percent from the perimeter. The bad news is that the Mavs will be heading into this contest with a 1-4 SU and ATS record at home. In-fact it wasn’t until last Friday in a 91-76 win over Memphis that Dallas grabbed its first ‘W’ at home this season.
Shooting 94.6 PPG and 41.7 percent from the field (coincidently the same average that has helped Dallas rank as the No. 2 best defense in points allowed) can help explain the Mavs home woes. The team has been installed anywhere from a nine-point favorite to a five-point 'dog in its own building.
Indiana has taken an inflated amount of shots given its 6-5-1 record on the ‘under’ this year. It might seem simplistic in nature but four games that have gone ‘over’ the total in the last 10 have had the Pacers shooting 48.4 percent. In the last five ‘under’ games, Indiana’s has dipped to shooting just 42 percent from the field. The Pacers are coming off a 109-100 loss in Miami, failing to cover as a six-point 'underdog.
Dallas is 3-3 ATS when listed as the favorite versus Indiana’s 1-3-1 ATS record as an ‘underdog.
The home team is 13-2-1 ATS in the last 16 head-to-head meetings between these two clubs.
New Jersey at L.A. Lakers (-13.5, 209) – 10:30 p.m. EST
Coach Phil Jackson needs no introduction. His Lakers are a dynamic group, leading the league in scoring (105.9 PPG) and in forcing turnovers (18 turnovers per game). The defense is allowing just 92.7 PPG this season. However, in the last five games, L.A. has seen Detroit, Chicago and most recently, Sacramento posting triple-digit figures on the board (allowing 101 PPG in the last five). Those three aforementioned contests went 3-0 on the ‘over/under’ but 0-3 ATS.
The Lake Show will continue their home stand with the next three games on the docket played inside the Staples Center. Despite L.A.’s lone loss, the team is only 4-3 ATS at home compared to its 4-1 ATS report on the road. In a 118-108 win over Sacramento in L.A. on Sunday, most books had listed the Lakers as much as 17-point favorites.
For a team entering the season with little expectations New Jersey has surprised in the last few contests. The Nets are coming off a 112-95 win over the Clippers on Saturday, improving its recent run to 4-1 in the last five. This was the first contest which had books closing New Jersey as a favorite for the first time this season (installed as 3½-point favorites).
Gamblers have enjoyed books applying an average total of 194.5 points per game in the last 10 (books have installed totals of 200 points or more in only three of New Jersey’s games this season). The Nets are 5-2 on the ‘over’ in their last seven.
New Jersey’s Devin Harris has found the free throw line a little more then 11 times per game for which he’s drained 84 percent of those shots.
Starting in L.A., the Nets are embarking on a four-game road trip. New Jersey is a hot 4-1 ATS away from home this season and 3-2 on the ‘over’.
The ‘underdog is 7-2-2 ATS in the last 11 head-to-head meetings while the road team is 8-1-2 ATS in its last 11 games.
vegasinsider.com.
Hot Teams
-- Cavaliers won nine of their last ten games.
-- Mavericks won last four games, by 10-17-10-15 points.
-- Lakers won four in row, 11 of first 12 games (4-3 as home favorite). Nets won four of their last five games.
Cold Teams
-- Warriors lost last two games, covered two of last eight. Wizards fired their coach Monday after starting the season 1-10.
-- Knicks lost three of their last four games.
-- Thunder won their last eleven games (1-6 last seven vs spread). Suns covered two of their last seven games.
-- Pacers lost four of their last five games.
Totals
-- Five of last six Warrior games went over the total; five of Wizards' last six games stayed under. .
-- Seven of last nine Cleveland games went over the total.
-- Seven of last eight Oklahoma City games went over the total; five of last six Phoenix stayed under. .
-- Last three Dallas games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last nine Laker games went over the total.
Tips and Trends
Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks
Cavs (-7, O/U 213): New York will need to downplay the much-anticipated return of Cleveland star LeBron James to Madison Square Garden after the fans chanted "MVP" for him the last time he was in town. There is growing speculation that the Knicks will be making a serious bid for James in 2010 when he becomes a free agent, and he is even wearing a special edition of his sneakers to honor the Big Apple, featuring a red color scheme. “It’s always kind of a circus when he comes to town, whether they’re thinking he’s going to play for us in 2010 or not,” said New York F David Lee.
Cavs are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games vs. Atlantic Division.
The OVER is 7-2 in Cleveland's last 9 games overall.
Key Injuries - G Eric Snow (knee) is OUT.
PROJECTED SCORE: 112 (OVER - Total Play of the Day)
Knicks: Head coach Mike D'Antoni is hoping forwards Al Harrington and Tim Thomas and guard Cuttino Mobley will be available to play against the Cavs after they arrived in New York late last week. The Knicks got rid of forward Zach Randolph and guard Jamal Crawford to acquire them and clear some salary cap space for next offseason. However, D'Antoni refuses to talk about which players he may get in the future and is just concentrating on his current roster. “We’re going down a slippery slope there and I’m not going there,” said D'Antoni.
Knicks are 8-3 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
The OVER is 15-7 in New York's last 22 home games.
Key Injuries - F Al Harrington (back) is probable.
PROJECTED SCORE: 105
Tuesday's best NBA bets
Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks (+7, 213)
It’s no secret that the Knicks want to sign LeBron James in 2010, but on Tuesday night they will be reminded why so many other clubs will be vying to sign King James. In his last visit to MSG, James scored 50 points and led the Cavs to a lopsided 119-105 victory over the Knicks.
James is leading the NBA in scoring averaging more than 29 points per game. He should have no problem surpassing his season average against the Knicks, who rank last in most defensive categories.
The Knicks should struggle to score against the defensive-minded Cavs after trading leading scorers Zach Randolph (20.5 PPG) and Jamal Crawford (19.6 PPG) in a salary-dump move last week.
The Cavs took two of three against the Knicks last year with James averaging 42 points per contest.
Pick: Cleveland
Indiana Pacers at Dallas Mavericks (NA)
Dallas has quietly rattled off four-straight wins and is just one victory shy of reaching the .500 mark for the first time since it started the year at 1-1.
The Mavs face a shorthanded Pacers club on Tuesday. Indiana could be without Mike Dunleavy and leading scorer Danny Granger (23.9 PPG). Granger sprained his knee in Saturday’s setback to the Miami Heat.
Indiana is not the same offensive team without Granger and Dunleavy shooting touch from the perimeter. Points could be tough to come by unless shooting guard Marquis Daniels goes off on a shooting tear.
Mavericks forward Josh Howard has been troubled by a sore left ankle, but his workload would be lighten if he doesn’t have to chase Granger around at the defensive end. Expect a big game from the former Demon Deacon.
Pick: Dallas
GOLDEN STATE (5 - 8) at WASHINGTON (1 - 10)
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 40-55 ATS (-20.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 21-35 ATS (-17.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 26-14 ATS (+10.6 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 24-46 ATS (-26.6 Units) as a home underdog of 3 points or less since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 65-93 ATS (-37.3 Units) in November games since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 3-1 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 3-1 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND (10 - 3) at NEW YORK (7 - 6)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 7-19 ATS (-13.9 Units) in road games after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 26-12 ATS (+12.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 4-3 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 4-3 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX (9 - 5) at OKLAHOMA CITY (1 - 13)
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 178-224 ATS (-68.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 5-1 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 6-1 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
7 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA (5 - 7) at DALLAS (6 - 7)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 2-2 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 3-1 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 3 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NEW JERSEY (6 - 6) at LA LAKERS (11 - 1)
Top Trends for this game.
NEW JERSEY is 39-52 ATS (-18.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 23-35 ATS (-15.5 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 10-21 ATS (-13.1 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 10-21 ATS (-13.1 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 12-27 ATS (-17.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 15-27 ATS (-14.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 65-48 ATS (+12.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 45-27 ATS (+15.3 Units) first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 36-13 ATS (+21.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 8-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) in home games after allowing 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAKERS is 3-1 against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 3-1 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
2 of 3 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE vs. WASHINGTON
Golden State is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
Golden State is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games
Washington is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Golden State
Washington is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Golden State
CLEVELAND vs. NEW YORK
Cleveland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
New York is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New York's last 6 games when playing Cleveland
PHOENIX vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
Phoenix is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Phoenix is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Oklahoma City is 6-1-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Phoenix
Oklahoma City is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Phoenix
INDIANA vs. DALLAS
Indiana is 1-9-1 ATS in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Indiana is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Dallas is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
NEW JERSEY vs. LA LAKERS
New Jersey is 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
New Jersey is 7-16 SU in their last 23 games when playing LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games
LA Lakers are 11-1 SU in their last 12 games
CHARLOTTE vs. TORONTO
Charlotte is 3-9-1 ATS in its last 13 games when playing Toronto
Charlotte is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games when playing Toronto
Toronto is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Toronto is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
MILWAUKEE vs. ATLANTA
Milwaukee is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Milwaukee is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Atlanta is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. CLEVELAND
Oklahoma City is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 7 games when playing Cleveland
Cleveland is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games at home
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Cleveland (10-3, 9-4 ATS) at N.Y. Knicks (7-6, 6-7 ATS)
LeBron James takes his high-scoring act to Madison Square Garden for the first time this season as he leads the first-place Cavaliers against the new-look Knicks.
James leads the NBA in scoring at 29.1 points per game and contributed 24 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in Saturday’s 110-96 rout of Atlanta, with Cleveland holding on to cover as a 12-point home chalk. The Cavs have won nine of their last 10 games, going 7-3 ATS, and they’re 3-1 SU and ATS on the highway during this stretch.
New York snapped a three-game SU and ATS slide with Saturday’s 122-117 home victory over the Wizards as a 2½-point favorite. The Knicks, who were involved in two blockbuster trades last week that sent Zach Randolph to the Clippers and Jamal Crawford to Golden State, had just seven players see action against Washington, but four of the five starters scored at least 22 points. New York is 5-2 (4-3 ATS) at the Garden so far.
The SU winner is 8-1 ATS in the Knicks’ last nine games and 10-2 ATS in Cleveland’s last 12.
These teams have alternated SU wins and losses in the last seven meetings between each other, with the Cavaliers taking last year’s final matchup 119-105 as a 4½-point road chalk. New York is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 against Cleveland, and the ‘dog has cashed in nine of the last 12 battles.
The Cavaliers are on a slew of positive ATS streaks, including 19-7 overall, 9-3 on the road, 11-3 against the Eastern Conference, 13-3 versus the Atlantic Division and 9-4 versus winning teams. On the other hand, New York is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 against the Eastern Conference and 4-11 ATS in its last 15 when going on two days’ rest.
The last four Knicks-Cavaliers matchups have soared over the total. Also, the Knicks are on over streaks of 5-1 overall, 15-7 at home, 6-2 on Tuesdays and 22-7 against winning teams, while Cleveland has topped the total in seven of its last nine overall and five of its last seven against the East.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
Indiana (5-7, 6-5-1 ATS) at Dallas (6-7 SU and ATS)
The Mavericks go for their fifth consecutive win and a return to .500 as they host the slumping Pacers at American Airlines Center.
Dallas returned from a perfect 3-0 SU and ATS road trip and blasted the Grizzlies 91-76 as a nine-point home favorite Friday. The winning streak comes on the heels of an 0-5 SU and ATS nosedive, as the SU winner has covered in all 13 Mavericks games this season.
The Pacers kicked off a three-game road journey with Saturday’s 109-100 loss at Miami as a six-point underdog. Indiana has lost two in a row and four of its last five (1-3-1 ATS), and it is 1-4 on the road (3-2 ATS).
Dallas has owned this rivalry of late, winning five of the last six meetings (3-2-1 ATS). Last year, the teams split their season series, with the home team winning and cashing in each contest. The host is 7-2 SU in the last nine clashes and 13-2-1 ATS in the past 16, with the Mavs going 6-1-1 ATS in the last eight games played in Dallas.
Aside from their current 4-0 ATS hot streak, the Mavs are on negative pointspread runs of 1-5 at home, 7-19-1 against the Central Division, 3-7 after a victory and 4-9 on Tuesdays. The Pacers are in ATS slumps of 1-5 versus the Western Conference, 1-4 against the Southwest Division and 5-12 on Tuesdays, but Indiana is 39-18-2 ATS in its last 59 games when going on two days’ rest and 4-1 ATS in its last five after a non-cover.
The over is on a 9-4-1 ATS tear in this rivalry, and the over is also 10-1-2 in Indiana’s last 13 against the Western Conference, 5-0-1 in its last six against the Central Division, 8-3-1 in its last 12 on Tuesdays and 4-0 in Dallas’ last four games played on three or more days of rest.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DALLAS and OVER
Gametimepicks.com
NBA RESEARCH REPORT
By Indiancowboy
Golden State vs. Washington
The Wizards infuriate me. This is a 1-10 team and Vegas continues to bet on the fact that this team will "wake" up at some point. Apparently, the public is not having any of it as they are backing GS here to a tune of nearly 70% on the road. The Good news is that Washington's Head Coach is Fired - thank God. I know his team has injuries, but my God, this team just can't win a ballgame. They face GS on the heels of this today and their loss to the Knicks on the road - note that GS comes off a loss to Philly. I lean on the under, not making a play.
Cleveland vs. New York
Don't mess with the Knicks! This team is 7-6 and let me tell you, Mike D'Antoni is a coaching genius. Remember, Duke is running many of Mike's offensive sets (Coach K learned it when Mike came up with the sets for Team USA Basketball with D'Antoni was his assistant coach) and currently the Oregon Ducks run it as well which they used it to hammer my Tide last night. By the way, Mark Godfried needs to go, he reminds me of Mike Shula and he is a terrible coach. A lack of fire and frankly a lack of competence when it comes to offensive sets. As per this game, Clevleand comes off a big win over Atlanta, and note that New York is 5-2 at home with their only home losses being to the Mavs in overtime and one of the first games in the season losing to the Bucks I believe it was. I think NY gets fired up and plays Cleveland tough as they played Cleveland tough at home even with Isiah as the head, nevertheless, more competent coaching from D'Antoni. I don't like the fact they gave up Crawford though for Harringon, I think Harrington is a poison that screws up the chemistry of ballclubs. I do think Chris Duhon is a great fit their and comes off a nice 10 point performance against Washington.
Phoenix vs. Oklahoma City
Here is a shocker, nearly 80% are riding Phoenix here. That is huge. In fact, that is the biggest public play of the day as the spread is 10. Look, if you are looking for the best public fade today, this is it. But, having said that, Oklahoma City is horrible. This team is 1-13, but did manage to cover against the Hornets as 15 point dogs at home in a home and home which they lost handily. I can't lay the 10 points with the biggest public play just by principle nor wager on the Thunder either. no thanks.
Indiana vs. Dallas
I know Indiana is just 5-7, but Dallas only has one more win at 6-7 so these two teams aren't that far apart. Indiana is a very capable team, remember, they beat the likes of Atlanta at home and lost to the Magic by one bucket at home and lost a tough game to the Heat on the road. Dallas has accomplished much over the last 4 games including covering and winning against Houston on the road, easily handling Memphis at home, beating Charlotte and New York on the road as well. Dallas is just 1-4 by the way at home. I think this game goes either way as the Pacers are a good team coming off some tough losses looking to play well here and will likely do so and the Mavs look to have things figured out or at least beginning to - lean on the Pacers slightly, but can go either way, if you lean on Indiana, I would suggest the over.