NBA Today
SCOREBOARD
Tuesday, Dec. 23
Philadelphia at Boston (7:30 p.m. EST). The Celtics (26-2) can set a team record with their 19th straight win and an NBA mark for best start to a season by a team with two losses.
STARS
Monday
— Jameer Nelson, Magic, scored 22 points and had seven assists to help Orlando rout Golden State 113-81.
— Yao Ming and Aaron Brooks, Rockets. Yao had 24 points and 16 rebounds and Brooks tied his career high with 22 points as Houston won its season-high fourth straight, 114-91 over New Jersey.
— Kobe Bryant, Lakers, scored 36 points and keyed a late rally to help Los Angeles snap a two-game losing streak with a 105-96 victory over Memphis.
— Nene and Chauncey Billups, Nuggets. Nene scored 19 points and had 11 rebounds, Billups added 19 points and 10 assists, and Denver overcame the absence of Carmelo Anthony to beat Portland 97-89.
— Chris Bosh, Raptors, scored 18 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter to help Toronto hold off the Los Angeles Clippers 97-75.
ELBOWED OUT
The Denver Nuggets hope Carmelo Anthony’s sore right elbow will not sideline him for an extended period. Anthony said he has two bone spurs—one in each elbow—and the team hopes resting him for a week will help. He missed Monday’s 97-89 win over Portland and will sit against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday in the back end of a home-and-home. Anthony will also miss Friday’s home game against Philadelphia. He’s been hampered by the injury since training camp.
DIAGNOSIS: SURGERY
A doctor recommended surgery for Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar, who hurt his left knee last week against the Miami Heat. Team doctor Steve Lombardo confirmed the guard has a torn lateral meniscus. The team said Farmar has not decided whether to have surgery, and it’s unclear how long he will be out. The former UCLA star was averaging 7.9 points and 2.4 assists in nearly 20 minutes backing up Derek Fisher.
1 BILLION WATCHING
The matchup between Chinese Olympians Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian was televised to China live by the nation’s largest network. The Nets distributed about 40 credentials to international members of the media. Yao had 24 points and 16 rebounds while Yi had just 10 points as the Houston Rockets beat New Jersey 114-91.
COMEBACK KOBE
The Los Angeles Lakers trailed Memphis 93-88 with 3:08 left but closed the game on a 17-3 run, including 10 points from Kobe Bryant in a 105-96 victory.
SWING
Tony Parker committed five turnovers in the first 10 minutes but overcame the rough start by scoring 18 points to lead San Antonio to a 101-85 victory over Sacramento … Portland’s Brandon Roy, who scored 52 points against Phoenix on Thursday, was held to just eight in a 97-89 loss to Denver.
STAT
Orlando routed the Warriors 113-81 and improved to 15-1 this season when scoring 100 points or more.
SPEAKING
“If you look at the lineup we had in there, Chris was going to be the focal point. We didn’t really have a lot of points on the floor, but I said, ‘It doesn’t matter. We’re giving the ball to Chris, and they can’t stop him.”’— Raptors interim coach Jay Triano after Chris Bosh scored 18 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter of Toronto’s 97-75 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Hot Teams
-- Hawks won four of their last five games. Oklahoma City is 11-4 in its last fifteen games against the spread.
-- Pacers won three of their last four games.
-- Cavaliers won 22 of their last 24 games. Rockets won four in a row, six of last seven games.
-- Celtics won their last 19 games, are 7-2-1 vs spread in last ten. 76ers won three of their last four games.
-- Miami won its last two games by combined total of five points.
-- Lakers won five of last seven games; they're 0-10-1 vs spread in their last eleven games. Hornets won four in row, seven of last eight games.
-- Bucks won four of their last five games.
-- Grizzlies covered five of their last seven games.
-- Spurs won seven of their last nine games.
Cold Teams
-- Nets lost six of their last eight games.
-- Bobcats covered one of their last five home games. Washington lost its last six games (0-6 vs spread).
-- Warriors lost six of their last seven games.
-- Pistons covered two of their last eight games. Bulls are 0-7 vs spread in game following their last seven wins.
-- Mavericks are 0-5 vs spread in game following their last five wins.
-- Utah lost three of its last five games.
-- Minnesota lost its last twelve games (3-11 vs spread in last 14).
-- Nuggets lost three of their last four games. Portland covered two of its last ten games.
Totals
-- Eight of last nine Atlanta games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 12-4 in Indiana's last sixteen games.
-- Over is 13-3 in last sixteen Houston games.
-- Last three Charlotte games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Philadelphia games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last nine Golden State games stayed under the total.
-- Last five New Orleans games stayed under the total.
-- Last five Chicago games all went over the total.
-- Three of last four Milwaukee games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last six Dallas games stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four San Antonio games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last six Denver games stayed under the total.
HOUSTON vs. CLEVELAND
Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
NEW JERSEY vs. INDIANA
The total has gone OVER in 8 of New Jersey's last 9 games when playing on the road against Indiana
New Jersey is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Indiana
Indiana is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Indiana is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. ATLANTA
Oklahoma City is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Atlanta
Oklahoma City is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Atlanta is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home
WASHINGTON vs. CHARLOTTE
Washington is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Charlotte is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Charlotte's last 8 games when playing Washington
GOLDEN STATE vs. MIAMI
Golden State is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
Golden State is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
Miami is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Golden State
Miami is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Golden State
PHILADELPHIA vs. BOSTON
Philadelphia is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Philadelphia is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Boston is 10-3-1 ATS in its last 14 games when playing Philadelphia
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
CHICAGO vs. DETROIT
Chicago is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 5 games
Detroit is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Chicago
Detroit is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games when playing at home against Chicago
LA LAKERS vs. NEW ORLEANS
LA Lakers are 18-7 SU in their last 25 games when playing New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 12 of the LA Lakers last 17 games when playing New Orleans
New Orleans is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
New Orleans is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
UTAH vs. MILWAUKEE
Utah is 12-1 ATS in its last 13 games when playing Milwaukee
Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Milwaukee is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
MEMPHIS vs. DALLAS
Memphis is 5-16-1 ATS in its last 22 games when playing Dallas
Memphis is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Dallas
Dallas is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
Dallas is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games
MINNESOTA vs. SAN ANTONIO
Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
San Antonio is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Minnesota
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
DENVER vs. PORTLAND
Denver is 17-7 SU in its last 24 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Denver's last 6 games
Portland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Denver
Portland is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Denver
Tuesday's Tip Sheet
By Josh Jacobs
The NBA will take a break on Wednesday as Christmas Eve sweeps across the globe. So we’re left with 12 games to wager on come Tuesday.
The marquee matchup of the evening will involve a tussle between the Lakers and Hornets beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST.
L.A. (21-5 straight up, 11-15 against the spread) finds itself in a two-game slump in the middle of a four-game road trip. Beginning with a buzzer beating loss in Miami (89-87), the Lakers took another slap on the wrist in a close, 106-103 loss in Orlando during the weekend.
The Lake Show has taken backers to the cleaners with a 1-10 ATS slide in the last 11 games. They’ve been installed as double-digit favorites seven times in the last 10 games and 14 times so far this season. In those contests L.A. has covered the spread just four times. If there’s an angle or trend to follow it’s that the Lakers are 16-10 on the ‘over’ and 11-4 in the last 15 games.
New Orleans (16-7 SU, 10-11-2 ATS) has been a bear at home, notching a 9-3 record. However, a 5-6-1 ATS record has given bettors a foul taste in their mouths. Playing the total has been a bread earner as the ‘under’ has now hit in five straight games. On the season, New Orleans is 14-9 on the ‘under’ this season.
It was on Nov. 12 that the Lakers found themselves notching a win over the Hornets, 93-86. Most books had closed the Lake Show as 1 ½-point visiting underdogs. Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher both tossed up 20 points apiece, as Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum each found the bucket for 14 points. The big difference came at the free throw line. L.A. was able to hit 82 percent of its shots from the charity strip. New Orleans struggled by hitting only 65 percent of its shots from the line.
The Lakers are 4-2 ATS off zero days of rest.
Houston at Cleveland – 7:00 p.m. EST
The Cavaliers have not only shoved the ball down the throats of its opponents but a 21-6 ATS record proves that good teams win and great teams cover the spread. Since losing to Atlanta (97-92), Cleveland has rebounded for three straight wins, outscoring the opposition 100-83 PPG. The Cavs have gone 5-1 ATS when installed as double-digit favorites in the last 10 games and are 11-2 ATS at home this year.
Houston is in the midst of a four-game road trip which opened with a win in Minnesota, 109-102. The Rockets are 9-6 SU and ATS on the road for which their responsible for scoring 97.7 PPG and shooting 45.1 percent from the floor. A 7-3 run in the team’s last 10 games has been instrumental in holding onto first place honors with New Orleans in the division. And a 4-2 ATS record in its last six has supplied backers with enough ammunition to reload.
Houston is a hot 7-1 ATS in the last eight meetings against Cleveland. The ‘under’ is 4-0 in the last four head-to-head meetings in Cleveland.
Utah at Milwaukee – 8:00 p.m. EST
Milwaukee may be 13-16 SU but covering 19 games on the season has been nothing short of exciting for backers. The Bucks will welcome the Jazz into their building with a 7-4 home record on the line. Scoring 100.1 PPG and allowing 94.3 PPG on defense has helped translate into an 8-3 ATS record at home this season. When installed as a favorite the Bucks have gone a near perfect 6-1 ATS and are a perfect 6-0 ATS at home versus opponents playing under .500 ball.
The Bucks are coming off a 119-85 pummeling over the Clippers on Saturday, easily covering the six-point spread. Eight players were in double-digit scoring figures, helping to push the total ‘over’ 191 ½.
The Jazz (17-12 SU, 16-13 ATS) began the season on a tear (winning five straight). Now with a 5-5 SU and 6-4 ATS it’s safe to say that Utah is going through some difficult times. Scoring 97.9 PPG while giving up 99 PPG is a direct reason for the team’s lackluster 7-8 record on the road (8-7 ATS). There’s no doubt that the Jazz miss Carlos Boozer’s contribution on both ends of the court. The six-year veteran has missed 17 straight games due to a quadriceps tendon injury. Boozer himself stated that the injury looks to have gotten worse which could lead to missing extended playing time. Since his absence on the court, Utah has gone 9-6 ATS and 9-5-1 on the ‘under’.
The Jazz have dominated the Bucks in head-to-head play with a 8-2 SU and 9-1 ATS performance in the last 10.
Denver at Portland – 10:00 p.m. EST
Most books have opened Portland (17-10 SU, 12-14 ATS) as an 8 ½-point home favorite with a total set at 199. The Trail Blazers broke a three-game slide against Sacramento last week (109-77), covering the tall 12-point spread and nailing the ‘under’ at 199 ½. What’s been frustrating is Portland’s 3-7 ATS performance in the last 10 and 6-10 ATS in road games this season.
The Trail Blazers’ defense has been top notch, holding opponents to 95.4 PPG. That same defensive effort has helped the ‘under’ cash tickets at a 6-3 clip in the last nine and 15-11 for the year. The ‘under’ is 10-3 in the last 13 and 6-2 in the last eight home games.
For Denver (17-10 SU, 15-11-1 ATS), an 8-6 ATS record on the road runs congruent with a 7-5-1 ATS stint at home. The Nuggets racked up their third loss in a row on Saturday, falling short in Phoenix by the score of 108-101. This was the third ATS loss in a row and fifth ATS defeat in the last eight games.
Reason for Denver’s last three defeats stems from the team getting outscored 107-95 PPG even though they’re shooting 49 percent from the field. And books haven’t taken mercy on the total, averaging 207 ½-points in the last 10 games. The Nuggets are an even 5-5 on the ‘over’ but have scored big with a 7-3 record on the ‘over’ in the last 10 head-to-head games against Portland.
Denver has covered four of its last five games against the Trail Blazers and are a convincing 22-8-1 ATS in its last 31 head-to-head meetings.
vegasinsider.com
OKLAHOMA CITY (3 - 25) at ATLANTA (17 - 10) - 12/23/2008, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) after scoring 85 points or less over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) on Tuesday nights over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 3-1 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 3-2 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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NEW JERSEY (13 - 14) at INDIANA (10 - 17) - 12/23/2008, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW JERSEY is 6-4 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
NEW JERSEY is 6-4 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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HOUSTON (19 - 9) at CLEVELAND (23 - 4) - 12/23/2008, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 21-6 ATS (+14.4 Units) in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 18-4 ATS (+13.6 Units) as a favorite this season.
CLEVELAND is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in home games this season.
CLEVELAND is 21-6 ATS (+14.4 Units) first half of the season this season.
CLEVELAND is 25-12 ATS (+11.8 Units) after 3 or more consecutive unders over the last 3 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) after a win by 10 points or more this season.
CLEVELAND is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
HOUSTON is 64-49 ATS (+10.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 274-220 ATS (+32.0 Units) in road games since 1996.
HOUSTON is 58-35 ATS (+19.5 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 185 and 189.5 points since 1996.
HOUSTON is 89-61 ATS (+21.9 Units) against Central division opponents since 1996.
HOUSTON is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 24-13 ATS (+9.7 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 34-22 ATS (+9.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 3-1 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 3-1 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
4 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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WASHINGTON (4 - 21) at CHARLOTTE (9 - 19) - 12/23/2008, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 110-145 ATS (-49.5 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
CHARLOTTE is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) in home games after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 5-3 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 5-3 straight up against CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
7 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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PHILADELPHIA (12 - 15) at BOSTON (26 - 2) - 12/23/2008, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 12-25 ATS (-15.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 83-52 ATS (+25.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 64-44 ATS (+15.6 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 44-27 ATS (+14.3 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 37-20 ATS (+15.0 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 17-3 ATS (+13.7 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 42-24 ATS (+15.6 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 26-14 ATS (+10.6 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 38-18 ATS (+18.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 56-83 ATS (-35.3 Units) in home games after allowing 105 points or more since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 6-3 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 5-4 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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GOLDEN STATE (8 - 21) at MIAMI (14 - 12) - 12/23/2008, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 45-66 ATS (-27.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 45-72 ATS (-34.2 Units) as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 points since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in a road game where the total is greater than or equal to 210 this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 152-193 ATS (-60.3 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
MIAMI is 43-63 ATS (-26.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 7-23 ATS (-18.3 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 18-35 ATS (-20.5 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 3-2 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 3-2 straight up against GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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LA LAKERS (22 - 5) at NEW ORLEANS (16 - 7) - 12/23/2008, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA LAKERS are 1-11 ATS (-11.1 Units) in December games this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 67-48 ATS (+14.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 50-32 ATS (+14.8 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 37-23 ATS (+11.7 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 57-36 ATS (+17.4 Units) when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.
NEW ORLEANS is 25-9 ATS (+15.1 Units) revenging a home loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 53-33 ATS (+16.7 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 41-26 ATS (+12.4 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 5-3 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 4-4 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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CHICAGO (13 - 14) at DETROIT (14 - 11) - 12/23/2008, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 14-30 ATS (-19.0 Units) in road games first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 15-30 ATS (-18.0 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 2-15 ATS (-14.5 Units) off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 9-20 ATS (-13.0 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
DETROIT is 25-12 ATS (+11.8 Units) after allowing 85 points or less over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 9-5 against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 8-6 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
9 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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UTAH (17 - 12) at MILWAUKEE (13 - 16) - 12/23/2008, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 9-21 ATS (-14.1 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) first half of the season this season.
MILWAUKEE is 27-50 ATS (-28.0 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 195 and 199.5 points since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 138-179 ATS (-58.9 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 69-97 ATS (-37.7 Units) after a win by 10 points or more since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 4-1 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 5-0 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MEMPHIS (9 - 18) at DALLAS (15 - 11) - 12/23/2008, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 17-33 ATS (-19.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 163-122 ATS (+28.8 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
DALLAS is 198-140 ATS (+44.0 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.
DALLAS is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in home games this season.
DALLAS is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in home games first half of the season this season.
DALLAS is 14-25 ATS (-13.5 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 5-4 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 9-0 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
7 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MINNESOTA (4 - 22) at SAN ANTONIO (17 - 10) - 12/23/2008, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 46-60 ATS (-20.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 37-52 ATS (-20.2 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 21-35 ATS (-17.5 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 21-43 ATS (-26.3 Units) in road games on Tuesday nights since 1996.
MINNESOTA is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) against Southwest division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 29-46 ATS (-21.6 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 22-35 ATS (-16.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 462-396 ATS (+26.4 Units) as a favorite since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 300-246 ATS (+29.4 Units) in home games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 99-66 ATS (+26.4 Units) on Tuesday nights since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 21-6 ATS (+14.4 Units) in home games against Northwest division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) when playing on back-to-back days over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 6-3 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 8-1 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DENVER (18 - 10) at PORTLAND (17 - 11) - 12/23/2008, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DENVER is 99-138 ATS (-52.8 Units) when playing on back-to-back days since 1996.
PORTLAND is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PORTLAND is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) in home games revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
PORTLAND is 30-14 ATS (+14.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 6-3 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 6-3 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Oklahoma City at Atlanta, 7:05 ET
Oklahoma City: 9-1 ATS at Atlanta (as Seattle)
Atlanta: 9-1 Under off home win
New Jersey at Indiana, 7:05 ET
New Jersey: 5-1 ATS off loss by 15+ points
Indiana: 4-0 Over off SU win as underdog
Houston at Cleveland, 7:05 ET
Houston: 12-0 Under Away after scoring 100+ points 4 straight games
Cleveland: 7-0 ATS at home off an Under
Washington at Charlotte, 7:05 ET
Washington: 20-8 ATS Away off home loss
Charlotte: 14-27 ATS after playing as favorite
Philadelphia at Boston, 7:35 ET
Philadelphia: 34-22 Under off SU loss
Boston: 24-9 ATS after cover as DD favorite
Golden State at Miami, 7:35 ET
Golden State: 10-2 Over playing with revenge
Miami: 5-19 ATS as home favorite
LA Lakers at New Orleans, 8:05 ET NBATV
LA Lakers: 1-11 ATS in December
New Orleans: 12-2 ATS at home revenging same season loss
Chicago at Detroit, 8:05 ET WGN
Chicago: 2-15 ATS off SU win as underdog
Detroit: 19-6 ATS off BB ATS losses
Utah at Milwaukee, 8:05 ET
Utah: 9-2 Over at Milwaukee
Milwaukee: 9-0 ATS off home game
Memphis at Dallas, 8:35 ET
Memphis: 7-1 Under vs. Dallas
Dallas: 2-11 ATS at home
Minnesota at San Antonio, 8:35 ET
Minnesota: 25-11 ATS Away playing with double revenge
San Antonio: 6-18 ATS playing on back-to-back days
Denver at Portland, 10:05 ET
Denver: 12-27 ATS off BB Unders
Portland: 19-9 ATS at home playing with revenge
Tips and Trends
Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Hornets
Lakers: LA avoided a season-high third loss in a row on Monday by rallying back for a 105-96 win at Memphis. The Lakers actually trailed 93-88 with a little more than three minutes left, but Kobe Bryant then scored 10 of his last 36 points to help them pull off the win. “We know what we want to do,” Bryant said. “For a young team, they are still kind of searching for what that identity is going to be. For us, we’ve been there, done that. So, it’s just a matter of how well we executed.” LA will be completing a four-game road trip at New Orleans and hosts defending champion Boston on Christmas Day.
Lakers are 0-10 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
The UNDER is 8-2 in LA's last 10 games as an underdog.
Key Injuries - PG Jordan Farmar (knee) is OUT.
PROJECTED SCORE: 94 (UNDER - Total Play of the Day)
Hornets (-2.5, O/U 195): New Orleans will be going for a season-high fifth straight win after earning a victory in 11 of 13 games. The Hornets will also be looking to slow down a Lakers offense that is averaging an NBA-high 107.3 points per game, and they have held their last eight opponents to 94 points or less. “All the talk is about the Lakers, Celtics and Cleveland, and rightfully so,” New Orleans head coach Byron Scott said. “We are getting better and better each month, and that’s the important thing.”
Favorite is 0-8 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
The UNDER is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
Key Injuries - F Peja Stojakovic (back) is questionable.