NBA Today
SCOREBOARD
Tuesday, March 31
Detroit at Cleveland (7 p.m. EDT). The Pistons try to strengthen their hold on the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race against the NBA-leading Cavaliers.
STARS
Monday
— Dwight Howard, Magic, scored 22 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, passing Wilt Chamberlain to become the youngest NBA player to reach 5,000 boards, as Orlando beat Miami 101-95.
— Richard Jefferson, Bucks, had 29 points and 10 rebounds and Milwaukee snapped a season-high five-game losing streak with a 107-78 victory over New Jersey.
— Dwyane Wade, Heat, scored 13 of his 42 points in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough as Miami lost to Orlando 101-95.
— Deron Williams, Jazz, had 24 points and 13 assists to lead Utah past New York 112-104.
— O.J. Mayo, Grizzlies, scored 24 points and had a career-high 10 assists, and Memphis rallied from nine points down in the fourth quarter to beat Golden State 114-109.
GLASS CLEANER
Orlando’s Dwight Howard reached the 5,000-rebound mark—he now has 5,006— at the age of 23 years, 112 days, passing Wilt Chamberlain as the youngest NBA player to reach the milestone. Chamberlain was 25 years, 128 days old when he got his 5,000th rebound.
STREAKS & SLUMPS
Milwaukee snapped a season-high five-game losing streak with a 107-78 victory over New Jersey on Monday night. The Bucks also ended a seven-game road losing streak and sent the Nets to their fifth straight loss, matching their season high.
MOURNING’S GLORY
With tears streaming from his eyes, Alonzo Mourning watched his jersey raised to the rafters by the Miami Heat on Monday night, making him the first player in the organization’s 21-year history to receive that honor. The 43-minute halftime ceremony featured the reading of a letter from President Barack Obama, plus brief speeches from Gov. Charlie Crist, Heat president Pat Riley, Mourning’s former Georgetown coach John Thompson and fellow former Hoya Patrick Ewing.
JAZZ SWINGERS
Utah led New York by 24 points early in the third quarter, but fell behind by a point in the fourth before regrouping and closing the game on a 20-11 run, winning 112-104 on Monday night. The Jazz held a 21-point lead in the third quarter against Phoenix on Saturday, but needed to come from behind and win in overtime.
SHARP SHOOTERS
Golden State went 20-for-20 from the foul line in a 114-109 loss to Memphis on Monday night, the first time since 1974 the Warriors were perfect with at least 20 attempts.
STRONG IN DEFEAT
Monta Ellis had 29 points for Golden State, which suited up just eight players for the second straight game and lost its fifth in a row, falling 114-109 to Memphis on Monday night.
SIDELINED
Miami backup point guard Luther Head broke his left hand during the Heat’s 101-95 loss to Orlando and will miss four to six weeks, meaning there likely will be no way he’s available for Miami’s first-round playoff series.
SPEAKING
“Y’all can go and collect your money.”—Alonzo Mourning, who became the first player in the Miami Heat’s 21-year history to have his number retired. He said many of his friends were taking bets on whether he would cry, and he did as speeches were read and the banner was hoisted.
Hot and Cold Bets
By Matt Fargo
The NBA regular season is winding down fast and the games are becoming that much more important. Matt Fargo has been looking into Hot and Cold NBA bets throughout the season and he takes a look at four games that you will want to pay attention to coming up over the next few days.
NBA Hot Bets
Wednesday – Sacramento Kings at Golden St. Warriors 10:30 PM ET
The Warriors got off to a horrible start this season but since January 11th, they have gone 15-19 (19-13-2 ATS) which is far from playoff material but considering the start to the season was 10-28, this has been a huge turnaround.
It is no coincidence that Golden St. has played better since Monta Ellis has been back in the lineup. The Warriors are 11-11 (14-6-2 ATS) in the 22 games he has played in so they are no doubt a better ballclub with Ellis on the court. Sacramento plays at home against New Orleans on Tuesday before heading to Golden St. the next night. That puts the Kings in one of their worst spots this season. They have played back-to-back games on 19 previous occasions and of those, they have registered only three wins (9-10 ATS). Sacramento has been decent as an underdog, going 28-30 ATS, but it has trouble with the smaller lines, going 4-13 ATS when getting fewer than six points. Keep an eye on this line to see if we catch a number in this range.
Thursday – Utah Jazz at Denver Nuggets 10:30 PM ET
Denver remains atop the Northwest Division and it sitting in the final playoff slot that has the homecourt edge, so winning is a huge priority right now. The Nuggets have been solid at home, going 28-8 on the season (20-15-1 ATS) including wins in eight of their last nine (5-4 ATS). Denver hosts the Knicks prior to this game on Tuesday and host the Clippers on Saturday so there is no letdown or look-ahead possible.
This will be the second straight road game for the Jazz as they are at another tough opponent from the division, Portland, on Tuesday. Utah has been decent in the division, going 10-3 but just 5-8 against the number. It will be an underdog in this spot for a win means a cover but getting those wins on the road has been a chore, especially when getting points. The Jazz are 3-14 as road underdogs, including a 6-11 ATS mark. This marks the third straight revenge game in this series and the home team has avenged the prior loss both times.
NBA Cold Bets
Tuesday – Utah Jazz at Portland Trailblazers 10:00 PM ET
Utah is on the road and we all know what that could entail. Of all of the Western Conference teams in the top eight eligible for the playoffs, the Jazz have the worst road record of the bunch. After winning a season high four straight road games, Utah has now lost four of its last five games away from home, a win in Oklahoma City being the lone exception. On top of the road woes, Utah has been dreadful this season when playing with no rest, going 3-14 including a 5-12 ATS mark. The Jazz are also 4-14 as underdogs, covering only seven of those 18 games. Portland is now 30-7 at home this season, going 22-14-1 ATS. Both teams are right in the thick of the Northwest Division with Utah trailing Denver two games and Portland trailing by a game and a half. The home team has had the edge in this series, winning and covering six straight meetings including the first three this season.
Tuesday –Atlanta Hawks at Philadelphia 76ers 7:00 PM ET
The Hawks have been on a very solid run as they have won nine of their last 12 games (9-2-1 ATS) and have clinched a playoff spot. They are currently sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, ahead of Miami by three and a half games so it looks as though home court in the first round is a given. Looking at this recent 12-game stretch however shows that 11 of those games were at home so while solid, it could be considered a bit skewed. Atlanta is 14-22 on the road but a decent 19-16-1 ATS in those games however this is a very tough spot considering the lack of travel in recent weeks. The Sixers are likely safe in the playoff race but they are more concerned about seeding as they want to catch Miami for the fifth spot to avoid a first round matchup with Cleveland, Orlando or Boston. This is the start of the final homestand of the season for Philadelphia as it plays three straight at home before finishing with five of the final seven games on the road.
ATLANTA vs. PHILADELPHIA
Atlanta is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Atlanta is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Atlanta
Philadelphia is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta
CHICAGO vs. INDIANA
Chicago is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Indiana is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Chicago
Indiana is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Chicago
DETROIT vs. CLEVELAND
Detroit is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
Detroit is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Cleveland is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
LA LAKERS vs. CHARLOTTE
LA Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games
LA Lakers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games
Charlotte is 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games when playing LA Lakers
Charlotte is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Lakers
DALLAS vs. MINNESOTA
Dallas is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Dallas
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Dallas
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. SAN ANTONIO
Oklahoma City is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Oklahoma City is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
San Antonio is 8-1-1 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
NEW YORK vs. DENVER
New York is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
New York is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games at home
NEW ORLEANS vs. SACRAMENTO
New Orleans is 1-9-1 ATS in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
New Orleans is 2-13 SU in its last 15 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
Sacramento is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Sacramento is 5-18 SU in its last 23 games
UTAH vs. PORTLAND
Utah is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games
Utah is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Portland is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Utah
Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Utah
Hot Teams
-- Cavaliers won last twelve games, covering three of last four. Pistons won last two games, by total of six points; they're 6-3 in last nine as dog
-- Bulls won four of their last five games. Pacers won three of last four.
-- Hawks won nine of their last twelve games.
-- Lakers won five of their last six games. Charlotte won five of its last seven games.
-- Spurs won three of their last four games.
-- Nuggets won eight of last nine games, covered last four.
-- Portland won five of its last seven games. Utah won five of last six.
-- New Orleans won 13 of its last 18 games.
Cold Teams
-- 76ers lost last two games, by 5-4 points, but won four of last five at home.
-- Minnesota lost seven of its last eight games. Mavericks lost four of last five road games.
-- Oklahoma City lost five of its last six games.
-- Knicks lost eight of last nine games, covered four of last six.
-- Kings are 1-6 vs spread in game after their last seven wins.
Totals
-- Last four Cleveland games stayed under the total; seven of last eight Detroit games went over.
-- Three of last four Chicago games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Atlanta games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Bobcat games stayed under the total.
-- Four of last five Dallas games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last eight Thunder games stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four Denver games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last seven Utah games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last nine New Orleans games stayed under the total.
Back-to Back
-- Detroit is 4-0 vs spread if playing first of two consecutive nights on the road.
-- Charlotte covered seven of last nine if they play again next night.
-- Dallas is 4-2 vs spread on road if they play again the next night.
-- Jazz are 3-6 vs spread if they played the night before.
-- Knicks are 5-0 vs spread when play second straight night on road.
-- Hornets are 5-3-1 vs spread on road if they play again next night.
Game of the day: Jazz at Trail Blazers
By The Prez
Utah Jazz at Portland Trail Blazers (-6.5, 194)
Season series
Utah leads 2-1, with both wins coming in Salt Lake City and the Jazz were missing key injured players in all three meetings. The first, a 103-96 Jazz victory on Nov. 5, was when Deron Williams was sidelined with a sprained ankle. In the second matchup, Dec. 11 in Salt Lake City, the Jazz didn’t have Carlos Boozer in their 97-88 win.
The last game was Jan. 31 at the Rose Garden, a 122-108 Blazer win over a Utah team missing Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko. Deron Williams had 35 points for Utah despite being ill. That victory was Portland’s fifth straight at home in this series (5-0 ATS), and it came on the back end of a back-to-back for Utah, which will be the case again Tuesday.
Portland is 19-4 this season against teams playing on the second night of back-to-backs. Blazers coach Nate McMillan has a strategy when playing teams on the second night of a back to back.
"The thing is to be aggressive and that's what we want to do,” he said. “We know we need to do that defensively as well as offensively. Keep the pressure on their defense by pushing the ball. But that team (Utah) will be ready, it's an experienced team. These games are important for both teams."
Stretch run
Utah has nine games left counting this one, and six of those are on the road against probable Western Conference playoff teams as the Jazz try to climb in the conference and division standings. At least Utah’s three home games are against non-playoff teams.
"We've got some tough, tough basketball games — at home, on the road," Williams said to the Deseret News. "So, we've got our work cut out for us. But it's a good test to see where we're at. … If we get through these games and move up, then we're ready for the playoffs."
Portland, meanwhile, heads off on a four-game road trip (Oklahoma City, Houston, Memphis, San Antonio) after this one as the Blazers battle the Jazz and Nuggets for the Northwest Division title, which the Jazz have won the past two seasons. The Blazers haven’t reached the playoffs since 2003 and their 30-7 home mark is their best since 1991-92.
Second wind?
The longest season Portland’s Rudy Fernandez played in Spain was 34 games and he seems to have hit the rookie wall. Fernandez had failed to make at least half of his shot attempts in 14 of the past 19 games. But before being limited to seven points in a win over Memphis on Saturday, he had a three-game stretch during which he scored a total of 54 points. It was his first three-game string of double-digit scoring nights since early February. His 23 points Thursday in a victory over Phoenix was two off his season high and he hit a season-high five 3-pointers.
"People forget that this is his first time going through an 82-game season," said Roy. "So he had a period there where he was a little injured, playing through injuries. It was tough. But it's good to see him back."
Key trends
Jazz are 0-8 ATS in their last eight games as a road underdog.
Trail Blazers are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games as a favorite.
Under is 7-1 in Utah's last eight vs. Western Conference.
Over is 6-1 in Trail Blazers' last seven games as a home favorite of 5-10.5.
Favorite is 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings.
Tuesday NBA Research
By Indiancowboy
Lakers vs. Bobcats
Charlotte has actually beat this team the last 2 times they have played them. The Lakers have revenge from when Charlotte came in and beat this team in OT. The Lakers come off a loss in Atlanta as well while Charlotte comes off back to back covers and wins over Philly and the Knicks. I know the public is on the Lakers but off a loss and revenge, not a bad spot at all for the Lake Show.
Detroit vs. Cleveland
Cleveland has beat this team in back to back games, Hamilton is back, Wallace is back, the Pistons are a bit deeper than before, they have won back to back games, but the Cavs have crushed the Twolves and Mavs at home, despite that, a lean on the Pistons as they are healthier - note, Iverson is back though and I think he just throws a quirk in this entire Pistons lineup. To be honest, I think Iverson will be better served being a 6th man for this team.
Chicago vs. Indiana
Chicago is 2-1 in this series as the home team has won SU each time. Chicago comes off an OT loss at Toronto, but before that had won 6 of 7 SU, Indiana has beat Miami and Wash at home as well as covered, I know the Bulls come off a loss, but the Pacers are almost in a home and home revenge here, so a lean on the Pacers as they are tough to beat at home (beat the cavs, lakers and magic this year at home).
Atlanta vs. Philly
Dalembert is questionable in this game, and Philly beat this team by 15 on the road last time out. This is a big revenge game for Atl as they come off a win over the Lakers. Atl had lost to Boston and SA prior to that. Philly has lost to Charlotte and Detroit and has played in 5 of 6 overs which is uncharacteristic of this team (but most of the games were on the road though). I know Philly is desperate for a win, but with no Sam and with the revenge for the Hawks, a lean on the Hawks first half here.
Mavs vs. T-Wolves
Dallas beat this team by just 7 on the road and 10 on the orad, and come off an embarrassing loss to the Cavs and will look to bounce-back. Howard is likely to come back. Twolves jsut up-ended the Nets at home, have revenge, but the Mavs come off an ugly loss. Just staying away.
OKC vs. Spurs
OKC beat this team by a bucket at home last time. They were the beneficiary of friendly officiating (I'm glad, b/c I was on OKC), but in Dec when SA faced this team they only beat this team by 5 points at home - okc has covered against this team both times they faced them this year. The Spurs come off a loss at NO and have revenge here, they are a solid play today for these 2 reasons.
Knicks vs. Nuggets
Remember these 2 teams dislike each other from the ugly brawl at MSG a few years back. Many of the same players remain (i.e. Robinson for the Knicks and Melo etc...), Denver beat this team by 7 on the road earlier this year, Denver has covered 4 straight but the Knicks have revenge and were very game at Utah. I think the Knicks could be very game here.
Jazz vs. Blazers
Portland beat this team by 14 at home last time, but revenge game for the Jazz, Utah has failed to cover their last 3 and Portland comes off romping the Grizzlies at home as they look for the division crown, Utah is 2-1 against this team this year, and I can see this either way, but note that the Jazz do have revenge and although this game totaled 230 last time, the total this time is set at 194 and it keeps dropping.
Injury Notes:
Detroit: Wallace is Probable for the Pistons.
Philadelphia: Dalembert is Questionable.
Lakers: Bryant is Probable.
Bulls: Salmons is Probable.
Pacers: Murphy is Doubtful.
Mavs: Howard is Probable.
T-Wolves: Foye is Doubtful.
Knicks: Richardson is Questionable. Hughes is Questionable.
Hornets: Stojakovich is Doubtful and Chandler is OUT.