NBA News and Notes Tuesday Nov, 4

Phoenix Suns vs. New Jersey Nets

Amare Stoudemire had 23 points with 13 rebounds for a double-double as the Suns defeated the Trail Blazers 107-96 on Saturday. The Suns covered the 8-point spread, while the 203 points made it OVER the posted total of 192.5.

Matt Barnes netted 21 points, and Steve Nash chipped in with 20 in the win.

The Nets were upset 105-97 by the Warriors last time out, as 5-point favorites. The combined 202 points went UNDER the posted total of 206.5.

Josh Boone netted 17 points with 14 rebounds for a double-double in the loss.

Team records:
Phoenix: 2-1 SU, 2-1 ATS
New Jersey: 1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS

Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 9-1
Before playing Indiana are 6-4
After playing Portland are 6-4
After a win are 4-6

New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Detroit are 6-4
After playing Golden State are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Phoenix is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 6 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Phoenix's last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Phoenix's last 7 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Jersey's last 6 games when playing Phoenix
New Jersey is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Jersey's last 7 games when playing at home against Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 7 of New Jersey's last 10 games at home

Next up:
Phoenix at Indiana, Wednesday, November 5
New Jersey home to Detroit, Friday, November 7

Boston Celtics vs. Houston Rockets

The Celtics lost 95-79 to the Pacers last time out, as 6-poit road favorites. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under (191.5).

Kevin Garnett notched a double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds in the loss.

The Rockets roared back in the fourth quarter to earn an 89-77 win over the Thunder on Saturday. The Rockets could not cover the 14-point spread, while the combined 166 points fell UNDER the posted total of 193.

Tracy McGrady had 22 points with seven rebounds and five assists.

Current streak:
Houston has won 3 straight games.

Team records:
Boston: 2-1 SU, 1-2 ATS
Houston: 3-0 SU, 1-2 ATS

Boston most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Oklahoma City are 4-6
After playing Indiana are 4-6
After a loss are 8-2

Houston most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 7-3
Before playing Portland are 7-3
After playing Oklahoma City are 8-2
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Boston's last 9 games on the road
Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Boston is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games
Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 5 games at home
Houston is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games at home
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing at home against Boston

Next up:
Boston at Oklahoma City, Wednesday, November 5
Houston at Portland, Thursday, November 6

Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs

Josh Howard led the way for Dallas with 18 points in its 100-81 loss to Cleveland on Monday night.

Cleveland covered as 2.5-point road underdogs as the game played under the 193-point total set by oddsmakers.

The Spurs were upset 100-99 by the Trail Blazers last time out, as 2-point favorites on the road. The 199 points sailed OVER the posted total of 174.5.

Tim Duncan netted a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.

Current streak:
San Antonio has lost 2 straight games.

Team records:
Dallas: 1-2 SU, 1-2 ATS
San Antonio: 0-2 SU, 0-2 ATS

Dallas most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Denver are 6-4
After playing Cleveland are 8-2
After a loss are 6-4

San Antonio most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 9-1
Before playing Minnesota are 7-3
After playing Portland are 8-2
After a loss are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Dallas is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Dallas's last 6 games
Dallas is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Dallas's last 7 games when playing San Antonio
San Antonio is 21-4 SU in its last 25 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Antonio's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of San Antonio's last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 7 games when playing Dallas

Next up:
Dallas at Denver, Friday, November 7
San Antonio at Minnesota, Wednesday, November 5

Hot Teams
-- Suns won two of their first three games, winning at San Antonio in their only road game.
-- Celtics won two of first three games, but lost 95-79 at Indiana, in the only road game they've played. Rockets won their first three games, by 11-10-12 points, with road team covering all three (0-2 as HF).

Cold Teams
-- Nets split their first two games, with road team winning both.
-- Mavericks lost two of first three games, with road team winning all three games- they won 95-85 at Minnesota in their only road game. San Antonio lost its first two games by a total of six points.

Totals
-- Suns' first three games all went over the total.
-- Celtics' first three games all stayed under the total.
-- Both San Antonio games this season went over the total.

Tips and Trends

Boston Celtics at Houston Rockets

Celtics: Not that they're making excuses, but the defending NBA champs suffered their first loss of the season on Saturday night after playing back-to-back nights at home and on the road. They definitely looked out of sync in getting crushed 95-79 by the Pacers, shooting 35 percent from the field and committing 24 turnovers. It also didn't help that Paul Pierce missed 12-of-15 shots for Boston. This will be the first meeting since the Celtics ended Houston's 22-game winning streak with a 94-74 rout at the Toyota Center back on March 18th.

Celtics are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. Southwest Division.
The UNDER is 8-1 in Boston's last 9 road games.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 86 (UNDER - Total Play of the Day)

Rockets (-2, O/U 178): Houston has been able to overcome a slow start offensively by Tracy McGrady thanks to the addition of Ron Artest and more contributions from reserves. McGrady is shooting just 37 percent from the field through three games, but it hasn't mattered too much because others have picked up the slack. For example, Carl Landry totaled 14 points off the bench on 6-of-11 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds in an 89-77 rout of Oklahoma City on Saturday. Landry was the only Rocket who shot better than 50 percent against the Thunder.

Rockets are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games cs. Atlantic Division.
The UNDER is 10-1 in Houston's last 11 home games.

Key Injuries - F Shane Battier (foot) is questionable.

PROJECTED SCORE: 88

Dallas Mavericks at San Antonio Spurs

Mavs: Dallas clearly is not the same team that went to the NBA Finals three years ago, as the players are still searching for an identity with new head coach Rick Carlisle. Insiders expected a more exciting offensive system under Carlisle, but the Mavs are averaging less than 93 points through three games. That includes two losses at home after losing 100-81 to the Cavs there on Monday. The lone win for Dallas this season came at Minnesota on Saturday.

Road team is 12-4 ATS in the last 16 meetings.
The UNDER is 10-4-1 in Dallas' last 16 Tuesday games.

Key Injuries - F Devean George (hand) is day-to-day.

PROJECTED SCORE: 92

Spurs (-3.5, O/U 190): San Antonio should have C Fabricio Oberto back for this game after he sat out the first two with an irregular heartbeat. That would allow Matt Bonner to go back to the bench and take some pressure off Tim Duncan inside. Bonner got the nod at Portland on Friday and totaled just five points and two rebounds in 12 minutes. More good news is that the Spurs did not lose consecutive games at the AT&T Center last season, and they are traditionally one of the best home teams in the NBA.

Spurs are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
The UNDER is 8-2 in San Antonio's last 10 games overall.

Key Injuries - C Fabricio Oberto (irregular heartbeat) is expected to return.
G Manu Ginobili (ankle) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: 98 (Side Play of the Day)

PHOENIX vs. NEW JERSEY
Phoenix is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Phoenix is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing New Jersey
New Jersey is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games
New Jersey is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games at home

BOSTON vs. HOUSTON
Boston is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games
Boston is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
Houston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Boston
Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Boston

DALLAS vs. SAN ANTONIO
Dallas is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games
Dallas is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
San Antonio is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Dallas
San Antonio is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Dallas

PHOENIX (2 - 1) at NEW JERSEY (1 - 1)
Top Trends for this game.
PHOENIX is 35-14 ATS (+19.6 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points since 1996.
NEW JERSEY is 33-48 ATS (-19.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 18-31 ATS (-16.1 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 25-45 ATS (-24.5 Units) as a home underdog of 3.5 to 6 points since 1996.
NEW JERSEY is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 9-20 ATS (-13.0 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 9-20 ATS (-13.0 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 8-25 ATS (-19.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 11-23 ATS (-14.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 2-1 against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 4-0 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

BOSTON (2 - 1) at HOUSTON (3 - 0)
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 39-21 ATS (+15.9 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
HOUSTON is 21-9 ATS (+11.1 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 68-42 ATS (+21.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 52-32 ATS (+16.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 33-21 ATS (+9.9 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 22-10 ATS (+11.0 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 25-11 ATS (+12.9 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 2-2 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 3-1 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

DALLAS (1 - 2) at SAN ANTONIO (0 - 2)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 293-240 ATS (+29.0 Units) in home games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 97-64 ATS (+26.6 Units) on Tuesday nights since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 118-88 ATS (+21.2 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite since 1996.
DALLAS is 202-157 ATS (+29.3 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
DALLAS is 160-121 ATS (+26.9 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
DALLAS is 192-136 ATS (+42.4 Units) after a non-conference game since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 5-3 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 4-4 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

Boston (2-1, 1-2 ATS) at Houston (3-0, 1-2 ATS)

The unbeaten Rockets figure to face their stiffest test of the season when they welcome the Celtics to the Toyota Center.

Houston has started off the season with three straight double-digit routs, including Saturday’s 89-77 victory over Oklahoma City. However, the Rockets came up short as a 14-point home chalk, and they’re 0-2 ATS as a favorite this year (1-0 ATS as an underdog). Houston has surrendered 77 and 71 points in its two home wins.

The Celtics began the season with consecutive victories over the Cavaliers (90-85) and Chicago (96-80), then hit the road for the first time Saturday and fell flat in a 95-79 loss as a six-point road favorite. Boston shot just 34.6 percent from the field in the defeat, including missing 20 of 24 attempts from three-point range, and committed 24 turnovers.

Boston swept the two-game season series from the Rockets last year, winning 97-93 at home as a hefty 11 ½-point favorite and 94-74 in Houston as a 4½-point road underdog. The visitor has won seven of the last 10 meetings, going 8-2 ATS (4-0 ATS in the last four). Finally, the ‘dog is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 head-to-head clashes, and the winner has cashed in nine of the last 10.

Gong back to last season, the Celtics are on ATS runs of 8-2 overall, 4-1 on the road, 7-1 against the Southwest Division, 19-7 versus the Western Conference and 13-6 on Tuesdays. Meanwhile, the Rockets have failed to cover in four of their last five at home, but otherwise they’re on pointspread hot streaks of 36-16-1 against the Eastern Conference, 10-4 against Atlantic Division foes and 24-9-1 following a SU victory.

Boston sports under streaks of 3-0 this season, 8-1 on the road and 4-1 on Tuesdays, while Houston’s under runs include 10-4 overall (2-1 this year), 10-1 at home, 4-0 against the Eastern Conference and 5-0 on Tuesdays. Finally, the under is 4-0 in the last four meetings between these squads at the Toyota Center.

ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON and UNDER

Dallas (1-2 SU and ATS) at San Antonio (0-2 SU and ATS)

The Spurs try again for their first victory of the season when they welcome the rival Mavericks to the AT&T Center in a Southwest Division battle between struggling teams.

San Antonio, which lost four of its final five games to the Lakers in last year’s Western Conference Finals, has begun 2008-09 with a pair of close losses to the Suns (103-98 at home) and Blazers (100-99), failing to cash as a short favorite in both contests. In Friday’s setback at Portland, the Spurs shot 56 percent from the field (56.2 percent from three-point land) while holding the Blazers to 46.3 percent shooting (35.3 percent from long range) but had a game-winning jump shot fail to drop in at the buzzer.

Dallas bounced back from a 10-point season-opening home loss to the Rockets with a 10-point road win at Minnesota on Sunday (95-85). However, the Mavericks couldn’t carry that momentum over into Monday’s contest against Cleveland, falling 100-81 as a 4½-point home chalk. The Mavs have alternated spread-covers in seven straight games going back to last year’s postseason and they’re 6-12 ATS in their last 18 regular-season contests.

Dallas topped the Spurs 105-92 as a two-point home favorite in last year’s initial meeting, but San Antonio came back to take the last three contests by a total of 12 points, going 2-1 ATS. Dallas is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings dating to November 2006. Also, the visitor is 12-4 ATS in the last 16 head-to-head battles and the underdog is 20-7 ATS in the last 27, including 9-1 ATS in the last 10. Finally, the SU winner is 9-1 ATS in those 10 meetings.

The Spurs have failed to cash in four straight games going back to last year’s playoffs, but they’re still 9-4-1 ATS in their last 14 at home and 5-2-2 ATS in their last nine Tuesday contests. Dallas is 39-19-1 ATS in its last 59 games against divisional rivals, but 1-5-1 ATS in its last seven when going on back-to-back nights.

The under is on runs of 5-1 for Dallas overall, 10-4-1 for Dallas on Tuesday, 8-2 for San Antonio overall and 19-8-1 for San Antonio against Southwest Division squads. Finally, the under is 5-2 in the last seven Spurs-Mavericks tussles (3-1 in the past four in San Antonio).

ATS ADVANTAGE: DALLAS and UNDER

Gametimepicks.com

Tuesday's NBA Action
By Josh Jacobs

It’s a skinny card in professional hoops on Tuesday but that doesn’t mean you have to skip town on the wagering process. Three games should give us all the opportunity to zero in on the big prize. Don’t forget that it’s also Election Day so I hope you exercise your right to vote no matter your political affiliation.

Here’s what we have going in the infancy of this week.

Phoenix at New Jersey

The Suns have claimed dominance over the Nets dating all the way back to the 2003-04 season. In their last 10 meetings, Phoenix is 8-2 straight up and a not so impressive 5-4-1 against the spread record in the last 10. Even with Mike D’Antoni leaving town for a challenging job in the Big Apple, the Suns continue to execute their fast paced offense to average 101.7 PPG in the three games played this season.

It’s still very early on but New Jersey is currently in the middle of the pack in most statistical categories. With only two games under the Nets’ belt we’re hard pressed to come to any handicapping conclusions. Jersey will be coming off two full days of rest after designated the loser against Golden State by the score of 105-97.

The overall picture in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which shouldn’t come as a surprise, is a team just beginning a massive rebuilding process. Power forward, Yi Jianlian looks to be a set piece in the future plans and point guard Devin Harris should be able to direct movement of the ball with precision (although the Nets have a choice to make in terms of renewing Harris’ contract which expires at the end of the season).

In their last get together in March of 2008, Phoenix rolled to a 110-104 win. New Jersey covered the 6 ½-point spread, while the ‘under’ was a money maker at 219½. Just expect the Suns’ center, Shaquille O’Neal to play limited minutes as an average of 27.2 MPG is indication of what’s to come this season. The thinking here is to saves Shaq's energy for a push deep into the year.

Las Vegas Spots Consultants hs opened the Phoenix as five-point visiting favorites, with a total set at 199.

Dallas at San Antonio

The battle over the Lone Star State begins early this season when the Mavericks and Spurs look to take Election Day by storm. San Antonio has been dropped twice this year by a point difference of just minus-three (average for both defeats). What we all need to keep an eye on is why the Spurs have given up triple-digit scoring numbers in their two defeats (maybe not as important in the loss to Phoenix, 103-98 to open the season). What is worth noting is allowing Portland to rally for exactly 100 points on the board.

Dallas is looking to claim its first victory over San Antonio since taking a 105-92 win over their arch rival back on September, 2007. There was a time when the Mavs had taken four in a row in head-to-head play, but the tide has recently turned (the Spurs have taken the last three contests). Individually, Dirk Nowitzki is back on the court, sinking the ball for 28.5 PPG with Josh Howard adding to the score for 21 PPG.

A strong trend to take into account involves ‘underdogs’ going a blistering 20-7 ATS in the last 27 head-to-head meetings. The road team has also rewarded bettors with a 12-4 ATS record in the last 16 contests. The ‘under’ is 5-2 in the last seven intrastate battles.

Sportsbetting.com has placed the Rockets as 3½-point favorites on the board, with a total at 190.

Boston at Houston

The Rockets are off to a strong start (3-0 SU and 1-2 ATS) thanks to Yao Ming, Ron Artest and Tracy McGrady combining to average 58.6 PPG. That’s just the offensive part of this equation. The ‘D’ has also risen to the occasion in the first three games, holding Oakland, Dallas and Memphis an impressive 83.3 PPG (No. 1 in the league so far), while making opponents miss shots for a field goal percentage allowed of 40-percent.

The Celtics, who own the 6-4 SU edge over the Rockets in the last 10 showdowns, are coming off a 16-point loss in Indiana (95-79). Boston is flexing its defense muscle by allowing teams to shoot a league best 37.3-percent from the field. Again (we can’t stress this enough), the league is in its infancy but Ray Allen has scored just 10.7 PPG in the three outings. If this trend continues, expect the Celts to average a lot less then last season’s 100.5 PPG.

As for head-to-head trends are concerned, the ‘underdog’ is 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings, Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last five games played in Houston and the road team is 4-0 ATS in the last four contests.

Most books have opened the Celtics as two-point visiting 'dogs. A low total of 178 has been posted on the board.

vegasinsider.com.

Hot and Cold Bets - Week 2
By Matt Fargo

Tuesday – Boston Celtics at Houston Rockets

The Celtics won their first two games at home before falling in Indiana on Saturday which was a surprisingly big loss. Boston shot a miserable 34.6 percent from the floor including a mere 20 percent (4-20) from long range. It is shooting just 40.9 percent on the season which is the sixth lowest in the league thus far. Even more disturbing is the 66.7 percent shooting from the charity stripe. If the Lakers tumble out in the Western Conference, the Rockets could be the team that goes to the NBA Finals if they can stay healthy. Defense is the name of the game in Houston as it is allowing an NBA low 83.3 ppg. The addition of Ron Artest only helps the defense even more. The Celtics won both meetings last season including a 17-point win in Houston. This matchup has under written all over it.

NBA RESEARCH REPORT
By IndianCowboy

Phoenix vs. New Jersey

I have always said that the -5.5 line is the worst line in sports. It is a terrible, terrible, terrible line. Why? Because either in College Football, College Basketball or the NBA it typically means the dog is going to win outright and Vegas is setting the trap. What do you know, here is a -5.5 line and 73% of the public is on the Suns. In short, I would not be a bit surprised to see the Nets cover or win this game outright. Phoenix comes off a win against Portland at home as they covered the -9 point spread and the Nets are ticked off from a home loss to the Warriors which explains why the trap here has been set. Remember, the Nets beat Washington at Washington, so could certainly be a game the Nets win outright.

Boston vs. Houston

This is going to be a great game of two early season favorites. Houston and Boston have both looked solid in the early going. Why in the world would you go against either of these teams? After all, you have a Boston team coming off a loss and ticked off and Houston has looked solid at home. If I had to lean one way, it would be towards Boston off a loss, but no thanks, I have better games to focus on than throwing money against one of these better teams.

Dallas vs. San Antonio

You have Dallas off a loss here as they face the Spurs on the road. Note, that I took the Cavs on the road to beat the Mavs outright. Remember, that Dallas is much weaker than most realize as they will run up the score on weaker teams but struggle against the better teams in the league. The only thing about this is the fact that the public is behind San Antonio by over 70% but the Spurs have yet to win this year so they should be fired up as well. No thanks, I'm staying away.