Wednesday's Best NBA Bets
Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers (6.5, 196.5)
It took a little while to shake the rust off, but Bulls forward Carlos Boozer is rounding into his usual form.
The team’s big free-agent addition scored 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Chicago’s win over Oklahoma City Monday, which was his fourth game back since breaking his hand at the start of the season. Boozer heads into Wednesday’s game against Cleveland averaging 17.8 points per game.
“We still have to get adjusted to playing with Carlos and him playing with us,” point guard Derrick Rose told the Chicago Sun Times. “We are both going to learn when and what to do. Right now, we’re just playing off talent.”
Monday’s win was the Bulls’ second straight victory but just the first time in four games they have covered the spread. They face a Cleveland squad that has dropped four games in a row and has only two wins in its last 10 outings, going 3-7 ATS in that stretch heading into Tuesday.
Pick: Chicago
Miami Heat at Utah Jazz (-1.5, 189)
Should we be so impressed by the Miami Heat’s winning streak?
The star-studded Heat have won five straight games, but have done so against NBA duds like Cleveland, Washington, Detroit, Milwaukee and an Atlanta team missing its best player.
While most bandwagon jumpers would be clinging to the cart after Miami’s winning run – in which it is 4-1 ATS – smart bettors are being a little more cautious, especially with LeBron and Co. heading to EnergySolutions Arena Wednesday.
The Jazz have won eight of their last 10 games, posting a 7-2 ATS record and climbing to the top of the Northwest Division. Utah already has a win over the Heat this season, handing them a 116-114 overtime loss as a 9-point underdog in South Beach on November 9.
Throwing some gas on Wednesday’s fire was Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan, who chose his words carefully when asked about Miami’s "Big Three" of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
“The way I was brought up and the way I played, that’s kind of what I thought: You stick together even though things aren’t good,” Sloan told the Salt Lake Tribune. “That’s kind of like life. We don’t always get what we want, and you have to stick to it - those are great lessons. Although, there’s so much money involved now, I guess you have to go for the money.”
And if NBA bettors want to go for the money, they won’t fade one of the best home teams in the NBA against an over-hyped Heat squad.
Pick: Utah
NBA Odds: Heat seek revenge at Utah Jazz
By: Adam Markowitz
Back on November 9, the Miami Heat were beaten by the Utah Jazz 116-114 at home in overtime in one of the more stunning NBA betting battles so far this season. Since that point, Utah is 13-3 SU and 11-4-1 ATS. Miami is 9-6 SU and 5-10 ATS.
Now, with the scene shifting back to EnergySolutions Arena, the two will renew their ties with the Heat looking for payback for arguably their most notable loss of the season to date.
Miami needs to be quite careful, as it is still tied for second place in the Southeast Division standings, 1.5 games behind the Orlando Magic in first. Yes, the Heat have won five games in a row SU and four in a row ATS, but their marks just aren't what they should be.
At some point, Miami's "Big Three" need some big help. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are all scoring at least 18.1 PPG this year, but none of the three are really getting much in the way of help from their fellow teammates.
James Jones is No. 4 amongst the healthy squad members in scoring at 7.7 PPG, while Carlos Arroyo is at 7.1 PPG. The addition of Erick Dampier was supposed to help in the post, but he has more fouls against him (9) than points scored and blocks combined (five and three respectively).
The good news for the Heat is that they are playing sterling defense, and this is the unit that can really carry them to the Promised Land this year. They are allowing just 91.7 PPG and are holding teams to just 42.9 percent shooting from the field. Their last two foes, the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks, have been held to 77 and 78 points respectively.
Only five teams have scored 100+ points on Miami this year, and none have done the damage of the Jazz who posted that 116. Over the last four, the Heat are conceding just 79.3 PPG.
Utah, on the other hand, is doing everything right and doing it right as a team. The squad is up to 16-6 overall and 1.5 games in front in the Northwest Division, one of the most competitive divisions in the NBA.
Just like Miami, defense is the key for the Jazz, and that's not something you hear every day about a team in the Western Conference. Utah is allowing 96.2 PPG, No. 9 in the league, and no team is holding teams to a worse shooting percentage (42.8%) or three point shooting percentage (30.2%) than are the Jazz.
Six different players are all over the court for Head Coach Jerry Sloan, and though his bench isn't really as deep as it has been in years past, this is a winning combination.
Deron Williams might be the best point guard in basketball. He is averaging 21.8 PPG and 10.0 APG, and he is getting the ball all over the court to his big men as well. The trio of Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson, and Andrei Kirilenko are combining to average 46.2 PPG, and 22.2 RPG, and they might make up the best threesome of bigs in the NBA.
Miami is just 4-9 ATS in its last 13 road games, but it has the NBA trends on its side in this one in terms of the head to head series. The Heat are 10-2 ATS in the last 12 overall, while the underdog is 7-2 ATS in the last nine clashes.
Expect to see the NBA odds quite tight in this one, as these two teams are very, very evenly matched.
NBA Betting Preview: Miami Heat at Utah Jazz
By Jeff Mattingly
Miami has been on a roll since a players-only meeting on November 27 after a loss to the Dallas Mavericks and now will seek revenge against the Jazz from an earlier defeat at home. The Heat have won five games in a row by an average of 17.2 points, including an 88-78 win in Milwaukee last time out. The defense has been instrumental in the club’s recent success, allowing an average of 82.2 points on 37.7 percent shooting over the last five games. “We understand that it takes defense to win,” said guard Dwyane Wade. Some NBA experts are quick to point out that the team has faced inferior competition over the last couple weeks and will be tested in Salt Lake City tonight. Miami is 9-13 ATS on the year.
The Heat have compiled a 2-4 record against the Western Conference and is winless versus such opponents on the road. Last season, the two teams split the season series, 1-1, with each team winning on their home court. Miami dropped a 116-114 contest in overtime against Utah earlier in the year, failing to hold onto a 19-point third-quarter lead. Wade and LeBron James have really started to gel over the team’s season-long winning streak, combining for 42 points in the recent win over the Bucks.
Utah enters with a solid 16-6 overall mark and is a perfect 8-0 versus the Eastern Conference this year, including a perfect 4-0 at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz are coming off a solid 94-85 home win over the Memphis Grizzlies and were led by point guard Deron Williams’ 27 points. “I think this one was business as usual,” said guard Raja Bell. “We understood what our week was after this game, but we understood this was a game we need to have going into a tough week.” The team is 29-19 all-time against the Heat, including a 17-7 record at home. Utah is a perfect 8-0 ATS versus non-conference opponents.
The Jazz go as far as Williams takes them in the point guard position and he was recently named the Western Conference Player of the Month for games played in October/November. Utah has posted a 10-1 record when scoring 100-plus points in a game compared to an even 4-4 mark when scoring under 100. Offensively, the team has also been happy with the play of offseason acquisition Al Jefferson, who has managed to score over 17 points in seven of the last nine games.
Bettors will be interested in backing the Heat due to their 10-2 ATS mark in this series, while the Jazz are 7-2 ATS overall.
Tips and Trends
Indiana Pacers at Milwaukee Bucks
PACERS: Indiana is only 1 game back of Chicago for the Central Division lead at 10-9 SU. The Pacers are clearly a team on the rise, led by the play of C Roy Hibbert. Hibbert just might be the most improved player in the NBA, as he's averaging 15.5 PPG and 8.6 RPG. Indiana is 11-8 ATS overall this season. The Pacers are 5-4 SU this year on the road, a better record than they have at home. Indiana is 6-5 ATS as the listed underdog this year. Indiana is winning with their defense this year, as they are allowing just 97.7 PPG, 11th best in the NBA. The Pacers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games against the Eastern Conference. Indiana is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. The Pacers are 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 games playing on 1 days rest. Indiana is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The Pacers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games following a SU win of more than 10 points. Indiana is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 Wednesday games.
Pacers are 8-1 ATS last 9 games against the NBA Central.
Under is 5-0 last 5 games as a road underdog.
Key Injuries - None Reported.
Projected Score: 90
BUCKS: (-2, O/U 189) Milwaukee isn't playing nearly as well as what was expected of them when the season started. The Bucks have lost 8 of their past 10 games, and stand just 7-13 SU on the season. Milwaukee has the worst scoring offense in the NBA, averaging just 90.9 PPG this season. The Bucks are shooting just 32.6% from the field this year. Their poor offense has left them no margin for error, as they have to depend on 48 minutes of unbelievable defense to stay competitive. Milwaukee is allowing 92.9 PPG, 6th fewest in the NBA. PG Brandon Jennings is averaging team highs of 18.3 PPG and 5.5 APG for the Bucks. C Andrew Bogut is averaging 12.9 PPG and 11.6 RPG for the year. The Bucks are just 6-13-1 ATS on the season, proof that they haven't lived up to the preseason expectations placed on them. The Bucks are 21-10 ATS in their last 31 games when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Milwaukee is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games against a team with a winning road record. The Bucks are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games against the Eastern Conference. Milwaukee is 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games following an ATS loss. The Bucks are 1-9-1 ATS in their last 11 games overall. Milwaukee is 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.
Bucks are 1-6 ATS last 7 games following a SU loss.
Under is 8-2 last 10 games as the listed favorite.
Key Injuries - F Drew Gooden (foot) is questionable.
Projected Score: 94 (UNDER-Total of the Day)
Miami Heat at Utah Jazz
HEAT: The Heat are starting to play up to their lofty standards, and tonight will be an opportunity to make a statement. Miami lost at home earlier this season to the Jazz, and they have the opportunity to exact some revenge on the road against one of the elite teams in the NBA. Miami is 14-8 SU and 9-13 ATS overall this season. The Heat are 0-2 both SU and ATS as the listed underdog this season. Miami is playing stellar defense of late, holding 3 of their past 4 opponents under 80 PTS. Miami is allowing just 91.7 PPG this year, 2nd fewest in the entire NBA. F LeBron James is leading the Heat in scoring, averaging 23.7 PPG. G Dwyane Wade is averaging 21.7 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 4.2 APG for the Heat this year. Miami is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall. The Heat are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a SU win. The Heat are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Wednesday games. Miami is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following an ATS win. The Heat are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 road games. The Heat are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games playing on 1 days rest. Miami is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games against a team with a winning home record. The Heat are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games against the Western Conference.
Heat are 0-5 ATS last 5 games as a road underdog.
Over is 5-1 last 6 games against the Western Conference.
Key Injuries - F Mike Miller (thumb) is out.
Projected Score: 98 (SIDE of the Day)
JAZZ: (-1.5, O/U 189) Utah has the 4th best record in the entire NBA at 16-6 SU. Utah has a 2 game lead in the Northwest Division. In their past 10 games alone, the Jazz are 8-2 SU and 7-3 ATS. For the entire season, Utah is 13-8-1 ATS overall. Utah is averaging 100.7 PPG this year, with much thanks to PG Deron Williams. Williams is averaging team highs of 21.8 PPG and 10 APG this season. Forwards Paul Millsap and All Jefferson continue to do dominating work in the paint. The duo combine for more than 34 PPG and 17 RPG this year. The Jazz beat the Heat earlier this season in a huge come from behind win in overtime. Utah is allowing just 96.2 PPG, 9th fewest in the league. The Jazz are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 Wednesday games overall. Utah is 6-0-1 ATS in their last 7 games against the NBA Southeast. The Jazz are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a SU win. Utah is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest. The Jazz are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as the listed favorite.
Jazz are 12-4 ATS last 16 home games against a team with a losing road record.
Under is 8-1 last 9 home games.
Key Injuries - C Mehmet Okur (achilles) is out.
Projected Score: 94