Wednesday's NBA Tip Sheet
By Brad Young
**Magic at Knicks**
-Las Vegas Sports Consultants installed Orlando as a three-point road 'chalk' over New York, with the total set at 216. This matchup is scheduled to begin at 7:35 p.m. ET.
-Orlando (41-15 straight up, 35-20 against the spread) had won back-to-back outings SU and ATS before falling to Chicago Tuesday night as a two-point road favorite, 120-102. The combined 222 points went 'over' the 203-point closing total.
-The Magic were outrebounded by the Bulls, 45-38, while allowing Chicago to connect at a 57-percent clip (48-of-85). All five scorers reached double digits in scoring, led by center Dwight Howard's 26 points and 12 rebounds.
-The Magic are a solid 19-9 SU and 18-9 ATS away from home, with the 'over' going 14-12. Orlando has been winning its road games by an average score of 103-97.
-New York (24-32 SU, 32-24 ATS) improved to 3-1 SU its last four games after holding off Indiana Monday as a 6 1/2-point home favorite, 123-119. The combined 242 points soared past the 225 1/2-point closing total, enabling the 'over' cash four of the previous five outings.
-Most of the game stats were pretty similar, but the Knicks recorded five more points at the free-throw line (30-of-44) than the Pacers (25-of-34). New York shot 44 percent (42-of-96) from the field, led by Al Harrington's 27 points and David Lee's 20 and 13 rebounds.
-The Knicks sport a 17-12 SU and ATS ledger at Madison Square Garden, with the 'over' also going 17-12. New York has been winning its home endeavors by an average score of 109-108.
-Orlando is 4-1 SU and ATS the previous five meetings with New York, but this is the first encounter this season. The 'under' has prevailed the last two games in this series.
-Orlando forward Mickael Pietrus (wrist) is expected to miss this matchup with the Knicks. New York guard Quentin Richardson (Achilles) is 'questionable' versus the Magic.
**Blazers at Spurs**
-LVSC opened San Antonio as a five-point home favorite over Portland, with the total listed at 185. Tipoff for this contest is scheduled for 8:35 p.m. ET.
-Portland (35-20 SU, 28-27 ATS) had won three games in a row SU and consecutive contests ATS heading into Tuesday's action.
-The Blazers are just 12-15 SU and 10-17 ATS on the road, losing those affairs by an average score of 97-96.
-San Antonio (37-17 SU, 25-26 ATS) has won consecutive contests SU and ATS heading into Tuesday's matchup.
-The Spurs sport an 18-7 SU home ledger, while going just 9-14 ATS. San Antonio has been winning on its home court by an average score of 99-94.
-San Antonio had gone 7-0 SU and 4-3 ATS the past seven meetings with Portland until falling to the Blazers October 31 as a 1 1/2-point road 'chalk,' 100-99. The combined 199 points went 'over' the 175 1/2-point closing total, ending back-to-back 'under' outings in this series.
-Portland center Greg Oden (knee) is 'doubtful' versus the Spurs. San Antonio guard Manu Ginobili (shin) is expected to be 'out' for this contest.
**Bobcats at Kings**
-LVSC lists Charlotte as a slight one-point road 'chalk' over Sacramento, with the total set at 201 1/2. This contest is scheduled to start at 10:05 p.m. ET.
-Charlotte (22-34 SU, 32-23 ATS) has dropped back-to-back outings SU and ATS heading into Tuesday's contest.
-The Bobcats are just 6-19 SU on the road, but 14-10 ATS. Charlotte has been dropping those affairs by an average score of 97-91.
-Sacramento (12-46 SU, 27-31 ATS) is currently mired in a two-game SU losing skid after Monday's setback to New Orleans as a nine-point home underdog, 112-105. The combined 217 points eclipsed the 203-point closing total, helping the 'over' improve to 2-1 the past three performances. The Kings have quietly gone 4-1 ATS their last five games.
-Sacramento trailed the Hornets in rebounding, 46-35, but kept the contest close by shooting 48 percent (37-of-77) from the field. Guard Kevin Martin paced the offense with 32 points, while forward Specner Hawes contributed 13 and 14 rebounds in the setback.
-The Kings own an 8-19 SU and 10-17 ATS home ledger, with the 'over' going 14-13. Sacramento has been dropping its home endeavors by an average score of 108-101.
-The Kings are 3-1 SU and 2-1-1 ATS the past four meetings with Charlotte, while the 'over' has gone 3-1. This is the first meeting this season between these teams.
-Sacramento center Drew Gooden (groin) is 'probable' against the Bobcats.
vegasinsider.com
Hot and Cold Bets
By Matt Fargo
The NBA has hit the two-third mark 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 – Utah Jazz at Minnesota Timberwolves 8:00 PM ET
Heading into Monday, Utah was 10 games over .500 yet was clinging on for dear life in eighth place in the Western Conference. The Jazz have been one of the hotter teams in the league, going 7-1 in their last eight games (7-1 ATS) yet have not been able to make up much ground due to the simple difficulty of the conference. Utah has had an up and down season overall but injuries have been the culprit in that. Utah is now back at full strength for the first time this season and it could not come at a better time as the remaining schedule is extremely soft through March. The Utah home court is tough once again but winning on the road needs to become more consistent as it is only 9-17 but a better 11-15 ATS. The Timberwolves had a fantastic January but February has not been nearly as kind, as they are 2-8 straight up and 4-6 against the number. Minnesota is just 1-21 against teams ranked within the top ten and Utah is sitting right on that #10 spot.
NBA Today
SCOREBOARD
Wednesday, Feb. 25
Philadelphia at Washington (7 p.m. EST). The 76ers, who have lost four straight, try to rebound from a last-second loss at New Jersey in which Devin Harris hit a halfcourt shot for the winning basket.
STARS
Tuesday
— Dwyane Wade, Heat, scored 31 points and had a career-high 16 assists in Miami’s 103-91 victory over Detroit.
— Tony Parker, Spurs, had 37 points and 12 assists with All-Star teammate Tim Duncan sitting out with a sore right knee, and short-handed San Antonio beat Dallas 93-76.
— Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani, Raptors, each scored 26 points as Toronto beat Minnesota for the 10th consecutive time, 118-100.
— Kobe Bryant, Lakers, scored 10 of his 36 points in a 3-minute span of the fourth quarter to thwart an Oklahoma City rally and lead Los Angeles to a 107-93 victory.
NIFTY NEWCOMERS
Chicago’s three new players acquired at the trade deadline combined for 37 points Tuesday in their home debuts, leading the Bulls to a 120-102 victory over Orlando. Tim Thomas scored 17 points, John Salmons 11 and Brad Miller had nine points, seven rebounds and five assists.
SO LONG, STEPH
Stephon Marbury’s turbulent five-year tenure in New York is over after the point guard and the Knicks reached a buyout agreement. Marbury is eligible to sign with a playoff contender after he clears waivers and will be eligible to appear in the postseason. The former All-Star didn’t play this season for new coach Mike D’Antoni and never led his hometown team to a single playoff victory.
SIDELINED
Tim Duncan sat out San Antonio’s 93-76 victory over Dallas with a sore right knee, his first missed game because of injury this season. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said afterward he didn’t know the severity of Duncan’s injury. He said Duncan would be evaluated by doctors Wednesday morning, putting his status for San Antonio’s back-to-back against Portland later that night in doubt. Portland’s Greg Oden will miss the game while recovering from his knee injury.
SLUMPING
The Detroit Pistons dropped their seventh straight, their longest skid in more than seven years, with a 103-91 loss to Miami on Tuesday. The Pistons (27-28) fell under .500 this late in a season for the first time since 2000-01 and need to win in New Orleans on Wednesday to avoid matching the franchise’s longest losing streak since 1995. … Oklahoma City has lost six straight following its 107-93 loss to the Lakers. … Memphis’ skid was extended to five with a 94-79 loss to Cleveland.
STREAKING
The Houston Rockets have won eight straight home games and five straight overall, both season-best streaks, after a 98-94 victory over Portland on Tuesday. Luis Scola had 15 points and 11 rebounds for his fifth consecutive double-double.
SIGNED
The Boston Celtics signed forward Mikki Moore, waived by the Sacramento Kings last week. Moore, who spent part of the 2002-2003 season with the Celtics, has career averages of 5.9 points and 3.9 rebounds.
SPEAKING
“Our whole thing is not on the offensive end. We can’t stop anybody. The way we’re playing we have to shoot 60 percent to win a basketball game. Everybody’s always going to look at the offensive end and scoring points. We scored enough points to win the basketball game. But we just can’t get stops consistently. We can’t get stops when we need them.”—Allen Iverson, after Detroit dropped its seventh straight with a 103-91 loss to Miami.
MEMPHIS (15 - 40) at INDIANA (24 - 35)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 3-2 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 3-2 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA (27 - 28) at WASHINGTON (13 - 43)
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 21-34 ATS (-16.4 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 226-275 ATS (-76.5 Units) in home games since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 15-31 ATS (-19.1 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 24-43 ATS (-23.3 Units) when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 15-24 ATS (-11.4 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
WASHINGTON is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 5-4 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 5-5 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO (25 - 31) at NEW JERSEY (25 - 32)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 8-20 ATS (-14.0 Units) against Atlantic division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 61-75 ATS (-21.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 5-17 ATS (-13.7 Units) in home games off an upset win as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 20-35 ATS (-18.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW JERSEY is 5-4 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
NEW JERSEY is 5-4 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO (41 - 14) at NEW YORK (24 - 32)
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 36-19 ATS (+15.1 Units) in all games this season.
ORLANDO is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) when the total is greater than or equal to 210 over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 26-17 ATS (+7.3 Units) as a favorite this season.
ORLANDO is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in road games this season.
ORLANDO is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season.
ORLANDO is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
ORLANDO is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 4-3 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO is 4-3 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT (27 - 27) at NEW ORLEANS (33 - 22)
Top Trends for this game.
DETROIT is 20-34 ATS (-17.4 Units) in all games this season.
DETROIT is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in February games this season.
DETROIT is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) second half of the season this season.
DETROIT is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
DETROIT is 0-8 ATS (-8.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 128-99 ATS (+19.1 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 61-42 ATS (+14.8 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 45-31 ATS (+10.9 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 28-15 ATS (+11.5 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 48-31 ATS (+13.9 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 28-14 ATS (+12.6 Units) in road games in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 3-2 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 3-2 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
UTAH (34 - 23) at MINNESOTA (18 - 37)
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 23-45 ATS (-26.5 Units) in road games after playing 3 consecutive home games since 1996.
UTAH is 11-24 ATS (-15.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in February games this season.
UTAH is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) second half of the season this season.
UTAH is 34-22 ATS (+9.8 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 96-118 ATS (-33.8 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) in home games this season.
MINNESOTA is 30-50 ATS (-25.0 Units) second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 19-32 ATS (-16.2 Units) in home games revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MINNESOTA is 14-32 ATS (-21.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 6-4 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 7-3 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND (35 - 20) at SAN ANTONIO (37 - 17)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 35-21 ATS (+11.9 Units) against Northwest division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 23-10 ATS (+12.0 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 38-22 ATS (+13.8 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 4-4 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 7-1 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MILWAUKEE (28 - 31) at DALLAS (33 - 22)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 205-261 ATS (-82.1 Units) second half of the season since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 145-183 ATS (-56.3 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 33-24 ATS (+6.6 Units) in all games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 5-0 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 3-2 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
ATLANTA (32 - 24) at DENVER (37 - 20)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 3-2 against the spread versus DENVER over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 3-2 straight up against DENVER over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE (22 - 34) at SACRAMENTO (12 - 46)
Top Trends for this game.
CHARLOTTE is 33-23 ATS (+7.7 Units) in all games this season.
SACRAMENTO is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) in non-conference games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 2-1 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 3-1 straight up against CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON (46 - 12) at LA CLIPPERS (14 - 43)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 2-2 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 2-2 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS vs. INDIANA
Memphis is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Indiana
Memphis is 6-19 SU in its last 25 games when playing Indiana
Indiana is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Indiana is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
PHILADELPHIA vs. WASHINGTON
Philadelphia is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Washington
Philadelphia is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Washington
Washington is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Washington is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
CHICAGO vs. NEW JERSEY
Chicago is 2-10 ATS in its last 12 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
Chicago is 1-13 SU in its last 14 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
New Jersey is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Jersey's last 6 games when playing Chicago
ORLANDO vs. NEW YORK
Orlando is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing New York
Orlando is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing New York
New York is 12-5 ATS in its last 17 games
New York is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games
DETROIT vs. NEW ORLEANS
Detroit is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing New Orleans
Detroit is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing New Orleans
New Orleans is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Orleans's last 5 games
UTAH vs. MINNESOTA
Utah is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Minnesota
Utah is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games
Minnesota is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games at home
MILWAUKEE vs. DALLAS
Milwaukee is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Dallas
Milwaukee is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Dallas
Dallas is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games
Dallas is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games at home
PORTLAND vs. SAN ANTONIO
Portland is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
Portland is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
San Antonio is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Portland
San Antonio is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing Portland
ATLANTA vs. DENVER
Atlanta is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Atlanta is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Denver is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Atlanta
Denver is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games when playing Atlanta
CHARLOTTE vs. SACRAMENTO
Charlotte is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Sacramento
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Charlotte's last 6 games when playing Sacramento
Sacramento is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Sacramento is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games
BOSTON vs. LA CLIPPERS
Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Boston is 17-3 SU in its last 20 games
LA Clippers are 4-12 ATS in their last 16 games when playing Boston
LA Clippers are 6-15 SU in their last 21 games when playing Boston
Hot Teams
-- Pacers are 4-0 vs spread in game after their last four losses.
-- Wizards are 4-1 vs spread in game after their last five losses.
-- Bulls won three of last four games, covered six of last eight.
-- Knicks won three of their last four games. Magic won four of five.
-- Dallas is 6-0 (5-1 vs spread) in game after their last six losses. Bucks won four of last six games, covered seven of last ten.
-- Jazz won, covered eight of their last nine games.
-- Portland won five of its last seven games. Spurs won their last four in a row, allowing just 74 ppg.
-- Celtics won four of their last five games.
Cold Teams
-- Grizzlies lost last five games, but are 5-2 vs spread in last seven.
-- 76ers lost last four games, last one on half-court shot at buzzer.
-- Nets lost five of their last six games.
-- Hornets are 5-8 in last 13 games, 2-5 vs spread in last seven. Pistons lost last seven games, are 0-11 vs spread in last 11 games.
-- Minnesota lost eight of last nine games (2-7 vs spread).
-- Hawks lost three of last four games (0-4 vs spread). Nuggets lost last three games, by 17-3-38 points.
-- Bobcats lost their last three games, by 12-21-10 points. Kings lost 16 of last 18 games, but covered four of last five.
-- Clippers lost eleven of their last fifteen games.
Totals
-- Last four Indiana home games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 6-1-1 in 76ers' last eight games.
-- Eight of last ten Chicago games went over the total.
-- 11 of last 12 New York games went over the total.
-- Four of last five New Orleans games went over the total.
-- Six of last seven Minnesota games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Dallas games stayed under the total; six of last seven Milwaukee games went over.
-- Six of last eight Portland road games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Atlanta games stayed under the total.
-- Bobcats' last four games stayed under the total.
-- Nine of last twelve Clipper games went over the total.
Back-to Back
-- Memphis is 4-7 vs spread if it played the night before.
-- Bulls are 2-3 vs spread on road if they played the night before.
-- Magic covered five of seven of they played the night before.
-- Detroit is 2-8 vs spread if they played the night before.
-- Minnesota is 2-4 vs spread at home if they played on road the night before.
-- Dallas is 4-4 vs spread if it played the night before.
-- Spurs are 2-5-1 vs spread if they played the night before.
-- Bobcats covered three of last four if they played the night before.
Wednesday Research
By Indiancowboy
Memphis vs. Indiana
Memphis beat this Indiana team by 3 at home back on 12/26. Memphis comes off losing SU (straight up) and the cover to Cleveland on the road. Side note: I can't believe Cleveland keeps covering despite 70% on them each and every game. Just remarkable. As per Indiana, they come off a loss to NY despite being banged up, but did have revenge against the Knicks and fell inside the number. They have covered the last 3 contests. There is no spread on this game overnight.
Philadelphia vs. Washington
Philadelphia feels the love of nearly 70% of the public here. Why not? They have beaten this Washington team trice this year:
104-94 back on January 30th.
109-103 on the road on Dec. 19th.
104-89 on December 13th.
Philly has lost 4 straight and 5 straight covers including a miracle Devin Harris shot to lose by just 1 point to the Nets on the road. Philly also lost to the Heat and Pacers on the road. But, Wash comes off one of the worst losses of the year losing 67-98 to the Spurs and I would think they show some heart at least in this game. So, for at least that reason, I will likely stay away. I can't imagine Wash scoring less than 70 points this time around, and with them being a likely active dog, a small lean on the over here.
Chicago vs. New Jersey
Chicago comes off the big win over the Magic at home as they drop a 120 points and win as a 1.5 dog. In fact, the Bulls have covered to a tune of 7-2-1 ATS over their last 10 contests to their credit. Jersey had lost 5 straight contests but come off a big win and cover over the Sixers as Harris makes an improbable half-court shot. You can check it out via this youtube link here:
Chicago has beat this team by 9 at home and 13 on the road though and it is always tough to beat any NBA team and cover for 3 straight games.
Orlando vs. New York
Orlando is a funny team. When I saw the split of 80% to 20% yesterday on the Magic, that itself should have been a red flag for me to either take the Bulls or take the Over for an active dog as both would have cashed. But, now the Magic come off a loss and although the over looks appealing, keep in mind that Van Gundy stresses defense over and over again after a SU loss. But, with over 73% of the public on Orlando as the road chalk, this is setting up to be another potential dangerous game for Orlando as the public is all over the Magic. But, the Magic are typically very solid after a loss but having said that the Knicks have beat Toronto, Indiana and San Antonio all at home. no thanks.
Utah vs. Minnesota
Utah is rolling - but can they translate that success on the road? Well, certainly getting Boozer back will help. Utah only beat this team by 5 points at home last time around, so this should be a tough go for them at Minny who played the Lakers extremely tough at home and nearly won outright. Heck, Minny played Toronto very tough on the road as well. Sure, Utah has been hot, but with the public on Utah and Minny playing well at home and on a bounce-back, a lean on the twolves here.
Detroit vs. New Orleans
Detroit is terrible. The team is a bunch of aging fellas that can't seem to get it done and Dumars needs to go hide his head in a sand as he should feel like a fool. He got rid of his best player in Chauncey and picked up AI who is nothing more than poison. NO beat this team by 6 on the road earlier this year, Detroit has now lost 7 straight games as they are sub .500 at 27-28 and just imploding. The Hornets are getting healthier with West and Chandler back in the lineup. I can see this game either way, but NO is playing well right now but I would hate to lay 8.5 in what could be a low scoring contest.
Milwaukee vs. Dallas
Milwaukee beat this team by 33 last time out. I know that 70% of the public favors Dallas here, but still, that hasn't stopped about 3 NBA teams who were favored by 70% of the public to cover last night including the Cavs, Lakers and Spurs who all covered. Milwaukee covered against Denver at home and won a big game in front of their faithful. Charlie V dropped 36 in that game. Sessions has really picked up the slack as well scoring 27 and bringing down 4 boards while playing 43 minutes plus. Dallas does come off an ugly loss to San Antonio, but I just don't think they are deep right now with no Stackhouse and Terry won't be back till late March. A small lean on the over here as I think Milwaukee is really coming together as a team despite the injuries.