NBA News and Notes Wednesday 2/3

Wednesday's Best NBA Bets

Chicago Bulls at Philadelphia 76ers (-1, 194)

The Bulls are cooling the hot seat under coach Vinny Del Negro one win at a time and it all begins with point guard Derrick Rose.

Rose started the season playing hurt, but his production has increased month by month. In November, Rose averaged 16.2 points and 5.3 assists per game. Those numbers jumped a few points in December (20.4 ppg, 6.1 apg) and escalated to 23.1 points and 6.4 assists per outing in January.

"It all starts with Derrick Rose," Joakim Noah said. "He's just playing huge for us, making the right decisions, staying aggressive offensively. When your point guard is playing like that, it usually leads to good things."

The first three months of the season on the road were hard on Chicago, going 3-11 overall. But during their recent seven-game road trip, the baby Bulls went 5-2 straight up and against the spread.

Chicago is the hottest team in the NBA after five consecutive SU and ATS wins (all underdogs) and even in a back-to-back situation Wednesday, the Bulls have the confidence to handle a semi-short road trip to Philly.

Pick: Bulls

San Antonio Spurs at Sacramento Kings (N/A)

The Spurs open an eight-game road trip in Sac-Town Wednesday and a few weeks away from the Riverwalk might be exactly what Greg Popovich’s team needs.

"Everyone's excited to get on the road and get a little bit of a rhythm going," Richard Jefferson said after the team dropped four of its last six games, all at home.

All-star Tony Parker has missed the last two contests and will be out for this one as well, but reserve George Hill has stepped up in Parker’s absence. In two starts, Hill has averaged 17.5 points per game.

The Spurs have won seven straight in this series (4-2-1 ATS) and seven of their last eight games in Sacramento.

The Kings played well without Rookie of the Year frontrunner Tyreke Evans on Tuesday, but blew a 17-point third-quarter lead against the Nuggets and lost in overtime.

Evans is expected to return for this game but since Kevin Martin returned from injury and rejoined Evans on the floor (Jan. 15), the Kings are 1-8 overall and 2-7 ATS.

Pick: Spurs

NBA RoundUp For 2/3
By Dan Bebe

Nets @ Raptors - This line is OFF. Oh, the Nets, so close! One point away from another cover last night, and now they have to go on the road and play a very tough Raptors team, also on a back-to-back, but coming off a sluggish loss in Indiana. Toronto beat New Jersey earlier this year, also in Toronto, by 17, and honestly, I wouldn't be surprised to see it happen again. Still, Toronto is due for a couple of failed covers, and I just wonder if the Raptors aren't going to be looking ahead to the 2 days off after this game against the pathetic Nets. And yet, I keep going back and forth on this one, since Toronto has shown that they're more than capable of beating the piss out of teams up in Canada. Let's dig a little more. The Raptors are a strong 14-9 ATS at home on the season, and 5-2 ATS at home in January. They are also generally a poor team on the back-to-back, but this going to be only the 2nd time all season they will be playing the latter half of the back-to-back on their home court, and they had no problem last time in that spot, dispatching the Spurs in a low-scoring tilt. No surprise here, the Nets are 0-10 SU on the second half of a back-to-back, but are also only 3-7 ATS. Despite their recent run of improved play, I'm not sure I can support a play on the Nets here. The covers have all come at home on this little ATS mini-run for the Nets, where they're now 9-14 ATS; they're just 7-17 ATS on the road. It's chalk-laying time, and I lean Toronto on the side. No lean on the total yet, though in my gut I'm thinking we might have some value in the Over.

Clippers @ Hawks - This line is OFF. This line being off just strikes me as silly, considering Chris Kaman was the question mark, and he played against the Bulls. Drop a line, damn it! The Clippers got a nice straight up win over the Bulls, but now have to head down south to Hotlanta, another team finishing up a back-to-back. The difference here, the Clippers got a win, and the Hawks got bopped by the Thunder. I really wish I had strong feelings on this side either way. The Clippers are on the last game of an 8-game road trip, so I have to lean the other way just based on that fact alone, but I'm not sure that the line is going to be short enough for the Hawks to cover. Obviously, I like Atlanta at home, where they're 17-7 ATS, but they've really leveled off after a crazy-hot start. Still, there aren't many angles pointing us against the Hawks, other than the fact that they're just not scoring now like they did at the beginning of the year, and you have to think they're tiring a tad. We'll roll with it: I lean Hawks. I think the total might afford some value, with the Clippers more inclined to keep the game relatively slow, running a set offense that relies on Kaman on the low block, Camby at the top of the key, and a lot of screens. They just don't get out on the break much, and when they do, they look uncomfortable. And while the Hawks couldn't really slow down the Thunder, I doubt the Clippers can put up those same numbers. I like the Under.

Bulls @ Sixers - Philly by 1.5 with a total of 194. I'll say right now, I pretty much hate this one. The Bulls are back on the road for 2 games after 1 ugly loss at home that immediately followed a very strong 7-game road trip. There is almost no way to know what kind of effort we're going to get from Chicago in this one. The immediate thought is that they're going to be tired, and damn it, they should be. So, do we like the Sixers? I sure as hell don't. Philadelphia remains one of the worst home bets in the NBA at 5-18 ATS at home. They've lost 3 straight games and have failed to cover 4 straight, and they just keep hitting for a couple games, then missing badly for a couple. This is the ultimate unpredictable outcome on the side. Chicago is 0-5 SU in home-to-road back-to-backs, so this isn't a good spot for them on the fatigue front, as well as the weird scheduling front. They also have a game with the Hawks on Friday, though I wouldn't really call it a look-ahead spot. Chicago beat Philly by 6 way back on November 14, so I'm not sure if this is really a revenge spot for the Sixers. Honestly, this game just makes me shrug, and wonder if there's any reason at all to flip a coin and go with one team or the other. The first meeting between these teams hit just 182 points, yet this line is actually higher than the 190 posted for the first game, but I just don't think these games are correlated. I think it goes Under again.

Wizards @ Knicks - This line is OFF. And when it does come out, I'm going to take a long look at it, since there are definitely a couple angles at play. Most importantly, these teams just played a few short days ago, and the Wizards dealt the Knicks a 10-point loss in Washington, despite the Knicks actually being favored by 2. There should be some revenge at play, though the Knicks have been slumping like crazy. New York has lost 3 straight and 5 of 6, including extremely disappointing losses at home to Toronto (blew a double-digit lead), and on the road in Washington and Minnesota. The Knicks aren't scoring, and they're not playing much defense, either, and it's tough to really pinpoint where things started crumbling, since just about every facet of the team's play has taken a severe hit. This isn't a traditional home-and-home, as both teams had 1 game in between their two contests, and both teams played pretty terribly -- the Wizards had the complete meltdown against Boston, and the Knicks, as we noted, got clubbed by the Wolves. So, which team has the motivation, if there is indeed any to have? The Knicks have the revenge, but they're only 12-16 ATS in revenge spots, so I'm not sure how much stock we can put in that. The Wizards are, despite the meltdown against the Celtics, playing better basketball than the Knicks right now. If Antawn Jamison didn't play his worst game of the season, Washington would have covered, and maybe even won their last game. But, as it stands, they did not. Still, I think the revenge might actually get us a point or two of bonus value on the Wizards, who will probably lose the game, but have a nice shot to cover; tiny lean to the Wiz. These teams almost hit the total right on the nose in their last one, so let's see where oddsmakers bring this one out. I would think just a shade lower, as New York should continue to stink, but the Wizards won't shoot as well on the road.

Heat @ Celtics - This line is OFF. This is a double-revenge spot for Miami, but the Heat are struggling mightily right now, so which angle weighs heavier? Well, Miami has lost 2 straight to the Bucks, they've lost 4 of 5 overall, picking up the lone win in there against the hapless Pistons. So, how will this hot-and-cold Miami team respond with a chance to up-end the mighty Celtics? That is the question that drives us. One can only assume the Heat will be grabbing a few points here against the Celtics, but with a rematch with Lebron waiting for Miami tomorrow, this is not going to be a fun 2 days for the Heat (barring two miracle wins). Still, with this daunting task ahead, I get the feeling Miami is really going to get up for a game with Boston. They know the Celtics are scuffling a bit, and are, to a certain degree, vulnerable. My concern here is that Boston will be undervalued because of those losses, but these are the Celtics we're talking about. Even when undervalued, they're still not a very good deal. The much-needed win over Washington might propel Boston to a couple more wins, but I just wonder if they'll cover against a Heat team that should be quite angry coming in here. I lean Miami. My feelings on the total are going to rely heavily on where it opens up. Both games with these teams have featured a posted mark of ~187 - the first went under, the second went over. Let's let the oddsmakers guide us a little bit here before showing our hand. I do have a feeling this one stays Under, but that's not a lean, not until we see the line.

Thunder @ Hornets - Oklahoma by 1 with a total of 193. Revenge time for the Thunder! Not only that, home revenge, as the Hornets beat Oklahoma by 5 as a 5-point dog back at the beginning of the year 2010. Right off the bat I'm looking at the Thunder here, and some angle is going to need to make me rethink this. Let's see what we can find: the Thunder are indeed on a back-to-back, and that is likely why we're seeing this line as low as it is, since we can safely assume the Thunder would be favored by 3 if not for the fatigue issue. Indeed, Oklahoma is coming off a hard-fought win over the Hawks, though to be fair, they led most of the game, Atlanta came back to tie it up early in the 4th, but the Thunder immediately pulled back out ahead, and held on down the stretch, and I'm not just not sure how much that took out of them. Last time the Thunder beat the Hawks, they beat Minnesota in the next game, but failed to cover, yet bounced right back with a few straight covers after that ATS loss. I realize that was a rambling thought, but I wanted to make clear that the Thunder seem to be highly focused, and don't seem to struggle with letdowns after battling Atlanta. So what about back-to-backs? The Thunder are just 4-5 SU, but have consistently outperformed the line with a nice 6-3 ATS mark on zero rest. The Hornets already seem to be feeling the effects of playing with Chris Paul, and I just don't think New Orleans can really compete for 48 minutes, even at home with rest, against a superior Thunder team that might have taken them lightly (due to Chris Paul's injury), except that the Thunder are going to want to get revenge. They're 7-5 ATS revenging a home loss, and this game is basically a pick. I lean Thunder, and I lean Over, as I feel defense will be lacking.

Warriors @ Mavs - This line is OFF. Ouch, if you're a Warriors guy. This team just got throttled by Houston, and now we have to try to determine if they'll bounce back accordingly. I'm not really sure why this line isn't posted, other than to make us more and more angry about not having any lines. Still, the Warriors beat the Mavs in Dallas back near the end of November, and 8-point outright victory as a 12.5-point underdog. So we have some strong angles, after all. We have the Warriors coming off a terrible performance, where I might normally advise backing them. We have the Warriors on a back-to-back, where they are 7-4 ATS, another sneaky reason to back Golden State. Then, we have the Mavs awful defense at home, and terrible ATS mark: Dallas is just 5-17 ATS at home, and allow nearly 100 points. Golden State will almost surely break 100. Dallas is also just 1-4 ATS when revenging a home loss, so it seems almost like they get tight when trying to get revenge, or the line inflation certainly comes back to bite them. Can we really back Golden State right now? They don't really have the talent to keep up with almost anyone, especially on the road, but Don Nelson still has some tricks up his sleeve facing a number of his former players, and I'm inclined to take the points with the huge road dog (line TBA). I also think that because Dallas plays no defense at home, I have to look at the Over first and foremost.

Suns @ Nuggets - This line is OFF. It's getting a little sickening how many lines are off, and how theoretical we're being forced to become, since we're literally finding angles before the line comes out and trying to determine where the line should be, and what's a trap, etc. Here, the Suns, suddenly playing with a little heart (but still not a great deal of skill) roll into the rather unfriendly confines in the Mile High City. To Phoenix's credit, they did cover in their only game against the Nuggets this year, losing by just 6 here in Denver as a 9-point underdog. Now, they come to town having won, and covered 3 in a row, including road wins at Houston and at New Orleans, but this will easily be the biggest test for the Suns since taking care of Dallas at home. The Nuggets have won 10 of 11 games, though they're not covering at nearly the same clip. The lack of Carmelo Anthony certainly changes how the Nuggets play, though they can still clearly win at home even without their leading scorer. The questions here include "can the Suns keep it up?" and "will Carmelo play, and if so, what will the line be?" Honestly, it's almost impossible to get a feel for the line until we know what the deal is with the injuries. To a certain degree, I hope Carmelo DOES play, since he'll move the line 2.5 points, most likely, and give us a little more value with the Suns. As you can see, I lean slightly to the Suns. The total went way under the last time these teams played (204, under 225 by 21 points), so while I do fully expect another under, it depends how much oddsmakers adjust.

Spurs @ Kings - This line is OFF. No surprise there, with both Tyreke Evans and Tony Parker questionable. Oddsmakers are really making us work these days! In any case, this is a double-revenge game for the Kings, with the Spurs beating them down both times the teams met so far this year, both times in San Antonio, mind you. Perhaps more interesting than the injury situation and the two previous big wins for the Spurs is the fact that there has been almost zero defense in both of the previous meetings. I immediately think that this total is going to be the point of value. The Spurs shot well over 50% in both games, and the Kings shot over 50% in the second meeting, and after the first game went over the posted mark of 201.5 by about 6 points, the second game soared over the total by 22. I am very curious to see where this line opens, since both of the previous games had posted totals in the 202 range. Oddsmakers should probably adjust that number up to the 210 area, but with the Spurs embarking on the rodeo road trip (and potentially without their fast-break artist, Tony Parker), and the Kings offensively challenged lately (other than a freak performance in Denver), I think we may get some huge value on the Under. Yes, that's a lean. In terms of the side, I have to take an initial look at the home dog. I know they're not technically a dog until the line comes out, but if Tyreke Evans misses another game, I don't see how there's any chance I can pick a side on this one. If he plays, I lean Kings.

Blazers @ Jazz - Utah by 7 with a total of 198. Finally, a game with a spread, and it's not even a game I like all that much. The Blazers will likely be without Brandon Roy for one more game, an this would really be a nice time to have him back. The Blazers are on double-revenge here, losing both in Utah and in Portland to the Jazz, who, for what it's worth, rolled over Portland in both games. Utah has shot 60% in both games, winning by 16 at home, and 11 on the road. Can the Jazz really shoot 60% again against the Blazers? I really doubt it. I realize Utah is surging, winning 6 in a row, and covering 5 of those 6, but this is a letdown spot for them, coming off the big home win over the Mavs, and something of a slight look-ahead spot with the Nuggets coming to down on the 6th of the month. I think Portland has the spread edge here, since most folks will think Utah covers 7 pretty easily against the Blazers, still without Roy, but Portland is right in that enviable spot where they got crushed a few times, lost their superstar, then as soon as folks forgot they existed, they started covering. Portland has covered 6 of 8 games, and Portland is a strong 15-8 ATS on the road, and 4-3 when revenging a home loss. I lean Blazers. On the total, I lean Under, given both of the previous games have hit 200, and now it's time to squeeze under the mark, especially with key components of both teams missing.

Bobcats @ Lakers - LA by 9 with a total of 191. This isn't a great spot for either team, really. Our job is to figure out which team it is a worse spot for. The Lakers come home off a brutally long 8-game road trip, but for the most part, a productive one, going 5-3, with only 1 of those 3 losses a game the Lakers probably "should" have won, that being in Toronto. Not a great road trip, but for one of the best teams in the League, winning 62.5% of road games will most certainly get the job done, especially when the Lakers are a robust 23-3 at home! However you feel about the road trip, the first game home is never easy. Just look at the Chicago Bulls last night, home off their 7-game west coast swing, and looked comatose throughout the entire game. But here, there's a problem. I'd love to immediately say "strong lean" to Charlotte, but the Bobcats are on the final game of their own 6-game road trip, another prime letdown spot, especially for a young team. The Bobcats might be looking ahead to getting home, though I suppose a game with the Lakers is nothing to look past. We need to remember, too, that the Bobcats do not fear the Lakers. They beat them twice last year, sweeping the season series, as LA clearly did not take them seriously, and you just wonder if this one has all those same markings. The Lakers were 11-point home favorites over Charlotte last year, so Charlotte has improved 2 points in a year, and Charlotte won that game by 7. I do lean to Charlotte here, and I lean to the Under, since I doubt we'll see anyone trying to really run away with this one.

Oklahoma City (27-21, 29-19 ATS) at New Orleans (26-22, 23-25 ATS)

The Thunder begin a three-game road trip when they make the short trek to New Orleans Arena looking to end a 10-game series losing streak to the Hornets.

Oklahoma City is coming off Tuesday’s 106-99 win over Atlanta as a 1½-point home favorite. The Thunder have followed up a three-game losing skid with three straight wins, and they’ve won six of their last 10 road games, with the four losses coming by a total of 10 points. In fact, the Thunder’s last five road outings were decided by a total of nine points.

New Orleans took the court Monday for the first time since it was announced that All-Star point guard Chris Paul will be sidelined for up to two months with a knee injury, and the Hornets fell 109-100 to the Suns as a one-point home favorite. Since a six-game winning streak from Dec. 30-Jan. 10, New Orleans has been very inconsistent, going 7-6 SU and 6-7 ATS, and it has dropped three of its last four home games (0-4 ATS).

The Hornets went to Oklahoma City on Jan. 6 and scored a 97-92 upset win as a 4½-point road underdog, its 10th consecutive win over the Thunder (6-4 ATS). During this 10-game series stretch, New Orleans is 6-0 SU (3-3 ATS) in the Big Easy, with the last three being double-digit routs by margins of 18, 12 and 31 points. Most recently, the Hornets have covered in five of the last seven meetings, and the favorite is 13-6 ATS in the last 19.

The underdog has cashed in 10 of the Hornets’ last 11 games (7-4 SU), and the pup 12-5 ATS in Oklahoma City’s last 17 contests.

Oklahoma City has failed to cover in four straight Wednesday outings, but it is otherwise on ATS streaks of 9-2 on the road (5-1 last six), 7-0 against winning teams and 4-0 when playing on back-to-back nights. New Orleans has failed to cover in four straight home games and six of eight when going on one day of rest, but the Hornets are on positive pointspread upticks of 5-1 against the Northwest Division, 4-1 on Wednesday and 14-4 versus opponents with a winning record.

The under is on runs of 6-3 for the Thunder overall, 11-5 for the Thunder against the Western Conference, 6-2 for the Thunder versus the Southwest Division, 37-18 for New Orleans at home, 10-2 for New Orleans against the Northwest Division and 6-1 for New Orleans versus winning teams. Conversely, Oklahoma City has topped the total in five straight games against winning teams and 18 of 26 when playing on back-to-back nights, and the Hornets have gone over the number in five of six overall.

Finally, the over is on a 5-2 roll in this rivalry.

ATS ADVANTAGE: NEW ORLEANS and OVER

Portland (29-21, 27-22-1 ATS) at Utah (29-18, 28-17-2 ATS)

The streaking Jazz go after their seventh straight victory when they welcome the Trail Blazers to EnergySolutions Arena for a Northwest Division clash.

Portland has rebounded from a three-game losing skid with consecutive victories over the Mavericks (114-112 in overtime as an 8½-point underdog) and Bobcats (98-79 as a two-point home chalk). The Blazers continue to play without All-Star point guard Brandon Roy (hamstring injury), who has missed the last seven games in a row and nine of the last 10, and he will be sidelined again tonight.

Portland has alternated SU wins and losses in its last six road games, but it has cashed in its last five on the highway and 10 of the last 14 as a visitor.

Utah ran its winning streak to six in a row with Monday’s 104-92 victory over the Mavericks, cashing as a four-point favorite as it outscored Dallas 27-16 in the fourth quarter. The Jazz have also won 11 of their last 13 games, going 10-1-2 ATS. During this stretch, they’re 8-0 at home (6-1-1 ATS). Utah has been getting the job done on both ends of the floor, topping 100 points in eight straight games and 10 of the last 11 (109.6 ppg average) while holding 12 of its last 14 opponents to 98 points or less (96 ppg average).

Utah has won both meetings with the Blazers this season, winning 108-92 as a five-point home favorite back on Nov. 28 then going to Portland a week ago tonight and earning a 106-95 decision as a 2½-point underdog. Prior to last week’s result, the home team had won eight in a row SU and ATS in this rivalry, with the Jazz winning and covering the last four meetings in Salt Lake City. Also, the favorite has cashed in each of the last eight series clashes, and the SU winner has covered the spread in each of the last 13 meetings.

In addition to cashing in five straight road games, the Blazers are on ATS runs of 6-2 overall, 9-3 in divisional games, 5-2 when playing after one day of rest, 10-3 against opponents with a winning record and 4-1 after a spread-cover. Utah’s 10-1-2 overall and 6-1-1 home ATS streaks are bolstered by additional pointspread upticks of 7-1-1 against the Western Conference, 15-5-2 against winning teams, 6-1 after one day of rest and 3-1-2 after a double-digit win. However, the Jazz are 3-9-1 ATS in their last 12 games against Northwest Division rivals.

Portland carries “over” trends of 20-8 overall, 4-0 on the road, 10-1 against Western Conference teams, 5-1 against Northwest Division foes, 5-1 on Wednesday and 4-0 versus winning teams. Likewise, Utah is on “over” runs of 11-2 against division rivals, 4-0 on Wednesday, 4-0 versus winning teams and 4-1 when playing on one day of rest. Finally, the last four Jazz-Blazers battles have topped the total, as have three of the last four meetings in Salt Lake.

ATS ADVANTAGE: UTAH and OVER

Phoenix (29-21, 26-24 ATS) at Denver (33-15, 22-24-2 ATS)

The Suns continue a four-game road trip when they travel to the Mile High City, looking to defeat the Nuggets at the Pepsi Center for the first time in exactly three years.

Phoenix rallied in the fourth quarter on Friday to defeat Dallas 112-106 as a two-point home favorite, then set out on the road and scored back-to-back upset wins over Houston on Sunday (115-111 in overtime as a 3½-point ‘dog) and New Orleans on Monday (109-100 as a one-point pup). It’s the Suns’ first three-game winning streak since they took four in a row from Nov. 22-29. Also, their consecutive road victories come on the heels of a five-game road losing skid (1-4 ATS). Phoenix hasn’t won three straight on the highway since the second week of the season.

The SU winner is 23-3 ATS in the Suns’ last 26 games, including 9-1 ATS on the road.

Denver rallied from a 14-point halftime deficit Monday to knock off Sacramento 112-109 in overtime, falling short as an 11-point home favorite. Playing without injured All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony for the fifth straight game, the Nuggets outscored the Kings 62-45 in the second half and overtime after trailing 64-50 at halftime. Anthony is questionable to return tonight.

The Nuggets are riding a nine-game home winning streak, but they’re just 4-6-1 ATS in their last 11 at the Pepsi Center and 9-16-2 ATS in their last 27 overall.

The host has won 10 in a row in this series (8-2 ATS), including Denver’s 105-99 victory in the first meeting this year back on Dec. 12. However, Phoenix covered as a nine-point underdog, and the visitor has now cashed as an underdog in the last two battles after the home favorite had won and covered the previous seven meetings. Also, prior to the last two games, the SU winner had been on an 8-0 ATS run in this series and the host had cashed in 10 straight meetings.

The last time Phoenix won in Denver was Feb. 5, 2007, a 113-108 triumph as an 8½-point road favorite. It is 1-5 ATS in its last six trips to the Pepsi Center.

The Suns have covered in seven of their last 10 against winning teams, while Denver is on ATS runs of 5-1 on Wednesday, 5-0 after a non-cover and 5-2-1 against winning teams. However, the Nuggets also carry negative pointspread trends of 5-11 when playing after one day of rest, 4-11-2 against the Western Conference and 1-5-1 versus Pacific Division squads.

The high-scoring Suns are on “over” surges of 4-1 overall, 4-1 on the road, 12-3 against the Western Conference, 4-1-1 versus Northwest Division opponents, 20-7 on Wednesday and 7-3 after a SU victory. Also, Denver has topped the total in five of its last six at home and eight of its last nine on Wednesday.

Finally, the over is 7-3 in the last 10 series meetings between these teams and 4-1 in the last five battles at the Pepsi Center. In fact, the winning team has scored at least 102 points in each of the last 20 meetings, including tallying 118 or more in eight of the last 10.

ATS ADVANTAGE: DENVER and OVER

In-A-Funk
By SportsPic

Struggling Heat off back-2-back losses vs. Milwaukee and losers of four of the past five on the hardwood have a couple of rough ones coming up. Wednesday it's a trip into Boston followed by trek to Cleveland on Thursday. Dwyane Wade and company unable to handle either team earlier this season in Miami losing all four matchups (0-3-1 ATS) could easily find themselves deeper into the slide. Heat have not been able to solve Celtics of late entering 1-10 (3-8 ATS) the past eleven meetings including 0-4 (2-2 ATS) last four trips into Bean-Town. Ditto against Cleveland, Heat are 1-8 (3-5-1 ATS) the last nine meetings, 0-4 (2-2 ATS) on Kings James' hardwood. That said, Miami could heat it up at the betting window, C's have cashed just six tickets the past eighteen (6-11-1 ATS) and are 3-12-1 ATS last sixteen at home. As for Cleveland, although they've loaded up betting accounts the past five Cavaliers remain a vig-losing 8-8-1 ATS the past seventeen on the hardwood, 6-7 ATS last thirteen at Quicken Loans Arena.

Trend Report - Wednesday
By Ed Meyer

Heat at Celtics – The Heat are 9-0 ATS (12.1 ppg) since March 08, 2008 after a double digit home loss in which they allowed at least 50% from the field. The Heat are 7-0 ATS (9.8 ppg) since March 18, 2008 when they have a revenge game on the road tomorrow. The Celtics are 9-0 ATS (9.2 ppg) since April 12, 2002 after a win in which they attempted at least 10 fewer three pointers than their season-to-date average. The Celtics are 9-0 ATS (7.2 ppg) since January 03, 2007 with at most one day of rest after a road win in which they scored less than 10% of their points from the three-point line.

Clippers at Hawks – The League is 9-0 ATS (7.4 ppg) since January 02, 2008 on the road after a road win in which they shot less than 60% from the free-throw line.

Thunder at Hornets – The League is 0-10 ATS (-7.0 ppg) since April 16, 2008 as a dog after a home loss in which they had at least thirty assists. The Hornets are 6-0 ATS (6.1 ppg) since January 11, 2008 at home with at most one day of rest after a game at home in which they allowed at least 50% from the field.

Trailblazers at Jazz – The Trailblazers are 7-0 ATS (11.9 ppg) since April 16, 2008 on the road after a double digit home win in which they shot at least 50% from the field. The Jazz are 8-0 ATS (10.8 ppg) since March 25, 2008 when they are playing in at least their third straight home game and they play at home in their next game.

Spurs at Kings – The Spurs are 5-0 ATS (9.2 ppg) since February 18, 1997 on the road with two or more days of rest after a loss in which their opponent shot at least ten three-pointers and made at least half of them. The Spurs are 5-0 ATS (9.2 ppg) since February 18, 1997 on the road with two or more days of rest after a double digit loss in which they allowed at least 50% from the field. The Kings are 0-6-1 ATS (-8.5 ppg) since March 20, 2005 with at most one day of rest off an overtime game as an away dog.

Wizards at Knicks – The Wizards are 0-9 ATS (-3.6 ppg) since February 08, 2008 with at most one day of rest off a home loss in which they led at the end of the third quarter. The Wizards are 0-6 ATS (-2.8 ppg) since November 22, 2008 after a home loss in which they scored less than 10% of their points from the three-point line. The Knicks are 8-0 ATS (5.6 ppg) since April 06, 2000 with two or more days of rest after a double digit road loss in which they scored less than 15% of their points from the free throw line. The Knicks are 0-6 ATS (-5.0 ppg) since November 06, 2005 at home when they suffered a double digit ATS loss for two straight games.

Warriors at Mavericks – The Warriors are 0-8 ATS (-12.1 ppg) since November 20, 2005 as a dog after a game on the road in which they had at least five fewer turnovers than their season-to-date average.

Suns at Nuggets – The Suns are 8-0 ATS (10.6 ppg) since March 28, 2003 after a road win when their opponent is off an overtime game. The Nuggets are 0-7 ATS (-9.0 ppg) since March 02, 2001 as a favorite after a home win in which they committed fewer than ten turnovers.

Nets at Raptors – The League is 0-6 ATS (-9.7 ppg) since April 06, 2008 with no rest after a home loss in which more than 70% of their baskets were assisted. The Raptors are 0-6 ATS (-7.8 ppg) since April 04, 2006 at home with at most one day of rest after a loss in which the percentage of their baskets that were assisted was at least ten percentage points higher than their season-to-date average.

Bulls at 76ers – The Bulls are 7-0 ATS (13.7 ppg) since April 20, 2005 as a road dog with at most one day of rest after a game in which their opponent shot less than 60% from the free-throw line. The Sixers are 0-8 ATS (-5.9 ppg) since February 09, 2007 at home when seeking revenge for a road loss in which they led by double digits.

NBA Nightly Notes
By Sportsbook.com

NBA conferences still show disparity

After a run of the East seemingly gaining ground over the past few years, the Western Conference has been superior this season. This is evidenced by the fact that the Eastern Conference has six teams with winning records (one is one game over .500) and the West has just four teams with losing records among its 15 members. Let’s dig into the details a little further and see if we can’t use any of the findings to profit on Wednesday’s NBA betting board. See all of the wagering options on the Sportsbook.com LIVE ODDS page.

One thing to consider this year besides the overall dominance once again, the wagering aspect comes into play more than one might think. The West holds a 160-122 SU (56.7%) edge in head-to-head competition against those from the other conference. It would make sense the West would also be grabbing most of the money when these teams meet, however their stranglehold ends up being a little tighter than traditional numbers. The West is 150-126-6 ATS, 54.3 percent, just over two percent off the SU winning percentage.

As to be expected there are winners and losers in each conference, thus let’s take a look at who is profiting and who is not on either side of the Mississippi River.

The two West squads that have taken everyone aback are up and comers Oklahoma City and Memphis. Unquestionably these are two young and talented teams who could change the dynamics of the Western Conference if they can keep their nucleus’ together while adding more quality to their rosters in the seasons to come. Each has grown this season by beating up the East. The Thunder is 16-6 SU and ATS, while the Grizzlies are 9-6 and 10-5 ATS. Oklahoma City in particular has been impressive in winning by 6.6 points per contest.

The Los Angeles Lakers have enjoyed the most non-conference success at 17-3, but most nights are fighting the oddsmakers for their supporters and are a fair 10-8-2 ATS. The other club that plays in the Staples Center is actually a better bet and has shown real signs of improvement despite lacking players they thought they could count on like No. 1 pick Blake Griffin and Kareem Rush, both injured all or most of the season. The Clippers are 11-8 and 12-6-1 ATS.

A number of other teams have winning records, however are not at least to this point an overwhelming wager. Denver has 13-6 (11-8 ATS) record, San Antonio 13-5 (10-8 ATS), Utah 13-6 (11-8 ATS) and Dallas is 14-5 with only 9-10 spread mark.

The biggest disappointments out West have been Houston at 5-9 ATS with six wins and Sacramento at 6-13 SU and ATS when they face teams from at least two zones away. Golden State may be 6-13, but their style of play leaves Eastern teams confounded and the Warriors are 11-7-1 ATS.

Not every East team is horrible versus the West, it just seems that way. Six Eastern teams have winning records against their Western counterparts; however a couple of those are a loss or two from being .500 or less straight up. For those laying down the cash, Atlanta is the best at 12-7 ATS with a 13-6 SU record. The Hawks are where Oklahoma City and Memphis envision themselves in a year or two or possibly sooner, a good team that has young veteran talent which still has an upside.

Cleveland is the best of the East bunch at 18-5, handing the Lakers two of their three Eastern defeats. Nonetheless, like L.A., oddsmakes often leave the Cavs too many points to overcome with a 13-10-1 ATS mark. Boston has a representative 10-6 record, but being a public team and injury-plagued are a crestfallen 4-11-1 ATS.

The lousy teams in the East are rotten pretty much against whomever they play. Here are their crummy numbers.

Philadelphia 7-14, 9-12 ATS
Washington 4-14, 7-10-1 ATS
Detroit 4-15, 7-12 ATS
Indiana 4-14, 6-12 ATS

You are probably wondering about New Jersey, because they have been so insufferable, thought the Nets deserved special mention at 1-19 and 5-15 ATS. Their Atlantic Division partner New York, is a sleepy 6-11 vs. the West, yet about even money bet at 9-8 ATS.

In conclusion, when East meets West, the teams in the Central and Eastern Time zones consistently come up short and are poor wagers.