Game of the day: Boston at Miami
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
A rash of injuries appears to be catching up with the Boston Celtics, who will need to win games without several key contributors if they hope to stay in the running for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
The way their next opponent's dynamic superstar is playing, it appears Dwyane Wade has never been healthier.
One game after Wade's steal and buzzer-beater gave the Miami Heat a dramatic victory, he'll try for an encore Wednesday night against the Celtics, who will be without five regulars in south Florida.
Boston star Kevin Garnett has missed eight games with a knee injury, and the Celtics (49-15) came out of the weekend further depleted, with starting point guard Rajon Rondo and forward Glen Davis suffering sprained ankles.
Reserves Tony Allen and Brian Scalabrine also remain out, and all five players have been ruled out for at least the next two games.
Although their stretch without Garnett includes a victory over Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland, the Celtics are 3-3 in their last six games and have suffered a pair of rare home defeats.
Newcomer Stephon Marbury started in place of Rondo in Sunday's 86-79 home loss to Orlando, totaling four points and no assists. Davis - starting in place of Garnett - was injured during the game.
As a result, Boston All-Stars Paul Pierce and Ray Allen each played more than 45 minutes.
"Somebody else has to step up and the challenge for me is not doing what I did (Sunday) with Paul and Ray, that can't happen," coach Doc Rivers said. "... Even in a time of crisis I want to keep their minutes down. We just have to find a way to win games."
The Celtics are struggling to keep pace with the surging Cavaliers in the race for home-court advantage in the East, and while it's possible Rondo or Davis could return by this weekend, Boston will likely have to make do for at least five more games without Garnett, the NBA MVP in 2003-04.
The Heat (34-29) feel they could have this season's MVP, as Wade turned in yet another spectacular performance Monday night.
The NBA's leading scorer hit a 3-pointer at the end of regulation to tie the game against Chicago, and after missing a layup at the end of the first overtime, stole the ball from John Salmons at the end of the second OT and hit an off-balance 3 at the buzzer to give Miami a 130-127 victory.
Wade finished with 48 points on 15-of-21 shooting and added 12 assists - his fourth 40-point game in his last six.
"If he's not legitimately considered for an MVP candidate, I don't know what he needs to do," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We are currently a playoff contender and night after night, he's making incredible plays like this."
Along with a young supporting cast that includes rookies Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers, Wade has led the Heat's turnaround from a 15-67 finish last season. They sit in fifth place in the East.
Wade is averaging 36.5 points and 10.8 assists in his last 11 games, shooting 57.2 percent over that span.
"Right now, man," Miami's Jamario Moon said, "there ain't nobody in the league playing better than him."
Wade, though, will be looking to improve his play against Boston after averaging 14.0 points on 32.4 percent shooting in his last three games versus the Celtics.
The Heat will be looking to end a six-game losing streak against Boston in the first of three meetings over the next month. The Celtics won 98-83 in Miami on Jan. 21 in the teams' first matchup this season.
Lakers' Odom suspended for leaving bench area
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK (AP) -The NBA has suspended Lakers forward Lamar Odom one game without pay for leaving the bench area during an altercation.
NBA executive vice president of operations Stu Jackson ruled Tuesday that Odom left the ''immediate vicinity'' of the bench after teammate Trevor Ariza's hard foul on Portland's Rudy Fernandez with 2.2 seconds remaining in the third quarter Monday touched off a skirmish between the teams.
Odom will miss the Lakers' game in Houston on Wednesday.
Mid-Week NBA Preview
By Josh Jacobs
Departing from the day-to-day tip sheet this installment of the NBA betting preview will traverse through the next two days. A quick look ahead reveals several matchups that pack plenty of tasty trends and stats for bettors to take advantage of. So here goes another attempt to weed out the contenders from the pretenders.
Wednesday
Setting the table at mid-week is a flashback to the first round of the 2004 NBA playoffs. The Lakers (50-13 straight up, 32-31 against the spread) were manhandled in Portland on Monday, losing 111-94 as 2 ½-point visiting favorites. Shooting 44 percent from the field, allowing the Trail Blazers to hit 48 percent of their shots and getting outrebounded, 46-38 were all recipes for the defeat in hostile territory.
Los Angeles has now recorded three losses in the last five games with only one ATS win. This is an offense that’s posted close to 10 points per game less then its seasonal average (108.5 vs. 98.6 PPG in the last five) and a 5.5 lower shooting percentage from the field. But maybe the most important piece of betting information is the Lakers’ 5-8 ATS record in the last 13. L.A. is 0-3 SU in the last three road games and 1-4 ATS in the last five played away from home.
Houston (42-23 SU, 31-33-1 ATS) enters the contest coming off a 97-95 win in Denver. This is a team who’s 11-2 SU and 8-5 ATS in the last 13, outscoring opponents by an average of 100.4-91.5 PPG. And that’s been the key to success; a stern defensive effort (12-8 on the ‘under’ in the last 20).
Some numbers to take into consideration include the Lakers’ 11-21 ATS record off one-day of rest (Houston hasn’t been much better with a 10-19 ATS skid), L.A.’s 10-13-1 ATS record as an away favorite, a 4-8 ATS stint off a SU loss and, finally, the Lake Show’s 13-17 ATS slide off an ATS loss.
Note: Be advised that after Monday’s altercation between the Lakers and Portland, league officials continue to review whether or not L.A.’s Lamar Odom will be suspended for leaving the bench.
The second contest worth mentioning as part of Wednesday’s card includes warfare between Dallas (38-25 SU, 30-33 ATS) and Portland (40-23 SU, 31-31 ATS). It was on Feb. 4 that the Mavericks took their second straight victory in head-to-head play, beating out the Trail Blazers, 104-99. It was the sixth time in the last 10 meetings that Dallas was able to cover the spread. And while the ‘over’ is now 3-0 in the last three meetings, let it be known that the ‘under’ is 12-5 in the last 17 pairings between these two teams.
The Mavs will be coming into this game after playing just the night before in Phoenix. This is a Dallas team that’s 5-7 ATS without a day of rest. This will be the fifth back-to-back series for the Mavericks since Feb. 20. Coming off a 119-103 ‘W’ over Washington, look out for Dallas’ 14-23 ATS (37.8%) letdown record off a SU win and a 10-19 ATS stance off an ATS victory.
While Portland is 5-1 SU in the last six, a 1-3 ATS record in the last four has put backers in a shallow hole. However, an 8-5 ATS record at home versus teams with a winning record and a 10-2 ATS winning record in the last 12 home games could indicate just the right time for gamblers to take the home team in this one.
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NEW ORLEANS (39 - 23) at WASHINGTON (15 - 49)
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ORLEANS is 131-103 ATS (+17.7 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 63-46 ATS (+12.4 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 32-20 ATS (+10.0 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 33-18 ATS (+13.2 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 23-39 ATS (-19.9 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 19-30 ATS (-14.0 Units) as an underdog this season.
WASHINGTON is 227-277 ATS (-77.7 Units) in home games since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 16-33 ATS (-20.3 Units) in home games second half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 16-29 ATS (-15.9 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
WASHINGTON is 103-135 ATS (-45.5 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 0-9 ATS (-9.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 4-1 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 3-2 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO (29 - 35) at ORLANDO (46 - 17)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 6-4 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO is 8-2 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
UTAH (40 - 23) at ATLANTA (36 - 28)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 3-2 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
UTAH is 4-1 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO (23 - 41) at PHILADELPHIA (30 - 31)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 23-38 ATS (-18.8 Units) in all games this season.
TORONTO is 13-24 ATS (-13.4 Units) as an underdog this season.
TORONTO is 31-45 ATS (-18.5 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 20-37 ATS (-20.7 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) in March games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 13-24 ATS (-13.4 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 39-23 ATS (+13.7 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 16-35 ATS (-22.5 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 5-4 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 7-3 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
NEW YORK (25 - 37) at DETROIT (32 - 30)
Top Trends for this game.
NEW YORK is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in March games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 57-40 ATS (+13.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
DETROIT is 26-36 ATS (-13.6 Units) in all games this season.
DETROIT is 15-24 ATS (-11.4 Units) as a favorite this season.
DETROIT is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) in home games this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 5-4 against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 5-4 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON (49 - 15) at MIAMI (34 - 29)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 6-2 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 6-2 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
6 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS (16 - 46) at MINNESOTA (18 - 45)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 5-4 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 5-4 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS (50 - 13) at HOUSTON (42 - 23)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAKERS is 6-3 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 5-4 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY (17 - 46) at DENVER (40 - 25)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 7-3 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 8-2 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
8 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS (38 - 25) at PORTLAND (40 - 23)
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in home games revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
PORTLAND is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in home games off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
PORTLAND is 14-3 ATS (+10.7 Units) in home games after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
PORTLAND is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in home games after scoring 105 points or more this season.
PORTLAND is 36-18 ATS (+16.2 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
DALLAS is 210-168 ATS (+25.2 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 5-4 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 7-2 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NEW JERSEY (28 - 35) at GOLDEN STATE (21 - 42)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW JERSEY is 4-1 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 3-2 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO vs. ORLANDO
Chicago is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Chicago is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Orlando
Orlando is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against Chicago
Orlando is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago
NEW ORLEANS vs. WASHINGTON
New Orleans is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
New Orleans is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Washington
Washington is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against New Orleans
Washington is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against New Orleans
TORONTO vs. PHILADELPHIA
Toronto is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Toronto is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games
Philadelphia is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games
UTAH vs. ATLANTA
Utah is 10-2 ATS in its last 12 games when playing Atlanta
Utah is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing Atlanta
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Atlanta is 2-10 ATS in its last 12 games when playing Utah
BOSTON vs. MIAMI
Boston is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games on the road
Boston is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games on the road
Miami is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Boston
Miami is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Boston
NEW YORK vs. DETROIT
New York is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
New York is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games when playing Detroit
Detroit is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games at home
Detroit is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
MEMPHIS vs. MINNESOTA
Memphis is 11-5 ATS in its last 16 games when playing Minnesota
Memphis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games at home
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
LA LAKERS vs. HOUSTON
LA Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games when playing Houston
LA Lakers are 15-8 SU in their last 23 games when playing Houston
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Houston is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. DENVER
Oklahoma City is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Denver
Oklahoma City is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Denver
Denver is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Oklahoma City
Denver is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Oklahoma City
DALLAS vs. PORTLAND
Dallas is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Dallas is 17-2 SU in its last 19 games when playing Portland
Portland is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Dallas
Portland is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Dallas
NEW JERSEY vs. GOLDEN STATE
New Jersey is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Golden State
New Jersey is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games when playing Golden State
Golden State is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Golden State is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
Hot Teams
-- Hawks won four of their last five home games. Jazz won 12 games in a row (9-3 vs spread).
-- Bulls are 8-1 vs spread in game after their last nine losses. Orlando won five of its last six games.
-- Hornets won seven of their last eight games.
-- Pistons won five of their last six games.
-- Heat won three of their last four games.
-- Rockets won three in row, 13 of last 15 games.
-- Thunder won five of their last six games.
-- Mavericks won six of their last eight games. Blazers won five of their last six games.
-- Nets are 6-0-1 vs spread in their last seven games.
Cold Teams
-- 76ers lost seven of their last ten games. Raptors lost four of their last five games.
-- Wizards lost seven of their last nine games.
-- Knicks lost five of their last seven games.
-- Celtics split their last six games (1-5 vs spread).
-- Grizzlies lost their last ten games (2-8 vs spread). Minnesota lost ten games in a row (2-8 vs spread).
-- Lakers lost three of their last five games.
-- Nuggets lost three in row, eight of last eleven games.
-- Warriors lost six of their last eight games.
Totals
-- Five of last seven Atlanta games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 12-5 in Chicago's last seventeen games.
-- Under is 8-4-1 in Philadelphia's last thirteen games.
-- Over is 6-3-1 in last ten New Orleans road games.
-- Over is 16-3 in last nineteen New York games.
-- Seven of last nine Miami games went over the total.
-- Five of last seven Memphis games stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four Houston games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last ten Denver games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last eight Dallas games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Golden State games stayed under the total; nine of last eleven New Jersey games went over.
Back-to Back
-- Jazz are 3-6 vs spread if they played the night before.
-- Knicks are 4-0 vs spread playing second consecutive nite on road.
-- Lakers are 4-5-1 vs spread on road if they play again next night.
-- Thunder are 7-4 vs spread if they played the night before.
-- Dallas covered one of last five if they played the night before.
NEW ORLEANS at WASHINGTON
NEW ORLEANS: 63-46 ATS as a favorite
WASHINGTON: 7-17 ATS when the total is between 190 and 199.5
CHICAGO at ORLANDO
CHICAGO: 12-4 OVER after covering 3 of their last 4
ORLANDO: 8-1 ATS off a road loss
UTAH at ATLANTA
UTAH: 1-5 ATS when playing their 3rd road game in 5 days
ATLANTA: 6-1 ATS after a game committing 8 or less turnovers
TORONTO at PHILADELPHIA
TORONTO: 7-15 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5
PHILADELPHIA: 39-23 ATS after a DD loss
NEW YORK at DETROIT
NEW YORK: 11-3 ATS when playing their 3rd game in 4 days
DETROIT: 8-19 ATS as a home favorite
BOSTON at MIAMI
BOSTON: 12-4 ATS when playing only their 2nd game in 5 days
MIAMI: 3-11 ATS after having won 3 of their last 4
MEMPHIS at MINNESOTA
MEMPHIS: 5-16 ATS after having lost 3 of their last 4
MINNESOTA: 13-4 OVER after failing to cover 2 of their last 3
LA LAKERS at HOUSTON
LA LAKERS: 5-1 ATS as a road underdog
HOUSTON: 1-5 ATS off a win as an underdog
OKLAHOMA CITY at DENVER
OKLAHOMA CITY: 7-3 ATS after 2+ consecutive unders
DENVER: 3-6 ATS off a loss as a favorite
DALLAS at PORTLAND
DALLAS: 9-21 ATS off a road win
PORTLAND: 11-3 ATS off a DD home win
NEW JERSEY at GOLDEN STATE
NEW JERSEY: 1-7 ATS after scoring 100+ in 2 straight games
GOLDEN STATE: 8-14 ATS after failing to cover 2 of their last 3
Tips and Trends
Boston Celtics at Miami Heat
Celtics: Boston is battling injuries right now and just hopes to hang tough in the race to repeat as the top team in the Eastern Conference. The defending NBA champs have played eight games without star Kevin Garnett, going 5-3 straight-up but just 3-5 ATS. The lack of depth caused veterans Ray Allen and Paul Pierce to play more than 45 minutes in a 86-79 home loss to Orlando on Sunday. “Somebody else has to step up and the challenge for me is not doing what I did (Sunday) with Paul and Ray, that can’t happen,” Boston head coach Doc Rivers said. “Even in a time of crisis I want to keep their minutes down. We just have to find a way to win games.”
Celtics are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 road games.
The UNDER is 29-11 in Boston's last 40 road games.
Key Injuries - F Kevin Garnett (knee) is OUT.
PG Rajon Rondo (ankle) is OUT.
F Glen Davis (ankle) is OUT.
PROJECTED SCORE: 91
Heat (-3.5, O/U 189.5): Miami star Dwyane Wade is making a serious case for MVP honors this season thanks to an outstanding run that has seen him total more than 40 points in four of his last six games. That includes a 48-point performance in a 130-127 double-overtime win over Chicago on Monday. “If he’s not legitimately considered for an MVP candidate, I don’t know what he needs to do,” Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We are currently a playoff contender and night after night, he’s making incredible plays like this.”
Heat are 7-20 ATS in their last 27 games vs. Atlantic Division.
The UNDER is 7-1-1 in the last 9 meetings.
Key Injuries - C Mark Blount (personal) is questionable.
PROJECTED SCORE: 98 (Side Play of the Day)