NBA Today
SCOREBOARD
Wednesday, April 15
Philadelphia at Cleveland (8 p.m. EDT). The Cavaliers try to equal the Boston Celtics’ NBA record for best home mark by going 40-1. However, with Cleveland having already clinched the league’s best record and home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs, LeBron James isn’t expected to play.
STARS
Tuesday
— Andrew Bynum, Lakers, scored 22 points in his best effort since returning from a knee injury and Los Angeles defeated Utah 125-112 to close the regular season as the third-winningest team in franchise history with 65 victories.
— Paul Pierce, Celtics, hit the winning jumper, scored 31 points and hindered Philadelphia’s shot at the Eastern Conference’s sixth seed in Boston’s 100-98 win.
STREAKS
The Lakers won their last six home games. They also took their sixth straight against Utah at Staples Center, 125-112.
STATS
The Lakers tied the 1986-87 team with their 65th victory, trailing only the 1971-72 team (69) and 1999-00 team (67). Both of those Lakers squads won the NBA title. … The Jazz took 47 foul shots in their 125-112 loss at the Lakers. … The Celtics were handed five technical fouls in their 100-98 win at Philadelphia.
ATTENDANCE
The Hawks drew an announced crowd of 18,179 to their regular-season finale, leaving their season average at 16,748. That’s their highest since 1997-98, when they averaged 17,249.
STRONG IN DEFEAT
Deron Williams had 25 points and 13 assists for the Jazz, and reserve Andrei Kirilenko added 20 points in a 125-112 loss to the Lakers. … Andre Iguodala led the Sixers with 25 points and added seven assists and five rebounds in a 100-98 loss to Boston. … Michael Beasley led the Heat with 23 points and 13 rebounds in only 24 minutes in an 81-79 loss at Atlanta.
SIDELINED
Utah starting forward C.J. Miles (dislocated left index finger) and center Mehmet Okur (mild right hamstring strain) didn’t play at the Lakers. … Boston guard Ray Allen was suspended one game without pay for elbowing Cleveland forward Anderson Varejao in the groin and missed the Celtics’ 100-98 win at Philadelphia.
SPEAKING
“We’ve got to be ready to play no matter who we play in the playoffs. If we don’t play at a high level, we’ll be going home.”—76ers guard Andre Iguodala after a 100-98 home loss to Boston, which played mostly reserves.
Game of the day: Rockets at Mavericks
By Ted Sevransky
Houston Rockets at Dallas Mavericks (-3, 191)
Who Plays Who Next?
The final night of the NBA regular season brings a conclusion to the playoff races. The Rockets can finish anywhere from the second seed to as low as the fifth spot in the West. Dallas can finish No. 6, 7 or 8 position depending on tonight’s contests. The Western Conference playoff matchups will not be finalized until we know the results from this game.
Dallas is looking to avoid a first round matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. Houston is looking for home-court advantage and as favorable pairing as it can get in the opening round.
This game will also determine the Southwest Division title, as Houston and San Antonio enter the final game of the regular season tied for first place in the divisional race. Both the Rockets and Spurs have the same overall record (53-28), the same divisional record (9-6) and the same conference record (35-16) heading into the last game.
No Sitting Starters Here
On the final day of the regular season, many teams rest starters. Playoff squads want to get their key players a bit of extra rest. Lottery-bound squads want to give their younger players some extra court time to encourage their development. This is one of the few games on the schedule that won’t have either team resting key contributors during crunch time.
Healthy Howard?
Josh Howard has been in and out of the Mavs’ lineup because of a variety of ailments. His latest injury, a sprained right ankle, kept him on the bench when the Mavs snuck past Minnesota 96-94 on Monday. The Mavs are 10-17 ATS without Howard (17.7 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game) and 29-25 ATS with him this year.
Howard may be a knucklehead but the numbers clearly show that Dallas is affected against the spread when he’s not healthy enough to suit up. Howard’s status been upgraded to probable for Wednesday’s game.
Road Rules
There hasn’t been much of a home-court edge in this series and that’s putting it mildly. The road team has won six of the last eight meetings between these two teams in straight up fashion, as well as ATS. The underdog has cashed five times in the last six meetings.
Houston has won and covered twice in three previous head-to-head battles this year. But the Rockets and Mavericks have only played once since Thanksgiving, a 93-86 Houston win and cover just after the All-Star break. Long term, it’s been Dallas controlling the series; 10-4 ATS in the last 14 meetings.
Trending Under
Each of the last two meetings between these two squads has been a low-scoring contest, combining to stay under the total by an average of 13 points per game. The Rockets have played under in eight of their last 11 away dates and they’ve dipped below the total in 43 of their last 65 games against Southwest opponents.
ATLANTA vs. MEMPHIS
Atlanta is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta's last 7 games on the road
Memphis is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Memphis's last 7 games when playing at home against Atlanta
CHARLOTTE vs. ORLANDO
Charlotte is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Orlando
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Charlotte's last 7 games when playing Orlando
Orlando is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Orlando is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games at home
DETROIT vs. MIAMI
Detroit is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Miami is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Detroit
Miami is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing Detroit
HOUSTON vs. DALLAS
Houston is 4-9-1 ATS in its last 14 games when playing Dallas
Houston is 4-12 SU in its last 16 games when playing Dallas
Dallas is 10-5 ATS in its last 15 games at home
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
MILWAUKEE vs. INDIANA
Milwaukee is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing Indiana
Milwaukee is 1-7-2 ATS in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Indiana is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indiana's last 5 games
NEW JERSEY vs. NEW YORK
New Jersey is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
New Jersey is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
New York is 6-18 SU in its last 24 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 6 games when playing New Jersey
NEW ORLEANS vs. SAN ANTONIO
New Orleans is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New Orleans's last 7 games when playing San Antonio
San Antonio is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against New Orleans
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against New Orleans
PHILADELPHIA vs. CLEVELAND
Philadelphia is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland
Philadelphia is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland
Cleveland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
SACRAMENTO vs. MINNESOTA
Sacramento is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Sacramento's last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Minnesota is 3-16 SU in its last 19 games at home
TORONTO vs. CHICAGO
Toronto is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Chicago
Toronto is 7-16 ATS in its last 23 games when playing Chicago
Chicago is 16-7 ATS in its last 23 games when playing Toronto
Chicago is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Toronto
WASHINGTON vs. BOSTON
Washington is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing Boston
Washington is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Boston is 4-11 ATS in its last 15 games at home
DENVER vs. PORTLAND
Denver is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Denver is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Portland is 4-11-1 ATS in its last 16 games when playing at home against Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Portland's last 9 games when playing at home against Denver
GOLDEN STATE vs. PHOENIX
Golden State is 4-19 SU in its last 23 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Golden State's last 16 games on the road
Phoenix is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Golden State
Phoenix is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Golden State
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. LA CLIPPERS
Oklahoma City is 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games when playing LA Clippers
Oklahoma City is 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing LA Clippers
LA Clippers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games
LA Clippers are 1-8 SU in their last 9 games
Hot Teams
-- Celtics won seven of their last eight games.
-- Bulls won their last five games (3-2 vs spread). Raptors won eight of their last twelve games.
-- Cavaliers won their last five games (4-1 vs spread).
-- Mavericks won six of their last eight games. Rockets won their last five games (4-1 vs spread).
-- Indiana is 7-3-1 vs spread in its last eleven games. Bucks won their last two games by 17-18 points, but they lost eight of last nine on road.
-- Minnesota split last eight games, covered three of last four.
-- Nets covered their last five games (3-2 SU).
-- Spurs won four of their last five games .
-- Hawks won their last four games, by 8-8-4-2 points.
-- Suns won five of their last seven games.
-- Portland won its last five games, covered last four. Nuggets won nine of last ten games (8-3 vs spread in last 11).
Cold Teams
-- Wizards lost six of their last eight games.
-- 76ers lost their last six games (0-4 vs spread in last four).
-- Pistons lost seven of their last nine road games. Miami lost three of its last four games.
-- Kings lost their last nine games (1-6 vs spread in last seven).
-- Knicks lost 13 of their last 16 games.
-- Bobcats lost five of their last six games. Magic lost four of last five.
-- Hornets lost five of their last seven games.
-- Grizzlies lost four of last five games, covered seven of last nine.
-- Clippers lost eight of their last nine games. Thunder lost nine of their last eleven contests.
-- Warriors lost three of their last four games.
Totals
-- Five of last six Boston games went over the total.
-- Six of last nine Chicago home games went over the total.
-- Under is 6-0-1 in last seven Cleveland home games; Philly's last five games went over. .
-- Three of last four Houston games stayed under the total.
-- Last six Indiana games went over the total.
-- Over is 11-5 in last sixteen Detroit games.
-- Eight of last ten Minnesota games stayed under the total.
-- Three of Nets' last four games went over the total; six of Knicks' last seven games stayed under.
-- Five of last seven Charlotte games went over the total; five of last six Orlando games stayed under.
-- Three of last four New Orleans games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last six Atlanta games went over the total; four of last five Memphis games stayed under.
-- Five of last six Thunder games went over the total; last five Clipper games stayed under.
-- Under is 4-1-1 in last six Golden State games.
-- Four of last five Denver road games stayed under the total.
CHARLOTTE (35 - 46) at ORLANDO (58 - 23)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 6-5 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO is 8-3 straight up against CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
8 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA (47 - 34) at MEMPHIS (23 - 58) - 4/15/2009, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 4-0 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 5-0 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO (16 - 65) at MINNESOTA (24 - 57)
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 107-133 ATS (-39.3 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 11-28 ATS (-19.8 Units) in home games this season.
MINNESOTA is 1-11 ATS (-11.1 Units) in home games in April games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in home games second half of the season this season.
MINNESOTA is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) in home games revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
MINNESOTA is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
MINNESOTA is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
MINNESOTA is 1-9 ATS (-8.9 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 6-4 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
MINNESOTA is 5-5 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NEW JERSEY (34 - 47) at NEW YORK (31 - 50)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 5-5 against the spread versus NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
NEW JERSEY is 7-4 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO (32 - 49) at CHICAGO (41 - 40)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 7-3 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 6-4 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS (49 - 32) at SAN ANTONIO (53 - 28)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 9-9 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 11-7 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
10 of 17 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA (40 - 41) at CLEVELAND (66 - 15)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 6-4 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 8-2 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON (19 - 62) at BOSTON (61 - 20)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 4-4 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 6-3 straight up against BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
5 of 9 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MILWAUKEE (34 - 47) at INDIANA (35 - 46)
Top Trends for this game.
MILWAUKEE is 25-40 ATS (-19.0 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 47-70 ATS (-30.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 10-28 ATS (-20.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MILWAUKEE is 15-26 ATS (-13.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 29-18 ATS (+9.2 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 6-4 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 8-3 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT (39 - 42) at MIAMI (42 - 39)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 8-2 against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 7-3 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON (53 - 28) at DALLAS (49 - 32)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 7-4 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 7-4 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY (22 - 59) at LA CLIPPERS (19 - 62)
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 32-49 ATS (-21.9 Units) in all games this season.
LA CLIPPERS are 27-41 ATS (-18.1 Units) as an underdog this season.
LA CLIPPERS are 31-50 ATS (-24.0 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 12-22 ATS (-12.2 Units) second half of the season this season.
LA CLIPPERS are 15-25 ATS (-12.5 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.
LA CLIPPERS are 14-25 ATS (-13.5 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 8-2 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 7-3 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
7 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE (29 - 52) at PHOENIX (45 - 36)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHOENIX is 7-4 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 7-4 straight up against GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
9 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
DENVER (54 - 27) at PORTLAND (53 - 28)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 7-4 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 7-4 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE at ORLANDO
CHARLOTTE: 5-1 Under revenging DD home loss
ORLANDO: 41-16 ATS off road loss
ATLANTA at MEMPHIS
ATLANTA: 16-6 ATS off BB Home games
MEMPHIS: 5-17 ATS off BB ATS losses
SACRAMENTO at MINNESOTA
SACRAMENTO: 50-33 Over after allowing 110+ points
MINNESOTA: 1-11 ATS at home in April
NEW JERSEY at NEW YORK
NEW JERSEY: 6-1 ATS in April
NEW YORK: 5-1 Under in April
TORONTO at CHICAGO
TORONTO: 1-5 ATS off BB SU dog wins
CHICAGO: 21-9 Over playing with same season revenge
NEW ORLEANS at SAN ANTONIO
NEW ORLEANS: 10-1 ATS off loss by 20+ pts
SAN ANTONIO: 8-0 Under after a game outrebounding opponent by 20+
PHILADELPHIA at CLEVELAND
PHILADELPHIA: 13-4 Over off SU loss as favorite
CLEVELAND: 28-12 ATS off road game
WASHINGTON at BOSTON
WASHINGTON: 4-12 ATS vs. Atlantic Division
BOSTON: 35-18 ATS playing on back-to-back days
MILWAUKEE at INDIANA
MILWAUKEE: 0-9 ATS off 4+ home games
INDIANA: 15-4 ATS revenging DD road loss
DETROIT at MIAMI
DETROIT: 0-8 ATS off division loss
MIAMI: 21-14 Over off an Under
HOUSTON at DALLAS
HOUSTON: 12-27 ATS off ATS win
DALLAS: 8-1 Over off win by 3pts or less
OKLAHOMA CITY at LA CLIPPERS
OKLAHOMA CITY: 33-24 ATS off SU Loss
LA CLIPPERS: 11-23 ATS when the line is +3 to -3
GOLDEN STATE at PHOENIX
GOLDEN STATE: 12-2 Over revenging SU loss as favorite
PHOENIX: 10-16 ATS off home win
DENVER at PORTLAND
DENVER: 12-4 ATS off cover as DD favorite
PORTLAND: 6-18 ATS off division win by 20+ pts
Wednesday NBA Research
By Indiancowboy
Charlotte vs. Orlando
Bell is OUT, Howard is Probable, but will likely be limited today, Lewis is Questionable, and "Turkey-Glue" is Out, Orlando beat this team in OT and by 12 on the road last time out, I can see this either was as the Magic subs are not that good as evidenced by their game in Milwaukee and Charlotte will play their starters today for most of the game, but again, they are struggling without depth and Bell. Lean on the Under here if anything.
Philadelphia vs. Cleveland
Big Z and James are out for this contest, but the Cavs bench will look to do well here, the Sixers are dismal losing 6 in a row right now, so at this point, this game is irrelevant as although the Cavs bench will play today without James, they are still at home, a small lean on the Under.
Sacramento vs. Minnesota
Minnesota has revenge on this team, bear in mind that this game is meaningless, at this point in the season it comes down to coaching and who starts, McHale will want to still win this game regardless, no Martin, Hawes and Udrich is doubtful for this game, I lean on the Twolves here who will look to bounce-back after a right loss to the Mavs while it seems the Kings are just going through the motions.