Wednesday's NBA Action
By Josh Jacobs
It’s ESPN’s turn to take over broadcasting duties for two games on a loaded NBA schedule. Bettors are still attempting to figure out what direction specific teams are headed, despite we're less then a handful of games into the new season.
Can the Pistons sustain scoring 106 points per game even after adding Allen Iverson to the lineup? Will Dallas and San Antonio (combined for a 1-4 straight up record) settle into its usual roles as top ranked teams in the West? And what route will we, the gamblers, take in terms of wagering on total plays with successful results?
Patience is the name of the game, so until the season begins to shape an identity let’s get right down to highlighted matchups on this midweek schedule.
Chicago at Cleveland – 8:00 p.m. EDT
The Bulls were installed at 40-to-1 odds to win the 2008-09 NBA Finals before being lowered to 30-to-1 at current time. The point is that maybe Chi-town has a chance to surprise some skeptics, at least in terms of surpassing the 40½-win total this season (which was catching minus-125 on the ‘over’ – bet $125 to make $100).
Two wins against Milwaukee at home (108-95) on Oct. 28 and in Memphis on Nov. 1 (96-86) proved that shooting 42.5-percent from three-point range can do wonders. Then again, if the Bulls continue to chalk up 29.8-percent from the field like it did in Boston to end the month of October then there are many problems to come.
Chicago has been able to cover the last three games against the Cavaliers, while the total has gone ‘under’ six times in the last eight meetings in Cleveland.
The Cavs haven’t had much time to show off its talent at home. It’s played three of four games on the road in ’08, with the highlight of the trip capped off in a 100-81 win over Dallas on Monday. Point guard, Mo Williams led a 13-0 run to open the fourth quarter and five players on Cleveland’s roster ended with double-digit scoring figures. The final stat that shot the Cavs over the top was outrebounding the Mavs, 52-35. To no one’s surprise, LeBron James finished the ‘W’ off with 29 points.
If there’s one aspect of Cleveland’s play that needs improvement it’s the 18.3 turnovers per game (ranked 28th worst in the league).
The home team is 13-5 ATS against the spread in the last 18 meetings.
Denver at Golden State – 10:30 p.m. EDT
Two teams with a lone, one win in the standings will meet on the West Coast. Can Denver improve its defensive effort (101.7 PPG allowed) on the season and will Golden State trump the 48-game win total from last season.
Top news in this game must go to the Nuggets after trading Allen Iverson to Detroit in exchange for Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb. Not only is Iverson the headline of this trade but a problem arising with McDyess’ intentions of never suiting up in a Nuggets jersey adds a twist to this plot. It’s hypothetical talk at this moment but still worthy of discussion. The latest news indicates that the organization is debating whether or not to buy out the power forward’s two-year, $13.6 million contract.
Denver finished last season off with an offense responsible for tagging 110.7 PPG on the scoreboard. But what could end up haunting the Nuggets in the end is a defense which hasn’t showed up to the court since holding opponents to 97.5 PPG during the 2004-05 season. Since then, Denver has allowed an average of 103.6 PPG in the three subsequent seasons after.
The X-factor could end being Billups. His defensive skills are impeccable, something that the Nuggets need sooner then later and the trade finally fills in the point guard void that has followed the team throughout the years.
Now that the trade is out of the way, how will Golden State fare in its second game at home? The Warriors haven’t flexed much defensive muscle of their own. The team is responsible for giving up 101.8 PPG in the four games played this season. In all fairness, Golden State has played just one-game at home, a loss to New Orleans (108-103) on Oct. 29.
There is also some internal flak that the Warriors must handle. Starting forward, Corey Maggette has once again ran into hamstring trouble and his status for Wednesday is ‘questionable’ at this point. Then there’s the abrasive relationship with power forward, Al Harrington who has expressed strong feelings for a trade. With the Maggette injury and dissident Harris to deal with, head coach Don Nelson has his hands full.
The road team is 4-0 ATS in the last four head-to-head meeting, while the ‘dog is 4-0 in the last four. The ‘under’ is 4-1 in the last five clashes.
Overtime
We can’t scan Wednesday’s NBA card without pointing to a contest between the Pistons and Raptors. Both clubs head into this midweek contest with a 3-0 SU record so who’s got the greatest chance at netting you some early season bucks?
In their last 10 meetings, the Pistons hold a 7-3 SU edge, while also returning dollars to backers with a 5-1 ATS record in the last six pairings. Back on Apr. 2008, Detroit relied on point guard, Rodney Stuckey to drain 18 points, with the entire team shooting for a 48.7-percent success rate from the field. Toronto found themselves missing the board side of the barn with an 18.8 three-point percentage. The Raptors were also outhustled on the boards, 44-33.
The favorite is 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings in this series.
Atlanta may have only played two games so far but outscoring Orlando 99-85 to open the season followed by a 95-88 victory over Philadelphia sure has bettors looking for a viable winner in the Southeast division. The Hawks currently own a point difference of +10.5 in the infancy of their schedule. And what about a New Orleans team shooting 48-percent from the field, a remarkable 50-percent from three-point range and averaging nine steals per contest? David West has started the season on a tear with 22.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG and 1.1 SPG in the three contest played this far.
New Orleans has won and covered the last four games against Atlanta. The ‘over’ is 5-0 in the last five meetings in New Orleans between these two squads.
Portland surprised San Antonio in a nail biting, 100-99 win last Friday (winning as 2 ½-point ‘underdog’) only to fall flat in Phoenix (107-96) on Saturday. With highly anticipated center, Greg Oden raining on his own parade with an ankle sprain (out 2-4 weeks), the Trail Blazers will ship out Joel Przybilla (getting most of the minutes) and Raef LaFrentz to the court. Przbilla has logged in an average of nine rebounds per game in the last three contests.
Facing off against Portland is a solid defensive unit hailing from Utah. In back-to-back wins over the Clippers (on Nov. 1 and Nov. 3), the Jazz were able to defend the perimeter, allowing just 76 PPG. Not much different from last season are the numbers that Carlos Boozer has posted so far this season. With a lot of help from Andrei Kirilenki (14 PPG in the first three games) in terms of team stats, Boozer has shot the rock for a 63-percent clip from the field. Point guard, Deron Williams claims his sprained ankle is healing just fine but his status for this week is still uncertain.
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Detroit (3-0, 1-2 ATS) at Toronto (3-0, 2-1 ATS)
Allen Iverson, acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Nuggets on Monday, is expected to make his Pistons debut as Detroit visits Toronto in a battle of unbeaten teams.
The Pistons sent point guard Chauncey Billups and forward Antonio McDyess to Denver in exchange for Iverson on Monday afternoon, then went out and trounced the Bobcats 101-83 as a 3½-point road chalk. Detroit has reached triple digits in all three of its games, shooting 48.8 percent from the field as a team while averaging 106 points per contest.
Toronto is coming off a pair of four-point victories over the Warriors at home (112-108 in overtime on Friday) and the Bucks on the road (91-87 on Saturday). The Raptors failed to cash as a seven-point chalk against Golden State, but prevailed as a one-point underdog in Milwaukee. Like the Pistons, Toronto has gotten off to a solid start offensively, averaging 99.3 points per contest while shooting 47.7 percent from the field, including a whopping 54.5 percent from three-point land.
Detroit has won four of the last five meetings in this rivalry and is 5-1 ATS in the last six. Going back to April 2006, the visitor is on a 7-1 SU roll in this series (5-3 ATS), and the favorite has cashed in five consecutive meetings.
The Pistons are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games dating to the 2008 playoffs and 12-4 ATS in their last 16 when playing on one day of rest, but they’ve failed to cover in nine of their past 12 on Wednesdays. Meanwhile, Toronto is 35-16 ATS in its last 51 on Wednesday, but the squad is mired in an 11-23 ATS slump overall.
The over is 4-1 in Detroit’s last five games overall (3-0 this year), but the under is 11-5 in its last 16 on the highway. For Toronto, the under streaks include 5-1 overall, 5-1-1 at home, 5-0 against the Eastern Conference and 27-9-1 versus the Central Division. Finally, the under is 5-2 in the last seven clashes between these squads.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Chicago (2-2, 3-1 ATS) at Cleveland (2-2, 3-1 ATS)
Two Central Division rivals clash for the first time this season, as the Bulls pay a visit to the Quicken Loans Arena for a showdown against LeBron James and the Cavaliers.
Chicago has alternated SU wins and losses in its first four games, most recently falling 96-93 at Orlando on Monday. However, the Bulls did cash as an eight-point road underdog, improving to 5-1 ATS going back to the end of last season. Since tallying 108 points in a season-opening home rout of the Bucks, Chicago has been limited to 89.7 ppg in its last three.
The Cavaliers return home after splitting a quick two-game trip to New Orleans and Dallas, losing 104-92 to the Hornets on Saturday before crushing the Mavericks 100-81 as a four-point underdog on Monday. Cleveland is on an 8-1 ATS tear going back to last year’s Eastern Conference finals, including a 4-0 SU and ATS at home.
Despite an otherwise dismal 2007-08 season, Chicago did take the season series from Cleveland last year, going 3-1 SU and ATS while scoring at least 100 points in all three victories. The home team is 6-3 SU and ATS in the last nine matchups between these rivals and 13-5 ATS in the last 18. Also, the SU winner has cashed in each of the last 10 head-to-head battles.
The Bulls are off to an 0-2 start on the road (1-1 ATS), but they have cashed in four straight against Central Division foes and they’re 21-8 ATS in their last 29 games after a SU defeat. Meanwhile, in addition to its ongoing ATS streaks of 8-1 overall and 4-0 at home, Cleveland is 7-1 ATS in its last eight games when playing on one day of rest and 7-0 ATS in its last seven against the Eastern Conference. However, LeBron James and Co. have failed to cash in five straight against divisional rivals.
Chicago sports under streaks of 9-2 overall, 4-1 on the road, 5-0 when going on one day of rest and 8-2 against the Eastern Conference. Also, the Cavs are on under runs of 16-7 overall, 20-6 at home, 15-6 against the East and 5-2 in divisional contests. Lastly, the under is 6-2 in the last eight Bulls-Cavaliers battles at Quicken Loans Arena.
ATS ADVANTAGE: CLEVELAND and UNDER
Atlanta (2-0 SU and ATS) at New Orleans (3-0, 2-1 ATS)
The Hawks, who have started off a season with consecutive victories for the first time this decade, figure to have a tough time making it three in a row when they visit the undefeated Hornets.
Atlanta is 2-0 for the first time since 1998 and hasn’t started a season with three straight victories since winning its first 11 in a row the year prior. The Hawks tipped off with a 99-85 upset of Orlando as an eight-point underdog a week ago and followed that with Saturday’s 95-88 win over the 76ers as a 2½-point favorite. Defense has carried the team so far, holding the Magic and Sixers to a combined 39 percent shooting (24.4 percent from three-point range).
The Hornets have put up 108, 108 and 104 points in their first three games, including a pair of double-digit routs of the Suns (108-95 on the road) and Cavaliers (104-92 at home) in the last two. New Orleans, which is seeking its second consecutive 4-0 start to a season, is shooting 48.3 percent from the field while making exactly half of its three-point tries.
The Hornets have swept the season series from Atlanta the last two years, going 4-0 ATS in the process (3-0 ATS as a favorite). In the two meetings in New Orleans last year, the Hornets prevailed 107-100 as a 6½-point favorite and 116-101 as an 8½-point chalk. The SU winner is 9-1 ATS in the last 10 series clashes.
Atlanta is 5-2 ATS in its last seven overall going back to last year’s first-round playoff loss to Boston. Otherwise, though, the Hawks are mired in ATS slumps of 1-5 on the road, 1-5 against the Southwest Division and 5-11 on Wednesdays. As for the Hornets, they sport a bunch of positive pointspread streaks, including 49-24 at home, 39-19-3 versus the Eastern Conference, 6-2-1 against the Southeast Division and 37-16-1 on Wednesdays.
The over is on runs of 9-3 for the Hawks on Wednesdays, 5-1 for the Hawks against the Western Conference, 11-5 for the Hawks after a SU win, 10-2-1 for New Orleans against the Eastern Conference and 4-1 for New Orleans in Wednesday contests. Finally, the last five meetings between these teams on the Hornets’ home floor have topped the total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NEW ORLEANS and OVER
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NBA Today
SCOREBOARD
Wednesday, Nov. 5
Detroit at Toronto (7 p.m. EST). Allen Iverson could make his Detroit debut when the Pistons face the Raptors in a matchup of 3-0 teams. The Pistons acquired the former NBA MVP from Denver for Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb on Monday.
STARS
Tuesday
— Ray Allen, Celtics, scored 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting and the defending NBA champions beat Houston 103-99 to hand the Rockets their first loss.
— Raja Bell, Suns, hit all six of his three-point attempts and scored 22 points as Phoenix shot 63 percent from the field in a 114-86 victory over New Jersey.
— Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry, Mavericks. Nowitzki scored 30 points and Terry added 29 in his first start of the season to help Dallas beat San Antonio 98-81.
REVERSAL OF FORTUNE
Knicks guard Stephon Marbury longs for coach Larry Brown. The two feuded during Brown’s season as coach of the Knicks in 2005-06, but Marbury, now mired on the bench of Mike D’Antoni’s squad, said: “He’s really tough on his point guards, as we all know, but looking back at the last two years, I kind of liked Larry Brown. So I’m like, ‘Man, I wish this guy was here to drill me now.”’
POLITICAL SUPPORTER
Houston guard Steve Francis made a political fashion statement before the Rockets played the Boston Celtics. Francis, who’s been out since last season with a knee injury, arrived at the arena wearing a red velvet sports jacket with “Barack Obama” spelled on the back in sequins. Francis said he would try to attend Obama’s presidential inauguration.
SLOW START
The Spurs (0-3) are off to their worst start since opening the 1973-74 ABA season 0-4. It was their first season in San Antonio after playing in Dallas as the Chaparrals. The Spurs joined the NBA in 1976.
DOMINANT DEFENSE
Boston shut down Ron Artest and Yao Ming in a 103-99 victory at Houston, handing the Rockets their first loss. Artest missed 13 of 16 shots from the field, scoring 15 points with the help of six free throws. Yao went 4-of-14 from the floor and had eight points. “Probably one of my worst games of all time,” Yao said.
SHARP SHOOTERS
The Suns shot 43-of-68 from the field and 12-of-18 from 3-point range in a 114-86 victory over New Jersey. The Nets shot just 34 percent, hitting 28 of 83 shots.
SPEAKING
“Some nights everything is going and you can’t do anything about it. I think tonight was just one of those nights we shot the skin off the ball.”— Phoenix’s Raja Bell on opponents trying to defend his team. The Suns shot 63 percent and Bell made all six of his 3-pointers in a 114-86 rout of New Jersey.
Hot and Cold Bets - Week 2
By Matt Fargo
Wednesday – Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are off to a great start as expected, going 3-0 and holding their opponents to 84 ppg which is second best in the league. On the offensive end, they are averaging 105.7 ppg which is third best and their +21.7 ppg scoring differential is easily the largest in the NBA. They have already taken out the Clippers once this season by 38 points and this rematch looks like another easy victory. The Clippers are 0-3 both straight up and against the number as the losses have been by an average of 23.3 ppg. Making matters worse is that point guard Baron Davis is already hurting with a sprained finger and bruised tailbone. He should be back for this game but the last thing the Clippers need is to have him on the bench for an extended period of time. The Lakers won all four meetings last season by an average of 26 ppg. Can you say another blowout?
Hot Teams
-- Pistons won first three games, by 6-8-18 points; Iverson debuts here. Raptors won their first three games, by 11-4-4 points.
-- Pacers covered their first two games (1-1 SU, lost by 6 at Detroit). Suns won three of their first four games.
-- Celtics won three of their first four games.
-- Hornets won their first three games, by 5-13-12 points.
-- Hawks won their first two games, beating Magic, 76ers.
-- Cavaliers covered three of their first four games.
-- Jazz won their first three games, by 4-22-16 points.
-- Lakers won, covered their first three games, by 20-38-7 points.
Cold Teams
-- Miami lost two of first three games (home team 3-0) but won their only home game, 104-77 vs Sacramento. 76ers split first four games; in their only road game, they lost 95-88 in Atlanta.
-- Bobcats lost two of first three games, as Larry Brown returns to MSG for first time as visiting coach since his ugly tenure as Knicks' coach. Knicks lost last two games, scoring 86-87 points.
-- Thunder lost two of its first three games.
-- Bulls are 0- 2 on road, losing by 16-3 points, but covered three of four games overall.
-- Minnesota lost its last two games, scoring 85 points in both. Spurs are off to worst start in 35 years, with an 0-3 record, scoring 92.7 ppg.
-- Bucks split their first four games, losing at home to Toronto by four. Wizards lost their first two games, by 10-8 points.
-- Blazers lost their first two road games, by 20-11 points.
-- Grizzlies lost first two road games, by 11-10 points. Kings are 0-4, all road games, losing by 2-26-18-34 pts-- this is their first home game.
-- Nuggets lost two of first three games; Billups makes his debut here. Warriors lost three of their first four games.
-- Clippers lost first four games, by 38-10-22-16, scoring 83.5 ppg.
Totals
-- Over is 2-0-1 in Detroit's first three games.
-- Last two Miami games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 2-0-1 in Charlotte's first three games.
-- Three of four Boston games stayed under the total.
-- First two Atlanta games both stayed under the total.
-- Last three Chicago games stayed under the total.
-- First three Minnesota games stayed under the total; Hornets' first three games all went over.
-- Last three Milwaukee games stayed under the total.
-- All three Utah games stayed under the total.
-- All four Memphis games stayed under the total.
-- Two of first three Denver games stayed under the total.
-- Three of first four Clipper games stayed under the total.
Tips and Trends
Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers
Bulls: Chicago has played extremely tough so far this season despite the fact that they will be playing three of last year's four Eastern Conference semifinalists in eight days to start the seson. The Bulls have split four games and are coming off a 96-93 loss at Orlando on Monday. The Bulls have won two of the last three meetings at Cleveland because they have not let other Cavs beat them besides LeBron James, who averaged 35.8 points against them last season. Chicago will be looking forward to a five-game homestand after this game.
Bulls are 5-2 SU & ATS in the last 7 meetings.
The UNDER is 9-2 in Chicago's last 11 games overall.
Key Injuries - G Larry Hughes (shoulder) is OUT.
PROJECTED SCORE: 87 (UNDER - Total Play of the Day)
Cavs (-8, O/U 186): Cleveland begins a stretch of playing five of six games at home after playing three of their first four on the road. The Cavs lost two of those games even though they went 2-1 against the spread. LeBron James is coming off a season-high 29 points in a 100-81 victory at Dallas on Monday and feels good about his team after they went on a 13-0 run to start the fourth quarter. “We took a stand,” James said. "When they tied it up, we buckled down and worked defensively. Then we made some shots. I didn’t shoot the ball particularly well, like I know I can. I was in attack mode all night, but I missed some shots I know I can make.”
Cavs are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
The UNDER is 20-6 in Cleveland's last 26 home games.
Key Injuries - F Darnell Jackson (wrist) is OUT.
PROJECTED SCORE: 96
Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors
Nuggets: Denver will be without PG Chauncey Billups, who was traded for Allen Iverson on Monday. Billups could not travel to California in time and will not make his debut until Friday at home against Dallas. Until then, the Nuggets will count on J.R. Smith to fill in for Iverson's scoring. Smith is certainly capable, as he has averaged 17 points in two games so far and could break out in this game. Carmelo Anthony will also be playing his second game this season after scoring 13 in a 104-97 home loss to the Lakers on Friday.
Nuggerst are 7-2 SU in the last 9 meetings.
The UNDER is 9-2 in Denver's last 11 games overall.
Key Injuries - F Kenyon Martin (hamstring) is questionable.
G Sonny Weems (hernia) is questionable.
C Steven Hunter (knee) is questionable.
PROJECTED SCORE: 102 (Side Play of the Day)
Warriors (-3.5, O/U 203.5): Golden State returns home following a 1-2 road trip that was concluded by a 90-79 loss at Memphis on Monday. The Warriors totaled just 12 points in the fourth quarter against the Grizzlies and shot just 34.4 percent from the field. "I think this was one of those games where we were getting a lot of open shots," Golden State G DeMarcus Nelson said.
" They were the same shots we’ve been getting, but tonight we just didn’t convert and complete a high percentage of them."
Warriors are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games vs. Northwest Division.
The UNDER is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Key Injuries - F Corey Maggette (hamstring) is questionable.
G Monta Ellis (ankle) is OUT.
PROJECTED SCORE: 101
DETROIT (3 - 0) at TORONTO (3 - 0) - 11/5/2008, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 5-2 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 5-2 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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PHOENIX (3 - 1) at INDIANA (1 - 1) - 11/5/2008, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 45-24 ATS (+18.6 Units) in home games against Pacific division opponents since 1996.
INDIANA is 178-139 ATS (+25.1 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
PHOENIX is 36-14 ATS (+20.6 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 200 and 204.5 points since 1996.
INDIANA is 9-21 ATS (-14.1 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 2-2 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
PHOENIX is 4-0 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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PHILADELPHIA (2 - 2) at MIAMI (1 - 2) - 11/5/2008, 7:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 6-1 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA is 6-1 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
4 of 6 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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CHARLOTTE (1 - 2) at NEW YORK (1 - 2) - 11/5/2008, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHARLOTTE is 22-34 ATS (-15.4 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
NEW YORK is 57-35 ATS (+18.5 Units) in home games versus poor offensive teams - scoring <=91 points/game since 1996.
CHARLOTTE is 38-20 ATS (+16.0 Units) after scoring 85 points or less since 1996.
NEW YORK is 33-55 ATS (-27.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHARLOTTE is 4-3 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
NEW YORK is 4-3 straight up against CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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BOSTON (3 - 1) at OKLAHOMA CITY (1 - 2) - 11/5/2008, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 74-102 ATS (-38.2 Units) off an upset win as an underdog since 1996.
BOSTON is 69-42 ATS (+22.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 51-34 ATS (+13.6 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 34-21 ATS (+10.9 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 23-10 ATS (+12.0 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 27-11 ATS (+14.9 Units) when playing on back-to-back days over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 23-12 ATS (+9.8 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 26-11 ATS (+13.9 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 31-15 ATS (+14.5 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 3-1 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 3-1 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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ATLANTA (2 - 0) at NEW ORLEANS (3 - 0) - 11/5/2008, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 4-0 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 4-0 straight up against ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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CHICAGO (2 - 2) at CLEVELAND (2 - 2) - 11/5/2008, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) in road games first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 5-3 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 5-3 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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SAN ANTONIO (0 - 3) at MINNESOTA (1 - 2) - 11/5/2008, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 18-33 ATS (-18.3 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 131-99 ATS (+22.1 Units) after scoring 85 points or less since 1996.
MINNESOTA is 70-93 ATS (-32.3 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 32-51 ATS (-24.1 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 3-12 ATS (-10.2 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) against Southwest division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 5-2 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 6-1 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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WASHINGTON (0 - 2) at MILWAUKEE (2 - 2) - 11/5/2008, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
MILWAUKEE is 5-3 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 5-3 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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PORTLAND (1 - 2) at UTAH (3 - 0) - 11/5/2008, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 31-16 ATS (+13.4 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
UTAH is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 6-2 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 5-3 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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MEMPHIS (2 - 2) at SACRAMENTO (0 - 4) - 11/5/2008, 10:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO is 51-26 ATS (+22.4 Units) in home games in November games since 1996.
SACRAMENTO is 99-70 ATS (+22.0 Units) in home games first half of the season since 1996.
MEMPHIS is 66-40 ATS (+22.0 Units) after a win by 10 points or more since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 6-1 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO is 4-3 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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DENVER (1 - 2) at GOLDEN STATE (1 - 3) - 11/5/2008, 10:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 5-3 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 6-2 straight up against GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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LA CLIPPERS (0 - 4) at LA LAKERS (3 - 0) - 11/5/2008, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 33-52 ATS (-24.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 27-45 ATS (-22.5 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in road games in November games over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 24-39 ATS (-18.9 Units) first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 38-56 ATS (-23.6 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 15-31 ATS (-19.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 63-97 ATS (-43.7 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=91 points/game since 1996.
LA LAKERS are 59-45 ATS (+9.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 39-24 ATS (+12.6 Units) first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 14-3 ATS (+10.7 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 25-12 ATS (+11.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 35-12 ATS (+21.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAKERS is 7-2 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 7-2 straight up against LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Detroit at Toronto, 7:05 ET
Detroit: 58-40 ATS in road games
Toronto: 28-9 Under vs. Central Division
Phoenix at Indiana, 7:05 ET
Phoenix: 25-10 ATS as a road favorite of 6 points or less
Indiana: 10-23 ATS off BB ATS wins
Philadelphia at Miami, 7:35 ET
Philadelphia: 6-1 ATS vs. Miami
Miami: 0-6 ATS playing with 3+ days rest
Charlotte at New York, 7:35 ET
Charlotte: 38-20 ATS after scoring 85 points or less
New York: 1-9 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points
Boston at Oklahoma City, 8:05 ET
Boston: 27-11 ATS playing on back-to-back days
Oklahoma City: n/a
Atlanta at New Orleans, 8:05 ET
Atlanta: 0-4 ATS vs. New Orleans
New Orleans: 40-20 ATS vs. Eastern Conference
Chicago at Cleveland, 8:05 ET
Chicago: 11-31 ATS Away off Under
Cleveland: 17-6 Under after allowing 85 points or less
San Antonio at Minnesota, 8:05 ET
San Antonio: 39-19 Over Away off DD loss
Minnesota: 13-26 ATS at home off BB SU losses
Washington at Milwaukee, 8:05 ET
Washington: 22-41 ATS playing with 3+ days rest
Milwaukee: 29-14 Over vs. Washington
Portland at Utah, 9:05 ET
Portland: 24-10 Under off an Over
Utah: 12-2 ATS at home after playing as road favorite
Memphis at Sacramento, 10:05 ET
Memphis: 5-18 ATS off SU win
Sacramento: 14-4 Over off BB ATS losses
Denver at Golden State, 10:35 ET
Denver: 49-77 ATS off ATS win/SU loss
Golden State: 18-7 ATS after having lost 3 of their last 4 games
LA Clippers at LA Lakers, 10:35 ET
LA Clippers: 1-9 ATS revenging loss of 20+ points
LA Lakers: 14-3 ATS vs. division
7:00 PM DETROIT vs. TORONTO
Detroit is 17-7 SU in its last 24 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games
Toronto is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games when playing at home against Detroit
7:00 PM PHOENIX vs. INDIANA
Phoenix is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Indiana
Phoenix is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Indiana
Indiana is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Indiana is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
7:30 PM CHARLOTTE vs. NEW YORK
Charlotte is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games when playing New York
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Charlotte's last 7 games when playing New York
New York is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
New York is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
7:30 PM PHILADELPHIA vs. MIAMI
Philadelphia is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Miami
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Miami
Miami is 5-16 SU in its last 21 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Miami's last 7 games at home
8:00 PM ATLANTA vs. NEW ORLEANS
Atlanta is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing New Orleans
Atlanta is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing New Orleans
New Orleans is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games when playing at home against Atlanta
New Orleans is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Atlanta
8:00 PM BOSTON vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
Boston is 13-5-1 ATS in its last 19 games when playing Oklahoma City
Boston is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 7 games when playing at home against Boston
Oklahoma City is 5-13-1 ATS in its last 19 games when playing Boston
8:00 PM CHICAGO vs. CLEVELAND
Chicago is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Cleveland
Chicago is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Cleveland
Cleveland is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Chicago
Cleveland is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Chicago
8:00 PM SAN ANTONIO vs. MINNESOTA
San Antonio is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing San Antonio
Minnesota is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Antonio
8:00 PM WASHINGTON vs. MILWAUKEE
Washington is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games when playing Washington
9:00 PM PORTLAND vs. UTAH
Portland is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Portland is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Utah is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Portland
Utah is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Portland
10:00 PM MEMPHIS vs. SACRAMENTO
Memphis is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Sacramento
Memphis is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing Sacramento
Sacramento is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Sacramento is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
10:30 PM DENVER vs. GOLDEN STATE
Denver is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Denver's last 7 games on the road
Golden State is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Denver
Golden State is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Denver
10:30 PM LA CLIPPERS vs. LA LAKERS
LA Clippers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
LA Clippers are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
LA Lakers are 18-4 SU in their last 22 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
NBA RESEARCH REPORT
By Indiancowboy
I don't have time for long write-ups on all of these games as I usually do, so I'll get straight to the point:
Phoenix vs. Indiana
Line is going down here, I wouldn't be surprised to see the public get buried with the Pacers winning this game outright here. Lean on Pacers and over here - of course, this didn't stop the Suns from blowing out the Nets the other day.
Detroit vs. Toronto
This is a game that Toronto can win big and note that both teams are 3-0. Why in the world would you go against the heart of the Raptors at home or the experienced Pistons - no thanks.
Sixers vs. Heat
Sixers have been solid at home but hit the highway and the Heat have been solid at home but not on the highway. Thus, two positive surges coming here as this can go either way, I can see the Heat doing well at home or the better Sixers to do well on the road. There was a -2.5 jump in the opening line as well. I can also see this game going over as well.
Charlotte vs. New York
Watch out for this game: You have a Bobcat team off a home loss which was ugly to the Pistons and a Knicks team that also comes off a loss to the Bucks. No lean on the side, but a lean on the under here.
Washington vs. Milwaukee
Washington has yet to win a game so they might step up here, having said that, this could be an under waiting to happen as well as the Wizards will likely look for better defense after the Pistons game where they gave up an absorbent amount of points.
San Antonio vs. Minnesotta
Remember, the last time this line was placed with the Spurs being a 72% road favorite? They lost to the Blazers. Having said that, I have more faith in the Blazers than the Timberwolves at home here. The public clearly favors the under more as well. No thanks, this is a crapshoot of a game in my opinion.