NBA Progress Report
By Marc Lawrence
Playbook.com
With the NBA nearing the midway point of its 66-game condensed schedule this campaign, let’s take a quick peak at what’s working and what isn’t in the league this season.
All results are against the spread (ATS) in games played through Feb. 14 unless noted otherwise.
Disparity Rules
One major result of the crammed schedule has been an abundance of blowout games.
Last year during the NBA regular season a total of 63 games were decided by 20 or more points. This season we’ve witnessed 72 games decided by 20 or more points – and we’re not even at the half-way point yet.
Furthermore, five teams last season failed to score 70 points in a contest. We’ve seen 13 teams fail to hit the 70-point plateau this season.
FYI: favorites of more than six points are 11-0 SU and 10-1 ATS in games after failing to score 80 points, while dogs of 12 or more points are 0-6 SU and ATS.
Trips To Win
One of the residual effects of the condensed schedule was forcing each team in the league to play one set of three games in three days.
Teams in this role have responded with aplomb thus far, going 11-9 Su and 12-8 ATS in the final leg of the marathon string.
Better yet, home teams in this role are 10-3 SU and ATS, including 6-0 SU and ATS in same conference clashes and 4-1 SU and ATS as dogs.
Twice Is Enough
Teams off back-to-back victories have had a difficult time rewarding their supporters as evidenced by a dismal 92-116-1 ATS overall mark this season.
Put them at home against an opponent off a loss and they dip to 18-41 ATS, and even worse 6-20 ATS when hosting a foe off back-to-back losses.
Plenty Of Zzz’s
It’s not often teams enjoy the luxury of three or more days of rest in this shortened season.
In fact, only 12 squads to date have been enjoyed the benefits of extended time off. These well-rest clubs have gone 8-4 ATS this season, including 6-1 ATS away and 3-0 ATS as underdogs.
Mad As Hell
NBA teams taking to the road after having been upset as a favorite in their previous game have been moneymakers, going 45-27 ATS this season.
Put them up against an opponent off back-to-back wins and they zoom to 19-5 ATS.
Make A Note
Keep an eye on these five teams to see where to go as the season wears on:
• Charlotte: 0-7 ATS with revenge versus a foe off a loss
• Denver: 7-0 ATS off win versus a foe off a loss
• Los Angeles Clippers: 6-0 ATS off a SU and ATS loss versus a foe off a loss
• Milwaukee: 0-6 ATS as a dog with no rest and with revenge
• Philadelphia: 6-0 ATS off a loss of less than 10 points