Weekly Notes - East
By Chris David
Weekly Notes - Western Conference
1 – Boston
Weekly Rewind: The Celtics went 3-1 straight up last week, but were just 1-3 against the spread. The lone loss came to Phoenix (103-110) on Friday. Boston’s defense (84.4 PPG) remains the best in the league.
Weekly Outlook: Doc Rivers’ troops only play three games this week and two are at home against talented clubs in Utah and Atlanta. The lone road contest is against Indiana and it’s a back-to-back scenario.
2 – Orlando
Weekly Rewind: After opening the season with three straight wins and covers, the Magic went 2-2 SU and 1-3 ATS last week. The pair of losses came on the road to Detroit (80-85) and Oklahoma City (74-102), while the victories were at home.
Weekly Outlook: Will the Magic lose again as a road favorite when they meet Charlotte on Tuesday? After that battle, Orlando hosts Cleveland in a back-to-back spot before welcoming New Jersey on Saturday. Gamblers should make a note that Stan Van Gundy’s team is 3-0 to the ‘over’ at home.
3 – Cleveland
Weekly Rewind: The Cavaliers went 2-1 both SU and ATS last week, with the setback coming at home to Chicago (85-85). Cleveland has two losses at home this year, the same amount as last year. All three games went ‘under’ last week, improving the season mark to 6-1.
Weekly Outlook: Cleveland starts the week with a trip to the Sunshine State. The Cavs catch the Magic on Tuesday and then Heat on Wednesday. After that pair, the team heads home on Saturday for a battle versus Utah, who will be finishing up a long East Coast trip.
4 – Atlanta
Weekly Rewind: The Hawks looked sharp last week, posting a 3-1 record both SU and ATS. The impressive wins were at Portland (97-91) and home against Denver (125-100), both considered Western Conference contenders. The one black eye for Mike Woodson’s team was a 20-point (83-103) loss at Charlotte.
Weekly Outlook: A road test at Boston on Friday could have the Hawks looking ahead. Before that showdown, the club meets the Knicks at MSG on Wednesday. Atlanta wraps up the week at home on Saturday versus New Orleans. The Hawks own a league-best 6-1 ATS mark.
5 – Miami
Weekly Rewind – The Heat have been winning with defense this year and that was the case against last week. Miami went 2-1 both SU and ATS and held its opponents under 100 in both wins but gave up 104 to Phoenix, which was their only loss of the year. The Heat have seen the ‘under’ go 5-1 on the season.
Weekly Outlook – Miami plays all three of its games at home this week, starting with Washington and ending with New Jersey, two teams that have begun the season 2-12 combined. Sandwiched in between the dreadful pair is Cleveland on Wednesday.
6 - Chicago
Weekly Rewind – The Bulls continue to be a tough team to gauge, especially for gamblers. For example, they went 3-0 last week but 1-2 ATS. On the year, they are 4-2 but the four victories came by a combined 11 points, which has produced a 2-4 ATS run. The Bulls’ offense is the only team in the league not to best the century mark in any of their games so far. The ‘under’ is 4-2.
Weekly Outlook – Chicago better hope it can make some shots this week, considering they meet two of the highest scoring teams, Denver (109.3 PPG) and Toronto (107 PPG) in a back-to-back spot no less. The Bulls might get extra amped on Saturday versus Philadelphia, considering they do their annual circus road trip (6 games) right after this matchup.
7 - Toronto
Weekly Rewind – The Raptors looked good in double-digit wins over Detroit (110-99) and New Orleans (107-90), but was romped in a back-to-back spot at Dallas (101-127). Toronto is only one of two teams (Phoenix) to post 100-plus in every game this season.
Weekly Outlook – Toronto catches San Antonio on the road without Tony Parker on Monday before a home battle against Chicago on Wednesday. After that clash the Raptors will find out how good they are with a four-game road trip on tap, starting in Los Angeles on Friday.
8 - Philadelphia
Weekly Rewind – The 76ers burned gamblers last week with a 0-3 ATS (1-2 SU) record. The offense scored 84 PPG during this span, which helped the ‘under’ go 3-0. Gamblers should note that Philadelphia is 0-3 ATS this year as an underdog.
Weekly Outlook – Philadelphia catches Phoenix in a back-to-back spot on Monday but the 76ers will be playing their third game in four nights. Eddie Jordan better hopes his team is conditioned, since they’ll be playing four games in six days this week, with trips to the Nets on Wednesday and Bulls on Saturday.
9 - Milwaukee
Weekly Rewind – The Bucks don’t have the most talent in the league but head coach Scott Skiles knows how to get the most out of his club. Last week, Milwaukee went 2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS, plus the one loss came by two points (81-83) to the Bulls. Defense is the name of the game under Skiles and his club is giving up 85.2 PPG, plus they are the only team not to surrender 100-plus in all five games. We mention this because the ‘under’ is 5-0.
Weekly Outlook – The schedule makers have been kind to Milwaukee this week. They only have two games, which are both at home and they’ll be facing teams with no rest in each spot. Denver visits first on Wednesday before Golden State heads to Milwaukee on Saturday.
10 - Detroit
Weekly Rewind – Detroit played four games last week and wound up going 2-2 SU and 3-1 ATS. The defense gave up 80.5 PPG in the victories but 110 in the losses. The total went 2-2.
Weekly Outlook – This week, the Pistons get three games and two are at The Palace. The club is banged up with injuries (Prince, Hamilton), which has hurt the team both offensively and defensively. All three of their games at home this year have gone ‘under’ the number.
11 - Indiana
Weekly Rewind – After getting blasted by Denver (111-93) last Tuesday and falling to 0-3, the Pacers rebounded with a pair of wins both SU and ATS albeit against New York (101-89) and Washington (102-86). The ‘under’ run for Indiana continued as all three fell below the closing numbers.
Weekly Outlook – The Pacers only have two games this week and both are at home. The club could be rusty against Golden State on Wednesday, since they’ve been off five days. After this battle, they catch Boston in the second end of a back-to-back spot on Saturday.
12 - Washington
Weekly Rewind – Flip Saunders’ start in Washington hasn’t been great by any means and last week’s 0-4 both SU and ATS run was embarrassing. Three of the four were by double digits, plus the offense couldn’t score more than 90 in any of the contests. The ‘under’ cashed in all four and is now 6-1 on the year.
Weekly Outlook – Fortunately for Washington, the only good news is that they only have two games this week. The Wizards might be able to catch Miami on Tuesday in South Beach, since the Heat have Cleveland the next night. After this battle, the Wizards get Detroit at home on Saturday where they’ll be favored.
13 - Charlotte
Weekly Rewind – Charlotte doesn’t get much attention and Larry Brown’s style doesn’t produce a lot of highlights but the Bobcats are 3-3 SU and more importantly 5-1 ATS. The club went 2-1 SU and covered all three of their games last week, plus the loss was by three points (90-93) to Chicago. What Brown does stress is defense, evidenced by the team’s 87.6 PPG average.
Weekly Outlook – Three games on the docket for this week and two come at home, where the Bobcats have went 3-0. Keep in mind that the wins were against the Knicks, Nets and Hawks. Atlanta is a legit club but contests this week against Orlando and Portland should be tougher. Between the pair at home is a back-to-back spot at Detroit on Wednesday.
14 – New York
Weekly Rewind – The Knicks completed the trifecta last week by losing all three of their games both SU and ATS. Mike D’Antoni and his attack were only able to average 89 PPG during this span, which helped the ‘under’ cash in all three.
Weekly Outlook – Three games at MSG this week for New York and they might have a shot to turn the tide. Utah visits on Monday before Atlanta on Wednesday and then Golden State on Friday. Total players should note that N.Y. has given up 100 or more in all four games at home this year.
15 – New Jersey
Weekly Rewind – Lawrence Frank’s team remained winless after going 0-3 last week. On the bright side, the team did go 2-1 ATS and were actually competitive in losses to the 76ers (94-97) and Celtics (76-86).
Weekly Outlook – New Jersey might have a shot to gain its first win this season when it hosts Philadelphia on Wednesday, but back-to-back games starting on Friday at Orlando and Miami don’t appear to be winnable.
Weekly Notes - West
By Kevin Rogers
Weekly Notes - Eastern Conference
1. Lakers
Weekly Rewind: The Champs grabbed a pair of overtime victories at Oklahoma City and Houston, then picked up two convincing home wins over the Grizzlies and Hornets. It took L.A. six games to finally cash a ticket, but the Lakers have covered two straight.
Weekly Outlook: The Lakers will be tested this week, as L.A. hits the court again Thursday against Phoenix. The Lakers turn around and head to Denver on Friday, before opening up a five-game homestand that starts with Houston on Sunday.
2. Suns
Weekly Rewind: The Suns wrap up a five-game road trip, as Phoenix is 3-1 SU/ATS so far, with the final game in Philadelphia tonight. The Suns' lone loss came at Orlando with no rest, but Phoenix picked up a pair of solid victories as road underdogs at Miami and Boston.
Weekly Outlook: Phoenix returns home Wednesday to host a struggling New Orleans squad, then has a primetime showdown with the Lakers at Staples Center on Thursday. That contest will be the fourth game in five nights for Alvin Gentry's team, prior to a Sunday home game against Toronto.
3. Nuggets
Weekly Rewind: Denver's East Coast swing started off promising, with victories at Indiana and New Jersey, but the Nuggets were tripped up at Miami and Atlanta. The 25-point loss to the Hawks was Denver's fourth game in five nights, as the Nuggets' defense allowed a season-high 125 points.
Weekly Outlook: The Nuggets have two games remaining on their five-game road trip, playing a back-to-back in Chicago and Milwaukee beginning Tuesday. Denver comes home Friday to host the Lakers, who will be playing with no rest after hosting the Suns on Thursday in Los Angeles.
4. Mavericks
Weekly Rewind: Dallas has started 4-2 SU/ATS out of the gate, while winning two of three games this past week. The Mavs overcame a 16-point deficit in the final quarter to shock the Jazz on Tuesday, while managing to cover a 6 ½ point line. Dallas fell in overtime at New Orleans the next night, but should have closed the game out in regulation if it wasn't for missed free throws. The Mavs rebounded nicely by beating down the Raptors at home on Saturday.
Weekly Outlook: The Mavs will be tested on a back-to-back against division opponents this week. Dallas hosts Houston on Tuesday, then heads to San Antonio on Wednesday, while catching the Spurs in a spot with no rest. The Mavs' road trip takes them to Minnesota on Friday and Detroit on Sunday.
5. Rockets
Weekly Rewind: Houston has turned into pointspread gold early on, covering five straight games, including two as underdogs against the Lakers and Jazz. The Rockets picked up their first win and cover as a favorite on Friday over the Thunder.
Weekly Outlook: The Rockets will be tested four times this week, while likely to be favored twice. Houston heads to Dallas on Tuesday, then returns home to battle Memphis on Wednesday. The Rockets head west for a two-game California swing, taking on the Kings Friday and the Lakers on Sunday.
6. Blazers
Weekly Rewind: Portland has felt the home-cooking so far this season, already playing five of seven games at the Rose Garden. The Blazers took two of three at home this past week, falling to the Hawks, while beating the Spurs and Timberwolves.
Weekly Outlook: Portland hits the road for five games, including a four-in-five night stretch. The Blazers will be favored at Memphis and Minnesota in back-to-back games Tuesday and Wednesday. Portland travels to New Orleans Friday, then to Charlotte on Saturday night.
7. Spurs
Weekly Rewind: San Antonio played just two games, but the Spurs came up short in both road contests at Utah and Portland. To make matters worse, the Spurs will be without point guard Tony Parker for a week with a sprained ankle.
Weekly Outlook: The Spurs are 2-0 SU/ATS at home and 0-3 SU/ATS on the road. San Antonio gets three games at the AT&T Center this week, hosting the Raptors, Mavericks, and Thunder.
8. Jazz
Weekly Rewind: Utah has stumbled out of the gate to a 2-4 record, but the Jazz have blown a pair of 15+ point leads in losses to the Kings and Mavs. Utah did knock off San Antonio as a home 'dog on Thursday, but the Jazz are just 2-2 at home.
Weekly Outlook: The Jazz head to the East Coast for a four-game trip that includes games at Boston and Cleveland. Utah takes on New York tonight at the Garden, while playing only one back-to-back (Friday at Philadelphia, Saturday at Cleveland).
9. Thunder
Weekly Rewind: Oklahoma City ran a tough gauntlet this week, falling to the Lakers in overtime before a road loss at Houston. The Thunder ended the week on a good note by blasting the Magic by 28, improving to 3-1 ATS at the Ford Center.
Weekly Outlook: The Thunder hits the highway for three games beginning Tuesday in Sacramento. Oklahoma City then travels south to Los Angeles to battle the Clippers prior to a Saturday contest in San Antonio. The Thunder entertain the Clips again at the Ford Center on Sunday.
10. Hornets
Weekly Rewind: New Orleans has turned into an early-season disappointment, dropping five of its first seven games. The Hornets slipped up in New York, handing the Knicks their only win of the season. New Orleans did bounce back with an OT victory over Dallas, prior to a pair of double-digit losses to the Raptors and Lakers.
Weekly Outlook: The Hornets complete their L.A. swing tonight against the Clippers, prior to a tough stretch at Phoenix, hosting Portland, and at Atlanta in a four-day span beginning Wednesday.
11. Clippers
Weekly Rewind: The Clips actually had a solid week, winning all three games. Granted, the competition wasn't stellar (T'Wolves, Warriors, and Grizzlies), but L.A. is now 3-4 SU/ATS.
Weekly Outlook: Things don't look too grim for the Clippers, as L.A. battles Oklahoma City twice (Wednesday and Sunday), while hosting New Orleans tonight, and Toronto on Friday.
12. Kings
Weekly Rewind: Sacramento had a great week on the court despite losing top scorer Kevin Martin for six to eight weeks with a sprained wrist. The Kings won two of three home games, knocking off the Grizzlies and Warriors, while upsetting the Jazz in Salt Lake on Saturday.
Weekly Outlook: Sacramento stays at Arco this week, hosting Oklahoma City on Tuesday and Houston and Friday. In fact, the Kings don't see the road again until November 20 at Dallas.
13. Grizzlies
Weekly Rewind: Memphis wrapped up a winless five-game trip out west with a pair of Los Angeles losses to the Lakers and Clippers. The Grizzlies did cash with an underdog cover against the Clips, but Memphis has proven to be a solid 'over' team so far, hitting five of seven 'overs.'
Weekly Outlook: The Grizzlies return home (likely without Allen Iverson) to host the Blazers on Tuesday. Memphis goes back on the road Wednesday at Houston, prior to hosting Minnesota at the FedEx Forum Saturday night.
14. Warriors
Weekly Rewind: Golden State's defense has lived up to its usual billing this season, but the Warriors' offense has scored 107 points or less in four of five games. What makes matters worse, the Warriors went 1-2 this week against some of the bottom-feeders in the West, falling to the Clippers and Kings, while beating the Grizzlies.
Weekly Outlook: The Warriors play one game at Oracle Arena tonight against the T'Wolves before a five-game road trip that starts Wednesday. Golden State heads to Indiana, New York, and Milwaukee for a three-in-four nights stretch, while each of its opponents will be playing with rest.
15. Timberwolves
Weekly Rewind: Minnesota has been involved in three games decided by three points or less this season, but the T'Wolves have only one win to show for it. Minnesota competed in a pair of close losses to the Clippers and Celtics before putting up two stinkers against the Bucks and Blazers.
Weekly Outlook: Minnesota has four games on the slate this week, heading to Golden State tonight, prior to a pair of home contests against Dallas and Portland. The T'Wolves wrap up the week on Saturday at Memphis, as the Grizzlies will be playing with two days off.