Weekly Notes - East
By Chris David
1) Cleveland
Weekly Recap - Cleveland pushed its winning streak to eight games after posting a 4-0 record both straight up and against the spread last week. In the month of January, the Cavs went 12-3 and the three losses were by a combined six points. I know everybody has about 30-35 games left on the regular season docket, but it's hard to see anybody stopping this team in the Eastern Conference.
Weekly Outlook - Three more contests on tap this week for the Cavs and all three will be played at Quicken Loans Arena. Memphis visits Tuesday before Miami comes to town on Thursday for a TNT showdown. Then, the Cavs wrap up the week on Saturday when New York travels to Ohio.
2) Orlando
Weekly Recap - After starting the week with a tough road loss to Memphis (94-99), Stan Van Gundy's team closed the week with impressive home victories against Boston (96-94) and Atlanta (104-86). The Magic also notched a road win at Detroit (91-86) in a game played on zero days rest. Orlando closed January with a record of 9-7 SU and 6-9-1 ATS.
Weekly Outlook - Orlando has a good chance to extend its three-game winning streak this week with home battles versus Milwaukee on Tuesday and Washington on Friday. Then, they pay a visit to Boston on Super Bowl Sunday, which will feature a ton of cross-sport props with the NFL finale.
3) Atlanta
Weekly Recap - The Hawks finished off a week that was somewhat of a success but it could've been great. Atlanta captured a road victory at Houston (102-95) on Monday but fell at San Antonio (90-105) two days later. Then, Mike Woodson's team completed a regular season sweep (4-0 SU, 4-0 ATS) of Boston at home but lost at Orlando (86-104) the next night on the road.
Weekly Outlook - Atlanta has four games this week, split into a pair of back-to-back showdowns with one game on the road and one at home. The first set starts Tuesday at Oklahoma City and ends versus the Clippers. Then on Friday, a red-hot Chicago team heads South before the team goes to Washington D.C. the next night.
4) Boston
Weekly Recap - The Celtics still sit in first place of the Atlantic Division but fans in Beantown are starting to realize that the championship window has been shut. The team looks real old and it showed last week. After beating the Clippers (96-89), Boston lost to Orlando (94-96), Atlanta (91-100) and the L.A. Lakers (89-90). The team went 1-3 ATS and finished January with a 4-8 ATS ledger.
Weekly Outlook - Boston has another four games on tap this week, three coming at home. After heading to the Wizards Monday for a battle on zero days rest, the Celtics will host the Heat, Nets and Magic. Doc Rivers' team has more losses (8) at home this year than they did all of last season.
5) Toronto
Weekly Recap - The Raptors extended their winning streak to five games last week and all of the success is from the offense, which has scored 100 points or more in 13 straight games. Gamblers watched Toronto go 4-0 both SU and ATS last week and the 'over' went 3-1.
Weekly Outlook - Don't be surprised to see the Raptors stay hot, especially with their upcoming schedule. They wrap up a home-and-home with Indiana on Tuesday then host the Nets on zero days rest the next night. Three days of rest follow for Toronto before a home matinee on Sunday against Sacramento.
6) Charlotte
Weekly Recap - The Bobcats aren't a surprise anymore. After losing at Denver (93-104) last Monday, Charlotte ripped off three consecutive road wins and covers, which included a pair of victories on zero days rest. The total went 2-2.
Weekly Outlook - The six-game road trip will end this week with a stop in Portland on Monday and then a battle versus the L.A. Lakers from Staples Center on Wednesday. Charlotte will get two days off and then host New Orleans on Saturday, which could be a good fade spot. Teams playing in their first home game after a long road trip is always a good go-against.
7) Chicago
Weekly Recap - Do you remember when Chicago lost to Sacramento on Dec. 21 after blowing a 35-point lead midway through the third quarter? Neither do the Bulls. Since that setback, Chicago has gone 13-6 and vaulted itself into the playoff race. Last week, the team extended their road winning streak to five with impressive wins at San Antonio (98-93), Oklahoma City (96-86) and New Orleans (108-106).
Weekly Outlook - During their solid run, the Bulls were able to catch one day of rest between each contest. This week, it's a different story with four games slated over five days. The Clippers visit Tuesday and the Heat invade on the Windy City on Saturday. The two road games will be at Philadelphia on Wednesday and Atlanta on Friday.
8) Miami
Weekly Recap - The Heat continue to be a huge question mark for gamblers and you can see it just by looking at the four games they played last week. Miami had a legit shot to beat Cleveland on Monday but Dwyane Wade's costly turnover late in the game led to a 92-91 setback. After that home loss, the team went 1-2 both SU and ATS on a short three-game road stint and the lone win came against Detroit (92-65).
Weekly Outlook - Miami finishes up a home-and-home with Milwaukee on Monday and then its gut check time for head coach Erik Spoelstra and his troops. Starting Wednesday, the Heat will play at Boston and Cleveland in consecutive nights and then they travel to Chicago on Saturday. Even though the team sits in the eighth spot of the Eastern Conference standings, they do have a three-game cushion over Milwaukee. Of Miami's 13 games in February, nine will be on the road.
9) Milwaukee
Weekly Recap - Perfect lead into Scott Skiles' team, who continues to do more with less. Milwaukee went 2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS last week, with the two wins coming at the Bradley Center. The Bucks have won 75 percent (15 of 20) of their games at home this year and have been a pleasant surprise to gamblers. Gamblers should note that Skiles and company have covered seven straight and nine of the last 11.
Weekly Outlook - The Bucks have a tough week on tap and it starts Monday with two games in two nights from the Sunshine State, Miami before Orlando. Milwaukee will visit New York on Friday and then host Indiana on zero days rest on Saturday.
10) Washington
Weekly Recap - As expected, the Wizards fell to the L.A. Lakers (103-115) at home on Tuesday. They did manage to bounce back with a pair of wins against the Nets (81-79) and Knicks (106-96). The 'under' went 2-1.
Weekly Outlook - Washington has good news and bad news this week. The good is that it gets to face New York again on Wednesday. However, the bad will feature three games against the Celtics, Magic and Hawks. Boston and Atlanta will visit the nation's capital but the club will have to travel to Orlando.
11) New York
Weekly Recap - The Knicks started the week with a blowout win versus Minnesota (132-105) and ended with a lopsided loss to the Timberwolves (91-112). Sandwiched between those games was a pair of defeats to the Raptors (104-106) and Wizards (96-106). After finishing December strong and starting January with three straight wins, New York closed the month with a 3-9 record both SU and ATS.
Weekly Outlook - New York gets a couple days off before Washington visits Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. Milwaukee heads to the Big Apple on Friday and then the Knicks will have travel to Cleveland on Saturday for a game on zero days rest.
12) Philadelphia
Weekly Recap - The 76ers started the week with three consecutive losses, both SU and ATS. Fortunately, they closed with a win on Sunday against New Jersey (83-79) but failed to cover the number (-5.5) for gamblers. The 'under' cashed in all four games and is on a 10-1 run over the last 11.
Weekly Outlook - Philadelphia starts the week at home on Wednesday against a red-hot Chicago team. After this battle, the 76ers tip off a back-to-back road set on Friday against the Hornets and Rockets. Surprisingly, Philadelphia has been a pretty good bet (13-9-1 ATS) on the road this season.
13) Indiana
Weekly Recap - When Indiana shoots the ball well, it has a chance to win. Otherwise, it's got no shot. After the Pacers beat the 76ers (109-98) on Monday, Jim O'Brien's team lost three straight games by 22, 21 and 15. Indiana's last six losses have all come in double-digit fashion, which shows you that the team has been packing it in after they get down.
Weekly Outlook - Indiana has three games on tap this week, two at Conseco Fieldhouse. Toronto and Detroit visit before the team heads to Milwaukee on Saturday. Even though the Pacers like to play up-tempo, the 'under' has gone 26-20 on the season.
14) Detroit
Weekly Recap - The Pistons went 0-3 SU and 0-2-1 ATS last week, all of the losses coming at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The team finished the month 4-10 SU and 5-8-1 ATS. Over that span, Detroit busted the century mark once. Joe Dumars made some big moves in the offseason and neither of the key acquisitions in Charlie Villanueva or Ben Gordon has helped the team. Don't be surprised to see a fire sale in Motown soon.
Weekly Outlook - It's hard to predict how the Pistons play these days because the team has been so hot and cold. They face the Nets and Pacers on the road and then New Jersey again at home on Saturday. My advice is to pass on Detroit until they win a couple in a row, which could be asking a lot.
15) New Jersey
Weekly Recap - Dare we say the Nets have found the right answer? After winning their fourth game of the season last Wednesday at home against the Clippers (103-87), the club performed real well in close losses to the Wizards (79-81) and 76ers (79-83). New Jersey covered the number in all three games and the 'under' was a perfect 3-0. The 'under' is now on a 6-0 run.
Weekly Outlook - New Jersey is hoping that it can carry some of its momentum into this week. The Nets play four games in five nights and three are on the road. They do catch Detroit on two occasions, so you never know.
Weekly Notes - West
By Kevin Rogers
1 - Lakers
Weekly Rewind: The Purple and Gold continue to roll on its current eight-game road trip, winning four straight games to improve to 5-2 SU and 4-2-1 ATS. The Lakers weren't challenged to start the week, easily dispatching the Wizards, Pacers, and Sixers. Los Angeles played a back-and-forth affair in Boston, topped off by Kobe Bryant's late jumper to stun the Celtics, 90-89.
Weekly Outlook: The Lakers wrap up the trip in Memphis on Monday, taking on the Grizzlies. L.A. returns to Staples Center for a pair of games beginning Wednesday against Charlotte. Phil Jackson's squad has a huge showdown with the Nuggets on Friday, trying to avenge a 105-79 setback in Denver back in mid-November. The Champs play with no rest on Saturday at Portland, as the Lakers were bounced by the Blazers, 107-98 earlier this month.
2 - Nuggets
Weekly Rewind: Denver played the entire week without its leading scorer, Carmelo Anthony, who rested a sprained ankle. The Nuggets still found plenty of success, winning three of four games, including a pair in Texas over the Rockets and Spurs. Denver stumbled in Oklahoma City, suffering its second worst loss of the season, 101-84.
Weekly Outlook: There is no timetable on Anthony's return as the Nuggets play four times this week. Denver returns to the Pepsi Center to host Sacramento on Monday, followed by a Wednesday meeting with Phoenix. The Nuggets will have a tough 48 hours on the road, heading to L.A. to battle the Lakers on Friday, then traveling to Utah on Saturday.
3 - Mavericks
Weekly Rewind: Dallas is coming up dry in the covering department as evidenced by an 0-3 ATS week. Backing it up over the last three weeks, the Mavs are 2-9 ATS and 5-6 SU. Dallas held off Milwaukee, 108-107, but failed to cover for the 15th straight time as a home favorite. The Mavs fell apart late at Phoenix in a six-point setback, 112-106. The week ended on a bitter note as the Mavs were tripped up by the beat-up Blazers, 114-112 in OT.
Weekly Outlook: Rick Carlisle's team hits the road on Monday for an important contest in Salt Lake against the streaking Jazz. These two teams have split two meetings in Dallas, as the Mavs are 6-4 ATS as a road underdog this season. The Warriors invade the American Airlines Center on Wednesday, followed by a Friday home game against Minnesota.
4 - Jazz
Weekly Rewind: Following a slow start the first two weeks of the season, the Jazz have been playing some of the best basketball in the league. Utah has won nine of ten, while going 7-1-2 ATS in this span. It's obvious what kind of home-court advantage Jerry Sloan's team has, but the Jazz has knocked off teams like the Mavs, Spurs, and Blazers on the road during this hot streak. The victory at Portland was especially strong, as the Jazz opened the game on a 21-2 run.
Weekly Outlook: The Jazz continue an important homestand, hosting three upper-echelon conference foes. Dallas invades Utah on Monday, followed by a visit from Portland on Wednesday. The Jazz try to avoid the season-sweep against the Nuggets on Saturday, but Denver plays with no rest after taking on the Lakers on Friday. Utah owns a sterling 11-2 ATS mark this season against clubs on the second of a back-to-back, including an 8-0 ATS ledger at home.
5 - Spurs
Weekly Rewind: San Antonio wrapped up its longest homestand of the season with a disappointing 2-4 SU/ATS record. The Spurs fell to the Bulls and Nuggets, while knocking off the Hawks and Grizzlies, all as home favorites. San Antonio played without Tony Parker against Memphis and Denver, as the point guard is nursing a sprained ankle.
Weekly Outlook: The season's longest homestand is followed up by one of the most demanding road trips, the annual "Rodeo Trip." The Spurs are kicked out of their arena for 20 days, embarking on an eight-game stretch away from home. San Antonio hits the court Wednesday in Sacramento, followed by a Thursday meeting at Portland. The Spurs head to Los Angeles for the weekend, battling the Clippers on Saturday. San Antonio owns a 6-3 ATS record the last nine games on the road.
6 - Blazers
Weekly Rewind: Portland continues to play without top scorer Brandon Roy, who's out with a hamstring injury. The Blazers have turned into a fantastic 'over' play, flying 'over' the total in each of the last six games, all without Roy. Interestingly, the Blazers failed to cover both games at the Rose Garden (losses to the Hornets and Jazz), but took the cash at Houston (SU loss) and Dallas. The victory over the Mavs was highlighted by a career-high 52 points from Andre Miller.
Weekly Outlook: Portland returns home for seven of the next nine in the Pacific Northwest. The Blazers host the Bobcats on Monday, followed by a crucial division showdown with the Jazz in Salt Lake on Wednesday. Nate McMillan's club turns around with no rest to take on the Spurs at home on Thursday, then the Blazers entertain the Lakers on Saturday.
7 - Suns
Weekly Rewind: Phoenix began the week with a pair of tough losses to Utah and Charlotte, but concluded the week on a strong note with victories over Dallas and Houston. All four games finished 'over' the total, while the win against the Mavs ended a 2-9 ATS slide.
Weekly Outlook: The four-game road swing continues for Alvin Gentry's club, heading to New Orleans on Monday. Phoenix is 3-8 SU/ATS with no rest this season, so the team will be tested off the overtime victory in Houston. The Suns travel to Denver on Wednesday, followed by a matchup in Sacramento with the Kings on Friday.
8 - Hornets
Weekly Rewind: New Orleans finished up a four-game road trip with consecutive victories at Portland and Golden State, while going 3-1 SU/ATS. The Hornets returned home and suffered more than an overtime loss to the Bulls. Chris Paul tore cartilage in his right knee going for a loose ball, putting him out for nearly a month. New Orleans did buck up after the Chicago setback to end Memphis' 11-game home winning streak, 109-102 in overtime.
Weekly Outlook: The travel eases up for the Hornets, playing three home games to start the week. New Orleans hosts Phoenix on Monday and Oklahoma City on Wednesday, as both visitors will be playing with no rest. The Sixers invade the Big Easy on Friday, followed by a trip to Charlotte on Saturday.
9 - Thunder
Weekly Rewind: Oklahoma City won two of three games, punctuated by a blowout of Denver, 101-84. The Thunder slipped up against the Bulls as six-point favorites, while downing the Warriors, 112-104. OKC failed to cover against Golden State, but the Thunder owns an impressive 16-2 ATS mark off a non-cover.
Weekly Outlook: The Thunder concludes a four-game homestand with the Hawks on Tuesday, going for a season sweep of Atlanta. OKC hits the highway for the next three, including visits to New Orleans (Wednesday) and Golden State (Saturday).
10 - Grizzlies
Weekly Rewind: A busy week started great, but ended with a pair of seven-point losses. Memphis rallied past Orlando for a franchise-best 11th straight home victory, then picked up a solid road victory at Detroit as favorites. The Grizzlies stumbled in San Antonio, falling as five-point 'dogs. Memphis' low point of the week came with a 21-point meltdown in an overtime setback to New Orleans.
Weekly Outlook: Memphis will be tested out of the gate, hosting the Lakers on Monday. This is the final game on an eight-game trip for L.A., and could be a letdown following the last-minute victory over Boston on Sunday. The Grizzlies travel to Cleveland on Tuesday with no rest, as Memphis is 1-9 SU on the second of a back-to-back. Memphis will have another back-to-back situation starting Friday at home against Houston, followed by a Saturday visit to Minnesota.
11 - Rockets
Weekly Rewind: Houston is the ultimate 'fade' machine at this point, dropping five straight against the number. The Rockets lost consecutive home games to the Hawks and Nuggets before pulling out a four-point win over the Blazers. Houston's overtime loss to Phoenix on Sunday extended the Rockets' home ATS skid to eight.
Weekly Outlook: The Rockets take the court three times, hosting the Warriors on Tuesday. Houston makes a trip to Memphis on Friday, as the Rockets are 1-6 ATS the last seven as a road 'dog. Rick Adelman's squad returns home with no rest on Saturday to entertain the Sixers.
12 - Clippers
Weekly Rewind: Sooner or later, the luck was going to evaporate for Clippers' backers. L.A.'s 12-3 ATS run hit a brick wall in a very ugly way. To be fair, let's start with the good news, as the Clips covered as 11 ½-point 'dogs in Boston against the Celtics, 95-89. It was all downhill from there on this eight-game trip, with losses at New Jersey and Minnesota. The Clips then proceeded to allow 46 first-quarter points to the Cavs in a 114-89 setback on Sunday.
Weekly Outlook: The family truckster makes two more stops with a back-to-back set in Chicago and Atlanta beginning Tuesday. When the Clips return to Staples Center on Saturday, L.A. will welcome in San Antonio, who whipped Mike Dunleavy's team by 16 and 25 points already this season.
13 - Kings
Weekly Rewind: Maybe the return of leading scorer Kevin Martin wasn't the best thing to happen to the Kings, who are 1-8 SU and 2-7 ATS since his return on January 15. Sacramento's lone win in this stretch came over Golden State, but the Kings failed to cover as six-point favorites. The Kings managed to cash tickets at Utah as 8 ½-point 'dogs, but the Jazz were playing without its top two players. Sacramento concluded the week with a 103-96 home defeat to Charlotte, stretching it to a 1-9-1 ATS run at Arco Arena.
Weekly Outlook: Life doesn't get easier for Paul Westphal's club, traveling to Denver on Monday night to take on the hot Nuggets. The Kings return to Arco for a pair of games, starting Wednesday against San Antonio. The Suns invade California's capital on Friday night, as Phoenix is 2-0 this season against Sacramento.
14 - Warriors
Weekly Rewind: The losing streak continues for the Warriors, as Don Nelson's team has dropped five straight contests. However, Golden State has managed to cover three times in this stretch, including on the road at Sacramento and Oklahoma City. The Warriors, who had done such a great job as home 'dogs, came up short in double-digit losses to the Hornets and Bobcats.
Weekly Outlook: The three-game roadie shifts to the Lone Star State with a Tuesday contest at struggling Houston. The Warriors make the quick turnaround to Dallas on Wednesday, as Golden State is 7-1 ATS the last eight as a road 'dog. Golden State returns to Oracle Arena for three games starting Saturday against Oklahoma City.
15 - Timberwolves
Weekly Rewind: Minnesota completed one of its better weeks of the season, going 2-2 SU/ATS. Granted, the Wolves were blown out at New York and Cleveland, but they bounced back nicely with home victories over the Clippers and Knicks. Minnesota is now 12-4 ATS the last 16 games at the Target Center, including six straight covers.
Weekly Outlook: In an odd scheduling twist, the Wolves are off until Friday, traveling to Dallas to battle the Mavs. After that quick trip, Minnesota returns home to host Memphis, as both teams will be playing with no rest.