Weekly Notes - East
By Chris David
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
1. Lakers
Weekly Rewind: The Purple and Gold had a promising start to the week, dominating the Suns on Thursday, 121-102. L.A. slipped up in its final two games, falling by 26 as road underdogs at Denver on Friday, then was shocked by Houston at home on Sunday.
Weekly Outlook: The Lakers continue a five-game homestand on Tuesday when the Pistons invade Staples Center. Los Angeles hosts Chicago on Thursday and Oklahoma City on Saturday, and will no doubt be a double-digit favorite in all three games.
2. Suns
Weekly Rewind: Phoenix concluded its five-game road swing with a 4-1 record, topped off by a comeback win at Philadelphia on Monday. The Suns returned to the Valley and dumped the Hornets, 124-104, their fourth straight cover. Phoenix laid an egg in L.A. on Thursday, but rebounded with a one-point home victory on Sunday against the Raptors.
Weekly Outlook: The Suns have three games on the docket, including a pair on the road. Phoenix heads to Houston on Tuesday, followed by a rematch with the Hornets in New Orleans on Thursday. The Suns conclude the week at home against the Pistons, as Detroit wraps up a four-game roadie.
3. Mavericks
Weekly Rewind: Dallas finished off a successful 3-1 SU/ATS week with road wins at Minnesota and Detroit. The Mavs picked up a split inside the division to start the week with a home win over the Rockets, followed by a road loss at San Antonio.
Weekly Outlook: The Mavs end their four-game road trip in Milwaukee on Monday, before another showdown with San Antonio on Wednesday. Dallas plays its final game of the week on Friday at home against Sacramento, prior to a three day break.
4. Nuggets
Weekly Rewind: An interesting week for the Nuggets as Denver dodged a bullet in Chicago on Tuesday, holding off the Bulls, 90-89 on a disputed shot at the buzzer. The Nuggets then slipped up in Milwaukee on Wednesday as 3 ½-point road favorites, before drilling the Lakers on Friday.
Weekly Outlook: The Nuggets play seven of their next nine at the Pepsi Center, starting with the Raptors on Tuesday. One of the two road games in this stretch comes Friday at the Clippers, then the Nuggets take the court with no rest Saturday at home against Chicago.
5. Blazers
Weekly Rewind: Call the Blazers "road warriors," because this Portland team is taking care of its business away from the Rose Garden. The Blazers are 4-0 on their current five-game road trip, picking up victories at Memphis, Minnesota, New Orleans, and Charlotte, all as 'chalk.' Portland has been favored in all 11 games this season.
Weekly Outlook: The Blazers will be listed as an underdog for the first time this season in Atlanta on Monday, going for the 5-0 trip. Portland returns home Wednesday for just one game, hosting Chicago, before a battle at Oracle Arena against Golden State on Friday. The Blazers then get four straight at home, starting with the Timberwolves on Saturday.
6. Spurs
Weekly Rewind: San Antonio played two of its three games this past week without Tony Parker and Tim Duncan, as both were nursing injuries. The Spurs outgunned the Raptors on Monday, 131-124, then staved off the Mavs, 92-83 on Wednesday. San Antonio got Parker and Duncan back Saturday, but the Spurs stubbed their toe against the Thunder at home.
Weekly Outlook: The Spurs return from a three-day hiatus to take on the Mavs again, this time in Dallas on Wednesday. San Antonio turns around with no rest to host Utah, who drilled the Spurs in Salt Lake two weeks ago. The Spurs wrap up the week Saturday taking on the Wizards at the AT&T Center.
7. Rockets
Weekly Rewind: It's been a roller-coaster ride recently for the Rockets, who have alternated wins and losses in each of their last seven games. Houston lost at Dallas on Tuesday, then beat Memphis handily at home Wednesday. The Rockets split a California trip with a road favorite loss at Sacramento on Friday, followed up by an unlikely upset of the Lakers on Sunday.
Weekly Outlook: The Rockets have another full week on tap, hosting the Suns on Tuesday, before hitting the road again Wednesday at lowly Minnesota. Houston has another back-to-back Friday and Saturday, heading to Atlanta, then taking on Sacramento at the Toyota Center.
8. Thunder
Weekly Rewind: Look for the letdowns with this young Oklahoma City team this season. The Thunder dominated the Magic last Sunday, only to then lose as road 'chalk' at Sacramento on Tuesday. Oklahoma City bounced back Wednesday to down the Clippers as road 'dogs. The Thunder pulled off a nice upset of the Spurs in San Antonio on Saturday, before a disappointing home loss to the Clippers on Sunday.
Weekly Outlook: Oklahoma City will run through the Southeast Division this week, heading to the Sunshine State for a back-to-back Tuesday and Wednesday at Miami and Orlando. The Thunder returns home Friday to host the struggling Wizards before a trip to Los Angeles on Sunday to battle the Lakers.
9. Jazz
Weekly Rewind: Utah split a four-game Eastern swing, winning at New York and Philadelphia, while losing at Cleveland and Boston. The Jazz usually struggle as road 'dogs, but Utah did cash in the back-to-back spot against the Sixers and Cavs, while playing without point guard Deron Williams.
Weekly Outlook: Seven of the next eight are at home for the Jazz, starting with the Raptors on Wednesday. Utah makes a quick trip to San Antonio on Thursday, before a home contest Saturday against Detroit.
10. Kings
Weekly Rewind: Sacramento has been on fire recently, going 5-1 SU/ATS the last six games, including victories in the last four without top scorer Kevin Martin. The Kings played just two games this past week, beating the Thunder and Rockets at Arco Arena as home underdogs.
Weekly Outlook: Sacramento will be the first stop on the annual "Circus Trip" for Chicago, who invades Arco on Tuesday. The Kings then head to Texas for a pair of back-to-back games, taking on Dallas Friday, then Houston on Saturday.
11. Hornets
Weekly Rewind: It was a week to forget for the Hornets, as head coach Byron Scott was fired on Thursday following a 20-point loss at Phoenix. New Orleans returned home where the team lost point guard Chris Paul for two weeks with a sprained ankle in an ugly loss to the Blazers. The Hornets finished the week getting thumped in Atlanta on Saturday.
Weekly Outlook: New Orleans will try to sort things out back in the Big Easy with three home games. The Hornets battle the Clippers on Tuesday, before two difficult contests against Phoenix (Thursday) and Atlanta (Saturday).
12. Clippers
Weekly Rewind: The Clips have been a streaky team this season, beginning with four losses, then three straight wins, following up by three more defeats. Los Angeles got knocked out by New Orleans on Monday, before throwing away leads in home losses to Oklahoma City and Toronto. The Raptors meltdown was especially sad, as the Clippers squandered a 22-point second quarter lead and ended up losing by 15! The Clips ended the week on a positive note by beating the Thunder at the Ford Center on Sunday.
Weekly Outlook: The Clips continue their three-game road trip in New Orleans on Tuesday, then head to Memphis to battle the Grizzlies. L.A. comes back to Staples Center Friday to host the Nuggets.
13. Warriors
Weekly Rewind: Golden State split its four games, but actually picked up three ATS wins, including two as underdogs. The Warriors bombarded the T'Wolves on Monday, 146-105, then dropped two of three out east, but did manage to beat the woeful Knicks on Friday.
Weekly Outlook: Stephen Jackson is now out of the Bay Area, as the Warriors dealt the embattled guard to Charlotte in a four-player deal Monday. Golden State has its work cut out for them this week, going to Cleveland and Boston on a back-to-back beginning Tuesday. The Warriors return to Oracle on Friday to entertain the Blazers before three days off.
14. Grizzlies
Weekly Rewind: The Grizzlies' scoring barrage took an expected turn downward, as Memphis put up consecutive 79-point efforts in losses to the Blazers and Rockets. Memphis did bounce back (sort of) with a ten-point home victory over team #15 on this list, Minnesota. The T'Wolves win did improve the Grizzlies to 1-0 ATS as a favorite this season.
Weekly Outlook: The Grizzlies return from a three-day hiatus to host the Clippers on Wednesday, before a brief trip to the Northeast against Philadelphia on Friday. Memphis comes back home Saturday to take on Milwaukee, as both teams will play with no rest.
15. Timberwolves
Weekly Rewind: Ten and counting for the T'Wolves, who dropped their tenth straight game on Saturday at Memphis. What makes things even worse for Minnesota, they can't cover to save themselves, going 0-6 ATS the last six. It didn't help matters that star center Al Jefferson missed a pair of games dealing with personal matters.
Weekly Outlook: The T'Wolves only play twice this week, hitting the court again Wednesday at home against Houston, before going back to Portland on Saturday to play the Blazers for the third time this month.