Weekly Notes - East
By Chris David
1) Atlanta Hawks
Weekly Rewind - The Hawks notched another winning week (3-1 straight up, 2-2 against the spread) but a letdown loss to the Hornets (88-96) still makes you wonder if the team is legit. We believe so and close victories against the Trail Blazers (99-95) and the Rockets (105-103) make Atlanta the team to beat in the East.
Weekly Outlook - A matchup against Orlando on Thanksgiving will be a great measuring stick for both teams. The Hawks could face another letdown at Philadelphia on Friday. Atlanta closes the week on Sunday at Detroit. Mike Woodson's team has gone 3-1 both SU and ATS with no rest this year.
2) Orlando Magic
Weekly Rewind - Stan Van Gundy is starting to push the right buttons in the Magic Kingdom. The Magic posted a perfect 4-0 record (3-1 ATS) last week and two of the victories were on the road versus Boston (83-78) and Toronto (104-96).
Weekly Outlook - Orlando catches Miami at home on Wednesday but faces a back-to-back matchup at Atlanta on Thanksgiving. After the two games against divisional rivals, the Magic face another back-to-back spot at the Bucks and Knicks over the weekend. Van Gundy's team is 4-2 both SU and ATS on the road this year.
3) Cleveland Cavaliers
Weekly Rewind - Cleveland had a busy schedule last week as it played a pair of back-to-back games. The Cavaliers finished the week with a 3-1 mark, but they burnt gamblers with a 1-3 ATS ledger. The defense (100.5 PPG) was a little shaky, which helped the 'over' go 3-1.
Weekly Outlook - The Cavs will be rested heading into Wednesday's battle at Detroit, since their last outing was on Saturday. After this game, they head to Charlotte on Friday before hosting Dallas on Saturday. Total players should make a note that the 'over' has gone 4-1 with Shaq not suiting up.
4) Boston Celtics
Weekly Rewind - The Celtics lead the Atlantic Division with a 10-4 mark but their 5-9 ATS ledger is nothing to brag about. What's more surprising is that three of the four setbacks have come at home, including last week's setback to Orlando (78-83). Victories against Golden State (109-95) and New York (107-105) were expected but nothing special.
Weekly Outlook - Two divisional home games versus the 76ers and Raptors start the week around the week. After this pair, the team begins its first road trip on Sunday at Miami. Doc Rivers' squad has gone 5-1 on the road this year.
5) Milwaukee Bucks
Weekly Rewind - All the talk out of Wisconsin these days is about rookie sensation Brandon Jennings. The point guard helped the team go 3-1 both SU and ATS last week, and the lone loss came in overtime to Dallas (113-115). The 'over' went 3-1.
Weekly Outlook - Head coach Scott Skiles and his troops continue their Southwest Division road trip on Monday against San Antonio. Then, they meet the Hornets and Thunder before a home battle on Saturday versus Orlando. The Bucks have gone 2-2, but the two wins came against the Timberwolves (87-72) and Grizzlies (103-98).
6) Miami Heat
Weekly Rewind - After starting the season 6-1, the Heat have gone 2-4. Miami snapped a three-game skid on Sunday by barely getting past New Orleans (102-101). The Heat are mired in a 0-6 ATS run and the defense (102.8 PPG) has allowed triple digits in five of the six during this span, which has helped the 'over' go 5-1.
Weekly Outlook - We'll find out how good Miami is this week when it faces Orlando on the road this Wednesday before a quick two-game homestand against the Wizards and Celtics.
7) Toronto Raptors
Weekly Rewind - The Raptors sit at 6-8 on the season and the defense (107.9 PPG) continues to kill the club. Toronto has only held five opponents under 100 this year and the team is 5-0 both SU and ATS in those games. In the other games, the Raptors have gone 1-8 SU and 2-7 ATS.
Weekly Outlook - Toronto has four games this week and the defense will be tested in three against the Pacers, Celtics and Suns. The Raptors have a back-to-back set against Indiana and Charlotte starting Tuesday before a road tilt at Boston on Friday. They close the week with an afternoon matinee versus Phoenix on Sunday.
8) Chicago Bulls
Weekly Rewind - The Bulls opened their annual "Circus Trip" with a road win over Sacramento (101-87) but they were brought back to reality with back-to-back losses to the Lakers (93-108) and Nuggets (93-112). Chicago's offense has only score over 100 once this year. The 'under' stands at 9-3 through the first 12 games.
Weekly Outlook - Chicago continues its road trip this week with only two games. On Monday they face Portland at the Rose Garden before heading to Salt Lake City on Thursday for a holiday showdown against the Jazz.
9) Indiana Pacers
Weekly Rewind - Indiana has been a very streaky team this year. The club opened with three straight losses but rallied for five straight wins. Unfortunately, the Pacers have dropped three in a row and two were against the Knicks (103-110) and Bobcats (88-104). The defense gave up 110, 105 and 104 in the setbacks.
Weekly Outlook - Indiana starts the week with a possible shootout at Toronto on Tuesday before home games versus the Clippers and Mavericks later in the week. The Pacers have gone 3-4 SU and 2-5 ATS at home this year.
10) Detroit Pistons
Weekly Rewind - Detroit faced a brutal four-game road trip last week out West and the team went 0-4 SU and 2-2 ATS. The offense averaged 92 PPG during the run and the defense gave up 102.5 PPG. The total went 2-2.
Weekly Outlook - Fortunately for the Pistons, they play all three games at home this week and they'll have rest for each battle. Conference battles versus the Cavs and Hawks will be a nice barometer, while the other tilt could be winnable versus the Clippers.
11) Philadelphia 76ers
Weekly Rewind - The Eddie Jordan era in Philadelphia hasn't started out well and the writing could be on the wall soon. The bottom line is that the 76ers can't score consistently. Philadelphia went 1-2 both SU and ATS last week and the lone win came against Charlotte (86-84).
Weekly Outlook - Philadelphia opens the week with a back-to-back set on Tuesday with the Wizards and ending in Boston on Wednesday. The team will be off for the holiday before meeting Atlanta on Friday. Then, the club begins a four-game road swing on Sunday at San Antonio.
12) Washington Wizards
Weekly Rewind - The return of Antawn Jamison helped the Wizards knock off the Cavs (108-91) last Wednesday. Unfortunately, the big win was quickly negated with back-to-back blowout road losses to the Thunder (108-127) and Spurs (84-106).
Weekly Outlook - Washington has a chance to gain some momentum this week with home battles versus the 76ers and Bobcats and another road trip to Miami. The Heat have already beaten them twice this year. The Wizards 3-9 ATS record is tied for worst in the league.
13) Charlotte Bobcats
Weekly Rewind - The addition of Stephen Jackson finally paid dividends as the Bobcats snapped a seven-game losing skid on Sunday. Charlotte finished 1-3 SU, but 3-1 ATS on the week and the 'over' went 3-1, which shows you that the offense is finally starting to make shots.
Weekly Outlook - Charlotte only has three games this week but it will have to play them over a four-day span. Home games against Toronto and Cleveland could be upsets and a road tilt at Washington isn't scary this season.
14) New York Knicks
Weekly Rewind - New York posted a 2-1 record last week and helped gamblers with a perfect 3-0 ATS mark. The two wins were at home and the loss (105-107) came against Boston at MSG, on a buzzer beater too.
Weekly Outlook - The Knicks will play three games in four days this week, and all three will be versus the Western Conference (Lakers, Kings, Nuggets). After the brief road trip, they host Orlando on Sunday.
15) New Jersey Nets
Weekly Rewind - The losses keep piling up for the Nets as the club watched their record fall to 0-13. The team wasn't as competitive last week, going 0-3 against the spread. The offense (84.9 PPG) is ranked last in the league and total players have watched the 'under' go 11-2 on the year.
Weekly Outlook - It's hard to imagine New Jersey earning its first win of the season this week, since it begins a four-game West Coast trip on Tuesday. Battles versus the Nuggets, Trail Blazers and Lakers should be losses but at Sacramento (Friday) could be a winner.
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Weekly Notes - West
By Kevin Rogers
1. Lakers
Weekly Rewind: Following a bad home loss to the Rockets last Sunday, the Lakers bounced back with three consecutive victories at Staples Center. Los Angeles picked up three wins of 15 points or more in covers against Detroit, Chicago, and Oklahoma City.
Weekly Outlook: The Lakers have certainly benefited from very little travel, as L.A. is in the midst of playing 14 of 16 games at home. The Purple and Gold host the Knicks on Tuesday, prior to a trip to Northern California to battle the Warriors on Saturday. L.A. returns to Staples on Sunday to entertain the winless Nets.
2. Suns
Weekly Rewind: The Suns took two of three games, splitting a trip at Houston and New Orleans, before beating Detroit at home on Sunday. Phoenix has been favored by at least 7 ½ points four times this season, but the Suns have covered just once, coming as ten-point 'chalk' against the Pistons.
Weekly Outlook: Phoenix wraps up a mini two-game homestand with Memphis on Wednesday, prior to a four-game road trip. The Suns head to Minnesota on Friday, before a Sunday afternoon game in Toronto.
3. Mavericks
Weekly Rewind: The Mavs have quietly won five straight, including all three this past week. Dallas beat Milwaukee at the buzzer on Monday, followed by an overtime victory against San Antonio on Wednesday. The Mavs wrapped up a perfect week with a two-point triumph over the Kings, but Dallas didn't cover, snapping a four-game ATS win streak.
Weekly Outlook: The Mavs have a busy week, playing four games in five nights. Dallas hosts Golden State on Tuesday, as both teams take the court with three days of rest. The Mavs head to Houston on Wednesday, prior to another back-to-back Friday and Saturday. Dallas travels to Indiana before going to Cleveland to wrap up the week.
4. Nuggets
Weekly Rewind: The Nuggets took care of their home court with wins over the Raptors and Bulls, scoring over 112 points in each game. Denver's lone slip-up came Friday night in Los Angeles, losing to the Clippers as nine-point road favorites. The Nuggets are 0-5 ATS the last five away from the Pepsi Center.
Weekly Outlook: Denver is getting Christmas early this year, as the Nuggets face three teams this week they should pound. George Karl's club hosts the 0-13 Nets on Tuesday, then the Nuggets travel to Minnesota with no rest on Wednesday. The Nuggets take on the Knicks at the Pepsi Center on Friday, before a home rematch with the T'wolves on Sunday.
5. Blazers
Weekly Rewind: The Blazers have benefited from a friendly schedule through the first month, going 10-5 SU and 9-6 ATS. Portland took a step back this week going 2-2 SU and 1-3 ATS, with the lone pointspread cover coming in a blowout against Minnesota. The Blazers did drop a pair of road contests at Atlanta (in overtime) and at Golden State, the 11th straight loss for Portland at Oracle Arena.
Weekly Outlook: Portland plays four games this week, including three at the Rose Garden. The Blazers host the Bulls on Monday, the fourth game on Chicago's "Circus" road trip. Portland will lay double-digits in each of its next two home contests, New Jersey on Wednesday and Memphis on Friday. The Blazers then play with no rest on Saturday in Utah against the Jazz.
6. Rockets
Weekly Rewind: The Rockets concluded the week splitting four games, beating the T'wolves and Kings, while falling to the Hawks and Suns. Since covering five straight games from October 28 to November 6, the Rockets have cashed tickets in consecutive contests only once in the last eight games.
Weekly Outlook: Houston will have its hands full against its Texas brethren, hosting Dallas and San Antonio. The Rockets get the Mavs with no rest on Wednesday, as Dallas hosts Golden State on Tuesday. The Spurs invade the Toyota Center on Friday, prior to a trip to Oklahoma City on Sunday.
7. Jazz
Weekly Rewind: Utah has slowly sneaked back above .500 following a solid week. The Jazz won all three games, including a road victory with no rest at San Antonio on Thursday. Utah did this without center Mehmet Okur, who sat out this week due to flu-like symptoms.
Weekly Outlook: The Jazz will stay at home for the next five games, following the overtime victory over the Pistons on Saturday. Utah hosts Oklahoma City, Chicago, and Portland this week, while catching the Blazers with no rest on Saturday.
8. Spurs
Weekly Rewind: From November 9 until December 11, the Spurs leave the state of Texas only once. San Antonio lost one of the three road games in this stretch on Wednesday at Dallas in overtime. The Spurs returned home without Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili to lose to Utah, but San Antonio rebounded with a blowout win over Washington on Saturday.
Weekly Outlook: The Spurs get an unexpected test on Monday from the surprising Bucks, as Milwaukee has started 8-3 out of the gate. San Antonio hosts Golden State Wednesday (Warriors playing with no rest), prior to a short trip to Houston on Friday. The Spurs conclude the week Sunday at home against the Sixers.
9. Thunder
Weekly Rewind: The Thunder held its own this week, going 2-2 SU/ATS, while picking up victories over the Heat and Wizards. Oklahoma City did not cover in a pair of games in which the Thunder were listed as double-digit road 'dogs (at Magic and Lakers).
Weekly Outlook: Oklahoma City heads to Utah on Tuesday prior to a five-game homestand at the Ford Center. The Thunder hosts the hot Bucks on Friday, then take on the Rockets Sunday.
10. Hornets
Weekly Rewind: You would think without Chris Paul, New Orleans would completely sink. That's not exactly the case, as the Hornets covered all four games this week, while going 3-1 SU. New Orleans picked up a pair of quality home victories over the Suns and Hawks, before a one-point loss at Miami.
Weekly Outlook: New Orleans will be able to enjoy its Thanksgiving holiday, playing just twice this week. The Hornets host the Bucks on Wednesday, before three days off and a trip to Sacramento on Sunday.
11. Kings
Weekly Rewind: Following a nice four-game winning streak, Sacramento crashed back down to Earth with an 0-3 week. The Kings did cover a pair of contests as double-digit road 'dogs at Dallas and Houston, while going 'over' in each game.
Weekly Outlook: The Kings wrap up a three-game trip in Memphis on Monday, prior to four straight games at Arco Arena. Sacramento hosts New York, New Jersey, and New Orleans beginning Wednesday, with one day off in between each game.
12. Clippers
Weekly Rewind: Los Angeles has stumbled from both a SU and ATS standpoint as of late, going 2-5 SU/ATS since a three-game winning streak earlier this month. The Clips picked up a pair of outright underdog victories over Oklahoma City and Denver, but lost to New Orleans and Memphis on the road.
Weekly Outlook: The Clippers have four games on the docket this week, beginning with Minnesota on Monday night at home. L.A. heads on the road for two games inside the Central division, going to Indiana on Wednesday and Detroit on Friday. The Clips return to Staples Center Sunday to start a six-game homestand with the Grizzlies.
13. Warriors
Weekly Rewind: The hottest ATS team in the West right now is Don Nelson's Golden State Warriors, cashing in five straight contests. The Warriors dealt Stephen Jackson to Charlotte on Tuesday, but that didn't stop Golden State from covering in games at Cleveland and Boston. The Warriors returned home to pull an upset of Portland as 7 ½-point underdogs, improving to 5-2 ATS this season when receiving points.
Weekly Outlook: The road doesn't get easier for Golden State, as the Warriors head to the Lone Star State on Tuesday to battle Dallas, before a trip to San Antonio on Wednesday. The Warriors get two days off prior to a home contest with the Lakers on Saturday.
14. Grizzlies
Weekly Rewind: Memphis had one of its best weeks in a long time, taking two of three games, including a road victory at Philadelphia on Friday. The Grizzlies slipped up on Saturday, falling as home favorites to the Bucks.
Weekly Outlook: Memphis hosts Sacramento on Monday, looking to avenge a road overtime loss to the Kings three weeks ago. The Grizzlies are back on the highway for a five-game road trip that starts Wednesday in Phoenix. Memphis heads north to Portland on Friday, before battling the Clippers on Sunday.
15. Timberwolves
Weekly Rewind: Things are not improving by the week for Minnesota, as the T'wolves have dropped 12 straight, including eight in a row ATS. The 'under' has cashed in four straight, as Minnesota has scored 90 points or less in five consecutive contests.
Weekly Outlook: Minnesota may be staring at a very long losing skid if they don't beat the Clippers on Monday. The T'wolves return home to host the Nuggets and Suns, before heading to Denver on Wednesday. Good luck, Kurt Rambis.
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