Weekly Notes - East
By Chris David
Before you know it, Apr. 14 will be right around the corner and 16 teams will have earned a spot in the playoffs. Of the 15 clubs in the Eastern Conference, it's safe to say that the first four spots are locked up, with Cleveland leading the charge for the No. 1 seed. The Cavaliers own a seven-game lead in the conference and the only challenge for this team will be claiming the best record in the NBA over the L.A. Lakers.
Orlando, Atlanta and Boston are all within two games of one another but the Magic have gone 2-1 against the Celtics and 3-0 against the Hawks. If Atlanta and Boston meet in a tiebreaker, the edge goes to the Hawks, who won all four of their games against the Celtics.
The remaining four seeds in the East have been going back and forth all season and it will most likely be a fight to the finish. Toronto looks like it will claim the fifth seed then it's anybody's game for the final three spots. Charlotte, Miami, Chicago and Milwaukee are all separated by two games.
Philadelphia, New York, Detroit, Indiana and Washington are on the next tier, which is very shaky. Of that group, the 76ers are probably the only team that can make a run for the playoffs but recent trade rumors has most believing that they packed it in too. New Jersey did get some attention (Coach K, Pitino) this past week but it wasn't for wins.
Teams will be back in action on Tuesday after the All-Star break and most have a heavy slate on tap.
1) Cleveland
Weekly Outlook - The Cavaliers will look to extend their 13-game winning streak this week and it won't be easy. After a TNT showdown against Denver from Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday, the team heads to Charlotte on Friday. Then, Cleveland will be facing an angry Orlando team in their backyard on Sunday. The Cavs have gone 8-5 against the spread during their winning streak and the red-hot offense has helped the 'over' go 10-3.
2) Orlando
Weekly Outlook - The Magic had won 10 of 12 before losing to the Cavaliers (106-115) last Thursday. Right now, it looks like Orlando will face Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight year. The Magic will look to get revenge against the Cavs this Sunday at home. Prior to that afternoon showdown, Detroit and Dallas both visit the Magic Kingdom during the week.
3) Atlanta
Weekly Outlook - The Hawks closed the first-half with a bad loss to Miami at home, however the club has still been able to overachieve this season. Atlanta opens up with three games out West this week and fortunately they catch a day off between each one. They meet the Clippers on Wednesday before the Suns on Friday and then back to California for a battle in the Bay Area against the Warriors on Sunday. The fade spot could be Monday (2/22) at Utah, who has destroyed teams at home with no rest this season.
4) Boston
Weekly Outlook - Everybody has been saying the Celtics look old and they do. Trade rumors continue to circle around shooting guard Ray Allen, who has been the only consistent player out of the group that was once called the "Big Three." Boston will find out quickly what it has left in the tank, with four road games on tap against the Western Conference. After facing the Kings at ARCO on Tuesday, a back-to-back set starts Thursday against the Lakers and Trail Blazers. Then, the C's face the Nuggets on Sunday in a nationally televised game. Surprisingly, Boston has more wins on the road (17) than at home (15) this season.
5) Toronto
Weekly Outlook - Toronto will start the second-half with confidence, after finishing strong with an 8-1 run. March and April get real busy for the Raptors but this week isn't too bad. Three games on tap and all appear to be winnable. Home games versus Memphis and Washington come before and after a road game against New Jersey.
6) Charlotte
Weekly Outlook - The Bobcats are looking to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and they have a great shot. This week, they have a big battle at home on Friday against Cleveland. Gamblers might want to play the look-ahead (vs. New Jersey on Tuesday) or the let-down (@ Milwaukee on Saturday) angle before or after the Cavs visit.
7) Chicago
Weekly Outlook - The Bulls had a great January and closed the month with an impressive 5-2 road trip. However, February has watched the team go 2-4 and All-Star Derek Rose bruised his back. He's expected to return and the Bulls will need him this week. After a home-and-home matchup against New York to start the week on Tuesday, Chicago faces another back-to-back set against Minnesota and Philadelphia, which starts Friday.
8) Miami
Weekly Outlook - Most of the talk in Miami right now is not about the playoffs, rather the status of Dwyane Wade's future. The Heat did close the first-half with impressive double-digit wins over the Rockets and Hawks, but will that carry over? It's going to be tough and the schedule makers weren't kind to Miami this week. Four games in five nights and all on the road too. The first back-to-back set will be against the 76ers and Nets, and the second will be versus the Grizzlies and Mavericks.
9) Milwaukee
Weekly Outlook - Some pundits are still wondering if the Bucks can keep it up and actually earn a playoff spot. That would be a major score for head coach Scott Skiles and company. The 8-19 road record needs to improve and it could this week with a contest at Detroit. The club's other two games this week come at home and against quality teams in Houston and Charlotte. At home, the Bucks are 16-8 this season and that includes a current 7-1 run over the last eight from Bradley Center.
10) Philadelphia
Weekly Outlook - We mentioned the 76ers as a possible team that could sneak into the playoffs, especially if they stay hot. Philadelphia has gone 5-1 in its last six and three of the wins came on the road too. We're going to find out how bad the 76ers want it because nine of the next 10 are against playoff-bound teams. This week, Miami and San Antonio will visit Philly before a road battle at Chicago on zero days rest follows.
11) New York
Weekly Outlook - Hopes of making the playoffs look kind of glum in the Big Apple and closing with a 1-6 run before the All-Star break doesn't carry confidence. After playing a home-and-home with Chicago on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Knicks will entertain Kevin Durant and the surging Thunder on Saturday.
12) Detroit
Weekly Outlook - I'm still surprised Joe Dumars has a job since every move he makes hasn't produced anything but a higher salary. I would expect some key pieces, in particular Rip or Prince, to be moved soon. Four games this week for Detroit, with three at home against Minnesota, Milwaukee and San Antonio. The lone road battle looks like a loss at Orlando, which occurs on zero days rest.
13) Indiana
Weekly Outlook - Larry Bird asked Pacer fans for patience recently and we just hope he asked nicely. Indiana has been up and down all year and the only way this team wins is if they shoot lights out. They better hope the shots are falling this week, as the Pacers host San Antonio Wednesday before starting a back-to-back road set at New Orleans and then Houston over the weekend.
14) Washington
Weekly Outlook - Keep an eye on the Wizards since it's very likely that Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison and Brendan Haywood could all be shopped by the trade deadline. Minnesota visits on Wednesday before Friday's matchup at home against Denver, who will be playing on zero days rest. Right after the Nuggets, Washington heads to Toronto on Saturday.
15) New Jersey
Weekly Outlook - The Nets open on Tuesday with two games in two nights. After playing in Charlotte on Tuesday, the team opens up a four-game homestand against Miami on Wednesday. Toronto visits Friday before Memphis heads up North on Sunday. It's tough to bet on this club to win outright but make a note that New Jersey went 8-1 ATS in its last nine games before the break.
Weekly Notes - West
By Kevin Rogers
1 - Lakers
Weekly Rewind: No Kobe Bryant, no problem apparently for the Champs. The Lakers have won each of their past three games without their leading scorer, beating the Blazers, Spurs, and Jazz all by double-digits. L.A.'s defense has tightened up without Bryant, going 'under' in each of the last three games, while holding opponents to 85 ppg in this span.
Weekly Outlook: The Lakers return home for a pair of games, hosting the Warriors on Tuesday and the Celtics on Thursday. Los Angeles is 5-2-1 ATS the last eight at Staples Center, while beating Boston each of the previous three meetings.
2 - Nuggets
Weekly Rewind: Denver is returning to health, as both Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups are back for the Nuggets. George Karl's squad hasn't missed a beat, coming off a 127-91 blowout of the Mavs. However, the Nuggets stubbed their toe in a 111-92 home setback to the Spurs to wrap up the first half. Denver has been a nice 'over' play recently, drilling the 'over' in four of the last six games.
Weekly Outlook: The Nuggets will be busy with three games on the slate, including a Thursday showdown at Cleveland against the hot Cavs. Denver makes a quick turnaround to Washington on Friday to battle the Wizards for the first time this season. The week concludes back at the Pepsi Center on Sunday, hosting the Celtics.
3 - Jazz
Weekly Rewind: Despite a 13-point home loss to the Lakers to wrap up the first half of the season, Utah has come back with nine wins in its last ten games. The Jazz did a great job of cashing tickets during this hot streak, going 7-2-1 ATS.
Weekly Outlook: Jerry Sloan's club hits the road for a four-game trip, all against Western Conference competition. The Jazz travels to Houston on Tuesday, followed by a Wednesday matchup in New Orleans. Utah heads back to the West Coast on Friday to take on the Warriors, then to Portland on Sunday. The Jazz go for the season sweep of the Blazers, after beating Portland three times by double-digits.
4 - Mavericks
Weekly Rewind: Since thrashing the Knicks by 50 points at the Garden on January 24, Dallas is 3-5 SU and 1-7 ATS. The three SU wins are over the Warriors twice, while beating the Bucks by one point. Dallas has allowed over 100 points in each of the last eight games, while giving up at least 110 points on five occasions.
Weekly Outlook: The Mavs are loaded with four games on the schedule, with each opponent currently listed in the top eight of their respective conference. Dallas heads to Oklahoma City on Tuesday, as the Mavs have beaten the Thunder twice this season. The Mavs come home on Wednesday to host the Suns, with Dallas trying to end an 18-game home favorite ATS skid. Rick Carlisle's team plays another back-to-back set beginning Friday at Orlando, followed by a home contest with the Heat on Saturday.
5 - Thunder
Weekly Rewind: Oklahoma City continues to be one of the top stories in the league, closing out the first half with six straight victories. The Thunder has proven to be a force on the road, sweeping a three-game road trip at New Orleans, Golden State, and Portland, all as favorites.
Weekly Outlook: The Thunder has revenge on its mind when they hit the home court on Tuesday, hosting the Mavs. Oklahoma City travels to New York on Saturday, going for its sixth consecutive road win against a .500 team or worse. The Thunder has a quick turnaround on Sunday, heading to Minnesota to battle the Wolves.
6 - Suns
Weekly Rewind: Phoenix recovered nicely from a January slump to win five of its final six games prior to the All-Star Break. The Suns swept a four-game road trip, including a 12-point victory as 5 ½-point 'dogs at Denver. Phoenix ended the first half on a sour note, falling at home to Portland, 108-101 as 9 ½-point 'chalk.'
Weekly Outlook: The Suns take the court four times, starting with a pair of road contests at Memphis (Tuesday) and Dallas (Wednesday). Phoenix heads back to the Valley for two straight home games against Atlanta on Friday, followed by Sacramento on Sunday.
7 - Spurs
Weekly Rewind: The "Rodeo Trip" has had its ups and downs so far, starting 3-2 SU/ATS. The victories are over the Nuggets, Kings, and Clippers, while the losses have come against the Lakers and Blazers. The Spurs are 5-9 ATS and 6-8 SU since a 16-4 SU run from mid-December through mid-January.
Weekly Outlook: The fun on the highway continues, as the trip continues out east, battling the Pacers on Wednesday. San Antonio travels to Philadelphia on Friday, before wrapping up 18 days away from the Alamo on Sunday in Detroit against the Pistons.
8 - Blazers
Weekly Rewind: Life without Brandon Roy continues for Portland, as the Blazers concluded the first half was a solid seven-point victory at Phoenix as 9 ½-point 'dogs. Portland is just 2-3 SU/ATS the last previous games, but each of the last four has finished 'under' the total.
Weekly Outlook: Roy hopes to return after the break, resting his injured hamstring for nearly three weeks. Portland comes back to the Rose Garden for three games, beginning with the Clippers on Tuesday. The Blazers host the Celtics on Friday, followed by the Jazz on Sunday.
9 - Rockets
Weekly Rewind: Houston should be thrilled the break is here, stumbling to a 3-6 SU and 2-7 ATS over the last nine games. The Rockets finished the first half with a humiliating 33-point setback at Miami, falling to 2-8 ATS the last ten as a road underdog.
Weekly Outlook: The Rockets look to get back on track with four games on the slate, starting with the red-hot Jazz on Tuesday at the Toyota Center. Houston makes the quick trip to Milwaukee on Wednesday, before returning home on Saturday to host Indiana. Rick Adelman's squad travels to New Orleans on Sunday, as the home team has won each of the first two meetings.
10 - Hornets
Weekly Rewind: New Orleans has turned into a covering machine on the road, going 6-0 ATS the last six away from the Big Easy. As a road 'dog, the Hornets have cashed nine of the last ten, including at Charlotte and Orlando. New Orleans concluded a tough week with a comeback home victory over Boston as 5 ½-point home 'dogs.
Weekly Outlook: The homestand continues for Jeff Bower's club, hosting the Jazz on Wednesday, as Utah comes in with no rest. New Orleans entertains Indiana on Friday, before taking on Houston on Sunday. The Hornets own an 0-5 ATS mark the last five as home favorites.
11 - Grizzlies
Weekly Rewind: Memphis needs to hit the reset button fast, following four straight losses to wrap up an impressive first half. The Grizzlies went on an 8-3 SU and 7-4 ATS run in January, but the bottom fell out with losses to the Cavs, Rockets, Wolves, and Hawks. Three of those defeats came by double-digits, while the Grizzlies allowed over 100 points in each loss.
Weekly Outlook: The Grizzlies look to bounce back on Tuesday, hosting a Suns team that Memphis beat on MLK day, 125-118. Lionel Hollins' club heads to Toronto on Wednesday, followed by a visit from Miami on Friday. The Grizzlies wrap up the week with a road contest at lowly New Jersey.
12 - Clippers
Weekly Rewind: This is the Clipper team we have grown to love over the years. Following L.A.'s eight-game road swing, Mike Dunleavy stepped down as head coach. The Clippers proceeded to lose all three games with interim coach Kim Hughes at the helm, including an unforgivable 20-point defeat at decimated Golden State as two-point road favorites.
Weekly Outlook: Los Angeles travels up the West Coast on Tuesday to take on Portland, already covering twice against the Blazers this season. The Clips come home on Wednesday to host the Hawks, prior to their first meeting of the season against division-rival Sacramento on Saturday. Despite the recent losing skid, the Clips are 8-2 ATS the last ten at home.
13 - Kings
Weekly Rewind: For as bad as some teams looked to finish the first half, the Kings actually wrapped things up with consecutive road wins at New York and Detroit. Sacramento is 5-3 ATS the last eight games, including a 4-1 ATS the last five away from Arco Arena.
Weekly Outlook: The Kings return to Northern California for one game on Tuesday, hosting the Celtics, as Sacramento is 2-9 ATS the last 11 as a home 'dog. Paul Westphal's club hits the road again for three games, starting with a short trip to Golden State on Wednesday. The Kings travel down I-5 to battle the Clippers on Saturday, followed by a Sunday meeting with the Suns in Phoenix.
14 - Warriors
Weekly Rewind: Golden State halted a nine-game losing skid with a 132-102 blowout of the Clippers, as the Warriors played without Monta Ellis and Corey Maggette. The victory halted a four-game SU/ATS losing streak at Oracle Arena, while Stephen Curry is putting himself at the top of the Rookie of the Year conversation with his triple-double against the Clips.
Weekly Outlook: The Warriors stay in the state of California this week, making just one trip away from Oakland to L.A. on Tuesday, battling the Lakers. Golden State comes home to host Sacramento on Wednesday, as the Warriors own a 9-3 ATS mark against teams playing on no rest. The Warriors host the Jazz on Friday, followed by a visit from the Hawks on Sunday.
15 - Timberwolves
Weekly Rewind: Minnesota's four-game winning streak came to an abrupt halt in a 22-point blowout at Philadelphia. That loss also ended a string of four consecutive covers for the Wolves. Minnesota's late rally came up short in a 93-92 defeat to Charlotte, but the Wolves cashed as two-point 'dogs. Kurt Rambis' team has now covered seven straight games at the Target Center.
Weekly Outlook: A busy week for the young Wolves starts with back-to-back road contests at Detroit and Washington, beginning Tuesday at the Palace. Minnesota returns home for two games, stating Friday with Chicago, prior to a meeting with Oklahoma City on Sunday.