Weekly Notes - East
By Chris David
1) Cleveland
Weekly Recap: After opening up the second-half of the season with three consecutive losses, both straight up and against the spread, the Cavaliers finally found their groove. Cleveland went 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS last week, which included back-to-back wins against the Celtics (108-88) and Raptors (126-118) on the road.
Weekly Outlook: The three-game winning streak has a good chance to be extended this week, with games against the Knicks, Nets, Pistons and Bucks. The game at Milwaukee on Saturday takes place from Bradley Center and it will be on zero days rest too. It has been reported that Shaquille O'Neal could be 'out' until the playoffs after having surgery on his thumb.
2) Orlando
Weekly Recap: The Magic started the week with a blowout victory at Houston (110-92) and finished with a quality home win over Miami (96-80). Unfortunately, Stan Van Gundy's team blew a big lead in a Friday loss at New Orleans (93-100). The 'under' cashed in all three affairs.
Weekly Outlook: Orlando has four games on tap this week, which is highlighted by a rematch of the NBA Finals on Sunday versus the L.A. Lakers at home. The first three games could certainly be look-ahead spots, especially a road game at Philadelphia on Monday. Other contests include the Warriors at home and the Nets on the road. All games will be separated by one day of rest.
3) Atlanta
Weekly Recap: The Hawks went 3-1 SU and 1-3 ATS last week, with the signature victory coming on Monday at Utah (105-100). The lone loss wasn't pretty, as Atlanta blew a big foruth quarter lead to Dallas (103-111) and eventually fell in overtime. Victories against Minnesota (98-92) and Milwaukee (106-102) were expected at Philips Arena but the Hawks failed to cover the number in both.
Weekly Outlook: After playing at Chicago on zero days rest, the Hawks come home for two against Philadelphia on Wednesday and Golden State on Friday. Following the Warriors, Atlanta heads to Miami for a Saturday road test. Atlanta started the season as a solid bet at home, but the team is 0-4 ATS in its last four from the ATL.
4) Boston
Weekly Recap: Boston continues to be impossible to figure out this season, but we've learned not to back the team at home. The Celtics went 1-2 SU from the TD Garden this week, but were 0-3 ATS. Losses came to the Cavaliers (108-88) and the hapless Nets (96-104). The lone win was over the Knicks (110-106). Paul Pierce (thumb) missed all three games but is expected to return this week.
Weekly Outlook: Doc Rivers will find out a lot about his team over the next seven days. None of the games look scary, with battles against the Pistons, Bobcats, 76ers and Wizards, but the Celtics don't come to play every night. Remember, Boston has been better on the road (20-10 SU, 15-15 ATS) - so look for spots at Detroit and at Philadelphia this week.
5) Chicago
Weekly Recap: The Bulls cooled off a little bit last week after opening the second-half of the season with four straight wins and covers. Chicago went 2-2 both SU and ATS, with the wins coming at home and the losses on the road. The 'over/under' went 2-2, with the high-scoring affairs taking place at United Center.
Weekly Outlook: The Bulls play three games this week and fortunately for them, all three will tip from the Windy City. They catch the Hawks on no rest Monday before Memphis visits Thursday and then Dallas on Saturday. Chicago has gone 5-1 both SU and ATS in its last six at home.
6) Toronto
Weekly Recap: The Raptors caught a glimpse of what the team will look like if Chris Bosh (ankle) departs for greener pastures this summer, and it wasn't fun to watch. The Trail Blazers went 0-3 both SU and ATS without Bosh, two of the losses by double digits, and the other coming in overtime to Cleveland (118-126). The 'over' went 2-1.
Weekly Outlook: It was announced that Bosh won't be back until Mar. 5, which means he'll miss the contest in Houston on Monday. If he returns, it will be at home against New York on Wednesday or Philadelphia on Saturday.
7) Milwaukee
Weekly Recap: The Bucks faced the insane gauntlet of playing five games last week and Scott Skiles' club stepped up in a big way. Milwaukee went 4-1 SU and 5-0 ATS, and the lone loss came on Sunday in overtime at Atlanta (102-106). Three of the four wins came on the road and the team now sits in the 7th playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Weekly Outlook: Milwaukee slows down the pace this week with only three contests and it starts Wednesday with a home-and-home series against Washington. After concluding this set at the Wizards on Friday, the Bucks head home for a nice test against Cleveland.
8) Charlotte
Weekly Recap: Larry Brown's team lost some ground in the playoff race last week after going 1-2 both SU and ATS. The Bobcats were held to 94 points or less in all three of the games, yet the 'over' went 2-1. The win for Charlotte was at Memphis (93-89), who is another team fading lately as well.
Weekly Outlook: Charlotte is only percentage points ahead of Miami for the eighth and final postseason spot in the East but that could change this week. The Bobcats face the Mavericks and Lakers at home, and sandwiched between those powers is a road trip to Boston. They close the week on their homecourt Saturday against the Warriors, but that will be on zero days rest.
9) Miami
Weekly Recap: Will the Heat miss the playoffs? It's a strong possibility after the team went 0-3 both SU and ATS last week, two of the losses by double digits. Even All-Star Dwayne Wade couldn't stop the bleeding in his return at Orlando (80-96) on Sunday. Miami's offense has been missing lately, which has resulted in a 9-1 'under' run.
Weekly Outlook: For whatever reason, Miami usually steps up when you least expect it to. With that being said, all three games this week will be in South Beach and all will be separated by a day of rest. Golden State visits Tuesday, which could be a look-ahead spot since the team plays the L.A. Lakers in a TNT showdown on Thursday. Closing the week will be a Southeast Division battle versus Atlanta on Saturday.
10) Washington
Weekly Recap: After revamping its roster, Washington continues to show some life, which says a lot about head coach Flip Saunders. The Wizards went 2-2 both SU and ATS last week but they were competitive all four games. The losses were by a combined seven points. The 'under' went 3-1.
Weekly Outlook: Washington has a home-and-home set against Milwaukee plus an ESPN showdown on Sunday at Boston, which might be a good look, considering how bad the Celtics (6-20-1 ATS) have been at home this year.
11) Philadelphia
Weekly Recap: The 76ers closed their West Coast road trip with a 1-2 SU and 2-1 ATS mark. The win came against Golden State and as expected, the losses were against the Suns and Lakers. The 'under' went 3-0.
Weekly Outlook: Philadelphia gets a chance to play spoiler this week with four games against top-tier teams in the East. The 76ers host the Magic and Celtics, but will travel to the Hawks and Raptors. The only good thing is that none of the games will be back-to-back situations.
12) Detroit
Weekly Recap: The Pistons started out their West Coast trip on a good note, posting a win at Sacramento (101-89). Unfortunately, they closed with three straight losses (1-2 ATS) to the Clippers, Nuggets and Warriors. And if you followed along, you'll know that Detroit blew chances in all three of the setbacks. The 'under' went 3-1.
Weekly Outlook: The schedule doesn't lighten up this week with home games against Boston and Houston, plus road tests in New York and Cleveland are never easy. Wednesday's contest versus the Knicks on will be on zero days rest.
13) New York
Weekly Recap: New York has gone 1-6 since the All-Star break, and that includes a 1-3 record last week. The lone win came at Washington (118-116) and they needed overtime to earn the victory. Total players have watched the 'over' go on a 9-1 run in the last 10.
Weekly Outlook: The Knicks have four games on tap this week, two at home and two on the road. Trips to Cleveland and Toronto look next to impossible, but games at Madison Square Garden versus Detroit and New Jersey could be promising, depending on what team shows up.
14) Indiana
Weekly Recap: The Pacers started the week with three straight losses (1-2 ATS), but they did manage to get revenge against Chicago (100-90) on Saturday from Conseco Fieldhouse. The total went 2-2, even though the offense busted the century mark in three of the four contests last week.
Weekly Outlook: Jim O'Brien's team could be in for another tough week as they head West to play four games in five nights. The trip starts Tuesday with back-to-back battles against the Lakers and Trail Blazers, before ending with another two games in two nights. The second round pits Indiana against Denver and Phoenix.
15) New Jersey
Weekly Recap: The Nets started and ended the week with home losses to the Trail Blazers (93-102) and Wizards (85-99). Those setbacks were overshadowed by New Jersey's 104-96 road win at Boston on Saturday. The 'over' went 2-1.
Weekly Outlook: New Jersey has two more chances to win at home this week but it won't be easy, with Cleveland and Orlando visiting. The team ends the week with a road trip across the Hudson River to New York on Saturday.
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Weekly Notes - West
By Kevin Rogers
1 - Lakers
Weekly Rewind: Kobe Bryant made his triumphant return to the Lakers' lineup after missing five games with an ankle injury. The Champs have struggled covering numbers since Bryant's return going 0-3-1 ATS following Sunday's push against the Nuggets. L.A. slipped past Memphis on a late Kobe three-pointer, before falling at Dallas as short road underdogs. The Lakers didn't cover in a nine-point win over the Sixers, while rallying past the Nuggets and managing a push as six-point 'chalk.'
Weekly Outlook: Los Angeles wraps up its three-game homestand against Indiana on Tuesday before heading east for a three-game trip through the Southeast Division. The Lakers battle the Heat for a TNT game on Thursday, followed by a Friday contest at Charlotte. The Purple and Gold finishes the week in the place where they won the title last summer, battling the Magic in Orlando on Sunday.
2 - Nuggets
Weekly Rewind: Denver wrapped up a stretch of three games in four nights with a road loss to the Lakers. The Nuggets knocked off a pair of also-rans in Golden State and Detroit, but failed to cover against the Pistons. George Karl's squad is just 3-5 ATS the last eight as a home favorite, while finishing 'over' the total in four of the previous five.
Weekly Outlook: The Nuggets have a quick turnaround on Monday, heading to Phoenix as both teams will play with no rest. Denver returns to the Pepsi Center for three games starting Wednesday against Oklahoma City, followed by a visit from Indiana on Friday. The Blazers invade Denver for the first time this season on Sunday, after the teams have split the first two meetings in Portland.
3 - Mavericks
Weekly Rewind: Dallas has been on fire since the All-Star Break, winning seven straight while taking control of the Southwest Division. The Mavs pulled off two impressive victories without Caron Butler, beating the Lakers and Hawks. Dallas held off New Orleans to finish the week, as the Mavs pushed as eight-point favorites.
Weekly Outlook: The Mavs will travel back and forth from home twice this week for back-to-backs, starting Monday in Charlotte against the Bobcats. Dallas comes home for two very winnable games against Minnesota (Wednesday) and Sacramento (Friday). The week wraps up on Saturday in Chicago for the season's first meeting with the Bulls.
4 - Jazz
Weekly Rewind: Utah actually had its worst week in 2010, going 2-2 SU/ATS. The Jazz fell short of a victory against the Hawks, despite playing without Deron Williams and Andrei Kirilenko. Utah bounced back with a solid second-half comeback over Charlotte, covering as 7 ½-point favorites. The Jazz stubbed their toe with a surprising four-point road loss at Sacramento, but shot lights out the next night in a blowout of the Rockets.
Weekly Outlook: Jerry Sloan's club takes on three teams that will be playing with no rest. Utah is 14-2 SU and 12-3-1 ATS against teams on a back-to-back, as the Jazz head to Los Angeles to battle the Clippers on Monday. The Jazz travels to Phoenix on Thursday, prior to a Saturday rematch with the Clippers in Salt Lake City.
5 - Suns
Weekly Rewind: Phoenix turned into a covering machine during February, owning a 10-2 ATS mark. The Suns snapped Oklahoma City's nine-game winning streak with a 104-102 road victory, followed by a comfortable 11-point win over the Sixers. Alvin Gentry's club easily rolled past the Clippers, but ended the week on a losing note with a Sunday setback at San Antonio.
Weekly Outlook: The Suns will play eight of the next nine games at home, including three this week. Phoenix hosts Denver on Monday, as both teams are coming off road losses on Sunday. The Suns make the quick trip to Los Angeles for the final regular season meeting with the Clippers on Wednesday, prior to a Thursday home matchup with the Jazz. Phoenix takes on Indiana to finish the week on Saturday, looking to avenge a road loss to the Pacers in which the Suns squandered a 24-point lead.
6 - Thunder
Weekly Rewind: Oklahoma City's nine-game winning streak came to a screeching halt with consecutive losses to Phoenix and San Antonio. The Thunder managed to get back on their feet with home blowouts over the Wolves and Raptors, while easily covering as substantial 'chalk.' OKC is now 4-1 SU/ATS the last five as a home favorite.
Weekly Outlook: The Thunder has a chance to clean up this week with three games against the Kings (twice) and Clippers. Sacramento comes to the Ford Center on Tuesday, before OKC heads to Denver on Wednesday. Scott Brooks' squad travels west to battle the Clippers on Friday and the Kings on Sunday.
7 - Spurs
Weekly Rewind: San Antonio returned home from the "Rodeo Road Trip" by picking up two wins in three tries. The Spurs knocked off the Thunder and Suns, but fell at Houston, covering only once. The 'over' has been profitable lately, hitting in four of the last five games.
Weekly Outlook: The Spurs will get a double-dose of the Hornets, traveling to the Big Easy on Monday, before hosting New Orleans on Friday. San Antonio turns around for a road contest at Memphis on Saturday, as the Spurs downed the Grizzlies, 104-97 in late January at home.
8 - Blazers
Weekly Rewind: Portland's trip out east has been a successful one, winning three of four games. The Blazers picked up back-to-back victories at New Jersey and Toronto, while covering each time. Portland fell in overtime at Chicago, but bounced back with a blowout of Minnesota in its fourth game in five nights. The Blazers are 8-2 ATS the last ten away from the Rose Garden.
Weekly Outlook: The road trip finishes up in Memphis on Monday against the Grizzlies, trying to split the season series. Portland returns home on Wednesday to host Indiana, as the Blazers are 1-4 SU/ATS the last five at home. The week concludes on Sunday with a important division showdown with the Nuggets in Denver.
9 - Hornets
Weekly Rewind: New Orleans hit a rough spot this week by dropping three of four contests. The competition wasn't exactly easy, losing at Cleveland, Milwaukee, and Dallas. The Hornets rallied past the Magic, 100-93, cashing as 4 ½-point home 'dogs, the third straight cover at home.
Weekly Outlook: It's all about the division for the Hornets, hosting the Spurs on Monday, trying for the first victory over San Antonio in three tries this season. New Orleans welcomes Memphis on Wednesday, prior to a rematch with the Spurs in Texas on Friday.
10 - Rockets
Weekly Rewind: Houston continues to struggle, losing two games this week in convincing fashion to Orlando and Utah. The Rockets held off the Spurs as home underdogs, ending a 1-12 ATS skid at the Toyota Center. Houston's defense has been lackluster, allowing at least 100 points in five straight games.
Weekly Outlook: The Rockets will continue to play without swingman Trevor Ariza, who is battling a hip injury. Rick Adelman's team returns home for a pair of games against the Raptors (Monday) and Kings (Wednesday). Houston embarks on a three-game road trip starting Saturday in Minnesota. The Rockets will wrap up the week with no rest in Detroit on Sunday against the Pistons.
11 - Grizzlies
Weekly Rewind: It was a roller-coaster ride for the Grizzlies, splitting four games, with three games decided by less than five points. Memphis lost in the final seconds to the Lakers, but cashed as 5 ½-point home 'dogs. The Grizzlies bounced back with a road favorite victory at Washington, but stubbed their toe against the struggling Bobcats at home. Memphis got back in the win column in New York, topping the Knicks, 120-109 as 2 ½-point road 'chalk,' the fourth straight road cover.
Weekly Outlook: This week will not be a joyride for Lionel Hollins' club, starting with the Blazers on Monday. Memphis hits the road for a back-to-back on Wednesday in New Orleans and Thursday in Chicago. The Grizzlies come back home on Saturday to battle the Spurs, as San Antonio will be playing with no rest.
12 - Clippers
Weekly Rewind: Los Angeles was riding a semi-hot streak to begin the week, holding off Charlotte and Detroit at home. L.A.'s three-game winning streak came to a halt with a 13-point loss at Phoenix, followed by a five-point setback at Sacramento.
Weekly Outlook: The Clippers will get three games at Staples Center this week, beginning with the Jazz on Monday. Los Angeles will try to avoid the season sweep to Phoenix on Wednesday, prior to the final meeting with Oklahoma City on Friday. The Clips begin a five-game road trip on Saturday, battling the Jazz once again in Utah.
13 - Kings
Weekly Rewind: Following a disastrous start after the All-Star Break, the Kings managed victories in their final two games of the week. Paul Westphal's club upended the Jazz and took care of the Clippers, the second time the Kings have won consecutive games since Christmas.
Weekly Outlook: Sacramento will take a trip through Texas and Oklahoma over the next few days, starting with the Thunder at the Ford Center on Tuesday. The Kings head to Houston on Wednesday, as Sacramento will take on old friend Kevin Martin and the Rockets. The Kings face the Mavs in Dallas on Friday, prior to a home rematch with the Thunder on Sunday.
14 - Warriors
Weekly Rewind: Golden State finished an six-game homestand at 3-3 SU/ATS, but it wasn't short of drama. Following the comeback over Atlanta, the Warriors dug themselves another huge hole against the Sixers, but fell short as home 'chalk.' The Warriors were blown out by the Nuggets as underdogs, but rallied past the Pistons, 95-88 without Monta Ellis.
Weekly Outlook: Don Nelson's team heads east for a five-game roadie which starts in the Sunshine State with back-to-back games at Miami (Tuesday) and Orlando (Wednesday). The Warriors get another set of games with no rest starting Friday in Atlanta, followed by a Saturday contest at Charlotte.
15 - Timberwolves
Weekly Rewind: The Wolves were consistent this whole week, scoring either 91 or 92 points in all four games. Minnesota held off a Miami squad without Dwyane Wade, 91-88 as eight-point 'dogs. The Wolves picked up a backdoor cover at Atlanta the next night, but were on the wrong side of blowouts at Oklahoma City and at home against Portland.
Weekly Outlook: Minnesota is off until Wednesday when it travels to Dallas. The Wolves will be without center Al Jefferson, who was suspended for two games after being arrested for a DWI over the weekend. The Rockets invade the Target Center on Saturday, as the Wolves mercifully play just twice this week.
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