Weekly Notes - East
By Chris David
1) Cleveland
Weekly Recap – The Cavaliers put together another perfect week, going 3-0 in their three games. LeBron James sat out Monday’s game versus San Antonio (97-95) but returned against Philadelphia (100-95) on Friday. Sunday’s win at home over Boston (104-93) showed you once again more how the guard has changed in the Eastern Conference. The ‘over’ went 2-1 in the three affairs.
Weekly Outlook – Cleveland has four battles this week and all of them should be wins barring a terrible performance. They catch the Pistons twice, the Pacers and a Chicago team that is struggling very badly.
2) Orlando
Weekly Recap – Stan Van Gundy’s club started the week with three double-digit victories against the Clippers (113-87), Bulls (111-82) and Wizards (109-95). Unfortunately, the team saw its eight-game winning streak snapped on Sunday at home to Charlotte (89-96). The team went 3-1 ATS and the total was 2-2.
Weekly Outlook – Orlando catches a little break this week with just two games on tap, but it will be played in a back-to-back set. San Antonio visits the Magic Kingdom on Wednesday and then the team faces Miami in a TNT showdown from South Beach on Thursday.
3) Atlanta
Weekly Recap – It seems like Atlanta is going through the motions lately, which isn’t a good thing for gamblers backing them. The Hawks went 2-1 last week, but were just 1-2 ATS. A loss at New York (98-99) was humbling, but victories over the Wizards (105-99) and Pistons (112-99) quickly erased any bad memories. Atlanta is 1-5 ATS in its last six and 3-7 ATS over its last 10.
Weekly Outlook – Atlanta starts the week on Tuesday with two road games in two nights against the Nets and Raptors. The last two games both come at home, versus Charlotte and San Antonio. The game against the Spurs will be televised nationally on Sunday and be aware that the Hawks have gone 19-9 against the Western Conference this year.
4) Boston
Weekly Recap – The Celtics struggled late in a loss at Milwaukee (84-86) on Tuesday and then really tanked it the next night. The team was booed off their homecourt in a 20-point (91-111) setback to Memphis. Boston did bounce back on Friday albeit against Indiana (122-103) but lost at Cleveland (93-104) on Sunday. The ‘over’ cashed in three of the four.
Weekly Outlook – Boston faces Detroit on Monday at home on zero days rest and then welcomes New York on Wednesday. After a day off, the Celtics play two games in two nights from the Lone Star State starting Friday. Doc Rivers’ team plays Houston on Friday before Dallas on Saturday.
5) Milwaukee
Weekly Recap – Will the Bucks ever cool off? Milwaukee went 3-0 last week, and is now 12-2 since the All-Star Break. Even more impressive, the club has gone 12-2 ATS. Victories over the Celtics (86-84) and Jazz (95-87) certainly helped Scott Skiles and company silence any critics. Total players should make a note that ‘under’ has cashed in six straight games and is 10-4 over this span.
Weekly Outlook – The Bucks will embark on their final road trip to the Western Conference this week, which starts against the L.A. Clippers on Wednesday. A battle at ARCO Arena against Sacramento follows Friday and then a back-to-back against Denver on Saturday will be a true test for this red-hot club.
6) Charlotte
Weekly Recap – The Bobcats are starting to heat up at the right time. Larry Brown’s team extended their winning streak to six games last week with a perfect 4-0 performance. Two of the wins were expected against the hapless 76ers (102-87) and Clippers (106-98). However, the other pair of victories against the Heat (83-78) and Magic (96-89) gave the team even more confidence. The ‘Cats are 5-1 ATS during their winning streak and the ‘under’ has gone 4-2.
Weekly Outlook – Charlotte has four games on tap this week and they’re split into a pair of back-to-back sets. The club visits the Pacers on Tuesday, and then hosts the Thunder on Wednesday. After this pair, the Bobcats face two Southeast Division rivals, Atlanta and Miami, in two nights and both are on the road as well.
7) Miami
Weekly Recap – Miami started the week with a rough loss at Charlotte (78-83) but rallied for three straight wins. All three victories came by double digits, which helped the team cover the number in all three as well. The offense averaged 106.7 PPG in the wins, but only put up 78 in the loss. The ‘over’ went 3-0 in the wins and is on a 6-1 run overall.
Weekly Outlook – The Heat will have confidence this week and they’ll need it. Three games are at home, but all of the opponents will be tough outs. San Antonio heads to South Beach on Tuesday and then Orlando comes to town on Thursday. Charlotte concludes the week with a Saturday Night battle from American Airlines Arena.
8) Toronto
Weekly Recap – The Raptors’ trip out West started with a buzzer-beater loss to the Lakers (107-109) on Tuesday, and that setback opened up the flood gates. Toronto lost its final three games on trips and all three came by double digits. The defense has given up 109 points or more in the last five games, which has resulted in a five-game losing skid. The recent skid has pushed Toronto down to the eighth and final playoff spot in the East, just one game ahead of Chicago.
Weekly Outlook – Toronto will look to stop the bleeding this week with three games, with two coming at Air Canada Centre. The Hawks and Thunder will be the opponents at home, where the Raptors have gone 22-10 this season. After the contest versus Oklahoma City, the Raptors travel to the Nets on zero days rest Saturday.
9) Chicago
Weekly Recap – The Bulls are in a serious funk on both ends of the court and it’s translated into seven straight losses (0-7 ATS), all coming by double digits too. Last week, the team was ripped by the Jazz (108-132) at home before losing back-to-back games in the Sunshine State to the Magic (82-111) and Heat (95-108). Point guard Derrick Rose sprained his wrist but he’s expected to return this week. If the playoffs started today, the team would be on the outside looking in.
Weekly Outlook – Chicago could have trouble snapping the skid this week when you look at the schedule. Starting Tuesday, the Bulls play at the Grizzlies and Mavericks in a tough back-to-back set. After that pair, the team plays another two games in two nights against the Cavaliers and 76ers.
10) Philadelphia
Weekly Recap – The 76ers have gone 3-11 SU and 5-9 ATS since the All-Star break and that includes a 0-4 SU and 1-3 ATS effort last week. The defense has given up 100-plus in 11 of the 14 games and nine of the losses during this stretch came by double digits. I don’t know about you but I’m still surprised head coach Eddie Jordan has a job.
Weekly Outlook – Philadelphia has a chance to get back on track this week with a home-and-home set versus the Knicks and two other home games against the Nets and struggling Bulls. If you see the 76ers listed as favorites this week that should certainly tell you something. But we still urge you to be careful with Jordan and company.
11) New York
Weekly Recap – The Knicks showed a little toughness this week as the team posted a 2-2 SU and 3-1 ATS mark. Victories against the Hawks (99-98) and Mavericks (128-94) were unexpected and certainly helped gamblers taking the money-line. The total went 2-2.
Weekly Outlook – New York has another four games on the docket this week and the first two happen on the road against Atlantic Division rivals. After playing the 76ers on Monday, the team heads to Boston on Wednesday. The Knicks then host Philadelphia on Friday before Houston visits Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
12) Detroit
Weekly Recap – The Pistons posted a 1-2 record last week, both SU and ATS. The losses came by double digits to the Jazz (104-115) and Hawks (99-112). The lone victory occurred at home, against the struggling Wizards (101-87). The ‘over’ went 2-1.
Weekly Outlook – Detroit will play three of its four games this week on the road. Trips to Boston and Cleveland appear impossible but a Friday encounter at Indiana could be a look. The home contest happens Tuesday and that’s on zero days rest versus the Cavaliers. Make a note that Detroit has dropped five straight (2-3 ATS) games on the road.
13) Washington
Weekly Recap – The Wizards lost all four of their games last week and nobody should be surprised considering that three of the contests were played in consecutive days. The team went 1-3 ATS and is now 2-5 ATS during its current seven-game losing streak. The offense continues to be struggling, which has helped the ‘under’ go 5-2 during this stretch.
Weekly Outlook – It’s going to be hard to see Washington snap its losing skid this week, since the team heads to the West Coast. The Wizards face the Jazz on Monday and then Denver on Tuesday. After a couple days off, the trip resumes in Portland on Friday and finishes against the Lakers on Sunday.
14) Indiana
Weekly Recap – The Pacers went 1-2 SU and 2-1 ATS this past week. The lone victory came at home against Philadelphia (107-96), and the team did it without All-Star Danny Granger. The ‘under’ went 2-1.
Weekly Outlook – Indiana will play three of four at home this week, with Charlotte, Detroit and Oklahoma City visiting Conseco Fieldhouse. A road trip to Cleveland is nestled between those contests.
15) New Jersey
Weekly Recap – I guess we can say the Nets had a semi-productive week. New Jersey did go 0-4 in its four games but it helped gamblers with a 4-0 record against the spread. What’s more impressive is that all four tilts were on the road too. The ‘over’ cashed in three of the four.
Weekly Outlook – The Nets have three games on tap this week, two coming at home. The Hawks visit Tuesday and then the Raptors come to town on Saturday.
vegasinsider.com
Weekly Notes - West
By Kevin Rogers
1 - Lakers
Weekly Rewind: The Champs bounced back from an 0-3 East Coast swing to knock off the Raptors and Suns. Kobe Bryant sunk Toronto with another game-winning jumper at the buzzer, but the Raptors managed a cover as 11 ½-point underdogs. The Lakers won in more comfortable fashion at Phoenix, beating the Suns, 102-96 as two-point road 'chalk.'
Weekly Outlook: This week shouldn't be too terribly challenging for the Purple and Gold, playing four teams who are all out of playoff contention. The Lakers head up I-5 for a pair of games in Northern California on a back-to-back starting Monday at Golden State. L.A. travels to Sacramento on Tuesday, followed by two home games to close the week against Minnesota (Friday) and Washington (Sunday).
2 - Nuggets
Weekly Rewind: After dropping consecutive road games to the Lakers and Suns, the Nuggets have bounced back nicely with five straight victories. Denver is a perfect 3-0 SU on their four-game road trip after sweeping through Minnesota, New Orleans, and Memphis. The lone non-cover came as eight-point favorites against the Wolves, as the Nuggets rallied for an eight-point win and a 'push.'
Weekly Outlook: The road trip concludes in Houston on Monday, as the Nuggets are averaging 114 ppg during their current five-game hot streak. Denver has a quick turnaround on Tuesday, returning home for three games starting with Washington. The Nuggets host the Hornets on Thursday, followed by a visit from Milwaukee on Saturday. Both the Wizards and Hornets will be playing their fourth game in five nights when they invade the Pepsi Center this week.
3 - Mavericks
Weekly Rewind: The good news for Dallas this past week was it finished 2-1. The bad news is the Mavs had their 13-game win streak come to an abrupt halt by the Knicks. Yes, the same New York squad that lost by 50 to Dallas at the Garden in late January. The Knicks obliterated the Mavs, 128-94, dropping Rick Carlisle's team to 2-24-1 ATS the last 27 as a home favorite.
Weekly Outlook: The Mavs stay at the American Airlines Center for the final two games of a four-game homestand. Dallas hosts Chicago on Wednesday, followed by a Saturday matchup with Boston. The Mavs have beaten both those squads on the road already this season, as the Bulls and Celtics will be playing with no rest.
4 - Jazz
Weekly Rewind: Utah concluded a four-game road trip in Oklahoma City a bit undermanned, with Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur each missing the game due to injury. The Jazz knocked off the Bulls and Pistons each by double-digits, but Utah was tripped up by Milwaukee and Oklahoma City as short road 'dogs.
Weekly Outlook: Jerry Sloan's club returns home for three of four games this week, starting with the Wizards invading Salt Lake on Monday. The Jazz face the Wolves for the final time this season on Wednesday, prior to a Friday road showdown in Phoenix against the Suns. Utah can claim the season series with a win over Phoenix, after the Jazz rallied past the Suns earlier this month. The Jazz have a quick turnaround on Saturday when they host the Hornets.
5 - Thunder
Weekly Rewind: Oklahoma City accomplished one of its early-season goals by picking up its 40th victory of the season against New Jersey. The Thunder failed to cover as 11-point home favorites, but that SU win was the fourth straight for OKC. Scott Brooks' squad also racked up a home victories over the Hornets and Jazz.
Weekly Outlook: The Thunder embarks on a three-game road trip on Wednesday against the Bobcats in Charlotte. OKC will have one day off before traveling to Toronto on Friday, prior to a Sunday meeting in Indiana. The Thunder owns a 4-2 SU mark the last six games, but just a 2-4 ATS ledger.
6 - Spurs
Weekly Rewind: San Antonio has quietly caught fire as the Spurs have won seven of eight following a 3-0 SU/ATS week. The Spurs took care of business against three also-rans in the Knicks, Wolves, and Clippers, while holding each opponent to 88 points or less.
Weekly Outlook: The Spurs will be tested this week with three of four road games against Southeast Division opponents. San Antonio heads to the Sunshine State on Tuesday to tangle with Miami, followed by a Wednesday meeting in Orlando. The Spurs come home on Friday to host the Warriors before finishing the week in Atlanta against the Hawks.
7 - Suns
Weekly Rewind: Phoenix had a relatively light week with just two games, losing to the Lakers while beating on the Hornets on Sunday night. The Suns had covered eight straight from mid-February through March, but Phoenix is riding a 1-3 ATS slump.
Weekly Outlook: The seven-game homestand in the Valley continues this week with the Wolves invading Phoenix on Tuesday. The Suns will have a pair of crucial contests to wrap up the week when they host the Jazz (Friday) and Blazers (Sunday), trying to avenge four losses to those two squads.
8 - Blazers
Weekly Rewind: Portland is nearly back to health and it's showing in the win column as the Blazers have won six of their last seven. The Blazers picked up three victories over the mediocrity of Northern California, beating the Kings twice and the Warriors. The offense has opened up with over 100 points scored in eight of the last nine.
Weekly Outlook: The Blazers won't hit the court again until Friday night against the struggling Wizards. Portland goes for its third win over Phoenix this season when the Blazers head to the Valley on Sunday. Nate McMillan's team is 6-3 ATS the last nine away from the Rose Garden.
9 - Grizzlies
Weekly Rewind: Memphis is still hanging around in the playoff race, while helping itself with a 111-91 thrashing of Boston on the road. The Grizzlies held off a furious Knicks' rally before falling short in a home loss to the Nuggets. Memphis is now 1-9-1 ATS the last 11 at FedEx Forum, a far cry from the 11-game winning streak it owned at home in December and January.
Weekly Outlook: The Grizzlies have the potential to sweep the three-game week, starting with the beat-up Bulls at home on Tuesday. Memphis hits the road for a quick trip to Houston on Wednesday, as the Grizzlies are 7-0 SU/ATS the last seven on the highway. The week concludes on Saturday with a home matchup against the Warriors.
10 - Rockets
Weekly Rewind: Houston is still on the outside looking in, but the Rockets won three of four games this past week. Rick Adelman's squad downed lowly Washington on the road, then needed to hold off feisty New Jersey at home, but the Rockets failed to cover against the Nets as nearly double-digit favorites.
Weekly Outlook: The home slate won't be easy this week, hosting the Nuggets (Monday), Grizzlies (Wednesday), and Celtics (Friday). Houston owns a dreadful 3-14 ATS mark the last 17 games at the Toyota Center. The Rockets begin a three-game roadie on Sunday with a trip to the Garden to battle the Knicks.
11 - Hornets
Weekly Rewind: Things have nearly unraveled for the once-promising Hornets, dropping seven of eight and falling below .500. New Orleans outlasted Golden State, 135-131, but failed to cover as six-point 'chalk.' The Hornets were then tripped up by the Thunder, Nuggets, and Suns, moving New Orleans to 0-7 ATS the last seven games.
Weekly Outlook: New Orleans continues a five-game trip with two winnable games in California starting Monday against the Clippers. The Hornets head to the northern part of the Golden State to battle the Warriors on Wednesday, prior to a nationally televised contest on Thursday at Denver. Things don't get easier on Saturday when the trip concludes in Salt Lake against the Jazz.
12 - Clippers
Weekly Rewind: The season can't end fast enough for the Clippers, losers of seven straight, including all five on their recent road trip. Los Angeles picked up only one cover on its latest road venture, cashing a backdoor ticket in an eight-point loss at Charlotte as ten-point 'dogs. The other four games weren't even close, losing each contest by double-digits.
Weekly Outlook: The Clips return to the friendly confines of Staples Center for three games this week. The Hornets arrive in Southern California on Monday, prior to a visit from Milwaukee on Wednesday. The week ends with an epic division showdown against the Kings, as the home team has claimed each of the first two meetings.
13 - Kings
Weekly Rewind: The Kings have turned into a covering machine, cashing eight of ten games after Sunday's win over the Wolves. Sacramento hasn't been winning many games, but the Kings' did pick up a pair of blowouts, including one over the Raptors, aided by a 43-point third quarter. That win was sandwiched by a pair of losses to the Blazers, including an ugly 110-94 defeat at home.
Weekly Outlook: Paul Westphal's club returns to the court on Tuesday to host the Lakers, already taking the Champs down to the wire twice this season in losses. The Kings look to knock off the Bucks for a second time when Milwaukee visits Arco Arena on Wednesday. The week concludes on Sunday with a trip down the coast against the Clippers.
14 - Warriors
Weekly Rewind: Golden State wrapped up a disastrous road trip, going 0-5 SU, but the Warriors went 3-2 ATS. Stephen Curry hit a couple of late three-pointers to cash as underdogs against the Hornets to end the trip, playing one of the highest-scoring games of the season with 266 combined points. The Warriors covered in consecutive games as home 'dogs against the Blazers and Raptors. Golden State ran out of gas in a six-point loss to Portland, but exploded for a huge third quarter to pull away from Toronto.
Weekly Outlook: The Warriors will be tested four times this week starting with the Lakers at home on Monday. Golden State tries to avoid a season sweep to New Orleans when the Hornets invade the Bay Area on Wednesday. The Warriors go back on the road for consecutive contests at San Antonio (Friday) and Memphis (Saturday).
15 - Timberwolves
Weekly Rewind: Some thought Minnesota was turning the corner with four straight wins in late January, but the Wolves are who we thought they were with losses in 15 of the last 16 games. Minnesota didn't have it easy with home losses to the some of the West's elite, falling to Dallas, Denver, and San Antonio. The low point came in a 114-100 setback at Sacramento, but the Wolves trailed by as many as 34.
Weekly Outlook: Kurt Rambis' team will continue a four-game trip on Tuesday at Phoenix against the Suns. Things don't ease up on Wednesday on the second of a back-to-back at Utah. The Wolves will end the road trip on a solid note, battling the Lakers on Friday.
vegasinsider.com