Weekly Notes - East
By Chris David
The Eastern Conference can be divided into three groups and all can benefit or burn gamblers late in the season. Looking at the 15 teams in the conference closer, it’s safe to say that six have already packed it in and the remaining nine are still alive. Of those nine, five are getting ready for the playoffs while the other four are fighting for three spots.
Let’s take a closer look!
Getting Ready – All five, even the Bucks, of these teams will be dancing in the second season come mid-April. Cleveland should still be firing on all cylinders still, since it’s looking to beat the L.A. Lakers for the top overall seed and homecourt throughout the entire playoffs. Orlando has a decent cushion on the second seed while Boston and Atlanta are deadlocked for the 3 and 4 spots. Milwaukee should garner the fifth seed as long as it doesn’t run out of gas.
1) Cleveland
Weekly Recap – The Cavaliers extending their winning streak to seven games after posting a 4-0 straight up record last week. The team went 2-2 against the spread, with both covers coming in a pair of wins against the Pistons. The ‘under’ went 3-1.
Weekly Outlook – Cleveland will be off until Wednesday when it travels to New Orleans. Two nights later, the Cavs will visit San Antonio and then wrap up the week at home on Sunday versus Sacramento. The club has been a solid bet (20-15 ATS) on the road this year.
2) Orlando
Weekly Recap – Stan Van Gundy’s team had a light week, with only two games on tap, and fortunately they won both. After ripping San Antonio (110-84) on Wednesday, the Magic avoided a letdown the next night on the road and knocked off Miami (108-102) in overtime. The ‘over’ cashed in both games. Gamblers should make a note that Orlando is 10-1 SU and 8-3 ATS in its last 11.
Weekly Outlook – The schedule picks up this week with four games, the first two on the road. Trips to Philadelphia and Atlanta are both separated by days of rest. After that pair, Minnesota comes to Orlando on Friday and then a nice test against Denver on Sunday. The game against the Wolves could be a look-ahead spot, and the same can be said about the 76ers battle too.
3) Boston
Weekly Recap – It’s hard to say Boston is playing at its best level just yet, but it has improved. The team went 4-0 last week, both SU and ATS. Victories at home against the Pistons (119-93) and Knicks (109-97) weren’t big surprises but the two road wins in two nights against the Rockets (94-87) and Mavericks (102-93) were very impressive. The ‘under’ went 3-1.
Weekly Outlook – Doc Rivers and company finish up their road trip on Monday at Utah. After that contest, they come home for three straight against Denver, Sacramento and San Antonio. All three tilts at TD Garden will be separated by a day of rest. Also, the battles against the Nuggets and Spurs will be televised nationally on ESPN.
4) Atlanta
Weekly Recap – The Hawks should’ve posted a perfect 4-0 record last week but a late collapse at Toronto (105-106) hurt the club. Despite the close setback, the team went 3-1 SU and 2-2 ATS. Victories at home over Charlotte (93-92) and San Antonio (119-114) in overtime gave the team some playoff experience.
Weekly Outlook – Atlanta starts the week on Monday at Milwaukee in the back end of a back-to-back spot. Orlando visits on Wednesday before Indiana comes to town on Sunday. Sandwiched between those games is a quick road trip to Philadelphia on Friday.
5) Milwaukee
Weekly Recap – Head coach Scott Skiles and the Bucks hit a little speed bump last Wednesday when they lost at the Staples Center to the Clippers (93-101). Milwaukee bounced back quickly with an overtime win at Sacramento (114-108) and even more impressive, a victory at Denver (102-97) the very next night. Since the All-Star break, the Bucks own a sizzling 14-3 both SU and ATS record.
Weekly Outlook – The Bucks have four games at home this week and the first matchup on Monday could be the fade spot against Atlanta, especially after the roadie. The 76ers visit Wednesday, followed by the Heat on Friday. And then the Grizzlies come to the Bradley Center on Sunday.
Four teams for Three Spots – Right now it appears that Chicago will be the odd team out but anything can happen with these streaky clubs. The one thing you should learn is never to play the due factor with any of these four.
6) Miami
Weekly Recap – The Heat had a few opportunities to step up last week and unfortunately they didn’t. The club lost to San Antonio (76-88) and Orlando (102-108) at home, but bounced back with an ugly win over Charlotte (77-71) from American Airlines Arena on Saturday. The ‘under’ went 2-1 in the three games.
Weekly Outlook – Miami opens this week with three consecutive road games against the Nets, Bulls and Bucks. The game at Chicago will be a TNT showdown and the contest against Milwaukee will be on zero days rest. After those games, the Heat will host the Raptors on Sunday.
7) Charlotte
Weekly Recap – If it wasn’t for a rally against Oklahoma City (100-92) at home on Wednesday, Larry Brown’s team would’ve gone winless last week. Despite the victory, the Bobcats lost three other games to the Pacers (94-99), Hawks (92-93) and Heat (71-77). The lack of offense in the setbacks helped the ‘under’ go 3-0.
Weekly Outlook – Charlotte has a good opportunity to make a move this week with three games against bad teams that are playing really poor. A trip to Washington on Tuesday is followed with a home contest the next night versus Minnesota. Then on Friday, the ‘Cats face the Wizards again, this time at home.
8) Toronto
Weekly Recap – The Raptors earned a nice win over Atlanta (106-105) on Wednesday but that was erased quickly with a 26-point loss (89-115) to Oklahoma City on Friday. Toronto saved some face with a 100-90 win at New Jersey on Saturday. Make a note that the Raptors are 2-12 ATS in their last 14 games.
Weekly Outlook – Toronto starts the week at Minnesota and ends the week in South Beach against Miami. The Raptors do have a pair of home games between that pair but they’ll be tough contests versus the Jazz and Nuggets. The club holds a 2 ½-game lead over Chicago for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. The two teams only meet one more time and Toronto has already taken the first two encounters.
9) Chicago
Weekly Recap – The Bulls snapped their 10-game losing streak on Saturday with a 98-84 road win over Philadelphia. Chicago did manage to go 4-0 ATS this week, despite a 1-3 record. Keep in mind they were catching 10-plus points in three of the four due to the injury plaguing Derrick Rose. The ‘under’ went 3-1 over the four games.
Weekly Outlook – Chicago has another four games on tap this week and the first three are at home against Houston, Miami and New Jersey. After Saturday’s battle against the Nets, the team will face a back-to-back spot at Detroit on Sunday. Vinny Del Negro’s team is 0-5 SU and 1-4 ATS in their last five at the United Center.
Packed it In – These six clubs have been all but eliminated from playoff contention and wagering on them should be considered dangerous. However, the role of spoiler often presents good opportunities, especially at home.
10) New York
Weekly Recap – The Knicks would’ve been winless last week if they didn’t face Philadelphia, who they defeated twice. One victory was on the road (94-84) and the other instance from Madison Square Garden (92-88). Losses at Boston (97-109) and home to Houston (112-116) filled out the week. The ‘under’ went 3-0 before the shootout occurred against the Rockets.
Weekly Outlook – New York hosts Denver on Tuesday before embarking on a five-game trip out West. Fortunately, the Knicks only play Phoenix on Friday.
11) Indiana
Weekly Recap – Nobody knows what got into Indiana last week but the team posted a 3-1 SU and 4-0 ATS mark, with victories over Charlotte (99-94), Detroit (106-102) and Oklahoma City (121-101). The lone loss came at Cleveland (94-99), which was a back-and-forth affair. The total went 2-2.
Weekly Outlook – The Pacers have another four games on tap this week, two at home and two on the road. Indiana starts the week at Detroit and closes on Sunday at Atlanta for an afternoon battle. In between those games are home contests against Washington and Utah.
12) Detroit
Weekly Recap – The Pistons dropped four games last week, three coming by 10 or more. As most would’ve expected, the team lost to the Celtics and twice to the Cavaliers. The other setback came at Indiana (102-106) in a game they trailed from the start. The ‘over’ went 3-1.
Weekly Outlook – Detroit has a chance to get back on track this week with home contests versus Indiana and Chicago, plus a road game at New Jersey. Considering the Pistons are 0-9 in their last nine tilts outside The Palace of Auburn Hills, nothing should be considered easy.
13) Philadelphia
Weekly Recap – After the 76ers lost to the Bulls (84-98) on Saturday at home, I laughed when I read head coach Eddie Jordan’s comments. He said, “We just didn’t have it.” Philadelphia hasn’t had it all year Eddie and last week’s 1-3 SU and ATS ledger summed up another losing week. The other two losses came to the hapless Knicks, while the lone win was against New Jersey.
Weekly Outlook – Philadelphia has three games on tap this week, two at home versus Orlando and Atlanta. A road trip to Milwaukee will be nestled between the two and all three will be separated by a day of rest.
14) Washington
Weekly Recap – Washington’s woeful season continues to get worse by the game. The Wizards went 0-4 on their West Coast trip last week and they’ve now dropped 11 straight contests in a row. Flip Saunders and company did manage to go 3-1 ATS and the ‘under’ cashed in all four.
Weekly Outlook – The Wizards have four games on tap this week, split into a pair of back-to-back sets, with travel too. After hosting Charlotte on Tuesday, the team heads to Indiana the next night. On Friday, they visit the Bobcats before hosting Utah on Saturday.
15) New Jersey
Weekly Recap – The Nets saw their losing skid reach seven games after the team went 0-3 both SU and ATS last week. All three losses were by double digits and they allowed 100-plus in all as well. The worst record in the NBA occurred in the 1972-73 season when Philadelphia went 9-73. New Jersey has seven wins and only 13 chances to topple the 76ers futility.
Weekly Outlook – New Jersey will have four chances to snap their slide this week, including three opportunities at home. Miami, Sacramento and Detroit visit the IZOD Center. The Nets have one road battle at Chicago, which will be on zero days rest too.
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Weekly Notes - West
By Kevin Rogers
1 - Lakers
Weekly Rewind: As expected, the Champs took care of business with a clean four-game sweep of the Warriors, Kings, Wolves, and Wizards. The Lakers let their opponents hang around as Golden State, Minnesota, and Washington each picked up covers, dropping L.A. to 1-8 ATS the last eight games as favorites of at least eight points.
Weekly Outlook: The Lakers take their last substantial road trip of the season with a five-gamer that starts Wednesday in San Antonio. Phil Jackson's club will follow that up with a tough back-to-back beginning Friday in Oklahoma City, then wrapping up the week in Houston on Saturday.
2 - Nuggets
Weekly Rewind: Denver has turned into a bit of a 'fade' machine recently, as the Nuggets failed to cover each of their last four games. Denver held off Washington and New Orleans as double-digit home favorites, before losing outright to Milwaukee. The Nuggets' offense has dried up in this span by getting held to 97 points or less in each game.
Weekly Outlook: Similarly to the Lakers, the Nuggets leave home for five games. George Karl's squad travels to New York on Tuesday, followed by a showdown with the Celtics in Boston on Wednesday. The Nuggets head north of the border on Friday to battle the Raptors, then make a trip to Florida on Sunday to take on the Magic.
3 - Mavericks
Weekly Rewind: Dallas hasn't looked very sharp since having its 13-game winning streak snapped by New York. The Mavs managed a split this week at home, beating the Bulls while losing to the Celtics. Dallas didn't cover in the win over Chicago, a game in which the Bulls played without several players, including Derrick Rose. Following the loss to Boston, the Mavs fall to 2-26-1 ATS the last 29 games as a home favorite.
Weekly Outlook: The Mavs will have a busy week with four games, starting with a road contest against the Hornets on Monday. Rick Carlisle's team comes back home on Tuesday to host the woeful Clippers before heading back on the road for two games. Dallas travels to Portland on Thursday, then wraps up the week on Saturday at Golden State.
4 - Jazz
Weekly Rewind: Utah continues to roll at home, picking up three victories in Salt Lake this past week against Washington, Minnesota, and New Orleans. The Jazz has covered six straight games at home, with each of the last five coming as 9 ½-point 'chalk' or more. Utah's only slip-up came at Phoenix, falling for the first time in three tries this season against the Suns, 110-100.
Weekly Outlook: The Jazz conclude a mini two-game homestand with the Celtics on Monday before heading east for three games. The start of the road trip begins Wednesday at Toronto, followed by a back-to-back at Indiana (Friday) and Washington (Saturday).
5 - Suns
Weekly Rewind: The Suns completed their homestand with four straight victories, as Phoenix covered three times. Phoenix scored a league-high 152 points in a 38-point thrashing of Minnesota, while downing both Utah and Portland for the first time this season.
Weekly Outlook: Alvin Gentry's team makes the quick turnaround on Monday to battle Golden State in a run-and-gun affair. The Suns return to the court on Friday against the Knicks at home, followed by a five-game road trip that starts in Minnesota on Sunday.
6 - Thunder
Weekly Rewind: Oklahoma City has gotten to a point where it can feel disappointed following a 1-2 SU/ATS road trip as the Thunder lost at Charlotte and Indiana. The lone bright spot came in a 115-89 blowout at Toronto, the only instance in the last five games in which the Thunder has allowed less than 100 points.
Weekly Outlook: The Thunder returns home for four games this week against all substantial opponents starting with the Spurs on Monday. OKC welcomes in Houston on Wednesday, followed by the Lakers on Friday. Scott Brooks' team is a combined 0-6 SU against Houston and L.A., while covering just twice. The week ends with the Thunder entertaining the Blazers as Portland plays with no rest.
7 - Spurs
Weekly Rewind: The Spurs had an up-and-down week by alternating wins and losses in four games. San Antonio picked up victories over Miami and Golden State, but the Spurs fell at Orlando and Atlanta. The Spurs scored a season-high 147 points against the Warriors, marking the fourth straight home cover. San Antonio blew a double-digit lead in the overtime loss at Atlanta, the third straight game it has allowed at least 110 points.
Weekly Outlook: Things will not be easy for Gregg Popovich's squad this week, playing four legit clubs starting with Oklahoma City on the road on Monday. The Spurs then run a tougher gauntlet hosting the Lakers (Wednesday) and Cavs (Friday), followed by a trip to Boston on Sunday against the Celtics.
8 - Blazers
Weekly Rewind: Portland's rhythm was a bit interrupted with only two games, splitting against Washington and Phoenix. The Blazers had scored at least 100 points in 10 of 11 games prior to a 76-74 win over the Wizards. Portland followed up that non-cover with a 93-87 loss at Phoenix, but the Blazers managed a 'push' as six-point underdogs.
Weekly Outlook: The Blazers return to the court on Thursday in another nationally televised game against the Mavs at home. Portland heads back on the road on Saturday for the start of a back-to-back in New Orleans, followed by a matchup in Oklahoma City on Sunday.
9 - Grizzlies
Weekly Rewind: The Grizzlies continue to be a roller-coaster ride, alternating wins and losses in each of their last five games. Memphis held off a beat-up Chicago club, the 10th straight non-cover at home. The Grizzlies followed that win up with a loss at Houston, but ended their home ATS skid with a 16-point victory over Golden State.
Weekly Outlook: Memphis begins its last major road trip of the season with three games away from the FedEx Forum. The Grizzlies head to Sacramento on Monday, followed by the short flight to Golden State on Wednesday. Memphis comes back east to wrap up the trip on Sunday in Milwaukee.
10 - Rockets
Weekly Rewind: The Rockets have been playing extremely well since the return of Trevor Ariza to the lineup, as Houston is 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS the last six games. The Rockets outlasted the Nuggets as short home 'dogs, then took care of the Grizzlies. Houston was handled by Boston, scoring below 90 points for just the second time since the All-Star Break. The Rockets bounced back with a 116-112 victory at New York, the third win in the last four tries on the road.
Weekly Outlook: The road trip continues on Monday in Chicago as the Rockets try to avenge a late January home loss to the Bulls. The Rockets head to Oklahoma City on Wednesday, looking to pull off the season sweep of the Thunder. Houston comes back to the Toyota Center for three games on Thursday as the two L.A. teams come to town, starting with the Clippers followed by the Lakers on Saturday.
11 - Hornets
Weekly Rewind: New Orleans must be thrilled being done with a 1-4 road trip, while scoring 166 total points the final two games. The lone victory came over the Clippers, as the Hornets fell short against the Warriors, Nuggets, and Jazz. The Hornets have dropped out of playoff contention in the Western Conference with a 2-10 SU/ATS mark the last 12 games.
Weekly Outlook: It won't be easy this week for the Hornets, even though they start a five-game homestand. New Orleans hosts Dallas on Monday, followed by visits from Cleveland (Wednesday) and Portland (Saturday). The Hornets are 1-3 SU and 0-4 ATS the last four at home, while hoping to get Chris Paul back in the lineup after the guard has missed the last seven weeks with a knee injury.
12 - Clippers
Weekly Rewind: The Clippers continue to act like themselves, posting a 1-2 SU/ATS record this past week. The only positive was a victory on national television over the streaking Bucks, easily cashing as a five-point home underdog. The Clips have hit the 'over' in six of the past seven games, but that has more to do with horrible defense as opposed to stellar offense.
Weekly Outlook: Five of the next six games for the Clippers are away from Staples Center, starting with two games in Texas. The Clips head to Dallas on Tuesday followed by a Thursday matchup in Houston. Both the Mavs and Rockets will be playing with no rest, but the Clips are 2-4 ATS the last six against clubs on the second of a back-to-back. Los Angeles wraps up the week at home against Golden State on Sunday.
13 - Kings
Weekly Rewind: The Kings are coming off a pair of tough home losses to the Lakers and Bucks, dropping Sacramento to 0-4 SU/ATS the last four as a 'dog at Arco Arena. Paul Westphal's club did bounce back with a 102-89 thumping of the Clippers as 4 ½-point road underdogs, improving to 4-1 ATS this season without Tyreke Evans.
Weekly Outlook: Sacramento comes home for one contest against Memphis on Monday before traveling east for five games. The Kings head to New Jersey on Wednesday prior to a difficult pair of games at Boston (Friday) and Cleveland (Sunday). Sacramento is a solid 5-0 ATS the last five as a road underdog.
14 - Warriors
Weekly Rewind: Golden State's defensive numbers definitely took a hit this past week (if that's possible) by allowing at least 121 points in all four games. The Warriors covered both home games against the Lakers and Hornets, but fell short in a big way in road losses to the Spurs and Grizzlies.
Weekly Outlook: Don Nelson's squad hits the court four times, including three games at Oracle Arena. The Warriors host the Suns on Monday, as Phoenix is playing the second of a back-to-back. Golden State entertains Memphis on Wednesday, followed by a visit from Dallas on Saturday. The Warriors travel south on I-5 for a Sunday matchup with the Clippers.
15 - Timberwolves
Weekly Rewind: The season can't end quickly enough for this young Wolves team, losers of 12 straight. Minnesota is 1-16 SU and 5-11-1 ATS since the All-Star Break, including an 0-4 road trip out west. The Wolves' lone cover came coincidentally against the Lakers as Minnesota covered as 15-point 'dogs in an eight-point loss.
Weekly Outlook: The skid could move to 16 after this week as the Wolves host the Raptors on Monday. Minnesota goes on the road for two games inside the Southeast Division starting Wednesday in Charlotte and Friday in Orlando. The Wolves head back home on Sunday to host a Suns team that torched Minnesota for 152 points less than a week ago.
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