Weekly Notes - East
By Chris David
1) Cleveland
Weekly Recap: The Cavaliers had their eight-game winning streak snapped last Friday with a road loss at San Antonio (97-102). Despite the tough loss, Cleveland managed to post another winning week (2-1 straight up) but they were only 1-2 against the spread. The 'under' went 2-1 and is on a 5-1 run the last six.
Weekly Outlook: The Cavaliers still have a Magic Number of 10 to claim homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs over the L.A. Lakers, so you won't see the team letting up just yet. Cleveland will face Milwaukee and Atlanta at home this week before meeting the Celtics on Easter Sunday in Boston.
2) Orlando
Weekly Recap: Orlando continued to show its muscle again, posting a 3-1 SU and 1-2-1 ATS mark last week. The lone loss came to Atlanta (84-86) on a buzzer-beater dunk from the Hawks' Josh Smith. The Magic quickly rebounded with an easy win over Minnesota (106-97) before nipping Denver (103-97) on Sunday. Shooting guard Vince Carter (toe) left the game early against the Nuggets but isn't expected to miss much time.
Weekly Outlook: Carter and company will catch three days of rest before heading to Dallas for a TNT showdown on Thursday. After facing the Mavs, the Magic head to San Antonio on Friday for a battle on zero days rest. Orlando faces yet another Southwest Division team on Sunday, this time at home versus Memphis.
3) Atlanta
Weekly Recap: It seems like the Hawks went through the motions last week, as the team compiled a 2-2 record. The two losses came on the road to the Bucks (95-98) and 76ers (98-105), while wins over Orlando (86-84) and Indiana (94-84) occurred at Philips Arena. The total went 2-2.
Weekly Outlook: Atlanta and its backers will get a good opportunity to measure the club this week as the playoffs approach. The Hawks host the Lakers on Thursday and then visit the Cavaliers on Friday. Mike Woodson's team closes the week at home versus Detroit on Saturday what looks like a serious letdown spot on zero days rest.
4) Boston
Weekly Recap: Doc Rivers' club began the week with a double-digit loss at Utah (97-110) but rebounded with a pair of home wins over Denver (113-99) and Sacramento (94-86). Unfortunately that momentum was stopped Sunday with a demoralizing loss to San Antonio (73-94) from TD Garden. The Celtics went 1-3 ATS and the total was 2-2.
Weekly Outlook: Gamblers have had trouble gauging Boston at home (11-24 ATS) this season and they could be tossing coins this week. The C's have three games at TD Garden, starting with Oklahoma City on Wednesday. Houston visits Friday before a Sunday showdown against Cleveland on Sunday.
5) Miami
Weekly Recap: The Heat had an impressive week, posting a 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS mark. After topping the Nets (99-89), Bulls (103-74) and Bucks (87-74) on the road with incredible defensive efforts, the club avoided a big letdown in a win against Toronto (97-94) on Sunday. Miami trailed by as many as 17 in this win and outscored the Raptors 30-17 in the last quarter.
Weekly Outlook: Miami will embark on another three-game road trip this week and while the travel could play a toll, the opponents aren't that scary. Check the lines but don't be surprised to see the Heat laying points against the Pistons, Pacers or Timberwolves. All eight of Miami's remaining opponents have losing records, which means the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference looks good.
6) Milwaukee
Weekly Recap: The Bucks went 2-2 SU and 1-3 ATS last week and they were fortunate to do that. Victories over Atlanta (98-95) and Memphis (108-103, OT) could be considered lucky, while home losses to the 76ers (86-101) and Heat (74-87) were disappointing. Has Milwaukee raised its expectations too high? Gamblers might want to tread lightly down the stretch with the Bucks and in the playoffs too.
Weekly Outlook: Milwaukee's schedule doesn't lighten up this week with a pair of back-to-back sets on tap. The Bucks host the Clippers before traveling to Cleveland in the first pair, and then visit Charlotte and welcome the Suns over the weekend. It will be interesting to see if Skiles can get his team up for Los Angeles, especially with the three other matchups versus playoff teams on deck.
7) Charlotte
Weekly Recap: The Bobcats return from their vacation this week after posting two wins over the Wizards (95-86, 107-96) and one victory against the Timberwolves (108-95). The team covered all three, even though the first meeting at Washington went into overtime. The 'over' went 2-1.
Weekly Outlook: Charlotte has already eclipsed the franchise record of 35 wins in a season but it has never made the playoffs. Larry Brown's team has a great chance and this week's slate is promising, with three out of four being played at home. Toronto, Philadelphia and Milwaukee will visit North Carolina. The 'Cats will end the week on Saturday at Chicago.
8) Chicago
Weekly Recap: The Bulls continue to fight for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. Last week, Chicago went 3-1 both SU and ATS. The loss at home to Miami (74-103) was disturbing but the team bounced back with expected wins over the Nets (106-93) and Pistons (110-103). The Bulls are 7-1 ATS in their last eight, and the 'under' has produced a 6-2 mark during this stretch.
Weekly Outlook: Chicago will face Phoenix on Tuesday from the United Center before a Friday battle at Washington. After the quick road trip to D.C., the Bulls face another playoff-caliber team in Charlotte on Saturday. Five of the final nine games for Chicago are at home, so the road contests have much higher stakes.
9) Toronto
Weekly Recap: Even though the Raptors still hold a ½-game lead over the Bulls for the last playoff seed in the East, this team is fading quickly. Toronto beat a slumping Minnesota (106-100) on the road Monday but that was the only positive note. The Raptors lost their three other games and two of them were tough to stomach. A buzzer beater to Denver (96-97) and a huge blown lead at Miami (94-97) could come back to haunt this team. The 'under' is on a 6-0 run for the Raptors.
Weekly Outlook: Well find out a lot about Toronto this week. The Raptors face the Bobcats on zero days rest Monday before heading home on Wednesday to meet the Clippers. Games at Philadelphia on Saturday and home versus Golden State on Sunday are must-win spots.
10) Indiana
Weekly Recap: The league's hottest team against the number was finally cooled off last Sunday, as the Pacers blew a nice lead in a loss at Atlanta (84-94). Indiana still managed to go 3-1 both SU and ATS last week and is 8-1 ATS over the last nine. The 'under' went 3-1 over the past seven days.
Weekly Outlook: Six of Indiana's final eight games will be played at Conseco Fieldhouse, which includes three tilts this week. Sacramento, Miami and Houston all visit the Hoosier State, where most of the attention will be on the Final Four from Indianapolis instead of the Pacers.
11) New York
Weekly Recap: The Knicks played two contests last week, both against quality clubs from the Western Conference. After stunning Denver (109-104) at home on Tuesday, the Knicks were blasted at Phoenix (96-132) on Friday. The total went 1-1.
Weekly Outlook: New York continues its five-game road trip out West this week with four contests. Matchups against Utah and Portland look like losses on paper, but weekend encounters against the Warriors and Clippers could be tossups, depending on which Knicks squad shows up.
12) Philadelphia
Weekly Recap: Surprisingly, Philadelphia showed a little bounce in its step last week. After suffering its third straight loss to Orlando (93-109) on Monday, the 76ers rebounded with an impressive road win at Milwaukee (101-86). Two days later, no letdown was in effect as Philadelphia knocked off Atlanta (105-98) as a live home 'dog. The 'over' went 2-1.
Weekly Outlook: Philadelphia has three games on tap this week, which starts at home on Tuesday against Oklahoma City. The 76ers then head to Charlotte the very next night for a back-to-back situation. They close the week with a home encounter against Toronto on Saturday.
13) Detroit
Weekly Recap: The Pistons are another team that has packed it in, now losers of eight in a row and 15 of the last 17. Last week the team fell to the Pacers (83-98), Nets (110-118) and Bulls (103-110). Detroit is 0-8 ATS during this ATS skid and five of the losses have come by 10 or more. The 'over' is 6-2 during this stretch.
Weekly Outlook: Detroit has three games on tap this week, two at home versus Miami and Phoenix. After meeting the Suns, the Pistons head to Atlanta for a matchup on zero days rest. The team is 0-10 SU and 2-8 ATS in their last 10 on the road.
14) Washington
Weekly Recap: Flip Saunders is probably wondering what else could go wrong this season. The head coach has watched his dismantled team lose 15 in a row, which included four setbacks last week, three coming by double digits. The club was 0-4 ATS and the 'under' went 3-1. Washington's offense has busted the century mark once in the last 17 games, which has helped the 'under' go 13-4 during this stretch.
Weekly Outlook: The Wizards start the week on Tuesday with a back-to-back set on the road against the Rockets and Hornets. Following this trip, they finish the week with home games against the Bulls and Nets.
15) New Jersey
Weekly Recap: The Nets started and ended the week with doubled-digit losses to the Heat (89-99) and Bulls (83-106), which was the bad news. The good news is that New Jersey beat the Kings (93-79) and Pistons (118-110) in consecutive nights, the first time that's happened all year. With the win over Detroit, the team won't be known as the worst team in NBA history either.
Weekly Outlook: New Jersey has four games on the docket this week, three coming at home again. Unfortunately, the opponents will be much tougher in the Spurs, Suns and Hornets. The Nets close the week with a road trip to Washington on Sunday, which will be on zero days rest too.
vegasinsider.com
Weekly Notes - West
By Kevin Rogers
1 - Lakers
Weekly Rewind: The Purple and Gold remains hot, despite slipping up at Oklahoma City. The Lakers have won eight of nine, including road victories over the Spurs and Rockets. The Houston victory went 'over' the total, snapping a five-game run of 'unders.'
Weekly Outlook: L.A. continues its five-game road trip on Monday in New Orleans against the Hornets. The trip concludes in Atlanta on Wednesday, followed by two key home games against the Jazz (Friday) and Spurs (Sunday). The Lakers are 2-8-1 ATS the last 11 at Staples Center, but six of those losses came as double-digit favorites.
2 - Nuggets
Weekly Rewind: Denver has turned into pointspread poison recently, dropping seven straight games ATS. The Nuggets fell at New York and Boston to start a five-game road swing, but bounced back with a last-second win at Toronto. The victory over the Raptors didn't help Denver backers as the Nuggets failed to cover as 5 ½-point 'chalk.'
Weekly Outlook: The Nuggets have three road games remaining against playoff teams in the West, starting with the Mavs in Dallas on Monday. Denver returns to the Pepsi Center for a pair of games beginning Thursday against Portland. The Nuggets wrap up the week on Saturday hosting the woeful Clippers.
3 - Mavericks
Weekly Rewind: Dallas is trying to rediscover the magic of a 13-game winning streak through late February to mid-March. The Mavs finished the week 2-2 SU/ATS following wins over the Clippers and Warriors. Dallas was bounced in two road losses at New Orleans and Portland, but the Mavs are 6-2 ATS the last eight away from the American Airlines Center.
Weekly Outlook: The week will not be easy for the Mavs, who return home to host the Nuggets on Monday. Dallas heads to Memphis on Wednesday, before a three-game homestand that begins on Thursday against Orlando. Rick Carlisle's team wraps up the week with the final regular season meeting with the Thunder on Saturday.
4 - Jazz
Weekly Rewind: The Jazz knocked off the Celtics to start the week, then captured two of three on the East Coast. Utah won at Toronto and Washington, but fell at Indiana as 5 ½-point favorites. Jerry Sloan's squad is 9-1 ATS the last ten when laying points, including a 5-0 ATS mark at home.
Weekly Outlook: Utah returns home to entertain New York on Monday, as the Jazz have covered seven straight as 'chalk' of at least 9 ½ points. The Jazz host the Warriors on Wednesday, followed by a Friday trip to Los Angeles, battling the Lakers.
5 - Suns
Weekly Rewind: Phoenix is playing its best basketball right now, winning six straight games heading into Sunday's meeting with Minnesota. The Suns are 9-2-1 ATS the last 12 at home, while losing just one game straight-up in this span to the Jazz on March 4. Phoenix held off Golden State in a high-scoring affair, followed by a 36-point thrashing of New York at home.
Weekly Outlook: The Suns continue their five-game roadie in Chicago on Tuesday, looking to avenge a home loss to the Bulls in January. Alvin Gentry's club plays with no rest on Wednesday at New Jersey, then plays another back-to-back set starting Friday in Detroit. Phoenix wraps up the trip on Saturday at Milwaukee.
6 - Thunder
Weekly Rewind: Following a five-game winning streak, the Thunder is 3-4 their last seven games. OKC fell at home to San Antonio, but bounced back with convincing victories over the Rockets and Lakers. The 75 points allowed against the Champs was the lowest total OKC has yielded this season. The week ended with a home setback to Portland, the third win by the road team in the season series.
Weekly Outlook: The Thunder hits the road for their last major trip of the season, heading east for three games. Oklahoma City travels to Philadelphia on Tuesday, followed by a visit to Boston on Wednesday. The Thunder wraps up the trip down in Texas with a tussle against the Mavs on Saturday. OKC returns home on Sunday to entertain Minnesota.
7 - Spurs
Weekly Rewind: San Antonio wrapped up a difficult week with a blowout of Boston on Sunday night. The Spurs knocked off the Thunder on the road, but returned home and fell to the Lakers. San Antonio rallied past Cleveland as short home 'dogs, improving to 5-1 ATS the last six at the AT&T Center.
Weekly Outlook: The mini-two game swing through the Atlantic Division concludes in New Jersey on Monday night. The Spurs return home to host the Rockets on Wednesday and the Magic on Friday (both Houston and Orlando will be playing with no rest). San Antonio finishes off the week at Staples Center going for the season split against the Lakers on Sunday.
8 - Blazers
Weekly Rewind: Portland is rolling right now with victories in 12 of its last 15 games. The Blazers have played just five games since March 15, as Nate McMillan's team has held each opponent to below 100 points. Portland dispatched Dallas, 101-89, prior to solid road victories at New Orleans and Oklahoma City.
Weekly Outlook: The Blazers return to the Rose Garden for one game on Wednesday against the Knicks, followed by a visit to Denver on Thursday. Portland continues a three-game trip on Saturday in Sacramento, going for a season sweep of the Kings.
9 - Grizzlies
Weekly Rewind: Memphis probably won't be playoff-bound, but the Grizzlies are still playing above .500 basketball. The Grizzlies dispatched the Kings to start a three-game trip, but were run out by the Warriors, 128-110. Memphis wrapped up the roadie with an overtime loss at Milwaukee.
Weekly Outlook: The Grizzlies have two days off before a two-game homestand that begins with the Mavs on Wednesday. Memphis hosts New Orleans on Friday, but the Grizzlies are 2-10-1 ATS the last 13 at FedEx Forum. The Grizzlies head to Orlando on Sunday, owning an 8-3 ATS mark the previous eleven on the highway.
10 - Rockets
Weekly Rewind: The end of the line is here for Houston as the Rockets dropped all four games this past week. Rick Adelman's squad lost a pair of double-digit games at Chicago and Oklahoma City, before two home setbacks against the Clippers and Lakers. Kevin Martin missed the last two defeats to the L.A. teams with a sore left shoulder as the Rockets are currently the league's walking wounded.
Weekly Outlook: The Rockets try to avoid a winless homestand on Tuesday, and it seems like an achievable task against the stumbling Wizards. Houston hits the road for four games starting Wednesday in San Antonio, as the Rockets try to beat the Spurs for the third time this season. The final two games of the week are against Eastern foes, battling the Celtics on Friday and the Pacers on Sunday.
11 - Hornets
Weekly Rewind: Chris Paul returned to the New Orleans lineup after missing 25 games with a knee injury. The Hornets rallied past the Mavs as 4 ½-point home 'dogs to snap a three-game skid. New Orleans didn't conclude the week well with consecutive double-digit losses to Cleveland and Portland.
Weekly Outlook: The Hornets host the Lakers for the first time this season, looking to avoid the season sweep. New Orleans plays three teams outside of playoff contention the rest of the week, starting with Washington on Wednesday. The Hornets play a back-to-back beginning Friday in Memphis, followed by a Saturday meeting in New Jersey.
12 - Clippers
Weekly Rewind: As usual, the Clips are playing out the string in late March. L.A. competed well in a ten-point loss at Dallas, but failed to cover as 9 ½-point 'dogs. The Clips ended an 11-game road losing skid with a 99-93 victory at Houston.
Weekly Outlook: Los Angeles heads on the highway for three games starting Tuesday in Milwaukee, going for a second win over the Bucks in two weeks. The Clips make the quick turnaround to Toronto on Wednesday, followed by a trip to Denver on Saturday. The week concludes on Sunday against the Knicks at home.
13 - Kings
Weekly Rewind: Sacramento is running out of gas towards the end of the season, as Rookie of the Year candidate Tyreke Evans is sidelined with a concussion. The Kings lost all four games this past week, while being held below 100 points in each defeat. Sacramento did manage covers as large underdogs at Boston and Cleveland.
Weekly Outlook: The road trip eases up a bit on Tuesday as the Kings battle the Pacers. Sacramento plays with no rest at Minnesota on Wednesday, going for a third victory over the Wolves. Five of Sacramento's final six games are at Arco Arena beginning with Portland on Saturday.
14 - Warriors
Weekly Rewind: Golden State has been one of the best ATS teams at home recently, cashing seven of the past eight at Oracle Arena. The Warriors covered in a home loss to the Suns, followed by an 18-point victory over the Grizzlies. Golden State's luck ran out in a blowout loss to Dallas, only the second 'under' in the last ten games.
Weekly Outlook: The Warriors hit the court again Wednesday at Utah, trying to beat the Jazz for the first time in three tries. Don Nelson's squad hosts the Knicks on Friday before a four-game road trip that begins Sunday in Toronto. Golden State had covered eight of 11 on the road, but is 0-2 ATS the last two on the highway.
15 - Timberwolves
Weekly Rewind: Minnesota has won just one game since the All-Star Break, while losing 20 times. Extending it back to February 9, the Wolves are 1-22 SU with only eight covers in this span. The Wolves fell at home to the Raptors as 4 ½-point 'dogs, followed by a 13-point setback at Charlotte. Minnesota managed covers against Orlando and Phoenix, but allowed at least 100 points for the 15th straight game in the six-point loss to the Suns.
Weekly Outlook: The Wolves return to the Target Center on Wednesday to host Sacramento. This will begin a five-game stretch in which Minnesota catches its opponent with no rest. The Wolves entertain the Heat on Saturday, before a Sunday trip to Oklahoma City.
vegasinsider.com