Weekly Notes - East
By Chris David
The NBA regular season only has nine days remaining, with Wednesday Apr. 14 closing the year for 14 of the 30 teams. Sixteen will move onto the playoffs and some are already resting up for the second dance. Let's take a closer look at last week's efforts, plus analyze how the final two weeks play out for each club.
1) Cleveland
Weekly Recap: Cleveland went 2-1 straight up last week, but it burnt gamblers with a 0-3 against the spread mark. The team is now 0-5 ATS in their last five and 5-10 against the number over the last 15. The lone setback last week happened at Boston (113-117) in a game where Cleveland's frontcourt defense was exposed. The 'over' went 2-1.
Final Outlook: The Cavaliers need one win to lock up the overall top seed in the playoffs. Home games this week against Toronto and Indiana should warrant at least one win, and a TNT showdown on Thursday at Chicago is possible too. It will be interesting to see if Mike Brown shuts down the club after they clinch. On Sunday, Cleveland will host Orlando before wrapping up the regular season in Atlanta on Wednesday.
2) Orlando
Weekly Recap: The Magic went 2-1 both SU and ATS last week, as the team posted double-digit wins over Dallas (97-82) and Memphis (107-92). The loss came on zero days rest at San Antonio (100-112). The 'under' went 2-1 and is on a 5-1 run in the last six.
Final Outlook: Orlando needs one win or anAtlanta loss to lock up the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Four of the remaining five games for the Magic are against non-playoff clubs but a matchup at Cleveland on Sunday will be the final test of the regular season for Stan Van Gundy's team. The other four contests could be games to pass.
3) Atlanta
Weekly Recap: The Hawks went 2-1 both SU and ATS last week, with their only loss coming at Cleveland (88-93). Atlanta backers were fortunate to get the cover (+5.5) against the Cavs, considering they were down 12 with a minute left on the clock. The 'under' went 2-1.
Final Outlook: The Hawks have a Magic Number of six to lock up the third seed in the East over Boston, but it's actually five since they own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Celtics. Six games left, four of them coming on the road. This week, they start with a back-to-back set at Charlotte and Detroit. Then, they play another two games in two nights versus the Raptors and Wizards. Atlanta closes the season at Milwaukee and home versus Cleveland.
4) Boston
Weekly Recap: Doc Rivers and company avoided a four-game losing streak Sunday by stopping Cleveland (117-113) in a victory they almost blew. Boston went 3-3 SU and 2-4 ATS in its recent six-game homestand. The 'over' went 4-2, which was helped by an offense that put up triple digits in four of the six tilts.
Final Outlook: Catching Atlanta doesn't seem impossible but Boston to will need to close out the season with six straight wins, and four will have to come on the road, where the Celtics have played much better. The games outside of Beantown will be at New York, Toronto, Milwaukee and Chicago. As inconsistent as Boston has played at home, wins against Washington and Milwaukee should be expected. Even when you know, you just don't know!
5) Miami
Weekly Recap: Miami has quietly ripped off eight straight wins albeit against much weaker teams in the Eastern Conference. What's more impressive is that the Heat have held all eight opponents under 100 and six of the wins were by nine or more. The 'under' has gone 7-1 during this stretch.
Final Outlook: The Heat are all but locked into the fifth seed after their hot run and the schedule appears to get even softer. The final five games will be against teams with sub .500 records, three coming at home, two on the road. Don't be surprised to see Dwyane Wade get rested during the last week, with three games slated over four days to close the season.
6) Milwaukee
Weekly Recap: The Bucks went 2-2 SU last week and 4-0 ATS, with the two losses coming by a combined four points to the Cavaliers (98-101) and Bobcats (86-87). While those setbacks were tough to stomach, Milwaukee had a much bigger loss when center Andrew Bogut (elbow, hand) was hurt in a win over Phoenix (107-98). He's been ruled 'out' indefinitely and could be done for the playoffs.
Final Outlook: Milwaukee can clinch a playoff spot on Tuesday with a win at Chicago. Even if they don't win in "The Windy City" against the Bulls, the next night at home versus New Jersey seems probable. Still, no Bogut could spell trouble and don't be surprised to see Scott Skiles and company drop all the way down to the eighth seed. The last three games are against Boston (2) and Atlanta.
7) Charlotte
Weekly Recap: The Bobcats posted a 2-2 SU and 1-3 ATS mark last week. Losses to the Raptors (101-103) and the Bulls (88-96) were winnable, but the team folded in the final 12 minutes of each contest. The 'under' went 3-1.
Final Outlook: Charlotte has six games left, three on the road against the Hornets, Rockets and Nets. The three at home will be versus the Hawks, Pistons and Bulls. The regular season finale versus Chicago could have playoff implications for both teams.
8) Toronto
Weekly Recap: Toronto posted a 3-1 record last week, both SU and ATS, but the loss to Golden State (112-113) could come back to haunt the club. Despite the setback, Toronto is 7-2 ATS in its last nine games. The 'under' has gone 7-2-1 in the last 10.
Final Outlook: The Raptors are still ahead of the Bulls for the eighth and final playoff spot but their schedule is brutal this week. Three games in four nights against the Cavs, Celtics and Hawks look impossible. Then, Sunday's showdown against the Bulls could be a play-in game for both. Fortunately, Toronto closes with winnable spots against Detroit and New York.
9) Chicago
Weekly Recap: After losing to Phoenix (105-111) on Tuesday, the Bulls bounced back with victories against Washington (95-87) and Charlotte (96-88). The team is 8-2 ATS over its last 10 and the 'under' has produced a 7-3 mark during this span.
Final Outlook: Chicago already lost the head-to-head tiebreaker to the Raptors so it needs to win all of its final six games to have a legit chance of making the playoffs. Home games versus the Bucks, Cavs and Celtics will be tough outs, plus road contests at New Jersey, Toronto and Charlotte won't be much easier. The Sunday evening game in Canada against the Raptors will play a major factor.
10) Indiana
Weekly Recap: Even though the Pacers went 2-2 SU and 1-2-1 ATS last week, they're still one of the hottest teams at the betting counter. Indiana is 12-2-1 ATS in its last 15 and its certainly competing on a nightly basis. The total went 2-2 last week.
Final Outlook: Indiana finished the year with three home games, two that look like laughers against New York and New Jersey. The other battle is against Orlando, who could be resting as well. One road contest is at Cleveland, which could present value and the other at Washington to close the season. Don't be surprised to see the Pacers keep up their torrid pace in the last two weeks.
11) Philadelphia
Weekly Recap: After winning two in a row, the 76ers dropped three straight last week both SU and ATS. The team did show some heart on Saturday, as they rallied against Toronto (123-128) but still fell short in overtime. The 'over' went 2-1.
Final Outlook: Philadelphia definitely could be worth a look down the stretch, even though four of the final six are against playoff teams. They host the Pistons before catching the Heat off a long road trip in South Beach. Then, games against a banged-up Bucks team and a fading Grizzlies team don't appear to be dangerous. The final two games of the season will be against Miami at home and then at Orlando, but both of those teams are all but locked into their postseason slots.
12) New York
Weekly Recap: The Knicks finished up their five-game West Coast trip with a solid 113-107 win over the Clippers on Sunday. Unfortunately, the team went 0-4 SU and 1-3 ATS in the previous four. The 'over' went 4-1 on the trip.
Final Outlook: New York has six games left, three at Madison Square Garden. Total players might want to circle games on Apr. 7 at Indiana and at home on Apr. 12 versus Washington, since the tempo should be fast, which sets up possible 'over' looks.
13) Washington
Weekly Recap: Washington snapped its 16-game losing streak last Wednesday with a win at New Orleans (96-06) but quickly lost two nights later to Chicago (87-95) at home. However, the Wizards earned another win versus New Jersey (109-99) on Sunday. The team went 3-1 ATS and the 'under' was 3-1 as well.
Final Outlook: Starting Tuesday, the Wizards will play four games in five days and that includes road trips to the Magic and Celtics. The home contests will be against Golden State and Atlanta. The final week watches the Wizards visit New York before a season-ending finale against the Pacers on Sunday.
14) Detroit
Weekly Recap: The Pistons could easily be listed last in the Eastern Conference, considering the team spent a ton of money. Detroit is mired in an 11-game losing skid (1-10 ATS) and it's been getting blown out too. Two of the three losses last week came by double digits and surprisingly the lone cover came in a loss at Atlanta (85-91) without three starters.
Final Outlook: Detroit plays four games this week, three coming on the road and they're split into a pair of back-to-back sets. Three of the opponents will be heading to the playoffs, so the losing skid could get worse. The final week features matchups at home versus Toronto and then a road tilt at Minnesota, who's been just as worse as Detroit down the stretch.
15) New Jersey
Weekly Recap: The Nets posted impressive wins over the Spurs (90-84) and Hornets (115-87) but couldn't sustain the same momentum in setbacks to the Suns (105-116) and Wizards (99-109). The total went 2-2.
Final Outlook: Three of New Jersey's final five games are on the road. This week, the club plays three games against Central Division foes, Milwaukee, Chicago and Indiana. In the last week, they host Charlotte before closing the year at Miami.
Weekly Notes - West
By Kevin Rogers
1 - Lakers
Weekly Rewind: The Champs ran out of gas at the end of their five-game road trip, falling at New Orleans and Atlanta. The Lakers bounced back with a solid home victory over the Jazz, but the Purple and Gold got blown out by the Spurs to wrap up the week.
Final Outlook: Los Angeles heads back on the road for a pair of games starting with a visit to Denver on Thursday. The Lakers turn around on Friday to battle the woeful Wolves before a home contest with the Blazers on Sunday. The season concludes with two tune-up games before the playoffs against the Kings and Clippers. Phil Jackson's team is on a 3-6 ATS run, while allowing 100 points or more in four of the last five games.
2 - Mavericks
Weekly Rewind: Dallas started the week with a bang, but ended with a dud. The Mavs knocked off the Nuggets and Grizzlies, then followed those two wins with a pair of home losses to the Magic and Thunder. The 'under' has hit in five of the last seven for Dallas, even though the Mavs have topped the 100-point plateau in four of the previous five games.
Final Outlook: The Mavs will try to snap their skid against the Grizzlies on Wednesday as Memphis plays with no rest. Dallas hits the road for three games starting with a trip to Portland on Friday, Sacramento on Saturday, and the Clippers on April 12. Rick Carlisle's club is a solid 7-2 ATS the last nine on the highway. The Spurs head to Dallas on April 14 in what should be an important game for playoff seeding in the West.
3 - Nuggets
Weekly Rewind: Denver isn't playing its best basketball down the stretch, but the Nuggets did win both of their games this past week. The Nuggets drilled the Blazers as five-point favorites, the first game breaking 100 points in five tries. Denver failed to cover as 13 ½-point home 'chalk' in an eight-point win over the Clippers, dropping the Nuggets to 1-9-1 ATS the last 11 contests.
Final Outlook: The Nuggets have their work cut out for them this week with three games against playoff opponents. Denver heads to Oklahoma City on Wednesday, followed by a showdown with the Lakers at home on Thursday. The week concludes with the Spurs invading the Pepsi Center on Saturday. Denver finishes the season with a back-to-back at Memphis on April 12 followed by a road showdown at Phoenix.
4 - Jazz
Weekly Rewind: Utah took care of its business against also-rans New York and Golden State, extending its home winning streak to nine games (8-1 ATS). The Jazz were tripped up in their house of horrors with a 106-92 loss at Staples Center to the Lakers. The 92 points at Los Angeles halted an 11-game streak of at least 100 points scored for Utah.
Final Outlook: If the Jazz wants to win the Northwest Division, they have to figure out how to beat the Thunder. OKC heads to Utah on Tuesday as the Jazz tries to avoid a four-game season sweep. Utah's next three games are on the road starting with a trip to Houston on Wednesday. The Jazz travels back to their old home on Friday, heading to New Orleans to battle the Hornets. Utah ends the season with a back-to-back set at Golden State on April 13, followed by a home contest with Phoenix.
5 - Suns
Weekly Rewind: Phoenix captured four of five games on its road trip, but had its ten-game winning streak snapped at Milwaukee. The Suns are 7-3-1 ATS the last 11 games, while eclipsing the 100-point threshold nine times in this span.
Final Outlook: Alvin Gentry's team returns home after a three-day layoff to host the Spurs, looking to avenge a 113-110 loss at San Antonio in late February. Phoenix hits this highway on Friday for a trip to Oklahoma City, prior to home games against Houston and Denver. The season concludes on April 14 at Utah, as the Suns go for the series split.
6 - Thunder
Weekly Rewind: Oklahoma City's offense is striking at the right time, pulling off four wins this past week in which the Thunder topped the 109-point mark in each victory. OKC swept a three-game road trip at Philadelphia, Boston, and Dallas, then held off Minnesota in a non-cover at home.
Final Outlook: If the Thunder wants to improve their seeding in the West, it won't be easy the rest of the way. Scott Brooks' squad travels to Salt Lake City on Tuesday to battle the Jazz, followed by a home meeting on Wednesday with the Nuggets. OKC hosts Phoenix on Friday, then the Thunder heads back on the road for a back-to-back at Golden State and Portland starting Sunday. The regular season concludes on April 14 against Memphis at the Ford Center.
7 - Spurs
Weekly Rewind: San Antonio continues to play well down the stretch, despite slipping up at New Jersey. The Spurs bounced back with home victories over the Rockets and Magic, followed up by an impressive road triumph over the Lakers. Gregg Popovich's squad is 15-5 SU/ATS the last 20 games, while playing 16 of those contests without point guard Tony Parker.
Final Outlook: The road trip continues out west against the Kings on Tuesday, followed by a showdown in Phoenix on Wednesday. The Spurs will alternate home and road games in the final four games, hosting the Grizzlies on Friday. San Antonio plays with no rest on Saturday at Denver before battling Minnesota and Dallas.
8 - Blazers
Weekly Rewind: Portland can only do so much winning, but the Blazers remain in the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Blazers are 10-2 SU the last 12 games, while owning a 5-1 ATS run. Portland fell at Denver, but knocked off New York and Sacramento easily as substantial favorites.
Final Outlook: The Blazers wrap up a three-game trip in Los Angeles against the Clippers on Wednesday, prior to a second home meeting in three weeks with the Mavs on Friday. Portland travels back to L.A. for a potential first-round playoff preview against the Lakers on Sunday, before wrapping up the season at home against the Thunder and Warriors.
9 - Grizzlies
Weekly Rewind: After a promising December and January, the wheels have fallen off the wagon for the Grizzlies. Memphis has dropped four of five, while failing to cover five straight as an underdog. The Grizzlies bounced back from a tough overtime loss to the Mavs by beating the Hornets. Memphis couldn't capitalize with a 107-92 setback at Orlando as double-digit 'dogs.
Final Outlook: The Grizzlies will take on all three Texas teams this week, starting with a home contest on Tuesday against the Rockets. Memphis travels to the Lone Star State to battle the Mavs on Wednesday and Spurs on Friday. The home finale comes Saturday against the Sixers before a pair of road ventures at Denver and Oklahoma City.
10 - Rockets
Weekly Rewind: Houston went on a roller-coaster ride by alternating wins and losses in four games. The Rockets beat the Wizards and Celtics, but fell at San Antonio and Indiana. Rick Adelman's team has dropped seven of eight ATS, while going 1-6 ATS the last seven on the highway.
Final Outlook: The Rockets have four games on the docket again this week, as Houston ends its four-game trip at Memphis on Tuesday. The Jazz heads to Houston on Wednesday, followed by a visit from Charlotte on Friday. The Rockets go out west for a pair of games against Phoenix (April 11) and Sacramento (April 12), before the season finale at home versus New Orleans.
11 - Hornets
Weekly Rewind: The return of Chris Paul has produced home victories over the Mavs and Lakes. The only problem is the Hornets are 2-5 SU/ATS in the seven games since Paul came back to the lineup. Two losses in this span have been downright embarrassing, falling to Washington and New Jersey as favorites.
Final Outlook: Three of the final four games are in the Big Easy, starting with a visit from Charlotte on Wednesday. The Jazz (Friday) and Wolves (Sunday) each invade the Hornets' nest this week prior to the finale at Houston on April 14. New Orleans is a dreadful 2-7 ATS the last nine at home.
12 - Clippers
Weekly Rewind: The best thing about this point of the season for the Clips is it's almost over. Los Angeles has dropped five straight, while losing 15 of its past 17. The Clips were swept on a three-game road trip, then lost as a short home favorite to the Knicks.
Final Outlook: L.A. will remain in the state of California for the duration of the season, hosting the Blazers on Wednesday. The Clips turn around to battle the Kings on Thursday in Sacramento, followed by home games against the Warriors, Mavs, and Lakers.
13 - Kings
Weekly Rewind: Sacramento's offense has dried up over the last few weeks, as the Kings have been held to less than 100 points in each instance of a seven-game skid. Seven of the previous eight have finished 'under' the total, including one 'push.'
Final Outlook: The Kings will play the next four games at Arco Arena, starting with the Spurs on Tuesday. The Clippers head north to the state capital on Thursday, followed by visits from Dallas and Houston. The season mercifully concludes down I-5 at Staples Center against the Lakers.
14 - Warriors
Weekly Rewind: Golden State has played better recently, winning three of the last four games without top scorer Monta Ellis. The Warriors captured back-to-back victories over the Knicks and Raptors to wrap up the week, while topping the 100-point mark in 13 of the previous 14 contests.
Final Outlook: The road trip continues with a back-to-back set starting in Washington on Tuesday, followed by a trek to Minnesota on Wednesday. The trip ends back in California against the Clippers in L.A. on Saturday. The final three games come against playoff teams, battling Oklahoma City (April 11), Utah (April 13), and at Portland (April 14).
15 - Timberwolves
Weekly Rewind: Minnesota's lone bright spot over the last month was snapping a 15-game skid with a nine-point victory over Sacramento. The only problem is Minnesota has two wins since the All-Star Break. The Wolves have managed to cover four of five, including a 116-108 setback at Oklahoma City as 13 ½-point underdogs.
Final Outlook: Kurt Rambis' squad still plays two below .500 teams at home over the last five (Golden State and Detroit). Besides that, the Wolves still have to face the Lakers and Spurs, while also making a trip to New Orleans to battle the struggling Hornets.