Weekly Notes - East
By Chris David
Now that we've been able to watch each team play at least eight games, you're starting to see a little more separation in the Eastern Conference. The Boston Celtics have claimed the East two of the past three seasons and they look like the team to beat again. With only two losses, both on the road, Doc Rivers' team is clicking on all cylinders. Miami hasn't lived up to its high expectations, but the Heat's four losses came to Boston (twice), an unbeaten New Orleans team and a red-hot Utah club. There's a lot of season left, but it would be hard to imagine a conference finals with at least one of these two if not both. Let's look at the rest.
(Straight Up, Against the Spread, Over-Under)
1) Boston (8-2, 6-4, 6-4)
Weekly Recap: The Celtics started the week with a tough loss to Dallas (87-89), especially after getting outscored 7-0 to close the game. After a bad shooting night, Boston rebounded with two strong offensive efforts in road wins over Miami (112-107) and Memphis (116-110). The team went 3-0 ATS on the week and the 'over' was 2-1.
Weekly Outlook: Boston only has three games this week, two coming at home. Washington visits Wednesday before the team faces a tough non-conference affair on Friday versus Oklahoma City. A Sunday matinee at Toronto closes the schedule.
2) Miami (6-4, 4-6, 6-4)
Weekly Recap: After losing a pair of home games to Utah (114-116) and Boston (107-112) earlier in the week, the Heat outlasted Toronto (109-100) on Saturday. Miami has gone 0-5 ATS in its last five games and the 'over' has cashed in six straight after starting the season with four straight 'under' tickets.
Weekly Outlook: Miami has a good chance to get a few more wins with Phoenix and Charlotte visiting American Airlines Arena during the week. Expect more double-digit spreads though and the Heat will be laying wood again on Saturday when it visits Memphis. This game will be a back-to-back situation, but the Heat are 2-0 (1-1 ATS) on zero days rest this season. If you look at the next few weeks and its opponents, you could easily see Miami go on a crazy run. But isn't that expected?
3) Orlando (6-3, 2-7, 4-4-1)
Weekly Recap: If you thought Miami was a bad team ATS, then you should check out Orlando. The Magic have gone 0-6 ATS in their last six despite putting together a 4-2 SU record over that span. Home losses to Utah (94-104) and Toronto (106-110) would've been worse if the team didn't survive New Jersey (91-90) on Saturday.
Weekly Outlook: Stan Van Gundy should right the ship and get his team going again this week with three very winnable games. Memphis and Phoenix visit Orlando during the week before the club heads to Indiana on Saturday.
4) Chicago (5-3, 4-4, 4-4)
Weekly Recap: Chicago started slow but last week's effort is making us believe that head coach Tom Thibodeau has his team starting to hit their stride. After giving up 120 and 110 in back-to-back losses, Chicago ripped off three straight wins against Denver (94-92), Golden State (120-90) and Washington (103-96). More importantly, all three opponents were held under 100. The club went 1-2 ATS and the 'under' was 3-0.
Weekly Outlook: Chicago begins its annual "Circus Trip" this week with seven consecutive contests outside "The Windy City." The Bulls only play three this week but they'll be in four nights. A back-to-back spot at Houston and San Antonio tips off the trek on Tuesday before a Friday night affair in Dallas. Chicago has gone 3-1 SU (2-2 ATS) against the Western Conference foes this season.
5) Atlanta (7-4, 4-7, 7-5)
Weekly Recap: The Hawks finally snapped their four-game losing streak on Sunday by beating Minnesota (111-105) but they failed to cover again at home. On the season, the team is 2-4 SU and 0-6 ATS at Philips Arena.
Weekly Outlook: Things slow down a little bit for Atlanta this week with only two games on the schedule. A trip to Indiana on Tuesday is followed by a three-day break and then a Saturday showdown at home with the best team in the East, Boston.
6) Milwaukee (5-5, 5-5, 3-7)
Weekly Recap: The Bucks had a solid week, going 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS and two of the wins came by double digits. The most impressive victory came at Atlanta (108-91), which was on zero days rest. The 'under' went 2-1 and has cashed in four of the last five.
Weekly Outlook: Three good battles for Scott Skiles' troops this week are on tap, as the L.A. Lakers and Oklahoma City visit the Bradley Center. Sandwiched in between those games is a road trip to Philadelphia. The Bucks are 1-3 SU and 0-4 ATS against Western Conference foes this season.
7) Indiana (4-4, 4-4, 3-5)
Weekly Recap: Last week we talked about the Pacers' inept offense and perhaps the attack heard us. Indiana put up 144 in a blowout win over Denver to start the week and followed that up with duplicate 99-point efforts. Unfortunately, they went 1-1 in those affairs and the 'under' cashed in both as well.
Weekly Outlook: Indiana has three games this week, all of them at Conseco Fieldhouse and all separated by a day. The Hawks visit Tuesday before the Clippers come to town on Thursday. Then on Saturday, the Pacers will likely be home 'dogs to Orlando.
8) Cleveland (4-5, 4-5, 3-6)
Weekly Recap: The season is still young but we've learned that this year's Cleveland squad is streaky. After beating Boston in their opener, the Cavs have lost three, won three and now lost two in a row. Last week, the team went 1-2 SU and 0-3 ATS. Another trend is that when Cleveland wins, its covers. The point-spread hasn't matter at all, which is good to know if you fancy 'dogs on the money-line. The 'under' cashed in all three last week.
Weekly Outlook: After hosting Philadelphia on Tuesday, the Cavs will take to the road for two slugfests. Cleveland faces New Orleans on Friday before meeting San Antonio on Saturday. The club is 0-1 both SU and ATS versus the West this season.
9) Charlotte (3-7, 4-4-2, 6-4)
Weekly Recap: After stumbling out of the blocks to a 1-6 record, Larry Brown and company have weathered the storm. The Bobcats went 2-1 last week and it could've easily been 3-0 if it wasn't for a tough home loss to Utah (95-96) on Saturday. The two wins were on the road and Charlotte went 2-0-1 ATS on the week. The 'over' was 2-1.
Weekly Outlook: Another three games on the card this week, two at home and both are winnable too. Minnesota visits Monday before Phoenix comes to town on Saturday. In between those contests is a nice barometer on the road at Miami on Friday. The Suns game will be on zero days rest and gamblers should note that the 'Cats are 0-3 in those spots this season.
10) Toronto (2-8, 5-5, 5-5)
Weekly Recap: Even though Toronto only has two wins on the season, the team has shown some positive glimpses. The Raptors went 1-3 SU and 2-2 ATS last week but all three losses were by nine or less and the lone win came at Orlando (110-106) as 14 ½-point road underdogs. The defense is still suspect, which helped the 'over' produce a 3-1 record.
Weekly Outlook: The Raptors visit Philadelphia on Wednesday before back-to-back home games. Houston comes to Canada on Friday before the team hosts Boston in a Sunday afternoon matinee. At home, Toronto has gone 1-3 both SU and ATS but all of the losses were by seven or less. And the 'under' has gone 3-1 in those games.
11) Detroit (4-6, 7-3, 5-5)
Weekly Recap: Break up the Pistons! We expected Detroit to fall at Portland (78-100) on Tuesday and it did. However, the club rebounded with an overtime win over the Clippers (113-107) and followed that up with a victory over the Kings (100-94) on Sunday. Detroit is on a 5-1 run ATS, all coming as underdogs with the exception to a pick 'em win over Charlotte (97-90).
Weekly Outlook: The Pistons close out their four-game West Coast trip Monday against Golden State but will play their first game back on Wednesday against another non-conference foe, the L.A. Lakers. The club gets three days off and hosts Washington in an evening battle on Sunday.
12) New York (3-7, 4-5-1, 3-7)
Weekly Recap: It was just last week when some folks were looking at the Knicks and their 3-3 start as a good thing. Reality has quickly set in for New York fans and backers, with the team falling to 3-7. The losing streak has reached five games and gamblers have watched them go 0-5 ATS during this skid as well. The 'under' is 7-3 on the season. Here's to that hot run 'n gun offense in New York, right?
Weekly Outlook: Maybe the best way to snap a skid is running away from it. New York will get that opportunity this week with a four-game roadie to the West Coast. Unfortunately, the set is broken into a pair of back-to-back spot. First come Denver and Sacramento, then Golden State and the L.A. Clippers over the weekend. Not impossible, but things need to change quickly.
13) New Jersey (3-6, 5-4, 3-5-1)
Weekly Recap: New Jersey split its home-and-home with Cleveland last week, as the visitor grabbed the wins in each affair. The Nets then suffered another heartbreaker on Saturday, losing to Orlando (90-91) on a game-winning Jameer Nelson jumper. The team went 2-1 ATS and the 'under' cashed in all three. New Jersey's offense (91.4 PPG) is ranked dead last in the league.
Weekly Outlook: The Nets head to the West Coast this week for a four-game road trip. Two of them look impossible with encounters against the Jazz and Nuggets, but spots against the Clippers and Kings don't appear as tough. The meeting versus Denver will be the second game in two nights.
14) Philadelphia (2-8, 5-4-1, 5-5)
Weekly Recap: As expected, the 76ers had a tough road last week and they couldn't produce any positive results. The team lost all three of their road affairs to Oklahoma City (103-109), Dallas (90-99) and San Antonio (93-116). They did go 1-1-1 ATS but the effort in the finale against the Spurs, especially on defense, was poor. The 'over' went 2-1.
Weekly Outlook: Philadelphia will play at Cleveland on Tuesday before a pair of home tilts against Toronto and Milwaukee. The Raptors contest will be a back-to-back spot and Philadelphia has gone 1-2 both SU and ATS in these situations so far this season.
15) Washington (2-6, 2-6, 3-5)
Weekly Recap: The Wizards started the week on a good note by beating Houston (98-91) at home but the team closed with a pair of losses. The offense (95.8) continues to be a major issue with no legit shooters on the outside. The 'under' cashed in all three contests last week. Rookie John wall injured his ankle over the weekend but returned. His status is 'questionable' for the next outing.
Weekly Outlook: Washington has four games this week, starting with two in a row on Tuesday. After hosting an improved Toronto team, the team heads to Boston the next night. Then, Memphis visits Friday before Washington meets Detroit from The Palace.
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Weekly Notes - West
By Kevin Rogers
1 - Hornets
Weekly Rewind: The Lakers have been knocked out of the top spot as the lone unbeaten team in the NBA resides in the Big Easy at 8-0. New Orleans picked up a pair of double-digit home wins over the Clippers and Blazers, while running its ATS record to 8-0.
Weekly Outlook: The Hornets will be tested with a home-and-home against the Mavericks starting in Dallas on Monday. The venue shifts to New Orleans on Wednesday, followed by a Friday visit from the Cavs. The week concludes on Sunday as the Hornets begin a four-game West Coast swing in Sacramento.
2 - Spurs
Weekly Rewind: San Antonio continues to be silent assassins, owning an 8-1 SU and 6-2-1 ATS through the first nine games. The Spurs rallied for a four-point win at Charlotte, followed by a 116-93 home blowout of the lowly Clippers. San Antonio completed a back-to-back sweep of Philadelphia and Oklahoma City to wrap up the week.
Weekly Outlook: The Spurs return to the court on Wednesday night to host the Bulls, as Chicago will play with no rest after a game in Houston on Tuesday. An excellent matchup comes up on Friday night as San Antonio travels to Utah, the first of three meetings this season. Gregg Popovich's team heads back home with no rest on Saturday to host the Cavs, who will also be on the second end of a back-to-back.
3 - Lakers
Weekly Rewind: Are things falling apart for the two-time defending champs? Okay, the Lakers have dropped two straight and there's no reason to get dramatic. Los Angeles failed to cover in a five-point home win over Minnesota as 17-point 'chalk,' while wrapping up the week with consecutive losses to Denver and Phoenix. After starting the season 4-1 ATS, the Lakers are just 1-4 ATS the last five games.
Weekly Outlook: Phil Jackson's club is making its way east of the Great Plains for the first time this season with a three-game swing through the Midwest at Milwaukee (Tuesday), Detroit (Wednesday), and Minnesota (Friday). The Lakers come home to host the Warriors on Sunday, a potential L.A. fade situation returning from the road trip.
4 - Jazz
Weekly Rewind: Utah is the new "Cardiac Kids" after rallying from double-digit deficits in all four victories on a Southeast Division swing over Miami, Orlando, Atlanta, and Charlotte. The Jazz made the biggest impression in the opening win over the Heat, overcoming a 22-point hole which included a career night from Paul Millsap. Following an 0-2 start, Utah has won seven of eight while compiling a 5-2-1 ATS mark in this stretch.
Weekly Outlook: It's home-cooking for Jerry Sloan's team this week with three games at Energy Solutions Arena. Utah hosts Oklahoma City in a Northwest Division showdown on Monday, followed by a visit from New Jersey on Wednesday. The Jazz will have to keep their focus over a 48-hour span with a home contest against the Spurs on Friday and a road matchup at Portland on Saturday.
5 - Mavericks
Weekly Rewind: Dallas picked up three victories last week, including a pair of wins over Memphis and Philadelphia without Caron Butler (back injury). The Mavs managed to hand the Celtics their lone loss on a four-game road trip as Dallas edged Boston, 89-87.
Weekly Outlook: The Mavs look to hand the Hornets their first loss of the season on Monday at home. If that doesn't work out, Dallas gets a second crack at New Orleans on Wednesday. The Mavs wrap up the week with a back-to-back set against Chicago (Friday) and at Atlanta (Saturday), as the Hawks will be playing with three days of rest.
6 - Warriors
Weekly Rewind: Golden State rode an interesting roller-coaster on its road trip by winning consecutive games at Toronto and New York, before losing at Chicago and Milwaukee. David Lee missed the final two games with an elbow injury that will keep him out for two weeks. Without Lee, the Warriors averaged just 81 ppg in a pair of 'unders.'
Weekly Outlook: The Warriors return home on Monday to host the Pistons, as Detroit plays the final game of a four-game trip. Golden State is off until Friday when its battles New York for a second time in nine days, followed by a short trip to Los Angeles on Sunday to take on the Lakers.
7 - Nuggets
Weekly Rewind: Denver started the week with back-to-back losses at Chicago and Indiana, as the Nuggets allowed 54 points in the third quarter of a 144-113 drubbing by the Pacers. The Nuggets rebounded with a comeback victory at home over the Lakers, 118-112 as three-point 'dogs.
Weekly Outlook: George Karl's squad has a busy week starting in Phoenix on Monday, as the Suns come off a win over the Lakers on Sunday. Denver returns home on Tuesday to host New York, followed by a nationally televised game at Portland on Thursday. The week concludes at the Pepsi Center on Saturday against the Nets.
8 - Suns
Weekly Rewind: Phoenix fell short in Memphis last Monday, but wrapped up the week with wins over the Kings and Lakers. The Suns hit 22 three-pointers in the underdog victory at Los Angeles, but Phoenix is just 3-4 ATS when getting points this season.
Weekly Outlook: The Suns play one home game against Denver on Monday before heading east for a three-game road trip. The Southeast Division swing starts in Miami on Wednesday, then goes to Orlando on Thursday. The week ends in Charlotte on Saturday as the Suns try to avenge a sweep by the Bobcats last season.
9 - Thunder
Weekly Rewind: Big expectations were placed on Oklahoma City this season, but from a pointspread standpoint they have been a disappointment. The Thunder has covered only two of nine games this season, while going 1-5 ATS at the Ford Center after non-covers against the Sixers, Blazers, and Spurs.
Weekly Outlook: Oklahoma City looks to avenge a 21-point home loss to Utah when the Thunder travels to Salt Lake City on Monday. The Thunder returns home to host the Rockets on Wednesday, followed by consecutive road games at Boston (Friday) and Milwaukee (Saturday).
10 - Blazers
Weekly Rewind: Since a 3-0 start, Portland is just 3-5 the last eight games after a 20-point loss at New Orleans. The Blazers have lost three straight away from the Rose Garden, while all four road losses are to quality teams in the Hornets, Thunder, Lakers, and Bulls. Following the 'over' at New Orleans, Portland has cashed the 'over' in four of five games as a road 'dog.
Weekly Outlook: With Brandon Roy's knee causing him problems, the Blazers will look to bounce back at Memphis on Tuesday. Portland comes back to the Pacific Northwest for a pair of key division contests against Denver (Thursday) and Utah (Saturday), as the Blazers will have five days off after the Jazz game.
11 - Grizzlies
Weekly Rewind: The week started on a positive note with a convincing home win over the Suns as five-point favorites. Memphis stubbed its toe in back-to-back home setbacks to Dallas and Boston, while going 'over' in each loss.
Weekly Outlook: The Grizzlies will alternate road and home games this week starting with a quick trip to Orlando on Monday. Memphis comes home to host Portland with no rest on Tuesday, followed by a road contest at Washington on Friday. The week concludes on Saturday at home against Miami, as both teams will be on the second of a back-to-back.
12 - Kings
Weekly Rewind: Sacramento felt like it had some momentum after jumping out to a 3-1 start. The Kings are who we thought they were with five straight losses, including a 1-4 SU and 0-5 ATS mark at Arco Arena. The offense has stalled by scoring 94 points or less in each of the last four games, including a 100-94 loss as six-point favorites against the Pistons.
Weekly Outlook: The home swing continues as Sacramento tries to end its woes with New York in town on Wednesday. The Kings host the Nets on Friday, then take on the red-hot Hornets on Sunday at Arco.
13 - Rockets
Weekly Rewind: Houston has managed to stay afloat even with injuries to Aaron Brooks and Yao Ming as the Rockets grabbed road wins at Indiana and New York as short 'dogs. Rick Adelman's team is trying to dig out of an early 0-5 hole with wins in three of their last four games.
Weekly Outlook: The Rockets come home for one game on Tuesday against the Bulls, then Houston heads back on the road on Wednesday at Oklahoma City and Friday at Toronto. Following back-to-back 'overs' to start the season, the Rockets have cashed 'unders' in six of the last seven games.
14 - Timberwolves
Weekly Rewind: Minnesota is turning into a covering machine as of late, cashing all four tickets this past week. The Wolves hung with the Lakers as 17-point underdogs, while picking up wins over the Kings and Knicks. Minnesota fell short at Atlanta, but covered as double-digit road 'dogs.
Weekly Outlook: The Wolves finish up their brief two-game road swing at Charlotte on Monday before returning home for two games. Minnesota will get a double-taste of Los Angeles at the Target Center with the Clippers (Wednesday) and Lakers (Friday) coming to town.
15 - Clippers
Weekly Rewind: Things aren't getting easier for the Clips by losing center Chris Kaman to an ankle injury. Los Angeles has dropped five straight since running out Oklahoma City on November 3. The Clippers managed a cover at San Antonio as 13 ½-point 'dogs, but lost as a favorite in overtime to the Pistons to end the week.
Weekly Outlook: L.A. tries to end their skid against New Jersey on Monday before hitting the road on Wednesday. The Clips head to the Midwest to battle Minnesota (Wednesday) and Indiana (Thursday), followed by a home contest with a Knicks team on Saturday that will be playing its fourth game in five nights.
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