Weekly Notes - East
By Chris David
It’s been a few weeks since we caught up with the pro hoops hardwood and to no real surprise not a lot has changed in the Eastern Conference. As most gamblers following the NBA know, the league is very ‘chalky’ and the cream usually rises to the top. With that being said, let’s take a look at the good, bad and the very ugly in the East.
(Straight Up, Against the Spread, Over-Under)
1) Boston (25-7, 17-14-1, 16-16)
Weekly Recap: The Celtics continue to be the class of the East and they showed it as the club played decent (4-3) even without the services of All-Star guard Rajon Rondo for seven games. The point guard returned to the lineup Sunday against Toronto (93-79) and they won easily. While Rondo came back, the team lost Kevin Garnett (calf) for a few weeks.
Weekly Outlook: Boston has four games this week, the first three coming at TD Garden and two seem very winnable against Minnesota and Toronto. Sandwiched in between those two opponents is an intriguing matchup on Wednesday against the best team in the NBA, San Antonio. The Celtics close the week at Chicago on Saturday, which occurs on zero days rest.
2) Miami (26-9, 16-18-1, 16-18-1)
Weekly Recap: Since starting the season 9-8, Miami has produced an eye opening 17-1 record (11-5-1 ATS) and that includes 10 straight wins on the road. The Heat went 3-0 SU last week but only covered one of those contests – barely too.
Weekly Outlook: Miami starts the week Monday at Charlotte before playing a home-and-home set against Milwaukee, which begins Tuesday in South Florida. The game at the Bradley Center takes place Friday and it will be the first game of a five-game roadie for the Heat.
3) Chicago (22-10, 18-14, 11-21)
Weekly Recap: The Bulls extended their winning streak to four games last week with three victories (1-2 ATS) albeit against the Bucks, Nets and Cavaliers. Chicago is looking like a serious threat in the East, which has pumped up its point-spreads lately. The acquisition of Carlos Boozer in the offseason is proving to pay dividends. The club is 13-4 with the All-Star in the lineup after he missed the first 15 games this season due to a wrist injury.
Weekly Outlook: Barring a letdown, Chicago should stay hot this week with three games against losing clubs. The Raptors head to the Windy City on Tuesday and then the Bulls play two straight on the road against the Nets and 76ers.
4) Orlando (21-12, 13-18-2, 15-16-2)
Weekly Recap: The Magic lost their first two games with the new trio of Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson and Gilbert Arenas, but have been on fire since. Orlando has ripped off five straight wins and covers, putting up 100-plus in four of the five wins. The ‘over’ has gone 4-1 during this run.
Weekly Outlook: Orlando starts the week with three straight at home against Golden State, Milwaukee and Houston. After those games, Stan Van Gundy’s new-look squad will begin a five-game road trip on Saturday against Dallas. The Magic have gone 9-7 SU and 5-11 ATS on the road this season.
5) Atlanta (22-14, 16-20, 14-22)
Weekly Recap: Atlanta had a solid week, producing a 3-1 record both SU and ATS, two of the wins coming on the road. After watching the ‘under’ cash in seven straight, the ‘over’ prevailed in Atlanta’s last two games.
Weekly Outlook: The Hawks stay on the West Coast this week for two more games. On Tuesday, they visit a Sacramento team that is heating up at home and then head to Utah for a game on zero days rest. Following those games, Atlanta returns home to meet Indiana on Saturday.
6) New York (19-14, 21-11-1, 16-16-1)
Weekly Recap: The Knicks were humbled to the pair of squads from the Sunshine State last week, falling to the Heat (98-106) and Magic (103-112). New York doesn’t appear to be ready to beat any of the five teams listed above, but it’s mopped up on the rest of the East. On Sunday, they proved that with a 98-92 home win over Indiana.
Weekly Outlook: New York will get a chance to join the elite with some talented opponents on tap over the next seven days. The Knicks host San Antonio on Tuesday before embarking on a brutal four-game road trip out West. The two contests this week will be against the Suns and Lakers, but those two clubs haven’t been in top form lately. And the Knicks have been money on the road (13-4 ATS) this season.
7) Indiana (14-18, 14-16-2, 9-22-1)
Weekly Recap: The Pacers went 1-3 SU and 2-2 ATS last week and the lone win wasn’t impressive at all, which came at home against Washington (95-86). The Pacers have gone 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11, plus the ‘under’ has cashed in seven straight. During this total run, the offense has been held under 100 in all seven.
Weekly Outlook: Indiana catches a holiday break with four days off before hosting San Antonio on Friday. Right after that contest, the Pacers head south for a back-to-back affair at Atlanta on Saturday.
8) Milwaukee (13-18, 12-17-1, 12-18)
Weekly Recap: The Bucks closed the year with back-to-back losses to the Hawks (80-95) and Bulls (77-90), both coming by double digits. Fortunately, they caught a break and started 2011 against a banged-up Dallas (99-87) team and the team won fairly easily too.
Weekly Outlook: Milwaukee has four contests on tap, three on the road. The back-to-back set in Florida against Miami and Orlando looks brutal, and then the Bucks face the Heat again on Friday at home. Soon after that battle, Milwaukee has to travel to New Jersey on Saturday for another game on zero days rest.
9) Philadelphia (13-20, 22-10-1, 14-19)
Weekly Recap: Even though the 76ers are seven games below .500, the team is within one game of making the playoffs. While that’s embarrassing, Doug Collins and his troops have been beasts against the number. Philadelphia has been on the road for seven straight and it’s posted a 3-4 SU and 5-2 ATS mark, with impressive wins coming over Orlando, Denver and Phoenix.
Weekly Outlook: One more road game left for Philadelphia, which takes place Monday against New Orleans. The 76ers return home Wednesday to host Washington before welcoming Chicago on Friday. Then, another road battle with no rest is set for Saturday at Detroit.
10) Charlotte (11-20, 12-17-2, 13-18)
Weekly Recap: The Larry Brown era is over in Charlotte and the Paul Silas regime has begun. So far so good with Silas as the Bobcats won two of the first three under the new head coach. And the loss to Golden State (95-96) was within reach too. Silas has talked about a new up-tempo approach, yet the ‘under’ posted a 2-1 mark in his first three games.
Weekly Outlook: Silas can find out how good his team really is when Miami visits on Monday. A road battle on Wednesday follows against a feisty Minnesota club. Then, the team heads back home for a winnable affair against Washington on Saturday.
11) Detroit (11-22, 18-14-1, 17-16)
Weekly Recap: Even though the Pistons might not make the playoffs, the team has a good mix of veterans that could surprise on a nightly basis. Detroit went 1-2 SU and 2-1 ATS, with the eye opening win at home against Boston (104-92). The club remains competitive and they’ve been good to gamblers lately, going 5-1 ATS in their last six.
Weekly Outlook: Detroit stays on the West Coast this week with a rough back-to-back set against the Jazz and Lakers, which begins Monday. After three days off, the club hosts Philadelphia on Saturday. Make a note that eight of the Pistons’ 11 wins have come at The Palace.
12) Toronto (11-22, 15-16-2, 17-16)
Weekly Recap: The Raptors compiled a 1-3 record (2-2 ATS) last week and the one victory came against Dallas (84-76), who was without All-Star Dirk Nowitzki. The offense continues to sputter without Andrea Bargnani (21 PPG), who’s missed five of the last six games. His status is ‘questionable’ for this week and that’s not good for a team that gives up 104 PPG.
Weekly Outlook: Toronto has a busy week with four games on tap, the first three on the road and they’ll be played in four nights against Chicago, Cleveland and Boston. The Raptors close the week with a Sunday matinee against Sacramento from Air Canada Centre.
13) New Jersey (9-25, 16-18, 15-18-1)
Weekly Recap: The Nets just completed a horrible holiday stretch that they’ll want to forget. They went 0-4 SU and 1-3 ATS, losing three of the four by double digits. The offense was held to 93 or less in all four games and the defense let up 100-plus in the three of the four. New Jersey is averaging 92.3 PPG, which is ranked second to last in the NBA.
Weekly Outlook: New Jersey opens the week with a tough matchup at home on Wednesday against Chicago. Then, the Nets play two games in two nights – at Washington and then home versus Milwaukee.
14) Washington (8-24, 13-19, 13-19)
Weekly Recap: The Wizards went 1-3 SU and 2-2 ATS last week, with the lone win coming at home against Indiana (104-90). Washington continues to struggle offensively, especially from 3-point land (33%). Total players should be aware that the Wiz have seen the ‘under’ cash in 11 straight affairs. And, Flip Saunders and company still remain the only team to be winless (0-16) on the road.
Weekly Outlook: Washington wont’ be facing any major contenders this week, but two of three contests are on the road. The week concludes with a back-to-back set against the Nets and Bobcats over the weekend. The second game is in Charlotte.
15) Cleveland (8-26, 12-20-2, 18-16)
Weekly Recap: Poor Byron Scott. What was he thinking taking over a team without LeBron James? The Cavaliers showed a little heart early in the season but have been absolutely gross since then. The club went 1-14 in December, the lone victory coming in overtime against New York. They’ve dropped 17 of 18 and seven straight (1-6 ATS) heading into this week.
Weekly Outlook: After hosting Toronto on Wednesday, the Cavs head out West for a brutal five-game road trip. And the first two battles this week will be against Golden State and Phoenix. The game versus the Warriors might be look since they’ll be playing their first game after a tough East Coast stretch.
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Weekly Notes - West
By Kevin Rogers
(Straight-Up, Against the Spread, Over/Under)
1) San Antonio (29-4, 20-12-1, 18-15)
Weekly Recap: San Antonio continues to roll with a league-best 29-4 record following three victories over the Lakers, Mavericks, and Thunder. The Spurs covered each game against the Western Conference elite, while going 14-1 SU and 9-6 ATS in the last 15 games.
Weekly Outlook: The Spurs hit the road for a three-game trip that starts Tuesday in New York against the upstart Knicks. San Antonio heads to Boston with no rest on Wednesday, followed by a trip to Indiana on Friday. The week wraps up at home on Sunday against Minnesota, as the Wolves have covered both meetings this season versus San Antonio.
2) Dallas (25-8, 19-12-2, 18-15)
Weekly Recap: The holiday season is over and the gifts don't keep giving with injuries to Dirk Nowitzki and Caron Butler. Dallas went 1-3 SU/ATS including ugly losses to Toronto and Milwaukee. Nowitzki missed all four games, while Butler suffered a leg injury in the Bucks' defeat which could possibly end his season. The Mavs did conclude the week with a 104-95 victory at lowly Cleveland as five-point favorites.
Weekly Outlook: Dallas returns home for three games beginning with Portland coming to town on Tuesday. The Mavs host the Thunder on Thursday, as Dallas is 2-0 SU/ATS against Oklahoma City this season. Rick Carlisle's club entertains Orlando on Saturday as the Magic come in with no rest after hosting the Rockets.
3) L.A. Lakers (23-11, 15-19, 14-20)
Weekly Recap: Los Angeles has seen its share of struggles since returning from a 6-1 East Coast trip, as the Lakers 2-4 SU and 1-5 ATS the previous six contests. The low point came in Sunday's 104-85 home blowout at the hands of the Grizzlies, who were wrapping up a three-game road trip. L.A.'s last four losses have come by at least 15 points, while scoring 85 points or less in all four defeats.
Weekly Outlook: Phil Jackson's team hopes to change things this week with three of four games at Staples Center. The Lakers host the Pistons on Tuesday, followed by a short trip to Phoenix on Wednesday to battle the Suns. Los Angeles returns to Staples to entertain New Orleans on Friday, before the week concludes against New York on Sunday.
4) Utah (23-11, 18-15-1, 16-18)
Weekly Recap: Utah has been involved in a bit of a roller-coaster ride over the last week by splitting four games. The lone cover by the Jazz in the past five contests came in a 103-95 victory over the Clippers, as Utah is just 1-4 ATS in this stretch. The Jazz dropped a pair of division contests to the Blazers, including a home loss as a 7 ½-point favorite.
Weekly Outlook: Utah continues its three-game homestand with a visit from Detroit on Monday night. The Jazz battles the Hawks on Wednesday, going for a season sweep of Atlanta. Jerry Sloan's club hits the road for a back-to-back set at Memphis (Friday) and Houston (Saturday).
5) Oklahoma City (23-12, 18-17, 21-14)
Weekly Recap: The Thunder went 2-2 SU/ATS after dropping the bookend games to the Mavs and Spurs. Oklahoma City closed out 2010 with a nine-point home victory over Atlanta, improving to 6-1 SU/ATS the last seven games at the Ford Center since mid-December.
Weekly Outlook: Oklahoma City continues a five-game stretch against Southwest Division opponents, taking on Memphis at FedEx Forum on Tuesday. The Thunder heads back to Texas on Thursday for a third meeting this season against the banged-up Mavs, before finishing the week back at home against the Grizzlies.
6) Denver (19-13, 12-18-2, 14-17-1)
Weekly Recap: The Nuggets went 2-3 SU/ATS without Carmelo Anthony, as he missed a week following the death of his sister. Denver found a way to win the final two games without its leading scorer by beating Portland and Minnesota, followed by an 18-point thumping of Sacramento with Anthony back in the lineup.
Weekly Outlook: Denver finishes this two-game homestand with Houston invading the Pepsi Center on Monday. The Nuggets head to California for a pair of games against the Clippers (Wednesday) and Kings (Thursday), as Denver tries to improve on a 1-2 ATS mark as a road favorite. The week wraps up on Sunday with a visit from the Hornets, as Denver tries to avenge a loss at New Orleans in late October.
7) New Orleans (20-14, 17-16-1, 10-24)
Weekly Recap: The week started with a pair of losses to the Wolves and Lakers, but the Hornets rebounded with consecutive road victories over the Celtics and Wizards. New Orleans' defense stepped up by allowing 81 points in each of the wins on the highway.
Weekly Outlook: The Hornets look for a pair of home wins against below .500 teams when the Sixers (Monday) and Warriors (Wednesday) head to the Big Easy. New Orleans travels out west to take on the Lakers on Friday, followed by a meeting with the Nuggets on Sunday in Denver.
8) Portland (18-16, 17-15-2, 15-18-1)
Weekly Recap: The Blazers continue to play without the injured Brandon Roy as Portland is an impressive 6-2 SU with the former University of Washington star out. The home-court advantage at the Rose Garden is coming through at the right time with eight consecutive wins in Portland after beating Utah and Houston.
Weekly Outlook: Portland heads on the road for three games starting in Dallas on Tuesday. The Blazers stay in Texas on Wednesday to take on the Rockets, followed by a Friday trip to Minnesota. Nate McMillan's squad returns home to host the red-hot Heat on Sunday night.
9) Houston (16-17, 17-15-1, 14-19)
Weekly Recap: The Rockets picked up their fifth straight win with last Monday's non-cover over the Wizards to reach the .500 mark. Houston dropped two of its next three, including losses to Miami and Portland, while the Rockets allowed 100 points or more in all three contests.
Weekly Outlook: A tough stretch against potential playoff teams continues at Denver on Monday, followed by a quick trip home looking to avenge a loss to Portland on Wednesday. The Rockets head to central Florida for a matchup with the re-tooled Magic on Friday, while Houston returns to the Toyota Center on Saturday to host Utah.
10) Memphis (15-19, 20-13-1, 15-19)
Weekly Recap: The Grizzlies have turned into a terrific road underdog after picking up covers against the Jazz and Lakers, while blowing out the two-time defending champs at Staples Center, 104-85. Memphis dropped a heartbreaker at Sacramento on this trip thanks to a half-court, buzzer-beater from Tyreke Evans, pushing the Grizzlies to 0-3-1 ATS as a road favorite.
Weekly Outlook: The week doesn't get easier with a two-game homestand against the Thunder (Tuesday) and Jazz (Friday), as the Grizzlies are 6-3 ATS the last nine games at FedEx Forum. Memphis hits the highway once again with a three-game trip that begins in Oklahoma City on Saturday, as Lionel Hollins' team tries for a sixth straight cover with no rest.
11) Phoenix (14-18, 12-19-1, 18-14)
Weekly Recap: Things are not looking good in the Valley as the Suns have lost five of six games following a loss as a road favorite at Sacramento. The only win for Phoenix in this stretch cam on New Year's Eve against Detroit, snapping an 0-5 ATS run at home. Two setbacks this past week came against the Clippers and Sixers, which surely won't help the Suns in the rough Western Conference.
Weekly Outlook: Returning home for three games may jump-start this team, but the toughest game comes first against the Lakers on Wednesday. Amare Stoudemire makes his triumphant comeback to Phoenix on Friday as a member of the Knicks, followed by the hapless Cavs heading to Arizona to finish the week on Sunday.
12) Golden State (13-20, 17-15-1, 13-20)
Weekly Recap: The Warriors have won four of six after dropping nine of 10 games, including a 5-1 ATS run. Golden State grabbed a one-point victory at Charlotte, followed by a cover as 11 ½-point underdogs at Miami, even though the Warriors threw away a 20-point lead.
Weekly Outlook: The five-game road trip continues in Orlando on Monday night, as the Warriors are 1-3 ATS as a double-digit underdog this season. Golden State finishes the trip in New Orleans on Wednesday, before returning home to host Cleveland on Friday. The Warriors travel to Southern California on Sunday to battle the Clippers, looking for their second win over Los Angeles this season.
13) L.A. Clippers (10-24, 16-17-1, 17-16-1)
Weekly Recap: The Clippers started the season at 1-13, but a 9-11 stretch over the last 20 has a little bit of optimism for Vinny Del Negro's team. Los Angeles fell in a pair of home contests to Atlanta and Utah, putting a damper on a week that included wins over the Suns and Kings.
Weekly Outlook: It's a short week for the Clips with only two games, starting with a home matchup against the Nuggets on Wednesday. Los Angeles stays at home to host Golden State on Sunday, as the Clippers are 2-6 SU the last eight games at Staples Center.
14) Minnesota (9-25, 17-17, 18-16)
Weekly Recap: Following a seven-game losing streak, the Wolves have won three of four games, including home victories over the Hornets and Nets. Minnesota would have pulled off a four-game winning streak, but couldn't hold on in the second half against short-handed Denver in a 119-113 loss.
Weekly Outlook: The Wolves head to Beantown on Monday night to battle the Celtics, while Minnesota comes back home for two games against Charlotte (Wednesday) and Portland (Friday). The week ends in San Antonio on Sunday, as the Wolves are 4-1 ATS the last five games as a road underdog.
15) Sacramento (7-24, 9-21-1, 13-18)
Weekly Recap: This was the most successful week for the Kings since a 2-1 start to the season as Sacramento pulled off home wins over Memphis and Phoenix in dramatic fashion. The Kings are riding a 6-3 'under' run, including an 'under' in the Suns' victory by holding Phoenix to 89 points.
Weekly Outlook: The three-game homestand at Arco Arena continues on Tuesday against the Hawks, followed by a visit from the Nuggets on Thursday. Sacramento heads out east for a six-game trip that starts in Toronto on Sunday, going for a season sweep of the Raptors.
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