Weekly Notes - East
By Chris David
Notes and Records include Monday's results…
(Straight Up, Against the Spread, Over-Under)
1) Boston (31-9, 19-19-2, 21-18)
Weekly Recap: After losing back-to-back games, including a setback at home to Houston (102-108), Boston ripped off three straight wins. All of the victories came at TD Garden and the most impressive triumph was on Monday against Orlando (109-106). KG returned to the lineup after missing action since Dec. 29. The 'over' is on a 4-0 run for Boston.
Weekly Outlook: The Celtics have two more games at home this week versus the Pistons and Jazz. After finishing up the homestand, the club visits Washington on Saturday. That contest will be played on zero days rest. Doc Rivers' squad is 6-4 SU in back-to-back spots, but just 3-7 ATS.
2) Miami (30-12, 19-22-1, 22-19)
Weekly Recap: The Heat had their nine-game winning streak snapped last Wednesday, as the club fell to the L.A. Clippers (105-111). Making matters worse, the club saw LeBron James (ankle) go down in the road setback too. LeBron sat out the final two games on the road trip and Miami lost to Denver (102-130) and Chicago (96-99). The 'over' went 3-0 and is on a 7-1 run for the Heat.
Weekly Outlook: Along with LeBron, Chris Bosh (ankle) was hurt in Saturday's setback to Chicago. Fortunately, Miami only has two games on tap this week, both at home. Atlanta visits Tuesday before Toronto makes a trip to South Florida on Saturday. The Heat will catch both those teams on zero days rest.
3) Chicago (28-13, 24-17, 16-25)
Weekly Recap: Despite losing at Charlotte (91-96) on Tuesday, the Bulls went 4-1 both SU and ATS over their last five games. The most impressive win came last Saturday at home against Miami (99-96), but the Heat was missing LeBron. Defense continues to be good in Chicago as all five opponents were held under 100 last week.
Weekly Outlook: The Bulls begin a six-game homestand and it has the makings for a sweep. Charlotte, Dallas and Cleveland visit this week and all of the games will be separated by a day. Check the stats on Bulls forward Carlos Boozer (ankle), who sat out Monday's win at Memphis (96-84).
4) Orlando (26-15, 17-21-3, 18-21-2)
Weekly Recap: After ripping off nine straight wins, the Magic finally started playing some good competition and Stan Van Gundy's team was humbled. Orlando dropped three of four last week, with the losses coming to the Hornets (89-92), Thunder (124-125) and Celtics (106-109). The lone win came against Minnesota (108-99) and it should be noted that all of these affairs were on the road.
Weekly Outlook: Three winnable games on tap for Orlando this week, two from the Magic Kingdom. Philadelphia and Toronto visit Wednesday and Friday, then the team faces Houston on the road Saturday.
5) Atlanta (27-15, 19-24, 18-25)
Weekly Recap: After having their game against Milwaukee postponed last Tuesday due to an ice storm, the Hawks went 2-1 in their other three games. Unfortunately for its backers, Atlanta was 0-3 ATS as the team only beat cellar dwellers Toronto (104-101) and Sacramento (100-98) by a combined five points.
Weekly Outlook: The Hawks get a nice test at Miami on Tuesday and the Heat is banged up so they could steal a win in South Beach. Soon after, the team hosts New Orleans on Friday before traveling to Charlotte the next night. Atlanta has been just as good on the road (13-9 SU, 12-10 ATS) this season than at home (13-6 SU, 7-13 ATS).
6) New York (22-18, 25-15-1, 20-20-1)
Weekly Recap: After returning from a respectable road trip out West that watched the Knicks go 2-2 SU and 3-1 ATS, the club got caught napping not once but twice in a row. New York lost at home to Sacramento (83-93) on Friday and then Monday to Phoenix (121-129).
Weekly Outlook: The Knicks go on the road again this week, this time to the Southwest and the slate is tough. New York faces Houston Wednesday before a back-to-back set starting Friday against the Spurs and Thunder. Even though the Knicks will be underdogs in all three, the club has gone 16-5 ATS on the road.
7) Indiana (16-22, 17-19-2, 12-25-1)
Weekly Recap: Indiana went 2-2 both SU and ATS last week. The team shot well (111, 102) in the victories but it couldn't keep the momentum going. The Pacers lost to a quality club in Chicago (86-99) at home and then they got a taste of the Blake Griffin show (47 points) on Monday as they fell to the Clippers (107-114).
Weekly Outlook: The Pacers have three more games on the West Coast this week and there could be some value. Indiana plays Golden State on Wednesday before facing Portland and Denver in a back-to-back set over the weekend. Total players might want to note that Indiana has been an 'under' team all season, especially on zero days rest (9-1).
8) Philadelphia (17-23, 24-15-1, 19-21)
Weekly Recap: The 76ers were a respectable 2-2 last week but the club burned gamblers with a 0-4 ATS ledger. All of the games were decided by single digits and three of the four went 'over' the number.
Weekly Outlook: Philadelphia opens this week on Wednesday at Orlando before visiting Charlotte the very next night. Then, the team returns home for a tough test against Utah.
9) Charlotte (15-24, 18-19-2, 17-22)
Weekly Recap: The Paul Silas Era started off with a 6-2 record but that number has dipped to 6-5 after the Bobcats suffered three straight losses. Charlotte covered two of three setbacks and lost by seven or less in each contest. The team is 7-4 ATS under Silas.
Weekly Outlook: After getting tested at Chicago on zero days rest Tuesday, the club returns home for two straight against Philadelphia and Atlanta. Then, Silas and company embark on a brutal six-game road trip.
10) Milwaukee (14-24, 16-20-1, 16-21)
Weekly Recap: Scott Skiles and his troops displayed more inconsistencies last week as the team went 0-3 SU and 1-2 ATS. Two of the setbacks came on the road. The offense continues to struggle, scoring 84, 94 and 84 points during the skid. The 'under' went 2-1.
Weekly Outlook: The Bucks have a good shot to get back on track this week with two games at the Bradley Center and then one road battle. The contests at home will be against the Wizards and Grizzlies, the latter will be on no rest. And the road affair will be at Cleveland, which could be a trap against the worst team in the league.
11) Detroit (15-26, 22-18-1, 22-19)
Weekly Recap: After getting humbled to the Bulls (82-95) and the Grizzlies (99-107) earlier in the week, the Pistons bounced back with three straight victories albeit against the Raptors (101-95), Kings (110-106) and banged-up Mavericks (103-89). The 'over' went 3-2.
Weekly Outlook: Detroit could have trouble extending its winning streak this week as they open up with two games on the road at Boston and New Jersey. The Pistons return home Saturday to host the Suns on zero days rest. Keep in mind that Detroit is 1-9 SU and 3-7 ATS when playing the back end of the two-game set.
12) Toronto (13-28, 19-20-2, 21-20)
Weekly Recap: Usually it's Toronto's defense that's been the problem but that hasn't been the case lately. The offense has been held to 95 points or less in three of their last four, which has resulted in four consecutive losses for the Raptors. With all of the setbacks coming by six points or less, they've managed to go 3-1 ATS during this skid. All four games went 'under.'
Weekly Outlook: The Raptors rise to the occasion sometimes but doing so this week would take a major effort. Toronto has three road games in four nights against the Spurs, Magic and Heat. The game versus Miami on Saturday will be a back-to-back spot.
13) Washington (12-27, 15-24, 17-21)
Weekly Recap: The Wizards posted a 3-1 record last week, with all three wins coming at home. Monday's victory against Utah (108-101) helped bettors cash a nice money-line 'dog price but the other wins against the Kings (136-133) and Raptors (98-95) watched the team fail to cover.
Weekly Outlook: After a quick trip to Milwaukee on Wednesday, the Wizards play their next two at home. Phoenix visits Friday before Boston comes to town on Saturday. Make a note that Flip Saunders team is still winless on the road (0-19 SU, 5-14 ATS) this season.
14) New Jersey (10-31, 19-22, 20-20-1)
Weekly Recap: Not surprisingly, the Nets finished up their West Coast trip winless. After blowing an overtime loss to Phoenix (109-118) in the opener, the club then fell to the Lakers (88-100), Trail Blazers (89-96) and Warriors (100-109). New Jersey has now lost six straight and 11 of 12.
Weekly Outlook: The Carmelo Anthony trade rumors continue to swirl but the move is doubtful considering the All-Star's intentions of signing an extension in New Jersey are bleak. The Nets have three home games this week for the as Utah, Detroit and Dallas visit the East Coast.
15) Cleveland (8-32, 13-25-2, 22-18)
Weekly Recap: The Cavs' losing streak reached 13 games after the club went 0-3 both SU and ATS last week on the road. The 55-point setback to the Lakers (57-112) was as embarrassing as it could get for head coach Byron Scott and the Cleveland franchise. The 'over' is on a 6-2 run.
Weekly Outlook: Cleveland will be rested when Phoenix visits on Wednesday. The team then hosts Milwaukee on Friday before facing Chicago on the road Saturday.
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Weekly Notes - West
By Kevin Rogers
(Straight-Up, Against the Spread, Over/Under)
1) San Antonio (35-6, 25-15-1, 20-21)
Weekly Recap: The Spurs got back on the winning track with a perfect 3-0 week after beating the Wolves, Bucks, and Mavericks. San Antonio's defense stiffened up by cashing three 'unders,' extending its 'under' streak to five games, while holding each opponent to less than 100 points.
Weekly Outlook: San Antonio hits the court again Wednesday against Toronto at home, followed by a visit from New York on Friday. The Spurs play with no rest on Saturday at New Orleans, as San Antonio tries to clinch the season series with a victory.
2) L.A. Lakers (30-12, 18-23-1, 16-26)
Weekly Recap: Los Angeles managed the biggest blowout this season with its 112-57 dismantling of Cleveland last Tuesday. The Lakers knocked off the Warriors and Nets, but couldn't cash tickets as healthy favorites. The week ended on a not-so-solid note with a loss to the improving Clippers, the third straight road ATS defeat for the Lakers.
Weekly Outlook: The Lakers try to bounce back against the Thunder on Monday, the first meeting between these teams since L.A. eliminated OKC last April in the first round of the playoffs. Phil Jackson's club will be tested on the road twice by heading to Dallas (Wednesday) and Denver (Friday).
3) Oklahoma City (27-13, 22-18, 26-14)
Weekly Recap: The Thunder won two high-scoring affairs this week against the Rockets (118-112) and Magic (125-124), while pushing their winning streak to four. Oklahoma City's 'over' stretch improved to 7-1 the last eight games, while cashing the 'over' in six of the last seven contests at the Ford Center.
Weekly Outlook: Oklahoma City will be tested three times this week, starting with a rematch of last season's first round playoff loss to the Lakers as the two teams meet at Staples Center on Monday. The Thunder concludes its mini two-game road trip in Denver on Wednesday, followed by a home contest with the Knicks on Saturday.
4) Utah (27-14, 20-20-1, 22-19)
Weekly Recap: The Jazz extended their winning streak to three with consecutive home victories over the Knicks and Cavs, while picking up their first home cover since mid-December. Utah lost as five-point 'chalk' at Washington on Monday, but the Jazz cashed the 'over' for the seventh straight game.
Weekly Outlook: Jerry Sloan's club continues a five-game road trip in New Jersey on Wednesday, followed by a key showdown at Boston on Friday night. The week concludes with no rest on Saturday as the Jazz battles the Sixers.
5) Dallas (26-13, 20-17-2, 20-19)
Weekly Recap: Life without Dirk Nowitzki continued as the Mavs dropped consecutive double-digit decisions on the road at Indiana and San Antonio. Nowitzki returned to the lineup after missing nine games in Saturday's 89-70 setback at Memphis, falling to 2-9 SU/ATS the last 11 contests.
Weekly Outlook: The Mavs conclude a four-game road swing at Detroit on Monday afternoon, as Dallas tries to improve on a 1-4 SU/ATS mark the last five away games. Dallas returns home for one game on Wednesday to host the Lakers, followed by a two-game trip to Chicago (Thursday) and New Jersey (Saturday).
6) New Orleans (25-16, 23-17-1, 13-28)
Weekly Recap: The Hornets are acting like it's the beginning of the season all over again, riding a four-game winning streak, the longest since an 8-0 start. New Orleans has cashed each of its last five games, all in the underdog role, including victories over Orlando, Houston, and Charlotte.
Weekly Outlook: New Orleans won't do much traveling over the next week, playing four of the next five games in the Big Easy. The Hornets host the Raptors on Monday, followed by a visit from the Grizzlies on Wednesday. New Orleans has a back-to-back set starting Friday in Atlanta, then back home on Saturday for a crucial showdown with the division-leading Spurs.
7) Denver (23-17, 15-22-3, 19-20-1)
Weekly Recap: After three straight solid home efforts, the Nuggets ran into a buzzsaw in Sunday's loss at San Antonio. Denver topped the 127-point mark in victories over the Suns, Cavs, and Heat, but the setback to the Spurs dropped the Nuggets to 1-6 SU the last seven on the highway.
Weekly Outlook: The Nuggets return to the Pepsi Center for three games this week prior to a five-game road trip next week. George Karl's club hosts the Thunder (Wednesday), Lakers (Friday), and Pacers (Sunday), as Denver is 6-1 SU and 5-1-1 ATS the last seven games at home.
8) Portland (21-20, 19-20-2, 19-21-1)
Weekly Recap: The Blazers have gotten used to playing without Brandon Roy, who has missed the last 15 games with a knee injury. Portland followed up last Sunday's overtime loss to Miami with an ugly 14-point home defeat to the Knicks. The Blazers lost a see-saw battle at Phoenix, but managed a comeback victory over the Nets to wrap up the week.
Weekly Outlook: Portland will try to snap a four-game ATS losing skid against Minnesota on Monday, as the Blazers have beaten the Wolves twice already this season. The Blazers hit the road for one game in Sacramento on Wednesday, followed by a home contest with the Clippers on Thursday. The five-game homestand continues on Saturday when the Pacers invade the Rose Garden.
9) Memphis (19-22, 24-16-1, 19-22)
Weekly Recap: The Grizzlies were tripped up at Charlotte as short road favorites, but Memphis rebounded with consecutive victories over Detroit and Dallas. After beating the Mavs, the Grizzlies improved to 9-3 ATS the last 12 games at home. However, the Grizzlies were upended as five-point favorites by the Bulls on Monday afternoon.
Weekly Outlook: Memphis hooks up with divisional rival New Orleans for the first time this season on Wednesday, followed by a Friday home contest against Houston. The Grizzlies will be looking to beat the Rockets for the first time in three tries this season. Memphis begins a four-game road swing on Saturday at Milwaukee, as the Grizzlies look to improve on a 7-1 SU/ATS mark against opponents with no rest as the Bucks play the second of a back-to-back.
10) Phoenix (18-21, 15-22-1, 22-17-1)
Weekly Recap: The Suns had their best week in over a month, winning two of three games. Phoenix won a pair of high-scoring shootouts with New Jersey and Portland, but also dropped a 34-point decision at Denver. The Suns were able to avenge a 132-98 home loss to the Knicks by knocking off New York at the Garden on Monday, 129-121 as six-point 'dogs.
Weekly Outlook: Phoenix continues a five-game road trip at Cleveland on Wednesday, going for the season sweep of the Cavs. The Suns travel to Washington on Friday, followed by a visit to Detroit with no rest. Alvin Gentry's team has the potential to be favored in all three games, even though the Suns have laid points just once on the road (losing at Sacramento as five-point 'chalk' in early January).
11) Houston (18-23, 19-20-2, 20-21)
Weekly Recap: The Rockets have hit the skids recently with losses in seven of their last nine games, even though both wins came at Boston and Atlanta as heavy underdogs. Houston fell short in home defeats to Oklahoma City and New Orleans, while Kevin Martin missed two games with a sprained right wrist.
Weekly Outlook: Houston plays three of four games at the Toyota Center this week as the Rockets entertain the Knicks on Wednesday. Rick Adelman's squad makes a quick trip to Memphis on Friday, followed by a home matchup with the Magic on Saturday. The Rockets better sure up their home court in a hurry, as Houston is 0-6-1 ATS the last seven home contests.
12) Golden State (16-23, 21-17-1, 17-22)
Weekly Recap: The Warriors split a pair of games against the L.A. teams, falling to the Lakers, while knocking off the Clippers. Golden State covered each game, improving to 6-1 ATS the last seven at Oracle Arena. All of the sudden, the Warriors are turning into an 'over' machine again at home with six consecutive 'overs' at Oracle.
Weekly Outlook: Keith Smart's team will keep their suitcases empty with 11 of the next 12 games in Oakland, while the lone road game comes Saturday at Staples Center against the Clippers. Prior to that short trip, the Warriors battle the Pacers (Wednesday) and Kings (Friday) in the Bay Area.
13) L.A. Clippers (13-25, 19-18-1, 19-18-1)
Weekly Recap: The Clippers are starting to slay several of the league's top dragons with home victories over the Heat and Lakers. Vinny Del Negro's club is 9-4 SU and 8-4-1 ATS the previous 13 games, while going 13-12 since a 1-13 start.
Weekly Outlook: Los Angeles will be busy this week with Minnesota coming to town on Wednesday, going for its second win over the Wolves in a month. The Clips head to Portland on Thursday, as L.A. owns a 5-2 ATS mark the last seven games as an underdog. Los Angeles battles Golden State for the third time in a two-week span on Saturday at Staples Center.
14) Minnesota (10-31, 20-21, 20-21)
Weekly Recap: The Wolves haven't seen much success recently with losses in six of the last seven games. The only salvation for Minnesota was facing Washington last Thursday, as the Wolves picked up a 12-point victory. Minnesota is currently riding a four-game 'under' streak, while scoring 100 points or less in four of the past five games.
Weekly Outlook: Kurt Rambis' team heads out west for two games starting Monday night in Portland, followed by a trip to Los Angeles on Wednesday against the Clippers. Minnesota will play again next Monday against Houston, a four-in-five stretch of games at the Target Center.
15) Sacramento (9-29, 14-23-1, 19-19)
Weekly Recap: Surprisingly, the Kings have been one of the better ATS teams of late with covers in five of the last six games. Sacramento cashed as road underdogs in four of the first five games of a six-game road swing that concludes in Atlanta on Monday. Paul Westphal's team is slowly becoming an uptempo club with 'overs' in six of the last seven games.
Weekly Outlook: The Kings return to Arco Arena on Wednesday to host the Blazers before heading back on the road Friday to Golden State. After coming home, Sacramento will play 12 consecutive contests in the Pacific Time Zone, including eight games at Arco.
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