Weekly Notes - East
By Chris David
(Straight-Up, Against the Spread, Over/Under)
1) Boston (33-10, 20-21-2, 22-20)
Weekly Recap: The Celtics had their five-game winning streak snapped Saturday with a tightly contested loss at Washington (83-85). Boston did win its three contests (1-2 ATS) at home, two against quality opponents in Orlando (109-106) and Utah (110-86). Total bettors watched the 'over/under' hold steady at 2-2.
Weekly Outlook: Boston starts the week with a tune-up on Tuesday against Cleveland before embarking on a four-game road trip to the West Coast. After facing the Trail Blazers and Suns in back-to-back fashion on Thursday and Friday, Doc Rivers' squad has a NBA Finals rematch against the Lakers on Sunday.
2) Miami (31-13, 20-23-1, 23-20-1)
Weekly Recap: The Heat only had two home games last week and they wound up going 1-1 both SU and ATS. Chris Bosh (ankle) sat out Tuesday's overtime setback to Atlanta (89-93) and both he and Dwyane Wade (flu) sat out Saturday's blowout win (120-103) over Toronto. Miami shooting guard Mike Miller decided to show up this season, as he put up a season-high 32 points in the win.
Weekly Outlook: Miami will have four days off to get healthier before playing three games in four nights, two of those on the road. After facing the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, the club head back to South Beach on Friday to meet the Pistons. Then, the team goes to Oklahoma City on Sunday to complete the ugly travel schedule. After winning 13 in a row on the road, the Heat has dropped their last three away from home.
3) Chicago (30-14, 25-19, 16-28)
Weekly Recap: Chicago went 3-1 SU and 2-2 ATS last week, with three of the wins coming at home. The defense was amazing game as all four opponents were held to 84 points or less. Sure enough, the 'under' went 4-0 in those games.
Weekly Outlook: Two divisional home games on tap this week against Milwaukee and Indiana appear to be victories. However, Friday's game from the United Center should have a playoff atmosphere. The Bulls got 20-4 at home this season but one of those losses was to Orlando (78-107) on Dec. 1 and it wasn't pretty at all.
4) Orlando (29-15, 19-22-3, 19-23-2)
Weekly Recap: The Magic started the week with a tough loss at Boston (106-109) but rebounded with three straight wins (2-1 ATS) albeit against teams with losing records. Since the club made their blockbuster trade, they've gone 13-5 with the new faces.
Weekly Outlook: Fortunately, Orlando will be facing four teams from the Central Division this week, arguably the weakest group in the NBA. The Magic will be favored in three of the matchups, but will be underdogs in a great road test against Chicago on Friday.
5) Atlanta (29-16, 21-24, 19-26)
Weekly Recap: The Hawks went 3-1 SU and 2-2 ATS last week and the one loss was gross. After knocking off Miami (93-89) in overtime on the road, the team was blasted at home by 41 points (100-59) to New Orleans. The 'under' went 3-1 last week. Al Hoford (ankle) was hurt in the win over the Heat and sat out the last two games. He is day-to-day.
Weekly Outlook: Atlanta will face three quality opponents this week, two on the road. A home game against New York will be sandwiched between trips to Milwaukee and Dallas.
6) New York (22-21, 26-15-2, 29-23-1)
Weekly Recap: The bad news in New York is that the team has dropped six straight (2-3-1 ATS) games. The good news is that the Knicks still have a comfortable grip on a playoff berth and they've been somewhat competitive during the skid. Saturday's loss at Oklahoma City (98-101) was a tough one to stomach and could've easily been reversed.
Weekly Outlook: Monday's home game against Washington could be a trap after the three-game road trip, plus the team has Miami visiting MSG on Thursday. On Friday, the team heads to Atlanta before hosting Detroit on Sunday.
7) Philadelphia (18-25, 27-15-1, 20-23)
Weekly Recap: The 76ers posted a 2-2 SU and 3-1 ATS ledger last week with the wins coming at home and the losses on the road. All of the games were decided by single digits, and the road setbacks to Orlando (98-99) and Charlotte (97-100) were by a combined four points. The 'under' went 3-1.
Weekly Outlook: Philadelphia will travel to Toronto for its one road game this week. The 76ers do have three home tilts, all coming against Western Conference opponents. Phoenix, Memphis and Denver will visit Philly.
8) Indiana (16-24, 18-19-3, 13-26-1)
Weekly Recap: The Pacers finished up their West Coast swing with a 0-4 record. Only one of the games was decided by double digits, yet the team was just 1-2-1 ATS. The 'over' went 3-1 in the four games, which is surprising since Indiana has leaned toward the 'under' this season.
Weekly Outlook: Three games for Indiana this week, two from Conseco Fieldhouse. Orlando visits Wednesday before New Jersey on Friday. Then, the club meets the Bulls on the road in a game on zero days rest.
9) Charlotte (17-25, 19-21-2, 19-23)
Weekly Recap: The Paul Silas regime started with a 6-2 run but Charlotte has gone 2-4 over the last six, and three of those losses came to playoff contenders. The one thing Silas preached was an up-tempo pace when he took over the coaching duties from Larry Brown. In the first 14 games, the club has busted the century mark just five times and one came in overtime. The total is 7-7 during this stretch.
Weekly Outlook: Are the 'Cats playoff worthy? We'll find out soon enough as the team starts a six-game road trip, five on the West Coast. This week, they'll play four in five nights with a pair of back-to-back showdowns. After facing the Kings and Suns on Tuesday and Wednesday, the team faces the Warriors and Clippers starting Friday.
10) Milwaukee (16-25, 18-21-1, 17-23)
Weekly Recap: Scott Skiles' team was 2-2 both SU and ATS last week. The two victories came when the team put up 100-plus points and conversely, the two losses watched the team score 84 and 81 points. The 'under' went 3-1.
Weekly Outlook: Four games on tap this week, two on the road and two at home. A trip to Chicago is followed with a home matchup versus Atlanta. Then the Bucks face two games in two nights with travel. After meeting Toronto in Canada on Friday, the team hosts New Jersey on Saturday.
11) Detroit (16-28, 24-19-1, 22-22)
Weekly Recap: The Pistons produced a 2-2 SU and 3-1 ATS ledger last week, with the two victories coming at home and the pair of losses on the road. Victories over Western Conference opponents Dallas (103-99) and Phoenix (75-74) gained confidence and the setback at Boston (82-86) was nothing to be embarrassed over. The 'under' went 3-1.
Weekly Outlook: Tough four-game stretch for Detroit this week with four games, three on the road. The Pistons will be healthy 'dogs to the Magic, Heat and Knicks in those affairs and they'll most likely be catching points in the lone home contest to Denver on Wednesday.
12) Washington (13-29, 16-26, 17-24)
Weekly Recap: The Wizards fell to 0-20 on the road with a loss at Milwaukee (87-100) last week. Fortunately, Washington had three other games, all at home. The club went 2-1 both SU and ATS, with solid victories coming against the Jazz (108-101) and Celtics (85-83). The 'under' cashed in three of the four efforts.
Weekly Outlook: Will this be the week that Washington wins on the road? Flip Saunders' bunch will have three chances with games at New York, Oklahoma City and Memphis. In between those games will be a home tilt versus Denver, which will be on zero days rest. Also, the game at the Grizzlies will be the second in two nights as well.
13) Toronto (13-31, 20-22-2, 22-22)
Weekly Recap: Toronto couldn't stop the bleeding last week and the losing streak has now reached seven games. The Raptors went 0-4 SU and 2-2 ATS with the last two losses coming in double-digit fashion to the Magic (72-112) and Heat (103-120). During this skid, five of the losses came on the road. The 'under' is on a 6-1 run.
Weekly Outlook: The Raptors return home this week for three straight against the Grizzlies, 76ers and Bucks. All of those games are separated by a day. After Milwaukee, the club head to Minnesota for a battle on zero days rest.
14) New Jersey (12-32, 22-22, 21-22-1)
Weekly Recap: After owner Mikhail Prokhorov ended the Carmelo Anthony trade talks on Wednesday, the Nets actually started playing better. New Jersey lost at Golden State (100-109) on Monday, but closed the week with a 2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS mark. And the lone loss came on a buzzer beater to Dallas (86-87).
Weekly Outlook: New Jersey has a chance to keep rolling with winnable games on tap this week. After playing Cleveland and Memphis at home, the club faces a back-to-back road set starting Friday against the Pacers and Bucks.
15) Cleveland (8-35, 14-27-2, 23-20)
Weekly Recap: The Cavaliers saw their losing streak reach 16 games as the club went 0-3 SU and 1-2 ATS. The team did cover (+15.5) in their loss at Chicago (79-92) on Saturday but the offense was held under 100 for the sixth straight game.
Weekly Outlook: Cleveland has one shot to bust the skid this week and it happens Monday at New Jersey. After that contest, they travel to Boston on Tuesday before hosting Denver Friday. Then, they conclude the week at Orlando on Sunday.
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Weekly Notes - West
By Kevin Rogers
(Straight-Up, Against the Spread, Over/Under)
1) San Antonio (37-7, 25-17-2, 20-24)
Weekly Recap: The Spurs' eight-game winning streak came to a halt at New Orleans in a 96-72 loss as short favorites. San Antonio failed to cover in home victories over Toronto and New York, while extending its 'under' streak to nine games after the defeat to the Hornets.
Weekly Outlook: San Antonio is riding a 12 of 13-game stretch of games on the road as the Spurs head to Golden State on Monday. Gregg Popovich's team travels to Utah on Wednesday, followed by a home game against Houston on Saturday, the last contest in Texas until February 23.
2) L.A. Lakers (32-13, 20-24-1, 17-28)
Weekly Recap: The Purple and Gold captured two of three games including victories over the Thunder and Nuggets. The lone slip-up came at Dallas, as the Mavs snapped a six-game skid with last Wednesday's underdog victory over the Lakers. Los Angeles is 6-2 to the 'under' the previous eight games, including four straight at Staples Center.
Weekly Outlook: The Lakers begin a five-game homestand that starts with a rematch of last season's second-round playoff victory over the Jazz on Tuesday. Los Angeles battles last-place Sacramento on Friday, followed by a Finals reunion against Boston on Sunday afternoon.
3) Oklahoma City (28-15, 22-21, 26-17)
Weekly Recap: The Thunder failed to cover all three games last week after dropping a pair of road contests to the Lakers and Nuggets. Oklahoma City snapped a two-game skid thanks to Kevin Durant's three-pointer at the buzzer to beat New York on Friday, but couldn't cash as eight-point favorites.
Weekly Outlook: It's a busy week for Scott Brooks' club, starting a two-game road trip at New Orleans on Monday. The Thunder heads to Minnesota on Wednesday, followed by a visit from winless-on-the-road Washington on Friday. The week concludes with a showdown on Sunday afternoon against Miami at the Ford Center.
4) Dallas (28-15, 21-20-2, 22-21)
Weekly Recap: It's been a tough stretch for the Mavs, dropping 10 of 14 games since Dirk Nowitzki's knee injury. Nowitzki has played the last five games, but Dallas is just 2-3 SU and 1-4 ATS. The Mavs knocked off the Lakers as home 'dogs, while the offense failed to score more than 87 points in non-covers against the Bulls and Nets.
Weekly Outlook: Dallas begins a four-game stretch at the American Airlines Center with the Clippers coming to town on Tuesday. The Mavs host the Rockets on Thursday, followed by a visit from the Hawks on Saturday, as both Houston and Atlanta will play with no rest.
5) New Orleans (29-16, 25-19-1, 14-31)
Weekly Recap: The Hornets have been on fire with eight consecutive victories after completing a perfect 4-0 week. New Orleans didn't cash in comeback home wins over Toronto and Memphis, but the Hornets saved their best for last in blowouts of the Hawks and Spurs. To show you how impressive New Orleans was in those final two wins, the Hornets allowed a grand total of 131 points.
Weekly Outlook: New Orleans will try to beat Oklahoma City for the first time in three tries this season when the two teams meet in the Big Easy on Monday. The Hornets hit the highway for three games starting Wednesday at Golden State, followed by a short trip to Sacramento on Saturday. The trip concludes in Phoenix on Sunday, the first of four meetings this season.
6) Utah (27-17, 20-23-1, 24-20)
Weekly Recap: It hasn't been the best road trip for Jerry Sloan's squad, as the Jazz lost all four games at Washington, New Jersey, Boston, and Philadelphia. Utah didn't help bettors with an 0-4 ATS mark, dropping to 3-9 ATS the last 12 games.
Weekly Outlook: Things don't ease up for the Jazz as the road swing finishes up in L.A. against the Lakers on Tuesday. Utah returns home to host San Antonio on Wednesday as the Jazz own a 5-5-1 ATS record with no rest. The Jazz battle the Wolves on Friday, followed by a Sunday trip to the Bay Area to take on the Warriors.
7) Denver (24-18, 16-23-3, 19-22-3)
Weekly Recap: The Nuggets split a pair of home games against the Western Conference elite with a victory over the Thunder and a double-digit loss to the Lakers. After starting the season with problems covering at Pepsi Center, the Nuggets are 7-2-1 ATS the last 10 games at home following Sunday's blowout of Indiana.
Weekly Outlook: George Karl's team can make up some ground in the Northwest Division on a five-game road trip, starting with the Wizards in D.C. on Tuesday. The Nuggets turn around on Wednesday to take on the Pistons, followed by a Friday meeting in Cleveland against the dreadful Cavs. Denver plays with revenge on Sunday at Philadelphia after the Sixers won at Pepsi Center as short 'dogs in late December.
8) Portland (25-20, 22-21-2, 21-23-2)
Weekly Recap: The Blazers have quietly been one of the hotter teams in the league despite all their injuries with five straight victories. Portland took care of business against some of the league's poor sisters by beating the Wolves, Kings, Clippers, and Pacers. The Blazers didn't cash against Indiana, dropping to 3-5 ATS the last eight games overall.
Weekly Outlook: Portland continues a five-game stretch at the Rose Garden with two games this week starting with Sacramento on Monday. The Blazers conclude the homestand with the Celtics coming to town on Thursday, the first of a four-game road swing for Boston.
9) Memphis (21-23, 27-16-1, 21-23)
Weekly Recap: After falling as five-point home favorites to the Bulls on Monday, the Grizzlies cashed the last three games of the week. Memphis couldn't hold a late lead in an overtime loss at New Orleans, but covered as 3 ½-point 'dogs. The Grizzlies wrapped up the week with victories over the Rockets and Bucks, as Memphis improved to 10-2 ATS as a road 'dog.
Weekly Outlook: The road trip continues for Memphis in Toronto on Monday night, as the Grizzlies own a 1-4-1 ATS mark when laying points on the highway. The Grizzlies head to New Jersey (Wednesday) and Philadelphia (Friday) to wrap up the trip, capped off by a home contest against Washington on Saturday.
10) Phoenix (20-22, 17-23-2, 22-20)
Weekly Recap: The Suns felt like things were coming together thanks to a five-game winning streak, including victories at New York, Cleveland, and Washington. However, Phoenix blew a late lead in an ugly 75-74 setback at Detroit, ending a solid five-game ATS hot streak.
Weekly Outlook: Phoenix concludes the road trip at Philadelphia on Monday, trying to avenge a 13-point home loss to the Sixers in late December. The Suns return to the Valley for five games starting on Wednesday against the Bobcats. Alvin Gentry's team will be tested in the next two home contests against Boston (Friday) and New Orleans (Sunday).
11) Houston (20-25, 21-22-2, 22-23)
Weekly Recap: The Rockets started the week on fire with consecutive home victories over the Bucks and Knicks, while cashing the 'under' each time. Houston was tripped up in high-scoring losses to Memphis and Orlando, as Rick Adelman's squad is 4-8-1 ATS in January.
Weekly Outlook: The start of the week includes winnable games at Minnesota (Monday) and at home against the Clippers (Wednesday). Things get tougher on Thursday as the Rockets begin a four-game road trip in Dallas on Thursday, followed by a Texas two-step to San Antonio on Saturday.
12) Golden State (19-24, 24-18-1, 21-22)
Weekly Recap: The Warriors may not be heading to the playoffs, but Golden State is cashing at a steady pace with a 5-1 ATS run. Keith Smart's club knocked off the Nets, Pacers, and Kings at Oracle Arena, while concluding the week with a four-point defeat to the Clippers. The Warriors have hit the 'over' in six straight games, including eight in a row in Oakland.
Weekly Outlook: Golden State begins an eight-game homestand on Monday against San Antonio, followed by a Wednesday visit from New Orleans. The Warriors take on the Bobcats on Friday, while the Jazz come to town on Sunday as Golden State is 7-1 ATS the last eight at home.
13) L.A. Clippers (17-26, 22-20-1, 23-19-1)
Weekly Recap: The Clippers are starting to be taken seriously as an up-and-coming club out west with wins in seven of the last nine games. L.A. picked up solid home victories over Indiana and Minnesota, but stubbed its toe at Portland in a 15-point loss. The Clips bounced back in a 113-109 home win over the Warriors as eight-point 'chalk.'
Weekly Outlook: Los Angeles heads to the Lone Star State for two games starting Tuesday in Dallas, followed by a Wednesday matchup in Houston. The Clippers return to Staples Center for three games on Saturday against the Bobcats, as Charlotte will play its fourth game in five nights.
14) Minnesota (10-33, 20-23, 22-21)
Weekly Recap: The Wolves dropped a pair of double-digit decisions to the Blazers and Clippers as Minnesota is just 1-8 SU and 3-6 ATS the last nine games. Minnesota has allowed at least 108 points in each of the previous three losses, all ATS defeats as healthy underdogs.
Weekly Outlook: Kurt Rambis' team returns to the court after four days off to host the Rockets on Monday. Minnesota entertains Oklahoma City on Wednesday at the Target Center, followed by a Friday trip to Utah to battle the struggling Jazz.
15) Sacramento (9-32, 15-25-1, 20-21)
Weekly Recap: The Kings are competing well even though they haven't reached the 10-win mark yet this season. Sacramento cashed as a 9 ½-point underdog at Atlanta in a two-point loss, but failed to cover in losses to Portland and Golden State.
Weekly Outlook: The quest for victory number ten continues on Monday at Portland, trying to avenge a home overtime loss to the Blazers last Wednesday. The Kings return to Arco Arena on Tuesday to host the Bobcats, followed by a tough back-to-back set. Sacramento heads to Staples Center on Friday against the Lakers, then turn around to take on the Hornets on Saturday.
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