Weekly Notes - East
By Chris David
(Straight-Up, Against the Spread, Over/Under)
1) Boston (42-15, 27-28-2, 28-28)
Weekly Recap: The Celtics started the second-half of the season on the West Coast and the club went 3-1 SU and 2-2 ATS, with the last victory happening Monday over Utah (107-102). The 'over' went 3-1.
Weekly Outlook: Boston has a trap game at home on Wednesday against Phoenix, which could be a flat spot after the long roadie. Following the Suns, the Celtics host the Warriors on Friday and finish the week at Milwaukee on Sunday.
2) Miami (43-17, 28-31-1, 32-27-1)
Weekly Recap: The Heat aka "The Bullies" went 2-2 SU and 1-3 ATS last week. Miami beat up Sacramento (117-97) and Washington (121-113) but got punched in the face against playoff clubs in Chicago (89-93) and New York (86-91). The 'over' went 2-0 in the wins, while the 'under' was 2-0 in the setbacks.
Weekly Outlook: Miami will get tested again this week against three more playoff-type clubs. Orlando visits Thursday before traveling to San Antonio for a back-to-back set. After the Spurs, the Heat will look to avenge last week's loss to the Bulls at home on Sunday.
3) Chicago (40-17, 35-22, 23-34)
Weekly Recap: After starting the second-half with an embarrassing road loss to Toronto (113-118), the Bulls have won and covered three straight. Last Thursday's win over Miami gave Chicago the head-to-head tiebreaker. Three of the four went 'under' the number.
Weekly Outlook: Chicago beat Washington on the road Monday and will play three more away from home this week, all against Southeast Division foes. Trips to the Hawks and Magic are set for Wednesday and Friday. Then, the nationally televised showdown at Miami on Sunday will be playoff intense.
4) Orlando (38-22, 27-30-3, 24-32-4)
Weekly Recap: The Magic started the second-half with a 3-1 record both SU and ATS but the one loss was embarrassing. The club fell to the Sacramento Kings (105-111) at home, and they were laying 14 points too. Defense was the key last week, as the team didn't allow more than 88 points in their victories. The 'under' went 3-1.
Weekly Outlook: Orlando will face the new-look Knicks at home on Tuesday. After one day off, Stan Van Gundy's troops will play at Miami on Thursday and then travel to Chicago on Friday. This is a good week to see if the Magic are ready for the playoffs.
5) Atlanta (36-23, 27-32, 25-34)
Weekly Recap: The Hawks opened up the second-half with five straight on the road and the team went 2-3 both SU and ATS. Monday's loss to Denver (90-100) could've been a win but the team ran out of gas late and Josh Smith (knee) got hurt as well. The offense continues to lack any punch, failing to score 100-plus in 10 straight. The 'under' has gone 8-2 over this span.
Weekly Outlook: Unfortunately for the Hawks, things don't get easier this week. Three home games against Chicago, Oklahoma City and New York will be very difficult after the long roadie.
6) New York (30-27, 34-21-2, 27-29-1)
Weekly Recap: The Carmelo Anthony era in New York started with a 2-1 record (1-2 ATS). The loss at Cleveland (109-115) is inexcusable this time of the season, but the road victory over Miami (91-86) should go a far way with confidence.
Weekly Outlook: New York starts the week at Orlando on Tuesday and then follows that matchup with a home tilt versus New Orleans on Wednesday. Following the Hornets, the club will look to avenge not one but two losses to Cleveland on Friday at Madison Square Garden. Then, a one-day road trip to Atlanta ends the week on Sunday.
7) Philadelphia (30-29, 37-21-1, 29-30)
Weekly Recap: The 76ers continue to be a very hot team and they might be a tough out come playoff time due to their athleticism and the coaching of Doug Collins. Philadelphia started the second-half with three straight wins (2-1 ATS) albeit against the Wizards, short-handed Pistons and Cavaliers.
Weekly Outlook: Tuesday's home battle against a surging Dallas team will be a monster test. After the Mavs, the team should garner home wins against up-tempo teams in Minnesota and Golden State. All of the games are separated by at least one day.
8) Indiana (26-32, 26-29-3, 26-31-1)
Weekly Recap: After starting the week with two wins over the Wizards (113-96) and Pistons (102-101) the Pacers lost to Utah (84-95) and Phoenix (108-110). The loss to the Suns came on a buzzer-beater. The club has scored 100-plus in 13 of 14 games since interim coach Frank Vogel has taken over.
Weekly Outlook: Vogel and his squad have four games on tap this week, three on the road. After hosting Golden State on Tuesday, the Pacers face the Thunder, Mavericks and Rockets on their floors. The game against Houston on Saturday will be on zero days rest.
9) Charlotte (26-33, 29-28-2, 29-30)
Weekly Recap: The Bobcats are barely hanging onto their playoff hopes but at least they're beating the teams they should. After dominating Toronto (114-101) and Sacramento (110-98) at home, Charlotte was humbled at Orlando (86-100).
Weekly Outlook: A big three-game road trip will be telling for Paul Silas and company this week. The action begins Wednesday at Denver before two games in two nights starting Friday. The first battle will be against the L.A. Lakers and the backend versus the Trail Blazers. One win on this trip would be impressive.
10) Milwaukee (22-36, 26-30-1, 22-35)
Weekly Recap: The Bucks' chances of making the playoffs could be tough, especially with the way they're playing. Milwaukee went 1-2 both SU and ATS, the lone win at home against Minnesota (94-88). The 'under' went 2-1.
Weekly Outlook: Milwaukee has three games on the docket this week, all from the Bradley Center. The Bucks will host the Pistons, Suns and Celtics. All of the games will be separated by at least a two-day gap.
11) Detroit (22-39, 32-28-1, 33-28)
Weekly Recap: The Pistons reached a boiling point last week as a few veteran players staged an alleged boycott and skipped a shootaround. Detroit and its players have supposedly buried the hatchets but this team is still in turmoil, evidenced by a 1-3 SU and 2-2 ATS ledger last week.
Weekly Outlook: Detroit visits Milwaukee on Tuesday before hosting Minnesota the following night. Closing the week, the team will host Washington on Sunday.
12) New Jersey (17-42, 27-32, 28-30-1)
Weekly Recap: The Nets closed the first-half with three straight losses and in good fashion they began the second-half with three consecutive setbacks. The defense gave up 106, 123 and 104 points during the recent skid, which helped the 'over' cash in every contest. Since acquiring point guard Deron Williams from Utah, the Nets are still winless.
Weekly Outlook: New Jersey will play two games against Toronto on Friday and Saturday from London's O2 Arena. Toronto beat New Jersey 98-92 on Dec. 17 from Canada.
13) Washington (15-43, 22-36, 26-30-1)
Weekly Recap: If you look at the Wizards, you see some talent on the court with a nice blend of youngsters and veterans. Unfortunately, head coach Flip Saunders hasn't been able to push the right buttons - at all. Washington is on a 0-5 SU and 2-3 ATS skid and three of the losses were by double digits.
Weekly Outlook: The Wizards have a pair of winnable games at home this week, as Golden State and Minnesota visit D.C. Then, a road game at Detroit on Sunday will be played on zero days rest. In case you forgot, Washington only has one road win (1-28 SU, 9-20 ATS).
14) Toronto (16-44, 25-33-2, 29-31)
Weekly Recap: The Raptors started the second-half with a 1-3 record both SU and ATS, with the win coming over Chicago (118-113) at home. The defense was atrocious, giving up an average of 112.8 PPG. The 'over' went 3-1.
Weekly Outlook: Toronto has three games this week, the first at home against New Orleans. Then, the team heads to London for a two-game set against New Jersey to promote NBA globally.
15) Cleveland (11-48, 24-32-3, 36-23)
Weekly Recap: Even though the Cavaliers continue to lose on a nightly basis, they have covered four in a row. Cleveland did surprise New York (115-109) last week as an 8½-point home underdog. Defense continues to be an issue, but that's helped the 'over' cash tickets. Last week, the 'over' went 3-1.
Weekly Outlook: The Cavs have three games this week, two at home against San Antonio and New Orleans. Sandwiched between them will be a road battle against New York.
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Weekly Notes - West
By Kevin Rogers
(Straight-Up, Against the Spread, Over/Under)
1) San Antonio (49-10, 34-23-2, 29-30)
Weekly Recap: The Spurs continue to roll with a three straight home victories over the Thunder, Nets, and Grizzlies, although Gregg Popovich's club failed to cover each game. The offense keeps clicking since a 71-point effort at Philadelphia on February 11 by scoring at least 100 points in four of the last six games.
Weekly Outlook: The best in the West will be without point guard Tony Parker, who is sidelined with a calf injury for two to four weeks. San Antonio finishes a home-and-home set with Memphis at FedEx Forum on Tuesday night. The Spurs turn around on Wednesday to take on the league's worst team at Cleveland, before returning to AT&T Center for four games. The homestand begins with the Heat on Friday, followed by a visit from the Lakers on Sunday.
2) Dallas (43-16, 33-24-2, 35-24)
Weekly Recap: If it wasn't for the Spurs, the Mavericks would be leading the Southwest Division with room to spare. Dallas took care of Utah at home, the fifth straight SU/ATS win for the Mavs. Rick Carlisle's team knocked off a pair of also-rans in Washington and Toronto, while rallying from a 22-3 deficit in a blowout of the Raptors.
Weekly Outlook: Dallas wraps up a three-game road trip at Philadelphia on Tuesday, followed by a two-game homestand that starts against Indiana on Friday. The week concludes with a Sunday meeting with Memphis, as the Mavs look to split the season series at two apiece with a win.
3) L.A. Lakers (42-19, 29-31-1, 25-36)
Weekly Recap: The Lakers rebounded nicely from a horrid ending to their Grammys road trip with four consecutive wins over the Hawks, Blazers, Clippers, and Thunder. The offense saw a nice jolt with three straight 100+ point efforts at home, while cashing each time as a favorite.
Weekly Outlook: The Purple and Gold finishes up a brief two-game road trip at Minnesota on Tuesday. Los Angeles returns home for a matchup with Charlotte on Friday, while the Lakers hit the highway for four games starting Sunday against the Spurs.
4) Oklahoma City (36-22, 29-29, 34-24)
Weekly Recap: Following a 23-point blowout of the Clippers on Tuesday, the Thunder dropped three games to the Spurs, Magic, and Thunder. Oklahoma City dealt swingman Jeff Green to Boston in a four-player trade, as the Thunder has lost three straight games for the first time all season.
Weekly Outlook: The Thunder looks to rebound against the Pacers on Wednesday, as OKC won at Conseco Fieldhouse in overtime on November 26. Oklahoma City heads to Atlanta on Friday, as the Thunder is just 4-6 ATS the last ten games on the highway. The week wraps up back at home against Phoenix on Sunday, with the road team splitting the first two meetings this season.
5) New Orleans (35-26, 29-31-1, 21-40)
Weekly Recap: The Hornets overcame a three-game losing streak to end the first half with consecutive convincing victories over the Clippers and Wolves. New Orleans couldn't finish the week unbeaten after blowing a double-digit halftime lead in a close home loss to Houston as six-point 'chalk.'
Weekly Outlook: New Orleans hits the highway for five games starting Tuesday in Toronto, as the Hornets are riding a 3-11 ATS streak. The Hornets head to New York on Wednesday, followed by a trip to Memphis on Friday. The week concludes at Cleveland on Sunday, as the Cavs have covered five straight games as a home underdog.
6) Denver (34-26, 27-30-3, 32-27-1)
Weekly Recap: The Carmelo Anthony era came to a halt last Monday night with the superstar's trade to New York. The Nuggets responded with home victories over the Grizzlies and Celtics, before falling in overtime at Portland. Denver managed covered in all three games, as the acquisitions of Raymond Felton and Danillo Gallinari paid dividends in the last two games.
Weekly Outlook: It's a busy week for the Nuggets, who host the Hawks on Monday night. Denver battles Charlotte on Wednesday, looking to avenge a road loss to the Bobcats in early December. The Nuggets head on the road for three games starting on Thursday in Utah, followed by a Saturday trip to Los Angeles to take on the Clippers.
7) Portland (33-26, 28-28-3, 28-30-1)
Weekly Recap: The Blazers continued a five-game homestand with three ATS losses to the Lakers, Nuggets, and Hawks. Portland split a pair of overtime games against Los Angeles and Denver, while going 'over' in each game. The Blazers struggled in their first game with Gerald Wallace on Sunday, falling to the road-weary Hawks.
Weekly Outlook: Portland hosts Houston on Tuesday, looking for the three-game season sweep of the Rockets. The Blazers turn around on Wednesday for a trip to Sacramento, as the road team is 2-0 SU/ATS this season. Nate McMillan's team comes back to the Rose Garden on Saturday to host the Bobcats, as Charlotte comes in with no rest.
8) Memphis (33-28, 38-22-1, 29-32)
Weekly Recap: The Grizzlies rebounded from an ugly loss at Denver to beat the Wolves and Kings as favorites. Memphis cashed tickets in a seven-point defeat at San Antonio, as the Grizzlies continue to play without Rudy Gay, who is out the next three weeks with a shoulder injury.
Weekly Outlook: Memphis returns to FedEx Forum to host San Antonio, looking to beat the Spurs for the first time in three meetings this season. All three opponents this week are divisional rivals for the Grizzlies, who take on the Hornets (Friday), followed by a visit to Dallas on Sunday.
9) Utah (32-28, 26-33-1, 31-29)
Weekly Recap: The Jazz moved on from the Deron Williams tenure with a 1-2 SU/ATS road swing. Utah's only victory came at Indiana, while the Jazz lost to a fractured Pistons team as road favorites on Saturday. With the loss at Detroit, Utah has dropped five of its past six games.
Weekly Outlook: Utah returns home for three games starting Monday night against Boston, as the Celtics play the final game of a four-game road swing. The Jazz hosts the Nuggets on Thursday, followed by a home contest with the Kings on Saturday. Utah hopes to improve on an 0-5 ATS run at Energy Solutions Arena, as each loss came as a favorite.
10) Phoenix (30-27, 26-29-2, 29-28)
Weekly Recap: Very quietly, the Suns have surged back into the playoff race following a 3-0 SU/ATS week after beating the Hawks, Raptors, and Pacers. The offense has picked up as well with over 100 points scored in nine of the last 10 games.
Weekly Outlook: The Suns continue their East Coast swing at New Jersey on Monday, looking for a fourth straight cover on the highway. Phoenix heads to Boston on Wednesday, while making stops in Milwaukee (Friday) and Oklahoma City (Sunday) to conclude the trip.
11) Houston (30-31, 31-28-2, 32-29)
Weekly Recap: The Rockets cleaned up this past week with four wins over the Pistons, Cavs, Nets, and Hornets. Houston hit the 'over' in the first three games, while going 'under' the total in the comeback victory at New Orleans. The 'under against the Hornets actually snapped a seven-game streak to the 'over.'
Weekly Outlook: Houston heads out west to continue a three-game road swing at Portland on Tuesday, looking to improve on a 4-1 ATS mark the last five as an away 'dog. The Rockets play with no rest at Los Angeles against the Clippers on Wednesday, while heading home to entertain the Pacers on Saturday.
12) Golden State (26-32, 29-28-1, 27-31)
Weekly Recap: The All-Star break was the worst thing for the Warriors, who was riding a three-game winning streak. Golden State lost all three games to Boston, Atlanta, and Minnesota, while failing to cover in each setback. The Warriors blew a 14-point lead at Minnesota in a three-point loss, while the Wolves shot lights out to beat Golden State for the first time in three meetings.
Weekly Outlook: Golden State continues a seven-game road swing with a back-to-back at Indiana (Tuesday) and Washington (Wednesday), followed by a rematch with the Celtics in Boston on Friday. The week finishes up against the hot Sixers in Philadelphia on Sunday.
13) L.A. Clippers (21-39, 28-31-1, 31-28-1)
Weekly Recap: After playing well in January, the Clips have fallen on hard times with a 2-11 SU and 4-9 ATS mark in February. Los Angeles lost the final three games of its road trip by double-digits at Oklahoma City, New Orleans, and its cross-town rivals, the Lakers. The Clips blew a halftime lead to the Celtics in L.A.'s first game back, while staying below the 100-point mark for the seventh straight game.
Weekly Outlook: Los Angeles heads up to Sacramento on Monday, looking to sweep the season series from its division rivals. The Clips come back to Staples Center for two games against Houston (Wednesday) and Denver (Saturday).
14) Sacramento (14-43, 23-33-1, 31-26)
Weekly Recap: The Kings finished off a seven-game road trip at 2-5 SU/ATS, as Sacramento played all but one game without Tyreke Evans, who is suffering from a foot injury. Sacramento pulled off a pair of victories as underdogs of nine or more at Phoenix and Orlando, while all seven games hit the 'over.'
Weekly Outlook: Paul Westphal's team comes back to Northern California for a pair of games against the Clippers (Monday) and Blazers (Wednesday), while the Kings make a quick trip to Utah on Saturday night. Keep an eye on the 'over,' which is on a 10-1 run for Sacramento.
15) Minnesota (14-46, 26-34, 27-33
Weekly Recap: The Wolves cashed at Milwaukee to start the second half as eight-point underdogs, but suffered consecutive home losses to the Grizzlies and Hornets to extend their losing skid to seven games. Minnesota snapped the cold stretch with a 126-123 victory over Golden State, the first game the Wolves have eclipsed the 100-point mark in eight games.
Weekly Outlook: A two-game winning streak may be a little much to ask for as the Wolves host the Lakers on Tuesday. Minnesota turns around for the second end of a back-to-back at Detroit on Wednesday, followed by another set with no rest at Philadelphia (Friday) and Washington (Saturday).
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