Weekly Notes - East
By Chris David
(Straight-Up, Against the Spread, Over/Under)
1) Boston (46-15, 29-30-2, 31-29)
Weekly Recap: Doc Rivers and his troops continued to push toward the top seed in the Eastern Conference last week with a 4-0 performance. The club only went 2-2 ATS but they were heavy favorites (9.5, 7.5) in those wins. The 'over' went 3-1 as Boston busted the century mark in three of its four games.
Weekly Outlook: Boston should be favored in all three of its games this week, as the Clippers and Bucks make trips to Massachusetts. Sandwiched between those home games for Boston will be a tough road contest against Philadelphia. The Celtics have beaten the 76ers twice this season but both wins were by a combined five points.
2) Chicago (43-18, 38-23, 23-38)
Weekly Recap: The Bulls finished up their five-game road trip with a 4-1 record both SU and ATS. The only loss came at Atlanta (80-83) and Chicago blew a monster lead in that victory. Fortunately for Tom Thibodeau's club, they bounced back with the Sunshine State sweep over Orlando (89-81) and Miami (87-86). Since giving up 118 points in the first game after the All-Star break, the Bulls haven't allowed over 90 in the last seven.
Weekly Outlook: Chicago almost got caught napping on Monday to New Orleans (85-77) but still managed to win the game. After visiting Charlotte on Wednesday, the Bulls face Atlanta and Utah in back-to-back spot, which begins Friday. The 'under' has cashed in seven straight games for Chicago.
3) Miami (43-20, 28-34-1, 33-29-1)
Weekly Recap: The South Beach bullies have started to cry - allegedly. We won't touch much on the drama on Miami, since all that matters to us is numbers. With that being said, Miami is 2-5 SU and 1-6 ATS since the All-Star break and they've dropped three straight at home. The offense has been stifled under 100 points in all the losses. And the two wins were against the hapless Kings (117-97) and Wizards (121-113).
Weekly Outlook: Miami will have three opportunities to right the ship this week with three games at home. All of the opponents will be in the playoffs and all are from the Western Conference. Portland will visit on Tuesday with no rest, before the L.A. Lakers come to town for a nationally televised affair on Thursday. The team will close the week with a Saturday matinee against Memphis.
4) Orlando (40-23, 28-32-3, 25-34-4)
Weekly Recap: Orlando started the week with impressive back-to-back wins over New York (116-110) and Miami (99-96). Unfortunately, the club was humbled at home to the Bulls (81-89), plus All-Star center Dwight Howard got his 16th technical and received a one-game suspension. The 'under' went 2-1.
Weekly Outlook: Without Howard out of the lineup, the Magic lost to the Trail Blazers (85-89) on Monday at home. Orlando now heads on the road for its last big trip of the season, which covers five games. The Magic play Sacramento on Wednesday, Golden State on Friday and then Phoenix on Sunday.
5) Atlanta (37-26, 28-35, 26-37)
Weekly Recap: The Hawks were humbled last week, losing three of four games both SU and ATS. And the lone win over Chicago (83-80) at home, could've easily been a loss. The team finally busted the century mark, but the offense continues to be a major issue.
Weekly Outlook: Atlanta has no time to frown on the effort over the last seven days, especially with what's on tap. After the L.A. Lakes visit on Tuesday, the Hawks visit Chicago on Friday and then come home for Portland on Saturday.
6) New York (32-29, 37-22-2, 29-31-1)
Weekly Recap: New York posted a 2-2 record, but managed to go 3-1 ATS last week and the losses were troubling. After blowing a double-digit lead in a loss at Orlando (110-116), the team fell to Cleveland (115-119) at home, which was the third loss of the season to the Cavaliers. In the victories, the defense only gave up 88 and 79 points.
Weekly Outlook: The Knicks started the week an impressive win over Utah (131-109) at home on Monday. New York now faces a back-to-back set on the road, which starts Wednesday at Memphis and ends the following night in Dallas. The team closes the week at home on Sunday against Indiana.
7) Philadelphia (32-30, 39-22-1, 31-31)
Weekly Recap: The 76ers continue to stay on the right path, going 5-1 since the All-Star break. Last week, the team won and covered two of their three battles. Doug Collins' squad is solid but a loss at home to Dallas (93-101) proved that the team isn't on an elite level yet. The 'over' went 2-1.
Weekly Outlook: Four games on tap for Philadelphia this week, split up into a pair of back-to-back sets with travel. After playing at Indiana on Tuesday, the club welcomes Oklahoma City the next night. Then, the 76ers host Boston on Friday before starting a five-game road trip at Milwaukee on Saturday.
8) Indiana (27-35, 28-31-3, 27-34-1)
Weekly Recap: After beating Golden State (109-100) to start the week, Indiana went 0-3 on its road trip through the Southwest. The Pacers barely managed to cover against Dallas (108-116) as 8 ½-point underdogs, but the defense was again terrible. The unit has surrendered 100-plus in eight of the last 10 games.
Weekly Outlook: Despite the three straight setbacks on the road, the Pacers still hold a grip on the eighth and final playoff spot. Indiana has four games this week, three coming on the road and one on zero days rest. After hosting Philadelphia on Tuesday, Indiana heads to Minnesota. Then, the club visits Toronto on Friday and New York on Sunday.
9) Charlotte (26-36, 30-30-2, 29-33)
Weekly Recap: The Bobcats are in a major funk, losers of five straight (1-4 ATS) games. Four of the setbacks were on the road, three coming last week and the last two without the duties of Stephen Jackson (hamstring). Despite the losing skid, Charlotte is still within striking distance of Indiana for the final playoff spot in the East.
Weekly Outlook: Charlotte was caught in a letdown spot at home on Monday after the long roadie, losing to the L.A. Clippers (87-92). The team has a chance to bounce back when Chicago and Portland visit this week. After those home battles, Charlotte closes the week at Toronto on Sunday.
10) Milwaukee (23-38, 27-32-1, 22-38)
Weekly Recap: Milwaukee is still within striking distance of the playoffs but the team needs to get hot and it can't muster up a winning streak at all. The Bucks are 2-4 in the second-half both SU and ATS, which includes a dreadful 1-4 ATS mark at home.
Weekly Outlook: The Bucks start the week at Washington on Tuesday and then face Cleveland the following day. Soon after, Philadelphia visits the Bradley Center on Saturday before Milwaukee heads to Boston on Sunday.
11) Detroit (23-41, 34-29-1, 35-29)
Weekly Recap: The Pistons began the week with two straight losses, but they rallied for a 113-102 home win over Washington on Sunday. Detroit's offense has busted 100-plus in five of it seven games since the break, which has helped the 'over' go 5-2.
Weekly Outlook: Detroit faces a tough three-game road trip this week, which features stops in San Antonio, Oklahoma City and Denver. The game against the Nuggets will be on zero days rest.
12) New Jersey (19-43, 29-33, 31-30-1)
Weekly Recap: The Nets snapped their six-game losing skid with a pair or wins against Toronto, which both took place in London. The Nets went 1-1 ATS and the one win came in triple-overtime (137-136). The 'over' is on a 5-0 run since the All-Star break.
Weekly Outlook: Due to the overseas action, New Jersey will only play two games this week, both in Newark against Golden State and the L.A. Clippers. Unfortunately, the team won't have point guard Deron Williams in the lineup due to personal reasons.
13) Toronto (17-46, 27-34-2, 31-32)
Weekly Recap: After beating New Orleans (96-90) at home, the Raptors dropped two straight to the Nets in London. Toronto is 2-5 in the second-half and both wins came in Canada. The 'over' has gone 5-2 during this span.
Weekly Outlook: The Raptors play three games at Air Canada Centre this week against the Jazz, Pacers and Bobcats. All of the games will be separated with a day of rest.
14) Washington (16-46, 23-39, 27-33-1)
Weekly Recap: The Wizards snapped their seven-game losing streak last Saturday with a 103-96 home win over Minnesota. Unfortunately, they came up short the following day with a road loss at Detroit (102-113). Washington's road record now stands at 1-29 SU and 9-21 ATS.
Weekly Outlook: Washington only has two games this week and it has a good chance to win both affairs. Milwaukee will visit D.C. on Tuesday before the L.A. Clippers come to town on Saturday.
15) Cleveland (12-50, 25-34-3, 38-24)
Weekly Recap: Cleveland posted a 1-2 record both SU and ATS last week. The win was very profitable, with the Cavaliers knocking off the Knicks 119-115 on the road as 12½-point underdogs. The team is now 4-2 ATS since the All-Star break.
Weekly Outlook: The Cavaliers have three games on tap this week, two at home against Western Conference opponents. Golden State visits Tuesday before Oklahoma City comes to town on Sunday for an early afternoon affair. In between those tilts, Cleveland will visit Milwaukee, which will be played on zero days rest.
Weekly Notes - West
By Kevin Rogers
(Straight-Up, Against the Spread, Over/Under)
1) San Antonio (51-12, 36-25-2, 32-31)
Weekly Recap: It wasn't one of the better weeks this season for the Spurs, who went 2-2 SU/ATS. The week began with a 16-point setback at Memphis as Tony Parker sat out with a calf injury. The Spurs rebounded the next night by knocking off the Cavs, followed by a wire-to-wire blowout over the struggling Heat. The Lakers ran the Spurs out to finish the week, while scoring the last amount of points in nearly a month.
Weekly Outlook: The Spurs hit the court again on Wednesday against the Pistons, as San Antonio won at the Palace, 100-89 on February 8. Gregg Popovich's team hosts the Kings on Friday, followed by a short trip to Houston on Saturday, as the Rockets will have three days off.
2) Dallas (45-17, 34-26-2, 37-25)
Weekly Recap: The Mavericks entered the week with a six-game winning streak, as Dallas picked up victories over Philadelphia and Indiana. The hot streak was snapped by Memphis at the buzzer, 104-103, as the Mavs failed to cover their second straight game. With the 'over' against the Grizzlies, Dallas is 9-2 to the 'over' the last 11 games.
Weekly Outlook: Dallas hits the road for a pair of games at Minnesota (Monday) and New Orleans (Wednesday), followed by a home contest against the Knicks on Thursday. The Mavs host the Lakers on Saturday, as Dallas beat Los Angeles as short home favorites in mid-January.
3) L.A. Lakers (45-19, 31-32-1, 25-39)
Weekly Recap: After a horrendous finish to the first half, the Lakers have banded together for an NBA-best 7-0 record since the break. L.A.'s defense has stepped up with four consecutive 'unders,' including victories over the Wolves and Bobcats. The Lakers played with double-revenge in a resounding 99-83 thrashing of the Spurs to end the week.
Weekly Outlook: The Purple and Gold continues a four-game road trip on Tuesday at Atlanta, as the Lakers are 4-0 ATS the last four on the highway. The Lakers play with revenge on Thursday against the Heat after losing by 16 at home on Christmas. The trip concludes at Dallas on Saturday, as the Lakers return home for seven games after their battle with the Mavs.
4) Oklahoma City (39-22, 31-30, 36-25)
Weekly Recap: The Thunder bounced back nicely after a three-game skid by turning in a 3-0 week. Oklahoma City's offense woke up with three straight 100+ point efforts against Indiana, Atlanta, and Phoenix. The Thunder managed covers over the Pacers and Hawks, but the Suns cashed as six-point underdogs in a four-point overtime loss.
Weekly Outlook: Oklahoma City plays five of the next six games on the road, starting in Memphis on Monday. The Thunder travels to Philadelphia on Wednesday, followed by the isolated home game against Detroit on Friday. The week wraps up in Cleveland on Sunday against the lowly Cavs.
5) Denver (37-27, 30-31-3, 32-31-1)
Weekly Recap: The Nuggets have figured out how to succeed (for now) without Carmelo Anthony by going 5-2 SU and 6-1 ATS since the blockbuster trade with New York. Denver knocked off Atlanta and Charlotte at home, followed by a two-point road victory at Utah. The Nuggets fell to the Clippers as two-point 'dogs to end the week, while snapping a four-game streak with at least 100 points.
Weekly Outlook: Denver has plenty of time to rest as the Nuggets hit the court again on Thursday against Phoenix. The Nuggets could be in a letdown spot on Saturday against the Pistons at home, as Denver goes back on the highway again for four more games next week.
6) New Orleans (37-28, 31-33-1, 22-43)
Weekly Recap: The roller-coaster season continues for the Hornets, who went through a 2-2 SU/ATS week. New Orleans dropped the first two games of its road trip at Toronto and New York, but the Hornets rebounded with consecutive victories over the Grizzlies and Cavs.
Weekly Outlook: The Hornets wrap up their five-game road swing at Chicago on Monday, as point guard Chris Paul is out with a concussion. New Orleans returns to the Big Easy on Wednesday for a five-game homestand starting with Dallas, followed by a Saturday visit from Sacramento.
7) Portland (35-27, 30-29-3, 29-32-1)
Weekly Recap: The Blazers were tripped up as home favorites against the Rockets in a 16-point setback. Portland bounced back with wins over Sacramento and Charlotte, while holding the Bobcats to just 69 points.
Weekly Outlook: Portland heads out east for four games through the Southeast Division, starting Monday at Orlando. The Blazers turn around with no rest to battle the Heat on Tuesday, followed by a Friday trip to Charlotte. The week concludes at Atlanta on Saturday, as both teams play the second of a back-to-back.
8) Memphis (35-29, 40-23-1, 32-32)
Weekly Recap: The Grizzlies held their own in three division games by going 2-1 SU/ATS with wins over the Spurs and Mavericks. The lone loss came as home 'chalk' to New Orleans, snapping a four-game ATS winning streak.
Weekly Outlook: Memphis returns to FedEx Forum for a two-game homestand against Oklahoma City (Monday) and New York (Wednesday). The week concludes in Miami on Saturday as the Grizzlies go for the season sweep of the Heat.
9) Utah (33-30, 26-36-1, 33-30)
Weekly Recap: The collapse of a once-promising season continued for the Jazz with a 1-2 SU and 0-3 ATS week. Utah dropped back-to-back home contests against Boston and Denver, extending its losing skid at Energy Solutions Arena to seven. The Jazz salvaged the week with an overtime triumph over the Kings, but failed to cover for the eighth consecutive home game.
Weekly Outlook: Maybe hitting the road isn't the worst thing for Tyrone Corbin's squad, who heads to east for a four-game swing. The Jazz travels to the Big Apple on Monday to battle the Knicks, followed by a trip to Toronto on Wednesday. Utah goes to the Midwest for a back-to-back set at Minnesota (Friday) and Chicago (Saturday), as the Jazz are 4-2 ATS the last six road games.
10) Phoenix (32-29, 28-31-2, 32-29)
Weekly Recap: The Suns finished up a six-game road trip at 4-2 with the only losses coming at Boston and Oklahoma City. Phoenix managed covers in four games, including a comeback victory at Milwaukee as short favorites. The 'over' is hitting at a solid 6-2 clip the last eight games, while eclipsing the 100-point mark in each of the last 10 contests.
Weekly Outlook: Phoenix returns to the Valley for three games this week, starting with Houston on Tuesday. The Suns take on a well-rested Nuggets squad on Thursday, followed by a Sunday visit from Orlando. Alvin Gentry's club is just 1-3 ATS the last four home games.
11) Houston (32-32, 33-29-2, 32-32)
Weekly Recap: Don't sleep on the Rockets, who have won six of seven games since the break. Houston captured two of three games on the road, followed by a blowout of the Pacers at home. The defense has stepped up by limiting three of the last four opponent to less than 100 points, resulting in four straight 'unders.'
Weekly Outlook: If Houston wants to keep moving up in the Western Conference standings, the Rockets need to grab victories at Sacramento (Monday) and Phoenix (Tuesday). The Rockets return to the Toyota Center for six straight games, starting with an unrested San Antonio squad on Saturday.
12) Golden State (27-35, 31-30-1, 29-33)
Weekly Recap: The All-Star break was the worst thing for the Warriors, who are 1-6 SU and 2-5 ATS the last seven games. For the exception of a victory at Washington, Golden State lost at Indiana, Boston, and Philadelphia. The Warriors covered against the Celtics, but were on the short side of an ATS loss as the Sixers cashed as seven-point favorites in overtime.
Weekly Outlook: The Warriors can actually salvage the trip with games at Cleveland (Tuesday) and New Jersey (Wednesday), who Golden State has already beaten at home. Keith Smart's team comes back to Oracle Arena on Friday to host Orlando, followed by a visit from Minnesota on Sunday.
13) L.A. Clippers (23-40, 30-32-1, 31-31-1)
Weekly Recap: The Clippers' struggles continued with a fifth straight defeat at Sacramento, but L.A. bounced back with home victories over the Rockets and Nuggets. The Clips suffered a huge loss with Eric Gordon re-aggravating a wrist injury that kept him out 18 games, as the shooting guard is sidelined indefinitely.
Weekly Outlook: Five straight road games are on tap for Vinny Del Negro's team, starting with Charlotte on Monday. The Clips head to Boston on Wednesday, while taking on New Jersey (Friday) and Washington (Saturday) to conclude the week.
14) Sacramento (15-45, 25-34-1, 33-27)
Weekly Recap: The Kings continue to toil at the bottom of the Pacific Division after losing two of three games. Paul Westphal's club beat the Clippers as short home 'dogs, followed by back-to-back losses to the Blazers and Jazz. The 'over' is riding at a nice pace for the Kings by hitting in nine of the previous 10 games.
Weekly Outlook: Sacramento's hands are full this week starting with home contests against Houston (Monday) and Orlando (Wednesday). The Kings hit the Southwest Division highway starting Friday at San Antonio, while battling the Hornets on Saturday.
15) Minnesota (15-49, 27-37, 29-35)
Weekly Recap: The Wolves struggled through a 1-3 SU/ATS week by losing a pair of games to end the week at Philadelphia and Washington. Minnesota pulled off a solid road upset of Detroit to sweep the season series from the Pistons.
Weekly Outlook: A three-game homestand starts with the Mavericks on Monday, followed by visits from Indiana (Wednesday) and Utah (Friday). The Wolves conclude the week at Golden State on Sunday, as the Warriors are 2-1 in three meetings this season.
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