Weekly Notes - East
By Chris David
(Straight-Up, Against the Spread, Over/Under)
1) Boston (47-17, 30-32-2, 32-31)
Weekly Recap: Boston went 1-2 both SU and ATS last week, with the losses coming at home to the Clippers (103-108) and on the road to the 76ers (86-89). Unfortunately for the Celtics, those setbacks watched their lead on the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference shrink to just a ½-game over Chicago.
Weekly Outlook: Doc Rivers and his troops will be on the road for three of their four contests this week and they should be favored in all of them. Boston starts the week at New Jersey on Monday before hosting Indiana on Wednesday. Starting Friday at Houston and ending in New Orleans on Saturday, the club plays two games in two nights.
2) Chicago (47-18, 41-24, 25-40)
Weekly Recap: The Bulls extended their winning streak to six games (5-1 ATS) last week with a 4-0 performance (3-1 ATS) on the hardwood. Since the All-Star break, Chicago stands at 9-2 SU and 8-3 ATS. The losses, both on the road, could've easily been wins against Toronto (113-118) and Atlanta (80-83). Defense has been the catalyst for this hot run, which has helped the 'under' go 8-3.
Weekly Outlook: Head coach Tom Thibodeau has his team rolling right now and the winning should continue this week. Expect double-digit spreads in home games against Washington and Sacramento, plus the Bulls will be favored in road trips to the Nets and Pacers as well. The game against Indiana on Friday will be on zero days rest.
3) Miami (45-21, 30-35-1, 35-30-1)
Weekly Recap: The five-game losing streak for the Heat finally came to a close as they beat the L.A. Lakers (94-88) at home last Thursday. Miami followed that win with a blowout victory on Saturday against Memphis (118-85). The triple digits posted against the Grizzlies were the first instance in the last six games. In the second-half, gamblers should note that Miami is just 3-7 ATS (4-6 SU).
Weekly Outlook: Miami has a great chance to strut its stuff this week, but it won't be easy. San Antonio will visit Monday and then Oklahoma City comes to town on Wednesday. The Heat lost at the Spurs but they did beat the Thunder on the road. After those tests, Miami plays at Atlanta on Friday before hosting the new-look Nuggets on Saturday.
4) Orlando (42-25, 29-35-3, 27-36-4)
Weekly Recap: After losing to Portland (85-89) without Dwight Howard (suspension) in the lineup last Monday, the team for a five-game road trip out West. The Magic have produced a 2-1 record (1-2 ATS) in the first three, with the loss coming in overtime to Golden State (120-123).
Weekly Outlook: No time to rest for Orlando, with a big-time battle on Monday against the L.A. Lakers, who they beat 89-75 at home on Feb. 13. After L.A., the Magic head to Milwaukee on Wednesday and then host Denver on Friday which sets up as a flat spot.
5) Atlanta (38-28, 29-37, 27-39)
Weekly Recap: The Hawks have gone 4-7 since the All-Star break and that includes a 1-2 record last week. Offensively, Atlanta has been held under 100 points in 10 of the 11 games during this stretch. The 'under' has posted an 8-3 mark in the second-half.
Weekly Outlook: Atlanta should have no excuses this week, with four home games on tap. Two of the contests will be against sub .500 teams in Milwaukee and Detroit, while the other pair will be serious tests versus Denver and Miami.
6) New York (34-31, 39-24-2, 32-32-1)
Weekly Recap: The Knicks went 2-2 both SU and ATS last week. One thing that stuck out was the defense, which gave up an average 112.5 PPG. The 'over' went 3-1 over the four-game span. Since the team acquired Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, the Knicks have gone 6-5 both SU and ATS.
Weekly Outlook: New York has an opportunity to make some noise this week and it could be favored in all four games, despite playing three on the road. Trips to Indiana, Detroit and Milwaukee aren't impossible and the home game against Memphis seems favorable too.
7) Philadelphia (34-32, 41-24-1, 33-33)
Weekly Recap: Just when you thought Philadelphia was turning the corner, the team comes up short. The 76ers went 2-2 both SU and ATS last week, which included an impressive 89-86 home win over Boston. Unfortunately, an overtime loss to Oklahoma City (105-110) and a blowout at Milwaukee (74-102) were unforgettable. The 'over' went 3-1.
Weekly Outlook: Doug Collins and company will play four straight on the road this week. After playing at Utah on Monday, the team faces the Clippers in L.A. on Wednesday. The club finishes the trip with a back-to-back set against the Kings and Trail Blazers, which starts Friday. Philadelphia has gone 13-11 (SU) against the West this season.
8) Indiana (28-38, 29-34-3, 28-37-1)
Weekly Recap: Prior to Sunday's road win over New York (106-93), the Pacers had dropped six straight games, including three this past week by double digits. The defense had allowed 100-plus in eight straight and nine of the past 11 before the outcome against the Knicks.
Weekly Outlook: Indiana is knotted for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East with Charlotte and both teams have tough slates this week. The Pacers wrap up a home-and-home with New York on Tuesday before heading to Boston the next night. Another back-to-back set starts at home on Friday versus Chicago and finishes in Memphis on Saturday.
9) Charlotte (28-38, 32-32-2, 31-35)
Weekly Recap: It's amazing how the Bobcats can lose five straight games late in the season yet still be alive for the playoffs. Charlotte did snap that skid on Friday with a home win over Portland (97-92) and followed it up with a 95-90 road victory at Toronto on Sunday.
Weekly Outlook: Charlotte has three road games this week and they won't be easy. The first game is at Houston on Wednesday. Then starting Friday, the Bobcats play two in two nights against Oklahoma City and San Antonio.
10) Milwaukee (26-39, 30-33-1, 23-41)
Weekly Recap: The Bucks quietly put themselves back into the playoff hunt by starting the week with three dominating victories, all combined by 19 points or more. Unfortunately, we saw the bad on Sunday as Milwaukee was blasted by Boston, 87-56.
Weekly Outlook: Another four games on tap this week for the Bucks. The first contest will be at Atlanta, followed by three straight at the Bradley Center. Head coach Scott Skiles and his troops will welcome the Magic, Nets and Knicks. The game against Orlando will be on zero days rest.
11) Detroit (23-44, 35-31-1, 37-30)
Weekly Recap: Not surprisingly, Detroit was outclassed last week to San Antonio (104-111), Oklahoma City (94-104) and Denver (101-131). They did manage to cover against the Spurs (+11.5) to save some face and they got beat late to the Thunder (+9.5) as well. The 30-point setback to the Nuggets was actually a five-point margin at halftime.
Weekly Outlook: The first home game back from this roadie takes place against Toronto on Wednesday, which could be a trap. New York will visit on Friday before the club visits Atlanta on Sunday.
12) New Jersey (21-43, 31-33, 32-31)
Weekly Recap: New Jersey's trip across the pond seems to have paid dividends for the club. Since beating Toronto twice in London, the Nets came home and captured another pair of victories albeit against the Warriors (94-90) and Clippers (102-98). The 'over' has gone 3-1 during this winning streak.
Weekly Outlook: It would be impressive to this run continue but the Nets entertain Boston on Monday and then Chicago on Thursday. After the home battles, the club heads to Milwaukee on Friday (zero days rest) before finishing the week at Milwaukee on Sunday.
13) Toronto (18-48, 28-36-2, 31-35)
Weekly Recap: The Raptors played three at Air Canada Centre last week and they produced a 1-2 record both SU and ATS. The losses were by a combined seven points, and it should be noted that the 'under' cashed in all three.
Weekly Outlook: After a quick trip to Detroit on Wednesday, the team returns home to face Washington on Friday. The Raptors then open up a five-game road trip on Sunday at Oklahoma City.
14) Washington (16-48, 23-41, 28-34-1)
Weekly Recap: The Wizards only played two games last week and that was a good thing. The club was embarrassed not once but twice at home by 19 and 21 points to the Bucks (76-95) and Clippers (101-122) respectively. Washington's road record (1-29 SU, 9-21 ATS) is still the worst in the league.
Weekly Outlook: Washington looks like it has a pair of winnable games on tap later in the week against Toronto and New Jersey. However, the same could've been said about last week's contests too. Other opponents on deck for the Wiz will be Oklahoma City and Chicago, which look like losses.
15) Cleveland (12-53, 25-37-3, 39-26)
Weekly Recap: It hasn't been a great season for the Cavaliers and last week's effort was poor and that's putting it nicely. The team went 0-3 both SU and ATS, losing all three games by double digits. The 'under' went 2-1.
Weekly Outlook: Cleveland embarks on its last trip to the West Coast this week with matchups against the Kings, Trail Blazers and Clippers. The meeting in Portland will be on zero days rest.
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Weekly Notes - West
By Kevin Rogers
(Straight-Up, Against the Spread, Over/Under)
1) San Antonio (54-12, 37-27-2, 35-31)
Weekly Recap: The Spurs took care of business after last Sunday's blowout loss to the Lakers by beating the Pistons, Kings, and Rockets. San Antonio failed to cover as double-digit 'chalk' against Detroit and Sacramento, but cashed as short road underdogs at shorthanded Houston. Gregg Popovich's team has seen the 'over' hit in three straight games and six of the last seven games.
Weekly Outlook: San Antonio battles Miami on Monday as the Spurs look to duplicate a 30-point victory over the Heat on March 4. The Spurs have three days off until a trip to Dallas on Friday. The week concludes on Saturday against the Bobcats at home, as the Spurs are 1-3 ATS when returning home off a road trip of at least three games.
2) Dallas (47-19, 35-29-2, 39-27)
Weekly Recap: The Mavs have struggled to cover numbers recently with a 1-5 ATS mark the last six games. Dallas failed to cash in a three-point victory at Minnesota, followed by blowing a seven-point lead in the final minute in a loss at New Orleans. The Mavs routed the Knicks at home, but wrapped up the week on a losing note with a 96-91 setback to the Lakers.
Weekly Outlook: Rick Carlisle's club heads west on Tuesday for a showdown with the Blazers, followed by a trip to Golden State on Wednesday. The Mavs come home on Friday for three games, starting with the Spurs, followed by a visit from the Warriors on Sunday.
3) L.A. Lakers (47-20, 33-33-1, 26-41)
Weekly Recap: The Lakers continued to stay hot with a 2-1 SU/ATS record to conclude their road trip at 3-1. Los Angeles dominated Atlanta, but was tripped up at struggling Miami in a 94-88 defeat. The week ended on a solid note with a 96-91 triumph at Dallas, holding their eighth straight opponent to less than 100 points.
Weekly Outlook: The Purple and Gold returns to Staples Center for a seven-game homestand that takes them through the rest of March. The Magic invade L.A. on Monday, as the Lakers try to avenge a 14-point loss last month in Orlando. The Lakers are off until Friday when the Wolves come to town, followed by a Sunday visit from the Blazers.
4) Oklahoma City (42-23, 34-31, 38-27)
Weekly Recap: After losing the first two games since the trade of Jeff Green to Boston, the Thunder has rebounded nicely with a 6-1 and 5-2 ATS ledger. Oklahoma City bounced back from last Monday's loss at Memphis by posting three straight wins over the Sixers, Pistons, and Cavs, while covering each time.
Weekly Outlook: The Thunder continues a three-game road trip which takes them to Washington (Monday) and Miami (Wednesday). OKC returns home for six games starting Friday against Charlotte, followed by a Sunday visit from Toronto.
5) Denver (39-27, 32-31-3, 33-32-1)
Weekly Recap: The Nuggets are playing with purpose since the All-Star break with a 7-2 SU and 8-1 ATS mark. Denver cruised to a pair of victories this past week by routing Phoenix and Detroit, while holding each of its last six opponents to 101 points or less, resulting in five 'unders.'
Weekly Outlook: Denver begins a crucial four-game swing that starts on Monday at New Orleans. The Nuggets then battle the top three teams in the Southeast Division by going to Atlanta (Wednesday), Orlando (Friday), and Miami (Saturday).
6) New Orleans (39-29, 34-33-1, 23-45)
Weekly Recap: The Hornets continue to frustrate bettors after cashing all three games last week, extending their ATS winning streak to five. New Orleans has put together a total of five ATS streaks of five consecutive wins or losses at some point this season, further illustrating the roller-coaster ride of Monty Williams' team. The Hornets cashed both games without Chris Paul against Chicago and Dallas, while pulling away late in a 12-point win as double-digit favorites over Sacramento.
Weekly Outlook: The five-game homestand continues for the Hornets with a Monday date against the hot Nuggets. The Suns invade the Big Easy on Wednesday, followed by a Saturday showdown with the Celtics, as Boston will play with no rest.
7) Portland (37-29, 32-31-3, 31-34-1)
Weekly Recap: The Blazers endured an up-and-down week through the Southeast Division with a 2-2 SU/ATS ledger. Portland swept the state of Florida with wins at Orlando and Miami, but the Blazers' seven-game road winning streak was snapped at Charlotte. The week ended on a sour offensive note as the Blazers were run out by the Hawks for the second time in three weeks, 91-82.
Weekly Outlook: Five of the next six games for the Blazers come at the Rose Garden, starting with a Tuesday meeting with Dallas. Portland hosts a pair of unrested teams the next two games with visits from Cleveland (Thursday) and Philadelphia (Saturday). The week concludes on Sunday as the Blazers travel to Southern California with double-revenge against the Lakers.
8) Memphis (36-31, 41-25-1, 35-32)
Weekly Recap: The Grizzlies capitalized off last Saturday's buzzer-beating victory at Dallas with a six-point win over Oklahoma City at home. Memphis didn't respond well the next two games with losses to New York and Miami, while getting drilled by the Heat, 118-85.
Weekly Outlook: The defense hopes to improve on Monday against the Clippers, as the Grizzlies have allowed over 100 points in each of the last four games. Memphis plays New York for the second time in eight days with a trip to Madison Square Garden on Thursday. The week ends on Saturday against the Pacers at home, as Indiana plays its fourth game in five nights.
9) Utah (34-33, 27-39-1, 36-31)
Weekly Recap: The Jazz aren't looking like a playoff team with losses in 11 of the last 14 games, including consecutive blowout defeats at Minnesota and Chicago. Utah did manage a last-second victory at Toronto, the only time in the last eight games that the Jazz held an opponent to below 100 points.
Weekly Outlook: Utah returns home to host Philadelphia on Monday, followed by a Wednesday meeting with Minnesota. The Jazz looks to snap an 0-8 ATS run at Energy Solutions Arena dating back to the start of February, as Utah wraps up the week at Houston on Sunday.
10) Phoenix (33-31, 28-34-2, 33-31)
Weekly Recap: The Suns failed to cover all three games last week, while dropping back-to-back home contests to the Nuggets and Magic. Steve Nash missed the blowout loss to Orlando with a pelvic injury that may linger the rest of the season.
Weekly Outlook: Phoenix plays four of the next five games on the highway, starting with a trip to Houston on Monday. The Suns head to New Orleans on Wednesday, followed by a home contest with the Warriors on Friday, going for their third win over Golden State. Phoenix concludes the week in Los Angeles against the Clippers on Sunday, the first of two games at Staples Center in a three-day span.
11) Houston (33-34, 35-30-2, 35-32)
Weekly Recap: The Rockets routed the Kings to start the week, but lost Luis Scola to injury in a 123-101 victory. Scola missed the next two games, both defeats to Phoenix and San Antonio, while the 'over' cashed in all three games last week.
Weekly Outlook: Houston continues a six-game homestand with a visit from Phoenix on Monday, followed by home contests against Charlotte (Wednesday), Boston (Friday), and Utah (Sunday), as the Rockets are 3-5 ATS the last eight games at the Toyota Center.
12) Golden State (30-36, 34-31-1, 30-36)
Weekly Recap: The Warriors erased a 1-6 start after the break with a 3-1 SU/ATS week. Golden State knocked off Cleveland, Orlando, and Minnesota, while rallying from a 14-point halftime deficit in an overtime triumph over the Magic.
Weekly Outlook: Golden State makes a short trip to Sacramento on Monday, going for a third victory in three tries against the Kings. The Warriors return to Oracle Arena on Wednesday for a meeting with the Mavericks. Golden State hits the highway for a four-game swing starting Friday in Phoenix, followed by a Sunday visit to Dallas.
13) L.A. Clippers (26-41, 33-33-1, 34-32-1)
Weekly Recap: The Clippers have quietly been on fire with wins in five of the last six games, including an impressive 108-103 victory at Boston as nine-point 'dogs. Los Angeles cashed the 'over' in each of the last three games, as the Clips have allowed at least 100 points in all those road contests.
Weekly Outlook: The five-game road swing concludes on Monday in Memphis, followed by four straight games at home. The Clips host the Sixers on Wednesday, while playing back-to-back games on Saturday an Sunday against the Cavs and Suns, respectively.
14) Minnesota (17-51, 30-38, 31-37)
Weekly Recap: The Wolves put together one of their better weeks of the season with three covers in four games. Minnesota fell short in a 108-105 home loss to Dallas, followed by consecutive blowout victories over Indiana and Utah. The Wolves ran out of gas to wrap up the week with a 77-point effort at Golden State in a 23-point setback.
Weekly Outlook: Minnesota plays the next two games on the road at the Jazz (Wednesday) and Lakers (Friday), followed by a home contest against Sacramento on Sunday. The road team is 2-0 SU/ATS in the season series against the Kings.
15) Sacramento (15-49, 27-36-1, 37-27)
Weekly Recap: The Kings have been a tremendous 'over' play the last three weeks with a 13-1 mark the previous 14 games. Sacramento cashed in close losses to Orlando and San Antonio, while falling short at New Orleans as 9 ½-point underdogs.
Weekly Outlook: Sacramento returns to Arco Arena for three games starting Monday against Golden State, followed by visits from Cleveland (Wednesday) and Philadelphia (Friday). The Kings conclude the week with a trip to the Target Center on Sunday against the Wolves.
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