Weekly Notes - East
By Chris David
(Straight-Up, Against the Spread, Over/Under)
1) Chicago (49-19, 43-25, 26-42)
Weekly Recap: Even though the Bulls are tied with Boston, Chicago is playing better basketball and it has a greater chance to earn the all-important top-seed in the Eastern Conference. Chicago has gone 11-3 (10-4 ATS) since the All-Star break and the losses came by a combined 15 points and one setback was in overtime. Only three teams have busted the 90-point plateau in the second-half, which has helped the 'under' go 10-4.
Weekly Outlook: Chicago has four games on tap this week, broken up into a pair of back-to-back sets. The Bulls host the Kings on Monday then head to Atlanta the following night. Make a note that the Hawks rallied past Chicago (80-83) for one of their three losses in the second-half. At the end of the week, the Bulls host the Grizzlies on Friday before facing the Bucks on the road soon after.
2) Boston (49-19, 32-34-2, 32-37)
Weekly Recap: The Celtics continue to be a real hard team to gauge and last week was a perfect example. Boston went 2-2 both SU and ATS, but the losses came on the road to the Nets (79-88) and Rockets (77-93). Saturday's win at New Orleans (89-85) answered a lot of skeptics. Despite that victory, Doc Rivers' team is 2-6 ATS in the last eight.
Weekly Outlook: On Monday, Boston will meet New York at Madison Square Garden. Then, the C's host the Grizzlies and Bobcats at home with rest for each game. Soon after, the team begins a four-game road trip at Minnesota on Sunday.
3) Miami (48-22, 32-37-1, 36-33-1)
Weekly Recap: After dropping five in a row, Miami has turned things around by winning five of its last six games, which included a 3-1 record last week. The Heat have gone 4-2 ATS during this run and the 'under' has posted a 4-2 ledger as well. Defense has been the key to success lately, as all six opponents have been held under 100 during this span.
Weekly Outlook: Miami has a quick stop in Detroit on Wednesday before another two-game set at American Airlines Arena. The 76ers will visit on Friday before the Rockets come to town on Sunday.
4) Orlando (44-26, 29-38-3, 27-39-4)
Weekly Recap: The Magic went 2-1 SU last week but they burnt gamblers with a 0-3 mark. The loss at the L.A. Lakers (84-97) was a bit humbling despite being played on the road and on zero days rest. The offense was missing last week, as the team scored 84, 93 and 85 points. The 'under' went 3-0.
Weekly Outlook: Orlando starts the week at Cleveland on Monday and then it will travel to New York on Wednesday. After the contest at MSG, the club hosts New Jersey on Friday. With a quarter of a season left, it appears that Stan Van Gundy's team will be the fourth seed in the East and it would be hard to see the Magic moving up or down.
5) Atlanta (40-30, 31-39, 30-40)
Weekly Recap: The Hawks played four home games last week and produced a 2-2 record both SU and ATS. The wins were as expected, against losing clubs in the Bucks (110-85) and Pistons (104-96). And the losses were humbling, coming in double-digit fashion to the Nuggets (87-102) and Heat (85-106). The total went 2-2.
Weekly Outlook: Atlanta has four more games on tap this week, paired into back-to-back sets with travel. After hosting Chicago on Tuesday, the club visits Philadelphia the next night. It gets a tad easier in the week, with New Jersey coming to Atlanta on Friday and a road battle at Cleveland scheduled for zero days rest.
6) New York (35-34, 40-27-2, 34-34-1)
Weekly Recap: The Knicks can't seem to snap out of their funk lately, losers in five of their last six. And four of the defeats came against teams with losing records. The lone last week was against Memphis (120-99) but a pair of road losses to Detroit (95-99) and Milwaukee (95-100) sets off alarms. The 'over' went 2-2 last week.
Weekly Outlook: Perhaps New York will step up against quality opponents this week? The team hosts Boston on zero days rest Monday and then welcomes Orlando on Wednesday. The Knicks get a chance to avenge the loss to Milwaukee at MSG on Friday. Then, the club faces Charlotte on the road in a back-to-back set Saturday.
7) Philadelphia (36-34, 43-26-1, 36-34)
Weekly Recap: Philadelphia concluded its five-game road trip last week with a 2-2 ledger both SU and ATS. The 76ers lost close affairs to a pair of winning clubs in Utah (107-112) and Portland (101-110) but cruised past the Clippers (104-94) and Kings (102-80). The 'over' went 3-1.
Weekly Outlook: The first game back at home takes place at Wednesday against Atlanta. Then, the team heads to Miami on Friday before coming back home for an afternoon affair on Sunday versus Sacramento. The 76ers have gone 5-2 both SU and ATS at home in the second-half, and they're 4-1 as favorites.
8) Indiana (30-40, 31-36-3, 30-39-1)
Weekly Recap: The Pacers had a topsy-turvy week, capturing two wins at home and losing two on the road. The victories from Conseco Fieldhouse were impressive victories against the Knicks (119-117) and Bulls (115-108) in overtime, plus they were underdogs too. The setbacks away from home were both by double digits.
Weekly Outlook: Indiana has four winnable games on tap, with three on the road. Trips to New Jersey, Charlotte and Detroit won't be easy at all. A home tilt against Sacramento should warrant a double-digit spread. The Wednesday affair against the Bobcats will be very meaningful since the playoff race for the eighth and final spot in the East is still tight.
9) Charlotte (28-41, 33-34-2, 32-37)
Weekly Recap: The Bobcats opened its four-game road trip with a solid win at Toronto (95-90) but it was all downhill afterwards. Charlotte was humbled in its next three, losing to the Rockets (78-94), Thunder (82-99) and Spurs (98-109) by double digits. The team went 2-2 ATS and failing to eclipse the century mark helped the 'under' go 3-1.
Weekly Outlook: Despite the poor play (4-9) in the second-half, the 'Cats still have a shot to make the playoffs. Charlotte has two home games against Indiana and New York, plus a road battle at Boston too. The game versus the Knicks will be on zero days rest.
10) Milwaukee (28-41, 33-34-1, 25-43)
Weekly Recap: The Bucks started the week with a pair of losses to Atlanta (85-110) and Orlando (89-93). Fortunately for them, the clubs bounced back with two straight wins over New Jersey (110-95) and New York (100-95). If you're going to wager on the Bucks this season, then it's smarter to back them at their home venue of the Bradley Center (18-17 SU, 17-17-1 ATS).
Weekly Outlook: Milwaukee will host Sacramento on Wednesday in what could be a high number for the home squad. The Bucks will travel to New York on Friday before hosting Chicago in a game on zero days rest for Saturday.
11) Detroit (25-45, 37-32-1, 38-32)
Weekly Recap: Detroit had a decent week, posting a 2-1 record both SU and ATS. The Pistons knocked off the Raptors (107-93) and Knicks (99-95) at home, but came up short on Sunday to Atlanta (96-104). The 'under' went 2-1.
Weekly Outlook: A crowded house should be expected on Wednesday with Miami visiting The Palace of Auburn Hills. Then, the team finishes the week with a road battle at Cleveland on Friday and a home game the following night versus Indiana.
12) New Jersey (22-46, 32-36, 33-34-1)
Weekly Recap: The Nets had their five-game winning streak (4-1 ATS) snapped on Thursday in a tough loss at home to Chicago (73-84). Unfortunately, that setback turned into a three-game skid as New Jersey also dropped games on the road to Milwaukee (95-110) and Washington (92-98) this week.
Weekly Outlook: The losing could continue this week, with three of four slated on the road. Plus, point guard Deron Williams (wrist) is expected to miss the next two games. A home game at Indiana on Monday could see the team catching points. The road opponents include Cleveland, Orlando and Atlanta.
13) Toronto (19-49, 29-37-2, 32-36)
Weekly Recap: To be updated after Sunday's results.
Weekly Outlook: The Raptors continue their five-game road trip this week with games against the Nuggets, Suns, Warriors and Clippers. Saturday's matchup against Los Angeles will be on zero days rest.
14) Washington (17-51, 24-44, 29-37-1)
Weekly Recap: The Wizards snapped their six-game losing skid on Sunday by rallying past New Jersey (98-92). Washington is still 2-13 (4-11 ATS) in the second half and an obvious team to fade on the road, where they went 0-2 both SU and ATS last week.
Weekly Outlook: Washington will head to the West Coast for its last big trip of the season. Starting Tuesday, they'll face the Trail Blazers and Clippers in consecutive nights. On Friday, they travel to Denver and then back to Golden State on Sunday.
15) Cleveland (13-55, 27-38-3, 39-29)
Weekly Recap: After getting ripped by 20 points (75-95) at home to Oklahoma City, the Cavaliers traveled to the West Coast for three games. Cleveland captured its first battle against Sacramento (97-93) but fell to the Trail Blazers (70-111) and Clippers (92-100) in the next two. The 'under' cashed in all four games last week.
Weekly Outlook: Cleveland opens up a five-game homestand, four coming this week. The Magic, Nets, Pistons and Hawks will be the opponents at Quicken Loans Arena. All games will be separated by a day.
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Weekly Notes - West
By Kevin Rogers
(Straight-Up, Against the Spread, Over/Under)
1) San Antonio (56-13, 38-29-2, 36-33)
Weekly Recap: The Spurs started the week by getting blown out at Miami, 110-80, scoring the second-fewest points this season. San Antonio rebounded nicely with back-to-back wins over Dallas and Charlotte, while cashing as 2 ½-point 'dogs against the Mavs.
Weekly Outlook: The week begins with a Monday home matchup against the Warriors, followed by a three-game road swing that starts in Denver on Wednesday. The Spurs head to Portland (Friday) and Memphis (Sunday) to conclude the trip, as San Antonio is looking to avenge road losses to each team.
2) L.A. Lakers (50-20, 34-35-1, 27-43)
Weekly Recap: The Lakers continue to roll since the All-Star break with wins in 12 of the last 13 games, including a 3-0 week at home. Los Angeles knocked off Orlando as 5 ½-point favorites, but failed to cover in victories over Minnesota and Portland.
Weekly Outlook: A seven-game homestand for Phil Jackson's squad continues against the Suns on Tuesday as the road team has won all three meetings this season. The Lakers host the Clippers on Friday, followed by a visit from the Hornets on Sunday.
3) Dallas (49-21, 37-33-1, 41-29)
Weekly Recap: The Mavs have struggled recently against the number by failing to cover seven of the last 10 games. Dallas alternated wins and losses in a 2-2 SU/ATS week with a pair of victories over Golden State, while falling to Portland and San Antonio.
Weekly Outlook: Rick Carlisle's team wraps up a three-game homestand against the woeful Wolves on Thursday, followed by a six-game road trip. Dallas starts a back-to-back set on Saturday at Utah, while concluding the week at Phoenix on Sunday.
4) Oklahoma City (45-24, 37-32, 38-31)
Weekly Recap: The Thunder caught fire by winning and covering six games, highlighted by an 11-point victory at Miami as six-point underdogs. Oklahoma City ended the week on a sour note with a 95-93 setback to Toronto as 14 ½-point favorites, but the Thunder cashed its sixth straight 'under.'
Weekly Outlook: OKC continues a six-game homestand on Wednesday against Utah, followed by a Friday visit from Minnesota. The Thunder finishes the week hosting Portland on Sunday, as Oklahoma City is 2-0 against its division rival this season.
5) Denver (41-29, 36-31-3, 34-35-1)
Weekly Recap: The Nuggets continue to cash at an incredible pace as George Karl's club covered all four games on an East Coast road trip. Denver picked up outright 'dog victories at New Orleans and Atlanta, while cashing in losses at Orlando and Miami.
Weekly Outlook: A four-game homestand begins as three teams out of playoff contention head to the Pepsi Center over the next 10 days. Toronto invades the thin air on Monday after knocking off Oklahoma City, while the Spurs come to town on Wednesday. The week wraps up on Friday against Washington, as the Nuggets will be off for four days before hosting Sacramento next Wednesday.
6) Portland (40-30, 36-31-3, 33-36-1)
Weekly Recap: The Blazers took care of their business at home with victories over Dallas, Cleveland, and Philadelphia. Portland covered each game, while eclipsing the 100-point mark in all three wins. The Blazers ran out of gas in Sunday's road loss to the Lakers, but Portland managed a cover as 6 ½-point underdogs.
Weekly Outlook: Portland returns to the Rose Garden on Tuesday to host Washington, as the Wizards have won just one game on the highway this season. Nate McMillan's team hosts San Antonio on Friday, looking to beat the Spurs for the second time at home in the last seven weeks. The week wraps up on Sunday in Oklahoma City as the Blazers are 7-2 ATS the last nine road games.
7) New Orleans (40-31, 34-35-2, 24-47)
Weekly Recap: The Hornets had their five-game ATS winning streak snapped in last Monday's home setback to the Nuggets. New Orleans held off Phoenix, but 'pushed' as home favorites, followed by an 89-85 loss to Boston to conclude the week.
Weekly Outlook: There's plenty of time to relax for the Hornets, who return to the court on Thursday against at Utah, as the Jazz will be playing their fourth game in five nights. New Orleans turns around with no rest to battle Phoenix on Friday, while finishing the week at Staples Center against the Lakers on Sunday.
8) Memphis (38-32, 43-26-1, 36-34)
Weekly Recap: The Grizzlies continue to go through an up-and-down stretch with a 5-5 SU and 6-4 ATS mark the last 10 games. Memphis drubbed the Clippers and Pacers at home, while getting dropped by the Knicks in New York by 21. The win over Indiana improved Memphis to 14-1 SU/ATS against teams on no rest.
Weekly Outlook: Memphis will look to continue its domination over unrested foes as Utah invades FedEx Forum on Monday after the Jazz lost by two at Houston on Sunday. The Grizzlies hit the road for a pair of difficult games against the top two teams in the East at Boston (Wednesday) and Chicago (Friday). The week wraps up on Sunday with a home meeting against the best in the West Spurs.
9) Houston (37-34, 37-32-2, 36-35)
Weekly Recap: The Rockets are hitting their stride with four consecutive wins, while capturing three of those victories without power forward Luis Scola. Houston cashed against Charlotte and Boston, while failing to take the money in home wins over Phoenix and Utah.
Weekly Outlook: The five-game homestand concludes against the Warriors on Wednesday, followed by a trip to Miami on Sunday. The Rockets are rolling as road underdogs recently with a 7-2 ATS mark since the end of January.
10) Phoenix (35-33, 31-34-2, 33-35)
Weekly Recap: The Suns slumped through a four-game losing streak after dropping road contests at Houston and New Orleans, while point guard Steve Nash missed the Rockets game with a pelvic injury. Phoenix bounced back with a pair of wins to wrap the week over the Warriors and Clippers, as the Suns are riding a six-game streak to the 'under.'
Weekly Outlook: The stay in Los Angeles continues on Tuesday against the Lakers, as Phoenix is 6-1-1 ATS the last eight games as a road underdog. The Suns return home for three games starting Wednesday in Toronto, followed by visits from New Orleans (Friday) and Dallas (Sunday).
11) Utah (36-34, 30-39-1, 39-31)
Weekly Recap: The Jazz have fallen on hard times over the last two months, quickly dropping out of the playoff race. Utah profited nicely this past week with a 3-0 ATS ledger, including 'dog covers against Philadelphia and Houston. The Jazz are involved in high-scoring affairs with 'overs' in six of the previous seven games, including five straight.
Weekly Outlook: The three-game road swing continues in Memphis on Monday, as the Jazz are 1-6 ATS the last seven games with no rest. Utah heads to Oklahoma City on Wednesday, followed by a four-game homestand that starts with the Hornets on Thursday. The Mavs invade Salt Lake City on Saturday as Dallas looks to pull off the four-game season sweep of Utah.
12) Golden State (30-40, 34-35-1, 32-38)
Weekly Recap: The Warriors haven't been a bettor's friend with four consecutive SU/ATS losses to Dallas twice, Sacramento, Phoenix. Golden State allowed at least 100 points in all four setbacks, while the 'over' cashed three times.
Weekly Outlook: The trip through the Texas triangle continues on Monday at San Antonio, as the Spurs beat the Warriors by double-digits in each of their three meetings this season. Golden State heads to Houston on Wednesday, followed by a two-game homestand against Toronto (Friday) and Washington (Sunday).
13) L.A. Clippers (27-44, 33-37-1, 35-35-1)
Weekly Recap: The Clippers are struggling from an ATS standpoint by failing to cover each of their last four games. L.A. wrapped up a five-game road swing with a blowout loss at Memphis, while falling by 10 at home to the Sixers. The Clips held off the hapless Cavs, but couldn't cover the heavy 15-point number. The week ended with an ugly setback to the Suns, marking the third straight game not cashing as a home favorite.
Weekly Outlook: The Clips will be staying in Southern California through the end of the month starting with the Wizards coming to town on Wednesday. The homestand is interrupted with a "road" game against the Lakers on Friday, followed by a visit from the Raptors on Saturday.
14) Sacramento (17-51, 29-38-1, 39-29)
Weekly Recap: This season is nearly over for the Kings, who may be playing their final games in Sacramento with the whispers of the team potentially moving to Anaheim. The Kings picked up bookend wins this past week over the Warriors and Wolves, while putting up forgetful efforts in home losses to the Cavs and Sixers.
Weekly Outlook: Sacramento continues a five-game road swing in Chicago on Monday, looking for its first two-game winning streak since late January. The Kings have one day off in between their final three games of the trip at Milwaukee (Wednesday), Indiana (Friday), and Philadelphia (Sunday).
15) Minnesota (17-54, 31-40, 34-37)
Weekly Recap: The Wolves are back to their losing ways with four consecutive defeats, while breaking the 100-point barrier just one time. Minnesota managed a competitive effort and a cover as 14-point 'dogs against the Lakers, but closed the week on a sour note with a 32-point home drubbing to Sacramento.
Weekly Outlook: Minnesota takes on three of the top seven teams in the league this week, starting with a back-to-back set at Dallas (Thursday) and Oklahoma City (Friday). The Wolves try to salvage the week at home against Boston on Sunday, while next week doesn't ease up as Minnesota hosts Chicago and Miami.
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