Weekly Notes - East
By Chris David
1) Boston
Weekly Recap – The Celtics had their 11-game winning streak snapped on Friday by Philadelphia (98-97) but Doc Rivers’ team still managed to produce a 2-1 record (1-2 ATS) on the week. The ‘over’ went 2-0-1.
Weekly Outlook – Boston finishes up its homestand on Tuesday against Indiana before a big revenge game at Orlando on Christmas. Then, the team embarks on a three-game road trip out West, with the first battle coming against the L.A. Clippers on Sunday. The Celtics own a league-best 12-1 (7-6 ATS) record on the road this year.
2) Cleveland
Weekly Recap – Cleveland almost capped off the week with a perfect 4-0 mark but it came up short on Sunday against Dallas (95-102). Of the four games, this was probably the toughest on paper but the Mavericks won without All-Star Dirk Nowitzki. The Cavs went 1-3 ATS last week and the total was 2-2.
Weekly Outlook – The Cavaliers have some tough sledding this week with four games on tap. They have to play Phoenix on Monday with zero days rest then head to Sacramento on Wednesday. Christmas offers up a nationally televised matchup against the L.A. Lakers before returning home on Sunday for a meeting with Houston.
3) Orlando
Weekly Recap – The Magic had a tough docket last week and they responded with a 3-1 record. Unfortunately, gamblers backing Orlando watched them go 1-2-1 and the push was fortunate. The lone setback came at Miami (104-86) and it was ugly, but it was on zero days rest. Make a note that the Heat are now 2-0 versus the Magic this year. The ‘under’ went 3-1 last week.
Weekly Outlook – Stan Van Gundy’s squad faces three home games this week, including a Christmas afternoon battle versus Boston. The Magic already beat the Celtics 83-78 on the road so most would expect a hungry opponent in this matchup. Prior to the encounter against Boston, Utah and Houston will visit the Magic Kingdom.
4) Atlanta
Weekly Recap – The Hawks have started to heat up again, going 6-1 both SU and ATS in their last seven games. The team went 2-1 both SU and ATS last week, with the loss coming at Chicago (98-101). During the seven-game span, Atlanta only gave up 100-plus points twice but held four teams under 90.
Weekly Outlook – Atlanta will stay on the road this week with three straight games at Minnesota, Denver and Indiana. The Hawks are 4-0 ATS this year as road underdogs and will likely be catching points against the Nuggets on Wednesday. However, this contest will be the second game in two nights.
5) Miami
Weekly Recap – Miami had a chance to turn the corner this week with three games at home and it responded fairly well. The Heat ripped the Raptors (115-96) and Magic (104-86) earlier in the week but failed to knock out the Trail Blazers (95-102) on Sunday. The ‘over’ cashed in two of the three and is on a 6-1 run in the last seven.
Weekly Outlook – The Heat will play another three-game set this week and two are at home. The Jazz visit Wednesday and the Pacers head to South Beach on Sunday. Sandwiched between the pair is a Christmas meeting against New York at Madison Square Garden.
6) Toronto
Weekly Recap – Toronto went 2-0 at home last week and 2-0 on the road. The losses outside of Canada were a bit disturbing, since they came by margins of 20 and 19, but they did come in back-to-back style against the Sunshine State clubs (Heat, Magic). The ‘over’ went 3-1.
Weekly Outlook – The Raptors will only step onto the hardwood twice this week. The team has a home-and-home against Detroit, which starts Wednesday at The Palace of Auburn Hills and ends Sunday in an afternoon matinee from Canada. Those wondering, Toronto beat Detroit 110-99 earlier this year but the Pistons swept the regular season series (3-0 SU & ATS) last year.
7) Milwaukee
Weekly Recap – The Bucks caught some tough luck this week, which produced a 0-3 record. The three losses were by a combined five points and two of the games were buzzer beater losses. The ‘under’ cashed in two of the three. The only good thing is that two of the setbacks came against the Lakers and Cavaliers, which tells you how much Scott Skiles is getting out of his squad.
Weekly Outlook – Milwaukee visits Indiana on Monday and then has two games at home versus Washington and San Antonio. Of the Bucks’ 11 wins, nine of them have come at Bradley Center this year.
8) Detroit
Weekly Recap – Detroit entered the week with a five-game winning streak both SU and ATS but that run has quickly become forgotten. The Pistons went 0-4 this past week against a quality quartet from the Western Conference and all four of the losses were by double digits. The club was 0-4 ATS and the total went 2-2.
Weekly Outlook – The Pistons head to Charlotte on Tuesday before a home-and-home series with Toronto to close the week. They host on Wednesday and visit Canada on Sunday. Detroit has struggled to a 3-11 SU and 6-7-1 ATS mark on the road this season.
9) Charlotte
Weekly Recap – Larry Brown’s team started the week with a victory over the Knicks and ended with a loss to New York. In between those battles, Charlotte lost at Indiana (98-101) and at home to Utah (102-110). The total went 2-2.
Weekly Outlook – The Bobcats play two games this week and they’re broken up with a three-day break. The action starts Tuesday when Detroit visits. After that battle, the squad heads to Oklahoma City on Saturday. The Bobcats have struggled on the road this year, going 1-12 SU and 8-5 ATS.
10) Chicago
Weekly Recap – The Bulls have played much better at home this year and last week proved that notion. Chicago went 2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS in its three battles at United Center. In its Saturday win over Atlanta (101-98), the Bulls eclipsed the century mark for just the third time in 25 games. The ‘under’ went 2-1 last week.
Weekly Outlook – Chicago starts the week with a back-to-back set against the Kings and Knicks, which begins on Monday. The Sacramento contest will be at home, as will the battle against New Orleans on Saturday. Of the Bulls’ 10 victories, eight have come in the Windy City.
11) New York
Weekly Recap – New York started the week with back-to-back losses on the road but rallied for two straight wins at Madison Square Garden. The team still went 1-3 ATS and total players should note that the ‘under’ cashed in all four contests.
Weekly Outlook – The Knicks have three games over the next seven days and all three will be played at Madison Square Garden. On Tuesday, Chicago comes to town and it just beat New York 98-89 last Thursday. After this tilt, the Knicks play a Christmas matinee against Miami on Friday before finishing the week versus San Antonio on Sunday.
12) Indiana
Weekly Recap – The Pacers gained some confidence after going 2-1 the previous seven days. Unfortunately, Indiana went 1-3 last week and all three losses came on the road. The Pacers’ offense only managed to crack the century mark once last week and still hasn’t four its rhythm without Danny Granger.
Weekly Outlook – Indiana won’t be getting much time off for the holidays, with four games on the docket. To make matters worse, the schedule is broken up into a pair of back-to-back sets with travel too. Starting Monday, the Pacers host the Bucks then travel to Boston. On Friday, they welcome Atlanta then head to South Beach for a battle against Miami.
13) Washington
Weekly Recap – Washington concluded its West Coast road trip Saturday with a blowout loss to Phoenix (95-121). The Wizards wound up going 1-3 SU and 2-1-1 ATS. Even though the Suns ripped them by 26, the other two losses on the trip were by a combined five points. It’s clear this team is better than its record (8-17) and should be watched closely.
Weekly Outlook – Washington has three games this week and two are on the road. The Wizards face the 76ers at home on Tuesday before traveling to Milwaukee on Wednesday. They finish up the week at Minnesota on Saturday. Washington has had trouble scoring on the road, which has helped the ‘under’ go 10-4.
14) Philadelphia
Weekly Recap – The 76ers looked good and bad last week. The team snapped their 11-game losing streak on Monday with a win over Golden State (117-101) before losing a tight affair to Cleveland (101-108). After that setback, Philadelphia rallied for a big road win against Boston on Friday. Unfortunately, they choked at home the next night to the L.A. Clippers (107-112). The ‘over’ went 3-0-1 during this span.
Weekly Outlook – Philadelphia will be playing its next six games on the road, including a pair this week. The 76ers faced Washington on Tuesday and then Utah on Saturday. Gamblers should note that Philly is 3-10 SU on the road, but 8-4-1 ATS.
15) New Jersey
Weekly Recap – It appears the Nets have taken their holiday break a week early. New Jersey went 0-4 SU and 1-3 ATS last week and all four setbacks were by double digits. The team was held to less than 100 during this run and they gave up an average of 107 PPG.
Weekly Outlook – Fortunately for New Jersey, it only has to play two games this week and they’ll both be played at home. Minnesota comes to the East Coast on Wednesday and then Houston on Saturday.
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Weekly Notes - West
By Kevin Rogers
1 - Lakers
Weekly Rewind: Amazingly, the Lakers started to play games that were not located at Staples Center. After playing 21 of their first 26 games at home, L.A. went out east and won all four games this past week, while going 2-2 ATS. The Lakers knocked off the Bulls and Bucks on a back-to-back, then beat the Nets and Pistons on no rest.
Weekly Outlook: The Champs return home this week for two games against the Thunder on Tuesday and the Cavs on Christmas Day. Los Angeles travels with no rest up I-5 to Sacramento to take on the Kings on Saturday night.
2 - Mavericks
Weekly Rewind: Dallas continues to stay hot by winning six of its last seven games. The Mavs knocked off the Hornets and Thunder to start the week, before falling to the Rockets at home in overtime. Dallas concluded a strong week with a home underdog victory over Cleveland, as the Mavs played without leading scorer Dirk Nowitzki.
Weekly Outlook: The Mavs take the court three times this week, hosting the Blazers on Tuesday and the Grizzlies on Saturday. Dallas heads to Denver on Sunday to battle the Nuggets for the first time since last season's second round of the playoffs, when the Nuggets eliminated the Mavs.
3 - Nuggets
Weekly Rewind: A busy week for the Nuggets started strong with home victories over the Thunder and Rockets. Things slowed up when Chauncey Billups sat out a pair of road losses to the Hornets and Grizzlies with a groin injury. The loss at Memphis dropped Denver to 4-8 ATS as road favorites, including four straight ATS defeats.
Weekly Outlook: The Nuggets take on three tough opponents this week, beginning with a home contest against the Hawks on Wednesday. Denver makes a quick trip to Portland on Christmas, prior to hosting Dallas on Sunday. Both the Hawks and Mavs will be playing with no rest when they take on the Nuggets.
4 - Suns
Weekly Rewind: Phoenix finished off the week at 2-1 SU/ATS, picking up home victories over the Spurs and Wizards. The lone loss came at Portland on Thursday night, as the Suns blew a 15-point lead in a 105-102 setback.
Weekly Outlook: Six of the next seven games for Alvin Gentry's squad come in the Valley, including three games this week at home. Phoenix entertains Cleveland on Monday night, Oklahoma City on Wednesday, then hosts the Clippers on Christmas. The Suns travel to Oakland on Saturday for an expected shootout against the Warriors.
5 - Rockets
Weekly Rewind: Houston won and covered three of four games, playing these games in a span of five nights. The Rockets beat the Pistons without Trevor Ariza, who served a one-game suspension for throwing an elbow against Toronto. Houston slipped up in Denver the next night, 111-101, falling as 8 ½-point road underdogs. The Rockets went to Dallas and beat the Mavs in overtime, prior to a five-point home victory over the Thunder.
Weekly Outlook: The Rockets have another busy week, hosting the Clippers on Tuesday, before heading on the road for three games. Houston travels to Orlando on Wednesday, then gets set for a back-to-back beginning Saturday at New Jersey and Cleveland.
6 - Jazz
Weekly Rewind: Utah stubbed its toe on Monday with a 110-108 loss at home to Minnesota as 13-point favorites. The Jazz embarked on a five-game road trip, going 2-1 SU/ATS. Utah beat down lowly New Jersey, prior to a 96-83 loss at Atlanta. The Jazz wrapped up the week with a solid road victory at Charlotte, improving to 4-2 ATS with no rest.
Weekly Outlook: Jerry Sloan's team concludes the road trip through the Sunshine State, heading to Orlando on Monday. The Jazz travels to South Florida on Wednesday to battle the Heat, prior to a home contest with the Sixers on Saturday.
7 - Spurs
Weekly Rewind: San Antonio finished the week 2-1 SU/ATS, as the Spurs beat the Warriors and Pacers, while falling at Phoenix. Gregg Popovich's team is just 1-4-1 ATS the last six as a home favorite.
Weekly Outlook: The Spurs host the Clippers on Monday, prior to a home contest with the Blazers on Wednesday. Portland will be playing its fourth game in five nights when they head to the Alamo. San Antonio hits the road for two games on a back-to-back beginning Saturday in Milwaukee, followed by a Sunday tilt in New York.
8 - Blazers
Weekly Rewind: Portland finally bounced back after some struggles to begin the month, by winning three of four games this past week. The Blazers rallied past both the Kings and Suns at home, before splitting a pair of games at Orlando and Miami.
Weekly Outlook: Nate McMillan's squad continues their road trip through Texas on Tuesday and Wednesday, battling the Mavs and Spurs, respectively. Portland returns home on Christmas Night to host Denver, looking to avenge a 97-94 home loss to the Nuggets in late October.
9 - Thunder
Weekly Rewind: Oklahoma City suffered its worst week of the season, going 1-3 SU and 2-2 ATS. The Thunder lost three games to substantial competition, falling to the Nuggets, Mavs, and Rockets. OKC's lone victory came at home against the banged up Pistons, 109-98. Scott Brooks' club owns a 10-0 ATS mark following a non-cover this season.
Weekly Outlook: The Thunder will have their hands full this week, going to Los Angeles on Tuesday to take on the Lakers, followed by a Wednesday contest at Phoenix. Oklahoma City comes back to the Ford Center on Saturday to host Charlotte.
10 - Hornets
Weekly Rewind: New Orleans has obviously been lifted by the return of Chris Paul, going 5-3 SU since the All-Star guard came back to the lineup on December 4. The Hornets split four games this week, but did manage to cover three times. New Orleans cashed in a road loss at Dallas, before consecutive wins over Detroit and Denver. The Hornets wrapped up the week with a six-point loss at Toronto as 1 ½-point 'dogs.
Weekly Outlook: The Hornets take the court twice this week, hosting the Warriors on Wednesday, prior to a road contest at Chicago on Saturday. New Orleans is 1-4 ATS the last five as a favorite, but will take on a Golden State team that plays with no rest.
11 - Kings
Weekly Rewind: Sacramento split four games this past week, with two victories coming by a combined four points over Washington and Milwaukee. The Kings blew a double-digit halftime lead in a 95-88 loss at Portland, but managed to push as seven-point underdogs. Sacramento was drilled at Minnesota, 112-96, as the Kings were road favorites for the first time since March 2008.
Weekly Outlook: The Kings conclude their three-game Midwest trip on Monday at Chicago, trying to avenge a home loss to the Bulls in mid-November. Sacramento returns to Arco Arena for four games, as the Kings won't need "Dollar Beer Night" to get the fans in the stands. The Kings host the Cavs on Wednesday and the Lakers on Saturday.
12 - Clippers
Weekly Rewind: Los Angeles has caught fire recently, capturing three of four games, while going 2-1-1 ATS. The Clips edged the Wizards, 97-95, but are 4-10-1 ATS at home this season. L.A. began a six-game trip with a blowout victory at Minnesota, but squandered a huge lead at New York in a 95-91 loss. The Clips rebounded nicely on Saturday with an overtime victory at Philadelphia.
Weekly Outlook: Things don't get easier for the Clips, who play four games this week against strong competition. Los Angeles travels to San Antonio on Monday, then the Clips go to Houston with no rest on Tuesday. Mike Dunleavy's squad wraps up the trip at Phoenix on Christmas, before returning home to host the Celtics on Sunday.
13 - Grizzlies
Weekly Rewind: Memphis has played much better following a terrible start, winning six of its last nine. The Grizzlies lost to two of the best teams in the East, falling to the Celtics and Hawks. Memphis bounced back with home victories over Indiana and Denver, as the Grizzlies are 6-1 ATS the last seven at home.
Weekly Outlook: Memphis will take it easy this week with only two contests. The Grizzlies host Golden State on Tuesday, prior to a road game at Dallas on Saturday. Both the Warriors and Mavs will play with three days of rest.
14 - Warriors
Weekly Rewind: Times are tough in the Bay Area, as the Warriors have dropped nine of ten, with the sole victory coming over the awful Nets. Golden State went 0-3 SU/ATS last week, falling to the Sixers, Spurs, and Wizards. Don Nelson's team is 0-5-1 ATS the last six games as a road 'dog.
Weekly Outlook: Golden State hits the road twice this week, traveling to Memphis on Tuesday, followed by a Wednesday contest at New Orleans. The Warriors come back to Oracle Arena on Saturday to host the run-and-gun Suns.
15 - Timberwolves
Weekly Rewind: Minnesota had its share of positive and negative moments this past week. The T'wolves upended the Jazz in Salt Lake as 13-point 'dogs, but returned home and got walloped by the Clippers, 120-95. Minnesota drilled Sacramento, ending a personal five-game skid against the Kings with a 16-point home victory. However, the Celtics got the best of the T'Wolves on Sunday, beating Minnesota, 122-104.
Weekly Outlook: Minnesota battles three Eastern Conference opponents this week, starting with Atlanta at home on Tuesday. The T'Wolves turn around for a Wednesday road contest at New Jersey, before returning to the Target Center on Saturday against Washington.
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