Weekly Notes - East
By Chris David
Cavaliers, Raptors and Heat are Hot, while the Pistons, Pacers and Nets are Not...
1) Boston
Weekly Recap - The Celtics started the week with a pair of victories, including a big road win on Christmas Day against Orlando, 86-77. Right after that win, Doc Rivers' team headed to the West Coast for a quick three-game road trip. Unfortunately, the banged-up Celtics started the trip with a loss to the Clippers (90-92) on Sunday. Boston hurt gamblers with a 1-2 ATS mark and the 'under' went 3-0.
Weekly Outlook - Boston finishes up the road trip this week with a battle against Golden State on Monday before heading to Phoenix on Wednesday. After these games, the team returns home for a Saturday contest against Toronto. Despite the setback to the Clippers, Boston still owns a league-best 13-2 (8-7 ATS) road record.
2) Cleveland
Weekly Recap - The Cavaliers showed people why they're serious contenders last week. Mike Brown and his troops posted a perfect 4-0 record both SU and ATS and three of the wins came on the road. During this span, Cleveland handed Phoenix (109-91) its first loss at home and it also humbled the L.A. Lakers (102-87) on Christmas. Three of the four opponents were held below 100 points, which helped the 'under' go 3-1.
Weekly Outlook - The Cavs have three games this week and two come against Atlanta, who has been a very solid team and should be considered a contender in the East. The home-and-home series will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday. After this set, Cleveland will face another back-to-back situation starting Saturday at the Nets and then finishing at home versus Charlotte. The Cavs are 5-5 ATS on zero days rest this season.
3) Orlando
Weekly Recap - The Magic started the week with two quick victories at home against Utah (104-99) and Houston (102-87). Unfortunately, Orlando couldn't close the week strong on Christmas against Boston (77-86). Stan Van Gundy's team had 27 points at the break in the loss and couldn't buy a shot against the Celtics.
Weekly Outlook - Fortunately for Orlando, it will have plenty of time (four days) to regroup from the loss against Boston. Milwaukee will visit the Magic Kingdom on Wednesday before the team plays back-to-back road battles against Minnesota and Chicago on Friday and Saturday. Total bettors should make a note that Orlando has seen the 'over' go 10-5 at home but the 'under' is 5-10 on the road.
4) Atlanta
Weekly Recap - The Hawks went 2-1 last week both SU and ATS. Atlanta captured both of its victories by double digits albeit against the Timberwolves (112-87) and Pacers (110-98). Unfortunately, they were exposed in a blowout loss to Denver (104-124) and the Nuggets didn't have point guard Chauncey Billups playing either.
Weekly Outlook - Its gut check time for Atlanta this week. Mike Woodson's team plays a home-and-home series against the Cavaliers starting Tuesday at home. Then the pair head back to Cleveland on Wednesday. Atlanta concludes the week on Friday at home against New York, who beat the Hawks 114-107 on Dec. 4. The Hawks own a league-best 21-8 record against the spread.
5) Miami
Weekly Recap - Miami stepped up its play for the holidays by producing a perfect 3-0 record both SU and ATS. The defense was incredible during this span, holding teams to 70, 87 and 80 points. The 'under' went 3-0.
Weekly Outlook - The Heat will face a bigger test this week, starting on Wednesday when they meet New Orleans in the Big Easy. Then, they head to San Antonio on Thursday. Miami closes the week on Saturday at home against Charlotte. Miami has only played three games on zero days rest this season, posting a 1-2 SU and 2-1 ATS mark.
6) Toronto
Weekly Recap - Slowly but surely, the Raptors are finally looking like a playoff team. Toronto went 4-0 both SU and ATS last week, with three of the wins coming in Canada. Defense played a large part of the Raptors' success, as all of their opponents were held to 95 points or less.
Weekly Outlook - Toronto will hope to stay hot this week but the competition will be much tougher. A home contest starts the week on Wednesday against Charlotte. That game is followed by a road trip to Boston on Saturday before facing San Antonio the very next day at home. Gamblers should make a note that the Raptors are 1-5 both SU and ATS on zero days rest this year and all five losses were by double digits.
7) Milwaukee
Weekly Recap - It's official, the Bucks have hit the proverbial wall. Milwaukee has gone 1-5 in its last six games and has now dropped four in a row at Bradley Center, which used to be a good advantage for Scott Skiles' team. The club went 1-2 last week and the lone win came at Indiana (84-81). The two losses at home were by double digits and both contests went 'over' as well.
Weekly Outlook - Milwaukee has three games on tap this week and two are on the road, tough games to boot. The Bucks visit Charlotte on Monday and then Orlando on Wednesday. Team has gone 3-9 SU away from home but helped gamblers with a 7-5 ATS ledger. The team wraps up the week on Saturday at home versus Oklahoma City.
8) New York
Weekly Recap - The Knicks started the week with victories over the Bobcats (98-94) and Bulls (88-81) but they closed with a pair of losses to the Heat (87-93) and Spurs (88-95). When Mike D'Antonio arrived in the Big Apple, his plan was to run 'n gun on the hardwood. Lately, the coach has instituted a defensive plan and its working. The Knicks have held their last 10 opponents under 100 and the club has responded with a 6-4 SU and 5-5 ATS mark. The 'under' has gone 9-1 over this span.
Weekly Outlook - New York will open with three straight road games this week. After playing Detroit on Tuesday, the Knicks head to New Jersey on Wednesday. Then, New York faces New York on Friday before hosting Indiana on Sunday. The Knicks have gone 4-7 SU and 6-9 ATS on the road this year.
9) Chicago
Weekly Recap - The Bulls started the week by blowing a 35-point lead in the second-half against Sacramento. The Kings outscored the team 33-10 in the final quarter for the 102-98 road victory. Chicago followed up that embarrassment with another setback to the Knicks (81-88) at Madison Square Garden. Fortunately, Chicago bounced back with a 96-85 win at home on Saturday against New Orleans. Total players should note that the Bulls have seen the 'under' go 19-9 (68%) this year.
Weekly Outlook - Chicago plays three games this week, and two of them will be at United Center. The Pacers travel to the Windy City on Tuesday and then Orlando visits on Saturday. Sandwiched between these home tilts is a quick road trip to Detroit on New Year's Eve.
10) Charlotte
Weekly Recap - Larry Brown's team continues to have troubles on the road and bettors should probably continue to fade them if the number is shorter than five points. Charlotte is 1-13 SU on the road and 8-6 ATS, which includes last week's loss at Oklahoma City (91-98). Fortunately for the 'Cats, they have gone 10-4 SU and 9-5 ATS at home.
Weekly Outlook - Charlotte has a busy week on tap with four games and three of them will be on the road. After hosting Milwaukee on Monday, the team heads to Toronto on Wednesday. Then, they close the weekend with a back-to-back set at Miami and at Cleveland. Will this be the week that Charlotte notches a road win?
11) Detroit
Weekly Recap - The holidays haven't treated Detroit too well, as the team saw its losing streak reach six games. More importantly, all six losses have come by double digits and the Pistons haven't covered any of them. The offense (83.6 PPG) has been horrible during this run, which has helped the 'under' go 4-2.
Weekly Outlook - Detroit only has two games scheduled this week and both come at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Knicks visit Tuesday and then the Bulls come to Michigan on Thursday for an afternoon affair. Of the Pistons' 11 victories, eight have come at home.
12) Washington
Weekly Recap - The Wizards almost closed the week with a perfect mark but they came up short against a hungrier Timberwolves squad (89-101). Still, Washington went 2-1 both SU and ATS and the 'under' posted a 2-1 mark too.
Weekly Outlook - Washington opens up the week with two games in two nights. A road battle in Memphis is followed by a home tilt against Oklahoma City. Then, San Antonio visits the Verizon Center on Saturday. Make a note that the Wizards' last five home games have been decided by seven points or less. The team is 2-3 both SU and ATS during this span.
13) Indiana
Weekly Recap - The Pacers' losing streak reached six games after the club went 0-4 SU and 1-3 ATS last week. Injuries have definitely played a toll for Indiana this year but it seems like the team has given up on head coach Jim O'Brien, especially in Sunday's 34-point loss (80-114) at Miami. The offense has been held under 100 points in ever game during this skid, which has helped the 'under' go 5-1.
Weekly Outlook - Indiana has four games on tap this week and all come against teams with losing records. After meeting Chicago on the road Tuesday, the club plays Memphis at home on zero days rest. The Pacers get the holiday off and then face two games in two nights starting over the weekend.
14) Philadelphia
Weekly Recap - The 76ers tipped off their six-game road trip last week and unfortunately it wasn't a good start. Philadelphia lost at Washington (98-105) before getting blown out by the Jazz (76-97) on Saturday from Salt Lake City. The 76-point effort against Utah was the second-worst offensive output of the year. The 'under' went 2-0.
Weekly Outlook - Philadelphia will wrap up its trek against Western Conference foes this week with four games on tap. After facing the Trail Blazers on Monday, the 76ers stare down at a back-to-back spot starting Wednesday against the Kings and Clippers. The club concludes the week at Denver on Sunday. Gamblers should note that Philly is 4-2 ATS on zero days rest this season.
15) New Jersey
Weekly Recap - The Nets have fallen back on hard times, evidenced by their current nine-game losing streak. New Jersey hasn't been competitive during this span either, producing a 2-7 ATS record at the betting counter. The club did put forth a little fight last week, losing its only two games by four and five points a home.
Weekly Outlook - New Jersey has three more games at home this week and it will most likely be underdogs in all of them. Oklahoma City visits on Monday before New York travels across the Hudson for an encounter on Wednesday. Then, LeBron James and the Cavs will come to Jersey on Saturday.
Weekly Notes - West
By Kevin Rogers
1 - Lakers
Weekly Rewind: The Purple and Gold had an eventful week, going 2-1 SU/ATS, improving to 17-3 SU the last 20 games. The Lakers slid by the Thunder, 111-108, but failed to cover as ten-point home favorites. The Cavs blasted the Lakers at Staples Center on Christmas, 102-87, the third home loss by L.A. this season. Phil Jackson's club rebounded with a double-overtime victory at Sacramento on Saturday.
Weekly Outlook: The Lakers have four games on the slate this week, beginning with a trip to Phoenix on Monday. L.A. comes back home for a four-game homestand starting Tuesday against Golden State. The Champs host the Kings on New Year's Night, followed by a Sunday matchup with Dallas.
2 - Mavericks
Weekly Rewind: Dallas started the week slow with a home loss to Portland, but bounced back nicely with a Saturday afternoon victory over Memphis. The Mavs failed to cover against the Grizzlies, extending Dallas' skid to ten consecutive ATS losses at home. Dallas concluded the week by capturing a victory at Denver, revenging last season's second-round playoff exit to the Nuggets. The Mavs are now 11-4 ATS away from American Airlines Center.
Weekly Outlook: Rick Carlisle's team continues a four-game road trip on Thursday against the Rockets in Houston. The Mavs head to California for a pair of games this weekend, battling the Kings at Arco Arena on Saturday, followed by a matchup with the Lakers on Sunday.
3 - Nuggets
Weekly Rewind: Denver has hit a rocky road recently, dropping four of five, including a 1-2 SU/ATS week. The Nuggets drilled the Hawks, 124-104, Denver's third straight game without Chauncey Billups. The Nuggets' point guard returned on Christmas Night, but Denver was tripped up at Portland. Things didn't improve on Sunday, falling to the Mavs at the Pepsi Center, as Dallas played with no rest.
Weekly Outlook: The Nuggets travel to a pair of difficult destinations, heading to Sacramento on Monday, followed by a trip to Utah on Saturday. Following a 3-0 ATS start on the road, Denver is 3-9 ATS the last 12 games on the highway. George Karl's squad returns home on Sunday to host Philadelphia.
4 - Blazers
Weekly Rewind: Who says you need a healthy team to compete? Don't tell that to Nate McMillan's squad, who has won four straight games, including all three this week. The Blazers held off the Mavs, 85-81 in Dallas, prior to a solid 98-94 victory at San Antonio one night later without leading scorer Brandon Roy. Portland got Roy back in the lineup on Christmas night, as the Blazers rallied past the Nuggets thanks to 41 points from the ex-Washington Husky.
Weekly Outlook: It's going to be a lot of home-cooking for the Blazers, playing nine of the next ten games at the Rose Garden. Portland hosts Philadelphia on Monday, prior to a Wednesday meeting with the Clippers. The Blazers look to avenge a 14-point November loss to the Warriors when Golden State invades Rip City on Saturday.
5 - Suns
Weekly Rewind: The Suns stumbled to a 1-3 SU/ATS week, with the lone victory coming over the road-weary Clippers on Christmas. Cleveland finished off a season sweep of Phoenix, beating the Suns, 109-91. Oklahoma City upset Phoenix two days later, but the Suns regrouped to dominate the Clippers, 124-93. The Suns fell in an expected run-and-gun shootout at Golden State on Saturday, dropping to 2-5 ATS with no rest.
Weekly Outlook: Phoenix will have its work cut out for them with consecutive home contests against the Lakers (Monday) and Celtics (Wednesday). Alvin Gentry's club finishes the week hosting the Grizzlies on Saturday.
6 - Spurs
Weekly Rewind: San Antonio has quietly caught fire, winning eight of the past ten games following a three-game skid. The Spurs beat down the Clippers, but were tripped up by the injury-riddled Blazers last Wednesday. San Antonio came back with consecutive wins on no rest at Milwaukee and New York.
Weekly Outlook: The Spurs head back to the Alamo for a pair of home contests against Minnesota (Tuesday) and Miami (Thursday). Gregg Popovich's club travels to Washington on Saturday night, as the Spurs are 4-2 ATS as road favorites this season.
7 - Rockets
Weekly Rewind: Houston split four games this past week, but the two victories weren't over strong competition. The Rockets knocked off the Clippers, 108-99, barely covering as 8 ½-point home favorites. Houston then fell at Orlando the next night, 102-87, ending a three-game winning streak. The Rockets held off the Nets in New Jersey, followed by a blowout loss at Cleveland.
Weekly Outlook: Rick Adelman's team has three division showdowns this week, with two games at home. The Rockets host the Hornets on Tuesday and the Mavericks on Thursday. Houston will have a second meeting against New Orleans on Saturday, traveling down to the Big Easy.
8 - Jazz
Weekly Rewind: Utah stumbled to a finish to wrap up a five-game road trip, falling at Orlando and Miami. The loss to the Heat was especially ugly, as Utah was held to a season-low 70 points in a ten-point setback. Jerry Sloan's squad bounced back with a solid home victory over the Sixers, improving to 6-0 SU/ATS in Salt Lake City off a road defeat this season.
Weekly Outlook: The Jazz play three division opponents this week, heading back on the road for a pair of games at Minnesota on Wednesday and Oklahoma City on Thursday. Utah comes back home for an important matchup with Denver, as the Nuggets beat the Jazz on Opening Night, 114-104, at Pepsi Center.
9 - Thunder
Weekly Rewind: After starting the week with a tough three-point setback to the Lakers on Tuesday, the Thunder rebounded with a pair of victories over the Suns and Bobcats. The win at Phoenix improved Oklahoma City's road underdog ATS mark to 9-4.
Weekly Outlook: OKC hits the road again, playing four of the next five away from the Ford Center. The Thunder will play back-to-back contests at New Jersey and Washington starting Monday. Scott Brooks' team comes back home on Thursday to host Utah, prior to a trip to Milwaukee on Saturday.
10 - Hornets
Weekly Rewind: New Orleans only took the court twice this past week, and failed to cover both contests. The Hornets held off the Warriors, 108-102, and took another home ATS loss, dropping to 1-4 ATS the last five in the Big Easy. New Orleans tallied only seven points in the third quarter of Saturday's loss at Chicago, marking the ninth game in the last ten that the Hornets have finished 'under' the total.
Weekly Outlook: The Hornets play the Rockets to begin and end the week, with the first meeting coming on Tuesday at the Toyota Center. New Orleans returns home with no rest on Wednesday to host Miami, prior to a rematch with the Rockets on Saturday.
11 - Kings
Weekly Rewind: Sacramento completed one of the great comebacks of all-time, rallying from 35 points down in the third quarter to stun Chicago, 102-98. The Kings came back home and went to overtime with the Cavs, but Cleveland shut out Sacramento in the extra-session, 13-0 to win 117-104. Paul Westphal's squad took the Lakers to double-OT two nights later, but fell to Los Angeles, marking the first time the Kings have dropped consecutive games at Arco Arena this season.
Weekly Outlook: The good news is the Cavs and Lakers are out of town. The bad news is the Nuggets invade Sacramento on Monday. However, the Kings are 7-2 ATS off a non-cover this season. Sacramento wraps up the homestand on Wednesday against Philadelphia, prior to a quick trip down I-5 to battle the Lakers on Friday. The Kings return home on Saturday to host Dallas.
12 - Clippers
Weekly Rewind: Los Angeles limped home from a long road trip following three straight losses at San Antonio, Houston, and Phoenix. The Clips responded in their return to Southern California, knocking off the Celtics, marking the second consecutive season L.A. upended Boston at home.
Weekly Outlook: Mike Dunleavy's team travels to Portland on Wednesday, but has four straight games upcoming at Staples Center. The Clippers host the Sixers on Thursday, as both teams play with no rest.
13 - Grizzlies
Weekly Rewind: Memphis has turned into pointspread gold recently, covering six of its past seven games. The Grizzlies took care of the Warriors, 121-108, improving to 5-1 ATS as a home favorite. Memphis picked up a road underdog cover at Dallas on Saturday, falling by five to the Mavs.
Weekly Outlook: The Grizzlies host the Wizards on Monday, prior to a rough four-game road trip. Memphis' most winnable game comes Wednesday at Indiana, taking on a Pacers team playing their fourth game in five nights. Lionel Hollins' crew travels to Phoenix on Saturday, trying to avenge a late November loss to the Suns.
14 - Warriors
Weekly Rewind: Golden State found it hard to get into the win column, dropping seven straight games before a home underdog victory over Phoenix. The Warriors started the week with consecutive road losses at Memphis and New Orleans, but did manage to cover as ten-point road dogs against the Hornets.
Weekly Outlook: Don Nelson's team has it rough this week, hosting the Celtics on Monday, prior to a four-game trip that starts with the Lakers in L.A. on Tuesday. The Warriors head north to Portland on Saturday, as Golden State will play on three days rest.
15 - Timberwolves
Weekly Rewind: Minnesota did something this past week they haven't accomplished all season - winning two straight. After a 25-point home loss to the Hawks, the Wolves pulled off back-to-back victories over the Nets and Wizards, while improving to 5-1 ATS the last six as a home underdog.
Weekly Outlook: Minnesota's luck may run out this week, with three difficult contests on tap. The Wolves travel to San Antonio on Tuesday, before coming home with no rest to battle the Jazz. Kurt Rambis' squad plays another round of games without rest on Friday and Saturday, hosting the Magic and heading to Indiana, respectively.