Weekly Notes - East
By Chris David
1) Cleveland
Weekly Recap - The Cavaliers only played three games this past week and the club posted a 2-1 record both straight up and against the spread. The lone loss came at Denver (97-99) on Friday and the Nuggets won without the duties of Carmelo Anthony. The 'over' went 2-0 in both of their victories and the 'under' was 1-0 in the loss.
Weekly Outlook - Cleveland starts the week at Golden State on Monday, which will be the second game in two nights. They catch two days off then head to Salt Lake City on Thursday for a TNT showdown against the Jazz. Finally, they wrap up the road trip on Saturday in L.A. against the Clippers.
2) Boston
Weekly Recap - The Celtics continued to get healthier as the week progressed and wound up going 2-1 both SU and ATS, with all three games happening on the road. Boston pulled out a miracle win at Miami (112-106) in overtime but came up short against at Atlanta on Wednesday. Doc Rivers' team closed the week with a 114-107 shootout victory at Toronto on Sunday. The 'over' went 2-1.
Weekly Outlook - Boston has a chance to avoid losing three in a row to Atlanta on Monday when they welcome the Hawks. After this affair, the Celtics play two games in two nights but they look like winners. A road trip to New Jersey tips it off on Wednesday followed by a home tilt versus Chicago the following day.
3) Orlando
Weekly Recap - The Magic started the week with three straight losses, which saw their losing skid reach four. Even more disturbing is that they the losses came to the Bulls, Pacers, Raptors and Wizards - four clubs with losing records. On Saturday, Stan Van Gundy's team squashed the skid with a 32-point (113-81) victory at home against Atlanta. The team went 1-3 both SU and ATS last week and the 'under' went 3-1.
Weekly Outlook - Vince Carter (shoulder) could miss a couple games this week and the club needs him when they embark on a four-game trip to the West Coast. The action starts Tuesday at Sacramento and continues Wednesday at Denver. Fortunately, they catch the banged-up Trail Blazers on Friday before concluding the trip next Monday against the L.A. Lakers.
4) Atlanta
Weekly Recap - The Hawks finally snapped out of their four-game losing skid with an easy victory over New Jersey (119-89) on Wednesday. The team followed up that contest with an impressive win at home against Boston (93-85) on Friday. Unfortunately, they couldn't carry the momentum into Saturday's blowout loss at Orlando (81-113). The 'under' went 3-1 last week.
Weekly Outlook - Atlanta has a chance to go up 3-0 on Boston when it visits Massachusetts on Monday. After this big conference battle, the Hawks finish the week with home games against the Wizards and Suns. Despite the mini-skid recently, Atlanta (24-12) is still the best team against the number this year and its home record of 14-4 SU and 13-5 ATS is tough to go against.
5) Toronto
Weekly Recap - The Raptors opened the week with impressive road wins at Orlando (108-103() and Philadelphia (108-106). Unfortunately, they came up short on Sunday against Boston (107-114) at home. The 'over' went 3-0 last week and is on a 6-1 run over the last seven. Toronto is 8-2 SU and 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games.
Weekly Outlook - Three games are on the docket this week and two are on the road. The Raptors play at the Pacers with zero days rest on Monday before facing New York from Madison Square Garden on Friday. Toronto will then try to win another Sunday afternoon matinee at home when Dallas visits later in the week.
6) Miami
Weekly Recap - The Heat started the week with an impressive win at home over Atlanta (92-75) before losing a heartbreaker in overtime to Boston (106-112) on Wednesday. Miami rebounded with a sound road win over Phoenix (109-105) but was caught napping in a Sunday loss to the L.A. Clippers (84-94).
Weekly Outlook - Miami continues its six-game trip out West with four games on the docket. The team faces the Jazz on zero days rest Monday before traveling back to Golden State on Wednesday. Then, the team faces another back-to-back scenario on the road versus Houston and Oklahoma City. The Heat are just 6-10 against the West this year.
7) New York
Weekly Recap - The Knicks rallied for a 97-93 victory over Charlotte on Thursday at home with a big fourth quarter surge. The pendulum quickly swung the other way, as the Rockets rallied past New York (105-96) at home on Saturday. The 'under' went 2-0. New York only trails the Bucks by 1 1/2-games for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.
Weekly Outlook - New York starts the week with a road battle against a feisty Oklahoma City team on Monday. The team heads back East for a quick tilt at Philadelphia before closing the week with a back-to-back spot against the Raptors and Pistons. Saturday's matchup at Detroit will be the first game of a home-and-home series.
8) Charlotte
Weekly Recap - The Bobcats finished up the week with a 2-1 record but all of the games were decided by single digits. Victories against the Bulls (113-108) and Grizzlies (89-87) both came at home, while the lone loss to the Knicks (93-97) was on the road. Gamblers backing Larry Brown's team saw their bankrolls diminish quickly with a 0-3 ATS mark. The 'under' went 2-1.
Weekly Outlook - Charlotte owns a solid 13-4 SU record at home and its 10-7 ATS record isn't too shabby either. Brown and company are in the middle of a six-game homestand and that includes three games this week. The contests on tap this week should be competitive with Houston, San Antonio and Phoenix coming to town. The Suns game will be played on zero days rest.
9) Milwaukee
Weekly Recap - The Bucks opened the week with wins against the Nets (98-76) and Bulls (96-93) before heading onto the road for a brutal six-game road trip. The trek didn't start out so well on Sunday, when the team was pasted by the L.A. Lakers (77-95). The 'under' went 3-0.
Weekly Outlook - Four games are scheduled this week for the Bucks and three look like automatic losses on paper. Scott Skiles' team plays the Suns on Monday before a trip to Portland on Wednesday. The Friday matchup against Golden State could be winnable, if the shots fall for the Bucks. They close the week with a trip to Utah, which will also be played on zero days rest.
10) Chicago
Weekly Recap - After going 4-0 over the previous seven days, the Bulls dropped three consecutive games. Vinny Del Negro's team saved some face on Saturday by snapping the slide with a home win over Minnesota (110-96). Even though Chicago lost three contests last week, they did manage to go 3-1 ATS and its 7-1 ATS over the last eight.
Weekly Outlook - Twelve of the Bulls' 15 wins this year have come at United Center and they play two there this week. And both appear to be winnable, with Detroit and Washington visiting The Windy City. Sandwiched between that pair is a primetime showdown at Boston on Thursday.
11) Washington
Weekly Recap - The Wizards learned that All Star Gilbert Arenas was suspended indefinitely for his gun saga. Despite the drama in D.C., the Wizards went 2-2 both SU and ATS. The team won both of its games when they held opponents under 100 points but surrendered losses when they gave up triple digits. The total went 2-2.
Weekly Outlook - Busy week for Washington but they have an opportunity to gain some confidence and notch victories at the same time. Two sets of back-to-back situations are on tap, with the first one involving Detroit and Atlanta. The next batch includes the Bulls and Kings, with Sacramento visiting.
12) Philadelphia
Weekly Recap - The 76ers started the week with back-to-back losses at home to the Wizards (97-104) and Raptors (106-108). Fortunately, Eddie Jordan's team responded with a double-digit road victory against Detroit (104-94) on zero days rest. The 'over' went 2-1.
Weekly Outlook - Despite its horrible start, Philadelphia is only 5 ½-games back of the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. What's surprising about this 76ers squad is that they can't win at home (4-12) this year. This week, Philly has three home games on tap against New Orleans, New York and Sacramento.
13) Indiana
Weekly Recap - The Pacers continue to have their issues on the road, evidenced by a pair of losses to the Wolves (109-116) and Thunder (102-108) last week. Prior to those setbacks, Indiana did upset Orlando (97-90) at home as heavy underdogs (+11.5). The 'over' went 2-1.
Weekly Outlook - Danny Granger and Troy Murphy have finally returned to the lineup, for how long will be the next question. Indiana has four games this week and all of the opponents fit its up-tempo style. The Raptors, Suns and Hornets will all visit the Hoosier State, while the other contest is a road battle at New Jersey. Do the Pacers turn the corner here with some hot shooting?
14) Detroit
Weekly Recap - The Pistons weren't expected to be world beaters this year, but they surprised some folks with a decent 11-12 start. Since then, it's been downhill for first-year coach John Kuester, who has watched his club drop 12 consecutive games, which is the worst in franchise history. Detroit's offense hasn't busted the century mark at all during this run, and the defense has surrendered 93 ore more in 11 of the losses. The club went 1-2 ATS last week, and the 'over' was 3-0.
Weekly Outlook - Detroit has four chances to end the skid this week but it will be tough sledding. Starting Monday, the Pistons meet the Bulls and Wizards on the road in back-to-back nights. Then they close the week with another two games in two nights, with home contests against New Orleans and the Knicks. Eight of Detroit's 11 victories have come at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
15) New Jersey
Weekly Recap - The Nets played four games last week and they did lose all four. The good news for gamblers is that they went 2-2 versus the number, but I can't see many bettors backing this team right now. The total went 2-2.
Weekly Outlook - New Jersey only has two games this week and both are at home. The Nets welcome the Celtics, who could be in a letdown spot on Wednesday. Then, the Pacers visit on Friday.
Weekly Notes - West
By Kevin Rogers
1 - Lakers
Weekly Rewind: Los Angeles went the entire week without Pau Gasol, who suffered a hamstring injury in a win last Sunday over Dallas. The Lakers ended the week splitting all four games both SU and ATS. L.A. knocked off Houston and Milwaukee at home, while dropping road games to the Clippers and Blazers.
Weekly Outlook: The Champs travel to Texas for a back-to-back set beginning Tuesday in San Antonio. The Lakers make the quick trip to Dallas on Wednesday, followed by a home rematch with the Clippers on Friday.
2 - Mavericks
Weekly Rewind: Dallas finished an interesting week 2-1 SU and 1-2 ATS. The Mavs rallied past both the Pistons and Spurs, but were trampled by the Jazz at home. With the loss to Utah, Dallas is now 0-12 ATS the last 12 as a home favorite.
Weekly Outlook: The Mavs get three days off to prepare for a visit from the Lakers on Wednesday, trying to avenge the 35-point loss at Staples Center on January 3. Dallas then hosts Oklahoma City on Friday night before departing on a season-high, five-game road trip on Sunday in Toronto.
3 - Spurs
Weekly Rewind: San Antonio continues to stay hot, winning two of three games, improving to 13-4 SU since December 9. The Spurs did fail to cover each of their last two, a nine-point loss to the Mavs and a 97-85 victory over lowly New Jersey as 14-point 'chalk.'
Weekly Outlook: It will be a busy week for Gregg Popovich's squad, playing four in five nights. San Antonio wraps up a four-game homestand taking on the Lakers for the first time this season on Tuesday. The Spurs hit the road for four games starting Wednesday in Oklahoma City. San Antonio gets its second back-to-back beginning on Friday in Charlotte, followed by a Saturday contest in Memphis.
4 - Nuggets
Weekly Rewind: Denver is a beat-up squad right now, but the Nuggets managed to win two of three games without Carmelo Anthony this past week. George Karl's team edged the Warriors, but failed to cover as 5 ½-point favorites. Denver then knocked off Cleveland as home underdogs, but fell by two at Sacramento with no rest on Saturday.
Weekly Outlook: The Nuggets return home for three games at the Pepsi Center beginning Monday against the Wolves. Denver hosts Orlando on Wednesday, as the Magic enter that contest playing on no rest. The Nuggets wrap up the week hosting the Jazz on Sunday, trying to beat Utah for a third time this season.
5 - Suns
Weekly Rewind: Phoenix wrapped up the week going 2-1 SU/ATS, picking up victories over the Kings and Rockets, while falling at home to the Heat. Since winning four straight games to conclude November, the Suns have won two consecutive contests only twice in the last six weeks.
Weekly Outlook: The Suns will be busy this week, trying to bounce back on Monday hosting the Bucks. Phoenix starts a four-game road trip on Wednesday at Indiana, followed by a back-to-back against Atlanta (Friday) and Charlotte (Saturday). The Suns have not traveled east of Texas since a 17-point loss at Cleveland on December 2.
6 - Blazers
Weekly Rewind: It was a rough week for Portland, dropping three of four games both SU and ATS. The Blazers started with a road loss to the Clippers, followed by a four-point home defeat to the Grizzlies. Nate McMillan's club bounced back with a solid home 'dog victory over the Lakers, but lost a 12-point decision to the Cavs on Sunday. The Blazers have now finished 'over' the total in seven of their last eight games.
Weekly Outlook: The Blazers take the court only twice this week, finishing up a five-game homestand. Portland gets two days off prior to hosting Milwaukee on Wednesday, trying to avenge an overtime loss at the Bradley Center in mid-December. The Blazers welcome the Magic on Friday, as Portland tries to break out of a 2-5 ATS funk.
7 - Rockets
Weekly Rewind: Houston finished up a three-game road trip with losses to the Lakers and Suns, while failing to cover each game. The Rockets ended the week on a good note, rallying past the Knicks, 105-96, to cover as 6 ½-point home favorites. With the three losses on the road, the Rockets have dropped to 1-6 ATS the last seven as road 'dogs.
Weekly Outlook: Rick Adelman's squad makes a quick trip to Charlotte on Tuesday, prior to a three-game homestand that begins Wednesday against Minnesota. The Rockets host the road-weary Heat on Friday, as Houston is 7-0 ATS the last seven at the Toyota Center.
8 - Thunder
Weekly Rewind: Oklahoma City began the season as a covering machine, but the Thunder has been silenced when it comes to cashing tickets. OKC is now 1-4 ATS the last five, and 0-3 ATS the last three at the Ford Center. The Thunder battered the Bulls as short road 'dogs, but returned home and fell to the Hornets as 4 ½-point favorites. Oklahoma City concluded the week with a six-point victory over Indiana, as the Pacers picked up a backdoor cover as nine-point 'dogs.
Weekly Outlook: The Thunder plays three of four games at home this week, beginning with the Knicks on Monday. OKC hosts San Antonio on Wednesday, as the Spurs will play with no rest after taking on the Lakers. The Thunder makes the short flight to Dallas on Friday, followed by a visit from Miami on Saturday, as the Heat play the final game of their six-game road trip.
9 - Jazz
Weekly Rewind: Utah played three of four games without point guard Deron Williams, who sat out with a wrist injury. Covering numbers without Williams wasn't a difficult task, as the Jazz went 3-0 ATS, picking up covers against Memphis (twice) and Dallas. The lone ATS loss came at home to New Orleans as 7 ½-point favorites, and that was with the All-Star guard in the lineup.
Weekly Outlook: Jerry Sloan's team returns home to host Miami on Monday, followed by a two-day break. The Jazz play the late TNT game on Thursday against the Cavs, then the Bucks roll into Salt Lake on Saturday. Utah concludes the week traveling to Denver on Sunday, as the Nuggets will be playing with three days of rest.
10 - Hornets
Weekly Rewind: New Orleans is finally putting things together, owning a season-high six-game winning streak after four victories this past week. The Hornets picked up a road underdog sweep of Utah and Oklahoma City, followed by a non-cover in a four-point win over New Jersey. New Orleans outlasted Washington, 115-110 on Sunday, improving to 5-1 ATS during this hot streak.
Weekly Outlook: The chances at winning ten straight don't seem out of the realm of possibility for New Orleans, with the Hornets battling the Sixers on Monday at the Wachovia Center. Jeff Bower's club returns home for a Wednesday meeting with the Clippers, prior to a back-to-back at Detroit (Friday) and Indiana (Saturday).
11 - Grizzlies
Weekly Rewind: Memphis continues to surprise, ending the week sitting at .500. The Grizzlies went 2-2 SU/ATS, but the biggest shock was Memphis going 3-1 SU/ATS on a four-game road trip. Lionel Hollins' team failed to cover in consecutive games against the Jazz, but did cash in a two-point loss at Charlotte as six-point 'dogs.
Weekly Outlook: The Grizzlies return to FedEx Forum for four games, starting with the Clippers on Tuesday. Memphis hosts woeful Minnesota on Friday, going for a third victory over the Wolves this season. The Grizzlies entertain the Spurs on Saturday, as San Antonio plays its fourth game in five nights. Memphis is 9-3-1 ATS the last 13 games at home, and 5-2 ATS when getting points at home.
12 - Clippers
Weekly Rewind: Past the Hornets, the second hottest team in the Western Conference is the…Clippers? That's right, Mike Dunleavy's club has won four straight, while covering six in a row. The Clips pulled off a perfect four-game sweep at home, including victories over the Blazers, Lakers, and Heat.
Weekly Outlook: We'll see what the Clips are made of when they leave Southern California, playing three of four games on the highway this week. L.A. travels to Memphis on Tuesday, followed by a Wednesday meeting with New Orleans. The Clips conclude their road trip with an "away" contest against the Lakers on Friday. The court flips to red and blue on Saturday when LeBron James and the Cavs invade Staples Center.
13 - Kings
Weekly Rewind: Sacramento is slipping fast, dropping seven of its past nine games. What's even more interesting is the Kings' two wins in this stretch are both at home over the Nuggets. Sacramento is 2-6-1 ATS, with the last cover coming on New Year's Night against the Lakers. The Kings are turning into a nice 'under' play, finishing 'under' the total in each of the last four games.
Weekly Outlook: Sacramento hosts Orlando on Tuesday, then Paul Westphal's team heads on the road for a six-game trip. The Kings travel to Philadelphia on Friday, followed by a matchup on Saturday at Washington against a Wizards team playing their fourth game in five nights.
14 - Warriors
Weekly Rewind: Several of the non-playoff teams in the West are the ones that have covered plenty as of late, and that includes Golden State. The Warriors are 7-1 ATS the last eight games, including a 3-0 ATS mark this past week. Golden State fell by one at Denver in a controversial finish, but cashed as 5 ½-point 'dogs. The Warriors held off Minnesota the next night, followed by a comeback victory over the Kings at home on Friday.
Weekly Outlook: The seven-game homestand continues for Don Nelson's club, playing three times at Oracle Arena. Golden State hosts Cleveland on Monday, followed by a meeting with Miami on Wednesday. The Warriors conclude the week battling the Bucks on Friday, trying to avenge a four-point loss in Milwaukee back in mid-November.
15 - Timberwolves
Weekly Rewind: The Wolves went through a nice stretch in December cashing plenty of tickets, but that has dried up recently. Minnesota is 1-4 ATS the last five games, with the lone victory and cover coming against Indiana. The Wolves lost as 2 ½-point favorites to the Warriors, while getting bounced by the Bulls in Chicago by 14.
Weekly Outlook: The Wolves continue a four-game trip in Denver on Monday night, trying to beat the Nuggets for a second time at Pepsi Center this season. Minnesota heads to Houston on Wednesday, then to Memphis on Friday.