NBA's Weekly Betting News and Notes
By Covers.com
Each week, we look back on the NBA betting scene and give you the best - and worst - basketball bets, as well as some spots to keep an eye on with the upcoming schedule.
For the week of Jan. 20-26
Hottest ATS - Oklahoma City Thunder (4-0 SU, 4-0 ATS)
It should worry opposing teams that the Thunder continue to be one of the most prolific teams in the league despite missing a top-10 player in point guard Russell Westbrook. Of course, having Kevin Durant on the roster doesn't hurt. He was at his bucket-filling best in the three games he played last week, pouring in 114 points in wins over Portland, San Antonio and Philadelphia. Oklahoma City didn't miss a beat when Durant missed a game due to a shoulder injury, easily handling the Boston Celtics as part of a seven-game winning streak.
Coldest ATS - Detroit Pistons (0-4 SU, 0-4 ATS)
Things have gone south in the Motor City, as the Pistons find themselves a season-worst 10 games below .500. Detroit lost a pair of games it probably should have won - dropping a three-point decision to lowly Milwaukee and a two-point heartbreaker at home to New Orleans - while also getting beaten by the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas Mavericks. The defense has been particularly galling, having surrendered nearly 109 points during the four-game skid. Upcoming games against Orlando, Atlanta and Philadelphia offer some hope of ending the slide.
Best Over play - Los Angeles Lakers (0-4 SU, 4-0 O/U)
It isn't exactly Showtime in Los Angeles these days, but Lakers games have been more high scoring than normal the past week. Los Angeles stretched its streak of consecutive Overs to eight. Unfortunately, the last four have resulted in losses, as the Lakers concluded its 2-5 "Grammy" road trip with losses in Chicago, Miami, Orlando and New York. While the offense was solid in all four games, averaging 102.5 points, the defense was another thing altogether, surrendering nearly 109 points to extend what has been a terrible stretch of point prevention since the start of 2014.
Best Under play - Cleveland Cavaliers (1-3 SU, 0-4 O/U)
Low-scoring affairs have suddenly become the norm in Cleveland, where the Cavaliers played to a perfect Under week thanks to an improved defense and a sputtering offense. Cleveland opened the week with a five-point home loss to the Dallas Mavericks, then followed that up with a 98-87 defeat at the hands of the stingy Chicago Bulls. The Cavaliers easily handled low-scoring Milwaukee Friday but squandered an early lead to Phoenix in what finished as a nine-point loss. Cleveland has now gone Under in 11 of its last 14 games.
Surveying the Schedule
The Brooklyn Nets have made a race of it in the Atlantic Division, winning 10 of their last 11 games to move to within a game and a half of the first-place Toronto Raptors. The Nets face their biggest week of the season, starting with a pivotal home game against the Raptors Monday night. Brooklyn will then enjoy a three-day break before tangling with the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder Friday night and closing out the week against the host Indiana Pacers Saturday.
NBA Betting Report
Sportspic.com
In this week's Hoops Report our number crunching machine tells us the Phoenix Suns have moved into a tie with Indiana Pacers as the most profitable teams on the year both cashing 65.1% of tickets (28-15 ATS). Suns are a healthy 9-6-1 ATS as a favorite, 19-8 ATS as an underdog including 14-5 ATS as road pooches. Pacers continue to be the best bet as favorites posting a 16-6 record wearing a home jersey, 7-7 when slipping on the away uniform. As for underdogs, Lakers are a smart 21-16-1 ATS, New York Knicks are the worst in the roll at 7-16. Not surprising Milwaukee Bucks the leagues worst team at 8-35 SU are a cash draining 15-28 against-the-spread overall.
Portland Blazers are the top scoring team at 109.0 points/game hitting 45.5% of their shots with Twolves (106.8), Clippers (106.0) a close second. The worst at getting the ball through the hoop falls to Bucks (91.3), Bulls (92.9). Defensively, Pacers are tops allowing a messily 90.2 per/game followed by Spurs allowing opponents 96.9 points/game. At the other extreme, Sixers surrender a whopping 109.5 per/contest followed by Lakers giving up 106.1 per/contest.
Blazers with it's offensive fire-power are one of the best 'Over' teams at 29-15 O/U but it is interesting to note Pistons have been an 'Over' bettors dream posting a 32-12 O/U mark. Betting 'Under' when stingy Pacers hit the hardwood has proven to be a solid move as they're 15-24 to the 'Under'. The 'Under' has also been profitable when offensively challenged Bulls take the floor (18-25).
On a more recent note (14 Days) the best ATS teams are Thunder (7-1), Lakers (6-2) and Mavericks (6-2) with the worst performers ATS being Pistons (1-6), Knicks (2-6), Spurs (2-5).
From a total perspective Lakers have been the best 'Over' play the past two weeks (8-0) with Grizzlies the best 'Under' choice (6-0). Sixers despite owning the worst defense were a surprising 6-1 to the 'Under last seven games.
Finally, looking at non-conference matchups the Eastern Conference continues to be duds when running the hardwood vs the Western Conference going 81-154 SU on the campaign with a cash draining 100-133-1 mark at the betting window. A tired East team when these two Conferences collide is a recipe for disaster as the East is just 9-49 SU in back-2-backs vs the West cashing at a 34.4% clip (20-38 ATS).
This Week's Best NBA Spot Bet Opportunities
By Steve Merril
Covers.com
Spot bets are classic handicapping practices that have proven profitable no matter what sport you’re betting. Whether it’s a team looking past this week’s opponent, one coming off a hard-fought victory, or a rough patch of schedule, bettors can find value picking their spots.
Covers Expert Steve Merril points out the best spot bet opportunities on the NBA schedule this week:
Letdown spot
Golden State hosts a big game against the Los Angeles Clippers Thursday night. The game will be televised on TNT at 10:30 pm ET. Coming into this week, the Warriors are 3.5 games behind the Clippers in the Pacific division. The teams have split the two meetings this season with each winning on their home court.
Golden State will be primed for a big effort against the Clippers, especially since L.A. has to play the night before. Golden State will be in letdown mode on Friday night when it travels to Utah, especially since the Warriors have beaten the Jazz by 14 and 11 points already this season.
Lookahead spot
Houston comes into Tuesday night’s home game against the Spurs off back-to-back losses to Memphis. The Rockets have two full days of rest to get ready for San Antonio, but their sole focus may not be totally on that game. Houston is 2-0 SU and ATS versus San Antonio this season, winning both games as an underdog.
The Rockets have a losing record against the other team from Texas, losing to the Mavericks in two of three meetings this season. Houston will play at Dallas Wednesday night and it needs to beat the Mavericks, especially since they blew a 14-point fourth quarter lead in Dallas in itslast trip. So despite the good setup for their home game against the Spurs, Houston may be looking ahead to the Mavericks.
Schedule spot
Memphis has been playing excellent basketball in recent weeks. Going into the Grizzlies' game in Portland Tuesday, they've won seven of their previous eight games while going 5-3 ATS. Memphis’ lone loss during that stretch came by just three points to New Orleans.
The Grizzlies will play four games this week beginning Tuesday night in Portland. They play in Sacramento Wednesday before having Thursday night off. The Grizzlies will play in Minnesota Friday before heading back home to host Milwaukee Saturday night. With three road games during the week, Memphis may not bring their best effort at home Saturday night against the lowly Bucks, especially since it will be the Grizzlies' fourth game in five nights.