Three Games in Three Nights
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
This shortened NBA season has many bettors scrambling through the first two weeks as things are starting to settle. Many teams are playing back-to-backs and four games in five nights, but what about the newly-instituted three games in three nights? In order to condense as many contests as possible over the next four months, every team will play at least one set of three consecutive games in three days.
It may seem that these teams would be tired and their legs would go in the final game of this sequence. However, that's not the case as five teams in this situation have won and covered, all at home. Let's take a look back at these five squads and the scenario they endured to pick up a victory.
TEAMS PLAYING 3RD GAME IN 3 NIGHTS
DATE TEAM LINE ATS RESULT
12/27 LAL 96, UT 71 -5.5 W
12/31 HOU 95, ATL 84 -1 W
1/2 DEN 91, MIL 86 -4.5 W
1/5 SAC 103, MIL 100 +3 W
1/7 ATL 109, CHI 94 +6 W
The Lakers began the season with this grueling stretch, as Los Angeles was desperate for a win after losing the first two games to Chicago and Sacramento. The Purple and Gold returned to Staples Center and dominated the Jazz, 96-71 as 4 ½-point favorites, while the 71 points allowed is the fewest this season by Los Angeles.
The Rockets ran through a gauntlet of divisional contests against the Spurs and Grizzlies, followed by a non-conference matchup with the Hawks in the third game. Houston dominated Atlanta in a 95-84 triumph as short home favorites, while leading from start to finish for their second win of the season.
The Nuggets are turning into a bettor's best friend through the first two weeks of the season, especially with a 4-0 SU/ATS mark at the Pepsi Center. One of those wins came after two hard-fought games with the Lakers, as the rested Bucks invaded Denver. The Nuggets rallied late to knock off Milwaukee without Nene, 91-86, while barely cashing as 4½-point 'chalk.'
The Kings kept this trend perfect by erasing a 21-point deficit in a 103-100 home victory over the Bucks. Sacramento lost the first two games at Memphis and Denver in blowout fashion, but the Kings woke up in the second half against Milwaukee, while also cashing as +140 underdogs on the moneyline. The Kings were the first 'dog listed in this situation, as the next 'dog will likely be the Timberwolves against the Bulls on January 11.
The Hawks endured the toughest test after playing consecutive overtime contests against the Heat and Bobcats, including a three-overtime home loss to Miami. Atlanta pulled it together to take care of Chicago in a revenge spot, 109-94 as six-point home 'dogs, avenging a road loss at the United Center on last Tuesday.
Below is the rest of the three games in three nights situation this season:
UPCOMING 3/3 NIGHT SITUATIONS
DATE TEAM
1/8 OKC vs. SA
1/10 MIN vs. CHI
1/11 CHI vs. WSH
1/11 PHI at NY
1/11 TOR vs. SAC
1/14 CHA vs. GS
1/18 LAC vs. DAL
1/18 ORL vs. SA
1/23 NJ at CHI
1/25 POR at GS
2/1 DET at NJ
2/4 NY vs. NJ
2/4 DEN at POR
2/14 MIA at IND
2/14 UT at OKC
2/15 PHX vs. ATL
2/16 POR vs. LAC
2/16 IND vs. NJ
2/20 NJ at NY
2/22 NO at CLE
3/1 MIN at PHX
3/10 DAL at GS
3/16 PHX vs. DET
3/22 LAC at NO
3/24 MIL vs. IND*
3/25 ATL vs. UT
3/25 SA vs. PHI
3/26 WSH vs. DET
4/4 MEM at DAL
4/6 WSH at NJ
4/15 BOS at CHA
4/15 CLE vs. ORL
4/18 PHI at CLE
4/18 SA at SAC
4/19 DET vs. MIN
4/22 GS at MIN
*BOTH TEAMS PLAYING 3/3 NIGHTS