Trail Blazers, Mavericks on ATS roll
By: Michael Robinson
The Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers have been on an ATS roll as we head into the final 20-25 games before the playoffs.
Dallas has the West’s second best record at 41-16 straight-up (32-23-2 against the spread). It’s played one game since the break, a 118-99 Wednesday home win over Utah as 10-point favorites. The Jazz were a little shell-shocked, playing without star point guard Deron Williams, traded to New Jersey earlier that day.
The Mavericks have now ‘covered’ five games in a row and are 14-1 SU and 11-4 ATS in their last 15 overall. The schedule has been easy, only four of the last 15 opponents currently slotted in the playoffs, but Mark Cuban’s bunch is rolling over teams.
Forward Peja Stojakovic was a recent acquisition and he’s averaging 10.9 PPG with Dallas. Cuban will keep looking to improve the team before and after the trading deadline as it looks for its first title. The Mavs next play at Washington on Saturday.
Portland (32-25 SU, 28-26-3 ATS) is 6-1 SU and 5-1-1 ATS in its last seven games. The one loss was a ‘bad beat,’ 106-101 in OT to the Lakers as 2½-point home ‘dogs. Portland blew a seven-point lead with under three minutes left in regulation.
The Trail Blazers are scoring 103. 7 PPG in their last seven games, compared to 96.3 PPG on the season (ranked 24th). LaMarcus Aldridge is averaging 31.3 PPG in those seven. Reinforcements are also here with Brandon Roy (knee injury) returning last game, although his minutes will be limited. The team hosts Denver on Friday.
Heading in the wrong direction
Minnesota has lost six games in a row and is also 1-5 ATS. Michael Beasley (ankle) missed the first four and team scoring during the six games (88.2 PPG) is way below the season average (101.8 PPG, 10th in the league).
New Orleans got a big 98-87 home win and ‘cover’ over the L.A. Clippers on Wednesday. The Hornets were just 2-9 SU and 1-10 ATS in their previous 11 games. They really miss injured center Emeka Okafor, out the last 10 games, but probable Friday at Minnesota.
The Clippers’ slide continues during their mammoth 11-game road trip. They’re 2-8 SU and 3-7 ATS so far, missing the scoring of Eric Gordon to help the sensational Blake Griffin. They return home to the Staples Center on Friday, but it’s still a ‘road’ game at the Lakers.
Atlanta is 0-3 SU and ATS in its last three games and 1-5 SU and ATS in the last six overall. The Hawks just made a major trade with Washington, shipping out Mike Bibby and others, with Kirk Hinrich the main piece back. They’re at Golden State on Friday.
Coaching changes a mixed bag
There have been three in-season coaching changes this year and the results have been mixed from a SU and ATS perspective.
Charlotte has improved all-around since Paul Silas took over for Larry Brown right after Christmas. The Bobcats were 9-19 SU and 12-14-2 ATS before the switch, 16-13 SU and 17-12 ATS since.
Indiana needed to shake things up and Jim O’Brien got the axe on Jan. 30, replaced by Frank Vogel. The record under O’Brien wasn’t pretty (17-27 SU, 20-22-2 ATS), but interim coach Vogel has his team playing hard (9-3 SU, 7-5 ATS).
Utah’s Jerry Sloan called it quits on Feb. 23 after 23 years on the job. The Jazz were 31-23 SU and 24-29-1 ATS under their long-tenured coach, but are 0-4 SU and 1-3 ATS since going with former assistant Ty Corbin.
Orlando Magic a quiet dog
The Orlando Magic have been a very quiet underdog this year (1-5-1 ATS). They’ve come up short (0-4 SU, 0-3-1 ATS) at the three best teams record-wise in Boston, Miami and San Antonio.
Meanwhile, Boston has been a very profitable ‘dog at 7-2 ATS, while San Antonio is 6-2 ATS. Miami is 4-3-1 ATS.