NBA’s early-season moneymakers
Covers.com
It doesn’t take Hubie Brown’s insight or Bill Walton’s off-the-wall philosophies to figure out why the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics are the top NBA money winners this season.
The other notable ATS monsters on the hardwood appear below.
Toronto Raptors (14-10 SU, 15-8-1 ATS)
The Raptors were last year’s big breadwinner and are on the right path again. Though a rash of injuries over the past two weeks has forced books to move the numbers, the Raptors have rallied to cover the spread in seven of their last 10 outings.
Toronto gets balanced scoring from its starting five, as well as off the bench. The club is averaging almost 99 points per game, while holding the opposition to under 95. The Raptors are also the best 3-point shooting team in the NBA, which is valuable to bettors desperate for a backdoor cover.
Washington Wizards (12-10 SU, 14-8-0 ATS)
Washington backers could have Gilbert Arenas’ bum knee to thank for their swollen bank accounts. Oddsmakers have dropped the number on Washington since it lost its sharp-shooting guard. The Wizards have covered in six of their last seven. They are 7-4 ATS both at home and away.
Washington is in the top 10 in scoring, free throws and offensive rebounds. All three combine for easy buckets and easy money. Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison, the Wizards’ other stars, are carrying the load until Arenas returns in February. Washington has a bit of a problem at point guard now that Antonio Daniels is hurt.
San Antonio Spurs (17-5 SU, 13-8-1 ATS)
The Spurs fall into the same category as the Magic and Celtics. There’s no mystery behind San Antonio’s 13 ATS victories. The club plays great defense, is efficient on offense and has the fewest turnovers in the league.
Even with Tim Duncan on the sidelines, the Spurs keep cashing. They are 3-1 ATS without Duncan, thanks largely to Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. The pair is averaging almost 70 combined points over the past four games. San Antonio is 8-3 ATS at home, but just 5-5 ATS on the road.
Sacramento Kings (9-13 SU, 13-9 ATS)
Sacramento’s ATS record is the reverse of its straight up tally after cashing in three of its last four. The Kings are without three of their best players and won’t have Mike Bibby and Kevin Martin back until January. Holding the fort are Ron Artest and Brad Miller.
Sacramento is averaging less than 100 points per game and is shooting just 45 percent from the floor. Though the Kings allow more than 102 points per contest, they still manage to meet oddsmakers’ expectations. The Kings, just 4-6 ATS on the road, wrap up a five-game trip this week.
Detroit Pistons (16-7, 13-9-1 ATS)
The Pistons’ recent ATS tear has them seventh on the money list. Detroit has covered in eight of its last 10 games, pushing against the spread this past Wednesday against Atlanta. The Pistons are once again the model for defense, allowing just 91.3 points per game and holding opponents to just 43.7 percent shooting.
Detroit also isn’t scared to shake things up. The Pistons sent underachieving center Nazr Mohammed to Charlotte for Primoz Brezec and Walter Herrmann prior to Friday’s 13th spread victory against the Atlanta Hawks.