NBA Today
SCOREBOARD
Monday, Dec. 22
Houston at New Jersey (7:30 p.m. EST). Houston’s Yao Ming faces fellow Chinese star Yi Jianlian for the first time this season.
STARS
Sunday
— LeBron James, Cavaliers, scored 31 points as Cleveland finished a four-game road trip with a 102-91 win over Oklahoma City.
— Rajon Rondo, Celtics, scored 18 of his 26 points in the third quarter to help the Celtics tie a franchise record with their 18th straight win, 124-105 over New York.
EIGHTEEN AND COUNTING
Boston tied a team record by winning its 18th straight game, 124-105 over New York on Sunday night. The Celtics (26-2) can break the record Tuesday night against Philadelphia. The defending NBA champions also tied a league record for best start by a team with two losses. Coincidentally, Boston tied the Knicks and 76ers at 26-2. New York did it in 1969-70 and Philadelphia in 1966-67—each going on to win NBA titles.
DISAPPEARING ACT
For the fourth game in a row, Washington was held under 20 points in the fourth quarter. This time, Jason Kidd took over with six of his 11 assists in the game’s final 6:05 to help Dallas send Washington to its sixth straight loss, 97-86 Sunday night.
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Cleveland followed a loss at Atlanta by winning the final three games on a road trip that matched its longest of the season. Now, the Cavs (23-4) head home for a three-game homestand.
NO MORE
Mike Bibby put an end to Detroit’s domination of the Hawks, scoring a season-high 27 points to lead Atlanta to an 85-78 win over the Pistons on Sunday. The Pistons swept the four-game series with the Hawks last season, but each of the games came before Atlanta acquired Bibby from Sacramento on Feb. 16. Detroit had won 12 of the last 16 games in the series in Atlanta.
SPEAKING
“The greatest point guard in the world. The best who’s ever done it. He can always impact the game even if he doesn’t score any points. He had so many assists. In the last four minutes of the game, he totally controlled the game.” — Dallas’ Jason Terry on Jason Kidd, who had 11 assists in the Mavericks’ 97-86 win in Washington.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Atlanta Thrashers
Nik Antropov had a goal and two assists on Saturday night to lead the Maple Leafs to a 7-3 win over the Penguins.
The Maple Leafs pulled off the upset as +175 road underdogs in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (6).
Kari Lehtonen made 36 saves on Saturday night to guide the Thrashers to a 4-3 win over the Lightning.
The Thrashers were winners as -120 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (5.5).
Team records:
Toronto: 13-13-6
Atlanta: 11-17-4
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Monday are 3-7
Before playing San Jose are 3-3-2
After playing Pittsburgh are 4-6
After a win are 4-6
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Monday are 3-6-1
Before playing NY Rangers are 3-7
After playing Tampa Bay are 5-5
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games on the road
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Toronto is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta's last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Atlanta's last 12 games when playing Toronto
Next up:
Toronto home to Dallas, Tuesday, December 23
Atlanta at NY Islanders, Tuesday, December 23
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Buffalo Sabres
Petr Sykora had a pair of goals in Pittsburgh's 7-3 loss to Toronto on Saturday night.
The Maple Leafs pulled off the upset as +175 road underdogs in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (6).
Derek Roy potted his 11th goal of the season in Buffalo's 4-3 overtime loss to Montreal on Saturday night.
The Canadiens managed to win as -170 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (5.5).
Team records:
Pittsburgh: 17-11-4
Buffalo: 16-13-4
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Ottawa are 6-4
After playing Toronto are 6-4
After a loss are 7-3
Buffalo most recently:
When playing on Monday are 5-5
Before playing Colorado are 7-3
After playing Montreal are 7-3
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
Pittsburgh is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Buffalo's last 8 games
Buffalo is 7-13-1 SU in its last 21 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Next up:
Pittsburgh home to Tampa Bay, Tuesday, December 23
Buffalo at Washington, Friday, December 26
Phoenix Coyotes vs. Edmonton Oilers
Ilja Bryzgalov earned the shutout on Saturday night as the Coyotes got past the Blue Jackets by a final score of 2-0.
The Coyotes got the victory as -150 home favorites in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (5.5).
The Oilers fell 3-2 to the Ducks in a shootout on Friday, as a -110 pick'em. The combined score went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Kyle Brodziak and Erik Cole scored for the Oilers, while Dwayne Roloson stopped 34 shots in the loss.
Current streak:
Phoenix has won 2 straight games.
Edmonton has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Phoenix: 16-13-4
Edmonton: 14-14-3
Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Monday are 5-5
Before playing Chicago are 4-6
After playing Columbus are 3-7
After a win are 6-4
Edmonton most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Detroit are 8-2
After playing Anaheim are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Phoenix's last 10 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Phoenix's last 17 games when playing Edmonton
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games
Phoenix is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Edmonton's last 10 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Edmonton is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Edmonton's last 17 games when playing Phoenix
Edmonton is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix
Next up:
Phoenix at Colorado, Tuesday, December 23
Edmonton at Vancouver, Friday, December 26
Anaheim Ducks vs. Vancouver Canucks
Corey Perry scored his second goal of the game in the shootout on Friday, as the Ducks defeated the Oilers 3-2. The Ducks won the game as a -110 pick'em, and the combined score went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).
Rob Niedermayer scored the other goal for the Ducks in regulation. Jonas Hiller made 51 saves in the win.
Daniel Sedin had the lone Vancouver goal in their 3-1 loss to Chicago on Saturday night.
The Blackhawks had been listed at EVEN on the road in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (5.5).
Team records:
Anaheim: 18-12-3
Vancouver: 18-12-3
Anaheim most recently:
When playing on Monday are 8-2
Before playing Calgary are 5-5
After playing Edmonton are 5-5
After a win are 5-5
Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Monday are 6-3-1
Before playing San Jose are 5-5
After playing Chicago are 6-4
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Anaheim's last 8 games on the road
Anaheim is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Vancouver
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Anaheim's last 13 games
Anaheim is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games on the road
Vancouver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Anaheim
Vancouver is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Vancouver's last 12 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Vancouver's last 6 games at home
Next up:
Anaheim at Calgary, Tuesday, December 23
Vancouver at San Jose, Tuesday, December 23
Hot teams
-- Maple Leafs won four of their last five games.
-- Coyotes won their last two games, 2-1/2-0.
-- Canucks won seven of their last ten home games.
Cold teams
-- Thrashers lost 12 of their last 16 games.
-- Sabres are 4-6 in their last ten home games. Penguins lost five of their last seven games.
-- Oilers lost their last three games, outscored 16-6.
-- Anaheim lost three of its last four home games.
Totals
-- Over is 11-2 in Atlanta's last thirteen games.
-- Six of last nine Buffalo games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Edmonton home games stayed under the total.
-- Three of last four Anaheim games stayed under the total.
Series Records
-- Maple Leafs won three of last four games against Atlanta.
-- Sabres are 2-1 vs Pittsburgh this season: 2-5/4-3/4-3.
-- Coyotes lost four of their last five visits to Edmonton.
-- Canucks won four of last five games against Anaheim.
Trend Sheet
TORONTO (13-13-0-6, 32 pts.) at ATLANTA (11-17-0-4, 26 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 34-49 ATS (-21.8 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 17-12 ATS (+34.5 Units) in road games revenging a home loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 16-13 ATS (+35.2 Units) in road games revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 5-4 (+1.1 Units) against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 5-4-0 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.9 Units)
PITTSBURGH (17-11-0-4, 38 pts.) at BUFFALO (16-13-0-4, 36 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 126-95 ATS (+12.4 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 17-10 ATS (+29.4 Units) in road games after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 13-6 ATS (+20.6 Units) in road games after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
BUFFALO is 55-60 ATS (-28.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 14-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in a home game where where the total is 6 or more over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 15-23 ATS (-17.6 Units) after allowing 4 goals or more over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 7-4 (+3.9 Units) against the spread versus BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 7-4-0 straight up against BUFFALO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 11 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.1 Units)
PHOENIX (16-13-0-4, 36 pts.) at EDMONTON (14-14-0-3, 31 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
EDMONTON is 55-58 ATS (+122.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHOENIX is 106-104 ATS (+229.0 Units) in road games first half of the season since 1996.
PHOENIX is 21-12 ATS (+35.2 Units) in road games after shutting out their opponent in their previous game since 1996.
EDMONTON is 5-12 ATS (-9.1 Units) in home games in December games over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
EDMONTON is 6-2 (+2.5 Units) against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
EDMONTON is 6-2-0 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
6 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.7 Units)
ANAHEIM (18-12-0-3, 39 pts.) at VANCOUVER (18-12-0-3, 39 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
VANCOUVER is 29-15 ATS (+11.9 Units) after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
VANCOUVER is 11-6 ATS (+1.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
VANCOUVER is 11-6 ATS (+18.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the first half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
VANCOUVER is 6-8 (+0.6 Units) against the spread versus ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
ANAHEIM is 8-6-0 straight up against VANCOUVER over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.5 Units)
Toronto at Atlanta
Toronto: 5-18 SU after playing 2 consecutive road games
Atlanta: 11-3 SU off a home win by 1 goal
Pittsburgh at Buffalo
Pittsburgh: 11-2 SU after allowing 3+ goals in 3 straight games
Buffalo: 5-11 SU after consecutive overs
Phoenix at Edmonton
Phoenix: 11-5 SU AWAY after allowing 2 goals or less in 2 straight games
Edmonton: 5-12 SU at home in December
Anaheim at Vancouver
Anaheim: 6-0 SU revenging a same season loss
Vancouver: 5-8 SU when playing only their 2nd game in 5 days
PITTSBURGH vs. BUFFALO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games when playing on the road against Buffalo
Pittsburgh is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Buffalo's last 8 games
Buffalo is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
TORONTO vs. ATLANTA
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Toronto's last 23 games
Atlanta is 7-15-1 SU in its last 23 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Atlanta's last 12 games when playing Toronto
PHOENIX vs. EDMONTON
Phoenix is 3-11-2 SU in its last 16 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Phoenix's last 10 games when playing on the road against Edmonton
Edmonton is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Edmonton's last 6 games
ANAHEIM vs. VANCOUVER
Anaheim is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Anaheim's last 13 games
Vancouver is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Anaheim
Vancouver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Anaheim