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Basketball Betting Now
May 18th NBA news ... Basketball Betting Now at basketball-betting-now.com
NBA: NBA home teams have to turn up pressure
2010-04-23
Charlotte and Milwaukee are in 0-2 holes and will be looking for energy from the home patrons attempting to hold serve in what have become must-win scenarios. Oklahoma City got the first of two they needed in Game 3 against the Lakers on Thursday and needs a another victory to avoid going to L.A. down 3-1 in the series. Those are the intriguing storylines surrounding Saturday’s three NBA playoff games. Let’s take a look at each. Further in-depth betting information can be found on the Sportsbook.com GAME MATCHUPS page.
Orlando at Charlotte 2:00E TNT
Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson have accounted for 51.2 percent of the Bobcats offense in the two playoff games, which suggests that others have to contribute since Charlotte has two “L’s” to begin the series.
Charlotte is not a good outside shooting team, depending more on slashing and driving to the rim and collecting fouls for free throw attempts. Their loss Wednesday night was perfect illustration of what has gone wrong.
The Bobcats could not solve Orlando’s defensive schemes and committed 19 turnovers and had 17 fewer attempts from the charity stripe than the Magic (35-18).
"Our defense is keeping us in it, and our offense is keeping us out of the game," said center Tyson Chandler. "We can't come off what we do and just look for our jump shots. We're not a jump-shot team and not a 1-on-1 team.” Charlotte is 9-18 ATS after not covering two of their last three against the spread this season.
The Bobcats have to rev up the offense and are 15-5 ATS after scoring 80 points or less and 16-5 ATS after totaling 35 points or less in the first half. They are two-point underdogs to Orlando, with total of 184.5. The Magic are 16-4 ATS off two home contests. Coach Stan Van Gundy will seek similar balance as Game 2, with five double digit scorers and the top four averaging 10-12 shots each.
Orlando has won five of last six in downtown Charlotte, covering four times and the UNDER is 5-1.
Atlanta at Milwaukee 7:30E ESPN
The Bucks have had ample time to correct their inadequacies, last playing Tuesday night. Milwaukee has been within contact in both games with Atlanta, but the general sense was the Hawks have not been really threatened in the series.
Milwaukee has to improve dramatically in transition defense if they expect to come out a winner in Game 3.
“As athletic as they are, it’s not like anybody’s dunking in a crowd on us. They’re wide open. The balls are going up, and they’re finishing them,” coach Scott Skiles explaining the 11 dunks and 19 layups his team allowed in the first two games. “All we’re comparing ourselves to is ourselves. We normally don’t give that stuff up. We need to not give that easy stuff up.”
The Bucks were the best cover team in the NBA this season at 51-28-3 ATS, but have dropped the first two in postseason. They are 14-4 ATS at the Bradley Center after two games as a road underdog.
The Bucks fans will be cascading boo’s down to Atlanta’s Josh Smith, who evidently doesn’t like the City of Milwaukee too much. Smith was asked about what he would with his free time in Milwaukee and if he would ever vacation there. “Would you go? Would you go? Would you go up there?” Smith responded. “Everybody knows there ain’t nothing to do in Milwaukee, man. Everybody knows that.” Hello boo-birds.
Atlanta is a one-point underdog at Sportsbook.com and will be presented with a challenge, since Milwaukee is 19-6 and 14-10-1 ATS at home in 2010, however two of the spread losses have come from the Hawks. The Bucks are 13-4 ATS after three straight games forcing opponent to commit 14 or less turnovers and the Birds are 4-16 ATS as visitors in all playoff matchups.
L.A. Lakers at Oklahoma City 9:30E ESPN
The Lakers had been dismissing talk of uninspired play for over a month, saying that when the playoffs arrived they would be like a warship ready for battle, with all hands on deck. In their first true challenge of the playoffs (a No. 1 seed winning at home over a No. 8 doesn’t count), Los Angeles lacked the mental and physical capacity to succeed on the road, losing in the fourth quarter to Oklahoma City.
The Thunder outworked and showed greater desire in winning the crucial final 12 minutes, 27-21, after heading into the period with a one-point deficit.
Oklahoma City is now 6-1 ATS against teams with a winning road record of late and can even this series if the Phil Jackson’s lethargic club settles for long jumps shots (31 three-point attempts) and doesn’t work the ball better into the paint. When Serge Ibaka and Nick Collison were paired together, they bottled up the Lakers big men in the lane and they offered little resistance in demanding the ball.
Though smaller in stature, OKC’s big guys were superior in boxing out the taller L.A. bunch and destroyed them on the glass with effort and hustle 53-39.
Kobe Bryant and his teammates continue to be play without discipline and have the patience of a three year old. Kevin Durant had more free throws than the Lake Show (13-12) and Bryant returned to selfish ways of seeking his shot, which could be a function of the rest of the Lakers players not actively working to take quality shots. It’s no wonder they are 13-24 ATS in second half of this season.
The Thunder are two-point favorites and are 13-3 ATS when the favored by 4.5 or less, with L.A. 2-8 ATS in reverse role of 4.5 or fewer points underdog. With the total at 193.5, the purple clad Lakers are 12-4 UNDER when the line is +3 to -3 this season, losing by 1.9 points a game.
NBA: Top NBA Weekend Power Trends 3/12-3/14
2010-03-12
It’s Selection Sunday weekend in college hoops but in the pro’s the action is heating up as well. In the Eastern Conference the race for the last four seeds in the playoffs figures to come down to the end, with the 5th through 9th place teams separated by just 3-1/2 games at the outset of this weekend. In the West, the eight teams that will likely make up the postseason bracket have separated themselves from the future lottery teams, but still there is a ton to be decided in terms of seedings. While naturally the NBA takes a backseat to the March Madness at this time of year, there is still money to be made, and utilizing Top StatFox Power Trends can help you do so. Read on for a quick look at the weekend action plus the list of top angles to utilize over the next few days.
With all of the college conference tournament action on Friday, there is no ESPN doubleheader this week in the NBA. Still, there are 12 games to choose from, including one between a pair of hot inter-conference foes, Utah and Milwaukee. The Jazz have reached 20-games over .500 by winning and covering their last four games. Against East teams, they are 17-6 SU & 16-6-1 ATS. However, Milwaukee has won 10 of 11 games and is 9-0-2 ATS in that span, and has climbed to a 2-game lead for the 5th spot in the East standings. Amazingly, with 12 games being played the Jazz-Bucks game and that between the Suns and Lakers in Phoenix are the only two featuring teams that would be playoff clubs right now. In that latter game, L.A. is a 2-point road favorite and trying to snap out of a funk that finds them as just 6-4 SU & 2-8 ATS in their L10 games. The Suns could be a lively home dog, boasting a record of 14-4 ATS in their L18 games overall, and owning a 15-point win in their only other occasion as home dogs this season, also versus L.A. Elsewhere on Friday, Cleveland, Denver, and Portland will be in action as road favorites versus conference foes.
On Saturday, there are seven games on tap, including two featuring more of the league’s hottest teams. In one, the Orlando Magic will travel to our nation’s capital to take on the skidding Wizards. In one of the ultimate battles of hot vs. not, the Magic will put their seven game winning streak on the line against a Wizards team that has lost five in a row and is in the midst of a stretch of playing five games in seven days. However, Washington, while 13-20 ATS at home overall, is a respectable 9-9 ATS as a home dog. Dallas, winners of its L13 games, looks for #14 in what should be a likely victory against the Knicks at home. Be careful though, despite the recent surge, the Mavericks remain just 8-24 ATS on the home court. New York continues to flounder, 20-games below .500.
Sunday’s board features the best games of the weekend, with two on national TV. In the first, Eastern Conference contenders square off in Cleveland when the Cavaliers welcome Boston to town. Of late, only one of the teams is playing like a top shelf team however, that being the Cavs. In fact, the Celtics are just 4-4 in their last eight games and have fallen to the 4th spot in the playoff standings. The Cavs are the league’s top team at 50-15, including 28-4 at home. Interestingly, the road team has won and covered both games between these teams this season. A bit later at night, Toronto will be in Portland on NBA TV. The Raptors are on a 1-7 skid headed into a weekend which features back-to-back games on the West coast versus the Warriors and Blazers. At the same time, the Blazers have come alive with seven wins in 10 games to grab control of the #8 spot in the West. Other key games between playoff contenders on Sunday include Charlotte at Orlando, Utah and Oklahoma City, and New Orleans at Phoenix.
Now, here is a look at those Top StatFox Power Trends for the weekend:
Friday, 03/12/2010
(803) CLEVELAND vs. (804) PHILADELPHIA
PHILADELPHIA is 0-9 ATS (-9.9 Units) as a home underdog of 6.5 to 12 points over the last 3 seasons. The average score was PHILADELPHIA 90.1, OPPONENT 102.1 - (Rating = 2*)
(807) CHICAGO vs. (808) MIAMI
CHICAGO is 8-0 ATS (+8 Units) in road games vs. marginal winning teams (Win Pct. 51% to 60%) this season. The average score was CHICAGO 100.6, OPPONENT 94.6 - (Rating = 2*)
(809) NEW YORK vs. (810) MEMPHIS
NEW YORK is 20-7 ATS (+12.3 Units) in road games vs good offensive teams scoring 99+ PPG over the last 2 seasons. The average score was NEW YORK 106.1, OPPONENT 110.9 - (Rating = 2*)
(819) UTAH vs. (820) MILWAUKEE
UTAH is 11-1 ATS (+9.9 Units) when playing against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%) this season. The average score was UTAH 105.9, OPPONENT 95.8 - (Rating = 3*)
(819) UTAH vs. (820) MILWAUKEE
MILWAUKEE is 18-5 OVER (+12.5 Units) in non-conference games this season. The average score was MILWAUKEE 103.3, OPPONENT 104.7 - (Rating = 3*)
Saturday, 03/13/2010
(507) LA CLIPPERS vs. (508) SAN ANTONIO
LA CLIPPERS are 2-15 ATS (-14.5 Units) vs. good teams (Win Pct. 60% to 70%) in 2nd half of the last 2 seasons. The average score was LA CLIPPERS 93.7, OPPONENT 109.6 - (Rating = 3*)
(509) NEW JERSEY vs. (510) HOUSTON
NEW JERSEY is 4-17 ATS (-14.7 Units) versus up-tempo teams averaging 83 or more shots/game this season. The average score was NEW JERSEY 93.3, OPPONENT 106.3 - (Rating = 3*)
(511) NEW YORK vs. (512) DALLAS
DALLAS is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) in home games versus up-tempo teams averaging 83 or more shots/game this season. The average score was DALLAS 102.4, OPPONENT 100.6 - (Rating = 2*)
(513) TORONTO vs. (514) GOLDEN STATE
TORONTO is 8-23 ATS (-17.3 Units) versus good shooting teams - making >=46% of their shots over the last 2 seasons. The average score was TORONTO 99, OPPONENT 108.3 - (Rating = 2*)
Sunday, 03/14/2010
(871) INDIANA vs. (872) MILWAUKEE
MILWAUKEE is 23-5 ATS (+17.5 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season. The average score was MILWAUKEE 101.9, OPPONENT 95 - (Rating = 4*)
(873) BOSTON vs. (874) CLEVELAND
BOSTON is 9-21 ATS (-14.1 Units) versus teams who make 6 or more 3 point shots/game on the season this season. The average score was BOSTON 96.6, OPPONENT 96.9 - (Rating = 2*)
(877) CHARLOTTE vs. (878) ORLANDO
CHARLOTTE is 3-16 ATS (-14.6 Units) in road games vs. good teams (Win% 60%-70%) in 2nd half of season since '96. The average score was CHARLOTTE 91.7, OPPONENT 106.8 - (Rating = 2*)
(881) NEW ORLEANS vs. (882) PHOENIX
NEW ORLEANS is 11-26 ATS (-17.6 Units) versus explosive offensive teams - scoring 103+ PPG over the last 2 seasons. The average score was NEW ORLEANS 98.1, OPPONENT 104.8 - (Rating = 2*)
NBA: Top NBA Weekend Power Trends 1/8-1/10
2010-01-09
The NBA has its biggest weekend set of games in awhile on tap for the next three days. We are just a little over a month away from the all-star break, which usually marks the start of the push for the playoffs. However, it’s never too early to start building momentum, and teams are having trouble putting decent winning streaks together of late. In fact, heading into the weekend, the league’s longest active winning streak is four games, not by the Cavaliers, Celtics, or Lakers, but rather the 17-16 New Orleans Hornets. Let’s take a look at some of the key matchups coming over the weekend, and analyze some of the Top StatFox Betting Angles you’ll want to consider as you build your wagering lineup.
On Friday, there are 12 games scheduled, and having had just one on Thursday night, there is no team playing in the back-end of a back-to-back scenario. There will be 11 teams playing the front end of that situation however, including Indiana and Utah, who will each be playing on the road in consecutive nights. The Pacers are struggling, having won just two of their last 11 games to slip to 11-23 on the season. They will be in Minnesota and Oklahoma City over the two nights, and come in with a record of just 3-10 SU & 4-9 ATS vs. the West in ’09-10. However, they did just beat the T-Wolves last Saturday night. Utah faces a difficult two game road swing at Memphis and Dallas. Although the Jazz just beat the Grizzlies on Wednesday, Memphis is still 7-3 in its L10. Utah has begun to turn around years of struggles on the back end of back-to-back games with a 5-2 record as such in ’09-10.
The strong Friday ESPN doubleheader features Celtics & Hawks in the opener, and Cleveland and Denver in the nightcap. Atlanta is just 3-6 in its L9 games and begins a stretch of three straight games vs. the Celtics, Magic, and Celtics again. Cleveland starts a five game road trip with this trip to Denver, and comes in with a 5-0 SU & ATS record as a road underdog this season.
The Saturday night lineup offers eight games, including battles between top playoff contenders in each conference. In the East, Atlanta faces the tough task of having to quickly turn around from Friday’s game with Boston when it travels to Orlando. The teams were separated by just 1-1/2 games for the Southeast Division lead heading into the weekend, but neither was playing its best basketball of the year. In fact, Orlando went into Friday night’s game on a 3-game losing skid, it’s longest since last April. Both teams have struggled in divisional play thus far, each 2-3 ATS. Out west, Dallas will take on Utah in Salt Lake City. The Mavericks remain one of the NBA’s best road teams this season, boasting a 12-6 SU & ATS record, however Utah does its best work at home, particularly against good teams, so this figures to be a highly competitive contest.
The weekend wraps up with six Sunday games, including one featuring that hot team, the Hornets. Assuming they beat 3-32 New Jersey on Friday night at home, they will be riding a 5-game winning streak into their contest in Washington. It could be time for a good fade though, as New Orleans is 4-13 SU & ATS on the road this season, and 0-5 SU & 1-4 ATS vs. Atlantic Division teams. Of course, the Wizards do very little well themselves and are dealing with off-the-court problems to boot. Elsewhere on Sunday, Boston will be in Toronto for a early afternoon tilt, and Cleveland will be in Portland for a late night affair.
Now, here’s our list of Top StatFox Power Trends covering games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Friday, 1/8/2010
(801) ORLANDO vs. (802) WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON is 4-17 ATS (-14.7 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons. The average score was WASHINGTON 87, OPPONENT 97.2 - (Rating = 2*)
(805) UTAH vs. (806) MEMPHIS
MEMPHIS is 6-23 ATS (-19.3 Units) vs. marginal winning teams (Win Pct. 51% to 60%) over the last 3 seasons. The average score was MEMPHIS 96.4, OPPONENT 105.5 - (Rating = 3*)
(809) NEW JERSEY vs. (810) NEW ORLEANS
NEW ORLEANS is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) versus poor defensive teams - shooting pct defense of >=46% this season. The average score was NEW ORLEANS 100.4, OPPONENT 105.5 - (Rating = 2*)
(811) INDIANA vs. (812) MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA is 12-28 ATS (-18.8 Units) in home games revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons. The average score was MINNESOTA 95.8, OPPONENT 105.1 - (Rating = 2*)
(813) CHICAGO vs. (814) MILWAUKEE
CHICAGO is 25-8 UNDER (+16.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams (FG pct defense of >=46%) over the last 2 seasons. The average score was CHICAGO 98.5, OPPONENT 99.5 - (Rating = 3*)
Saturday, 1/9/2010
(503) MEMPHIS vs. (504) CHARLOTTE
CHARLOTTE is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season. The average score was CHARLOTTE 97, OPPONENT 89.8 - (Rating = 2*)
(511) UTAH vs. (512) DALLAS
UTAH is 11-0 OVER (+11 Units) in road games on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons. The average score was UTAH 106.5, OPPONENT 111.4 - (Rating = 4*)
(513) NEW YORK vs. (514) HOUSTON
NEW YORK is 16-4 ATS (+11.6 Units) as a road underdog of 6.5 to 12 points over the last 2 seasons. The average score was NEW YORK 103.5, OPPONENT 106.2 - (Rating = 2*)
(515) DENVER vs. (516) SACRAMENTO
DENVER is 20-7 ATS (+12.3 Units) revenging a same season loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons. The average score was DENVER 107, OPPONENT 98.8 - (Rating = 2*)
Sunday, 1/10/2010
(801) BOSTON vs. (802) TORONTO
TORONTO is 1-12 ATS (-12.2 Units) vs. very good shooting teams making >=48% of their shots over the last 3 seasons. The average score was TORONTO 98.4, OPPONENT 111.5 - (Rating = 2*)
(807) NEW JERSEY vs. (808) SAN ANTONIO
NEW JERSEY is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in non-conference games this season. The average score was NEW JERSEY 91.3, OPPONENT 105 - (Rating = 2*)
(809) CLEVELAND vs. (810) PORTLAND
PORTLAND is 32-18 ATS (+12.2 Units) vs. good 3PT shooting teams (>=36% 3PT attempts) over the last 2 seasons. The average score was PORTLAND 96.2, OPPONENT 94.7 - (Rating = 1*)
(811) MILWAUKEE vs. (812) LA LAKERS
MILWAUKEE is 3-14 ATS (-12.4 Units) revenging a close loss vs opponent of 3 points or less over the last 3 seasons. The average score was MILWAUKEE 94.3, OPPONENT 101.1 - (Rating = 1*)
NBA: Bettors studying money line on Denver for Game 2
2009-05-22
If you played the Nuggets in the opener of the Western Conference playoffs, you have to be feeling mighty good taking home a relatively comfortable winner. Denver led throughout the game, taking the action to the Lakers, out-hustling them throughout many points of the contest. It was clear from the opening tip what team was coming off seven game series and what team was rested. Well, with Game 2’s line having been dropped a point to Lakers -5.5, early bettors are evenly split as to which team has the edge against the pointspread. See the latest breakdown on the BETTING TRENDS page.
In the end, Kobe Bryant proved comments made by former Los Angeles Hall-of Famer and previous architect Jerry West, suggesting LeBron James might be the best player in the game, could be premature, at least for another month or so.
Bryant in the fourth quarter surveyed his teammate’s body language and later said, "Once I sensed we didn't have the energy," said Bryant. "I had to take it upon myself." And did he ever, scoring 18 points, despite grappling with Carmelo Anthony, showing elusive moves that WWE promoter Vince McMahon would be proud of, as the Lakers escaped 105-103 as 6.5-point favorites.
Most NBA teams would be kicking themselves for not taking advantage of opportunity like Denver missed. While statistical analysis is often hard to make concrete judgments from for one game, no such issue here. Denver shoot a much greater percentage than the Lakers (48.6 vs 41.1), were more effective, especially in the first half in getting to the free throw line (35 vs 24 attempts) and scored five more points off of turnovers (17 vs 12) than L.A. did.
But these Nuggets were not panicked or crestfallen, they believe they are the Lakers equal and know the 12 missed free throws were the difference.
“Win or lose, good or bad, you've got to have a short memory," Chauncey Billups insisted. “Game 1 is always a feel-out game, see what teams are doing, what is going on. You make your adjustments for Game 2."
Denver is now 11-0 ATS in the postseason and as Billups said, “I'm disappointed, but I'm not mad"
The Nuggets have to make adjustments and be like top notch salesmen, always be closing. They are 19-5 ATS after playing a game as a road underdog this season and even received a compliment, though backhanded from Lakers coach Phil Jackson. "I think they outplayed us and we won the game."-said the Zen Master, playing his usual mental games.
Sportsbook.com has lowered the number for Game 2 to the Lakers favored by 5.5-points, with total also shrinking to 210.5. Denver is a +200 money line play to win the game outright and we asked Mr. East of Playbook.com about what he thinks about next game and wagering opportunities.
“I think Denver played about the way they have played for the past two months, solid effort, came up short. They didn't get outplayed by the Lakers, they lost the game by missing 12 free throws, uncharacteristic, especially watching Billups, who misses once in a solar eclipse, miss three straight.” said Mr. East.
He went add key points and opinions, “They are every bit as good a team as the Lakers, and game two will be equally close. One wise man told me, the team in need is the team indeed, so I look for even a more intense effort from Denver in game 2. Home teams winning game 1 in the conference finals are a horrid 11-20-3 ATS in game 2 since 1991. When they get a win and no cover, they are 1-4-2 ATS, so when the visitor shows they can play, they have come back to go 11-4-2 ATS in game 2 off an ATS or outright loss.
Looking for Denver to get the cover, and 50-50 for the outright win.”
The Nuggets are 40-21 ATS when the total is greater than or equal to 200 and 21-10 ATS revenging a loss vs opponent this season. Denver is 14-6 UNDER as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points this NBA campaign.
Watch the total, as the Lakers continue to be poor wager when the number is 210 or higher with 13-22 ATS mark. The team in gold uniforms is 27-14 UNDER as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points and 13-4 UNDER when leading in a playoff series over the last two years.
The action will again commence at the Staples Center at 9:05 Eastern on ESPN, with bettors pondering the points and money line on the Nuggets, who are 17-3 against the ML after allowing 100 points or more three straight games.
NBA: Outside Chance for TNT Thursday Visitors (8:05 PM ET, TNT)
2009-03-26
As the NBA season clicks off one more day, teams are dealing with the pressures of having to win every single game to enhance or hold positions for the postseason. Each win brings relief before facing the next game and each loss makes the climb feel that much harder. Both Miami and Phoenix are faced with such a challenge against two other playoff contenders Thursday evening. Here’s a look at both games. Get more on each of these contests by visiting the GAME MATCHUP pages.
The Heat has the same number of losses as Philadelphia at 33 and is situated in the No.5 slot in the Eastern Conference. With 11 games left in the season, they have slight chance to catch Atlanta (down three games) and move up to fourth spot and have home court advantage in the first round. That would seem to be somewhat of a reach seeing they have completed playing the Hawks in the regular season.
Miami (38-33, 33-38 ATS) does not want to slip to sixth, as they would rather take their chance with Atlanta in the first round, than having to go up against Boston or Orlando right off the bat.
Chicago (34-38, 36-34-2 ATS) will attempt to turn up the heat on Miami and further distance themselves from NBA posers for the eighth position. The Bulls have won five of six (4-2 ATS) to pull away from Charlotte, Milwaukee and New Jersey and are within two games of Detroit, creating opportunity to avoid Cleveland in 1vs 8 matchup. Chicago has won and covered eight of last nine home games, with only loss to the Lakers. They are 10-3-1 ATS facing teams with winning records, but could be without their major catalyst Derrick Rose, who injured his wrist Monday night. If he’s unable to go, Kirk Hinrich is a very capable replacement.
Sportsbook.com will be releasing line soon on this contest. Chicago is 7-3-1 ATS in last 11 games and is 9-3-1 OVER at the United Center. Off last night’s loss at Indiana, Miami is 8-3 OVER and 1-6 ATS with no rest between games.
If ever a team has the right name at the moment, it is Phoenix. Left in the Western Division scrap heap after a six-game losing streak earlier this month, Phoenix (40-31, 30-40-1 ATS) has risen and given fans and backers hope, with a blazing six-game winning streak. Though the odds are stacked against the Suns like a Keno card, their mission is to be within a game or two of No.8 Dallas by April 5 and take their chances when those two teams meet.
The Suns have covered five of their wins during this streak; however, starting tonight, will play seven of remaining nine contests on the road.
The Western Conference is bunched like 15 college students in a mini-Cooper, with Portland (44-27, 36-34-1 ATS) holding down the seventh position. The Blazers are 9-5 and 8-6 ATS since Feb. 27, not hurting or helping themselves in wicked West. Portland is off just their seventh home loss in 35 games against Philadelphia 114-108 and they are 8-0 ATS at home after a game when both teams scored 105 or more points.
Portland is a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 221.5 and will be after something they have seldom found. Back on Dec. 18, Brandon Roy’s 52 points allowed the Blazers to upend Phoenix for the first time in 11 tries, 124-119 as four point home favorites. Previous to that, Portland was 3-8 ATS during losing streak and being manhandled by 11.7 points per game.
The Suns are 13-5 OVER revenging a same season loss, but harrowing 0-8 ATS playing on Thursday. The Trailblazers are 11-2 ATS in home games after two consecutive games as favorites and is 12-2 UNDER after allowing 110 points or more.
TNT has this NBA twin-bill starting at 8 Eastern.
StatFox Power Line – Chicago and Portland by 4
Colossal NBA Friday Twin–Bill
2009-01-19
Every now and again the scheduling of NBA games to be televised works out to perfection. The best teams come together and the players and the fans really are charged up for a big ball game, instead looking like a half-eaten burrito the next morning, which a lot of NBA games do. With most of the people in the country having to run outside every hour to start their cars because of the frigid weather, tonight might be a great evening to order out a pizza (tip the driver well for driving in this weather), do a little cha-ching business with your man and enjoy a great double-header on the World Wide Leader in Sports.
New Orleans at Cleveland
The Cavaliers lost in overtime to Chicago last night and will be short-handed, literally for tonight’s important contest. Starting guard Delonte West broke his right wrist in a violent collision with Chicago’s Derrick Rose and will be out an undetermined amount of time. The Cavs were already without center Zydrunas Ilgauskas (broken ankle) and Ben Wallace did not play last night due to intestinal flu. LeBron James is fighting a cold and had likely his worst game of the season last night shooting 8 of 28 and committing eight turnovers.
All of these elements are coming together at the wrong time for Cleveland. The Cavs (30-7, 26-11 ATS) have taken full advantage of a soft schedule in the first half of the season, but unlike the Cleveland weather, things are about to heat up for them. After tonight’s matchup with the talented Hornets, they embark on four-game West swing, playing in unfriendly outposts like Portland, Utah and that team in the Gold and Purple uniforms in L.A. Before Ground Hogs Day, LeBron and whoever else is standing also play in Orlando and Detroit. Yikes!
But as all good coaches tell their players, “Focus on tonight”, which is what Cleveland has to do. One edge they have is Quicken Loans Arena, where coach Mike Brown’s team has yet to taste defeat with 19-0 record. Not many squeakers either for the Cavs who are 15-4 ATS at home, winning by gargantuan 16.5 points per game.
The Cavs could use the quickness of West to help slow down Chris Paul, who nearly had a quadruple-double against Dallas in victory two days ago. New Orleans (23-12, 16-18-1 ATS) has alternated wins and losses in last six contests and is 11-7 (8-9 ATS) on the road. The problem here for the Hornets is playing quality competition on the road, as they are only 5-12-1 ATS if opponent has winning home record.
Sportsbook.com has lowered Cleveland down to 4.5-point favorites because of injuries, though the total has remained stable at 185.5. New Orleans is looking to catch fire like this time a year ago, as the Hornets are 16-5 ATS in January the last two campaigns. New Orleans is 17-5 UNDER in a road game where the total is between 180 and 189.5 points and Cleveland is 16-3 UNDER off a loss against a division rival.
This is the opener on ESPN starting just after 8 Eastern, with the Cavs 11-1 ATS off a SU loss.
Orlando at L.A. Lakers
As good as the first matchup appears, it looks like ground chuck to this thick-cut porterhouse between Orlando and the Lakers. The Lakers (31-7, 18-20 ATS) lead the NBA in scoring at 107.8 points a game and have a glittering 20-2 home record (10-12 ATS). Los Angeles has become known to play to the level of competition this season, accounting for lousy spread record, but will have no problem getting up for Superman and his bombardiers.
Dwight Howard was mostly a spectator as Orlando (31-8, 27-12 ATS) drained a NBA record 23 3-pointers in win over Sacramento on the road Tuesday. It’s not magic the Magic lead the NBA is three point shots made, averaging over 10 a game on sharp 40.1 percent accuracy. This opens up the middle for Howard to wreak havoc and Orlando is on 14-2 run, including five in a row. The Magic are the best bet in the NBA and are superb 15-5 SU and ATS on the road.
The Lakers suffered a cruel loss at San Antonio in the final seconds, but got the cover and are 6-2 ATS facing a team with a winning record. The biggest task for Phil Jackson to do is encourage his team to play better defense, since they have allowed 109.6 points a game in last six outings and are 2-11 ATS in home games after allowing 100 points or more three straight games.
Kobe and company are four-point favorites, with total of 213.5. Orlando is 8-1 ATS as a road underdog this season a perfect 10-0 ATS versus offensive teams scoring 99 or more points a game this year. The total could be hard call with Andrew Bynum emerging as a force in recent games and the Lakers 8-0 OVER in home games after allowing 105 points or more. The Magic are 15-6 UNDER after surrendering 100 points or more in their previous game.
This very intriguing East-West encounter will start immediately after the earlier meeting. You should know the Magic are 8-0 ATS playing second game in five days, while the guys from La-La land are 3-11 ATS with one day between contests.
StatFox Power Line –Cleveland by 6, Orlando by 3
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