February 2012 NBA Events
Odds on NBA
MIAMI HEAT (8-2) at LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (4-3)
2012-01-11
Tip-off: Wednesday, 10:35 p.m. ET
Line: Miami -4, Total: 203
There will be no shortage of star power when Miami stops into L.A. for a matchup with the new look Clippers on Wednesday night.
Both teams are traveling from the Pacific Northwest after tough losses: the Heat went to overtime in Golden State while the Clippers lost at Portland Tuesday night. Fatigue is more likely to be a factor for Miami, who has a banged-up superstar and a short bench. The Heat led by 12 after three quarters and by as many as 17 on Tuesday before blowing the game in Oakland. SG Dwyane Wade returned to the lineup for the first time in eight days because of a bruised foot. He played 37 minutes while LeBron James (43) and Chris Bosh (38) played heavy minutes as well. LOS ANGELES is the pick.
Wade (21.0 PPG, 5.9 APG) played well in his return to the lineup, scoring 34 thanks to 16 trips to the line at Golden State. But it’s yet to be seen how his foot will react to a back-to-back. Going with pretty much an eight-man rotation, the Heat got nearly no help from their bench, which scored just 16 points in the loss. Veterans Shane Battier and Udonis Haslem came off the bench and posted atrocious plus/minus numbers, -12 and -15 respectively. The Heat got another big game from James (29.7 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 7.6 APG), who had 26 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. But the return of Wade coincided with the disappearance of Bosh (19.7 PPG, 7.8 RPG), who had just 16 points and four rebounds against a weak Warriors front line.
The Clippers were competitive in Portland, one of the NBA’s toughest road venues. Blake Griffin (23.7 PPG, 10.6 RPG) posted another double-double (18 points, 12 rebounds), but PG Chris Paul (14.6 PPG, 8.4 APG) is still not being assertive. He scored just 11 points on nine shots with three assists on Tuesday. Perhaps the marquee matchup against the Heat will bring out a little more fire in him. He had 13 points and 19 assists in a home win over Miami with the Hornets last year.
The Clippers continued to struggle from behind the arc (6-for-23, now 31.4% on the season). The good news is that they had their best game of the season on the boards. After allowing 11.8 offensive rebounds per game through their first six games, they held Portland to just seven offensive boards on 35 misses on Tuesday night.
NBA: First of two chances for road dog Celtics to close series2010-06-15After winning Game 2 of the NBA Finals series between his Celtics and the Lakers, Paul Pierce claimed that his team would not be coming back to Los Angeles. Well, they got 2/3 of the way there by taking two games at home. Now with the first of two chances to close out a second NBA title in three years, the C’s face a hefty 6.5-point underdog line in Tuesday’s Game 6, according to Sportsbook.com. Let’s take a look at the game.
When the Celtics wrapped up Game 5 and moved one win away from an unprecedented 18th championship, the jubilant Boston crowd sent them off to the West Coast for the final time this season with one last chorus of that age-old “Beat L-A!” chant.
The Celtics will have to overcome their unimpressive record in closeout playoff games away from Boston to finish off the Lakers in Game 6 of the NBA finals on Tuesday night. For all their remarkable success over the past three seasons, including the 2008 title and another finals run this year, the Celtics have converted just one of their eight chances to finish a playoff series away from home.
They’ve got two opportunities at Staples Center, however, oddsmakers are still of the belief that the Lakers are the superior team in this series, assigning them as 6.5-point favorites as hosts, when the Celtics were giving just 3-points on their own home court.
Even after winning three of the series’ last four games, and compiling the NBA’s second-best road record in the regular season (26-15), the Celtics can’t be lulled into thinking they’ve got the Lakers on the run.
The Lakers are 9-1 at home in the postseason, and by no means is Boston taking its task lightly.
“The Lakers … got homecourt advantage, but we’ve played the best all year on the road,” Boston coach Doc Rivers said. “We’re going to have to beat them at their best, because they’re going to be great there, and we can’t expect anything else.”
For the Celtics, this will be the 23rd playoff game of the season, and they are 6-5 SU & ATS on the road, as part of an overall 15-7 SU & ATS mark. The recipe for bettors has been simple for Boston though, win and cover, lose and don’t. The straight up winner of the Celtics’ 2010 playoff games is an incredible 22-0 ATS.
Boston has also been strong versus its best opponents on the road:
• BOSTON is 32-20 ATS (+10.0 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. The average score was BOSTON 94.8, OPPONENT 92.7 - (Rating = 1*)
While the Celtics have ample reason to be confident, Lakers coach Phil Jackson and Bryant also didn’t seem particularly worried before the grand finale. “We have a challenge, obviously, down 3-2,” said Bryant, who scored 38 points in Game 5 while his struggling teammates only managed 48. “We let a couple opportunities slip away, but it is what it is. Now you go home, you’ve got two games at home that you need to win, and you pull your boots up and get to work.”
Heading into the finals, the Celtics believed they could beat the Lakers by shutting down Bryant’s teammates, even if Kobe went crazy on them. After all, that’s what Boston did two years ago in the finals—and so far, it’s working splendidly again.
Bryant is averaging 30.2 points per game, while Pau Gasol averages 18.8 points and 10 rebounds despite glaring inconsistency in his game in Boston. That’s just about it: Nobody else in purple and gold is averaging more than Andrew Bynum’s 9.6 points per game.
While Jackson likely senses the biggest danger yet to his streak of 47 straight playoff series victories after winning Game 1, the Celtics sense a golden opportunity to join the Boston greats who won multiple titles while repeatedly denying the Lakers nine previous times in the NBA finals.
They’ve just got to finish a playoff series on the road, something they failed to do in Miami and Orlando earlier this season. While Boston’s current starters have never lost a playoff series, they also haven’t finished one away from TD Garden since the 2008 Eastern Conference finals against Detroit.
The Lakers have to be hoping for a shift in tempo after going under the total in all three games at Boston, following back-to-back over’s in the first two L.A. contests. An up-tempo, higher scoring tilt would seemingly favor the hosts:
• BOSTON is 9-20 ATS (-13.0 Units) versus up-tempo teams averaging 83 or more shots/game this season. The average score was BOSTON 97.3, OPPONENT 96.7 - (Rating = 1*)
With the spread wins in Games 4 & 5, Boston is now on a 12-4 ATS run overall versus Los Angeles. The StatFox Power Line for Tuesday night’s 9:00 PM ET tip-off on ABC shows Los Angeles by 2, but a margin small enough to grant Boston a GREEN STAR edge against the number.
NBA: Phoenix at Atlanta (8:00 PM ET, ESPN)2010-01-15ESPN has a strong NBA doubleheader on tap for Friday night, and in the first game, Atlanta welcomes Phoenix to town for the only time this season. Read on for a closer look at that game then visit the LIVE ODDS page on Sportsbook.com for the latest prices, then head over to the BETTING TRENDS page to see where your betting colleagues are placing their trust.
The Phoenix Suns have been struggling on the road for more than a month, and recently they’ve displayed an inability to protect leads. Atlanta might not be the best place to remedy either of those troubles. In a matchup pitting two of the league’s top offenses, the Suns will try to bounce back from their latest loss Friday night against a Hawks team seeking its fifth win in six games.
For more than a week, Phoenix (24-15, 20-18-1 ATS) has been getting off to fast starts, only to see its intensity dissipate as the game progresses. This trend started Jan. 5 at Sacramento, when the Suns led by 20 in the second quarter only to let the Kings rally and tie the score in the fourth. They ultimately pulled out a 113-109 victory.
A similar scenario has occurred in each game since.
“It is alarming for us,” Suns forward Grant Hill said. “We have to figure it out, stay together, and try to improve. The only way you get there is as a unit. We’re good enough to get up big, but we have to get better at managing those leads.” The Suns have been outscored 129-97 in the second halves of their last two games and are 23-36 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record over the last two seasons.
The Suns’ recent loss in Indiana opened a four-game road trip for the Suns, who have dropped eight of nine (3-6 ATS) away from Phoenix since Dec. 1. They are, however, continuing to pile up the points.
Phoenix is averaging 118.0 points in its last three road games and its 106.3 road scoring average leads the league. With the Suns defensive shortcomings of late, they are 13-3 ATS after allowing 120 points or more. They may need to light up the scoreboard at least that much against a Hawks team that’s plenty capable of scoring in its own right.
Atlanta (25-13) ranks fourth in the NBA with 108.2 points per game at home, helping produce a 15-4 record at Philips Arena. Atlanta is the best bet in the NBA at 26-12 ATS and also has the finest home spread record at 14-5.
The Hawks opened a season-high five-game homestand with Wednesday’s 94-82 victory over Washington, their third straight home win and fourth victory in five games overall. Joe Johnson scored 24 points and Jamal Crawford added 22 in a game Atlanta led by as many as 22. Johnson’s club protected the ball well against the Wizards in that outing and is 16-5 ATS after committing eight or less turnovers over the last two seasons.
Sportsbook.com has the Hawks favored by four, with 217.5 total. They are 10-2 ATS versus shooting teams making 46 percent or more of their shots this season and 8-1 OVER at home against clubs allowing 99 or more points a game this season, winning by a supersized 13.9 PPG. Phoenix has floundered this month, sporting a 5-15 ATS record in January games the last couple of years and is 12-3 UNDER after allowing 100 points or more three straight contests thru 39 games.
Atlanta has lost three straight to Phoenix and nine of the last 11 meetings (5-6 ATS), and is 4-9 and 5-8 ATS hosting the Suns since 1996.
NBA: Top Weekend Power Trends 3/27-3/292009-03-27The picture of which 16 teams will be playing in the postseason is becoming more and more clear, however, where those teams will be seeded and who they will be matching up with in round one in their respective conferences is far from determined. In fact, at this point, it is a jumbled mess. In the East, there are three separate ties for positions among the eight seeds, with only Cleveland at #1, and Atlanta at #4 in comfortable enough position to start preparing accordingly. In the West, the Lakers have wrapped up the top spot, but seeds two through eight are separated by a mere four games. With so much yet to be determined, the action this week figures to have a big impact. We’re here to take a look at the weekend’s games, plus offer up some of the Top StatFox Power Trends for your betting usage.
The Friday betting board is the biggest of the weekend, with 10 games to choose from. The most intriguing of those contests features Boston visiting Atlanta, in a rematch of last year’s thrilling first round playoff series. The Hawks have been hot, aided by an unusual home-loaded schedule stretch, winning eight of their last 10 games while going 9-1 ATS. Boston has slipped to the #3 spot in the East by virtue of going just 8-7 in their last 15 games. The Celtics have won both head-to-head meetings this season, but they have been close (1 & 3 points) with the Hawks covering the number each time. Elsewhere on Friday, two of the teams gathered in that tight cluster in the West will meet when Dallas hosts Denver. Right now, Dallas is #8 and Denver is #4, but things can change very quickly when the teams are as close together as they are now. The Nuggets have beaten the Mavericks four straight times and are 3-1 ATS in that span. The UNDER is on a 17-7 run in the L24 head-to-head games played in Dallas.
As usual the Saturday schedule is one not loaded with compelling games. In fact, none of the eight scheduled affairs features two teams in playoff position. The one game that has any drama to it comes from Utah, where the desperate Phoenix Suns visit the Jazz. Phoenix goes into the weekend trailing the #8 spot in the West by 3-1/2 games. They were blown out by 20 at Portland on Thursday, and with just 10 games left in their season, anything shy of 8-9 wins will not get it done. Unfortunately, in their last two trips to Utah, they were beaten by 12 & 22 points. Utah is again a sterling 30-6 SU & 21-15 ATS at home in ’08-09, but with fellow playoff competitors Houston, Portland, and Denver all playing as hosts Sunday, the Jazz need to keep pace.
On Sunday, ABC is back at it with a doubleheader of games starting at 1:00 PM ET. In the first one, Dallas travels to Cleveland hoping to hand Lebron & Co. just their second home loss of the season. That’s right, Cleveland is 33-1 SU & 22-12 ATS at home this season, and the Cavs have taken control of the East playoff race by winning their L10 games as of Friday. However, with just a 3-7 ATS mark in that span, they are also showing signs of vulnerability. In the last afternoon game, the Hawks make a rare national TV appearance when they host the Lakers to end a stretch of 11 home games in 12 outings. Atlanta has been impressive during the stretch, lifting its overall home mark to 28-8 on the season. Still, Kobe Bryant loves these chances to strut his stuff in front of the nation. This will be the Lakers’ fifth game on a 7-game road swing. The TV action doesn’t stop there however, as ESPN brings a key showdown between San Antonio and New Orleans at 8:05 PM ET. The Spurs continue to lead the tight Southwest Division race but the Hornets will be in a nice spot of 17-4 ATS at home when revenging a same season loss.
Now, here’s a look at some of this weekend’s Top StatFox Power Trends that will be in play.
Friday, 3/27/2009
(853) MILWAUKEE vs. (854) ORLANDO
ORLANDO is 20-7 UNDER (+12.3 Units) vs. good offensive teams - scoring 99+ PPG this season. The average score was ORLANDO 103.8, OPPONENT 95.3 - (Rating = 2*)
(859) BOSTON vs. (860) ATLANTA
ATLANTA is 14-3 ATS (+10.7 Units) at home vs. good 3PT shooting teams (>=36%) in 2nd half of the L2 seasons. The average score was ATLANTA 101.1, OPPONENT 95.5 - (Rating = 2*)
(863) LA LAKERS vs. (864) NEW JERSEY
LA LAKERS are 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) in road games vs. poor defensive teams (FG% >=46%) in 2nd half of L2 seasons. The average score was LA LAKERS 114.4, OPPONENT 103.1 - (Rating = 2*)
(867) LA CLIPPERS vs. (868) SAN ANTONIO
LA CLIPPERS are 6-20 ATS (-16 Units) vs. good shooting teams - making >=46% of their shots in 2nd half of L2 seasons. The average score was LA CLIPPERS 95.5, OPPONENT 112 - (Rating = 2*)
Saturday, 3/28/2009
(503) DETROIT vs. (504) WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON is 1-13 ATS (-13.3 Units) vs. teams who are called for 21 or less fouls/game - 2nd half of this season. The average score was WASHINGTON 91.1, OPPONENT 105.4 - (Rating = 4*)
(505) NEW YORK vs. (506) CHARLOTTE
CHARLOTTE is 8-0 ATS (+8 Units) vs. poor rebounding teams outrebounded by 3+ RPG game - 2nd half of this season. The average score was CHARLOTTE 103.3, OPPONENT 92.9 - (Rating = 2*)
(507) MILWAUKEE vs. (508) MIAMI
MILWAUKEE is 5-19 ATS (-15.9 Units) revenging a close loss vs opponent of 3 points or less over the last 3 seasons. The average score was MILWAUKEE 95.7, OPPONENT 103.2 - (Rating = 2*)
(515) MEMPHIS vs. (516) PORTLAND
MEMPHIS is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) against Northwest division opponents this season. The average score was MEMPHIS 94.9, OPPONENT 104.9 - (Rating = 2*)
Sunday, 3/29/2009
(705) CHICAGO vs. (706) TORONTO
TORONTO is 10-22 ATS (-14.2 Units) vs. good 3PT shooting teams - making >=36% of their attempts this season. The average score was TORONTO 97.2, OPPONENT 101.5 - (Rating = 2*)
(707) NEW JERSEY vs. (708) MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) at home in non-conference games this season. The average score was MINNESOTA 95.6, OPPONENT 102.8 - (Rating = 2*)
(709) PHILADELPHIA vs. (710) DETROIT
DETROIT is 1-13 ATS (-13.3 Units) on Sunday games this season. The average score was DETROIT 87.2, OPPONENT 96.8 - (Rating = 3*)
(717) PHOENIX vs. (718) SACRAMENTO
PHOENIX is 1-13 ATS (-13.3 Units) vs. poor passing teams, averaging <=20 assists/game this season. The average score was PHOENIX 103.6, OPPONENT 106.2 - (Rating = 4*)
