2010-01-15

With the NFL Divisional Playoffs on tap for this weekend, and a full slew of college basketball action scheduled for Saturday, it might be easy to overlook the NBA, but don’t, as there are 23 games slated for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Most of them, or 13, tip-off on Friday, as all but four teams will be in play. Read on for a brief look at the most compelling games you’ll want to tune in for, plus a look at the Top StatFox Betting Trends you’ll want to consider as you handicap the pro’s this weekend.

On Friday, the full slate of games will be highlighted by the ESPN doubleheader. 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. Phoenix is averaging 118.0 points in its last three road games and its 106.3 road scoring average leads the league. 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.

In the late game, the Magic will try to stop a recent stretch of unusually poor play on the road when they visit the Blazers. Orlando is just 2-6-1 ATS in its L9 road contests after covering away games at about a 70% rate over the season-plus prior. Portland is dealing with seemingly endless injury woes and will be a home dog in this game thanks to the questionable status of G Brandon Roy. Elsewhere on Friday night, two of the upstart teams in the West, Oklahoma City and the Clippers, look to unseat two of the established powers when they visit Dallas, and the Lakers, respectively.

The Saturday night board features 14 teams that will be playing in the second of back-to-back game scenarios, including several rare situations of consecutive road or home games. In fact, this is the most unusual weekend of the year in terms of scheduling, since the Friday and Saturday schedules are loaded with games while the Sunday board is light due to the heavy upcoming Monday holiday schedule. In any case, on Saturday night, watch for six teams that will be playing their second straight game night on the road. These include Milwaukee, San Antonio, Sacramento, Phoenix, New Orleans, and Miami. Note that of the six clubs, only the Bucks have a winning record when playing on zero days rest. They are 5-1 ATS in that role, but face a difficult second game in Utah, who will be riding the high from Thursday night’s buzzer beating win vs. Cleveland. Three of Saturday’s games will also feature a team playing a second straight night at home, with Charlotte, Detroit, and Memphis meeting the criteria. Of those, the Bobcats figure to be the best bet, hosting Phoenix and riding a stretch of 7-2 ATS in ’09-10 on back-to-back games.

The Sunday board features just two games but both are intriguing in their own right. Dallas and Toronto will get it tipped off at 12:35 PM ET. Of the two, the Raptors have actually been playing better basketball of late. They of course have become used to the early matinee games on Sunday afternoons, so this could be a tough spot for the Mavericks. Watch where oddsmakers place the final number for the contest, since Toronto has been very successful this season when favored at home but not when playing as the underdog. At night, Denver will host Utah and will have been off since Wednesday the 13th, the big win over Orlando. This time off should benefit the Nuggets, as they have been looking to get healthy and are 3-0 SU & ATS when playing with 3+ days of rest this season. Utah will have played two games in between that span as well.

Now, here’s a look at those top StatFox Power Trends you’ll want to consider as you build your wagering lineup for the weekend.

Friday, 1/15/2010
(811) TORONTO vs. (812) NEW YORK
TORONTO is 11-28 ATS (-19.8 Units) as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last 2 seasons. The average score was TORONTO 97.8, OPPONENT 108.4 - (Rating = 2*)

(811) TORONTO vs. (812) NEW YORK
TORONTO is 24-8 OVER (+15.2 Units) in road games versus teams who make 6 or more 3PT's/g over the last 2 seasons. The average score was TORONTO 99.9, OPPONENT 108.9 - (Rating = 2*)

(821) MILWAUKEE vs. (822) GOLDEN STATE
MILWAUKEE is 27-9 ATS (+17.1 Units) in road games vs. horrible rebounding teams outrebounded by 5+ RPG since '96. The average score was MILWAUKEE 101.1, OPPONENT 97.4 - (Rating = 2*)

(825) LA CLIPPERS vs. (826) LA LAKERS
LA CLIPPERS are 23-43 ATS (-24.3 Units) vs good shooting teams - making >=46% of FG atts. over the last 3 seasons. The average score was LA CLIPPERS 93.8, OPPONENT 105.1 - (Rating = 1*)

Saturday, 1/16/2010
(505) NEW ORLEANS vs. (506) INDIANA
NEW ORLEANS is 1-10 ATS (-10 Units) versus terrible defensive teams - allowing 103+ PPG this season. The average score was NEW ORLEANS 99.8, OPPONENT 105 - (Rating = 2*)

(507) NEW YORK vs. (508) DETROIT
NEW YORK is 11-2 UNDER (+8.8 Units) versus poor 3PT shooting teams - making <=33% of their attempts this season. The average score was NEW YORK 98.3, OPPONENT 94.8 - (Rating = 2*)

(513) MILWAUKEE vs. (514) UTAH
UTAH is 1-10 ATS (-10 Units) versus horrible foul drawing teams - attempting <=21 FTs/game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was UTAH 98.6, OPPONENT 104.1 - (Rating = 1*)

(515) CLEVELAND vs. (516) LA CLIPPERS
Mike Brown is 77-41 ATS (+31.9 Units) vs good shooting teams (>=46% FG atts) as the coach of CLEVELAND. The average score was Brown 97.5, OPPONENT 93.9 - (Rating = 3*)

Sunday, 1/17/2010
(801) DALLAS vs. (802) TORONTO
TORONTO is 18-32 ATS (-17.2 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ PPG over the last 2 seasons. The average score was TORONTO 100.8, OPPONENT 107.1 - (Rating = 1*)

(803) UTAH vs. (804) DENVER
UTAH is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) in road games revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons. The average score was UTAH 98.1, OPPONENT 107.1 - (Rating = 1*)

(803) UTAH vs. (804) DENVER
UTAH is 25-12 OVER (+11.8 Units) as a road underdog over the last 2 seasons. The average score was UTAH 98.5, OPPONENT 106 - (Rating = 1*)