February 2012 NBA Events
NBA News
DALLAS MAVERICKS (8-7) at UTAH JAZZ (9-4)
2012-01-19
Tip-off: Thursday, 10:35 p.m. ET
Line: Utah -2.5, Total: 184.5
After losing to both L.A. teams on last-second three-pointers, Dallas is eager to get back in the win column visiting a red-hot Utah team on Thursday.
The Jazz started the season 1-3 (SU and ATS), but since turning the calendar to 2012, they have the NBA’s best record at 8-1 SU (7-2 ATS). But before dropping two nailbiters in L.A. by a combined five points, the Mavericks were also on fire, winning five straight and seven of eight (both SU and ATS). Dallas’ defense has been extremely stingy in the past seven games, limiting opponents to 78.9 PPG on 38.5% FG (28.6% threes). Although the Mavericks just played Wednesday night, they have shown a remarkable ability to win on zero days rest, going 17-9 ATS (18-8 SU) since the start of last season. And although the Jazz have historically been a tremendous home team, the Mavs won by 12 points and 17 points at EnergySolutions Arena last season. The pick here is underdog DALLAS to end its slide with a big road win.
The Mavericks have been tremendous defensively, but their offense continues to sputter.
Dirk Nowitzki (17.9 PPG, 46% FG, 25% threes) is averaging just 14.1 PPG (43% FG) in his past eight games, reaching 20 points just once in this span. He’s coming off a horrible 6-of-18 shooting night against the Clippers, but a date with Utah could be just what he needs to bust out of his slump. In last year’s four-game series sweep of the Jazz, Nowitzki averaged 24.8 PPG on 63% FG and grabbed 8.5 RPG.
SG Delonte West scored a season-high 17 points in the loss to the Clippers and made 3-of-5 from downtown. This was a great sign considering he entered the game 3-of-18 from three-point range. PG Jason Kidd hasn’t shot the ball well either since his return from injury (5-of-17 FG, 1-of-13 threes), but he did dish out 10 assists against the Clippers, eight more than he had against the Lakers on Monday. Since returning to Dallas in 2007-08, Kidd has 115 assists and 34 turnovers (3.4 ratio) in 13 games versus Utah.
Unlike the Mavs who gear much of their offense around Dirk Nowitzki, the Jazz are happy to share the wealth. Seven players are averaging more than eight points per game led by Al Jefferson (18.0 PPG, 9.3 RPG) and Paul Millsap (15.9 PPG, 8.4 RPG), the team’s top two scorers and rebounders. This duo has been largely responsible for the team’s 50.0 PPG in the paint this month, the second-highest total in the NBA. However, Dallas has allowed just 32.4 PPG in the paint in January, which is the lowest total in the league.
Utah also has two potent scorers off the bench in Josh Howard (10.7 PPG) and C.J. Miles (8.2 PPG). Howard could miss his third straight game on Thursday due to a quadriceps injury, but Miles has 36 points and 11 rebounds spanning just 47 minutes in his past two home games. PG Devin Harris will be going up against his former team in this matchup. Harris has shot the ball terribly this season, posting a career-worst 34.1% FG. But he’s starting to find his rhythm, scoring 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting in the past two games.
NBA: The end is near for Chicago2010-04-27Last season, the Chicago Bulls pushed the Boston Celtics to the brink of a first round playoff exit, losing a classic series in seven games. It certainly doesn’t look as if the Bulls have that type of effort ready for 2010 versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron James has been his usual sterling self in getting his team to within one win of advancing to the second round. The decisive game could be Tuesday night in Cleveland, and Sportsbook.com oddsmakers weren’t shy in showing their support for the hosts, listing the Cavs as 12-point chalk.
The confidence with which the Cleveland Cavaliers play is flabbergasting. For three quarters of Game 3, Chicago took the action to Cleveland, holding a double digit lead most of the time. The Bulls were the aggressor and it appeared Cavs players were satisfied with their less than full effort. In the fourth quarter the Cavs came storming back with LeBron taking over the offense and his teammates knocking down three-pointers, finally succumbing by just two points 108-106, as Chicago made their free throws late.
The most stunning aspect of the closeness of that contest was the reaction of James and his teammates, not long faces from losing a game they could have won by playing all 48 minutes, but they were smiling, with a almost maniacal grin of “Oh man, we almost got’em, we’ll take care of this later”.
There were no smiles before Game 4 as King James led a tyrant army of mercenaries into the United Center and blew away their Windy City counterparts by 22. Cleveland returns home to end the series and is 18-6 ATS after a blowout win by 20 points or more.
Cleveland is starting to reap the rewards for trading for Antawn Jamison, who scored 24 points in Game 2. Jamison is highly respected around the league and didn’t come to Cleveland to improve his legacy, but rather to get a championship ring. At 33, Jamison is sensing his basketball mortality.
“This is an opportunity of a lifetime,” he said. “I don’t have another five or 10 years left in this body. The sense of urgency is there, not only with myself but with the rest of these guys. That’s why I think it’s a great fit because we all have the same mentality. We are all trying to accomplish the same thing—right now. We’re not trying to wait until next year or the year after that.” The Cavs have covered 42 of their previous 66 playoff games.
Chicago is also sensing their mortality, about this season. Star guard Derrick Rose missed practice Monday to undergo an MRI on his right ankle and forward Luol Deng sat out with a sore knee and calf. The Bulls are once again dozen points underdogs and hope to hit enough shots to improve on a 19-10 ATS record revenging a same season loss.
The Cavaliers will look to polish this series off and most likely go on to face Boston next. They are 17-7 UNDER after winning by 20 or more points, with average margin of victory 13.9 points for this 8:00E TNT broadcast.
The StatFox Power Line shows Cleveland by 12, matching the number.
NBA: Monday Means all Systems Go in NBA2010-01-19The NBA celebrates Martin Luther King Day. This has led a blitz of basketball most of the day, starting in early afternoon and going late into the evening, especially east of the Mississippi. A dozen different opportunities are presented to the sports bettor as the league honors a great man known for heroic deeds. Here are some betting tidbits from each game. Be sure to click over to the LIVE ODDS page on Sportsbook.com before making any final decisions on today's wagers.
Detroit (+5.5,192) at New York 1:05E MSG The Pistons have followed losing 13 in a row with three straight triumphs against New York squad that has dropped four of five. In this situation, look to play on road team having lost 12 or more of their last 15 games against opponent having fallen four of their last five games. (63-28 ATS) Portland (+1.5, 192) at Washington 1:05E NBA-TV The short-handed Washington Wizards have fallen four of last five games and this afternoon will be their fifth game in a week. Home teams with a winning percentage of 25 to 40 percent, playing their 5th game in 7 days are 62-103 ATS since 1996.
Sacramento (+6, 196) at Charlotte 2:05E
The Charlotte Bobcats have won four in a row, seven of eight and covered the spread in 12 of their last 17 games. Sacramento on the other hand has lost three straight (not shooting over 38 percent), 10 of 12 and absolutely buried backers with 2-9-1 recent spread record. Naturally, the Bobcats would be the play correct? In the NBA, look the other way as a home favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points are 8-24 ATS the last three years after beating the spread by 24 or more points total in their last three games, against opponent after being beaten by the spread by 24 or more points total in their last three games.
Oklahoma City (+5.5, 196) at Atlanta 2:05E The Thunder is proving to be one of the best young teams in all of the NBA, even producing a winning record. Oklahoma City is off an impressive wipeout of Miami 98-80 and road teams when the total is between 190 and 199.5 points, off a home win by 10 points or more, with a winning percentage of between 45-55 percent on the season, are 34-11 UNDER since 2007.
Milwaukee (+6.5, 197.5) at Houston 3:05E This is the last stop on the Bucks six-game road trip that has seen then manufacture 1-4 (2-3 ATS) record. Don't be surprised if Milwaukee plays OVER, as road teams where the total is between 190 and 199.5 points, after allowing 100 points or more two straight games, against opponent after a combined score of 205 points or more on two or more consecutive contests, are 35-12 the last five seasons.
Philadelphia (-1.5, 205.5) at Minnesota 3:35E The Sixers and Timberwolves are a couple rumpled offensive teams, ranking 21st and 25th in points scored respectively in the league. In spite of their misgivings in placing the ball in the baskets, teams like Philadelphia off consecutive Under's, playing in a matchup involving two squads that average 92-98 points per game, with a total over 200, are 33-7 OVER since 2005.
New Jersey (+9.5, 196) at L.A. Clippers 3:35E YES In this battle of can't dial up long distance vs. can't guard from far away, something has to give. The Clippers are 27th in three-point accuracy and the Nets are 27th in stopping made baskets from beyond the arc. Home chalk that is poor three point shooting team (33% or less) who commit 14.5 to 16.5 turnovers a game, against lousy three-point defense (36.5% or higher) who average 14.5 or fewer TO's a contest are 13-35 ATS since 2004.
San Antonio (-1, 189) at New Orleans 3:35E Like all good teams, San Antonio has hit the pot hole in the road, throwing the alignment off, which has caused them to lose last two road games. It appears this should not be a deterrent from considering play on the Spurs, as road favorites off two or more consecutive losses, with a winning percentage of 60-75 percent are 32-14 ATS the previous three years.
Chicago (-2, 219) at Golden State 4:00E WGN The Bulls are playing their best basketball of the season by far, winning four in a row and eight of last 11, covering the number an imposing nine times. Road teams like Chicago after beating the spread by 48 or more points total in their last ten games, against opponent going over the total by 18 or more points total in their last three outings are 25-8 ATS when the line is +3 to -3.
Phoenix (+2, 225) at Memphis 5:35E TNT
The Suns lead the NBA in scoring at 109.3 points per game, but have managed to lose the first three games on their road excursion. The last contest was particularly brutal, losing by 26 points at Charlotte and they will have one more chance to win one time on this trip. Teams scoring 103 or more points a game, who trailed by 20 or more points in their last game at halftime, are 32-10 ATS the next time out.
Dallas (+5, 197) at Boston 8:05E TNT
The Mavericks were blasted at Toronto 110-88 yesterday afternoon and have failed to cover the spread in four consecutive tries. This doesn't set up well for Dallas as underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points, playing on back-to-back days, in a game involving two good teams (60% to 75%), are 25-57 ATS.
Orlando (+6, 202) at L.A. Lakers 10:35 TNT Last season Orlando had plenty of magic on the road, this year, not so much. They are off back to back losses to Denver and Portland by 18 and 15 points respectively. The Lakers on the other hand crushed the Clippers by 40 points Friday night, making exactly half their shots. Teams off blowout win by 15 points or more facing opponent after two straight blowout losses by 15 points or more are 13-33 ATS the last five seasons.
NBA: 25 Top NBA Finals Trends2009-06-03The 2009 NBA Finals might not offer the matchup that everyone expected, but it should still be a competitive series, and one that commands attention from bettors everywhere. Besides all of the specific key matchup info that we have available for you on the GAME MATCHUP for this intriguing series, take a look at this list of 25 Top NBA Finals’ Betting Angles we’ve put together for you. They are broken up into several categories. After soaking this up, head over to the LIVE ODDS page to get in on the action yourself.
EASTERN/WESTERN CONFERENCE TRENDS
* The EASTERN CONFERENCE has won seven straight NBA Finals games against the spread after the West had won eight of the prior 10.
* Overall, since ’97, the WESTERN CONFERENCE holds a 37-29 SU edge, but the ATS series is tied 32-32-2.
* The EASTERN CONFERENCE has only been the FAVORITE in 21 of the last 67 NBA Finals’ games. Their record in that role: 18-3 SU & 12-9 ATS.
* The WESTERN CONFERENCE has accumulated a 33-10 SU & 22-19-2 ATS mark as chalk in the NBA Finals since ’97.
FAVORITE/UNDERDOG TRENDS
* Dating back to ’97, ROAD TEAMS playing as FAVORITES or in pick em’ spreads are 12-2 SU & 9-4-1 ATS.
* The UNDERDOG team won four of the six games in the 2008 NBA Finals against the spread.
* SMALL HOME FAVORITES have been a great bet in the NBA Finals, as those laying 4-1/2 points or less are 18-4 SU & 15-7 ATS since ’97.
* It’s been a dangerous proposition to lay big points in the NBA Finals of late. Dating back to 2000, FAVORITES of 7-1/2 points or more are 9-3 SU but just 2-9-1 ATS.
OVER/UNDER TRENDS
* UNDER has been the total of choice in NBA Finals games of late, 10-6 over the course of the last three series’.
* Thursday’s Game 1 of the ’09 Finals between Orlando and the Lakers will be the first Finals’ game in over 12 years with a total of 200 or more.
* In the last 20 NBA Finals’ games with posted totals of 190 or above, the OVER has been the winning total 12 times, as opposed to 8 UNDER’s.
SERIES GAME NUMBER TRENDS
* The HOME TEAM is 5-1 SU & ATS in Game 1 of the NBA Finals dating back to 2003.
* Game 1 of the NBA Finals has gone UNDER the total five straight times.
* The HOME TEAM is also 5-0 SU & 4-0-1 ATS in Game 2 of the NBA Finals since ’04, with the last four teams owning home court advantage in the series going up 2-0.
* Although HOME TEAMS own a 4-1 SU edge in the L5 Game 3’s of the NBA Finals, the ROAD TEAMS have swept the last three ATS.
* The EASTERN CONFERENCE has owned Game 4 of the NBA Finals of late, going 5-1 SU & ATS since ’03.
* FAVORITES have also dominated Game 4 in the NBA Finals, 11-1 SU & 8-4 ATS since ’97.
* Home court advantage virtually disappears once Game 5 of the NBA Finals arrives, as the last 18 games from then on have been split 9-9 SU with ROAD TEAMS owning a distinct 12-6 ATS edge.
* OVER has been the correct total wager in nine of the last 13 NBA Finals Game 5’s and beyond.
SEED NUMBER TRENDS
* There have been three teams in the NBA Finals playing as seeds #3 or lower since ’02. They have performed very well: At home, those teams are 9-1 SU & 8-2 ATS in that span. On the road, they are 5-4 SU & 5-2-2 ATS.
* #1 seeds have had some trouble protecting the home court vs. non-#1 seeds, just 3-7 SU & 2-6-2 ATS since ’01 in the NBA Finals. However, on the road they are 6-1 ATS in that same time frame.
SCORING TRENDS
* The benchmark point total for HOME TEAMS to reach is 96 points in the NBA Finals. When doing so, they are 26-5 SU & 18-11-2 ATS since ’97.
* When HOME TEAMS have eclipsed the 92-point mark in the NBA Finals, OVER the total is 23-9 since ’97. When they don’t score 93 points or more, the UNDER is 31-3.
* For ROAD TEAMS, the magic-mark seems to be 93 points. When they reach that total, they are 14-7 SU & 19-1-1 ATS since ‘98.
* Although a point total for any team of 80 or less this year seems unlikely between the Magic and Lakers, past ROAD TEAMS that have failed to eclipse the 80-point mark are just 2-16 SU & ATS in the NBA Finals since ’97.
NBA: Betting on Denver to continue winning ways2009-04-02In the highly competitive Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets became the fourth team to clinch a playoff spot. They don’t really have time to celebrate, though, as the second and seventh seeds are separated by just 2 1/2 games. The Northwest Division-leading Nuggets look to win their fifth in a row and move closer to securing home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs Thursday night when they host the Utah Jazz, one of the teams chasing them in the playoff race. TNT has the live action for you on Thursday night. Sportsbook.com of course, hosts the more important action. Get the latest lines on the LIVE ODDS page.
After being written off early, Denver (49-26, 41-33 ATS) continued its impressive turnaround with Tuesday’s 111-104 win over New York as a 12.5-point favorite to clinch a playoff berth for the sixth straight year and is 7-0 ATS off a home no-cover where they won straight up as a favorite this season.
“We’re excited about clinching,” said Carmelo Anthony, who is averaging 32.2 points in his last five games. “At least we know we are in the playoffs, that’s a good sign. We still have games to go and win. Two losses back-to-back will put you in the eighth spot. That’s tough, that’s tough right now. I’m happy with the way we’re playing, I’m happy we clinched, I’m happy we’re in the playoffs. But we still want that home court.”
In each of the past five seasons, the Nuggets went on the road to start the playoffs and were eliminated in the first round each time.
Denver, which was fifth in the West just last week, moved into the No. 2 spot with San Antonio’s loss to Oklahoma City on Tuesday. The Nuggets also lead Portland by 1 1/2 games in the division, while third-place Utah (46-28, 37-37 ATS) is 2 1/2 back and is 19-9 ATS after scoring 100 points or more two straight games.
“It means a lot,” Chauncey Billups said. “I never take that for granted. No matter how successful you’ve been in the playoffs or how much success you’ve had, you never take that for granted. Because I can still remember the days when I was just dreaming about being in the playoffs.
“But we’ve got bigger goals than just making the playoffs.”
The Nuggets are heading into the postseason in the right direction, winning four in a row and nine of 10 (6-4 ATS) after losing their previous three. Denver must win five of its final seven to match the franchise record for victories set in 1987-88.
The Nuggets still have four games at home, where they’ve won a season-high six straight and 13 of 15, with eight covers. Denver is just 1-2 against the Jazz this season, but defeated them 117-97 at the Pepsi Center on Jan. 25.
Utah has lost five of six on the road - its only victory in that span coming against the lowly Thunder on March 20.
Struggling away from Salt Lake City, it’s going to be tough for the Jazz to make a move in the standings, considering they also have road games against New Orleans, Dallas, San Antonio and the Los Angeles Lakers. On the year, Utah stands 14-22 and 16-20 ATS on the road.
The Jazz are coming off Tuesday’s disappointing 125-104 loss at Portland, allowing the Trail Blazers to shoot 61.8 percent from the floor. It was Utah’s worst field goal defense since Houston shot 62.7 percent on Feb. 2, 1995.
“We’re going to get our mind right for Denver, and play a lot better,” said Carlos Boozer, who was ejected after receiving consecutive technical fouls in the third quarter. “I believe in my teammates, I believe in our coaching staff, I believe we have the strength and the will to come back from this and bounce back.”
The Jazz could have trouble slowing down the Nuggets, who are averaging 111.0 points on 52.3 percent shooting during their winning streak and are 6-16 ATS in road games playing their third game in four days.
Sportsbook.com has Denver favored by five-points with a total of 209. The Nuggets are 12-4 ATS after allowing 100 points or more three straight games and are 19-8 UNDER versus offensive teams scoring 99 or more points a game this season. The Jazz have been playing off-key notes against teams with a winning record in the second half of the season and are 0-8 ATS. Utah is 13-5 OVER as a road underdog this season.
The NBA grabs back Thursday night with no NCAA tournament games and this Northwest Division confrontation starts at 10:35 Eastern on TNT. George Karl coached teams in the Mile High City are 75-48 ATS after covering three of their last four against the spread.
StatFox Power Line – Denver by 4
