IU's White is uncertain against Purdue
February 18, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -Indiana forward D.J. White has a sprained left knee and it is uncertain if he can play against Purdue in a key Big Ten game Tuesday night.
An MRI on Sunday disclosed the injury, and there is no timetable for his return, coach Kelvin Sampson said Monday during a conference call.
Purdue has won 11 straight and the game at Indiana will be a showdown between two of the Big Ten's top teams.
White, the Hoosiers' primary inside threat, is a leading contender for the conference's player of the year award. He is the Big Ten's top rebounder and No. 2 scorer.
He landed awkwardly on his left leg and rolled out of bounds during the first half of Saturday's 80-61 win over Michigan State. He was helped to the locker room and didn't return to the sidelines until late in the second half.
Best and Worst
February 18, 2008
By Marc Lawrence
The King held court, leading the Eastern Conference to a 134-128 upset win over the West in the 2008 NBA All-Star game. Lebron James showed the basketball world why he is, indeed, the new Michael Jordan in the league. His MVP All-Star award was likely a prelude of more to come by season's end.
With players headed back to work following the break, let's exam the very BEST and the very WORST team trends that have developed to date in the NBA this season All results are ATS (Against The Spread) in games played prior to this year's All-Star break, unless indicated otherwise. Enjoy.....
Atlanta
Best: 10-2 vs unrested opp
Worst: 1-6 away vs opp off win of 5 or more points
Boston
Best: 16-0 SU vs Western Conference opp
Worst: 0-4 as favs 13 or more points
Charlotte
Best: 5-1 vs .750 or better opp
Worst: 1-8-1 away off DD loss
Chicago
Best: 6-1 with 3+ days of rest
Worst: 1-6 off division game
Cleveland
Best: 8-2 dog off loss
Worst: 0-6 dog off BB SUATS wins
Dallas
Best: 8-0-2 vs opp off loss of more than 7 points
Worst: 1-8-1 off division game
Denver
Best: 11-1 home vs non con opp
Worst: 1-7 vs opp off SU favorite loss
Detroit
Best: 5-0 vs opp with 3+ days of rest
Worst: 1-5 off BB wins vs opp off BB SUATS losses
Golden State
Best: 5-0 off loss vs opp off BB SUATS wins
Worst: 0-5 vs opp off SU favorite loss
Houston
Best: 6-0 pick or dog vs opp off SUATS loss
Worst: 1-5 fav off DD loss
Indiana
Best: 7-1 off DD ATS loss
Worst: 0-5 away off DD ATS win
LA Clippers
Best: 8-2 off loss vs opp off win
Worst: 2-11 off SU dog win
LA Lakers
Best: 5-0-1 off division
Worst: 1-5 vs non con opp off BB wins
Memphis
Best: 6-1 off DD loss vs opp off win
Worst: 0-6 home off win
Miami
Best: 8-1-1 off BB losses vs opp off DD win
Worst: 1-8 off win
Milwaukee
Best: 9-1 vs opp of BB SUATS losses
Worst: 1-6 favorite vs opp off win
Minnesota
Best: 5-1 as favorites
Worst: 1-6 as dogs 5 or less points
New Jersey
Best: 5-1 as dogs off SUATS win vs < .700 opp
Worst: 1-9 vs division
New York
Best: 7-1 away off DD loss
Worst: 1-7 as favorites
Orlando
Best: 10-1-1 vs .333 or less opp
Worst: 1-7-2 HF off win
Philadelphia
Best: 14-3 with no rest
Worst: 1-5 away vs opp off BB wins
Phoenix
Best: 4-0 away vs opp more than .666 opp
Worst: 1-7 vs .333 or less con opp
Portland
Best: 12-1 home off BB wins
Worst: 0-5 away vs opp off BB SUATS wins
Sacramento
Best: 19-4 dogs of less than 8 points
Worst: 1-7 dogs of 8 or more points with revenge
San Antonio
Best: 5-1-1 off loss vs opp off win
Worst: 1-6-1 RD
Seattle
Best: 4-0-1 DD dog odd DD loss
Worst: 0-4 with 3+ days of rest
Toronto
Best: 10-0 con as favorites of 5 or more points
Worst: 0-4 off win with 3+ days of rest
Utah
Best: 7-1 vs opp off win of more than 10 points
Worst: 1-5 RF without rest
Washington
Best: 5-0 as division dog
Worst: 0-6 with revenge vs opp off DD win
Terms:
SU - Straight Up
ATS - Against the Spread
RD - Road Underdog
RF - Road Favorite
DD - Double Digit
VegasInsider.com
Second-half fades
By Stephen Nover
OK, now that the All-Star game is history, what can we expect during the rest of this NBA regular season?
More of the same, that’s what. Boston has 41 victories. Miami, Minnesota, Memphis and Seattle have a combined 46 wins.
There are nine teams in the Western Conference that begin the post-All-Star break at least 12 games above .500. Some of these clubs have gotten better since tinkering with their rosters.
It’s easy to think improvement from the Los Angeles Lakers with Pau Gasol now on the roster. Dallas certainly will be better if Jason Kidd joins up. The Jazz are a quiet 18-3 since acquiring Kyle Korver.
Phoenix is rolling the dice on Shaquille O’Neal. But at least the Suns are willing to play poker. The Nuggets, Hornets and Celtics probably will make moves, too, before Thursday’s trade deadline.
What’s likely to happen is the gap is going to widen between upper tier and lower tier teams.
From a betting perspective that could mean a lean towards favorites.
Miami has been the worst pointspread team, covering only 35 percent of the time so far. But there probably are going to be worse spread teams than the Heat during these two months.
The Heat at least shook up the deck bringing in Shawn Marion. Dwayne Wade and Marion give the Heat two of the top 15 players, at least from a fantasy basketball standpoint.
Unless the points are exceedingly generous, be wary of backings Seattle, Memphis and Charlotte.
Not only do these teams lack star talent, but morale could become a huge negative factor.
David Stern didn’t do the SuperSonics any favors during All-Star weekend when he candidly said to expect the team to leave Seattle either this year or next year. What incentive do the Sonics have now?
Memphis could be the worst team. Minnesota has fewer victories, but the Timberwolves have young talent and Randy Foye now is finally healthy.
The Blue Ribbon College yearbook is great reference material, but Chris Wallace is one horrendous NBA general manager. The Grizzlies GM dealing of Gasol to the Lakers for Kwame Brown and other debris probably would have been stopped by the league if the late Bowie Kuhn had been NBA commissioner.
The Grizzlies were 14-48 with Gasol, their best player. Their owner wants to sell the team, the defense still is bad and now there’s just a bunch of role players and non-defenders such as Mike Miller.
Charlotte has some good players, namely Gerald Wallace and Emeka Okafor. But the Bobcats are last in the NBA in free throw percentage and have an overmatched coach, Sam Vincent.
Morale can’t be very good with the players not buying into Vincent and rumors of Larry Brown taking over as coach. The Bobcats entered the break 1-7 straight-up and 1-6-1 against the spread.
Milwaukee and New York are two other clubs that could be worth ‘fading.’ The Bucks aren’t buying into coach Larry Krystkowiak anymore. They came into the All-Star break on a 1-7 cold spell. General manager Larry Harris is on the hot seat, too.
As for the Knicks, first it was the media being down on Isiah Thomas. Then the fans turned on Thomas. Now the players finally have seen the light. They can’t stand him. Isiah is a prophet all right – a prophet of doom.
VegasInsider.com
Jeremy Richardson returns to Hawks under 10-day contract
February 18, 2008
ATLANTA (AP) -The Atlanta Hawks signed guard Jeremy Richardson to a 10-day contract Monday, restoring their roster to 13 players after sending four to the Sacramento Kings in a trade for point guard Mike Bibby.
The 6-foot-7 Richardson has played eight games this season with the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs and 12 games with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA Development League.
With Fort Wayne, he averaged 25.4 ppg, 6.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals.
Richardson played in five games for the Hawks last year after signing two 10-day contracts, averaging 1.6 points and 0.4 rebounds. He also played in one game for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2006-07.
In 14 career NBA games, he has 18 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Lookin' ahead to the second-half
By ASA
The NBA All-Star Game and its corresponding festivities take place this weekend, marking the unofficial halfway point of the season. While the All-Star game has lost some of its appeal in recent years, what follows will have a direct impact on how the rest of the season plays out. The second half of the season will bring the trade deadline, playoff pushes and lottery-bound tankers. Here’s a look at all of the second-half storylines to watch and how each will affect the stretch run:
Trade Deadline
The NBA’s trading deadline is Thursday and with it could come some season-changing deals. The biggest deals – Pau Gasol to Los Angeles, Shaq to Phoenix and Jason Kidd possibly to Dallas – are likely done but with those deals could come some countermoves. The rest of the Western Conference needs to keep up with the Lakers, Suns and possibly the Mavs and could be more willing to make a blockbuster move.
Every Western Conference contender will be looking to upgrade and will likely raid the league’s non-contenders for their best parts. The Lakers have been the early winners with their fleecing of Memphis but another team could step forward to make the Western race even tighter.
Injuries
In the crowded Western Conference, one single injury could send even the top-seeded team tumbling out of playoff contention all together. Injuries can happen at any time and should be monitored daily. Los Angeles, with Kobe Bryant’s dislocated right pinky and Andrew Bynum’s sprained right knee, could potentially see the biggest fall depending on how Bryant handles his injury.
Kevin Garnett’s abdominal injury has kept him out nine games and has been said to be an ailment that doesn’t heal quickly. Not that it has slowed down the Celtics much as they’ve gone 7-2 SU and 6-2-1 ATS with him sidelined. Increased workloads for Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, in an effort to make up for Garnett’s absence, could come back to haunt Boston down the stretch, though.
Other significant players missing time with injuries include Cleveland’s Anderson Varejao, Chicago’s Luol Deng, Dallas’ (or New Jersey’s) Devin Harris, Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal and San Antonio’s Tony Parker. And there’s always the chance for more.
Players returning from injuries could also make a big difference down the stretch. Washington’s Gilbert Arenas is expected back in mid-March and would give a struggling Wizards team a much-needed playoff push. Additionally, despite the Clippers being out of playoff contention, the potential return of Elton Brand and Shaun Livingston could put Los Angeles in prime spoiler position.
Tanking
The prospect of landing either Greg Oden or Kevin Durant led many teams to tank down the stretch last year, whether those teams want to admit it or not. This year’s draft may not have the name-power of last year’s but it does have a much deeper pool of players. There are numerous teams already showing signs of cashing it in to get better draft position and it’s important to identify those teams early when making bets.
Memphis’ giving away of Gasol, along with the potential trading of Mike Miller and Kyle Lowry, will leave the Grizzlies with a lot of youth and little chance of providing much resistance. Additionally, there are a ton of teams that could potentially kick off the tanking in the upcoming weeks. Even though most of the Eastern Conference is still technically alive in the playoff race, teams like Miami, Milwaukee, Charlotte and New York could commence with the tanking shortly.
Western Conference playoff race
The Eastern Conference is pretty much a two-horse race between Boston and Detroit. Three teams currently under .500 own the sixth, seventh and eighth playoff seeds in the East with Orlando, Cleveland and Toronto taking up the other three spots. Ultimately, the Celtics and Pistons are the cream of the crop with the East providing little else. The Western Conference is a completely different story.
There are currently 10 teams in the West with records of at least four games above .500 and there’s a legitimate possibility that a 50-win team could miss the playoffs. Unlike the East, the Western Conference is extremely balanced. Only 4.5 games separate the currently top-seeded Hornets from the out-of-the-playoffs Nuggets. That makes every game for the top 10 teams in the conference extremely important from here on out.
Tuesday's Tip Sheet
By Brad Young
**Clemson at Florida State**
-Las Vegas Sports Consultants installed Clemson as a four-point road ‘chalk’ over Florida State, with the total set at 147. This Atlantic Coast Conference contest is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET.
-Clemson (19-6 straight up, 14-8 against the spread) improved to 4-1 SU and ATS the past five games after beating North Carolina State Saturday as a 5 ½-point road favorite, 71-64.
-K.C. Rivers paced the offense with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Trevor Booker added 11 and five. The Tigers triumphed despite shooting a pedestrian 37 percent (26-of-70) from the field.
-Clemson is 7-4 SU and 6-4 ATS away from home, winning those affairs by an average score of 83-75.
-Florida State (14-12 SU, 7-16 ATS) is currently mired in a two-game SU and ATS losing skid after Saturday’s setback to Maryland as an eight-point road underdog, 82-72. The Seminoles are just 1-4 SU and ATS their past five games.
-Florida State entered halftime ahead, 40-32, before getting outscored by the Terrapins in the second half, 50-32. Four of the five Seminoles starters reached double digits in scoring, led by guard Ralph Mims who had 26 points on 9-of-15 shooting.
-Florida State is 10-4 SU at home, but just 3-8 ATS. The Seminoles have been winning their home endeavors by an average score of 74-64.
-Clemson is 3-1 SU and ATS the previous four meetings with Florida State after prevailing in overtime January 12 as a 9 ½-point home ‘chalk,’ 97-85.
**Baylor at Oklahoma**
-LVSC opened Oklahoma as a 4½-point home favorite over Baylor, with the total listed at 142. This Big XII matchup is slated to start at 8:00 p.m. ET.
-Baylor (17-7 SU, 7-8 ATS) has dropped three games in a row SU and back-to-back outings ATS after Saturday’s setback to Texas as a two-point home ‘chalk,’ 82-77. The Bears are now just 1-4 ATS their last five games.
-Baylor was outrebounded by the Longhorns, 39-33, while shooting 40 percent (27-of-68) from the field. Guard Henry Dugat netted 19 points in the setback, while LaceDarius Dunn also added 19 off the bench.
-The Bears are a solid 7-3 SU and 6-2 ATS on the road, winning those matchups by an average score of 79-77.
-Oklahoma (17-8 SU, 11-11 ATS) has recorded consecutive SU and ATS victories after slipping past Texas Tech Saturday as a two-point road underdog, 66-64. The Sooners had failed to cover their previous four outings.
-Oklahoma dominated the Red Raiders on the boards, 35-25, while shooting 44 percent (24-of-54) from the field. Guard Austin Johnson led all scorers with 20 points on 7-of-16 shooting.
-The Sooners maintain a 12-3 SU and 6-6 ATS home record, winning those matchups by an average score of 74-60.
-Oklahoma is 5-0 SU and 4-0-1 ATS the previous five meetings with Baylor after winning Jan. 26 as a five-point road underdog, 77-71.
**Georgia at Kentucky**
-LVSC lists Kentucky as a 7½-point home ‘chalk’ over Georgia, with the total set at 133. ESPN will provide coverage of this SEC contest beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET.
-Georgia (12-11 SU, 10-8 ATS) slipped to 1-4 SU its last five games after Saturday’s loss to Tennessee as an eight-point home underdog, 74-71. That marked the third game in a row that the Bulldogs covered.
-Senior guard Sundiata Gaines led all scorers with 23 points and nine rebounds, while Terrance Woodbury added 14 and six. Georgia shot a solid 47 percent (30-of-64) for the contest.
-The Bulldogs have struggled to a 1-8 SU and 3-5 ATS road record, dropping those affairs by an average score of 70-61.
-Kentucky (13-10 SU, 10-8 ATS) improved to 4-1 SU and ATS its last five games after knocking off Louisiana State Saturday as a road ‘pick,’ 67-63. The lone blemish the past five games was when the team was routed by Vanderbilt as a four-point road underdog, 93-52.
-The Wildcats connected at a 51-percent clip (26-of-51), while limiting the Tigers to 40 percent (25-of-62). Kentucky’s Joe Crawford accounted for 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting, while Ramel Bradley added 16 and seven rebounds.
-The Wildcats are 10-5 SU and 6-4 ATS at Rupp Arena, winning those games by an average score of 74-64.
-Kentucky is 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS the previous five meetings with Georgia after winning February 2 as a two-point road underdog, 63-58.
vegasinsider.com.
Houston Rockets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
- The Houston Rockets and the Cleveland Cavaliers will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at Quicken Loans Arena.
Yao Ming tossed in 25 points with 14 rebounds for a double-double Wednesday, as the Rockets edged past the Kings 89-87. The Rockets failed to cover the 9.5-point spread, while the combined 176 points were well UNDER the posted total of 199.
Rafer Alston chipped in with 23 points and seven assists for the Rockets.
The Cavaliers fell 112-105 to the Spurs last time out, as 3-point underdogs at home. The combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 177.5.
LeBron James shot 17-for-31 from the field with 39 points with six boards and nine assists in the loss.
Current streak:
Houston has won 8 straight games.
Team records:
Houston: 32-20 SU, 26-24-2 ATS
Cleveland: 29-23 SU, 24-28 ATS
Houston most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
Before playing Miami are 4-6
After playing Sacramento are 4-6
After a win are 9-1
Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Indiana are 7-3
After playing San Antonio are 4-6
After a loss are 9-1
A few trends to consider:
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Houston's last 8 games when playing Cleveland
Houston is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cleveland's last 8 games when playing Houston
Cleveland is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home
Cleveland is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games at home
Next up:
Houston home to Miami, Thursday, February 21
Cleveland at Indiana, Wednesday, February 20
New York Knicks vs. Washington Wizards
- The New York Knicks and the Washington Wizards will both be gunning for a victory on Tuesday when they meet at Verizon Center.
The Knicks lost 111-103 to the Celtics last time out, as 8-point underdogs on the road. The combined score sailed OVER the posted over/under (193).
Jamal Crawford led the Knicks with 26 points and seven assists in the loss.
The Wizards pulled out a hard-fought 91-89 victory over the Clippers on Wednesday. The Wizards failed to cover the 3.5-point spread, while the combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 192.5.
Antawn Jamison led the way with 29 points and nine rebounds, while shooting 13-for-25 from the field in the win.
Team records:
New York: 15-37 SU, 25-26-1 ATS
Washington: 25-27 SU, 30-21-1 ATS
New York most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
Before playing Philadelphia are 5-5
After playing Boston are 5-5
After a loss are 3-7
Washington most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Cleveland are 4-6
After playing LA Clippers are 4-6
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
New York is 4-0-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 13 of New York's last 18 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games at home
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against New York
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing at home against New York
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Washington's last 10 games when playing New York
Next up:
New York at Philadelphia, Wednesday, February 20
Washington at Cleveland, Friday, February 22
Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons
- The Orlando Magic and the Detroit Pistons will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Five players reached double-digit scoring Wednesday to help the Magic defeat the Nuggets 109-98. The Magic covered the 6-point spread, while the combined 207 points fell UNDER the game's posted total of 219.
Dwight Howard led the way for Orlando, tossing in 23 points and grabbing 24 rebounds for a double-double in the win.
The Pistons were outplayed in the fourth quarter Wednesday, but easily defeated the Pacers 96-80. The Pistons covered the 10-point spread, while the 176 points were UNDER the posted total of 187.5.
Richard Hamilton shot 5-for-6 from the field with 14 points, five rebounds and five assists for the Pistons.
Current streak:
Detroit has won 10 straight games.
Team records:
Orlando: 33-21 SU, 33-20-1 ATS
Detroit: 39-13 SU, 30-21-1 ATS
Orlando most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
Before playing Toronto are 4-6
After playing Denver are 4-6
After a win are 5-5
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Milwaukee are 6-4
After playing Indiana are 6-4
After a win are 9-1
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Orlando's last 5 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Orlando's last 8 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Orlando's last 12 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Orlando's last 7 games
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Orlando
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing at home against Orlando
Next up:
Orlando at Toronto, Wednesday, February 20
Detroit at Milwaukee, Wednesday, February 20
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
- The Philadelphia 76ers and the Minnesota Timberwolves will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at Target Center.
Andre Iguodala scored a game-high 29 points in leading the 76ers in a 102-88 victory over the Grizzlies on Wednesday. The 76ers covered the 9.5-point spread, while the 190 points fell UNDER the posted total of 196.
Iguodala also hauled down eight boards and had eight assists in the win, and Samuel Dalembert added 16.
The Timberwolves lost 117-92 to the Lakers last time out, as 9.5-point road underdogs. The combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 203.
Al Jefferson shot 9-for-18 from the field with 19 points and nine rebounds in the loss.
Current streak:
Philadelphia has won 5 straight games.
Minnesota has lost 5 straight games.
Team records:
Philadelphia: 23-30 SU, 27-25-1 ATS
Minnesota: 10-41 SU, 24-26-1 ATS
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
Before playing New York are 3-7
After playing Memphis are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing San Antonio are 5-5
After playing LA Lakers are 1-9
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Philadelphia is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Philadelphia is 11-1 ATS in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Minnesota's last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games at home
Minnesota is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Minnesota is 7-2-1 ATS in its last 10 games at home
Next up:
Philadelphia home to New York, Wednesday, February 20
Minnesota home to San Antonio, Thursday, February 21
Charlotte Bobcats vs. San Antonio Spurs
- The Charlotte Bobcats and the San Antonio Spurs will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at AT&T Center.
The Bobcats controlled the fourth quarter Wednesday, and snuck past the Hawks 100-98. The Bobcats covered the slight 1-point spread, while the combined score made it OVER the posted total of 193.
Raymond Felton scored a team-high 22 points and Emeka Okafor had a double-double with 20 points and 21 rebounds for the Bobcats.
Manu Ginobili tossed in a game-high 46 points Wednesday, as the Spurs got past the Cavaliers 112-105. The Spurs covered the 3-point spread, and the combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 177.5.
Ginobili shot an impressive 15-for-20 from the field, and Tim Duncan added 23 points in the win.
Current streak:
San Antonio has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Charlotte: 19-34 SU, 20-31-2 ATS
San Antonio: 34-17 SU, 25-26 ATS
Charlotte most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Sacramento are 3-4
After playing Atlanta are 7-3
After a win are 3-7
San Antonio most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 8-2
Before playing Minnesota are 6-4
After playing Cleveland are 6-4
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Charlotte's last 5 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Charlotte's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Charlotte's last 7 games
Charlotte is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 5 games when playing Charlotte
San Antonio is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
San Antonio is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Charlotte
San Antonio is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Charlotte
Next up:
Charlotte home to Sacramento, Friday, February 22
San Antonio at Minnesota, Thursday, February 21
Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets
- The Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets will both be gunning for a victory on Tuesday when they meet at Pepsi Center.
The Celtics were outplayed in the fourth quarter on Wednesday, but hung on for a 111-103 win over the Knicks. The Celtics failed to cover the 8-point spread, while the combined score sailed OVER the posted over/under (193).
Paul Pierce led the way with 24 points, five rebounds and seven assists in the win, and Ray Allen chipped in with 21 points.
The Nuggets lost 109-98 to the Magic last time out, as 6-point road underdogs. The combined 207 points fell UNDER the game's posted total of 219.
Carmelo Anthony poured in a game-high 32 points in the loss.
Current streak:
Boston has won 5 straight games.
Team records:
Boston: 41-9 SU, 31-17-2 ATS
Denver: 32-20 SU, 27-25 ATS
Boston most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Golden State are 2-8
After playing New York are 4-6
After a win are 7-3
Denver most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Chicago are 5-5
After playing Orlando are 5-5
After a loss are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games when playing Denver
Boston is 14-3 SU in its last 17 games on the road
Boston is 6-1-1 ATS in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Denver's last 5 games when playing Boston
Denver is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Denver's last 7 games at home
Denver is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Next up:
Boston at Golden State, Wednesday, February 20
Denver at Chicago, Friday, February 22
Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz
- The Golden State Warriors and the Utah Jazz will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at EnergySolutions Arena.
The Warriors came back in the fourth quarter and defeated the Suns 120-118 last time out. The Warriors failed to cover the 2.5-point spread, while the combined score made it OVER the posted total of 234.
Monta Ellis led the Warriors with 37 points and nine rebounds, while shooting 18-for-27 from the field in the win.
The Jazz scored 31 points in the fourth quarter to defeat the SuperSonics 112-93 last time out. The Jazz covered the 6.5-point spread, while the combined score made it OVER the posted total of 208.
Carlos Boozer led the way with a triple-double, tossing in 22 points with 11 boards and 10 assists for the Jazz.
Current streak:
Golden State has won 3 straight games.
Utah has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Golden State: 32-20 SU, 22-30 ATS
Utah: 34-19 SU, 28-25 ATS
Golden State most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Boston are 4-6
After playing Phoenix are 4-6
After a win are 6-4
Utah most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
Before playing LA Clippers are 6-4
After playing Seattle are 5-5
After a win are 9-1
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Golden State's last 7 games
Golden State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Golden State is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Golden State
Utah is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Utah's last 7 games at home
Next up:
Golden State home to Boston, Wednesday, February 20
Utah at LA Clippers, Friday, February 22
Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers
- The Sacramento Kings and the Portland Trail Blazers will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at Rose Garden.
The Kings were edged 89-87 by the Rockets last time out, as 9.5-point road underdogs. The combined 176 points were well UNDER the posted total of 199.
Ron Artest shot 11-for-18 from the field with 30 points, four rebounds and four assists in the loss.
The Trail Blazers fell 96-76 to the Mavericks last time out, as 3.5-point road underdogs. The combined 172 points were UNDER the posted total of 180.
Brando Roy led the Trail Blazers with 25 points, six rebounds and six assists in the loss.
Current streak:
Sacramento has lost 3 straight games.
Portland has lost 4 straight games.
Team records:
Sacramento: 23-28 SU, 28-23 ATS
Portland: 28-24 SU, 27-25 ATS
Sacramento most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Atlanta are 6-4
After playing Houston are 6-4
After a loss are 6-4
Portland most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-7
Before playing Seattle are 2-8
After playing Dallas are 3-7
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Sacramento's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Sacramento's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Sacramento's last 5 games when playing Portland
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Sacramento's last 18 games when playing Portland
Portland is 15-3 SU in its last 18 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Portland's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Portland's last 5 games when playing Sacramento
Portland is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games when playing at home against Sacramento
Next up:
Sacramento home to Atlanta, Wednesday, February 20
Portland home to Seattle, Thursday, February 21
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Seattle SuperSonics
- The Memphis Grizzlies and the Seattle SuperSonics will both be gunning for a victory on Tuesday when they meet at KeyArena.
The Grizzlies lost 102-88 to the 76ers last time out, as 9.5-point underdogs on the road. The 190 points fell UNDER the posted total of 196.
Hakim Warrick and Rudy Gay each tossed in 23 points in a losing effort for the Grizzlies.
The SuperSonics lost 112-93 to the Jazz on Wednesday, as 6.5-point underdogs at home. The combined score made it OVER the posted total of 208.
Damien Wilkins shot 6-for-11 from the field with 14 points and five rebounds in the loss.
Current streak:
Seattle has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Memphis: 14-38 SU, 24-28 ATS
Seattle: 13-38 SU, 24-26-1 ATS
Memphis most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 7-3
Before playing LA Clippers are 6-4
After playing Philadelphia are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6
Seattle most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
Before playing Portland are 4-6
After playing Utah are 2-8
After a loss are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Memphis's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Memphis's last 13 games
Memphis is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Seattle
Memphis is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing Seattle
Seattle is 19-4 SU in its last 23 games when playing at home against Memphis
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Seattle's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 7 games at home
Seattle is 11-4-1 ATS in its last 16 games when playing at home against Memphis
Next up:
Memphis at LA Clippers, Wednesday, February 20
Seattle at Portland, Thursday, February 21