Dallas Mavericks vs. Seattle SuperSonics
- The fans at KeyArena will be treated to a game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Seattle SuperSonics when they take their seats on Friday.
The Mavericks started strong and finished with a convincing 102-86 victory over the Pistons on Wednesday. The Mavericks easily covered the 2.5-point spread, but the 188 points fell UNDER the posted total of 189.
Dirk Nowitzki shot 10-for-15 from the field with 23 points and nine rebounds for the Mavericks.
The lowly SuperSonics were defeated 99-88 by the Nets on Wednesday, as 7.5-point road underdogs. The combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 197.
Johan Petro led the SuperSonics with 22 points and nine rebounds from 10-for-15 shooting from the field.
Current streak:
Dallas has won 5 straight games.
Seattle has lost 5 straight games.
Team records:
Dallas: 24-11 SU, 16-18-1 ATS
Seattle: 9-26 SU, 16-19 ATS
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing LA Clippers are 9-1
After playing Detroit are 7-3
After a win are 8-2
Seattle most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing LA Lakers are 2-8
After playing New Jersey are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Dallas's last 5 games on the road
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Dallas is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Seattle
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 6 games when playing at home against Dallas
Seattle is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Seattle's last 10 games when playing Dallas
Next up:
Dallas at LA Clippers, Saturday, January 12
Seattle home to LA Lakers, Monday, January 14
Friday’s Pregame Buzz
Charlotte Bobcats at Cleveland Cavaliers
* The Cleveland Cavaliers return home, where they are 11-6 on the year, after having their four-game winning streak snapped Wednesday to the Atlanta Hawks. Cleveland has won 4 straight there, and Charlotte is 0-5 all-time in Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavaliers are averaging 105 points over those 5 games. EDGE: CAVS
* The Charlotte Bobcats are trying for a season-high 3rd straight win. They have defeated the Nets 115-99 and are coming off a stunning 95-83 win at Boston on Wednesday. Those two wins have given this team a much needed boost in confidence and F Jason Richardson said: “We are a good team, but our record just doesn’t show it.” EDGE: BOBCATS
* Bobcats are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 road games.
* Cavs are 30-14 ATS in their last 44 games when playing on 1 days rest.
* The underdog is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Boston Celtics at at New Jersey Nets
* The Boston Celtics will be trying to rebound from just their 4th loss of the season when they visit Jason Kidd and the New Jersey Nets. "We aren't going to win every game of the season," Boston's Paul Pierce said. "And we've got to bounce back." The Celtics have not dropped consecutive games all season and are expected to have Ray Allen and Glen Davis back after both missed the loss to Charlotte with injuries. They have rebounded to win by an average of 31 points in their next game following their previous 3 losses. (Check status on the Pregame Wire!) EDGE: CELTICS
* The Nets have won 6 of 7 and are averaging over 100 points per game during the streak. New Jersey also has won its last 3 home games, with Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson combining for 44 points last time out against Seattle. EDGE: NETS
* Tonight Boston is in a role that they have been perfect in since 2004 what we want to do is Play ON Boston in a conference road game off a SU loss in which Paul Pierce scored less than 19 points and are facing a rested opponent, they are a perfect 11-0 ATS in this role. (Courtesy of Rob "Gator" Gainous)
* Celtics are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU loss.
* Nets are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games against the Atlantic Division.
* The road team is 7-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
Miami Heat at New Orleans Hornets
* Heat is 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games after allowing 100+ points previously.
* Hornets are 22-8 ATS in their last 30 games following an ATS loss.
* The OVER is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
Orlando Magic at Denver Nuggets
* The Orlando Magic are leading the league with 16 road wins before the All-Star game, after managing only 15 victories away from home all of last season. Although Orlando boasts road wins over New Orleans, Portland and the Los Angeles Lakers, it is 0-4 at San Antonio, Phoenix, Dallas and Boston - owners of 4 of the NBA's 5 best records. EDGE: MAGIC
* The Nuggets should be a much fresher team in this game after their 4th game in 5 nights resulted in a 137-115 loss at Phoenix on Monday. Allen Iverson continued his stellar play with 32 points and has scored 30-plus points in his last 3 games. Iverson's scoring surge is likely to continue against the Magic, as as he's scored 30 points or more in each of his last 3 meetings. EDGE: NUGGETS
* Magic are 11-2-1 ATS in their last 14 road games as underdog.
* Nuggets are 5-14 ATS in their last 19 games following an ATS loss.
* The home team is 10-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
Milwaukee Bucks at Los Angeles Lakers
* Bucks are 12-4 ATS in their last 16 games against the Pacific Division.
* Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games against a losing road team.
* The underdog is 7-1-1 ATS in the last 9 meetings.
Dallas Mavericks at Seattle SuperSonics
* Mavs are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games as a road favorite.
* Sonics are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games against a winning team.
* The favorite is 6-0 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
PREGAME.COM
Pacers' Harrison suspended 5 games
indystar.com
PHOENIX - Indiana Pacers center David Harrison has been suspended five games without pay by the NBA for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug program, the league announced today.
Harrison, who was sent home from the team’s current five-game road trip, will begin serving his suspension with Saturday’s game at Sacramento. He’ll be eligible to return for the Jan. 23 game at Chicago.
“We’re very disappointed with the news David has been suspended,” Pacers president Larry Bird said in a statement. “This is a private matter. We will do what we can to provide David any help going forward.”
As part of the collective bargaining agreement only the league can discipline Harrison for violation of the anti-drug program.
Bulls F Luol Deng (18 ppg; Achillies) is listed as doubtful for Friday's game.
Celtics G Ray Allen (18 ppg; neck) is expected to return for Friday's game.
Bucks F Michael Redd (thigh) should be back in action on Friday, but will most likely be coming off the bench.
Rockets G Tracy McGrady (knee) is now expected to make a return sometime next week.
Heat C Shaquille O'Neal (14 ppg; hip) is listed as out of tonight's game once again.
Inside the Paint - Friday
By Chris David
**Chicago at Philadelphia**
Gamblers should be weary of this matchup, with Philadelphia (0-5 SU, 1-4 ATS skid) and Chicago (1-2 SU, 0-3 ATS last three) both struggling of late. The 76ers surprised the Bulls 96-85 on Nov. 2 as 8½-point road underdogs. The combined 181 points slid ‘under’ the closing total of 189½. The ‘under’ has gone 4-2 in the last six meetings between the two teams. The Bulls are expected to be without Luol Deng from the lineup on Friday.
**Charlotte at Cleveland**
Even though the Bobcats have notched back-to-back victories against New Jersey and Cleveland, the team still owns a 2-11 SU and 3-9 ATS mark on the road. Cleveland is 11-6 SU at Quicken Loans Arena, but only 6-11 ATS. The ‘Cats have won two straight against the Cavs, including a 96-93 win on Dec. 8 but keep in mind that LeBron James didn’t play for Cleveland.
**Washington at Atlanta**
The total on this contest is listed between 192 and 193. We mention that because the ‘under’ has cashed in the last six meetings and eight of the previous 10 games when the Wizards and Hawks square off.
**Toronto at New York**
The Knicks and Raptors meet at Madison Square Garden on Friday for the first time this season. Last year, Toronto went 3-1 SU and 2-2 ATS versus New York. The ‘under’ was 3-1. New York’s defense is allowing 102 points per game, which has helped the ‘over’ go 20-14 and cash in five straight contests.
**Boston at New Jersey**
The Celtics look to rebound tonight after dropping their fourth game of the season on Wednesday to Charlotte, 95-83. Doc Rivers’ team has responded well this year after a loss, beating the next opponent by 23, 45 and 25 points in the three instances. Boston is 2-0 both SU and ATS versus New Jersey this year, winning both games by double digits.
**Miami at New Orleans**
The Heat have dropped nine straight games and to make matters worse, they are 1-8 ATS during this embarrassing drought. The Hornets are 8-2 both SU and ATS in their last 10 games, but some might wonder if they can get up after an emotional loss on Wednesday to the L.A. Lakers, 109-80. Miami owns a 4-0 ATS mark as an underdog of 10 or more points this year.
**Minnesota at Houston**
The Timberwolves are a pathetic 1-16 SU record on the road, yet they’ve notched a decent 9-8 ATS mark. Houston has won and covered four in a row and that’s without Tracy McGrady too. Minnesota has seen the ‘under’ go 12-4 away from home.
**Orlando at Denver**
The Magic have been the best road team for gamblers this season, watching the club go 16-6 SU and 17-5 ATS. Those numbers might dwindle tonight, considering Denver owns a solid 14-5 SU and 10-9 ATS ledger at home.
**Milwaukee at L.A. Lakers**
The Lakers are on a serious roll, winning eight of nine and four in a row. The team has gone 7-2 ATS and the ‘over’ has produced a 6-3 record during this run. The Bucks are only 5-15 SU and 9-11 ATS on the road, but the team has won and covered three in a row on their opponents’ court. Michael Redd is expected to play tonight for Milwaukee.
**Memphis at Golden State**
The total on this matchup is 223, which is the highest number on the board tonight and deservingly too. The ‘over’ has cashed in four of the last five between the Warriors and Grizzlies, including a combined 242 points (GS 125-117) in their earlier meeting this season on Dec. 17. Memphis is in a back-to-back spot on Friday after losing 116-113 to Sacramento last night. The Grizzlies are 2-6 SU and 4-4 ATS on zero days rest, with the ‘under’ going 5-3.
**Dallas at Seattle**
According to Sportsbook.com, Dallas is the biggest public play on the board tonight, garnering close to 94% in the latest betting trends. Hard to place a money-line wager or point-spread wager on Seattle, considering the Mavericks have went 10-0 SU and 8-1-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings against the Sonics. The ‘under’ is on an 8-1 run for Dallas and a 6-0 run for Seattle.
vegasinsider.com
Heat, Hawks to play final 51.9 seconds over
Associated Press
ATLANTA (AP) - The Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat must replay the final 51.9 seconds of their game last month because the NBA said the official scorer ruled incorrectly that Shaquille O'Neal fouled out. This will be the first time since 1982 the league has sent teams back on the court for a replay.
The Hawks won 117-111 at home in overtime Dec. 19. The NBA said Friday the replay will be held before the teams' next scheduled game — March 8 in Atlanta. Play will start from the time after O'Neal's disputed sixth foul.
The Hawks also were fined $50,000, with commissioner David Stern ruling the team was "grossly negligent" in failing to address the mistake.
The protest is the first granted by the NBA since December 1982, when then-NBA commissioner Larry O'Brien upheld a request for a replay by the San Antonio Spurs after their 137-132 double-overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers the previous month.
The Spurs and Lakers finished the game in April 1983, with San Antonio winning 117-114.
The Hawks were leading 112-111 in overtime when O'Neal was called for a foul. The scoring table personnel, who are provided by the home team, ruled it was the Miami center's sixth foul, when actually it was only his fifth.
According to the league, the mistake stemmed from a foul with 3:24 remaining in the fourth quarter that was called on Udonis Haslem but was mistakenly credited to O'Neal at the scoring table.
Stern ruled the Hawks "failed to follow league-mandated scoring procedures and failed to respond effectively when the members of the statisticians' crew noticed the mistake," the NBA said in a statement.
"Because of this conduct by Atlanta's personnel, Miami suffered a clear competitive disadvantage, as O'Neal — the Heat's second-leading scorer and rebounder that night - was removed from a one-point game with only 51.9 seconds remaining," the statement added.
Al Horford hit two free throws after O'Neal's foul to give the Hawks a 114-111 lead. Anthony Johnson added a running jumper with 14 seconds left to put the game away.
Now, they'll have to do it over again.