NBA Betting . 11/18

[TheGame]

Bank shots: NBA's weekly betting news and notes

Each week, we look back on the NBA betting scene and give you the best - and worst - basketball bets, as well as some spots to keep an eye on with the upcoming schedule.

For the week of Nov. 11-17

Hottest ATS - Chicago Bulls (3-0 SU, 3-0 ATS)

After a sluggish start to the season, Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls have seemed to shake off the rust. The Bulls started the season 1-3 straight up and 0-4 against the spread, but since have gone on a four-game winning streak, covering the spread in each game. During the winning streak, the Bulls have done what they do best - play defense. They are holding teams to 90 ppg and just 40.3 percent shooting from the floor, ranking them third and second respectively. This week will be a tough test for the red-hot Bulls. They face the scrappy Charlotte Bobcats at home before kicking off a west coast road trip Thursday in Denver.

Coldest ATS - Orlando Magic (1-2 SU, 0-3 ATS)

After a hot start to the season which saw the Orlando Magic go 3-2 SU and an impressive 5-0 ATS, the Magic have lost their touch. They have gone 1-4 in their last five games and haven't covered in that span. Last week the Magic gave up 106.3 ppg, which included 120 points in a loss to the offensively deficient Boston Celtics. This week, the Magic play a home-and-home series with the Miami Heat before ending the week against the Phoenix Suns, who are still lighting it up against the spread with a 7-1-1 record this season.

Best over play - Los Angeles Clippers (3-0 SU, 3-0 O/U)

The team formerly know as 'Lob City' returned to their high-flying ways this week, notching some big wins at home against good competition. The Clippers defeated Western Conference contenders Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder as well as knocking off the Brooklyn Nets. The Clippers averaged 110 ppg over that span. The schedule doesn't get any easier for the Clippers though. They play five games next week, including rematches on the road against the Wolves and Thunder. They have home games against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Sacramento Kings and the Chicago Bulls. The Clippers have hit the Over in all five home games this season.

Best under play - San Antonio Spurs (3-0 SU, 0-3 O/U)

It has quietly been business as usual for the San Antonio Spurs, who are tied with the Indiana Pacers for the best record in the NBA at 9-1. They have also been a solid under play all season, hitting the Under seven times in 10 games. They have done this by playing excellent defense and being efficient on offense. The Spurs rank second and fourth, in points per game and field goal percentage respectively. They are also shooting 47.6 percent from the floor, good for fifth in the NBA. This week the Spurs take on the Boston Celtics at home, the Memphis Grizzlies on the road and finish of the week at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers. They are all ranked 24th or worse in scoring this season.

Surveying the schedule:

The Philadelphia 76ers have been a solid over play this season going 8-3. Their fast pace style of play has made them a great target for Over bettors. They rank eighth in the league in scoring at 104.5 ppg and last in the NBA in points against, giving up 111.1. The 76ers start this week at Dallas then return home to take on Toronto. Toronto and Dallas are a combined 12-8 O/U.

All stats prior to Sunday's NBA action.

[TheGame]

Bobcats at Bulls: What bettors need to know

Charlotte Bobcats at Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls’ slow start is far in the rearview mirror now that the defense is matching up with the offensive potential. The Bulls will look to push their winning streak to five straight when they host the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday. Chicago is allowing an average of 82 points in the last four contests and are coming off a 110-94 victory over previously-unbeaten Indiana on Saturday.

Derrick Rose returned from a one-game absence due to a hamstring injury and put together one of his best games of the season against the Pacers, knocking down six 3-pointers and handing out four assists without a turnover. The Bobcats just got finished with one Eastern Conference contender in a 97-81 home loss to the Miami Heat on Saturday and will get Indiana later this month. Charlotte is not quite as stout defensively as the Bulls but is in the top five in the NBA in scoring defense.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, SportsSouth (Charlotte), CSN Chicago

ABOUT THE BOBCATS (5-5): Charlotte has held all but two of its opponents under the century mark and limited the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers to an average of 81.5 points in its last two road games - both wins. Kemba Walker is the most consistent scorer for the Bobcats but is having a rough go of it lately, shooting 27.7 percent from the floor over the last five games. The former Connecticut star shot under 50 percent in each of his last eight contests.

ABOUT THE BULLS (5-3): Chicago looks like a title contender of late while scoring at least 96 points in each of its last four wins to go along with the solid defense. “The ball movement has been there all season,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “The ball is going in now, and when the ball goes in, it looks better.” The ball went in against Indiana, including 11-of-19 from 3-point range as the Bulls went over 100 points for the first time this season.

TRENDS:

* Under is 5-0-1 in the last six meetings.
* Road team is 7-0 ATS in the last seven meetings.
* Bobcats are 4-0 ATS in their last four vs. NBA Central.
* Bulls are 1-4 ATS in their last five vs. NBA Southeast.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. The Bulls have taken seven of the last eight in the series and posted a 105-75 triumph in the last meeting, Feb. 22, 2013.

2. Charlotte C Al Jefferson (ankle) missed the last two games and is questionable for Monday.

3. Chicago F Luol Deng is averaging 21 points on 16-of-29 shooting over the last two contests.

[TheGame]

NBA

Hot teams
-- Portland won its last six games, covered last four on road.
-- Bulls won their last four games, all by 15+ points. Charlotte won its last three road games SU.
-- Thunder won five of last seven games (1-2 HF). Nuggets won three of their last four games.
-- Mavericks won three of their last four games.
-- Golden State won six of its last eight games.
-- Clippers won four in row, seven of last nine games. Memphis won its last two games, allowing 86 points both games.

Cold teams
-- Nets lost four of their last five games.
-- 76ers lost six of their last eight games.
-- Jazz lost ten of first eleven games, but covered last three.

Series records
-- Nets won last two games with Portland, by 13-18 points.
-- Bulls won seven of last eight games with Charlotte (5-3 vs spread).
-- Thunder lost four of last five games with Denver.
-- Mavericks won seven of last nine games with Philly.
-- Jazz won four of last six games with Golden State; they lost by 14 in Oakland Saturday.
-- Memphis beat Clippers in six games LY, avenging loss in 7-game series the year before.

Totals
-- Three of last four Portland games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Chicago games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last six Denver games went over the total.
-- Four of last five Philly games went over the total.
-- 16 of last 18 Golden State-Utah games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last seven Memphis games stayed under total.

[TheGame]

Monday Tips
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com

Blazers at Nets

Portland: 8-2 SU, 7-3 ATS
Brooklyn: 3-6 SU, 4-5 ATS

These two teams had different expectations headed into the season, but each are going in the opposite direction through three weeks. The Blazers lead the Northwest Division, while winning each of the first two games on their four-game road trip at Boston and Toronto. Since getting drilled in the season opener at Phoenix, Portland has won four consecutive road contests, with all four wins coming by at least eight points.

The Nets managed a cover as 13 ½-point underdogs in Saturday's 110-103 loss to the Clippers, but Brooklyn fell to 1-5 away from the Barclays Center this season. In that defeat, the Nets played without Deron Williams, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Brook Lopez, and Andrei Kirilenko, all who were out due to various injuries. Brooklyn returns home for just one game off its three-game West Coast swing, as the Nets go back on the highway starting Wednesday at Charlotte. The Nets have seen more success at home, winning two of three games at Barclays Center.

Bobcats at Bulls

Charlotte: 5-5 SU, 5-4-1 ATS
Chicago: 5-3 SU, 4-4 ATS

Although they sit at .500, the Bobcats have turned into one of the surprises early in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte has thrived on the road, winning three straight games on the highway, including low-scoring triumphs at Boston and Cleveland. The Bobcats were tripped up by the Heat on Saturday night, as Charlotte has scored 89 points or fewer in three straight games, resulting in three consecutive 'unders.'

The Bulls were the first team to figure out how to beat the previously unbeaten Pacers, handing Indiana a 110-94 beatdown as Chicago led Indiana by 25 points at the half on Saturday. Chicago owns a perfect 4-0 record at the United Center this season, while covering four straight games after starting the season 0-4 ATS. The Bobcats have cashed in three consecutive visits to the Windy City, including twice last season as a double-digit 'dog.

Nuggets at Thunder

Denver: 4-5 SU, 4-5 ATS
Oklahoma City: 6-3, 4-5 ATS

These two Northwest Division rivals meet for the first time this season, as the Nuggets are playing better after an 0-3 start. Denver held off Minnesota on Friday night as short home underdogs, 117-113, but saw its three-game winning streak halted on Saturday at Houston in a 122-111 defeat as eight-point 'dogs. The offense has woken up after a slow beginning, as the Nuggets have eclipsed the 100-point mark in six consecutive games, while cashing the 'over' five times in this stretch.

Oklahoma City bounced back after losses to the Clippers and Warriors by taking care of a beat-up Milwaukee squad on Saturday, 92-79 as 10½-point road favorites. The Thunder returns for a six-game homestand, as OKC has won all three contests at Chesapeake Energy Center this season. However, the Thunder failed to cover in wins over the Suns and Wizards as heavy favorites. OKC had problems with Denver last season, losing three of four matchups with the Nuggets, while Denver has covered in four of the last five visits to Oklahoma City.

76ers at Mavericks

Philadelphia: 5-6 SU, 6-5 ATS
Dallas: 6-4 SU, 7-3 ATS

The Sixers shocked the world with three straight wins to start the season, including home upsets of the Heat and Bulls. Philadelphia is reverting back to what was expected of them this season, dropping six of its last eight games, including a 37-point rout at the hands of New Orleans on Saturday. The Sixers are allowing points at will, giving up at least 109 points in all six defeats, while posting an 8-3 mark to the 'over' this season.

The Mavericks split a pair of games in the Sunshine State, while taking care of Orlando on Saturday night, 108-100 as short favorites. Dallas returns to the American Airlines Center tonight with a perfect 4-0 SU/ATS at home this season, including a 6-0 SU/ATS record as a favorite overall. The Mavs should have a field day with the Philadelphia defense, as Dallas has eclipsed the 105-point mark in all four home victories.

Warriors at Jazz

Golden State: 7-3 SU, 5-4-1 ATS
Utah: 1-10 SU, 4-6-1 ATS

The Warriors and Jazz wrap up the second end of a home-and-home set tonight in Salt Lake City. Golden State took care of Utah on Saturday night in Oakland, but the Jazz managed a cover as 15 ½-point underdogs in a 102-88 defeat. The Warriors shot 51% from the field, while all five Golden State starters finished in double-figures, led by Klay Thompson's 25 points. Golden State finished its homestand at a perfect 3-0, but Mark Jackson's squad is just 2-3 away from Oracle Arena this season.

Utah is counting its lottery balls already after losing 10 of its first 11 games, which includes three home defeats by double-digits to Houston, San Antonio, and Denver. The Jazz have covered three straight games, as their only win came as 2 ½-point home 'dogs to the Pelicans. In the losses to the Rockets and Spurs, Utah led at halftime before falling apart in the second half, so a first half look could be the way to go with the Jazz tonight.

Grizzlies at Clippers

Memphis: 5-5 SU, 2-7-1 ATS
Los Angeles: 7-3 SU, 6-4 ATS

The Grizzlies haven't been great this season, but somehow they have clawed their way back to the .500 mark after knocking off the Kings on Sunday, 97-86. Memphis has won each of the first two games on this four-game California swing, as the Grizzlies head back south to Staples Center tonight. The Grizzlies have hit the 'under' in three straight road games, while limiting their last three opponents on the highway to 95 points or fewer.

The Clippers have this game circled on the schedule after blowing a 2-0 lead in their first round playoff series loss to the Grizzlies this past May. Los Angeles looks to finish off a perfect 4-0 homestand after beating Minnesota, Oklahoma City, and Brooklyn, while cashing the 'over' in each of those victories. In fact, the Clippers are 5-0 to the 'over' at home this season, while scoring and allowing at least 100 points each time. These teams split 10 meetings last season, as the Grizzlies covered the final five games in the playoffs.

[TheGame]

NBA

Monday, November 18

Trend Report

7:30 PM
PORTLAND vs. BROOKLYN
Portland is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing Brooklyn
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Portland's last 6 games when playing Brooklyn
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Brooklyn's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Brooklyn's last 6 games when playing Portland

8:00 PM
DENVER vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
Denver is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Denver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games when playing at home against Denver

8:00 PM
CHARLOTTE vs. CHICAGO
Charlotte is 3-16 SU in its last 19 games on the road
Charlotte is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games at home
Chicago is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Charlotte

8:30 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. DALLAS
Philadelphia is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Dallas's last 8 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia

9:00 PM
GOLDEN STATE vs. UTAH
Golden State is 17-7-1 ATS in its last 25 games
Golden State is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Utah
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Utah's last 15 games when playing Golden State
Utah is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Golden State

10:30 PM
MEMPHIS vs. LA CLIPPERS
Memphis is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Memphis's last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
LA Clippers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home
LA Clippers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games