NBA Betting Info. 2/24

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Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/24

NBA ATS

NBA > (515) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (516) DALLAS | 2016-02-24 20:35:00 - 2016-02-24 20:35:00
Play AGAINST OKLAHOMA CITY against the spread in Road games after a non-conference game
The record is 0 Wins and 9 Losses for the this season (-9.9 units)

NBA > (513) WASHINGTON@ (514) CHICAGO | 2016-02-24 20:05:00 - 2016-02-24 20:05:00
Play AGAINST CHICAGO against the spread in All games against Southeast division opponents
The record is 0 Wins and 9 Losses for the this season (-9.9 units)

NBA > (515) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (516) DALLAS | 2016-02-24 20:35:00 - 2016-02-24 20:35:00
Play AGAINST OKLAHOMA CITY against the spread in All games after a non-conference game
The record is 5 Wins and 17 Losses for the this season (-13.7 units)

NBA > (505) PHILADELPHIA@ (506) DETROIT | 2016-02-24 19:35:00 - 2016-02-24 19:35:00
Play ON DETROIT against the spread in All games after a division game
The record is 20 Wins and 6 Losses for the last two seasons (+13.4 units)

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NBA MONEYLINE

NBA > (513) WASHINGTON@ (514) CHICAGO | 2016-02-24 20:05:00 - 2016-02-24 20:05:00
Play ON CHICAGO using money line in All games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 43 Wins and 16 Losses for the last two seasons (+29.95 units)

NBA > (513) WASHINGTON@ (514) CHICAGO | 2016-02-24 20:05:00 - 2016-02-24 20:05:00
Play ON CHICAGO using money line in All games revenging a home loss vs opponent
The record is 19 Wins and 7 Losses for the last two seasons (+19.85 units)

NBA > (519) SAN ANTONIO@ (520) SACRAMENTO | 2016-02-24 22:35:00 - 2016-02-24 22:35:00
Play AGAINST SACRAMENTO using money line in All games revenging a home loss vs opponent
The record is 3 Wins and 11 Losses for the this season (-14.8 units)

NBA > (515) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (516) DALLAS | 2016-02-24 20:35:00 - 2016-02-24 20:35:00
Play AGAINST OKLAHOMA CITY using money line in Road games when playing with 2 days rest
The record is 3 Wins and 10 Losses for the last three seasons (-17.4 units)

NBA > (517) DENVER@ (518) LA CLIPPERS | 2016-02-24 22:35:00 - 2016-02-24 22:35:00
Play AGAINST LA CLIPPERS using money line in All games when the total is greater than or equal to 210
The record is 4 Wins and 10 Losses for the this season (-16.25 units)

NBA > (507) MINNESOTA@ (508) TORONTO | 2016-02-24 19:35:00 - 2016-02-24 19:35:00
Play AGAINST MINNESOTA using money line in All games after scoring 105 points or more
The record is 24 Wins and 50 Losses for the last three seasons (-40.45 units)

NBA > (505) PHILADELPHIA@ (506) DETROIT | 2016-02-24 19:35:00 - 2016-02-24 19:35:00
Play AGAINST DETROIT using money line in Home games after a division game
The record is 8 Wins and 15 Losses for the last three seasons (-21.15 units)

NBA > (509) GOLDEN STATE@ (510) MIAMI | 2016-02-24 19:35:00 - 2016-02-24 19:35:00
Play AGAINST MIAMI using money line in All games after 3 or more consecutive wins
The record is 1 Wins and 7 Losses for the last two seasons (-12.35 units)

NBA > (519) SAN ANTONIO@ (520) SACRAMENTO | 2016-02-24 22:35:00 - 2016-02-24 22:35:00
Play AGAINST SACRAMENTO using money line in All games against Southwest division opponents
The record is 5 Wins and 23 Losses for the last two seasons (-19.3 units)

NBA > (515) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (516) DALLAS | 2016-02-24 20:35:00 - 2016-02-24 20:35:00
Play AGAINST DALLAS using money line in All games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season
The record is 11 Wins and 25 Losses for the last two seasons (-20.95 units)

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NBA FIRST HALF

NBA > (519) SAN ANTONIO@ (520) SACRAMENTO | 2016-02-24 22:35:00 - 2016-02-24 22:35:00
Play AGAINST SACRAMENTO ?>in the first halfin All games revenging a home loss vs opponent
The record is 1 Wins and 14 Losses for the this season (-14.4 units)

NBA > (507) MINNESOTA@ (508) TORONTO | 2016-02-24 19:35:00 - 2016-02-24 19:35:00
Play AGAINST TORONTO ?>in the first halfin Home games in February games
The record is 0 Wins and 12 Losses for the last three seasons (-13.2 units)

NBA > (503) CHARLOTTE@ (504) CLEVELAND | 2016-02-24 19:05:00 - 2016-02-24 19:05:00
Play ON CLEVELAND ?>in the first halfin All games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season
The record is 37 Wins and 16 Losses for the last two seasons (+19.4 units)

NBA > (503) CHARLOTTE@ (504) CLEVELAND | 2016-02-24 19:05:00 - 2016-02-24 19:05:00
Play ON CLEVELAND ?>in the first halfin All games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season
The record is 27 Wins and 10 Losses for the last two seasons (+16 units)

NBA > (501) NEW YORK@ (502) INDIANA | 2016-02-24 19:05:00 - 2016-02-24 19:05:00
Play AGAINST INDIANA ?>in the first halfin All games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season
The record is 22 Wins and 49 Losses for the last three seasons (-31.9 units)

NBA > (515) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (516) DALLAS | 2016-02-24 20:35:00 - 2016-02-24 20:35:00
Play AGAINST OKLAHOMA CITY ?>in the first halfin Road games after 3 or more consecutive unders
The record is 3 Wins and 16 Losses for the last three seasons (-14.6 units)

NBA > (509) GOLDEN STATE@ (510) MIAMI | 2016-02-24 19:35:00 - 2016-02-24 19:35:00
Play ON GOLDEN STATE ?>in the first halfin All games when the first half total >= 105.5
The record is 27 Wins and 12 Losses for the this season (+13.8 units)

NBA > (515) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (516) DALLAS | 2016-02-24 20:35:00 - 2016-02-24 20:35:00
Play AGAINST OKLAHOMA CITY ?>in the first halfin Road games after a non-conference game
The record is 6 Wins and 20 Losses for the last two seasons (-16 units)

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NBA TOTALS

NBA > (517) DENVER@ (518) LA CLIPPERS | 2016-02-24 22:35:00 - 2016-02-24 22:35:00
Play UNDER LA CLIPPERS on the totalin All games after scoring 105 points or more
The record is 6 Overs and 21 Unders for the this season (+14.4 units)

NBA > (519) SAN ANTONIO@ (520) SACRAMENTO | 2016-02-24 22:35:00 - 2016-02-24 22:35:00
Play UNDER SAN ANTONIO on the totalin Road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 24 Overs and 60 Unders for the last three seasons (+33.6 units)

NBA > (517) DENVER@ (518) LA CLIPPERS | 2016-02-24 22:35:00 - 2016-02-24 22:35:00
Play OVER DENVER on the totalin All games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game
The record is 28 Overs and 11 Unders for the this season (+15.9 units)

NBA > (509) GOLDEN STATE@ (510) MIAMI | 2016-02-24 19:35:00 - 2016-02-24 19:35:00
Play UNDER MIAMI on the totalin All games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game
The record is 27 Overs and 56 Unders for the last two seasons (+26.3 units)

NBA > (509) GOLDEN STATE@ (510) MIAMI | 2016-02-24 19:35:00 - 2016-02-24 19:35:00
Play OVER GOLDEN STATE on the totalin All games when the first half total >= 105.5
The record is 28 Overs and 12 Unders for the this season (+14.8 units)

NBA > (517) DENVER@ (518) LA CLIPPERS | 2016-02-24 22:35:00 - 2016-02-24 22:35:00
Play OVER DENVER on the totalin All games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 25 Overs and 10 Unders for the this season (+14 units)

NBA > (511) LA LAKERS@ (512) MEMPHIS | 2016-02-24 20:05:00 - 2016-02-24 20:05:00
Play OVER MEMPHIS on the totalin Home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game
The record is 17 Overs and 5 Unders for the this season (+11.5 units)

NBA > (501) NEW YORK@ (502) INDIANA | 2016-02-24 19:05:00 - 2016-02-24 19:05:00
Play UNDER INDIANA on the totalin All games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game
The record is 11 Overs and 26 Unders for the this season (+13.9 units)

NBA > (515) OKLAHOMA CITY@ (516) DALLAS | 2016-02-24 20:35:00 - 2016-02-24 20:35:00
Play UNDER DALLAS on the totalin All games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game
The record is 11 Overs and 26 Unders for the this season (+13.9 units)

[Satch]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/24

Preview: New York At Indiana
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
The New York Knicks are sinking toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference and have shown little improvement over the last month, frustrating star forward Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks will try to pick up their third win in 15 games when they visit the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.
New York was blown out 122-95 at home by the Toronto Raptors on Monday, letting Toronto shoot 52.9 percent from the floor while surrendering 58 points in the paint. “Regardless of the record, just losing, accepting that – it is hard to accept that,” Anthony told reporters. “You can’t be satisfied with losing basketball games.” The Pacers nearly pulled off a sweep of a three-game road trip before falling 101-93 in overtime at Miami on Monday and are winners of seven of their last 11 contests. Indiana star forward Paul George, who put up a game-high 41 points in the All-Star Game on Feb. 14, is averaging 24.3 points in three games since the break.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), FSN Indiana
ABOUT THE KNICKS (24-34): Anthony was waiting for reporters after Monday’s loss and was honest in his assessment of his team. “We need to want to be out there, want to play, want to go deep,” Anthony told reporters. “I think we need to take it upon ourselves individually. It’s not anything to do with X’s and O’s. We have to take it upon ourselves to take the challenge as a group.” Anthony had his name floated in trade rumors last week but insisted that he was committed to building a winner with New York, which has fallen 6 1/2 games behind the No. 8 spot in the East.
ABOUT THE PACERS (30-26): George did his part with 31 points and 11 rebounds on Monday but Indiana let an early 14-point lead slip away against one of the teams it is chasing in the East. George could use some help from the starting backcourt of Monta Ellis and George Hill, which combined to go 2-of-24 from the field in the loss. Ellis had two free throws with a chance to put the Pacers in front with 0.8 seconds left in regulation but split the set and the team went on to fall in overtime.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Pacers F C.J. Miles (calf) sat out Monday and is day-to-day.
2. New York C Robin Lopez is averaging 23.5 points on 21-of-28 shooting in the last two games.
3. Indiana took all four meetings last season and won the two at home by an average of 22 points.
PREDICTION: Pacers 103, Knicks 92

[Satch]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/24

Preview: Charlotte At Cleveland
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
The Cleveland Cavaliers put together one of the best games of their season on Sunday and followed it up with one of the worst the next night. The Cavaliers will try to find some consistency in their top gear when they host the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.
Cleveland crushed the Oklahoma City Thunder 115-92 on the road on Sunday but looked fatigued while falling at home to the Detroit Pistons on Monday 96-88. “It was an emotional game for our guys (Sunday),” Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving told reporters. “We don’t want to make any excuses, but it was a hard fought game for us yesterday. Then, traveling back, you could just see it. We had some uncharacteristic plays out there for a couple of guys.” The Hornets are one of the few teams to beat Cleveland of late, earning a 106-97 home win on Feb. 3, and are winners of five straight. Charlotte began a six-game road trip before the All-Star break and has won the first three to pull three games over .500.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Charlotte), FSN Ohio (Cleveland)
ABOUT THE HORNETS (29-26): Charlotte got center Al Jefferson back from knee surgery after the All-Star break, giving them an inside weapon to take some of the pressure off Kemba Walker and the perimeter-based offense the team runs. Jefferson is coming off the bench on a minutes restriction but looked fully recovered from a torn meniscus while putting up 18 points on 9-of-13 shooting in 24 minutes as the Hornets cruised past the Brooklyn Nets 104-96 on Sunday. Walker led the way with 28 points and is averaging 25.2 points in six games this month after sitting out the win over the Cavaliers on Feb. 3.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (40-15): LeBron James carried a big load in Oklahoma City with Irving ailing and it looked like the strain had gotten to him on Monday. The superstar small forward struggled to 12 points on 5-of-18 shooting and committed six turnovers in the setback. “We learn from our mistakes for sure,” James told reporters after the loss. “We’ll probably watch film when we get to our shootaround on Wednesday. We’ll watch our film to see what we did wrong and where we can get better, but we know that we are a better team (Monday) than we showed. It was just our energy level, which from yesterday took a lot out of us.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Cavaliers F Channing Frye made his team debut on Monday and managed two points in nine minutes off the bench.
2. Hornets C Spencer Hawes (back) sat out the last two games and is day-to-day.
3. Charlotte’s win earlier this month snapped a four-game losing streak in the series.
PREDICTION: Cavaliers 109, Hornets 103

[Satch]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/24

Preview: Golden State At Miami
When: 7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida
The Miami Heat are finding ways to win while fighting through injuries but are about to go up against a freight train. The Heat will try to hang around without Chris Bosh again when they host the NBA-best Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.
Miami trailed by 14 points early against Indiana on Monday before rallying for an overtime win and has taken three straight while handing more of the offensive burden to forward Luol Deng. “We’re holding it together, and you just keep moving forward,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after watching Dwyane Wade return from a two-game absence while Deng played through a dislocated finger on Monday. “You just keep on plugging away. You build up some resiliency from that. It’s just been an interesting week.” The Warriors just keep plugging away as well and became the quickest team in history to reach 50 wins with a 102-92 victory in Atlanta on Monday. “We’re on the right track,” Golden State guard Stephen Curry told reporters. “We’re not complacent. We’re trying to get better, finding different ways to win games and staying in the moment. We’ve got great chemistry, and we’re relying on that each and every night.”
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, CSN Bay Area (Golden State), FSN Sun (Miami)
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (50-5): Golden State gave away all of a 23-point lead on Monday before rallying back behind Curry in the fourth quarter to stay ahead of the pace set by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, who won a record 72 games in the regular season. “I liked the response,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters after beating Atlanta. “We gave up the lead, and they were on fire in their home building. Everything was going against us, but we maintained our poise and pulled away down the stretch. It was a really good win.” Golden State has three games remaining on its seven-game road trip that concludes in Oklahoma City on Saturday.
ABOUT THE HEAT (32-24): Bosh is dealing with an undisclosed medical condition that has kept him off the floor for the last two weeks and Wade continues to be plagued by a sore knee, but Miami continues to roll along. “We never quit,” Heat guard Goran Dragic told ESPN.com. “We never use excuses when somebody’s out. We’re always going to perform and try to win these games. We know now that everybody can step in and play. You’re not thinking too much. You just go out there and do it. I think we’re getting there.” The winning streak has vaulted Miami back into third place in the East.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Warriors signed veteran C Anderson Varejao off waivers and he has yet to make his team debut.
2. Miami G Beno Udrih (foot) left Monday’s game and is day-to-day.
3. Golden State has taken three straight in the series, including a 111-103 home win on Jan. 11.
PREDICTION: Warriors 108, Heat 96

[Satch]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/24

Preview: Minnesota At Toronto
When: 7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
The Toronto Raptors remain the biggest threat to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference and showed off with a dominating performance on Monday in a 122-95 win over the New York Knicks. The Raptors will shoot for their 20th home victory when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.
Toronto is three games behind Cleveland for the East lead and will play nine of its next 10 games at home, including a showdown against the Cavaliers on Friday. The Raptors tuned up for that stretch of home games by riding point guard Kyle Lowry’s triple-double – 22 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists – to Monday’s easy win. The Timberwolves, who knocked off Toronto at home before the All-Star break, helped the Raptors extend the gap over the No. 3 spot in the East by holding off the Boston Celtics 124-122 on Monday. Minnesota rookie center Karl-Anthony Towns put up 35 points and 11 rebounds in the 117-112 win over Toronto on Feb. 10 and rolled up another double-double in the win over the Celtics.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), TSN2 (Toronto)
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (18-39): Minnesota got at least 15 points out of each of its five starters and looked strong in the middle with Towns starting alongside fellow center Gorgui Dieng on Monday. Dieng is seeing an increase in minutes with Nikola Pekovic (foot) and Kevin Garnett (knee) out and picked up his sixth double-double in seven games with 17 points and 12 boards on Monday. The Timberwolves have won four of the last seven games as they kick off a stretch with nine of 11 games on the road.
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (37-18): Lowry started for the Eastern Conference in the All-Star Game in Toronto on Feb. 14 and is averaging 22.3 points in three games since returning from the break. The Villanova product was an efficient 7-of-13 from the field in New York and got plenty of encouragement from his teammates as he went for the triple-double on Monday. “My teammates let me know, I will tell you that much,” Lowry told reporters. “They actually helped me and let me get that triple-double tonight, so I thanked them all and I appreciate them. It’s crazy how much these guys support me and I support them and we support each other.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Raptors G DeMar DeRozan went over 20 points in each of the team’s three games since the break.
2. Timberwolves F Nemanja Bjelica (foot) sat out the last three games and is day-to-day.
3. Toronto had taken eight straight in the series before falling at Minnesota on Feb. 10.
PREDICTION: Raptors 115, Timberwolves 103

[Satch]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/24

Preview: Philadelphia At Detroit
When: 7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Where: The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, Michigan
After ending a long losing streak on the road against the best team in the East, the Detroit Pistons look to topple the conference’s worst squad at home when they host the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. Following five straight losses – the last three to sub-.500 teams – the Pistons put it all together in a 96-88 victory at Cleveland on Monday.
Detroit’s first victory since Feb. 4 came hours after it was forced to void a three-team trade, and it was seen as the potential start of a turnaround. “[Monday night’s] game is a prime example of how good we can be,” Marcus Morris – who had 14 points – told reporters. “It just felt different. Had been a long time.” The 76ers have lost five in a row and fell to 2-30 against the East with Tuesday’s 124-115 loss to Orlando. Opponents have averaged 122 points in the last four games for Philadelphia, which is 0-2 versus Detroit.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, FSN Detroit
ABOUT THE 76ERS (8-48): Tuesday offered up an excellent example of what ails Philadelphia, which committed nine more turnovers than the Magic and hit 16 fewer free throws, two categories that have dogged the team all season. The Sixers entered the night last in the league in turnover differential (-2.5) and made free-throw differential (-5.2). Ish Smith (22 points) led six players in double figures against Orlando, hitting multiple 3-pointers for the first time since Jan. 14.
ABOUT THE PISTONS (28-29): Monday’s victory coincided with Tobias Harris’ first start since being traded to Detroit last week and he figures to remain in the lineup, especially with Anthony Tolliver out at least a couple of weeks with a knee injury. Harris has had no issues fitting in, averaging 17 points in his first three games with his new team. Center Andre Drummond produces no matter who’s around him, as he has 11 straight double-doubles, and two of his NBA-leading 48 have come in the Pistons’ two wins over Philadelphia.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Pistons PG Reggie Jackson is averaging 24 points against the Sixers and has made 5-of-8 3-pointers in the two meetings.
2. 76ers PG T.J. McConnell left the loss to Orlando with a sprained right ankle.
3. Philadelphia entered Tuesday 27th in the NBA in field-goal percentage (43.6), while Detroit was 28th (43.5).
PREDICTION: Pistons 106, 76ers 97

[Satch]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/24

Preview: L.A. Lakers At Memphis
When: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Where: FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee
The Memphis Grizzlies learned that center Marc Gasol will officially miss the rest of the season, an injury that likely prohibits Memphis’ chances of rising higher than fifth place in the tough Western Conference. The Grizzlies begin a home-and-home against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday in Memphis and aim to beat the Lakers for the eighth straight time before the teams play again Friday in Los Angeles.
Gasol broke his right foot on Feb. 8 and underwent surgery last Saturday, and the team made the announcement on Tuesday that he is done for the campaign after the navicular bone was repaired. “It is frustrating to not be on the court with my teammates at this time,” Gasol said in a statement. “But I understand that the focus of this process is on long-term health and stability. I look forward to the road ahead and a full and successful recovery.” The Grizzlies likely don’t need Gasol’s presence against the Lakers, who have dropped six consecutive games. Kobe Bryant will be looking to bounce back from a sour outing in Monday’s 108-101 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, a contest in which he was 3-of-12 shooting while scoring 15 points.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TWC SportsNet (Los Angeles), FSN Southeast (Memphis)
ABOUT THE LAKERS (11-47): Rookie forward Larry Nance Jr. had to leave the loss to the Bucks due to pain in his troublesome right knee and the team is considering shutting him down for the season. Nance recently returned from a stretch in which he sat out 10 of 13 games due to discomfort in the knee and he played less than 10 minutes against Milwaukee in his third game back. “We’ve talked about it, they’ve talked about it, but at the same time, at this point right now, it’s precautionary,” Nance told reporters about the prospects of not playing again this season.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (32-23): Small forward Lance Stephenson fared well in his team debut with 18 points in Sunday’s 98-85 loss to the Toronto Raptors after being acquired at last Thursday’s trade deadline from the Los Angeles Clippers for forward Jeff Green. Stephenson struggled with the Clippers and was a poor fit, and it remains to be seen whether he will repeatedly produce similar to how he did against the Raptors. “Lance looked good,” point guard Mike Conley told reporters. “He adjusted really quickly. We kind of slimmed down the playbook a little bit and just gave him three or four plays to remember and just let him play in space and he’s really good at that.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Bryant scored 14 points on 6-of-15 shooting when the Lakers lost 112-96 in Memphis on Dec. 27.
2. Conley had just eight points on 2-of-12 shooting against the Raptors after averaging 24 points over the previous three games.
3. Memphis G Tony Allen (knee) is expected to miss his second straight game.
PREDICTION: Grizzlies 116, Lakers 95

[Satch]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/24

Preview: Washington At Chicago
When: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Derrick Rose has put together three outstanding performances in a row while averaging 26 points and it couldn’t have come at a better time for the injury-hampered Chicago Bulls. Rose, who has struggled with health throughout the last few seasons, looks to stay hot and lead the Bulls to their third consecutive victory Wednesday when they host the Washington Wizards.
With All-Star guard Jimmy Butler (knee) and starting forward Nikola Mirotic (appendicitis) out, Rose made 31-of-54 from the field the last three contests. “I’m a little more efficient as far as shooting,” Rose told the Chicago Tribune. “I feel like I’m getting to spots I want to get to on the floor instead of settling. And I love the way I’m pushing the ball.” Rose will be tested against fellow guard John Wall and the Wizards, who have won three of four games after a 109-89 triumph against New Orleans on Tuesday. Wall, a three-time All Star, comes in off his second triple-double of the season and fifth of his career as Washington trails Chicago and Charlotte by three games for the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, CSN Mid-Atlantic (Washington), CSN Chicago
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (26-29): Marcin Gortat registered 21 points and 11 rebounds Tuesday for his seventh double-double in eight games while the 6-11 center has shot at least 50 percent from the field in 11 of the last 12 contests. Bradley Beal cooled off against New Orleans with nine points on 3-for-10 shooting after averaging 19.7 on 51.5 percent from the field since Feb. 1. Gary Neal (leg) was a late scratch Tuesday, missing his sixth consecutive game, while Jared Dudley drained a season-high six 3-pointers.
ABOUT THE BULLS (29-26): Chicago has gotten other strong contributions with Butler (22.4 points) and Mirotic (10.6) out and has responded well after going through a 1-7 stretch that put its playoff hopes in jeopardy. Pau Gasol (17.1 points, 10.8 rebounds) has also been solid, but missed practice due to the flu Tuesday, while Doug McDermott scored 46 combined in his past two outings. Guard E’Twaun Moore has taken advantage of extra playing time, scoring 24 against the Los Angeles Lakers last time out.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Wizards have taken five of the last seven meetings, including a 114-100 triumph on Jan. 11 in which they placed seven in double figures.
2. Chicago rookie F Bobby Portis scored in double figures four times in the last six games after accomplishing the feat in six of his first 29.
3. Washington F Markieff Morris is averaging 5.7 points on 7-of-23 shooting in three games since being acquired from Phoenix.
PREDICTION: Bulls 101, Wizards 95

[Satch]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/24

Preview: Oklahoma City At Dallas
When: 8:30 PM ET, Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
The Oklahoma City Thunder look to finish off a four-game season sweep of Dallas when they visit the Mavericks on Wednesday. Oklahoma City prevailed twice by three points this season – once in Dallas – and rolled to a 19-point victory in the other meeting.
The Thunder are looking to bounce back from consecutive home losses to Indiana and Cleveland, and they were trampled 115-92 by the Cavaliers on Sunday. “Nah, we’re not concerned,” point guard Russell Westbrook attempted to insist afterward. “There’s a reason why it’s rare. It doesn’t really happen. Not a concern. We’ll be back and ready to go to Dallas.” The Mavericks have been sputtering and Sunday’s 129-103 victory over Philadelphia was just their second win in seven games and it came in the first contest of a stretch in which they play nine of 10 at home. “It doesn’t matter if we play these games in Alaska. We need them,” shooting guard Wesley Matthews told reporters. “It’s too tight right now. I don’t feel that we’re a team that deserves to be in the situation that we’re in, but we put ourselves there, so we’ve got to get ourselves out of it.”
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Oklahoma, FSN Southwest (Dallas)
ABOUT THE THUNDER (40-16): Oklahoma City fancies itself as an NBA title contender but the home beat down it suffered against Cleveland – its second loss to the Cavaliers this season – sent the message that the Thunder perhaps aren’t as ferocious as they feel they are. Coach Billy Donovan put the “adversity is good for a team” label on the blowout loss while Westbrook and small forward Kevin Durant went in the “no-panic, it’s not a big deal” direction. “We lost a game against a good team,” Durant told reporters. “We’ve got to regroup and figure out what we need to do better and move on. It’s the regular season.”
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (30-27): Two-time All-Star David Lee is expected to make his Dallas debut against the Thunder after the team picked him up after he was released by the Boston Celtics. The 32-year-old forward averaged 7.1 points and 4.3 rebounds in 30 games for Boston and is no longer a standout, but Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said he can help the team off the bench at both power forward and center and that is fine with Lee. “I told them I’m not really too worried about them promising me anything as much as I’m in here to show what I can do and try to help this team as much as possible,” Lee told reporters. “My playing time will reflect that. We’ll see what happens.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Thunder broke a three-game losing streak in Dallas by recording a 109-106 victory on Jan. 22.
2. Durant has scored 20 or more points in 41 straight games
3. Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki went over the 29,000-career point mark against the 76ers – he ranks sixth all-time with 29,008.
PREDICTION: Mavericks 108, Thunder 106

[Satch]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/24

Wednesday’s Tip Sheet
By Kevin Rogers
Hornets at Cavaliers – 7:05 PM EST
The hottest team in the Eastern Conference is riding a five-game winning streak as Charlotte (29-26 SU, 28-26-1 ATS) goes for its second win over Cleveland this month. The Hornets have won each of their first three games of their six-game road swing at Indiana, Milwaukee, and Brooklyn, while capturing four straight victories away from Time Warner Cable Arena. The last time Charlotte faced Cleveland on February 3, the Hornets erased a nine-point halftime deficit to beat the Cavaliers, 106-97 as eight-point underdogs.
The Cavaliers (40-15 SU, 24-28-3 ATS) saw their five-game hot streak go down in flames in Monday’s 96-88 home setback to the Pistons as 9 ½-point favorites. Cleveland couldn’t capitalize off Sunday’s rout of Oklahoma City as LeBron James was limited to 12 points on 5-of-18 shooting against Detroit as the Cavs suffered just their fifth home defeat of the season. Tyronn Lue’s club owns a 3-1 SU and 1-2-1 ATS record off a home loss, while the Cavs are coming off three consecutive ‘unders’ after allowing 96 points or less during each game of this span.
Warriors at Heat – 7:35 PM EST
Golden State (50-5 SU, 32-22-1 ATS) became the fastest team to 50 wins in the regular season in NBA history after staving off Atlanta on Monday, 102-92 to cash as six-point road favorites. The Warriors snapped a four-game ATS skid as Stephen Curry exploded for 36 points, while the defending champions won in spite of missing 31 three-point attempts (14-of-45). Steve Kerr’s squad has cashed the ‘under’ in five of the last seven road games, while winning six consecutive away contests against Eastern Conference foes.
After dropping its final two home games prior to the All-Star break, the Heat (32-24 SU, 29-26-1 ATS) have rebounded nicely by winning three straight. Miami overcame a 4-of-21 shooting performance by Dwyane Wade to outlast Indiana in overtime, 101-93 as two-point home favorites on Monday. The Heat have jumped the Hawks for the top spot in the Southeast division, while extending its winning streak to eight against Eastern Conference opponents. However, Miami has dropped four of its last five against the West, while losing at Golden State last month, 111-103 as 14-point underdogs.
Wizards at Bulls – 8:05 PM EST
The one team that is expected to make a run towards the Eastern Conference playoffs is Washington (26-29 SU, 29-26 ATS), who has won three of four games since the All-Star break. The Wizards pulled away from the Pelicans last night, 109-89 as 4 ½-point favorites as Randy Wittman’s team allowed 89 points or fewer for the third straight home game. Washington goes for its second victory at the United Center this season after the Wizards cruised past the Bulls in January as 8 ½-point underdogs, 114-100.
After suffering a five-game losing streak, the Bulls (29-26 SU, 22-33 ATS) showed some signs of life by beating the Raptors and Lakers at home. Chicago’s offense woke up from its slumber which saw them score 95 points or less in the final three losses of that skid, as Fred Hoiberg’s club put up 116 against Toronto and 126 against Los Angeles. The defense continues to be atrocious for the Bulls, allowing at least 100 points in 10 consecutive games, resulting in six ‘overs.’
Thunder at Mavericks – 8:35 PM EST
Oklahoma City (40-16 SU, 22-34 ATS) goes for the four-game season sweep of Dallas, as two of the first three victories came by three points each. In the last matchup at the American Airlines Center last month, the Thunder held off the Mavs, 109-106, but Dallas cashed as six-point home underdogs. OKC looks to get back on track after consecutive home losses to Indiana and Cleveland, while being limited to below 100 points in back-to-back games for the first time since December. Billy Donovan’s team has struggled as a road favorite recently by posting a 1-8 ATS record in the last nine times in this role.
The Mavericks (30-27 SU, 31-25-1 ATS) have cashed the ‘over’ in five straight games, coming off Sunday’s 129-103 blowout of the 76ers as nine-point home favorites. In all five of these contests, Dallas has allowed at least 100 points each time, although three of those games went to overtime. Rick Carlisle’s club has covered four of its past five games as a home underdog, but won only twice straight-up against the Warriors and Celtics.
Spurs at Kings – 10:35 PM EST
San Antonio (47-9 SU, 34-22 ATS) has dominated Sacramento over the years, winning nine of the past 10 matchups, including a 106-88 victory at Sleep Train Arena in November. The Spurs continue their eight-game road trip after beating the Lakers and Suns in high-scoring affairs, but Gregg Popovich’s squad has failed to cover in their last four games. San Antonio has cashed the ‘over’ in five of the past seven road contests, as the Spurs hope to get All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard back in the lineup, who has missed the last three games with a calf injury.
A tough homestand begins for the Kings (24-31 SU, 25-30 ATS), who host the Clippers and Thunder later this week after facing the Spurs. Sacramento held off Denver on Tuesday at the Pepsi Center, 114-110 to pick up its third consecutive win, led by a 39-point effort from DeMarcus Cousins. The Kings aren’t exactly a defensive juggernaut, giving up at least 110 points in six straight games, resulting in six ‘overs.’ George Karl’s team hasn’t fared well without rest, putting together a 2-11 SU and 7-6 ATS record, but has covered in both opportunities at home against Atlanta and Golden State in this situation.