NBA Betting Info. 2/19

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Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/19

Preview: Golden State At Portland
When: 10:00 PM ET, Friday, February 19, 2016
Where: Moda Center at the Rose Quarter, Portland, Oregon
The Golden State Warriors are largely staying away from the trade rumor circuit this week with no obvious holes to fill on the roster. The Warriors are off to the best 52-game start in NBA history and will begin their chase of the 72-win Chicago Bulls from 1995-96 in earnest when they return from the All-Star break to visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.
Warriors stars Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson did not shy away from talk of chasing that record when interviewed repeatedly during the All-Star festivities in Toronto, and Golden State would need to go 25-5 over its last 30 games to reach 73 victories. “Just to be in the conversation of ‘You guys can do it’ is crazy. It’s great,” Thompson told ESPN radio over the weekend. “I would have never imagined this. Growing up, I always thought that record was untouchable. Obviously we’re playing for more than just 73 wins – we’re playing for a championship – but if it’s right there for us, we might as well try and take it.” The Trail Blazers are just trying to take a playoff spot in the Western Conference and won eight of nine heading into the break to reach .500. Point guard Damian Lillard, who missed out on an All-Star bid despite his 24.3 points and 7.3 assists, put up a season-high 40 points in a 128-108 home loss to the Warriors on Jan. 8.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, CSN Bay Area (Golden State), CSN Northwest (Portland)
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (48-4): Golden State cruised into the All-Star break with wins in 11 straight and kicked off a seven-game road trip with a 112-104 victory at Phoenix in the final game prior to the week off. The Warriors averaged 121.4 points in those 11 wins and will play 17 of their final 24 games at home – where they have yet to lose – after finishing up the current road trip. “They’re respecting the game, respecting the process, working hard in practice, sharing the ball and the egos are not getting out of hand,” general manager Bob Myers told CSNBayArea of his team.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (27-27): Portland was predicted to miss the playoffs after replacing four starters and began the season 11-20 before turning things around. “We’ve grown immensely, that’s been the key to our team,” guard C.J. McCollum told reporters before the break. “Our bench has played extremely well. Guys are kinda settling into roles and being aggressive and helping us contribute each and every single night. It’s a team game. When we get four, five, six guys in double figures, it makes the game so much easier for everybody.” McCollum’s improvement has been the biggest surprise, and the third-year guard is averaging 20.7 points while starting alongside Lillard in the backcourt.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Thompson beat out Curry and McCollum to win the 3-point shootout during All-Star weekend.
2. The Trail Blazers were involved in a pair of minor moves on Thursday that netted PG Brian Roberts from Miami, a conditional first-round draft pick from Cleveland and veteran C Anderson Varejao, who is expected to be waived.
3. Golden State has taken four straight and six of the last seven in the series.
PREDICTION: Warriors 116, Trail Blazers 105

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Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/19

Preview: Denver At Sacramento
When: 10:00 PM ET, Friday, February 19, 2016
Where: Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, California
The next 10 games will likely decide whether or not the Sacramento Kings remain in or fall out of the Western Conference playoff race. Sacramento begins the crucial stretch with consecutive games against Denver – beginning with Friday’s home contest – and follows up with home games against the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Kings recently decided not to fire coach George Karl but the upcoming slate is arduous with a four-game road trip following the game against Oklahoma City and a home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers to cap the 10-game stretch. Sacramento lost eight of its last 10 games preceding the All-Star break as Karl continues to have troubles reaching players such as All-Star post DeMarcus Cousins and mercurial point guard Rajon Rondo. Denver has won three of its past four games and is on the fringe of the playoff chase, though it typically isn’t viewed as having a chance to reach the postseason. The Nuggets play a home game against Boston between the two contests against the Kings – the rematch is Tuesday in Denver.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, Altitude (Denver), CSN California (Sacramento)
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (22-32): Leading scorer Danilo Gallinari (19.7 average) survived Thursday’s trading deadline as rumors flew that he was available despite the team saying he was not being shopped. One heavy dose of speculation had Gallinari, power forward Kenneth Faried, center Nikola Jokic and reserve swingman Will Barton being targeted by the Los Angeles Clippers in a package for power forward Blake Griffin and small forward Lance Stephenson. Denver’s lone trade was minor in nature as it sent shooting guard Randy Foye to the Oklahoma City Thunder for point guard D.J. Augustin, forward Steve Novak and two second-round picks.
ABOUT THE KINGS (22-31): Rondo leads the NBA with an 11.9 assists average, a figure that was last topped in a season by Hall of Famer John Stockton (12.3 in 1994-95). Rondo appears to be a shoo-in to win his third career assists title, and his 608 total assists have him on pace to break the franchise single-season mark held by Reggie Theus (788 in 1985-86). This season will mark the fifth time Rondo averages 10 or more assists per game, and he has 36 double-digit outings already this season, three off Theus’ club mark.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The teams split last season’s four meetings.
2. Nuggets PG Jameer Nelson (wrist) will likely miss his seventh straight contest.
3. Sacramento fired assistant coach Vance Walberg on Wednesday, a move general manager Vlade Divac termed “what is best for the team moving forward.”
PREDICTION: Kings 113, Nuggets 109

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Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/19

Preview: Boston At Utah
When: 10:30 PM ET, Friday, February 19, 2016
Where: Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
The Boston Celtics were quiet at the trade deadline Thursday, and with the way the team has come together over the past month, that might be a good thing. “It’s time to go now,” forward Jae Crowder told reporters as the team prepared to visit Utah on Friday night. “It’s time to roll. We’re all locked in, we’re all a close-knit group, as you guys know.”
The Celtics were rumored to be in on several big names as they looked to build off an impressive run that has them in third place in the Eastern Conference coming out of the All-Star break. Boston’s dramatic 139-134 overtime win against the Los Angeles Clippers prior to the break is part of a 10-2 surge and just one of its next eight opponents – including the Jazz – had a winning record as play resumed Thursday. Utah will be hard-pressed to match the Celtics’ energy after being forced to play in Washington on Thursday in the make-up of a game postponed earlier in the season. The Jazz had 23 turnovers in a 103-89 loss to the Wizards, their second straight defeat following a seven-game winning streak.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, CSN New England (Boston), ROOT (Utah)
ABOUT THE CELTICS (32-23): While most of the buzz around Boston has been positive, it was dealt a blow during the break when reserve big man Kelly Olynyk was hit with a shoulder injury that will sideline him for at least a couple of weeks. Olynyk was a big factor in the Celtics’ recent success, shooting 47-of-99 from 3-point range during December and January. Isaiah Thomas poured in 36 points in the win over the Clippers before making his first All-Star Game appearance in Toronto, and he had 19 second-half points in a one-point win over Utah in the previous meeting last March.
ABOUT THE JAZZ (26-27): Utah’s only action before the trade deadline was its inclusion in a three-team deal that brought veteran guard Shelvin Mack to Salt Lake City. Meanwhile, the Jazz welcomed guard Trey Burke back to the fold in Thursday’s loss after he had missed three games due to an illness. The third-year pro struggled from the floor, finishing with two points on 1-of-8 shooting, but handed out a team-high seven assists.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. After holding eight straight opponents under 100 points, the Jazz have allowed an average of 107.3 over their last three contests.
2. Celtics C Jared Sullinger is averaging 15.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 24.3 minutes over a three-game span.
3. Boston entered Thursday’s action leading the NBA with 89.5 shot attempts per game, while Utah ranked 29th with 80.5.
PREDICTION: Celtics 105, Jazz 101

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Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/19

Preview: San Antonio At L.A. Lakers
When: 10:30 PM ET, Friday, February 19, 2016
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
The San Antonio Spurs attempt to complete a four-game season sweep of Los Angeles when they visit the Lakers on Friday. The Spurs won the first three meetings by an average of 13 points but had to hold off the Lakers to post a 106-102 home victory Feb. 6.
San Antonio won its last six games before the All-Star break but was outrebounded 45-33 and allowed 12 3-pointers while being routed 105-86 by the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday. “Guys have to play better,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said afterward. “David West had a pretty good game. Kyle Anderson had a pretty good game. Everybody else was pretty poor. That’s not going to get it done in the NBA. More guys have to play well – that’s the bottom line.” The Lakers have lost 13 of their last 15 games as their dismal season revolves around Kobe Bryant’s presence and second-year forward Julius Randle is having trouble handling the repeated defeats. “It’s just growing pains,” Randle told reporters. “It’s tough on us all. Nobody likes losing. We’re all super hungry and want to get better, but it’s just a learning process that takes time.”
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FSN Southwest (San Antonio), TWC SportsNet (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE SPURS (45-9): The poor defensive effort against the Clippers was partly attributable to the absence of All-Star small forward Kawhi Leonard, who missed the game with left calf tightness. The reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year was reportedly kicked in the calf recently and has been experiencing lingering soreness over the past 10 days. Leonard is a game-time decision and Anderson (eight points in 28 minutes versus the Clippers) will again draw the start if Leonard can’t go.
ABOUT THE LAKERS (11-44): Bryant is hoping to feel fresh after the All-Star break but coach Byron Scott plans to decrease his minutes a little over the rest of the season to get some of the younger players a few extra minutes. That would likely mean an increase for second-year shooting guard Jordan Clarkson and rookie point guard D’Angelo Russell and the latter said he received a big lesson while competing in the Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend in Toronto. “You just see where you want to be,” Russell told reporters. “All those guys have really made it to the top. You can’t name the top guys in the league and not name those guys. We see all the superstars walking in and out of the hotel. You’re just like, ‘Man, I want to get back to this stage and participate in this game.'”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Lakers have lost eight of their last 10 home games against San Antonio.
2. Bryant is averaging 14 points and shooting a woeful 32.7 percent from the field in the three previous games against the Spurs.
3. San Antonio All-Star PF LaMarcus Aldridge had 10 points on 3-of-12 shooting against the Clippers after averaging 24.1 points over his previous eight games.
PREDICTION: Spurs 107, Lakers 88

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Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/19

There’s no place like home for NBA teams off lengthy road trips
By Joe Fortenbaugh
On December 15 of last year, the Kobe Bryant Farewell Tour returned to Staples Center following the NBA’s only eight-game road trip of the season (to date) to annihilate the Milwaukee Bucks by the final score of 113-95 while simultaneously covering the point spread as 3.5-point underdogs.
Milwaukee may be perceived as a downtrodden franchise with a current record of just 22-32, but the Lakers’ win on that fateful night was remarkable for a variety of reasons: not only was that 18-point victory the club’s second-biggest success of the season, but it came on the heels of a daunting road trip in which Los Angeles posted seven losses in eight games – with five of those defeats coming by way of double digits – lowlighted by an embarrassing 103-91 loss at league-worst Philadelphia to kick things off.
For a Lakers team that currently owns the Association’s second-worst record of the 2015-2016 season (11-44), that aforementioned win over Milwaukee marked just the fourth Los Angeles victory through the first 25 contests of Kobe Bryant’s final lap across the pool.
But the interesting takeaway here is that exactly one month prior to blowing the Bucks clear across the City of Angels, the Lakers returned home to Staples Center following a five-game road trip in which the team went 1-4 to smash Andre Drummond and the Detroit Pistons 97-85 while covering the spread as 4.5-point underdogs.
So what gives? How exactly does a club with the NBA’s second-worst scoring differential at minus-9.6, which also happens to be winning only 20 percent of the time this season, post two double-digit outright victories while in the underdog role in exactly one month’s time?
I’ll give you a hint: it’s the same reason why you sleep so well that first night home following a four-day bender in Las Vegas.
Road trips, whether coming in the form of business or pleasure, are almost always accompanied by a measurable level of both intrigue and charm. But when you consider the hassles of airport security, middle seats and bumbling rental car agencies, there’s nothing quite like a night spent sleeping between your own sheets on a mattress that knows exactly how your body likes to operate when powering down after a long day.
Maybe Kobe and the Lakers just so happened to get lucky in those matchups against the Bucks and Pistons. Or maybe, just maybe, there’s more here than meets the eye. Do NBA teams tend to perform at a higher level in their first home game following a long road trip, thus creating a possible betting edge worth exploring? Or were those two Los Angeles victories outliers than warrant little to no consideration at all?
So far through the 2015-2016 NBA season, teams coming off a road trip of three or more games are 62-35 SU (.652) and 57-39-1 against the spread (.593) in their first game back at home.
That means if you had laid $110 to win $100 on every NBA team that was playing its first game at home following a road trip of three or more contests this season, you would currently be up $1,410.
Here’s a breakdown of how NBA teams have performed both SU and ATS in their first home game following a road trip of three or more matchups:
First home game after 3-game road trip: 31-19 SU (.620), 29-20-1 ATS (.592)
First home game after 4-game road trip: 15-9 SU (.625), 14-10 ATS (.583)
First home game after 5-game road trip: 10-4 SU (.714), 9-5 SU (.643)
First home game after 6-game road trip: 4-2 SU (.666), 3-3 ATS (.500)
First home game after 7-game road trip: 1-1 SU (.500), 1-1 ATS (.500)
First home game after 8-game road trip: 1-0 SU (1.000), 1-0 ATS (1.000)
And it’s not just the Lakers who have found success on their home court following a lengthy road trip, it’s the entire NBA. In fact, even the bottom-dwelling, tank-embracing Philadelphia 76ers (8-45, worst in NBA) are turning a profit this season when playing their first home game following a road trip of three or more contests (2-1 SU/ATS).
Granted, the edge gained with this information isn’t significant enough to warrant a sizeable increase in your average wager size, but it is useful to the point where it adds yet another weapon to the ever-growing arsenal of angles we’re deploying against the sportsbooks.
Now go and get yourself a great night of rest because the NBA is back from the break and there for the taking.

[TheGame]

Re: NBA Betting Info. 2/19

DALLAS vs. ORLANDO
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Orlando
Dallas is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Orlando's last 6 games
Orlando is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Dallas


DETROIT vs. WASHINGTON
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
Detroit is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 7 games at home
Washington is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games at home


NEW YORK vs. BROOKLYN
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New York's last 6 games when playing on the road against Brooklyn
New York is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Brooklyn
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Brooklyn's last 7 games
Brooklyn is 4-17 SU in its last 21 games


INDIANA vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
Indiana is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
Indiana is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Oklahoma City's last 10 games
Oklahoma City is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games


MIAMI vs. ATLANTA
Miami is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami's last 7 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Miami
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Miami


TORONTO vs. CHICAGO
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games at home
Chicago is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games


CHARLOTTE vs. MILWAUKEE
Charlotte is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing Milwaukee
Charlotte is 4-15 SU in its last 19 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 6 games at home
Milwaukee is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home


PHILADELPHIA vs. NEW ORLEANS
Philadelphia is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing New Orleans
Philadelphia is 3-22 SU in its last 25 games on the road
New Orleans is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
New Orleans is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Philadelphia


MINNESOTA vs. MEMPHIS
Minnesota is 1-12 SU in its last 13 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Minnesota's last 13 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Memphis's last 9 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Memphis is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Minnesota


HOUSTON vs. PHOENIX
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Houston's last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
Phoenix is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Phoenix is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Houston


DENVER vs. SACRAMENTO
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Denver's last 6 games when playing Sacramento
Denver is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games on the road
Sacramento is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Sacramento's last 8 games


GOLDEN STATE vs. PORTLAND
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Golden State's last 24 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing Portland
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Portland's last 6 games when playing Golden State
Portland is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Golden State


BOSTON vs. UTAH
Boston is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Utah
Boston is 6-2-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Utah
Utah is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Utah's last 5 games when playing at home against Boston


SAN ANTONIO vs. LA LAKERS
San Antonio is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Antonio's last 9 games on the road
LA Lakers are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games when playing at home against San Antonio
LA Lakers are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against San Antonio