Fullcourt Press: Friday's NBA Betting Notes
Check out our quick-hitting betting notes on all 12 NBA Games on Tap Friday:
Oklahoma City Thunder at Charlotte Bobcats (+14, 204.5)
Oklahoma City eked out a one-point win Thursday at the New York Knicks, who were playing without Carmelo Anthony, the league's second-leading scorer. The Thunder have won three straight overall but are only 2-3 (1-4 ATS) in their last five road games - with the margin of victory four points or fewer in the past four.
Indiana Pacers at Orlando Magic (+9, 189.5)
The Indiana Pacers will have to avoid the dangers of looking ahead when they travel to face the Orlando Magic with a showdown with the Miami Heat looming Sunday. Indiana can't afford to overlook the Magic, who nearly knocked off the Heat on Wednesday. Orlando has won the past three meetings, including a 97-86 home win Jan. 16, and hasn't lost to Indiana at home since December 2007. The Pacers are 4-0 ATS in their last four road games.
Washington Wizards at Brooklyn Nets (-6, 182.5)
Wizards G Bradley Beal is considered day-to-day with a sprained left ankle suffered Sunday in a win over Philadelphia. Initially, it looked as if the standout rookie would miss a significant period of time, but the sprain is considered mild. Washington is 2-6 this season without Beal in the lineup, averaging just 85.4 points in the process. The Nets are 0-6 ATS in their last six Friday games.
Dallas Mavericks at Detroit Pistons (+3.5, 200)
Dallas seemed like it had some momentum going in the right direction for the first time in months with a strong start to February. Losses in four of the last six games have taken some wind out of the sails. The Pistons have dropped three straight and have been held below 80 points in each of their last two contests. Detroit will be trying to snap a four-game home losing streak against the Mavericks, who are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 road games.
Memphis Grizzlies at Cleveland Cavaliers (+6, 186.5)
Riding the momentum of one of their hottest stretches of the season, the Memphis Grizzlies will be seeking to end a drought of nearly 10 years in Cleveland when they visit the Cavaliers. The surging Grizzlies have won 10 of their last 11 games, with the only loss coming at the red-hot Miami Heat last Friday but they have dropped seven straight in Cleveland dating back to Nov. 29, 2003. Memphis F Zach Randolph (ankle) and Cavaliers G Kyrie Irving (flu) are both game-time decisions. The Grizzlies are 1-10 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat (-13, 194.5)
The Miami Heat will put its franchise-record 16-game winning streak on the line when it hosts the struggling Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. Things have gone in the wrong direction for the 76ers, who have dropped three straight and 10 of 11 after a 107-96 loss at Atlanta on Wednesday. They have two more chances on their current road trip - at Miami and at Orlando - to snap an 11-game skid away from home. It's the second of four meetings this season. Miami won the first one, 114-90 in Philadelphia, and has won 12 straight against the Sixers. The over is 7-1 in the Heat’s last eight home games.
Utah Jazz at Chicago Bulls (-4, 184.5)
The Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls are both fading entering Friday’s contest in Chicago. Utah has lost five of six contests after a late-game collapse in Cleveland on Wednesday and stands just 1 1/2 games ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Chicago was routed by San Antonio on Wednesday and fell to 6-9 since the beginning of February to slip to sixth in the Eastern Conference playoff chase. Utah could be without C Al Jefferson (ankle) for the fourth straight game and are 0-4 ATS in the last four meetings.
Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics (-4.5, 188.5)
The Boston Celtics have moved a season-high six games over .500 after winning four in a row, including a dramatic 83-81 victory at Indiana on Wednesday. Paul Pierce is dealing with a bone bruise on his left knee, but he’s expected to be in the lineup when the Celtics host the Hawks. Boston is 7-1 ATS in its last eight home games.
Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs (-11.5, 201.5)
The San Antonio Spurs have shown no ill effects from the Tony Parker injury. Since Parker was ruled out for four weeks with an ankle injury, the Spurs have won two games by 39 and 18 points, respectively. The Trail Blazers have somewhat recovered from a recent seven-game losing streak, but they began their three-game road trip with a 91-85 loss at Memphis on Wednesday. After scoring 122 points two nights earlier vs. Charlotte, Portland managed just 35 second-half points in the setback. The Blazers are 5-0-1 ATS in their last six games overall.
Phoenix Suns at Sacramento Kings (-7, 207)
The Phoenix Suns may need to ask for volunteers for their depleted frontcourt on Friday. Phoenix will be without center Marcin Gortat, who suffered a season-ending foot injury against the Raptors. Suns center Jermaine O’Neal remains out while attending to his ailing 13-year-old daughter. Sacramento isn’t dealing with any health issues, but its frustration level is clearly rising. The Kings have lost nine of their last 11 games, and star forward DeMarcus Cousins was benched for much of the team’s 87-83 loss to Golden State on Wednesday. The Suns are 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings.
Toronto Raptors at Los Angeles Lakers (-7.5, 206.5)
Los Angeles trailed by as many as 25 points before eventually closing the game on a 20-0 run to beat the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday. The Raptors are just 2-13 all-time against the Lakers in Los Angeles, with their last victory coming on Dec. 28, 2001. Toronto notched a 108-103 home win over Los Angeles on Jan. 20 and the over is 9-1 in the last 10 meetings.
Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors (-2, 221.5)
The Warriors will be looking to make it three in a row when they host the Houston Rockets on Friday. After dropping four straight on the road, Golden State returned home and trailed in the fourth quarter against both Toronto and Sacramento before pulling out narrow wins. The Rockets, who matched an NBA record with 23 3-pointers in a 140-109 home triumph over the Warriors back on Feb. 5, won at Golden State on Feb. 12 and are trying to close the two-game gap between the teams in the Western Conference standings. Houston has allowed an average of 108.5 points over its last 12 games and the over is 5-0 in the Rockets’ last five games vs. a team with a winning record.
Check out our quick-hitting betting notes on all 12 NBA Games on Tap Friday:
Oklahoma City Thunder at Charlotte Bobcats (+14, 204.5)
Oklahoma City eked out a one-point win Thursday at the New York Knicks, who were playing without Carmelo Anthony, the league's second-leading scorer. The Thunder have won three straight overall but are only 2-3 (1-4 ATS) in their last five road games - with the margin of victory four points or fewer in the past four.
Indiana Pacers at Orlando Magic (+9, 189.5)
The Indiana Pacers will have to avoid the dangers of looking ahead when they travel to face the Orlando Magic with a showdown with the Miami Heat looming Sunday. Indiana can't afford to overlook the Magic, who nearly knocked off the Heat on Wednesday. Orlando has won the past three meetings, including a 97-86 home win Jan. 16, and hasn't lost to Indiana at home since December 2007. The Pacers are 4-0 ATS in their last four road games.
Washington Wizards at Brooklyn Nets (-6, 182.5)
Wizards G Bradley Beal is considered day-to-day with a sprained left ankle suffered Sunday in a win over Philadelphia. Initially, it looked as if the standout rookie would miss a significant period of time, but the sprain is considered mild. Washington is 2-6 this season without Beal in the lineup, averaging just 85.4 points in the process. The Nets are 0-6 ATS in their last six Friday games.
Dallas Mavericks at Detroit Pistons (+3.5, 200)
Dallas seemed like it had some momentum going in the right direction for the first time in months with a strong start to February. Losses in four of the last six games have taken some wind out of the sails. The Pistons have dropped three straight and have been held below 80 points in each of their last two contests. Detroit will be trying to snap a four-game home losing streak against the Mavericks, who are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 road games.
Memphis Grizzlies at Cleveland Cavaliers (+6, 186.5)
Riding the momentum of one of their hottest stretches of the season, the Memphis Grizzlies will be seeking to end a drought of nearly 10 years in Cleveland when they visit the Cavaliers. The surging Grizzlies have won 10 of their last 11 games, with the only loss coming at the red-hot Miami Heat last Friday but they have dropped seven straight in Cleveland dating back to Nov. 29, 2003. Memphis F Zach Randolph (ankle) and Cavaliers G Kyrie Irving (flu) are both game-time decisions. The Grizzlies are 1-10 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat (-13, 194.5)
The Miami Heat will put its franchise-record 16-game winning streak on the line when it hosts the struggling Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. Things have gone in the wrong direction for the 76ers, who have dropped three straight and 10 of 11 after a 107-96 loss at Atlanta on Wednesday. They have two more chances on their current road trip - at Miami and at Orlando - to snap an 11-game skid away from home. It's the second of four meetings this season. Miami won the first one, 114-90 in Philadelphia, and has won 12 straight against the Sixers. The over is 7-1 in the Heat’s last eight home games.
Utah Jazz at Chicago Bulls (-4, 184.5)
The Utah Jazz and Chicago Bulls are both fading entering Friday’s contest in Chicago. Utah has lost five of six contests after a late-game collapse in Cleveland on Wednesday and stands just 1 1/2 games ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Chicago was routed by San Antonio on Wednesday and fell to 6-9 since the beginning of February to slip to sixth in the Eastern Conference playoff chase. Utah could be without C Al Jefferson (ankle) for the fourth straight game and are 0-4 ATS in the last four meetings.
Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics (-4.5, 188.5)
The Boston Celtics have moved a season-high six games over .500 after winning four in a row, including a dramatic 83-81 victory at Indiana on Wednesday. Paul Pierce is dealing with a bone bruise on his left knee, but he’s expected to be in the lineup when the Celtics host the Hawks. Boston is 7-1 ATS in its last eight home games.
Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs (-11.5, 201.5)
The San Antonio Spurs have shown no ill effects from the Tony Parker injury. Since Parker was ruled out for four weeks with an ankle injury, the Spurs have won two games by 39 and 18 points, respectively. The Trail Blazers have somewhat recovered from a recent seven-game losing streak, but they began their three-game road trip with a 91-85 loss at Memphis on Wednesday. After scoring 122 points two nights earlier vs. Charlotte, Portland managed just 35 second-half points in the setback. The Blazers are 5-0-1 ATS in their last six games overall.
Phoenix Suns at Sacramento Kings (-7, 207)
The Phoenix Suns may need to ask for volunteers for their depleted frontcourt on Friday. Phoenix will be without center Marcin Gortat, who suffered a season-ending foot injury against the Raptors. Suns center Jermaine O’Neal remains out while attending to his ailing 13-year-old daughter. Sacramento isn’t dealing with any health issues, but its frustration level is clearly rising. The Kings have lost nine of their last 11 games, and star forward DeMarcus Cousins was benched for much of the team’s 87-83 loss to Golden State on Wednesday. The Suns are 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings.
Toronto Raptors at Los Angeles Lakers (-7.5, 206.5)
Los Angeles trailed by as many as 25 points before eventually closing the game on a 20-0 run to beat the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday. The Raptors are just 2-13 all-time against the Lakers in Los Angeles, with their last victory coming on Dec. 28, 2001. Toronto notched a 108-103 home win over Los Angeles on Jan. 20 and the over is 9-1 in the last 10 meetings.
Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors (-2, 221.5)
The Warriors will be looking to make it three in a row when they host the Houston Rockets on Friday. After dropping four straight on the road, Golden State returned home and trailed in the fourth quarter against both Toronto and Sacramento before pulling out narrow wins. The Rockets, who matched an NBA record with 23 3-pointers in a 140-109 home triumph over the Warriors back on Feb. 5, won at Golden State on Feb. 12 and are trying to close the two-game gap between the teams in the Western Conference standings. Houston has allowed an average of 108.5 points over its last 12 games and the over is 5-0 in the Rockets’ last five games vs. a team with a winning record.
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