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Monday 4-9-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc
Toronto won its last five games with Detroit; they’re 3-2 vs spread in last five visits to the Motor City. Over is 3-1 in last four series games played here. Raptors won their last three games; they are 3-4 vs spread in last seven games as road favorites. Three of their last four games stayed under. Pistons won eight of their last 11 games; they’re 6-6 as home underdogs. Over is 6-2 in their last eight games.
Cavaliers won nine of last ten games with New York, are 5-2 vs spread in last seven; they’re 3-2 vs spread in last five visits to Manhattan. Under is 7-2-1 in last ten series games. Cleveland won eight of its last ten games; they’re 2-4 in last six games as road favorites. Five of their last seven games stayed under. Knicks lost five of their last six games; they’re 4-2 in last six games as home underdogs. Three of their last four games went over.
Nets won three of last four games with the Bulls; they just beat ‘em by 28 in Chicago Saturday. Bulls are 3-2 vs spread in last five visits to Brooklyn. Last six series games stayed under total. Chicago lost seven of its last ten games; they’re 4-12 in last 16 games as road underdogs. Under is 4-2-1 in their last seven games. Brooklyn won of its last six games; they’re 5-7 as home favorites this year. Three of their last four games stayed under.
Thunder won their last four games with Miami; they covered three of last four visits to South Beach. Last eight series games stayed under the total. Oklahoma City lost four of its last six games; they’re 4-2 in last six games as road favorites. Seven of their last eight games stayed under total. Heat won four of their last six games; they covered last three games as a home underdog. Four of their last six games stayed under.
Grizzlies won their last four games with Minnesota; they’re 3-2 vs spread in last five visits to Twin Cities. Four of last five series games stayed under the total. Memphis lost four of its last five games; they’re 3-5 in last eight games as road underdogs. Four of their last five games went over total. Timberwolves are 3-4 in their last seven games; they’re 6-3-1 in last 10 games as a home favorite. Three of their last four games stayed under.
Bucks won six of last nine games with Orlando; over is 6-4 in last ten series games. Magic is 2-2 vs spread in last four visits to Wisconsin. Orlando lost five of its last seven games; they’re 3-5-1 in last nine games as road underdogs. Last three Magic games went over total. Milwaukee won six of its last nine games; they’re 1-10 vs spread in last 11 games as home favorites. Over is 9-1 in their last ten games.
Spurs won their last 10 games with Sacramento, covered last four; Kings are 2-2 vs spread in last four visits to the Alamo. Last six series games went over the total. Sacramento lost five of its last seven games; they’re 3-5 in last eight games as road underdogs. Eight of their last nine games stayed under. San Antonio won/covered its last six home games. Six of their last eight games went over the total.
Trailblazers won seven of last ten games with the Nuggets; they’re 2-1-1 vs spread in last four visits to Denver. Last three series games stayed under. Portland lost its last three games; they covered their last six tries as road underdogs. Three of their last four games went over. Denver won its last five games; they’re 2-7 in last nine games as home favorites. Four of their last six games went over.
New Orleans won three of last four games with the Clippers; they’re 2-2 vs spread in last four series games played here. Three of last four series games stayed under. Pelicans won their last three games; they covered their last five games as road favorites. Last three New Orleans games went over total. Clippers lost four of their last five games; they’re 4-5 as home underdogs this season. LA’s last four games all went over.
Toronto Raptors
Toronto is 2-9-1 ATS in its last 12 games
Toronto is 17-5 SU in its last 22 games
Toronto is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Toronto is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Toronto's last 24 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games on the road
Toronto is 4-8-1 ATS in its last 13 games when playing Detroit
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Toronto's last 15 games when playing Detroit
Toronto is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Toronto's last 8 games when playing on the road against Detroit Detroit Pistons
Detroit is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games
Detroit is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games
Detroit is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games at home
Detroit is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games at home
Detroit is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Detroit's last 15 games when playing Toronto
Detroit is 3-7-1 ATS in its last 11 games when playing at home against Toronto
Detroit is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit's last 8 games when playing at home against Toronto
Chicago Bulls
Chicago is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Chicago is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games
Chicago is 4-12 ATS in its last 16 games on the road
Chicago is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games on the road
Chicago is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Brooklyn
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing Brooklyn
Chicago is 11-5 ATS in its last 16 games when playing on the road against Brooklyn
Chicago is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Brooklyn
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chicago's last 8 games when playing on the road against Brooklyn Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Brooklyn is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Brooklyn is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Brooklyn's last 6 games
Brooklyn is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Brooklyn is 3-11 SU in its last 14 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Brooklyn's last 10 games at home
Brooklyn is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Brooklyn's last 5 games when playing Chicago
Brooklyn is 5-11 ATS in its last 16 games when playing at home against Chicago
Brooklyn is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Brooklyn's last 8 games when playing at home against Chicago
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Cleveland is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games
Cleveland is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing New York
Cleveland is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing New York
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Cleveland's last 13 games when playing New York
Cleveland is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against New York
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against New York
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 7 games when playing on the road against New York New York Knicks
New York is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
New York is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York's last 6 games
New York is 6-14 ATS in its last 20 games at home
New York is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 9 of New York's last 13 games at home
New York is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Cleveland
New York is 1-11 SU in its last 12 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of New York's last 13 games when playing Cleveland
New York is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Cleveland
New York is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York's last 7 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City is 2-5-1 ATS in its last 8 games
Oklahoma City is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Oklahoma City's last 8 games
Oklahoma City is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Oklahoma City is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 5 games on the road
Oklahoma City is 5-1-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Miami
Oklahoma City is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 5 games when playing Miami
Oklahoma City is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Miami
Oklahoma City is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami Miami Heat
Miami is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Miami is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 6 games
Miami is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games at home
Miami is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home
Miami is 1-5-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Oklahoma City
Miami is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami's last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City
Miami is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
Miami is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis is 5-1-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Memphis is 4-21 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Memphis's last 6 games
Memphis is 5-10-1 ATS in its last 16 games on the road
Memphis is 1-20 SU in its last 21 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Memphis's last 7 games on the road
Memphis is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Memphis is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis's last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Memphis is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Memphis's last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota is 2-5-1 ATS in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Minnesota's last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games
Minnesota is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Minnesota is 18-5 SU in its last 23 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Minnesota's last 12 games at home
Minnesota is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Memphis
Minnesota is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing Memphis
Minnesota is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against Memphis
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing at home against Memphis
Orlando Magic
Orlando is 2-6-1 ATS in its last 9 games
Orlando is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Orlando's last 18 games
Orlando is 12-5-1 ATS in its last 18 games on the road
Orlando is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Orlando is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Orlando's last 9 games on the road
Orlando is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Milwaukee
Orlando is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
Orlando is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Orlando is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Orlando's last 7 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Milwaukee is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games
Milwaukee is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Milwaukee is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games at home
Milwaukee is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Orlando
Milwaukee is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Orlando
Milwaukee is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Orlando
Milwaukee is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Orlando
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 7 games when playing at home against Orlando
Sacramento Kings
Sacramento is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Sacramento is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Sacramento's last 9 games
Sacramento is 11-5 ATS in its last 16 games on the road
Sacramento is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Sacramento's last 6 games on the road
Sacramento is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing San Antonio
Sacramento is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Sacramento's last 5 games when playing San Antonio
Sacramento is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
Sacramento is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Sacramento's last 15 games when playing on the road against San Antonio San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games
San Antonio is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Antonio's last 8 games
San Antonio is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of San Antonio's last 10 games at home
San Antonio is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Sacramento
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Sacramento
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Antonio's last 5 games when playing Sacramento
San Antonio is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Sacramento
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Sacramento
The total has gone OVER in 11 of San Antonio's last 15 games when playing at home against Sacramento
Portland Trail Blazers
Portland is 14-4-2 ATS in its last 20 games
Portland is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Portland is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games
Portland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Portland's last 6 games
Portland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Portland is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Denver
Portland is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games when playing Denver
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Portland's last 12 games when playing Denver
Portland is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Denver
Portland is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Denver
Portland is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Denver
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Portland's last 5 games when playing on the road against Denver Denver Nuggets
Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Denver is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Denver's last 12 games at home
Denver is 4-15 SU in its last 19 games when playing Portland
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Denver's last 12 games when playing Portland
Denver is 3-7-1 ATS in its last 11 games when playing at home against Portland
Denver is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Portland
Denver is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Portland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games when playing at home against Portland
New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games
New Orleans is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games
New Orleans is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games on the road
New Orleans is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Orleans's last 6 games on the road
New Orleans is 6-14 SU in its last 20 games when playing LA Clippers
New Orleans is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
New Orleans is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Orleans's last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers Los Angeles Clippers
LA Clippers is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
LA Clippers is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Clippers's last 5 games
LA Clippers is 5-11 ATS in its last 16 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Clippers's last 6 games at home
LA Clippers is 14-6 SU in its last 20 games when playing New Orleans
LA Clippers is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against New Orleans
LA Clippers is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Clippers's last 6 games when playing at home against New Orleans
TORONTO (58 - 22) at DETROIT (38 - 42) - 4/9/2018, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 5-5 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 8-2 straight up against DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND (49 - 31) at NEW YORK (28 - 52) - 4/9/2018, 7:35 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW YORK is 5-5 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 9-1 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
8 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO (27 - 53) at BROOKLYN (27 - 53) - 4/9/2018, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BROOKLYN is 45-34 ATS (+7.6 Units) in all games this season.
BROOKLYN is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in home games in the second half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
BROOKLYN is 5-4 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 5-4 straight up against BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY (46 - 34) at MIAMI (43 - 37) - 4/9/2018, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 32-46 ATS (-18.6 Units) in all games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 23-40 ATS (-21.0 Units) as a favorite this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 4-13 ATS (-10.3 Units) in road games after 3 or more consecutive unders over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 15-25 ATS (-12.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MIAMI is 89-69 ATS (+13.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 54-34 ATS (+16.6 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 37-23 ATS (+11.7 Units) in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 46-32 ATS (+10.8 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 27-12 ATS (+13.8 Units) off a upset loss as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 42-29 ATS (+10.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 23-7 ATS (+15.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 3-1 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 4-1 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
5 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS (22 - 58) at MINNESOTA (45 - 35) - 4/9/2018, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 7-3 against the spread versus MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS is 7-3 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO (24 - 56) at MILWAUKEE (43 - 37) - 4/9/2018, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 6-4 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
MILWAUKEE is 6-4 straight up against ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SACRAMENTO (26 - 54) at SAN ANTONIO (46 - 34) - 4/9/2018, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) when playing with 2 days rest over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 1045-914 ATS (+39.6 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 835-710 ATS (+54.0 Units) as a favorite since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 26-13 ATS (+11.7 Units) in home games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 214-163 ATS (+34.7 Units) in home games after a win by 10 points or more since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 422-340 ATS (+48.0 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 7-2 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 10-0 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
6 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND (48 - 32) at DENVER (45 - 35) - 4/9/2018, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PORTLAND is 44-29 ATS (+12.1 Units) in all games this season.
PORTLAND is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in the second half of the season this season.
PORTLAND is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
PORTLAND is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
PORTLAND is 24-14 ATS (+8.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
PORTLAND is 15-2 ATS (+12.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
PORTLAND is 24-13 ATS (+9.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
PORTLAND is 15-2 ATS (+12.8 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 5-5 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
PORTLAND is 7-4 straight up against DENVER over the last 3 seasons
7 of 11 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS (46 - 34) at LA CLIPPERS (42 - 38) - 4/9/2018, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 24-12 ATS (+10.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
NEW ORLEANS is 25-15 ATS (+8.5 Units) in road games this season.
LA CLIPPERS are 168-212 ATS (-65.2 Units) in home games in the second half of the season since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 226-276 ATS (-77.6 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 221-278 ATS (-84.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 5-5 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 6-4 straight up against NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Game of the Night - Portland at Denver (-4, 218), Altitude, 9:05 ET
Games like these are what make the 82-game marathon worth it. It checks all boxes, featuring division rivals with plenty of history while carrying stakes that are through the roof. The course of the season for both teams is on the line.
The Nuggets just want to be playing when the playoffs begin this weekend. For the visitors, it's a bit more complicated.
After being soundly outplayed in the second half of a Saturday night loss in San Antonio, the Trail Blazers are suddenly in danger of losing a Northwest Division that they’ve been in control of since firing off 13 straight wins from Feb. 14-March 18. They’re in danger of losing four straight if they fail to win on the road in Denver, which would put them in jeopardy of collapsing down the stretch since the Jazz are scheduled to come into town on Wednesday to close out the regular season.
Portland would love nothing more than to treat its fans to a boring regular-season finale that night, complete with Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic suiting up for abbreviated stints if they’re in the mix at all. To get that accomplished, it will have to deal the Nuggets a serious blow to their postseason chances, which have improved thanks to a well-timed five-game winning streak.
If the Trail Blazers fail to end that tonight and Utah extends its own prosperous run to six games by defeating Golden State on Tuesday, the No. 3 seed could switch hands with a loss in Game No. 82, potentially resulting in the Blazers winding up on the road to open the playoffs. Given the strides they’ve made over the next two months, that would be a disaster.
The Nuggets eliminated the Clippers from playoff contention on Saturday afternoon with an impressive 134-115 win and hope to reach the final night of the regular-season with a chance at finishing top-eight by winning at Minnesota. Head coach Michael Malone told reporters his team is playing “get-it-done basketball” at the moment, having raised their level when it has mattered most. Following losses on consecutive nights in Philadelphia and Toronto, Denver closed out a season-long seven-game road trip with a resilient 126-125 victory in Oklahoma City and has yet to lose in April, claiming home wins over the Bucks, Pacers and Timberwolves prior to their rout in L.A.
Portland hasn’t been getting it done, but a part of that has had to do with injury concerns. Not only did they lose starting wing Moe Harkless to a knee surgery that he’s hoping to return from later this month, but Damian Lillard has been playing through significant ankle soreness that the team had hoped rest would alleviate, giving him a night off even after he returned from paternity leave. Now Lillard doesn’t feel he can rest, though it’s likely he’d be absent on Wednesday if his team leaves Pepsi Center victorious.
The Nuggets have been without one of their top two-way players, Gary Harris, for the last 11 games and have upgraded him to “doubtful” for this one. Jamal Murray has emerged in his absence and has scored in double-figures in 16 straight, averaging 18.9 points in that span. He’s at a 20-points-per-game clip in April and has become Denver’s most reliable shooter, regularly playing 35-plus minutes.
Guard Will Barton has also continued to thrive, excelling in his playmaker role on the wing and keying the Clippers blowout with a season-high 31 points on 11-for-15 shooting. He’s connected on five 3-pointers in three of his last eight games and opened the month with his first two 10-rebound nights of the season, so he’s clearly stepped things up. The former Blazers second-round find has really come into his own in his seventh year as a pro and is poised to make a large impact here.
Nurkic, who Denver acquired from the Bulls on a draft night deal back in 2014, is wrapping up his first full season with the Trail Blazers and probably has a little extra invested in this one too. The 7-foot center is also playing his best down the stretch and is poised to have a big influence on a playoff team for the first time. He was able to play in only one postseason game last year after suffering a non-displaced fracture of his right leg just before April. The 33 points he scored against his former team just days before that bad break remain his career-high, but he’s had success against Jokic, who essentially beat him out in Denver, rendering him a disposable backup ultimately dealt away because Mason Plumlee was deemed to be a better fit.
Nurkic has averaged 15.3 points in the three meetings with his former team this season, but Denver has emerged with victories twice. Since March 5, he’s come up with 11 double-doubles in 17 games, including three straight despite back issues.
Jokic has averaged 26 points, 12.7 rebounds and 7.6 assists over his last six games, shooting 50 percent or better five times. He’s averaged just 16.3 points and 9.3 rebounds while shooting just 40 percent, all figures below his usual production, in the three games against Portland. Paul Millsap looked like a shell of himself upon returning on Feb. 27, but has worked the rust off, making life easier on Jokic by commanding attention while working at least 30 minutes in each of the last seven games, averaging 19.9 points and 7.3 boards. He’s only faced the Blazers once with his new team, shooting just 6-for-16 in a 99-82 road loss back on Nov. 13.
Another of the x-factors here will be Blazers guard C.J. McCollum snapping out of a slump that has seen him shoot under 40 percent over his last five games, averaging just 16.4 points, including just 5-for-28 from 3-point range. Denver isn’t the ideal team to rebound against given that he’s averaged 14.7 points in three meetings against him, his lowest output against any NBA team this season. He’s shot 39.5 percent from the field. If that doesn’t change, Portland may be facing the daunting prospect of being involved in Wednesday’s most attractive clash as well. You’ll understand the Trail Blazers feeling that it’s a little too early for all that drama.
Portland will look to split its four meetings with Denver this season but are in danger of losing the season series for the first time since 2012-13. The Blazers have won 15 of the last 19 between the division rivals but haven't won in the Mile High City since Oct. 2016. The Nuggets have surrendered 100 or more points in 30 of their last 31 games but have scored at least 103 in 29 of those. The ‘over’ is 22-8-1 in Denver games since Jan. 29.
Game of the Night Too - Oklahoma City (-3, 214) at Miami, Fox Sports OK/FL, 9:05 ET
There’s only one other game on Monday’s schedule where both teams are invested in the result for playoff purposes. That statement wouldn’t be accurate if we were talking tanking, but we’ll keep it simple by telling you that Thunder-Heat is definitely the game most worth keeping an eye on in the early block.
The Heat own the No. 6 seed and would play Philadelphia if the current playoff standings hold. Like everyone else in the East, their preference would be to finish 7th in order to open the playoffs against depleted Boston, but both Washington and Milwaukee are better-positioned to make that happen. A Southeast Division title may wind up being their consolation prize, which can be secured by ruining Oklahoma City’s trip to South Florida.
The Thunder are still in danger of missing the playoffs altogether but would be in position to potentially finish top-four and secure homecourt advantage in the first round since Memphis comes to town on Wednesday. In order to make that happen, they’ll need to follow up an impressive upset of Houston with a big win in Miami.
Oklahoma City won at home 105-99 on March 23 in the only other meeting this season, rallying to win thanks to a 41-point fourth quarter. Russell Westbrook was dominant with 29 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists while Steven Adams added 24 points and 12 boards. The Thunder won despite Paul George and Carmelo Anthony combining to shoot 5-for-24, including 0-for-10 from 3-point range.
With center Hassan Whiteside back, the Heat should be better able to match up with Adams in the paint and will be looking to snap a four-game losing streak at the hands of OKC. Miami has won its last two games as a home underdog, impressively crushing Cleveland and Philadelphia.
Both teams are healthy enough that only shooting guards, Andre Roberson and Dion Waiters, each out for the season, are on the injury report. The under has prevailed in seven of the last eight Heat games.
Injury report
Guard DeMar DeRozan and center Jonas Valanciunas sat out Sunday’s home win over Toronto but should participate in Detroit. Serge Ibaka is likely to rest and it’s safe to assume conversations will be had over whether to keep Kyle Lowry out too. Of course, he may be forced to play a few minutes out of necessity with Fred Van Vleet banged up, having left the Magic game with lower back tightness. If were a DFS player, Delon Wright would be worth a long look. Backup shooting guard Norman Powell also departed last night’s win with an ankle sprain that apparently looked more serious than it ended up being.
With Toronto locked into the East’s No. 1 spot, the only thing it is playing for is homecourt advantage in a potential NBA Finals meeting with Golden State, who it was swept by during the regular season. A win here would keep the Raptors a game up on the defending champs with one to go. They’ve already set the franchise record for most single-season victories. Detroit may hold out Reggie Jackson, who is dealing with an illness. The Pistons lost in Memphis on Sunday afternoon despite connecting on 23 3-pointers.
The Cavs are still chasing the No. 3 seed, so LeBron James will definitely grace Madison S quare Garden by playing in Game No. 81. Rodney Hood has also been upgraded to probable despite his achilles issue, but point guards George Hill (ankle) and Jose Calderon (hamstring) remain questionable. Both missed a couple of games last week. The Knicks are unlikely to have Enes Kanter (back), Tim Hardaway, Jr. (ankle) or Emmanuel Mudiay (concussion) in the mix, which leaves Trey Burke and Michael Beasley as the primary offensive options.
The Cavs are still chasing the No. 3 seed, so LeBron James will definitely grace Madison S quare Garden by playing in Game No. 81. Rodney Hood has also been upgraded to probable despite his achilles issue, but point guards George Hill (ankle) and Jose Calderon (hamstring) remain questionable. Both missed a couple of games last week. The Knicks are unlikely to have Enes Kanter (back), Tim Hardaway, Jr. (ankle) or Emmanuel Mudiay (concussion) in the mix, which leaves Trey Burke and Michael Beasley as the primary offensive options.
The Grizzlies treated their home fans to a rare win yesterday as Marc Gasol participated and Marshon Brooks and Dillon Brooks each shined but are unlikely to provide as much resistance in Minnesota. It’s highly unlikely that their star center plays on the second night of a back-to-back, while the Timberwolves are in must-win mode and have Jimmy Butler back ready to play in his second straight contest.
Giannis Anteokounmpo sat out Saturday night’s win over New York with ankle soreness, so it remains to be seen if he makes it back tonight against Orlando. Malcolm Brogdon will make his highly anticipated return from a knee injury, while Tony Snell and John Henson should participate in what will be the final regular-season game at Bradley Center before the team moves into a new downtown arena to open next season. The Magic will be much easier to handle if Aaron Gordon, Nikola Vucevic and Terrence Ross are held out on the second night of a back-to-back after returning from injuries yesterday.
The Pelicans find themselves in a must-win situation against the Clippers, so it’s no surprise that they’re hoping to get Ian Clark back from an ankle injury and plan on playing Nikola Mirotic after rolling his ankle in a huge upset over Golden State. L.A. is likely to be without Lou Williams due to a sprain and may opt to sit center DeAndre Jordan due to ankle soreness that has been affecting him, according to Doc Rivers.
Dunkel Rating:
Toronto
123.869
Detroit
117.901
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 6
203
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Toronto
by 3 1/2
209 1/2 Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(-3 1/2); Under
Cleveland @ New York
Game 703-704
April 9, 2018 @ 7:35 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
125.617
New York
110.553
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 15
229
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cleveland
by 11 1/2
223 1/2 Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(-11 1/2); Over
Chicago @ Brooklyn
Game 705-706
April 9, 2018 @ 7:35 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Chicago
111.561
Brooklyn
115.998
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Brooklyn
by 4 1/2
213
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Brooklyn
by 8 1/2
220 1/2 Dunkel Pick:
Chicago
(+8 1/2); Under
Oklahoma City @ Miami
Game 707-708
April 9, 2018 @ 7:35 pm
Dunkel Rating:
Oklahoma City
119.241
Miami
119.005
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami
Even
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma City
by 3 1/2
214 Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(+3 1/2); Under
Dunkel Rating:
Sacramento
114.501
San Antonio
124.672
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Antonio
by 10
195
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Antonio
by 13 1/2
200 1/2 Dunkel Pick:
Sacramento
(+13 1/2); Under
Dunkel Rating:
New Orleans
123.881
LA Clippers
113.767
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
New Orleans
by 10
222
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
New Orleans
by 7 1/2
227 1/2 Dunkel Pick:
New Orleans
(-7 1/2); Under
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