Betting News and Notes - Jan 11

Drake guard out indefinitely with sprained ankle
January 10, 2008

Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Drake guard Josh Young, the leading scorer in the Missouri Valley Conference, is out indefinitely with a sprained right ankle.

Young is averaging 16.3 points per game and has keyed Drake's 13-1 start, the best in school history. The sophomore injured his ankle Wednesday night early in the second half of Drake's 75-50 win over Indiana State and did not return.

Drake has won 12 straight and is 4-0 in the Valley for the first time since 1970. The Bulldogs are tied with Illinois State atop the conference standings.

Ahead of the Power Curve
VegasInsider.com

The phrase "staying ahead of the power curve" is a common one in the business world, and it's certainly an important one. It is a theory that also pays big dividends in "this" business world which is sports handicapping and/or sports gaming. In this segment, we are focused in on the NBA and a couple teams that are poised to go on hot streaks as we enter the mid-January time frame.

Team #1 to Watch: San Antonio Spurs- The Spurs have disappointed their San Antonio faithful throughout the holiday time period. San Antonio had covered just two of its last ten games heading into a January 10th showdown with the Detroit Pistons. However, just like in buying stocks, investing in good teams when they are selling low is the best thing you can possibly do. Finding the low point is the key and we feel that point is now for San Antonio. The Spurs finally have Manu Ginobli back in the mix, and with Tony Parker, Ginobli, and Tim Duncan, San Antonio has one of the most dangerous and effective trios in all of pro hoops.

The Spurs schedule coming up is going to be a key as well. The Spurs will be embarking on their annual "rodeo road trip" in late January, but this trip has traditionally been very good to them. We expect more of the same this season. After their game versus Detroit on January 10th, the Spurs play 12 of their next 17 games on the road. However, eight of their 12 road games are against the weaker East. The key with the Spurs is that we will also get line value in their road games, as the home court often tends to get too much respect from the odds makers. This opens up the door to plenty of upcoming covers in the next five weeks with a now-healthy Spurs club.

Team #2 to Watch: Utah Jazz - Similar to the Spurs, the Jazz are another solid team that has fallen out of favor with the betting public. That tends to happen when you've failed to cover 13 of your last 19 games. That is what has happened to Utah since the first month of this season. Once the calendar hit December, the Jazz struggled but we see signs of Utah turning the corner now and we feel its schedule will help that to continue. It all begins January 10th with a home game against Phoenix. The Jazz were fortunate to catch Phoenix off of an overtime win the night before. Regardless of what happens in that Jazz-Suns match-up on the 10th of January, the fact is that it is a game that is part of a stretch of eight home games out of 11. Already the Jazz have begun to turn things around, thanks to a schedule that started to favor home games after Christmas. Heading into their match-up with Phoenix on the 10th of January, the Jazz had covered three of their last five at home.

Note that Andrei Kirilenko should be returning from his back injury for the Jazz very soon. We also feel that the pickup of Kyle Korver from Philly is going to add some big value in the very near future. Korver is a streaky shooter that, when he gets hot from outside, can really light up the scoreboard. Matt Harpring is also capable of adding great value as a scorer. Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer give Utah a great inside-out combo. Also, Mehmet Okur is now back after missing a chunk of December with an injury. We also like a scrappy guy like Paul Millsap coming off the bench. The mix that Utah has - talent and grit - is a good one. They are also very well-coached and they are also flying under the radar at the present time. That means it's absolutely the right time to step in and make some money by backing the Jazz in the coming weeks!

Best bets concerning totals
By Brad Young

The pro basketball season is far enough along now that meaningful trends are popping up all over the box scores. The one area we are going to focus in on today is NBA totals. There are a couple teams out there that have been cashing tickets all season, and could be profitable with a little bit of research.

Three Western Conference teams are atop the NBA standings in scoring (Phoenix, Golden State and the Los Angeles Lakers), but none of those teams have remarkable ‘over/under’ records. The totals are so high when those teams are playing, that the ‘over’ is just a combined 54-49-2 for those squads.

Phoenix leads the league by scoring an average of 110.65 points per game, Golden State is second at 108.22 ppg and the Lakers are third at 107.52. So the trick isn’t finding out what teams post a ton of points, but what teams consistently go ‘over’ their totals when the game tips off.

Two top teams concerning ‘over’ outings this year are New York and Utah. The Jazz rank fifth in points per game (104.66), while the Knicks rank 24th by averaging just 94.05 points per contest. The ‘over’ is 21-15 for Utah this season, going 9-7 at home and 12-8 ATS. To get a complete rundown on every team in the NBA concerning wins and losses, records against the spread and totals, click on our Against the Spread Rankings page.

New York has seen the ‘over’ go 20-14 this season, including a solid 11-4 when the team is playing on the road. That means the ‘under’ has a slight 10-9 advantage for games played at Madison Square Garden.

Top ‘under’ teams include Atlanta, the Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota, New Orleans, Portland and Seattle. These teams tend to be in the middle of league concerning scoring average with the exception of the Timberwolves and Clippers.

Minnesota and Los Angeles are the worst scoring teams in the league by averaging just 93.20 and 92.56 points per contest respectively. However, the Hornets, Trail Blazers and Sonics rank 15th, 16th and 17th.

The best teams to bet concerning the ‘under’ so far this season is the Atlanta Hawks and the Los Angeles Clippers. Both teams have seen the ‘under’ go 21-11, with the Hawks seeing the ‘under’ go a robust 11-3 when they are playing on the road.

The ‘under’ is a more modest 10-8 when Atlanta is playing at home. The only thing remarkable about the Hawks is their ‘over/under’ record. Atlanta is an average 16-16 straight up and 17-15 against the spread.

The Clippers are more consistent concerning the total, with the ‘under’ going 10-5 on the road and 11-6 at Staples Center. Los Angeles has been continuing its low-scoring affairs with the ‘under’ going 7-2 the previous nine outings. However, upcoming games against Dallas, Phoenix and Utah might affect those numbers.

vegasinsider.com.

Boston (29-4 SU, 21-11-1 ATS) at New Jersey (18-17 SU, 15-19-1 ATS)

The Celtics look to rebound from just their fourth loss of the season when they take on the Nets at home in an Atlantic Division matchup.

Boston, playing without injured shooting guard Ray Allen, lost 95-83 to Charlotte as a 13½-point favorite on Wednesday. The defeat ended the Celtics’ nine-game winning streak (6-3 ATS).

The Nets come into this one off of Wednesday’s 99-88 rout of the Sonics as an eight-point home favorite, improving to 8-2 over their last 10 games (7-3 ATS). New Jersey has rattled off three straight home wins (2-1 ATS).

New Jersey has stepped up its offensive productivity lately, averaging 101.8 points a game in its last five as opposed to just 93.7 for the entire season.

Boston has dominated this series, winning three of the last four both SU and ATS, including a pair of victories this season. The Celtics prevailed 112-101 in New Jersey on Nov. 10 as a three-point chalk and then cruised 91-69 four days later in Boston as a 10-point favorite.

Doc Rivers’ squad has won and covered in nine consecutive road games, including a 92-85 upset win in Detroit on Saturday as a two-point underdog. Dating back to last season, Boston is on a 43-16-1 ATS run on the road.

The Celtics are on ATS rolls of 4-0 in New Jersey, 10-1-1 against Atlantic Division rivals and 10-3-1 against teams with a losing home record.

The Nets are in ATS slumps of 4-12-1 at home overall and 2-8-1 at home against teams with a winning road record.

The under is 4-1 in the last five head-to-head meetings and 6-2 in Boston’s last eight against Eastern Conference competition.

ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON and UNDER

Washington (17-16 SU, 20-13 ATS) at Atlanta (16-16 SU, 17-15 ATS)

Washington hopes to continue its wizardry over the Hawks when they travel to Atlanta for a Friday night showdown.

The Wizards have won seven of their last 10 against the Hawks (5-5 ATS), including two straight in Atlanta. However, the two have split two meetings this season, with the road team scoring both victories. Washington went to Georgia on Nov. 11 and rolled 101-90 as 5½-point underdogs but the Hawks returned the favor in the nation’s capitol on Dec. 21, winning 97-92 as 4½-point pups.

Washington lost to Houston 92-84 as a 2½-point home favorite on Tuesday, and now go on the road for three of its next four, following this contest with games in Boston and New York. The Wizards are 10-5 ATS on the highway for the season.

The Hawks ended a four-game skid with Wednesday’s 90-81 home win over the Cavaliers as 2½-point favorites. Atlanta is on a 5-1 SU and ATS surge at home, and a win tonight moves the Hawks back over the .500 mark for the first time since Dec. 28.

Atlanta’s Joe Johnson has averaged 26.8 points a game in his last four against the Wizards, but offense has been the problem for the Hawks lately, as they’ve been outscored by seven points per game (100-93) in their last five overall.

The over is 10-4 in the last 14 head-to-head meetings in Atlanta and 9-3 the last 12 times the Wizards have been underdogs. However, the under is on runs of 7-3 for Washington against the Eastern Conference, 12-3 for Atlanta’s against Southeast Division rivals and 7-2 for the Hawks as a favorite.

ATS ADVANTAGE: WASHINGTON

Orlando (23-14 SU, 24-13 ATS) at Denver (21-13 SU, 17-17 ATS)

The road-warrior Magic continue their four-game Western Conference swing with a stop in Denver to face the streaking Nuggets.

Orlando bounced back from Tuesday’s rare road loss in Sacramento with a 113-106 victory over the Clippers in L.A. on Wednesday, barely cashing as a four-point favorite. With that victory, the Magic improved to 16-6 SU and 17-5 ATS on the road this season. Going back to last year, Orlando is on a stunning 21-5-2 ATS roll as a visitor.

Denver has won six of its last eight both SU and ATS, but dropped its last outing 137-115 in Phoenix on Monday as 7½-point underdog. The offense has led the surge for George Karl’s squad, scoring 106 points or more in all but two of the team’s last eight contests

The home team has dominated this series, going 10-1 SU and ATS in the last 11, with Denver winning and cashing in the last four at the Pepsi Center. In fact, you have to back to 2002 for the last time the road team prevailed between these two.

In addition to their incredible overall ATS run on the road, the Magic are 11-2-1 ATS in their last 14 as a road dog and 12-3-2 ATS in their last 17 against teams with a winning home record.

Denver is 4-1 (3-2 ATS) in its last five at home, where the Nuggets outscore their foes by an average of nine points per game (108-99).

The under is 7-3 in Denver’s last 10 home games, but the over has been the play in seven of Orlando’s last 10. Also, the over is 4-0 in the last four series meetings in the Mile High City.

ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE

gametimepicks.com

Chicago Bulls vs. Philadelphia 76ers

- The Chicago Bulls and the Philadelphia 76ers will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Wachovia Center.

The Bulls were upset 105-100 by the Knicks last time out, as 6.5-point favorites at home. The 205 points made it OVER the posted total of 191.

Joe Smith led the Bulls with a double-double, scoring 22 points with 12 rebounds.

The 76ers fell 109-96 to the Raptors last time out, as 8.5-point road underdogs. The combined score made it OVER the game's posted total of 188.

Thaddeus Young shot 7-for-11 from the field with 16 points and four rebounds in a losing effort.

Current streak:
Philadelphia has lost 5 straight games.

Team records:
Chicago: 13-20 SU, 11-22 ATS
Philadelphia: 14-22 SU, 16-19-1 ATS

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Atlanta are 5-5
After playing New York are 5-5
After a loss are 8-2

Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing San Antonio are 3-7
After playing Toronto are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games
Chicago is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Chicago is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Chicago
Philadelphia is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Chicago

Next up:
Chicago at Atlanta, Sunday, January 13
Philadelphia at San Antonio, Monday, January 14

Washington Wizards vs. Atlanta Hawks

- Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Friday when the Washington Wizards and the Atlanta Hawks meet at Philips Arena.

Antawn Jamison led the Wizards with 14 points and eight boards in their 92-84 loss to the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night.

The Rockets won as 2.5-point road underdogs as the game played under the 188.5-point total listed by sportsbooks.

The Hawks had a solid third quarter and thwarted a late surge to defeat the Cavaliers 90-81 last time out. The Hawks covered the 2.5-point spread, but the 171 points fell UNDER the night's posted total of 188.5.

Joe Johnson tossed in a team-high 29 points and hauled down seven boards. Josh Smith chipped in with 19 points in the win.

Team records:
Washington: 17-16 SU, 20-12-1 ATS
Atlanta: 16-16 SU, 17-15 ATS

Washington most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Boston are 4-6
After playing Houston are 3-7
After a loss are 6-4

Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Chicago are 4-6
After playing Cleveland are 2-8
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Atlanta
Washington is 5-0-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games
Washington is 12-3 SU in its last 15 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing Washington
Atlanta is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Atlanta is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Atlanta is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Washington

Next up:
Washington home to Boston, Saturday, January 12
Atlanta home to Chicago, Sunday, January 13

Charlotte Bobcats vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

- The Charlotte Bobcats and the Cleveland Cavaliers will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Quicken Loans Arena.

The Bobcats shocked the basketball world with a 95-83 upset win over the 29-4 Celtics on Wednesday. The Bobcats won the game as 13-point underdogs, and the 178 points were UNDER the posted total of 189.

Jason Richardson paced the Bobcats with a game-high 34 points and nine rebounds.

LeBron James netted a game-high 31 points in Cleveland's 90-81 loss at Atlanta on Wednesday, as 2.5-point underdogs. The 171 points fell UNDER the night's posted total of 188.5.

James completed a double-double by grabbing 10 rebounds in the loss.

Current streak:
Charlotte has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
Charlotte: 13-21 SU, 12-21-1 ATS
Cleveland: 18-18 SU, 15-21 ATS

Charlotte most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-7
Before playing Detroit are 4-6
After playing Boston are 1-9
After a win are 3-7

Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Memphis are 2-8
After playing Atlanta are 8-2
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Charlotte's last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Charlotte's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Charlotte's last 9 games when playing Cleveland
Charlotte is 7-17 SU in its last 24 games
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Charlotte
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Cleveland's last 10 games
Cleveland is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games at home

Next up:
Charlotte home to Detroit, Saturday, January 12
Cleveland at Memphis, Tuesday, January 15

Boston Celtics vs. New Jersey Nets

- The division rival Boston Celtics and New Jersey Nets are set to renew hostilities on Friday when they meet at Izod Center.

The Celtics were upset 95-83 by the Bobcats last time out, as huge 13-point favorites at home. The 178 points were UNDER the posted total of 189.

Kevin Garnett shot 8-for-13 from the field with 24 points and eight rebounds for the Celtics.

Richard Jefferson led the Nets with 28 points Wednesday, as they dumped the lowly SuperSonics 99-88. The Nets covered the 7.5-point spread, but the combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 197.

Jefferson shot 11-for-17 from the field with five rebounds and six assists, while Vince Carter had 18 points and eight rebounds in the win.

Team records:
Boston: 29-4 SU, 21-11-1 ATS
New Jersey: 18-17 SU, 15-19-1 ATS

Boston most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Washington are 3-7
After playing Charlotte are 2-8
After a loss are 4-6

New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Portland are 5-5
After playing Seattle are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Boston is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
Boston is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing New Jersey
New Jersey is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
New Jersey is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
New Jersey is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games when playing Boston

Next up:
Boston at Washington, Saturday, January 12
New Jersey home to Portland, Monday, January 14

Toronto Raptors vs. New York Knicks

- The Toronto Raptors and the New York Knicks will meet on the court at Madison Square Garden on Friday in a battle of division rivals.

Jose Calderon tossed in 17 points with nine assists last time out, as the Raptors defeated the 76ers 109-96. The Raptors managed to cover the 8.5-point spread, and the combined score made it OVER the game's posted total of 188.

Anthony Parker netted a game-high 22 points for the Raptors, and Chris Bosh added 21 in the victory.

The Knicks lost 101-92 to the Rockets last time out, as 5.5-point underdogs. The 193 points made it OVER the posted total of 187.

Jamal Crawford shot 9-for-20 from the field with 21 points, three rebounds and three assists in the loss.

Team records:
Toronto: 18-17 SU, 19-16 ATS
New York: 9-25 SU, 14-20 ATS

Toronto most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Portland are 5-5
After playing Philadelphia are 5-5
After a win are 4-6

New York most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing Detroit are 6-4
After playing Houston are 3-7
After a loss are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
Toronto is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing New York
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing on the road against New York
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games when playing New York
Toronto is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games when playing New York
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New York's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
New York is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games when playing at home against Toronto
New York is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Toronto

Next up:
Toronto home to Portland, Sunday, January 13
New York home to Detroit, Sunday, January 13

Miami Heat vs. New Orleans Hornets

- The Miami Heat and the New Orleans Hornets will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at New Orleans Arena.

The Heat were defeated 98-92 by the Bucks last time out, as 4.5-point road underdogs. The 190 points made it OVER the posted total of 189.

Dwyane Wade shot 11-for-22 from the field with 34 points and nine rebounds for the Heat.

The Hornets lost 109-80 to the Lakers last time out, as a 2-point favorite at home. The 189 points were UNDER the posted total of 206.5.

Chris Paul had a game-high 32 points from 13-for-23 shooting in the loss.

Current streak:
Miami has lost 9 straight games.

Team records:
Miami: 8-28 SU, 14-22 ATS
New Orleans: 23-12 SU, 20-14-1 ATS

Miami most recently:
When playing on Friday are 9-1
Before playing Chicago are 3-7
After playing Milwaukee are 7-3
After a loss are 1-9

New Orleans most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Houston are 4-6
After playing LA Lakers are 1-9
After a loss are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami's last 5 games when playing New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami's last 5 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami's last 7 games on the road
Miami is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Orleans's last 5 games when playing Miami
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Orleans's last 5 games when playing at home against Miami
New Orleans is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Miami
New Orleans is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Miami

Next up:
Miami home to Chicago, Wednesday, January 16
New Orleans at Houston, Sunday, January 13

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Houston Rockets

- The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Houston Rockets will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Toyota Center.

Rashad McCants scored 27 points and pulled down eight rebounds to lead the Timberwolves to a 101-91 victory over the Miami Heat on Tuesday night.

The Timberwolves won the game as a home pick 'em as the teams played just over the 191.5-point total posted by oddsmakers.

The Rockets outplayed the Knicks early and finished strongly in a 101-92 win on Wednesday. The Rockets covered the 5.5-point spread, and the 193 points made it OVER the posted total of 187.

Yao Ming had a big night for the Rockets, tossing in a game-high 36 points with 11 rebounds for a double-double.

Current streak:
Houston has won 4 straight games.

Team records:
Minnesota: 5-29 SU, 14-20 ATS
Houston: 19-17 SU, 18-17-1 ATS

Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing San Antonio are 6-4
After playing Miami are 4-6
After a win are 0-10

Houston most recently:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing New Orleans are 7-3
After playing New York are 8-2
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota's last 7 games on the road
Minnesota is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Houston
Minnesota is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Minnesota's last 13 games when playing Houston
Houston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Houston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Houston's last 13 games when playing Minnesota

Next up:
Minnesota at San Antonio, Saturday, January 12
Houston home to New Orleans, Sunday, January 13

Orlando Magic vs. Denver Nuggets

- The Orlando Magic and the Denver Nuggets will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Pepsi Center.

The Magic had six players reach double digits in Wednesday's 113-106 win over the Clippers. The Magic covered the 4.5-point spread, and the 219 points sailed OVER the night's posted total of 192.

Hedo Turkoglu shot 9-for-18 from the field with 28 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in the win.

The Nuggets lost 137-115 to the Suns last time out, as 7.5-point underdogs on the road. The combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 227.

Allen Iverson shot 10-for-20 from the field with a game-high 32 points in the loss.

Team records:
Orlando: 23-14 SU, 24-13 ATS
Denver: 21-13 SU, 17-17 ATS

Orlando most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Utah are 2-8
After playing LA Clippers are 2-8
After a win are 5-5

Denver most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Charlotte are 2-4
After playing Phoenix are 7-3
After a loss are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Orlando's last 5 games on the road
Orlando is 16-4 SU in its last 20 games when playing Denver
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Orlando's last 5 games when playing on the road against Denver
Orlando is 17-5 ATS in its last 22 games on the road
Denver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Denver is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Orlando
Denver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Orlando
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games when playing at home against Orlando

Next up:
Orlando at Utah, Saturday, January 12
Denver at Charlotte, Monday, January 14

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors

- The Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Oracle Arena.

The Grizzlies were defeated 116-113 by the Kings last time out, as 4-point underdogs on the road. The combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 203.

Rudy Gay tossed in a game-high 31 points from 9-for-13 shooting, and hauled down seven boards in the loss.

The Warriors lost 109-91 to the Trail Blazers last time out, as 2-point road underdogs. The combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 208.

Matt Barnes shot 5-for-9 from the field with 14 points and six rebounds in the loss.

Current streak:
Memphis has lost 2 straight games.

Team records:
Memphis: 10-25 SU, 17-18 ATS
Golden State: 20-16 SU, 17-19 ATS

Memphis most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing LA Lakers are 3-7
After playing Sacramento are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6

Golden State most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Indiana are 4-6
After playing Portland are 6-4
After a loss are 9-1

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Memphis's last 5 games when playing Golden State
Memphis is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Memphis's last 5 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Memphis is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 5 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 5 games
Golden State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 5 games when playing at home against Memphis

Next up:
Memphis at LA Lakers, Sunday, January 13
Golden State home to Indiana, Sunday, January 13

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Los Angeles Lakers

- The Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at STAPLES Center.

The Bucks pulled out a hard-fought 98-92 win over the lowly Heat on Wednesday. The Bucks managed to cover the 4.5-point, and the 190 points made it OVER the posted total of 189.

Mo Williams led the offense with a game-high 35 points for the Bucks, and Jason Williams netted 23 in the win.

The Lakers roared from the start and went on to trounce the Hornets 109-80 on Wednesday, as a 2-point road underdog. The 189 points were UNDER the posted total of 206.5.

Andrew Bynum shot an impressive 8-for-10 from the field with 17 points and nine rebounds, and Kobe Bryant added a team-high 19 points in the win.

Current streak:
Milwaukee has won 3 straight games.
Los Angeles has won 4 straight games.

Team records:
Milwaukee: 15-20 SU, 15-19-1 ATS
Los Angeles: 23-11 SU, 22-12 ATS

Milwaukee most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing Phoenix are 5-5
After playing Miami are 6-4
After a win are 4-6

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Memphis are 6-4
After playing New Orleans are 6-4
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Milwaukee is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Milwaukee is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Milwaukee is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 7 games
LA Lakers are 8-1 SU in their last 9 games
LA Lakers are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games at home
LA Lakers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games
LA Lakers are 11-2 SU in their last 13 games when playing at home against Milwaukee

Next up:
Milwaukee at Phoenix, Saturday, January 12
LA Lakers home to Memphis, Sunday, January 13