NBA betting trends, odds and predictions for Friday, February 24th, 2017 from various handicappers and websites
NBA Knowledge
Grizzlies lost three of last five games overall, but won five of last six on road; they’re 15-10-1 vs spread in last 26 road games. Pacers lost their last six games, losing last four home games- they’re 0-5 vs spread in last five at home. Three of their last four home games went over. Memphis won its last five games with Indiana, winning last two games here by 8-9 points. Six of last eight series games stayed under total.
four in row, 14 of last 17 games; they’re 6-1 vs spread in last seven road games. Six of their last eight games went over total. Philly won three of last four games, covered last five; they’re 10-0 vs spread in their last ten home games. Four of their last five games went over. 76ers lost seven of last eight games with Washington; four of last six series games stayed under. Wizards won three of last four games in Philly.
Celtics won 11 of last 13 games, are 4-2 vs spread in last six road games. Four of their last five games went over total. Toronto lost three of last four games, is 2-6 vs spread in last eight home games. Seven of their last nine games stayed under the total. Raptors won five of last seven games with Boston; four of last five series games stayed under. Celtics lost last three games in Canada, by 6-14-8 points.
Miami won 14 of its last 16 games, is 5-1 vs spread in last six road games. Six of their last eight games went over. Hawks are 7-6 in their last 13 games, 2-4 vs spread in last six home games. Five of their last seven home games went over the total. Heat won four of last six games with Atlanta; teams split last four games played in Atlanta. Seven of last nine series games stayed under the total.
Jazz lost three of last four games, is 2-8 vs spread in its last ten road games. Five of their last seven games went over total. Milwaukee won tis last three games, is 1-4 vs spread in its last five home games. Five of their last seven games went over the total. Utah won its last five games with Bucks, winning by 2-9 points in last two visits to Milwaukee. Last four series games stayed under total.
Lakers lost three of their last four games, are 6-2 vs spread in their last eight road games. Six of their last eight games went over the total. Oklahoma City is 4-6 in its last ten games, but 9-2 in their last 11 home games, both SU and ATS. Thunder won nine of last ten games with the Lakers, winning last five played here (5-0 vs spread). Four of last six series games stayed under.
Phoenix lost 10 of last 13 games, is 2-3 vs spread in last five road games. Four of their last six games stayed under total. Bulls won/covered their last three home games; they’re 6-3 vs spread in last nine games overall. Suns won last two games with Chicago by 2-18 points; they covered three of last four series games, but lost three of last five visits to Windy City (3-2 vs spread). Under is 5-3 in last eight series games.
Mavericks lost four of last six games, are 2-4 vs spread in last six road games. Over is 7-4 in their last 11 games. Timberwolves won three of last five games, are 3-7 vs spread in last ten home games. 11 of last 13 Minnesota games went over. Dallas won eight of its last nine games with Minnesota, winning three of last four games in the Twin Cities. Under is 6-1-1 in last eight series games.
Brooklyn lost its last 14 games but covered four of last five; they’re 5-1 vs spread in last six road games. Four of last five Net games went over the total. Nuggets lost three of last four games; they got smoked in Sacramento last night. Denver won/covered seven of its last nine home games. Four of their last six games went over. Nets won their last six games with Denver, winning by 23-1-28 points in last three visits here. Last three series games went over total.
Spurs won seven of last nine games, are 3-4 vs spread in last seven road games. Under is 7-2 in their last nine games. Clippers had 4-game win streak ended in Oakland last night; they won seven of last nine home games. Three of their last four games stayed under. Clippers won five of last seven games with San Antonio, winning last three meetings here, by 2-5-19 points. Six of last nine series games went over.
Armadillosports.com
NBA: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Boston at Toronto
The Toronto Raptors (33-24, 31-25-1 ATS) try to gain ground on Atlantic leading Boston Celtics (37-20, 29-26-2 ATS) when the division rivals meet at the Air Canada Centre Friday.
Raptors losing their way netting just 103.4 in offensive metrics while giving up 106.7 per opponent 100 possesions lost 11 of 16 heading into the break (5-11 ATS). On the other side, streaking Celtics netting 111.8 per 100 possesions, allowing opponents 106.9 in defensive metrics reeled of wins 11 of 16 (6-10 ATS) heading into the All-Star break.
Taking a struggling home favorite (-3) such as Raptors requires a certain determination. But, those with resolve can reap rewards. Raptors have shown a habit of keeping supporters happy in this series cashing all three meetings this season and six of the past seven encounters. Raptors are also a profitable 6-2 ATS at home laying -4.5 or less points. Additionally, Raptors pulling the trigger on a major trade acquiring forward Serge Ibaka from Orlando is just what they need to right the ship as it provides immediate help in rebounding, inside defence and outside shooting.
Finally, one eye-opening betting numbers emerges when looking deeper into this matchup. The Raptors have responded at the betting window this season running the hardwood against division rivals posting a 10-2 SU record with an equally impressive 10-2 mark against the betting line.
Friday’s NBA Game of the Day: Celtics at Raptors
By Covers.com
Boston Celtics at Toronto Raptors (-3, 215.5)
The Boston Celtics chose to stand pat at the NBA trade deadline while the Toronto Raptors continued to tweak their roster in advance of the two teams meeting Friday night in Canada. The Celtics emerge from the All-Star break three games behind first-place Cleveland in the Eastern Conference after a 24-8 surge and they hope to continue to ride the momentum with the current roster.
"I don't think that, when you're in a position where you're playing at a pretty good level, you should anticipate much change," coach Brad Stevens told ESPN as the deadline approached Thursday afternoon. The Raptors felt otherwise amid a recent 4-11 swoon and bolstered their ranks with the acquisitions of veteran forwards Serge Ibaka, who came from Orlando prior to the All-Star break, and P.J. Tucker, acquired from Phoenix in exchange for center Jared Sullinger and draft picks on Thursday. "He's an excellent defender,’’ coach Dwayne Casey said of Ibaka at practice Wednesday. "I remember the days of going at him from down in Dallas (where Casey served as an assistant). The game has changed from a shot blocking perspective, but it's still there. He can still protect the rim." The Celtics had won four in a row before a one-point loss at Chicago prior to the break, while Toronto snapped a three-game slide with a 90-85 victory over Charlotte, although Ibaka did not suit up for that one.
LINE HISTORY: The Raptors opened as 3-point home favorites against the Atlantic division leading Celtics and the total is set at 215.5. As of Friday morning neither of those numbers has moved. Check out the complete line history here.
INJURY REPORT:
Celtics - SF Jaylen Brown (Probable, hip), SF Gerald Green (Questionable, heel), SG Avery Bradley (Questionable, achilles), PG Demetrius Jackson (Out Indefinitely, illness)
Raptors - PF Patrick Patterson (Probable, knee), SF P.J. Tucker (Questionable, back)
POWER RANKINGS: Celtics (-6.4) - Raptors (-7.9) + home court (-3) = Raptors -4.5
ABOUT THE CELTICS (37-20 SU, 29-26-2 ATS, 31-25-1 O/U): Boston was linked in rumors to several big names - notably Indiana's Paul George and Chicago's Jimmy Butler - but chose to hold onto several of the draft picks they've stockpiled in recent years. "It's pretty well-known it's a good draft (this year)," general manager Danny Ainge told reporters. "We have very good fortune right now. ... We need to make the most of that." All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas carries a franchise-record streak of 41 straight games with at least 20 points, while fellow guard Avery Bradley (Achilles) - who has missed 20 of the last 21 games - remains uncertain after reportedly going through a small portion of Thursday's practice.
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (33-24 SU, 31-25-1 ATS, 35-25 O/U): While the front office was busy Thursday, guards DeMar DeRozan (personal matter) and Kyle Lowry (travel issues) were absent from practice, depriving the team of another chance to get their All-Stars in sync with Ibaka. Lowry had 32 points in a 109-104 loss at Boston earlier this month while DeRozan was out with a sore ankle, but the latter went for a season-high 41 points and a career-high 13 rebounds in the previous meeting, a 114-106 win for the Raptors at home Jan. 10. DeRozan averaged 29 points in his first three games since returning from the ankle injury but then went 5-for-19 from the floor in back-to-back outings prior to the break.
TRENDS:
* Celtics are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Atlantic.
* Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
* Over is 10-2-1 in Celtics last 13 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
* Over is 13-3 in Raptors last 16 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Celtics are 1-6 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
CONSENSUS: 51 percent are siding with the home favorite Raptors and Over is picking up 65 percent of the totals wagers.
Friday's Tip Sheet
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Game of the Night – Spurs at Clippers
Los Angeles (35-22 SU, 30-27 ATS) returns home after getting blitzed in the third quarter of Thursday’s 123-113 defeat at Golden State. The Clippers led at halftime by 12 points, but the Warriors dropped 50 (yes, 50) points in third quarter to pull away and pick up the season sweep of Los Angeles. However, the Clips went on a late run to grab the cover as 13½-point underdogs in spite of shooting 40% for the game.
The Clippers host the Spurs (43-13 SU, 31-24-1 ATS), who are expected to have Pau Gasol and Manu Ginobili return to the lineup. Gasol suffered a broken left hand on January 17, as the Spurs posted a 12-3 SU and 8-7 ATS record in the 15 games the veteran forward missed. The Spurs are on the back-end of their eight-game Rodeo Trip with the final two games taking place at Staples Center, as San Antonio has won four of the first six contests, but covered only twice.
Los Angeles has caught fire from an ATS standpoint by covering in five straight games, while winning four times. However, the Clippers have lost four of six home contests when listed in the underdog role, as point guard Chris Paul remains out with a thumb injury. The Spurs have compiled a 4-6 ATS mark in the last 10 opportunities as a favorite, including a 2-4 ATS record when laying points on the highway.
The Clippers have had their way with the Spurs this season by winning each of the first two matchups. Los Angeles routed San Antonio at AT&T Center on November 5 as 4½-point underdogs, 116-92 as the Clippers posted 73 first half points. Blake Griffin paced the Clippers with 28 points on 13-of-19 shooting, while Spurs’ point guard Tony Parker sat out due to injury. The Clippers held off the Spurs in their second matchup at Staples Center on December 22 as 1½-point underdogs, 106-101, as Los Angeles has won five of the past seven meetings in the series.
Role Reversal
The Raptors have captured the Atlantic division title each of the past three seasons, while the Celtics have finished in second place the last two seasons. Boston has pulled ahead of Toronto in the division with a four-game advantage starting the second half of the season as the two teams meet at Air Canada Center.
The Celtics closed the first half winning 11 of 13 games, including a 4-2 mark away from TD Garden. The Raptors snapped a three-game skid by erasing a double-digit second half deficit in a 90-85 victory over the Hornets last Thursday, but Toronto has failed to cover in four straight games. This is an important matchup tonight for tiebreaker purposes as the Raptors have won two of the first three contests with the Celtics, while Toronto covered each of the first three times.
Losing Pace
Paul George stayed put with Indiana at the trading deadline, but the Pacers need to turn things around fast. Indiana ended the first half on a six-game slide, which included four straight defeats at Bankers Life Fieldhouse to Cleveland, Milwaukee, San Antonio, and Washington. The Pacers’ defense has been abysmal in this stretch by allowing at least 110 points in each defeat, while the OVER has hit four times.
Indiana hosts Memphis as the Grizzlies have won five of their last six games away from FedEx Forum. Memphis owns a 3-1 SU/ATS record in its past four opportunities as a road favorite, while the Grizzlies are 7-1 in their last eight off a loss, coming off a home defeat to the Pelicans prior to the break. The Pacers have struggled with the Grizzlies the last few seasons by dropping five straight matchups, including the previous two meetings in Indianapolis.
Hanging Around
The Heat are still alive in the Eastern Conference playoff race following a 14-2 run in the final 16 games of the first half. Miami faces Atlanta for the fourth times in the regular season as the Hawks captured two of the first three meetings. The Heat have cashed in all three matchups, including in a 116-93 home blowout during Miami’s 13-game winning streak earlier this month.
The Hawks finished the first half a bit uneven by alternating wins and losses in their last six games, capped off by a 99-84 setback to the Clippers. Atlanta has struggled to cover numbers at Philips Arena recently by going 2-4 ATS the last six home contests, while allowing 100 points or more five times in this stretch.
Time to Step Up
Both the Mavericks and Timberwolves sit in last place in their respective divisions, but Dallas and Minnesota have an outside shot at the eighth playoff position in the Western Conference. Dallas won six of eight games prior to dropping a pair of contests to Boston and Detroit before the All-Star break. The Mavericks’ offense has struggled away from American Airlines Center recently by scoring 99 points or less in five of the last seven road games.
The Wolves are back at home after cruising past the Nuggets in Denver before the break, 112-99 as 6½-point underdogs. Minnesota compiled a 2-4 SU/ATS record on its six-game homestand prior to the Denver victory, which included three losses as a favorite. Minnesota and Dallas split two meetings in January with the home team winning each time, while the UNDER cashed each game.
Head-to-Head Trends
Washington looks to stay atop the Southeast division as the Wizards travel to Philadelphia. The 76ers have covered 10 consecutive home contests, while knocking off the Wizards as home ‘dogs in November. However, Washington has won seven of the last eight meetings with Philadelphia.
Phoenix has won consecutive games only three times this season as the Suns go for back-to-back wins tonight in Chicago. The last time these teams faced off in Phoenix two weeks ago, the Suns routed the Bulls, 115-97 as 3½-point underdogs.
Utah goes for the season sweep of Milwaukee after the Jazz routed the Bucks in Salt Lake City on February 1 by a 104-88 count. The Jazz have won each of the last five matchups with the Bucks, while Milwaukee has scored 88 points or less in the past four losses to Utah.
The Thunder look for their 10th win in the past 11 meetings with the Lakers as the teams meet up in Oklahoma City. The Lakers knocked off the Thunder in their last matchup at Staples Center in November, while trying to snap a 12-game skid at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Save the best (or worst) for last as the Nets bring their 2-23 road record to Denver. Brooklyn has dropped 14 consecutive games, but the Nets beat the Nuggets at home in December for their sixth straight win over Denver since February 2014.