Trend Report - Tuesday

[Lumi]

Trend Report - Tuesday
January 5, 2010

Bulls at Bobcats ? The League is 0-9 ATS (-15.1 ppg) since February 02, 2000 as a dog with no rest after a double digit home loss in which they were whistled for fewer than 15 personal fouls. The Bulls are 0-8 ATS (-10.8 ppg) since February 24, 2008 as a dog with at most one day of rest after a game at home in which they scored less than 15% of their points from the free throw line.

Suns at Kings ? The Suns are 7-0 ATS (10.7 ppg) since January 30, 1998 on the road with two or more days of rest after a loss in which their opponent shot at least ten three-pointers and made at least half of them. The Kings are 6-0 ATS (5.4 ppg) since December 19, 2008 when their next game is on the road versus an opponent they beat as an underdog in their previous same-season match-up.


Rockets at Lakers ? The Rockets are 9-0 ATS (9.0 ppg) since December 20, 2004 with at least one day of rest off a road loss in which they led by 10+ points. The Lakers are 0-8-1 ATS (-8.7 ppg) since March 23, 2008 with at most one day of rest after a game in which they shot at least 55% from the field. The Lakers are 0-8 ATS (-9.9 ppg) since February 15, 2007 at home with at most one day of rest after a game in which they scored more than 30% of their points from the three-point line. The League is 8-0 ATS (10.4 ppg) since April 16, 2008 at home after a double digit win in which they had at least 10 more personal fouls than their opponent.

Pistons at Mavericks ? The Pistons are 0-8 ATS (-6.6 ppg) since February 20, 2007 on the road with 3+ days rest. The Mavericks are 9-0 ATS (8.4 ppg) since May 13, 2003 at home after a game on the road in which they shot at least twenty three-pointers and made less than a 25% of them.

Bucks at Nets ? The League is 10-0-1 ATS (8.5 ppg) since December 06, 2008 on the road after a home win in which they had at least 10 shots blocked. The Bucks are 0-9 ATS (-12.6 ppg) since November 12, 2003 as a favorite off a home win in which they trailed at the end of the third quarter. The Bucks are 8-0 ATS (12.9 ppg) since December 20, 2006 with two or more days of rest off a win in which they trailed by 10+ points. The Nets are 7-0 ATS (8.7 ppg) since March 30, 1999 after a home loss against the Cavaliers.

Warriors at Nuggets ? The Warriors are 0-7 ATS (-10.1 ppg) since December 11, 2001 on the road after a road loss in which they has more than 10 refereed turnovers. The Warriors are 7-0 ATS (9.4 ppg) since May 11, 2007 when seeking revenge for a loss as a dog in which they were out-rebounded by at least fifteen rebounds. The League is 8-0 ATS (8.2 ppg) since February 22, 2009 at home after a home loss in which they had at least five more turnovers than their season-to-date average. The Nuggets are 7-0-1 ATS (12.8 ppg) since February 08, 2008 with at least one day of rest off a loss of four points or fewer in which they trailed by double digits.

Magic at Pacers ? The Magic are 9-0 ATS (7.1 ppg) since November 14, 2001 on the road with at least one day of rest after a road loss in which they scored more than 30% of their points from the three-point line. The Pacers are 10-0-1 ATS (8.6 ppg) since January 25, 2000 at home with at most one day of rest after a game in which they shot at least twenty three-pointers and made less than a 25% of them. The Pacers are 8-0 ATS (10.1 ppg) since November 21, 2007 after a double digit loss in which their DPA was at least plus 15 points.

Wizards at Sixers ? The Wizards are 0-9 ATS (-5.8 ppg) since November 28, 1995 on the road with two or more days of rest after a game at home in which they committed fewer than ten turnovers. The Wizards are 0-7 ATS (-10.1 ppg) since December 26, 2001 on the road with two or more days of rest after a game in which their opponent shot at least ten three-pointers and made at least half of them. The Sixers are 7-0 ATS (10.3 ppg) since December 10, 2007 at home with at least one day of rest off a win in which their leading scorer for that game had fewer than 20 points.

Grizzlies at Trailblazers ? The League is 11-0 ATS (11.4 ppg) since February 23, 2008 on the road with two or more days of rest after a road win in which their DPS was at least plus 15 points. The Grizzlies are 9-0-1 ATS (11.4 ppg) since February 21, 2000 with at least one day of rest after a double digit road win in which their DPS was at least plus 15 points. The Grizzlies are 0-7 ATS (-5.1 ppg) since December 30, 2005 on the road after a road win in which they had an assist to turnover ratio of at least two. The Trailblazers are 0-8 ATS (-9.1 ppg) since January 01, 2007 as a home favorite with at most one day of rest after a loss in which they allowed at least 50% from the field.

 

[Lumi]

Weekly Notes - East

Weekly Notes - East

Weekly Notes - East
January 5, 2010




1) Cleveland

Weekly Recap - The Cavaliers saw their seven-game winning streak come to an end Sunday when they were defeated by Charlotte (88-91) at home. Despite the loss, the Cavs still put up a 3-1 mark on the week, which included a home-and-home sweep over the Hawks. The team went 1-3 ATS and the 'under' was 3-1.

Weekly Outlook - Cleveland gets one game at home on Wednesday versus Washington before they open up a five-game trip to the West Coast. This week, they face the Nuggets on Friday and Trail Blazers on Sunday. Even though the Cavs haven't been able to cover big numbers consistently at home (5-11 ATS), Mike Brown's team is 13-7 ATS on the road.

2) Orlando

Weekly Recap - The Magic looked great in their two victories, winning both by double digits against the Bucks (117-92) and Timberwolves (106-94). Unfortunately, the team couldn't finish the week strong and wound up losing at Chicago (93-101) on Saturday.

Weekly Outlook - Orlando has four games on the docket this week and they're split into a pair of back-to-back sets. The Magic play the Pacers on the road Tuesday before hosting Toronto on Wednesday. Then, Stan Van Gundy's team heads to Washington on Friday before another big showdown versus Atlanta on Saturday.



3) Boston

Weekly Recap - The banged-up Celtics snapped their three-game losing skid on Saturday by defeating Toronto (103-96) at home. Paul Pierce (knee) should miss another week of action, but Kevin Garnett (knee) and Rajon Rondo (hamstring) are expected to return. Even though it beat the Raptors on Saturday, the Celtics went 1-2 both SU and ATS on the week. The 'over' went 2-1.

Weekly Outlook - The Celtics will have four days of rest before starting the week on Wednesday at Miami. This will be the first of a three-game road trip which also features stops in Atlanta on Friday and Toronto on Sunday. Boston still owns the best winning percentage on the road this year with its 13-4 SU and 8-9 ATS ledger.

4) Atlanta

Weekly Recap - The Hawks are coming off their worst loss of the season, as the team went 0-3 SU and 1-2 ATS. The club came up short twice against the Cavaliers, allowing them to rally with big fourth quarter performances. To add salt to the wounds, Atlanta blew a big lead to New York on Friday and wound up losing in overtime (108-112).

Weekly Outlook - Atlanta has a chance to bounce back early with a trip to Miami on Monday. The Hawks catch the Nets and Celtics at home in the middle of the week before traveling back to Florida on Saturday for a matchup at Orlando.

5) Toronto

Weekly Recap - The Raptors had their five-game winning streak snapped by an injury plagued Boston (96-103) club on Saturday. Fortunately, Toronto bounced back the very next night at home against San Antonio (91-86). The 'over' went 3-1 in the Raptors' four games last week.

Weekly Outlook - Toronto will get tested this week with two battles against Eastern Conference contenders Orlando and Boston, plus it faces a Philadelphia team that is improving. The Raptors have been a good play at home (12-5 SU, 9-7 ATS) but on the road (5-13 SU, 6-12 ATS) has been a different story.

6) Miami

Weekly Recap - The Heat's roller coaster of a season continued last week as the team lost all three of their games. Two came on the road and two by double digits. The loss on Sunday to Charlotte (97-107) was very disappointing considering Miami held a 15-point over the Bobcats in the second-half. The 'under' went 2-1.

Weekly Outlook - Miami will be playing four games this week, which includes two at home against the Hawks and Celtics. Then, the team embarks on a six-game road trip that begins Friday in the desert against Phoenix. Following this tilt, the Heat faces the Clippers on Sunday.

7) New York

Weekly Recap - The Knicks continue to impress but last week they did it with offense. New York averaged 110.8 PPG, which helped produce a 3-1 record both SU and ATS. Two of the wins came on the road, including an overtime thriller at the Hawks (112-108). The 'over' went 3-1.

Weekly Outlook - New York will have three days off before hosting Charlotte on Thursday. The Knicks then head to Houston on Saturday for the first of three straight road games. The club has gone 6-10 SU and 8-8 ATS away from home this year.

8) Charlotte

Weekly Recap - The Bobcats helped gamblers last week by covering all four of their games. The club went 3-1 SU and cashed two tickets as live underdogs against Miami (107-97) and Cleveland (91-88), both of those victories on the road too. The total went 2-2.

Weekly Outlook - Larry Brown and company will play three games this week and all of them could be toss-ups against hot clubs. Chicago and Memphis will visit Charlotte on Tuesday and Saturday but a trip to Madison Square Garden on Thursday splits that pair.

9) Chicago

Weekly Recap - The Bulls extended their winning streak to four games (4-0 ATS) after compiling a perfect 3-0 record. Two of the three wins came at home and gamblers were able to cash two wins outright as live underdogs. The 'over' went 2-0-1 over this span.

Weekly Outlook - Chicago has a busy week with four games, two at home and two on the road. After hosting Oklahoma City on Monday the team faces the Bobcats and Bucks outside of the Windy City. The team returns to United Center on Saturday for a battle against the Wolves on zero days rest.

10) Milwaukee

Weekly Recap - After losing their first two games on the road last week by double digits to the Bobcats (84-94) and Magic (92-117), Scott Skiles' troops rebounded with a much-needed overtime victory against Oklahoma City (103-97) on Saturday. The 'over' went 2-1.

Weekly Outlook - The Bucks travel to New Jersey on Tuesday before hosting Chicago on Friday and most would expect Skiles to press some urgency in those games because of a looming six-game road trip out West. The trip starts Sunday against the L.A. Lakers from Staples Center.

11) Philadelphia

Weekly Recap - The 76ers faced a tough test last week and they responded with a great performance. The club went 3-1 both SU and ATS on the road, which included big wins against Portland and Denver. The team scored triple digits in all of the wins, which helped the 'over' produce a 3-1 mark.

Weekly Outlook - Philadelphia has a good chance to keep the trend rolling this week with a home battle versus Washington on Tuesday. Then the 76ers will be tested at home on Thursday against a red-hot Toronto squad. After this battle, the club will meet the Pistons at The Palace on zero days rest.

12) Detroit

Weekly Recap - The Pistons closed 2009 with three straight losses, both SU and ATS. The team has now suffered nine straight losses (0-9 ATS) and some folks are wondering if there will be a fire sale or coaching change in Motown soon. On the bright side, Detroit hasn't lost yet in 2010.

Weekly Outlook - Anything can happen in the NBA but it's hard to imagine Detroit winning again this week. Back-to-back road games against Dallas and San Antonio tip off the week on Tuesday before a home tilt versus a surging 76ers squad on Saturday spells trouble.

13) Indiana

Weekly Recap - The Pacers finally snapped their eight-game losing streak, beating Minnesota 122-11 last Saturday at home. In typical Indiana fashion, the club forgot to show up on Sunday as the Knicks destroyed them by 43 points (132-89). The team went 1-3 both SU and ATS on the week and the 'over' produced a 4-0 record.

Weekly Outlook - Indiana has three games on deck this week, starting with a home battle against Orlando on Tuesday. Then the Pacers play two games in two nights on the road starting Friday at Minnesota and ending the next day in Oklahoma City. Indiana has allowed 100-plus points in seven straight games and nine of its last 10.

14) Washington

Weekly Recap - Things in Washington D.C. continue to get worse and we're not even talking about what is happening on the court. The Gilbert Arenas' gun story has some legs and it will be curious to how it plays out. On the hardwood, the Wizards went 0-3 SU and 0-2-1 ATS last week, with two of the losses coming by double digits.

Weekly Outlook - Washington starts the week Tuesday with back-to-back road battles against Philadelphia and Cleveland. The team gets a short break before hosting Orlando and New Orleans to close the week. The Wizards are 10-19-2 ATS this year, which is the worst in the league.

15) New Jersey

Weekly Recap - The Nets won their third game of the year last week by defeating New York (104-95) at home. Unfortunately, the team couldn't put together another victory and wound up losing to Cleveland (94-86) two days later. The club went 2-1 ATS and the 'under' went 2-1 as well.

Weekly Outlook - New Jersey has a shot for another victory on Tuesday when it hosts Milwaukee, but then it gets tough. Three straight contests on the road against Atlanta, New Orleans and San Antonio don't look promising.

 

[Lumi]

Weekly Notes - West

Weekly Notes - West

Weekly Notes - West
January 4, 2010

1 - Lakers

Weekly Rewind: The Purple and Gold played all four games this week without Ron Artest, managing to go 3-1 SU and 2-2 ATS. Los Angeles started the week getting blown out at Phoenix, the first loss in three games against the Suns this season. The Lakers beat both the Warriors and Kings at home, but failed to cover each game as double-digit favorites. L.A. got revenge on Dallas for an earlier home loss by burying the Mavs, 131-96. Each contest sailed 'over' the total, extending the 'over' streak to five games.

Weekly Outlook: The Champs take the court four times, all on the West Coast. Phil Jackson's squad hosts the Rockets on Tuesday, followed by a "road" game against the Clippers at Staples Center on Wednesday. The Lakers travel to Portland on Friday, battling the Blazers for the first time this season. L.A. wraps up the week on Sunday hosting Milwaukee.

2 - Mavericks

Weekly Rewind: Dallas concluded a four-game road trip with an ugly loss to the Lakers on Sunday night. The Mavs went 2-2 SU/ATS on the trip, including a three-point defeat at Houston on New Year's Eve. Dallas topped Sacramento prior to the setback at L.A., improving the Mavs' mark to 8-3 ATS as a road favorite.

Weekly Outlook: Rick Carlisle's team has three contests in Texas this week, beginning with the Pistons at home on Tuesday. The Mavs make a quick trip to San Antonio on Friday, then head home on Saturday to host Utah as both teams will play with no rest.

3 - Blazers

Weekly Rewind: The walking wounded known as the Portland Trailblazers has found a way to keep winning games, in spite of the injuries piling up at an alarming rate. The Blazers went 2-1 SU and 1-2 ATS this week, while beating the Warriors without second-leading scorer LaMarcus Aldridge and point guard Steve Blake. The lone loss came in surprising fashion to the slumping Sixers as six-point home favorites.

Weekly Outlook: Portland departs the state of Oregon just once over the next 11 days, heading to L.A. to take on the Clippers on Monday. The Blazers return to the Rose Garden for five straight home games, including the Grizzlies (Tuesday), Lakers (Friday), and Cavs (Sunday).

4 - Spurs

Weekly Rewind: San Antonio has been on fire recently, winning 11 of 14, while going 9-4-1 ATS. The Spurs ran out of gas to wrap up the week, falling at Toronto, 91-86 as three-point road 'chalk.' San Antonio took care of Minnesota, Miami, and Washington all by double-digits earlier in the week.

Weekly Outlook: It's all home-cooking for Gregg Popovich's team this week, playing three games at the AT&T Center. The Spurs host the struggling Pistons on Wednesday, prior to a Friday showdown with the Mavs. San Antonio concludes the week with a rough one - the 3-30 Nets on Sunday.

5 - Suns

Weekly Rewind: Phoenix had its share of highs (beating the Lakers and Celtics) and lows (losing by 25 at home to the Grizzlies) this past week. The Suns have returned to the team we know and love by posting six consecutive 'overs,' including five straight at home.

Weekly Outlook: Alvin Gentry's team hits the road for one game this week, heading to Arco Arena on Tuesday to take on the Kings, who have dropped three straight. Phoenix returns home on Wednesday with no rest to host Houston, followed by a meeting with Miami on Friday.

6 - Nuggets

Weekly Rewind: Denver has seen the injury bug hit to its two best players, with Chauncey Billups missing each of the last four games and Carmelo Anthony sitting out the last two. Obviously it's spelled a bit of disaster for the Nuggets, dropping four of five, including losses to the Kings and Sixers. The sole win in this stretch oddly came at Utah as 7 ?-point underdogs without Billups and Anthony.

Weekly Outlook: The Nuggets will try to rebound on Tuesday hosting the Warriors. LeBron James and the Cavs invade the Pepsi Center on Friday night, followed by a return trip to Sacramento on Saturday.

7 - Rockets

Weekly Rewind: Houston was several minutes away from finishing off the week a perfect 3-0 SU/ATS ledger, but lost in New Orleans, 99-95 as 2 ?-point 'dogs. The Rockets did beat the Hornets earlier in the week at home, 108-100, followed by an underdog victory over the Mavs. Houston has now covered six straight games at the Toyota Center.

Weekly Outlook: The Rockets will be tested on a back-to-back starting Tuesday, heading to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers. Rick Adelman's club makes the quick turnaround to Phoenix on Wednesday, before returning home to host the Knicks on Saturday.

8 - Thunder

Weekly Rewind: Oklahoma City is turning the corner, picking up victories in five of the last six games. The Thunder swept a two-game trip at New Jersey and Washington, prior to a one-point home victory over Utah. OKC ended the week with an overtime loss at Milwaukee, the first time all season the Thunder failed to cover in consecutive games.

Weekly Outlook: The Thunder finishes up a mini two-game trip in the Midwest taking on the Bulls on Monday. OKC returns home for a four-game homestand, hosting the Hornets on Wednesday and the Pacers on Saturday.

9 - Jazz

Weekly Rewind: Utah began the week with a four-point victory in a non-cover at Minnesota, falling to 1-3 ATS as a road favorite. The Jazz managed a cover in an 87-86 loss at Oklahoma City on New Year's Eve, but then got tripped up at home against a short-handed Nuggets squad as 7 ?-point favorites.


Weekly Outlook: The Jazz will be busy this week, hosting the Hornets on Monday. Jerry Sloan's squad has a home-and-home with the Grizzlies on Wednesday and Friday, with the latter contest in Memphis. Utah turns around to Dallas on Saturday, trying to avenge a 96-85 loss to the Mavs in November when the Jazz blew a double-digit fourth-quarter lead.

10 - Grizzlies

Weekly Rewind: Memphis keeps finding ways to make bettors money, with the Grizzlies going 8-1-1 ATS the last ten games. The Grizz finished off a perfect 3-0 SU week with victories over the Wizards, Pacers, and Suns. Memphis has turned into pointspread killers at home, compiling a 10-4-1 ATS mark at the FedEx Forum.

Weekly Outlook: The week will not be easy for Lionel Hollins' team, continuing their road trip in Portland on Tuesday and Utah on Wednesday. The Grizzlies and Jazz do battle again in Memphis on Friday, followed by a stop in Charlotte on Saturday.

11 - Hornets

Weekly Rewind: New Orleans is trying to rebound from a slow start, as the Hornets finished the week with a pair of home victories over the Heat and Rockets. New Orleans avenged a loss earlier in the week at Houston, but is mired in a 2-4 ATS slump as a home favorite.

Weekly Outlook: The Hornets play six of their next eight on the road, starting with a trip to Utah on Monday. New Orleans heads to Oklahoma City on Wednesday, as the Hornets are 4-8 ATS as a road underdog. Jeff Bower's club comes home on Friday to host the woeful Nets, before heading to D.C. for a shootout with the Wizards (that's wrong).

12 - Clippers

Weekly Rewind: The Clippers played just two games, but have turned into pointspread monsters recently, covering three straight. L.A. followed up last Sunday's victory over Boston with a four-point setback at Portland, but cashed as 6 ?-point 'dogs. The Clips finished off the decade with a 104-88 thrashing of the Sixers at home.

Weekly Outlook: It's all Hollywood for the Clippers this week, hosting the Blazers on Monday, followed by a visit from the Lakers on Wednesday. Mike Dunleavy's squad wraps up the week hosting the Heat on Sunday.

13 - Kings

Weekly Rewind: One of the season's early surprises is leaking oil at the moment, as the Kings dropped all three games last week and five of their last six. Sacramento played three of four games without star rookie Tyreke Evans, going 1-3 SU and 2-2 ATS overall. Arco Arena isn't as intimidating to opponents as it was earlier in the season, with the Kings going 1-5 ATS the last six at home.

Weekly Outlook: Evans is healthy again, now the Kings are just waiting for Kevin Martin to return to the lineup after surgery on his wrist. Sacramento may be playing three run-and-gun contests this week, starting with Phoenix at home on Tuesday. The Kings make the short trip to Oakland on Friday, followed by another visit from Denver on Saturday.

14 - Warriors

Weekly Rewind: It was not easy week for Golden State, battling three of the league's elite teams. The Warriors rallied past the Celtics at Oracle, 103-99, then covered in a six-point loss at the Lakers. Golden State fell at short-handed Portland on Saturday, 105-89, snapping a four-game ATS win streak.

Weekly Outlook: Don Nelson's team continues a four-game trip through the Northwest Division, heading to Denver on Tuesday to tangle with the struggling Nuggets. The Warriors travel to Minnesota on Wednesday, taking on a Wolves team with three days of rest. Golden State returns home to start a seven-game homestand on Friday against Sacramento.

15 - Timberwolves

Weekly Rewind: The four-in-five nights gauntlet was a rough one for Minnesota, going 0-4 SU and 1-3 ATS. The Wolves were swallowed up in San Antonio by 18, followed by the only cover of the week in a home loss to the Jazz. Minnesota proceeded to lose consecutive games by double-digits to Orlando and Indiana.

Weekly Outlook: The Wolves will be well-rested when they hit the court on Wednesday, hosting the Warriors. Kurt Rambis' club welcomes the Pacers on Friday, prior to a road contest at Chicago on Saturday.

 

[Lumi]

Teams on the Rise

Teams on the Rise

Teams on the Rise
January 4, 2010

With all the excitement of the bowl season and the upcoming NFL playoffs, in addition to the start of the conference season in college basketball it becomes easy to overlook the NBA at this time of the year. Pro Basketball continues to be a consistent profit-maker for us and it can be for you as well. This article will take a look at some of the NBA teams on the rise that could be teams to continue to back this season. If you are a serious NBA player you?re well aware of the success some of these teams have been producing and if you?re a casual fan, you may want to take note as these teams are quite a bit better than you might realize.

Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizzlies have been an afterthought in the Western Conference the last three years, winning between 22 and 24 games in those years. Memphis met heavy criticism for gifting their best player Pau Gasol to the Lakers but the youth movement is paying dividends after a slow start to the year. Memphis started the season 1-8, but is now a .500 team. The Grizzlies are just on the edge of the playoff race and since the calendar turned to the month of December the Grizzlies are 11-4.


The schedule has certainly played a role in the emergence, as only six of the last 15 games have been on the road but it is telling that progress is being made as Memphis has won four of those games. All four losses in the last 15 games came against teams that would make the playoffs if they started now and Memphis also has a handful of wins over top notch teams, beating Dallas, Cleveland, Denver, and Phoenix in this span. Memphis is not a great defensive team as they allow teams to shoot nearly 48 percent but the offense can match those numbers and this is also one of the better rebounding teams in the league.

Memphis lacks a true superstar but Rudy Gay has emerged as a quality scorer and the young tandem of Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo appears to be finding some rhythm. Marc Gasol has also taken great strides this season and the maligned acquisition of Zach Randolph is providing the inside toughness that the Grizzlies have lacked. Three rookies are also contributing as Sam Young, DeMarre Carroll, and Hasheem Thabeet are getting playing time making this team that could really be dangerous by the season?s end and looking ahead to next season.

Toronto Raptors: Being in playoff contention in the Eastern Conference does not mean a whole lot, but despite a losing record, the Raptors would be a playoff team at this point. Among a jumbled group of mediocre teams that have similar records, the Raptors look like a team that can really get on a run and get comfortably into playoff position. After winning the Atlantic Division in 2006-07, the Raptors were .500 in 2007-08 and made the playoffs again. Last season was a disaster however as Toronto finished 33-49. Toronto started this season 7-13 and did not appear to be heading anywhere but the Raptors are 9-5 in the last 14 games. There are few impressive wins on the resume in that timeframe but the Raptors are beating the teams that they should beat, and that is a big step.

The slow start for the Raptors should have been expected as eight of the first twelve games came on the road including road trips to Texas and out west. The Raptors are 11-5 at home this season which in one of the better marks in the Eastern Conference and should help Toronto improve its standing in the coming months. Toronto is allowing nearly 106 points per game on the season but since allowing 146 points in an ugly loss in Atlanta in early December, that average has dropped to 98 points per game. That loss has been the catalyst on the recent surge of strong play and this is a team that should be in many play-on situations the rest of the season and is likely to finish with a winning record.

Many have been quick to label the big Hedo Turkoglu signing as a bust as his scoring numbers are way down from last season but he is doing a lot of positive things for this team. He is averaging nearly five assists per game and also providing a decent rebounding presence. He still hits three-pointers at an over 40 percent clip and is a great free throw shooter even if he is not the best defender. Chris Bosh continues to deliver great numbers in what is assumed to be his last season in Toronto. Bosh is on pace for career highs in scoring, rebounding, and field goal percentage. Jarrett Jack has been a nice addition to the team as has Marco Belinelli. Rookie DeMar DeRozan also continues to improve and is now starting for the Raptors and his development as a scoring threat will only improve this team that is already headed in the right direction.

New York Knicks: At 13-20 it might be a bit of a stretch to call the Knicks a team truly on the rise but by most accounts this team has exceeded a lot of very dire projections. New York is definitely in the waiting game looking to add a superstar free agent but this has been a competitive team with the lineup that is in place. Amazingly the Knicks are just a good week from being in the playoff picture in the weak Eastern Conference and this is a team that unlike most losing teams, seems to compete well away from home. The 7-10 home record is discouraging but the Knicks provide an offense with a high scoring ceiling and a tough match-up in certain scheduling spots.

New York started the season 3-14 and is 10-6 since and the poor start was overshadowed by the struggles of the Nets down the road. That 7-10 home record was built in that poor start and the Knicks are actually 6-2 in the last eight home games including wins over Phoenix, Portland, and Chicago, while only losing by double-digits once overall despite some high quality competition. There have also been some great road showings with two wins at Atlanta, and wins in New Orleans and Detroit. The biggest difference has been improvement on defense and totals players should take note as well, as the ?under? is 10-3 in the past 13 New York games.

Jared Jeffries looks like wasted space in the box score at times but he has emerged as a premier post defender and the Knicks are starting to build the personnel that could excel in the Mark D?Antoni system, sans a superstar or a scoring point guard. New York has great size and all the big men can run and play the fast paced offensive style. Chris Duhon is capable in the backcourt but a point guard with better shooting numbers would really add a lot to this team. Second-year forward Danilo Gallinari has also taken a big leap this year as he has nearly tripled his scoring output from his rookie season. David Lee is also making a case for some All Star consideration, scoring 19 points per game and becoming a leader on this team.