Inside the Paint - Thursday
January 14, 2010
Pro hoops heat up the hardwood Thursday with its weekly double-header on TNT, which starts at 8:05 p.m. EST. Chicago and Boston tip off the early action from TD Garden before Cleveland and Utah collide in Salt Lake City in the late-night battle.
Let?s take a closer look at each contest.
Chicago (16-20 SU, 16-18 ATS) at Boston (27-10 SU, 17-20 ATS)
The Celtics have been installed as seven-point favorites against the Bulls and that should tell you a lot, especially when you look at the past history. Boston has faced Chicago twice this season and the team has come away with a pair of easy double-digit victories (28, 26). Doc Rivers? team was laying 9 ? and 11 ?-points in those contests, but they were also healthy too, which is why the number has dropped.
Boston will be without forward Kevin Garnett (knee) and Rasheed Wallace (foot) is listed as ?questionable? for Thursday. It?s amazing how much KG changes the dynamic on the court and total players should make a note. The Celtics have seen the ?over? go 5-1 in the six games that KG missed this season. And, when Boston defeated 4-3 Chicago in the first round of last year?s playoffs, Garnett didn?t play in the opening series either. Don?t run to the counter quickly, but the ?over? went 6-1 over the series. The total for this matchup is hovering between 194 and 195 points.
Despite owning a losing record, the Bulls are sitting in the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. Chicago enters this game with some steam after beating Minnesota (110-96) and Detroit (120-87), but make a note that both victories came at home. Gamblers should make another note that 13 of the Bulls? 16 victories have come at United Center this year.
With that being said, Chicago owns a 3-13 SU and 6-10 ATS mark on the road this year. Eight of the 13 losses have come by double digits away from home, which includes one of the aforementioned losses to Boston earlier this season. Despite the rough stretch, the team is 1-2 SU and 3-0 ATS in the last three road tilts and the losses were only by five and three points.
Boston hasn?t been on top of its ?A? game lately and it?s showed with losses in two of its last four. It could easily be four of five but Rajon Rondo helped the club pull out a miracle overtime victory at Miami (112-106) last week. Two of the losses came against the Hawks, including a 102-96 setback at home on Monday.
That encounter was the second game in two nights for Boston and we mention that because the Celtics did wallop the Nets 111-87 on the road Wednesday. So far this season season, Doc?s club has gone 4-3 SU and 2-5 ATS when playing on zero days rest.
The Celtics have gone 11-5 SU and 8-7-1 ATS at home this year.
Cleveland (30-10 SU, 20-20 ATS) at Utah (21-17 SU, 22-16 ATS)
Oddsmakers at most offshore outfits opened this game up as a pick ?em and it seems fair considering how good the Cavaliers and Jazz have been playing. Cleveland was quickly moved to a short one-point favorite and it wouldn?t be surprising to see that number rise.
This will be the fourth game of a five-game road trip for Cleveland, which has watched the team produce a 2-1 record (1-2 ATS) in the first three tilts. After losing at Denver (97-99) last Friday, the team has bounced back with wins at Portland (106-94) and Golden State (117-114). The ?over? has gone 2-1 during this stretch.
Mike Brown?s team has been a nice wager on the road this year, compiling a 16-7 SU and 14-9 ATS mark. The ?under? has gone 11-10-2 over this span.
Utah has always been a tough out at home and that?s sort of been the case again this year. Jerry Sloan and company have gone 14-6 SU and 13-7 ATS and you could be scratching your head when you look at the six setbacks. Losses to the Rockets, Hornets, Nuggets and even the Thunder are acceptable, but defeats to the Kings and Grizzlies show signs of weaknesses.
Lately the Jazz have been golden for gamblers, going 3-1 SU and 4-0 ATS in their last four games. All three of the wins were by double digits and two came at home against quality teams in Memphis (117-94) and Miami (118-89). They averaged 115.3 PPG in the victories too, which helped the ?over? go 3-1.
Cleveland has won four straight against Utah, including a 107-103 meeting on Nov. 14 at home. The Cavs failed to cover as 13-point favorites and the combined 210 points easily jumped ?over? the closing number of 190. What?s equally impressive for the Jazz is that they were without the duties of All-Star point guard Deron Williams and still only lost by four.
The Cavs have faired well against the Western Conference this season, going 13-4 SU and 9-8 ATS. Utah hasn't been too shabby against the East (11-5 SU, 11-5 ATS), but the five losses came against the Celtics, Magic, Hawks, Magic and Heat, who are easily the top five teams in that conference.
-- The ?Tough Break? award was handed from the Trail Blazers? Greg Oden to the L.A. Clippers? Blake Griffin. The rookie will undergo knee surgery and not play one minute this year. For Clipper fans, you always have next year.
-- VI put up a poll of who should win the league?s Most Valuable Player and as expected, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James earned the most votes. Fortunately, this writer was pleased to see some sharp fans vote for the Celtics? Rajon Rondo.
-- If you bet NBA nightly, make a New Year?s Resolution similar to VegasInsider.com handicapper Kevin Rogers. Known in the office as K-Rog, the young gun vowed he won?t bet the Nets the rest of the season. Why he even started is beyond us. New Jersey stands at 3-35 SU and 13-24 ATS.
-- The Nets are looking forward to a brighter future with their new Russian gazillionaire owner and perhaps a new location in Brooklyn too. Similar to other clubs, New Jersey is hoping to land some key free agents, such as LeBron. Perhaps, they should be focused on winning the NBA draft and the next big name in basketball, John Wall.
-- The Kentucky standout has lived up to his billing in his short career at Lexington and would be excelling for any team right now as a rookie. Speaking of rookies, Sacramento?s Tyreke Evans has been listed as a minus-500 (Bet $500 to win $100). Evans will most likely capture the Rookie of the Year award and join Chicago?s Derrick Rose and the second straight player to win that has played under college basketball coach John Calipari.
Five Teams that have the best shot to BEAT LA:
1) Boston ? Matchups and Experience help
2) Cleveland ? If they get past the East, you never know
3) Denver ? Came close, yet still needs beef in the paint
4) Orlando ? They have the size, but the backcourt is questionable
5) Nobody Else Folks
January 14, 2010
Pro hoops heat up the hardwood Thursday with its weekly double-header on TNT, which starts at 8:05 p.m. EST. Chicago and Boston tip off the early action from TD Garden before Cleveland and Utah collide in Salt Lake City in the late-night battle.
Let?s take a closer look at each contest.
Chicago (16-20 SU, 16-18 ATS) at Boston (27-10 SU, 17-20 ATS)
The Celtics have been installed as seven-point favorites against the Bulls and that should tell you a lot, especially when you look at the past history. Boston has faced Chicago twice this season and the team has come away with a pair of easy double-digit victories (28, 26). Doc Rivers? team was laying 9 ? and 11 ?-points in those contests, but they were also healthy too, which is why the number has dropped.
Boston will be without forward Kevin Garnett (knee) and Rasheed Wallace (foot) is listed as ?questionable? for Thursday. It?s amazing how much KG changes the dynamic on the court and total players should make a note. The Celtics have seen the ?over? go 5-1 in the six games that KG missed this season. And, when Boston defeated 4-3 Chicago in the first round of last year?s playoffs, Garnett didn?t play in the opening series either. Don?t run to the counter quickly, but the ?over? went 6-1 over the series. The total for this matchup is hovering between 194 and 195 points.
Despite owning a losing record, the Bulls are sitting in the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. Chicago enters this game with some steam after beating Minnesota (110-96) and Detroit (120-87), but make a note that both victories came at home. Gamblers should make another note that 13 of the Bulls? 16 victories have come at United Center this year.
With that being said, Chicago owns a 3-13 SU and 6-10 ATS mark on the road this year. Eight of the 13 losses have come by double digits away from home, which includes one of the aforementioned losses to Boston earlier this season. Despite the rough stretch, the team is 1-2 SU and 3-0 ATS in the last three road tilts and the losses were only by five and three points.
Boston hasn?t been on top of its ?A? game lately and it?s showed with losses in two of its last four. It could easily be four of five but Rajon Rondo helped the club pull out a miracle overtime victory at Miami (112-106) last week. Two of the losses came against the Hawks, including a 102-96 setback at home on Monday.
That encounter was the second game in two nights for Boston and we mention that because the Celtics did wallop the Nets 111-87 on the road Wednesday. So far this season season, Doc?s club has gone 4-3 SU and 2-5 ATS when playing on zero days rest.
The Celtics have gone 11-5 SU and 8-7-1 ATS at home this year.
Cleveland (30-10 SU, 20-20 ATS) at Utah (21-17 SU, 22-16 ATS)
Oddsmakers at most offshore outfits opened this game up as a pick ?em and it seems fair considering how good the Cavaliers and Jazz have been playing. Cleveland was quickly moved to a short one-point favorite and it wouldn?t be surprising to see that number rise.
This will be the fourth game of a five-game road trip for Cleveland, which has watched the team produce a 2-1 record (1-2 ATS) in the first three tilts. After losing at Denver (97-99) last Friday, the team has bounced back with wins at Portland (106-94) and Golden State (117-114). The ?over? has gone 2-1 during this stretch.
Mike Brown?s team has been a nice wager on the road this year, compiling a 16-7 SU and 14-9 ATS mark. The ?under? has gone 11-10-2 over this span.
Utah has always been a tough out at home and that?s sort of been the case again this year. Jerry Sloan and company have gone 14-6 SU and 13-7 ATS and you could be scratching your head when you look at the six setbacks. Losses to the Rockets, Hornets, Nuggets and even the Thunder are acceptable, but defeats to the Kings and Grizzlies show signs of weaknesses.
Lately the Jazz have been golden for gamblers, going 3-1 SU and 4-0 ATS in their last four games. All three of the wins were by double digits and two came at home against quality teams in Memphis (117-94) and Miami (118-89). They averaged 115.3 PPG in the victories too, which helped the ?over? go 3-1.
Cleveland has won four straight against Utah, including a 107-103 meeting on Nov. 14 at home. The Cavs failed to cover as 13-point favorites and the combined 210 points easily jumped ?over? the closing number of 190. What?s equally impressive for the Jazz is that they were without the duties of All-Star point guard Deron Williams and still only lost by four.
The Cavs have faired well against the Western Conference this season, going 13-4 SU and 9-8 ATS. Utah hasn't been too shabby against the East (11-5 SU, 11-5 ATS), but the five losses came against the Celtics, Magic, Hawks, Magic and Heat, who are easily the top five teams in that conference.
-- The ?Tough Break? award was handed from the Trail Blazers? Greg Oden to the L.A. Clippers? Blake Griffin. The rookie will undergo knee surgery and not play one minute this year. For Clipper fans, you always have next year.
-- VI put up a poll of who should win the league?s Most Valuable Player and as expected, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James earned the most votes. Fortunately, this writer was pleased to see some sharp fans vote for the Celtics? Rajon Rondo.
-- If you bet NBA nightly, make a New Year?s Resolution similar to VegasInsider.com handicapper Kevin Rogers. Known in the office as K-Rog, the young gun vowed he won?t bet the Nets the rest of the season. Why he even started is beyond us. New Jersey stands at 3-35 SU and 13-24 ATS.
-- The Nets are looking forward to a brighter future with their new Russian gazillionaire owner and perhaps a new location in Brooklyn too. Similar to other clubs, New Jersey is hoping to land some key free agents, such as LeBron. Perhaps, they should be focused on winning the NBA draft and the next big name in basketball, John Wall.
-- The Kentucky standout has lived up to his billing in his short career at Lexington and would be excelling for any team right now as a rookie. Speaking of rookies, Sacramento?s Tyreke Evans has been listed as a minus-500 (Bet $500 to win $100). Evans will most likely capture the Rookie of the Year award and join Chicago?s Derrick Rose and the second straight player to win that has played under college basketball coach John Calipari.
Five Teams that have the best shot to BEAT LA:
1) Boston ? Matchups and Experience help
2) Cleveland ? If they get past the East, you never know
3) Denver ? Came close, yet still needs beef in the paint
4) Orlando ? They have the size, but the backcourt is questionable
5) Nobody Else Folks
