February 2012 NBA Events
Calendar of NBA Events for February 2012 brought to you by gamblingprobasketball.com
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NBA: NBA Thursday TNT Doubleheader
2010-01-29
In the two televised games on TNT tonight, a special situation occurs you don’t see every night. Boston and Dallas are the two road teams that are on television and they rank first and third respectively in the NBA for the best straight up road records at 16 -6 and 16-8. Their opponents are both in the Top 10 for the best home records, winning over 73 percent. This leaves Sportsbook.com bettors with the quandary of not only deciding which teams will cover the spreads, but also whether or not they are worth an accompanying money line wager.
Boston at Orlando 8:00 Eastern
The Celtics (29-13, 17-25 ATS) have the second best record in the Eastern Conference behind Cleveland. This veteran club is 16-6 on the road, but is far from a good bet despite that success. Boston is merely 11-11 ATS in the visiting green uniforms; however it’s hard to blame them for being average. The Celtics have been labeled a road favorite in 16 of their 22 road excursions. They are 12-4 SU, a very solid record, in those games, having won by an incredible 8.2 points per game, yet are 7-9 ATS, which ends up being more an indictment of the opposition, than of Boston.
The Orlando Magic (29-16, 21-21-3 ATS) have played 10 of their last 14 away from their central Florida home and will be in more familiar surroundings with four of their next five outings in front of the home folks. The Magic are 16-4 SU at Amway Arena (5th best home record) and punish visiting clubs by 10.4 points per game. In the gambling world, this type of success will bring high numbers from oddsmakers, which is why Orlando is a not so magical 10-9-1 ATS at home.
The Celtics only recently got Kevin Garnett back after he missed 10 games. While the defense has picked up immediately, the offense is lagging behind. Boston averages 99.7 points per game, but has only reached that figure twice in last nine tries. This explains a recent 3-6 ATS record, including losing five in a row. The Sportsbook.com oddsmakers have handed out the typical number for these evenly matched teams, making the C’s a four-point underdog with total of 187.5.
Boston is a deceiving 10-20 ATS after playing consecutive games as favorite this season (they win by 5.4 PPG). Orlando lost at Memphis in its previous game and is a splendid 34-12 ATS off a road defeat over the last three seasons. The road team has won three in a row in this matchup, including the Magic totaling a mere 77 points at home on Christmas Day, losing by nine as 5.5-point favorites. They are 23-11 ATS revenging a home loss. The total is the lowest in 11 regular season games at the city Walt Disney made famous and six of the last eight have played UNDER the number.
Dallas at Phoenix 10:30 Eastern
Dallas (30-15, 20-25 ATS) is a rock solid 16-8 on the road (15-9 ATS), winning by over four points per game. The Mavericks seem to be more comfortable away from home, despite having the same winning percentage, as evidenced by the +1.5 points per game scoring differential at American Airlines Center. Their one point 108-107 win over Milwaukee Tuesday got them into the NBA record books and it’s hard to determine if the Mavs are good or just lucky, as that win was their 10th straight victory by a single digit, tying the St. Louis Hawks from 50 years ago. Dallas is 47-26 ATS on the road after a game where both teams scored 105 points or more.
Phoenix (26-21, 22-24 ATS) is no longer on the rise. After starting 14-3, the Suns have been setting, losing 18 of their next 30. In that first part of the season, Phoenix at least gave a passing interest in attempting to play defense, allowing 104.5 points per game, since then the Suns have shown a greater disinterest in halting opponents from scoring, now ranked next to last in points allowed at 107.9.
Phoenix is 17-6 at home with an 11-11-1 ATS mark. They have been without two important bench players lately, Leandro Barbosa and Grant Hill, with Barbosa out six weeks after wrist surgery and Hill day-to-day with bum heel. Also swirling around the desert is the specter of Amare Stoudemire trade, which has him going pretty much everywhere but to a good team. While the Suns big man talks about wanting to win, his defense and rebounding would generously be described as ordinary. The floundering Suns are 7-21 ATS in January games over the last two seasons.
Phoenix is a 1.5-point home favorite with total of 216 and they are off a 114-109 overtime home loss to Charlotte. The Suns are 20-9 ATS in home games after contest in which both teams scored 105 points or more and are 18-8 OVER after draining a dozen or more three-point shots. Dallas on the other hand is 11-2 ATS as visitors after not covering the spread and 11-1 UNDER after two straight games where they made 50 percent of their shots or better.
The Suns are playing into triple revenge and have lost five of last six to the Mavs and needs to show some defensive acumen to improve the home record.
The StatFox Power Lines show Orlando by 7, and a Pick em’ in the nightcap.
NFL: Early Sunday Games (1:00 PM ET, FOX & CBS)
2009-10-09
With four teams again on bye week, the Sunday and Monday NFL betting board features 14 games to choose from. On the early afternoon slate for Sunday, eight of those 14 games will kickoff. Among the highlight games scheduled for early are Minnesota visiting St. Louis, Cincinnati visiting Baltimore, and Detroit hosting Pittsburgh. Here’s is a quick look at each game with some key betting tidbits to consider, including a Best Bet writeup from the StatFox Platinum Sheet. Be sure to check the Team Statistics, Betting Trends, and Live Odds pages on Sportsbook.com for the latest information.
(401) MINNESOTA at (402) ST LOUIS
The Vikings come off their Monday night showdown with Green Bay and hope to avoid a letdown at St. Louis. Minnesota is a heavy 10-point favorite, but needs to be careful against the winless Rams, especially with games vs. Baltimore, at Pittsburgh, and the rematch at Green Bay scheduled over the next month. HC Brad Childress’ team is 3-0 SU & 2-1 ATS as road chalk of more than a TD, but surprisingly just 1-6 ATS in their L7 vs. poor rushing defenses (>130 RYPG allowed). St. Louis, still winless after its debacle at San Francisco, is on an 11-22 ATS extended skid at home, including 3-8 ATS as an underdog. In this head-to-head series, favorites have converted five straight games, both SU & ATS, while the Rams (ATS) & the OVER are 4-0 in the L4 in St. Louis.
StatFox Steve has this to say about this game in the Platinum Sheet: There are even times to play teams as bad as the Rams throughout the season. As it turns out, games 5-8 for pathetic teams is the ideal range, and when you combine other favorable factors, the reasons multiply. Take for instance, this system: Play On - Underdogs of 3.5 to 10 points (ST LOUIS) - pathetic team - outscored by opponents by 10 or more points/game, after scoring 17 points or less in 3 straight games. (97-55 since 1983.) (63.8%, +36.5 units. Rating = 2*). On top of those factors, consider the schedule of the Vikings. After coming off the Monday night game versus Green Bay, they have this one sandwiched by games versus Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and again, the Packers. It would be very easy to overlook this game. My bet is they will. Expect the Rams to put up a more competitive effort here. Play: St Louis +10
(413) CINCINNATI at (414) BALTIMORE
Who would’ve thought this just over a month ago?…Cincinnati and Baltimore will be battling for the AFC North lead when they clash in Week 5. The Bengals have been one of the league’s pleasant surprises, boasting a 3-1 record, same as the Ravens. In fact, take away the tipped ball miracle play in Week 1 and Cincy is unbeaten right now with wins over Green Bay & Pittsburgh on its resume. Here, they’ll be looking to up their record in Baltimore to 4-3 under Marvin Lewis and win their third straight ATS vs. a division foe for the first time since 2005. The Ravens are 9-1 ATS as a favorite under John Harbaugh and 6-2 ATS versus AFC North opponents, but off the humbling setback in New England. Favorites in this H2h series are on a 14-5 SU & ATS run.
(415) PITTSBURGH at (416) DETROIT
The last time the Lions were on their home turf, they snapped a 19-game franchise losing streak. On Sunday vs. Pittsburgh, they’ll try for two home wins in a row for the first time since November ’07 when they beat Denver. Detroit’s winning feeling was quickly erased in the 48-24 loss at Chicago, and now the Lions come into this one with a 0-7 ATS mark at home coming off a road loss. The Steelers have become uncomfortable in the road chalk role and are just 5-7 SU & 4-8 ATS as such in the Mike Tomlin era. However, this is typically the time of the year that they turn it on, and are 41-21 ATS in October games after the win vs. San Diego. Pittsburgh leads the L5 games of this series, 4-1, but Detroit turns the tables on pointspreads, 4-1 ATS in that same span.
NBA: Top NBA Weekend Power Trends
2009-01-30
It isn’t quite the fall of the Roman Empire, but he demise of the Detroit Pistons in 2008-09 has become one of the biggest stories in the NBA season. After dominating the decade with six straight trips to the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pistons have lost their way under first year head coach Michael Curry. The core nucleus that thrived on defense, rebounding, and clutch playmaking doesn’t seem to have that same ability minus Chauncey Billups. At 25-19 heading into this weekend’s games, Detroit is in danger of falling to the 6th seed in the East standings. They will be tested heavily at home in two separate contests, tonight against Boston, and Sunday versus Cleveland, both games on national TV. Those contests highlight another weekend of great betting opportunities in the NBA. Let’s take a look at some of the action on tap, as well as some of the Top StatFox Power Trends that you can put to use.
Friday’s action on ESPN tips off with the Celtics visiting Motown. The Pistons are just 13-9 SU & 7-15 ATS at home this season, including 1-1 as underdogs. They have gone cold of late, losing seven of their last 10, both straight up and against the pointspread. Quite the opposite for the Celtics, who carry in a 9-game winning streak in which they’ve gone 8-1 ATS. Not surprisingly, oddsmakers are heavily favoring Boston, installing the defending champs as 6-point favorites. The late matchup on ESPN features Golden State visiting New Orleans. The Warriors have had a decent month for their backers holding betting tickets, going 7-4-1 ATS. However, they are still mired at 14-32 on the season, including 4-21 SU & 8-16-1 ATS on the road. The Hornets are tied in the loss column with San Antonio atop the Southwest Division, and boast a 25-6 SU record as a favorite this season. Other big games on the Friday board include Atlanta hosting New Jersey, and the red-hot Timberwolves welcoming the Lakers to town. Minnesota is 12-6 SU & 13-4-1 ATS in its L18 games overall.
On Saturday there are 10 games to choose from, meaning several teams will be in back-to-back situations, including the Lakers who play the second game in a 6-game road trip at Memphis. On zero days rest this season, Los Angeles boasts an 8-2 SU & 7-3 ATS record. The biggest game on the menu though comes from San Antonio where the Spurs host the Hornets. Coming off their big win at Phoenix on Thursday, the Spurs lead new Orleans by 1-1/2 games heading into the weekend. Assuming the Hornets knock off Golden State on Friday, they will be playing for a share of the division lead here. It certainly won’t be easy for CP3 & Co. however, as they are just 1-6 SU & 3-4 ATS in their L7 trips to the Alamo. Elsewhere, Utah faces a big game at Portland, as they try to chase down a playoff spot in the West.
The Sunday board is a light one, as the NBA has given way to the Super Bowl by scheduling just three matinee games and one in the evening.. The big one is brought to you by ABC, with a tip time of 2:35 PM ET, as the reelign Pistons host Cleveland. Despite the Cavs’ loss at Orlando on Thursday night, they still went into the weekend leading the Central Division by 10 games. Surprisingly, Detroit still boasts the better record in divisional play this season, 6-1 compared to 7-2. In fact, in these teams’ first and only meeting of ’08, Detroit beat Cleveland at home, 96-89, their third straight win in the head-to-head series. If you get bored with the Super Bowl Game or are looking for something to square up with in terms of your bankroll, don’t forget that Oklahoma City visits Sacramento in a 9:05 PM ET start on Sunday night. The Thunder have been easy money on the road this year, going 15-6 ATS heading into Friday night’s game at Utah.
Take a look at some of the Top StatFox Power Trends available for this weekend’s big NBA betting board:
Friday, 1/30/2009
(853) MILWAUKEE vs. (854) TORONTO
MILWAUKEE is 5-18 ATS (-14.8 Units) versus teams with a losing record in 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons. The average score was MILWAUKEE 100.1, OPPONENT 108.3 - (Rating = 2*)
(855) BOSTON vs. (856) DETROIT
DETROIT is 24-5 UNDER (+18.5 Units) vs.good rebounding teams outrebounding foess by 3+ RPG over last 2 seasons. The average score was DETROIT 91, OPPONENT 87.1 - (Rating = 4*)
(859) NEW JERSEY vs. (860) ATLANTA
ATLANTA is 15-3 ATS (+11.7 Units) at home playing with triple revenge (3 straight losses vs. opponent) over L3 seasons. The average score was ATLANTA 102.7, OPPONENT 96.4 - (Rating = 2*)
(861) LA CLIPPERS vs. (862) CLEVELAND
CLEVELAND is 16-4 ATS (+11.6 Units) at home this season. The average score was CLEVELAND 104.4, OPPONENT 88 - (Rating = 3*)
(869) GOLDEN STATE vs. (870) NEW ORLEANS
NEW ORLEANS is 15-3 OVER (+11.7 Units) vs.poor teams - outscored by 3+ PPG in 2nd half of last 3 seasons. The average score was NEW ORLEANS 108, OPPONENT 96.8 - (Rating = 2*)
Saturday, 1/31/2009
(505) DALLAS vs. (506) MIAMI
MIAMI is 8-20 ATS (-14 Units) at home when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. The average score was MIAMI 90.9, OPPONENT 102.2 - (Rating = 1*)
(509) LA LAKERS vs. (510) MEMPHIS
MEMPHIS is 0-10 ATS (-11 Units) at home versus teams with a winning record in 2nd half of the last 2 seasons. The average score was MEMPHIS 95.9, OPPONENT 114 - (Rating = 3*)
(509) LA LAKERS vs. (510) MEMPHIS
MEMPHIS is 14-2 UNDER (+11.8 Units) as a home underdog this season. The average score was MEMPHIS 91.3, OPPONENT 92.3 - (Rating = 3*)
(517) CHICAGO vs. (518) PHOENIX
PHOENIX is 4-16 ATS (-13.6 Units) vs.poor pressure defensive teams - forcing <=14 turnovers/game this season. The average score was PHOENIX 104.7, OPPONENT 102.9 - (Rating = 3*)
Sunday, 2/1/2009
(851) ORLANDO vs. (852) TORONTO
ORLANDO is 22-4 ATS (+17.6 Units) revenging a same season loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons. The average score was ORLANDO 105, OPPONENT 97.1 - (Rating = 4*)
(853) MINNESOTA vs. (854) BOSTON
MINNESOTA is 7-0 ATS (+7 Units) in road games revenging a home loss vs opponent this season. The average score was MINNESOTA 98.6, OPPONENT 103 - (Rating = 1*)
(857) OKLAHOMA CITY vs. (858) SACRAMENTO
OKLAHOMA CITY is 18-6 ATS (+11.4 Units) vs.teams who make 6 or more 3PT shots/game this season. The average score was OKLAHOMA CITY 97.8, OPPONENT 104.2 - (Rating = 2*)