Adam Meyer
San Antonio Spurs (-3.5 Points) vs. Indiana Pacers
While the Spurs are in a recent funk and the Pacers are playing well now-it’s important to look at the big picture: San Antonio has handled the Pacers over the years and ,after fumbling away the last few seconds of a one-point loss to the Thunder, dropped a spot in the Western Conference race. They face Cleveland on Sunday, so this game in Indiana is a “must win” for them. After all the Cavaliers are a much tougher road opponent than the Pacers.
Play: San Antonio Spurs (-3.5 Points)
Adam Meyer
New Orleans Hornets (-3 Points) vs. Golden State
The Hornets can clinch a second consecutive playoff spot with a win tonight. Golden State continues to be a horrible defensive team, giving up 113.1 PPG at home-the worst in the NBA. New Orleans needs this win badly and should be able to handle a bad Warriors team even without the services of Tyson Chandler tonight.
Play: New Orleans Hornets (-3 Points)
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San Antonio Spurs (-3.5 Points) vs. Indiana Pacers
While the Spurs are in a recent funk and the Pacers are playing well now-it’s important to look at the big picture: San Antonio has handled the Pacers over the years and ,after fumbling away the last few seconds of a one-point loss to the Thunder, dropped a spot in the Western Conference race. They face Cleveland on Sunday, so this game in Indiana is a “must win” for them. After all the Cavaliers are a much tougher road opponent than the Pacers.
Play: San Antonio Spurs (-3.5 Points)
Adam Meyer
New Orleans Hornets (-3 Points) vs. Golden State
The Hornets can clinch a second consecutive playoff spot with a win tonight. Golden State continues to be a horrible defensive team, giving up 113.1 PPG at home-the worst in the NBA. New Orleans needs this win badly and should be able to handle a bad Warriors team even without the services of Tyson Chandler tonight.
Play: New Orleans Hornets (-3 Points)
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Roy Jackson
[Friday, April 3, 2009 at 8:00 PM]
Portland Trailblazers (-4.5 Points) vs. Oklahoma City
Portland has played well lately (8-2 overall) and is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games. The Thunder had lost 3 in a row before beating the Spurs by a point last time out. Neither team has played since 3/31, so the Trailblazers are fresh-and this is their first road game on this trip East.
Play: Portland Trailblazers (-4.5 Points)
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[Friday, April 3, 2009 at 8:00 PM]
Portland Trailblazers (-4.5 Points) vs. Oklahoma City
Portland has played well lately (8-2 overall) and is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games. The Thunder had lost 3 in a row before beating the Spurs by a point last time out. Neither team has played since 3/31, so the Trailblazers are fresh-and this is their first road game on this trip East.
Play: Portland Trailblazers (-4.5 Points)
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THE SPORTS ADVISORS
Atlanta (43-32, 41-33-1 ATS) at Boston (57-19, 39-37 ATS)
The Celtics will try to sweep the season series from the Hawks when these two meet inside TD BankNorth Garden in Boston.
Doc Rivers’ squad has beaten Atlanta all three times this season, but the Hawks have cashed in two of the three games, and the largest margin of victory for the Celtics is just six points, coming on Friday night in Atlanta, 99-93 as one-point road favorites. These two teams played a thrilling seven-game series in the playoffs a year ago with the home team winning every game. The host is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings between these two, and the Hawks are just 1-4 ATS in their last five trips to Beantown.
Atlanta has lost four of its last six games overall (2-3-1 ATS), including Tuesday’s 98-85 loss in Philly, failing to cash as a two-point pup. The Hawks have struggled to score lately, going four straight games with 93 points or less and reaching triple digits just twice since mid-March.
Boston has won seven of its last eight (5-3 ATS) but needed double-overtime at home Wednesday to dispose of Charlotte 111-109, coming up well short as an 11-point favorite. The Celtics have been stingy on defense since March 20, holding the opposition to 93 points or less in six of seven games.
The Hawks are on ATS slides of 1-7 against Atlantic Division teams, 3-7 on the road and 2-5 as a road ‘dog, but they are on positive ATS spells of 9-3-1 overall, 10-3 against winning teams and 5-2-1 after a straight-up loss. The Celtics are 11-4 ATS on Fridays, but otherwise it’s all negative ATS trends for them, including 2-10 at home, 4-11 as chalk, 3-9 against the Eastern Conference and 1-6 against teams with losing road marks.
Atlanta is on “under” runs of 5-2-1 when getting two days off and 10-4 as a road ‘dog of between five and 10 ½ points. For Boston, the over is on streaks of 16-6 at home, 12-5 after a non-cover, 4-1 against Southeast Division foes and 12-5 after a non-cover. The over is also 6-2 the last eight times these two have met, but the under has been the play in nine of 12 clashes in Beantown.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
Cleveland (61-14, 45-30 ATS) at Orlando (55-19, 46-27-1 ATS)
The Cavaliers will try to bounce back after a surprising loss Thursday night in Washington, as they travel to Amway Arena in Orlando to take on the Magic.
Cleveland had its 13-game winning streak (6-7 ATS) snapped last night by the Wizards, losing 109-101 as a 9½-point road chalk. It was the first time since March 13 that a team was able to put up more than 96 points on the Cavaliers, who had allowed just 81.4 points per game in their previous five. Also, Thursday marked the first time all season that the Cavs scored at least 100 points and failed to win.
Orlando had its six-game winning streak (3-3 ATS) halted on Wednesday, losing 99-95 at home to the Raptors as a 10-point chalk. The Magic got pounded on the boards 49-35 and shot just 31-of-76 from the field in the loss, snapping a seven-game home winning streak (4-3 ATS).
These teams have split the first two meetings this season with the host winning both contests, but the Magic covered in both games and have gotten the cash in nine of the last 10 meetings. Orlando scored a 99-88 home win back on Jan. 29 as a five-point favorite and is 4-1 ATS in the last five clashes in Florida. Additionally, the underdog is on an 8-2 ATS run in this series.
Cleveland is just 1-6 ATS in its last seven against Eastern Conference teams and 3-8 ATS in its last 11 overall, but this Cavs are only 11-3 ATS in its last 14 Friday tipoffs and a healthy 5-1 ATS in its last six when playing the second night of a back-to-back. Orlando is on a plethora of positive ATS streaks, including 20-8 against teams with a winning record, 7-3 in Friday games and 4-0 against Central Division squads.
The Cavaliers are on “over” streaks of 7-2 on the second night of a back-to-back, 5-1 on the road against teams with a winning home record, 5-1 on Fridays and 9-3 as a road ‘dog of up to 4 ½ points. For the Magic, they are on a host off “under” runs that include 19-7 as a home favorite, 7-2 overall, 5-1 at home, 5-1 after a day off and 6-2 against the Eastern Conference. In this rivalry, the under is on a 4-0 run overall and is 4-1 in the last five in Florida.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ORLANDO and UNDER
Houston (48-27, 36-38-1 ATS) at L.A. Lakers (59-16, 38-37 ATS)
The Lakers return home after a seven-game road trip and host the Rockets in this matchup between two Western Conference playoff squads.
Los Angeles is coming off a 5-2 road swing (4-3 ATS) that concluded on Wednesday in Milwaukee with a 104-98 win, though the Lakers came up just short as a seven-point chalk. The Lakers have gone six games without allowing a team to score in triple figures and have surrendered just 90 ppg in their last five.
Houston has won five of its last seven (4-3 ATS) but lost Wednesday in Phoenix 114-109 as a 1½-point pup. The Rockets have dropped two in a row on the road (SU and ATS) and are just 18-19 SU (19-18 ATS) on the highway this season.
The Lakers have taken all three head-to-head meetings this season (SU and ATS), including a 111-82 blowout win in the Staples Center back on Nov. 9 as seven-point favorites. Los Angeles is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings overall, including 5-1 ATS in the last six, and the Lakers have cashed in four of the last five in Staples.
Houston is on ATS runs of 35-16-1 after a non-cover, 6-2 on the road and 4-1 following a straight-up loss. Meanwhile, the Lakers are on ATS slides of 1-4 at home, 2-6 against teams with a winning record and 10-23 after getting one day off.
The Rockets are on a bevy of “under” streaks, including 12-5 against the Western Conference, 10-3 after a non-cover, 7-2 on Fridays, 7-1 on the road, 5-1 as a road ‘dog and 6-2 after getting a day off. For Los Angeles, the under is on tears of 16-5-1 as a favorite, 14-3 overall, 8-2 against the Western Conference, 5-0 at home and 8-1 after getting one day off. Finally, the over is 4-1 in the last five matchups between these teams in Hollywood.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
COLLEGE BASKETBALL INVITATIONAL
Oregon State (17-18, 16-14 ATS) at UTEP (23-13, 19-13-1 ATS)
UTEP evened this best-of-3 series with Wednesday’s 70-63 victory over Oregon State, but failed to cash as a 10-point home favorite. The Miners, who lost 75-69 at Oregon State in Game 1 on Monday as a one-point road chalk, prevailed in Game 2 despite missing 12 of 14 three-point attempts and 15 of 37 free throws. However, UTEP enjoyed a 15-2 assist-to-turnover ratio, while the Beavers coughed up the ball 11 times.
Oregon State had its four-game winning streak snapped with Wednesday’s loss, but the Beavers once again got the money to improve to 5-0 ATS in the CBI after ending the regular season in an 0-4 SU and ATS drought. Oregon State’s five games in this tournament have been decided by a total of 21 points, none by more than seven points.
The Miners got a huge game Wednesday from guard Stefon Jackson (28 points, 10 rebounds), and Jackson has scored 45 points and pulled down 16 rebounds in the first two contests. Meanwhile, big man Roeland Schaftenaar has led the way for Oregon State with a combined 36 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and three blocks. Schaftenaar has scored in double figures in four straight games.
Including the CBI, UTEP has won four straight home games and is 7-1 SU (4-4 ATS) in its last eight in El Paso. Conversely, the Beavers have now dropped five straight road/neutral-site games (1-4 ATS).
With the Game 2 result, the SU winner is now 8-1 ATS in UTEP’s last nine games and 12-1 ATS in Oregon State’s last 13 starts.
The Miners have scored at least 69 points in nine straight games and are averaging 76.3 points per game during this stretch. Oregon State is averaging 68.5 ppg in its last four contests after being held to 54 points or fewer in its previous four.
UTEP is averaging 75.5 ppg at home, while allowing 69.1 ppg in going 13-4 SU (7-7 ATS in lined contests). Oregon State has put up just 57.9 ppg on the highway, nearly nine points fewer than its opponents (66.4 ppg), going 4-10 SU (6-7 ATS in lined games).
Along with their current 5-0 ATS run (all in non-conference play), the Beavers are on pointspread upswings of 5-1 after a spread-cover and 4-0 as an underdog, but they’re just 2-5 ATS in their last seven after a SU loss. The Miners are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 non-conference games, but 0-4 ATS in their last four against Pac-10 foes.
Game 1 in this series flew over the posted total, but Game 2 stayed low. For the Beavers, the under is on runs of 5-2 overall, 5-1 as an underdog, 4-1 after a SU loss and 14-3 as a pup of 7 to 12½ points. UTEP’s “under” runs include 6-2 at home, 5-1 as a home chalk and 6-2 after a non-cover, but the over is 36-16-1 in the Miners’ last 53 non-conference games and 6-1 in their last seven overall.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
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Atlanta (43-32, 41-33-1 ATS) at Boston (57-19, 39-37 ATS)
The Celtics will try to sweep the season series from the Hawks when these two meet inside TD BankNorth Garden in Boston.
Doc Rivers’ squad has beaten Atlanta all three times this season, but the Hawks have cashed in two of the three games, and the largest margin of victory for the Celtics is just six points, coming on Friday night in Atlanta, 99-93 as one-point road favorites. These two teams played a thrilling seven-game series in the playoffs a year ago with the home team winning every game. The host is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings between these two, and the Hawks are just 1-4 ATS in their last five trips to Beantown.
Atlanta has lost four of its last six games overall (2-3-1 ATS), including Tuesday’s 98-85 loss in Philly, failing to cash as a two-point pup. The Hawks have struggled to score lately, going four straight games with 93 points or less and reaching triple digits just twice since mid-March.
Boston has won seven of its last eight (5-3 ATS) but needed double-overtime at home Wednesday to dispose of Charlotte 111-109, coming up well short as an 11-point favorite. The Celtics have been stingy on defense since March 20, holding the opposition to 93 points or less in six of seven games.
The Hawks are on ATS slides of 1-7 against Atlantic Division teams, 3-7 on the road and 2-5 as a road ‘dog, but they are on positive ATS spells of 9-3-1 overall, 10-3 against winning teams and 5-2-1 after a straight-up loss. The Celtics are 11-4 ATS on Fridays, but otherwise it’s all negative ATS trends for them, including 2-10 at home, 4-11 as chalk, 3-9 against the Eastern Conference and 1-6 against teams with losing road marks.
Atlanta is on “under” runs of 5-2-1 when getting two days off and 10-4 as a road ‘dog of between five and 10 ½ points. For Boston, the over is on streaks of 16-6 at home, 12-5 after a non-cover, 4-1 against Southeast Division foes and 12-5 after a non-cover. The over is also 6-2 the last eight times these two have met, but the under has been the play in nine of 12 clashes in Beantown.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
Cleveland (61-14, 45-30 ATS) at Orlando (55-19, 46-27-1 ATS)
The Cavaliers will try to bounce back after a surprising loss Thursday night in Washington, as they travel to Amway Arena in Orlando to take on the Magic.
Cleveland had its 13-game winning streak (6-7 ATS) snapped last night by the Wizards, losing 109-101 as a 9½-point road chalk. It was the first time since March 13 that a team was able to put up more than 96 points on the Cavaliers, who had allowed just 81.4 points per game in their previous five. Also, Thursday marked the first time all season that the Cavs scored at least 100 points and failed to win.
Orlando had its six-game winning streak (3-3 ATS) halted on Wednesday, losing 99-95 at home to the Raptors as a 10-point chalk. The Magic got pounded on the boards 49-35 and shot just 31-of-76 from the field in the loss, snapping a seven-game home winning streak (4-3 ATS).
These teams have split the first two meetings this season with the host winning both contests, but the Magic covered in both games and have gotten the cash in nine of the last 10 meetings. Orlando scored a 99-88 home win back on Jan. 29 as a five-point favorite and is 4-1 ATS in the last five clashes in Florida. Additionally, the underdog is on an 8-2 ATS run in this series.
Cleveland is just 1-6 ATS in its last seven against Eastern Conference teams and 3-8 ATS in its last 11 overall, but this Cavs are only 11-3 ATS in its last 14 Friday tipoffs and a healthy 5-1 ATS in its last six when playing the second night of a back-to-back. Orlando is on a plethora of positive ATS streaks, including 20-8 against teams with a winning record, 7-3 in Friday games and 4-0 against Central Division squads.
The Cavaliers are on “over” streaks of 7-2 on the second night of a back-to-back, 5-1 on the road against teams with a winning home record, 5-1 on Fridays and 9-3 as a road ‘dog of up to 4 ½ points. For the Magic, they are on a host off “under” runs that include 19-7 as a home favorite, 7-2 overall, 5-1 at home, 5-1 after a day off and 6-2 against the Eastern Conference. In this rivalry, the under is on a 4-0 run overall and is 4-1 in the last five in Florida.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ORLANDO and UNDER
Houston (48-27, 36-38-1 ATS) at L.A. Lakers (59-16, 38-37 ATS)
The Lakers return home after a seven-game road trip and host the Rockets in this matchup between two Western Conference playoff squads.
Los Angeles is coming off a 5-2 road swing (4-3 ATS) that concluded on Wednesday in Milwaukee with a 104-98 win, though the Lakers came up just short as a seven-point chalk. The Lakers have gone six games without allowing a team to score in triple figures and have surrendered just 90 ppg in their last five.
Houston has won five of its last seven (4-3 ATS) but lost Wednesday in Phoenix 114-109 as a 1½-point pup. The Rockets have dropped two in a row on the road (SU and ATS) and are just 18-19 SU (19-18 ATS) on the highway this season.
The Lakers have taken all three head-to-head meetings this season (SU and ATS), including a 111-82 blowout win in the Staples Center back on Nov. 9 as seven-point favorites. Los Angeles is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings overall, including 5-1 ATS in the last six, and the Lakers have cashed in four of the last five in Staples.
Houston is on ATS runs of 35-16-1 after a non-cover, 6-2 on the road and 4-1 following a straight-up loss. Meanwhile, the Lakers are on ATS slides of 1-4 at home, 2-6 against teams with a winning record and 10-23 after getting one day off.
The Rockets are on a bevy of “under” streaks, including 12-5 against the Western Conference, 10-3 after a non-cover, 7-2 on Fridays, 7-1 on the road, 5-1 as a road ‘dog and 6-2 after getting a day off. For Los Angeles, the under is on tears of 16-5-1 as a favorite, 14-3 overall, 8-2 against the Western Conference, 5-0 at home and 8-1 after getting one day off. Finally, the over is 4-1 in the last five matchups between these teams in Hollywood.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
COLLEGE BASKETBALL INVITATIONAL
Oregon State (17-18, 16-14 ATS) at UTEP (23-13, 19-13-1 ATS)
UTEP evened this best-of-3 series with Wednesday’s 70-63 victory over Oregon State, but failed to cash as a 10-point home favorite. The Miners, who lost 75-69 at Oregon State in Game 1 on Monday as a one-point road chalk, prevailed in Game 2 despite missing 12 of 14 three-point attempts and 15 of 37 free throws. However, UTEP enjoyed a 15-2 assist-to-turnover ratio, while the Beavers coughed up the ball 11 times.
Oregon State had its four-game winning streak snapped with Wednesday’s loss, but the Beavers once again got the money to improve to 5-0 ATS in the CBI after ending the regular season in an 0-4 SU and ATS drought. Oregon State’s five games in this tournament have been decided by a total of 21 points, none by more than seven points.
The Miners got a huge game Wednesday from guard Stefon Jackson (28 points, 10 rebounds), and Jackson has scored 45 points and pulled down 16 rebounds in the first two contests. Meanwhile, big man Roeland Schaftenaar has led the way for Oregon State with a combined 36 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and three blocks. Schaftenaar has scored in double figures in four straight games.
Including the CBI, UTEP has won four straight home games and is 7-1 SU (4-4 ATS) in its last eight in El Paso. Conversely, the Beavers have now dropped five straight road/neutral-site games (1-4 ATS).
With the Game 2 result, the SU winner is now 8-1 ATS in UTEP’s last nine games and 12-1 ATS in Oregon State’s last 13 starts.
The Miners have scored at least 69 points in nine straight games and are averaging 76.3 points per game during this stretch. Oregon State is averaging 68.5 ppg in its last four contests after being held to 54 points or fewer in its previous four.
UTEP is averaging 75.5 ppg at home, while allowing 69.1 ppg in going 13-4 SU (7-7 ATS in lined contests). Oregon State has put up just 57.9 ppg on the highway, nearly nine points fewer than its opponents (66.4 ppg), going 4-10 SU (6-7 ATS in lined games).
Along with their current 5-0 ATS run (all in non-conference play), the Beavers are on pointspread upswings of 5-1 after a spread-cover and 4-0 as an underdog, but they’re just 2-5 ATS in their last seven after a SU loss. The Miners are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 non-conference games, but 0-4 ATS in their last four against Pac-10 foes.
Game 1 in this series flew over the posted total, but Game 2 stayed low. For the Beavers, the under is on runs of 5-2 overall, 5-1 as an underdog, 4-1 after a SU loss and 14-3 as a pup of 7 to 12½ points. UTEP’s “under” runs include 6-2 at home, 5-1 as a home chalk and 6-2 after a non-cover, but the over is 36-16-1 in the Miners’ last 53 non-conference games and 6-1 in their last seven overall.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
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Doc
4-Unit Play #503 Take San Antonio/Indiana UNDER 200 ½ (7 p.m. EST, Friday)
2-Unit Play #509 Take Portland -5 Over Oklahoma City (8 p.m. EST, Friday)
3-Unit Play #519 Take Houston/LA Lakers UNDER 196 (10:30 p.m. EST, Friday)
8-Unit NBA Totals Game of the Year – #517 Take New Orleans/Golden State UNDER 218 (10:30 p.m. EST, Friday)
4-Unit Play #503 Take San Antonio/Indiana UNDER 200 ½ (7 p.m. EST, Friday)
2-Unit Play #509 Take Portland -5 Over Oklahoma City (8 p.m. EST, Friday)
3-Unit Play #519 Take Houston/LA Lakers UNDER 196 (10:30 p.m. EST, Friday)
8-Unit NBA Totals Game of the Year – #517 Take New Orleans/Golden State UNDER 218 (10:30 p.m. EST, Friday)
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