*** #533 NEW YORK (-4, O/U 217) @ #534 INDIANA ***
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The New York Knicks have multiple issues they'll need to fix if they want to avoid being swept in a home-and-home series by the Indiana Pacers. In addition to getting on track offensively, the Knicks need to figure out a way to slow down Tyler Hansbrough as they visit Indiana on Tuesday night. New York was out of sync at the offensive end in a 106-93 loss to Indiana at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. The Knicks (34-31) shot 36.6 percent and trailed by as many as 20 in suffering their second straight defeat following a three-game winning streak. Indiana prevailed despite playing without leading scorer Danny Granger, who was out with the flu.
"The luxury about the NBA is that we get a chance to come back Tuesday and play the same team. I know in my mind I'm going to be thinking about this game and this loss," forward Carmelo Anthony said. "I just want my whole team to be on the same page with me when we step on that court Tuesday." Amare Stoudemire led the Knicks with 28 points. Anthony scored 25 but shot 9 of 22. "The rhythm's not there," coach Mike D'Antoni said. "I don't know if it's the attention to details, the energy, but it just wasn't right. We were off-kilter in our offense." Anthony struggled with his shooting for the second straight game.
The four-time All-Star has totaled 43 points and made 37.8 percent from the field in his last two games after scoring 65 points and shooting 60.0 percent over the previous two. New York, battling Philadelphia for sixth place in the Eastern Conference, is 6-5 since trading for Anthony and Chauncey Billups. Billups returned to the lineup Sunday after missing six games with a bruised left thigh, but missed 10 of 14 shots and finished with nine points. With their point guard and offense out of rhythm, the up-tempo Knicks didn't reach the 100-point mark for just the third time in 13 games. New York, second in the league with 106.4 points per game, are 6-16 when they fail to hit 100.
"Our goal was to not let them try to get a run and it worked, so we have to face this beast again and hopefully we can try to do some of the same things," said Indiana's Dahntay Jones, who had 18 points and did a solid job defending Anthony. While the Pacers clamped down on the Knicks defensively, Hansbrough carried Indiana at the offensive end. The forward scored a career-high 29 points to help Indiana (28-38) snap a six-game skid and remain tied with Charlotte for the East's final playoff spot. Hansbrough has emerged as a major scoring threat in interim coach Frank Vogel's system after being an afterthought under former coach Jim O'Brien.
Hansbrough has started three straight games and has reached the 20-point mark in his last four. The former North Carolina star has scored 18.4 points in his last nine contests, 10.0 more than averaged in his first 45. "I don't know if he's trying to prove anything, I just think he has a motor that is really unparalleled in this league," Vogel said. "Nobody goes harder than that kid." Hansbrough may get some help up front in the rematch if Granger is able to play. Granger, who averages a team-best 20.6 points, missed his second game of the season Sunday. He had 25 points and a career-best 17 rebounds in the first meeting of the season with the Knicks, a 98-92 loss at MSG on Jan. 2.
--INDIANA is 12-0 ATS (+12.0 Units) off a double digit win as a road underdog of 6 more since 1996.
The average score was INDIANA 97.8, OPPONENT 90.9 - (Rating = 5*)
--NEW YORK is 23-8 ATS (+14.2 Units) in a road game where the total is greater than or equal to 200 this season.
The average score was NEW YORK 105.8, OPPONENT 105.3 - (Rating = 3*)
*STAN'S FORECASTER - New York by 1; O/U 207.5
*STAN'S POWER LINE - New York -1
*OUTPLAY FACTOR - Indiana -0.96
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• BETTING SYSTEM: PLAY AGAINST - Home underdogs of +145 to +350 vs. the money line (INDIANA) - poor defensive team - allowing 99+ points/game on the season against opponent after allowing 105 points or more 2 straight games.
(69-14 since 1996.) (83.1%, +39.4 units. Rating = 4*)
The average money line posted in these games was: Team favored with a money line of: -211.8
The average score in these games was: Team 107.6, Opponent 100 (Average point differential = +7.6)
The situation's record this season is: (5-3, -0.8 units).
Over the last 3 seasons the situation's record is: (44-11, +22.3 units).
Over the last 5 seasons the situation's record is: (50-12, +25.5 units).
--PLAY OVER - Home teams where the first half total is greater than 105 (INDIANA) - in a game involving 2 up-tempo teams (>=82 shots/game) after 42+ games, average ball handling team (14.5-16.5 TO) vs. a good ball handling team (<=14.5 TO) after 42+ games.
(36-12 since 1996.) (75.0%, +22.8 units. Rating = 3*)
The average first half total posted in these games was: 110.7
The average first half score in these games was: Team 58, Opponent 58.2 (Total first half points scored = 116.2)
The situation's record this season is: (4-2).
Over the last 3 seasons the situation's record is: (24-11).
Over the last 5 seasons the situation's record is: (27-12).
--PLAY ON - Home underdogs of 2 to 3.5 points vs. the first half line (INDIANA) - cold team - having lost 6 or 7 of their last 8 games, a marginal losing team (40% to 49%) playing a winning team.
(51-20 over the last 5 seasons.) (71.8%, +29.7 units. Rating = 3*)
The average first half line posted in these games was: Opponent favored by 3
The average first half score in these games was: Team 47.7, Opponent 48.3 (Average first half point differential = -0.6)
The situation's record this season is: (3-2).
Over the last 3 seasons the situation's record is: (31-8).
Since 1996 the situation's record is: (85-55).
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*** #535 WASHINGTON @ #536 CHICAGO (-16, O/U 193) ***
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A stellar run at home has helped propel the Chicago Bulls into a tie for the Eastern Conference lead. The surging Bulls have a good chance to take over sole possession of the East lead when they try for a 12th consecutive home win Tuesday night against the lowly Washington Wizards. Chicago (47-18) has won 13 of 15 overall and has not lost at the United Center since Jan. 18. In the midst of their longest home winning stretch since a 17-game run Nov. 14, 1997-Jan. 21, 1998, during the franchise's last NBA championship season, the Bulls beat Utah 118-100 on Saturday while celebrating the 20th anniversary of the club's first title.
"We're definitely not even close to where they were, but we're trying to get there," said forward Luol Deng, who had 26 points, seven rebounds and six assists. The Bulls look to continue their progression with a seventh straight victory to sweep the four-game season series with Washington (16-49), which has lost four in a row overall and is 1-29 on the road. A victory would give the Bulls a one-half game lead over Boston in the East. "Everything that's happened so far is because of hard work, and we've got to keep doing it," said forward Joakim Noah, who has 40 points and 20 boards in two games against the Wizards this season.
Chicago has worked hard at home, going 29-4 and allowing an average of 85.5 points while winning 19 of 20 at the United Center. The Jazz ended the Bulls' streak of 19 straight home games of giving up fewer than 100 points. Washington has averaged 84.3 points and shot 39.6 percent against Chicago overall this season. With injured starters Andray Blatche (shoulder) and Rashard Lewis (knee) possibly out for this contest, the Wizards could find it even tougher to score against one of the league's top defensive teams. The Wizards have been outscored by a combined 67 points the last three games.
Without Blatche and Lewis, Washington shot 39.4 percent in a 116-89 home loss to Oklahoma City on Monday. "I know it's tough to look at for a lot of people," Washington coach Flip Saunders said. "It's tough to coach. Growing pains are extremely difficult." Trevor Booker had 14 points with 13 rebounds while rookie John Wall added 14 with seven boards, five assists and four steals. Wall has 25 points and 16 assists in two games against All-Star Derrick Rose and the Bulls. Rose and Deng each had 21 points in Chicago's 105-77 win at Washington on Feb. 28. Rose, averaging 25.5 points the last six games against the Wizards, had 26 on Saturday as the Bulls shot 52.6 percent and set a franchise record by making 18 of 32 3-pointers.
"They're playing championship-caliber basketball right now," Utah guard Devin Harris said. "Derrick is playing great leading those guys and everyone else is playing their role and doing it well. Carlos Boozer has played a big role in his first season for the Bulls, but is expected to miss a third straight game with a sprained left ankle. Chicago is 13-7 without Boozer, who hopes to return within the week according to coach Tom Thibodeau.
--CHICAGO is 13-2 against the 1rst half line (+10.8 Units) versus up-tempo teams averaging 83 or more shots/game this season.
The average score was CHICAGO 52.5, OPPONENT 44.5 - (Rating = 3*)
--WASHINGTON is 12-0 UNDER (+12.0 Units) after 4 or more consecutive losses this season.
The average score was WASHINGTON 93.5, OPPONENT 96.7 - (Rating = 5*)
*STAN'S FORECASTER - Chicago by 14; O/U 192
*STAN'S POWER LINE - Chicago -23
*OUTPLAY FACTOR - Chicago -16.27
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• BETTING SYSTEM: PLAY AGAINST - Road underdogs of 10 or more points (WASHINGTON) - after failing to cover 4 of their last 5 against the spread against opponent hot team - covering 8 or more of their last 10 against the spread.
(26-6 since 1996.) (81.2%, +19.4 units. Rating = 4*)
The straight up record of the team this system pertains to is: (35-0)
The average line posted in these games was: Team favored by 12.4
The average score in these games was: Team 107.4, Opponent 88.1 (Average point differential = +19.3)
The number of games in which this system covered the spread by 7 or more points was 18 (51.4% of all games.)
The situation's record this season is: (0-0).
Over the last 3 seasons the situation's record is: (10-0).
Over the last 5 seasons the situation's record is: (12-1).
--PLAY OVER - Road teams where the total is between 190 and 199.5 points (WASHINGTON) - terrible team - outscored by their opponents by 6+ points/game, after allowing 110 points or more 2 straight games.
(26-6 since 1996.) (81.2%, +19.4 units. Rating = 4*)
The average total posted in these games was: 195.1
The average score in these games was: Team 99.1, Opponent 106.1 (Total points scored = 205.2)
The number of games in which this system covered the total by 7 or more points was 22 (71% of all games.)
The situation's record this season is: (3-1).
Over the last 3 seasons the situation's record is: (10-3).
Over the last 5 seasons the situation's record is: (12-4).
--PLAY UNDER - Any team vs. the 1rst half line (CHICAGO) - a good team (+3 to +7 PPG differential) against a terrible team (<=-7 PPG differential), after leading in their previous game by 15 or more points at the half.
(48-19 since 1996.) (71.6%, +27.1 units. Rating = 3*)
The average first half total posted in these games was: 97.3
The average first half score in these games was: Team 49.6, Opponent 43.1 (Total first half points scored = 92.7)
The situation's record this season is: (1-0).
Over the last 3 seasons the situation's record is: (10-4).
Over the last 5 seasons the situation's record is: (15-6).
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*** #537 DALLAS (-1.5, O/U 189) @ #538 PORTLAND ***
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LaMarcus Aldridge may have slowed down near the end of Portland's road trip, but he's been nothing short of spectacular this season against his hometown team. His play, however, hasn't resulted in any victories over the Dallas Mavericks. Aldridge will try to lead the Trail Blazers to their first win in three tries against the Mavericks this season Tuesday night at the Rose Garden. Portland (37-29) is back home after splitting four games on the road, losing the last two. Aldridge averaged 18.5 points and shot 39.4 percent in defeats to Charlotte and Atlanta, compared to 25.0 points and 55.3 percent shooting in wins over Miami and Orlando.
"The road trip was not as good as we wanted, but we will take two wins over nothing any day, especially against high-caliber teams such as Miami and Orlando," guard Wes Matthews told the Blazers' official website. "Those wins give us confidence knowing we can play with everybody." The Trail Blazers have played the Mavericks (47-19) close this season, but have dropped two matchups by a total of nine points. That's despite the Dallas-born Aldridge averaging 31.5 points and 10.0 rebounds. The forward has also been very consistent at home against Dallas, averaging 20.3 points and 52.8 percent shooting in six starts. Portland split those games after losing the previous six home games versus the Mavericks.
The Blazers are in seventh in the Western Conference while the Mavericks are in second, making this a possible playoff preview. Dallas, however, has struggled somewhat and is in danger of being passed by the Los Angeles Lakers. The Mavs have dropped three of five and fell 96-91 to the Lakers on Saturday. "It's a tough loss because it's a game that obviously had meaning," coach Rick Carlisle said. "I'm disappointed with the outcome, but not the effort." Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion each scored 25 points and totaled 22 rebounds. Although Dallas held a 48-43 rebounding edge, it couldn't stop Lakers center Andrew Bynum from scoring 22 points and grabbing 15 boards.
"I think we did a decent job of keeping them off the glass, but they're still long in there and they still had plenty of opportunities near the basket," Nowitzki told the Mavs' official website. Dallas' Peja Stojakovic missed his third straight game with a stiff neck, with Marion again starting in his place. The Mavs have won nine of 11 on the road as they open a two-game trip that ends Wednesday against Golden State. Dallas is 10-5 in the first half of back-to-backs and 11-4 in the second half.
"Two big games and back-to-backs are never easy in this league," Nowitzki said, "so hopefully we're ready." Portland also hopes it will be better prepared than it was over the weekend. The Trail Blazers fell 97-92 at Charlotte on Friday and shot 35.1 percent in a 91-82 loss at Atlanta on Saturday. Coach Nate McMillan cited fatigue as a reason for the second defeat. "That's what it looks like," McMillan said. "I mean we were missing shots like crazy. I thought (the Hawks) made the effort."
--PORTLAND is 26-9 against the 1rst half line (+16.1 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
The average score was PORTLAND 49.9, OPPONENT 48.0 - (Rating = 3*)
--PORTLAND is 10-1 UNDER (+8.9 Units) in home games versus good passing teams, averaging >=23 assists/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was PORTLAND 88.8, OPPONENT 94.4 - (Rating = 3*)
*STAN'S FORECASTER - Dallas by 1; O/U 193
*STAN'S POWER LINE - Dallas -2
*OUTPLAY FACTOR - Dallas -0.38
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• BETTING SYSTEM: PLAY UNDER - All teams where the first half total is between 90.5 and 95.5 points (PORTLAND) - off a upset loss as a favorite against opponent off a home loss.
(65-28 over the last 5 seasons.) (69.9%, +34.2 units. Rating = 3*)
The average first half total posted in these games was: 93.3
The average first half score in these games was: Team 46.2, Opponent 45.2 (Total first half points scored = 91.4)
The situation's record this season is: (11-3).
Over the last 3 seasons the situation's record is: (31-14).
Since 1996 the situation's record is: (153-125).
