NBA Odds and Predictions: Wednesday, December 3 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 12/2/2014
The Philadelphia 76ers tied the NBA record for most consecutive losses overall last season with 26. They can tie another record Wednesday night in a winnable game at Minnesota. A loss would tie the 76ers with the 2009-10 Nets for most defeats to start a season with 18. You can bet that Philly will get Minnesota's best as the Wolves don't want to be that team to lose, although they are so young and injury-ravaged it may not matter. I think this is the Sixers' best chance to win all season thus far. Here's a look at every game on Wednesday's schedule.
Bulls at Hornets (+4.5, 193)
Second of a back-to-back for Chicago as the Bulls hosted Dallas on Tuesday night. So who knows if Derrick Rose will play in this one? Expect Taj Gibson to sit again as he missed his fifth straight game Tuesday with an ankle injury. The Hornets have to be the most disappointing team in the Eastern Conference, and already you are hearing talk that they want to trade Lance Stephenson. Charlotte enters on a nine-game losing streak, and I wonder if Coach Steve Clifford is in some trouble because owner Michael Jordan certainly didn't expect this. Charlotte has three players questionable here: Marvin Williams, Gary Neal and, most important, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. I don't expect any of them. Chicago won three of four meetings last season.
Key trends: The Bulls are 1-4 ATS in their past five in the second of a back-to-back. Charlotte has covered once in its past nine games. The "over/under" has gone under in the past five meetings in Charlotte.
Early lean: Under, under, under!
Lakers at Wizards (-9, 208.5)
Los Angeles played in Detroit on Tuesday. Washington beat visiting Miami 107-86 on Monday behind 18 points, 13 assists and five rebounds from John Wall. The Wizards never trailed and led by 21 in the first half and 25 in the second. Wizards big man Nene sat out his fourth consecutive game with an injured right foot. I'd imagine he doesn't play here because, frankly, Washington doesn't need him to beat the Lakers. The Wizards swept Los Angeles last season and have won three straight overall in the series.
Key trends: Washington is 8-2 ATS in its past 10 vs. teams with a losing record. The over is 13-3 in L.A.'s past 16 in the second of a back-to-back.
Early lean: Washington should win by double digits without much problem.
Pistons at Celtics (-4.5, 205.5)
Second of a back-to-back for each as the Pistons hosted the Lakers on Tuesday and Boston was in Atlanta. Both these teams will take their rightful place in the draft lottery next spring, no doubt about it. The Pistons won three of four against the Celtics last year. Andre Drummond dominated, averaging 16.5 points and 17.5 rebounds in those four. Brandon Jennings led the team with 19.0 points per game. Jeff Green averaged 17.5 points for Boston vs. the Pistons. Rajon Rondo played in just one of the four games, and it so happened to be the Celtics' only win as Rondo had 11 points and 18 assists.
Key trends: The home team has covered five of the past eight meetings. The over is 11-2 in Boston's past 13 at home.
Early lean: Over!
Spurs at Nets (+6.5, 195)
Brooklyn at least didn't have to travel far after Tuesday's game as the Nets played the Knicks in Manhattan. Predictably, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich rested both Tim Duncan and Tony Parker for Monday night's "scrimmage" at Philadelphia, but the Spurs won anyway, 109-103. San Antonio doesn't play Thursday, so no reason why every guy won't be in there here. Kawhi Leonard dominated the Sixers with 26 points and 10 rebounds. He has four 20-point games this season after just three all last regular season. San Antonio improved to 7-0 this season against the Eastern Conference. The Spurs beat visiting Brooklyn 99-87 on Nov. 22. Kevin Garnett missed that one for Brooklyn.
Key trends: The Nets are 1-6 ATS in their past seven in the second of a back-to-back. The under is 7-2 in the Spurs' past nine vs. the East.
Early lean: Take the points as the champs will get Brooklyn's best shot. Spurs might be looking ahead to Friday's showdown in Memphis as well.
Hawks at Heat (-4, 199.5)
Atlanta hosted Boston on Tuesday night. The Heat lost 107-86 in Washington on Monday even thought Dwayne Wade had 20 points in his second game back from an injured right hamstring. Miami entered that game leading the NBA in 3-point shooting but was a horrendous 2-for-22 vs. the Wizards. Miami lost in Atlanta 114-103 on Nov. 14 as the Hawks' Paul Millsap and Al Horford each had 19 points. Eight players, including all five starters, scored in double figures for Atlanta. Wade missed that game, but so did Hawks starter DeMarre Carroll. OK, they aren't equals, I'm just saying.
Key trends: The Hawks are 4-0 ATS in the past four meetings. Miami has failed to cover its past five at home.
Early lean: Heat and under.
Mavericks at Bucks (+5, 204.5)
Short trip for Dallas, which played in Chicago on Tuesday night. Killer second of a back-to-back for the Bucks as they were in Cleveland. The Mavericks had little trouble with Milwaukee last year, winning 91-83 in Wisconsin and 106-93 at home. The Mavericks are just 8-24 all-time on the road against the Bucks but have won two straight and three of the last four meetings in Milwaukee. Of course Bucks head coach Jason Kidd was the No. 2 overall pick of Dallas in 1994 and was co-Rookie of the Year that season.
Key trends: The Mavs are 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The over has hit in four of those.
Early lean: Dallas and over.
Grizzlies at Rockets (TBA)
Here's your clear game of the night, but unfortunately it looks as if Houston will again be without injured starters Dwight Howard, Patrick Beverley and Terrence Jones. Even backup point guard Isaiah Canaan is out again. That Houston is 13-4 despite having its starting five in just a couple of games this season is remarkable. The Grizzlies (15-2) close out a four-game road trip here and have won five straight overall. Memphis handed Houston its worst loss of the season on Nov. 17, 119-93. The game was never in doubt. Seven players finished in double figures for Memphis. Howard and Beverley played in that one, but James Harden had only six points.
Key trends: Memphis is 6-1 ATS in its past seven on the road vs. teams with a winning home record. Houston is 1-6 ATS in its past seven after a win. The under is 5-1 in the past six meetings.
Early lean: Go Memphis and under regardless of numbers.
76ers at Timberwolves (-6, 208.5)
As terrible as Philly really is, the team is a pretty solid 8-9 against the spread this season. The Sixers were able to cover in Monday's 109-103 loss to San Antonio, although it helped the Spurs rested Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. Philly's Michael Carter-Williams had 24 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Rookie Nerlens Noel was a surprise scratch with a hip injury. He pulled himself after warm-ups, and Coach Brett Brown didn't seem too happy about it. Leading scorer Tony Wroten missed his second straight game, and he's not going to play here. Minnesota remains without probably its best three players: Ricky Rubio, Kevin Martin and Nikola Pekovic. The Wolves are about as bad defensively as Philly is on offense.
Key trends: The Sixers are 8-2 ATS in their past 10 road games vs. teams with a losing home record. Minnesota is 2-10 ATS in its past 12 overall. The under is 4-0 in the past four meetings in Minnesota.
Early lean: I think I would take Philly outright here if I knew Noel and Wroten were playing. Noel might, but that's not enough. Still, give me the points and the under.
Raptors at Jazz (TBA)
Toronto played in Sacramento on Tuesday. Utah enters this on a six-game losing streak. The team's best defensive player, forward Derrick Favors, missed Monday's last-minute defeat to Denver with flu-like symptoms but may be able to return. Favors, who had played in every game this season and averages 15.9 points and 8.6 rebounds, left Monday's shootaround with a cold that worsened as the day went on. Utah lost 111-93 in Toronto on Nov. 15. The Raptors had star DeMar DeRozan then, however, and he had 27 points. It was the second of a back-to-back for Utah, which has lost three straight in this series.
Key trends: Utah is 1-4 ATS in its past five vs. teams with a winning record. The over is 5-1 in the past six meetings.
Early lean: Jazz pull the upset if Favors returns.
Magic at Clippers (-13.5, 205)
Orlando will have heavy legs after playing in Golden State on Tuesday night. The Clippers enter on a season-high five-game winning streak and have scored at least 102 points in all of them. They put up a season-high 127 points in Monday's home blowout of Minnesota. J.J. Redick and Blake Griffin each scored 23 points before sitting out the fourth quarter. The 10-game winning streak against Minnesota is one game shy of the franchise record for consecutive wins against any team. However, here's some bad karma for L.A.: the team was paid a visit in the locker room after the game by Justin Bieber.
Key trends: The Clippers are 2-10 ATS in their past 12 at home. The under is 4-0 in the past four meetings.
Early lean: Clips will certainly win, but too many points. Do go over.
Read more articles by Alan Matthews
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