NBA Odds: Thursday, November 5 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping

by Alan Matthews - 11/4/2015

We are only a week or so into the season, but there apparently is a potential trade brewing. Don't get too excited as it won't exactly alter any futures odds, but the Miami Heat have been looking to trade point guard Mario Chalmers for about a year now (after adding Goran Dragic in trade), and they might have a taker in the Memphis Grizzlies, who want a quality backup to Mike Conley. Chalmers wouldn't cost much at all and is also in the final year of his deal. Chalmers did play well in the playoffs for Miami in the LeBron James era and has made some big shots in his career, including at the end of regulation in the 2008 National Championship Game for Kansas. That came against.... the University of Memphis and prevented the Derrick Rose-led Tigers from winning the national title (KU won in overtime).

Thunder at Bulls (+2, 208)

This is your TNT opener and will have live betting at sportsbooks. Oklahoma City hosted Toronto on Wednesday night. Coach Billy Donovan says Kevin Durant won't sit out any back-to-backs, but I'm a bit leery of that. Chicago played its worst game of the early season by far on Tuesday, falling 130-105 in Charlotte. The Bulls allowed 100 points through three quarters, their most allowed since 1990. Rose had just four points. These teams split two pretty high-scoring matchups last year. Chicago won at home 108-105 as Nikola Mirotic had 26 points and Pau Gasol 21 points and 12 boards. E'Twaun Moore hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with :02 remaining in the game.

Key trends: OKC is 9-4 ATS in its past 13 in the second of a back-to-back. Chicago is 1-4 ATS in its past five vs. the West. The "over/under" is 4-0 in the Bulls' past four against the West.

Early lean: Thunder and over as long as Durant plays.

Heat at Timberwolves (+3, 201)

Miami comes off a 98-92 home loss to Atlanta on Tuesday. Wasn't Hassan Whiteside's fault the Heat lost as he had another huge game with 23 points on 11-for-12 shooting and 14 rebounds. Whiteside became the third Heat center to shoot at least 11-for-12 and block four shots in a game, joining Alonzo Mourning and Shaquille O'Neal. Keep an eye on Dwayne Wade's status here as he was dealing with migraines during that game and missed some of it. Miami was without Gerald Green (illness) and Amare Stoudemire was inactive. Minnesota has been off since a 106-101 loss in its home opener vs. Portland on Monday. That was an emotional game for the players as there was a 30-minute pregame tribute to late coach Flip Saunders. The Wolves players admitted they were drained late in the game. Miami and Minnesota split last year. The Timberwolves won 102-101 at home as Kevin Martin hit the go-ahead jumper with 41 seconds left.

Key trends: Miami is 1-6 ATS in its past seven Thursday games. The Wolves are 1-8 ATS in their past nine at home. The over is 7-3 in Minnesota's past 10 at home.

Early lean: Heat (as long as Wade is fine) and under.

Hornets at Mavericks (-5, 200)

Dallas lost 102-91 in its home opener vs. Toronto on Tuesday. Mavs forward Chandler Parsons played 14 minutes in the first half of his second game after offseason right knee surgery, but he didn't play after halftime. He will be on a minutes limit for a while. Charlotte got its first win with that 25-point home rout of Chicago on Tuesday. The Hornets, not a very good offensive team, shot 51.6 percent from the field and 60.9 from long range. Seven players were in double figures, led by Jeremy Lamb's 20 off the bench. It was the most points the Hornets have ever scored against the Bulls. Dallas swept Charlotte last year, winning both easily. It was 92-81 in Big D. The Mavericks have won 14 straight home games against the Charlotte franchise (Charlotte's last win in Dallas was a 94-92 victory on 1/24/98).

Key trends: Charlotte is 1-5 ATS in its past six following a win. Dallas is 0-6 ATS in its past six vs. the East. The under is 4-1 in the past five meetings.

Early lean: Mavericks and over.

Jazz at Nuggets (TBA)

Utah hosted Portland on Wednesday. Denver won at the Lakers 120-109 on Tuesday behind 28 points and 15 rebounds from Kenneth Faried. Nuggets center Joffrey Lauvergne, who has been starting with Jusuf Nurkic out, and forward Nikola Jokic both sat out to rest back injuries. Utah and Denver split four meetings last season, each 1-1 at home. Jazz center Rudy Gobert was drafted by the Nuggets in the first round (27th overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft, then traded in a draft night trade for the 46th overall pick, Erick Green and cash considerations. Oops!

Key trends: Utah is 6-1 in the past seven meetings. The under is 4-1 in the past five.

Early lean: This is TBA because Utah's Derrick Favors was questionable for Wednesday with an illness. Wait on him before betting this one.

Grizzlies at Trail Blazers (TBA)

This is your ESPN nightcap so should have live betting available. Portland was in Utah on Wednesday. Memphis bounced back from an embarrassing 50-point loss to the Warriors with a 103-89 win at Sacramento on Tuesday. Keep an eye on Grizzlies All-Star center Marc Gasol for this game. He didn't play in the second half vs. the Kings due to a neck spasm. Brandan Wright would likely start if Gasol sits. Memphis won all four regular-season games against Portland last season, marking the first time ever (20 years) that the Grizzlies swept the Trail Blazers in the season series. Memphis has won five of the past six games against the Blazers in Portland.

Key trends: Memphis has covered seven of the past nine meetings. The under is 5-2 in the past seven.

Early lean: Have to wait on Gasol. Take Portland if he sits.

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