NBA Odds: Wednesday, December 9 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping

by Alan Matthews - 12/8/2015

It's about time that NBA commissioner Adam Silver stepped in and did something about the abomination that is the Philadelphia 76ers, and apparently the league office played a big role in Philly hiring Hall of Famer Jerry Colangelo as chairman of basketball operations on Monday. Finally, team ownership has wised up that the tanking plan by GM Sam Hinkie just wasn't working. Hinkie still has a job, but clearly some of his power is going to be taken away. The Sixers are 38-148 since Hinkie was hired in May 2013. Colangelo is currently the chairman of the board of directors for USA Basketball as well and built the Suns into a contender as their former GM and then owner. Fellow NBA owners lobbied the league office to get involved with the Sixers but that was more for financial reasons as a franchise in a big city like Philly being so bad and with such poor attendance doesn't help league-wide revenues.

Bulls at Celtics (-2.5, 200)

This is the first game of an ESPN doubleheader and will have live betting at sportsbooks. Chicago lost at home to Phoenix on Monday, 103-101, blowing a 16-point fourth-quarter lead. The Bulls allowed 42 points in the quarter. Derrick Rose was 7-for-18 for 14 points, once again not getting to the free-throw line once. Boston is off a 111-93 win in New Orleans on Monday. Jared Sullinger tied a career high with 20 rebounds and added 11 points. Boston's starting guards outscored the Pelicans' starting backcourt 33-0.

Key trends: The road team is 4-0 against the spread in the past four meetings. The "over/under" is 4-0 in the past four meetings overall.

Early lean: Celtics and over.

Heat at Hornets (+1.5, 193.5)

Miami's two-game winning streak ended in a 114-103 home loss to Washington on Monday. It was the first time -- ever -- that Miami shot 59 percent in a game and lost. The Heat shot 58 percent in a 1990 loss to Seattle. Dwyane Wade led Miami with 26 points and nine assists. Charlotte won a second in a row Monday, 104-84. Kemba Walker played through an illness and had 14 points and nine rebounds. The Hornets opened their season in Miami and lost 104-94. The Heat took control with a 26-6 run fueled mostly by reserves in the second quarter. Wade had 20 and Chris Bosh 21 points. It was Miami's 14th straight home win in the series.

Key trends: The Heat are 7-1 ATS in the past eight in Charlotte. The over is 9-3 in the previous 12 meetings.

Early lean: Heat and over.

Rockets at Wizards (TBA)

Houston was in Brooklyn on Tuesday looking for a fourth straight win. Washington won by 11 in Miami on Monday despite playing without big men Marcin Gortat (personal) and Nene (left calf). Gortat is likely to play here. John Wall played through a knee injury in Miami -- Wall was carried off Sunday after knocking knees with a Dallas player -- and scored 26 points. The Rockets and Wizards split last year, each winning on the road.

Key trends: The Wizards are 3-7 ATS in their past 10 vs. the West. The under is 9-4 in the past 13 meetings.

Early lean: TBA because not clear if Dwight Howard will play the second of a back-to-back. Wait on him.

Grizzlies at Pistons (-1.5, 191)

Memphis was home to Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Detroit's four-game winning streak ended in a 104-84 loss in Charlotte on Monday. The Pistons were dominated on the boards even though the Hornets were without the injured Al Jefferson. Detroit star center Andre Drummond picked up is fifth foul midway through the third quarter and finished with only nine points and nine rebounds. The Pistons and Grizzlies split last year, each winning at home.

Key trends: The Grizzlies are 6-1 ATS in their past seven in Detroit. The over is 4-1 in the past five meetings.

Early lean: Pistons and under.

Spurs at Raptors (TBA)

San Antonio won a laugher in Philadelphia on Monday, 119-68 despite resting Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard and Manu Ginobili. Leonard was fighting an illness, but I'm sure he plays here. The last player on the Spurs' bench, Boban Marjanovic, had 18 points, and the fans in Philly were even cheering him. It was pretty great actually if you saw it. He hadn't played more than six minutes in a game this season and usually not at all. The Raptors beat the Lakers 102-93 on Monday playing without starting forward DeMarre Carroll, the team's best defender. He's out indefinitely with a right knee bruise. Carroll is averaging 12.2 points and 5.1 rebounds. The Spurs and Raptors split last year; San Antonio had won seven straight in the series before the Toronto victory.

Key trends: The Raptors are 7-0 ATS in their past seven vs. teams with a winning record. The over is 4-1 in the past five meetings in Toronto.

Early lean: TBA no doubt because of Leonard. As long as he plays, take Spurs.

Clippers at Bucks (+5.5, 202.5)

Los Angeles started a five-game road trip with a 110-106 victory in Minnesota on Monday. Their starting backcourt of Chris Paul and J.J. Redick both returned from two-game injury absences. Paul finished with 14 points and five assists in 32 minutes. Los Angeles went 26-for-29 at the free throw line. Milwaukee won a second straight Monday, 90-88 over Portland. Greg Monroe hit the winning layup in the final seconds and John Henson saved the win with a blocked shot. The Bucks again played without guards Jerryd Bayless (left ankle sprain) and Greivis Vasquez (right ankle soreness).

Key trends: The Bucks are 5-13 ATS in their past 18 vs. the West. The over is 14-5 in the Clippers' past 19 after a win.

Early lean: Clippers and over.

Lakers at Timberwolves (-8, 204)

L.A. lost a third in a row Monday, 102-93 in Toronto. Coach Byron Scott decided to bring young players Julius Randle and D'Angelo Russell off the bench for some reason even though they are likely foundation pieces going forward. Randle had 15 points and 11 rebounds. Kobe Bryant played well in his final game in Toronto with 21 points and eight rebounds. Minnesota lost a fourth straight Monday, 110-106 at home to the Clippers. Andrew Wiggins was off, going 3-for-15 for eight points. This will be Kobe's final game in Minneapolis. These teams opened the season against one another at Staples Center and the Wolves won 112-111. Ricky Rubio had 28 points and 14 assists, while the Lakers' Lou Williams missed a bunny at the buzzer to win.

Key trends: The Lakers are 1-11 ATS in their past 12 following an ATS win. The over is 6-1 in Minnesota's past seven vs. the West.

Early lean: Lakers and over.

Magic at Suns (-5, 208.5)

Orlando was in Denver on Tuesday. Forward Aaron Gordon was questionable for the Magic due to a sprained right ankle. Phoenix pulled out that unlikely win in Chicago on Monday in its fifth game in seven nights. Brandon Knight had 17 of his 21 points in that 42-point fourth quarter for the Suns, who snapped a four-game losing streak. Phoenix center Tyson Chandler missed a sixth game in a row with a right hamstring strain and isn't expected here.

Key trends: The road team is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 5-0 in the past five in Phoenix.

Early lean: Suns and under.

Knicks at Jazz (-4, 192)

Utah was in Sacramento on Tuesday. New York lost a second consecutive game Monday, 104-97 at home to Dallas. Rookie Kristaps Porzingis had 28 points in the loss in his first career matchup vs. Dirk Nowitzki, with whom Porzingis has often compared. Nowitzki said Porzingis is way better than he was at age 20. New York nearly rallied from a 23-point hole. The Jazz swept the Knicks last season.

Key trends: The Knicks are 12-1 ATS in their past 13 in Utah. The under is 4-1 in the past five meetings.

Early lean: Knicks and under.

Hawks at Mavericks (-2, 203.5)

This is the ESPN nightcap game and also should have live betting. Atlanta had a nice break as the Hawks haven't played since beating the Lakers 100-87 on Friday. Al Horford led five Hawks in double figures with 16 points. It's possible the Hawks get back center Tiago Splitter here as he went through a full practice Monday. He hasn't played since Nov. 21. Dallas won at the Knicks by seven on Monday in the second of a back-to-back. Nowitzki had 25 points. Backup point guard Devin Harris missed the game with sore ribs. The Hawks swept the Mavs in 2014-15.

Key trends: The Hawks are 0-6 ATS in their past six after a win. The over is 4-1 in Dallas' past five vs. the East.

Early lean: Mavericks and over.

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