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NBA Odds: Wednesday, November 18 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping

by - 11/17/2015

James Harden Houston Rockets

I loved the Houston Rockets' acquisition of Denver point guard Ty Lawson this offseason, especially as the Rockets gave up next to nothing to get him. Lawson is a very good player and should have made Houston a better team because he's a better player than former starter Patrick Beverley is. But something is terribly wrong with that team right now. Houston was routed by Boston on Monday for its fourth straight loss, dropping the Rockets to 4-7. Coach Kevin McHale is hinting he might have to start bringing Lawson off the bench as he is averaging only 8.9 points and shooting an ugly .333 from the field and .273 from long range. McHale better do something soon or his job is going to be in jeopardy.

Nets at Hornets (-7, 196.5)

Charlotte was at the Knicks on Tuesday with P.J. Hairston doubtful for that with a right quad contusion and Jeremy Lamb questionable with a left shoulder strain. Brooklyn hosted Atlanta on Tuesday. The Nets won last season's series 2-1 but lost the one game in Brooklyn 115-91. Brook Lopez had 34 points -- his second-highest scoring game of last season -- in the most recent meeting, a 91-88 win in Charlotte.

Key trends: The road team is 4-1 against the spread in the past five meetings. The "over/under" has gone under just once in the past eight meetings.

Early lean: Nets and over.

Timberwolves at Magic (TBA)

Minnesota was in Miami on Tuesday and not sure if point guard Ricky Rubio was going to return from a four-game injury absence. Orlando is off a 108-99 loss in Washington on Saturday. The Magic played without guard Victor Oladipo for the second straight game. He's out due to a concussion, and there's no timetable for his return. The Magic swept the Wolves last season and have won 11 of the past 13 meetings overall and seven straight at home.

Key trends: The Magic are 5-1 ATS in their past six vs. the West. The under is 4-0 in Orlando's past four against teams with a losing record. The Wolves are 0-5 ATS in the past five meetings.

Early lean: Like Orlando whether Rubio plays or not.

Pacers at 76ers (TBA)

I don't even know why Philadelphia fans bother going to games at this point. It's just a joke what this franchise is doing. Philly dropped to 0-11 with Monday's 92-86 home loss to Dallas. The 76ers had 27 turnovers, which led to 28 Mavericks points. It was Philadelphia's 21st straight loss dating to last season. Indiana's three-game winning streak ended in Monday's 96-95 loss at Chicago. Paul George had a chance to win it at the end of regulation but didn't get off a good shot against Jimmy Butler. George did finish with 26 points, his third straight game with at least that many. Indiana played without guards George Hill (upper respiratory infection) and Rodney Stuckey (sprained right ankle). Hill should be back for this one at least but why the TBA.

Key trends: The Pacers are 7-0 ATS in their past seven vs. the East. The over is 11-1 in the Sixers' past 12 against the East.

Early lean: Pacers have enough even if Hill and Stuckey are out again.

Mavericks at Celtics (-5, 207.5)

In a way, the Celtics might benefit more from a Dallas win. That's because Boston gets the Mavs' 2016 first-round pick as long as it's outside the Top 7 courtesy of last season's Rajon Rondo heist. Dallas beat those 76ers on Monday behind 21 points from Dirk Nowitzki. He had sat out Saturday's win over Houston along with fellow starters Wesley Matthews and Chandler Parsons but it was just for rest. Matthews and Parsons also played Monday. Parsons had his best game of the season with 20 points. Boston won easily in Houston on Monday for its third straight win. The C's scored 39 points off 22 Houston turnovers.

Key trends: Dallas is 0-8 ATS in its past eight vs. the East. The under is 5-0 in Boston's past five overall.

Early lean: Celtics and under.

Kings at Hawks (TBA)

Atlanta was in Brooklyn on Tuesday and without Jeff Teague and Kent Bazemore (why the TBA here). Sacramento beat Toronto 107-101 on Sunday for its third straight win. DeMarcus Cousins dominated the Raptors with 36 points and is averaging 36.3 in the winning streak. After missing the previous game with a stomach virus, Rudy Gay had 26 points. Rajon Rondo had 14 assists, his fifth straight game in double digits. That's the longest streak for the Kings since 1985-86. Reserve point guard Darren Collison (hamstring strain) missed his fifth straight game. Rookie big man Willie Cauley-Stein took a blow to the head and didn't play after the first quarter.

Key trends: The Kings are 7-2 ATS in their past nine vs. teams with a winning record. The Hawks are 2-8 ATS in their past 10 at home. The over is 6-1 in the past seven meetings in Atlanta.

Early lean: I could see Kings winning this if those two Atlanta starters are out again.

Trail Blazers at Rockets (-6.5, 206.5)

Portland has regressed to where most people thought it would be, having dropped six straight. The Blazers managed just 80 points in Monday's loss at San Antonio. They had only 28 at halftime. Starting forward Meyers Leonard missed a third straight game with a shoulder injury and is doubtful for Wednesday. McHale can't start Beverley over Lawson yet because Beverley is dealing with a sprained ankle and is out indefinitely. I can't fathom how this high-powered Rockets team has failed to score more than 98 points during the four-game skid.

Key trends: The road team is 7-3 ATS in the past 10 meetings. The over is 13-3 in the past 16.

Early lean: Rockets and over.

Pelicans at Thunder (-8.5, 209)

This is the first game of an ESPN doubleheader and will have live betting at sportsbooks. New Orleans hosted Denver on Tuesday. Oklahoma City lost a second straight on Monday, 122-114 in Memphis despite 40 points from Russell Westbrook. The Thunder remain without Kevin Durant for likely two more games. Guard Andre Roberson was out Monday with the flu. New Orleans won last season's series with the Thunder 3-1. Westbrook had 48 points in the most recent meeting. OKC has dropped two straight at home to the Pelicans.

Key trends: New Orleans is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 7-1 in OKC's past eight on Wednesday.

Early lean: Thunder and over.

Nuggets at Spurs (-12.5, 202.5)

Denver was in New Orleans on Tuesday with a few players either out or questionable. San Antonio beat the Blazers 93-80 on Monday for its fifth straight win. Manu Ginobili scored 14 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter as the Spurs pulled away. LaMarcus Aldridge was held to six points and six rebounds, his lowest output since signing with the Spurs. San Antonio was 4-0 against Denver last season and has won five straight at home in the series and seven in a row overall.

Key trends: The favorite is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 4-1 in those past five.

Early lean: San Antonio and over.

Raptors at Jazz (-2.5, 190)

Toronto was in Golden State on Tuesday. Utah ended a three-game losing streak with a 97-96 win in Atlanta on Sunday to conclude a four-game road trip. Rudy Gobert had a game-high 11 rebounds and 11 points. He had missed the previous two games with a sprained left ankle. Utah snapped an eight-game losing streak to Atlanta. The Raptors swept last season's series with the Jazz.

Key trends: Utah is 5-1 ATS in its past six vs. the East. The over is 4-1 in Utah's past five at home. Toronto has covered four straight in the series.

Early lean: Utah and under.

Bulls at Suns (TBA)

Your ESPN nightcap with live betting. I know you will be shocked to hear this, but Derrick Rose is hurt again. He sprained his ankle in Monday's win over Indiana; Rose thinks it's only a strain, but the Bulls will take a closer look at it Tuesday. Knowing Rose's luck, the foot will need to be amputated or something. I obviously wouldn't expect to see Rose here as he's not the quickest healer. The Suns routed the Lakers on Monday behind the first career triple-double from guard Brandon Knight, who had 30 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds. Phoenix was without forward and third-leading scorer Markieff Morris due to a strained left knee and he's questionable for Wednesday.

Key trends: Chicago is 5-0 ATS in its past five vs. the West. The Bulls have covered six straight in Phoenix. The under is 6-0 in the Suns' past six vs. the East.

Early lean: Suns will beat Rose-less Bulls.

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