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Hot and Cold NBA Betting Teams ATS and Over Under 1/26/2024

by Spencer Toth - 1/26/2024

NBA hot and cold betting teams ATS and over under Jalen Brunson New York Knicks

The NBA season has entered into the second half, and certain teams have been able to find chemistry, while others are slipping down the standings. Over the past two weeks, a pair of teams have emerged ahead of the pack, covering spreads with ease, while another pair has consistently fallen short. Here are the hottest and coldest teams against the spread in the NBA.

The Hot:

Utah Jazz

For the second consecutive edition of the Hot and Cold report, the Utah Jazz are leading the way. They’ve gone 8-2 against the spread, and 7-3 straight up over the past two weeks, and have gone 14-4 ATS since Christmas. The Jazz were hit with injuries to begin the season, but with Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, and Walker Kessler back in the lineup, Utah has been able to put wins on the board, and shoot up the standings. Markkanen is still clearly the leader of this team, and the elevated play from Colin Sexton has allowed this team to turn the corner. While Markkanen may take, and make plenty of shots, the Jazz are very balanced with their scoring, with 9 players averaging 8+ PPG this season. It’s easy to look at Utah’s 23-23 record and assume they are a mediocre team. However, they started the season 7-16, and then went 16-7 since Markkanen’s return from injury, but are still being treated like a bottom feeder. The Jazz will continue to be solid moneymakers until the bookies finally start giving them the respect they deserve.

Detroit Pistons

While it feels odd to have the 5-39 Pistons in anything resembling a ‘Hot’ category, Detroit may not be winning games, but they have done a solid job at keeping things close. The Pistons have covered in 6 straight games, and actually have a pair of wins over the Hornets and Wizards to show for it. Against any legitimate teams, the Pistons are often double digit underdogs, but they’ve been finding ways to keep things close, and line Piston bettors pockets. Detroit is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games when facing a double digit spread, and with Cade Cunningham back in the lineup for the Pistons, the frequency of blowouts will be diminished. It’s absolutely never a fun prospect to bet on the Pistons, but there is still plenty of pride left in Detroit, something that appears to have evaporated for the other bottom feeders. When Detroit is given a boatload of points on the spread, they can usually do enough to keep it close.

The Cold:

Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets have thrown in the white towel, trading away longtime superstar Terry Rozier for Kyle Lowry and a first round pick. There is absolutely nothing to play for in Charlotte, as a plethora of injuries decimated their season before it could even get going. In the last 10 games, Charlotte has slipped further down the standings, going 2-8 straight up, and ATS. This leaves the franchise in the hands of LaMelo Ball, who will have plenty of leash to develop this season. Charlotte’s priorities will be focused on development of their assets, and ensuring they pick up another top draft pick when they inevitably finish at the bottom of the standings. When they are given double digit points the Hornets are still playable, but anything shorter than that against anyone resembling a playoff team will see the Hornets consistently fall short of the mark.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks may have gone 7-3 straight up in the last 10 games, but they’ve only covered the spread twice in that span. The Bucks have been favored by 10+ points 11 times this season, and while they’re 10-1 straight up in those games, they are just 1-10 Against the spread. The consistent overvaluation of the Bucks defensive unit has prevented them from building, and maintaining big leads, even against the worst teams in the league. Their superior offense has allowed them to still pull out wins, as they’ve won 7 straight games when they score 120+. However, whenever the Bucks are facing a large number, the lack of motivation to win comfortably has cost Bucks bettors money all season long. The surprising coaching change could spark wins with bigger margins, but until we see the Bucks consistently cover large spreads, we have to stay away from them in the heavy favorite role.

High Scorers:

Golden State Warriors

The Splash Brothers are back in business, but it has been the horrendous Golden State defense that has fueled the Warriors to 9 Overs in their last 11 games. Golden State may still have their explosive offensive superstars, but they’ve given up 129+ points in 7 of their last 11 games, and will not stand a chance in the postseason if they continue this play on the defensive end. They’ve picked up just 4 wins in that span, and they find themselves a full 2 games back of the final play-in tournament position. The Draymond Green debacle hasn’t helped them find fluidity this season, and the injuries to Chris Paul have disrupted their title aspirations. There is no doubt this team can figure out their defense, as they are loaded with savvy veterans, but as long as they continue to see their totals stay in the 230’s, the Overs will keep coming for the Warriors.

LA Clippers

The Clippers have been cashing Overs thanks to their dominant offense, going 7-3 in the last 10 games. The Clippers have scored 125+ in 7 of the last 10 games, yet the bookies refuse to raise their totals. They’ve only seen one total higher than 235 in the last few weeks, and it’s not surprising to see a team with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden filling up the hoop. They’ve been able to play solid defense, and fill up the hoop on the other end. The quartet of perennial All-Stars has led the Clippers up the standings, but the Overs aren’t a trend I expect to continue for the Clippers. They have a defense that has been failing to play up to its early season standards, and once they figure it out on that end of the court, the Unders will start coming through with more consistency.

Low Scorers:

New York Knicks

The Knicks defensive intensity has been on another planet since 2024 began, going 11-2 straight up, and cashing the Under in 12 of the last 13 games. OG Anunoby’s arrival to New York has seen the Knicks hold their opponents to just 99.9 PPG, including keeping the defending champions to just 84 points on Thursday night. It’s not surprising to see the Under consistently cash with trends like this, but the question remains of how long they can keep it up. Madison Square Garden has been a defensive fortress for the last few seasons, and as long as the totals remain in the 220’s, the Under will keep coming through. Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson play plenty of heavy isolation basketball, and the lengthy possessions have allowed New York to slow down the game, and get set on defense. Keep riding the Knicks and the Under until the wheels fall off.

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks have been one of the most disappointing teams this season, going a pitiful 11-33 ATS this season. In recent weeks, their once dominant offense has been missing Trae Young, and have failed to do their part in reaching the 240’s like the line usually expects for Hawks games. They’ve cashed the Under in 8 of their last 10 games, and have just 4 wins to show for it. Their poor defense actually improved since Young was sidelined, but the heavily diminished offense has been the culprit for a string of Unders. Once Young returns, the Hawks should start participating in the barnburners we got used to, but until then, the Under is a solid look. 

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