The Cavaliers return to Quicken Loans Arena for their home opener following Tuesday’s 90-85 loss at Boston, though they covered as a six-point underdog. LeBron James (22 points) had a decent game, but he missed a couple of key free throws in the final minute, and Cleveland had just three players score in double figures, while Boston had five. The Cavs are now on a 6-0 ATS run dating to last season’s run to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Bobcats, playing their season opener, are coming off a 32-50 campaign last year (36-43-3 ATS) which included finishing the season on a 7-5 SU run just to break the 30-win barrier. Charlotte capped 2007-08 in a 3-6 ATS slump.
Cleveland has won seven of the last 10 meetings against the Bobcats, including the last three in a row. However, Charlotte is 5-3 ATS in the last eight battles, though the two teams split the cash in last season’s four contests, with the road team covering each time. The Bobcats are 5-1 ATS on their last six trips to Cleveland, and the underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last five clashes.
Along with the Cavaliers’ current 6-0 ATS run (all against Eastern Conference foes), they are on additional pointspread streaks of 5-0 when playing on one day’s rest and 5-1 at Quicken Loans Arena. Overall at home last year, Cleveland was 32-15 SU, but just 20-27 ATS.
The Bobcats finished last season in ATS ruts of 3-7 against the East and 2-6-1 against teams with a losing record, and they went 11-30 SU (17-22-2 ATS) as a visitor.
The under for Cleveland is on a bevy of tears, including 14-6 overall, 20-7 at home and 13-6 playing on one day’s rest. The under is also 9-3 in Charlotte’s last 12 roadies. However, the over is on a 4-1 overall run for the ‘Cats, and the total has gone high in four of the last five meetings between these two teams.
ATS ADVANTAGE: CLEVELAND
Houston (1-0, 0-1 ATS) at Dallas (0-0, 0-0 ATS
The Mavericks and new coach Rick Carlisle tip off their season at American Airlines Center, hoping to improve on last year’s 52-35 record (38-45-4 ATS). Dallas suffered a second straight first-round playoff exist, getting eliminated by New Orleans in six games, which led to the ouster of coach Avery Johnson. The Mavs ended last season in a 3-7 ATS slide (playoffs included), and while they had one of the league’s best home records at 35-8 (playoffs included), they went just 18-21-4 ATS in their building.
The Rockets opened their season last night at home against Memphis and led by just a single point going into the fourth quarter before breaking things open on the way to an 82-71 victory. However, Houston came up just short as a 12½-point favorite. The Rockies did finish last year on a spread-covering flourish, and despite last night’s non-cover, the team is still 28-14-1 ATS in its last 43 games (playoffs included).
In four head-to-head meetings against Houston last year, Dallas went 3-1 SU and ATS (1-1 SU and ATS at home), and the Mavs are 8-2 SU and ATS in the last 10 clashes in this rivalry. Dallas is 6-1 ATS in the last seven battles overall and 4-1 ATS in the last five at American Airlines Center, but the road team has cashed in four of the last five.
The Mavericks are 39-18-1 ATS in their last 58 games against Southwest Division foes, but they are on ATS skids of 3-7 at home and 3-7 against the Western Conference. The Rockets, meanwhile, are on ATS runs of 24-8-3 in Thursday contests, 5-3 inside the division and 7-3 in the second night of back-to-back games. Finally, the Rockets last season went 25-19 SU and 25-18-1 ATS on the highway.
Despite last night’s non-cover against Memphis, the SU winner is still 15-2 ATS in Houston’s last 17 games overall and 18-1 ATS in its last 19 on the highway.
The under cashed in five of Dallas’ last six home games last season, and the under for Houston is on a 9-3 overall run, with last night’s win over the Grizzlies staying well below the posted price.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DALLAS and UNDER
New Orleans (1-0, 0-1 ATS) at Phoenix (1-0 SU and ATS)
The Hornets, coming off a surprising season in which they reached the Western Conference semifinals, opened the 2008-09 campaign with Wednesday’s 108-103 victory at Golden State, though they came up short as a seven-point road chalk. Going back to last year’s seven-game playoff series loss to San Antonio, New Orleans is mired in a 1-5 ATS slump.
The Suns, who were ousted by the Spurs in the first round of last season’s playoffs, got a small measure of revenge in last night’s season opener, winning 103-98 in San Antonio as a one-point road underdog. Amare Stoudemire (22 points), Steve Nash (13) and Shaquille O’Neal (15 points) all scored in double figures for Phoenix, with Nash chipping in a game-high 13 assists and O’Neal contributing a game-high 13 rebounds. The Suns are on a 16-5 roll in regular-season action (13-7-1 ATS), including 9-1 at home (8-2 ATS).
New Orleans went 4-0 SU and ATS in four clashes with Phoenix last season, winning and covering the first three games in the underdog role. The Hornets are on additional ATS runs in this rivalry of 6-0 overall and 9-2-1 in Phoenix, and the underdog is 5-1 ATS in the last six contests.
The Hornets are a sterling 26-7-2 ATS in their last 35 games when playing on no rest and 22-7 ATS in their last 29 against the Pacific Division, but they are 1-6 ATS in their last seven roadies. The Suns ended last season in a 1-4-1 ATS slump when playing on no rest, but in addition to their 8-2 ATS run at the U.S. Airways Center, they’re 17-6-2 in their last 25 against Western Conference opponents.
The under for Charlotte is on streaks of 6-3-1 overall, 4-2 against the Pacific Division, 6-3-1 in the West and 5-3 on the highway, and in this rivalry, the under is on tears of 9-3 overall and 9-3 in Phoenix.
Bobcats: The Larry Brown era begins in Charlotte, and the Bobcats also hope they will get big contributions at some point from Sean May and Adam Morrison, who are both coming off knee injuries. Brown saw his new team go 0-8 in the preseason, and his experience as the only coach to win both college and pro championships may or may not rub off on the players. Charlotte did play Cleveland very tough last season with all four meetings decided by seven points or less.
Bobcats are 3-6 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
The UNDER is 9-3 in Charlotte's last 12 road games.
Key Injuries - F Sean May (knee) is doubtful.
PROJECTED SCORE: 84 (UNDER - Total Play of the Day)
Cavs (-9.5, O/U 183.5): Cleveland is coming off a somewhat disappointing 90-85 loss at Boston in the season opener on Tuesday. Despite covering the spread for the eighth time in nine meetings with the Celtics, the Cavs blew a 50-43 halftime lead and committed 21 turnovers. New addition Mo Williams had four of the turnovers and will take some time to blend into the offense. Williams totaled 12 points in his Cleveland debut while LeBron James led the team in scoring with 22.
Cavs are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
The UNDER is 20-7 in Cleveland's last 27 home games.
Key Injuries - F Darnell Jackson (wrist) is OUT.
PROJECTED SCORE: 94
Houston Rockets at Dallas Mavericks
Rockets: Houston is coming off an 82-71 home win over Memphis on Wednesday night, as Ron Artest and Tracy McGrady each scored 16 points while Yao Ming led the team with 21 points and 10 rebounds. The Rockets won despite shooting less than 37 percent from the field, making the Grizzlies miss all 13 of their 3-point attempts. Houston started the game strong - racing out to an 11-2 lead - and then outscored Memphis 24-14 in the fourth quarter.
Rockets are 1-6 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
The UNDER is 9-3 in Houston's last 12 games overall.
Key Injuries - F Shane Battier (foot) is day-to-day.
PROJECTED SCORE: 95 (Side Play of the Day)
Mavs (-5, O/U 191): Dallas will have a different look this season with point guard Jason Kidd back for a full season while new head coach Rick Carlisle hopes to lead the rest of the roster back to its former status as one of the best teams in the Western Conference. That could prove to be a difficult task since Kidd is clearly on the downside of his career, but he may have just enough in the tank to get the Mavs into the playoffs yet again. Time will tell.
Mavs are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games overall.
Mavs are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Key Injuries - F Devean George (hand) is questionable.
PROJECTED SCORE: 97
New Orleans Hornets at Phoenix Suns
Hornets: New Orleans picked up where the team left off in the preseason, earning a 108-103 victory at Golden State in the regular-season opener. The Hornets went a perfect 7-0 in the preseason, the first time in six years that an NBA team had accomplished that feat. Chris Paul led the way against the Warriors with 21 points and 11 assists, including the go-ahead basket with 19.4 seconds remaining.
Hornets are 1-11 ATS in their last 12 Thursday games.
The OVER is 6-2 in New Orleans' last 8 Thursday games.
Key Injuries - F Julian Wright (ankle) is day-to-day.
PROJECTED SCORE: 98
Suns (-1.5, O/U 197): Phoenix started the Terry Porter era with an impressive road victory at San Antonio on Wednesday night behind 22 points from Amare Stoudemire, who scored half of them in the fourth quarter alone on perfect 5-of-5 shooting. Steve Nash added 13 points and dished out 13 assists. “Amare was huge for us down the stretch,” Porter said. “(Nash) also made a couple of big plays. It was a solid win for us and just a great way to start the season.”
Suns are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 home games.
The UNDER is 9-3 in the last 12 meetings.
Key Injuries - F Alando Tucker (hamstring) is day-to-day.
PROJECTED SCORE: 99
CHARLOTTE (0 - 0) at CLEVELAND (0 - 1)
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 102-137 ATS (-48.7 Units) after scoring 85 points or less since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHARLOTTE is 5-3 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 5-3 straight up against CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON (0 - 0) at DALLAS (0 - 0)
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 160-120 ATS (+28.0 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
HOUSTON is 49-36 ATS (+9.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HOUSTON is 264-214 ATS (+28.6 Units) in road games since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 6-2 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 6-2 straight up against HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS (0 - 0) at PHOENIX (0 - 0)
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ORLEANS is 56-37 ATS (+15.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) against Pacific division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 6-0 against the spread versus PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 4-3 straight up against PHOENIX over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Charlotte at Cleveland
Charlotte: 50-29 Over if the total is between 180 and 189.5
Cleveland: 34-18 ATS at home off ATS win/SU loss
Houston at Dallas
Houston: 21-12 Under vs. division
Dallas: 6-2 ATS vs. Houston
New Orleans at Phoenix
New Orleans: 27-12 ATS playing on BB days
Phoenix: 0-6 ATS vs. New Orleans
CHARLOTTE vs. CLEVELAND
Charlotte is 5-10-1 ATS in its last 16 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Charlotte's last 5 games
Cleveland is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Cleveland's last 20 games
HOUSTON vs. DALLAS
Houston is 1-5-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Dallas
Houston is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing Dallas
Dallas is 8-2-1 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Houston
Dallas is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Houston
NEW ORLEANS vs. PHOENIX
New Orleans is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
New Orleans is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Phoenix is 2-10 ATS in its last 12 games when playing at home against New Orleans
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Phoenix's last 13 games when playing at home against New Orleans
The Bobcats were terrible during the preseason. Lack of chemistry, a lot of turnovers, with no rhythm at all. They finished the preseason with a 0-8 record and even though I know this doesn't mean a lot, that at least means that teams need to win some confidence and they use to do it with wins on the preseason and the Bobcats have nothing to be confident of right now. The last team to went winless on the preseason was Miami last season and we all know how they played on the regular season after that.
So, we have the Bobcats as a double digits dog in here, on their season debut at Cleveland. The Cavs lost to Boston on their opening game, even though they were up by 7 at halftime. We can't say that they played badly, even though they scored just 85 points. After all, they were playing against the reigning champions. Today the team will try to bounce back against the Bobcats.
I think the Cavs will win today, as they are the better team, but the question in here is to know if the line of 10 points has any value. Last season, the team wasn't able to blow out almost any team at home, going 4-9 ATS on the home games where they were favored by more than 6 points, as they used to allow the games to be competitive and then just wait for Lebron to solve the game at the end. Curiously or not, the games between these two teams in Cleveland were just like that: the Cavs won both games, but they couldn't cover the spreads of 7,5 and 8 points. I'm afraid the same may happen today, so I won't get involved on this game. It's also important to notice that with Larry Brown now in Charlotte, the team will be more defensive and the matchup with the Cavs promises to have few points, but 184 points is to low for me to take the under.
Houston @ Dallas
This would be a good spot for Dallas in normal conditions. Houston is coming from a home game yesterday against Memphis and today Dallas would have a good spot to take advantage of that. However, Houston struggled to win yesterday much more than it was expected and so, the public is now on Dallas. For some reason, the line began at -4 and it is now at -5.
Houston had a terrible performance yesterday against the Grizzlies. They shot 36.8% FG and had more turnovers than assists (12-10), so they won't go to this match relaxed, but instead concerned in playing better than they did yesterday. So, Dallas would have value in normal conditions, but they don't have value anymore, as the line is now higher for them and Houston will also come to this game in a different way than it was expected.
New Orleans @ Phoenix
Both teams are coming from wins on the road last night and especially the win of the Suns was a great one, as they defeated an direct opponent in a revenge game for them. I don't know if you have noticed that, but Terry Porter used an extended rotation. The bench of the Suns scored 42 of the 103 points scored by them last night, something unthinkable when D'Antoni was the team's coach. Another curious aspect was to watch the new style of the Suns in action. The team played on a slower tempo, with an excellent ball movement. They committed just 10 turnovers, which is always a good sign against the Spurs.
Today Phoenix will have another revenge game. The Suns lost the 4 games they played against the Hornets last season and basically Steve Nash was outplayed by Chris Paul in every game of the series. The Hornets are coming from a win on the road against the Warriors, with Chris Paul having 21pts, 11ast and 5reb. It's hard to guess who will win tonight. The Suns have a revenge game factor on their side, but the fact this game will be a back to back game for both teams may favor the younger team, in this case the Hornets.
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