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NBA: LA Lakers vs. Milwaukee Bucks betting preview
2010-11-17

All good things must come to an end, and the Lakers’ perfect start was no exception as they suffered back-to-back losses before heading to the Midwest for a three-game stint. The oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com don’t expect the Lakers to drop another one as they are currently 3.5-point favorites tonight as they visit Milwaukee.
The reigning champs fell short by six in Denver last Thursday and went down Sunday at home 121-116 against Phoenix, which shot an incredible 22-of-40 from three-point land. The 22 three-pointers were the second-highest total in NBA history. Despite outrebounding (62-38) and outscoring (68-28) Phoenix in the paint, L.A. was unable to stop the Suns’ phenomenal outside shooting.
Kobe Bryant was one rebound away from a triple-double, and Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom both had more than 20 points and 10 boards. If the Lakers take this offense on the road, they will have no problem beating Milwaukee Tuesday night. Bryant is 21-4 in his career against the Bucks, averaging 23.9 PPG against them. Look for L.A. to bounce back in these next three road games, all of which are against teams at .500 or below.
Milwaukee is on a three-game win streak and was afforded two days of rest after a 79-72 win against the Warriors in the Bradley Center. John Salmons led the team with 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting and Brandon Jennings had his third double-double on the season with 19 points and career-high 11 boards. This matchup against the Lakers will be the Bucks’ fourth straight game against a top-10 scoring team. Milwaukee held its last three opponents to an average of 19.8 points below each team’s scoring average on the season. The Bucks, who are allowing a league-low 89.4 points per game, will need to play tight defense against the league’s top-scoring Lakers (112.5 PPG) if they want any chance to get a win against the defending champs.
The Lakers have won the past five games SU in the series, but the NBA betting public has cashed on the other side as Milwaukee is 7-1 ATS in the past eight meetings with the Lakers.
However, this NBA betting trend found at Sportsbook.com indicates that the Lakers will cover the point spread.
Play On - Road favorites (LA LAKERS) - after being beaten by the spread by 24 or more points total in their last three games against opponent after going under the total by 54 or more points total in their last ten games. (38-14 since 1996.) (73.1%, +22.6 units. Rating = 2*).
For additional basketball betting trends or to bet on any of the games on tonight’s NBA betting board, head over to Sportsbook.com now.

NBA Western Conference Finals Betting Preview
2010-05-17

Talking to a number of various wise guy bettors living in Las Vegas, one conclusion was evident before the playoffs started, yes the Los Angeles Lakers looked vulnerable but were still the safest bet to win another title and the Phoenix Suns were the best long shot among the top four seeds from either conference to become the upset champions of the NBA. Not coincidentally, that is the matchup for the West Finals, which begin Monday in Los Angeles. The Lakers are a -340 series favorite according to Sportsbook.com.

One aspect that is often forgotten in the NBA playoffs is how very good teams can pick up momentum. The Lakers closed the regular season 4-7 SU and ATS, and stumbled a bit in the first round vs. Oklahoma City. However, since then, L.A. has gotten serious about basketball again and has won six straight, covering five times and now another championship ring is in sight.

There is no getting around it (literally), the size of the Lakers’ changes how teams can attack them. With Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom, it just doesn’t leave much room in the middle, which helps takes away the one inside player the Suns have in Amare Stoudemire.

L.A. guards and wing players can be super aggressive defensively, knowing what they have behind them. Ron Artest is not the defender he was a few years ago, but what he’s lost in quickness he makes up for in smarts and he will try to attach himself at the hip of Jason Richardson or Jared Dudley when he enters the game.

Phoenix has picked up a reputation as being a good defensive team, while they are not as lame as when Mike D’Antoni was coach; they are far from good, mostly just average. With the talk of Grant Hill being a defensive demon, that’s all Kobe Bryant needs for a personal challenge.

Remember last year when Denver had all those high effort guys coming off the bench and they actually gave Phil Jackson’s team trouble at first, yet after Game 3 had little impact, that’s what the Lakers do as the series wears on, systematically they take away your strengths and even Derek Fisher becomes more useful knocking down shots. There is a reason why the Lake Show is 5-1 and 4-2 ATS against the Suns at Staples the past three years, they are bigger and better and hard to beat four times.

Since Steve Nash has arrived in the desert with his injury-plagued career in the balance, all he has done is transform Phoenix into the most entertaining team in the NBA and a outfit that has been among the better groups out West. Be that as it may, the window of opportunity is closing and the sense is the entire club and organization knows it.

That creates the first chance for the Suns, desperation, hardly something the Lakers ever feel and when they do, usually nothing good comes from it. (Game 6 Lakers at Boston two years ago comes to mind) Phoenix has to be able to leave it all on the floor each night, no Game 1 or Game 4’s against Portland “we just weren’t focused” nights. You only get once chance to beat a champion and if you let it slip, look in the mirror.

Coach Alvin Gentry is credited for making Phoenix a more complete squad than past versions, with greater attention to detail on both ends of the floor. Steve Nash should be able to run circles around Derek Fisher, but his key is drawing the defense to him to make the assist and frustrate the Lakers big men.

Coach Jackson will try to prevent dibble penetration by Nash and make him more a shooter than facilitator, Nash has to defeat this defense by using the screen and role continually with Stoudemire. If successful, this forces other defenders to get involved and the NBA’s best outside shooting team will find itself with many more open looks.

Phoenix can’t let the Lakers play volleyball on the offensive glass; they have to at least be within five boards at all times once the second half starts.

Gentry’s bench has been a difference maker, which is why this desert squad is 22-4 and 19-6-1 ATS since Mar. 14.

It goes without saying Phoenix has to run, but as they proved against San Antonio, it’s not about running and dunking for layups, it is about beating the Lakers defense back and making the extra pass to find the three-point shooter who is open to bury the shot and wear down the big guys in gold and purple late in games.

As is said in boxing, “contrasting styles make fights”. That will be the case out West, with the Lakers trying to control tempo and have their size be a difference maker, while Phoenix wants to play fast, hit 3’s and make enough defensive stops to matter.

At the end of the day, the Lakers having a long break before the series, another lengthy break before heading to Arizona, gives them rest and ample time to make adjustments, which makes them awfully difficult to beat unless the opponent plays great defense.

Pick- L.A. Lakers (-340) in seven over Phoenix (+280)

NBA: Heat and Suns have to play better
2010-04-20

While the biggest story surrounding game two between Miami and Boston centers around the Kevin Garnett suspension, Heat players know the real issue involves shooting 39.8 percent, scoring 76 points and committing 22 turnovers. If that happens again, the Heat jump into a 0-2 hole they helped dig. At least Miami hasn’t lost at home, something Phoenix can’t say. The Suns players should have listened to local talk radio, as their fans assumed they would be mature and take the game to the short-handed Portland. Instead, they waltzed around and let the Trailblazers steal the series opener. Two NBA teams, two NBA situations, the Heat and Suns must address. Let’s take a quick look at both games. Head over to the GAME MATCHUP page on Sportsbook.com for more key betting trends and information.

Miami at Boston 8:00E TNT

The Heat knew what to expect against Boston, they had already lost to them three times this season, yet once again they failed to find the answer. Dwayne Wade can win a game or possibly even two with the right set of circumstances; however he can’t go at it alone to win a series.

Boston’s strategy is to do the best it can with Wade defensively, but more importantly, don’t let anyone else become a factor. Other than the former Marquette product, no other Miami player has scored 20 points this season against the Celtics and in series opener, Quentin Richardson was the only other player to reach double digits (15 points).

Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said, "We just did not show a lot of composure. ... To play to that kind of pressure, a little bit of duress, a little bit of adversity, we did not respond well to it." His club is 6-19 ATS in road encounters revenging four or more losses to same opponent.

Boston will miss KG, but coach Doc Rivers will do what he does best, rally the troops for key moments.

“Kevin also facilitates a lot of offense. In the first game, a lot of our open shots came off Kevin being involved in the play. That’s my biggest concern. You’re losing 15 points and, more importantly, you’re losing all the picks, all the postups where they had to trap. That’s big. We’re going to have to try to find some points somewhere.” Rivers also talked about Garnett’s defensive energy and will present this as challenge to Glen Davis, Rasheed Wallace and others to pitch in.

Sportsbook.com saw Boston go off as 4.5-point in the first matchup and took revenge and no Garnett into consideration and dropped the Celtics to two-point choice, with the wagering public taking it a step further. The Celtics are now listed as single point home favorites, with steady total of 179.

Boston has won six straight over Miami at home (3-3 ATS) yet is merely 13-26-2 ATS as a home favorite and 21-12 UNDER after they’ve covered the spread this season. The Heat is going to have to force the tempo and make shots. They are 8-0 OVER off a road loss scoring less than 80 points, winning by 7.8 points per game.

Portland at Phoenix 10:00E NBA-TV

The clues were there and the intelligent sports bettor spotted them and played Portland in Game 1. Phoenix was an eight-point favorite with total of 204, suggesting the Suns should have won the first round opening tilt 106-98. The score relating to the Trailblazers exactly matched their season total home and away. Phoenix however averages 110.1 points a game and over 112 at home. The numbers didn’t add up and Portland got the upset.

Every typical flaw the Suns have was exposed by an outstanding game plan by coach Nate McMillian.

Defensively they pressured Steve Nash early in the shot clock, making him yo-yo the dribble and eat up time. Phoenix prefers to get right into offense and most times they didn’t get anything started until 15 or less seconds. They doubled Amare Stoudemire wherever possible and he needed 19 shots to accumulate 18 points.

On offense, Portland ran when given the opportunity and Andre Miller kept driving to the rim and Phoenix had no answer. This allowed Marcus Camby and LaMarcus Aldridge to score in deep. A 14-2 SU & 11-4-1 ATS close to the season meant nothing after four quarters of playoff basketball for coach Alvin Gentry’s squad.

Nash was candid about how his team played, even if it seemed unusual. “We didn’t quite have the spirit or the energy collectively that we had in the last few games of the regular season,” Nash said. “Sometimes that happens.”

When asked about the importance of this being playoff time he responded, “You can never predict. I mean, I thought we played hard. I just thought we didn’t quite have that spark that we needed,” he said. “I don’t know— biorhythms.”

Phoenix’ compelling season could be all but over with another loss, however, the Suns are 8-1 ATS at home after a defeat by six points or less this season. The Suns are 8.5-point faves with total of 204.5. Watch that total closely, since they are 41-24 OVER revenging a same season failure the last three seasons.

Portland has the second best road record in the NBA at 25-17 (26-14-2 ATS) and is 18-6 ATS off a road win this season. It will be imperative for the Blazers to again contain the tempo as assuredly the Suns will want to play at a more aggressive pace. Portland is 21-8 UNDER as visitors when the total is greater than or equal to 200.

The StatFox Power Lines for these games show Boston by 3, Phoenix by 7

NBA: Suns and Mavericks look to shake losing ways
2009-12-09

The Phoenix Suns’ fast start has cooled considerably since the beginning of December, largely because their run-and-gun offense has begun to show signs of slowing down. That lull, however, has been nothing compared with what the Dallas Mavericks have experienced in their past two games. The scoring-starved Mavericks look to avoid losing a third straight game for the first time in nearly 11 months Tuesday night when they host the Suns, whose road-heavy schedule seems to finally be taking its toll. Tip-time for this Western Conference showdown is set for 8:30 PM ET, and about 65% of bettors at Sportsbook.com are backing the host Mavericks as 3-1/2 point favorites.
Dallas scored 104.1 points per game during its 14-5 start, not quite up to Phoenix’s 110.2-point average during that same span but enough to give it an early lead in the highly competitive Southwest Division.

The Mavericks (14-7, 12-9 ATS), though, have seen their accuracy fade in their past two games. Dallas shot a season-low 35.2 percent in a 98-82 loss at Memphis on Friday, and connected on 37.3 percent of its season-low 67 shots a night later in an 80-75 home loss to Atlanta.
“We might be in a little bit of a funk right now,” forward Shawn Marion told the NBA’s official Web site. “The ball wasn’t going in for us like there was a little bit of a lid on there for us. … We didn’t capitalize on anything.”

Dallas hasn’t lost three straight since a four-game skid from Jan. 9-14. Possibly the rest will do the Mavs well since they are 15-4 ATS when playing with two days between games since last season.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 32 points Saturday after being held to 16 in Memphis, but the Mavericks’ biggest offensive issue is finding more help beyond the former MVP and guard Jason Terry, who averaged 17.9 points off the bench before making his starting debut Saturday.

Josh Howard’s eventual return from ankle surgery should solve that, but until he does Dallas is stuck with rookie Rodrigue Beaubois, J.J. Barea or Terry starting alongside Jason Kidd in the backcourt. The Mavericks come in this matchup 7-17 ATS in home games first half of the season over the last two seasons and have failed to cover last four on home court.
Marion, who spent the first eight-and-a-half years of his career in Phoenix, isn’t adding much offensive punch in the frontcourt, either. The four-time All-Star is averaging 11.9 points - 6.0 during the two-game skid - and hasn’t scored more than 15 since Nov. 7.
Phoenix (15-6, 11-10 ATS), meanwhile, has dropped three of four since its 14-3 start, and its Steve Nash-led offensive attack has set a new season-low for points in each loss.

The Suns were held to 99 and 90 in blowout losses at New York and Cleveland, respectively, and didn’t improve Sunday against the Pacific Division rival Los Angeles Lakers. A 10-point halftime lead grew to 21 by the end of the third quarter, and the Lakers went on to win 108-88.
“We’ve got some ground to make up,” said Nash, who’s averaging a career high-tying 3.8 turnovers. “We’ve done well, but we’ve got a lot of work to do before we’re in their class, so it’s OK.”

Phoenix dropped to 8-6 on the road compared to 7-0 at home and is a desultory 17-33 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record the last couple of years.

Nash is second on the team in scoring (17.0 points per game) behind Amare Stoudemire (19.0), but Phoenix is better off when the two-time MVP is distributing. The Suns are 9-0 when Nash has 11 or more assists and 6-6 when he doesn’t. Similarly, they’re 9-0 when Jason Richardson scores above his 16.4-point average.

Both teams figure to break out of their offensive funks considering their four meetings last season featured an average of 233.0 points (all Over’s). Nowitzki scored 30.0 points per game in leading Dallas to three wins while Nash averaged 16.0 points and 10.8 assists against his former club.

Sportsbook.com has Dallas as 3.5-point favorites with total of 214.5. Phoenix is 5-16 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points and 22-9 OVER when playing their third game in four days. The Suns will miss guard Leandro Barbosa, who averaged 20.7 points in the final three meetings, hasn’t played since Nov. 29 and could be out until Christmas with a sprained left ankle.

The Mavericks have covered six of last eight against teams with winning records and is 16-6 OVER in home games after one or more consecutive losses.

This Western Conference connection is at 8:30 Eastern and is available in local markets and the home team is favored for the 13 consecutive time and they are 5-2-1 ATS in last eight.

The StatFox Power Line shows Dallas by 1, meaning a potential slight overpricing situation at Sportsbook.

NBA: All hands on deck for Orlando and Boston
2009-05-05

For the Magic and Celtics, the expression "dance with who brung ya" will not apply as too many players that allowed these teams to set up this meeting are on the sidelines. Kevin Garnett, Leon Powe, Jameer Nelson and Courtney Lee will be among the missing for this Eastern Conference semi-final. This means other have to step up and coaches will have to take long looks down the bench from game to game hoping to catch the right player able to be difference-maker.

Boston has several edges they can use to exploit Orlando's lack of quicks. Though Rafer Alston was the best possible replacement the Magic could land for Nelson at the point guard, there was also a reason why Houston was willing to let him go. Alston is a descent facilitator of the ball, but won't be able to keep up with Rajon Rondo and will likely need to run his lips to provoke Rondo into mistakes more than with physical ability.

After what Ray Allen did consistently to Chicago guards after Game 1, just the thought of J.J. Redick guarding him has to bring that warm smile the former UConn product has. Boston is 35-18 ATS off a home win by 10 points or more and Glen Davis has worked himself into more than just a serviceable player, with a consistently reliable short jump shot and he can set bone-crushing screens to set up Allen and Paul Pierce for jumpers.

Sportsbook.com has the Celtics as -135 favorites to win the series and they have greater versatility and play better defense than the Magic.

That doesn't make Boston a lock, far from it. The Celtics had to physically extend themselves to secure win against Chicago, forced to play what was seven games and the equivalent of basically three more quarters to advance. That has to mean tired legs. Though Kendrick Perkins has the right body-type to compete with Dwight Howard, if he becomes fatigued quickly, he'll pick up senseless fouls and be relegated to the bench, creating a great deal of freedom for Howard to patrol in the paint.

By now everyone knows Orlando was splendid on the road with 29-15 record and they had 28 covers to show just how devastating they can be. Their ability to knockdown shots gives them edge. Hedo Turkoglu returned to drilling clutch shots after a few off games against Philadelphia. If Turkoglu completely regains shooting touch, he forces Big Baby Davis away from the lane into unfamiliar territory, allowing Hedo to dribble drive to score and create assist opportunities.

If that happens, Pierce is forced to guard Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis can breakdown whoever is guarding him. Redick is a decided defensive liability, thus coach Stan Van Gundy must hide him as much as possible and Redick must have stalemate points-wise with who he matches up against to be considered a useful.

Orlando is off feel good blowout at Philly to capture series and is 27-10 ATS after playing a game as a road underdog. They are 2.5-point underdogs with total of 188.5, which one could surmise oddsmakers believe the Magic might have better team. These teams split four games, with Orlando winning last two, but Boston was 3-1 ATS and is 19-5 against the spread at home vs. the Magic.

Boston is 6-14 ATS in last 20 home tilts and is 31-14 OVER as home favorite. Orlando is 12-4 ATS as road underdog and is 12-4 UNDER after playing a game as a pooch this season, winning by an average of 13.7 points per game.

TNT has the series opener starting at 8:05 Eastern and poise is going to be extremely important factor for both teams, since neither can afford to have player banished for technical fouls or fighting.

NBA: Humongous NBA Friday Betting Card
2009-02-27

Only four teams are let out of the Friday NBA fray, with 13 different contests to wager on. The injury list of all the teams is starting to look like an NFL midweek report and hence lines on many of the Friday games are being held back. This could lead to good opportunities when the prices are released. Be sure to stay on top of the LIVE ODDS page throughout the day for the latest. For now, here is a look at some key info on the games that aren’t injury-affected.

Milwaukee at New Orleans
New Orleans is feeling like they could make a run now that everyone is back in the fold, including Tyson Chandler. The Hornets will go after a third straight win against a depleted Milwaukee cast that has fewer stars than Dumb and Dumber 2. Sportsbook.com has New Orleans favored by nine-points, which seems bit rich considering the Hornets are 4-10 ATS since the end of January.

The Bucks are 23-14 ATS after playing a game as an underdog this season.
The Bucks are 10-1 ATS against the Southwest Division.
The Hornets are 13-3 ATS after failing to cover the spread in three or more consecutive games.
The Hornets are 2-7 ATS as home favorites of 5 to 10 points.

Chicago at Washington
Chicago has made their intentions clear after retooling their roster for a second consecutive season, playoffs or bust. The additions of John Salmons, Brad Miller and Tim Thomas are designed to have the Bulls surpass Milwaukee for the eighth spot in the East. Of course doing better than 10-21 (15-15-1 ATS) on the road just might enhance Chicago’s chances as well, especially against wobbly Washington, who is a five-point home underdog, with total 207.

The Bulls are 6-16 ATS after a game where they made 50 percent of their 3-point shots or better.
The Bulls are 6-0 ATS off a SU loss.
The Wizards are 4-13 ATS after playing a game as a home underdog this season.
The Wizards are 5-12 ATS off a loss.

Philadelphia at New York
The Philadelphia fans will bring their brooms as the Sixers go for the season sweep of New York. The 76ers have won all three meetings this season and 12 of last 14, covering the spread in 10 of 14 contests. The last time Philly swept a regular season series versus the Knicks was 23 years ago. Andre Miller has been big for Sixers against New York, averaging better than 22 points a game. The Knicks are favored by three.

The 76ers are 32-13 ATS versus teams who average seven or less steals a game.
The 76ers are 4-12 ATS after playing two consecutive games as favorite this season.
The Knicks are 14-5 ATS revenging two straight losses where the opponent scored 100 or more points this season.
The Knicks are 5-1 in last six as home favorites.

Portland at Minnesota
Despite being one of the up coming teams in the NBA, Portland has yet to find the magic potion for winning on the road. The Blazers are 12-17 and 11-18 ATS as visitors and are 24th in field goal defense allowed at 47.6 percent. Minnesota once again hasn’t done much of any thing as 18-39 record shows and things are getting worse having lost six of seven since losing leading scorer and rebounder Al Jefferson. Portland is 5.5-point favorite with a total of 206.

The Trailblazers are 7-3 ATS as favorites.
The Trailblazers are 9-18 ATS after playing a road game this season.
The Timberwolves are 4-14 ATS as a home underdog this season.
The Timberwolves are 1-9 ATS in home games when playing their third game in four days this season.

Oklahoma City at Dallas
Dallas doesn’t care if Seattle/Oklahoma City moved next door; they would still find a way to beat this franchise. The Mavs have won 14 of last 15 (9-4-2 ATS) and will face Thunder team who has returned to losing ways, with six straight losses. OKC only hope is finding the pieces that they can add to Kevin Durant, who has blossomed in his second season, averaging almost 33 points per game in last 14 outings. Dallas is trying to hold off Phoenix for last playoff spot and is nine-point favorite with 212 total.

The Thunder is 29-18 ATS as an underdog this season.
The Thunder is 7-2 ATS playing with two days off.
The Mavericks are 19-31 ATS after a win by 10 points or more over the last two seasons.
The Mavericks are 4-13 ATS in home games after playing a game as favorite.

L.A. Lakers at Denver
The Denver Nuggets had the appearance of team that had crossed the threshold of being a true NBA contender, winning 11 of 13, with the majority of victories coming on the road. A road loss to Chicago has triggered a series of defensive mishaps the Nuggets are still trying to recover from. They are 1-3 and 0-4 ATS in last four contests and have surrendered 114.7 points per game, just like the old Denver teams. In come the Lakers, who lead the NBA in scoring at 109.3 points per game. No wonder L.A. is favored by 2.5-points.

The Lakers are 22-9 ATS in road games after a game where both teams scored 105 points or more.
The Lakers are 19-6 ATS in road games after covering the spread in two or more consecutive games.
The Nuggets are 15-7 ATS playing with one day’s rest.
The Nuggets are 4-16 ATS versus teams outscoring their opponents by six or more points a game over the last two seasons.

NBA: Thursday NBA Wagering Opportunities (8:05 PM ET, TNT)
2008-12-19

As is the case most every Thursday night during the NBA season, a twin-bill is on tap for fans of the professional sport of basketball and sports bettors have the chance to watch and win (the other alternative is not nearly as much fun). Tonight, four teams all in different circumstances will hit the hardwood each looking to make a statement a week before Christmas. Follow the key stats, latest odds, and betting trends for the games with Sportsbook.com.

At 8:05 Eastern, despite injuries to Dwight Howard and its top three guards, the Orlando Magic (19-6, 16-9 ATS) is off to its best start since the 1994-95 team opened 22-5. The guy in the Superman cape from last season has missed the last two games with a bruised knee and is expected to be back for what is a very important stretch of contests for Orlando. Besides facing San Antonio tonight, the Los Angeles Lakers are on the docket for Saturday and big Christmas day contest with New Orleans.

“These are definitely two statement games, big games for us,” said forward Rashard Lewis. “This will let us know if we are an elite team.” The Magic return home off a success Western swing with 4-1 record and five covers. They are 21-6 ATS after playing two consecutive road games over the last two seasons.
Sportsbook.com has San Antonio (15-9, 12-12 ATS) catching 3.5-points after losing 90-83 to New Orleans last night, ending their six-game winning streak. The Spurs have won 10 of 14, with shooting leading to defeats in all four cases. San Antonio has shot below 40 percent in each situation causing them to lose, like last night when they finish the contest converting four of last 21 shots. San Antonio being an older squad has not done well with zero rest, showing a 6-17 ATS record when playing on back-to-back days since last season.

The total is 192 and these two have surpassed it in the Land of the Magic Kingdom eight of last 11 times.

Immediately following the opener, two Western Conference playoff contenders collide. Phoenix coach Terry Porter saw his No. 30 jersey retired Tuesday to a standing ovation in Portland and now will have the task of leading his new team to victory against his beloved former club. Porter was the point guard that took the Blazers to two NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992 and was known for his intelligent hard-nosed approach to the game. Porter’s basketball acumen may be starting to resonate with this Suns team, getting back to letting Phoenix do what they do best, run and shoot.

Phoenix (15-10, 10-15 ATS) has won four of five games, averaging 113 points per game. The defense has been shoddy in allowing almost 109 points per game, but this is who this team is and the Suns are 57-36 ATS in road games after scoring 100 points or more four straight games.

Portland (16-10, 12-14 ATS) ended a three game losing streak, sacrificing Sacramento 109-77 to the basketball gods. The Blazers were unmerciful to their backers, before last game, failing to cover seven straight times. Portland has had a few injuries issues and this young team, though talented is showing the peaks and valleys of its inexperience. They are 18-5 ATS at home after a game where they covered the spread.

The Blazers are 4.5-point favorites with a total of 203 and are just 2-13 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points over the last three seasons. Portland has lost 11 games in a row to the Suns, including all five at home where they have failed to cover the spread. Almost as bad is 8-19 ATS record revenging two straight losses where opponent scored 100 or more points since 2006.
StatFox Power Line- Orlando by 5, Portland by 7