2009-12-18

The sports weekend is loaded with NHL hockey, college bowl games, NFL football, college basketball, and last but not least, the NBA. In fact, 27 games are scheduled in the Association over the next three days. As usual, let’s take a look at what’s op tap in terms of highlight action, plus reveal some of the Top StatFox Power Trends you’ll want to consider as you build your wagering card. Get late breaking updates on all the action on the Sportsbook.com LIVE ODDS, BETTING TRENDS, and TEAM STATISTICS pages.

The Friday slate features 11 games, highlighted by another ESPN doubleheader. In the first game, the Bucks visit Cleveland in a battle of the top two teams in the Central Division. Milwaukee comes off a heartbreaking and controversial loss to the Lakers that may have validated former betting referee Tim Donaghy’s revealing of star player treatment, as Kobe Bryant was given some “inequities” in the latter stages of the game that led to his final game winning shot. The Bucks have struggled on the road this year though, going 2-8 SU & 5-5 ATS. Meanwhile, Cleveland has won four straight games but is just 2-4 ATS in its L6 and 4-8 ATS at home in ’09. In the second Friday night ESPN game, a couple of teams not often seen on the national TV stage will go head-to-head when Washington visits Golden State. This is one of the five Best Bets in this week’s StatFox Platinum Sheet so be sure to read up on that before confirming any wagers. The Wizards have lost six straight games and are one of the league’s worst spread covering teams at 7-15 ATS so far. Golden State is also struggling, having lost eight of nine, but is in a favorable spread covering spot vs. the East (7-3 ATS in ’09). Other key games on the Friday betting board include Utah traveling to Atlanta and Houston visiting Dallas.

On Saturday night, the Blazers kick off a 4-game road trip and first of a back-to-back scenario in Orlando. For the Magic, it will be the opening of a 5-game homestand. Though 19-6 prior to the Miami game on Thursday night, Orlando was having trouble developing any consistency in 2009. Perhaps this lengthy homestand can do that for them. Portland has been reeling a bit of late having covered just five of its L17 games. That contest is on NBA TV, the only such nationally televised game for Saturday. However, people in regional markets will be able to enjoy Utah-Charlotte, where the Bobcats will be looking to extend a 10-5 ATS run, as well as Atlanta-Chicago, as the Bulls look to break out of a lengthy funk. Elsewhere, the Lakers continue their road trip in New Jersey. They have failed to cover any of their L4 games. Finally, Sacramento will be taking on the Bucks in Milwaukee. With the Bucks having played Friday night in Cleveland, make note that they are 4-1 SU & 5-0 ATS in the second of back-to-back games this year.

On Sunday, seven NBA games will go head-to-head for attention with the likes of the NFL, ACC basketball, and a college bowl game. It all starts early at 12:30 PM ET with New Orleans traveling to Toronto. The struggles of both teams have been alarming thus far, and the Hornets come into this game having gone just 2-10 SU & 5-7 ATS on the road. Denver & Memphis will also tip off in the afternoon, 4:00 PM ET, with the Lakers in Detroit and Portland in Miami a bit later. The highlight game on the schedule comes to you via NBA TV, with Cleveland visiting Dallas at 7:30 PM ET. It will be the second of four straight games at home for the Mavericks, who have struggled to get it done by Vegas standards, going 4-8 ATS as hosts heading into the weekend. They will be looking to avenge a 16-point loss to the Cavs in Cleveland back in November.

Now, here’s a look at some of those Top StatFox Power Trends you’ll want to consider as you analyze your NBA weekend wagering options:

Friday, 12/18/2009
(511) DENVER vs. (512) NEW ORLEANS
DENVER is 16-4 ATS (+11.6 Units) vs. poor rebounding teams - outrebounded by 3+ per game over the L2 seasons. The average score was DENVER 116.6, OPPONENT 102.4 - (Rating = 2*)

(511) DENVER vs. (512) NEW ORLEANS
NEW ORLEANS is 18-37 ATS (-22.7 Units) vs. good offensive teams - scoring 99+ PPG over the last 2 seasons. The average score was NEW ORLEANS 95.7, OPPONENT 100.9 - (Rating = 2*)

(511) DENVER vs. (512) NEW ORLEANS
NEW ORLEANS is 14-2 UNDER (+11.8 Units) at home vs. explosive offensive teams (103+ PPG) over the L2 seasons. The average score was NEW ORLEANS 92.8, OPPONENT 99.2 - (Rating = 3*)

(521) WASHINGTON vs. (522) GOLDEN STATE
WASHINGTON is 4-18 ATS (-15.8 Units) vs. teams who average 48 or less rebounds/game over the L2 seasons. The average score was WASHINGTON 92.5, OPPONENT 100.8 - (Rating = 3*)

Saturday, 12/19/2009
(705) UTAH vs. (706) CHARLOTTE
UTAH is 10-0 OVER (+10 Units) in road games on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons. The average score was UTAH 106.2, OPPONENT 112.3 - (Rating = 3*)

(709) ATLANTA vs. (710) CHICAGO
CHICAGO is 4-17 ATS (-14.7 Units) revenging a loss where team scored less than 85 points over the last 3 seasons. The average score was CHICAGO 95.1, OPPONENT 102.1 - (Rating = 2*)

(711) SACRAMENTO vs. (712) MILWAUKEE
SACRAMENTO is 10-0 ATS (+10 Units) in road games against Central division opponents over the last 3 seasons. The average score was SACRAMENTO 101.5, OPPONENT 101.9 - (Rating = 2*)

(717) WASHINGTON vs. (718) PHOENIX
WASHINGTON is 25-48 ATS (-27.8 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons. The average score was WASHINGTON 96.1, OPPONENT 102.5 - (Rating = 2*)

Sunday, 12/20/2009
(501) NEW ORLEANS vs. (502) TORONTO
NEW ORLEANS is 7-22 ATS (-17.2 Units) vs. explosive offensive teams - scoring 103+ PPG over the last 2 seasons. The average score was NEW ORLEANS 95.8, OPPONENT 104.8 - (Rating = 2*)

(509) MINNESOTA vs. (510) BOSTON
MINNESOTA is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) in road games vs. good shooting teams (>=46% FG Pct) over the last 2 seasons. The average score was MINNESOTA 96.3, OPPONENT 105.5 - (Rating = 1*)

(511) CHARLOTTE vs. (512) NEW YORK
CHARLOTTE is 31-16 ATS (+13.4 Units) vs. poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ PPG over the last 2 seasons. The average score was CHARLOTTE 96.8, OPPONENT 92.9 - (Rating = 1*)

(513) CLEVELAND vs. (514) DALLAS
CLEVELAND is 29-14 ATS (+13.6 Units) vs. poor foul drawing teams attempting <=24 FTs/game over the L2 seasons. The average score was CLEVELAND 99.1, OPPONENT 87.8 - (Rating = 1*)