NBA
Dunkel
Brooklyn at Chicago
The Nets (24-26) head to Chicago tonight to face a Bulls team that is 13-5 ATS in its last 18 games against a team with a losing SU record. Chicago is the pick (-3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Bulls favored by 12. Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-3 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Game 501-502: Brooklyn at Chicago (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Brooklyn 116.846; Chicago 122.853
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 6; 177
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 3 1/2; 183
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-3 1/2); Under
Game 503-504: Oklahoma City at LA Lakers (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma City 123.995; LA Lakers 116.235
Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 8; 212
Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 12; 205 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (+12); Over
NBA
Short Sheet
Thursday, February 13
Brooklyn at Chicago, 8:00 ET
Brooklyn: 23-11 OVER as a road underdog of 6 points or less
Chicago: 13-35 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points
Oklahoma City at LA Lakers, 10:35 ET
Oklahoma City: 31-17 ATS against Pacific division opponents
LA Lakers: 4-15 ATS off an upset loss as a home favorite
Dunkel
Brooklyn at Chicago
The Nets (24-26) head to Chicago tonight to face a Bulls team that is 13-5 ATS in its last 18 games against a team with a losing SU record. Chicago is the pick (-3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Bulls favored by 12. Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-3 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Game 501-502: Brooklyn at Chicago (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Brooklyn 116.846; Chicago 122.853
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 6; 177
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 3 1/2; 183
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-3 1/2); Under
Game 503-504: Oklahoma City at LA Lakers (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma City 123.995; LA Lakers 116.235
Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 8; 212
Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 12; 205 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (+12); Over
NBA
Short Sheet
Thursday, February 13
Brooklyn at Chicago, 8:00 ET
Brooklyn: 23-11 OVER as a road underdog of 6 points or less
Chicago: 13-35 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points
Oklahoma City at LA Lakers, 10:35 ET
Oklahoma City: 31-17 ATS against Pacific division opponents
LA Lakers: 4-15 ATS off an upset loss as a home favorite
NBA
Long Sheet
Thursday, February 13
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BROOKLYN (24 - 26) at CHICAGO (26 - 25) - 2/13/2014, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 64-79 ATS (-22.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 27-46 ATS (-23.6 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 25-45 ATS (-24.5 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 180 and 184.5 points over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 9-6 against the spread versus BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 10-5 straight up against BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
9 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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OKLAHOMA CITY (42 - 12) at LA LAKERS (18 - 34) - 2/13/2014, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 32-22 ATS (+7.8 Units) in all games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 72-53 ATS (+13.7 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 141-106 ATS (+24.4 Units) in road games since 1996.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 31-17 ATS (+12.3 Units) against Pacific division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
LA LAKERS are 92-119 ATS (-38.9 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 24-38 ATS (-17.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 8-4 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 10-3 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
Long Sheet
Thursday, February 13
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BROOKLYN (24 - 26) at CHICAGO (26 - 25) - 2/13/2014, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 64-79 ATS (-22.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 27-46 ATS (-23.6 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 25-45 ATS (-24.5 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 180 and 184.5 points over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 9-6 against the spread versus BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 10-5 straight up against BROOKLYN over the last 3 seasons
9 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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OKLAHOMA CITY (42 - 12) at LA LAKERS (18 - 34) - 2/13/2014, 10:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 32-22 ATS (+7.8 Units) in all games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 72-53 ATS (+13.7 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 141-106 ATS (+24.4 Units) in road games since 1996.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 31-17 ATS (+12.3 Units) against Pacific division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
LA LAKERS are 92-119 ATS (-38.9 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 24-38 ATS (-17.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 8-4 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 10-3 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up
Thursday, February 13
Hot teams
-- Nets won four of their last five games. Chicago won three of last four.
-- Thunder won 14 of its last 16 games.
Cold Teams
-- Lakers lost 21 of their last 26 games (3-6 vs spread last nine).
Series records
-- Bulls won seven of last ten games with Brooklyn.
-- Lakers lost 11 of last 14 games with Oklahoma City.
Totals
-- Four of last five Chicago-Brooklyn games went over total; seven of last nine Chicago games overall stayed under.
-- Over is 8-3 in last eleven Thunder-Laker games; four of Lakers' last five games stayed under
Back to backs
-- Nets are 3-6 vs spread if they won the night before.
NBA
Thursday, February 13
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Trend Report
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8:00 PM
BROOKLYN vs. CHICAGO
Brooklyn is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Brooklyn is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games on the road
Chicago is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Brooklyn
Chicago is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Brooklyn
10:30 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. LA LAKERS
Oklahoma City is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Oklahoma City's last 8 games when playing LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing Oklahoma City
LA Lakers are 2-4-1 ATS in their last 7 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
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NBA
Thursday, February 13
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Game of the Day: Thunder at Lakers
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Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers (+11.5, 206.5)
The Los Angeles Lakers will attempt to avoid being saddled with the longest home losing streak in franchise history when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. The Lakers lost to the Utah Jazz on Tuesday for their sixth straight home loss, equaling a dismal stretch from the 1992-93 season. Oklahoma City owns the best record in the Western Conference and has been soaring with 14 victories in its last 16 games.
Thunder star Kevin Durant has recorded 32 30-point games this season and the latest effort was a 36-point outing in Tuesday’s victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Durant has picked us his scoring prowess even more than usual with point guard Russell Westbrook (knee) out and he continues to lead the NBA with a 31.2 scoring average. The injury riddled Lakers will be without point guard Steve Nash (back, hamstring) and second-leading scorer Nick Young (knee) but point guard Steve Blake (elbow) is expected to play.
LINE HISTORY: Oklahoma City opened -11 and was bet up to -11.5. The total opened 207 and dropped to 206.5.
POWER RANKINGS: Thunder (-14.5) - Lakers (+1.0) + Home Court (-3.0) = Thunder -12.5
INJURY WATCH: Thunder - Russell Westbrook (Out - knee). Lakers - Steve Blake (Prob. - arm), Xavier Henry (Out - knee), Pau Gasol (Out - groin), Steve Nash (Out - leg), Nick Young (Out - knee), Kobe Bryant (Out - knee)
ABOUT THE THUNDER (42-12 SU, 32-22 ATS, 27-27 O/U): Few people thought Oklahoma City could sail into the All-Star break with the best record in the West with Westbrook out but that is indeed the case. “We’re a resilient team,” Durant said after the win over Portland. “We’ve kept our heads up through adversity and tough times. That’s just how we are as an organization.” Guard Reggie Jackson (13.6) has expanded his game with Westbrook out and reserve Jeremy Lamb (10 points per game) has added scoring punch off the bench.
ABOUT THE LAKERS (18-34 SU, 27-24-1 ATS, 28-24 O/U): Nash’s injury issues have started a clamor in which observers and fans are calling on him to retire. The 40-year-old Nash is under contract for next season and he told reporters on Wednesday that he isn’t paying any attention to the opinions about his future. “I’m kind of oblivious to the noise,” Nash said. “I think after 18 years, you’re not really as affected by it anyways. I didn’t pound my chest when people told me I was great for a long time in my career and I’m not going to let it affect me when people think that I should look at myself in the mirror.”
TRENDS:
* Over is 6-2 in the last eight meetings.
* Thunder are 5-2-1 ATS in the last eight meetings.
* Lakers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven vs. Western Conference.
* Thunder are 7-2 ATS in their last nine road games.
CONSENSUS: 61 percent of bets are on the Thunder (-11.5) and 65 percent are on the Over 206.5
Armadillo's Write-Up
Thursday, February 13
Hot teams
-- Nets won four of their last five games. Chicago won three of last four.
-- Thunder won 14 of its last 16 games.
Cold Teams
-- Lakers lost 21 of their last 26 games (3-6 vs spread last nine).
Series records
-- Bulls won seven of last ten games with Brooklyn.
-- Lakers lost 11 of last 14 games with Oklahoma City.
Totals
-- Four of last five Chicago-Brooklyn games went over total; seven of last nine Chicago games overall stayed under.
-- Over is 8-3 in last eleven Thunder-Laker games; four of Lakers' last five games stayed under
Back to backs
-- Nets are 3-6 vs spread if they won the night before.
NBA
Thursday, February 13
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Trend Report
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8:00 PM
BROOKLYN vs. CHICAGO
Brooklyn is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Brooklyn is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games on the road
Chicago is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Brooklyn
Chicago is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Brooklyn
10:30 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. LA LAKERS
Oklahoma City is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Oklahoma City's last 8 games when playing LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games when playing Oklahoma City
LA Lakers are 2-4-1 ATS in their last 7 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
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NBA
Thursday, February 13
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Game of the Day: Thunder at Lakers
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Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers (+11.5, 206.5)
The Los Angeles Lakers will attempt to avoid being saddled with the longest home losing streak in franchise history when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. The Lakers lost to the Utah Jazz on Tuesday for their sixth straight home loss, equaling a dismal stretch from the 1992-93 season. Oklahoma City owns the best record in the Western Conference and has been soaring with 14 victories in its last 16 games.
Thunder star Kevin Durant has recorded 32 30-point games this season and the latest effort was a 36-point outing in Tuesday’s victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Durant has picked us his scoring prowess even more than usual with point guard Russell Westbrook (knee) out and he continues to lead the NBA with a 31.2 scoring average. The injury riddled Lakers will be without point guard Steve Nash (back, hamstring) and second-leading scorer Nick Young (knee) but point guard Steve Blake (elbow) is expected to play.
LINE HISTORY: Oklahoma City opened -11 and was bet up to -11.5. The total opened 207 and dropped to 206.5.
POWER RANKINGS: Thunder (-14.5) - Lakers (+1.0) + Home Court (-3.0) = Thunder -12.5
INJURY WATCH: Thunder - Russell Westbrook (Out - knee). Lakers - Steve Blake (Prob. - arm), Xavier Henry (Out - knee), Pau Gasol (Out - groin), Steve Nash (Out - leg), Nick Young (Out - knee), Kobe Bryant (Out - knee)
ABOUT THE THUNDER (42-12 SU, 32-22 ATS, 27-27 O/U): Few people thought Oklahoma City could sail into the All-Star break with the best record in the West with Westbrook out but that is indeed the case. “We’re a resilient team,” Durant said after the win over Portland. “We’ve kept our heads up through adversity and tough times. That’s just how we are as an organization.” Guard Reggie Jackson (13.6) has expanded his game with Westbrook out and reserve Jeremy Lamb (10 points per game) has added scoring punch off the bench.
ABOUT THE LAKERS (18-34 SU, 27-24-1 ATS, 28-24 O/U): Nash’s injury issues have started a clamor in which observers and fans are calling on him to retire. The 40-year-old Nash is under contract for next season and he told reporters on Wednesday that he isn’t paying any attention to the opinions about his future. “I’m kind of oblivious to the noise,” Nash said. “I think after 18 years, you’re not really as affected by it anyways. I didn’t pound my chest when people told me I was great for a long time in my career and I’m not going to let it affect me when people think that I should look at myself in the mirror.”
TRENDS:
* Over is 6-2 in the last eight meetings.
* Thunder are 5-2-1 ATS in the last eight meetings.
* Lakers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven vs. Western Conference.
* Thunder are 7-2 ATS in their last nine road games.
CONSENSUS: 61 percent of bets are on the Thunder (-11.5) and 65 percent are on the Over 206.5
NBA
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kevin Martin could be out two to three weeks after suffering a broken thumb last Friday.
After Martin suffered the non-displaced fracture in his left thumb in the Timberwolves' 98-91 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, he was examined by a hand specialist and will be rechecked in two to three weeks, USA Today reported.
---Less than a year after Seattle failed in its bid to bring the Sacramento Kings' franchise to the Pacific Northwest, new NBA commissioner Adam Silver indicated this week that the league has no immediate plans to expand there.
"Seattle is a wonderful market. It would be very additive to the league to have a team there," Silver told ESPN. "But we're not planning on expanding right now, so it's not a function of price."
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kevin Martin could be out two to three weeks after suffering a broken thumb last Friday.
After Martin suffered the non-displaced fracture in his left thumb in the Timberwolves' 98-91 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, he was examined by a hand specialist and will be rechecked in two to three weeks, USA Today reported.
---Less than a year after Seattle failed in its bid to bring the Sacramento Kings' franchise to the Pacific Northwest, new NBA commissioner Adam Silver indicated this week that the league has no immediate plans to expand there.
"Seattle is a wonderful market. It would be very additive to the league to have a team there," Silver told ESPN. "But we're not planning on expanding right now, so it's not a function of price."
Hoop Trends - Thursday
February 13, 2014
ATS TREND OF THE DAY:
-- Teams are 16-0 ATS (10.84 ppg) since Mar 22, 2013 off a win in which the game was tied at the end of the third quarter as a dog. Active on Oklahoma City.
OU TREND OF THE DAY:
-- The Nets are 10-0-1 OU (20.8 ppg) since Feb 02, 2011 in the regular season after a double digit win at home in which they shot at least 50% from the field.
PLAYER TREND OF THE DAY:
-- The Bulls are 0-9 OU (-15.89 ppg) since Nov 14, 2009 after Taj Gibson was the Bulls’ high scorer.
CHOICE TREND:
-- The Bulls are 0-10 ATS (-9.45 ppg) since Nov 12, 2012 as a favorite after a win in which they scored less than 15% of their points from the free throw line.
ACTIVE TRENDS:
-- The Nets are 0-7 ATS (-4.93 ppg) since Feb 12, 2011 with no rest after a game in which they had at least five fewer turnovers than their season-to-date average.
-- Teams are 0-9 ATS (-13.33 ppg) since Dec 18, 2013 at home after playing the Jazz.
February 13, 2014
ATS TREND OF THE DAY:
-- Teams are 16-0 ATS (10.84 ppg) since Mar 22, 2013 off a win in which the game was tied at the end of the third quarter as a dog. Active on Oklahoma City.
OU TREND OF THE DAY:
-- The Nets are 10-0-1 OU (20.8 ppg) since Feb 02, 2011 in the regular season after a double digit win at home in which they shot at least 50% from the field.
PLAYER TREND OF THE DAY:
-- The Bulls are 0-9 OU (-15.89 ppg) since Nov 14, 2009 after Taj Gibson was the Bulls’ high scorer.
CHOICE TREND:
-- The Bulls are 0-10 ATS (-9.45 ppg) since Nov 12, 2012 as a favorite after a win in which they scored less than 15% of their points from the free throw line.
ACTIVE TRENDS:
-- The Nets are 0-7 ATS (-4.93 ppg) since Feb 12, 2011 with no rest after a game in which they had at least five fewer turnovers than their season-to-date average.
-- Teams are 0-9 ATS (-13.33 ppg) since Dec 18, 2013 at home after playing the Jazz.
Thursday Tips
February 13, 2014
Nets at Bulls - 8:00 PM EST
Brooklyn: 24-26 SU, 25-25 ATS
Chicago: 26-25 SU, 24-27 ATS
The Nets head to the Windy City with no rest following last night's rout of the Bobcats, 105-89 to easily cash as 7 ½-point home favorites. Brooklyn has won four of its past five games, with all four victories coming at the Barclays Center, as the Nets have allowed 89 points or less in three of their past four games overall. Jason Kidd's team is playing with plenty of revenge against a Bulls' squad that eliminated Brooklyn in last season's playoffs.
The Bulls have dominated the Nets in each of their last two meetings, which came seven months apart. Chicago knocked Brooklyn out of the first round of the playoffs with an impressive 99-93 triumph as seven-point road underdogs in Game 7, playing without several key players. The Bulls pulled off the trick again on Christmas Day, dispatching the Nets, 95-78 to cash outright as four-point 'dogs at Barclays Center.
Chicago has come back to life recently following a 29-point setback at Sacramento, as the Bulls have won three of their last four games. The last two victories came without Carlos Boozer, who is listed as questionable after missing three games with a calf injury. On Tuesday, the Bulls ripped up the Hawks, 100-85 to cover as 1 ½-point home favorites, as Tom Thibodeau's club grabbed a 16-point lead after one quarter and never looked back.
The Nets have struggled on the highway with a 7-15 mark, while losing six of the last eight road games in the underdog role. However, Brooklyn has covered three of its past five as a road 'dog, including covers at Indiana and Oklahoma City in this stretch. The Nets aren't a great team to back with no rest, losing nine of 11 times on the second part of a back-to-back. Chicago has thrived recently against unrested foes, winning seven straight in this situation.
Thunder at Lakers - 10:35 PM EST
Oklahoma City: 42-12 SU, 32-22 ATS
Los Angeles: 18-34 SU, 27-24-1 ATS
The Lakers finish up their disastrous first half of the season tonight, hosting the top team in the Western Conference. Los Angeles is coming off consecutive home losses to Chicago and Utah, punctuated by an ugly 96-79 defeat to the Jazz on Tuesday. How bad have the Lakers been at Staples Center recently? Mike D'Antoni's team has lost six straight and nine of 10 at home, dating back to mid-December, while covering only twice in underdog losses to the Cavaliers and Heat.
The Thunder is coming off a huge comeback victory over division rival Portland, 98-95 to win their 19th road game in 28 tries. Oklahoma City has lost two of its last three on the road, falling to under .500 foes Washington and Orlando, so this Thunder team has lost some focus on the highway against inferior competition of late. However, Scott Brooks' club is rolling right now with victories in 14 of the past 16 games, including 12 covers in this span.
The last time the Lakers and Thunder met up at Chesapeake Energy Arena in mid-December, Oklahoma City routed Los Angeles, 122-97. The Thunder easily cashed as 12 ½-point favorites, as Kobe Bryant was limited to four points in that loss for the Lakers, while Jeremy Lamb and Reggie Jackson combined to score 30 points off the Thunder bench. OKC has taken four of the past five regular season matchups, but the Lakers won the past meeting at Staples Center last January, 105-96.
February 13, 2014
Nets at Bulls - 8:00 PM EST
Brooklyn: 24-26 SU, 25-25 ATS
Chicago: 26-25 SU, 24-27 ATS
The Nets head to the Windy City with no rest following last night's rout of the Bobcats, 105-89 to easily cash as 7 ½-point home favorites. Brooklyn has won four of its past five games, with all four victories coming at the Barclays Center, as the Nets have allowed 89 points or less in three of their past four games overall. Jason Kidd's team is playing with plenty of revenge against a Bulls' squad that eliminated Brooklyn in last season's playoffs.
The Bulls have dominated the Nets in each of their last two meetings, which came seven months apart. Chicago knocked Brooklyn out of the first round of the playoffs with an impressive 99-93 triumph as seven-point road underdogs in Game 7, playing without several key players. The Bulls pulled off the trick again on Christmas Day, dispatching the Nets, 95-78 to cash outright as four-point 'dogs at Barclays Center.
Chicago has come back to life recently following a 29-point setback at Sacramento, as the Bulls have won three of their last four games. The last two victories came without Carlos Boozer, who is listed as questionable after missing three games with a calf injury. On Tuesday, the Bulls ripped up the Hawks, 100-85 to cover as 1 ½-point home favorites, as Tom Thibodeau's club grabbed a 16-point lead after one quarter and never looked back.
The Nets have struggled on the highway with a 7-15 mark, while losing six of the last eight road games in the underdog role. However, Brooklyn has covered three of its past five as a road 'dog, including covers at Indiana and Oklahoma City in this stretch. The Nets aren't a great team to back with no rest, losing nine of 11 times on the second part of a back-to-back. Chicago has thrived recently against unrested foes, winning seven straight in this situation.
Thunder at Lakers - 10:35 PM EST
Oklahoma City: 42-12 SU, 32-22 ATS
Los Angeles: 18-34 SU, 27-24-1 ATS
The Lakers finish up their disastrous first half of the season tonight, hosting the top team in the Western Conference. Los Angeles is coming off consecutive home losses to Chicago and Utah, punctuated by an ugly 96-79 defeat to the Jazz on Tuesday. How bad have the Lakers been at Staples Center recently? Mike D'Antoni's team has lost six straight and nine of 10 at home, dating back to mid-December, while covering only twice in underdog losses to the Cavaliers and Heat.
The Thunder is coming off a huge comeback victory over division rival Portland, 98-95 to win their 19th road game in 28 tries. Oklahoma City has lost two of its last three on the road, falling to under .500 foes Washington and Orlando, so this Thunder team has lost some focus on the highway against inferior competition of late. However, Scott Brooks' club is rolling right now with victories in 14 of the past 16 games, including 12 covers in this span.
The last time the Lakers and Thunder met up at Chesapeake Energy Arena in mid-December, Oklahoma City routed Los Angeles, 122-97. The Thunder easily cashed as 12 ½-point favorites, as Kobe Bryant was limited to four points in that loss for the Lakers, while Jeremy Lamb and Reggie Jackson combined to score 30 points off the Thunder bench. OKC has taken four of the past five regular season matchups, but the Lakers won the past meeting at Staples Center last January, 105-96.
Playoff Push - East
February 12, 2014
As the NBA All-Star Break approaches, it is a chance for the teams sitting outside of the playoff picture to regroup and focus on making a big second half run. Here are the first five teams on the outside of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference and an assessment of the chances they have to get it done.
Detroit Pistons (22-30): Fifty games into the season, the Pistons have recently fired head coach Maurice Cheeks. President Joe Dumars has now fired eight coaches in less than 14 seasons in charge of the Pistons and the somewhat high profile move of hiring Cheeks did not last even a season. Assistant coach John Loyer has taken over the team and the Pistons won in his debut Monday, the third win in a row for Detroit. The Pistons had a rough month of January, but the schedule played a role in the 5-13 run before the recent win streak with eight of those losses coming in road games. Loyer steps into a pretty favorable situation to do well as Detroit is only a half game out of the final playoff position in the Eastern Conference and seven of the next 10 games are at home to help improve the chances of getting back into the mix.
Detroit is only -2.0 points per game in average point differential, superior to that of Brooklyn and Charlotte, the teams that hold the #7 and #8 spots in the East currently. Detroit is the third highest scoring team in the Eastern Conference and only Indiana has been a better rebounding team in the conference, while Detroit has posted a solid 18-14 record against the Eastern Conference. Expect Detroit to climb into the playoff field in March, but a tough late season schedule could make it challenging to hold a spot, closing with six of the final eight on the road with a few very tough games.
New York Knicks (21-31): The Knicks are 11-9 the last 20 games, but it has come in streaks with a five-game win streak and a four-game win streak so far in 2014, but with a five-game slide in between those runs. New York has very solid defensive numbers on the season and for as much negative press as the team has faced, they are only 2.5 games out of the last playoff spot in the weak Eastern Conference. New York has the seventh-best per game point differential in the Eastern Conference despite sitting 10th in the standings. New York has the most remaining games against Western Conference teams of any Eastern Conference team as the remaining schedule will provide a great challenge. Nineteen of the remaining games for the Knicks are road games for a team that is just 8-14 on the road this season including eight of the next 11 games. New York will not play more than two consecutive home games at any point for the rest of the season as it appears less likely that the Knicks will be the team making a charge into the playoff picture from this group despite the high profile and expectations.
Cleveland Cavaliers (20-33): The Cavaliers were expected to be a breakthrough team this season and while the results have been very poor, Cleveland is still in the playoff mix, only four games out. Cleveland recently fired general manager Chris Grant but the team has responded, matching a season-high streak with four straight wins in the last four games. Cleveland has a favorable schedule out of the break before a very difficult stretch of games in mid-March and the April schedule also looks promising for the Cavaliers, so this team should not be counted out.
Andrew Bynum clearly proved to be a disastrous signing for the Cavaliers and now with Luol Deng and the rest of the team getting healthier, this could be a team that makes a run. Even disappointing top pick Anthony Bennett has shown some life of late as Cleveland is a team to watch in the coming weeks. The Cavaliers have a lot of a ground to make up and several teams to jump before being a serious threat for the playoffs, but the current lineup has a high ceiling and things can’t get any worse than they were in the first half of the season.
Boston Celtics (19-35): The Celtics opened the season looking like a viable playoff team under Brad Stevens, but the team went on a 4-19 run over a six-week span from mid-December through January. Boston is 4-2 so far in February and while the wins have all come in close games against losing teams, those are the types of games the Celtics had been losing much of the season. The Celtics will head west right after the All-Star break, but three of four games will be against losing teams and only eight games remain against the current 10 best teams in the league. Boston is the best defensive team of the squads sitting just outside of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference and Rajon Rondo missed most of the first half of the season, having only played in nine games so far this year.
The current roster looks much more promising moving forward as Boston dealt with a lot of injuries during the periods of struggle the past two months. Rondo has not quite been the same offensive player he was before the injury-plagued past two seasons, but he could lead this team on a nice second half run once he finds his shot again. There is a lot of ground to make up for the Celtics, but this team should be expected to hang around the edge of playoff picture, currently less than five games out with a pretty favorable slate ahead.
Orlando Magic (16-38): The Magic likely would not be on this list if this article was written last week, but they have won three of four, including beating the top two teams in the NBA in succession with one-point home wins over Oklahoma City and Indiana last weekend. Orlando is 13-15 at home this season, featuring the best home record of any Eastern Conference team outside of the playoff field, but the Magic are incredibly just 3-23 on the road. Orlando has been outscored by over five points per game this season, but the schedule ahead is promising. Remaining are four games against Milwaukee and Philadelphia, the two worst teams in the East as well as several other game against losing teams.
If Orlando is to make a miraculous run, they will need to get it done on the road as they will face 12 of the first 18 games in the second half on the road. Only five of those road games will be against winning teams and the Magic close the season with eight of the final 11 games at home. Injuries have been a constant for the Magic this season with Jameer Nelson, Arron Afflalo, Nokola Vucevic, and Glen Davis missing time this season. Tobias Harris has also emerged in recent weeks playing a bigger role and Victor Oladipo continues to be one of the most impressive rookies as this is a team heading in the right direction in the big picture. It would take a pretty incredible run for Orlando to entertain serious playoff hopes, but this team is playing better of late and they faced the toughest rated schedule of the five teams on this list in the first half.
February 12, 2014
As the NBA All-Star Break approaches, it is a chance for the teams sitting outside of the playoff picture to regroup and focus on making a big second half run. Here are the first five teams on the outside of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference and an assessment of the chances they have to get it done.
Detroit Pistons (22-30): Fifty games into the season, the Pistons have recently fired head coach Maurice Cheeks. President Joe Dumars has now fired eight coaches in less than 14 seasons in charge of the Pistons and the somewhat high profile move of hiring Cheeks did not last even a season. Assistant coach John Loyer has taken over the team and the Pistons won in his debut Monday, the third win in a row for Detroit. The Pistons had a rough month of January, but the schedule played a role in the 5-13 run before the recent win streak with eight of those losses coming in road games. Loyer steps into a pretty favorable situation to do well as Detroit is only a half game out of the final playoff position in the Eastern Conference and seven of the next 10 games are at home to help improve the chances of getting back into the mix.
Detroit is only -2.0 points per game in average point differential, superior to that of Brooklyn and Charlotte, the teams that hold the #7 and #8 spots in the East currently. Detroit is the third highest scoring team in the Eastern Conference and only Indiana has been a better rebounding team in the conference, while Detroit has posted a solid 18-14 record against the Eastern Conference. Expect Detroit to climb into the playoff field in March, but a tough late season schedule could make it challenging to hold a spot, closing with six of the final eight on the road with a few very tough games.
New York Knicks (21-31): The Knicks are 11-9 the last 20 games, but it has come in streaks with a five-game win streak and a four-game win streak so far in 2014, but with a five-game slide in between those runs. New York has very solid defensive numbers on the season and for as much negative press as the team has faced, they are only 2.5 games out of the last playoff spot in the weak Eastern Conference. New York has the seventh-best per game point differential in the Eastern Conference despite sitting 10th in the standings. New York has the most remaining games against Western Conference teams of any Eastern Conference team as the remaining schedule will provide a great challenge. Nineteen of the remaining games for the Knicks are road games for a team that is just 8-14 on the road this season including eight of the next 11 games. New York will not play more than two consecutive home games at any point for the rest of the season as it appears less likely that the Knicks will be the team making a charge into the playoff picture from this group despite the high profile and expectations.
Cleveland Cavaliers (20-33): The Cavaliers were expected to be a breakthrough team this season and while the results have been very poor, Cleveland is still in the playoff mix, only four games out. Cleveland recently fired general manager Chris Grant but the team has responded, matching a season-high streak with four straight wins in the last four games. Cleveland has a favorable schedule out of the break before a very difficult stretch of games in mid-March and the April schedule also looks promising for the Cavaliers, so this team should not be counted out.
Andrew Bynum clearly proved to be a disastrous signing for the Cavaliers and now with Luol Deng and the rest of the team getting healthier, this could be a team that makes a run. Even disappointing top pick Anthony Bennett has shown some life of late as Cleveland is a team to watch in the coming weeks. The Cavaliers have a lot of a ground to make up and several teams to jump before being a serious threat for the playoffs, but the current lineup has a high ceiling and things can’t get any worse than they were in the first half of the season.
Boston Celtics (19-35): The Celtics opened the season looking like a viable playoff team under Brad Stevens, but the team went on a 4-19 run over a six-week span from mid-December through January. Boston is 4-2 so far in February and while the wins have all come in close games against losing teams, those are the types of games the Celtics had been losing much of the season. The Celtics will head west right after the All-Star break, but three of four games will be against losing teams and only eight games remain against the current 10 best teams in the league. Boston is the best defensive team of the squads sitting just outside of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference and Rajon Rondo missed most of the first half of the season, having only played in nine games so far this year.
The current roster looks much more promising moving forward as Boston dealt with a lot of injuries during the periods of struggle the past two months. Rondo has not quite been the same offensive player he was before the injury-plagued past two seasons, but he could lead this team on a nice second half run once he finds his shot again. There is a lot of ground to make up for the Celtics, but this team should be expected to hang around the edge of playoff picture, currently less than five games out with a pretty favorable slate ahead.
Orlando Magic (16-38): The Magic likely would not be on this list if this article was written last week, but they have won three of four, including beating the top two teams in the NBA in succession with one-point home wins over Oklahoma City and Indiana last weekend. Orlando is 13-15 at home this season, featuring the best home record of any Eastern Conference team outside of the playoff field, but the Magic are incredibly just 3-23 on the road. Orlando has been outscored by over five points per game this season, but the schedule ahead is promising. Remaining are four games against Milwaukee and Philadelphia, the two worst teams in the East as well as several other game against losing teams.
If Orlando is to make a miraculous run, they will need to get it done on the road as they will face 12 of the first 18 games in the second half on the road. Only five of those road games will be against winning teams and the Magic close the season with eight of the final 11 games at home. Injuries have been a constant for the Magic this season with Jameer Nelson, Arron Afflalo, Nokola Vucevic, and Glen Davis missing time this season. Tobias Harris has also emerged in recent weeks playing a bigger role and Victor Oladipo continues to be one of the most impressive rookies as this is a team heading in the right direction in the big picture. It would take a pretty incredible run for Orlando to entertain serious playoff hopes, but this team is playing better of late and they faced the toughest rated schedule of the five teams on this list in the first half.
