NBA: Top NBA Weekend Power Trends 1/8-1/10

The NBA has its biggest weekend set of games in awhile on tap for the next three days. We are just a little over a month away from the all-star break, which usually marks the start of the push for the playoffs. However, it’s never too early to start build

2010-01-09

The NBA has its biggest weekend set of games in awhile on tap for the next three days. We are just a little over a month away from the all-star break, which usually marks the start of the push for the playoffs. However, it’s never too early to start building momentum, and teams are having trouble putting decent winning streaks together of late. In fact, heading into the weekend, the league’s longest active winning streak is four games, not by the Cavaliers, Celtics, or Lakers, but rather the 17-16 New Orleans Hornets. Let’s take a look at some of the key matchups coming over the weekend, and analyze some of the Top StatFox Betting Angles you’ll want to consider as you build your wagering lineup.

On Friday, there are 12 games scheduled, and having had just one on Thursday night, there is no team playing in the back-end of a back-to-back scenario. There will be 11 teams playing the front end of that situation however, including Indiana and Utah, who will each be playing on the road in consecutive nights. The Pacers are struggling, having won just two of their last 11 games to slip to 11-23 on the season. They will be in Minnesota and Oklahoma City over the two nights, and come in with a record of just 3-10 SU & 4-9 ATS vs. the West in ’09-10. However, they did just beat the T-Wolves last Saturday night. Utah faces a difficult two game road swing at Memphis and Dallas. Although the Jazz just beat the Grizzlies on Wednesday, Memphis is still 7-3 in its L10. Utah has begun to turn around years of struggles on the back end of back-to-back games with a 5-2 record as such in ’09-10.

The strong Friday ESPN doubleheader features Celtics & Hawks in the opener, and Cleveland and Denver in the nightcap. Atlanta is just 3-6 in its L9 games and begins a stretch of three straight games vs. the Celtics, Magic, and Celtics again. Cleveland starts a five game road trip with this trip to Denver, and comes in with a 5-0 SU & ATS record as a road underdog this season.

The Saturday night lineup offers eight games, including battles between top playoff contenders in each conference. In the East, Atlanta faces the tough task of having to quickly turn around from Friday’s game with Boston when it travels to Orlando. The teams were separated by just 1-1/2 games for the Southeast Division lead heading into the weekend, but neither was playing its best basketball of the year. In fact, Orlando went into Friday night’s game on a 3-game losing skid, it’s longest since last April. Both teams have struggled in divisional play thus far, each 2-3 ATS. Out west, Dallas will take on Utah in Salt Lake City. The Mavericks remain one of the NBA’s best road teams this season, boasting a 12-6 SU & ATS record, however Utah does its best work at home, particularly against good teams, so this figures to be a highly competitive contest.

The weekend wraps up with six Sunday games, including one featuring that hot team, the Hornets. Assuming they beat 3-32 New Jersey on Friday night at home, they will be riding a 5-game winning streak into their contest in Washington. It could be time for a good fade though, as New Orleans is 4-13 SU & ATS on the road this season, and 0-5 SU & 1-4 ATS vs. Atlantic Division teams. Of course, the Wizards do very little well themselves and are dealing with off-the-court problems to boot. Elsewhere on Sunday, Boston will be in Toronto for a early afternoon tilt, and Cleveland will be in Portland for a late night affair.

Now, here’s our list of Top StatFox Power Trends covering games on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Friday, 1/8/2010
(801) ORLANDO vs. (802) WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON is 4-17 ATS (-14.7 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons. The average score was WASHINGTON 87, OPPONENT 97.2 - (Rating = 2*)

(805) UTAH vs. (806) MEMPHIS
MEMPHIS is 6-23 ATS (-19.3 Units) vs. marginal winning teams (Win Pct. 51% to 60%) over the last 3 seasons. The average score was MEMPHIS 96.4, OPPONENT 105.5 - (Rating = 3*)

(809) NEW JERSEY vs. (810) NEW ORLEANS
NEW ORLEANS is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) versus poor defensive teams - shooting pct defense of >=46% this season. The average score was NEW ORLEANS 100.4, OPPONENT 105.5 - (Rating = 2*)

(811) INDIANA vs. (812) MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA is 12-28 ATS (-18.8 Units) in home games revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons. The average score was MINNESOTA 95.8, OPPONENT 105.1 - (Rating = 2*)

(813) CHICAGO vs. (814) MILWAUKEE
CHICAGO is 25-8 UNDER (+16.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams (FG pct defense of >=46%) over the last 2 seasons. The average score was CHICAGO 98.5, OPPONENT 99.5 - (Rating = 3*)

Saturday, 1/9/2010
(503) MEMPHIS vs. (504) CHARLOTTE
CHARLOTTE is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season. The average score was CHARLOTTE 97, OPPONENT 89.8 - (Rating = 2*)

(511) UTAH vs. (512) DALLAS
UTAH is 11-0 OVER (+11 Units) in road games on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons. The average score was UTAH 106.5, OPPONENT 111.4 - (Rating = 4*)

(513) NEW YORK vs. (514) HOUSTON
NEW YORK is 16-4 ATS (+11.6 Units) as a road underdog of 6.5 to 12 points over the last 2 seasons. The average score was NEW YORK 103.5, OPPONENT 106.2 - (Rating = 2*)

(515) DENVER vs. (516) SACRAMENTO
DENVER is 20-7 ATS (+12.3 Units) revenging a same season loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons. The average score was DENVER 107, OPPONENT 98.8 - (Rating = 2*)

Sunday, 1/10/2010
(801) BOSTON vs. (802) TORONTO
TORONTO is 1-12 ATS (-12.2 Units) vs. very good shooting teams making >=48% of their shots over the last 3 seasons. The average score was TORONTO 98.4, OPPONENT 111.5 - (Rating = 2*)

(807) NEW JERSEY vs. (808) SAN ANTONIO
NEW JERSEY is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in non-conference games this season. The average score was NEW JERSEY 91.3, OPPONENT 105 - (Rating = 2*)

(809) CLEVELAND vs. (810) PORTLAND
PORTLAND is 32-18 ATS (+12.2 Units) vs. good 3PT shooting teams (>=36% 3PT attempts) over the last 2 seasons. The average score was PORTLAND 96.2, OPPONENT 94.7 - (Rating = 1*)

(811) MILWAUKEE vs. (812) LA LAKERS
MILWAUKEE is 3-14 ATS (-12.4 Units) revenging a close loss vs opponent of 3 points or less over the last 3 seasons. The average score was MILWAUKEE 94.3, OPPONENT 101.1 - (Rating = 1*)

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