NBA: Top NBA Weekend Power Trends 2/19-2/21

The trade deadline has passed in the NBA and several teams made significant moves to either improve their teams or their financial flexibility preparing for the upcoming offseason’s huge free agent period. Perhaps the most notable trade was the Cavaliers

2010-02-19

The trade deadline has passed in the NBA and several teams made significant moves to either improve their teams or their financial flexibility preparing for the upcoming offseason’s huge free agent period. Perhaps the most notable trade was the Cavaliers obtaining Antawn Jamison from the Wizards to better their chances at another NBA Finals appearance. They, along with almost all of other 29 teams will be in action as the league plays its first full post-all-star-break weekend of games. Read on as I take a look at the most compelling contests, and reveal some of this weekend’s Top StatFox Power Trends that you’ll want to consider in your wagering.

The Friday night board is highlighted by two games on ESPN. In the first one, Dallas, with its retooled roster, travels to Orlando to take on the Magic. The Mavericks made a big trade with Washington this week to try and improve their chances of a deep postseason run. The initial results were favorable, as they were able to snap out of a funk with a big win over Phoenix on Wednesday. At Orlando, Dallas will put its 7-14 ATS record off an ATS win to test. The Magic stayed as is for the stretch run and need to be a little more consistent if they hope to reach the NBA Finals once again. In the late game, Boston continues its road trip with a stop in Portland. The Celtics have won the first two games out West, including Thursday night in Los Angeles. They have enjoyed success against the Blazers, winning eight of the L10 both SU & ATS. Elsewhere, Cleveland, who had its 13-game winning streak snapped by Denver on Thursday night, looks to start a new one when it takes on the Bobcats in Charlotte. The Cavaliers have proven much more reliable on the road this season for bettors, going 16-10 ATS.

On Saturday, there are seven games to choose from for bettors, none bigger than that between Miami and Dallas. The Heat hoped to make a big move before the trade deadline but couldn’t piece it together, now they have to hope that loyalty, and perhaps some success the rest of this season, can convince Dwyane Wade to stick around. Both teams will be on back-to-back’s with Miami having played in Memphis the night before, and Dallas coming off a game in Orlando. The Heat are 4-8 SU & ATS on zero days rest this season, while the Mavs are 7-7 SU & 6-8 ATS. Another pair of teams playing on consecutive days will be the Bobcats and Bucks. The game, played in Milwaukee, will be a battle of wills, as both teams have been good on zero days rest, with the Bucks 8-5 SU & 10-3 ATS and Charlotte 7-7 SU & 10-4 ATS. Finally, in New York, Oklahoma City and Kevin Durant make their only visit hoping to improve on already stellar marks of 19-7 ATS on the road, and 16-6 ATS against the East.

Sunday offers up a plethora of TV action with four games brought to your living room by ABC & ESPN. Tipping if all off is an Eastern Conference showdown between Cleveland and Orlando at 1:00 PM ET. The Cavs will be looking for a third straight win this season over the team that took them out of the playoffs last June, while also continuing to work Antawn Jamison into the rotation. Following that game, the Celtics will be in Denver. The Nuggets knocked off the East’s best team, Cleveland, on the road Thursday, and will put their 23-5 record at home on the line here. In the evening, on ESPN, the Golden State Warriors play host to the Hawks. The Warriors are always one of the better home underdogs around for bettors and have continued their spread covering ways this season in that role with a 9-6 ATS mark. Atlanta has thrived vs. the West this season, going 16-6 SU & 14-8 ATS headed into the weekend. Finally, a late night start finds the Trailblazers hosting the red-hot Jazz. Utah was on a 15-2 SU & 12-2-3 ATS run headed into the weekend and had closed to within 1-1/2 of the Northwest Division lead.

Now, here’s a look at some of those top trends you’ll want to consider as you build your wagering lineup for the weekend:

Friday, 02/19/2010
(801) DENVER vs. (802) WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON is 9-0 UNDER (+9 Units) when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 70%) this season. The average score was WASHINGTON 92.3, OPPONENT 96.6 - (Rating = 3*)

(805) SAN ANTONIO vs. (806) PHILADELPHIA
PHILADELPHIA is 8-23 ATS (-17.3 Units) at home vs good offensive teams - scoring 99+ PPG over the last 2 seasons. The average score was PHILADELPHIA 95.2, OPPONENT 98.7 - (Rating = 2*)

(811) INDIANA vs. (812) NEW ORLEANS
NEW ORLEANS is 1-10 ATS (-10 Units) on Friday nights this season. The average score was NEW ORLEANS 96.4, OPPONENT 99.2 - (Rating = 2*)

(815) TORONTO vs. (816) NEW JERSEY
NEW JERSEY is 2-13 ATS (-12.3 Units) versus explosive offensive teams - scoring 103+ points/game this season. The average score was NEW JERSEY 92.8, OPPONENT 111.3 - (Rating = 3*)

(819) ATLANTA vs. (820) PHOENIX
ATLANTA is 7-22 ATS (-17.2 Units) in road games vs teams who attempt >=18 3PTs/game in 2nd half of last 3 seasons. The average score was ATLANTA 91, OPPONENT 103.7 - (Rating = 2*)

Saturday, 02/20/2010
(501) WASHINGTON vs. (502) TORONTO
WASHINGTON is 17-37 ATS (-23.7 Units) revenging a same season loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons. The average score was WASHINGTON 95.5, OPPONENT 101.8 - (Rating = 2*)

(503) OKLAHOMA CITY vs. (504) NEW YORK
OKLAHOMA CITY is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) in non-conference games this season. The average score was OKLAHOMA CITY 101.3, OPPONENT 94.7 - (Rating = 1*)

(507) MIAMI vs. (508) DALLAS
DALLAS is 4-19 ATS (-16.9 Units) as a home favorite this season. The average score was DALLAS 101.5, OPPONENT 100.5 - (Rating = 4*)

(511) CHARLOTTE vs. (512) MILWAUKEE
CHARLOTTE is 27-11 ATS (+14.9 Units) vs up-tempo teams averaging 83 or more shots/game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was CHARLOTTE 99.8, OPPONENT 97.8 - (Rating = 2*)

Sunday, 02/21/2010
(805) SAN ANTONIO vs. (806) DETROIT
DETROIT is 9-23 ATS (-16.3 Units) revenging a road loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons. The average score was DETROIT 89.4, OPPONENT 95 - (Rating = 2*)

(809) HOUSTON vs. (810) NEW ORLEANS
NEW ORLEANS is 4-17 ATS (-14.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - shooting pct defense of >=46% this season. The average score was NEW ORLEANS 101.9, OPPONENT 104.5 - (Rating = 3*)

(813) ATLANTA vs. (814) GOLDEN STATE
ATLANTA is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) versus poor defensive teams - shooting pct defense of >=46% this season. The average score was ATLANTA 111.6, OPPONENT 98.2 - (Rating = 2*)

(817) UTAH vs. (818) PORTLAND
UTAH is 18-4 ATS (+13.6 Units) versus poor pressure defensive teams - forcing <=14 turnovers/game this season. The average score was UTAH 104.7, OPPONENT 96.1 - (Rating = 3*)

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