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NBA Odds: Wednesday, November 25 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping

by - 11/24/2015

Philadelphia 76ers' Tony Wroten

The Philadelphia 76ers are inching closer to that first win, losing their past two games by just five points each. But the Sixers just can't get over the hump and are 0-15. Might we be looking at the worst team in league history? The fewest wins in an 82-game NBA season is nine by the 1972-73 Sixers. That team also started 0-15. That club did have a bigger losing streak than a 15-gamer - one that lasted 20 games and spanned from Jan. 9 to Feb. 11. It won two games in a row twice as part of a stretch in which it won five of seven after the 20-game losing streak. The 76ers then followed that with a season-ending losing streak of 13 straight games. Can this current club end the skid Wednesday?

76ers at Celtics (-13, 201)

Philly catches a minor break here in that Boston had to play in Atlanta on Tuesday. So you're saying there's a chance!? The Sixers lost 100-95 in Minnesota on Monday in a game they really probably should have won. Jahlil Okafor had 25 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks for Philadelphia and totally outplayed No. 1 overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns. The Sixers led by 13 in the first half and by five with 2:30 to play but once again couldn't hold on. They have lost 25 straight dating to the last season. Boston opened the season with a 112-95 home win over Philadelphia. The C's have won five straight in the series.

Key trends: The Sixers are 0-5 against the spread in the past five meetings. The "over/under" is 4-0 in the past four in Boston.

Early lean: 76ers and under.

Wizards at Hornets (-2.5, 206.5)

Washington hosted Indiana on Tuesday. Charlotte won a third straight Monday, 127-122 in overtime over Sacramento. The Hornets rallied from a 22-point second-half hole thanks to Kemba Walker, who had 21 of his 39 points in the fourth quarter. It was the second-largest comeback in franchise history. The Wizards and Hornets split four meetings last year, each going 1-1 at home.

Key trends: Charlotte is 6-1 ATS in the past seven meetings. The under is 7-1 in the past eight.

Early lean: Hornets and under.

Knicks at Magic (-2, 198.5)

New York had a four-game winning streak end in Monday's 96-78 loss in Miami. The Knicks shot only 32 percent from the field. They hadn't trailed by double figures in any of their last eight games. The lone bright spot was another double-double for rookie Kristaps Porzingis, who had 20 points and 14 rebounds. Orlando lost a second straight Monday, 117-103 in Cleveland. Orlando's starters were outscored 99-44. Coach Scott Skiles said that it's "time to change the lineup" following the loss. That likely means either Elfrid Payton or Victor Oladipo moves to a reserve role. Payton was 0-for-7 vs. Cleveland.

Key trends: The underdog is 4-0-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The under is 9-1 in the Magic's last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

Early lean: Magic and under.

Heat at Pistons (pick'em, 190.5)

Miami beat the Knicks 95-78 on Monday for its third straight win. The Heat have been a phenomenal defensive teams this season. New York was the eighth NBA team this year to score no more than 30 in a half, and Miami has been responsible for three of those halves. Hassan Whiteside blocked five more shots, giving him 63 through 13 games. The previous Heat record for blocks through 13 games was by Alonzo Mourning, who had 50 to open the 1998-99 season. Detroit lost a second straight Monday, 109-88 in Milwaukee. The Pistons were was 31 of 91 (34.1 percent) from the floor, including a 6-for-28 performance from 3-point range. Keep an eye on the status of Pistons star Andre Drummond here. He could be seen holding his side during the game and really struggled in the second half.

Key trends: Miami is 2-10 ATS in its past 12 after a win of at least 10 points. The over is 5-2 in the past seven meetings.

Early lean: Pistons and under.

Cavaliers at Raptors (+2.5, 200.5)

Cleveland won a third straight Monday, 117-103 at home against Orlando. LeBron James moved into 25th place on the all-time assists list to join Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to rank in the Top 25 in career points and assists. LeBron will pass Reggie Miller for 18th place on the scoring list in this game. Cavs point guard Mo Williams missed a third straight game with an ankle injury and isn't likely here. Center Timofey Mozgov is out probably until early next month. Toronto closed out a five-game West Coast trip with a win over the Clippers on Sunday, but the team got bad news when center Jonas Valanciunas broke his left hand Friday. He's out six weeks. The Raptors outscore opponents by 7.2 points per 100 possessions when he plays but get outscored by 4.8 per 100 when he sits. Cleveland won three of four vs. Toronto last year.

Key trends: The Cavs are 7-3 ATS in the past 10 meetings. The under is 7-0 in Toronto's past seven following a win.

Early lean: Cavaliers and over.

Grizzlies at Rockets (TBA)

This is on NBA TV and thus should have live betting at sportsbooks. Memphis hosted Dallas on Tuesday, and power forward Zach Randolph was questionable. Houston continued to play very unevenly with a 107-102 home loss to the Knicks on Saturday. The Rockets had won 11 straight in that series. Dwight Howard sat out the second of a back-to-back. Guard Patrick Beverley missed a fifth straight game but looks like he will return here. Houston lost in Memphis 96-84 last Friday. Howard played in that one but Randolph didn't.

Key trends: The Grizzlies are 5-2 ATS in the past seven meetings. The over is 4-1 in the past five.

Early lean: Wait on Randolph.

Kings at Bucks (TBA)

This concludes a five-game road trip for the Kings, who lost by five in Charlotte in OT on Monday, blowing that 22-point lead. DeMarcus Cousins had 30 points and 11 rebounds for Sacramento, and Rudy Gay had 28 points and 10 boards. Rajon Rondo had 14 points and 20 assists. Cousins was dealing with a back injury and a thigh problem after the game, so he might sit this one out. Milwaukee ended a three-game losing streak with a 109-88 win over Detroit on Monday. Greg Monroe had 20 points and 13 boards against his former team.

Key trends: The Bucks are 3-11 ATS in their past 14 against the East. The over is 5-0 in the past five meetings.

Early lean: Wait on Cousins -- Bucks win easily if he's out.

Hawks at Timberwolves (+3.5, 205.5)

Atlanta hosted Boston on Tuesday and was again without swingman Kent Bazemore. Center Tiago Splitter was expected out vs. the C's with a hip injury. Minnesota avoided embarrassment with that come-from-behind win over the visiting 76ers on Monday. Andrew Wiggins had 32 points, 11 coming in the final five minutes. Last year, the Sixers were 0-17 when they visited Minnesota and won. The Wolves went to Atlanta on Nov. 9 and pulled off a 117-107 upset, ending the team's 12-game losing streak there. Wiggins had 33 points.

Key trends: The Wolves are 2-15 ATS in their past 17 at home. The over is 6-1 in the past seven meetings.

Early lean: Wolves and over.

Nets at Thunder (-12.5, 210)

Brooklyn ended a two-game losing streak with a 111-101 win over Boston on Sunday. Brook Lopez had 23 points and 10 rebounds. Oklahoma City got Kevin Durant back from his hamstring injury on Monday, and he didn't miss a beat with 27 points in a 111-89 win in Utah. He hadn't played since Nov. 10. Durant was 10-for-13 from the field in 30 minutes. The Nets won both meetings with OKC last year and have won three straight in Oklahoma City.

Key trends: The Thunder are 0-4 ATS in their past four at home. The road team is 6-1 ATS in the past seven meetings. The under is 6-1 in Brooklyn's past seven vs. the West.

Early lean: Thunder and under.

Mavericks at Spurs (TBA)

Dallas was in Memphis on Tuesday. So it's likely that forward Chandler Parsons misses this game as he doesn't play both ends of a back-to-back. Also keep an eye on swingman Wesley Matthews, who is also on a minutes limit. The Spurs beat the Suns 98-84 on Monday for their second straight. Kawhi Leonard had 24 points and 13 rebounds, and the Spurs forced 28 turnovers. San Antonio's LaMarcus Aldridge missed a second straight game with a sprained left ankle. David West would start again if he's out.

Key trends: The Mavs are 8-3 ATS in the past 11 meetings. The under is 4-0 in the past four.

Early lean: Wait on all the questionable guys.

Pelicans at Suns (TBA)

New Orleans is starting to play a bit better, beating Phoenix 122-116 in the Big Easy on Sunday for its second straight win. Anthony Davis had 32 points, hitting the tiebreaking 3-pointer in the final minute, and 19 rebounds. Ryan Anderson added 29 points. There's a chance that Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans makes his season debut here. Phoenix followed that loss to the Pelicans with Monday's rout in San Antonio where the Suns scored a season-low 84 points. The Suns were without point guard Eric Bledsoe, who missed the second game of a back-to-back with a sore left knee. He should play here.

Key trends: The home team is 7-0 ATS in the past seven meetings. The under is 5-2 in the past seven in Phoenix.

Early lean: Wait on Bledsoe/Evans.

Jazz at Clippers (-5.5, 197.5)

Los Angeles was in Denver on Tuesday. Utah lost 111-89 at home to Oklahoma City on Monday for its second straight defeat. The Jazz entered with the No. 2 scoring defense in the league, allowing 92.4 points per game. Utah center Rudy Gobert left for the locker room early in the fourth quarter with a tailbone contusion. He had no blocked shots for just the second time in his 11 games this season. His injury isn't thought to be anything major. The Jazz have lost 13 straight to the Clippers.

Key trends: The road team has covered four of the past five meetings. The under is 5-2 in the previous seven.

Early lean: Jazz and under if Gobert plays.

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