NBA Handicapping Articles

NBA Odds: Tuesday, December 22 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 12/21/2015

Here I thought I was done leading these stories about the pitiful Philadelphia 76ers. Apparently not as I just found out that the Sixers could become the first team in NBA history not to win at least twice by its 30th game -- which happens to be Tuesday for the 1-28 franchise. In addition, every team in league history has won at least three times through its 42nd game.

NBA Odds: Saturday, December 19 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 12/18/2015

Tuesday was an important day in the NBA because it was the date that players (also including most rookies) who signed over the summer, either with their same team or a new one, became eligible to be traded. And it's quite possible you see something before Christmas, although I wouldn't look for a blockbuster by then. The Sacramento Kings already have told Caron Butler they will trade him either right before or after Christmas to a team where he can have a larger role. Milwaukee, Butler's hometown team, is a good possibility. Minnesota would like to deal guard Kevin Martin.

NBA Odds: Friday, December 18 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 12/17/2015

Some interesting NBA scheduling thus far. The San Antonio Spurs, the preseason Western Conference favorites, have yet to play arguably the two other best teams in the West even though the season is more than a quarter of the way finished. Well, one of those issues is resolved on Friday when the Spurs host the Clippers. It's the first meeting between the teams since an epic seven-game first-round playoff series last year, won by the Clippers thanks to a running layup by Chris Paul over Tim Duncan's outstretched arm with one second left in Game 7.

NBA Betting Trends: Totals Report for Hot Over and Under Teams
by Aaron Smith - 12/17/2015

The Golden State Warriors finally lost a game. Don't think that means the team is looking human, though, because they are still putting up some ridiculous numbers. It does mean some of the other very good teams in the NBA are going to start getting a little more publicity in the coming weeks. The San Antonio Spurs are unbeaten at home on the year, and Gregg Poppovich's team is looking as good as ever right now.

NBA Odds: Thursday, December 17 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 12/16/2015

I don't know about you, but when LeBron James and Kevin Durant faced off in the 2012 NBA Finals, I figured that was just the first of many Finals matchup between them and that James vs. Durant would be this decade's signature Finals rivalry just like Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson was in the 1980s. And maybe it still will be, but James and Durant haven't met in the Finals since, and with how good Golden State looks, it might be a while for Durant gets back there -- that's if even stays in the Western Conference this summer when he becomes a free agent.

NBA Odds: Wednesday, December 16 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 12/15/2015

A Timberwolves-Knicks matchup last year would have been quite hard to watch because both teams were so terrible. This season, however, both are much improved and that's due largely to a couple of terrific rookies in Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns, the No. 1 overall pick, and New York's Kristaps Porzingis, who went No. 4. They share the court as professionals for the first time Wednesday night. I would say they are also the two leading candidates thus far for NBA Rookie of the Year honors. Towns and Porzingis were their respective conference's Rookie of the Month awards in November.

NBA Odds: Tuesday, December 15 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 12/14/2015

There are reports out there that Memphis Grizzlies head coach Dave Joerger is in major trouble, to the point that if the Grizzlies lose at home to Washington on Monday night that Joerger could be canned as early as Tuesday. The Grizz have been disappointments at 13-12 entering the week. Memphis is now being outscored by 5.2 points per game, fourth worst in the Western Conference. Joerger made a curious move Saturday in bringing Tony Allen and Zach Randolph off the bench (Allen fine, but Randolph?).

NBA Odds: Saturday, December 12 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 12/11/2015

San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich is an ornery cuss, and it's embarrassing how badly he treats reporters during those nationally televised games where Pop is mandated by the league to at least say one word to those reporters considering how much the TV networks pay the NBA. And usually all Pop does say is one word. Anyways, the guy is a Hall of Fame coach, without question. And I see his point in a way when talking about the 3-point shot: "I don't think it's basketball. I think it's kind of like a circus sort of thing. Why don't we have a 5-point shot? A 7-point shot? You know, where does it stop, that sort of thing."

NBA Odds: Friday, December 11 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 12/10/2015

Getting a little tired of writing about the Golden State Warriors, but there's clearly no other story worth even noting on nights the Dubs play. And they go for a 24-0 start Friday night in their lone trip to Boston -- the C's are a young, good defensive team with a realistic chance of an upset. Those chances would increase greatly if Warriors All-Star guard Klay Thompson has to sit out with a sprained ankle. Golden State has won 27 straight regular-season games dating back to last season, tying the 2012-13 Miami Heat for the second-longest streak in NBA history.

NBA Betting and Handicapping: Best Back-to-Back Teams for Wagering
by George Monroy - 12/9/2015

Wagering on NBA teams during the second night of a back-to-back can be a great situation to find some value during a long basketball season. Some teams struggle during those spots, while others excel, which is typically based on coaching, experience and age. The Golden State Warriors are one of the best squads on the second night of a back-to-back, but at this point during their epic run, you probably could have guessed that. Let's skip the defending champs, however, because we already know how good they are and need to focus on a few of the other groups excelling during back-to-backs.

NBA Betting Trends: Hot and Cold Teams Against the Point Spread
by Aaron Smith - 12/9/2015

The San Antonio Spurs are 18-4 so far this year, and nearly no one has been talking about them. That's how amazing the Golden State Warriors have been to start the year. What Golden State is doing is truly historic. You don't have to be a Warriors fan to appreciate their perfection through this point in the season. Not only is Golden State unbeaten on the year, but they are also 16-7 against the spread.

NBA Odds: Thursday, December 10 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 12/9/2015

I really don't know how much a Russian publication knows about the NBA, but there was a report over there that Nets coach Lionel Hollins is close to being fired -- of course, the Nets' owner is Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov. Not sure what would be the point of firing Hollins as the Nets wouldn't be any better if Phil Jackson was their coach. GM Billy King (now there's a guy who should be fired) gave his coach a vote of confidence on Tuesday. That's never a good thing. King did say he thinks the Nets will be active in trades; don't look for a move until after Dec. 15, when free agents who were signed during the offseason become eligible to be traded.

NBA Odds: Wednesday, December 9 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 12/8/2015

It's about time that NBA commissioner Adam Silver stepped in and did something about the abomination that is the Philadelphia 76ers, and apparently the league office played a big role in Philly hiring Hall of Famer Jerry Colangelo as chairman of basketball operations on Monday. Finally, team ownership has wised up that the tanking plan by GM Sam Hinkie just wasn't working. Hinkie still has a job, but clearly some of his power is going to be taken away. The Sixers are 38-148 since Hinkie was hired in May 2013.

NBA Betting: Handicapping the Most Overrated ATS Teams
by George Monroy - 12/8/2015

If there is one thing we love to do as sports fans and bettors, it's to overrate teams and pump up storylines before they are even complete. That is the nature of this 24/7 social media cycle that we currently live in. Don't get us wrong, debating a player's impact or worth in real time is what makes sports so great. However, those habits can lead to fans and the media painting an incorrect picture of what a team is doing at the moment. For bettors, overrating and over-exaggerating can lead straight into our wallets. And does anyone want that?

NBA Odds: Tuesday, December 8 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 12/7/2015

Should be a great matchup on Tuesday night in Indianapolis as the Pacers get their crack at handing the incredible Golden State Warriors their first loss of the season. A win would be the Warriors' 27th straight dating to last season, which would tie the 27-game run by LeBron James' 2012-13 Miami Heat as the second-longest of all-time.

NBA Betting Trends: Totals Report for Hot Over and Under Teams
by Aaron Smith - 12/4/2015

Are the Golden State Warriors going to lose a game this year? Of course they are, but it's still fun to talk about an unbeaten team in the NBA this late in the season. San Antonio has the second-best record in the NBA, and the Spurs have been extremely impressive thus far this season. There has been a lot of talk about Cleveland struggling this year, and LeBron James has talked about being disappointed with their effort a few times.

NBA Odds: Saturday, December 5 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 12/4/2015

The Atlanta Hawks knew they were going to have a hole in their rotation entering 2015-16 because small forward DeMarre Carroll was going to be too expensive to re-sign as a free agent -- and he left for $60 million or so in Toronto. So the Hawks made what I thought was a pretty good trade on draft night, sending their first-round pick, guard Jerian Grant (No. 19 overall), to the New York Knicks for swingman Tim Hardaway Jr. You never know what rookies will be, especially picked that low in the first round. Hardaway, meanwhile, is just 23 years old and had averaged 11.5 points last season with the Knicks in only 24.0 minutes a night.

NBA Betting and Handicapping: Detailing Houston Rockets Struggles
by Trevor Whenham - 12/4/2015

The list of disappointing teams in the NBA is long this year. New Orleans. Philadelphia. Milwaukee. Washington. You could go on and on. The most disappointing, though, might be Houston. Viewed to be a real contender in the West, they have looked confused so far this year, and find themselves at just 8-11 - and have had to win three of their last four just to get to that underwhelming record.

NBA Odds: Friday, December 4 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 12/3/2015

I don't want to call it a changing of the guard on Friday night in New Orleans, but it might be something in that ballpark when the Cavaliers visit the Pelicans. Golden State's Steph Curry most likely is going to win a second straight MVP award this season. Cleveland's LeBron James has won four of them but at his age might be done. He was the preseason betting favorite, however. Right behind him was New Orleans' Anthony Davis.

NBA Odds: Thursday, December 3 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 12/2/2015

Interesting that the Boston Celtics are in Sacramento on Thursday because it's well known around the NBA that Celtics boss Danny Ainge covets Kings star center DeMarcus Cousins. And if there's one team that might convince the Kings to part with Cousins it could be Boston as it has some good young talent on the roster currently as well as potentially four first-round picks in the 2016 draft, including Brooklyn's unprotected pick that should be in the Top 3. Cousins and Coach George Karl haven't exactly been on the same page, although things have calmed down for now. But if the franchise does ever put Cousins on the market, my bet is he lands in Boston.