NBA Handicapping Articles

NBA Odds: Wednesday, December 2 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 12/1/2015

My prediction for next NBA coach to be fired: Washington's Randy Wittman. And it might happen as soon as Thursday if the underachieving Wizards, who have been grumbling about their roles and the new offense, lose on Wednesday night at home to the horrid Los Angeles Lakers. Wittman was on thin ice entering last year's playoffs, but the Wizards reaching the conference semifinals saved him. Washington entered Tuesday's likely loss in Cleveland at 6-8. This was a team I thought could reach the East Finals this year.

NBA ATS: Comparing the Historic Chicago Bulls and the 2015 Golden State Warriors
by George Monroy - 12/1/2015

The Golden State Warriors pushed their historic start to the NBA season to 19 straight wins after early MVP favorite Stephen Curry hit a step-back 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz. At this point, the Warriors just refuse to lose, which may have been the defining quality of those 72-10 Chicago Bulls. Both Phil Jackson and Steve Kerr have said on numerous occasions that there were five to 10 games during the season that Michael Jordan decided not to lose.

NBA Odds: Tuesday, December 1 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 11/30/2015

Not sure there's been a more interesting game in NBA history between two such horrific teams as in Tuesday night's Los Angeles Lakers at Philadelphia 76ers matchup. The clubs have all of two wins between them, so it certainly could have lottery ramifications down the road if the teams finished tied for the NBA's worst record. But of more immediate relevance, the 76ers can set the NBA record with a 19th straight loss to open a season.

NBA Betting Advice: Fade or Follow Slumping Teams
by George Monroy - 11/30/2015

The only streak NBA fans seem to care about is the Golden State Warriors' historic 18-game winning streak to start the season. The defending NBA Champions certainly have been impressive, but there are many other storylines and streaks taking place in the rest of the league, particularly losing streaks or slumps, which are always something bettors should keep an eye on. Let's open the door into the ATS vault and take a look at the teams that are struggling to cover spreads and figure out the best way to wager on them over the next few weeks.

NBA Odds: Saturday, November 28 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 11/27/2015

I know the Lakers' Kobe Bryant is one of the most competitive, proud players not just in the NBA currently but in league history. He's just like Michael Jordan in that regard. Thus, Kobe would never quit in the middle of his last season, but perhaps he should have during the Thanksgiving league-wide day off. Kobe is the worst player in the NBA right now, and it's not close. Sure, he's averaging a team-best 15.2 points per game, but he's last in overall field-goal percentage (.311) and 3-point percentage (.195) while being the NBA's highest-paid player.

NBA Odds: Friday, November 27 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 11/26/2015

With the NBA going dark on Thanksgiving, it's a good time to catch up on updated BetOnline futures odds around The Association heading into a busy Black Friday schedule. The site has a prop on whether the Warriors will break the Bulls' record of 72 regular-season wins. That Golden State will win 72 or fewer is -700 and 73 or more +450. I still don't think it happens. Obviously the Warriors are title favorites at +175 with Cleveland next at +275.

NBA Betting Trends: Hot and Cold Teams Against the Point Spread
by Aaron Smith - 11/25/2015

We are almost a month into the NBA season, and the Golden State Warriors have yet to lose. They set an NBA record by starting 16-0. What's the ceiling for this team? They are definitely making things look very tough for the rest of the league. Having said that, don't be one of those people who practically hand the Warriors the trophy after a hot start. This is a really long season, and there are several quality teams who will have something to say about who wins it all this year.

NBA Odds: Wednesday, November 25 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 11/24/2015

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.

NBA Handicapping: Betting on the Warriors First Loss
by George Monroy - 11/24/2015

The Golden State Warriors are on a quest for history, and Stephen Curry, along with the rest of the team's principle players, are not shying away from the prospect. The defending NBA champions spent the offseason catching flak from every basketball circle imaginable. Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc's Rivers said the Warriors "got lucky", while Charles Barkley, Dennis Rodman and multiple other players from the Michael Jordan era have knocked Golden State for being too soft or too much of a jump-shooting team.

NBA Odds: Tuesday, November 24 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 11/23/2015

So what's the most unlikely NBA regular-season single-game result you can remember? I can recall one of the top of my head, and that was on Dec. 9, 2004, when Houston was down 10 points with 1:02 left against San Antonio but the Rockets' Tracy McGrady scored 13 points in the final 35 seconds, including the winning 3-pointer. One I didn't see but have heard about was on Nov. 18, 1972, when the New York Knicks trailed the Milwaukee Bucks 86-68 but scored 19 straight points in the final 5:11 to win at Madison Square Garden.

NBA Odds: Saturday, November 21 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 11/20/2015

The Cleveland Cavaliers will be holding their breath on Friday as center Timofey Mozgov, who is probably the most important defensive player on the team as an excellent rim protector, is undergoing an MRI on his shoulder. He hurt his right shoulder Thursday in the first half and didn't return after playing only 11 minutes. Mozgov is still rounding himself into shape from offseason knee surgery. He came into Thursday's game averaging 8.5 points on 51.6 percent shooting and 5.0 rebounds. Tristan Thompson started the second half in his place. If Mozgov misses significant time, the Cavs would have to dust off Anderson Varejao, who barely plays these days.

NBA Betting Trends: Totals Report for Hot Over and Under Teams
by Aaron Smith - 11/20/2015

We're now a little more than three weeks into the new NBA season, and the action has been terrific. Golden State appears to be on a mission this year, and they are setting all kinds of records. Can anyone stop them? Right now it doesn't look like it, but remember the NBA season is a very long one.

NBA Odds: Friday, November 20 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 11/19/2015

Ah, the Philadelphia 76ers. They fell to 0-12 and lost their 22nd straight game overall on Wednesday, getting blown out by a Pacers team missing two of their best guards due to injury. But my favorite number from that embarrassment was that Philadelphia had a whopping 31 turnovers. That's the most in the NBA since Golden State had 31 against the Grizzlies on Nov. 8, 2000. And it wasn't exactly a fluke as the Sixers had 27 turnovers the game before.

NBA Odds: Thursday, November 19 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 11/18/2015

Apparently I'm psychic. On Wednesday's Opening Line Report, my lead was on the struggling Houston Rockets and how if something didn't change soon that the team with title aspirations might have to fire Coach Kevin McHale. That happened early Wednesday -- or at least it got out then -- ahead of Houston's game with Portland. The last straw must have been a players-only meeting on Tuesday. McHale had signed a three-year contract extension only a year ago. Assistant coach J.B. Bickerstaff, a defensive-minded guy, will take over head coaching duties on an interim basis.

NBA Odds: Wednesday, November 18 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 11/17/2015

I loved the Houston Rockets' acquisition of Denver point guard Ty Lawson this offseason, especially as the Rockets gave up next to nothing to get him. Lawson is a very good player and should have made Houston a better team because he's a better player than former starter Patrick Beverley is. But something is terribly wrong with that team right now. Houston was routed by Boston on Monday for its fourth straight loss, dropping the Rockets to 4-7. Coach Kevin McHale is hinting he might have to start bringing Lawson off the bench as he is averaging only 8.9 points and shooting an ugly .333 from the field and .273 from long range.

NBA Odds: Tuesday, November 17 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 11/16/2015

Last year's Golden State Warriors had one of the greatest statistical regular seasons in NBA history. And this year's club might be better as the Warriors are 11-0 and five wins shy of breaking the record for the best start in league history. They generally have been killing people. But I don't think this team would have much of a chance against the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls club that won an NBA-record 72 games in the regular season. And former Bull Ron Harper apparently agrees with me.

NBA Handicapping Tips: Mistakes to Avoid When Betting Pro Basketball
by George Monroy - 11/13/2015

The NBA season is still very young,. And since most basketball bettors are barely settling in, it's almost impossible to have made too many betting mistakes over the last two weeks, unless, of course, you went nuts on the Los Angeles Lakers. That is something I may or may not have done (I just can't quit you, Kobe!). Since many people's attention will begin to shift toward the NBA over the next few weeks and months, let's go over some simple betting mistakes to avoid when wagering on basketball.

NBA Odds: Friday, November 13 2015 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 11/12/2015

On the eve of the season, the sportsbooks offered a prop on the first NBA coach to be fired, and Sacramento's George Karl wasn't even a thought then because he had just been hired at the 2014-15 All-Star break. Yet last week when Bovada provided an update on the prop, Karl was +280 favorite. And things have only gotten worse since. Very plugged-in NBA reporter Sam Amick of USA Today is reporting Karl could be fired very soon.

NBA Betting Trends: Hot and Cold Teams Against the Point Spread
by Aaron Smith - 11/12/2015

The NBA season is a little more than two weeks old. Golden State is doing a nice job of showing that last year's title was no fluke. In fact, the Warriors look like a much better team than they did last year. That's a scary thought for the rest of the league. Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder are off to a hot start as well, but Durant is injured again, and Thunder fans have to hope this isn't the start of another injury-riddled season for their star.

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

I love the NBA, but sometimes I hate the NBA, especially when I get bets down early in hopes of finding value. It's why I write these stories, to give you a head start. But then there are nights like Tuesday. Kobe Bryant was supposed to play in Miami but was a late scratch with a back injury -- if you live in an NBA city other than L.A. and are planning to buy a ticket to see Kobe when the Lakers come to town, I wouldn't bother because he's going to be questionable for about every away game going forward. Andrew Wiggins, Ricky Rubio and Bradley Beal also were late scratches.