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Friday's NBA Tip Sheet
December 18, 2015
Hawks at Celtics (-4, 204.5) – 7:35 ET
The Celtics are on their first losing streak since before Thanksgiving and will be out to avoid dropping three straight for only the second time this season. They’ll be without guard Marcus Smart for another few weeks but had been getting excellent play out of Avery Bradley on both ends of the floor. Boston’s top perimeter defender saw a streak of 17 consecutive double-figure scoring games end in Wednesday’s 119-116 loss to Detroit where he shot 2-for-8 and was held to five points.
He didn’t play in the first meeting between these teams, a 106-93 Celtics win on Nov. 13, but scored 25 on 10-for-17 shooting in a 121-97 loss on Nov. 24. Atlanta snapped a season-high three-game losing streak in Wednesday’s 127-106 win over the 76ers, also ending a run seven consecutive games that went under the posted total. The Hawks won their first four road games of the season but are just 6-6 now. They’re only 1.5 games behind Miami for first place in the Southeast Division. Boston is 1.5 games behind Toronto in the Atlantic.
Raptors at Heat (-4, 204.5) – 8:05 ET
Two of the Eastern Conference’s three division leaders square off for the second time this season as Toronto looks to avoid a winless three-game road trip in South Florida. The first meeting, also played in Miami, saw the Heat roll to a 96-76 win, which is still the Raptors worst-loss of the season. Kyle Lowry had a rough night in Thursday’s 109-99 OT loss in Charlotte, calling timeout just before DeMar DeRozan knocked down what would’ve been a game-winning halfcourt shot. Making matters worse, he shot an incredible 6-for-29 from the field, including 3-for-17 from 3-point range. He was 4-for-16 in the loss to Miami, so there’s a good chance he’ll struggle again. The Heat have won three consecutive games and will be looking to put together their longest prosperous run of the season. Reserves Josh McRoberts (knee) and Tyler Johnson (shoulder) are questionable, while Toronto starters DeMarre Carroll (knee) and Jonas Valanciunas (finger) remain sidelined. Although the ‘under’ has come in 18 of 24 times in Miami games, two of the last three have gone over the posted total. The ‘under’ has prevailed in three of the last four Raptors contests.
Pistons at Bulls (-4, 195) – 8:05 ET
The Pistons begin a crucial three-game road trip that will also feature stops at top East contenders Miami and Atlanta, giving the team a good idea of where they stand at this point in the season. Through the first 27 games, Stan Van Gundy has delivered a winner, helping mold Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond into two of the league’s top young players as potential All-Stars. Detroit has won seven of its last 10 games and have seen the ‘over’ come in in eight of 10, including each of the last four contests. They’ll be getting their second look at the Bulls, who they defeated 98-94 in Auburn Hills way back on Oct. 30. Chicago carries a four-game winning streak into this one and are wrapping up a homestand that has delivered victories over the Clippers, Pelicans, 76ers and Grizzlies. Although Derrick Rose has missed 17 of his last 22 3-point attempts, he does come off a 19-point game in Wednesday’s 98-85 win over Memphis, so it will be interesting to see how he handles this matchup with Jackson. Rose scored just eight points and committed five turnovers in the October loss to the Pistons.
Clippers at Spurs (-7.5, 194.5) – 8:05 ET, ESPN
For the first time since an epic first-round series in the 2015 playoffs, the Clippers and Spurs will cross paths.Chris Paul reigned supreme back in May and comes off his highest-scoring game of the month, finishing with 21 points and eight assists in a 103-90 win over the Bucks on Wednesday. L.A. has won six of its last seven, while San Antonio has won 13 of 15, including four straight. The Spurs are a perfect 14-0 at home, covering on 10 occasions. Kawhi Leonard comes off a 27-point game, his second highest-scoring of the season, after shooting 9-for-15 in Wednesday’s 114-95 win over Washington. Leonard has shot 29-for-50 (58 pct.) over the last four games, averaging 21.8 points and 7.3 rebounds. This will be the Clippers first look at LaMarcus Aldridge in a Spurs uniform. After a slow start, Aldridge has scored in double-figures in eight consecutive contests and is starting to assert himself offensively. Tim Duncan hasn’t scored in double-digits since Dec. 2 and has only done so once in the last 11 games he’s played in, but remains among the NBA’s most efficient performers. He rested on Wednesday and will be fresh here. DeAndre Jordan should also be well-rested since he was ejected in the third quarter against Milwaukee and played just 18 minutes. The Spurs have seen the ‘over’ come in four of the last five games, while the Clippers have had the ‘under’ prevail in three of four.
Pelicans at Suns (-3.5, 214) – 10:35 ET, ESPN
It can be argued that the Pelicans have been the NBA’s most disappointing squad since most expected they would compete for a playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference. Instead, New Orleans enters Friday’s game tied with Brooklyn for the third-worst record in the league, leading only the hapless Lakers in the West. Despite being as healthy as they’ve been all season, Alvin Gentry’s team hasn’t won consecutive games since Nov. 25, when they defeated these Suns in a home-and-home, prevailing 122-116 and 120-114. These teams will play one last time on April 9. Anthony Davis has averaged 29 points and 18 rebounds against Phoenix and has shot over 60 percent from the field. Phoenix has also been disappointing, coming in with a two-game losing streak that has seen them lose to Dallas and Golden State by double-digits. Speculation has Markieff Morris on the block for Phoenix and Ryan Anderson available on the Pelicans. Truth be told, this game is only being spotlighted because it’s being nationally televised.
Bucks at Warriors (-19, 211) – 10:35 ET
There hasn’t been a spread this large in the NBA all season. The most Golden State has laid in a single game is 17. They covered too, beating the Lakers 111-77. The most points the 76ers have gotten this season is 16. The Spurs, who own the top point differential in the league, have been favored by 16 points over Philadelphia. While Greg Monroe, Milwaukee’s top scorer and rebounder (15.6 ppg, 9.6 rpg), likely won’t play due to a knee injury, it still seems like overkill that bookmakers would make the only team that has defeated the Warriors this season nearly a 20-point underdog in Oakland tonight. Of course, there are extenuating circumstances. Golden State has expressed its displeasure with how the Bucks handled handing the Warriors their first loss, celebrating a little too much. Golden State has won six games by 19 or more points this season, including Wednesday’s 128-103 win over Phoenix. They’re 7-4 ATS and 11-0 straight up at Oracle Arena this season, covering in each of their last four contests.
December 18, 2015
Hawks at Celtics (-4, 204.5) – 7:35 ET
The Celtics are on their first losing streak since before Thanksgiving and will be out to avoid dropping three straight for only the second time this season. They’ll be without guard Marcus Smart for another few weeks but had been getting excellent play out of Avery Bradley on both ends of the floor. Boston’s top perimeter defender saw a streak of 17 consecutive double-figure scoring games end in Wednesday’s 119-116 loss to Detroit where he shot 2-for-8 and was held to five points.
He didn’t play in the first meeting between these teams, a 106-93 Celtics win on Nov. 13, but scored 25 on 10-for-17 shooting in a 121-97 loss on Nov. 24. Atlanta snapped a season-high three-game losing streak in Wednesday’s 127-106 win over the 76ers, also ending a run seven consecutive games that went under the posted total. The Hawks won their first four road games of the season but are just 6-6 now. They’re only 1.5 games behind Miami for first place in the Southeast Division. Boston is 1.5 games behind Toronto in the Atlantic.
Raptors at Heat (-4, 204.5) – 8:05 ET
Two of the Eastern Conference’s three division leaders square off for the second time this season as Toronto looks to avoid a winless three-game road trip in South Florida. The first meeting, also played in Miami, saw the Heat roll to a 96-76 win, which is still the Raptors worst-loss of the season. Kyle Lowry had a rough night in Thursday’s 109-99 OT loss in Charlotte, calling timeout just before DeMar DeRozan knocked down what would’ve been a game-winning halfcourt shot. Making matters worse, he shot an incredible 6-for-29 from the field, including 3-for-17 from 3-point range. He was 4-for-16 in the loss to Miami, so there’s a good chance he’ll struggle again. The Heat have won three consecutive games and will be looking to put together their longest prosperous run of the season. Reserves Josh McRoberts (knee) and Tyler Johnson (shoulder) are questionable, while Toronto starters DeMarre Carroll (knee) and Jonas Valanciunas (finger) remain sidelined. Although the ‘under’ has come in 18 of 24 times in Miami games, two of the last three have gone over the posted total. The ‘under’ has prevailed in three of the last four Raptors contests.
Pistons at Bulls (-4, 195) – 8:05 ET
The Pistons begin a crucial three-game road trip that will also feature stops at top East contenders Miami and Atlanta, giving the team a good idea of where they stand at this point in the season. Through the first 27 games, Stan Van Gundy has delivered a winner, helping mold Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond into two of the league’s top young players as potential All-Stars. Detroit has won seven of its last 10 games and have seen the ‘over’ come in in eight of 10, including each of the last four contests. They’ll be getting their second look at the Bulls, who they defeated 98-94 in Auburn Hills way back on Oct. 30. Chicago carries a four-game winning streak into this one and are wrapping up a homestand that has delivered victories over the Clippers, Pelicans, 76ers and Grizzlies. Although Derrick Rose has missed 17 of his last 22 3-point attempts, he does come off a 19-point game in Wednesday’s 98-85 win over Memphis, so it will be interesting to see how he handles this matchup with Jackson. Rose scored just eight points and committed five turnovers in the October loss to the Pistons.
Clippers at Spurs (-7.5, 194.5) – 8:05 ET, ESPN
For the first time since an epic first-round series in the 2015 playoffs, the Clippers and Spurs will cross paths.Chris Paul reigned supreme back in May and comes off his highest-scoring game of the month, finishing with 21 points and eight assists in a 103-90 win over the Bucks on Wednesday. L.A. has won six of its last seven, while San Antonio has won 13 of 15, including four straight. The Spurs are a perfect 14-0 at home, covering on 10 occasions. Kawhi Leonard comes off a 27-point game, his second highest-scoring of the season, after shooting 9-for-15 in Wednesday’s 114-95 win over Washington. Leonard has shot 29-for-50 (58 pct.) over the last four games, averaging 21.8 points and 7.3 rebounds. This will be the Clippers first look at LaMarcus Aldridge in a Spurs uniform. After a slow start, Aldridge has scored in double-figures in eight consecutive contests and is starting to assert himself offensively. Tim Duncan hasn’t scored in double-digits since Dec. 2 and has only done so once in the last 11 games he’s played in, but remains among the NBA’s most efficient performers. He rested on Wednesday and will be fresh here. DeAndre Jordan should also be well-rested since he was ejected in the third quarter against Milwaukee and played just 18 minutes. The Spurs have seen the ‘over’ come in four of the last five games, while the Clippers have had the ‘under’ prevail in three of four.
Pelicans at Suns (-3.5, 214) – 10:35 ET, ESPN
It can be argued that the Pelicans have been the NBA’s most disappointing squad since most expected they would compete for a playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference. Instead, New Orleans enters Friday’s game tied with Brooklyn for the third-worst record in the league, leading only the hapless Lakers in the West. Despite being as healthy as they’ve been all season, Alvin Gentry’s team hasn’t won consecutive games since Nov. 25, when they defeated these Suns in a home-and-home, prevailing 122-116 and 120-114. These teams will play one last time on April 9. Anthony Davis has averaged 29 points and 18 rebounds against Phoenix and has shot over 60 percent from the field. Phoenix has also been disappointing, coming in with a two-game losing streak that has seen them lose to Dallas and Golden State by double-digits. Speculation has Markieff Morris on the block for Phoenix and Ryan Anderson available on the Pelicans. Truth be told, this game is only being spotlighted because it’s being nationally televised.
Bucks at Warriors (-19, 211) – 10:35 ET
There hasn’t been a spread this large in the NBA all season. The most Golden State has laid in a single game is 17. They covered too, beating the Lakers 111-77. The most points the 76ers have gotten this season is 16. The Spurs, who own the top point differential in the league, have been favored by 16 points over Philadelphia. While Greg Monroe, Milwaukee’s top scorer and rebounder (15.6 ppg, 9.6 rpg), likely won’t play due to a knee injury, it still seems like overkill that bookmakers would make the only team that has defeated the Warriors this season nearly a 20-point underdog in Oakland tonight. Of course, there are extenuating circumstances. Golden State has expressed its displeasure with how the Bucks handled handing the Warriors their first loss, celebrating a little too much. Golden State has won six games by 19 or more points this season, including Wednesday’s 128-103 win over Phoenix. They’re 7-4 ATS and 11-0 straight up at Oracle Arena this season, covering in each of their last four contests.
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