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Wednesday's Tip Sheet
December 12, 2018
By Kevin Rogers
Game of the Night: Raptors at Warriors – 10:30 PM EST
Golden State (19-9 SU, 13-15 ATS) is the two-time undisputed champion in the NBA and barring injury, will be back in the Finals in June. It will not be a repeat matchup with Cleveland, but Toronto (22-7 SU, 14-15 ATS) is one of the top candidates to knock off Golden State for the NBA title.
The two powers meet tonight at Oracle Arena as the Warriors are riding a four-game winning streak following Monday’s 116-108 home triumph over the Timberwolves. Stephen Curry shot lights out by drilling seven three-pointers and scoring 38, while Golden State knocked down 19 treys. Although the Warriors improved to 12-2 at home, Steve Kerr’s team didn’t cover as 9 ½-point favorites, and fell to 1-4 ATS in the past five games at Oracle Arena.
The Raptors head to the Bay Area with no rest after blowing out the Clippers, 123-99 last night. Kawhi Leonard sat out for Toronto, but the Raptors’ offense didn’t struggle as they shot 52% from the floor and hit 14 three-pointers. Serge Ibaka led Toronto with 25 points, while Kyle Lowry rebounded from a scoreless effort against Milwaukee to put up 21 points and seven assists.
Toronto held off Golden State in their previous meeting in overtime on November 29 at Scotiabank Arena, 131-128. The Warriors cashed as 9 ½-point underdogs with Curry sidelined, but Kevin Durant posted one of the top games of his career with 51 points. Leonard paced the Raptors with 37 points as Toronto snapped an eight-game losing streak to Golden State that dated back to January 2015.
Thunder Road
Following an 0-4 start, Oklahoma City (17-8 SU, 15-10 ATS) has stormed back to take control of the Northwest division. The Thunder has won five of their last six games, including Monday’s 122-113 home triumph over the Jazz in a playoff rematch from last season. Oklahoma City led by 24 points heading into the fourth quarter prior to a Utah rally, but Paul George continued his solid play of late by scoring 31 points on 8-of-10 shooting.
The Thunder travels to New Orleans to face the Pelicans (14-15 SU, 13-16 ATS), who own a solid 10-4 record at Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans have alternated wins and losses in nine consecutive games, coming off a 113-100 setback at Boston on Monday. New Orleans dropped a 122-116 decision at Oklahoma City in its first matchup back in early November, as Pelicans’ forward Julius Randle put together an impressive 10-of-10 effort from the floor for 26 points in the defeat.
King it On
Sacramento (14-12 SU, 16-10 ATS) is halfway to cashing its season win total (25 ½) as the Kings continue a solid start. The Kings return home from a 3-1 road trip, which included blowout victories over Phoenix, Cleveland, and Chicago to improve to 8-7 away from Golden 1 Center. Sacramento welcomes in Minnesota as the Kings knocked off the Timberwolves, 121-110 as two-point underdogs in November.
The Wolves (13-14 SU, 15-12 ATS) are winless through their first two games of a four-game road trip which wraps up in Phoenix on Saturday. Minnesota has lost 10 of 12 contests away from Target Center, but yet the Wolves opened as a short favorite on Wednesday at Sacramento. The first two games of this road swing resulted in defeats at Portland and Golden State, although the Wolves cashed as 9 ½-point ‘dogs against the Warriors on Monday. The Wolves have fared well recently in the favorite role by going 5-1 SU/ATS in the last six opportunities.
Central Command
The Central Division was owned by Cleveland each of the past four seasons, but it will come down to Milwaukee and Indiana this season. Although there is still 70% of the season to be played, the Bucks and Pacers are separated by 1 ½ games heading into Wednesday’s action and likely won’t be caught by the Pistons, Cavaliers, and Bulls.
The Bucks (18-8 SU, 14-11-1 ATS) picked up consecutive wins for the first time since late November as Milwaukee knocked off Toronto and Cleveland on a back-to-back set on Sunday and Monday. Milwaukee has stepped up its defense of late by cashing four consecutive UNDERS, while limiting three opponents during this span to 99 points or less.
The Pacers (17-10 SU, 14-13 ATS) are in the midst of a seven-game UNDER streak, while picking up wins in four consecutive contests. Indiana looks to wrap up its three-game homestand perfect after beating Sacramento and Washington, as the Pacers try to avenge an earlier loss to the Bucks. Milwaukee ripped Indiana at Fiserv Forum in mid-October, 118-101 as 3 ½-point favorites, but the Pacers have won each of the last three home matchups with the Bucks.
Dallas Domination
The Mavericks (14-11 SU, 17-8 ATS) have taken advantage of playing at American Airlines Center by posting a terrific 12-2 home mark. Dallas rallied past Houston on Saturday, followed by a blowout of Orlando on Monday to improve to 10-0 SU/ATS in the past 10 home contests. Dallas is in a revenge spot tonight against Atlanta as the Mavericks squandered a 26-point lead in a 111-104 setback to the Hawks in late October.
Atlanta (6-20 SU, 10-16 ATS) snapped a four-game losing streak in Saturday’s 106-98 home upset of Denver for its first win in December. The road has not been kind to the Hawks, who are 2-11 on the highway, but Atlanta has cashed in five of the past eight opportunities as an away underdog. Since the start of the 2013-14 season, the Hawks own a perfect 10-0 record against the Mavericks, including four straight victories at American Airlines Center.
First to Three
The 76ers and Nets have split a pair of matchups at Barclays Center this season, while Philadelphia got the best of Brooklyn on November 25 on a Jimmy Butler buzzer-beater. The Sixers (19-9 SU, 13-15 ATS) have won six of their past seven games, while coming off a home-and-home sweep of the Pistons. Butler is doubtful with a groin injury tonight, but Philadelphia is 4-0 SU/ATS in its last four games at Wells Fargo Center since losing to Cleveland as 13-point favorites on November 23.
The Nets (10-18 SU, 13-15 ATS) are seeking their second three-game winning streak of the season following victories over the Raptors and Knicks. Brooklyn is riding a three-game ATS hot streak, while winning three of its past five contests away from Barclays Center. The Nets have covered their first two meetings with the Sixers, as Brooklyn has cashed in five of the past seven meetings in the series since April 2017.
December 12, 2018
By Kevin Rogers
Game of the Night: Raptors at Warriors – 10:30 PM EST
Golden State (19-9 SU, 13-15 ATS) is the two-time undisputed champion in the NBA and barring injury, will be back in the Finals in June. It will not be a repeat matchup with Cleveland, but Toronto (22-7 SU, 14-15 ATS) is one of the top candidates to knock off Golden State for the NBA title.
The two powers meet tonight at Oracle Arena as the Warriors are riding a four-game winning streak following Monday’s 116-108 home triumph over the Timberwolves. Stephen Curry shot lights out by drilling seven three-pointers and scoring 38, while Golden State knocked down 19 treys. Although the Warriors improved to 12-2 at home, Steve Kerr’s team didn’t cover as 9 ½-point favorites, and fell to 1-4 ATS in the past five games at Oracle Arena.
The Raptors head to the Bay Area with no rest after blowing out the Clippers, 123-99 last night. Kawhi Leonard sat out for Toronto, but the Raptors’ offense didn’t struggle as they shot 52% from the floor and hit 14 three-pointers. Serge Ibaka led Toronto with 25 points, while Kyle Lowry rebounded from a scoreless effort against Milwaukee to put up 21 points and seven assists.
Toronto held off Golden State in their previous meeting in overtime on November 29 at Scotiabank Arena, 131-128. The Warriors cashed as 9 ½-point underdogs with Curry sidelined, but Kevin Durant posted one of the top games of his career with 51 points. Leonard paced the Raptors with 37 points as Toronto snapped an eight-game losing streak to Golden State that dated back to January 2015.
Thunder Road
Following an 0-4 start, Oklahoma City (17-8 SU, 15-10 ATS) has stormed back to take control of the Northwest division. The Thunder has won five of their last six games, including Monday’s 122-113 home triumph over the Jazz in a playoff rematch from last season. Oklahoma City led by 24 points heading into the fourth quarter prior to a Utah rally, but Paul George continued his solid play of late by scoring 31 points on 8-of-10 shooting.
The Thunder travels to New Orleans to face the Pelicans (14-15 SU, 13-16 ATS), who own a solid 10-4 record at Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans have alternated wins and losses in nine consecutive games, coming off a 113-100 setback at Boston on Monday. New Orleans dropped a 122-116 decision at Oklahoma City in its first matchup back in early November, as Pelicans’ forward Julius Randle put together an impressive 10-of-10 effort from the floor for 26 points in the defeat.
King it On
Sacramento (14-12 SU, 16-10 ATS) is halfway to cashing its season win total (25 ½) as the Kings continue a solid start. The Kings return home from a 3-1 road trip, which included blowout victories over Phoenix, Cleveland, and Chicago to improve to 8-7 away from Golden 1 Center. Sacramento welcomes in Minnesota as the Kings knocked off the Timberwolves, 121-110 as two-point underdogs in November.
The Wolves (13-14 SU, 15-12 ATS) are winless through their first two games of a four-game road trip which wraps up in Phoenix on Saturday. Minnesota has lost 10 of 12 contests away from Target Center, but yet the Wolves opened as a short favorite on Wednesday at Sacramento. The first two games of this road swing resulted in defeats at Portland and Golden State, although the Wolves cashed as 9 ½-point ‘dogs against the Warriors on Monday. The Wolves have fared well recently in the favorite role by going 5-1 SU/ATS in the last six opportunities.
Central Command
The Central Division was owned by Cleveland each of the past four seasons, but it will come down to Milwaukee and Indiana this season. Although there is still 70% of the season to be played, the Bucks and Pacers are separated by 1 ½ games heading into Wednesday’s action and likely won’t be caught by the Pistons, Cavaliers, and Bulls.
The Bucks (18-8 SU, 14-11-1 ATS) picked up consecutive wins for the first time since late November as Milwaukee knocked off Toronto and Cleveland on a back-to-back set on Sunday and Monday. Milwaukee has stepped up its defense of late by cashing four consecutive UNDERS, while limiting three opponents during this span to 99 points or less.
The Pacers (17-10 SU, 14-13 ATS) are in the midst of a seven-game UNDER streak, while picking up wins in four consecutive contests. Indiana looks to wrap up its three-game homestand perfect after beating Sacramento and Washington, as the Pacers try to avenge an earlier loss to the Bucks. Milwaukee ripped Indiana at Fiserv Forum in mid-October, 118-101 as 3 ½-point favorites, but the Pacers have won each of the last three home matchups with the Bucks.
Dallas Domination
The Mavericks (14-11 SU, 17-8 ATS) have taken advantage of playing at American Airlines Center by posting a terrific 12-2 home mark. Dallas rallied past Houston on Saturday, followed by a blowout of Orlando on Monday to improve to 10-0 SU/ATS in the past 10 home contests. Dallas is in a revenge spot tonight against Atlanta as the Mavericks squandered a 26-point lead in a 111-104 setback to the Hawks in late October.
Atlanta (6-20 SU, 10-16 ATS) snapped a four-game losing streak in Saturday’s 106-98 home upset of Denver for its first win in December. The road has not been kind to the Hawks, who are 2-11 on the highway, but Atlanta has cashed in five of the past eight opportunities as an away underdog. Since the start of the 2013-14 season, the Hawks own a perfect 10-0 record against the Mavericks, including four straight victories at American Airlines Center.
First to Three
The 76ers and Nets have split a pair of matchups at Barclays Center this season, while Philadelphia got the best of Brooklyn on November 25 on a Jimmy Butler buzzer-beater. The Sixers (19-9 SU, 13-15 ATS) have won six of their past seven games, while coming off a home-and-home sweep of the Pistons. Butler is doubtful with a groin injury tonight, but Philadelphia is 4-0 SU/ATS in its last four games at Wells Fargo Center since losing to Cleveland as 13-point favorites on November 23.
The Nets (10-18 SU, 13-15 ATS) are seeking their second three-game winning streak of the season following victories over the Raptors and Knicks. Brooklyn is riding a three-game ATS hot streak, while winning three of its past five contests away from Barclays Center. The Nets have covered their first two meetings with the Sixers, as Brooklyn has cashed in five of the past seven meetings in the series since April 2017.
Good luck tonight, buddy!
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