The Bum's February's NBA POD's Stats, Trends, News, & Game of the Year !

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Friday, February 28

Tony Parker, San Antonio - Ques Fri

Parker has been dealing with a sprained left hand since the beginning of February as well as a few other ailments. He is questionable to play Friday against the Bobcats.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Short Sheet

Friday, February 28

Utah at Cleveland, 7:35 ET
Utah: 52-31 UNDER revenging a home loss vs opponent of 10 points or more
Cleveland: 19-10 UNDER in home games

Memphis at Oklahoma City, 8:05 ET
Memphis: 32-17 UNDER against Northwest division opponents
Oklahoma City: 8-0 ATS off an upset loss as a favorite of 10 points or more

Golden State at NY Knicks, 8:05 ET
Golden State: 27-14 ATS after a loss by 10 points or more
NY Knicks: 10-21 ATS as an underdog

Charlotte at San Antonio, 8:35 ET
Charlotte: 17-33 ATS in non-conference games
San Antonio: 26-14 ATS after scoring 110 points or more

Chicago at Dallas, 8:35 ET
Chicago: 1-9 ATS after a blowout win by 20 points or more
Dallas: 8-0 ATS against Central division opponents

New Orleans at Phoenix, 10:35 ET
New Orleans: 22-9 ATS in road games after 5 or more consecutive losses
Phoenix: 5-15 ATS in home games after having lost 3 of their last 4 games

Sacramento at LA Lakers, 10:35 ET
Sacramento: 16-7 ATS after allowing 105 points or more
LA Lakers: 39-62 ATS in home games after a loss by 6 points or less

[StarDust Bum]

NBA

Friday, February 28

Report: Butler to sign with Thunder

Forward Caron Butler, whose contract was bought out by the Milwaukee Bucks, plans to sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder after he clears waivers on Saturday, according to ESPN.com.

Butler agreed to a buyout and was placed on waivers by the Bucks on Thursday.

Oklahoma City reportedly appeals to Butler because the Thunder can offer him the most playing time while playing behind star Kevin Durant. Butler could see more action when the Thunder go to a smaller lineup with center Kendrick Perkins out for up to six weeks.

The Miami Heat are also reportedly interested in Butler, who played his first two NBA seasons (2002-2004) of his career there and is close friends with Heat guard Dwyane Wade.

Butler, 34, averaged 11 points and 4.6 rebounds in 34 games with Milwaukee this season. He has missed time with a high ankle sprain. He is also shooting career-low 39 percent. However, in his last 10 games with the Bucks, he scored 17 or more points four times.


Report: Granger signing with Clippers

Guard/forward Danny Granger is signing with the Los Angeles Clippers, ESPNLosAngeles.com reported Friday.

Granger became a free agent when his contract was bought out by the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.

Granger has struggled in coming back from knee and calf injuries. He averaged 8.3 points on just 35.9 percent shooting in 22.5 minutes over 29 games with the Indiana Pacers before getting traded to Philadelphia last week. He played just five games last season.

The Clippers are loaded with shooting guards and small forwards, including Matt Barnes, Jared Dudley, Willie Green, Jamal Crawford and rookie Reggie Bullock. Also, J.J. Redick is expected to return from injury soon.

Granger made his lone All-Star appearance in 2009, the year he finished fifth in the NBA in scoring at 25.8 points per game. In Granger's last full season, 2011-12, he averaged 18.7 points and five rebounds.


Perkins' injury, not Westbrook's return, sparked OKC's slide

It’d be easy to lay blame for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s recent skid at the feet of Russell Westbrook.

Sure OKC’s struggles, losing three in a row SU and ATS, coincides with the return of their All-Star guard but also coincide with absence of center Kendrick Perkins.

In those three losses, the Thunder have given up an average of 114 points - over 15 points worse than their season average. They’ve been dominated in the key, outrebounded each game and either gave up too many fastbreak points (20.6 against a season average of 13) or points in the paint (44 versus a season average of 39.8).

What Perkins brings is experience, interior toughness, and intimidation – attributes that can positively affect a team but don’t necessarily show up on a stats sheet. A hard foul can make someone think twice about taking the ball to the rim and a well-placed box out can stop an easy put back.

Without Perkins, and with games coming up against the Memphis Grizzlies and the Charlotte Bobcats, the Thunder could find themselves in difficult spots to try and reverse this downward trend.

The Grizzlies and Bobcats are both slow offensive teams that pound it down to their big men, Zac Randolph, Marc Gasol and Al Jefferson respectively.

The Grizzlies are 3-1 SU since the All-Star break by doing just what was mentioned, evidenced by Gasol and Randolph accounting for over 30 percent of Memphis’ scoring. Meanwhile, the Bobcats are a very impressive 4-0 SU since the break with Jefferson averaging 25 points and almost 10 rebounds through Thursday’s games.

The prospect of a Perkins-less Thunder has those opponents licking their lips in anticipation. Perkins’ 20 minutes per game has been replaced by rookie Steven Adams and veteran Nick Collison and teams seem to be keying on the duo.

Cleveland Cavaliers centre Spencer Hawes had a 19-point, seven-rebound effort in the 114-104 Cleveland win Wednesday while DeAndre Jordan had 18 and 12 in the Clippers’ 125-117 win Sunday.

The combo of Adams and Collison is averaging five points and eight rebounds over the three-game slide.

The Thunder are 5-point home favorites hosting Memphis Thursday. The total is set at 193 points.

[StarDust Bum]

Hoop Trends - Friday

February 28, 2014


ATS TREND OF THE DAY:

--- The Spurs are 0-13 ATS (-7.31 ppg) since Jan 11, 2013 with at least one day of rest after a win in which they made fewer baskets than their opponent.

OU TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Kings are 10-0 OU (16.50 ppg) since Apr 13, 2011 with at least one day of rest after a loss in which they scored more than 25% of their points from the free throw line.

PLAYER TREND OF THE DAY:

-- The Thunder are 11-0 ATS (6.14 ppg) since Mar 17, 2013 after Serge Ibaka shot better than 66% from the field at home.

CHOICE TREND:

-- The Knicks are 11-0 OU (10.18 ppg) since Oct 30, 2009 as a dog with at most one day of rest after a loss on the road in which they allowed at least 50% from the field.

ACTIVE TRENDS:

-- The Grizzlies are 0-7 OU (-10.57 ppg) since Jan 04, 2012 after Mike Conley played fewer than 30 minutes in a home win.

-- The Warriors are 8-0 OU (11.38 ppg) since Mar 23, 2011 on the road after Stephen Curry was not the Warriors’ high scorer in a road loss.

[StarDust Bum]

Friday Tips

February 27, 2014


Grizzlies at Thunder – 8:05 PM EST

Memphis: 32-24 SU, 25-30-1 ATS
Oklahoma City: 43-15 SU, 32-26 ATS

Since Russell Westbrook has returned to the Thunder lineup, OKC hasn’t won a game in three tries. All three losses have had a similar theme: a lack of defense. Oklahoma City has allowed at least 103 points in each defeat, while giving up 114 points to Cleveland in Wednesday’s shocking home loss to the Cavs as 15-point favorites. Since the start of February, the Thunder has compiled a dreadful 3-7 ATS record, including a 1-4 ATS mark at Chesapeake Energy Arena in this span.

The Grizzlies have won five of their past six games, including Wednesday’s 108-103 victory over the Lakers. However, Memphis has failed to cover seven consecutive home contests as a favorite, but the Grizzlies are a scorching 9-1 ATS the last 10 games in the underdog role. The lone ATS loss for Memphis in this stretch came at Oklahoma City on February 3 in an 86-77 defeat as eight-point underdogs, but point guard Mike Conley sat out with an ankle injury.

Warriors at Knicks – 8:05 PM EST

Golden State: 35-23 SU, 27-28-3 ATS
New York: 21-36 SU, 24-33 ATS

The Warriors continue their six-game road swing in New York following an embarrassing effort on Wednesday. Golden State was blown out at Chicago, 103-83 as 3 ½-point favorites to snap a four-game winning streak, while cashing the ‘under’ for the fifth consecutive contest. Mark Jackson’s team split a pair of contests against the Knicks last season, including a 54-point effort from Stephen Curry in a 109-105 defeat at Madison Square Garden as 7 ½-point underdogs.

The Knicks return home with no rest following Thursday’s contest at Miami, as New York owns a 4-8 SU and 6-6 ATS record on the second of a back-to-back. Mike Woodson’s club has struggled in the role of a home underdog, posting a 2-9 ATS record when receiving points at the Garden, with one of those covers coming in Monday’s buzzer-beating loss to Dallas. New York has cashed the ‘over’ in seven of the last 10 home contests, while each of the last four home meetings with Golden State has sailed ‘over’ the total.

Bulls at Mavericks – 8:35 PM EST

Chicago: 31-26 SU, 29-28 ATS
Dallas: 36-23 SU, 33-26 ATS

All of the sudden, the Bulls are looking like the third-best team in the Eastern Conference after winning seven of their past eight games. Following a rout of Golden State on Wednesday, the Bulls improved to 8-2 ATS the last 10 contests, while topping the 100-point mark for the third time in four games. The Bulls are playing with revenge on Friday after getting blown out by the Mavericks in December, 105-83, as Dallas put up 61 points in the first half.

The Mavericks are rolling right now, riding a four-game winning streak following Wednesday’s 108-89 home triumph over the Pelicans. The strong defensive effort for Dallas against New Orleans actually ended a five-game 'over' run for the Mavs, as Rick Carlisle's team has won five of their past seven at the American Airlines Arena. Dallas has taken care of Eastern Conference opponents of late, going 7-2 SU and 5-4 ATS, as the last loss to an Eastern team came against Miami in the first game after the All-Star break.

Pelicans at Suns – 10:35 PM EST

New Orleans: 23-34 SU, 24-29-4 ATS
Phoenix: 33-24 SU, 36-20-1 ATS

The Pelicans haven’t won a game since the All-Star break, losing each of their last five games, while scoring 93 points or less four times in this stretch. New Orleans will likely be without All-Star center Anthony Davis on Friday night after the former top pick suffered a shoulder injury in Wednesday’s defeat at Dallas. The Pelicans are playing with double-revenge after losing each of the first two meetings with the Suns, including a 101-94 defeat in Phoenix as two-point road favorites on November 10.

The Suns are mired in a three-game skid, which includes a pair of home losses to the Rockets and Wolves. The most recent defeat came at Utah on Wednesday night as a short underdog, while Phoenix played without starting point guard Goran Dragic, who is a game-time decision on Friday with a sprained ankle. Four of the last five games for the Suns have finished ‘under’ the total, but Phoenix has given up at least 109 points in each of its past three contests.

[StarDust Bum]

Knicks host Warriors

February 28, 2014


GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (35-23) at NEW YORK KNICKS (21-37)
Sportsbook.ag Line & Total: Golden State -6 & 200.5

The reeling Knicks look to end their four-game losing skid on Friday night when they host a surging Warriors team that has won four of its past five contests.

Golden State was riding a four-game win streak before suffering an ugly 103-83 loss to the Bulls Wednesday night, where it shot a horrible 35.7% FG (5-of-21 threes) and was outrebounded by 15 boards (56-41). The Warriors will play their third contest of a six-game road trip on Friday, looking to improve upon a solid 17-13 SU road mark this season (16-14 ATS). New York was also manhandled in its last game, a 108-82 loss to Miami on Thursday night where it was outshot by the Heat 61% FG to 37% FG. The Knicks are now a dreadful 2-10 SU (4-8 ATS) in the month of February and have allowed 113.5 PPG on 50.2% FG (46.9% threes) during their four-game losing skid (1-3 ATS). They are also a pathetic 12-19 SU (11-20 ATS) at home this season, and have been dominated by Golden State recently, going 5-15 SU (6-13-1 ATS) in the past 20 meetings in this series. When these teams last met on March 11, 2013 in Oakland, New York scored just 62 points on 27% FG (5-of-27 threes) in a 92-63 humiliating defeat. The Warriors are 38-23 ATS (62%) after an SU loss in the past two seasons, but the Knicks are 22-9 ATS (71%) at home versus high-volume three-point shooting teams (18+ attempted threes per game) in the second half of the past three seasons. There are no new injuries to report, with the Knicks still missing SF Iman Shumpert (knee) and PFs Andrea Bargnani (elbow) and Kenyon Martin (ankle).

Golden State has been strong on both sides of the court this season with 103.0 PPG (10th in NBA) and 98.6 PPG allowed (9th in league). The club also ranks seventh in three-point accuracy (37.7%), 10th in assists (22.7 APG) and second in total rebounds (45.8 RPG). PG Stephen Curry (23.8 PPG, 8.8 APG, 4.3 RPG, 1.7 SPG) is having a tremendous season, but he really struggled in Wednesday's loss to the Bulls with five points (2-of-10 FG), five assists and five turnovers, snapping a string of scoring 13+ points in 24 straight games. However, Curry should be able to bounce back and have a huge game going against a weak defending Knicks backcourt. The last time Curry played in Madison Square Garden on Feb. 27, 2013, he poured in a career-high 54 points on 18-of-28 FG and 11-of-13 threes, while adding seven assists, six rebounds and three steals in that epic performance.

SG Jordan Crawford (11.9 PPG, 4.5 APG) has provided a nice spark off the bench for Golden State recently and he is averaging 15.5 PPG (5-of-11 threes) over the past two contests. The Knicks' second unit is prone to defensive breakdowns, so he could be in for yet another solid performance. PF David Lee (18.9 PPG, 9.8 RPG) returned from the flu last game for Golden State, but played only 21 minutes, finishing with 11 points and six rebounds. Lee should be ready for a big boost in minutes Friday, and the Knicks struggle to cover power forwards. If Carmelo Anthony guards Lee for this matchup, Lee will be able to use his size to bully his opponent in the paint. SG Klay Thompson (17.8 PPG) will need to get his stroke back, as he's averaging just 11.3 PPG (42% FG, 29% threes) over the past four games. The Warriors need Thompson to get closer to his seasonal averages if they are going to continue to move up the ranks in the Western Conference.

New York has been a poor offensive club all season with just 97.6 PPG (21st in NBA) and 20.4 APG (25th in league), but this team has been especially terrible on the defensive end of the court in February, allowing 104.3 PPG on 48.1% FG and 42.8% threes. Before the month began, opponents had tallied just 98.8 PPG on 45.8% FG and 36.4% threes against the Knicks. They played the Heat close in the first half on Thursday night, but Miami outscored them 32-14 in the third quarter and completely busted open the game. SF Carmelo Anthony (28.3 PPG, 8.5 RPG) had 29 points (11-of-20 FG) in the game and is now averaging 38.8 PPG (53% FG, 22-of-44 threes) and 7.0 RPG during his past five games. Anthony has also thrived against the Warriors in his career, netting 26.4 PPG on 50.2% FG with 6.1 RPG and 3.3 APG in 28 career meetings. But Anthony needs a lot more help from his teammates.

SG Tim Hardaway Jr. (9.5 PPG, 37% threes) really struggled on Thursday, finishing with just six points (2-of-15 FG, 0-for-8 threes) and posting a minus-35 rating in his 34 unimpressive minutes. The rookie will need to be much better against the Warriors if the Knicks are going to get back into the win column. PG Raymond Felton (10.2 PPG, 6.0 APG) has dealt with a lot of issues away from the court with his recent arrest on gun possession charges, but he has also struggled on the court, averaging 5.0 PPG in 32.5 MPG in the past two games, going 1-for-7 from the floor in Thursday's loss. Felton will need to be ready to play defense, as he was torched by Stephen Curry the last time these teams met in New York. C Tyson Chandler (9.1 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 1.4 BPG) had a huge game against Miami in the loss with 19 points and 16 rebounds, giving him four straight double-doubles (15.5 PPG, 13.8 RPG) during his team's losing skid. His defense around the rim will be crucial in this game as the Warriors guards are capable of getting into the paint at will.

[StarDust Bum]

February's record:

35- 25 *****

20- 18 double play

11- 12 triple play

0 - 1 nba goy


Friday, February 28

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Utah - 7:30 PM ET Utah +4 500 *****
Cleveland - Over 193.5 500

Memphis - 8:00 PM ET Oklahoma City -6 500
Oklahoma City - Over 195.5 500

Golden State - 8:00 PM ET New York +6 500 TRIPLE PLAY
New York - Under 200.5 500

Chicago - 8:30 PM ET Chicago +4.5 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Dallas - Under 192.5 500

Charlotte - 8:30 PM ET Charlotte +8.5 500
San Antonio - Under 201.5 500

Sacramento - 10:30 PM ET L.A. Lakers -2.5 500
L.A. Lakers - Over 216 500

New Orleans - 10:30 PM ET New Orleans +7 500
Phoenix - Under 201 500