Top NBA Weekend Power Trends - 2/6-2/8

Top NBA Weekend Power Trends - 2/6-2/8

The continuing series of huge NBA games offers up another treat this Sunday, as Kobe & the Lakers, fresh off their win at Boston on Thursday, invade Cleveland to take on Lebron & the Cavaliers. Both MVP candidates put on one-man shows this past week at Madison Square Garden, helping to build the hype for Sunday’s showdown. That game is brought to you by ABC and is the highlight contest of another full weekend of NBA basketball. We’re back with our weekly look at the three days of action, plus the Top Power Trends for you to consider in your wagering.

On Saturday night, there are seven games, highlighted by a matchup between Eastern Conference playoff-bound clubs Miami and Philadelphia. The Heat are 4-games over .500 heading into the weekend, but just 2-6 ATS vs. the Atlantic Division. The 76ers have fallen back to even at 24-24, and just found out the other day that they will be without the services of F Elton Brand for the rest of the season. Speaking of injuries, how about the situation that new head coach Scott Skiles has been left with in Milwaukee. Not only has Michael Redd been lost to injury for the season already, the Bucks learned this week that they will go it without C Andrew Bogut for the next eight weeks and PG Luke Ridnour for about four weeks. Their first game with the retooled lineup comes Saturday night at home vs. the struggling Pistons, 4-9 SU & 3-10 ATS in their L13 contests.

On Sunday, three nationally televised games highlight the schedule. In the first one, the Celtics welcome San Antonio to town. The Spurs have opened up a comfortable lead in the Southwest Division but will go into this contest with a record of just 5-11 ATS vs. the Eastern Conference. In the second of the two ABC broadcasts, Kobe & Lebron square off in Cleveland, with the Cavaliers putting their 23-0 home mark on the line. The Lakers have won five straight games and will have had three days off since beating the Celtics on Thursday. They are 5-0 SU & 4-1 ATS this season in spots with similar rest. The Cavs boast an 18-5 ATS mark at home to go along with the spotless won-lost record. They are also a healthy 13-5 ATS against the West in ’08-09. A bit later on ESPN, at 8:05 PM ET, the Pistons, on a back-to-back situation, host the Suns, who embark on a 3-game road trip.



Saturday, 2/7/2009(507) TORONTO vs. (508) MEMPHIS

MEMPHIS is 0-11 ATS (-12.1 Units) at home vs. good shooting teams (>=46% FG%) in 2nd half of last 2 seasons. The average score was MEMPHIS 94.5, OPPONENT 113.1 - (Rating = 4*) (511) CHICAGO vs. (512) DALLAS

CHICAGO is 17-40 ATS (-27 Units) vs. teams who attempt 18 or more 3PT shots/game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was CHICAGO 95.8, OPPONENT 103.2 - (Rating = 3*) (511) CHICAGO vs. (512) DALLAS

DALLAS is 18-6 UNDER (+11.4 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record this season. The average score was DALLAS 98.3, OPPONENT 94.3 - (Rating = 2*)

Sunday, 2/8/2009(801)

SAN ANTONIO vs. (802) BOSTON

BOSTON is 21-6 ATS (+14.4 Units) vs. poor pressure defensive teams - forcing <=14 turnovers/game this season. The average score was BOSTON 103.8, OPPONENT 88.9 - (Rating = 3*) (803) LA LAKERS vs. (804) CLEVELAND

CLEVELAND is 40-17 ATS (+21.3 Units) at home vs. very good teams outscoring opponents by 6+ PPG since 1996. The average score was CLEVELAND 92.8, OPPONENT 91.9 - (Rating = 2*) (807) NEW JERSEY vs. (808) ORLANDO

NEW JERSEY is 0-11 ATS (-12.1 Units) in road games vs. good 3PT shooting teams (>=36%) in 2nd half of L2 seasons. The average score was NEW JERSEY 90.1, OPPONENT 105 - (Rating = 4*) (813) MINNESOTA vs. (814) NEW ORLEANS

NEW ORLEANS is 39-16 UNDER (+21.4 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons. The average score was NEW ORLEANS 96.1, OPPONENT 92.1 - (Rating = 3*)