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Wednesday’s Tip Sheet

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
6 minute read
ATS Rankings | Totals Report | Injuries

Game of the Night: Blazers at Lakers – 10:35 PM EST – ESPN

Both these Western Conference squads are hitting their stride as Portland and Los Angeles meet up for the third time this season. The Blazers (10-3 SU, 10-3 ATS) sit atop the Northwest division after winning seven of its previous eight games to leap-frog Denver for the top spot. Portland finished off a 5-1 homestand by holding off Boston, 100-94 as two-point favorites on Sunday as Damian Lillard paced the Blazers with 19 points and 12 assists.

The Lakers (7-6 SU, 4-9 ATS) have overcome a slow 2-5 start by posting a 5-1 record the last six games to sneak above the .500 mark. LeBron James led Los Angeles with 26 points and the go-ahead dunk in the final seconds of Sunday’s narrow 107-106 home triumph over Atlanta, but the Lakers failed to cash as 11 ½-point favorites. The Lakers have won four of their last five games at Staples Center after starting 0-2 at home, while the Purple and Gold have cashed the UNDER in six straight contests.

The Blazers captured the first matchup of the season by spoiling James’ debut with the Lakers on opening night at the Moda Center, 128-119. Portland cashed as three-point favorites in a back-and-forth game that saw L.A. convert only 7-of-30 three-point attempts. The Lakers rebounded in the second meeting on November 3 in Portland with a 114-110 triumph as 3 ½-point underdogs, highlighted by a 32-16 third quarter to overcome a one-point halftime deficit.

The Butler Will Do It

Following a month of “Will He or Won’t He Get Traded,” the Wolves finally pulled the plug on Jimmy Butler’s time in Minnesota and traded the disgruntled swingman to Philadelphia. The 76ers (9-6 SU, 6-9 ATS) are lining themselves up to be a threat to win the Eastern Conference along with the Celtics, Raptors, and Bucks.

Butler is expected to suit up for the Sixers as they wrap up their three-game road trip in Orlando. Philadelphia rebounded from a late meltdown in an overtime loss at Memphis to defeat Miami on Monday, 124-114 as 2 ½-point underdogs. Joel Embiid dominated in the middle for Philadelphia by scoring 35 points and pulling down 18 rebounds, while the 76ers knocked down 15 three-pointers. The victory was only the second in eight opportunities away from Wells Fargo Center, while the 76ers own an 0-2 SU/AT mark in the role of a road favorite.

The Magic (6-8 SU, 6-8 ATS) have come back to life after beginning the season at 2-6 by winning four of their past six games. Orlando and Washington matched each other point for point through three quarters on Monday before the Wizards pulled away for a 117-109 victory to grab the narrow cover as 8 ½-point favorites. The Magic cashed as hefty 12 ½-point underdogs at Philadelphia on October 20 in a 116-115 setback, as Evan Fournier dropped in six treys and scored 31 points for Orlando.

You Again?

By the time mid-November hits, the Jazz (7-6 SU, 7-6 ATS) will have played the Grizzlies and Mavericks each three times. Utah finally beat Memphis for the first time in three tries on Monday as a short road favorite, while the Jazz seek their third victory over the Mavericks on Wednesday. In the first matchup at American Airlines Center on October 28, the Jazz held off the Mavs, 113-104 to cash as 4 ½-point favorites, led by Rudy Gobert’s double-double (23 points, 16 rebounds).

In the second meeting in Salt Lake City last Wednesday, Utah halted a four-game slide by blasting Dallas, 117-102 to cover as 9 ½-point favorites. Utah improved to 8-1 in the past nine meetings with Dallas since the start of the 2016-17 season, including five straight wins at home.

Now, the Mavericks (5-8 SU, 8-5 ATS) return to the Lone Star State after picking up their first road win in seven tries this season at Chicago on Monday. Dallas has won four of six contests at American Airlines Center, including recent double-digit victories over Oklahoma City and Washington. The Mavs have also cashed in four of six opportunities as an underdog, while seeking their first three-game winning streak of the season.

Strap it Up

The Spurs (7-5 SU, 6-6 ATS) had won 19 of their previous meetings with the Kings before getting tripped up at Sacramento on Monday as short favorites. Now, San Antonio continues its road trip at Phoenix, looking to beat the Suns for the second time this season. In the first matchup at Talking Stick Resort Arena on Halloween night, the Spurs rolled the Suns, 120-90 as 6 ½-point favorites, as DeMar DeRozan knocked down 10-of-12 shots to pace San Antonio with 25 points.

The Suns (2-11 SU, 5-8 ATS) are back in the Valley following back-to-back road double-digit losses at New Orleans and Oklahoma City. Phoenix has dropped four straight overall, but has covered in three of its previous four home contests, including ATS victories in losses to Boston and Toronto. The Suns have finished UNDER the total in four of the last five home games, while the Spurs have gone UNDER in five of the past six games overall.

Double-Digit Home Favorite Traps?

(Part I)

The Celtics (7-6 SU, 4-9 ATS) have been one of the worst teams to back through the first month of the season. Boston stumbled on its recent road trip by losing four of five games with the only victory coming at Phoenix after the Celtics trailed by 22. The C’s failed to cash in all five road contests, including three losses as an underdog at Denver, Utah, and Portland. Boston returns home to host Chicago as a heavy favorite, as the Celtics own an 0-4 ATS record as chalk of eight points or more.

The Bulls (4-10 SU, 8-6 ATS) begin a rough stretch the next four days by heading to Boston tonight, Milwaukee on Friday, and hosting Toronto on Saturday. Chicago has scored less than 100 points in four of the past five games, while hitting the UNDER in six of the previous seven contests. The Bulls have covered in three straight road games, including as an 11-point underdog at New Orleans on November 7.

(Part II)

The Bucks (10-3 SU, 8-4-1 ATS) put their 6-0 home record on the line as the Grizzlies make their first visit to Fiserv Forum. Milwaukee split its four-game road trip as the Bucks lost in both favorite opportunities to the Blazers and Clippers, but shocked the Warriors and Nuggets as underdogs. Playing in the brand new Fiserv Forum, the Bucks have thrived as not only are their unbeaten but have won every home game by 11 points or more.

The Grizzlies (7-5 SU, 7-5 ATS) suffered their first home loss of the season on Monday against Utah, halting a two-game winning streak. Memphis has lost three of its past four road contests, including a 117-101 defeat at Golden State on November 5. The Grizzlies were swept by the Bucks last season, while losing four of the past five meetings with the last win in Milwaukee coming in January 2014.

You can reach Kevin Rogers via e-mail at rogers@vegasinsider.com

Kevin Rogers can be followed on Twitter at virogers.

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