1) Cleveland
Weekly Recap - The Cavaliers opened up the second-half of the season with three losses, both straight up and against the spread. And the team found out starting center Shaquille O'Neal (thumb) won't return until the postseason. Despite the adversity, the Cavs ripped off six straight wins (4-2) before giving LeBron James a break last Saturday. Sure enough, the winning streak was stopped at Milwaukee (85-92) on Saturday.
Weekly Outlook - Cleveland hosts San Antonio on Monday in what looks like a solid non-conference battle. However, head coach Mike Brown hinted that LeBron could skip this one as well, so he can rest. Keep in mind that the Spurs just lost point guard Tony Parker (hand) last week to injury. After this clash, the Cavs visit the 76ers on Friday then host Boston in a nationally televised game on Sunday afternoon from Quicken Loans Arena.
2) Orlando
Weekly Recap - The Magic continue to show why they should be reckoned with come the postseason after going 4-0 last week. Three of the wins came by double digits albeit against the 76ers (126-105), Warriors (117-90) and Nets (97-87). While those were solid, Orlando's 96-94 win on Sunday against the Lakers was much better. The team went 2-2 ATS and the 'under' was 3-1.
Weekly Outlook - Four more tilts on tap for Orlando this week and three come at home against the Clippers, Bulls and Bobcats. The one road trip has the team visiting Washington on Saturday, which will be front end of a back-to-back spot. The game against Charlotte on Sunday will be on zero days rest. Total players should note that seven of the last eight for Orlando have gone 'under' the number.
3) Boston
Weekly Recap - The Celtics quietly posted a 4-0 record last week but that could've been 3-1 if the team didn't rally past Washington (86-83) at home on Sunday. Boston went 3-1 ATS and the 'under' went 3-1 in the four contests. Two of the wins came on the road, which improved the team's record to 22-10 away from home on the season.
Weekly Outlook - Boston's week starts on Tuesday with a road battle against the red-hot Bucks. Right after this test, the Celtics host the Grizzlies on zero days rest. Friday's home contest against Indiana could be a look-ahead spot with a Sunday afternoon matchup at Cleveland on deck.
4) Atlanta
Weekly Recap - The Hawks had a very productive week, which started with a 24-point (116-92) win at Chicago. Atlanta stayed hot at home with a pair of wins against the 76ers (112-93) and Warriors (127-122). The offense wound up stalling in the lone setback at Miami (94-100), but total players watched the 'over' go 4-0 during this stretch.
Weekly Outlook - Atlanta has a chance to make a move with three games scheduled against teams with losing records. Even though contests against the Knicks and Wizards are on the road, both are winnable. The lone home tilt this week will happen Saturday, when Detroit comes to Philips Arena. All of the contests are separated by at least one day of rest.
5) Toronto
Weekly Recap - The Raptors only played three games last week, two without All-Star Chris Bosh, and they went 1-2 SU and 0-3 ATS. Bosh returned on Sunday but the team still fell to the 76ers (101-114). Gamblers fading Toronto have been making a killing at the ticket counter lately, since its mired in a 0-8 ATS skid.
Weekly Outlook - Toronto better find a way to right the ship quickly because this week's slate is brutal. The team heads to the West Coast for a pair of back-to-back showdowns. Starting Tuesday, the Raptors face an angry Lakers club before visiting the Kings the next night. After a couple days off, Toronto visits Golden State and Portland over the weekend.
6) Milwaukee
Weekly Recap - Milwaukee entered this week on a 4-1 SU and 5-0 ATS run and they kept the ball rolling. The Bucks went 3-0 both SU and ATS, with a pair of the wins coming against the Wizards and the other victory against Cleveland (92-85), who didn't have LeBron James in the lineup. The Bucks have covered 10 straight and they own a 21-3 ATS mark the last two dozen games. Scott Skiles should garner Coach of the Year accolades just for those numbers.
Weekly Outlook - The Bucks will get three more tests at home this week, the first coming on Tuesday against Boston. Then, Utah visits the Bradley Center on Friday before the team closes the week in a Sunday matinee versus Indiana. The last loss both SU and ATS for the Bucks happened on Feb. 17, when Houston earned a 129-117 road victory behind 16 bombs from 3-point land.
7) Miami
Weekly Recap - Miami's topsy-turvy season continued this past week as gamblers watched the club post a 3-0 record at home (2-1 ATS). The Heat's 114-111 overtime victory over the Lakers gave the team some confidence and they didn't have a letdown against Atlanta (100-94) two days later either. The 'over' cashed in all three tilts.
Weekly Outlook - After a big test in Charlotte on Tuesday, the Heat have to host the Clippers on Wednesday. Miami catches a day off and then finishes the week with Chicago on Friday and Philadelphia on Saturday at home.
8) Chicago
Weekly Recap - The Bulls started the second-half of the season with a 6-2 run but injuries have taken a toll and the competition has picked up. Chicago went 0-3 both SU and ATS last week and all three losses came at home. The loss of Joakim Noah (foot) has shown up on the defensive end, with the Bulls surrendering 100-plus in all three setbacks. The 'over' went 2-1.
Weekly Outlook - Chicago could have trouble snapping the losing skid this week with Utah visiting on Tuesday before a two-game roadie to Florida. The Bulls face the Magic on TNT this Thursday and then meet the Heat in South Beach on zero days rest. In the last 23 games for Chicago, gamblers have only needed to pick the winner. If the Bulls won they covered and if they lost, the extra points didn't matter.
9) Charlotte
Weekly Recap - If the playoffs started today, the Bobcats would be the odd team out. Larry Brown's troops continues to define inconsistency and last week's 2-2 ledger proved that. After almost beating Dallas (84-89) at home, the club was clobbered at Boston (80-104). Then, Charlotte rebounds with solid wins over the Lakers (98-83) and then the Warriors (101-90) on zero days rest.
Weekly Outlook - Tuesday's battle versus Miami should have a playoff atmosphere and would be a huge win for the Bobcats, who already beat the Heat twice this season. After this matchup, LB and company head to the 76ers the very next night. The Clippers visit on Friday and then the Bobcats travel to the Magic on Sunday. The way the season has played, don't be surprised to see the 'Cats beat the pair from the Sunshine State and then lose to the clubs under .500.
10) Philadelphia
Weekly Recap - The 76ers started the week with three consecutive losses by double digits but closed with an impressive 114-101 win at Toronto on Sunday. Philadelphia gave up 100-plus in three of the four, which helped the 'over' go 3-1.
Weekly Outlook - Philly plays two games on the road and two at home this week. A back-to-back starts at Indiana on Tuesday and finishes at home versus Charlotte on Wednesday. The Cavs visit Friday before they conclude the week in South Beach versus Miami.
11) Washington
Weekly Recap - The talent level for the Wizards is starting to show and it was evident last week. Flip Saunders and company went 0-3 SU and 1-2 ATS. The three-point loss (83-86) at Boston watched the Wizards get outscored by seven in the final 12 minutes. The 'under' cashed in all three games and is on a 6-1 run for Washington, who can't buy a shot lately.
Weekly Outlook - The Wizards look like their in for more trouble this week with four games, and three of them happen over three days. After playing Houston at home on Tuesday, the Wizards play the Hawks, Pistons and Magic in consecutive nights. The battle for Atlanta is a make-up game from Feb. 6 when severe snowstorms hit the Washington area.
12) New York
Weekly Recap - The Knicks have become hit or miss lately and last week was a big miss. The club went 1-3 SU and 2-2 ATS, which included a demoralizing home loss to New Jersey (93-113). New York gave up 100-plus points in all four encounters, yet the total still went 2-2.
Weekly Outlook - After hosting Atlanta from Madison Square Garden, the Knicks play five straight on the road. A trip to San Antonio on Wednesday is followed with two games in two nights starting Friday at Memphis and ending in Dallas on Saturday.
13) Detroit
Weekly Recap - The Pistons went 1-3 SU and 2-2 ATS last week, with the lone victory coming at home against Houston (110-107) in overtime. Friday's loss at Cleveland (92-99) was closer than the final score but the team folded late. Starting point-guard Rodney Stuckey (head) collapsed in the loss due to dizziness and his status is undetermined at this time.
Weekly Outlook - Detroit has three contests this week, two coming at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Utah visits Wednesday before Washington comes to town on Friday. After the Wizards, the club heads to Atlanta for a game on zero days rest.
14) Indiana
Weekly Recap - Indiana played four games last week and they lost all four but Jim O'Brien's team did get better as the trip moved along. After losing by exactly 23 points to the Lakers (99-122) and Trail Blazers (79-102) earlier in the week, the Pacers earned covers in setbacks against the Nuggets (114-122) and Suns (105-113). The total went 2-2 but should've gone 3-1 if Indiana's offense didn't collapse late against Phoenix.
Weekly Outlook - The Pacers will look to get back on track this week when they host Philadelphia on Tuesday. After two days of rest, the team heads back on the road for a battle against Boston on Friday and then at Milwaukee on Sunday.
15) New Jersey
Weekly Recap - As expected the Nets started the month with back-to-back losses at home to Cleveland (92-111) and Orlando (87-97). Fortunately, New Jersey closed the week strong with a 20-point win (113-93) against cross-town rival New York. The victory came at Madison Square Garden and the second time this season the Nets beat the Knicks.
Weekly Outlook - The celebration could end rather quickly for the Nets, since the team embarks on a tough four-game road trip. After meeting Memphis on Monday, the team faces the sizzling Mavericks on Wednesday. New Jersey concludes the week with a back-to-back set at Oklahoma City and Houston, which begins Friday.
