Weekly Notes - Western Conference
1) Cleveland
Weekly Rewind: The Cavaliers reasserted themselves as the "Beasts of the East" after downing Orlando (102-93) and Miami (111-104) on the road this past week. Plus, both games were on the road too. Mike Brown's team closed the week by holding off Utah (107-103) at home. The offense was flowing (106.7 PPG), which helped the 'over' go 3-0.
Weekly Outlook: Cleveland picks up the pace this week with four games on tap but all appear to be winnable too. Unfortunately the quartet is broken up into two back-to-back contests. The Warriors and Wizards begin on Tuesday and then Pacers and 76ers series starts up on Friday. That will be four games in five days for the Cavs. Can you say fatigue?
2) Atlanta
Weekly Rewind: Nobody is climbing the ladder quicker in the NBA these days than Atlanta. After getting embarrassed by 20 points to Charlotte (83-103), the Hawks have won five straight. Four of the five have been by double digits and the last one was probably the most impressive, considering the team rallied past the Trail Blazers (99-95) in overtime on Monday. The Hawks' 10-1 ATS mark is the best in the league.
Weekly Outlook: The Hawks have a good shot to stay hot this week but they'll need to step up against three quality teams. Miami comes to Atlanta on Wednesday to renew last year's playoffs series. Then, the Hawks close the week with a back-to-back on Friday against Houston and New Orleans. Fortunately, the Hornets could be without point guard Chris Paul (ankle).
3) Boston
Weekly Rewind: We knocked the Celtics a couple spots this week after the team was beat by Atlanta (86-97) and Indiana (104-113) over the weekend. Boston couldn't make any shots and was outscored in the fourth quarter of both setbacks. The team did drop Utah (105-86) on Wednesday but it was fortunate to catch the Jazz in a back-to-back spot.
Weekly Outlook: Boston should get back on track this week when it should face a tired Golden State team on Wednesday. After this game, the Celtics will face Orlando in a Friday Night showdown before an afternoon matinee against the Knicks at MSG on Sunday. Surprisingly, two of Boston's three losses this year came at home.
4) Orlando
Weekly Rewind: The Magic acted beat up on a pair of weak teams (Bobcats, Nets) and lost to a legit powerhouse in Cleveland (93-102). The defense gave up 81 and 72 in the victories but triple digits in the loss. The jury is still out on Orlando but make a note that Stan Van Gundy's team hasn't lost back-to-back games this season.
Weekly Outlook: Orlando easily handled Charlotte on Monday and should have its way with Oklahoma City on Tuesday, since the Thunder will be playing Miami on Tuesday. After this tip, the Magic have another chance to garner some respect with road tests at Boston on Friday and then Toronto on Sunday. The game versus the Raptors
5) Miami
Weekly Rewind: The Heat own a solid 7-2 record but the majority of wins have come against weaker teams. Miami had a chance to gain some credibility but it lost to Cleveland (104-111) last Thursday. Only two teams have scored 100-plus against Miami and both of those teams (Suns, Cavs) beat them. The 'under' has gone 7-2.
Weekly Outlook: Four games on tap this week for Miami and all are against decent clubs. They catch Oklahoma City on Tuesday but play the very next night at Atlanta. A trip to Toronto on Friday is quickly followed with an evening tilt in the Big Easy on Sunday against the Hornets.
6) Milwaukee
Weekly Rewind: If you didn't know who Brandon Jennings was, now you do. The Bucks' rookie point guard helped the team to a pair of victories last week over Denver (108-102) and Golden State (129-125). Against the Warriors, he dropped 55 points. Both games last week went 'over' the number and it also helped Scott Skiles team push their winning streak to four games (3-1 ATS).
Weekly Outlook: Milwaukee opened up this week with a tough overtime loss (113-115) to Dallas on Monday. The Bucks do have a shot to bounce right back with two straight from Bradley Center against the Nets and Bobcats. After those two, the team heads to Memphis on Saturday for the first of a four-game road trip versus the Southwest Division.
7) Toronto
Weekly Rewind: After beating Chicago (99-89) at home last Wednesday, the Raptors tipped off their four-game road trip with a win over the Clippers (104-89) on Friday. Unfortunately, the team fell two nights later in the desert to Phoenix (100-101). Toronto started the year as an 'over' team but the last three games went 'under' the number.
Weekly Outlook: The Raptors have four games on the docket this week and the first two will complete their four-game set out West. On Tuesday, they face the Nuggets before catching the Jazz in a back-to-back spot. If that isn't tough enough, Toronto returns home to meet Miami on Friday and then Orlando on Sunday. A winless run here would hurt.
8) Indiana
Weekly Rewind: A slow 0-3 start in the Hoosier State has quickly become forgotten with the Pacers ripping off four straight victories. Indiana was well rested last week and it helped the club to a pair of victories against Golden State (108-94) and Boston (113-104). The win over the Celtics was very impressive for the Pacers and also helped the team cash as 7 1/2-point home 'dogs.
Weekly Outlook: The winning streak could continue this week as long as the Pacers don't get caught napping. Indiana faces the Nets and Knicks in a back-to-back spot starting Tuesday and then meet Cleveland in a Central Division battle on Friday. The team closes the week at Charlotte on Sunday. Even though Indiana has had a hot hand, the 'under' has gone 5-2 in its first seven games.
9) Chicago
Weekly Rewind: The Bulls concluded the week 1-2 SU and 1-1-1 ATS. Brad Miller almost gave Chicago a victory but his shot against Denver (90-89) was ruled after the buzzer. The offense continues to be stagnant in the Windy City, as the 'under' cashed in all three games.
Weekly Outlook: The "Circus Trip" starts on Tuesday at Sacramento and lasts until the end of the month. After face the Kings at ARCO Arena, the team steps up in class with battles against the Lakers on Thursday and Nuggets on Saturday. Chicago has gone 1-3 both SU and ATS on the road this year, but the lone win did come against the Cavs (86-85) on Nov. 5. The 'under' has gone 3-1 over this stretch.
10) Detroit
Weekly Rewind: The Pistons continue to be a tough team to gauge this year, evidenced by their 5-5 record. The team easily handled Charlotte (98-75) and Washington (106-103) but came up short against Dallas (90-95). The oddsmakers continue to toy with the totals and they could be adjusting upwards after seeing the 'over' go 3-0 last week.
Weekly Outlook: Detroit will find out who good it is this week when it faces a nasty West Coast road trip that covers four games in five days. The Pistons will be catching points in all four, maybe double-digits too. Would you take the points against the Lakers, Blazers, Jazz or Suns? Good Luck.
11) Philadelphia
Weekly Rewind: The 76ers have had a ton of issues scoring this season and if they don't shoot a manageable percentage, they're done. Last week they went 1-2 SU and 0-2-1 ATS and the lone win was a three-point (82-79) victory over the Nets, the only winless team in the league. Gamblers might want to stay away from Philadelphia (2-7-1 ATS) this week until they catch a rhythm.
Weekly Outlook: Philadelphia won't have any excuses this week, since the club will be rested and the first two games are at home and winnable too. Charlotte comes to town on Wednesday before Memphis on Friday. After that tip, the 76ers head to Cleveland on Saturday.
12) Charlotte
Weekly Rewind: The Bobcats' offense (84.3 PPG) is the worst in the league and when you can't score, you can't win. Larry Brown's team went 0-3 last week both SU and ATS. The 'under' went 2-1 and the totals have been adjusted down to the 170's on this club.
Weekly Outlook: The club acquired Stephen Jackson this past week from Golden State for Raja Bell and Vladimir Radmanovic. Jackson didn't help the team on Monday as Charlotte saw its skid reach five in a loss at Orlando (91-97). The Bobcats have three more chances to right the ship this week and none of the opponents (76ers, Bucks, Pacers) should strike that much fear.
13) Washington
Weekly Rewind: The Wizards continue to be a major disappointment this year and last week added to the misery. The team went 0-2 both SU and ATS in losses to Miami (76-90) and Detroit (103-106). The offense (94.2 PPG) has been inconsistent all year, which has helped the 'under' go 7-2.
Weekly Outlook: Things don't get easier for Flip Saunders and company this week as the team gets Cleveland at home on Wednesday. Then they have a back-to-back road set against Oklahoma City and San Antonio starting on Friday. Looking at the bright side, Washington is 1-0 both SU and ATS against the Southwest this year, beating Dallas (102-91) on opening night. And, Jamison should be back in the lineup at some point this week.
14) N.Y. Knicks
Weekly Rewind: The Knicks saw their losing streak extended to six games as the team went 0-3 last week. All three came at home and two were by double digits. The 'over' went 2-1 as the defense gave up 95, 114 and 121.
Weekly Outlook: New York starts the week with back-to-back road games at Indiana and New Jersey before a home battle against Boston on Sunday. After that tilt, they head West for a three-game road trip. The team is 0-3 both SU and ATS on the road this season.
15) New Jersey Nets
Weekly Rewind: Are the Nets improving? They are still winless and even though they went 0-3 last week, they did cover the number in two of three setbacks. Plus, a heartbreaking loss to Miami (80-81) has to give the team hope, right?
Weekly Outlook: New Jersey does have a shot to get off the snide this week with home games against Indiana and New York and a road trip to Milwaukee. The Nets' offense (84.5 PPG) needs to do something to help the team win and it hasn't all year. Total players should note that the 'under' has gone 8-2.
Chris David can be reached at cdavid@vegasinsider.com