NBA Trends

Miami is looking for lightning to strike twice Wednesday when it meets defending champ San Antonio for the first time this season. The Heat had lost five straight to the Spurs while averaging a paltry 72.2 points until turning the tables at home in last season's series finale, 96-92.

Miami wraps up a five-game trip that had a promising start, but is now on the brink of disappointing. The Heat won their first two games on their latest road trek against Atlanta and Sacramento before dropping their last pair against Denver and the Los Angeles Clippers.
San Antonio is off Monday’s 110-85 whipping of Orlando. It’s the first time the Spurs won by double-digits since Nov. 23. The victory also snapped San Antonio’s four-game skid against the spread. The Spurs are only 3-8 ATS in their last 11 trips to the post. They have also failed in five straight as home favorites.

Miami has lost three straight at San Antonio (1-1-1 ATS). The last six series squabbles have dipped well below the number, with the teams combining to average 159.7 points per game. The Heat have dribbled 'under' in seven of nine on the road this season.

Trends and angles for the remainder of Wednesday's card appear below.

LAKERS at RAPTORS
Toronto played at Washington on Tuesday while the Los Angeles Lakers were at Milwaukee. The Lakers are 0-3 ATS when playing on consecutive nights this season. The Raptors have lost eight of nine at Air Canada Centre and failed in seven of nine as home underdogs, though they have cashed two of their last three. Los Angeles is 3-1-1 in their last five tries against Toronto (0-2-1 ATS away). The Lakers pushed in their first chance as road favorites.

BULLS at MAGIC
Chicago looks to evade its second three-game losing skid of the season. The Bulls have won four of their last five on the road. Orlando is in the midst of a four-game SU and ATS losing slide after winning and cashing its previous four. Chicago prevailed in the initial clash this season as eight-point home favorites, 85-76. The Bulls have 'covered' four straight and seven of their last eight versus the Magic, including four of five at TD Waterhouse. The 'under' is 8-4 in the last dozen series tussles, though four of five in Florida have been on the high side.

BUCKS at 76ERS
Milwaukee played Tuesday while Philadelphia has been idle since Saturday when it lost at San Antonio, 100-91. The Bucks are 3-1 ATS when playing back-to-back. Milwaukee had lost and failed in five straight versus the 76ers until bouncing back with a pair of wins this season. The Bucks won at Philadelphia on opening night as 7 1/2-point dogs, 117-108 and held serve at the Bradley Center as 2 1/2-point favorites, 108-97. That game slipped below the total, snapping a five game series 'over' run. Philadelphia has lost three straight and seven of its last nine, falling short in three of its last four as road dogs.

NETS at CATS
New Jersey returns to the road, where it has won two straight, after dropping a pair at Continental Airlines Arena. Charlotte heads home following a 0-4 trip. The Bobcats have won three straight at home. The Nets swept four games versus Charlotte last season, the last three outings decided by seven points or less.

CELTICS at HORNETS
Boston toiled Tuesday at Houston while New Orleans returns home after a date at Memphis. The Celtics are 0-3 ATS when playing on consecutive nights. The Hornets have cashed three of four when playing back-to-back games. New Orleans has won three straight at home.

HAWKS at JAZZ
Atlanta played Tuesday at Denver while Utah was idle. The Jazz have won and 'covered' five straight against the Hawks, four of the triumphs by the double-digit route. Utah will be looking to end a four-game losing skid at the Delta Center. The Jazz are 2-7 ATS at home. The last four series encounters have been on the low side with the teams combining to average 170.5 PPG.

T-WOLVES at BLAZERS
Portland played Tuesday at Phoenix. Minnesota wraps up a four-game road trip after winning and cashing in its first three stops. The T-Wolves have prevailed in seven of their last nine, both SU and ATS. The Blazers have lost three straight at the Rose Garden. Minnesota nipped Portland at home in the first clash of the season as 11-point favorites, 90-86. The T-Wolves have won and 'covered' four of their last six in Oregon. Seven of the last eight series clashes have been on the low side, including four of five at Portland. Minnesota has slipped below the number in seven of its last eight trips to the post.

SUNS at WARRIORS
Phoenix heads to Oakland following a Tuesday test versus the Blazers. Golden State has been idle since last Friday when it nipped Charlotte at home, 107-100. The Warriors have won five straight and had cashed four in a row until falling short against the Cats. The Suns have cashed in their first three chances as road dogs this season. Golden State won its last two meetings with Phoenix last season and it has cashed in five straight meetings and five of six at home. The 'over' is 8-4 in the last dozen showdowns.

KNICKS at CLIPPERS
New York cashed in its only previous chance when playing on consecutive nights. The Los Angeles Clippers have won seven of eight at Staples Center. The Knicks have lost three straight at Los Angeles (1-2 ATS). Five of the last six shootouts have topped the total.