CHICAGO (7 - 11) at ATLANTA (14 - 6) - 12/9/2009, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 30-48 ATS (-22.8 Units) first half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) against Southeast division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 14-6 ATS (+7.4 Units) in all games this season.
ATLANTA is 14-6 ATS (+7.4 Units) first half of the season this season.
ATLANTA is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in home games after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
ATLANTA is 80-110 ATS (-41.0 Units) versus poor offensive teams - scoring <=91 points/game since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
ATLANTA is 4-3 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 5-2 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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DETROIT (8 - 12) at PHILADELPHIA (5 - 16) - 12/9/2009, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 7-7 against the spread versus DETROIT over the last 3 seasons
DETROIT is 8-6 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
10 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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PORTLAND (13 - 9) at INDIANA (6 - 12) - 12/9/2009, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 105-70 ATS (+28.0 Units) in home games in non-conference games since 1996.
INDIANA is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) as an underdog this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 3-1 against the spread versus PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 2-2 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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GOLDEN STATE (6 - 14) at NEW JERSEY (1 - 19) - 12/9/2009, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 15-26 ATS (-13.6 Units) in a road game where the total is greater than or equal to 210 over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) in all games this season.
NEW JERSEY is 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) in home games in December games over the last 3 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) first half of the season this season.
NEW JERSEY is 13-24 ATS (-13.4 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW JERSEY is 31-51 ATS (-25.1 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW JERSEY is 2-2 against the spread versus GOLDEN STATE over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 3-1 straight up against NEW JERSEY over the last 3 seasons
2 of 4 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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TORONTO (9 - 13) at MILWAUKEE (9 - 10) - 12/9/2009, 8:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 4-3 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 4-3 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NEW ORLEANS (8 - 11) at MINNESOTA (3 - 17) - 12/9/2009, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NEW ORLEANS is 45-60 ATS (-21.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 20-33 ATS (-16.3 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 6-19 ATS (-14.9 Units) against Northwest division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 23-39 ATS (-19.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 15-36 ATS (-24.6 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) in home games first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 9-25 ATS (-18.5 Units) in home games revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
MINNESOTA is 6-18 ATS (-13.8 Units) in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 4-4 against the spread versus NEW ORLEANS over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 6-2 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
4 of 8 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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CLEVELAND (15 - 5) at HOUSTON (11 - 9) - 12/9/2009, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HOUSTON is 248-202 ATS (+25.8 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
HOUSTON is 206-149 ATS (+42.1 Units) in non-conference games since 1996.
CLEVELAND is 68-47 ATS (+16.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 60-39 ATS (+17.1 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 33-18 ATS (+13.2 Units) first half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
CLEVELAND is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CLEVELAND is 49-30 ATS (+16.0 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
HOUSTON is 3-1 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 3-1 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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SACRAMENTO (9 - 10) at SAN ANTONIO (9 - 9) - 12/9/2009, 8:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN ANTONIO is 5-3 against the spread versus SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 7-1 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 8 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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UTAH (12 - 8) at LA LAKERS (16 - 3) - 12/9/2009, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 9-19 ATS (-11.9 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 41-22 ATS (+16.8 Units) in home games after playing 3 consecutive home games since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAKERS is 10-7 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
LA LAKERS is 13-5 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
12 of 18 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

7:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. ATLANTA
Chicago is 15-7 ATS in its last 22 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Chicago is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta is 15-6 ATS in its last 21 games
Atlanta is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games

7:00 PM
DETROIT vs. PHILADELPHIA
Detroit is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Detroit is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
Philadelphia is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Detroit
Philadelphia is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Detroit

7:00 PM
PORTLAND vs. INDIANA
Portland is 1-10 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Indiana
Portland is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Indiana's last 9 games at home
Indiana is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games

7:30 PM
GOLDEN STATE vs. NEW JERSEY
Golden State is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Golden State is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games
New Jersey is 2-20 SU in its last 22 games
New Jersey is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Golden State

8:00 PM
NEW ORLEANS vs. MINNESOTA
New Orleans is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games on the road
New Orleans is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Minnesota is 6-14 ATS in its last 20 games when playing New Orleans
Minnesota is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing New Orleans

8:00 PM
TORONTO vs. MILWAUKEE
Toronto is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
Toronto is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games
Milwaukee is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games at home

8:30 PM
CLEVELAND vs. HOUSTON
Cleveland is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Houston
Cleveland is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing Houston
Houston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Houston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Cleveland

8:30 PM
SACRAMENTO vs. SAN ANTONIO
Sacramento is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
Sacramento is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
San Antonio is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 7 games at home

10:30 PM
UTAH vs. LA LAKERS
Utah is 3-8-1 ATS in their last 12 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
Utah is 0-5 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 8-4 ATS in their last 12 games at home
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home

CHICAGO at ATLANTA, 7:00 PM ET ESPN
CHICAGO: 1-9 ATS off SU loss
ATLANTA: 14-6 ATS this season

DETROIT at PHILADELPHIA, 7:00 PM ET
DETROIT: 24-9 ATS in December
PHILADELPHIA: 1-8 ATS in home games

PORTLAND at INDIANA, 7:00 PM ET
PORTLAND: 14-6 Under as favorite
INDIANA: 15-3 ATS at home off road loss

GOLDEN STATE at NEW JERSEY, 7:30 PM ET
GOLDEN STATE: 39-24 ATS off SU loss
NEW JERSEY: 13-24 ATS vs. Eastern Conference

TORONTO at MILWAUKEE, 8:00 PM ET
TORONTO: 12-26 ATS off BB Unders
MILWAUKEE: 7-0 ATS off an Under

NEW ORLEANS at MINNESOTA, 8:00 PM ET
NEW ORLEANS: 13-2 Under off home ATS loss/SU win
MINNESOTA: 11-28 ATS as home underdog

CLEVELAND at HOUSTON, 8:30 PM ET
CLEVELAND: 17-2 ATS off road loss
HOUSTON: 20-37 ATS off ATS win

SACRAMENTO at SAN ANTONIO, 8:30 PM ET
SACRAMENTO: 16-4 Under Away playing with same season revenge
SAN ANTONIO: 21-9 Under in December

UTAH at LA LAKERS, 10:30 PM ET
UTAH: 24-8 Over as road underdog
LA LAKERS: 8-2 Over at home vs. Utah

Portland at Indiana
The Pacers look to take advantage of a Portland team that is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games as a favorite. Indiana is the pick (+6 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has Portland favored by only 3 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Indiana (+6 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9

Game 701-702: Chicago at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 110.825; Atlanta 119.382
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 8 1/2; 198
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 11; 196
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+11); Over

Game 703-704: Detroit at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 114.881; Philadelphia 117.215
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 2 1/2; 201
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 705-706: Portland at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 113.653; Indiana 110.090
Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 3 1/2; 195
Vegas Line & Total: Portland by 6 1/2; 191
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (+6 1/2); Over

Game 707-708: Golden State at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Golden State 112.928; New Jersey 115.386
Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 2 1/2; 220
Vegas Line & Total: Golden State by 3; 216 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (+3); Over

Game 709-710: Toronto at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 115.284; Milwaukee 118.561
Dunkel Line & Total: Milwaukee by 3 1/2; 205
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 711-712: New Orleans at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 117.778; Minnesota 110.915
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 7; 199
Vegas Line & Total: New Orleans by 4; 197
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (-4); Over

Game 713-714: Cleveland at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 123.685; Houston 119.342
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 4 1/2; 190
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 2; 194 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-2); Under

Game 715-716: Sacramento at San Antonio
Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 114.671; San Antonio 125.256
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 10 1/2; 199
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 12; 204
Dunkel Pick: Sacramento (+12); Under

Game 717-718: Utah at LA Lakers
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 120.450; LA Lakers 132.582
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 12; 210
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 10; 206 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (-10); Over

Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers (-10, 205)

Lakers coach Phil Jackson gave his starters the day off to rest after the club dismantled the Phoenix Suns for the second time in the past few weeks.

“I think they’re a little bit better than us right now,” Steve Nash told reporters after the 20-point loss Sunday.

Suns coach Alvin Gentry went a step further indicating to reporters that his club is more worried about competing with teams like Denver, Houston and Utah than Los Angeles at the moment.

You heard it right folks. That’s the coach of a 15-6 team telling reporters his boys are playing for second place in the Western Confernce.

The win improved the Purple and Gold’s season record to a league-best 16-3 and increased their win streak to nine games. LA has benefitted from a cozy start to the campaign. Seventeen of the team’s 21 games have been at the STAPLES Center.

The Jazz are playing well but they’re more likely to cover against the Lakers in their own gym later this week.

Pick: Lakers


Detroit Pistons at Philadelphia 76ers (NA)

The Pistons shocked hoop followers with their 94-88 win over the Hawks last week. Detroit hasn’t slowed down since that big win either. The club fell to Chicago but rebounded with victories over Milwaukee and Washington.

The steady scoring of combo guard Rodney Stuckey has been a blessing for the Pistons. He’s averaging 21 points and 5.7 assists over the last four games. Not surprisingly, Detroit is 3-0-1 against the spread over the same period.

Things aren’t as rosy in Philly. Allen Iverson returned to his old habits in the City of Brotherly Love, showing up just an hour before tipoff in his first game back with the Sixers.

Meanwhile, Elton Brand isn’t happy with his role in the offense or his time on the floor. Things are going to get worse before they get better in Philadelphia.

Pick: Pistons