Dave Tuley's
The free site that gives you sports betting
information you can't find anywhere else.
VFV podcast archives Sitting on the bubble...9 teams to watch
NBA At the Break...Teams/Trends to Ponder
By MARC LAWRENCE (courtesy of playbook.com)
Get your dancing shoes out. With just three weeks remaining in the regular season portion of the 2009-10 college basketball campaign talk of the NCAA Tournament becomes more and more a matter of serious discussion.
For teams that are sitting "on the bubble" it becomes crunch time and with it the pressure begins to mount. As Elvis said, “it’s now or never.” And while there are always post-season conference tournaments for most teams to impress the NCAA tournament committee, the truth is most teams’ fate are virtually sealed well before these events tip off.
Let me explain.
Outside of winning a conference tournament the fact of the matter is unless teams own both a winning overall and winning conference record for the season the chance of being invited to the dance is slim and remote. Teams who post 20 wins for the season often times find that unless they were a "double-winner" the NCAA is likely to kick them to the curb. And for a lot of the right reasons, we might add. They recognize the fact that 20-win teams that ended up the season with a losing record in conference play likely picked up the bulk of the victories against inferior non-conference competition and it just doesn’t cut the mustard in the panel’s eyes.
With this thought in mind, I present of group of nine teams from lined conferences that all have a shot at 20 wins this season who are all currently .500 or worse in conference play in games through February 21. They are:
ACC: Georgia Tech
Big East: Connecticut, Notre Dame, South Florida
Big 10: Minnesota, Northwestern
CUSA: Southern Mississippi
Missouri Valley: Missouri State
SEC: Mississippi
Notice that any of the nine teams outlined above could catch fire and close out the season a double-winner (20 wins and winning conference log). Their performance to date, however, says otherwise. Collectively, this unit has posted a sterling 96-20 SU and 54-30 ATS outside the conference this season. In conference play, though, they are just a combined 55-67 SU and 59-58-5 ATS. Worse, in conference games as a pick-em or favorite these wannabes are just 28-35-2 ATS this season, including 6-14-1 ATS when facing an opponent off a spread loss of five or more points. Put these same group of guys up against a foe that scored 77 or less points in its last game and they nearly drop off the radar screen, going 2-13-1 ATS this season. Thus, unless they suddenly change their ways – and I can't recall the last time a leopard changed its spots – its likely this group of nine will perform not-so-great under the pressure of laying points and having to win over the course of the next three weeks.
The heat is on. Let’s watch and see…
By MARC LAWRENCE (courtesy of playbook.com)
Some say the NBA is simply an acronym for Nothing But Aggravation. Others contend it’s merely a Nice Bankroll Additive. Whatever your take, there is no better time than the present – with Pro Basketball taking a time out for the All-Star break - to examine the condition of each team in the league at this stage of the season. From the surprise teams to the disappointments, the run to the playoffs is about to take off.
What we’ve seen thus far is some teams have excelled against foes that do not own a winning record, such as the Hawks (18-8 ATS) and the Kings (17-9-1 ATS), while others have struggled in games against lousy competition, such as the Mavericks (9-17 ATS), the Nets (8-16-1 ATS) and the Hornets (8-18 ATS). On the flip, a handful of teams have risen to the occasion when squaring off against quality, winning opposition – teams like the Cavaliers (21-4 SU and 16-7-2 ATS), the Hornets 18-9 ATS) and the Thunder (19-9 ATS). The Wizards are biggest money burner in games against winning teams (7-14 ATS), season to date.
Here’s a quick look at some of the GOOD, BAD, and UGLY team trends on every team and how they have fared SU (Straight Up) and ATS (Against The Spread) this season in games played through the All-Star break. In addition, I also break down performance records for each team in games versus .500 or less and greater than .500 opponents this campaign. Do your homework now, and enjoy the rest of the season…
ATLANTA Good: 12-2 ATS vs. .375 or less opp Bad: 1-4 ATS as dog less than five points Ugly: 0-3 ATS with no rest vs. division Vs. .500 or less: 19-7 SU, 18-8 ATS Vs. winning opp: 15-10 SU, 14-11 ATS BOSTON Good: 6-1-1 ATS pick or favorite 4 or less points Bad: 1-7 ATS favorites 12 or more points Ugly: 1-11 ATS home off loss Vs. .500 or less: 23-6 SU, 10-19 ATS Vs. winning opp: 9-12 SU, 9-11-1 ATS CHICAGO Good: 5-0-1 ATS vs. division opp off loss Bad: 3-9 ATS away off SU and ATS loss Ugly: 1-5 ATS off SU favorite loss Vs. .500 or less: 13-12 SU, 10-13-2 ATS Vs. winning opp: 12-14 SU, 14-12 ATS CLEVELAND Good: 8-0 SU and ATS vs. .750 or greater opp Bad: 1-4 ATS home with no rest Ugly: 0-3 SU and ATS vs. opp with 3+ days rest Vs. .500 or less: 20-6 SU, 10-16 ATS Vs. winning opp: 21-4 SU, 16-7-2 ATS DALLAS Good: 7-1 ATS away off loss Bad: 3-16 ATS home vs. non-division opp Ugly: 0-4 ATS off BB SU and ATS losses Vs. .500 or less: 18-8 SU, 9-17 ATS Vs. winning opp: 14-12 SU, 12-14 ATS DENVER Good: 7-0-1 ATS home vs opp off double-digit win Bad: 1-6 ATS off SU dog win Ugly: 0-4 ATS away vs. opp off SU dog win Vs. .500 or less: 11-18 SU, 11-16-2 ATS Vs. winning opp: 6-16 SU, 10-11-1 ATS DETROIT Good: 4-1-1 ATS vs. .250 or less opp Bad: 4-14-2 ATS off ATS loss 4 or more points Ugly: 0-5-1 ATS fav off SU and ATS loss Vs. .500 or less: 11-18 SU, 11-16-2 ATS Vs. winning opp: 6-16 SU, 10-11-1 ATS GOLDEN STATE Good: 7-1 ATS dog vs. unrested opp Bad: 2-6 SU and ATS fav less 6 points Ugly: 1-5 ATS off loss vs. opp of SU dog win Vs. .500 or less: 10-15, 12-12-1 ATS Vs. winning opp: 4-22 SU, 16-10 ATS HOUSTON Good: 3-0 ATS vs. opp with 3 more days rest Bad: 2-9 ATS fav with revenge Ugly: 0-5 ATS vs. non div opp off SU dog win Vs. .500 or less: 18-8, 13-13 ATS Vs. winning opp: 9-16 SU, 11-14 ATS INDIANA Good: 5-0 ATS double-digit dog Bad: 1-5 ATS off loss vs div opp Ugly: 1-7 ATS dog 3 less points Vs. .500 or less: 14-16 SU, 13-17 ATS Vs. winning opp: 4-18 SU, 9-13 ATS LA CLIPPERS Good: 5-1-1 ATS fav vs Eastern Conference Bad: 1-6 ATS dog vs opp off double-digit win Ugly: 0-7 ATS with rest vs. con opp off BB SU and ATS losses Vs. .500 or less: 14-15 SU, 13-15-1 ATS Vs. winning opp: 7-16 SU, 11-12 ATS LA LAKERS Good: 6-1 ATS away vs. opp off double-digit loss Bad: 2-7-1 ATS fav 5 less points Ugly: 1-6 ATS av vs opp off BB SU and ATS wins Vs. .500 or less: 23-3 SU, 14-12 ATS Vs. winning opp: 18-10 SU, 11-15-2 ATS MEMPHIS Good: 12-1 ATS off win vs. opp of loss Bad: 3-8 ATS away off loss Ugly: 0-5 ATS off loss vs opp off SU and ATS win Vs. .500 or less: 12-7 SU, 11-7-1 ATS Vs. winning opp: 14-18 SU, 16-16 ATS MIAMI Good: 10-2 ATS vs. less .400 opp Bad: 1-5 ATS vs. opp off SU dog win Ugly: 0-3 SU and ATS off 3 wins Vs. .500 or less: 16-10 SU, 14-12 ATS Vs. winning opp: 10-17 SU, 12-14-1 ATS MILWAUKEE Good: 7-1 ATS no rest vs unrested opp Bad: 1-5 ATS off SU dog win vs. opp off win Ugly: 0-3 ATS off 3-0 SU and ATS Vs. .500 or less: 19-11 SU, 19-11 ATS Vs. winning opp: 5-16 SU, 12-9 ATS MINNESOTA Good: 9-0 ATS dog less 4 points Bad: 4-11 ATS off BB losses vs opp off loss Ugly: 0-5 ATS vs unrested con opp Vs. .500 or less: 8-20 SU, 15-13 ATS Vs. winning opp: 5-20 SU, 13-12 ATS NEW JERSEY Good: 4-0 ATS double-digit div dog Bad: 12-27-2 ATS vs. non div opp Ugly: 0-3 SU and ATS fav Vs. .500 or less: 4-21 SU, 8-16-1 ATS Vs. winning opp: 0-27 SU, 11-15-1 ATS NEW ORLEANS Good: 10-2 ATS dog more 7 points Bad: 2-10 ATS fav off win Ugly: 0-9 ATS vs. less .300 opp Vs. .500 or less: 15-11 SU, 8-18 ATS Vs. winning opp: 13-14 SU, 18-9 ATS NEW YORK Good: 8-1 ATS off loss 14 more points Bad: 1-5 ATS off double-digit win Ugly: 1-6 ATS away with no rest Vs. .500 or less: 14-18 SU, 14-17-1 ATS Vs. winning opp: 5-14 SU, 9-10 ATS OKLAHOMA CITY Good: 14-1 ATS off SU and ATS loss Bad: 2-6 ATS vs unrested opp Ugly: 1-6 ATS off double-digit ATS win vs opp off BB wins Vs. .500 or less: 16-7 SU, 13-10 ATS Vs. winning opp: 14-14 SU, 19-9 ATS ORLANDO Good: 8-0 ATS vs. unrested opp off win Bad: 1-5 ATS vs opp off BB SU and ATS losses Ugly: 1-7 ATS home off SU and ATS win Vs. .500 or less: 22-7 SU, 15-12-2 ATS Vs. winning opp: 14-11 SU, 9-13-3 ATS PHILADELPHIA Good: 5-0 ATS dog more 10 points Bad: 7-18 ATS home Ugly: 1-8 ATS home dog Vs. .500 or less: 13-17 SU, 12-18 ATS Vs. winning opp: 7-15 SU, 11-11 ATS PHOENIX Good: 4-0 ATS away vs opp off BB SU and ATS losses Bad: 2-7 ATS off win 18 more points Ugly: 0-5-1 ATS with revenge vs. unrested opp Vs. .500 or less: 17-9 SU, 13-13 ATS Vs. winning opp: 14-13 SU, 14-12-1 ATS PORTLAND Good: 5-0 ATS no rest vs. opp of loss Bad: 2-6-1 ATS off SU and ATS loss vs. opp off SU and ATS win Ugly: 0-4 ATS off win vs. unrested opp Vs. .500 or less: 18-9 SU, 14-12-1 ATS Vs. winning opp: 13-15 SU, 15-12-1 ATS SACRAMENTO Good: 8-1 double-digit dog Bad: 3-9 ATS vs. Eastern Conference opp off win Ugly: 0-5 ATS away vs. opp off SU favorite loss Vs. .500 or less: 15-12 SU, 17-9-1 ATS Vs. winning opp: 3-22 SU, 10-14-1 ATS SAN ANTONIO Good: 5-1 ATS off double-digit win vs opp off BB wins Bad: 2-5 ATS dog 2 more points Ugly: 1-8 ATS off division Vs. .500 or less: 20-8 SU, 15-13 ATS Vs. winning opp: 10-13 SU, 10-13 ATS TORONTO Good: 8-2 ATS vs unrested opp Bad: 3-9 ATS with no rest Ugly: 1-7 ATS away off loss vs. non div opp Vs. .500 or less: 21-10 SU, 17-14 ATS Vs. winning opp: 8-13 SU, 10-11 ATS UTAH Good: 9-0 SU and ATS home vs unrested opp Bad: 2-5 ATS vs. div opp off loss Ugly: 0-5 ATS vav more 7 points vs div opp off loss Vs. .500 or less: 17-7 SU, 14-10 ATS Vs. winning opp: 15-12 SU, 17-8-2 ATS WASHINGTON Good: 4-1 ATS off win less 4 points Bad: 1-6 ATS vs. .750 greater opp Ugly: 1-10 ATS fav more 2 points Vs. .500 or less: 11-18 SU, 11-15-3 ATS Vs. winning opp: 6-15 SU, 7-14 ATS
Click the link below to get the exclusive ViewFromVegas NFL ATS Standings with each team's 2009 record against the spread and over/under record, plus their streaks in both categories:
NFL ATS Standings (through Week 17 -- FINAL)