The NBA's best and worst teams against the spread
Oklahoma City Thunder Guard Chris Paul takes a shot against the Los Angeles Clippers. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)
January 14th, 2020
We're at the midway point of the NBA season, so now is a good time to cover the best and worst teams against the spread. See what we did there?
The Thunder has been able to cover in 66% of its games, which is six percentage points higher than the nearest challenger, the Boston Celtics.
The Good: OKC bringing the Thunder against the spread
Oklahoma City (26-13-0 ATS)
The Oklahoma City's straight-up record might leave something to be desired, but there’s no denying the Thunder has been the best team against the spread in the NBA this season. OKC is 26-13 ATS, as of Monday.The Thunder has been able to cover in 66% of its games, which is six percentage points higher than the nearest challenger, the Boston Celtics.
Shut it down, @Cp3. #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/u1PYFmSAQG
— Carson Cunningham (@Carson_OKC) January 10, 2020
Perhaps more impressive is that OKC’s cover rate on the road is even better. It is has covered 71% of road games.
Bettors who have taken the Over in Heat games have also been rewarded, thanks to Miami’s 24-14-1 Over record. The Heat will, however, look for redemption after a tough loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday.
Boston Celtics (21-14-2 ATS)
The Celtics have covered in 60% of their games. As good as they’ve been covering, they just went through one of the ugliest weeks of their season. It’s one thing to lose to the Philadelphia 76ers, who have the fourth-highest odds to win the NBA Championship, but the Celtics also lost outright to the Washington Wizards (come on, really?).Miami Heat (25-15-2 ATS)
The Heat has been solid ATS all season. Miami has covered 59% of its games, the third-best rate in the NBA.Bettors who have taken the Over in Heat games have also been rewarded, thanks to Miami’s 24-14-1 Over record. The Heat will, however, look for redemption after a tough loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday.
The New York Knicks knock off the Miami Heat in a Garden matinee. #NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/dppf8SrHsc
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) January 13, 2020
Miami held a 14-point lead on the Knicks at one point but surrendered 40 points (to the Knicks?!) in the fourth quarter and lost by three.
The Bad: Pistons continue to misfire against the spread
San Antonio Spurs (15-22-1 ATS)
Credit to the Spurs for taking it to the Celtics last week as a road underdog. They also had a nice comeback to cover against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.Spurs win 105-104. San Antonio completes an 18-point comeback and beats Toronto 36-22 in the 4th quarter.
— Evan Closky (@ECloskyWTSP) January 13, 2020
The Spurs win despite going -30 from deep against Toronto. Wow. pic.twitter.com/c5rovjTyYn
Beyond that it's been a struggle straight up and ATS for San Antonio. As the Spurs showed against the Celtics, however, they can surprise you. Road underdogs, according to Covers.com, have covered 51.6% of the time.
They’ve been slightly better ATS away from Portland, but have one of the worst records at home. They began this week a miserable 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games.
Portland Trail Blazers (15-23-2 ATS)
Road game or home game—it doesn’t seem to matter for Portland. The Trail Blazers have been a disappointment ATS all season.They’ve been slightly better ATS away from Portland, but have one of the worst records at home. They began this week a miserable 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games.
Detroit Pistons (14-25-1 ATS)
The Detroit Pistons have covered the spread just 35% of the time this season and are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games. But if you’ve taken the Over in their games, you’ve probably been pleasantly surprised of late. So, there’s that, at least?The playoffs are closer than you think! Wager on NBA futures today at BetAmerica.
ADVERTISEMENT
