Game Notes (3/5)

Charlotte in the midst of a 5-4 SU / 7-2 ATS run
Despite the success the Hornets have a -4.7 net rating, and have really struggled to generate offense (100.6).
Their defense has made the difference, as opponents are scoring just 105.2 points every 100 possessions.
On the season, Charlotte is allowing 112.5 p/100 so clearly they are performing above their head, but why?
Look at some of their opponents: DET, MIN, CHI, BRK, NYK. All of them rank 20th or lower on the season in offensive efficiency.
In comes Denver, which is 3-4 SU / 2-5 ATS in their last seven games, coming off of a loss at home to GSW as a 16-point favorite.
Over those seven games the Nuggets own a 116.6 defensive rating and a -2.1 net rating.
With how bad Charlotte’s offense has been, can they even take advantage of Denver’s defense?
On top of that, the Nuggets have averaged 114.5 p/100 during this slide on offense, which would be one of the better offenses Charlotte has seen of late.

Nuggets Injury Report

Hornets Injury Report

Los Angeles on a 5-0 SU / 4-1 ATS run.
During these five games the Clippers have the best net rating in the NBA (+16.5).
They are averaging 122.1 points p/100 possessions on offense while limiting opponents to just 105.5 p/100.
They are 9-0 SU / 7-2 ATS with an average margin of victory of 13.4 PPG with a full roster this season.
To me, this team is strictly a bet on situation until otherwise proven the market has caught up.
Houston had a six-game winning streak snapped in New York on Monday night.
Since becoming a small-ball squad the Rockets are 7-3 SU / 5-4-1 ATS
They have been destroyed on the glass. Houston ranks 30th in DREB% (67.4), REB% (45.1) and 29th in OREB% (21.0).
Opponents are also averaging 54.6 points per game in the paint.
This all equates to a 109.7 defensive rating for the ‘Pocket Rockets’
Offensively, Houston is shooting 36.6% on 48.3 3P attempts per game and averaging 115.5 points p/100 possessions.

Clippers Injury Report

Rockets Injury Report

Can Philadelphia keep up this sudden shooting surge they’ve been on since the loss of Embiid & Simmons?
The 76ers are averaging 121.4 points p/100 possessions on offense in the three games. They are shooting 45.6% on 38.0 3P attempts per game.
On the season they are shooting 35.8% on 32.0 3P attempts per game. Taking more threes is one thing, but that percentage is clearly unsustainable.
On top of that, the 76ers have been atrocious on defense during this small sample size, allowing 126.1 p/100 to opponents.
Sacramento has been on a very strong run, going 9-3 SU & ATS in their past 12 games.
The Kings’ offense has been much better during this run. Their offensive rating is 113.3 over this run, compare to their season-long 108.8 rating.

76ers Injury Report

Kings Injury Report

Toronto snapped a three-game slide with a win in Phoenix on Tuesday night.
Since their 15-game win streak the Raptors are 3-4 SU & ATS in seven games.
While their defense has been rock solid over this stretch (103.2) it is their offense that has struggled.
The Raptors have a 107.4 offensive rating during this small bump in the road, and they’re shooting just 33.0% from deep on 41.6 attempts per game.
Golden State coming off of the win in Denver, but the presence of Steph Curry changes everything about this team.

Raptors Injury Report

Warriors Injury Report

By JVT