Here’s a look at some team trends that have been paying off in the first half of the NBA season.
The Clippers are 5-0 straight up and against the spread when playing on the second of back-to-back days.
This is an unusual trend in that the Clippers are often resting one or both of their stars, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, in this scenario. Still, they’ve been quite successful so far. Upcoming game to utilize trend: Friday at Memphis.
The Bulls are 13-12 SU and 16-8 ATS when on either back-to-back days or on a single day of rest.
Short-rest scenarios have not hurt the Bulls’ play this season, in fact, if anything, they have been better in such cases. This isn’t a huge surprise for a young team that doesn’t need as much rest as much as older clubs. Upcoming game to utilize trend: Friday vs. Phoenix.
The Cavaliers are 4-1 SU and ATS when playing with two or more full days of rest.
Cleveland’s struggles in 2020-21, including its recent 0-13 ATS run, are well-documented. However, the Cavs have been strangely good in the five games they’ve played off two or more days of rest. Unfortunately, with the jam-packed schedule this season, those opportunities are few and far between. Upcoming game to utilize trend: Saturday at Philadelphia.
The Warriors are 8-8 SU and 6-10 ATS against the Eastern Conference.
Golden State boasts a profitable 10-6 ATS record against its West rivals this season but has gone the reverse against the East. The Warriors are also 11-5 Under the total in these games. It’s an interesting early dynamic as the East teams seem to be better prepared for Golden State. Upcoming game to utilize trend: Friday vs. Charlotte.
The Nets were 14-4 Over the total on standard one-day rest, entering Thursday.
The NBA schedule is essentially designed around a play-one-day, rest-one-day routine with obvious exceptions for every team. Brooklyn has functioned very well offensively in this scenario under first-year coach Steve Nash. The Nets are averaging 123.4 points per game in such games, about five points better than in all others. The result is a lot of Overs on totals. Upcoming games to utilize trend: Saturday vs. Dallas.
The Spurs are 5-0 SU and ATS against the Eastern Conference.
With Monday night’s win at Indiana, the Spurs stayed perfect against East teams this season. San Antonio has been mediocre against its West rivals (-2.8 ppg differential) but spectacular against East foes (+10.4 ppg). Upcoming games to utilize trend: Tuesday vs. Nets, Wednesday vs. Knicks.
The Suns are 7-1 SU and ATS when playing on the second of back-to-back days.
Like the Clippers at the top of this piece, the Suns have played their best ball in a situation that most veteran teams despise … the second game of a back-to-back. Phoenix has won seven of eight games in that typically difficult scheduling spot, excelling on both ends while outscoring opponents by 12 ppg. Upcoming game to utilize trend: March 19 vs. Minnesota.
