Up to NBA Betting Trends

posted December 27, 2007 at 16:33 in NBA Betting Trends

Two of the league's most surprising teams will get together in Wednesday night at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta, as the Hawks (14-12 SU & ATS) play host to the Indiana Pacers (15-13 SU, 15-12-1 ATS) in a game tipping off at 7 PM ET.

In the BetUS NBA basketball betting odds, the Hawks are a 2.5-point favorite, with the total listed at 201 points.

In the HEAD-to-HEAD NBA basketball betting trends:

* IND has covered three of the last four meetings

* IND has won 10 of the last 15 meetings SU

* Fifteen of the last 22 meetings in Atlanta have gone OVER the total

Indiana plays at a very fast tempo, scoring 104.5 ppg and allowing 104.1 ppg. They hit 8.2 three-point shots per game, and rank second in the NBA in rebounds with 44.8 per game. What might be most pleasantly surprising for their followers is that opponents have shot only 43.9% against them. Also:

* IND has won four of its last five games SU

* IND is 7-4 ATS as a road underdog

* IND has played seven of its last ten games OVER the total

* IND has won and covered seven of its last ten road games

* IND has played five straight road games OVER the total

Atlanta is in second place in the Southeast Division. The Hawks have won and covered their last four games. They like to play at a much slower pace than Indiana, scoring 94.5 points a game and surrendering 94.9. They hit only four 3-pointers a game, 29th in the NBA. Also:

* ATL has played 13 of its last 17 games UNDER the total

* ATL has covered four of its last five home games

* ATL has won five of its last six home games

* ATL is 6-3 ATS as a favorite

Who would have though that both these teams would be over the .500 mark and possibly on the way to the playoffs at this juncture of the season? Atlanta has probably had to overcome a bit more. Even with injuries to backcourt veterans Speedy Claxton and Tyrone Lue, the Hawks have performed above expectations. The youngsters like Josh Smith and Josh Childress have come through, and Joe Johnson really has the hot hand right now, hitting for 28 points a game in his last three. The Hawks also have the big guy inside in rookie Al Horford (9.6 rebounds per game) to muscle the finesse-oriented Pacers, who got 18 points and six blocked shots from Jermaine O'Neal last time out against Washington. If you look at Atlanta during this current four-game winning streak, even when Miami and Utah stepped up things, they were able to thrive, shooting 53% and 58% in those games.

We're comfortable laying points with the Hawks, the 2.5-point favorite in the BetUS NBA betting odds.

BetUS NBA basketball betting odds: ATLANTA -2.5, Total: 201

JAY'S PLAY: ATLANTA

You’ll find the latest 2007-2008 NBA odds and lines in the best online sportsbook, BetUS.com. Betting on NBA player and game props makes every aspect of the game exciting. Join BetUS.com today to bet on the NBA and make online sports betting work for you!

(Charles Jay of TotalActionExtra.com is a freelance writer and handicapper who not only can make his shots from the top of the key, but also contributes with gusto to the BetUS Locker Room)