NBA Playoff Payoffs
by Marc Lawrence April 2006

Winning situations and losing situations: they all abound during the NBA playoffs. Deciphering between the two can amount to major dollars inside your bankroll when it comes to handicapping the NBA playoffs.

For the undisciplined gambler, the NBA often times simply means Nothing But Agony. To the informed, however, it can represent a Nice Bankroll Advantage. Knowing the difference is half the battle. Having any kind of edge in your favor is the other half, especially during the post-season.

With the 2005-06 NBA regular season now in the history books, let's take a look at how this season's sixteen playoff participants have fared in the post season since 1991. Listed below is a chart containing each team’s straight up and ATS performance record in all playoff games since 1991. In addition, I've also identified a key best and worst playoff ATS trends for each team. Let's have a look:

Chicago:
- 103-39 straight up and 78-62-2 ATS.
- 5-0 ATS as an underdog off straight up loss as a favorite.
- 0-5 ATS as a favorite of 10 or more points against an opponent off back-to-back wins.

Cleveland:
- 14-26 straight up and 16-24 ATS.
- 6-2 ATS away off an ATS loss by four or more points.
- 0-7 ATS against an opponent off a loss by 10 or more points.

Dallas:
- 25-31 straight up and 25-31 ATS.
- 9-3 ATS as an underdog of 2-4 points.
- 0-6 ATS off back-to-back straight up and ATS wins.

Denver:
- 8-17 straight up and 10-15 ATS.
- 5-0 ATS against opponents off a loss by 8 or more points.
- 1-8 ATS away against an opponent off back-to-back wins.

Detroit:
- 55-56 straight up and 54-54-3 ATS.
- 15-6 ATS off a straight up loss as a favorite.
- 0-6-3 ATS as an underdog off a straight up win as an underdog.

Indiana:
- 78-68 straight up and 79-62-3 ATS.
- 15-5-1 ATS against an opponent off a straight up win as an underdog.
- 4-11 ATS off back-to-back wins and the last win was as an underdog.

LA Clippers:
- 4-9 straight up and 6-7 ATS.
- 5-1 ATS with a total of 200 points or less.
- 1-7-1 ATS with a total of 200.5 points or more.

LA Lakers:
- 99-65 straight up and 79-80-5 ATS.
- 6-0 ATS off a straight up and ATS win against an opponent off back-to-back losses.
- 1-7-1 ATS off a straight up loss against non-conference opponents.

Memphis:
- 0-8 straight up and 2-6 ATS.
- 1-0 ATS off three consecutive straight up and ATS losses.
- 1-5 ATS against opponents off back-to-back wins.

Miami:
- 37-42 straight up and 36-41-2 ATS.
- 4-0 ATS with three days rest against an opponents off a straight up loss.
- 1-6-1 ATS off an ATS win by 12 or more points.

Milwaukee:
- 15-25 straight up and 17-21-2 ATS.
- 4-0 ATS against opponents with a .667 or higher winning percentage off a straight up and ATS win.
- 1-6 ATS off back-to-back wins.

New Jersey:
- 37-34 straight up and 36-31-4 ATS.
- 5-0 ATS as an underdog of 10 or more points.
- 1-5-1 ATS off three consecutive straight up and ATS wins.

Phoenix:
- 50-56 straight up 45-60-1 ATS.
- 4-1 ATS as a road favorite/
- 1-7 ATS at home against an opponent off a straight up loss as a favorite.

Sacramento:
- 33-44 straight up and 37-29-1 ATS
- 6-0 ATS vs. opponents off back-to-back straight up and ATS wins.
1-6 ATS as a favorite against an opponent off a loss by 10 or more points.

San Antonio:
- 90-60 straight up and 88-66-2 ATS.
- 9-1 ATS as a favorite of 8.5 or more points against an opponent off a straight up win.
- 1-5 ATS as an underdog against an opponent off back-to-back straight up and ATS losses.

Washington:
- 4-9 straight up and 7-6 ATS.
- 5-1 ATS as an underdog of 4.5 or more points.
- 1-4 ATS as an underdog of back-to-back losses.

There you have it; a study in progress of how this year’s playoff teams have fared in the NBA post-season since 1991. By applying a little bit of discipline, and with some fortuitous insight, you too can also enjoy a Nice Bankroll Advantage this NBA Playoff season. Enjoy!

Get all of Marc Lawrence's Guaranteed NBA Playoff Selections right here and remember you MUST WIN or there is no charge!!