Waiting for "The Call" Saturday, March 8

**Indiana at Cleveland**

Currently in a two-game funk and going 2-5 SU and 3-4 ATS in its last seven, Indiana will look to break an 0-6 SU and ATS head-to-head slump against Cleveland on Saturday. After LeBron James scored 50-points in a 119-105 win over the Knicks on Wednesday, the Cavaliers where dropped by Chicago 107-96. With a 2-6 ATS fall in its last eight home games, Cleveland will look to use its collapsing defense (holding teams to 94.8 PPG in its last five) to defeat a Pacers squad scoring 110.6 PPG in their last five. Indiana has hit the ‘over’ in five straight contests**

Charlotte at Washington**

With the ‘over’ being a cash money maker in recent days, a feud between Charlotte and Washington might have the ingredients for another high scoring affair. In their last 10 head-to-head games, the ‘over’ has been golden at 7-3. On a three-game winning streak, the Bobcats have covered their last four straight contests, are 7-3 on the ‘over’ in their last 10 and are scoring 105.2 PPG in their last five. While the Wizards have bucked the high total trend recently with a 4-1 record on the ‘under’ in their last five, the ‘over’ has cashed in 10 times in the last 12 when playing against Eastern Conference opponents.

Already looking ahead to next season, Miami is waiting to add its third win in the last 10 games when it tips-off against Atlanta. When listed as a road ‘dog by one to three points, the Heat have gone a deplorable 1-4 ATS, and when playing against teams with a record below .500 the Heat are a mere 4-8 ATS. On a dry spell of their own, the Hawks have dropped seven of their last 10 and are giving up 111.8 PPG in the last five meetings. In their last 10 head-to-head games, Miami is 7-3 SU and AT

**Golden State at Orlando**

While Golden State is holding onto the eight and final seed in the West (with 20 games to go), Orlando has registered eight victories in its last 10. Scoring triple-digit figures in nine of those 10 games, the Magic have been able to compliment bettors’ bank rolls with an 8-2 ATS record. With Keyon Dooling sitting on the bench (foot), Orlando has gone 3-0 ATS. Involved in a four-game road trip, the Warriors have been another ‘over’ machine, going 8-2 in their last 10. On the road this season, Golden State is scoring 107.9 PPG, but the defensive unit has allowed opponents to score 107.4 PPG (a difference of +0.5).

**Portland at New York**

The ‘over’ may be the play in recent games, but Portland has gone against the grain, hitting the ‘under’ eight times in its last nine road games and has gone 9-4 on the ‘under’ in its last 13 overall. In their last meeting in early February, the Trailblazers walked away with a 94-88 home victory, but failed to cover the 7 ½-point spread. In opposite argument to total plays, New York has been another club in the Association knocking the ‘over’ dead with an 8-2 run in its last 10. Giving up triple-digit scores in seven of those 10 games is one good reason for the frequency of ‘over’ plays.

**Boston at Memphis**

Looking ahead, Boston will be squaring off in their next five versus teams that have gone 0-5 SU in their last head-to-head meetings. Tickling the twine for an average 98.4 PPG, the Celtics have excelled on defense, smothering the opposition for 85.8 PPG in the last five. The Grizzlies walk into this contest involved in a 1-9 ATS free fall. Showing this core’s lack of defense is the 41-percent of games that have hit a total above 210 points, 34-percent above 215 and 28-percent that have exceeded 220 points. In a January meeting between the two, the Celtics slithered by with a 100-96 win. However, Memphis covered the huge 13 ½-point spread.

**New Orleans at Houston**

Burning through the league and making a contest in the battle out West, Houston enters Saturday on a 17-game victory run. Going 14-1 ATS in the last 15 and 10-1 ATS in their last 11, the Rockets will look to apply their 108.6 PPG scoring tear in the last five to this contest. But, the Hornets are not a pushover and bettors should be aware that this club has built a 25-10-1 ATS tab in their last 36 road games. New Orleans has complied a 10-4 ATS billing versus teams playing with a record above .500 and are 5-1 ATS in its last six head-to-head contests versus Houston.

**New Jersey at Dallas**

Coming off zero days of rest, the Nets are a money pit at 5-10 ATS in a total of 15 games this season. Since Devon Harris made his first appearance on the court for Jersey, the team has gone 1-3 SU and 1-2-1 ATS. In its last six outings, the Nets have been the exception in the totals department, reaching the ‘under’ five times in their last six. In its last game versus Houston, Dallas took a 113-98 beating, and failed to cover the minus-1 ½-point spread. Staying true to money being earned when betting on totals, the Mavs are 5-0 on the ‘over’. Dallas is 15-17-2 ATS when coming off only one-day worth of rest.

**Denver at Utah**

While both teams have impeccable home records, Utah will look to defend its 27-3 SU and 20-10 ATS record on the season. In their last five home games, the Jazz have been installed as the favorite all five times, with the team going 4-1 ATS. Draining 107 PPG in its last five, Utah’s greatest strength is on ‘D’ (holding teams to 96.6 PPG in the same last five). Versus NBA Northwest teams, the Nuggets are 35-16 in their last 51 on the ‘over’. Coming off zero days of rest, Denver is 5-9 ATS.

**Minnesota at L.A. Clippers**

With both teams guaranteed a spot on the sidelines during this year’s playoffs, the Timberwolves are just looking to take their third win in the last 10, while the Clips will try to put the breaks on a 1-6 SU and 2-5 ATS slide in their last seven. Hitting only 43.6-percent of its field goals this season, and whiffing in its last five with a 39.9-percent success rate from the field, L.A. continues to struggle in the fundamental of shooting the ball. In their last meeting on Feb. 1, it was the ‘Wolves who scored a 104-83 whooping over the Clippers

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Nene "a survivor" after cancerous testicle removed:

Speaking publicly for the first time since the removal of a cancerous testicular tumor, Nuggets forward Nene spoke to The Denver Post about his perseverance.

"It was scary, but I believe in God," Nene said Friday night after Denver's victory over San Antonio. "And now I'm a survivor.

"It's been emotional, man. I thank all these guys because there's a lot of people — from the Nuggets administration, the Nuggets family, the fans — I thank for the support, for the love, for giving me strength through this situation. My family, friends all helped me."

Before the game, Nuggets media relations director Eric Sebastian spoke to Nene about possibly sitting on the bench.

"When Sebastian talked to me and said, 'How do you feel?', it was emotional," Nene said.

Nene told Sebastian he was nervous about sitting on the bench for the first time, but that it was "a good nervous." Nene even told Sebastian that he didn't want to do an in-game interview with ESPN, afraid he might cry on national TV.

Then, after Sebastian walked away, "I cried before the game," Nene said.

"Nene has a spirit to him," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "We want to help him through this."

Nene will not travel with the Nuggets on this upcoming road trip, but will likely "be with us the rest of the way," Karl said.

As for the power forward returning to action this season, Karl said: "I'm very hopeful — I think he'll be back on the court."

Nene underwent a sole chemotherapy treatment and is now recovering.

Asked whether he would return this season, Nene flashed his famous wide smile and said: "No more questions."