Why do people back bottom four teams to cover small spreads?

Ive noticed some people taking bottom 4 teams(Knicks, cavs, bulls, suns) to cover single digit spreads. These teams are completely trying to lose at this point and definetly shouldn’t be expected to cover these tiny spreads against elite teams. Everyone was on the Knicks against the thunder and the thunder blew them out. Now today, the Knicks are home again against the rockets with only a 7.5 point spread. People will take the Knicks with the points but the rockets will end up blowing them out. I could be wrong, I just don’t get betting on a team that is only playing to get a top pick and wants to lose. 

Agreed  

Add Magic, Grizz, Hawks, borderline hornets.

Grizz is to be faded though. 

because those people are not betting real money. All they want is this 'WOW , you capped it ???' in order to set records and maybe end up going 'rogue' to sell u picks. 

Im fading knicks. Like really, against houstons with most of the players playing? 

I’m a Knicks fan and watch many of their games. Right now enes Kanter is their best player and he barely plays, they are clearly in tank mode. Betting on them with less than a 10 point spread is not smart. Also, betting on teams that are 1-9 or 2-8 in their last 10 to cover small spreads against teams that are hot is not a smart move. 

Good thread..I would not include the Magic in there but for sure Knicks ,bulls , suns , cavs and grizz

yeah I initially said bottom 4 teams but the grizzlies are definetly not a good play right now either. Also, the magic have talent on paper and potential to be good, but right now I’d stay away from them. They seem to be a very streaky team and are just cold right now. 

Houston very easy money then huh? and all other similar cases... gl with that

I suggest you do some research (previous seasons etc etc) and come back again with numbers supporting those claims...

This guy spouts out garbage constantly. He posted picks yesterday saying OKC struggled against the Knicks, even though they killed them and covered the spread EASY.

And even just now, most of the players playing? Does he know that Capella and Paul have been out for a while and this team resembles a D-league entourage only tasked with 3 and D and clearing the way for a Harden iso? He's trying to cap but mostly just comes out as fade material.

I did a quick check to see the ATS record of bad teams when they are single-digit dogs.

For a team that has a 

I accidentally sent out a reply that I had not completed. I did a quick check to see the ATS record of bad teams when they are single-digit dogs.

For a team that has a winning percentage of < 25% against a team that has a winning percentage of > 55% after at least 20 games and the line is < 10, the overall ATS record is 226-230-6, which is around 50% winning percentage. So I would not be surprised if someone can win by picking good spots for the bad teams.

Joel, we are talking about this year specifically, and the really just the 4/5 worst teams. If you can look at the suns Knicks cavs bulls combined record ats when single degit dogs I think it would be very poor, esepecilly recenelty. In the beginning of the year these teams were playing, now they are tanking. 

bkiz, easy money then fading them as single digit dogs? Lines way off?

How many pts shoukd knicks get today in your opinion

Outforder, it’s hard to say but this team wants to lose. I think the spread should be Knicks +14.5 and I still wouldn’t take the Knicks. 

Using my previous filters and limit it to this season the overall record is 9-7-0. It is not as bad as you think. Those games include two for the hawks so it would be 7-7-0 for the teams that you mentioned. Some recent ATS covers in this month are:

Suns won 102-93 against Nuggets at home
Knicks lost 105-108 against 76ers at home and covered
Suns lost 109-111 against Raptors on road and covered

It's human nature to bet against bad teams, especially after bad beats. The books know that and would adjust the line accordingly. It is not so easy to win by fading these teams.

Well, Houston is banged up and shorthanded these days. Their starters have been playing heavy minutes and they were gassed last game vs. the sixers. So I can understand people betting against them.

You have to remember these teams in the beginning of the year were trying. The Knicks had many close games I remember watching them. But now they gave up 

I did not follow those teams closely but tanking does not mean players give up trying. It is more on the management / coaching level than the players' level. As for the Knicks, they were on a long road trip at the beginning of the year and covered a couple of those games. They also covered 2 of the next 4 games after the Western coast trip. So I do not know how you conclude that they are giving up games now. The London game might also throw the team off a bit from a regular schedule and led to a bad beat vs. the Thunders.

I watch them play. They don't play their best players a lot, and as I said earlier, Kanter is their clear best player and barely plays and recently told management he "misses playing basketball." The coaching staff is doing everything they can to lose games. Watch them play it's very clear. 

yet they are 5-5 ats last 10, covered 2-3 times as single digit dogs... what's your point

how about you guys b*tch at me after houstons vs knicks finishes playing? you can b*tch at me all you want if Houston does not cover ok