NBA Betting: The Four Hottest Teams Against the Spread (Dec. 26th)

Below is a list of NBA basketball’s hottest teams to bet on against the spread (updated December 26th 2008), according to Alex Smart, a professional basketball handicapper featured on Touthouse.com.

If you are betting on the NBA this season be sure to check out Alex Smart’s NBA betting analysis each day at Touthouse.com.

1. Orlando Magic (22-6) (18-9-1 ATS) (5-0 ATS L/5 +$500)

Head coach Stan Van Gundy just might have a juggernaut on his hands capable of dropping 120 on any given night, and then playing a more ball controlled game the next time out to win a game in the 190s.

After coming within the two-point spread in a one-point loss at Phoenix, the Magic bounced back with a huge effort the following night in Salt Lake City against the Jazz to come away with the 103-94 outright win as 7.5-point underdogs.

It should also be noted that Orlando secured that win without the services of big man Dwight Howard. They built off their solid 4-1 SU and 5-0 ATS west coast road swing to win their next three home games against San Antonio, Los Angeles, and Golden State. They trounced the Spurs from the opening tip, and fought back from a nine-point halftime deficit against the Lakers to pull out the three-point home win and cover.

After a home date with the Hornets on Christmas Day, they’ll hit the road for three games at Minnesota, Detroit, and Chicago.

2. Atlanta Hawks (17-10) (16-11 ATS) (4-1 ATS L/5 +$290)

The Hawks closed out their week of action with a home win and cover against the Detroit Pistons to churn out a solid 4-1 SU and ATS mark for the week.

The offense wasn’t the greatest attaining an average of just 93 points per game, but the defense was stellar limiting its five opponents to a paltry 87.2 PPG. They snapped Cleveland’s winning streak and almost snapped Boston’s as well just four days later, but the defending champs were just too much in the closing stages of the game.

They bounced back from the disappointing defeat by covering the lofty number against Golden State and posted back-to-back ATS wins by disposing of Detroit 85-78 as 4.5-point home chalks. Mike Bibby had his best offensive night of the season ripping the twine for 27 points with five assists and three boards.

The Hawks will look to keep the momentum rolling with home games scheduled against OK City, Chicago, and Denver before hitting the road.

3. Milwaukee Bucks (13-16) (19-9-1 ATS) (4-1 ATS L/5 +$290)

The Bucks boast the second best ATS mark in the league overall, and they kept cashing their backers tickets this past week by posting a 4-1 ATS mark.

After outgunning the Indiana Pacers 121-103 as four-point home chalks last Sunday, Milwaukee went into Miami and crushed the Heat 98-83 as 3.5-point underdogs. They barely lost at Philadelphia both SU and ATS as 3.5-point underdogs (93-88) on Wednesday, but then went into MSG on Friday night and demolished the Knicks for the third time this season. They then returned home and blitzed the LA Clippers by a 119-85 final count as six-point chalks.

Head coach Scott Skiles has really turned this franchises fortunes around, and hopefully his players continue to buy into his schemes since this is the best basketball the city of Milwaukee has witnessed in quite some time.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder (3-25) (16-12 ATS) (4-1 ATS L/5 +$290)

No, they’re not winning many games SU, but the Thunder have really started to turn their season around against the Vegas line.

They currently rank as the seventh-most lucrative team in the league by going 16-12 ATS overall. They only managed one SU win last week against Toronto, but they easily stayed within the double-digit spreads against the Mavericks, Spurs, and Cavaliers.

They’ll continue to press their luck on the road this week against Atlanta, Detroit, and Washington before returning home to square off against Phoenix and Golden State.