NBA
Chicago Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks
February 22, 2012 | 
Author The Chicago Bulls look to continue their dominance over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night. The Bulls are -12.5 point favorites over the Bucks with an over/under point total set at 188.5.
Bulls fans finally got to see their reigning MVP in action again on Monday night as Derrick Rose made his return from injury to lead the Bulls past the visiting Atlanta Hawks 90-79. Rose, who has missed the previous five games with a back injury, led the way with a game high 23 points as Chicago opened up a 18 point advantage at the first break. The Bucks on the other hand continue to struggle as they fell to Orlando 93-90 at home on Monday, which was their fifth defeat in their last six outings.
Derrick Rose scored 26 points and dished out 13 assists to guide the Bulls to a comfortable 113-90 victory over the Bucks in the first meeting of the season in Milwaukee. Chicago jumped out of the gates to lead 30-16 at the end of the first quarter, and then extended their lead in the second quarter to 24 points, which proved to be the difference in the game. Drew Gooden top scored for the home side with 24 points, although the Bucks struggled from the field all night long as they connected on just 38% of their shots, which included going 1-12 from beyond the arc.
Head to head, the Bucks are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings, while the road team is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings and the favorite is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings. The Bulls are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference, but just 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games as a home favorite of 11.0 or greater. The Bucks on the other hand are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as a road underdog of 11.0 or greater, but just 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600 and 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
The Bulls did crush the Bucks in the first meeting of the season, however they had only beaten Milwaukee by double digits only once in their previous nine meetings. While the Bucks do have some quality big men out, this team can play and they have actually won six of their last nine away from home, after losing their first eight of the season. The Bulls win, but the gritty Bucks cover here.
Pick
Milwaukee Bucks +12.5 Chicago Bulls
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers look to snap their three game losing streak as they travel to Memphis to face the Grizzlies. The 76ers are -1 point favorites over the Grizzlies with an over/under point total set at 181.5.
The Grizzlies were hoping to carry a five game winning streak heading into tonight’s showdown against Philly, however they fell to the Rockers 97-93 in a tough fought game on Monday night in Houston. Memphis, who had won six of seven heading in last night’s game, were led by Rudy Gay’s 23 points, however he needed 22 shots to get that.
The 76ers suffered their season high third straight loss as they fell in heartbreaking fashion, going down by the slimmest of margins in Minnesota on Sunday night. Up 91-90 with no much time left on the clock, Kevin Love was fouled with 0.1 seconds left on the clock and made both free throws to give the Timberwolves the win.
Head to head, the 76ers are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings, while the underdog is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings. The Grizzlies are 21-5-1 ATS in their last 27 games playing on 0 days rest and 17-6 ATS in their last 23 home games vs. a team with a winning road record, but just 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games. The 76ers on the other hand are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games following a S.U. loss, but just 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games as a favorite of 0.5-4.5 and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
Having not played in back to back games since the 10th, the 76ers have an edge on the Grizzlies who will be playing in their fourth game in five nights. While I’m not taking anything away from Memphis, their last two wins have both come on last second tip in’s, so we could of easily seen both teams coming into this game riding three game losing streaks. I could see Memphis pulling this one out, but I just think Philly will be hungrier for the win and they are due.
Pick
Philadelphia 76ers -1 Memphis Grizzlies
Posted in NBA, Sportsbook | 
Tags: Memphis Grizzlies, NBA betting, Philadelphia 76ers | 
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New York Knicks vs. New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets will have their hands full on Monday when the Nets face off against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are -8 point favorites over the Nets with an over/under point total set at 194.5.
The New York Knicks are possibly the hottest team in the league right now, as New York is definitely someone no other team wants to face. The Knicks dismantled the Mavs last night as New York 104-97. The Knicks were led offensively by some guy named Jeremy Lin who finished with a very impressive 28 points and 14 assists against the Mavs. The talk is that Carmelo Anthony will return for tonight’s game against the Nets, which should be interesting to watch to see how well Lin and Anthony gel together. My thoughts are they will be just fine.
The New Jersey Nets just can’t seem to get it going this season, and last night the Nets fell to the Milwaukee Bucks in New Jersey by the total of 92-85. The Nets were led offensively by their point guard Deron Williams who did have a nice night against the Bucks as Williams finished with 26 points and six assists, but Williams wasn’t able to get much help as the Nets only had three other players finish with double digit points, none over 20.
The Knicks are a very impressive 8-1 overall in their last nine games. When the Knicks and Nets meet up, the total is usually pretty low as nine of the last twelve games between these two clubs have gone under the projected total. New Jersey has been a rough play for bettors as well when facing the Knicks as the Nets are just 2-4 against the spread in their last six games against the Knicks.
This will more than likely be the most watched game of the night as everyone will be tuning in to see how Jeremy Lin does with Anthony in the lineup. I don’t expect there to be much problem, even though Anthony has been known to be a bit of a ball hog in the past. The line here is pretty large, but I just can’t see backing the Nets in this situation, and even though it is a bit of a risk, I think the best play here is with the Knicks.
Pick
New York Knicks -8 New Jersey Nets
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Houston Rockets
The Memphis Grizzlies will have a tough task ahead of them when the Grizzlies try and stop the high powered Houston offense on Monday. The Rockets are -3.5 point favorites over the Grizzlies with an over/under point total set at 189.
The Houston Rockets are playing good ball this season, and even though the Houston defense has struggled at times, when you have an offense capable of putting up numbers like the Rockets can, you are going to win more often than not. The Rockets completely dismantled the Utah Jazz on Sunday as the Rockets defeated the Jazz 101-85. The Rockets were led offensively by Kyle Lowry who finished with 32 points on the night, and also Luis Scola had a solid outing as Scola finished with 26 points and nine boards.
The Memphis Grizzlies had the night off on Sunday, and Memphis continues to play solid ball this season as the Grizzlies are just above the .500 mark on the year with a record of 18-14. The Grizzlies didn’t play on Sunday, and Memphis needed the rest after a hard fought 104-103 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night. The Grizzlies had all five starters finish with double digit points on the night, and leading the way for Memphis was their star forward Rudy Gay who finished with 19 against the Warriors.
Despite their high scoring offense, the Rockets have gone under the projected total in five of their last six games, and 14 of their last 19 games at home. The Memphis Grizzlies have been a poor bet lately as the Grizzlies are just 3-6 against the spread in their last nine games.
The Grizzlies are a good team, and will more than likely give the Rockets a good game here on Monday, but at the end of it all I think the Rockets cover this small number on Monday.
Pick
Houston Rockets -3.5 Memphis Grizzlies
Sacramento Kings vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers play host the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night from Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavaliers are -2.5 point favorites over the Kings with an over/under point total set at 199.
The Cavaliers dropped to 2-3 on their season long nine game home stand after falling to Lebron James and the Miami Heat 111-87 on Friday night. Cleveland, who are eight wins shy of matching their win total from last season, were always going to find it tough against the red hot Heat, and they did just that as Miami raced out to a 35-14 lead, which was the difference in the game. The Cavaliers have now dropped six of their last nine overall , despite seven of those being at home.
The Kings continue to struggle away from home as they dropped the first three games on their six games Eastern Conference road swing. It looked like Sacramento was going to pick up a win in their last outing in Detroit on Friday as they led by as many as 11 points in the second half. However, they couldn’t sustain the lead as the Pistons came charging home to take a 114-108 win. Sacramento is now 3-15 away from the comfy confides of Arco Arena.
Head to head, the Kings are 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings and 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings in Cleveland, while the road team is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings and the underdog is 7-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings. The Cavaliers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games, but just 3-11 ATS in their last 14 games as a home favorite of 0.5-4.5. The Kings on the other hand are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
I ’m not too worried about the Cavs recent slide because each of their last 10 games have come to teams all likely to finish in the playoffs, expect for maybe Milwaukee. The Kings on the other hand have talent no doubt, yet they struggle to maintain a consistent effort for all four quarters. I think the Cavaliers will welcome some weaker competition here and bounce back with a tough fought victory.
Pick
Cleveland Cavaliers -2.5 Sacramento Kings
Posted in NBA, Sportsbook | Tags: Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA betting, Sacramento Kings | No Comments »
New Jersey Nets vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks look to continue their dominance over the New Jersey Nets when the two square off tonight. The Bucks are -2 point favorites over the Nets with an over/under point total set at 195.
Coming into Saturday’s showdown against Chicago, things were looking pretty grim for a Nets squad who were riding a season high eight straight losses. However, after surprising one of the league’s best on their home floor with a 97-85 victory, added to the fact that center Brook Lopez will be back in the starting lineup after sitting out the first two months of the season, things up suddenly looking up for New Jersey.
The Bucks on the other hand continue to struggle as they dropped their fourth straight contest with a 94-85 defeat in Orlando on Friday night to fall to 12-18 overall. Brandon Jennings hasn’t helped things for Milwaukee as he is averaging just 12.1 points per game, which is six less than his season average, over his last eight games, in which the Bucks have won just two.
Head to head, the Bucks are 8-0 ATS in the last 8 meetings and 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings in New Jersey, while the favorite is 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings. The Nets are 7-20 ATS in their last 27 games playing on 0 days rest and 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Bucks on the other hand are 20-6-1 ATS in their last 27 road games vs. a team with a losing home record, but just 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games as a road favorite of 0.5-4.5 and 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Having won four straight in New Jersey by an average of 23.5 points, the Bucks have to fancy their chances tonight. I know the Nets are coming off a good win in Chicago and Lopez will make his return tonight, but I still like Milwaukee here. Let’s not forget that New Jersey is just about the worst home team in the entire league, plus Lopez will be rusty in his first couple of outings coming off a serious injury. Take the Bucks minus the two.
Pick
Milwaukee Bucks -2 New Jersey Nets
Indiana Pacers vs. Charlotte Bobcats
The Indiana Pacers look for two straight as they host the Charlotte Bobcats. The Pacers are -11.5 point favorites over the Bobcats with an over/under point total set at 190.
The Pacers snapped a season high five game losing streak after taking down the visiting New Jersey Nets 93-88 on Thursday night. After missing Wednesday night’s 98-87 loss at Cleveland, Danger Granger returned to score 32 points to lead Indiana to a much need win. The Bobcats also snapped a lengthy losing streak, a franchise record 16 game skid to be exact as they defeated the Toronto Raptors 98-91 on Friday night.
In the first meeting of the season, Indiana cruised to a comfortable 99-77 win over Charlotte back at the start of January. The Bobcats actually held a six point advantage heading into the major break, before getting outscored 28-14 in each of the last two quarters. Roy Hibbert led six Indiana players in double figures with 20 points and eight rebounds, while D.J. Augustin also added 20 to lead Charlotte.
Head to head, the Bobcats are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings. The Pacers are just 3-8-1 ATS in their last 12 games as a home favorite of 11.0 or greater, 0-7 ATS in their last 7 home games and 0-8 ATS in their last 8 games overall. The Bobcats on the other hand are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600 and 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games overall.
Here we have two teams struggling against the spread as the Pacers haven’t covered once in their last eight games, while the Bobcats have covered in just four of their last 12 overall. Having said that, Indiana hasn’t been missing half of their team through injury like Charlotte has, which is why the Bobcats are the play here. With three starters back in D.J Augustin, Reggie Williams and Corey Maggette, look for the Bobcats to be much more competitive from here on out. Plus, it’s not like the Pacers are setting the world on fire at the moment.
Pick
Charlotte Bobcats +11.5 Indiana Pacers
Detroit Piston vs. Boston Celtics
The Detroit Pistons try for their third straight win as they host old rivals the Boston Celtics. The Celtics are -5.5 point favorites over the Pistons with an over/under point total set at 183.
After a horrendous start to the season, the Pistons look to have turned the corner as they have won six of their last eight, which includes a win Boston earlier in the week. The Celtics on the other hand are heading in the other direction as they have lost consecutive games and four of their past five overall.
In the first meeting of the season between the two, an unlikely source sparked the Celtics to victory as Jermaine O’Neal turned back the clock with 19 points to lead Boston to a comfortable 96-85 win. The Celtics led by seven at the major break, but by the end of the third quarter they held a 22 point advantage, which proved too much to overcome for the Pistons.
Despite 35 points from Rajon Rondo, the Pistons would get revenge in the next meeting as they pulled away in the second half to come away 98-88 winners. Rodney Stuckey, Greg Monroe and Ben Gordon combined to score 69 points as Detroit outscored Boston 25-16 in the final quarter.
Head to head, the Celtics are 10-3 ATS in the last 13 meetings in Detroit. The Pistons are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog, 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 home games and 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games overall. The Celtics on the other hand are 16-6-1 ATS in their last 23 games playing on 2 days rest, but just 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games as a road favorite of 5.0-10.5 and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
The Pistons have quietly been one of the better teams in the East in the month of February as they have won six of nine overall, with the only bad loss coming at home to Washington. Detroit have played San Antonio and Miami tough at home recently, and I don’t see why they can’t do it against a Boston team they just beat by double digits earlier in the week. The Celtics have had two days to rest and they will be looking for revenge, but I hardly think the Pistons will lie down and give them the game here.
Pick
Detroit Pistons +5.5 Boston Celtics
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Dallas Mavericks
The Los Angeles Lakers look to continue their dominance over the Phoenix Suns as the two square off tonight. The Lakers are -8.5 point favorites over the Suns with an over/under point total set at 185.5.
The Los Angeles Lakers returned home from their six game road trip to take care of the visiting Atlanta Hawks 86-78 on Tuesday night, despite an off game from Kobe Bryant. Bryant, who is averaging a league best 28.7 points, was held to a season low 10 points on just 5-18 shooting, but the Lakers managed to hold for the win. The Suns on the other hand have looked like one of the best teams in the league since the start of the month. However, a three game losing streak has them once again on the back foot.
Kobe didn’t have any such troubles against the Suns in their first meeting of the season as he torched Phoenix for 48 points en route to a comfortable 99-83 win in Los Angeles. Bryant was 18-31 from the field as the Lakers outscored the Suns 26-15 in the final quarter to run away with the win. Marcin Gortat led the way for Phoenix with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Channing Frye added 17 of his own on 7-9 shooting.
Head to head, the road team is 5-1-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings, while the underdog is 5-2-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings. The Lakers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a losing road record, but just 7-16 ATS in their last 23 games vs. a team with a losing S.U. record and 4-10-1 ATS in their last 15 vs. NBA Pacific. The Suns on the other hand are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games as a road underdog of 5.0-10.5 and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Since last facing the Suns, the Lakers have only won the single home game by over eight points, so Phoenix stands a good chance here. Not just that, but the Suns actually played the Lakers pretty close in the first meeting, before collapsing in the final quarter. It’s pretty hard to see Los Angeles losing here, but I think the Suns get the late cover here.
Pick
Phoenix Suns +8.5 Los Angeles Lakers
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks hit the road looking for six straight wins as they face the Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers are -2.5 point favorites over the Mavericks with an over/under point total set at 181.
After their blistering start to the season, the 76ers have cooled off a little bit as they have lost three of their last five, two of which were at home to Western powers San Antonio and Los Angeles. In their most recent loss at Orlando, the usually stout defence of Philly couldn’t do anything to stop the outside shooting of the Magic as they went 15-25 from long range in a 103-87 victory.
The Mavericks on the other hand are riding a season high five game winning streak, despite some injuries to key personnel. Guards Jason Terry and Delonte West missed Wednesday’s dominate 102-84 victory over the visiting Denver Nuggets and both will sit out of tonight’s clash. Since losing three straight to start February, the Mavs offense has kicked into gear as they are averaging 100.8 points per game during their five game winning streak.
Head to head, the road team is 3-1-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings, while the underdog is 3-1-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings. The 76ers are 15-6 ATS in their last 21 games as a favourite and 13-6 ATS in their last 19 home game, but just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Mavericks on the other hand are 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600, 17-6-1 ATS in their last 24 road games and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog of 0.5-4.5.
Good spot to take Philly here. Granted, the Mavs are flying at the moment, but they will be without to key players in Terry and West tonight. The 76ers on the other hand know this is a must win game as they play their next games on the road after this clash. I just don’t see the 76ers losing three straight home games here.
Pick
Philadelphia 76ers -2.5 Dallas Mavericks
