Washington Wizards vs. Orlando Magic
Free Pick: Over 194 Points (April 7th 2010 – Doc’s Sports)
Want more NBA basketball predictions? Visit Handicappers Picks
The Wizards have been playing some pretty good defense lately but we think they run into a buzzsaw tonight in Orlando and we see the Magic having a great offensive night tonight – good enough to pass this total mostly on the strength of their own offense. This is the third game in four nights for Washington and we just don’t see them putting up much defensive resistance tonight. Orlando has had two nights off and we think they shoot the lights out tonight. This team averages 104 PPG at home and we think they can do even better than that tonight. While some teams like to slow the pace down once they have a big lead Orlando is not shy about jacking up threes every time down the court when they are up by 20 in the fourth quarter. The Wizards have played pretty well offensively their last couple games, even though those games were against inferior defenses, but it is not out of the realm of possibility that they can score here tonight. But we think Orlando gets in the 110 range tonight with the Wizards making up the difference to get this one over the posted number.
New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers
Free Pick: New York Knicks +10 (Black Widow)
Inflated line here with the odds makers giving the Indiana Pacers way too much respect. Hard to believe Indiana could be favored by double-digits tonight against the Knicks considering the Pacers are just 29-48 this season. Indiana has been playing well lately, but they don’t have many wins against playoff teams during their run. And they have not fared well against the Knicks. New York is 4-1 SU in their last 5 meetings with Indiana, winning by 43, 7, 4 and 9 points. The Knicks are 26-11 ATS (+13.9 Units) in a road game where the total is greater than or equal to 210 over the last 2 seasons. The Knicks are 33-14 ATS (+17.6 Units) when playing their 3rd game in 4 days over the last 2 seasons. Playing on little rest has not hurt this team one bit, and they have a lot of confidence following their overtime win against the celtics last night. Take New York and the points.
Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Free Pick: Under 211 Points (Jimmy Boyd)
The Nuggets aren’t the same high scoring team on the road. In fact, the Nuggets have been held under the century mark in their last 4 road games. Plus, OKC has proven to be a quality defensive team on its home floor, holding its opponents to only 95.9 points on the season. The last time these two teams faced off, the Thunder gave up 119 points to the Nuggets in a 29-point loss. In addition, they gave up 140 points in a defeat to Utah last night. With these two games in mind, I expect OKC to really tighten the screws on the defensive end and to be careful not to get into a track meet. History is certainly on our side here as home teams where the total is greater than or equal to 210, revenging a loss to an opponent of 10 points or more, off a road loss, are 82-40 Under since 1996. Lastly, Denver is 23-10 Under in road games where the total is greater than or equal to 200 this season. Bet the Under tonight.
Need more free NBA basketball predictions? Visit Handicapperspicks.com for more expert sports picks from over 30 professional sports handicappers
Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Free Pick: Under 204.5 (April 2nd 2010 – Doc’s Sports Picks)
Want more free NBA basketball predictions? Visit Handicappers Picks
Six straight meetings in this series have gone under the posted number. Not one of three meetings this season has gone over 200. Utah has been scoring a lot of points lately but they have had a ridiculous schedule lately that has seen them play the worst defensive teams in the NBA over and over. They have played only one good defensive club in their last 10 games. The Lakers are a Top 10 defense and this team will really look to bring the defensive intensity at home after three straight poor defensive showings on the road. This team plays very stout defense at home and they allow just 95 PPG, on average, on this court. This is a big game for both teams and we think the defensive intensity will be ramped up on both sides, and both of these teams can play good defense and we just don’t see this one being a barnburner, especially looking at the results of the last few meetings. The under is 7-2 in the Lakers last nine home games and 13-6 in their last 19 games as a listed favorite.
Washington Wizards vs. Houston Rockets
Free NBA Pick: Washington +7 (March 30th 2010 – Jack Jones)
Want more NBA basketball predictions? Visit Handicapperspicks.com
Houston is deflated right now, knowing that their chance of making the postseason have gone out the window. Washington is obviously struggling right now, but it’s not like they haven’t been competitive during their dreadful 15-game losing streak. Usually a road team that has lost 15 straight would be a heavier underdog than 7 points to a team with a .500 record like Houston. This is a trap, and we’re not biting as we’ll side with the underdog Wizards who will be much more motivated heading into this one, trying to end their skid. The Rockets are 0-4 SU & 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
This play also falls under a system that is 79-46 (63%) ATS since 1996. It tells us to bet on road underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points (WASHINGTON) – after 8 or more consecutive losses. These teams tend to be great to back when they get on these long losing streaks, because there becomes overwhelming value against the spread. Houston has a plethora of injuries right now as well with Shane Battier, Jared Jeffries, Kevin Martin and David Andersen all watching from the sidelines. Take the Wizards.
San Antonio Spurs vs. New Jersey Nets
Free Pick: New Jersey +8 (March 29th 2010 – Big Al McMordie)
Want more NBA basketball predictions? Visit Handicapperspicks.com
At 7:30 pm, our complimentary selection is on the New Jersey Nets + the points over San Antonio. Last night, we cashed a big High Roller selection on the Spurs over Boston (we’re now 5-0 our last 5 High Rollers), but the Spurs were in one of their best roles on Sunday (they were on the road, playing with revenge); tonight, they’re in one of their worst. And that is to play AGAINST San Antonio if it is playing without rest, and is PK or Favored off back-to-back wins. Since 2005, the Spurs have been very poor in this situation. With San Antone off back-to-back BIG wins over Cleveland and Boston, look for the Spurs to stumble a bit vs. the league’s worst team, New Jersey. And, of course, it certainly wouldn’t hurt if Gregg Popovich decided later in the day to rest Timmy Duncan (this is one of only a few “back-to-backs” left on San Antonio’s schedule, which Coach Pop likes to utilize to rest Timmy). That would make our pointspread, here, look even more attractive. So, this is also a play where it makes sense to get down earlier, rather than later. Good luck, as always…Al McMordie.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets
Free Pick: LA Lakers -6 (March 27th 2010 – Mike Lineback)
Lakers will come out “angry focused” tonight, after getting their butts kicked last night vs. Oklahoma City. Houston are seriously banged up. Battier is out. Kevin Martin hurt his shoulder and missed Thursday’s game, and this is on top of Anderson, Hill & Jeffries injuries, All may miss this game as well. Regardless. Houston can’t matchup with Los Angeles. In particular, Kobe, Gasol & Odom, and LA’s overall size advantage. In addition, Houston are not a good defensive team, and don’t have anybody to slow Kobe. Kobe & team assert their offensive & defensive will early.
Portland Trailblazers vs. New Orleans Hornets
Free Picks: New Orleans Hornets +3 (March 27th 2010 – Black Widow)
The Hornets know their chances of making the playoffs have basically gone out the window, but they’d love to play the role of spoiler tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers tonight. New Orleans has been a solid home team all season, going 22-13 on their home floor. The Blazers are just 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) off a home win this season. Portland is 8-24 ATS (-18.4 Units) versus terrible defensive teams – shooting pct defense of >=48% since 1996. Chris Paul has returned to the line-up for New Orleans, and he will help them close out the season strong. The Trail Blazers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following a SU win of more than 10 points. The Hornets are a superb 25-8 ATS in their last 33 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Take New Orleans and the points.
Need more free NBA basketball picks? Visit Handicapperspicks.com for more expert NBA picks from over 30 professional sports handicappers.
