Handicappers Picks

For the fifth time this month, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics will take to the hardwood in NBA Finals betting action. For the second time in this series, the two teams are on terms. The C’s knotted this series at two games apiece on Thursday night when the bench proved to be the difference in a 96-89 win at TD Banknorth Garden.
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Boston Celtics (64-39, 47-54-2 ATS) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (71-31, 44-55-3 ATS)
Game Date/Time: Sunday, June 14th, 8:00 ET
Game Location: TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA
TV/Radio Broadcast: ABC, TSN, Sirius

NBA Finals Odds: Los Angeles Lakers +3 vs. Boston Celtics -3: Game Total 187.5

The biggest question for HC Phil Jackson and his crew is whether or not the team is really going to able to step up and put its foot on Boston’s throat in this series or not. G Kobe Bryant has certainly played this series as if he was the centerpiece and the only way that the Lakers will be able to win a game. He took 22 shots in Game 4′s defeat, and only connected on ten of them. Hitting six three pointers helped matters out quite a bit, as Bryant led the team with 33 points. Aside from Bryant though, the only man in purple and gold that scored more than ten points was F Pau Gasol. The Spaniard scored 21 points on 6/13 shooting, but his effort on the glass wasn’t fantastic, as he had just six boards. Los Angeles shot 45.1 percent from the field and just 7/20 from beyond the arc. However, the rest of the team outside of Bryant only hit one triple, and if you take out Gasol and Bryant, everyone else in purple and gold only went 2/4 from the charity stripe.

Once again, the winner of this game ultimately ended up being the team that won the rebounding battle. Boston had 16 offensive rebounds and won the battle 41-34 overall. Four of those offensive boards came from F Glen “Big Baby” Davis, who had the game of his career off of the bench. Davis scored 18 points in just 23 minutes of work, the second highest total of the team. F Paul Pierce shot 7/12 from the floor and scored 19 to lead all scorers in green. There were six Celtics that ended up scoring in double digits, including G Ray Allen, G Rajon Rondo, F Kevin Garnett, and G Nate Robinson. The Celtics scored a whopping 54 points in the paint in the victory, which was 20 more than the Lakers managed. The C’s also won the fast break battle 15-2 and consistently kept the Lakers off guard.

NBA Finals Insider Tip: The Celtics are 5-0 ATS in their L/5 clashes when playing on two days of rest.

With Lakers C Andrew Bynum’s knee once again giving him problems, I really feel the Celtics now hold the overall advantage in the paint. That’s huge considering the team that’s won the rebounding battle is now a perfect 4-0 ATS in this series. Doc Rivers has also done a masterful job with his substitutions, and I think he’s done a better job coaching his club than Phil Jackson’s done looking upon his. If the Celtics lose this game, the NBA Finals will almost certainly be lost. Again, I feel as though the Lakers have to feel somewhat accomplished by their games in Beantown. If Kobe goes off for 40+ and the Lakers beat me, so be it! That said; I don’t see it happening.

Back the C’s in NBA betting Game 5 action on Sunday night!
My NBA Playoff Prediction: Boston by 6
Source: BetUS Locker Room Featured on: Handicapperspicks.com

Washington Wizards vs. Orlando Magic
Free Pick: Over 194 Points (April 7th 2010 – Doc’s Sports)
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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.

Portland Trailblazers vs. Sacramento Kings
Free Pick: Under 194.5 (April 3rd 2010 – Jimmy Boyd)
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Right away you have to like the fact that plays Under on home teams where the total is between 190 and 199.5 points, a cold team having lost 6 or 7 of its last 8 games, against a hot team having won 8 or more of its last 10 games, are 48-23 the last 5 seasons. We are seeing just 190.2 points on average in this situation. Portland has made a habit of putting the clamps on defensively against bad teams. As a result, the Blazers are 20-8 UNDER when playing against a bad team (Win Pct. 25% to 40%) in the 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons, and we are only seeing a total of 188.4 points in these spots. The Kings are 6-0-1 Under in their last 7, and the Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in this series. The Blazers are coming off a bad loss to the Nuggets, and that plays right into our hands here as well. In fact, the Under is 5-0 in their last 5 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points. Bet the Under tonight.

Sacramento Kings vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Free Pick: Sacramento +2.5 (March 31st 2010 – Jack Jones)
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The Minnesota Timberwolves have lost 16 straight games, and should not be favored over Sacramento Wednesday. “Just go out there and continue to play hard,” Kevin Love said following Tuesday’s practice. “It seems like I say the same thing every time but that’s really it. Keep your head up, keep battling, bite your lip, grit your teeth, just go out there and get it done.” Well if they keep saying it all the time, and they aren’t getting the job done, then this is a clear sign that the Timberwolves don’t have what it takes mentally to go out there and get it done. It’s also a sign that they just continue going through the motions, knowing that this is a lost season. Tyreke Evans returned to the line-up last night for the Sacramento Kings and this is a completely different team with him out on the floor, running the show. Evans had 29 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds in a 114-100 win over the Timberwolves earlier this month. He has to be licking his chops at another chance to play Minnesota tonight as he looks to cement his spot as the Rookie of the Year. Sacramento has won 5 of the last 6 meetings in this series. Minnesota is 5-21 ATS versus teams who average 7 or less steals/game on the season this season, losing in these spots by 15.4 PPG. Take the Kings.

New York Knicks vs. Portland Trailblazers
Free Pick: Over 200 (March 31st 2010 – Doc’s Sports)
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Free NBA Pick for Wednesday from Doc’s Sports (15-7 current run and 33-17 long-term run and Doc’s has three strong plays on the board for Wednesday, including a 5-Unit NBA Totals Game of the Week as they look to extend their 10-2 NBA totals run) – #525 Take New York/Portland OVER 200 (10 p.m. EST, Wednesday) The Knicks have really been pushing the pace lately and we just think that the sky is the limit on how many points Portland can score tonight. The Knicks have allowed an average of 109 PPG in their last five contests and none of those games went into OT, as one might expect with defensive numbers that bad. Although not the most explosive offensive team in the league, the Blazers do average 98 PPG at home and they have shown the ability to score well against tempo-pushing, bad defensive clubs. We expect them to have a really good night offensively and we think the Knicks will be able to put up some points tonight and we would probably lean towards them on the line too since we think they should get close to 100 as well. When the Knicks play the Western Conference the totals always tend to be high and 10 of their last 14 meetings with Western Conference teams have gone over the posted number.

New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Free Pick: New York +3.5 (March 15th 2010 – Rob Vinciletti)
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On Monday the NBA Play is on the New York. Game 501 at 7:05 eastern. What we want to do in this game is play o road teams with 1 or more days rest if they were a road dog +10 or more and scored 120 or more,vs an opponent who scored 90 or more. These road teams have won every times since 1995 and failed to cover just one. While its very rare that road dogs of 10 or more score 120 or more its interesting that they carry that effort over in their very next road game. The Knicks ended the Mavericks 13 game win streak and now go into Philly to take on a Sixers team taht is unrested and off a road loss down in Miami. Philadelphia is 1-9 straight up and ats at home with no rest if they scored 90 or more the night before. Look for the Knicks to cover tonight. Those looking for something to hit hard I have a 5* totals play from a cutting edge dominator system that averages 225 points per game. Jump on and start the week on the right side. For the Free play take the Knicks plus the points. RV

Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics
Free Pick: Over 195 (March 15th 2010 – Jimmy Boyd)
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Both of these teams are struggling on the defensive end. Boston has allowed 103 or more points in its last 3 games and defending will be no easier tonight after playing a tough one in Cleveland Sunday. The Pistons have allowed 107 or more points in 3 of their last 4 and 105 or more points in 5 of their last 7. In recent years, these have been two or the better defensive teams in the NBA, but the fact is that they are aging, making it tough to defend on a nightly basis. In fact, these two teams combined for 205 total points with the line set at just 187 the last time they met. With this number still 10 points under the total score in the last meeting, I think the Over is showing some pretty solid value. In fact, we’ve seen Boston struggle defensively down the stretch each of the last two seasons as its veterans have worn down. As a result, Boston is 21-8 Over in home games in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons, and we are seeing 201.3 points scored in these games on average. It is also worth noting that Boston is 18-7 Over in home games versus poor defensive teams, allowing their opponents to shoot 46% or better from the field, over the last 2 seasons, and we are seeing 202.7 points in these spot on average. We’ll bet the Over here tonight.

Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Free NBA Pick: Milwaukee -1 (March 9th 2010 – Joseph D’Amico)
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The Buck’s are the hottest team in the NBA, winning 9 of their L10 SU and covering 10 straight. They dismantled the Cav’s 92-85 on Saturday. All 5 starters are averaging DD”s each game, including Forward John Salmons who is posting 19.2 PPG. When hosting, Milwaukee is 19-10 ATS TY and are outscoring visiting foes by an average of 4.1 PPG. Boston is playing well, but are just 7-16-1 ATS their L24 games overall. They are just not covering the number. The Celtic’s can’t seem to get over on the Buck’s, as they are 0-4 ATS their L4 against them and 1-4 ATS their L5 in Miwasukee. The Celtic’s are also 5-15-1 ATS their L21 games played on 1 days rest, 1-4 ATS their L5 vs. the NBA Central, and 3-8-1 ATS their L12 vs. teams with a winning record. The Buck’s 4-0 ATS their L4 at home, 13-3 ATS their L16 vs. the NBA Atlantic, and 23-8 ATS their L31 as a favorite. Milwaukee wins and covers at home. Thank you.

Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Hornets
Free Pick: Golden State +6.5 (March 8th 2010 – Tony George)
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While I do not like backing NBA teams on a 5th game road trip, I cannot ignore the fact for the Hornets they have dropped 6 out 7 games SU, and on offense are struggling to find the right mix with Chris Paul still out. This is a big number to lay for a mediocre team. The Warriors have played well and competed with a short roster, but they are used to playing with little bench support. This is more of a play against a struggling Hornets team, than a play for Golden State. There is double revenge here for the Warriors at play. This is a big number in the NBA in what should be a high scoring game as the Warriors hate playing any defense, but I think they can score here and have a better backcourt in this Match-up. I will grab the points against a struggling team.

Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks
Free NBA Pick: Over 208 (March 8th 2010 – Jack Jones)
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New York is 8-1 OVER in home games versus up-tempo teams averaging 83 or more shots/game this season, with an average combined score of 217.4 points/game. Atlanta is 8-1 OVER vs. poor rebounding teams – outrebounded by opponents by 3+ per game this season, with an average combined score of 217.5 points/game. New York is 17-6 OVER after allowing 110 points or more this season, with an average combined score of 216.3 points/game. Atlanta has scored 103 or more points in 5 of their last 6, while allowing 100 or more in 4 of their last 6. New York has allowed 102 or more points in 13 of their last 14 games overall.

This play also falls into a system that is 53-25 (68%) to the OVER during the last 5 seasons. It tells us to bet the OVER on home teams where the total is greater than or equal to 205 (NEW YORK) – terrible defensive team – allowing 103+ points/game on the season against opponent after a loss by 6 points or less. Go with the OVER.

Sacramento Kings vs. Dallas Mavericks
Free Pick: Sacramento Kings +8.5 (March 5th 2010 – Big Al McMordie)
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At 8:35 pm, our complimentary selection is on the Sacramento Kings + the points over Dallas. The Mavericks have now won nine straight games, after downing Minnesota 112-109 in Texas on Wednesday night. However, the Timberwolves did everything BUT win that game, as they outrebounded the Mavs 49-30, and shot 53% from the floor, yet lost because of 22 turnovers (many of them unforced). Of course, that narrow win won’t surprise folks who have followed the Mavericks’ pointspread history this season. Dating back to November, Dallas is now on an 0-21 ATS RUN as a home favorite of -4.5 points or more!!! As the old saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” And I’m not going to step in front of that 0-21 angle. Let’s fade Dallas once again as a large home favorite, and play on Sacramento, who seeks its 5th straight cover tonight.