Pro Basketball Picks
New York Knicks still needs some more firepower
2011-02-08
The New York Knicks have earned respect this season with the arrival and stellar play of Amar’e Stoudemire, but former Knicks superstar John Starks believes that the team needs to add a few more pieces in order to contend for an NBA title.
Starks, who have been a constant follower of the Knicks since he retired, said that the sky is the limit for the team, but the Knicks would be more formidable if they would be able to add two or more solid players in their fold.
“We definitely need a couple more players,” Starks said. “I know there's been talk about certain players coming here and Donnie Walsh understands what it takes in order to put together a championship squad. He did it when he was in Indiana and he's doing a masterful job here in New York.”
Starks, who have been a crowd favorite during his eight seasons with the Knicks from 1990 to 1998, remains confident that Walsh is the right man for the job and he believes that the veteran general manager would be able to build a championship contender like what he did when he was still with the Indiana Pacers. Walsh had a successful stint with the Pacers, putting together a team that reached the 2000 NBA Finals, although they vowed to the Shaquille O’Neal-led Los Angeles Lakers.
“You always have to continue to improve. You can't just sit still in this league and hope for the best,” Starks said. “And what Donnie is trying to do is he's trying to put together that team can definitely get us back to the Finals.”
The Knicks have the ability to add another marquee player in their fold because they are expected to be a huge player when the trade deadline approaches. New York was reportedly Carmelo Anthony’s preferred destination.
The Denver Nuggets forward has been involved in a lot of trade rumors since the off-season, and the Knicks are one of the most aggressive suitors for the superstar forward. The Knicks are willing to unload players other than Stoudemire plus first-round draft picks on order to acquire Anthony.
Although Starks did not directly talked about acquiring Carmelo Anthony, Starks said that acquiring an elite player, while giving up a hefty package of players would be a good gamble depending on the quality of player the Knicks would acquire.
“It's happened before in the past and it worked out,” Starks said. “Depending on what player you're going after and what you have to give up. That's the business that's we're in. You sometimes have to give up a little bit more to get the type of player that you want.”
Starks, who was a member of the Knicks that reached the 1993-94 NBA Finals, also expressed excitement about the renewed hope and energy of the Knicks fans. Starks said that the recent decent showing from the Knicks have brought Madison Square Garden to its status of being the best basketball arena in the World.
“You can see the intensity, the energy that's in the building again and it's just exciting to see the city lit up right now,” Starks said. “Walking down the street yesterday and you can hear the rhetoric about the Knicks now, and you haven't heard that in some years.”
After being a regular cellar-dweller in past few years, the Knicks are on pace to return to the playoffs this season and adding another marquee player like Carmelo Anthony would make them an instant title-contender this season. The Knicks are +900 to win the Eastern Conference championship according to the Basketball Odds at Sportsbook.com the home of NBA betting.
NBA: Celtics vs Lakers Betting Preview
2010-06-03
In the history of the NBA, two teams stand above the rest, the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. These two franchises have combined to win 32 NBA titles. Boston has beaten the Lakers nine of 11 meetings in the NBA Finals which substantiates the point for many people of substance over style. The teams meet again in the 2010 NBA Finals, starting on Thursday night. Oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have installed Los Angeles, who has the home court advantage, as a -180 series favorite.
The Lakers like to make the argument that in spite of having a couple less titles than the Celtics, theirs is the better franchise having a bit of Jack Nicklaus in them, finishing runner-up 16 times.
What makes this appointment television is history. For many of the players let alone those tuned in to watch, this matchup is about Larry Bird, Bill Russell, Magic Johnson and Jerry West. What made this important is they met one another over a short period of time. Boston defeated the Lakers seven times from 1959 to 1969 and they met three times in four years from 1984 to 1987.
That is what makes this renewal even better than two June’s ago. The last time basketball fans had a 21-year break between heated encounters, this time most of the combatants are the same that met two years prior. What is different this time compared to 2008 when the Celtics hung their first NBA championship banner since 1986?
Trust and Age
Though Ray Allen was having brutal postseason two years ago, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in particular were at the top of their respective games. Each was able to dominate for lengthy periods of any contest and did in those six games.
Today, neither KG nor Pierce has that same ability; both can make a series of outstanding plays to help Boston, just in a shorter time span. The Celtics are helped by Allen being a much stronger contributor now, but the driving force of this Doc Rivers club is Rajon Rondo. The former Kentucky product has exploded onto the scene in the playoffs and been the catalyst behind the Celtics success. The C’s now feed off what Rondo delivers.
Two years ago, Kobe did not trust his teammates. He demanded total effort in the biggest games and they did not deliver to his liking. Last year’s title drive was all about finishing the deal and becoming champions again and though Bryant has his doubts from time to time about the 2010 edition of the Lake Show, he knows what to expect from Derek Fisher, Pau Gasol and to a lesser degree Lamar Odom and Ron Artest.
It’s all about the matchups
How does Boston limit Kobe’s effectiveness? Doc Rivers coach’s by feel more than X’s and O’s during games. Rivers will go after Bryant with Baskin-Robbins approach, using a variety of methods. Guard Kobe tight to force him to drive into lane where the Celtics big men can create issues. Let him shoot from the outside to prevent him from getting fouled too often and adding up points. They will double Kobe on the wings or single him up in the middle of the floor and go with what works best.
Derek Fisher took it as personal mission to stay with Steve Nash in West finals, but he has nowhere near enough foot speed to stay with Rondo. That means Bryant will see Rondo aplenty and if Boston wants to slow the pace, L.A. will be cool with that process, since Bryant can use his size and wing span to stay in front of Rondo. Expect coach Rivers to dictate to Rondo to run at every opportunity to maximize his effectiveness.
Pierce and Artest is a potential swing matchup in the series. Pierce’s jab step jumper is more deadly when he sets up defender by driving to the bucket. If he can make Artest indecisive about his intentions, he could frustrate Ron-Ron into drawing silly fouls and taking him mentally out of the game.
Artest has to knock down enough shots to keep Pierce honest on defense and prevent him from clogging driving lanes. Artest’s job on the other end of the floor is to limit Pierce’s scoring ability and work him so that his legs don’t give him the leverage he needs late in the game to make jumpers.
In the frontcourt, Boston will try and manhandle the Lakers bigs with their imposing strength using Kendrick Perkins, Glen Davis and Rasheed Wallace to roughhouse. Los Angeles should be accustomed to these tactics, expect Phil Jackson to try and manufacture matchups playing to the strengths of Gasol, Odom and Andrew Bynum in the triangle offense.
Coaching counts
In 2008, the Rivers vs. Jackson coaching matchup was thought to be akin to choosing between Snookie of “Jersey Shore” and Megan Fox. Rivers it turns out is the right coach for Boston, continually pushing his club to do better thru effort and precision and working game plans with mastermind assistant Tom Thibodeau.
Jackson was almost passive when his club lost to the Celtics in the finals two seasons ago, but has been much more involved the last two years, not sitting idly by wanting players to learn from adversity. He’s been more aggressive in substitution patterns and back to trying different bench players in various situations to find the spark when needed.
ATS nuts and bolts
Both teams were unreliable home teams wagers with the Lakers 42-7 and 21-27-2 ATS record and the Celtics 31-19 and 19-30-1 ATS. Given their ability and skill, each was a factor as visitors with Boston 31-18 (26-22-1 ATS) and L.A. 27-22 (22-26-1 ATS).
In the last three years the Celtics “Big Three” is 7-5 and 9-2 ATS against Los Angeles. The road team has won five games outright of the previous 13 meetings, however just one was in the finals in 2008.
You will read the home court is not a significant factor because of how the visitors have played lately, but if you are making series wager, the teams with home court advantage has won eight of last ten.
What happens?
Only once in the previous 25 years has seed other than No. 1-3 won the NBA championship and Boston was a four seed coming into the postseason. Eddie House and Leon Powe were significant players for the Celtics in the last finals meeting, both play elsewhere today.
Gasol and Bryant together are better players than the previous finals confrontation and the Lakers are 44-0 in any series with Jackson as coach if they win Game 1.
This will be rugged, physical series, with the trophy staying in L.A.
Pick- L.A. Lakers (-180) in seven over Boston (+150)
San Antonio Spurs vs Dallas Mavericks first round NBA Playoffs
2010-04-23
Well it is that time of the season again and with the playoff time that has just about kicked off in the “Western Conference”, it’s important that you stay updated with your favorite players and the happenings around the league as betting on basketball take one very important thing, knowledge.
If you have been loyal to the game you would then know that every year the Mavericks always play a full 48 minutes of hard fought basketball and in turn award their fans with a punched out opponent. So will this be any different this year, NBA odds are unsure. Taking into consideration the Western Conference is filled with a range of playoff teams each with 50+ wins, it is seen that the Mavericks went gone over the hill to do an improvement of their abilities; this has been noticed with the team being redone and upgraded. Howard and Gooden have been traded away for Caron Butler and Brandon Haywood.
There have been more points averaged than what Josh Howard averaged with the fantabulous entry of Butler, while it has been noticed that Haywood has contributed to becoming the motivating factor on defensive gaming techniques for the spirit of the team, so lets take the big-man who is the younger one of the lot and just averaging under Gooden’s point totals, nevertheless scored more rebounds than him, plays better at blocks and the critics are of the opinion that involving him was a good move which will now only bring on success and fortune to the game and the team members at large for the team of Dallas in the coming years.
Jason Kidd is at the starting line and is with the league now for a very long time; on the other hand we have off the bench names like Caron Butler, Shawn Marion, and Erick Dampler and Dirk Nowitzki. However for Mavericks would be Tim Thomas, has a reputation of 9 seasons in which he has been associated with seven teams. He is known for his lazy attitude which led him out of the team. It was in the beginning of 2010 whilst Thomas was not regularly heard or seen of and no where on the Mavericks roster was he to be seen and rumors went abuzz of a clash between him and the Mavs that led to cut ties with him. Well baseless as it was Thomas was actually quiet and not as the media said making a ruckus in their locker room, nor was there a clash between him and the team. The young player was away to attend to his ailing wife and to quote Thomas who clearly stated that he was out and away taking care of his better half and hence had to sacrifice many a games with the team. Now that is one dude I would love to meet for sure, someone who stands up against the tide and knows his head from his shoulders and yet swims the tardiest of waters to be a successful survivor at the end of it all. Nevertheless irrespective of whether Thomas is in the team or not , San Antonio Spurs have to be extremely cautious when it comes to playing with the Mavericks since they probably will be one hell of a team to defeat , namely with the passion and aggression each of the Maverick’s have with respect to winning the game.
Now it is important to the San Antonio Spurs and L.A. Lakers to make and have a combination and collaboration to win 7 of NBA Championships from a total of 10 if they aim at keeping the game spirit on track, which by all means is not an impossible feat for the two. The Spurs just as in the case of the Mavericks, are known for the talented scouts it owns and hence are a tough to tackle with the playoff around the corner.
Manu Ginobilli, Tim Duncan, and Tony Parker are well known players on whichever team in basketball much more than the likes of a Kobe, Gasol or Melo and Billups. The only comparison that I can make here is Garnett, Pierce and Allen. This is going to be a war of a series and a great one to place your NBA bet on at www.sportsbook.com
NBA: Boston at Milwaukee (8:00 PM ET, FSN)
2010-03-09
After spending a month taking advantage of a schedule that included some of the league’s worst teams, the Milwaukee Bucks are one game into a stretch that sends three of the NBA’s best to the Bradley Center. They already turned back the LeBron-less Cavaliers on Saturday night. Up on Tuesday are the Boston Celtics, and Bucks are a 1-point home favorite according to Sportsbook.com.
A breakout performance from the struggling Brandon Jennings helped the Bucks top the team with the league’s best record, and they’ll look for a 10th win in 11 games Tuesday night as they try to snap the Boston Celtics’ four-game winning streak.
Milwaukee (33-29, 40-21-1 ATS) was three games out of the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot as of Jan. 26, but it has gone 15-4 and even more amazing 15-3-1 ATS since then to jump into fifth place. Of the Bucks’ first 14 victories in that stretch, 13 came against the bottom nine teams in the East. Only Miami, which Milwaukee beat three times, currently owns a winning record.
Visits from Cleveland, Boston (40-21, 26-34-1 ATS) and Utah in a seven-day stretch should give the Bucks a bigger challenge, but questions remained even after their first test. Jennings scored 25 points in a 92-85 victory Saturday over the league-best Cavaliers, who gave LeBron James a night off to rest his sore ankle.
“There’ll be people saying it was a great game and there’ll be other people saying well, LeBron didn’t play, if he would have played, they would have won,” said Andrew Bogut, who had 15 points and nine rebounds. “It’s a lose-lose situation for us.” The Bucks are 18-4 ATS after playing a game as a home favorite this season.
Milwaukee can hope Jennings’ effort is the precursor of a personal turnaround. The rookie point guard had averaged 9.9 points and shot 29.7 percent since Feb. 1 before sparking the victory over Cleveland. Just three days earlier, after shooting 2 for 12 in a win over Washington, Jennings said he wasn’t even sure if wanted to continue taking shots.
That public display of frustration didn’t please coach Scott Skiles. “Right now, I’m playing for something bigger,” Jennings said after hitting five 3-pointers against the Cavaliers. “Main thing is get to playoffs, having the city start believing in us and keep going on from there.” Milwaukee hasn’t lost a game against the spread since Feb. 17 to Houston, accumulating 9-0-1 ATS mark.
If Milwaukee ends up in the postseason for the first time since 2006, it might find itself facing the Atlantic Division-leading Celtics in the first round. Boston is 4-0 (3-1 ATS) in March after going 9-11 from Jan. 14-Feb. 27, but much like during the Bucks’ winning stretch, the competition has hardly been fierce.
The Celtics’ streak has been built against the teams currently occupying then 9th-12th spots in the East, and they had to battle back to beat Washington at home on Sunday night. Boston trailed 79-66 with 6:11 remaining before responding with a 20-4 closing run to secure an 86-83 win. Ray Allen had eight of his 25 points in the decisive stretch.
“We’ve lost so many of these where we played poorly and lost,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “It was nice to play poorly and win. I just wish we could have played the first 40 minutes, like we played the last eight.” Boston is 24-12 ATS after a win by six points or less over the last two seasons.
Boston lost its latest visit to Milwaukee last March 15 as Allen, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo combined to shoot 8 of 36. That was the Celtics’ only loss in the series’ last eight games (3-5 ATS). Kevin Garnett - who didn’t make a field goal Sunday for the first time in more than 14 years - had 25 points and nine rebounds in a 98-89 win at TD Garden on Dec. 8. Bogut had 25 points and 14 rebounds in the loss while committing a season-high seven turnovers. That was one of only three Milwaukee losses in 17 games in which Bogut has scored 20 points or more.
Sportsbook.com has the Bucks as a one-point home favorite with total of 188 and they are 11-3 ATS after successfully covering the spread in four or more consecutive games. Normally, Milwaukee and the word defense are not used in the same sentence, except for negative connotation. However, the Bucks are 10-2 UNDER when the total is between 180 and 189.5 points, winning by seven points per game this season. Boston definitely prefers to play at their own pace, with pale 2-12 ATS record versus teams averaging 83 or more shots a game since the beginning of the season and are 25-12 UNDER in road encounters when playing against a club with a winning record.
This Eastern Conference matchup is available in both local TV markets at 8:00 Eastern and Milwaukee is 14-5 ATS when the line is +3 to -3 this campaign.
StatFox Power Line – Milwaukee by 7
NBA: Christmas 5-pack highlights NBA weekend top trends
2009-12-28
If you’ve watched ESPN or ABC even once over the last month, surely you are aware that the networks are bringing you five games on Friday, Christmas Day. The action is most of what you’ll have to choose from if you like to spend your holidays wagering on sports. With that in mind, I figured I’d dedicate much of this weekend’s Top StatFox NBA Power Trends piece looking at those five games a little closer. Of course, I’ll take a quick look at the Saturday & Sunday action as well, plus reveal some of this week’s top betting angles for you to consider.
Here’s a look at each of the five games for Christmas Day. I’ve enlisted the help of the StatFox Platinum Sheet Consensus for predictions on the games. Picks were 59-46 (56%) for the season as of presstime.
(501) MIAMI at (502) NEW YORK (12:00 PM ET, ESPN)
New York has won seven of nine games to reach 11-17 on the season and will get a rare opportunity to strut its stuff on national TV when it takes on Miami to open the Christmas Day lineup of NBA action. The Heat have taken three straight games in the head-to-head series and have poured in 119 PPG in the process. All of those games were in Miami however, and at the Garden, the Knicks have actually taken four of five. Miami has been very inconsistent this season and has been hovering around the .500 mark for most of the first two months. The Heat have played well on the road, going 6-3 ATS while shooting 37.5% behind the arc.
SPSC: Play on Miami
(503) BOSTON at (504) ORLANDO (2:30 PM ET, ABC)
The second game of the day is the second meeting of the season between the Magic and Celtics, the same teams that put on a thrilling 7-game second round series in the Eastern Conference Playoffs last spring. The Magic won the first head-to-head meeting of the season in Boston, 83-78 as a 6-point dog. It was their third straight win over Boston, and they’ve held the Celtics to 9-53 shooting behind the arc in that span, 16.9%. HC Doc Rivers’ team has scored just 78.3 PPG as a result. They are one of the league’s hottest team though right now, having won 13 of 14 games to reach 22-5 on the season. They are also 38-21 ATS on the road revenging a same season loss under Rivers, and boast a 12-1 road record overall in ’09. Orlando is a perfect 9-0 SU & ATS vs. Atlantic Division teams this season.
SPSC: Play on Boston
(505) CLEVELAND at (506) LA LAKERS (5:00 PM ET, ABC)
The showcase game of the Christmas holiday matches the league’s biggest stars, Kobe Bryant & Lebron James. Bryant and the Lakers have won 16 of 17 games but strangely, are just 9-8 ATS in that span. They have also swept the East in 10 games this season but are just 5-5 ATS. Cleveland will be wrapping up a 4-game West coast road trip, and has also been a disappointment to bettors in ’09, hanging out around the .500 ATS mark. The Cavs have done some of their best work against elite competition: CLEVELAND is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) versus excellent teams - shooting >=46% with a defense of <=43% over the last 3 seasons. This will be the first meeting of these teams this season. The Lakers swept the two games a year ago after Cleveland had taken the prior five.
SPSC: Play on LA Lakers
(507) LA CLIPPERS at (508) PHOENIX (8:00 PM ET, ESPN)
After a scintillating start to the 2009 season, the Suns have cooled, and in Game #4 of the Christmas lineup, they will try to get it fired up again vs. the Clippers as they close a 4-game homestand. L.A.’s other team will be closing out a 6-game road trip looking to finish it at 3-3. The Clippers, though 12-16 and not playing all that poorly, still are just 10-17 ATS overall. However, they are 3-0 ATS vs. Pacific Division foes this season and actually own a 5-2 ATS record in their L7 games vs. Phoenix. The Suns are just 1-4 ATS in divisional games this year and 33-55 ATS as a home favorite of 9.5-12 points since ’96.
SPSC: Play on LA Clippers
(509) DENVER at (510) PORTLAND (10:30 PM ET, ESPN)
The final game of the big day in the NBA matches Denver and Portland and I issued a Best Bet for this game in the PS, issue #18: I have to think that the host with the best chance of getting it done on Christmas Day is Portland, who figures to be a small favorite. Can you think of any scheduling situation less comfortable than traveling for the late night game in Portland? Denver has to spend the whole holiday away and then take on a team that does solid work at home: PORTLAND is 22-9 ATS (+12.1 Units) in home games versus good shooting teams - making >=46% of their shots over the last 3 seasons. The average score was PORTLAND 102.3, OPPONENT 96.5 - (Rating = 1*). At the same time, Denver struggles on the road vs. quality foes: Karl is 25-39 ATS (-17.9 Units) in road games versus good teams - outscoring their opponents by 3+ points/game as the coach of DENVER. The average score was DENVER 97.9, OPPONENT 106.2 - (Rating = 2*). Blazers are getting back in stride. They win comfortably here.
SPSC: Play on Portland
The NBA weekend continues on Saturday with 10 games, including two involving teams that will have played on Friday’s card. The Lakers travel to Sacramento to take on the surprising Kings, who just this week came back from a 35-point deficit in Chicago to win. The Suns meanwhile will hit the road to take on Golden State. The Warriors are typically one of the league’s best home dogs and will be asked to come up big by their backers again here. In other action, Atlanta visits Indiana, and San Antonio takes on the Bucks in Milwaukee.
The weekend wraps up with six Sunday games. Houston, Indiana, San Antonio, and Dallas will all be in back-to-back situations with the Rockets facing the most difficult test, a second straight road outing in Cleveland. They are 6-1 SU & 4-3 ATS so far on zero days rest though. The Pacers have also been good minus rest, boasting a 5-2 ATS mark when playing on a second consecutive day. They will be in Miami.
Now, here’s a look at some of this weekend’s Top StatFox NBA Power Trends:
Friday, 12/25/2009
(501) MIAMI vs. (502) NEW YORK
NEW YORK is 33-14 ATS (+17.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. The average score was NEW YORK 104.6, OPPONENT 107.4 - (Rating = 2*)
(503) BOSTON vs. (504) ORLANDO
ORLANDO is 9-0 ATS (+9 Units) against Atlantic division opponents this season. The average score was ORLANDO 107.2, OPPONENT 95.3 - (Rating = 3*)
(505) CLEVELAND vs. (506) LA LAKERS
CLEVELAND is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) vs good defensive teams (FG pct defense of <=43%) over the last 3 seasons. The average score was CLEVELAND 95.8, OPPONENT 92 - (Rating = 1*)
(507) LA CLIPPERS vs. (508) PHOENIX
LA CLIPPERS are 22-43 ATS (-25.3 Units) versus good teams outscoring opponents by 3+ PPG over the L3 seasons. The average score was LA CLIPPERS 90.4, OPPONENT 102.8 - (Rating = 1*)
(509) DENVER vs. (510) PORTLAND
PORTLAND is 22-9 ATS (+12.1 Units) at home vs. good shooting teams (>=46% FG%) over the last 3 seasons. The average score was PORTLAND 102.3, OPPONENT 96.5 - (Rating = 1*)
Saturday, 12/26/2009
(705) HOUSTON vs. (706) NEW JERSEY
NEW JERSEY is 4-15 ATS (-12.5 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ PPG this season. The average score was NEW JERSEY 89.4, OPPONENT 103.4 - (Rating = 2*)
(707) NEW ORLEANS vs. (708) CHICAGO
CHICAGO is 9-0 UNDER (+9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ PPG this season. The average score was CHICAGO 91.6, OPPONENT 96.8 - (Rating = 3*)
(711) CHARLOTTE vs. (712) OKLAHOMA CITY
CHARLOTTE is 29-16 ATS (+11.4 Units) as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points over the last 2 seasons. The average score was CHARLOTTE 91, OPPONENT 95.4 - (Rating = 1*)
Sunday, 12/27/2009
(501) DETROIT vs. (502) TORONTO
TORONTO is 33-56 ATS (-28.6 Units) vs good ball handling teams committing <=14 turnovers/game over L3 seasons. The average score was TORONTO 98.7, OPPONENT 102.2 - (Rating = 1*)
(503) INDIANA vs. (504) MIAMI
INDIANA is 72-36 ATS (+32.4 Units) revenging a loss where team scored less than 85 points since 1996. The average score was INDIANA 93.1, OPPONENT 90.1 - (Rating = 2*)
(507) SAN ANTONIO vs. (508) NEW YORK
NEW YORK is 28-12 ATS (+14.8 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons. The average score was NEW YORK 107.9, OPPONENT 108 - (Rating = 2*)
(509) DALLAS vs. (510) DENVER
DALLAS is 2-13 ATS (-12.3 Units) versus excellent foul drawing teams attempting >=30 FTs/game over the L3 seasons. The average score was DALLAS 104.5, OPPONENT 108.1 - (Rating = 2*)
Tough choices for bettors in pair of Game 6’s
2009-05-15
The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers proved their mettle in Game 5’s in different ways. Boston showed the true heart of a champion in overcoming 14-point deficit to oust Orlando 92-88. The Lakers on the other hand reeked with determination and easily buried an out-classed and undermanned Houston club. What will Game 6 provide, lets take a look inside. Take a minute or two to review PROFITABLE ANGLES, powered by StatFox.com and understand where the money is going with BETTING TRENDS at Sportsbook.com.
The Orlando Magic is quickly becoming the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals of playoff basketball. The ‘Stros and Nats lead the majors in blown saves with 10 and the Magic keep coming up more empty than a group of guys leaving Hooters on Church Street in downtown Orlando at closing.
It is evident Orlando is the better team without Kevin Garnett playing for Boston, yet this Celtics team keeps fighting, clawing and scratching to win, which is a testament to the players and coach Doc Rivers. The Celtics are a team Al Davis would love, “Just win baby” and they manage to just so as compared to the Raiders. Boston makes one more trip South and is 8-2-1 ATS on the road.
Dwight Howard was right and wrong to call out his coach Stan Van Gundy about touches in the fourth quarter. He was wrong in the sense you don’t do that after losing a game you clearly had in the bag and let escape, down 3-2 in postseason. He is right that this has been a continual pattern for Orlando in the playoffs, blowing big leads, sometimes winning and sometimes not.
Looking into the issue deeper, here is what is uncovered. If Howard, aka “Superman” is such a dynamic offensive threat, why don’t his own players trust him in the last five minutes of the game? NBA players might not be the sharpest lot off the court, but they understand the game. Are Orlando players too concerned that Howard will make a turnover with the ball at crunch time? Does Howard really work to get the ball, spreading himself out to demand it? Finally, some believe Howard in the best center in the NBA right now, which by my calculations in similar to being heavyweight boxing champion, doesn’t mean much.
Let’s not forget, Howard is a rebounding and dunking machine, but his post moves couldn’t fill a Dunkin Donuts Yahoo sports minute.
Oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com see an angry Orlando club looking to square the series at 3-3 and have made them the largest favorite of the series at 6.5-points, with total of 190. The Magic are 12-4 ATS off a road loss this season and are 7-1 UNDER off a spread loss.
Van Gundy received deserved criticism for playing J.J. Redick 29 minutes in Game 5, especially when he had only one basket.
Boston is 17-4 ATS after a win by six points or less this season and is 14-6 UNDER after consecutive wins. The C’s don’t win last contest without Stephon Marbury, can he deliver again?
The L.A. Lakers finally showed why they are best wager to win the NBA title. The Los Angeles Zen Master would never sink to such low depths of using simple math to motivate his team, but the Lakers are NBA champions if they understand 12 x 4 = 48.
Los Angeles showed they are capable of playing all 48 minutes, though in Game 5 they really didn’t need to. They shot over 51 percent, manufactured countless steals and actually showed toughness with Lamar Odom battling through bad back to play 19 minutes.
The Lakers are 31-14 (24-20-1 ATS) as visitors and if they come to play, should win this contest to close out series. It is all about steely resolve and Phil Jackson’s Lakers’ teams are 11-1 ATS in road games after leading in their previous game by 20 or more points at the half.
Houston is on the receiving end of eight-points with total of 197. The Rockets have no chance to win if they can’t contain Lakers and not let them sniff the century mark. Houston is 15-4 ATS revenging a loss where team scored less than 85 points and it comes as no surprise the average total score in those contests is 186.9. Rick Adelman’s club is 13-4 UNDER after allowing 105 points or more this season, but that included the big man in the middle.
The coverage turns over to ESPN on Thursday starting at 7 Eastern and the series leaders either closeout or head back home for Game 7 finale.
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