Latest NBA Lines
NBA DOUBLE YOUR WINNINGS
2010-12-02
Wager on the Team to Score First (Link to Sport Type 2062) prop for tonight’s Heat vs Cavs game. If either LeBron James or Mo Williams scores the first point of the game, winning wagers will be doubled up to $50.00 for this specific prop. Terms and Conditions apply (Link to pop-up with T&C’s below)
Terms & Conditions
• Registration is not required for this promotion; you must simply make a wager on the ‘Team to score First’ prop for tonight’s Heat vs Cavs games (December 2, 2010).
• Wager on the ‘Team to Score First’ prop for tonight’s Heat vs Cavs game. If either LeBron James or Mo Williams scores the first point of the game, winning wagers will be doubled up to $50.00 for this specific prop.
• This specific promotion only applies for wagers on the ‘Team to score First’ prop for tonight’s Heat vs Cavs game (December 2, 2010).
• Bonus winnings will be credited into your account within 24 hours of the completion of tonight’s games.
• Standard rollover requirements apply for all bonus winnings associated with this promotion.
• This promotion can be modified or canceled at anytime.
• House Rules apply.
NBA: Orlando’s opening number suggests readiness
2010-05-18
The Boston Celtics exposed the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Whether Orlando was not emotionally ready to play from the long layoff or listless after cruising past two dramatically weaker opponents, the facts are that for three quarters the Magic looked liked they belonged in the Eastern Finals as much as the New Jersey Nets. They’ll try to turn things around and even up the series in Game 2 tonight. Orlando is a hefty 7 point favorite at Sportsbook.com.
The crisp passing normally associated with Stan Van Gundy’s team amounted to a grand total of 10 assists in the series opener. The Magic players dumped the ball down to Dwight Howard and basically stood like statues in creating no movement on the perimeter, which forced Howard to rely on his limited offense game with nowhere to pass the ball.
While the Celtics deserve credit for keeping the Magic under 40 percent shooting for the first 36 minutes, their task was made much simpler with Rashard Lewis, Matt Barnes and Jameer Nelson for the most part taking off-balance shots and being sloppy ball-handlers.
“I don't think we were prepared for the level they were ready to play," said Vince Carter, one of the few players in white with pulse throughout the contest. "They were ready to go from the jump, and we weren't on their level from the beginning." Orlando is 41-22 ATS revenging a same season loss.
The Magic too readily let Boston set up its half court defense. When Nelson had the ball a good portion the game, he did too much yo-yo dribbling and the offense was stagnant.
The Magic are 23-11 ATS after a game where they failed to cover the spread this year.
"That was a wake-up call we really needed, in my opinion," said Carter. "They're relentless, they're aggressive, they do a great job of contesting, especially in the paint, and it took us a while to figure it out, but when we did we played a lot better."
Boston’s Ray Allen shot only 34 percent against the Magic in last year’s playoffs and they tried to employ the same defensive strategy on him again, pressuring him on the perimeter to take contested shots. Allen foiled those tactics, by beating Matt Barnes, Mickael Pietrus and later Redick off the dribble for layups or short jumps shots in totaling his game high 25 points.
The Celts are up to 38-23 ATS as road underdogs the past three years and Paul Pierce is starting to show he might still have something left in his legs with superior all-around game line that looked this way: 22 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
“It was a defensive game, and we like those. That was fine with us," said Boston coach Doc Rivers.
Orlando is 7 point favorites to even the series, with ‘total’ of 189 at Sportsbook.com. The Magic are 31-12 ATS after playing a game as a home favorite and 17-6 UNDER after one or more losses. Boston has won and covered four in a row and is 29-16 ATS in road games after successfully covering the spread in two or more consecutive contests. The Celtics are 11-2 UNDER after allowing 35 points or less in the first half of their last outing.
NBA: Three NBA Playoff teams look to make magic
2010-04-22
Over the next two days, the NBA playoff series’ switch to new. A couple of the teams playing on Thursday night are in desperate straits and need to make something happen or they can start thinking of summer vacation plans. One other squad doesn’t have its best player, however can take the series lead with a victory before its loud and proud fans. Let’s take a look at all three of Thursday’s games from a betting perspective. Head over to the LIVE ODDS and GAME MATCHUPS pages on Sportsbook.com for more key info.
Cleveland at Chicago 7:00E TNT
The Bulls played the Cavaliers even for three quarters, unfortunately professional basketball is a four quarters contest.
Chicago was tied after three quarters but was outscored 35-25 in the final 12 minutes, thanks to LeBron James doing his best Mariano Rivera impression as the closer. James scored 15 of his 40 points in the final stanza, ruining the Bulls upset bid.
“They call me the closer every time I come in the fourth quarter,” James said. “It’s my time to put the game away or do what I do best and that’s try to close the game the right way.” Cleveland is 14-4 ATS off a home win by 10 points or more this season.
Chicago will receive the energy from its home fans and the Bulls better start a rampage from the opening tip, since nobody expects the Bulls to win four of the next five games. One Chi-Town player enduring himself to the locals is Joakim Noah, who has been a force on both ends of the floor while talking a little trash about Cleveland. He’s more than ready for next assignment.
We can't get discouraged," Noah said. "They did what they were supposed to do. We'll have our fans ready to go for the next game and we'll be ready to go on Thursday."
The Bulls are a four-point underdog, with total of 193 and are 13-4 ATS off two or more consecutive road losses. Chicago is 13-4 UNDER playing with two days rest this season.
L.A. Lakers at Oklahoma City 9:30E TNT
This is all fun and new for the Thunder, being in the postseason for the first time as members from the Sooner State. Oklahoma City lost both games to the defending champion L. A. Lakers, but they are far from discouraged.
"I think that our offense was phenomenal," Kevin Durant said. "Our energy on the defensive end was phenomenal. Of course you cannot play perfect defense an entire game. We got a lot of offensive, rebounds and we played hard.
Of course the next step in the progression is actually winning a game and the Thunder gives the impression they are well-equipped to do so. OKC is 14-5 ATS off a road loss and Sportsbook.com has installed them as 3.5-point favorites.
Thunder fans have enjoyed this young team’s rise all year and view this as the beginning of something much bigger and can hardly be disappointed no matter the outcome.
The Lakers were pushed to the end in Game 2, winning 95-92 as 5.5-point favorites, held to 37.5 percent shooting. Kobe Bryant returned to his usual self scoring 39 points, making 13 of 15 from the charity stripe. It’s a rare sight to see Los Angeles as an underdog, especially in a 1 vs 8 matchup and they are 33-18 ATS as a pooch and 10-2 UNDER in this role.
"We're going home to our crowd, which is gonna give us a lot of energy and we're gonna be ready to play," Jeff Green said Tuesday night. His team is 14-2 ATS after a contest with 15 or less assists this season.
Keep an eye on the total of 191.5 with Oklahoma City 12-2 UNDER at the Ford Center off a cover where they lost the game SU as an underdog.
Phoenix at Portland 10:00E NBA TV
Portland looked every bit like the underdog they were supposed to be, being man-handled by Phoenix 119-90 in Game 2 as 8.5-point underdogs. The news however is good on two fronts, a loss is still a loss whether it’s by one point or 29 and the Trailblazers are returning home.
We got a win," Portland guard Andre Miller said. "You don't want to lose like that any time, but we still are motivated. This is a seven-game series. (The Suns) did their job tonight, but we got a game, and it's a series. Now we have to go and try to protect our home court." Portland is 13-5 ATS after allowing 105 points or more this season.
Phoenix can take pride in understanding and doing what it takes to win as they showed in the last outing. They ran the floor for easy transition buckets, forced Portland into missing shots with greater defensive intensity (38.2 percent) and spread the ball around with Jason Richardson and Grant Hill being key figures in the victory.
“We were just more aggressive getting the ball up the floor and moving bodies around so they weren’t set,” Steve Nash said, “and they weren’t able to zone it up as well.” That raised the Suns record to 14-4 ATS playing against a team with a 60-70 winning percentage this campaign.
Game 3 opened as a Pick em’ and Portland has moved to a one-point underdog with its 7-19 ATS record at the Rose Garden after a loss by 10 points or more.
NBA: Hawks can play better, can’t they? (8:05 PM ET, TNT)
2009-05-08
The title makes me a borderline diva (see Brett Favre) and it has to do with my frustration betting on the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 against Cleveland. I know that it was a jug-headed move and goes along with my NBA Playoff performance to date. Playing the Atlanta freakin’ Hawks, I wish I had the excuse of eating ice cream too fast for brain freeze. Should I multiply my mistake and try it again. Perhaps I’ll check the BETTING TRENDS page to see where my fellow bettors are placing their trust before I dive in.
Let me explain, I was 92-67-2 in the NBA during the regular season, my best season ever. Normally, if I get to 55 percent in pro hoops, I’ll take it. Made adjustments this year and for whatever reason had a few more games go my way.
The NBA playoffs are either special or how should I say this, not so special. The last couple of years the methodology I’ve used during the regular season has not worked as well in the playoffs and thought that would be the case this season, since the best predictor of the future is the past. First Mistake.
My enthusiasm for the playoffs just hasn’t been there and baseball has my attention more and I started 3-8 picking postseason basketball, which has me below Shaq’s free throw percentage.
I was determined to turn things around and at least get back to .500 record wise, before the end of the second round. Of the opening games of conference semis, couldn’t taking my eyes off those double digit points Atlanta was receiving. Second Mistake.
Oh sure, I watched enough of the all-time worst seven-game series in NBA history between Atlanta and Miami to have known better, but I figured the Hawks were ginormous underdogs and should use this for fuel, playing the ever popular disrespect card.
Atlanta COULD play good basketball and had success against the Cavaliers covering three of four this season. Besides, the Cavs hadn’t played in over a week and were about .500 with last 20 double digit spreads as chalk. What the heck, one relatively small wager on a team that had shown they can play with Cleveland and I start to get some money and confidence back right? Third Mistake.
At the half, feeling pretty spry, with Hawks down 49-44. I knew if Atlanta could play the same for the next 12 minutes, I’m gold. Fourth Mistake.
Who led the NBA in defense? What team has the best player in the NBA? What superstar player more than any other since Michael Jordan, understands that getting teammates involved makes the WHOLE team more effective?
I, like you knew the answer to those three questions before the game started and frivolously discarded the information to the nether regions of brain, only to let the stupid part of my dome take over.
In the second half, James got the entire gang involved and they cranked up the defense. Atlanta score 28 points in the second 24 minutes, 28. That is 1.666 into infinity points per minute. Coach Mike Woodson’s team played as is they had handcuffs on, shooting bricks and committing a total of 17 turnovers.
Why didn’t I pay attention to the facts, Mike Bibby is soft, Joe Johnson can get lost faster in a game then a three year old at park. Of course my guy, Josh Smith, can from zero to 60 and back to zero on three straight trips down the floor.
If you want one play that signified the entire second half, it was Wally Szczerbiak taking a charge, yea Wally Wonder, who usually has a cape to swirl away to let offensive player go by like a bull-fighter, got caught up in the moment and took one for the team. My thoughts went to the movie “Major League”, when Roger Dorn started taking ground balls off the body to improve fielding.
I had a fifth grade teacher who used to say “Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, same on me.”
I can read plain as day Atlanta is 14-4 ATS revenging a road loss vs opponent of 10 points or more this season and don’t need reading glasses to comprehend they are 16-5 ATS in return engagement with opposing teams after scoring 85 or less points. Sportsbook.com is telling me everything I need to know by raising spread to Cleveland favored by 13 points with total of 178.
My pal, the Cincinnati Kid at Playbook.com even told me, “Doug, it’s just one game, I really don’t think Atlanta will get swept. They can play much better and Cleveland might let down, providing Hawks opportunity.”
While I don’t disagree with the Kid, my eyes are glued to the Cavs having 8-0 ATS record after four straight wins by 10 points or more.
I’d rather play a five-team baseball parlay tonight than bet the Hawks again.
NBA & CBB Top Weekend Power Trends 3/6-3/8
2009-03-06
With such a big weekend of basketball on tap in both college & the NBA, and so many wagering opportunities to take advantage of, we figured it would be a good weekend to “double-dip” in our regular feature showcasing some of the Top StatFox Power Trends to consider in your weekend basketball betting. So, here’s a list of some powerful angles you can put to use when filling out your play list. Keep in mind though, this is just a sampling of what’s available on the GAME MATCHUP & TOP TRENDS pages.
College Basketball
Friday, 3/6/2009
(841) S ILLINOIS vs. (842) BRADLEY
BRADLEY is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) versus poor offensive teams - scoring <=64 points/game this season. The average score was BRADLEY 67.4, OPPONENT 59.9 - (Rating = 4*)
Saturday, 3/7/2009
(523) GEORGIA TECH vs. (524) BOSTON COLLEGE
GEORGIA TECH is 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season. The average score was GEORGIA TECH 68.5, OPPONENT 75.5 - (Rating = 2*)
(525) CONNECTICUT vs. (526) PITTSBURGH
CONNECTICUT is 13-2 UNDER (+10.8 Units) as a road underdog or pick over the last 3 seasons. The average score was CONNECTICUT 62, OPPONENT 65.6 - (Rating = 3*)
(545) PENN ST vs. (546) IOWA
IOWA is 6-0 ATS (+6 Units) in home games when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%) this season. The average score was IOWA 63.7, OPPONENT 55.3 - (Rating = 2*)
(557) PURDUE vs. (558) MICHIGAN ST
PURDUE is 9-26 ATS (-19.6 Units) as a road underdog of 6 points or less or pick since 1997. The average score was PURDUE 64.5, OPPONENT 72.1 - (Rating = 2*)
(563) CHARLOTTE vs. (564) ST BONAVENTURE
CHARLOTTE is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in road games against conference opponents this season. The average score was CHARLOTTE 63.9, OPPONENT 75.6 - (Rating = 3*)
(573) DEPAUL vs. (574) GEORGETOWN
DEPAUL is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) versus good defensive teams - shooting pct defense of <=42% this season. The average score was DEPAUL 62.5, OPPONENT 74.9 - (Rating = 3*)
(611) LOUISVILLE vs. (612) W VIRGINIA
LOUISVILLE is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) as a road favorite or pick over the last 2 seasons. The average score was LOUISVILLE 74.3, OPPONENT 65.1 - (Rating = 3*)
Sunday, 3/8/2009
(817) AKRON vs. (818) KENT ST
KENT ST is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) revenging a same season loss vs opponent since 1997. The average score was KENT ST 71.3, OPPONENT 59.9 - (Rating = 1*)
(829) ARKANSAS vs. (830) VANDERBILT
ARKANSAS is 15-2 OVER (+12.8 Units) in road games vs. good teams outscoring opponents by 4+ PPG over L2 seasons. The average score was ARKANSAS 75.1, OPPONENT 80.9 - (Rating = 4*)
(831) MIAMI OHIO vs. (832) BUFFALO
MIAMI OHIO is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in road games revenging a home loss vs opponent of 10 points or more since '97. The average score was MIAMI OHIO 54.5, OPPONENT 63.3 - (Rating = 1*)
(835) NORTHWESTERN vs. (836) OHIO ST
NORTHWESTERN is 1-6 ATS (-5.5 Units) in road games versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 PPG this season. The average score was NORTHWESTERN 51.7, OPPONENT 64.7 - (Rating = 2*)
NBA
Friday, 3/6/2009
(801) NEW JERSEY vs. (802) ORLANDO
NEW JERSEY is 0-13 ATS (-14.3 Units) in road games vs. good 3PT shooting teams (>=36%) in 2nd half of last 2 seasons. The average score was NEW JERSEY 89.5, OPPONENT 105.4 - (Rating = 5*)
(807) GOLDEN STATE vs. (808) DETROIT
GOLDEN STATE is 1-14 ATS (-14.4 Units) in road games vs. teams who are called for 21 or less fouls/game this season. The average score was GOLDEN STATE 98.9, OPPONENT 115.1 - (Rating = 5*)
(807) GOLDEN STATE vs. (808) DETROIT
DETROIT is 0-10 ATS (-11 Units) in home games in non-conference games this season. The average score was DETROIT 92.4, OPPONENT 100.3 - (Rating = 4*)
(811) PHOENIX vs. (812) HOUSTON
PHOENIX is 33-16 OVER (+15.4 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons. The average score was PHOENIX 107.3, OPPONENT 107.2 - (Rating = 2*)
(819) MINNESOTA vs. (820) LA LAKERS
LA LAKERS are 28-9 ATS (+18.1 Units) vs. poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ PPG in 2nd half of the last 2 seasons. The average score was LA LAKERS 113.8, OPPONENT 102.9 - (Rating = 3*)
Saturday, 3/7/2009
(507) PHILADELPHIA vs. (508) MEMPHIS
MEMPHIS is 11-1 UNDER (+9.9 Units) as a home underdog of 6 points or less this season. The average score was MEMPHIS 91.7, OPPONENT 89.1 - (Rating = 3*)
(509) OKLAHOMA CITY vs. (510) NEW ORLEANS
NEW ORLEANS is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - shooting pct defense of >=46% this season. The average score was NEW ORLEANS 95.6, OPPONENT 94.6 - (Rating = 2*)
(511) GOLDEN STATE vs. (512) MILWAUKEE
MILWAUKEE is 8-22 ATS (-16.2 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record in 2nd half of the last 2 seasons. The average score was MILWAUKEE 100, OPPONENT 106.3 - (Rating = 2*)
Sunday, 3/8/2009
(801) UTAH vs. (802) TORONTO
TORONTO is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) versus good shooting teams - making >=46% of their shots this season. The average score was TORONTO 96.1, OPPONENT 108.1 - (Rating = 2*)
(803) ORLANDO vs. (804) BOSTON
ORLANDO is 24-5 ATS (+18.5 Units) revenging a same season loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons. The average score was ORLANDO 105.2, OPPONENT 96.8 - (Rating = 4*)
(805) PHOENIX vs. (806) SAN ANTONIO
PHOENIX is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) versus good shooting teams - making >=46% of their shots this season. The average score was PHOENIX 100.7, OPPONENT 109.6 - (Rating = 2*)
(811) PHILADELPHIA vs. (812) OKLAHOMA CITY
PHILADELPHIA is 19-6 UNDER (+12.4 Units) versus terrible defensive teams - allowing 103+ PPG over the last 2 seasons. The average score was PHILADELPHIA 100.8, OPPONENT 97.6 - (Rating = 2*)
NBA: Merry Christmas with Five NBA Contests
2008-12-24
Merry Christmas! No matter the holiday, the sports world rolls on and the NBA has five games on tap today to capture the viewing audience at various points all day, leaving 10 grumpy coaches and players left to participate in them. Here is a nuts and bolts look at each matchup. Be sure to check the latest LIVE ODDS, BETTING TRENDS, and TEAM STATISTICS before confirming your wagers, else you risk ruining your holiday!
New Orleans at Orlando (12:00 PM ET, ESPN)
New Orleans (16-8, 11-12-1 ATS) had their four-game winning streak halted by the Los Angeles Lakers 100-87 on Tuesday and will seek quick turnaround in Orlando. The Hornets are 7-2 this month, with 5-3-1 ATS record. On the road they have been effective with seven wins in 11 games, though 5-5-1 ATS. They have outscored their opponents by 3.2 points per game as visitors, which is sixth best overall. Orlando (22-6, 19-9 ATS) is having a December to remember even if all the players can already afford Lexus’. The Magic are 9-2 SU & ATS this month currently riding five-game winning streak, with eight straight covers. Orlando is 12-3 at home with nine covers and dominating 12-4 SU and ATS record versus the Western Conference. These teams have split four games the last two years, winning and covering once at home.
San Antonio at Phoenix (2:30 PM ET, ABC)
San Antonio is as healthy has they have been all year and visits the desert with its lit cactus’ for the holidays. The Spurs (18-10, 13-14-1 ATS) look to be slowing down just a smidge with 7-5 and 6-6 ATS road record and are 3-4 SU and ATS as road underdogs. At least the day of rest off the Minnesota win will help with 11-3 and 9-4-1 ATS record. Hopefully, Phoenix remembers what its like to play hard, having been off since Saturday. The well-rested Suns (16-11, 11-16 ATS) have remade many parts and all the pieces have not fit completely together, for a club that is 9-5, with only five covers at home, winning by just 1.1 points per game. This is Phoenix biggest nemesis and they love to beat them anywhere, but have lost to the Spurs in the playoffs and are just 3-5 SU and ATS during the regular season hosting San Antonio.
Boston at L.A. Lakers (5:00 PM ET, ABC)
The drama could hardly be better for the best game of the day and likely one of the best of the season. The Boston Celtics (27-2, 17-12 ATS) carry a 19-game winning streak into Los Angeles and have the mental edge over the Lakers having defeated them in the Finals back in June. A 20th win in a row Thursday at Staples Center and the Celtics would pass the 1999-00 Lakers and tie for the third-longest winning streak in league history. The 1971-72 Lakers won 33 in a row, the NBA record. Boston is 10-1 (6-5 ATS) on the road, winning by an 8.8 points per game. The Lakers (23-5, 12-16 ATS) split four games on road trip and ended 10-game spread losing streak with convincing triumph at New Orleans 100-87. Kobe Bryant’s team has won 11 games in a row at the Staples Center (3-8 ATS) and is just 11-3 and 4-10 ATS with one day between games. Including the playoffs, Boston is 5-9, with 10-3-1 ATS record against the Gold and Purple in La-La Land.
Washington at Cleveland (8:00 PM ET, TNT)
Commissioner David Stern had star power in mind setting up this Eastern Conference matchup. These two teams could hardly be more familiar with one another, having met in the postseason the last three years. With Washington’s (4-22, 9-17 ATS) record this year, a fourth meeting seems unlikely. The Wizards are mere 1-10 and 4-7 ATS on the road. LeBron James is finally on the type of team that could keep him in Cleveland (24-4, 22-6 ATS). Boston’s long winning streak in taking on historic proportions, nonetheless, since Nov. 3, the Cavs are 23-2, with astonishing 20-5 ATS mark. The LeBron’s are perfect 14-0 (12-2 ATS) at home, winning by outlandish 16.6 points per game.
Dallas at Portland (10:30 PM ET, TNT)
The final game of the day has Portland (18-11, 14-15 ATS), who split a home and home with Denver to stay tied for first place in the Northwest Division, hosting Dallas. The Trail Blazers are terrific at home with 10-2 mark and are 8-4 against the spread. They are 11-4 (8-7 ATS) with exactly one day off, winning by 5.9 points per game. Dallas (16-11, 12-15 ATS) is mired in fourth place in the unforgiving Southwest Division. The Mavericks have been up and down all season, but have done their best work in their traveling uniforms with 8-5 and 9-4 ATS record. Traveling to Portland has been no present for Dallas, who is 9-16 and 10-15 ATS at the Rose Garden.