pick
Bulls Thunder Free Pick
April 1 is April Fool’s Day but do not let anyone fool you, this game will be one of the best showdowns of the season. The Chicago Bulls travel to Oklahoma to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Many believe this could be a prelude to the NBA Finals. Chicago owns the league’s best record at 42-11. The Bulls have won two straight and 8 of their last 10. They are 11-4 SU against Western Conference opponents and 21-6 SU on the road.
KD Scoring Leader
Oklahoma City is no slouch. The Thunder owns the league’s second best record at 39-12. They are 10-3 SU against Eastern Conference opponents and 22-4 SU at home. The Thunder is currently on a five game winning streak, after going just 2-3 in their five previous games before the streak.
Chicago has played a number of games without their star point guard Derrick Rose and at this time, he is doubtful for the game. Against the high scoring, running Thunder, his absence will have an effect on the game’s outcome. The Thunder does not have anyone injured.
Oklahoma City has one of the league’s best scorers in Kevin Durant who is the league’s second leading scorer. He and teammate Russell Westbrook who is the team leader in assists and scores over 20 per game will give the Bulls all they can handle.
Chicago holds a 7-3 SU and ATS advantage over the Thunder over the last 10 times the two teams have met. The two teams have not met since the early part of last season.
The Chicago defense must lock down the high scoring Oklahoma City offense if they want to win. The Thunder will have to try and out rebound the Bulls who are very tough down low. In this game, offense will overcome the defense. Look for the Thunder to beat the Bulls and cover the (-5.5). The total will end OVER.
Portland vs. Oklahoma City Free Pick
No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are on a roll, as they are 37-12 overall and in first place in the Western Conference playoff race. They own the league’s second best record overall and have won three straight games and six of ten. Portland has a record of 23-26 and is 5-5 SU over their last 10 games. They are in 12th place in the Western Conference playoff race where only the top eight qualify.
Both teams have two players on the injury list with all four players out indefinitely. In the head to head series between the two teams, Oklahoma City is 6-4 SU and 5-5 ATS over the last 10 games the two teams have played. The two teams are averaging 197 points each time they meet.
The teams have met on three occasions this season. Oklahoma lost the first game between the two teams but has won the last two. In two of the three games, the total has ended OVER. The Thunder is 3-1 SU over their last four games, with the only loss to the Utah Jazz. They beat the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night in a high scoring overtime game 149-140. Kevin Durant leads the Thunder and is the third leading scorer in the NBA.
Portland is just 1-3 SU over their last four games including a loss on Friday night to the Los Angeles Lakers in LA. The Trailblazers however, covered the spread as a 10-point underdog in the loss.
The Thunder are one of the highest scoring teams in the league with two players; Durant and Russell Westbrook are averaging over 20 points per game. They have dominated the series between the two teams and even though they lost the first matchup of the season, have dominated the last two.
The Thunder will take this game straight up with Portland winning against the spread. The total will finish OVER.
76ers vs. Cavaliers NBA Free Pick
One team is fighting for a division title and a playoff berth and the other is looking to the future. The Philadelphia 76ers host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Wells Fargo Center on March 27. The 76ers have held the lead in the Atlantic division for much of the regular season. However, they are just two games in front of the Boston Celtics.
Philly has an overall record of 27-22 and are just 5-5 SU in their last 10 games played. They are in fourth place in the playoff race in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers are 17-29 overall and have lost three straight and six of their last 10. They are in 10th place in the playoff race in the east a full six games behind the eighth place New York Knicks.
Both teams have players on the injury list. The Cavaliers are without the services of Daniel Gibson who is day to day and Anderson Varejao who is out indefinitely with a wrist injury. The 76ers have Andre Iguodala listed as day to day with a knee injury.
Cleveland is 6-4 SU and ATS in the last 10 games the two teams have played head to head. The total
76ers
has been evenly distribute 5/5 between the OVER/UNDER in those same 10 games. The teams are averaging 202 points in each game and are separated by less than a point in average scoring in the 10 games. In the only matchup between the two teams this season, Philly beat Cleveland on Cleveland�s home court 99-84.
Cleveland is 1-4 SU in their last five games and 0-3 SU in their last three. They lost Sunday night at home to Phoenix by 25 points. The 76ers are 2-2 SU in their last four games, but won an important game over Boston last Friday at home by 13 points.
The 76ers need this victory more than the Cavaliers do. Look for Philly to take the game SU and ATS, with the total UNDER. Bet this now at BetRevolution
Heat vs. Pacers Free Pick
- D. Wade
The NBA season is heading towards the playoffs and the top teams are jockeying for position in order to gethome court advantage for as long as they can. Two of the stronger teams in the Eastern Conference will meet on March 26 at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse, when the Miami Heat play the Indiana Pacers.
Miami comes into the game second in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt with the league’s second best record at 35-11. Only Chicago at 40-10 can boost they have a better one. Miami is winners of four straight and 7 of 10.
Indiana is in fifth place in the Eastern Conference tied with the Atlanta Hawks. They are just 5-5 over their last ten games and have an overall season record of 28-19. Both teams are quite healthy only the Heat have one player, Mike Miller, out indefinitely with an injury to his ankle. Everyone else on both rosters is healthy.
The Heat have dominated the head to head matchup between the two teams. Miami is 9-1 SU and 7-3 ATS in the last 10 games between the two teams. The total has been UNDER 6 times and OVER 4 times in those 10 games. The teams have met on three occasions this season with Miami winning all three games. Over those three games, Miami is 2-1 ATS and the total has been UNDER 2 times and OVER once.
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Miami is 4-0 SU over their last four games. They are hitting on all cylinders and are giving Chicago a good battle for first place in the east. Indiana is just 2-2 SU over their last four games and lost Friday night to Phoenix at home. Their only two wins in that stretch were against the LA Clippers and lowly Washington.
This game should favor Miami as they have dominated the matchup especially this season. Look for a Heat victory SU with the total finishing UNDER.
Houston vs. Lakers Free Pick
Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers travel to play against the Houston Rockets in an NBA matchup March 20. This will be the first game that veteran guard Derek Fisher will be suited up in a Houston Rocket uniform against his former team the Lakers. Fisher was dealt last week to the Rockets after playing 14 seasons in LA.
The Lakers are currently in first place in the Pacific division with a 28-17 record. That puts them in third place overall in the Western Conference playoff race. The Rockets have played well this season but are currently amidst a tough stretch and are 24-22 overall. They are in fourth place in the competitive Southwest division and are hanging on to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
The Lakers are led by All-Star Kobe Bryant who leads them in scoring and assists, and is currently leading the league in scoring with an average of 28.7 per game. The Rockets are lead by Kevin Martin who has scoring average of just over 17 points.
The Lakers hold a 7-3 SU advantage over the last 10 games the two teams have played head to head. The Rockets are 6-4 ATS in those same 10 games. The total has been OVER in 6 of the 10 games. Over that span, the Lakers are averaging 2 points more per game than the Rockets and the two teams are combining for 196 points per game. The Lakers won the only meeting thus far this season 108-99 in Los Angeles. They covered a 7 -point spread as a favorite in that game and the total ended OVER.
The Lakers have won 7 of their last 10, while the Rockets have lost two straight and 7 of their last 10. The Lakers will win this game both SU and ATS on the road against the Rockets. Look for the total to be OVER.
Ohio State vs. Wisconsin
Badgers ATS Pick
As conference play winds down and the regular season comes to a close, many teams are jockeying for position in their respective conferences. A big Big Ten showdown takes place February 26 when the Wisconsin Badgers visit the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Badgers are in fourth place in the Big Ten and 20-8 overall. The Buckeyes are currently tied for second in the conference with an overall record of 23-5.
Jordan Taylor leads Wisconsin offensively. Taylor leads the team in scoring with 14.1 points per game. Two other players, Ryan Evans and Jared Berggren are averaging over 10 points per game to help Taylor. The leading rebounder on the team is Evans with a 6.9 per game average.
Ohio State’s Jarid Sullinger leads the team in scoring and rebounding. He is scoring 17.2 points per game, while hauling down 9 rebounds per game. Leading the team in assists with a 4.6 per game average is Aaron Craft.
Playing head to head Ohio State holds an advantage. They are 6-4 SU and ATS in the last 10 meetings between the two teams. The total has been UNDER in 8 of the last 10 games the two teams have played against one another.
In difficult conference play, the Badgers are only 2-3 SU over their last five games. Their only wins have been against Penn State and Minnesota. The Buckeyes are playing better as they are 3-2 SU in their last five games. However, they have lost to both Michigan and Michigan State during that stretch to fall out of first place in the conference.
This game should be close and down to the wire. The Buckeyes however will have the advantage by playing on their home court and should prevail SU. Look for the Badgers to cover however. Bet Now at Bet Revolution or WagerWeb.
NBA Pick: Dallas Mavs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder will visit the American Airlines Center in Dallas to face the Dallas MavericksWednesday night February 1. The Thunder are leading their division even though they lost a tough game against the Los Angeles Clippers Monday night in Los Angeles. Nevertheless, they have won 8 of their last 10 and enjoy a 16-4 record. The Mavericks are leading their division at 14-8 are the defending NBA champions, have won three straight and 7 of their last 10. This all makes for a very competitive matchup.
Oklahoma is lead by scoring machine Kevin Durant. Durant is averaging 26.8 points and nearly 8 rebounds per game. In Monday nights’ loss to the Clippers, Durant poured in 36 points and hauled down 13 rebounds. The Mavericks are lead by veteran forward Dirk Nowitzki who is averaging 16.7 points per game. Jason Kidd leads the team in both assists and steals, while Brendan Haywood is leading the team with 7 rebounds per game.
This season the Thunder are 11-9 ATS and 6-5 ATS while on the road. The Mavericks are 14-8 ATS and 8-4 ATS when playing on their home court. Head to head Dallas is 7-3 SU and 7-3 ATS in the last 10 games against Oklahoma City. The total has been OVER in 6 of the last 10 games the two teams have played head to head.
Oklahoma is 4-1 SU over their last five games but in those five games the only top team they faced was the Clippers and they lost by 12. The Mavericks on the other hand are also 4-1 SU in their last five games but have beaten Phoenix twice and were victorious last Sunday against San Antonio.
Dallas is playing at home and enjoys a good record of winning both ATS and SU on their home court. Nowitzki is starting to get into game shape and they have played far better competition over their last five games than Oklahoma City has. In a high scoring game, the Mavericks will win ATS.
Tuesday NBA Pick: Mavs at Lakers
Lakers Pick tonight
The Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers will both be gunning for a victory on Monday when they meet at STAPLES Center.
Oddsmakers currently have the Lakers listed as 4-point favorites versus the Mavericks, while the game’s total is sitting at 182.
The Mavericks were a 99-60 winner in their most recent outing at home against the Kings. They covered the 12.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score (159) made winners of UNDER bettors.
Los Angeles lost its last outing, a 102-94 result against the Clippers on January 14. The Lakers failed to cover in that game as a 3-point underdog, while the 196 combined points took the game OVER the total.
SA Pick: We are on the Lakers here. Dallas hasn’t returned to championship form yet.
Dallas:
Team record: 8-5 SU, 9-4 ATS
Current streak: won 5 straight games.
is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of last 10 games
is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
When playing on Monday are 9-1
Before playing LA Clippers are 5-5
After playing Sacramento are 4-6
After a win are 7-3
Los Angeles:
Team record: 9-5 SU, 7-7 ATS
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home
LA Lakers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 5 games when playing Dallas
LA Lakers are 19-6 SU in their last 25 games when playing at home against Dallas
When playing on Monday are 6-4
Before playing Miami are 9-1
After playing LA Clippers are 7-3
After a loss are 6-4
Next up:
Dallas at LA Clippers, Wednesday, January 18
LA Lakers at Miami, Thursday, January 19
by Bovada
College Basketball Pick: UNC at FSU
UNC Basketball
It should be a fascinating battle of opposites on Saturday afternoon in Tallahassee as the nation’s top-scoring team, No. 3 North Carolina, faces one of the country’s top defensive clubs in Florida State. And the Noles usually pull off one big home upset a season.
UNC (15-2, 2-0 ACC) enters on a nine-game winning streak and leads the nation in points 86.9 ppg and rebounds (46.7 pg). The Heels enter off a 17-point win over Miami on Tuesday. Dexter Strickland scored 14 points while Kendall Marshall added 12 — both season highs — to help the Tar Heels beat the Canes. Tyler Zeller scored 16 points to lead the Tar Heels, who closed a nine-game homestand with a perfect record to rebuild some momentum after early losses to UNLV and Kentucky. The Tar Heels led almost the entire night against the Hurricanes and blew the game open with a 17-0 run spanning halftime, which staked UNC to a 23-point lead that never got below 15 the rest of the night.
FSU (10-6, 1-1) had lost three of four but bounced back with a 63-59 win at Virginia Tech on Tuesday. Bernard James had 18 points and 14 rebounds and Florida State survived a furious comeback. Ian Miller added 15 points for the Seminoles, who rebounded from a 20-point loss at Clemson in their ACC opener.
Prior to the game against the Hokies, James was averaging just 10 points and eight rebounds per contest and had only scored in double figures three times all year. If FSU wants to survive the ACC schedule and make another deep run into March it needs James to be at his best.
“My coaches have been challenging me the last couple days leading up to that game,” James said. “They’ve still be challenging me just to play with more energy [and] to motivate my teammates more. I just went out trying to give as much energy as I could. Trying to be an energy giver instead of an energy taker for our team.”
James and the rest of Florida State’s post players have the task of controlling UNC big men Tyler Zeller and John Henson, who stand 7-feet and 6-foot-11, respectively. Henson and Zeller average a combined 29.1 points per game.
Carolina leads the series with Florida State, 42-10, including a 32-9 advantage since the Seminoles joined the ACC prior to the 1991-92 season. The Tar Heels have won 23 of the last 28 in the series, including 12 in the last 14 meetings. Carolina currently has a five-game winning streak in Tallahassee, the longest Tar Heel winning streak at FSU (UNC won four in a row in Tallahassee from 1993-96 and 1998-2001).
The last four UNC appearances in Tallahassee have been thrillers and Tar Heel wins. Last season, Harrison Barnes’ three-pointer with 0:03 on the clock gave Carolina a 72-70 win. In 2009, Ty Lawson’s running three-pointer at the buzzer gave UNC an 80-77 victory. In 2008, the Tar Heels beat FSU in overtime, 84-73. In 2006, The Tar Heels beat FSU 81-80.
Carolina is 14-4 against FSU in the Donald L. Tucker Center with losses in 2003-04, 2001-02, 1996-97 and 1991-92. Roy Williams is 12-3 vs. FSU as the UNC head coach with the losses coming in the 2004 regular season in Tallahassee, the 2009 ACC Tournament semifinals in Atlanta and the 2010 regular season in Chapel Hill.
SA Take: FSU will put up a good fight but these North Carolina players are just too much. The line came out tonight at UNC -7 and is sure to creep up to 8 or 9 before game time. Either way UNC wins by 10. I can see 68-78 UNC victory. Take the Tar Heels.
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NFL Playoff Game Preview and Pick Saints at 49ers
- Alex Smith SF 49ers QB
San Francisco had the luxury of sitting at home watching the New Orleans Saints dismantle the DetroitLions. The 49ers enjoyed a bye and will now host the Saints Saturday afternoon January 14 in an NFC divisional playoff.
The Saints played very well in their game against the Lions. Behind the play of quarterback Drew Brees, the Saints set new offensive records for yardage. The key to Saturday’s divisional matchup will be how well Brees and his offense will react to the often dominating defense the 49ers possess. The 49ers success this season has been due to the much-improved defense as they gave up very few yards and even fewer points.
Time will tell if the old adage holds true that defense wins games. If the Saints can play as well in Candlestick Park as they have all season long at home, then they can beat the 49ers. However, that is easier said than done. The 626 yards they amassed on offense will not come as easy against a much better secondary of the 49ers. The San Francisco defense gives up just over 14 points per game and is fourth in the league in yardage giving up just over 308 yards per game.
Even though the Saints scored an impressive victory over the Lions, the Lions defense did have Brees not only backpedaling but also double pumping enough to take him out of his rhythm in the first half. The 49ers defense can cause even more mayhem for Brees and the Saints and use the raucous crowd to help them as well.
The Saints also may not be able to rely on tailback Darren Sproles, as the best part of the San Francisco defense is all about stopping the run. The game will be exciting, full of ebb and flow and the defense of San Francisco should carry them to victory.
New Orleans is 13-3 this year SU and 12-4 ATS. San Francisco is 13-3 SU and 11-4-1 ATS. In 4 of New Orleans’ last 5 games the total has been OVER. In all 5 of San Fran�s last 5 games the total has been OVER at home versus the Saints.
SA Pick: We like S.F. 49ers at home getting points.
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