sports betting
Grizzles vs Clippers Free Pick May 5, 2012
On May 5, the Los Angeles Clippers play host to the Memphis Grizzlies in game three of their western conference quarterfinals. The teams split the first two games of the series in Memphis.
In game one, the Clippers came back from 27 points to defeat the Grizzlies by a single point. However, in game two the Grizzlies were able to pull out a win 105-98. The Grizzlies had hoped they could put their fourth quarter collapse of game one behind them. Memphis was outscored in that quarter 35-13 by the Clippers. The results of game two are evidence that the Grizzlies did not keep those negative thoughts and went on to the next game.
The Grizzlies went back to what they do best. They hit the offensive boards hard and outscored the Clippers 46-38 down low in the paint and collected 16 offensive boards to just four for the Clippers. Memphis was much more aggressive in game two as they went to the free throw line 39 times to only 18 in game one. They also scored 18 second chance points in game two to just 6 in game one. Their transition game was much better as well. They scored 20 points off the transition compared to six in game one.
The depth for Los Angeles has been tested in the first two games. Los Angeles lost guard Caron Butler for up to six weeks following game one when he broke his hand. In game two, they lost Eric Bledsoe and Mo Williams, although the two are expected to play on Saturday in Los Angeles.
The Clippers comeback attempt in game two on Wednesday did not have the same results as game one. This time around, the Grizzlies stuck to their guns and played the same ball as what gave them the lead. They were actually able to increase their fourth quarter lead to 13 points and easily end the game with a seven-point advantage.
The current line has the Clippers as the favorite by 3 points with the total at 187 ½. Smart money takes the visiting Grizzlies plus the points with the total ending OVER.
Dayton vs. Xavier Free Pick
Dayton Flyers
The Dayton Flyers travel to play against the Xavier Musketeers in an Atlantic 10 Conference tournament game March 9. The Flyers finished their season 20-11 overall with a 9-7 conference record and were tied for fifth place in the conference. The Musketeers ended their season with a 19-11 overall record and a third place record of 10-6 in the conference.
Both teams are averaging between 4 and 5 points more offensively than their defenses are allowing opponents. Dayton this season is 17-12 ATS while Xavier finished 9-16-3 ATS. Only one player between the two teams is listed as injured. Dayton’s Josh Benson was lost earlier in the season to a knee injury.
Head to head the two teams are fairly well matched. Over the past 10 games between the two teams, Xavier holds a 6-4 SU advantage. The Dayton Flyers are 7-3 ATS in those same 10 games.
The total has been OVER 8 times in those same 10 games. This past season the two met on two occasions. In January, Dayton beat Xavier by 15 points at home. In the rematch in February, the Musketeers got their revenge by beating the Flyers by 3 points. Both games paid out to bettors who took the OVER.
Dayton comes into the tournament with a record of 4-1 SU over the last five games of the regular season. They won their last two games and come into the game on a high note. Xavier enters the tournament with 3-2 SU record over their last five games.
The two teams are very evenly matched and the point spread will be less than three points when the lines close. Look for Dayton to play up tempo ball and beat the Musketeers SU. The two teams score a number of points when they face each other and will pay out to those that place their money on the OVER.
Duke vs. UNC Free Pick
Duke Basketball
All bragging rights will be on the line March 3 in Cameron Indoor Stadium when the North Carolina Tar Heels travel a few miles to take on the Duke Blue Devils in Durham, North Carolina. Both teams have identical records this season. Both teams are 26-4 overall and 13-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. On paper, there is not a more evenly matched game.
The Tar Heels are 16-13 ATS this season and 5-5 ATS on the road. They are averaging 16 more points per game than their defense is allowing. Duke is 13-17ATS this season and just 7-13 ATS at home. Their offense is scoring 10 points more than their defense gives up each game.
The trends also point to an evenly matched game. The Heels are 5-0 SU in their last five road games and 4-2 SU in the their last six games playing at Duke. The total has been UNDER 6 out of the last 9 times the two teams have played at Duke.
Duke also is 5-0 SU in their last five games, but just 1-7 ATS in their last eight games at Cameron. Duke has held a distinct advantage over North Carolina in the last six games the two have played head to head. The Blue Devils are 5-1 SU in those six games. The total has been UNDER in 7 of the last 10 games played head to head.
The game will determine the winner of the ACC and who is given the higher seed not only in the ACC postseason tournament but also in the NCAA tournament that follows.
The last meeting between the two saw Austin Rivers sink a three pointer at the buzzer to cap a rally by Duke. The game was high scoring with the final ending 85-84. Rivers finished that game with 29 points, outscoring the Tar Heels’ Tyler Zeller who scored 23 and took down 11 rebounds.
The game should be tactical and low scoring. A bet for UNDER is where sharp money is being placed. The Blue Devils should take the game SU with the help of their home fans. Bet Duke +1.5 at one of our top sportsbooks.
Kentucky vs. Georgia Free Pick
- Kentucky Hoops
The Southeastern Conference schedule is coming to an end along with the regular season. March madness is just around the corner and Kentucky will look to keep their number one ranking in the nation in tact when they host the Georgia Bulldogs March 1 at Rupp Arena. The Wildcats are 28-1 on the season and if they win their remaining two regular season games and the SEC tournament, they are sure to get the number one seed in the NCAA tournament.
The Wildcats are just 11-17 ATS this season partly due to the large point spreads they play against each game. The team is so dominating that odds makers must make the spread nearly always in double figures. The Bulldogs are just 13-15 overall this season and are playing for nothing more than team and school pride.
Off late the Bulldogs have not fared well as they are just 1-6 SU in their last seven games. When they play away against the Wildcats, the Bulldogs are just 4-15 SU over the last 19 games the two have played at Rupp Arena.
The Wildcats on the other hand have fared much better. They are 5-0 SU in their last five games. Kentucky has not lost in their last 20 games and has just this game against Georgia and one more against Florida to end their regular season. Anthony Davis continues his dominant play with a 14.3 points per game average and nearly 10 rebounds per game.
In the last meeting between the two schools, Kentucky won by 13 points 57-44. The Bulldogs will try to slow the ball down and take time off the clock with their possessions in order to give Kentucky fewer looks at the basket. The Wildcats however, will prevail SU but the Bulldogs look like a good bet ATS.
North Carolina Tarheels @ Virginia Cavaliers Basketball Pick
UNC Hoops
A key Atlantic Coast Conference matchup will take place at John Paul Jones Arena when the North Carolina Tar Heels visit the Virginia Cavaliers. Both teams are enjoying very strong seasons with the Tar Heels currently in first place in the ACC and with an overall record of 24-4. The Cavaliers are 21-6 overall and in fourth place in the ACC. Both teams are looking forward to an NCAA berth and bragging rights in the conference are up for grabs in this one.
The Tar Heels are having a balanced attack with three players scoring in double figures. Harrison Barnes leads that group with an 18 points per game average. Tyler Zeller is scoring 15.6 per game and hauling down 9.4 rebounds. John Henson leads the team in rebounding with 10.4 per game and scores 14 per game.
North Carolina has played well this season on the road and is 5-0 SU in their last five games on the road. The Heels are also 4-1 SU against the Cavaliers in Virginia. At home Virginia is doing very well as they are 12-1 SU in their last 13 home games.
Head to head the Tar Heels are 8-2 SU and 3-7 ATS in the last 10 game against Virginia. Presently the Tar Heels are playing well have won 4 of their last 5 with only a defeat to Duke. The Cavaliers are 3-2 SU in their last five games with a loss to this same North Carolina team 70-52 at North Carolina and Clemson.
As with any key conference game at the university level, emotions can play a big factor. The Cavaliers will have the support of a loud group of fans and that can dictate the outcome. Nevertheless, the Tar Heels should prevail SU in this clash. Look for the total to be UNDER. Bet this pick now at Legends
NCAA Pick: Missouri vs. Oklahoma State
The Oklahoma State Cowboys will visit Missouri to take on the Missouri Tigers in a lopsided matchup between two Big Ten teams headed in opposite directions. Missouri is 23-2 overall but still in just second place in the conference. Oklahoma State on the other hand is in seventh place in the conference with an overall record of just 12-13.
The Tigers are lead by three players averaging between 14 and 18 points per game. Marcus Denmon leads the trio with an 18 point per game average. Both Kim English and Ricardo Ratiffe are averaging 14 per game. The Tigers are averaging 80 points per game making them a high scoring team in the conference.
The Cowboys are struggling and are led Keiton Page and Le�Bryan Nash. Page leads the team in scoring with a 14.4 per game average. Nash is averaging 13.3 points and nearly 5 rebounds per game. The team is only scoring 67 points per game. That difference of 13 points per game could have an impact on the outcome of the contest.
The Cowboys have only won 1 of their last 6 games SU. Missouri on the other hand has won all 5 of their last 5 games SU and are 5-1-1 ATS over their last seven games played at home. Head to head Missouri enjoy s 6-4 SU record over Oklahoma State. The Tigers are also 7-3 ATS in the last ten games the two have played against one another.
Oklahoma State is 2-3 SU over their last five games with three of those being played on the road. Missouri has won five straight games and comes into the game with a much more positive attitude than the Cowboys. The game should be lopsided in scoring with the Tigers winning SU and ATS. The total should be OVER.
NCAA Pick Minnesota vs. Ohio State
Free Pick
In a tough Big Ten matchup, the Buckeyes from Ohio State travel north to take on the Golden Gophers of Minnesota at the Williams Arena February 14. Ohio State is having a very successful season as they are first in the Big Ten, have an overall record of 21-4, and are ranked third in the country. The Golden Gophers have an overall record of 17-8 and are currently in seventh place in the conference.
Ohio State is led by Jared Sullinger, who after an early season injury has returned to average 17.4 points, and 9.3 rebounds per game. There are two other Buckeyes averaging in double figures to lead the offensive attack. Minnesota has three players scoring in double figures. However, the leader of that group, Trevor Mbakwe who averages 14 per game and is also leading the team with 9.1 rebounds per game is sidelined for the rest of the season with an ACL injury. Rodney Williams and Julian Welch are both averaging just over 10 points per game to make up for Mbakwe’s loss.
Ohio State is 12-9 ATS this season while Minnesota is 11-11 ATS. While playing on the road the Buckeyes are 3-4 ATS and Minnesota is 7-7 ATS while playing at home. Ohio State has a record of 18-5 SU in the last 23 games they have played away from home. Head to head Ohio State is 7-3 SU against Minnesota in the last ten games the two have played. Ohio State is also 6-4 ATS in those ten games. The total has been evenly split 5-5 OVER/UNDER in those ten games.
Ohio State lost a tough battle Saturday against conference rival Michigan State but prior to that had won four straight conference games. Minnesota is 2-3 SU in their last five, all conference games. Ohio State should bounce back from their latest defeat to Michigan State and should win SU and cover 8 point spread.
Charlotte Bobcats at Boston Celtics NBA Tuesday Basketball Preview
Charlotte Bobcats
The Charlotte Bobcats and the Boston Celtics square off in NBA action on Tuesday at the TD Garden (7:30 pm ET, FOX Sports Carolinas).
NBA odds at Legends sportsbook have the Celtics as a 12.5-point favorite and the over/under total at 179.
Charlotte is 3-21 straight up and 8-16 against the point spread this season. The Bobcats are coming off a 95-89 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Saturday. They covered as a 10-point road underdog and the score was under the total of 187.
Boston has improved to 13-10 SU and 12-11 ATS after a sluggish start to the season. The Celtics beat the Memphis Grizzlies 98-80 on Sunday and covered the spread as a 4-point home favorite. The score was over the total of 175.
The Bobcats are 5-9 against the spread when playing on the road and the Celtics are 7-8 ATS at home.
Charlotte guard D.J. Augustin is out indefinitely (toe injury) along with teammates forward DeSagana Diop, who is day-to-day (sore knee), guard Gerald Henderson, who is out indefinitely (strained hamstring), and forward Corey Maggette, also out indefinitely (strained hamstring).
Boston forward Brandon is day-to-day (sore knee), guard Marquis Daniels is day-to-day (sprained ankle), and guard Keyon Dooling is out indefinitely (hip pointer).
Head-to-head, Boston is 7-3 SU but just 4-6 ATS in the past 10 meetings. This is the first clash of the season. The teams split their four meetings last season. The Bobcats covered the points spread in three of the games, including an 83-81 win in the last meeting March 25. Take the Bobcats.
Brought to us by Legends Sportsbook
Wednesday NCAA basketball: Pittsburgh on upset alert vs. Long Beach State
It’s a light night of Top 25 action in college basketball on Wednesday night, but don’t be surprised if Long Beach State goes to No. 9 Pittsburgh and plays the Panthers tough and possibly even pulls off the upset.
LBSU was the Big West regular-season champion last year (going 14-2 in conference play) and a big favorite to win the conference tournament and head to the Big Dance, but the 49ers lost in the Big West Tournament final and were relegated to the NIT, where they lost to Washington State in the first round.
To open this season, Casper Ware scored 20 points and Larry Anderson added 16 points and dished out seven assists as Long Beach State beat Idaho 69-61. Ware is the reigning Big West Player of the Year and a preseason candidate for the John R. Wooden Award as the top player in the country. The senior guard scored nine points and was a defensive force over the final seven minutes against the Vandals, who had taken a 49-47 lead with a little over 10 minutes left. Coach Dan Monson returns four starters from last year’s 22-11 team. Ware, Larry Anderson and T.J. Robinson were all named preseason all-league selections for the 49ers, who are overwhelming Big West favorites again this year.
Pittsburgh has played twice, opening with an easy 89-56 win over Albany and then struggling some Sunday in an 86-78 win over Rider. Despite suiting up only nine players and playing just seven, Rider took advantage of uncharacteristically shoddy Pitt defense to take a six-point lead in the second half before the Panthers finally got it together. Ashton Gibbs led Pitt with 24 points and six 3-pointers, Nasir Robinson added 22 points and six rebounds for Pitt, which ended the game on a 16-5 run to win its 58th straight nonconference game at the Petersen Events Center.
Pitt has won 107 of its last 108 home games against regular season non-conference opponents and is 86-1 vs. non-conference opponents at the Petersen Events Center. At the Petersen Events Center, Pitt has never lost a November (41-0) or December (40-0) non-conference game.
Pitt and Long Beach State meet for the first time in men’s basketball. Pitt is 1-1 all-time vs. Big West Conference teams: Cal State Fullerton 1-0; Pacific 0-1.
by wagerweb
Chiefs likely lose starting QB Matt Cassel for season
The Kansas City Chiefs are easily the most schizophrenic team in the NFL. The defending AFC West champs lost their first three games and then won their next four to tie for the division lead. However, now the Chiefs are on a two-game losing streak – although still only a game out of first – and probably won’t have starting quarterback Matt Cassel for the rest of the season.
At his Monday press conference, Chiefs coach Todd Haley revealed that Cassel’s right (throwing) hand injury will require surgery and he may be finished for the 2011 season. For now, Cassel, who was hurt in Sunday’s 17-10 loss to Denver, will not be placed on the injured-reserve list, which would officially end his season.
With Cassel out, backup Tyler Palko, who has seen limited action in his two years with the Chiefs, will start Monday night’s game at New England and remain the starter for the foreseeable future.
“We feel good about Tyler, or he wouldn’t be here and he wouldn’t be our number two,” Haley said. “In his case, there’s not a lot of regular-season action to go on, but I feel like he’s done a great job while he’s been here of developing and getting better.”
Palko was 5-for-6 on the Chiefs’ final drive on Sunday, leading them to a field goal and shot at getting back into the game via an ensuing onside kick. Cassel wound up 13 of 28 for 93 yards and a touchdown as the Chiefs managed 258 yards of offense.
It could be the end of the line for Cassel in K.C. The 29-year-old has struggled this year and is due a $5.25 million base salary in 2012. The Chiefs might look at taking a QB in the first round of next year’s draft.
There’s obviously never a good time to lose your starting QB, but it’s particularly bad timing here as Kansas City is entering a brutal five-game stretch in which they play five games against 2010 playoff teams, including Super Bowl participants Green Bay and Pittsburgh. It starts Monday night at New England.
by Wagerweb
