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Celtics vs Hawks Free Pick May 1, 2012
The Boston Celtics look to regroup for game two of their quarterfinal series against the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks took the first game 83-74 Sunday in Atlanta. Game two is scheduled for May 1 also in Atlanta.
The Hawks were led by the impressive play of Josh Smith who scored 22 points and pulled down 18 rebounds. The Celtics were led in the first game by the 20 points of Rajon Rondo who also had 11 assists. However, Rondo was ejected from the game with 41 second remaining and could be suspended. It appeared as though he bumped the official who tossed him from the game and that could bring a suspension from the NBA front office.
Boston looked sluggish on offense and did not get the usual output from veterans Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. If they Celtics are to win game two or any other game, those two players need to play much better. Ray Allen, the veteran guard for the Celtics missed his first playoff game of his long career. He is suffering from a sore ankle and probably will sit out until the series arrives in Boston later in the week.
The Hawks started a third stringer at center as current starter Zaza Pachulia is nursing a bad left foot and normal starter Al Horford has been ruled out for the entire series. However, the team looked fine without Pachulia.
Boston will look towards both Garnett and Pierce to take control of this game early and negate the inside play of Smith. The key will be if Rondo will be available to play or will be suspended. If he can play, the Celtics may be able to win one on Atlanta’s home court.
The line opened with the Hawks as just 2-point favorites but has jumped to 11 ½ points due to the possible suspension of Rondo. I like the Celtics plus the points, even if Rondo is suspended. Take the UNDER as these two teams will fight it out defensively.
Tigers vs Yankees Free Pick April 28, 2012
The New York Yankees always are somewhere near the top. This season is no exception, as they are slowly moving their way up the standings in the American League East. This afternoon they take on the Detroit Tigers in the second game of a three-game series. Friday night the Yankees made a comeback to defeat the Tigers in the first game of the series 7-6.
The Yankees are 11-8 on the season and will give the ball to Freddy Garcia this afternoon. Garcia is 0-1 with an ERA of 9.75. He has had a disastrous start to his season. He has given up four or more runs in each of his three starts this season. Last Saturday against Boston, he allowed five runs giving up seven hits in just an inning and two-thirds. However, he has won 18 in his career against Detroit. Over his career, he is 18-8 with an ERA of 3.88 against the Tigers.
Detroit is in disarray. The Tigers have lost seven of their last eight games to fall to 10-10 on the season. Delmon Young one of their star players was arrested early Friday morning for making anti-Semitic remarks. He did not play in Friday’s game and released a prepared statement apologizing for what he said.
The Tigers will look to turn things around today with Drew Smyly on the mound. He is 0-0 on the season by has an ERA of just 1.13. In his first three starts in the major leagues, he has been very steady. The young 22-year old southpaw has not given up more than a single run in any of his three starts. He has 15 K’s in just 16 innings of work.
One big bright spot for the Yankees has been veteran Derek Jeter. He has a hit in 17 of the 19 games thus far this season, even though he was hitless Friday night, ending a 15-game hitting streak. The line has the Yankees as the favorite -125 with the Tigers are +115. The total is at 10. The Yankees will win again today, as the Tigers continue in their funk. The total will end UNDER.
Clippers vs Hawks Free Pick April 24, 2012
The Los Angeles Clippers head east one last time for a regular season matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. Both teams have qualified for the playoffs, but both are trying to move up in the standings to get home court advantage. The visiting Clippers are 40-24 on the season and winners of eight of their last 10 games. They are in fourth place in the playoff race just a half game behind the third place Los Angeles Lakers. On the road, the Clippers are 16-15 on the season.
The Hawks are 38-26 on the season and 21-10 at home. Atlanta is 7-3 SU over their last 10 games and is securely in the fifth position in the Eastern Conference playoff race. However, against Western Conference opponents, the Hawks are just 7-9 SU on the season.
Blake Griffin the leading scorer and rebounder for the Clippers has a sore neck, but is listed as day to day and most likely will suit up for this matchup. Over the last 10 games, head to head the Hawks are 7-3 SU against the Clippers. The total in those 10 games has ended OVER 7 times and UNDER 3 times. This season, the teams have met on one occasion. The Clippers beat Atlanta in Los Angeles 96-82 in mid March. In the victory, the Clippers covered a 7-point favorite spread. The total cashed out to the UNDER, but was the first UNDER total in five games.
The Clippers are 4-1 SU in the last five games with only a loss at Phoenix. The Hawks are 3-2 SU in their last five games. They lost to the New York Knicks Sunday by one point in a high scoring shootout.
Both teams are playoff bound and this game is more important to the Clippers for playoff position than the Hawks. The Clippers want to move up to catch the third place Lakers and win a Pacific Division title to go along with third place in the West. Take the Clippers to cover the spread, with the total ending OVER.
76ers vs Nets Free Pick April 23, 2012
The Philadelphia 76ers are desperately hanging on to the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoff spot. Philly will travel to visit the New Jersey Nets April 23 in a key late season game for the 76ers. The 76ers are 33-30 on the season and are three games in front of the Milwaukee Bucks for the last spot in the playoff race. Philly is tied with the New York Knicks, but because of a tiebreaker, the Knicks are currently seeded seventh and the 76ers eighth.
On the road this season, the 76ers are 14-16 and against Eastern Conference opponents, the 76ers are 26-19. Philly has won their last two games, but only 4 of their last 10. They have had a late season slide and need to stop that slide or will be out of the playoff race.
The Nets have had a horrendous season. Injuries have taken their toll on the team and currently six players are out for the season or out indefinitely. The Nets overall record is 22-42. The Nets are 9-23 at home and have lost four straight games. The Nets are 3-7 SU over their last 10.
Head to head this matchup favors the 76ers. Over the last 10 games against the Nets, the 76ers are 8-2 SU and 6-4 ATS. The total has been UNDER in 6 of the games and OVER in 4. The teams have played on three occasions this season and the Nets are 2-1 SU in those three matchups. The visiting team has won all three of the games this season.
This matchup could mean a trip to the playoff for the 76ers. If they win, they qualify for one of the last two spots, if they lose, they must lace up their sneakers for the next game and win. Their destiny is in their own hands, as they hold a three game advantage over the Bucks. Take the 76ers in this, less the points, with the total ending UNDER.
Nuggets vs Suns Free Pick April 21, 2012
The playoff race out West has two spots still open and the on April 21 two of the four teams fighting for those positions meet. The Denver Nuggets travel to Phoenix to take on the Suns at U.S. Airways Center. Denver has a record of 34-28 on the season and is in seventh place in the playoff race, one and a half games in front of eighth place Phoenix and ninth place Utah. Still not out of the picture is Houston who is currently in tenth position but only a game behind both Utah and Phoenix.
The Suns are 33-30 on the season and just a tiebreaker ahead of Utah who has the same record. Phoenix is 6-4 SU this season and at home is 19-12. Denver is 15-15 when playing on the road. Denver has two players out indefinitely with injuries while Phoenix has one, Grant Hill, who is day to day with a knee injury.
Head to head the Nuggets are 6-4 SU in the last ten games between the two teams. The total has been UNDER 7 times and OVER 3 times in those 10 games. This season the two teams have played twice and Denver is 2-0 SU and ATS. The last three games the two teams have played have paid out to UNDER bettors.
Denver is 3-2 SU over their last five games, including a 104-98 loss Wednesday night at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers. They did however, defeat the Houston Rockets in back to back games Sunday and Monday. The Suns are 2-2 SU in their last four games, with wins against Portland and Houston.
The teams will both be playing at their best as the pressure is on and winning can make the difference between going on to the post season or going home at season’s end. Take the Nuggets on the road and the UNDER will pay out to smart money bettors.
Dodgers vs Brewers April 18, 2012
The Los Angeles Dodgers have come out of the starting gates at full speed as they have opened their season 9-2. Tonight they take on the Milwaukee Brewers, who have started their season a bit slower than the Dodgers have, and find themselves as 5-6 on the season. Last night however, the Brewers rallied to beat the Dodgers 5-4 with a walk off win in the ninth.
Before the loss last night against the Brewers, the Dodgers had won six consecutive. Tonight the Dodgers face Zack Greinke who is 1-1 on the season but is unbeatable in Milwaukee. Since he joined the Brewers he is 12-0 at home with just a 2.91 ERA in his 16 home starts.
Chris Capuano will go for the Dodgers tonight. He was hit hard in his Dodgers debut but the former standout with the Brewers returned last Thursday to beat Pittsburgh 3-2. The southpaw only gave up six hit and two runs in 5 1/3 innings combined with seven strikeouts.
On Tuesday, Alex Gonzalez the shortstop for the Brewers missed his fourth straight game, but should be back for tonight’s matchup. Andre Ethier for the Dodgers is leading the National League with 17 RBI’s and teammate Matt Kemp is just one behind with 16. Offensively the Dodgers are putting a lot of runs on the board.
Offensively the Brewers are also scoring as eight of their eleven games have ended OVER. The Dodgers have had six of their first 11 end OVER, three UNDER and two have been a PUSH.
The Brewers are OVER in 6 of their last 7 games against lefthanders, since September of 2011. The Dodgers are 6-1 SU in their last seven games against right handed pitching. Tonight’s game has an OVER of 7.5 and the Dodgers have been scoring a ton of runs this season. Take the Dodgers behind Capuano with the score to end OVER.
Mets vs Phillies, April 14, 2012
The season is just starting but the Philadelphia Phillies do not like the way they have opened their season. They are just 3-4 on the season. Today the Phillies take on the New York Mets after losing to the Mets 5-2 Friday night in the opener of the three game series at home. The Mets have opened well out of the starting gate and are 5-2 on the season.
This afternoon’s contest has Jonathan Niese facing off against Vance Worley. Niese the lefthander won his debut after signing with the Mets to a five-year deal worth over $25 million. He had a no-hitter into the seventh in that game. In eight starts versus the Phillies in his career, Niese is 3-4 with an ERA of 4.07.
Worley was very consistent in his debut last week. He worked six innings and gave up just one earned run. He struck out five, but got a no decision in a game the Phillies eventually lost to Pittsburgh 5-4. At Citizens Bank Park, Worley has been exceptional. He has a career record of 7-2, an ERA of 2.33, WHIP of 1.07 and a BAA of .204. He was victorious in three of his four starts against the Mets last season. Two of those wins came at home at Citizens Bank Park.
Shortstop Ruben Tejada has been the Mets’ most surprising asset of the early season. The 22-year old has 8 hits in 19 at bats. He has scored four runs in the teams last five games. Niese however, has not fared well in Philly. He is 0-3 over his last four starts and has an ERA of 7.17.
The Phillies won 11 of the 18 games the two played last season. The total is at 7.5 and the Mets are underdogs at +135, while the Phillies are -145.
Pirates versus Dodgers April 11, 2012
Major League Baseball is back. Spring is here and that means teams will look to get off to a good start to help get them through their long summer. Tonight the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Pittsburgh Pirates at Chavez Ravine. Thus far, this season, the Dodgers appear to like their new owners as they are off to a 4-1 record. The Dodgers won three of their first four games on the road and defeated the Pirates last night. Three of the Dodgers first five games have ended OVER the run total.
The Pirates are 2-2 on the season. They were 2-1 in their opening series at home and their loss last night to the Dodgers was their first road game. The run total for the Pirates has ended OVER once and UNDER 3 times this season.
Last night the Dodgers defeated the Pirates 2-1 behind Clayton Kershaw the team’s top left-hander and ace. Tonight’s matchup will pit Chad Billingsley for the Dodgers (1-0) against Erik Bedard for the Pirates. Offensively the Dodgers count on Matt Kemp. Kemp has knocked in a run in all five of the Dodgers’ games this season, and dating back to the end of last season, Kemp has knocked in at least one run in the last nine Dodger regular season games.
The Pirates offense has had trouble getting on track due to facing the Phillies Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee and then taking on the Dodgers and Kershaw. Tonight however, look for the Pirate bats to wake up and a few more runs to cross the plate.
The current line has the over at 6.5 with the Dodgers favored and at -145. Take the OVER in this as both teams are due to break out of a scoring drought and put big numbers on the board.
Bulls vs. Nuggets NBA Free Pick
Bulls vs. Pacers
A great matchup is in store for NBA fans March 26 when the high scoring Denver Nuggets visit the league’s best team the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Denver is trying to make a run for the playoffs and is currently in the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference with a record of 26-22. The Nuggets are 5-5 SU over their last 10 games and are just a half game in front of the Houston Rockets for eighth place. On the road, the Nuggets are 11-10.
The Bulls are flying high at this point in the season. They hold the league’s best record at 40-10 and are three games ahead of second place Miami in the playoff hunt for the Eastern Conference. The Bulls have won four consecutive games and 8 of their last 10. At home, the Bulls are 20-2.
Four Nuggets are nursing injuries, with their leading scoring Danilo Gallinari sidelined with a thumb ailment. The Bulls have the league’s reigning MVP Derrick Rose sidelined with a groin injury, but he will be day to day for this matchup.
Denver holds the edge 6-4 SU and 5-4-1 ATS in the last 10 head to head games against Chicago. In those same 10 games, the total has been OVER 6 times and UNDER 4 times. The two teams are averaging a combined 209 points in those 10 head to head games. This will be the first matchup between the two teams this season.
Denver is just 2-2 SU over their last four games. They lost Friday night at Utah by 19 points with the total ending OVER as the two teams combined for 223 points and the line was at just 208. Chicago is 4-1 SU in their last five games with just a loss to Portland in that stretch.
If Derrick Rose cannot go for the Bulls then they may have a tougher time defeating the Nuggets. However, the depth on the Bulls roster is deep and that has been proven as they have won all four games without their leader since he went down with the groin injury.
Smart money takes the Bulls less the points and the total to end OVER. Bet this at Bovada for free $100 bonus
Ohio State vs. Syracuse Pick
Half of the Elite Eight is set and will be played Saturday March 24. One of the matchups will pit the Ohio State Buckeyes against the Syracuse Orange. Ohio State defeated Cincinnati Thursday night 81-66. In that game the Buckeyes covered the 7 ½-point spread as the favorite. Syracuse punched their ticket to Saturday’s matchup by defeating the Badgers of Wisconsin 64-63.
They failed to cover the 3-point spread as the favorite in that game. Syracuse withstood a barrage of three pointers from Wisconsin and held on to win. The Orange was led by C.J. Fair who scored 15 points. He led a group of four players who scored 11 points or more.
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Both teams are in the top 15 in the country in efficiency on both offense and defense. This game will be close from the beginning to the end. If any team can take advantage of Syracuse’s loss of center Fab Melo it is the Buckeyes.
One big statistic that might haunt the Orange is they have a very low defensive rebounding percentage and Ohio State has a very high offensive rebounding percentage. That will be even increased, as Melo will not be in the Orange lineup to help with clearing the boards. Both freshmen Deshaun Thomas and Jared Sullinger will give the Orange problems down low. Between the two, they had nine rebounds on the offensive end in their victory over Cincinnati.
Syracuse on the other hand, has a defense that causes a high rate of turnovers. Ohio State does not turn the ball over often, but a Syracuse pressure defense can easily change that. Also, Ohio State shoots very well from two-point range and can do that easier, as Melo and his great shot blocking ability will not be present. Syracuse will throw their zone at Ohio State and if they want to win, the Orange needs to make Ohio State take outside, low percentage shots.
The current line has the Buckeyes listed as a 2 ½-point favorite. The total is currently at 136 ½. This game will come down to the last minute with both teams having a chance to win at the end.
Pick: Ohio State (-2 ½) Total: OVER
