Up to NBA Free Picks

posted January 14, 2008 at 13:42 in NBA Free Picks

WHO: Portland Trail Blazers (22-14 SU, 23-13 ATS) at New Jersey Nets (18-18 SU, 15-20-1 ATS)

WHERE: Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ

WHEN: Monday, January 14 at 7:35 PM ET

BetUS NBA basketball betting odds: NEW JERSEY -4.5, Total: 187.5

In the HEAD-to-HEAD NBA betting trends:

* PORT has won four of the last six meetings SU

* PORT has covered seven of the last ten meetings

* Six of the last eight meetings have gone UNDER the total

* The home team has covered five of the last seven meetings

* PORT has had the shooting edge in four of the last five meetings

* NJ has had the rebounding edge in three of the last four meetings

. Also:

* PORT has won 17 of its last 19 games SU

* PORT has covered 16 of its last 19 games

* PORT has played three of its last five games UNDER the total

* PORT has covered five of its last seven road games

* PORT has played four of its last five road games OVER the total

New Jersey has been one of the least productive offensive teams in the league, averaging just 93.3 points per game. The Nets are shooting 43.6% from the field, and have produced just 5.5 baskets per game from beyond the arc. Also:

* NJ has won six of its last eight games SU

* NJ has covered five of its last seven games

* NJ has won three of its last four home games SU

* NJ is 6-14-1 ATS at home this season

New Jersey has shown a lot more spirit with Josh Boone as a starter at forward. he had 16 rebounds in the last game against Boston, a game the Nets may have won if they hadn't thrown bricks at the free throw stripe (hitting 9 of 24). Sean Williams, who has the makings of a premier shot blocker, joins Boone on the front line to give the Nets a little more hope.

New Jersey has given indications that it may be making a turnaround of fortunes on their home floor, winning three of its last four at the Izod Center. But Williams and Boone are trying to get to where a lot of Portland's young players already are. The Blazers have grown up quick under coach of the year front-runner Nate McMillan, and even though Portland has done its best work at home, this is still a team that has won 17 of its last 19 games and covered 16 of them. LaMarcus Aldridge is a handful for either of the aforementioned Nets youngsters, and Channing Frye will get more playing time after scoring 16 points in 24 minutes in the loss to Toronto yesterday.

We'll take the points with the team that is still one of th hottest in the league - the Blazers, who are the 4.5-point underdog in the BetUS NBA basketball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: PORTLAND

You’ll find the latest 2007-2008 NBA odds and lines in the best online sportsbook, BetUS.com. Betting on NBA player and game props makes every aspect of the game exciting. Join BetUS.com today to bet on the NBA and make online sports betting work for you!

(Charles Jay of TotalActionExtra.com is a freelance writer and handicapper who not only can make his shots from the top of the key, but also contributes with gusto to the BetUS Locker Room)