Posted on 4/12/2008 1:55:37 PM

NBA Basketball Betting - Philadelphia at Washington

By Charles Jay

WHO: Philadelphia 76ers (40-38 SU, 43-34-1 ATS) at Washington Wizards (41-37 SU, 44-33-1 ATS)

WHERE: Verizon Center in Washington, DC

WHEN: Saturday, April 12 at 7 PM ET

Here are some of the NBA betting trends that are relative to this matchup:

(Trends are current through April 10)

* PHIL has won 14 of its last 19 games SU

* PHIL has covered nine of its last 10 road games

* PHIL has won eight of its last 10 road games SU

* PHIL has played four of its last six road games OVER the total

* WASH has covered two of its last seven home games

* WASH has won six of its last eight home games SU

* WASH has played nine of its last 10 home games OVER the total

In the HEAD-TO-HEAD NBA basketball betting trends:

* WASH has won and covered four of the last six meetings

* Sixteen of the last 22 meetings have gone OVER the total

* WASH has won six of the last seven meetings SU as the home team

* WASH has covered five of the last seven meetings as the home team

* Seven of the last eight meetings in Washington have gone OVER the total

Shouldn't Maurice Cheeks get some consideration for NBA coach of the year? His team was left for dead earlier in the season and now the Sixers are over the .500 mark and look like they will be a tough out in the first round of the playoffs. They took the last two meetings at home, by margins of one and five points, and Washington won the season's initial meeting by 15 at home, though it must be pointed out that Philly wasn't the same team it is now.

These teams are neck-and-neck for playoff position in the East, which will ultimately mean the difference between playing a team like Cleveland or a better team like Orlando in the first round. And the Wizards' comebacking weapon, Gilbert Arenas, has been rather tame, averaging just 14 points in his first three games since returning.

The Sixers are a mentally-tough team, having covered nine of ten on the road. That comes from being able to play defense, and Cheeks has several stoppers at his disposal, including the athletic Andre Iguodala and shot-blocking (2.4 per game) Samuel Dalembert. We'll look for them to keep this one real tight, and to come away with the straight-up victory. So obviously we take the points with the Sixers in the BetUS NBA basketball betting odds.

JAY'S PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA BY 2

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 http://www.eBookies.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)