Posted on
4/3/2008 3:43:47 PM
NBA Basketball Betting Picks – Thursday Night Matchups
By Dave Golokhov
Los Angeles Clippers @ Sacramento Kings
Elton Brand finally returned for the Los Angeles Clippers yesterday but we’ll have to see how effective he is playing on back-to-back nights.
Although we don’t know how Brand will respond, we do know that the Clippers are only 3-15 in back-to-back outings.
The Clippers won outright last night in Seattle and are only 2-12 ATS after winning as an underdog.
If you aren’t familiar with this series, this is one that is dominated by the Sacramento Kings. They have won 19 of the last 22 meetings in Sacramento.
The Kings have won three of their last four games and are 21-15 at home against the spread.
The Clips show are just 26-35 ATS and 2-6 when posted as a road underdog of 9.5 to 12 points.
Free Pick: Los Angeles
Chicago Bulls @ Cleveland Cavaliers
This would have been an interesting matchup between two playoff teams last season but some of the awe fades since the Bulls have declined.
The Bulls are 4.5 games out of a playoff spot and should show be playing with some desperation at this point in the season but you wouldn’t know it.
They have lost five of their last seven games.
On Thursday, they head into the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, a venue that hasn’t been hospitable. The Bulls have lost four of their last five both straight up and against the spread to Cleveland. They’ve also lost 15 of the last 22 meetings in Cleveland.
But the Cavs are only 2-7 ATS as a home favorite of 6.5 to nine points this season and have covered the spread only once in their last five games.
Free Pick: Cleveland
Houston Rockets @ Portland Trail Blazers
Now that the Rockets record-setting 22-game winning streak is over, we can all go back to referring to them as the first-round playoff losers that they are and likely will be again.
The Rockets are 3-5 in their last five games but more importantly for NBA bettors, they have covered only once in their last eight.
Portland is in a slump of their own and has won only once in their last four games. They are 3-7 ATS after three or more consecutive losses, 1-4 ATS in home games where the total is 180 to 184.5 and are 6-10 ATS in the second half of the season against winning teams.
Houston, though, is only 2-3 ATS as a road favorite of 6.5 to nine points.
Free Pick: Houston
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