Posted on
4/18/2008 7:12:44 PM
NBA Weekend Basketball Betting – The Playoff War Begins
By Eric Williams
The Phoenix Suns, (55-27 SU, 39-40-3 ATS, 45-37 O/U) are hoping their acquisition of aging center Shaquille O’Neal helps them get past their conference nemesis this season - the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, (56-26 SU, 37-43-2 ATS, 35-47 O/U).
The Suns however, have had some mixed results since getting O’Neal while the Spurs have had their own troubles lately.
Each team however, managed to win seven of their final ten regular season games in the BetUS Sportsbook while going an identical 5-5 against the spread over the same span.
Both teams, similarly won their final two regular season games though the Suns won the season series between the teams 2-1.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Betting Free Picks:
The Suns are 5-0 ATS in their last five games playing on two days rest.
The Suns are 5-0 ATS in their last five games following a ATS loss.
The Spurs are 4-0 ATS in their last four Conference Quarterfinals games.
The Spurs are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games.
The Under is 4-0 in Suns last four after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Under is 4-0 in Spurs last four vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
The Underdog is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings.
Analysis: Many so-called experts like the Suns to win this series, and while I’ll grudgingly admit that it could happen, it won’t begin with this contest tonight. Take the Spurs to defend their home floor and their NBA title with a victory over the Suns tonight. I also like the under in an absolutely huge way tonight as the Spurs’ stellar defense will be on full display.
NBA Free Picks: Under 194½ Total Points/Spurs -4 Points
03:05 PM EST NBA Odds
Phoenix Suns +4 -110
San Antonio Spurs -4 -110
Over 194½ -110
Under 194½ -110
Broadcast on ABC
Red Hot Lakers Take On Stacked Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets, (50-32 SU, 44-38 ATS, 46-36 O/U) won their final two game of the regular season and six of ten to reach the postseason despite an inconsistent regular season filled with more drama than ‘Desperate Housewives’.
The Nuggets will take on the newly minted Western Conference Champion Los Angeles Lakers, (57-25 SU, 47-33-1 ATS, 40-41 O/U) tonight in a contest that the Lakers and their faithful fans will be more than fired up for.
Despite winning just four of their final ten regular season games in the BetUS Sportsbook, the Lakers did manage to win their last two over the San Antonio Spurs and Sacramento Kings to win the conference title.
Each team is just 4-6 against the spread in their respective last ten contests.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Betting Free Picks:
The Nuggets are 8-2 ATS in their last ten when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Nuggets are 6-2 ATS in their last eight Sunday games.
The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last five games playing on three or more days rest.
The Lakers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven Sunday games.
The Under is 8-0 in Nuggets last eight playoff games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5.
The Over is 4-1 in Lakers last five home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
The Under is 7-2 in the last nine meetings in Los Angeles.
The Home team is 12-5 ATS in the last 17 meetings.
Analysis: The Lakers beat the Nuggets all three times they met this season and won two of those games by 17 and 28 points respectively. I smell another blowout brewing. Take the Lakers and the ‘Under’ NBA bettors.
NBA Free Picks: Lakers -8 Points/Under 223½ Total Points
03:05 PM EST NBA Odds
Denver Nuggets +8 -110
LA Lakers -8 -110
Over 223½ -110
Under 223½ -110
Celtics Ready For Postseason Title Run As Hawks Visit
Many people may not know it, but the Atlanta Hawks, (37-45 SU, 37-44-1 ATS, 42-40 O/U), lost their final three games of the regular season, including a 99-89 loss to the Boston Celtics, (66-16 SU, 52-28-2 ATS, 36-45-1 O/U), despite making the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons.
The Celtics, the league’s best team in the BetUS Sportsbook during the regular season and the odds-on-favorite to win the NBA title this year, will undoubtedly make it a fourth consecutive loss for the Hawks in this contest, the franchise’s first postseason appearance since 2004-05 when they were knocked out in the first round by the Indiana Pacers.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Betting Free Picks:
The Hawks are 4-1 ATS in their last five Sunday games.
The Hawks are 4-1 ATS in their last five games playing on three or more days rest.
The Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last four home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
The Celtics are 6-0 ATS in their last six home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of less than .400.
The Under is 5-1 in Hawks last six vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Under is 4-0 in Celtics last four games as a home favorite of 11.0 or greater.
The Under is 6-1 in the last seven meetings in Boston.
The Underdog is 7-3 ATS in the last ten meetings.
Analysis: This line may look a little high, but don’t worry NBA bettors, the Celtics are likely looking at one of the 20-plus point spankings they’ve laid on several opponents this season. Take the Celtics to cover in a big way tonight.
NBA Free Picks: Celtics -15 Points/Over 189 Total Points
08:30 PM EST NBA Odds
Atlanta Hawks +15 -110
Boston Celtics -15 -110
Over 189 -110
Under 189 -110
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