posted March 28, 2008 at 16:57 EST in NBA Free Picks

WHO: Charlotte Bobcats (26-45 SU, 30-39-2 ATS) at Seattle SuperSonics (17-55 SU, 35-35-2 ATS)

WHERE: Key Arena in Seattle

WHEN: Friday, March 28 at 10:30 PM ET

BetUS NBA basketball betting odds: Charlotte -3.5, Total 208.5

In the HEAD-to-HEAD NBA betting trends:

* CHAR has covered five of the last seven meetings

* SEA has won five of the last seven meetings SU

* The last three meetings have gone UNDER the total

* CHAR has had the shooting edge in three of the last four meetings

* SEA has made more three-pointers in five of the last seven meetings

Charlotte has made an average of 6.4 three-point shots per game. The Bobcats are 29th in the NBA in free throw shooting, making 71% of their attempts. Also:

* CHAR has covered one of its last five games

* CHAR has lost six of its last eight games SU

* CHAR has played six of its last seven games UNDER the total

* CHAR has covered six of its last 18 road games

* CHAR has lost six of its last seven road games SU

* CHAR has played five of its last six road games UNDER the total

Seattle is 29th in the league in terms of giving up the most points per game. The Sonics have surrendered 106.4 points per contest. Seattle averages just four successful three-pointers per game, which 29th in the league. Also:

* SEA has lost 12 of its last 13 games SU

* SEA has covered two of its last seven home games

* SEA has lost six of its last seven home games SU

Is it dangerous for Charlotte to be laying points on the road? Well, the Bobcats have only been a road favorite once this season, and failed. But the shooters appear to be wide awake, as evidenced by 50% marksmanship in each of the last two games, the latest an extremely impressive road win against the Lakers on Wednesday night.

Of course, they took advantage of a patchwork Laker lineup that had Ronny Turiaf and Vladimir Radmanovich starting. And Charlotte can't seem to be able to stand success; the 'Cats won five games in a row in early March and looked like a real contender for a playoff spot. They then lost five in a row.

Seattle has been rather dysfunctional on the defensive end, yielding 50% or more from the field in five straight games. But the Sonics have managed to reduce those figures in the last three. Chris Wilcox is out for the year, which once again limits Seattle's offensive options. But Kevin Durant has actually been red-hot. In the month of March, Durant is truly making his stretch run for the league's rookie of the year award, hitting a sizzling 54% of his shots, including 61% in his last seven games.

We do appreciate the efforts of Jason Richardson, who has averaged 26 points over his last four games. At the same time, though, we do admit to cringing just a bit at the prospect of laying points with Charlotte here. In a mild recommendation, let's grab the points with the home team. That's Seattle, the 3.5-point underdog in the BetUS NBA betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: SEATTLE

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)