Orlando (-5) vs Detroit: Home teams have ruled in this second round. So far the home teams are 11-0 in the conference semifinals. A big factor here will be the health of Chauncey Billups. It appears he is probably going to play tonight, but he might be slowed down from his hamstring injury. With Billups not able to play the majority of Game 3, Orlando's PG Jameer Nelson was able to go off for 18 points 7 rebounds and 4 assists, while having only 1 turnover. Turnovers were the story in the first two games as the Magic turned the ball over 18 more times than Detroit. In game 3 they were to evened that stat out and were able to come away with the 25 point win. They should keep the good play going, and I think they will even up the series tonight! Take the Magic! ATS Underdog confidence:
Cleveland (-1.5) vs Boston: I think the Celtics will win 1 of the 2 games in Cleveland, but I think it will more likely be game 4. This is a very tough game to pick though. The Celtics have absolutely swarmed Lebron James and held him to 8-42 shooting so far. On top of that the Cavs outside shooters, West, Szerbiak, and Gibson, have combined to shoot just 23% so far. That being said, the home team has won the last 7 meetings between these teams. And Boston has yet to prove they can win on the road. In fact the Celtics are just 1-5 in their last 6 road games against teams in the playoffs. It will be interesting to see if the Celtics can finally win one on the road, but I just don't think they get it done tonight. I can't see Lebron James being held down for 3 games in a row. I am taking the Cavs tonight. ATS Underdog confidence:
L.A. Lakers (+5) @ Utah: The Lakers are playing amazing basketball right now. They are the only team in the playoffs that has not lost a game yet. They have now won 10 games in a row, winning by an average of close to 14 points per game. They have also has Utah's number. They have won 7 out of the last 8 games against the Jazz. That includes going 2-1 in Utah. No one has been able to slow down Kobe Bryant, and I don't think they will find a way to do it tonight either. Take the Lakers and the points! ATS Underdog confidence:
Detroit (+3.5) @ Orlando: It appears that Orlando is just not ready for the big time yet. Detroit has owed the series thus far. In fact they have won 8 of the last 10 games between these two teams. That includes going an impressive 3-1 in Orlando. There are two main reasons for Detroits success. First is the balance of Detroit. They had 5 players who scored at least 10 points in each of the first two games. When you are able to spread the points around like that, it doesn't matter if someone has a down game because someone else will pick up the slack. The second reason is the turnover battle. Orlando has turned the ball over 32 times in the first two games, while Detroit has turned the ball over just 14 times. That means 9 extra possesions each game for Detroit. If you give them an edge like that it will be very hard to defeat them. I think Detoit wins this game and goes on to sweep the series! ATS Underdog confidence:
L.A. Lakers (-6.5) vs Utah: Simply put, the Lakers have dominated this match-up lately. Los Angelos has won 6 out of the last 7 games against the Jazz. That includes going 6-1 ATS in that same stretch. Not just that, none of these games have even been really close. The Lakers 6 wins have come by an average of 14 points. The Lakers have been dominating everyone lately. They are playing too well to pick against them especially at home. Take the Lakers and give the points! ATS Underdog confidence:
Philadelphia (+9) @ Detroit: There is no question in my mind that Detroit is the much better team here, but Philly is playing like they want it alot more. They had a 2-1 lead and a 10 point lead late in the 2nd quarter until Rasheed Wallace got a Technical Foul, and that seemed to spark Detroit's comeback. I fully believe that Detroit will win this series, but it may go to 7 games. I think Philly's drive and desire will keep this one close enough where they cover the 9 points. Go with Philly in this game. ATS Underdog confidence:
New Orleans (-6) vs Dallas: This series is over. I don't see any way where Dallas can win 3 games in a row including 2 games in New Orleans. This series should be over tonight. In games 1 and 2, played in New Orleans, neither game was even close as New Orleans won by 12 and 24 points respectively. Dallas has had absolutely no answer for Chris Paul, and that shouldn't change in this game. There are major changes coming this offseason in Dallas! Take New Orleans and give the points!! ATS Underdog confidence:
Phoenix (+5) @ San Antonio: I get the distinct feeling that this series isn't over. I don't think Phoenix will come all the way back and win the series, but I wouldn't be surprised if they took it to a game 7. Phoenix took it to the Spurs in game 4 winning by 19 points. Bruce Bowen has been an offensive liability for San Antonio. He has only scored in 1 out of the 4 games so far, while averaging over 20 minutes a game.I look for Phoenix to continue their comeback tonight. Take them and the 5 points! ATS Underdog confidence:
Utah (+2) @ Houston: This has been the best series in the West so far. Surprisingly the road team has seemed to hold the advantage. In the last 8 games between these teams, the road team has won 6 of them. That is extremely surprising given that Utah was the best home team during the regualr season, and a very bad road team. Houston hasn't been able to control Deron Williams, who has shown he is the best player on the floor. I expect Williams and Utah will close out the series tonight. Take Utah here! ATS Underdog confidence:
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Orlando Magic
I don't know what the spread for this game is yet but I am leaning towards the Magic taking this game. Cleveland is favored by around 7 points today to Charlotte at home and as we speak, they are only up 2 points in the middle of the second quarter. The Magic are on a 4 game winnging streak and going 8-2 in their last 10. Of course in those four games, they didn't exactly play the greatest of teams. The played Atlanta, Clippers, Miami, and Indiana and won those games by at least 9 points. The Cavaliers have not played well in their past few games and even now they are barely beating the Bobcats. They have lost games to the Nets and the Wizards who aren't exactly the cream of the crop. When the Cavs depend too much on LeBron to win the game, he normally produces but the rest of his team needs to support him. They just haven't been doing that. I think the Magic should be favored by around 4 or 5 points here. I like those odds with the Magic home record is 21-12
Toronto Raptors @ Utah Jazz
The Jazz have an amazing record at home at 28-3, now that is impressive, and they usually cover too. They have had a long run on the road in their last 4 out of 5 games with one of those wins at Boston by 18 points and a win at Pheonix by 8 points. They are 7-3 in their last 10 games and four of those wins came on the road where that isn't their strong point. Toronto lost their last 3 games to teams like Denver, Lakers and the Warriors and they scored over 117 points. The way the Jazz play at home, I think they can easily score 117 points on the Raptors especially with Bosh still out. Depending on the spread, I would go with Utah.
Oh and by the way, I just wanted to add that the Heat really do suck as their record states! They get 15.5 points and are still getting destroyed...
UPDATE: Jazz are favored by 13.5 and the Magic are favored by 7.5. I still think both these teams can still cover the spread...
Dallas Mavericks @ Miami Heat +15.5
Usually I love betting against the Heat anyday of the week, but 15.5 points? That's alot of point to give any team, even if they do suck as badly as the Heat do. Of couse the Heat will lose tonight but I still have to go with them and take the points. In this series the Heat have lost once by only a few points at Dallas and the Mavericks have beaten non playoff teams by nearly an average of 14 points or so. It is completely possible that they do cover this game today, but I don't think they will.
Heat - ATS Underdog confidence:
Houston (-3.5) vs L.A. Lakers: Pau Gasol is supposed to miss the Lakers next 3 games. It will be very interesting to see how they do without their newly aquired big man. With as hot as Houston has been I just can't pick against them. These teams have split the season series 1-1 so far this year, and they are both missing their big star in the middle. So all seems even, but momentum, is clearly on the side of Houston, and the Rockets are playing at home. I love Houston today. ATS Underdog confidence:
New Orleans (+5) @ Detroit: Lately I have been picking against the Hornets, and they keep winning. Maybe its time to jump on the bandwagon. It appears Chris Paul will play today, but David West most likely will not. The Hornets have won 5 out of 6 with their last 2 wins coming against playoff teams. Detroit has been playing alot of close games lately. They are 3-2 in their last 5 games with all of the games (with the exception of their loss to Boston) have come down to the final minute of the game. This should be a great close game. I will take New Orleans and the points. ATS Underdog confidence:
Atlanta (-1) @ New York: The Knicks have lost 7 of their last 8 games with the only win coming against the Miami Heat. Atlanta has won the only meeting between these teams so far. Atlanta has been playing a tough schedule lately with 5 of their last 8 games coming against the cream of the crop. They can't seem to beat the good teams, but they play really well against non-playoff teams. Atlanta has gone 4-1 in their last 5 games against teams that are not currently in the playoffs, including a win over the Knicks. I really like Atlanta in theis one. ATS Underdog confidence:
Houston (-4) vs L.A. Lakers: Pau Gasol is out for this game, and the two after it. It could be a deciding factor. It will be very interesting to see how the Lakers play without their big man in the middle. As we all know Houston hasn't missed a step since their big man (Yao Ming) went down a few games ago. Even with Gasol out this will be a good game. Kobe Bryant is the best player in the NBA and is capable of taking over any game. That being said Houston is very hot, and at home... only time shall tell who takes over first place in the Western Conference.
New Orleans @ Detroit: Last I checked there was no overnight line for this game. Even so it should be a very good, competitive game. Both teams are playing well. New Orleans is coming off of wins versus the Lakers and San Antonio at home. While Detroit has won 3 out of 4 including a win versus San Antoinio as well. In what could be the deciding factor a few players for New Orleans are injured. As of tonight both Chris Paul and David West are questionable. If they both miss this game Detroit will have a decided advantage. Check back tomorrow and I will fill you in on the latest news.
Utah Jazz -4.5 @ New Jersey Nets
The spreads today are crazy high. This is the only game that seems to make any sense. Both these teams have an impressive win in their last game. The Jazz beat the Celtics even though their road record sucks. The Nets beat Cleveland after having tough road losses. I think the momemtum goes to the Jazz because I think the Celtics is a tougher team to beat especially in Boston. But I also don't want to put down the Nets either cause they are still a decent team even though Jason Kidd is gone. Oh, and the last time these guys met, the Jazz won by almost 30, but that was in Utah and when the Jazz play at home, it a different story.
Jazz - ATS Underdog confidence:
ATS Underdog
Free sports picks from Chon Neth
Contact Us.
About:
Free daily sports picks from the NFL to NBA.
Disclaimer:
My picks are for entertainment purposes only and should only be taken as advice.
Acknowledgements:Thanks BlogEngine.net.