Basketball Pick Pro - April 12, 2009

Happy Easter!

After taking the night off, we are back with two Sunday picks...

WUNDERDOG 2009 RECENT RESULTS ($100/bet)
SPORT	WINS-LOSSES	%	NET
MLB	13-5 Season-to-Date	72%	+$2660
NBA	236-190 last 426 picks	55%	+$8080
NFL	72-44 last 116 picks	62%	+$7320
NHL	14-10 last 24 picks	58%	+$1960
TOTAL			+$20020

Today's NBA Basketball Picks:

Game: Dallas at New Orleans (1:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 4 units on Dallas +4.5 (-110) (risk 4 to win 3.6)

Yes, the Mavs have had their road struggles this year. But, this team right now has something to play for and they are playing with purpose. A win today gives Dallas sole possession of the sixth seed in the West. Dirk Nowitzki said after last game, "It's like our playoffs started early." The Mavs have won three in a row and five of their last six while the Hornets have dropped four of their last five. I think Dallas plays very hard and keeps this one close. New Orleans has performed badly all season long against teams that play at the extremes. The Hornets are 18-27 ATS this season vs. teams that allow 100+ per game and they are also 11-24 ATS vs. teamst hat average triple digits. I like the Mavs plus the points in this one.

Talk about a playoff atmosphere! If Boston wants to repeat as NBA champions, they'll have to go through Cleveland this year. So this game, with the playoffs a week away, means a lot for the psyche of these two teams. It's a statement game. Boston can gain mounds of confidence going into the postseason with an upset win here in Cleveland. They can also secure the second-seed in the east with a win here. But the Cavs have different plans. They want to send a message to Boston and the rest of the league. You don't come into our building an win. Period. And, they can't just rest here as they are still in a fight for the overall home court advantage vs. the Lakers. As such, I expect a very intense defensive-laden game. Cleveland is 23-16 UNDER at home.  Boston is 25-14 UNDER on the road this season. That includes a 14-4 UNDER mark vs. winning opponents and a 13-4 UNDER mark vs. teams that average 100+ ppg. Only one way to go here.

Results: 1-1

NBA Basketball Picks Resources:

• Check out our updated basketball prior picks.
• Hop over to our 2008 NBA basketball handicapping preview here.
• View our updated NBA sportsbook.
• View NBA Game-of-Day-Preview here.
• Hop over to our 2008 basketball prior pick results here.
• Read our NBA basketball power ratings here.
• Don't forget to visit our sports handicapping NBA picks.
• Here we show our NBA basketball odds.
• View our NBA ATS records here.
• View blog NBA picks here.

Check out the last five NBA Basketball Picks Newsletters:

NBA-Basketball-Picks-April-27-2009
This has been a strange series through the first three games. Atlanta made a game one statement by blowing out the Heat by 26 points, only to come back on their home court and lose by 15. Then coming ...

NBA-Basketball-Picks-April-26-2009
After many left them for dead after their game one upset loss, Boston has come roaring back to take homecourt advantage back. It hasn't been KG whose on the bench. It hasn't been Pierce or All...

NBA-Basketball-Picks-April-25-2009
The Denver Nuggets won the first two played in Denver going away, to go up 2-0 in the series. The Nuggets are a different team on the road however, as their now 35-8 mark at home, turns to 21-20 on th...

NBA-Basketball-Picks-April-24-2009
The Cleveland Cavaliers have blown through their home schedule and destroyed everyone, to the tune of a double-digit winning margin. They have been successful on the road, but against the teams in thi...

NBA-Basketball-Picks-April-23-2009
The Dallas Mavericks accomplished what they set out to do and that was to steal a game in San Antonio. They negated the home-court advantage with the win, and come home with a chance to close out the ...