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Free Nba Basketball Picks - April 18, 2009We put a bow on one of our best NBA seasons ever as we closed at +91 units. We finished the regular season on a nice 10-day run as we hit for 65%, 17-9 for +16.9 units and we look to carry that momentum into the playoffs. We kick things off with three Saturday picks including a 5-unit pick.
 Today's NBA Basketball Picks: Game: Houston at Portland (10:30 PM Eastern)The Celtics' chance of a repeat took a blow when it was confirmed that Kevin Garnett would miss this series, and likely the rest of the playoffs altogether. That isn't the death blow for the Celtics - at least in this series. In fact, as everyone counts them out now, I look for the rest of the players to step things up and make a statement in this first game. The Bulls did a good job down the stretch as they closed at 12-4 to finish at .500. However, the biggest obstacle for the Bulls is in front of them. They are a terrible road team (13-28 on the season). They finished just 3-17 SU during the regular season on the road against this year’s playoff field. That included losses here in Boston by 16 and 18 points. This series reminds me a lot of last year where the Celtics struggled on the road vs. the Hawks, but beat them to a pulp in Boston by an average count of over 25 points per game. The Bulls have not fared well on the road, but have dominated at home lately, much the same as the Hawks from a year ago. Boston is 56-35 ATS over the past two seasons vs. teams that allow 100+ points per game. They are also 53-34 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points and 55-40 ATS at home over that span. I look for the Celtics to win big at home here and will lay the points. Pick: 5 units on Portland -4 (-110) (risk 5 to win 4.6) The Cavaliers finished the season with just a single home loss. The Lakers finished with just five, Boston six, and then you have the Blazers who finished with just seven home losses. That's good company. This team is certainly under the radar and very good, especially at home where they won on average by double-digits. In addition, the Trailblazers are now 40-20 ATS the past two seasons at home vs. winning teams. Houston certainly isn't here based on their road resume. They finished the season just 7-14 on the road against this year's playoff field, with just two of those wins coming in the last 10 weeks! The Rockets finished the season hot at home at 18-1, but just 7-9 on the road, with most of the wins coming over teams that are on the golf course now. The Blazers have come together both home and away and closed the season 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games. They were also 21-8 ATS in their last 29 as a favorite. Portland outrebounded their opponents this season by nearly 6 per game overall and by over 8 per game at home. Houston was just 2-10 ATS this sedason vs. good rebounding teams like that. Portland is 20-11 ATS this season as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points. They are also 22-13 ATS as a home favorite. I like Portland a lot in game one.Game: Houston at Portland (10:35 PM Eastern) Pick: 2 units on Portland -170 (moneyline) (risk 2 to win 1.2) The Trailblazers just don't lose often at home and they are laying just two baskets here against a team that has struggled all year long on the road. Houston is under .500 on the road overall and 7-14 vs. playoff teams. Portland is 43-10 straight-up as a favorite this season including 11-2 when coming off two days of rest. In addition, Nate McMillan-coached teams are 15-1 straight up after allowing 85 points or less in two straight games. I like the value on Portland on the moneyline here too. NBA Basketball Picks Resources:
Check out the last five NBA Basketball Picks Newsletters: NBA-Basketball-Picks-April-27-2009 NBA-Basketball-Picks-April-26-2009 NBA-Basketball-Picks-April-25-2009 NBA-Basketball-Picks-April-24-2009 NBA-Basketball-Picks-April-23-2009 |
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