Nba Sports Picks - March 01, 2009

Despite Houston blowing a 17-point lead with under six minutes to go to give us a loss on that pick, we went 2-1 last night, grabbing over five units. We're 185-137 now since the middle of November. Three plays today including a 5-unit pick.

Today's NBA Basketball Picks:

Game: New Orleans at New Jersey (6:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 2 units on New Jersey +4.5 (-110) (risk 2 to win 1.8)

The Hornets have been a strange team this year having streaks of both good and bad. Lately it's been bad. They have lot 11 of their last 15 games against the spread. On the season they are just 10-16 ATS on the road. New Jersey has struggled as a big dog or favorite, but they have gone 10-3 ATS since the new year in games with a spread under five. That includes six straight covers. The Net's problem all season has been defense, but that doesn't bode well for New Orleans as the Hornets are just 3-13 ATS this season against bad defensive teams (those allowing 46% FG). I like the home dog here.

I expect the Pacers to play better defense as they gave up 135 to the Nuggets in that last game and they won't want that kind of embarrassment again here, at home. The total points the last time these teams met equaled 250. That kind of scoring doesn't usually strike twice, especially when one team will be out to atone for that embarrassment. While both of these teams are known for high-scoring affairs, Denver has scored less than 100 in seven of their last nine games and Indiana has scored 100 or less in five of their last 10 games. In post-All Star play the past three seasons, Denver is 20-5 UNDER on the road vs. teams that hoist 18+ three pointers per game. The UNDER is the play in this one.

We were on the Spurs a few days ago when they beat Portland. Going the other way here. That game was in San Antonio. This one is in Portland and the Blazers will have fresh hot revenge on their mind. Ginobili will again be out while Duncan is a possibility here but I don't expect him to play or have a big impact if he does. Portland is motivated to win, not only for revenge, but because they are in a precarious place heading into the playoff stretch. They are in fifth place but have a chance to move up or down. This is a bit of a statement game for a team that will have to play against teams like San Antonio in the playoffs. A nice win and they erase their recent loss to the Spurs. A loss and the question-marks arise. The team is simply awesome at home, sitting at 23-5 straight-up. They are 22-13 the past two seasons at home vs. winning teams. They are 50-17 overall during that span as a favorite! And back to the revenge, over that span they are 12-5 at home revenging a double-digit loss. The Trailblazers get the call here.

NBA Basketball Picks Resources:

• Check out NBA record here.
• Don't forget to read our 2008 season NBA handicapping preview here.
• Updated today: sportsbook reviews NBA.
• Take a look at our basketball Game Analysis here.
• Here we show our 2008 NBA basketball pick results.
• Here we show our NBA basketball power rankings.
• Don't forget to read our basketball picks here.
• Don't forget to visit our NBA basketball odds and lines.
• Here we show our NBA against-the-spread records.
• Read our blog basketball here.

Check out the last five NBA Basketball Picks Newsletters:

NBA-Basketball-Picks-February-28-2009
The Oklahoma City Thunder made a bit of a surge after opening the season 3-29. They suddenly got hot and went 8-6, but have reverted to form going winless in their last seven. Or have they? They playe...

NBA-Basketball-Picks-February-27-2009
The Lakers continue to roll and are hungry to have the home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, so every game matters. They have taken off again and are 13-1 in their last 14 games, including win...

NBA-Basketball-Picks-February-26-2009
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been the best defensive team in the NBA this season, allowing just over 90 points per game. Houston has also been a !GOOD1! defensive team over the years and this season i...

NBA-Basketball-Picks-February-25-2009
Indiana loves to push the ball up and down the court and when they get against the weaker or sub-.500 team, they are able to impose that will as nine of their last 12 vs that type of team have gone ov...

NBA-Basketball-Picks-February-24-2009
The Spurs had a lot of injury issues early in the season, and the shouts that this team was on the decline were not accurate. They began their home schedule at 5-5 but have since gotten back to their ...