Basketball Pick Pro - March 02, 2008
We went 1-2 yesterday. Today we have five picks...
Today's NBA Basketball Picks:
Game: Chicago at Cleveland (1:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Game Total UNDER 196 -110 (risk 3 to win 2.7)
LeBron James said about this game "It's going to be a little personal," James said. "It's going to be different for me playing against those guys. I'm looking forward to it." He was referring to playing against Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden who were dealt to Chicago on February 21. The Cavs got Ben Wallace and Joe Smith from Chicago. LeBron is right on - these guys will be fired up and it will show with inspired defense as they want to make sure their former teammates don't embarrass them. Cleveland has been playing excellent defense of late (91.8 per game allowed over their last five games). Wallace has added an inside presence this team severely lacked. Under Mike Brown, the Cavs are 25-13 UNDER as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6.5 points and 27-15 UNDER at home having lost 2+ of their last three games. We like the UNDER here.
Game: Dallas at Los Angeles Lakers (3:30 PM Eastern)Pick: 3 units on Los Angeles Lakers -6.5 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
Dallas ripped through the league last season on their way to a league best 67-15 mark. They were also the best road team finishing with a 31-10 record. This season they have once again dominated at home to the tune of a 25-3 mark, tops in the league along with Utah. The road however has been ugly for the Mavs, especially against the good teams. They stand at 14-17, but against teams that are over .500, they are 1-10 SU in their last 11 and 2-9 ATS! The Lakers have been on a roll of late, and have won 10 of 11, with six of the last seven coming by double-digits, and they are 14-3 ATS in their last 17. The Lakers have a message for Dallas in this game. They are out to redeem their 0-3 from last season vs the Mavs that culminated by a pathetic 36 point loss at home. We think the Lakers will bring their "A" game to this one and lately, that has been the best the NBA has.
Game: Atlanta at Boston (6:00 PM Eastern)Pick: 4 units on First Half UNDER 96 -110 (risk 4 to win 3.6)
The Hawks are averaging just 43 ppg in the first half on the road this season while Boston is holding opponents to 42.3. As a dog of 6+ points, Atlanta is 24-10 UNDER in the first half the past three seasons. This season as a road underdog, Atlanta is 20-4 UNDER and when the first hlaf total is between 95.5 and 10.5, they are 13-3 UNDER. Boston is 27-17 UNDER in the first half off a win this season and 21-10 UNDER after having won 4+ of their last six games.
Game: Toronto at Charlotte (6:00 PM Eastern)Pick: 3 units on Toronto -3.5 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
Toronto is without Chris Bosh here while Charlotte is without leading scorer Gerald Wallace. Toronto is a winning road team while Charlotte loses everywhere, even at home. The Raptors are averaging 106.8 per game over their last five while the Bobcats are giving up nearly as much (106.4 per game) over their last five. Toronto needs to keep winning to keep pace with Cleveland in the East and they should have little trouble covering this small line.
Game: Portland at Golden State (9:00 PM Eastern)Pick: 3 units on Golden State -6 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
Golden State is fighting for the playoffs. They have that motivation here as well as something extra. Portland has won two straight vs. the Warriors so we expect Golden State to come out fighting here. Golden State was held to under 100 points in both of those losses. They have scored 100+ in all 21 games since that second loss. They are averaging 113 per game here at home while Portland gets 92.6 per game on the road. The Trailblazers will not be able to keep pace with a motivate Warriors squad looking for revenge here.
Results: 2-2
NBA Basketball Picks Resources:
Check out the last five NBA Basketball Picks Newsletters:
NBA-Basketball-Picks-March-01-2008
The Magic have had a strange, but good season. They have actually been better on the road than at home. On the road they have logged a 21-12 mark, vs. just 16-11 at home. The Knicks were a points...
NBA-Basketball-Picks-February-29-2008
The Pacers haven't been able to get much going over the second half of the season, as they have been just 7-22. They have dropped seven of eight to teams with winning records on the road, wit...
NBA-Basketball-Picks-February-28-2008
It's hard to believe the Heat, just two years removed from an NBA Championship, have fallen this hard. They are an NBA worst 2-26 over their last 28 games. They started 12-9 ATS, but have sin...
NBA-Basketball-Picks-February-27-2008
Minnesota is 15-14 UNDER at home but 16-8 UNDER on the road. Yes, their defense is weak, but their offense is even weaker (91.8 ppg on the road). Toronto should hold Minnesota down in the low to mid 8...
NBA-Basketball-Picks-February-26-2008
Magic games average 205.1 ppg but most of the scoring comes in the second half, especially of late. Over their last five games, 210.2 ppg have been scored, but just 98.4 in the first half. New Jersey ...
