Free Nbapicks - March 07, 2008
We dropped our pick last night. Tonight we have four selections...
Today we also share some thoughts on Shaq's recent performance and how his trade to the Phoenix Suns has affected the team in a Dog Pound article below.
Today's NBA Basketball Picks:
Game: Seattle at Philadelphia (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Philadelphia -10.5 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
The Sixers are 10-3 in their last 13 games, moving into the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race. They are rolling and need to continue to win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Seattle comes in having lost 15 of their last 17 road games. This is a big number, but the Sixers on are on a mission right now, they are clicking, and they are motivated. We think they cover it. Seattle has allowed their last five opponents to average 113.4 ppg. Philly has put up 104.8 per game over their last five. This one should get out of hand early and stay that way. Philly has won seven straight home games ATS vs. teams with weak defenses (99+ ppg allowed) and they have covered the spread in their last eight home games overall.
Game: Golden State at Miami (7:30 PM Eastern)Pick: 3 units on Miami +5 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
Can it get any worse for Miami? The public doesn't seem to think so as they are loading up on the Warriors here. Miami has dropped 29 of their last 32 games on way to claiming the worst record in the Association. Pat Riley laid into his team after they lost at home to Toronto by 25 points. He said he should refund the fans' money. We think they will respond here with some pride. Miami's numbers aren't quite as horrible as their record would indicate. They allow just over 100 ppg at home while scoring 94.3. Golden State gives up 108 per game. The Warriors are just 14-24 ATS this season as a favorite and 16-30 ATS after a game in which they allowed 105+ points. We look for Miami to show up here and put up a fight.
Game: Chicago at Boston (8:00 PM Eastern)Pick: 3 units on Chicago +11.5 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)Pick: 4 units on First Half UNDER 99 -110 (risk 4 to win 3.6)
The Celtics started the season excited, full of energy, and playing hard for 48 minites every night. They realized, once they established they were a very good team that was going deep in the playoffs, the mission changed. They play to win games now, put teams away, and move on to the next game. Prior to the first of this year, the Celtics won 16 of the 29 games they played by 12 or more points (55%). Since then, they have won just four of the 30 they have played by that margin (13.3%)! That early-season performance has led to them being tremendously over-valued. It's the reason they are just 1-8 ATS when favored by double-digits since January 1. It has been a lost season for the Bulls but they have now won back-to-back games for just the fourth time all season, and are in their best stretch of the season, going 11-5 ATS in their last 16. The Celtics are coming off a huge win over the Pistons, and the last time they beat the Pistons, they lost at home to Charlotte. After clinching a playoff birth, expect a less than full performance from the Celtics, and with the Bulls playing as good as they have all year, we expect them to hang in this one. We also like it to be a very low-scoring game. In their last five games, the Bulls have held opponets to just 44 ppg on 42.1% shooting in the first half. Over that span, Boston has held foes to 40.6 per game on 38.9% shooting. The Bulls are 11-3 UNDER in the first half revenging a road loss this season while Boston is 16-3 UNDER to a total of 95.5 to 100.5. Chicago and the first-half UNDER here.
Results: 1-3
NBA Basketball Picks Resources:
Check out the last five NBA Basketball Picks Newsletters:
NBA-Basketball-Picks-March-06-2008
San Antonio continues to play great basketball while other teams steal the headlines. The Spurs have won ten straight and have taken over the top spot in the Western Conference. The last three times t...
NBA-Basketball-Picks-March-05-2008
Washington's offense is struggling and facing an Orlando defense that has really picked things up, we expect the Wizards to have trouble scoring here, especially early. The Wiz are averaging just ...
NBA-Basketball-Picks-March-04-2008
Golden State must keep winning. The crowded West is an extremely close race and the 9th team looking in at the playoffs will likely be there thanks to one win or loss. The Warriors currently hold the ...
NBA-Basketball-Picks-March-03-2008
The Clippers have lost five straight, covering only a game agaisnt Denver in which the Nuggets just let the Clippers score every time down the court. Outside of that one game, the Clips have been beat...
NBA-Basketball-Picks-March-02-2008
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....
