Nba Handicapping - May 12, 2009
Cleveland took out Atlanta by 10 points last night, giving us a push on our pick. Our playoffs run is steamrolling along at as we are +33 units. Going back to mid-November, we are 282-220 for +125.1 units.
Today we roll with a pair of 5-unit picks from tonight's NBA Playoffs action.
| WUNDERDOG 2009 RECENT RESULTS ($100/bet) |
| SPORT | WINS-LOSSES | % | NET |
| MLB |
69-63 Season-to-Date |
52% | +$1170 |
| NBA |
282-220 last 502 picks |
56% | +$12510 |
| NFL |
72-44 last 116 picks |
62% | +$7320 |
| NHL |
6-3 last 9 picks |
67% | +$880 |
| TOTAL | | | +$21880 |
Today's NBA Basketball Picks:
Game: Orlando at Boston (8:05 PM Eastern)
Pick: 5 units on First Half UNDER 96.5 -110 (risk 5 to win 4.6)
The Magic and Celtics have exchanged blows through four games in what is turning out to be another very good series. Tonight they return to Boston, in what is now a best of three series. The tone of this game should remain intense and defensively-focused. That's been Boston's calling card over the last two years. Without KG in the lineup, this team is definitely giving up more points but they are tending to come in the second half when they are more worn down. We've been cashing with first-half UNDERs throughout the playoffs (12-3 on our 1HU picks so far) and this series has held form for us thus far. It has taken on a defensive mindset in the first half. Although the OVERs and UNDERs have split the game totals through four games, three of the four have produced 94 points or less in the first half. I expect more of the same with the defense cranked up early, with each team trying to break the will of the other. I think Orlando will also work the shot clock much more efficiently in this one as they jacked up 27 three pointers in game four, and simply were impatient on offense (but we still got the 1HU). Boston, despite shooting 53% in game four, only managed 95 points for the game. Orlando playoff games are averaging 93 first-half points. This season they are 25-15 UNDER in the first-half vs. a winning opponent and 12-3 UNDER when seeking revenge. Boston is 40-26 UNDER in the first-half this season following a win and 29-19 UNDER aftrer an ATS win. They are also 31-3 UNDER in the first-half this season when facing a team that averages 100+ ppg. I'll play this one UNDER in the first-half.
Game: Houston at Los Angeles Lakers (10:35 PM Eastern)Pick: 5 units on First Half UNDER 100.5 -110 (risk 5 to win 4.6)
The Houston Rockets really stepped up last game in the absence of Yao Ming, who will miss the rest of the playoffs. The effort on the defensive end was instrumental in their rather easy and surprising win at home over the Lakers. Los Angeles, for all the offense they possess, has turned the corner defensively, having played 22 of their last 33 games to the UNDER, including five of their last seven playoff games. Last game they didn't play good defense and they have heard about it from their family, friends, media and fans over the past couple of days. That was an embarrassing performance and you can bet they are going to be much more inspired on that end of the floor in this game, especially out of the gate. The Lakers have met a lot of opposition against the Rockets, especially early. Without Yao, the Houston defensive effort seems to be even more focused. The team showed that they know they all need to step up. The Lakers have managed to score almost 30 points per game in the fourth quarter as they wear down the Rockets. But the first half has been very defensive with just one game reaching the century mark of the four played. Even the last two regular-season games the Lakers managed just 44 and 40 first-half points, making their six-gamefirst-half average just 44 points per game against the Rockets. Over the past two seasons, the Lakers are a near-perfect 10-1 UNDER in the first half when the line is set between 98 and 101. They are also 19-7 UNDER in the first-half at home coming off a road loss. Houston, whose signature is defense, has played 101 of their last 156 games vs. teams at .700+ to the UNDER in the first-half. They are 20-9 UNDER in their last 29 games this season vs. teams that allow 100+ ppg. Both teams are motivated to play tough defense early on here (for different reasons). I like the UNDER in the first-half.
Results: 1-1
NBA Basketball Picks Resources:
Check out the last five NBA Basketball Picks Newsletters:
NBA-Basketball-Picks-May-11-2009
When you look at an NBA semi-final round and see a double-digit line posted to the side of the visitor, it makes you look to the home side for value. The problem is that cupboard is bare. This is a Ha...
NBA-Basketball-Picks-May-10-2009
We were on the Magic in game three with a very easy 5-unit winner. What's changed for this game? Not much. We have the same line and I still like the Magic. Yes, this is more of a must-win for Bos...
NBA-Basketball-Picks-May-09-2009
Denver has been smokin' fools and lighting up chumps in these playoffs. Granted, most of their powerful wins have come at home. They lost to New Orleans in their first road game by two points. But...
NBA-Basketball-Picks-May-08-2009
The Celtics needed a big game after dropping the opener and they got it. They now have to head on the road, having lost the home-court advantage. As we predicted, they showed up big time after losing ...
NBA-Basketball-Picks-May-07-2009
The Atlanta Hawks are getting no respect, or is it that the Cleveland Cavaliers have now become over-valued over their five straight double-digit playoff wins? The last time these teams met in Clevela...
