Boston At New York
When: 7:30 PM ET, Sunday, March 31, 2013
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet New England (Boston), MSG (New York)
PREDICTION: Knicks 111, Celtics 102

Oddsmakers currently have the Knicks listed as 6½-point favorites versus the Celtics, while the game’s total is sitting at 193½.

Veteran Paul Pierce and forward Jeff Green have excelled during Boston’s back-to-back wins. Pierce posted a triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in Friday’s victory over Atlanta, two days after falling two assists shy of a triple-double. Green had 27 points against the Hawks and is averaging 24 points over the past two games. Green has reached double digits in 10 straight games. Shavlik Randolph gave Boston 22 solid minutes in the post against Atlanta with nine points and tying his career high with 13 rebounds in just his seventh outing of the season.

Boston won its last outing, a 118-107 result against the Hawks on March 29. The Celtics covered in that game as a 2.5-point favorite, while the 225 combined points took the game OVER the total.

Team record: 38-34 SU, 34-35-3 ATS
Current streak: won 2 straight games.

The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games when playing on the road against New York
is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games when playing on the road against New York
is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games when playing New York
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 7 games on the road

When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Minnesota are 6-4
After playing Atlanta are 8-2
After a win are 6-4

Smith has put together three consecutive 30-point outings, marking the first time a reserve has done that since Milwaukee’s Ricky Pierce did so during the 1989-90 campaign. Smith’s streak began with a 32-point outing against the Celtics and he followed up with 35 points against Memphis and a season-best 37 against the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday. “Last run I was on like this was in high school and that was too easy,” Smith said after the contest against Charlotte. He is averaging 34.7 points and shooting 58.3 percent from the field during the streak.

The Knicks were a 111-102 winner in their most recent outing at home against the Bobcats. They failed to cover the 14-point spread as favorites, while the total score (213) made winners of OVER bettors.

Team record: 45-26 SU, 37-33-1 ATS
Current streak: won 7 straight games.

is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 6 games

When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Miami are 6-4
After playing Charlotte are 6-4
After a win are 7-3

The post Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Syracuse vs Marquette
When: 4:30 PM ET, Saturday, March 30, 2013
Where: Verizon Center, Washington, District of Columbia
TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS.
PREDICTION: Syracuse 70, Marquette 65

Oddsmakers currently have the Orange listed as 3-point favorites versus the Golden Eagles, while the game’s total is sitting at 126.

The conference that is disintegrating due to the realignment chaos is assured of having a team in the Final Four. Big East mates Syracuse and Marquette square off Saturday in Washington D.C. in the East Regional final, marking the first time since 2009 that teams from the same conference will compete for a Final Four berth. The fourth-seeded Orange dominated top-seeded Indiana on Thursday while third-seeded Marquette thrashed second-seeded Miami.

Sophomore point guard Michael Carter-Williams had a spectacular game against Indiana with a career-best 24 points to go with six rebounds and four steals. “This was the best he’s played all year,” Boeheim said. “He was tremendous. He was the difference in the game on offense, clearly.” Williams ranks fourth on the Orange at 12.1 points per game while averaging a team-best 7.5 assists. He has 104 steals, one of three players nationally with 100 or more. Junior forward C.J. Fair averages a team-high 14.4 points and also grabs a team-leading seven rebounds per game, while senior guard Brandon Triche (13.8) and senior forward James Southerland (13.4) also score in double digits.

Syracuse won its last outing, a 61-50 result against Indiana on March 28. They covered in that game as a 5-point underdog.

Team record: 29-9 SU, 18-15-1 ATS

The Golden Eagles are led by Blue, but feature a wealth of contributors who are capable of stepping up at any time. Junior forward Jamil Wilson had 16 points and eight rebounds against Miami, while Blue and junior reserve forward Davante Gardner contributed 14 points apiece. In fact, Gardner’s 11.4 average is second on the squad behind Blue’s 14.8. Wilson averages 9.9 points, senior guard Junior Cadougan averages 8.6 and senior wing Trent Lockett contributes 7.2 points and a team-best 5.1 rebounds. A blue-collar mentality sometimes leads to Marquette being overshadowed by more talented teams. “We want to keep being the hunters,” Blue said. “We don’t want to be the hunted.”

Last time out for Marquette, they were a 71-61 winner as they battled Miami on the road. They covered in the match as a 5.5-point underdog.

Team record: 26-8 SU, 15-15 ATS

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James landed awkwardly while attempting to catch a lob pass in the third quarter Sunday during the Miami Heat’s 99-93 win over the New York Knicks.

The Miami Herald reported earlier Monday that James would have his knee examined by a team doctor once the Heat arrived in Minneapolis.

But a source told Windhorst that James was examined Sunday in New York by Knicks team doctors, who determined that the nine-time All-Star avoided serious damage to the knee. James’ knee responded well during the flight to Minneapolis, and he will not undergo an MRI, according to the source.

James visibly attempted to loosen his knee during the third quarter Sunday but looked fine in the closing minutes, making several critical plays in Miami’s franchise-record 14th consecutive victory.

“His motor is limitless. I don’t want to take that for granted. I don’t just want to assume that he can play 40-plus minutes, but he had to do it on both ends,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Couldn’t get him out in the fourth quarter and if I would have tried, he probably would have strangled me.

“He was strong and was at his strongest after 40 minutes of basketball.”

James, who finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, ended the Knicks’ final hopes when he stepped in front of a pass headed toward Carmelo Anthony and broke in alone for the slam.

“We feel like this is one of our better wins of the season, even under the circumstances that we went through tonight, a little adversity being down double digits,” James said.

The last time James missed a game due to injury was Jan. 5, 2012, when he was sidelined against the Atlanta Hawks due to a turned ankle. The Heat, who also were without Dwyane Wade in that game, still managed to beat the Hawks in triple overtime, 116-109.

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The move costs the Cowboys $10.6 million, but it is possible the sides could work out a long-term deal, according to Spencer’s agent, Jordan Woy.

“We will be working on a long-term deal,” Woy said. “Anthony played very well last season and he would like to know he has a home here for several years.”

However, it is also possible the Cowboys could look to trade Spencer for draft picks.

Spencer had a career-high 11 sacks in 2012 and was named to the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement. Spencer led the Cowboys with 95 tackles, and his eight tackles for loss and 26 quarterback pressures were second on the team.

He reached double digits in sacks last season for the first time in his career while only playing in 14 games. He even took over the play calling later in the season due to injuries to Sean Lee and Bruce Carter.

Spencer will move to defensive end with the Cowboys switching to the 4-3 scheme this year, if he remains on the roster. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones hinted at the NFL scouting combine that Spencer does not have the preferred size for Monte Kiffin’s scheme.

Spencer played defensive end at Purdue.

Jones also said Spencer’s price on a long-term deal would be too expensive for the team’s liking, but added there would be a reasonable way to keep him. While the franchise tag is costly, it is not unreasonable.

The Cowboys will have to restructure more contracts to get under the $123 million cap by March 12 and have worked out agreements to do so with defensive tackle Jay Ratliff and guards Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau. Cornerback Orlando Scandrick and quarterback Kyle Orton could also have their deals re-worked.

The Cowboys would like to sign Tony Romo to a new deal, which would knock down his $16.8 million cap figure, but have not had substantive talks as of yet.

The post Cowboys tag Anthony Spencer appeared first on IdealCapper.

Maybe too relaxed.

Jermaine O’Neal had 22 points and 13 rebounds, Wesley Johnson hit a 3-pointer at the end of regulation to force overtime and the Phoenix Suns rallied to upend San Antonio 105-101, stunning a raucous crowd that had begun celebrating midway through the third quarter only to exit in silence.

Tony Parker had 22 points to lead San Antonio, which had not lost at home since Nov. 19 against the Los Angeles Clippers. Tim Duncan had 19 points and 11 rebounds, and DeJuan Blair and Kawhi Leonard added 15 points apiece.

Luis Scola added 15 points and Goran Dragic had 13 points and 13 assists for Phoenix, which snapped a six-game losing streak against the Spurs.

“We are all very upset, especially after the performance we had on the road,” San Antonio guard Manu Ginobili said. “Coming back home and losing the first one is hard, but it happens. We got relaxed after such a long road trip, but this is what happens in the NBA when you do not play your best.”

After going 7-2 on the road trip due to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, the league-leading Spurs (45-14) appeared to have the game well in hand following a strong third quarter by Parker.

Amid cries of “MVP,” Parker had 10 points in the period as San Antonio extended its lead to double digits. His assist to Duncan with 10 minutes left in the third gave the Spurs a 56-45 lead and his 10-foot jumper put them up 69-58.

Leonard’s 3 with 1.1 seconds gave San Antonio a 77-67 lead entering the fourth.

Trailing by 11 points with 11:29 left in the game, the Suns rallied behind O’Neal. The veteran center had 13 points and five rebounds as Phoenix (20-39) outscored San Antonio 33-23 in the fourth.

“For us, we’re obviously not in the playoff run, but it’s about trying to be a better team,” O’Neal said. “Games like these are what build character and put us in the right direction. That’s what we’re trying to do.”

The Suns pulled within 97-95 with less than a minute remaining on Marcus Morris’ 3. Parker attempted to keep the Spurs ahead, tossing in a floater, a jump shot and feeding Duncan for a jumper that gave San Antonio a 99-97 lead with 11 seconds left.

Ginobili made one of two free throws with 3.7 seconds left to make it 100-97. O’Neal rebounded Ginobili’s second free throw attempt, firing a pass down court to Johnson, whose 3 at the buzzer tied the game at 100 and sent it to overtime.

“Overall we made a lot of mental errors,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “Especially on that last play on the free throw line when Johnson went all the way down the court and he wasn’t picked up. That cost us the game.”

Johnson’s 3 seemed to stun the Spurs even more so than the fans.

“I think we were kind of surprised that Manu missed that last free throw, but they made a great play,” Parker said. “Wesley made a big 3.”

San Antonio went 0-for-10 in overtime, its only points in the extra period coming when Parker made 1 of 2 free throws.

“I think they missed some shots they normally make, so defensively we did some things great that worked great for us,” Phoenix coach Lindsey Hunter said.

The teams combined to go 0-for-14 to open overtime. Marcin Gortat’s tip follow was the first basket of overtime, giving Phoenix a 102-101 lead with 1:07 left.

Game notes

After three weeks on the road, the Spurs were finally able to honor Parker as the NBA Player of the Month for January, doing so prior to the game. … San Antonio observed a moment of silence in honor of Dr. Jerry Buss, the Los Angeles Lakers owner who died Feb. 18. … The Spurs have won 64 games overall on its rodeo road trips, which began in 2003. … A video highlighting the Spurs’ recent road trip played prior to the game to Phillip Phillips’ “Home.” … Dragic and reigning MVP LeBron James of Miami are the only players leading their team in points, assists, steals and free throw attempts. … Scola, Gortat and Markieff Morris have played all 58 games for Phoenix, with Gortat starting each.

The post Suns snap Spurs’ 18-game home streak in OT appeared first on IdealCapper.

Stanford at Utah
When: 9:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 27, 2013
Where: Jon M. Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
TV: 9 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Networks.
Prediction: Stanford 72, Utah 67

Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinal listed as 2½-point favorites versus the Utes, while the game’s total is sitting at 124.

The Cardinal’s struggles stem from a lack of production from their top players. Dwight Powell, a 6-10 junior forward, is averaging a team-high 14.7 points, but hasn’t reached that mark in the last eight games. He scored at least 20 points in five of the first 11. Aaron Bright, a 5-11 junior guard who was second on the team in scoring last season (11.7), is averaging 8.3 points. He hasn’t strung together two good games this season and combined to shoot 2-for-19 in the last three.

Last time out for Stanford, they were a 75-54 loser as they battled Colorado on the road. They failed to cover in the match as a 4-point underdog.

One of the few bright spots for the Utes lately has been the play of 6-10 senior center Jason Washburn. He has reached double digits in scoring in 10 straight games to push his average to 11.2. His play has kept 7-foot sophomore center Dallin Bachynski on the bench for long stretches. Bachynski is averaging five minutes a game over the last seven, going scoreless in five of those contests. He averaged 13.2 points and 23.6 minutes through the first five games this season.

Utah was a 62-57 loser in their most recent outing at home against California. They failed to cover the 1.5-point spread as underdogs.

Stanford:
Team record: 11-8 SU, 6-11 ATS

is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games on the road

When playing on Sunday are 8-2
Before playing Oregon are 6-4
After playing Colorado are 2-2
After a loss are 8-2

Utah:
Team record: 9-10 SU, 11-6 ATS

is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games

When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Colorado are 2-5
After playing California are 2-2
After a loss are 5-5

The post Stanford Cardinal vs. Utah Utes Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Phoenix At Dallas
When: 7:30 PM ET, Sunday, January 27, 2013
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Arizona (Phoenix), Fox Sports Southwest (Dallas)
Prediction: Mavericks 98, Suns 92

Oddsmakers currently have the Mavericks listed as 6-point favorites versus the Suns, while the game’s total is sitting at 202½.

Forward Michael Beasley scored a season-high 25 points in the loss to the Spurs and has played well in two of three games since Hunter took over. Beasley started the first 20 games of the season but his production slipped and Gentry decreased his minutes. Beasley had 19 points in Hunter’s debut and was splendid by hitting 11 of 16 shots against San Antonio. Guard Jared Dudley also had a superb shooting night by going 10-of-12 en route to 23 points. Dudley had tallied just 11 points over the previous two games.

Last time out for Phoenix, they were a 108-99 loser as they battled the Spurs on the road. The Suns earned a push in the match as a 9-point underdog, while 207 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors.

Team record: 15-29 SU, 18-24-2 ATS
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing on the road against Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of last 7 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of last 8 games
is 4-14 SU in its last 18 games
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing LA Lakers are 4-6
After playing San Antonio are 5-5
After a loss are 3-7

Guard Roddy Beaubois reached double digits for only the second time all season when he scored a season-high 19 points in the loss to San Antonio. Beaubois’ only other double-figure outing came when he scored 11 points in the season-opening victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. “Just trying to be more aggressive because I haven’t been myself lately,” said Beaubois, averaging just 3.5 points this season after scoring 8.9 per game last season. Coach Rick Carlisle was highly impressed with the performance. “He was terrific,” Carlisle said. “To me, it’s not the points, it’s the energy, the enthusiasm and the disposition and it’s up to him. If he plays like this, he’s got a chance to secure the backup (point guard) position and he’ll challenge for the starting position.”

The Mavericks were a 113-107 loser in their most recent outing at home against the Spurs. They failed to cover the 2-point spread as favorites, while the total score (220) made winners of OVER bettors.

Team record: 18-25 SU, 23-20 ATS
is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing at home against Phoenix
is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of last 7 games when playing Phoenix
When playing on Sunday are 8-2
Before playing Portland are 8-2
After playing San Antonio are 7-3
After a loss are 3-7

The post Phoenix Suns vs. Dallas Mavericks Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Brooklyn At Minnesota
When: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
TV: 8 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), Fox Sports North (Minnesota)
Prediction: Nets 95, Timberwolves 93

Oddsmakers currently have the Nets listed as 6-point favorites versus the Timberwolves, while the game’s total is sitting at 186.

Joe Johnson has started to take over the role that Brooklyn envisioned when it acquired him in a splashy offseason trade with Atlanta. There were questions about the ability of Johnson and point guard Deron Williams to co-exist in the backcourt while the Nets were in a swoon last month, but Johnson buried the winning jumper with 22 seconds to play in Monday’s win over the Knicks. Johnson finished with a team-high 25 points and connected on 5 of 8 3-point attempts, matching his season high in that category

In their last action, Brooklyn was an 88-85 winner on the road against the Knicks. They covered the 3-point spread as underdogs, while the combined score (173) was profitable news for UNDER bettors.

Team record: 25-16 SU, 19-20-2 ATS
Current streak: won 2 straight games.
is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Minnesota
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing Memphis are 5-5
After playing New York are 3-7
After a win are 8-2

Minnesota had appeared to given up on second-year forward Derrick Williams, despite his selection as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 draft. The rash of injuries forced the Timberwolves to use Williams and he has responded by scoring in double digits in three consecutive starts. Although he has struggled with his shooting overall, Williams scored 17 points – his third-highest total of the season – in Monday’s game and has reach double digits in six of his last 10 games.

Minnesota was a 104-96 loser in its last match on the road against the Hawks. They earned a push of the 8-point spread as underdogs, while the total score of 200 sent OVER bettors to the payout window.

Team record: 17-21 SU, 18-19-1 ATS

is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Brooklyn
is 7-0-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Brooklyn
is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Brooklyn
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Brooklyn

When playing on Wednesday are 2-8
Before playing Washington are 3-7
After playing Atlanta are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5

The post Brooklyn Nets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
When: 8:00 PM ET, Monday, December 31, 2012
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Prediction: Thunder 111, Suns 98.

Oddsmakers currently have the Thunder listed as 12½-point favorites versus the Suns, while the game’s total is sitting at 202.

Suns: Luis Scola had a season-high 33 points and Goran Dragic returned from a one-game absence (hip) to post his third double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 assists against Minnesota. While Dragic essentially cleared himself to play on Saturday, center Jermaine O’Neal hasn’t been as bold. O’Neal is being plagued by back spasms and may remain on the bench for Monday’s tilt as well.

The Suns were a 111-107 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Timberwolves. They covered the 8.5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score (218) made winners of OVER bettors.

Team record: 11-20 SU, 13-17-1 ATS
Current streak: lost 5 straight games.

The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 7 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 7 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of last 10 games
is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road

When playing on Monday are 5-5
Before playing Philadelphia are 5-5
After playing Minnesota are 7-3
After a loss are 1-9

Oklahoma City: As strange as it sounds, Durant’s 26 points were actually a decided step down from his recent totals. The three-time NBA scoring champion had been averaging a gaudy 36.75 over his previous four games. Big man Serge Ibaka has been providing a presence defensively, collecting double digits in rebounds in his last two games while registering five blocks in two of his previous four.

In their last action, Oklahoma City was a 124-94 winner on the road against the Rockets. They covered the 4.5-point spread as favorites, while the combined score (218) was profitable news for OVER bettors.

Team record: 23-6 SU, 16-11-2 ATS
Current streak: won 2 straight games.

is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Phoenix
is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 7 games when playing Phoenix

When playing on Monday are 9-1
Before playing Brooklyn are 5-5
After playing Houston are 10-0
After a win are 9-1

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