Phoenix At Washington
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, March 16, 2013
Where: Verizon Center, Washington, District of Columbia
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Arizona (Phoenix), Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic (Washington)
PREDICTION: Wizards 106, Suns 99

Oddsmakers currently have the Wizards listed as 6-point favorites versus the Suns, while the game’s total is sitting at 190.

Phoenix has struggled to a 7-27 road mark and is trying to salvage one win from its three-game road trip before heading home to face the Lakers on Monday. The Suns have to cut down on their 24 turnovers from Friday, most of which came from inexperienced post players. Point guard Goran Dragic (14.1 points, 6.9 assists) is the team’s focal point, but veteran center Jermaine O’Neal has played well recently, averaging 13.6 points over his past five games.

The Suns were a 107-94 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Hawks. They failed to cover the 9-point spread as underdogs, while the total score (201) made winners of OVER bettors.

Phoenix:
Team record: 22-44 SU, 25-39-2 ATS
Current streak: lost 3 straight games.

is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of last 7 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 7 games when playing on the road against Washington

When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing LA Lakers are 3-7
After playing Atlanta are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7

The return of point guard John Wall (15.3 points, 7.5 assists) has had a lot to do with Washington’s turnaround, and one of the best games of his career Friday with 29 points and a rare hot shooting night. Wall has stepped up his output the past three games, averaging 26.3 points and 11 assists. It couldn’t come at a better time for the Wizards, who have been without rookie guard Bradley Beal (sprained left ankle) for the past six games. The Wizards also have a solid, if inconsistent, post duo in Nene (12.7 points, seven rebounds) and Emeka Okafor (9.4 points, 8.9 rebounds).

Washington was a 96-87 winner in its last match at home against the Hornets. They covered the 3.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score of 183 sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.

Washington:
Team record: 22-42 SU, 38-25-1 ATS
Current streak: won 2 straight games.

The total has gone UNDER in 6 of last 7 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of last 11 games
is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 7 games when playing at home against Phoenix

When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Charlotte are 3-7
After playing New Orleans are 0-10
After a win are 6-4

The post Phoenix Suns vs. Washington Wizards Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Since setting the bar, the Lakers’ record never has been seriously threatened. The Houston Rockets, who won 22 straight in 2007-08, were the only team to even reach 20 straight since the Lakers’ magical run.

But now, the defending champion Heat led by James, a three-time Most Valuable Player, are making a charge. Miami extended its winning streak to 20 Wednesday night, rallying in the fourth quarter to beat the Philadelphia 76ers.

“It is certainly a possibility that the Heat could break our 33-game winning streak,” Sharman, a Hall of Fame coach, told Fox Sports Florida. “The record has held for 41 years, and all of us that participated in it are very proud to have been part of that season. However, [Heat president] Pat Riley has put together an amazing team, and I have to admit this one makes me a little nervous.”

Riley, a reserve guard on that Lakers team, built the Heat into a powerhouse in the summer of 2010 when he brought the trio of James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh together.

Hall of Fame guard Gail Goodrich, the leading scorer for the 1971-72 Lakers — his backup was Riley — also believes the Heat could make a run at the record.

“I’d say this is the most serious challenge we’ve had to our streak,” Goodrich told Fox Sports Florida. “I think they’ll make a very, very, very serious run at our record, They might even break it. They’re head and shoulders over the rest of the NBA. Who’s going to beat them? There’s not as much parity in the league now.”

Goodrich and Sharman both admitted that the record is something they would like to keep.

“Sure, I’d like to keep the record,” Goodrich said. “But I’m not going to root against the Heat.”

“If they break the record, I would be happy for Pat Riley,” Sharman said. “But, naturally, part of me wants to hold on to that record a little bit longer.”

The Heat, the fifth team in league history to win at least 20 straight, will try to extend their streak Friday at the Milwaukee Bucks, who beat them earlier this season. Here’s some irony: It was the Bucks who snapped the Lakers’ record run with a 120-104 victory on Jan. 9, 1972.

The post Bill Sharman: Heat threat to streak appeared first on IdealCapper.

The trade is expected to include the Seahawks’ 2013 first-round draft choice being sent to the Vikings, sources told ESPN.

It also is contingent on Harvin agreeing to a new contract, which is expected to be finalized in the next 48 hours.

The trade agreement, contingent on Harvin passing a physical, was earlier reported by Fox Sports.

Harvin is scheduled to fly to Seattle on Monday night and will undergo his physical in next 24 hours, a source said.

The trade cannot be officially completed until Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, when the 2013 league year officially begins.

Seattle has a connection to Harvin. The team’s offensive coordinator, Darrell Bevell, held the same job with Minnesota when the Vikings drafted Harvin in 2009. Harvin also will be reunited with receiver Sidney Rice, who was his one-time teammate in Minnesota.

Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman posted a message on Twitter, welcoming Harvin to the team.

“Welcome to the Team bruh @Percy_Harvin … Happy to have ya,” he wrote.

When asked about the trade, Seahawks receiver Golden Tate, whose spot on the Seahawks’ depth chart will be altered with the addition of Harvin, told Josina Anderson that “it’s a business.”

“The Seahawks are trying to do whatever they think is necessary to put together a Super Bowl quality team. If this is one of the steps they think works to accomplish that, then that’s their choice. I don’t think it will impact any of our work habits. We are still going to grind and let the cards play out the way that they will,” he said.

Last month at the scouting combine, Vikings general manager Rick Spielman insisted he had no intent to deal the receiver, who he called a “dynamic playmaker,” and said he wouldn’t even take phone calls about a trade.

Harvin, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, badly sprained his left ankle on Nov. 4 at Seattle last season and didn’t play again. The Vikings placed him on season-ending injured reserve a month later.

Harvin made waves last summer when he expressed unhappiness with the organization and requested a trade. By the time training camp arrived, he had simmered down. He went home to Florida for his rehabilitation after he was placed on injured reserve, but coach Leslie Frazier downplayed his absence, noting that others have chosen to do the same.

He started last season playing like a Most Valuable Player award candidate, leading the league in total yards (receiving, rushing and returning) through nine games in 2012 until he was hurt.

Harvin still led the team in receptions (62) and yards receiving (677) despite playing barely half of a season, and he had a kickoff return for a touchdown as well as 96 yards rushing and one score on the ground.

The 24-year-old Harvin has 7,168 all-purpose yards in his four-season career with 29 touchdowns (20 receiving, five return, four rushing). He also has 280 receptions in 54 career games.

The post Vikes to send Percy Harvin to Seattle appeared first on IdealCapper.

Milwaukee At Sacramento
When: 9:00 PM ET, Sunday, March 10, 2013
Where: Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, California
TV: 9 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Wisconsin (Milwaukee), Comcast SportsNet (Sacramento)
PREDICTION: Bucks 104, Kings 95

Oddsmakers currently have the Kings listed as 1-point favorites versus the Bucks, while the game’s total is sitting at 213.

Over the last 11 games, Milwaukee’s starting backcourt tandem of Jennings and Ellis have outscored the opposing starting backcourt 451-312. Ellis is averaging 27.3 points over his last three games, and he had 17 against the Kings in December. Power forward Ersan Ilyasova, who had 16 points and a team-high 14 rebounds against Sacramento in the first meeting, could miss his second straight game with a left knee bruise suffered Wednesday against the Clippers.

In their last action, Milwaukee was a 103-93 winner on the road against the Warriors. They covered the 2.5-point spread as underdogs, while the combined score (196) was profitable news for UNDER bettors.

Milwaukee:
Team record: 31-29 SU, 28-31-1 ATS

is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 7 games when playing Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 6 games when playing on the road against Sacramento

When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Dallas are 7-3
After playing Golden State are 3-7
After a win are 5-5

Sacramento, which is in the midst of playing five of six games at home, connected on 13 3-pointers in a 121-112 win over Phoenix on Friday. The Kings have made 10 or more 3-pointers in seven of their last nine games. Forward Jason Thompson is averaging 16.3 points while shooting 67.5 percent from the field over the last four games, and forward DeMarcus Cousins snapped a mini-shooting slump by contributing 22 points and 14 rebounds against the Suns.

Sacramento won its last outing, a 121-112 result against the Suns on March 8. The Kings covered in that game as a 7.5-point favorite, while the 233 combined points took the game OVER the total.

Sacramento:
Team record: 22-42 SU, 28-35-1 ATS

The total has gone OVER in 11 of last 14 games
The total has gone OVER in 13 of last 18 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 7 games when playing Milwaukee
is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games when playing Milwaukee

When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Chicago are 4-6
After playing Phoenix are 1-9
After a win are 3-7

The post Milwaukee Bucks vs. Sacramento Kings Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Boldin said on Saturday that Baltimore might have to do a restructuring of some sort, but to this point and his knowledge, the Ravens have not.

As for his future, Boldin told Schefter that he would speak with his family before he makes any decisions, but as far as he is concerned and knows, he is planning to play for Baltimore next season under the terms of his current contract.

Boldin is scheduled to earn $6 million in the coming season. He carries a $7.531 million salary-cap figure.

Fox Sports initially reported Saturday that Baltimore gave Boldin an ultimatum: Take a pay cut or get cut on Tuesday. USA Today Sports later reported that Boldin had rejected Baltimore’s offer but that the sides were still discussing the matter, and that Boldin is prepared to test free agency if Baltimore releases him.

ESPN and other media outlets have reported that the Ravens do want to reduce Boldin’s salary as they try to free cap space to retain free-agent linebacker Dannell Ellerbe.

The Ravens were expected to keep Boldin after the team didn’t have to use the franchise tag on quarterback Joe Flacco, who signed a six-year, $120.6 million deal.

In the playoffs, Boldin caught 22 passes for 380 yards receiving (95 yards per game) and four touchdowns. He has led Baltimore in receiving yards in each of the past three seasons since being traded from Arizona.

Boldin, 32, said last month that he would retire if he was cut by the Ravens. Since the Ravens won the Super Bowl, linebacker Ray Lewis and center Matt Birk have retired and Baltimore has released guard Bobbie Williams.

The post Anquan Boldin: No word from Ravens appeared first on IdealCapper.

Oklahoma City At Denver
When: 10:30 PM ET, Friday, March 1, 2013
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Fox Sports Oklahoma, Altitude (Denver)
PREDICTION: Nuggets 115, Thunder 113.

Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.

Forward Kevin Durant posted his third triple-double of his career when he had 18 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in Wednesday’s rout of the Hornets. Durant has two triple-doubles in four games, a startling development since he didn’t have a single triple-double over his first five NBA seasons. Only injured Boston point guard Rajon Rondo (five) has more triple-doubles this season. “When you get a triple-double, people think it’s just about the guy that gets it,” Durant said. “Your teammates make so many great plays to put you in position to do that. So, it’s not just me.” Durant averages 28.6 points.

Last time out for Oklahoma City, they were a 119-74 winner as they battled the Hornets at home. The Thunder covered in the match as a 15-point favorite, while 193 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.

Oklahoma City:
Team record: 42-15 SU, 33-21-3 ATS
Current streak: won 3 straight games.

is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing Denver
is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 6 games when playing on the road against Denver

When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing LA Clippers are 6-4
After playing New Orleans are 10-0
After a win are 5-5

Point guard Ty Lawson continued the best scoring stretch of his career with 30 points in the victory over the Trail Blazers. Lawson has strung together eight consecutive 20-point outings and is averaging 26.1 points during the span. Lawson has scored 20 or more in 15 of the past 21 games since mid-January. He is averaging 16.6 points and 7.1 assists. Forward Danilo Gallinari averages a team-leading 16.9 points and is questionable after missing the previous two games with a thigh bruise. Wilson Chandler has started the two games Gallinari has missed, scoring 23 in Monday’s victory over the Los Angeles Lakers but just seven against Portland.

In their last action, Denver was a 111-109 winner on the road against the Trail Blazers. They failed to cover the 2.5-point spread as favorites, while the combined score (220) was profitable news for OVER bettors.

Denver:
Team record: 37-22 SU, 34-25 ATS
Current streak: won 3 straight games.

is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 11 of last 12 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of last 8 games
is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing Atlanta are 3-7
After playing Portland are 6-4
After a win are 8-2

The post Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Atlanta At Orlando
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Where: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
TV: 7 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Atlanta), Fox Sports Florida (Orlando)

Orlando was having a rough couple of weeks until Sunday’s 110-104 win over the Portland Trail Blazers snapped a 12-game losing skid, the franchise’s longest in nine seasons. The rebuilding Magic will be in search of consecutive wins for the first time since rattling off a season-high four in a row from Dec. 14-19. Orlando, which has dealt with injuries to key cogs Glen Davis, Hedo Turkoglu and J.J. Redick, has won just three games since that streak.

The Hawks had dropped four of six games before beating the Mavericks behind a big night from leading-scorer Josh Smith, who recorded 26 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. “Any time you go on the road and get a win, it’s always big,” coach Larry Drew said. “We’ve had our ups and downs, as most teams do. But we have not fragmented when that has happened.” Devin Harris scored 15 points in the triumph after missing four of the past 10 games because of injury.

Orlando nearly spoiled a 13-point third-quarter lead before holding on against Portland behind Jameer Nelson’s 10 points and career-best 15 assists. Redick returned from missing three games with a shoulder injury to score 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting to get the Magic back in the win column. “You always want to see the fruits of your labor and in this business it’s wins and losses, and it’s just good for the guys’ psyche overall,” coach Jacque Vaughn said.

The post Atlanta At Orlando Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Oklahoma City At Golden State
When: 10:30 PM ET, Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Oklahoma (Oklahoma City), Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (Golden State), NBATV
Prediction: Warriors 108, Thunder 105.

Oddsmakers currently have the Thunder listed as 3-point favorites versus the Warriors, while the game’s total is sitting at 207½.

Oklahoma City has not been slowed a schedule that has had them on the road for eight of their past 10 games. The Thunder are halfway through their current six-game road trip and will be playing the first back-to-back of this set with the Warriors. After falling in overtime at Denver to snap a six-game winning streak on Sunday, Oklahoma City bounced back by posting a 109-97 victory over the Clippers on Tuesday. Durant scored 24 of his 32 points in the second half and went 5-of-6 from 3-point range in the win. The highest-scoring team in the NBA, the Thunder have reached the century mark in each of their last five contests. Durant collected his first career triple-double with 25 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in the first meeting with the Warriors

Last time out for Oklahoma City, they were a 109-97 winner as they battled the Clippers on the road. The Thunder covered in the match as a 2.5-point favorite, while 206 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors.

Team record: 33-9 SU, 24-15-3 ATS
is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Golden State
is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing Sacramento are 6-4
After playing LA Clippers are 8-2
After a win are 7-3

Golden State had dropped five of six before rallying late to win at New Orleans on Saturday, and showed some resilience down the stretch by outscoring the Clippers 33-19 in the fourth quarter and pulling out a 106-99 triumph on Monday at home. Curry hit four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to help spark the rally while Jarrett Jack came off the bench to deliver 18 points and 10 assists. The Warriors had averaged 81.5 points in the two games Curry sat out but have put up 111 in the two games since his return. The All-Star hopeful hit four 3-pointers en route to a team-high 22 points in the December meeting with the Thunder but joined his teammates in struggling to slow Durant, Russell Westbrook (30 points) and Kevin Martin (23) on the defensive end. Golden State will hit the road for four straight after facing Oklahoma City, beginning in Chicago on Friday.

Golden State won its last outing, a 106-99 result against the Clippers on January 21. The Warriors covered in that game as a 4.5-point underdog, while the 205 combined points took the game OVER the total.

Team record: 25-15 SU, 23-15-2 ATS
Current streak: won 2 straight games.

The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City
is 12-4 SU in its last 16 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 8 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 6 games

When playing on Wednesday are 0-10
Before playing Chicago are 6-4
After playing LA Clippers are 4-6
After a win are 5-5

The post Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Golden State Warriors NBA Free Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

New Orleans At San Antonio
When: 8:30 PM ET, Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports New Orleans, KENS (San Antonio)
Prediction: Spurs 101, Hornets 91

Oddsmakers currently have the Spurs listed as 10-point favorites versus the Hornets, while the game’s total is sitting at 192.

New Orleans’ resurgence has been buoyed by the return to form of guard Eric Gordon. A right knee injury kept him out for the first 29 games, and he struggled with his shot as a reserve early in his comeback. But the 24-year-old has been much better of late, averaging 19.2 points over his last five games. “I’m starting to hit jump shots more,” Gordon told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “I just need to get it all flowing together. There are points in the game when I do and some that I don’t. It’s going to come together.” Monday’s triumph marked the first time this season the Hornets have allowed more than 100 points and won

The Hornets were a 114-105 winner in their most recent outing at home against the Kings. They covered the 5.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score (219) made winners of OVER bettors.

Team record: 14-27 SU, 22-19 ATS
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 6 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 6 games
When playing on Wednesday are 3-7
Before playing Houston are 7-3
After playing Sacramento are 3-7
After a win are 4-6

When San Antonio head coach Gregg Popovich opted to send stars Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker home rather than have them play in a nationally televised game earlier in the season, he likely had this stretch of the schedule in mind. San Antonio will have played more games than any team in the league by the end of the week. “It’s been a tough beginning, travel-wise,” Popovich told the San Antonio Express-News. “We’re getting to be a pretty tired team. It’s been a lot of games quickly. We’ve never had this many games in this period of time before.” San Antonio will enjoy three days off following Saturday’s game against Phoenix

The Spurs were a 90-85 winner in their most recent outing on the road against the 76ers. They failed to cover the 6-point spread as favorites, while the total score (175) made winners of UNDER bettors.

Team record: 33-11 SU, 25-18-1 ATS
Current streak: won 5 straight games.

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

When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing Dallas are 8-2
After playing Philadelphia are 6-4
After a win are 7-3

The post New Orleans Hornets vs. San Antonio Spurs NBA Free 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.