Wichita St. vs Ohio St.
When: 7:05 PM ET, Saturday, March 30, 2013
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CBS.
PREDICTION: Wichita State 69, Ohio State 66

Oddsmakers currently have the Buckeyes listed as 6½-point favorites versus the Shockers, while the game’s total is sitting at 133.

Carl Hall dominated the undersized Explorers inside, hitting his first five shots and scoring 14 of his 16 points inside the paint. The Shockers recorded 40 points in the paint against La Salle and took 43 shots inside, the most such attempts for a team in this tournament. Wichita State’s tournament opponents – Pittsburgh, Gonzaga and La Salle – each entered their games with the Shockers shooting at least 45 percent, but the teams combined to shoot 35.5 percent against the Missouri Valley Conference’s top-ranked field-goal percentage defense.

Wichita State was a 72-58 winner in its last match at home against La Salle. They covered the 4.5-point spread as favorites.

Team record: 29-8 SU, 19-14-1 ATS

Unlike the play that left Craft open for a 3-pointer against the Cyclones, the pivotal moment in the win Thursday came when Arizona overcommitted to the Buckeyes’ point guard. “It was similar to the play we ran last game,” Ross said. “We like to get the (big men) on a pick-and-roll. It so happened they messed up the switch there and I was able to knock down the shot.” Perhaps one of the biggest turnarounds the team has made lately is beyond the arc. In three NCAA Tournament games, Ohio State is a combined 23-for-46 (50 percent) from the 3-point line after shooting 35.9 percent over its first 33 contests.

Ohio State was a 73-70 winner in their most recent outing at home against Arizona. They failed to cover the 3.5-point spread as favorites.

Team record: 29-7 SU, 20-14 ATS

The post Wichita State vs. Ohio State Free Betting Tips & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Cleveland At Toronto
When: 6:00 PM ET, Sunday, March 10, 2013
Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
TV: 6 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Ohio (Cleveland), SNET1 (Toronto)
PREDICTION: Raptors 100, Cavaliers 97

Oddsmakers currently have the Raptors listed as 6-point favorites versus the Cavaliers, while the game’s total is sitting at 203.

Cleveland has one of the top, young backcourt duos in the league with point guard Kyrie Irving (23.2 points, 5.7 assists) and rookie shooting guard Dion Waiters, who are the team’s top two scorers. Irving has topped 20 points in three straight games and has 32 games of 20 or more points this season. Waiters leads all Eastern Conference rookies in scoring (14.6 per game), assists (3.2 per game) and steals (1 per game). Forward Tristan Thompson (11.4 points, 9.3 rebounds) teams with that duo to give the Cavs three promising players age 21 or younger.

Cleveland was a 103-92 loser in its last match at home against the Grizzlies. They failed to cover the 4.5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score of 195 sent OVER bettors to the payout window.

Cleveland:
Team record: 21-41 SU, 32-30 ATS

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 6 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 9 games

When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Washington are 5-5
After playing Memphis are 2-8
After a loss are 6-4

Toronto has a new star in Rudy Gay, who has put up 19.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in 16 contests since being acquired from Memphis. Gay teams with DeMar DeRozan (17.8 points) to form a dynamic scoring duo, and Kyle Lowry (12.6 points, 6.1 assists) is settling into his role as a distributor. Forward Andrea Bargnani (12.7 points) is back on the mend after leaving Friday’s game against the Lakers with a strained right elbow. Bargnani, who missed 26 games earlier this season with a torn right elbow ligament and strained right wrist, is listed as day-to-day.

Last time out for Toronto, they were a 118-116 loser as they battled the Lakers on the road. The Raptors covered in the match as a 7.5-point underdog, while 234 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors.

Toronto:
Team record: 24-39 SU, 32-30-1 ATS

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 6 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 6 games at home
is 8-16 SU in its last 24 games when playing Cleveland

When playing on Sunday are 3-7
Before playing Boston are 4-6
After playing LA Lakers are 2-8
After a loss are 4-6

The post Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Atlanta At Phoenix
When: 9:00 PM ET, Friday, March 1, 2013
Where: US Airways Center, Phoenix, Arizona
TV: 9 p.m. ET, SPSO (Atlanta), FSAZ (Phoenix)
PREDICTION: Hawks 100, Suns 92

Oddsmakers currently have the Hawks listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Suns, while the game’s total is sitting at 196.

Atlanta decided not to deal away Josh Smith at the deadline and has reaped the benefits of that decision during the four-game winning streak. Smith has averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists during that span to support Horford, who has put up 26 points and 14 boards over the last four contests. Those two have opened things up on the outside for point guard Jeff Teague to distribute and score. The Hawks are up to fourth place in the Eastern Conference with their latest run and are within shouting distance of the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks in the second and third spots. A big part of their recent success has been an ability to win on the road, where they have taken five in a row by an average of 11.8 points.

Atlanta was a 102-91 winner in its last match on the road against the Jazz. They covered the 3.5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score of 193 sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.

Atlanta:
Team record: 33-23 SU, 26-28-2 ATS
Current streak: won 4 straight games.

is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of last 9 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 8 games on the road

When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing LA Lakers are 5-5
After playing Utah are 5-5
After a win are 6-4

Phoenix is trying to stay out of the West basement, which it currently shares with the Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Hornets. The Suns put together a strong defensive effort in San Antonio on Wednesday, when the Spurs went 0-for-10 from the field in overtime, and O’Neal has turned back the clock with some big performances. The 34-year-old former star has pulled down 13 rebounds in each of the last two games and scored a team-high 22 points at San Antonio. Phoenix is giving its bench plenty of time lately, led by O’Neal, Wesley Johnson and the Morris twins. Marcus Morris had his best game since joining the team with 11 points in 24 minutes on Wednesday, outscoring his brother by three points.

The Suns were a 105-101 winner in their most recent outing on the road against the Spurs. They covered the 16-point spread as underdogs, while the total score (206) made winners of OVER bettors.

Phoenix:
Team record: 20-39 SU, 23-34-2 ATS
Current streak: won 2 straight games.

The total has gone UNDER in 10 of last 12 games at home
is 15-3 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Atlanta
is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 7 of last 9 games when playing at home against Atlanta

When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing Toronto are 3-7
After playing San Antonio are 4-6
After a win are 3-7

The post Atlanta Hawks vs. Phoenix Suns Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Detroit At Orlando
When: 6:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 27, 2013
Where: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
TV: 6 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Detroit Plus, Fox Sports Florida
Prediction: Pistons 98, Magic 96

Oddsmakers currently have the Magic listed as 2½-point favorites versus the Pistons, while the game’s total is sitting at 197.

Detroit has been inconsistent, but it is at its best when grinding it out in a low-scoring game and letting big man Greg Monroe (15.6 points, 9.2 rebounds) go to work in the paint. The Pistons also have a pair of up-and-coming players in second-year point guard Brandon Knight (13.7 points, 4.4 assists) and rookie center Andre Drummond (7.5 points, 7.4 rebounds). Drummond contributes to a deep bench that averages 37.2 points.

Detroit was a 110-88 loser in its last match on the road against the Heat. They failed to cover the 9.5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score of 198 sent OVER bettors to the payout window.

Team record: 16-27 SU, 20-23 ATS
Current streak: lost 2 straight games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Orlando
The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 6 games when playing on the road against Orlando
is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
When playing on Sunday are 3-7
Before playing Milwaukee are 5-5
After playing Miami are 1-9
After a loss are 4-6

Scoring isn’t a problem for Orlando – all five starters average double figures – but the team struggles at the defensive end. That has been especially true lately, as the Magic have allowed 100 or more points in 11 of their last 13 games. Arron Afflalo (17 points) is the top scorer and big men Glen Davis (15.4 points, 7.4 rebounds) and Nikola Vucevic (11.8 points, 11.1 rebounds) are having productive seasons. The Magic also need guards Jameer Nelson (15.2 points, 7.3 assists) and J.J. Redick (14.9 points, 4.4 assists) to shoot well to be successful.

Last time out for Orlando, they were a 97-95 loser as they battled the Raptors at home. The Magic failed to cover in the match as a 4-point favorite, while 192 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.

Team record: 14-28 SU, 21-21 ATS
Current streak: lost 4 straight games.
The total has gone OVER in 14 of last 16 games
is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 8 of last 10 games at home
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
Before playing Brooklyn are 5-5
After playing Toronto are 3-7
After a loss are 2-8

The post Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic Free Betting Tip & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Ottawa Senators
When: 5:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 27, 2013
Where: Scotiabank Place, Ottawa, Ontario
TV: 5 p.m., ROOT, Sportsnet East, TVA
Prediction: Senators 5, Penguins 4

Oddsmakers currently have the Penguins listed as 121-moneyline favorites versus the Senators, while the game’s total is sitting at 5½.

Starting goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has split time with offseason signing Tomas Vokoun thus far. Both have a win and a loss, as well as a goals-against average around 3.00, but Vokoun holds the edge in save percentage with .908 to Fleury’s .882. Crosby and reigning Hart Trophy winner Evgeni Malkin are tied for the team lead with five points, while James Neal leads the club with 22 shots and has three goals. Chris Kunitz, who has three points, leads the team with 15 hits.

Pittsburgh was a 4-2 loser in its last match on the road against the Jets. They lost as -130 favorites, while the total score of 6 made winners of OVER bettors.

Team record: 3-1-0 SU, ATS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 7 of last 8 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of last 10 games at home
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Boston are 6-4
After playing Tampa Bay are 3-7
After a loss are 4-6

Karlsson, who won the Norris Trophy last season as the league’s best defenseman, leads the team with 17 shots and is plus-6. Jason Spezza, who had a team-high 84 points last season, has four points. Captain Daniel Alfredsson has three assists so far and is 15 points away from reaching 1,100 in his career. Milan Michalek hasn’t scored since Ottawa’s season-opener but has points in all four games so far.

The Senators were a 6-4 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Lightning. That made winners of bettors who got Tampa Bay at -125 on the moneyline, while the total score (10) was good news for OVER bettors.

Team record: 2-2-0 SU, ATS
Current streak: lost 2 straight games.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 5 games when playing Ottawa
The total has gone OVER in 7 of last 8 games when playing on the road against Ottawa
The total has gone OVER in 14 of last 17 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 17 of last 21 games
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Ottawa are 6-4
After playing Winnipeg are 7-3
After a loss are 6-4

The post Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Ottawa Senators Free Betting Tip & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Seattle at Washington
When: 4:30 PM ET, Sunday, January 6, 2013
Where: FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland
Oddsmakers currently have the Seahawks listed as 1-point favorites versus the Redskins, while the game’s total is sitting at 45½.
TV: 4:30 p.m.ET, FOX. LINE: Seahawks -3, O/U 46
Prediction: Redskins 23, Seahawks 20

Seattle closed the season with a 20-13 victory over St. Louis, but it was a dominating three-game stretch prior to that victory that opened eyes coast-to-coast. The Seahawks annihilated San Francisco, Buffalo and Arizona by a combined 150-30, becoming the first team in 62 years to amass that many points in a three-game stretch. Wilson threw 16 touchdown passes and only two interceptions over the final eight games and running back Marshawn Lynch churned out ten 100-yard games – including four straight to close the season – to finish third in the league with 1,590 yards. Seattle was equally impressive on the other side of the ball, surrendering a league-low 15.3 points per game. The Seahawks will get a boost in the secondary when starting CB Brandon Browner returns from a four-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy.

Seattle was a 20-13 winner in its last match at home against the Rams. They failed to cover the 11-point spread as favorites, while the total score of 33 sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.

Team records:
Seattle: 11-5 SU, 11-5 ATS
Washington: 10-6 SU, 11-5 ATS

Seattle most recently:
When playing in January are 5-5
When playing on grass are 3-7
After outgaining opponent are 9-1
When playing outside the division are 8-2

Griffin set a rookie record with 815 rushing yards but is still dealing with a sprained knee ligament that caused him to sit out a game and limited his mobility in season-ending wins over Philadelphia and Dallas. He threw for only 100 yards against the Cowboys, although he still managed to run for 63 yards and a score. Like Wilson, Griffin has a hard-charging running back to lean on in fellow rookie Alfred Morris, a sixth-round pick out of Florida Atlantic. Morris finished second in the league with 1,613 yards and capped off the regular season by running over the Cowboys for 200 yards and three touchdowns. Washington’s defense is vulnerable against the pass (281.9 yards), ranking 30th in the league, but was fifth against the run (95.8). It has steadily improved in the second half, allowing an average of eight fewer points over the final eight games.

In their last action, Washington was a 28-18 winner at home against the Cowboys. They covered the 3.5-point spread as favorites, while the combined score (46) was profitable news for UNDER bettors.

Washington most recently:
When playing in January are 4-6
When playing on grass are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 5-5
When playing outside the division are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Seattle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle’s last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle’s last 5 games on the road
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington’s last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle

The post Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Redskins Free NFL Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Indianapolis at Baltimore
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 6, 2013
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Oddsmakers currently have the Ravens listed as 6½-point favorites versus the Colts, while the game’s total is sitting at 46.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Ravens -6.5, O/U 47
Prediction: Ravens 19, Colts 16

With nine more wins than the 2011 campaign, Indianapolis posted the NFL’s third-best turnaround in history. Luck has played a significant role in the Colts’ resurgence, having led them on seven game-winning drives in the fourth quarter over overtime. His 4,374 yards are the most by a rookie quarterback. Bruce Arians has guided the team in the absence of Pagano, who was a defensive assistant coach for four years with Baltimore and defensive coordinator in 2011.

Indianapolis won its last outing, a 28-16 result against the Texans on December 30. The Colts covered in that game as a 6.5-point underdog, while the 44 combined points took the game UNDER the total.

Team records:
Indianapolis: 11-5 SU, 11-5 ATS
Baltimore: 10-6 SU, 6-9-1 ATS

Indianapolis most recently:
When playing in January are 5-5
When playing on turf are 7-3
After being outgained are 6-4
When playing outside the division are 7-3

Lewis has been sidelined 10 games with a torn right triceps, but the two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year expects to play on Sunday. How much he’ll play is in limbo, but wide receiver Anquan Boldin will be on the field after his one-week hiatus with a bruised shoulder. Boldin has fared well versus Indianapolis, collecting 19 receptions for 221 yards and a touchdown in three career games. Ray Rice rushed for 103 yards and a score and added six receptions in a 24-10 win over the Colts on Dec. 11, 2011.

Baltimore was a 23-17 loser in its last match on the road against the Bengals. They failed to cover the 5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score of 40 sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.

Baltimore most recently:
When playing in January are 6-4
When playing on turf are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 6-4
When playing outside the division are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Indianapolis is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Baltimore
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Indianapolis’s last 9 games when playing Baltimore
Indianapolis is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Indianapolis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
Baltimore is 17-2 SU in its last 19 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Baltimore’s last 9 games when playing Indianapolis
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore’s last 5 games when playing at home against Indianapolis
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Baltimore’s last 5 games at home

The post Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens Free NFL Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Oddsmakers currently have the Celtics listed as 1-point favorites versus the Heat, while the game’s total is sitting at 182.

Miami was a 101-91 loser in its last match on the road against the Celtics. They failed to cover the 2.5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score of 192 sent OVER bettors to the payout window.

The post Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics Preview appeared first on IdealCapper.

The Orioles will pin their hopes on the pitching of lefthander Jo-Jo Reyes in this game. Reyes has a 6-9 record and a 5.33 ERA this season.

It’ll be Dan Haren toeing the rubber for the Angels in this contest. Righthander Haren is 11-6 with a 2.96 ERA so far this season.

Oddsmakers currently have the Angels listed as 240-moneyline favorites versus the Orioles, while the game’s total is sitting at 7½.

In their last action, Baltimore was a 6-5 loser on the road against the Athletics. Bettors on Oakland at -159 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (11) sent OVER bettors home happy as well.

Los Angeles was a 2-1 winner in its last match at home against the Rangers. They won as -137 favorites, while the total score of 3 made winners of UNDER bettors.

Current streak:
Baltimore has lost 2 straight games.

Team records:
Baltimore: 47-74 SU
Los Angeles: 66-59 SU

Baltimore most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing LA Angels are 5-5
After playing Oakland are 3-7
After a loss are 3-7

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing Baltimore are 5-5
After playing Texas are 5-5
After a win are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore’s last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore’s last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Baltimore’s last 6 games when playing LA Angels
Baltimore is 7-2 SU in their last 9 games when playing LA Angels
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Angels’s last 6 games when playing Baltimore
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Angels’s last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of LA Angels’s last 10 games
LA Angels are 15-7 SU in their last 22 games at home

The post Baltimore Orioles vs. Los Angeles Angels appeared first on IdealCapper.