Then the Heat landed a swift knockout punch.

Dwyane Wade scored 21 points, LeBron James finished with 19 and the Heat used a frantic start to the fourth quarter to pull away and beat the Bucks 98-86 in Game 2 of the teams’ Eastern Conference first-round series on Tuesday night.

It was 68-65 entering the fourth. With James and four backups on the court, the Heat needed only 2 minutes, 22 seconds to outscore Milwaukee 12-0 and stretch the lead to 80-65 — ensuring the reigning NBA champions would take a 2-0 series lead into Game 3 on Thursday night.

“We held court,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We protected it for two games. We did what we’re supposed to do. And that’s it.”

Chris Bosh, Shane Battier and Chris Andersen all scored 10 points for the Heat. James’ postseason streaks of 22 straight games with at least 20 points, and 16 straight games of at least 25 points, both came to an end.

Ultimately, none of that mattered.

“We didn’t get into our game like we wanted to in that third quarter,” James said. “But we went into the fourth with a (three-point) lead and we were able to jump on them.”

Ersan Ilyasova scored 21 points for Milwaukee, which got 16 from Mike Dunleavy and 14 from Larry Sanders. The Bucks’ starting guards, Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis, combined for only 15 points — after teaming up to score 48 in Game 1.

“It’s a series,” said Sanders, who had a sore right ankle after he collided with Battier in the fourth quarter. “We made progress this game.”

They’ll need to make more, and do it quickly. James never has lost in 10 previous series where his team takes a 2-0 lead, and Wade is 8-0 in that same situation.

“In the playoffs, you’ve got to find different ways to win,” Wade said. “No matter what everybody says on the outside, (Milwaukee) is a good team. They played us very well.”

For about 46 minutes, the Bucks played them even.

It was that 12-0 run that was the difference — in what finished as a 12-point game.

Andersen started it with a three-point play, James had a layup not long afterward and the Heat were starting to roll. Another basket by Andersen off a pass from Ray Allen made it 77-65, and James found Norris Cole for a 3-pointer that capped the flurry and made it 80-65.

Just like that, it was over, even to Miami’s surprise.

“They were doing some things that had us spinning around a little bit defensively, got us on our heels, and offensively we never got into a rhythm,” Spoelstra said. “So we figured we were just going to have to find a way to grind in the fourth quarter, figuring it was going to be a close game.”

The Heat have raved about their depth all season, so they had no qualms about sending James out to start the fourth with Cole, Andersen, Battier and Ray Allen.

By the time starters like Wade and Bosh got back onto the court, the task was merely protecting the lead, which the Heat did with relative ease.

“We felt pretty good about the position we were in, giving ourselves an opportunity on the road with 12 minutes to go,” Bucks coach Jim Boylan said. “You feel good about that. Then they come out, go on a 12-0 run and it changes the complexion of the game. Playing catch-up is very hard to do against a high-quality team like Miami.”

Jennings and Ellis combined for 48 points in Game 1, and the Bucks got blown out. So in the first half of Game 2, they combined for one point, were held to five shots that all missed … and the Bucks were within 47-43 at halftime.

Chances are, very few would have seen that coming.

But play was sloppy from the outset, with the teams combining for eight turnovers in the first 6 minutes to set the tone for a clumsy first half. Wade, James and Chalmers shot 15 for 19 combined in the first half for Miami — and the rest of the Heat were 3 for 17. For Milwaukee, Ilyasova had 12 points in the first 10 minutes, then two points the rest of the half.

So much like in Game 1, Milwaukee came out for the second half with a chance of stealing home-court advantage.

And for the entirety of the third quarter, the Bucks hung around, though the Heat showed some signs of getting things going. Bosh had a dunk for a six-point lead, then made a jumper — on a play that James started by running down a loose ball and flicking it between his legs for a save along the sideline — for a 68-60 lead, what was then the biggest Heat margin of the night.

The Bucks got within 68-65 to end the third, but then came the run that Miami had been waiting for all evening.

Jennings said Milwaukee would win in six games before the series began, and his confidence didn’t waver even now with his club in an 0-2 hole.

“We showed a lot of improvement tonight,” said Jennings, who shot 3 for 15. “Aside of making that run in the fourth I think we should have won this game.”

Both teams got a big scare with 6:59 left. Battier drove for a layup from the right wing, and Sanders rushed down the middle of the lane to attempt a block. A collision ensued and both players hit the court awkwardly, Battier hitting his head on the hardwood and Sanders — who fell over Battier — grabbing at his right leg.

Battier made two free throws, then departed for the Heat locker room to get stitches on his chin.

Game notes
It’s the 11th time the Heat have gone up 2-0 in a playoff series. They’re 10-0 in the previous instances. … Milwaukee has lost 21 of its last 29 playoff games. … Sanders was third in the NBA’s Most Improved Player voting, behind Indiana’s Paul George and New Orleans’ Greivis Vasquez. “Look where he was last year and where he is today. The improvement is very obvious,” said Boylan, who thought Sanders should have won. … Jennings was held without a first-half basket for only the fifth time all season.

The post Heat pull away from Bucks in fourth quarter, take 2-0 series lead appeared first on IdealCapper.

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.

Detroit At Chicago
When: 7:00 PM ET, Sunday, March 31, 2013
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
TV: 7 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Detroit, WGN (Chicago)
PREDICTION: Bulls 95, Pistons 88

Oddsmakers currently have the Bulls listed as 9-point favorites versus the Pistons, while the game’s total is sitting at 187.

Detroit coach Lawrence Frank called his team’s performance Friday against Toronto “embarrassing,” pointing particularly to a third quarter in which the Pistons were outscored 36-15. It wasn’t all bad for Detroit, though, as rookie Andre Drummond returned after missing 22 games because of a stress fracture in his lower back and scored 17 points in 19 minutes. The Pistons could be without another one of their solid young players, though, with guard Brandon Knight listed as doubtful after injuring his ankle against the Raptors.

Detroit lost its last outing, a 99-82 result against the Raptors on March 29. The Pistons failed to cover in that game as a 1.5-point favorite, while the 181 combined points took the game UNDER the total.

Team record: 24-49 SU, 32-41 ATS
Current streak: lost 2 straight games.

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games
is 5-12 ATS in its last 17 games
is 4-17-1 ATS in its last 22 games when playing Chicago

When playing on Sunday are 2-8
Before playing Toronto are 2-8
After playing Toronto are 5-5
After a loss are 1-9

The Bulls have held their own with some of their top players sidelined – Marco Belinelli (strained abdominal muscle), Richard Hamilton (back spasms) and Joakim Noah (foot) all sat out Saturday – but they missed having their stars down the stretch against Dallas, as the Mavericks overcame a 12-point deficit in the final four minutes. “This was a tough loss,” guard Kirk Hinrich told reporters. “We just didn’t finish it out.” Noah and Belinelli could return against the Pistons.

Chicago lost its last outing, a 100-98 result against the Mavericks on March 30. The Bulls covered in that game as a 5.5-point underdog, while the 198 combined points took the game OVER the total.

Team record: 39-32 SU, 33-38 ATS

is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit
is 17-4-1 ATS in its last 22 games when playing Detroit

When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Washington are 7-3
After playing Dallas are 7-3
After a loss are 6-4

The post Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Cleveland At New Orleans
When: 6:00 PM ET, Sunday, March 31, 2013
Where: New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana
TV: 6 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Ohio (Cleveland), Fox Sports New Orleans
PREDICTION: Hornets 90, Cavaliers 83

Oddsmakers currently have the Hornets listed as 6-point favorites versus the Cavaliers, while the game’s total is sitting at 193.

Cleveland is playing out the string as an undermanned squad with Irving and rookie guard Dion Waiters (knee) both sidelined. Coach Byron Scott denies his team has given up on the season despite the recent results and is hoping to see solid effort over the final 11 games. “This is a big-time test,” Scott said after the loss to the 76ers. “We’re going through some adversity as far as losing. It’s going to test the type of character we have in that locker room. We’ll see if guys go south or north or whatever.”

The Cavaliers were a 97-87 loser in their most recent outing at home against the 76ers. They failed to cover the 1.5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score (184) made winners of UNDER bettors.

Team record: 22-49 SU, 37-34 ATS
Current streak: lost 7 straight games.

The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 7 games when playing New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 7 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games when playing on the road against New Orleans

When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Atlanta are 3-7
After playing Philadelphia are 5-5
After a loss are 2-8

New Orleans is 3-3 on a seven-game homestand that wraps up against the Cavaliers. Point guard Greivis Vasquez has missed two of the last three games with an ankle injury and his status for Cleveland will be determined shortly before tipoff. Rookie backup Brian Roberts has just eight total assists in the last two games after recording a career-best 18 while filling in for Vasquez three games ago. Davis has scored in double digits in 12 of the past 13 games.

New Orleans was a 108-89 loser in its last match at home against the Heat. They failed to cover the 7.5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score of 197 sent OVER bettors to the payout window.

Team record: 25-48 SU, 36-37 ATS
Current streak: lost 2 straight games.

is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 7 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 7 games when playing at home against Cleveland

When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Golden State are 5-5
After playing Miami are 6-4
After a loss are 3-7

The post Cleveland vs. New Orleans Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

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.

Detroit At L.A. Clippers
When: 9:30 PM ET, Sunday, March 10, 2013
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Detroit, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
PREDICTION: Clippers 104, Pistons 91

Oddsmakers currently have the Clippers listed as 13-point favorites versus the Pistons, while the game’s total is sitting at 199½.

Detroit got an unexpected boost off the bench from rookie Khris Middletown, who scored a season-high 14 points in the loss to Dallas. Middleton had made only four brief appearances prior to the All-Star break but has started to receive additional playing time in the past three weeks. He was 6-of-12 against the Mavericks and hit a pair of key 3-pointers. ”I have confidence in my shot, and so do my teammates, so I was going to take it when I got an open look,” Middleton said.

Last time out for Detroit, they were a 102-99 loser as they battled the Mavericks at home. The Pistons covered in the match as a 4-point underdog, while 201 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors.

Detroit:
Team record: 23-41 SU, 29-35 ATS
Current streak: lost 4 straight games.

is 7-2 SU in their last 9 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
is 14-5 SU in their last 19 games when playing LA Clippers
is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games when playing LA Clippers
is 7-15 SU in its last 22 games on the road

When playing on Sunday are 3-7
Before playing Utah are 7-3
After playing Dallas are 3-7
After a loss are 4-6

Point guard Chris Paul is closing in on a major milestone, but the focus in Los Angeles is on the health of sixth man Jamal Crawford. The team’s second-leading scorer had to sit out Thursday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets with a sprained left ankle. The team did not practice Friday and Crawford said his plan was to continue to get treatment in the hope of returning to the lineup. He is averaging 17.2 points and has led Los Angeles in scoring on 19 occasions.

Last time out for Los Angeles, they were a 107-92 loser as they battled the Nuggets on the road. The Clippers failed to cover in the match as a 4-point underdog, while 199 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.

Los Angeles:
Team record: 44-20 SU, 36-28 ATS

LA Clippers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Detroit
LA Clippers are 19-4 SU in their last 23 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 5 games at home
LA Clippers are 9-3 SU in their last 12 games

When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Memphis are 4-6
After playing Denver are 5-5
After a loss are 5-5

The post Detroit Pistons vs. Los Angeles Clippers Free Betting Pick & 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.

Just like the Chicago Blackhawks.

Chicago extended its NHL-record season-opening points streak to 22 games Sunday when Kane scored the tying goal on a power play with 2:02 left in regulation and the Blackhawks earned an extra point when the star forward scored the only goal in a shootout of a 2-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings.

“Just amazing what’s going on,” Kane said.

Corey Crawford was perfect in the shootout and finished with 32 saves to help Chicago win a ninth straight game.

“He had several big saves, particularly right after they scored to go up one,” Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “He kept us in there to make it a one-goal game and gave us a chance.”

The Blackhawks have earned at least a point in 28 straight games — dating to a March 25, 2012 loss in regulation to Nashville — to tie the second-longest streak in league history. They’ve matched Montreal’s multi-season points run from the 1977-78 season and trail only Philadelphia’s streak of 35 straight games with at least a point during the 1979-80 season.

“It’s impressive,” Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard acknowledged after making 32 saves. “They’re finding different ways to do it every single night.”

It looked like Chicago’s sensational streak of success might end when Detroit’s Tomas Tatar broke a scoreless tie early in the third period and Howard stopped every puck that came his way.

Kane and Crawford had other ideas.

“We keep finding a way to keep ourselves in the game or win it at the end,” Kane said.

The Red Wings hurt their chances by getting called for delay of game twice toward the end of regulation for putting the puck out of play.

Chicago took advantage of the first of two late power plays with forward Viktor Stalberg getting more of the puck than Detroit defenseman Kyle Quincey did, pushing it to Kane to set up a one-timer that made it 1-1.

Kane scored from the bottom of the right circle and pivoted toward the crowd, shouting with joy as he pumped his gloves toward the banner-filled rafters.

“He knew the importance of it to get us to overtime,” Quenneville said.

With a sold-out crowd on its feet for a shootout at the end of an entertaining afternoon of hockey, Detroit’s Pavel Datsyuk was denied on a low attempt by Crawford’s pads on the first attempt. Jonathan Toews then went high and couldn’t get a shot past Howard’s glove.

Red Wings rookie Damien Brunner made some nifty moves next, but couldn’t keep the puck and for that, Crawford looked thankful as the two met face to face on the ice.

Kane then stole the show, slowly skating toward Howard and lifting his right skate off the ice twice before flipping a wrist shot past him to make the fans at Joe Louis Arena sigh.

“He’s got great skill,” Howard said.

On Detroit’s third attempt in the heart-pounding shootout, Henrik Zetterberg couldn’t extend the game.

“I don’t think we were close to perfect and we almost beat them anyway,” Zetterberg said.

The Red Wings had chances to win in regulation, and in overtime, but Crawford was effective in his return to the net.

Crawford slid to his left to get a piece of Johan Franzen’s shot with 1:40 left in overtime, and the two talked about the play during the subsequent break.

Both teams were inches away from scoring in the final seconds of overtime, with Detroit’s Brendan Smith just missing an opportunity to the left of the net and Kane’s shot squirting past Howard before it trickled just to right of the other net.

The Blackhawks dominated the first period, but Howard — and his teammates — prevented them from scoring on two power plays. The second period was evenly played, then Detroit finally got a shot past Crawford at 2:43 of the third.

Patrick Eaves got to a loose puck behind Chicago’s net, pushed it to Joakim Andersson, whose sharp pass set up Tatar perfectly on the side of the net to beat Crawford.

A bit later, Crawford made a spectacular glove save to deny Datsyuk’s chance that could’ve given the Red Wings a two-goal lead — and perhaps the win in regulation.

Quenneville gave Crawford the start in Detroit after he left his last game Thursday night in St. Louis with an upper-body injury that Quenneville insisted isn’t the same one that forced the goaltender off the ice earlier in the season.

Crawford didn’t get much work early, making just three saves in the first period. He stopped 12 shots in the second — as did Howard — in a fast-pace game filled with end-to-end action and few whistles.

“It was a fun game,” Zetterberg said. “Fans were really into it from the start. These are the games you’re looking forward to play. Unfortunately we couldn’t come up with the win.”

Game notes

The previous record for season-opening points streak was 16 set by the Anaheim Ducks during the 2006-07 season. … Chicago plans to have F Dave Bolland (upper-body injury) back in the lineup Tuesday at home against Minnesota. … Detroit hopes F Valtteri Filppula, out with shoulder injury, can return by next weekend. … Blackhawks F Marian Hossa, a former Red Wing, played in his 1,000th NHL game, a milestone that was recognized by the public address announcer amid a chorus of boos.

The post Advertisement Blackhawks extend season-opening point streak with shootout win appeared first on IdealCapper.

Chicago At Indiana
When: 8:00 PM ET, Sunday, March 3, 2013
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, WCIU (Chicago)
PREDICTION: Pacers 96, Bulls 92

Oddsmakers currently have the Pacers listed as 6½-point favorites versus the Bulls, while the game’s total is sitting at 180.

The post duo of Carlos Boozer (15.6 points, 9.3 rebounds) and Joakim Noah (12 points, 11.4 rebounds) has carried Chicago the past two games. Leading scorer Luol Deng (16.4 points, 6.7 rebounds) was slowed Saturday after taking a shot to the mouth in Thursday’s win over Philadelphia, and guard Richard Hamilton (back spasms) has missed the past two games and is not expected to travel to Indiana.

Chicago won its last outing, a 96-85 result against the Nets on March 2. The Bulls covered in that game as a 4.5-point favorite, while the 181 combined points took the game OVER the total.

Chicago:
Team record: 34-25 SU, 26-33 ATS
Current streak: won 2 straight games.

The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 7 games when playing on the road against Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 6 games

When playing on Sunday are 3-7
Before playing San Antonio are 9-1
After playing Brooklyn are 6-4
After a win are 4-6

Indiana is one of the top defensive teams in the league but has shown improved offensive prowess recently. The return of forward Danny Granger has helped in that regard, but the former All-Star has averaged just 6.8 points in four games as he eases back into action from a knee injury. Leading scorer Paul George (17.8 points, 7.9 rebounds) blossomed into a star during Granger’s absence and forward David West (17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds) is having another strong season.

The Pacers were a 93-81 winner in their most recent outing on the road against the Raptors. They covered the 2-point spread as favorites, while the total score (174) made winners of UNDER bettors.

Indiana:
Team record: 37-22 SU, 34-25 ATS

is 19-3 SU in its last 22 games at home
is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Chicago
is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Chicago

When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Boston are 7-3
After playing Toronto are 6-4
After a win are 8-2

The post Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers Free Betting Pick & Matchup 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

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