Toronto At Washington
When: 6:00 PM ET, Sunday, March 31, 2013
Where: Verizon Center, Washington, District of Columbia
TV: 6 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One (Toronto), CSN Washington
PREDICTION: Wizards 99, Raptors 95

Oddsmakers currently have the Wizards listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Raptors, while the game’s total is sitting at 192.

The Wizards are coming off consecutive road losses to Oklahoma City and Orlando, but they’re riding their longest home winning streak since a 10-game run in 2006-07. Washington is likely to be short-handed, as rookie guard Bradley Beal (left ankle) and veteran forward Nene (right knee) are listed as questionable. It’s the third meeting this season with the road team having won the first two. The season series concludes Wednesday in Toronto.

Toronto doesn’t have much left to play for and the team is already looking toward the future. “We’ve got a lot of young players and we’re playing for next year,” star forward Rudy Gay told reporters. “These young guys need to know what it feels like to win.” They haven’t experienced much of that lately, as the Raptors haven’t won consecutive games since a five-game streak from Feb. 8-19. Rookie center Jonas Valanciunas has been among the bright spots, scoring in double figures in 10 of the past 11 games.

Last time out for Toronto, they were a 99-82 winner as they battled the Pistons on the road. The Raptors covered in the match as a 1.5-point underdog, while 181 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.

Team record: 27-45 SU, 34-37-1 ATS

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

When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Detroit are 2-8
After playing Detroit are 3-7
After a win are 4-6

Washington has enjoyed a solid second half of the season, but the Wizards didn’t endear themselves to their coach with their showing in Friday’s 97-92 loss at Orlando. “I don’t think anybody had a good performance,” coach Randy Wittman told reporters. “Over and over again this year we just go through the motions against teams like this and it costs you.” That hasn’t been the case at home, where the Wizards have averaged 105 points and held opponents to 92.2 points per contest during their six-game winning streak.

Washington lost its last outing, a 97-92 result against the Magic on March 29. The Wizards failed to cover in that game as a 4-point favorite, while the 189 combined points took the game UNDER the total.

Team record: 26-46 SU, 42-29-1 ATS
Current streak: lost 2 straight games.

is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games at home
is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto

When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Chicago are 6-4
After playing Orlando are 1-9
After a loss are 6-4

The post Toronto vs. Washington 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.

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.

Philadelphia Flyers at Tampa Bay
When: 6:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 27, 2013
Where: Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa, Florida
TV: 6 p.m. ET, CSN (Philadelphia), SunSports (Tampa).
Prediction: Lightning 5, Flyers 3

Oddsmakers currently have the Lightning listed as 116-moneyline favorites versus the Flyers, while the game’s total is sitting at 6.

Philadelphia, which was second in the league in scoring a season ago, finally got its offense cranked up. Matt Read registered his first career hat trick and Ruslan Fedotenko had a goal and an assist for his first points in his second stint with the Flyers. Captain Claude Giroux is the go-to player for the Flyers and he delivered his first multiple-point game of the season with a pair of assists. Philadelphia can’t expect to produce seven goals every night. The Flyers will need their defense to come together. Blue-liner Luke Schenn had 11 hits against Florida and is plus-3 thus far. Ilya Bryzgalov has played every game this season.

Last time out for Philadelphia, they were a 7-1 winner as they battled the Panthers on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Flyers at -108 were rewarded, while the 8 combined goals moved the game OVER for totals bettors.

Tampa Bay has outscored its opponents 16-2 in the first and third periods combined, while getting swamped in the second, 10-3. The Lightning have made a bad habit of getting away from their relentless style in the middle frame. The Lightning have also surrendered an average of 36.5 shots, close to the most in the league. Their key performers are putting up numbers, especially in the third – led by Steven Stamkos (two goals, six assists) and Martin St. Louis (three, four). Rookie Cory Conacher has at least a point in every game and seven in all. Anders Lindback (.900 save percentage) is expected back in net.

The Lightning were a 6-4 winner in their most recent outing at home against the Senators. 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.

Tampa Bay:
Team record: 3-1-0 SU, ATS
Current streak: won 2 straight games.

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

When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing St. Louis are 3-7
After playing Ottawa are 4-6
After a win are 5-5

Philadelphia:
Team record: 2-3-0 SU, ATS
Current streak: won 2 straight games.

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

When playing on Sunday are 1-9
Before playing Tampa Bay are 9-1
After playing Florida are 5-5
After a win are 4-6

The post Philadelphia Flyers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Free Betting Pick appeared first on IdealCapper.

Baltimore at New England
When: 6:30 PM ET, Sunday, January 20, 2013
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, CBS.
Line: Patriots -9, O/U 51.5
Prediction: Patriots 27, Ravens 24

Oddsmakers currently have the Patriots listed as 7½-point favorites versus the Ravens, while the game’s total is sitting at 51.

Quarterback Joe Flacco raised more than a few eyebrows when he said earlier in the season that not only does he consider himself a top-five quarterback, but he feels he’s “the best.” No one’s laughing now. Flacco has been sensational in the two playoff victories, throwing for 613 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions. He also saved Baltimore’s season last week by connecting with Jacoby Jones on a 70-yard scoring strike with 31 seconds left to send the game into overtime. Flacco’s the only QB in league history to reach the playoffs in each of his first five seasons and has torched the Patriots for 973 yards with seven TDs vs. two interceptions in the last three games. Ray Rice rushed for 131 yards and a score last week and speedster Torrey Smith had TD receptions of 59 and 32 yards. He burned the Patriots for a pair of scoring passes earlier this season. Lewis has 32 tackles in the playoff games after returning from a 10-game injury absence, but this is not a typical Ravens defense. Last week’s game marked the highest point total ever allowed by Baltimore in the postseason.

In their last action, Baltimore was a 38-35 winner on the road against the Broncos. They covered the 9-point spread as underdogs, while the combined score (73) was profitable news for OVER bettors.

Baltimore: 10-6 SU, 6-9-1 ATS
When playing in January are 7-3
When playing on turf are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 6-4
When playing outside the division are 7-3
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Baltimore’s last 7 games when playing on the road against New England
Baltimore is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games
Baltimore is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore’s last 6 games on the road

New England amassed a league-high 557 points during the regular season and had its sixth 40-point game last week. Gronkowski re-injured his broken forearm early in last week’s victory, depriving Brady of a target that has accounted for 38 touchdowns in his first 43 NFL games. Still, Brady threw for 344 yards and three touchdowns to surpass Joe Montana for the most career postseason victories with 17. Brady had 335 yards and a scoring pass in Week 3, but he’s had his struggles against the Ravens. He was intercepted twice in last season’s AFC title game and failed to throw a TD pass for the first time in 36 games. New England unveiled another weapon on offense last week in running back Shane Vereen, who caught a pair of scoring passes and rushed for another TD while registering 124 total yards. TE Aaron Hernandez did not play in the early-season matchup and will provide a matchup issue for Baltimore’s aging linebacking corps. The midseason acquisition of cornerback Aqib Talib has helped solidify an improving defense that limited five of the final six regular-season opponents to under 20 points.

New England won its last outing, a 41-28 result against the Texans on January 13. The Patriots covered in that game as a 9.5-point favorite, while the 69 combined points took the game OVER the total.

New England: 12-4 SU, 9-6-1 ATS
New England most recently:
When playing in January are 7-3
When playing on turf are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 7-3
When playing outside the division are 6-4
New England is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games
New England is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of New England’s last 8 games at home
New England is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Baltimore

The post Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.