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.

Dallas At Brooklyn
When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, March 1, 2013
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Southwest (Dallas), YES (Brooklyn)
PREDICTION: Nets 97, Mavericks 92

Oddsmakers currently have the Nets listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Mavericks, while the game’s total is sitting at 194.

Forward Dirk Nowitzki struggled in the loss against Memphis with just 10 points on 4-of-11 shooting. The poor outing followed Nowitzki’s best three-game stretch of the season in which he averaged 25.3 points and 13.3 rebounds. Nowitzki has closed in on his previous All-Star form after struggling earlier in the season upon returning from preseason knee surgery. He is averaging 16 points and 6.6 rebounds. The Mavericks tallied just 46 points over the final three quarters against Memphis after putting 38 on the board in the opening quarter.

Dallas:
Team record: 25-32 SU, 33-24 ATS
Current streak: lost 3 straight games.

is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Brooklyn
is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Brooklyn
is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Brooklyn
is 5-13 SU in its last 18 games on the road

When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Houston are 7-3
After playing Memphis are 6-4
After a loss are 6-4

Last time out for Dallas, they were a 90-84 loser as they battled the Grizzlies on the road. The Mavericks covered in the match as a 7.5-point underdog, while 174 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.

Point guard Deron Williams is playing well despite struggling with inflammation in both ankles. Williams matched his season high with 33 points in Tuesday’s win over the Hornets as he scored Brooklyn’s final 11 points. Williams was encouraged by his decisive closing stretch. “It’s something I’ve kind of struggled with this year and I was really successful at it most of my career,” said Williams, “so it feels good to be able to finally have a game like that.” Williams is averaging 23.8 points over the last four games to raise his season average to 17.3.

The Nets were a 101-97 winner in their most recent outing on the road against the Hornets. They covered the 3-point spread as underdogs, while the total score (198) made winners of OVER bettors.

Brooklyn:
Team record: 34-24 SU, 26-30-2 ATS

is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games at home
is 8-15 ATS in its last 23 games when playing Dallas
is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home

When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Chicago are 3-7
After playing New Orleans are 2-8
After a win are 5-5

The post Dallas Mavericks vs. Brooklyn Nets Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Creighton at Southern Illinois
When: 8:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 27, 2013
Where: SIU Arena, Carbondale, Illinois
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPNU
Prediction: Creighton 78, Southern Illinois 52

Oddsmakers currently have the Bluejays listed as 11-point favorites versus the Salukis, while the game’s total is sitting at 138.

Nearly lost in the disappointment of the most recent loss was the play of senior guard Grant Gibbs, who scored a season-high 18 points to go with eight assists, five rebounds and four steals. Gibbs has surpassed his season scoring average (7.9) in each of the last three games. Southern Illinois might have trouble matching up with 6-9 senior center Gregory Echinique. He has tailed off this month, averaging 5.6 points in the last five games after averaging 13 in the previous eight, but the Salukis lack the height to get in his way.

Creighton lost its last outing, a 74-69 result against Drake on January 23. They failed to cover in that game as a 9.5-point favorite.

Team record: 17-3 SU, 12-6 ATS
Current streak: lost 2 straight games.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 7 games when playing on the road against Southern Illinois
is 5-0-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Southern Illinois
is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Southern Illinois
is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games on the road
When playing on Sunday are 8-2
Before playing Missouri State are 9-1
After playing Drake are 8-2
After a loss are 6-4

Desmar Jackson is averaging a team-high 16.3 points. The 6-5 senior guard had one of his best games in an 82-76 loss to Wichita State on Jan. 9, scoring 28 points on 10-for-19 shooting. Southern Illinois has dropped eight consecutive games against Top 25 opponents overall, losing by an average of 15.2 points. Who steps up to guard McDermott should also be interesting. The Salukis have just one player taller than 6-6, and 6-9 junior forward Davante Drinkard averages 11.6 minutes.

Southern Illinois lost its last outing, a 58-45 result against Northern Iowa on January 23. They failed to cover in that game as a 11-point underdog.

Team record: 8-11 SU, 8-8 ATS
Current streak: lost 3 straight games.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 7 games when playing at home against Creighton
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Creighton
is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Creighton
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Drake are 2-8
After playing Northern Iowa are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6

The post Creighton Bluejays vs. Southern Illinois Salukis Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Phoenix At San Antonio
When: 8:30 PM ET, Saturday, January 26, 2013
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Arizona (Phoenix) Fox Sports Southwest (San Antonio)
Prediction: Spurs 109, Suns 92

Oddsmakers currently have the Spurs listed as 9-point favorites versus the Suns, while the game’s total is sitting at 199.

Hunter is preaching defense and Phoenix has allowed an average of 92 points in his first two games. “Our focus is to create a defensive mentality, to create a defense presence,” Hunter said. “Our guys are working hard to do it. It’s a difficult thing to just change like that. To see every last guy really buying into it and realizing that regardless of how you shoot the ball, if you can defend you always have a chance to win a game. Our guys have been phenomenal in that area.” Point guard Goran Dragic had 24 points in Thursday’s victory over the Los Angeles Clippers for his second-highest output of the campaign.

In their last action, Phoenix was a 93-88 winner at home against the Clippers. They covered the 6.5-point spread as underdogs, while the combined score (181) was profitable news for UNDER bettors.

Team record: 15-28 SU, 18-24-1 ATS
Current streak: won 2 straight games.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 11 of last 15 games when playing San Antonio
is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games
is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Dallas are 6-4
After playing LA Clippers are 3-7
After a win are 5-5

Reserve frontcourt player DeJuan Blair stepped up with a season-best 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting in the win over Dallas. His offensive output was timely with Duncan sidelined. “When we play without him, we need everybody,” Blair said. “Everybody has to step up. Tony came back and stepped up when we needed him. I was ready. We were all ready and it was great. It was a pretty fun game.” Parker missed part of the first half to get three stitches after suffering a cut around his left eye. It was the same eye that Parker injured during a New York City nightclub brawl in June.

Last time out for San Antonio, they were a 113-107 winner as they battled the Mavericks on the road. The Spurs covered in the match as a 2-point underdog, while 220 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors.

Team record: 35-11 SU, 26-19-1 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
is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of last 7 games at home
When playing on Saturday are 8-2
Before playing Charlotte are 8-2
After playing Dallas are 10-0
After a win are 7-3

The post Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Pittsburgh at Winnipeg
When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, January 25, 2013
Where: MTS Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
TV: 8 p.m., ROOT (Pittsburgh), TSN (Winnipeg)
Prediction: Penguins 4, Jets 1

Pittsburgh has a good chance to return to its winning ways if recent history holds true. The Penguins have won three straight and 15 of 16 against the Jets’ franchise. Evander Kane and Blake Wheeler collected a goal and an assist apiece in Winnipeg’s 4-2 triumph over Southeast Division foe Washington on Wednesday.

Malkin, who has secured points in all three games this season, has tormented the Jets by registering five-point performances in each of the last two meetings. James Neal led all scorers with five goals in the season series – including a hat trick in Pittsburgh’s 8-4 victory on March 20, 2012. The eight-goal effort was the second straight in the set by the Penguins, who won three of four against Winnipeg.

While the MTS Centre was pretty much a safe haven for Winnipeg last season, coach Claude Noel’s club lost its final four home tilts in the 2011-12 campaign before suffering a 4-1 loss to Ottawa in Manitoba on Saturday. The Jets collected three points (1-0-1) on their two-game road swing – and doubled their previous scoring output by erupting for four goals versus the Capitals. Ondrej Pavelec boasts a spectacular .929 save percentage this season, but – like his team – has struggled versus the Penguins.

The post Pittsburgh at Winnipeg Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Denver At Houston
When: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Altitude (Denver), Comcast SportsNet Houston, NBATV
Prediction: Nuggets 109, Rockets 104

Denver has some of the same problems as Houston on the defensive end but has usually been able to make up for it on offense. After a surprising 112-108 home loss to one of the worst teams in the NBA, the Washington Wizards, on Friday, the Nuggets took out the best when they outlasted the Thunder on Sunday 121-118. Seven players reached double figures in scoring in the win over Oklahoma City, and that balance along with a strong rebounding philosophy has helped Denver go 14-6 over the last 20 contests. Wednesday marks a rare one-game road trip for the Nuggets, who will be back in Colorado for a six-game homestand beginning on Saturday. Denver is 16-3 at home but 9-15 on the road

In their last action, Denver was a 121-118 winner at home against the Thunder. They covered the 1-point spread as underdogs, while the combined score (239) was profitable news for OVER bettors.

Team record: 25-18 SU, 24-19 ATS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 5 games
is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston
is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing Sacramento are 9-1
After playing Oklahoma City are 6-4
After a win are 6-4

Of Harden’s 29 points on Monday, 19 came at the free throw line. The star guard is shooting 25 percent from the floor over the last four games, including 4-of-27 from 3-point range. Harden has also turned the ball over 4.9 times in the last eight contests. The bench came through for 47 points in the win at Charlotte to help take some of the pressure off Harden, Jeremy Lin and the rest of the starters. The Rockets held a players-only meeting over the weekend to address some of the effort issues on the defensive end and looked stronger in that area against the Bobcats. The recent slide has dipped the Rockets into eighth place in the Western Conference, and three of the next four will be on the road to close out January.

Last time out for Houston, they were a 100-94 winner as they battled the Bobcats on the road. The Rockets failed to cover in the match as a 7-point favorite, while 194 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.

Team record: 22-21 SU, 21-21-1 ATS
The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 7 games at home
is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home
is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Denver
is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Denver
When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
Before playing New Orleans are 4-6
After playing Charlotte are 5-5
After a win are 8-2

The post Denver Nuggets vs. Houston Rockets Basketball Free Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Green Bay at San Francisco
When: 8:00 PM ET, Saturday, January 12, 2013
Where: Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FOX.
Line: 49ers -3. O/U: 44.5

Oddsmakers currently have the 49ers listed as 3-point favorites versus the Packers, while the game’s total is sitting at 45.

Green Bay has most of its defense healthy for the first time in weeks and spent the wild-card round attacking Vikings backup quarterback Joe Webb. Clay Matthews, looking fully recovered from a hamstring injury that has limited him at times, had a pair of sacks and forced a fumble while Charles Woodson played for the first time since breaking his collarbone on Oct. 21. With those two playmakers back, the Packers forced three turnovers and managed to hold Peterson under 100 yards rushing. The focus this week will be on Rodgers facing a San Francisco defense that has held opposing passers to 200.2 yards – fourth-best in the NFL – and finished second in the league in scoring defense. Rodgers passed for 303 yards but struggled until late in the game and was intercepted once in the first meeting. He should have a better rushing attack behind him in Saturday’s game, with DuJuan Harris and Ryan Grant taking handoffs. Rodgers was the leading rusher for the Packers in Week 1 and could be without one of his top receiving targets Saturday in Jordy Nelson, who is questionable with a knee injury.

In their last action, Green Bay was a 24-10 winner at home against the Vikings. They covered the 11-point spread as favorites, while the combined score (34) was profitable news for UNDER bettors.

Green Bay: 11-5 SU, 9-7 ATS
When playing in January are 7-3
When playing on grass are 10-0
After outgaining opponent are 7-3
When playing outside the division are 6-4
Green Bay is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing San Francisco
Green Bay is 6-0-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
Green Bay is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against San Francisco
Green Bay is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games

San Francisco has a solid candidate for Defensive Player of the Year in Aldon Smith and has surrendered an average of 13.9 points in eight home games. That defense is keyed on the front line by tackle Justin Smith, who has been dealing with a triceps injury and missed the final two games of the regular season. Justin Smith was wearing an elbow brace but has been practicing and is listed as probable for Saturday. On the other side of the ball, the 49ers will be giving the Packers a much different look than in Week 1. Kaepernick passed for a career-high 276 yards in a Week 17 win over the Arizona Cardinals and has opened up the playbook with his ability to extend plays with his legs and one of the stronger arms in the league. The 25-year-old finished up the regular season with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions and was at his best in some of the biggest games, including a four-touchdown performance at New England in Week 15.

San Francisco won its last outing, a 27-13 result against the Cardinals on December 30. The 49ers failed to cover in that game as a 16-point favorite, while the 40 combined points took the game OVER the total.

San Francisco: 11-4-1 SU, 9-7 ATS
When playing in January are 6-4
When playing on grass are 8-1-1
After outgaining opponent are 6-3-1
When playing outside the division are 8-2
The total has gone OVER in 7 of San Francisco’s last 8 games
San Francisco13-2-1 SU in its last 16 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Francisco’s last 5 games when playing Green Bay
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Francisco’s last 5 games at home

Prediction: 49ers 27, Packers 24

The post Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Alabama at Notre Dame
When: 8:30 PM ET, Monday, January 7, 2013
Where: Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
TV: 8:30 p.m., ESPN. LINE: Alabama -10
Oddsmakers currently have the Crimson Tide listed as 8½-point favorites versus the Fighting Irish, while the game’s total is sitting at 43.
Prediction: Alabama 16, Notre Dame 13

The Crimson Tide will be happy to match muscle vs. muscle with Notre Dame’s defense behind a powerhouse offensive line that averages 315 pounds per man. Alabama has a pair of 1,000-yard backs in junior Eddie Lacy and freshman T.J. Yeldon, who combined for 27 touchdowns and piled up 334 yards in the SEC title game win over Georgia. Quarterback AJ McCarron threw for 26 touchdowns against only three interceptions and showed he was much more than a caretaker of the offense by leading late drives to beat LSU and Georgia. His top weapon is Amari Cooper, who has 53 receptions and nine touchdowns. Notre Dame’s defense has been getting all the publicity, but the Crimson Tide have their own elite linebacker in C.J. Mosley and held 10 opponents to less than 14 points while recording four shutouts.

Alabama was a 32-28 winner in their most recent outing on the road against Georgia. They failed to cover the 9-point spread as favorites, while the total score (60) made winners of OVER bettors.

Team records:
Alabama: 12-1 SU, 6-7 ATS
Notre Dame: 12-0 SU, 7-5 ATS

Alabama most recently:
When playing in January are 5-2
When playing on grass are 9-1
After outgaining opponent are 10-0
When favored on the road are 9-1

Te’o, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, is the heart and soul of a defense that permitted only nine touchdowns overall and two on the ground. He has seven interceptions and played behind a stellar defensive front featuring ends Stephon Tuitt (12 sacks) and Kapron Lewis-Moore sandwiching the massive Louis Nix III. Notre Dame’s running back corps of Theo Riddick, Cierre Wood and George Atkinson III combined for 2,000 yards and will test a defense that allowed a national-low 246 yards. Still, Notre Dame’s offense revolves around dual-threat quarterback Everett Golson. He threw for 11 touchdowns against five interceptions and had four of of his five-highest passing totals in November. Golson also rushed for 305 yards and five scores and his ability to keep the chains moving against Alabama’s defense will be vital.

Last time out for Notre Dame, they were a 22-13 winner as they battled Southern Cal on the road. Notre Dame covered in the match as a 4.5-point favorite, while 35 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.

Notre Dame most recently:
When playing in January are 0-6
When playing on grass are 10-0
After outgaining opponent are 10-0
When an underdog at home are 1-9

A few trends to consider:
Alabama is 16-1 SU in its last 17 games
Alabama is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Notre Dame is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Notre Dame’s last 11 games

The post Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish BCS Championship appeared first on IdealCapper.