Charlotte At Boston
When: 7:30 PM ET, Saturday, March 16, 2013
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Charlotte), Comcast SportsNet New England (Boston)
PREDICTION: Celtics 98, Bobcats 81

Oddsmakers currently have the Celtics listed as 14-point favorites versus the Bobcats, while the game’s total is sitting at 190.

Charlotte looked like something much better than the team with the worst record in the NBA on Tuesday, getting a career-high 35 points from Gerald Henderson and a double-double from Josh McRoberts while holding Boston to 28 second-half points in the easy win. Whatever was working in that game went away at the start of a two-game trip on Friday. The Bobcats were outscored 23-10 in the fourth quarter and shot 32.5 percent in the 92-78 loss at Toronto. The bright spots were again Henderson (22 points) and McRoberts (10 and nine rebounds), two players who are getting long looks in the final weeks of the regular season as the team evaluates the roster.

In their last action, Charlotte was a 92-78 loser on the road against the Raptors. They failed to cover the 12.5-point spread as underdogs, while the combined score (170) was profitable news for UNDER bettors.

Charlotte:
Team record: 14-51 SU, 21-44 ATS

The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of last 14 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of last 22 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston

When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Washington are 2-8
After playing Toronto are 3-7
After a loss are 1-9

Boston is 23-9 at home, 12-20 on the road and would love to jump up into the No. 4 spot in the Eastern Conference to get at least one round of home-court advantage in the playoffs. The Celtics are sitting in seventh place, 2 1/2 games shy of No. 4 Brooklyn and 3 1/2 behind the third-place New York Knicks. Pierce scored 19 points and Rajon Rondo recorded a triple-double to lead the way in a 100-89 home win over the Bobcats on Jan. 14. Boston was finishing up a stretch of 10 road games in 13 contests on Tuesday and looked weary from all the travel. Pierce got the night off to rest and Kevin Garnett played just over 20 minutes. The Celtics showed more life on Wednesday, getting 20 points from Jeff Green and 15 from Pierce in the 112-88 victory.

Last time out for Boston, they were a 112-88 winner as they battled the Raptors at home. The Celtics covered in the match as a 5-point favorite, while 200 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors.

Boston:
Team record: 35-29 SU, 30-31-3 ATS

is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Charlotte
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Charlotte
is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games

When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Miami are 5-5
After playing Toronto are 7-3
After a win are 6-4

The post Charlotte Bobcats vs. Boston Celtics Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

L.A. Clippers At Cleveland
When: 7:30 PM ET, Friday, March 1, 2013
Where: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), Fox Sports Ohio (Cleveland)
PREDICTION: Clippers 97, Cavaliers 93

Oddsmakers currently have the Clippers listed as 7-point favorites versus the Cavaliers, while the game’s total is sitting at 199.

Los Angeles got a brief scare when center DeAndre Jordan had his nose bloodied early in the third quarter and had to leave the game, but he returned briefly in the fourth after X-rays were negative. Forward Blake Griffin did the heavy lifting inside with his 24th double-double, scoring 18 points and pulling down 14 rebounds. Shooting guard Chauncey Phillips is struggling to find his form. For the second straight game, he scored three points on 1-for-6 shooting.

The Clippers were a 99-91 winner in their most recent outing on the road against the Pacers. They covered the 1.5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score (190) made winners of UNDER bettors.

Los Angeles:
Team record: 42-18 SU, 34-26 ATS
Current streak: won 3 straight games.

LA Clippers are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games
LA Clippers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 6 games when playing Cleveland
LA Clippers are 1-11 SU in their last 12 games when playing Cleveland

When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Oklahoma City are 5-5
After playing Indiana are 2-8
After a win are 6-4

Rookie guard Dion Waiters continues to carry the offense in Irving’s absence, averaging 24.7 points in the last three games. The Clippers got an early glimpse of his ability in a home loss to the Cavaliers during the first week of November, when Waiters hit seven 3-pointers and scored a season-high 28 points. Veteran Shaun Livingston has performed admirably in starting the past two games in place of Irving, scoring 15 points in each and shooting a combined 10-of-18.

The Cavaliers were a 103-92 winner in their most recent outing at home against the Raptors. They covered the 5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score (195) made winners of UNDER bettors.

Cleveland:
Team record: 20-38 SU, 31-27 ATS
Current streak: won 2 straight games.

is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
is 11-1 SU in their last 12 games when playing LA Clippers
is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games

When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing New York are 1-9
After playing Toronto are 2-8
After a win are 6-4

The post Los Angeles Clippers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 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.

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.

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.

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.

Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
When: 8:00 PM ET, Monday, December 31, 2012
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Prediction: Thunder 111, Suns 98.

Oddsmakers currently have the Thunder listed as 12½-point favorites versus the Suns, while the game’s total is sitting at 202.

Suns: Luis Scola had a season-high 33 points and Goran Dragic returned from a one-game absence (hip) to post his third double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 assists against Minnesota. While Dragic essentially cleared himself to play on Saturday, center Jermaine O’Neal hasn’t been as bold. O’Neal is being plagued by back spasms and may remain on the bench for Monday’s tilt as well.

The Suns were a 111-107 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Timberwolves. They covered the 8.5-point spread as underdogs, while the total score (218) made winners of OVER bettors.

Team record: 11-20 SU, 13-17-1 ATS
Current streak: lost 5 straight games.

The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 7 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City
The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 7 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of last 10 games
is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road

When playing on Monday are 5-5
Before playing Philadelphia are 5-5
After playing Minnesota are 7-3
After a loss are 1-9

Oklahoma City: As strange as it sounds, Durant’s 26 points were actually a decided step down from his recent totals. The three-time NBA scoring champion had been averaging a gaudy 36.75 over his previous four games. Big man Serge Ibaka has been providing a presence defensively, collecting double digits in rebounds in his last two games while registering five blocks in two of his previous four.

In their last action, Oklahoma City was a 124-94 winner on the road against the Rockets. They covered the 4.5-point spread as favorites, while the combined score (218) was profitable news for OVER bettors.

Team record: 23-6 SU, 16-11-2 ATS
Current streak: won 2 straight games.

is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Phoenix
is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 7 games when playing Phoenix

When playing on Monday are 9-1
Before playing Brooklyn are 5-5
After playing Houston are 10-0
After a win are 9-1

The post Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Atlanta At Houston
When: 7:00 PM ET, Monday, December 31, 2012
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
Prediction: Rockets 102, Hawks 97

Oddsmakers currently have the Rockets listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Hawks, while the game’s total is sitting at 206½.

Atlanta is averaging an impressive 107.3 points during its four-game winning streak. A big reason as to why is Lou Williams, who quickly has become acclimated to his new role as a starter. Williams is averaging 17.8 points and 6.5 assists during that stretch. The 26-year-old guard collected his third double-double with 21 points and a career-high 12 assists versus Indiana.

The Hawks were a 109-100 winner in their most recent outing at home against the Pacers. They covered the 2.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score (209) made winners of OVER bettors.

Team record: 19-9 SU, 12-15-1 ATS
Current streak: won 4 straight games.

is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 7 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 6 games when playing on the road against Houston

When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing New Orleans are 8-2
After playing Indiana are 4-6
After a win are 6-4

Houston: James Harden quickly endeared himself to his new team by scoring a career-high 45 points in a 109-102 victory over the Hawks on Nov. 2. Harden has been torching the competition, recording at least 20 points in a career-high 12 consecutive games. Harden scored 25 against his former team in Oklahoma City. Houston has emerged victorious in its last four meetings with Atlanta.

In their last action, Houston was a 124-94 loser at home against the Thunder. They failed to cover the 4.5-point spread as underdogs, while the combined score (218) was profitable news for OVER bettors.

Team record: 16-14 SU, 16-13-1 ATS
Current streak: lost 2 straight games.

is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 6 games
is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta

When playing on Monday are 7-3
Before playing New Orleans are 3-7
After playing Oklahoma City are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5

The post Atlanta Hawks vs. Houston Rockets Free Betting 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.