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.

Syracuse vs Marquette
When: 4:30 PM ET, Saturday, March 30, 2013
Where: Verizon Center, Washington, District of Columbia
TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS.
PREDICTION: Syracuse 70, Marquette 65

Oddsmakers currently have the Orange listed as 3-point favorites versus the Golden Eagles, while the game’s total is sitting at 126.

The conference that is disintegrating due to the realignment chaos is assured of having a team in the Final Four. Big East mates Syracuse and Marquette square off Saturday in Washington D.C. in the East Regional final, marking the first time since 2009 that teams from the same conference will compete for a Final Four berth. The fourth-seeded Orange dominated top-seeded Indiana on Thursday while third-seeded Marquette thrashed second-seeded Miami.

Sophomore point guard Michael Carter-Williams had a spectacular game against Indiana with a career-best 24 points to go with six rebounds and four steals. “This was the best he’s played all year,” Boeheim said. “He was tremendous. He was the difference in the game on offense, clearly.” Williams ranks fourth on the Orange at 12.1 points per game while averaging a team-best 7.5 assists. He has 104 steals, one of three players nationally with 100 or more. Junior forward C.J. Fair averages a team-high 14.4 points and also grabs a team-leading seven rebounds per game, while senior guard Brandon Triche (13.8) and senior forward James Southerland (13.4) also score in double digits.

Syracuse won its last outing, a 61-50 result against Indiana on March 28. They covered in that game as a 5-point underdog.

Team record: 29-9 SU, 18-15-1 ATS

The Golden Eagles are led by Blue, but feature a wealth of contributors who are capable of stepping up at any time. Junior forward Jamil Wilson had 16 points and eight rebounds against Miami, while Blue and junior reserve forward Davante Gardner contributed 14 points apiece. In fact, Gardner’s 11.4 average is second on the squad behind Blue’s 14.8. Wilson averages 9.9 points, senior guard Junior Cadougan averages 8.6 and senior wing Trent Lockett contributes 7.2 points and a team-best 5.1 rebounds. A blue-collar mentality sometimes leads to Marquette being overshadowed by more talented teams. “We want to keep being the hunters,” Blue said. “We don’t want to be the hunted.”

Last time out for Marquette, they were a 71-61 winner as they battled Miami on the road. They covered in the match as a 5.5-point underdog.

Team record: 26-8 SU, 15-15 ATS

The post Syracuse vs. Marquette 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.

Buffalo Sabres at Washington Capitals
When: 3:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 27, 2013
Where: Verizon Center, Washington, District Of Columbia
TV: 3 p.m., NHL Network (U.S.), MSG, Comcast Sportsnet D.C.
Prediction: Sabres 4, Capitals 1

Oddsmakers currently have the Capitals listed as 116-moneyline favorites versus the Sabres, while the game’s total is sitting at 5½.

Vanek has four points and five assists in his last eight games against Washington. Cody Hodgson has three goals to start the season after finishing with three in 20 games for Buffalo in 2011-12. Offseason acquisition Steve Ott, who scored in the season opener against Philadelphia, leads the team with 21 hits. Tyler Ennis, who finished last season with 24 points in 22 games, has one assist so far this season and is minus-3.

Last time out for Buffalo, they were a 3-1 loser as they battled the Hurricanes at home. Moneyline bettors who got the Hurricanes at +140 were rewarded, while the 4 combined goals moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.

Team record: 0-3-1 SU, ATS
Current streak: lost 4 straight games.
is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games when playing at home against Buffalo
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 6 games
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Calgary are 3-7
After playing New Jersey are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3

Joel Ward, who scored six goals in 73 games last season, has two in his first four games this season. Goaltenders Braden Holtby and Michal Neuvirth have two starts apiece this season. Neuvirth has a 3.37 goals-against average and .877 save percentage, which is better than Holtby’s 5.04 GAA and .863 save percentage. Jason Chimera, who set a career-high with 20 goals and 39 points last season, has two assists – but he leads the team with 11 hits and is plus-1 this season.

Last time out for Washington, they were a 3-2 loser as they battled the Devils on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Devils at -158 were rewarded, while the 5 combined goals moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.

Team record: 2-2-0 SU, ATS
Current streak: lost 2 straight games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 7 of last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 6 games on the road
When playing on Sunday are 8-2
Before playing Colorado are 8-2
After playing Carolina are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4

The post Buffalo Sabres vs. Washington Capitals Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Chicago At Washington
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, January 26, 2013
Where: Verizon Center, Washington, District of Columbia
TV: 7 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic (Washington), NBATV
Prediction: Bulls 98, Wizards 86.

Chicago lost All-Star forward Luol Deng to a hamstring injury last week but has seen no drop-off with Butler stepping into his spot. Butler, a second-year swingman from Marquette, has played at least 43 minutes in each of the last four games and has put up 15.5 points and 9.3 rebounds while playing strong defense. He went for 16 points and 12 rebounds on Friday to post his first career double-double. “I love his toughness,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said of Butler. “ He competes on every play. He’s not afraid.” Making it easier for Butler is the overall strength of Chicago’s frontcourt, which built up a 56-37 rebounding advantage in the win over Golden State.

Chicago won its last outing, a 103-87 result against the Warriors on January 25. The Bulls covered in that game as a 2.5-point favorite, while the 190 combined points took the game OVER the total.

Team record: 26-16 SU, 17-25 ATS
Current streak: won 3 straight games.
is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing Washington
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Charlotte are 9-1
After playing Golden State are 5-5
After a win are 6-4

Washington has looked like a different team since Wall’s return. The talented point guard sat out the first 33 games with a knee injury but has put up 14 points and 6.9 assists in his eight games back. The coaching staff has been monitoring his minutes and he needed only 21 to build up 14 points and five assists in Friday’s 114-101 home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wizards have won four straight home games, dating back to a 101-99 triumph over NBA-best Oklahoma City on Jan. 7. Washington shot 36.5 percent without Wall around in an 87-77 loss at Chicago on Dec. 29. Beal led with 14 points.

The Wizards were a 114-101 winner in their most recent outing at home against the Timberwolves. They covered the 6.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score (215) made winners of OVER bettors.

Team record: 10-31 SU, 26-14-1 ATS
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 7 games at home
is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
When playing on Saturday are 1-9
Before playing Sacramento are 3-7
After playing Minnesota are 6-4
After a win are 3-7

The post Chicago Bulls vs. Washington Wizards Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.