Category Archives: NBA Basketball

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the pre-eminent men’s professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada.

NBA Betting Predictions: Boston Celtics visit Chicago Bulls on Thursday

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Boston at Chicago Betting

When: 9:30 PM ET, Thursday, April 5, 2012
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois

The Opening Line is : — - Click here to Bet at Bovada

PREVIEW: The Boston Celtics are in the process of reasserting themselves as contenders behind their elite point guard. The Chicago Bulls are managing to hang onto the top spot in the Eastern Conference despite being without their reigning MVP at the point. Derrick Rose has missed the last 11 games with a groin injury but has been practicing recently and could return on Thursday. The Celtics got Ray Allen back on Wednesday.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT

Boston Celtics (30-23): Boston jumped into fourth in the Eastern Conference on the strength of a five-game winning streak, thriving with Rajon Rondo at the point and Kevin Garnett moving over to center. That streak came to an end on Wednesday with an 87-86 home loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The Celtics held the Spurs to 28 points in the second half but were undone by their Achilles heel – rebounding. Boston ranks last in the NBA in rebounding and is especially weak on the offensive glass. Rondo handed out 11 assists on Wednesday, marking his 14th straight game in double figures. He collected 17 points, eight assists and seven rebounds at Chicago on Feb. 16 but Boston still suffered an 89-80 setback. The Celtics were outrebounded 52-37 in that contest.


Chicago Bulls (42-13): Rose missed the Feb. 16 meeting but Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer scored 23 points apiece to lead Chicago. The Bulls have taken two of three in the series despite Rose only suiting up for one of the meetings. Chicago owns a two-game lead over the Miami Heat for the top spot in the East but is coming off its first back-to-back losses of the season. The Bulls fell at Oklahoma City, 92-78, in a showdown of the conference leaders on Sunday and then ran out of gas in a 99-93 home loss to the Houston Rockets the following night.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Rose has averaged 21.4 points and 5.3 assists in 12 career games against the Celtics.

2. Rondo recorded one of his league-leading five triple-doubles against Chicago on Feb. 12.

3. Boston got Allen (ankle) back after a six-game absence on Wednesday. He managed five points in 35 minutes.

PREDICTION: Bulls 88, Celtics 85. CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$.

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NBA Basketball Odds: Los Angeles Clippers at Sacramento Kings

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L.A. Clippers @ Sacramento Betting

When: 10:00 PM ET, Thursday, April 5, 2012
Where: Power Balance Pavilion, Sacramento, California

The Opening Line is : — - Click here to Bet at Bovada

PREVIEW: After a tough 113-108 loss Wednesday to the Lakers that ended their six-game winning streak, the Clippers try to regroup on the road Thursday night at Sacramento. The loss dropped the Clippers 2 1/2 games behind the Lakers in the Pacific Division and gave the Lakers the season series. The Kings have won six of the last eight games against the Clippers in Sacramento. The Kings wrap up a four-game homestand Thursday.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS West (Clippers), CSN CA (Kings)

Los Angeles Clippers (32-22): Caron Butler looked like he was on pace for a career night, scoring 23 first-half points to match his season high. Butler scored five in the third and was scoreless in the fourth to finish with 28 points. In addition to seeing their best winning streak in 20 years end, the Clippers also had their seven-game home winning streak snapped. The Lakers shut down Randy Foye, who was averaging 21.6 points in his last three games. Foye had 11 points on 5-of-13 shooting and missed five of six 3-pointers.


Sacramento Kings (19-35): DeMarcus Cousins had a career-high 41 points on 16-of-25 shooting and 12 rebounds for his 32nd double-double Tuesday, but still couldn’t celebrate because the Kings lost to Phoenix 109-100. “It only feels great with a win,” Cousins said. In the 23 games since Isaiah Thomas took over at point guard, the Kings have averaged 105.7 points, up from 92.6. The Kings play four of their next five on the road.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Sacramento has scored at least 100 points in 11 of the last 12 games, averaging 109.4 points in that span.

2. Thomas is averaging 20 points and 6.8 assists in his last five games.

3. The Clippers have been a big draw on the road with an average attendance of 18,874, third-best in the league.

PREDICTION: Kings 108, Clippers 103. CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$.

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NBA Betting Odds: Phoenix Suns @ Utah Jazz on Wednesday

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Phoenix at Utah Betting

When: 9:00 PM ET, Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Where: EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah

The Opening Line is : Utah Jazz -6 Click here to Bet at Bovada

PREVIEW: A critical game in the Western Conference playoff race takes place Wednesday when the Utah Jazz host the Phoenix Suns. The Jazz are ninth in the Western Conference and trail eighth-place Houston by one game. The Suns are in 10th, a half-game behind Utah. Both teams are 6-4 in their last 10 games and can’t afford to lose ground in the standings as the season winds down.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ROOT, Fox Sports Arizona

Phoenix Suns (27-26): Phoenix has won three of four to move over .500 for only the third time this season. It’s no surprise that Steve Nash is a big reason why the Suns have surged into the playoff race. While his 12.8 point average is his lowest since the 1999-2000 season, he’s leading the league in assists at 11.3. He’s topped that in his last six games with a 13.2 average, including 12 in Tuesday’s 109-100 win over Sacramento.

Utah Jazz (28-26): Utah broke a three-game losing streak, one short of its season high, with a 102-97 win over Portland on Monday, but not all of the news was good. Starting point guard Devin Harris sprained his left ankle and didn’t practice Tuesday. He will be a game-time decision against Phoenix. Earl Watson is expected to start if Harris can’t play. Jamaal Tinsley had three points, six assists and two steals in 18 minutes at the point Monday.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Marcin Gortat had 20 points and 10 rebounds Tuesday for the Suns. He scored 13 points with eight rebounds in the first half.

2. Jazz guard Raja Bell has been out since March 17 with a sore left knee. The 12-year veteran received an injection in the knee Monday, but it’s unclear when he will return to the team.

3. The Suns have won six straight over the Jazz, including a 120-111 home victory on March 14.

PREDICTION: Jazz 93, Suns 82. CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$.

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NBA Picks and Predictions: Memphis Grizzlies vs Dallas Mavericks

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Memphis at Dallas Betting

When: 8:30 PM ET, Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas

The Opening Line is : —– Click here to Bet at Bovada

PREVIEW: The Dallas Mavericks, coming off a stinging 94-75 home loss to the Clippers, host the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. It seemed outlandish at the beginning of the season to think the defending champions would miss the playoffs, but the possibility still exists. The Mavericks are sixth in the Western Conference, but are only two games ahead of ninth-place Utah. The Grizzlies, who have won three straight, are fifth in the West, one game ahead of Dallas.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Sports South Memphis, Fox Sports Southwest

Memphis Grizzlies (30-22): Memphis plays the final game of its only back-to-back-to-back set of the season. After an impressive win over Oklahoma City on Monday, the Grizzlies rallied from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat Golden State on Tuesday. Memphis followed a stretch of five losses in six games by winning five of its last six, including road victories over the Lakers and Thunder.

Dallas Mavericks (30-24): Playing without Jason Kidd and Lamar Odom, Dallas scored 33 points in the first half and had only two players in double figures against the Clippers. Kidd is slated to miss the next three games with a strained right groin. He has sat out 12 games with various aliments. Odom was sidelined Monday because of a stomach illness. He played 13 minutes and scored two points against Orlando on Friday due to the ailment.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. The Grizzlies placed six players in double figures in their 98-94 win over the Warriors. Mike Conley, who missed the previous two games with an ankle injury, scored 18 points.

2. Delonte West started at point guard in place of Kidd against the Clippers. He scored six points and hit 3 of 9 from the field while missing all four of his 3-point attempts.

3. The Grizzlies defeated the Mavericks 96-85 in Memphis on Feb. 29. The teams meet again Saturday in Memphis.

PREDICTION: Mavericks 87, Grizzlies 85. CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$.

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NBA Basketball Gambling: Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves

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Golden State vs Minnesota Betting

When: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Opening Line is : —– Click here to Bet at Bovada

PREVIEW: The Minnesota Timberwolves are seeing their playoff aspirations trickle away. Minnesota has lost three consecutive games and is in a deep funk entering Wednesday’s home contest with the Golden State Warriors. The Timberwolves have lost six of eight games and are just 4-10 since standout point guard Ricky Rubio was lost to a season-ending knee injury. Golden State has lost six straight games after losing to the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. The Warriors have lost 11 of 13 games.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (Golden State), Fox Sports North (Minnesota)

Golden State Warriors (20-32): Forward David Lee has been the lone consistent performer during Golden State’s woeful 13-game stretch. Lee has scored 22 or more points 10 times during the span while averaging 20.5 per game. He had 22 points and 13 rebounds in the loss to Memphis, a game in which the Warriors collapsed in the fourth quarter by scoring just 15 final-quarter points and blowing a 12-point lead. Lee will continue to be Golden State’s most potent offensive weapon with guard Stephen Curry (ankle) sidelined as players like Klay Thompson, Brandon Rush and Nate Robinson struggle to fill the scoring void created by the trade of Monta Ellis.

Minnesota Timberwolves (25-30): Minnesota will likely be without point guard Luke Ridnour after the veteran injured his right ankle in Monday’s loss to Sacramento. Ridnour was the replacement for Rubio (knee) and the Timberwolves could be forced to start rookie Malcolm Lee against the Warriors. Lee has played in nine NBA games and has 10 career assists. The dire situation may prompt J.J. Barea (thigh) to attempt to play. Barea has missed six straight games. “We’re not going to quit on the season,” Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman said.“That’s what I told them – I don’t care what happens with the playoffs. We’re not going to quit on the season and it’s up to the people we have right now.”

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Kevin Love had 36 points and 17 rebounds when Minnesota defeated Golden State on March 17 in the lone previous meeting this season.

2. Thompson had just six points against Memphis to end a streak of 17 straight double-digit outings.

3. Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic scored 17 points in 19 minutes against the Kings after missing seven games with an ankle injury.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 109, Warriors 103. CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$.

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NBA Betting Lines: Los Angeles Lakers visit Los Angeles Clippers

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L.A. Lakers @ L.A. Clippers Betting

When: 10:30 PM ET, Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

The Opening Line is : —– Click here to Bet at Bovada

PREVIEW: An all-Los Angeles tilt at this time of year usually means a lot more to the Lakers than it does to the Clippers. But with both L.A.-based teams jockeying for playoff positioning, Wednesday’s game carries significance for everyone as the Lakers and Clippers do battle at the Staples Center. The Lakers sit third in the Western Conference but are just 1 1/2 games ahead of the streaking Clippers, who have won six in a row. Lakers center Andrew Bynum hopes to return to action after sitting out missing Wednesday’s near-collapse against New Jersey with an ankle injury.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Fox Sports San Diego

Los Angeles Lakers (34-20): It took a late surge from Kobe Bryant for Los Angeles to get past the Nets after squandering all of a 17-point advantage. Head coach Mike Brown noted this wasn’t the first time his club was caught napping. “We feel as a group that when we do get a double-digit lead, we tend to relax a little bit,” coach Mike Brown said. “The other team, they’re going to amp it up, take chances and be more physical. Next thing you know, it’s a three-point game.”

Los Angeles Clippers (32-21): Los Angeles is enjoying its longest winning streak in more than 20 years, but a bigger milestone awaits. A win Wednesday would give the Clippers its first season-series win over the Lakers since the 1992-93 campaign – a development that could have a major impact on the team’s confidence level moving forward. Los Angeles is coming off an impressive 94-75 win over the defending-champion Mavericks, a game that saw the Clippers hold Dallas to 39 percent from the field.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Bryant, who leads the NBA in scoring, averages 25.5 points on 45.8-percent shooting in 59 career meetings with the Clippers.

2. The Lakers are 8-8 on zero days rest so far this season, while the Clippers boast a 19-9 mark on one day of rest.

3. The over has prevailed in each of the last four meetings between the clubs.

PREDICTION: Clippers 105, Lakers 101. CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$.

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Wednesday NBA Betting: New Jersey Nets at Portland Trail Blazers

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New Jersey at Portland Betting

When: 10:00 PM ET, Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Where: Rose Garden, Portland, Oregon

The Opening Line is : —– Click here to Bet at Bovada

PREVIEW: The Portland Trail Blazers are four games off the pace for the final Western Conference playoff spot as they host the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday. Portland is in 11th place in the conference and facing an uphill climb that requires it to pass three other teams. The Trail Blazers blew an opportunity Monday by losing to the Utah Jazz. New Jersey had a three-game winning streak halted on Tuesday when it lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, YES (New Jersey),Comcast SportsNet Northwest (Portland)

New Jersey Nets (19-36): Forward Kris Humphries has grabbed 15 or more rebounds 15 times after registering 18points and 15 rebounds in the loss to the Lakers. Humphries has 23 double-doubles and is averaging a career-best 11 rebounds while earning a reputation as one of the top rebounders in the league. His career-best 13.5 scoring average is a nice bonus. Guard Deron Williams had 20 points against Los Angeles but only six assists after totaling 35 over the previous two games.


Portland Trail Blazers (25-29): Point guard Raymond Felton has experienced an up-and-down first season in Portland and will be under the microscope in the matchup against Williams. Felton had as many turnovers (four) as points in the loss to Utah and was involved in two key plays late in the game that helped the Jazz rally for the win. Felton averages 6.4 assists but is shooting just 39 percent from the field to go with a career-low 10.7 scoring average.

BUZZER BEATERS: 

1. Portland is 31-5 in home games against New Jersey.

2. Nets forward Gerald Wallace is averaging 15.9 points in 10 games since being acquired from Portland.

3. Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews scored a season-best 33 points in the loss to Utah.

PREDICTION: Trail Blazers 96, Nets 89.  CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$.

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NBA Basketball Odds: Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers

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Toronto at Philadelphia Betting

When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Opening Line is : —– Click here to Bet at Bovada

PREVIEW: The Philadelphia 76ers‘ bid for home-court advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs could use a boost. Visiting Toronto may provide just that as the Raptors come in to Philly looking for their first three-game winning streak of the season. Toronto is coming off a five-point home win over the Charlotte Bobcats, but looked sluggish down the stretch and will face a 76ers club desperate for a bounceback after dropping a six-point decision against the Miami Heat on Tuesday.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia.

Toronto Raptors (19-35): Toronto held off a fourth-quarter surge against the Bobcats to record back-to-back home wins for the first time since Dec. 1-3, 2010 – but the win didn’t come without more defensive lapses. In this case, it was the 17 offensive rebounds against that left head coach Dwane Casey disappointed. Charlotte came into the night ranked fourth from the bottom in that category, but had little trouble against Toronto’s weary frontcourt.


Philadelphia 76ers (29-24): Wednesday kicks off a two-game homestand for a Philadelphia team that won’t see much home cooking the rest of the way. Sitting seventh in the East, The 76ers have one of the league’s most unforgiving schedules ahead of them, with nine of their final 13 games coming away from Pennsylvania. And while all its remaining games are against Eastern Conference opponents, Philadelphia still has a back-to-back-to-back stretch looming early next week.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. LeBron James went off for 41 points in Miami’s win over the 76ers, prompting Philadelphia swingman Andre Iguodala to tweet: “Lebron had 41? The hell?” Iguodala happened to be the guy guarding James for most of the night.

2. Toronto G DeMar DeRozan went to the free-throw line just four times against the Bobcats after averaging nearly 10 attempts over his previous four games.

3. Philadelphia trounced the Raptors in their only previous meeting this season, holding them to 31.8-percent shooting in a 97-62 drubbing back on Jan. 7.

PREDICTION: 76ers 89, Raptors 81. CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$.

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NBA Online Betting: Charlotte Bobcats against Atlanta Hawks

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Charlotte @ Atlanta Betting

When: 7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Where: Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia

The Opening Line is : —– Click here to Bet at Bovada

PREVIEW: The Atlanta Hawks, who are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, host the lowly Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday. Atlanta has lost three of four after winning four in a row. The Hawks continue to puzzle coach Larry Drew, who still doesn’t know what to expect from his team. Charlotte coach Paul Silas doesn’t have that problem. The Bobcats lost their eighth straight game and have the worst record in the NBA.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Sports South Charlotte, Sports South Atlanta

Charlotte Bobcats (7-44): Charlotte hasn’t won since March 17 when it defeated Toronto. The Bobcats have also lost 10 of 11, a stretch that includes defeats of 30, 25, 20, 13 and 11 points. Byron Mullens scored 20 points and had a career-high 14 rebounds in Tuesday’s 92-87 loss to the Raptors, but shot an airball on a 3-point attempt that would have tied the game in the closing seconds. The Bobcats are a league-worst 3-24 on the road.


Atlanta Hawks (31-23): After being off since Saturday, Atlanta begins a stretch of three games in four nights. With two games against Charlotte and one against Detroit, the Hawks have a chance to move up in the standings, but can’t look past teams at the bottom of the league. Atlanta went to pieces in the fourth quarter Saturday in Philadelphia after controlling most of the game. The Hawks were outscored 33-24 and fell 95-90.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Josh Smith led the Hawks with a season-high 34 points against the 76ers despite being in foul trouble for most of the game.

2. Atlanta has won both meetings this season. The Hawks pulled out a 102-96 win in overtime at Charlotte on Jan. 6 and then routed the Bobcats 111-81 at home six days later.

3. Charlotte forward Tyrus Thomas sustained a jaw injury in the third quarter Tuesday and didn’t return. He collided with Toronto’s Ben Uzoh and was down for several moments before being helped off the floor.

PREDICTION: Hawks 97, Bobcats 78. CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$.

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NBA Predictions: San Antonio Spurs visit Boston Celtics on Wednesday

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San Antonio at Boston Betting

When: 7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts

The Opening Line is : —– Click here to Bet at Bovada

PREVIEW: Two of the hottest teams in the NBA clash when the San Antonio Spurs visit the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. San Antonio routed the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday for its eighth consecutive win and 11th in 12 games and trails Oklahoma City by just two games for the best record in the Western Conference. Boston enters with a five-game winning streak and has won seven of eight while taking over first place of the Atlantic Division.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Southwest (SanAntonio) Comcast SportsNet New England (Boston)

Boston Celtics (30-22): Bostonhas won four games by 12 or more points during its winning streak and the most impressive performance was Sunday’s 91-72 thrashing of the Miami Heat. Point guard Rajon Rondo had 16 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists for his fifth triple-double of the season. The defense of guard Avery Bradley was also crucial and Bradley has averaged 14.6 points during a five-game stretch of starting in place of injured Ray Allen. In fact, coach Doc Rivers said he might opt to bring Allen (ankle) off the bench when he returns. “The good thing is we have options and we have players with confidence,” Rivers said.

San Antonio Spurs (37-14): San Antonio has received numerous contributions from its bench during its winning streak and the easy 125-90 victory over Cleveland was just the latest example. The Spurs received 62 points from reserves against the Cavaliers to follow up a much-more competitive victory over Indiana in which the bench tallied 52 points. The acquisitions of Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw bulked up the bench, which also features Manu Ginobili while Danny Green continues his solid play as the starting shooting guard. Green had 19 points and made four 3-pointers against Cleveland.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. This is the first meeting this season but Boston swept last season’s two contests.

2. Celtics forward Paul Pierce has seven straight games of 20 or more points and is averaging 23.7 during the stretch.

3. San Antonio forward Tim Duncan is averaging 20.4 points and 11.3 rebounds in 26 career games against the Celtics.

PREDICTION: Spurs 98, Celtics 95. CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$.

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