Let?s go 2-0 today guys. These two look very good. Had two CBK picks yesterday, going with two NBA picks today. Nothing worth betting in CBK, primarily IVY league games.
Day 24:
NBA: Atlanta -7
NBA: Houston +5
*Guys there has been some drama at another forum as you may know, and do partially to that drama I have started a forum of my own. My plays are still free, and this website will have an authentic domain name within 48 hours but for now on you can see my picks for free at: NO LINKS . Sorry if i can't post links in here mods. Thanks*
**Play Atlanta all the way to -10, and Houston all the way to +3/+3.5**
After day 23:
NBA Record: 15-7 (68%)
CBK Record: 19-5 (79%)
Overall Record: 34-12 (74%)
Days [1-5]: 9-1 (90%)
Days [6-10]: 7-3 (70%)
Days [11-15]: 9-1 (90%)
Days [16-20]: 7-3 (70%)
Days [21-25]: 2-4 (33%)
Atlanta Hawks -7
First my line: Atlanta -11
Chicago are on the road for their second game of a two game road trip. They are 9-16 on the road, and 12-13 A.T.S (against the spread) in those games. I had a wager on them in their last game, where it took overtime for an Iverson-less Philadelphia 76?ers to defeat them by 3 points. This was their second straight loss, though this two game losing streak was coming off a five game road winning streak .. Immediately cementing the notion that Chicago is a contender in this league. They are 6-4 in their past 10 games, and a big reason for this spark is rookie center Joakim Noah. In these 10 games Noah averaged over 10 points per game, to go along with over 11 rebounds per game and a total of 14 blocks. In college, on the Florida Gators, Noah was known for his abilities, determination and drive, but more notably his spirit and the emotional boost he brings to his team just being on the court. Noah is a clear example of someone who loves the game, like Peyton Manning in football, and for a young team like the bulls they need a team leader like Noah on the court to guide them. Noah went down with an ankle injury and the Bulls let the game slip away. He will be out for tonight?s game which is a big hit to this team, who typically struggles on the road and could look forward to their next game which is tomorrow at home vs. Miami. Chicago is ranked 25% in scoring offence (out of 30 teams) this season, and can sometimes struggle to get their game together and it appears as though they didn?t show up at all .. This is one of those nights. Chicago is also 6-10 against top tier (top 10) teams in the league, which Atlanta is apart of.
Miami and Atlanta both play in the Eastern conference. Versus teams in the eastern conference (not including their own division) Chicago is 7-10 (41%) and Atlanta is 13-6 (68%). This line opened -7 which is where it is currently at but could move up to -7.5/-8. I would take any of those lines, but -7 clearly has the best value. Atlanta wins by double digits.
Atlanta is 20-5 at home this season with the fifth best home advantage of over five points. Atlanta is 6-4 in their past 10 games, with 5 of those games being at home where they went 4-1. Those six games that they did win, they won by an average of 8 points per game .. they do not have problems building on large leads like some teams do, whom let-up the pressure when they have a double digit lead. Atlanta is also a young team and always feel like they need to prove something. They also only have one more home game after this before the week off (11th to 17th). Revenge? If Atlanta remembers back to December 19th, they?ll remember losing in overtime on the road at Chicago by 3 points. Motivation: with only four games left before the week break, Atlanta will look to cement their position in the playoff race. Coach will have it instilled in his players to give it all they have, and play with playoff intensity against a team in Chicago who currently has the 7th playoff position. At home this season, Atlanta has defeat opponents on average by 10 points per game. Like I mentioned Chicago is 6-10 against teams in the top 10 of the league (38%). Atlanta vs. teams in the bottom half of the league, which Chicago is in, their record is 15-4 (79%). In fact, against teams top in the top 10 they are 23-8 (74%). This added with their home records, and their average score, added with Bulls injury and Atlanta?s motivation to play well .. This is really shaping up to look a very talented team to beat up on a good team in a bad situation. Atlanta has been at home 3 days now, are well rested, their minds are sharp and they are ready to put on a show.
My prediction: Atlanta dominates the majority of the game. Chicago does have a few game changing players but I look for them to be quieted by Atlanta?s group of superstars each time they make noise. Atlanta should dominate the majority of this game, going strong in the end of the 2nd quarter is important. The end result: Atlanta by 11 to 17.
Houston Rockets +5
My Line: Memphis -3
Houston heads on the road to play not only a conference match up but also a divisional match up, at Memphis. Houston is currently 5-4 in divisional play while Memphis is only 2-5, on the season. Houston is 11-13 on the road this season, straight up, with only one road game in their last ten games .. with them winning. This lack of road games, has them very well rested for what is only a 1 game road trip before returning home again tomorrow. They have, like Memphis, had two days off to prepare for this game. This is a big game for both teams as they are both two games back from 2nd place in their division and 6th spot in the playoffs. Currently they are both just out of the playoff picture. Houston won their last game three nights ago, beating lowly Golden State by 22 points. Their previous four games were more difficult, heated contest and Houston held their own. Although losing three of the four games, they were only defeated by more then five points once (against Atlanta five games ago, by 7 points) and with one of those losses needing overtime, vs. Phoenix. With only two wins in their last five games, Houston is being undervalued in this game. Houston plays good, hard working basketball both at home and on the road and they are able to win every game they play, on any given night. They are only 1.5 points worse on the road then at home and that tells you a lot about a team. Since their two stars in Yao and McGrady were injured months ago, players on their team have really taken it as their job to step up and contribute. They would definitely like a strong run into the break, and will not go down without a fight against Memphis. Houston has the 9th best offence in the league and they will be able to score enough on Memphis?s 23rd ranked defence to keep this game very close.
Memphis on the other hand is not a bad team either, going 18-6 at home, 6-4 in their last 10 overall games and are coming off a loss at Cleveland by 16. Before this game they hung on to beat the LA Lakers, who were on the end of a long eight game road trip and losing in overtime to an injury riddled New Orleans Hornets. I do feel Memphis is a strong team to upset somebody in the playoffs, similar to Houston they fight to win every game but I don?t feel they have a chance of winning by three possessions or more (6+ points). Memphis will play Houston tonight and then go on the road to play Minnesota tomorrow for their fourth game in six nights.
Houston has an overall 26-22 record, with either the hardest or second hardest schedule of any team in the league to date, with Memphis having an overall 26-22 record also and having about the 10th most difficult schedule.
My prediction: The point is that Memphis is too big of a favourite in this game, -3.5 would have been a more sensible line. Houston and Chicago have very similar teams and play very similar games and I personally feel that the line is overvaluing Memphis?s win against the Lakers two games ago, which I had a winning pick on Memphis with. Both teams will be fighting hard for this game but I feel that Houston is the more rested team and could be able to squeak out a straight up win in what should be a very close game. Five points is way too much and Houston is the play.
BOL to everybody tonight.
Let?s go 2-0.
F*ck the haters!
BOL
PV
