Just points, but still brutal. SBR mods, if you see this, please ban me from any and all tennis wagers in the sportbook, thanks.
SBR posters: I very rarely bet tennis, but when I do, I pick favourites and make them lose terribly. Happy fading :grrr:
[SIZE=2]Ticket #: 246745
Jun 15 09:05 PM
Jun 15 09:05 PM
Jun 15 07:30 AM
Jun 15 10:00 AM
Jun 15 07:00 AM
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NBA
NBA
SOC
SOC
MU
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PARLAY (5 TEAMS)
[COLOR=Green][712] LA LAKERS -6½-110
[712] TOTAL u188-110
(BOSTON vrs LA LAKERS)
[6047] NEW ZEALAND...[/SIZE][/COLOR][/712][/712][/6047]

The New Orleans Hornets come into Memphis playing some average basketball, but they do definitely look like a different team with Chris Paul back at the helm and running the show once again. CP3 is playing like the superstar that he is, but his team is struggling to follow suit. Inconsistent is a word that describes this Hornet team right now.  They had a huge upset win over the Dallas Mavericks last week, and then they go on to lose a couple, win one, and finally dropped one to the Washington Wizards in their last contest.  If that is not the definition of inconsistency, I am not sure what is.  In their last game, the Hornets had surprising trouble against the Wiz, being handled throughout the game.  They seemed over matched all game long and as a whole, their team is just not clicking as they are capable of.  The Grizzlies meanwhile have been dropping games and dropping them fast.  They are finding ways to lose and fall out of contention in the playoff hunt.  Their once promising season is looking to shape up to be yet another disappointing season.  In their last game against the Mavericks, they found a way to lose the game after being up 8 with one minute and thirty seconds remaining.  A strong home team in the early parts of the year, the Grizz have had trouble covering or winning at home.  However, this young team is still a capable bunch and they will have the pride to finish out this season on a good note.  The Hornets will be a good team for them to play a solid game and to pick up a W in front of the home crowd. Although they are as close to being out of the playoff race without actually being mathetically eliminated, this will still be seen as a huge game for the Grizzlies and I look for them to play their hearts out in this one.  OJ Mayo has been playing good ball of late, despite his team's struggles and I look for him to be a key factor in this win over the Hornets. Take the Grizzles playing host to the Hornets in Memphis.

In another key matchup, we have the Orlando Magic playing at San Antonio where both teams are playing some of their best basketball of the season.  The Magic and the Spurs have both found the perfect time to peak and neither shows signs of slowing down.  The Magic are finding ways to just beat down opponents by large margins, with some great perimeter shooting as well as finding ways to better incorporate their franchise player, Dwight Howard, on the offensive end.  The issue of not getting enough touches for their big man has simmered down and D12 has quietly become a force on both ends of the court.  With Pietrus back, the Magic have yet another offensive weapon -- some one who can shoot the long ball, as evidenced last night by him going 6 for 6 beyond the arc, as well as someone who can put the ball on the floor and create something for himself and others.  Both Petrius and Matt Barnes are scrappy role players who are capable of contributing huge on any given night.  In this game, the Magic are coming off a back to back in which they had easily disposed of the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas.  Their confidence is high and they've accomplished so much in the last couple weeks that some may look at this game as a let down game for the Magic.  They really don't need to win the San Antonio tomorrow, and it's not a statement game for them either.  As well as the Spurs have been playing, they have still not yet qualified as members of the NBA upper tier and the Magic won't treat them as such.  They may very well take this game off and whether or not they put forth an obviously lackluster effort in tomorrow's contest, I don't see them playing well against the surging Spurs.  San Antonio is well rested and they've found their stride. Popovich will press his guys to finish out the regular season strong, heading into the post season on a solid streak.  Playing against a recognized powerhouse in the Magic is a great opportunity for San Antonio to test themselves and to play a statement game to prove to themselves and their Western Conference foes, that they will not go down easy this year. Take the Spurs at -3 in this spot.

After recent disappoints backing this team, I had sworn off betting on the Denver Nuggets until George Karl returns.  Each and every time I believe they are due to snap out of their funk, they lay down and put forth an uninspired effort.  But somehow, someway, I find myself going back to this same well.  I think Denver digs down deep and puts forth their first strong game in two weeks with a big win.  Yup, I'm trying this once more. Make no mistake, their struggles playing without their head coach over the past couple weeks are well-publicized and many people who are on the opposite side of this call are pointing to that as their number one reason for betting the Trailblazers in this spot. However, I see it differently.  The Nuggets have proven all year long that they are a strong team -- a legitimate contender, even -- and they are that much more dangerous when they are playing at home.  So instead, I'm going to set aside my the bad taste in my mouth that came from losing with these Nuggets and stick true to my belief that this streak must end eventually -- they are too good not to--- and I see this game versus the Portland Trailblazers as the perfect opportunity for them to put the hammer down and defend their home court emphatically.  They are, after all, still an incredible 30-6 in the Pepsi Center.  The energy from the Denver crowd is infectious and I'm sure the Nuggets will come out strong and ride that energy throughout the game to a huge win -- one they desperately need as the Dallas Mavericks appear to be running away with the race for the second seed in the Western Conference.  Chauncey Billups has put together back to back disappointing efforts in which he's been uncharacteristic poor in shot selection, pace setting, and leading his team.  His shooting percentage in the combined two games is abysmal, and I look for him to step up and assert himself in this game.  For all the things Chauncey is -- the big shots, the dependability you feel when he's calling the shots, the thing he is first and foremost is a leader.  This is Melo's team because he's the franchise player, the cornerstone of the present and future.  But don't be mistaken -- he's an alpha dog in contract, but Chauncey is the true leader.  He recognizes his team is slumping and slumping badly in the time of the year where they can least afford it.  He knows they're losing ground, losing momentum and losing focus.  He also knows what needs to be done to end their slump and I expect him to play with that recognition on Thursday.   Billups will not perform poorly for a third straight game and I see him being extremely key in a leading his team here.  The line isn't out yet, but forget the spread: Nuggets will finally roll in this game. Tread with caution, but I'm feeling this play and booking it despite some warranted concerns.

I can't believe it, but I'm thinking Denver. Again.

More on this later

The Phoenix Suns are playing the second game of a back to back road situation, in which they played a tough Chicago team on Tuesday that gave them all they could handle.  New Jersey, meanwhile, are playing their best basketball of the season and they appear re-energized after playing to avoid the distinction of the worst team in NBA history.  They have won 3 of their last 4 games, including their last against the always formidable San Antonio Spurs, albeit without their star guard, Manu Ginobili. What is more, is that New Jersey has covered in their last 6 games against Western Conference foes.  The Nets are picking up some steam towards the end of this season and as they play in front of the home crowd on Wednesday, they'll have a new sense of confidence and purpose to perform.  Their goal is to simply do as best as they can in their remaining games and a real positive is their approach in doing so.  Through all the losses, this team has still kept it together as a cohesive unit.  They will come out tomorrow against the Suns with that same mentality and they'll look to play spoiler once again, against teams who are lobbying for playoff positioning.  On paper, it may look as if the Nets have nothing to play for.  But this group of guys are playing with heart right now and being spotted 7 and a half points in their home building, with the momentum they are having, is a great spot to back the Nets.  I would not be surprised to see New Jersey pull off a second huge upset in as many games.  Most likely though, the Suns should prevail but I see New Jersey keeping this game close all the way and the energized crowd will be a factor in helping them out.  Take the 7.5 points and the Brooklyn Nets against the Phoenix Suns.

The Mavericks come into Memphis playing great basketball once against. Dirk Norwitski is playing like the superstar that he is and his team are just finding ways to beat teams and beat them easy.  In their last game, they rolled over the Denver Nuggets en route to yet another easy victory.  This season, the Mavericks have had trouble covering at home, but in this spot, being pegged as mere 2 point favourites on the road is a great opportunity to ride the Mavericks on their hot streak.  The Dallas lineup has too many weapons and the experience to overwhelm the Grizzlies in this last crucial stretch of the season.  The Grizzlies have been playing mediocre basketball, but lacking that veteran experience to sustain any momentum heading towards the season's end.  They are falling out of the 8th and final playoff spot with the Spurs playing as well as they have been playing of late. Despite this being a huge game for the Grizzlies, look for Dallas to continue their winning ways.  Take the Mavs at -2 in Memphis.

Best of luck, reader.

 

The Bucks are a good team worthy of their playoff standing and it's hard not to root for this team.  They have a strong core based around youth and a few veterans and the team chemistry appears to be great.  They have been playing great basketball throughout the last month and they play at home has certainly been stellar.  But when I look at the point spread and see them as 10 point favourites in tomorrow's matchup against the L.A. Clippers, something does not sit right with me. The Milwaukee Bucks, as good as they have been playing, are not double digit favourites over any team not named the Wizards or the Nets.  They simply don't have the firepower to blowout a team like the Clippers, who when they have all cylinders clicking, can match the Bucks shot for shot.  I don't think the Bucks will lose in this spot, but covering a 10 point spread is definitely a giant stretch.  The Bucks have played their share of tough games against formidable foes of late, and I don't think they can get themselves up for this match. At least, not enough to whip the Clippers in a laugher.  I see the Bucks coming out a little flat and disinterested, while managing the game the whole way.  One thing to note, is that in the last meeting between these two teams earlier this month, the Clippers got the victory at home as they held onto a relatively comfortable 101-93 win.  The Clip Show have shown that they are capable opponents against this impressive Bucks team and their strong guard play in Baron Davis and Eric Gordon will have a major influence in this game once against.  Brandon Jennings may get on the scoreboard, but he will do next to nothing in stopping the Clipper guards.  In all likelihood, the Bucks will not drop back to back games to the Clippers, especially not on their home floor.  They will play for an easy win, one in which they'll happily coast to a 5-6 point victory.  That's good enough for us Clip joint backers.  We'll take the 10 points.

In Philly, we have a tasty looking line with the Oklahoma Thunder pegged as 6 point favourites over the lowly Sixers. To Philly's credit, they have won two straight impressive victories over strong playoff teams in the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks.  This sudden resurgence in the point of their season when they looked as if they had finished playing, has caught a lot of people by surprise.  These two victories probably contributed to this stingy 6 point spread and the Thunder who have far more to play for, will not look past this game.  They need the W here as every game is vital in determining where they fall in the playoff standings and their talented group will be ready to take care of business from the get go. Look for the Sixers to regress back to their disinterested form and they won't be able to hold off the Thunder surge for long.  OKC will win this one by a double digit margin.

Sometimes you just have to go back to the same well that bites you. That is the case on Monday when I'll be taking Denver to cover their second +5.5 point spread in as many days when they pay a visit to the Dallas Mavericks.  On Sunday, they blew a comfortable 10 point lead, the game, and eventually the 5.5 point cover.  Chauncey was anything but his big shot self, committing many errors down the stretch when poise and clutchness was needed.  Meanwhile, Carmelo was efficient from the field and the entire team just failed to play any defense in the second half.  Yet on Monday, I look to back them once more in the Big D where hopefully, their own D will come up Big. Jostling for positions near the top of the Western Conference standings, the Nuggets know that they have to turn their recent slump around and they can't wait for Coach Karl to come back. 

Chauncey, the veteran leader that he is, will not have a second poor game in a row, especially not in a spot of such large implications.  His style won't allow it and I look for him to come up huge in Dallas, living up to his Mr. Big Shot moniker.  At the end of Sunday's game, Chauncey lost his cool and drew a technical foul at a non-call by the official when he lost the ball out of bounds.  That play was essentially the nail in the coffin and I know Billups will bounce back with a strong performance for himself and his teammates.

The matchup with Dirk is a slight area of concern as the Nuggets' best player to guard the big German would have been the sidelined Kenyon Martin.  With that said, it will likely be Nene who gets the assignment and his athleticism and ability to guard different positions on the floor is promising for this matchup and he should be able to hold his own. 

All in all when you look at this game, there are too many factors that support siding with Denver despite their recent struggles.  The Mavericks themselves have not been playing their best basketball in recent days following their season long win streak and they are not as formidable at home as they were earlier on in the year.  The bottom line is that Nuggets are primed for a big game against a big opponent.  They have lost 4 of their last 5 and it would have been 5 straight if not for a buzzer-beating game winner in Toronto that saved them from the embarrassing defeat at the hands of the lowly Raptors.  The Nuggets know what is at stake here -- not only the position in the standings, but also getting back to playing the high level basketball that they know they are capable of.  The regular season is coming to an end soon and it's time to peak.  They will be ready for this matchup in Dallas and this time, I believe they will not disappoint. Denver wins this game straight up.

Take the points and the Denver Nuggets at +5.5 or even on the money line.

Wednesday's docket has a variety of games that should prove worthwhile to wager on, with the game of the night being the matchup between the Charlotte Bobcats and the Philadelphia 76ers.

In Philly, we have two teams who are each playing the second game of back to back situations -- Charlotte is coming off an inspiring, come from behind victory over a team they are battling for playoff position in the Heat. It was a gutty win that is sure to build confidence and I look for them to carry that momentum into this game against the Sixers. Conversely, the 76ers are coming off a loss in which they were the ones who blew an early lead. Watching that game and in particular, the second half, you could see the fight is gone in the Sixers team. It is as if they've already accepted their fate for the season and they are playing like they are playing for nothing except lottery balls. On the other side, we have the Bobcats who are right in the thick of the playoff race, trying to better their position in the standings with every game that is of great magnitude. I cannot see them having many let down games down this final stretch and a veteran coach in Larry Brown certainly will make sure his boys show up from the get go to pick up an easy win in Philly. Despite their weak road record on the season, the Bobcats are cruising into town with so much to play for, so much reason to believe, and so much talent to overpower the hapless Sixers. Philly has thrown in the towel and it's time for handicappers to take full advantage. The measely one point that they are laying down is a real bargain. JUMP AT THE BOBCATS AT -1 AGAINST THE SIXERS.

Next up, are the Utah Jazz who pay a visit to the Detroit Pistons. Utah is coming off a big victory in Chicago where they were cruising along all way until blowing out the Bulls in the second half. The Jazz are playing great team basketball and Deron Williams appears to have shaken off his mini slump in February where he didn't shoot the ball as well as he's accustomed to. Still, his assists have gone way up over the past month and he's leading his team as well as ever. With the Jazz, as Deron Williams goes, so too does the team go and right now, both are doing just fine. Deron is coming off a 28 point and 17 assist night and as they visit Detroit, the Pistons are without Rodney Stuckey who would have been the Piston guarding him. Ben Gordon cannot defend an average point guard, let alone Deron Williams. Will Bynum is too small and Rip Hamilton is too frail for the bullying manner in which Deron plays. Stuckey with his size, strength and speed was the Pistons one chance of slowing down Deron. Without him, look for D-Will to have a field day on the offensive end. The Pistons, like the Philadelphia 76ers, are also coming into a stretch where they see themselves playing in games that lack meaning. Playoffs are a goal no longer and it is easy for them to give up in this game once they fail behind. Meanwhile, the surging Jazz are looking to better their position in the West for more favorable matchups come Playoff time -- the second NBA season in which they, unlike Detroit, will have an invitation to. Some people are looking for a let down game for Utah because they are coming off too easy a win in Chicago. I'd argue that the strength of Utah will induce a give up game for Detroit where they will realize that they are overmatched and have nothing on the line to prove anyone otherwise. TAKE UTAH AT -6.5 AGAINST THE SHORT-HANDED PISTONS.

In Sacramento, the Kings play host to the Toronto Raptors who are coming off a heartbreaking loss in Los Angeles in which they led most of the way before having their unlikely victory snatched from their hands by one, Kobe Bryant. It's a tough loss for a team that desperately needed that upset to gain some momentum as they jostle for playoff positioning themselves. Meanwhile, the Kings also hung close in their game last night against the Portland Trailblazers before falling just short. Despite their poor record overall, the Kings are surprisingly formidable at home where they always put up a good fight against superior teams while the Raptors are poor on the road. Being given a point here, the KINGS ARE THE PLAY AT +1.

These are winners, my friends! Enjoy and best of luck!

After a great weekend of games, Monday's lineup have a couple of matchups I like. Memphis at -9 over the New Jersey Nets is a play I really like despite knowing that the last time I heavily vouched in their favour, they did not cover against the Spurs. 

Memphis is a strong home team, make no mistake about that.  Their 8 game home losing streak is well-publicized and many people who are on the opposite side of this call are pointing to that as their number one reason for betting that side.  However, I see it differently.  The Grizzlies have proven all year long that they are a strong team, and even more so when they are playing at home.   So instead, how I view their home struggles is that I believe their recent home skid has to end eventually -- they are too good not to--- and I see this game versus the Nets as the perfect opportunity for them to put the hammer down and defend their home court emphatically.

At first glance, the 9 point spread looks quite large and intimidating to lay for a team that has lost 8 straight at home against a team in the New Jersey Nets that have proven to be a great cover against large spreads. However, their recent trends together (the Nets' success as large dogs and Memphis' recent struggles at home), are what makes this line so high and it should drive the public to bet on New Jersey's side.  Yet, I really like Memphis in this spot because this is a team, who has the talent to match any in the League, and have for the most part, shown the chemistry needed to play at their best. They're coming into this game both rested, and aware of their 8 game home losing streak. I see them hungry to end this streak and end it in a big way. If they come out like that, there is nothing the Nets can do to prevent a DD piecing.  When a team has the ability to control their destiny and the incentive to do so in a particular game, they are a team I can back confidently.  The Nets are not that team here; the Grizzlies are.  DESPITE RECENT TRENDS AND THE SEEMINGLY LARGE 9 POINT SPREAD, TAKE THE GRIZZLIES AT -9.

The other game I like, is the Dallas Mavericks who are paying a visit to the Minnesota Timberwolves, another team who has been a covering-machine against superior teams of late.  But in this spot, the Mavs are simply playing too well and they are simply too strong for Minny.  Dirk is playing at an unbelievable level once again and his supporting cast is bringing it now.  Caron has found his groove and Jason Kidd is playing like.... a young Jason Kidd! The Timberwolves don't have the personnel to stop the Mavericks from running away with this game and a double digit victory, or close to, is the likely result.  TAKE THE STREAKING HOT MAVERICKS AGAINST THE T-WOLVES AT -7.

To be honest and not at all humble, I am really feeling my picks right now. Like, damn. 11-3 over my last 14 plays. Only the Lakers have screwed me over on a couple of 9 team parlays, but other than that, it's been just homemade gravy. Alright, let's get right down to it. BY FAR my favourite pick for Saturday has to be...

The MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES AT +1.5 OVER THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS. The Grizzlies are simply playing great basketball right now and they seem to have gotten over their mini slump that took place after their long and successful run in the post-Iverson era. (That was not an AI bash; I am quite possibly his biggest fan in Canada, but those are just the facts and they speak for themselves. How one interprets them is up to one's own discretion) Anyway back to the game at hand, the Grizzlies have shown in the last couple weeks that they are a legitimate team to be reckoned with -- one that has figured out to how win ball games and do so against even the top teams in this League. In fact, right now, there is no team they cannot beat on any given night. The talent is there and the execution is getting there. They have even figured out what had been their achillies heel all season long -- winning on the road.

Looking at the Spurs team, no one is playing great. No one has exceeded expectations, few have met them, and no one has stepped up to take over ball games for this club who have seen so many wins vanish before eyes because they cannot hold onto leads late in games. Make no mistake, the mantra "The Spurs are still the Spurs" is no longer true. They are losing games that you wouldn't dream of them losing in the past. 6 minutes to go and sitting on a 14 point lead is no longer safe for these current Spurs. They just don't have it anymore. For the past 10 years, I have never counted the Spurs out of contention. Not once. Even in the Lakers dominance, I never wrote the Spurs off. After all, they were still the Spurs. But they no longer those Spurs and I think when you watch them out on the court and observe what goes on between whistles, you can sense that even they know this to be true. On Saturday they head into Memphis, a tough place to play in, to take on a tough and young team in the Grizzlies. To be honest, I see the Grizz winning easily here. A double digit victory would not surprise me. I see them sitting on a comfortable lead throughout most of the game, with the Spurs never really threatening, and ultimately winning by 8 or 9. The line is +1.5. It's wack. Hey, sportbooks do screw up now and again. This is one of those times.

TAKE THE GRIZZLIES AND TAKE THEM HEAVY IN THIS PRIMETIME SPOT AGAINST THE SPURS. THE 1.5 POINTS IS A GIFT -- SMILE AND TAKE IT.

Other plays I like are: Indiana +12.5 (vs PHX), and Miami -1.5 (vs ATL)... but the resounding theme of this blog should be... MEMPHIS!!