PICK 'N' ROLL
Today's best NBA bets
Dallas Mavericks at Minnesota Timberwolves (7, 207)
The Mavericks have won 11 straight while the Timberwolves have lost 11 of their last 12, so this pick is a no-brainer, right?
Not necessarily, especially with the nine-man Mavs winning the last few with smoke and mirrors. They certainly haven't done it inside, with centers Erick Dampier and Brendan Haywood out with injuries.
And they darn sure haven't done it with defense, allowing five of their last six opponents to score in triple figures. The Mavs have had to share the ball and shoot lights-out just to stay ahead of the pace.
"We just couldn't get any stops," Dirk Nowitzki said after Saturday's 122-116 victory over the Chicago Bulls. "We were using trick defenses and some zones, but they kept scoring. But we shared the ball well, had 31 assists, and I think that's a sign of a bunch of guys who want to play with each other."
The Mavs will have to take that same approach against the T-wolves, who lost 112-109 at Dallas last week, and that was without center Al Jefferson, who was serving a two-game suspension for his DUI arrest. Throw in Darko Milicic and Ryan Hollins and the centerless Mavs are outsized and outmanned.
Pick: Timberwolves
Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks (6, 210.5)
The Hawks' offense has been on fire as of late, hitting the over in seven of their last eight and averaging 108 points per game during that span.
The Knicks have decided to scrap their slow approach since last month's 83-67 sleep-inducing loss to Milwaukee last month, scoring an average of 103 points per game but allowing 112.
That's a formula for a shootout tonight at Madison Square Garden, where over is 11-3 in the Knicks' last 14. Eight of the last nine meetings between these two teams also have topped the total.
And if that's not enough mathematic evidence for you, consider that Hawks leading scorer Joe Johnson, a free agent after this season, may be auditioning for a job since the Knicks are considering him as an attractive alternative to LeBron James as a building block for the future.
Pick: Over
Today's best NBA bets
Dallas Mavericks at Minnesota Timberwolves (7, 207)
The Mavericks have won 11 straight while the Timberwolves have lost 11 of their last 12, so this pick is a no-brainer, right?
Not necessarily, especially with the nine-man Mavs winning the last few with smoke and mirrors. They certainly haven't done it inside, with centers Erick Dampier and Brendan Haywood out with injuries.
And they darn sure haven't done it with defense, allowing five of their last six opponents to score in triple figures. The Mavs have had to share the ball and shoot lights-out just to stay ahead of the pace.
"We just couldn't get any stops," Dirk Nowitzki said after Saturday's 122-116 victory over the Chicago Bulls. "We were using trick defenses and some zones, but they kept scoring. But we shared the ball well, had 31 assists, and I think that's a sign of a bunch of guys who want to play with each other."
The Mavs will have to take that same approach against the T-wolves, who lost 112-109 at Dallas last week, and that was without center Al Jefferson, who was serving a two-game suspension for his DUI arrest. Throw in Darko Milicic and Ryan Hollins and the centerless Mavs are outsized and outmanned.
Pick: Timberwolves
Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks (6, 210.5)
The Hawks' offense has been on fire as of late, hitting the over in seven of their last eight and averaging 108 points per game during that span.
The Knicks have decided to scrap their slow approach since last month's 83-67 sleep-inducing loss to Milwaukee last month, scoring an average of 103 points per game but allowing 112.
That's a formula for a shootout tonight at Madison Square Garden, where over is 11-3 in the Knicks' last 14. Eight of the last nine meetings between these two teams also have topped the total.
And if that's not enough mathematic evidence for you, consider that Hawks leading scorer Joe Johnson, a free agent after this season, may be auditioning for a job since the Knicks are considering him as an attractive alternative to LeBron James as a building block for the future.
Pick: Over
ICE PICKS
Today's best NHL bets
Dallas Stars at Washington Capitals (-320, 6.5)
Marc Crawford would have loved if the Olympic break never happened. The Dallas Stars head coach had his team playing some of its best hockey of the season but the Olympics stole his club’s mojo.
Goalie Marty Turco has been the biggest victim. He was 4-2 with a .967 save percentage in his last four starts before the break and in his first two starts back, he’s 0-2 with a .727 save percentage.
Kari Lehtonen, Turco’s backup, was just as bad in his first start in over a year. The former Thrashers netminder allowed six goals on 34 shots and after the game Crawford suggested Lehtonen looked “tired”.
You don’t want to be having any kind of uncertainty between the pipes when you’re facing a squad with Washington’s talent.
Pick: Over
Columbus Blue Jackets at Los Angeles Kings (165, 5.5)
As if the season wasn’t hard enough already on Columbus fans, the Blue Jackets lost three straight one-goal games to three of the best teams in the NHL. The tough post-Olympic stretch isn’t over either.
Columbus travels to Los Angeles to face a hungry Kings crew. Los Angeles was jostling the Sharks and Blackhawks for the top overall spot in the West in December but now finds itself it a fight just to secure a playoff spot.
“Just because we’re in right now doesn’t mean we’re in,” Kings forward Ryan Smyth told the Los Angeles Times of the playoff race following his team’s second straight defeat. “We’ve got to play to catch the teams ahead of us instead of looking at the teams behind us.”
Expect the Kings to refocus and pile it on against the tough-luck Jackets.
Pick: Kings
Today's best NHL bets
Dallas Stars at Washington Capitals (-320, 6.5)
Marc Crawford would have loved if the Olympic break never happened. The Dallas Stars head coach had his team playing some of its best hockey of the season but the Olympics stole his club’s mojo.
Goalie Marty Turco has been the biggest victim. He was 4-2 with a .967 save percentage in his last four starts before the break and in his first two starts back, he’s 0-2 with a .727 save percentage.
Kari Lehtonen, Turco’s backup, was just as bad in his first start in over a year. The former Thrashers netminder allowed six goals on 34 shots and after the game Crawford suggested Lehtonen looked “tired”.
You don’t want to be having any kind of uncertainty between the pipes when you’re facing a squad with Washington’s talent.
Pick: Over
Columbus Blue Jackets at Los Angeles Kings (165, 5.5)
As if the season wasn’t hard enough already on Columbus fans, the Blue Jackets lost three straight one-goal games to three of the best teams in the NHL. The tough post-Olympic stretch isn’t over either.
Columbus travels to Los Angeles to face a hungry Kings crew. Los Angeles was jostling the Sharks and Blackhawks for the top overall spot in the West in December but now finds itself it a fight just to secure a playoff spot.
“Just because we’re in right now doesn’t mean we’re in,” Kings forward Ryan Smyth told the Los Angeles Times of the playoff race following his team’s second straight defeat. “We’ve got to play to catch the teams ahead of us instead of looking at the teams behind us.”
Expect the Kings to refocus and pile it on against the tough-luck Jackets.
Pick: Kings
Kyle Bales
The Dallas Mavericks, winners of 11 straight, beat the Timberwolves by
three last Wednesday in Dallas but failed to cover the 13 point
spread. Unfortunately for the Mavericks, this time around they will be
without Jason Terry who scored 26 points in that game. Terry (16.4
ppg) will be out two weeks after having facial surgery Friday after
being elbowed by Minnesota's Corey Brewer in that game. The Mavericks
could also be without both centers Eric Dampier (Mid March) and
Brendan Haywood (Questionable). The Timberwolves however will be happy
to welcome back Al Jefferson (17.1 ppg) who sat out with a suspension
in Wednesday's loss. He was greatly missed in Saturday's loss where
the Rockets took advantage on the boards. While the Mavericks look for
someone on the bench to step up, the Timberwolves have had great
success having Kevin Love come off the bench as he has averaged 16.8
points over the past seven games. With Dallas coming into this matchup
playing their third game in four nights I look for Minnesota to stay
within the number and possibly upset this tired and hurt team.
Play On: 15* Minnesota Timberwolves +7
North Texas is a tough team coming into this game winners of 10
straight and should have no problem winning this game today. These two
teams matched up earlier in the year with North Texas getting the five
point home victory despite shooting 3-14 behind the arc. Denver went
on a solid run to finish the season winning their last 6 of 7 but with
this being their third game in three days I think they will be too
tired to compete against this hungry Eagles team seeking their first
tournament title since 2007. Although this is a neutral court game,
Denver is just 2-11 on the road this season.
Play On: 10* North Texas -1
The Dallas Mavericks, winners of 11 straight, beat the Timberwolves by
three last Wednesday in Dallas but failed to cover the 13 point
spread. Unfortunately for the Mavericks, this time around they will be
without Jason Terry who scored 26 points in that game. Terry (16.4
ppg) will be out two weeks after having facial surgery Friday after
being elbowed by Minnesota's Corey Brewer in that game. The Mavericks
could also be without both centers Eric Dampier (Mid March) and
Brendan Haywood (Questionable). The Timberwolves however will be happy
to welcome back Al Jefferson (17.1 ppg) who sat out with a suspension
in Wednesday's loss. He was greatly missed in Saturday's loss where
the Rockets took advantage on the boards. While the Mavericks look for
someone on the bench to step up, the Timberwolves have had great
success having Kevin Love come off the bench as he has averaged 16.8
points over the past seven games. With Dallas coming into this matchup
playing their third game in four nights I look for Minnesota to stay
within the number and possibly upset this tired and hurt team.
Play On: 15* Minnesota Timberwolves +7
North Texas is a tough team coming into this game winners of 10
straight and should have no problem winning this game today. These two
teams matched up earlier in the year with North Texas getting the five
point home victory despite shooting 3-14 behind the arc. Denver went
on a solid run to finish the season winning their last 6 of 7 but with
this being their third game in three days I think they will be too
tired to compete against this hungry Eagles team seeking their first
tournament title since 2007. Although this is a neutral court game,
Denver is just 2-11 on the road this season.
Play On: 10* North Texas -1
Here is the NBA
Game Projection PTS Atlanta Hawks 105.1 New York Knicks 101.3 Projected High-Scorer
David Lee (NY) 20.4 pts
Live Betting Predictions
Point Spread AccuScore Probability Atlanta Hawks -6.5 41.5% New York Knicks +6.5 58.5% Over / Under AccuScore Probability OVR 209.5 46.2% UND 209.5 53.8% Money Line AccuScore Probability Atlanta Hawks -300 57.1% New York Knicks +264 42.9% Game Projection PTS New Jersey Nets 95.4 Memphis Grizzlies 103.3 Projected High-Scorer
Zach Randolph (MEM) 23.1 pts
Live Betting Predictions
Point Spread AccuScore Probability New Jersey Nets +8.5 51.1% Memphis Grizzlies -8.5 48.9% Over / Under AccuScore Probability OVR 198 49.0% UND 198 49.5% Money Line AccuScore Probability New Jersey Nets +350 23.4% Memphis Grizzlies -405 76.5% Game Projection PTS Dallas Mavericks 104.8 Minnesota Timberwolves 97.7 Projected High-Scorer
Dirk Nowitzki (DAL) 28.2 pts
Live Betting Predictions
Point Spread AccuScore Probability Dallas Mavericks -6.5 50.3% Minnesota Timberwolves +6.5 49.6% Over / Under AccuScore Probability OVR 207 42.8% UND 207 55.3% Money Line AccuScore Probability Dallas Mavericks -260 69.2% Minnesota Timberwolves +231 30.7% Game Projection PTS Golden State Warriors 102.8 New Orleans Hornets 111.9 Projected High-Scorer
David West (NO) 23.9 pts
Live Betting Predictions
Point Spread AccuScore Probability Golden State Warriors +6.5 40.0% New Orleans Hornets -6.5 60.0% Over / Under AccuScore Probability OVR 214.5 50.3% UND 214.5 49.7% Money Line AccuScore Probability Golden State Warriors +239 22.9% New Orleans Hornets -270 77.0% Game Projection PTS San Antonio Spurs 90.9 Cleveland Cavaliers 98.6 Projected High-Scorer
LeBron James (CLE) 28.0 pts
Live Betting Predictions
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