The Top NBA systems for Monday

Five games will mark the Monday slate, however the best of the group didn’t have a side or total when this article needed to be completed since LeBron James and Cleveland is up in the air for visiting San Antonio. Instead, we press on with the rest of the other games, including games involving car-wrecks New York and New Jersey. Who said Monday’s aren’t fun. Sides and totals from DiamondSportsbook.com.

Atlanta (-7, 210.5) at New York

You’ll have to excuse Knicks if they are really down, not every team could lose by 20 points to New Jersey, especially after they enjoyed a 16-point lead in the same game. If you can’t close out the Lousy Bets from the Garden State, you deserve what you get. Of note, the Knicks couldn’t throw in the Hudson River, setting a NBA record of miss-guided futility, with ZERO for 18 total beyond the three point arc. Here is what to do with the New York “Bombers”, play against home teams after they allowed 100 points or more in five games, against opponent after scoring 55 points or more in the first half in consecutive contests. A record of 26-8 ATS tends to work.

New Jersey (+8.5, 196) at Memphis

Memphis didn’t handle the pressure of taking care of San Antonio at home Saturday, losing by 10 points to division partner, their seventh straight defeat at FedEx Forum. When the total is between 190 and 199.5 points for team like Grizzlies, playing a non-conference clash off a division loss, the outcome the previous three years is 59-30 UNDER.

Dallas (-7, 207) at Minnesota

The Dallas Mavericks have won 11 in a row and will look to maul Minnesota an eight straight time this Monday. The Mavs are battling injuries, yet keep in winning. They won 122-116 at Chicago two nights ago and road favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points, after a road game where both teams scored 100 or more points, in the second half of the season, are 43-15 ATS since 2005.

Golden State (+7, 214.5) at New Orleans

The Hornets are really struggling without Chris Paul. Having lost four in a row SU and ATS and six of seven overall, New Orleans lack of defense is really hurting them without offensive production. When a team has being beaten by the spread by 18 or more total points in their last three games, with a winning percentage of between 45-55 percent on the season and the total is greater than or equal to 210, the UNDER is 53-23.

Light'em up on a Friday

Had a few extra minutes to get this up and after yesterday’s 2-1 performance, we now stand at 22-11 in last 33, not too shabby. We’ll start with a NBA totals system at over 81 percent that yields two plays. That is followed by a CBB angle following a team that doesn’t adjust well to opponents that just fire away. The LLC goes for three in a row with Top Free Play. Good Luck

What I read yesterday – Though I’m not a big fan of Bill Simmons of ESPN, I thought this was outstanding article and wonder what your think about it.

Http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/100224

On Twitter at: www.twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Basketball System -1) Play Under on all teams where the total is 200 to 209.5, a marginal winning team (51 to 60 percent), playing a winning team, in February games. This totals system yields two plays involving New Orleans and Toronto. Since 2004-5 season, this system is 44-10, 81.5 percent.

Free Basketball Trend - 2) Manhattan is 2-14 ATS versus teams who attempt 21 or more three-point shots a game over the last three seasons.

Free Basketball Pick -3) The Left Coast Connection consensus play has Atlanta with 7-0 wagering position.

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East vs West Televised Tilts

Once again this season, the Western Conference has the edge over the East. The West has 11 teams at .500 or better, compared to those from the Eastern side with eight. One distinct disadvantage the East has is New Jersey (1-21 SU vs. the West), that would be the Nets, not the state. ESPN will have two confrontations to wager on Friday night with the NBA bettor being able to show his allegiance.

Dallas at Atlanta 7:00 E

While a number of Eastern Conference teams have been pummeled by the West, one club that hasn’t is Atlanta (36-20, 34-22 ATS). The Hawks are 18-8 against the other conference with a 15-11 ATS mark. Atlanta is even more imposing at Phillips Arena with 10-1 (6-5 ATS) record.

The Hawks return home from .500 four game road trip and gave a run of the mill performance in defeating Minnesota 98-92 as 11.5-point favorites. Atlanta was bailed out by Josh Smith, who had 27 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

He was all over the place,” coach Mike Woodson said. “He blocked some shots. He scored for us, made some free throws. He was solid from beginning to end, and we’re going to need him the rest of the way.” Atlanta is 18-9 ATS after playing a home game this season.

The Hawks are going to need Smith and a complete team effort to slow down Dallas (37-21, 24-34 ATS). The Mavericks have won five in a row and have really put the defensive clamps down on opposing teams, limiting them to 90.2 points per game during this win streak. Dallas has a number of negative trends this season, but they are 16-9 ATS when they hold opponents to 96 or fewer points.

The Mavs are only three-point road underdogs at DiamondSportsbook.com, possibly because they are 17-5 (10-12 ATS) against the East. Dallas will have to overcome frightening angle that has them at 5-15 ATS after two or more consecutive wins this season. Atlanta on the other hand is 22-6 and 19-10 ATS at home and 26-12 ATS on their own court after three straight games committing 14 or less turnovers over the last two years.

Atlanta has won and covered last two meeting at home and is 17-6 OVER after one or more Under’s this season. The Hawks also won at Dallas 80-75 on Dec. 5 as six-point underdogs and the Mavericks are 9-1 UNDER in road games revenging a straight up loss vs. opponent as a home favorite.

Orlando at New Orleans 9:30 E

The Magic have won 13 of last 17 (9-7-1 ATS) and no tricks have been involved. Center Dwight Howard has been the centerpiece of Orlando (39-19, 28-26-4 ATS) surge, that has catapulted them into first place in the Southwest Division and ahead of Boston for the second best record in the East.

“He’s worked hard. He’s made improvement and I think he’s going to play at a high level all of the time.” – Coach Stan Van Gundy said about Howard.

The Magic humiliated Houston 110-92 at their place and is 17-6 ATS after scoring 60 points or more in the first half last contest. Orlando has been above average against the West with 12-8 mark and 8-9-3 ATS record.

New Orleans (30-28, 29-29 ATS) could use some help, having lost seven of last 11. The Hornets have pressed on without their leader Chris Paul, as their rookie backcourt of Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton has played well on the offensive end, but possibly isn’t getting the rest of the team into the offense. As one might expect, defense is an on-going lesson for this duo at this level and they and their teammates permitted Milwaukee to score 72 of their 115 points in the paint in last outing, which is dreadful, since the Bucks aren’t exactly known as inside scoring team.

We just didn’t have enough fight, which is inexcusable for a team like this,” Collison said. “Mentally, we weren’t in it on the defensive end.” The Hornets will have to get into it or they will fall to 2-11 ATS on Friday night’s.

New Orleans is five-point home underdog with total of 201 and they are 10-15 (13-12 ATS) facing teams east of the nearby Mississippi River. The Hornets lost by six at Orlando earlier this month and is 25-11 ATS at home revenging a same season loss and 14-3 UNDER as a home underdog. The Magic has mesmerized non-conference foes on the road the last three years with 29-13 ATS record and is 16-6 UNDER as a road favorite this season.

The Hornets are 5-4 and 4-5 ATS against Orlando since moving to the Crescent City.

The Lakers and other winning info

The Los Angeles Lakers won four of five while Kobe Bryant was sidelined with an injury, as only loss occurred to Boston 87-86. While wagering pundits will debate about the loss one player can make, Bryant gave a perfect illustration of what the right answer should be, one basket.

With the Lakers (43-14, 25-30-2 ATS) down two points to Memphis on the road yesterday, Bryant hit a 3-pointer with 4.3 second left in the contest and his club won 99-98 as 5.5-point road favorites. Bryant showed his clutch ability, scoring the team’s last nine points on the way to totaling 32. “It’s fun,” Bryant said. “It’s my responsibility to make plays down the stretch. I enjoy it.”

With little time to enjoy, Kobe and company move south to Dallas (36-21, 23-24 ATS) to face the Mavericks on an ESPN televised tilt. Los Angeles has now won seven of last eight road games (5-2-1 ATS) and head to Big D where Dallas has been friendlier this season than in the past.

The Mavs are 18-9 SU at home; winning by a mere two points a game, accounting for to be pitied for league worst 6-21 ATS record. Dallas recently turned over its roster with big trade, attempting to shake the lethargy that had settled in despite being in first place in the Southwest Division. The addition of center Brendan Haywood has been an immediate benefit for the Mavericks, having won four in a row (2-2 ATS). Once Erick Dampier returns from dislocated finger, Dallas has the size to matchup with Lakers in the paint, along with another scorer in Caron Butler.

Those setting the numbers at DiamondSportsbook.com are not backing off Dallas, in spite of puny numbers, making them 1.5-point home favorites with total of 195. Who cares if the Mavs are 2-10 ATS at American Airlines Center after hosting a game or the fact they are 1-9 ATS in a home game when the total is between 190 and 199.5 points this season. It’s not like the Lakers are sure thing, with 7-15 ATS mark having won four of their last five games and are 4-11 and 6-8-1 ATS with no rest this year.

This contest has a 9:05 Eastern tipoff and L.A is 7-0 UNDER as a road underdog and Dallas is 14-5 UNDER revenging a loss vs. opponent this season.

NBA cash grab

A New Orleans and Milwaukee encounter is hardly a headliner, (take this article for example) unless you are a sage NBA bettor in search of the right hot team. Despite playing without All-Star Chris Paul, the Hornets (30-27, 29-28 ATS) have won four of last seven and are 6-1 ATS, with all-rookie backcourt of Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton.

The Bucks (27-28, 34-21 ATS) have won three in a row and six of eight and they have been handing out bonuses faster than Wall Street with 14-3 ATS run. Center Andrew Bogut has been more assertive in all areas and rookie Brandon Jennings and John Salmons have clicked since Milwaukee acquired him from Chicago.

New Orleans is a six-point road underdog and would appear to have several decided edges. The Hornets have stung Milwaukee eight straight times (5-3 ATS), dating back to Jan. 30, 2006. New Orleans is 8-1 ATS versus teams who make six or more 3-point shots a game in the second half of the season and the Bucks are 4-16 ATS revenging a close loss (Hornets 102-99, Nov. 25) of three points or less since 2007.

This battle begins at 8:05 Eastern and can be seen in local markets, with somebody taking home another winner, following spread covering clubs.

NBA Road Teams as Hot as Brooklyn Decker

While Phoenix is known as a great vacation spot other than the summer time and Utah is known for, well, being Utah, both basketball teams are heating up in what should be another scintillating run for eight playoff spots in the Western Conference. Both teams are in action tonight, on the road, seeking to keep the momentum building.

Jazz hitting all the right notes

The Jazz (33-19, 31-18-3 ATS) opened the second part of their schedule with a road win last night in Houston 104-95 and they will have three more games away from home on this trip. Utah has won 10 of 11 (8-2-1 ATS) and 14 of last 16 (11-2-3 ATS). Never regarded as superior visiting club, the Jazz are attempting to win their fifth consecutive road game for the first time in two years when they visit New Orleans (28-25, 26-27 ATS).

The Hornets are adjusting to life without superstar guard Chris Paul, who had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee and is out a minimum of three more weeks. New Orleans, after losing three in a row, won two of last three before the break, covering all of them thanks to hot shooting, which hid defensive flaws. The Hornets are 9-1 ATS after three straight games allowing a shooting percentage of 47 percent or higher over the last two seasons.

Utah is playing outstanding team basketball and is 30-13 ATS after a game with 30 or more assists, which raised their record to 13-3 ATS in the last two February’s. This leads to the Jazz as 3.5-point favorite at DiamondSportsbook.com, with total of 201.5. New Orleans has won the only meeting between these teams this season in Utah, yet is 7-17 ATS when the total is 200 to 209.5 over the last two seasons. This encounter starts just after 8:00 Eastern in local markets, with the Hornets 13-3 UNDER as a home underdog.

Farewell Amare?

The Phoenix Suns (32-22, 28-25-1 ATS) have been playing their best basketball since early November, on 6-1 SU and ATS roll off their impressive 109-95 win at Memphis yesterday. This was the second time the Suns have held an opponent under 40 percent shooting in this stretch of games; however the chemistry of this team is expected to be in flux.

Insider reports in Phoenix have contract talks between Amare Stoudemire and the Suns as wide apart as the Grand Canyon; fueling speculation a trade is imminent. Cleveland is still believed the most likely destination, though Miami is still in the mix. Charlotte’s name has been mentioned, however they have nothing the Suns would want or need, particularly since they sit at seventh seed presently, but just a couple of games out of moving up to fourth slot. As far as tonight, Phoenix is 13-5 ATS in road games after scoring 100 points or more five consecutive contests this year.

Dallas (32-21, 21-32 ATS) was lauded for acquiring Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson from Washington in a seven-player deal, nonetheless this much upheaval changes team dynamics and it takes at least a little time to sort out players roles. How the Mavericks handle this transitional period will likely decide they playoff positioning.

After losing at Oklahoma City 99-86 on Tuesday, shooting a season 32.3 percent, Dallas now has as many losses as San Antonio (21) and could tumble from third seed to eighth with a losing streak. The Mavericks are 4-7 (2-9 ATS) in last 11 and are 2-12 ATS at home after a game where they failed to cover the spread this season.

Dallas is a 4.5-point home favorite, for reasons unknown. The Mavs are undistinguished 15-9 at American Airlines Center and gut-wrenching (for backers) 5-19 (that’s true) against the spread. The total of 217.5 might be the most important number to consider, since Dallas is 0-10 ATS on home floor versus up-tempo teams averaging 83 or more shots a game this campaign. Dallas has flustered Phoenix, winning seven of last eight in Big D (4-3-1 ATS) including four in a row.

This showdown is on ESPN starting at 9 Eastern and the Suns are 8-3 ATS as underdogs of 4.5 or fewer points. The Stoudemire watch continues.

Top NBA Monday Systems

The New Orleans Hornets probably wish they were at home tonight to be part of the excitement that has engulfed the Crescent City. Instead, they are on the road in Orlando and are part of an extremely light schedule that has just three games to start the week heading into the All-Star break.

New Orleans (+8.5, 194) at Orlando

Normally, when a team like the Magic has a winning percentage of 60 to 75 percent and has played under the total by 30 or more points in last five contests and their next game has a total of 190 to 199.5, the Under is a safe play at 74-45 since 2005. However, this season we have seen a reversal, with this very system 10-4 Over in 2009-10.

San Antonio (+3, 194) at L.A. Lakers

In the last three seasons, nine of the 12 matchups between these teams have gone under the total. The Lakers will be playing their playing ninth game in two weeks and the Spurs their third road game in five days. When conceivably tired teams meet in these circumstances they are 49-19 UNDER the last 14 years.

Dallas (-4, 218) at Golden State

The Warriors have lost eight in a row and are dead last in the league in defense permitting 111.3 points per game. Home teams having allowed 100 points or more five straight games, against opponent after scoring 55 points or more in the first half of consecutive contests are 8-25 ATS the last five years.

Back in the saddle again

After a very long and unexpected break, time to regroup and move ahead.

We start with a NBA system that is outstanding 24-3 ATS, only question I have is quick turnaround revenge for the home team. A strong play against Top Trend in college hoops in the WAC and Sal has Free NBA play. Good Luck

What I learned yesterday- The NFL Wild Card round produced three outright underdog winners along with all four games going Over the total. As Steve Makinen of StatFox uncovered, teams that won the regular season matchup in Week 17 are 6-5 and 5-5-1 ATS in the Wild Card round. Most compelling was the fact the OVER is now 10-1 in return games.

On Twitter at: www.twitter.com/3Dailywinners

Free Basketball System -1) PLAY ON road teams like Atlanta scoring 103 or more points game on the season, after trailing in their previous game by 20 or more points at the half. This NBA system is scintillating 24-3 ATS, 88.9 percent.

Free Basketball Trend-2) Fresno State is 2-11 ATS in home games off a home win over the last three seasons.

Free Basketball Pick -3) Sal has been burning up the nets in the NBA and has the Hornets to win in Philly.

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Top Monday NBA Systems

The first Monday of the New Year in the NBA finds four games on the NBA agenda. All season we have been providing winning information on this day of the week, with our top situation that matches up with each NBA contests. Here is a look at the top systems for today. Numbers from DiamondSportsbook.com.

Atlanta at Miami (+1.5, 195.5)

The Atlanta Hawks have hit their first slump of the season, losing three of four, however, tonight’s opponent and division rival Miami is also carrying three game losing streak. When a situation like this arises, look to play on road favorites after two or more consecutive losses, if they have winning 60-75 percentage on the season. Over the last three seasons, this system checks in at 32-12 ATS.

Oklahoma City at Chicago (-2, 194)

When it comes to three-point shooting, it’s hard to matchup two worst teams than these two. Oklahoma City is 26th (31.7 percent) and Chicago is tick behind at 31.6 percent. Even without this as part of the offensive arsenal, look to Play Over in a game involving two poor three point shooting teams, with the Bulls an average ball handling team (14.5-16.5 TO's) against an average pressure defense like the Thunder (14.5-16.5 TO's). In the last five seasons, this system is solid 82-45 OVER.

New Orleans at Utah (-7.5, 196)

The Hornets don’t have a number of offensive weapons, which is why they rank 19th in scoring at 98 points per game. They travel to Utah off a pair of close home victories over Miami (95-91) and Houston (99-95). It has been best to play against teams like New Orleans who are decent on offense (98-102 points per game) against a defensive team like the Jazz (92-98 PPG), after two straight wins by six points or less. Since 2005, this system is 33-9 ATS, 78.5 percent.

Portland at L.A. Clippers (-4, 189.5)

Any rest in the NBA is looked upon as being good, considering the grueling schedule. This can refresh the legs and help any team player better defense with more energy. In this Western Conference conflict, check out the UNDER, since home teams are 38-18 when the total is between 180 and 189.5 points, after successfully covering the spread in two or more games, playing four or less games in 10 days.

Denver Earning Respect

Coach George Karl has been around basketball his entire life, playing at North Carolina, a solid ABA and NBA player and later a coach. His reputation as NBA head coach is somewhere between above average to never rated in top five. This is his fifth stop on the professional coaching trail. Though he’s won over 900 games as NBA coach, he’s probably known more for his team’s failures than success. As coach of Seattle (1992–1998), Karl's 1994 squad won 63 games, yet flamed out when Sonics were upset in the first round by the Denver Nuggets, making them the first number one seed in NBA history to fall to an eight seed.

After departing Seattle, Karl was lured by lucrative contract to Milwaukee and immediately helped turn around a moribund franchise, which culminated in a losing in seven games in the 2001 Eastern Finals to Philadelphia, led by Allen Iverson.

Karl had been reunited with Iverson, this time as his coach in Denver, however it was obvious to veteran NBA followers, Iverson was not a facilitator and they traded him to Detroit for Chauncey Billups. The former Piston embraced returning home to Colorado and his new teammates appreciated the pass-first mentality.

Denver looked headed down another nice season only to be dismissed in the first round of the playoffs, especially after losing a third straight game in early March, the last at home, to a tougher-minded Houston team.

Whatever happened at that point, only the players and coaches know, but the Nuggets as a team scrapped the “soft” label and finished the year 14-3 (10-7 ATS), winning the Northwest Division with franchise-tying 54 victories and securing number two seed in the Western Conference.

The next test was beating New Orleans in opening round of playoffs. Yes, the Hornets were banged up, but that wasn’t Denver’s problem, they had enough playoff failures to write an e-book. The Nuggets completely neutralized the Hornets the first two games on home court to take 2-0. Denver had upper hand early against New Orleans in Game 3, but the Hornets fought their way back to victory 95-93.

This placed onus on a better Denver team to standup and prove they deserved second seed and did they ever. A 36-15 first quarter blitz left New Orleans with no gear to find to comeback and the Nuggets seared them 121-63. Denver's 58-point win matched the most lopsided victory in NBA playoff history, since the Minneapolis Lakers 133-75 blowout of the St. Louis Hawks in 1956. Without digging into the research, taking a stab at saying the 59.5-point cover is the largest in postseason history.

Coach Karl considered Game 4 the most complete and efficient game in his coaching career and now wants his club to go for the kill and polish off New Orleans. Denver is 16-5 ATS after playing as road underdog and is on the verge of winning first playoff series in 15 years and first best of seven in 24 years.

Denver understands the professional pride aspect of the Hornets losing in such a manner and they have to be prepared for New Orleans best shot. "I don't think we're overconfident," Anthony Carter said. "We weren't overconfident on the bus ride from the area. It was quiet like we just lost. We weren't playing loud music, celebrating or none of that." The Nuggets are 10-4 ATS after scoring 100 or more points.

Oddsmakers, like those at BetJamaica.com believe in coach Karl’s team after four covers in four games and have installed them as 10-point favorites, the highest figure of the series. Denver is 8-3 ATS after covering the number. The total has gone back up heading back to the Mile High city to 197 and Carmelo Anthony and friends are 9-3 OVER as favorites.

It’s a tall mountain for New Orleans to climb, as Chris Paul looked thoroughly spent in having one of the worst games of his career after playing 46 minutes in Game 3 and they are 7-20 as road underdogs and 14-2 UNDER after trailing in their previous game by 20 or more points at the half.

Denver goes for knockout on TNT at 10:35 Eastern, with Hornets 5-15 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to 12 points, losing by average of 11.2 points a game.

Hornets favored to even series behind Paul

The Hornets went home down 0-2 and clawed their way to victory over Denver 95-93 Saturday. New Orleans did it the old-fashion way, just like their coach Byron Scott used to do it with the Los Angeles Lakers as a player, by shortening the bench and relying on starters. Scott used a total of eight players in Game 3, including having point guard Chris Paul play 46 minutes. In order to even up the series, the all-star may have to reach same threshold or more in tonight’s contest.

“It’s the playoffs. There’s nothing to save and Chris is such a passionate player, he wants to be out there,” Hornets center Tyson Chandler said after practice on Sunday. “It’s like you almost have to peal him off the court. He does a good job of letting coaches know when he’s really gassed so he can get a breather and get back out there.” The former Wake Forest product scored 32 points and dished out 12 assists, in his first big performance of the series.

Paul played 34 minutes in Game 1 and 38 minutes in Game 2. New Orleans lost both games by double digits and coach Scott had to change the formula.

Scott said of the eight-man rotation on Sunday, “worked pretty good for us and it’s obviously something I’ll probably do tomorrow.” The Hornets did fail to cover the 4.5-point spread in last game and has failed to cover the number in this series. They are 15-5 ATS after failing to cover the spread in three or more consecutive games.

Denver’s Chauncey Billups hopes his team is more patient on offense in the next game if Paul is asked again to play heavy minutes. “We feel like he has to play that many minutes for them to have a shot,” said Billups. “His responsibility for his team is probably more than anybody’s in the league. We have to try to take advantage of him on the other end of the court, make him defend and try to wear him down a little bit.”

After shooting 50 percent or better in the first two games of the series, the Nuggets struggled in the bayou, connecting on just 40.5 percent (30-74) from the field. Denver has to force the tempo and raise the score, since they are 9-2 ATS when they score 103 or more points since Mar. 23.

Bookmaker.com has lowered the Hornets down to 2.5-point home favorites with total of 194. Denver is 15-5 ATS after playing a game as a road underdog and 12-3 OVER in road games after a loss by six points or less. New Orleans continues to have difficulties beating the spread and they are 3-8 ATS in last 11 games and 8-2 UNDER playing at home.

NBA-TV will have the coverage starting at 8:35 Eastern, with the Hornets 8-3 ATS as postseason favorites.

Happy Easter from 3Daily Winners

Happy Easter to Everyone

Thanks for even taking the time to check in off 2-1 day, I sincerely appreciate it. Hopefully the Eastern Bunny brings a few winners to you. Good Luck and have a SUPER DAY!

Free Baseball System-1) PLAY AGAINST road underdogs with a money line of +100 or higher like Toronto, who are a good AL hitting team (.285 or higher BA) against a team with a below average bullpen (ERA 4.50 or worse), who presently is a hot hitting team batting .333 or better over their last three games. This baseball system is 38-6, 82.9 percent and suggests playing on Cleveland, who is off to their worst start in 24 years, making one think of the original “Major League” movie with baseball’s favorite announcer Harry Doyle.

Free Basketball Trend -2) The New York Knicks are 15-3 ATS playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season.

Free Basketball Selection -3) The LCC likes New Orleans to get revenge on Dallas, though it should be noted all seven bettors had them at -2.5 or -3, not current figure.

Digging for NBA Winners in Easter Basket

On Sunday, a number of kids will conduct Easter egg hunts, which is fun for both children and adults. In many ways, that’s what sports bettors do each and every day, search thru things, looking behind and under every place to find the elusive winner, especially before somebody (the oddsmaker in this case) beats them to it. Thus, enjoy the day and try and hunt a couple of televised winners.

Dallas at New Orleans

It’s been quite a week for the Dallas Mavericks (48-31, 39-40), going from being threatened for last playoff spot, to climbing up the ladder faster than a Dallas oilman who just found a massive oil discovery. The Mavs all but eliminated Phoenix last Sunday, trumped Utah to tie them Wednesday and nailed New Orleans to pull even with the Hornets. Those victories were all executed at home, in order for Dallas to take sole possession of the sixth slot in the Western Conference; they will have to go into the hornets nest to take down New Orleans.

We’ve won some nice home games, but our true tests are on the road,” Nowitzki said, who is averaging 29.8 points over the last five games. “How you respond to some adversity on the road? That’s really what determines if you’re a good team.”

The Mavs have won and covered three in a row with their 100-92 win as 7.5-point favorite over the Hornets Friday. They haven’t done both to take it to four straight since Nov. 21 against Memphis. Breaking the century mark in points score has been important for Dallas, with 10-4 ATS record when doing so.

New Orleans (48-31, 34-44-1 ATS) is going to need greater contributions from players other than Chris Paul and David West to fend off Dallas. Paul had 42 points (one off career high) and West chipped in 20, with those two being the only players to break into double digits. The Hornets have lost four of five with a faulty defense, allowing 102.1 points per game compared to 94.3 PPG on the season.

The Hornets are just 2-6 ATS against teams with winning records and are on 13-3 Under tear. Dallas is 19-28 ATS on the season after a victory and has played Under the last four times against clubs with winning home records.

ABC has the coverage with starting at 1 Eastern with the home team 9-3 ATS.

Boston at Cleveland

This Eastern Conference conflict is a battle being pulled and tugged in many different directions. Boston (60-19, 41-38 ATS) needs one more win to secure the second seed in the East ahead of Orlando, but will have to do battle without one its key components. Kevin Garnett will miss his 20th game out of the last 24, with coach Doc Rivers looking at one of the next two games to have Garnett participate in. The Celtics are on 10-1 and 7-4 ATS roll and have covered last five games against teams with winning records.

Cleveland (64-15, 46-33 ATS) has a little work to do of their own. The Cavaliers have already wrapped up the East and with two wins or a Lakers loss, will own homecourt advantage throughout the postseason.

The Cavs are also trying to get into the record books. This season they are 38-1 (25-14 ATS) at Quicken Loans Arena and if they win last two home games, they tie the record for most home wins at 40, held by the 1985-86 Boston Celtics. Cleveland is 10-2 ATS at home vs. teams with a winning road record.

Part two of the Easter doubleheader will begin at 3:30 Eastern with Boston 0-4 SU and ATS at LeBron’s place.

Check with Bookmaker.com for the side and total numbers on these matchups and Happy Easter from 3Daily Winners.

Trying to Wager in Traffic

We have all seen it or done it, tried to multi-task while driving. While it seems like a good idea at the time, the truth is we really know it is a poor choice and unsafe to ourselves and others. Friday night in the NBA, five teams in the Western Conference will hit the hardwood bunched up like vehicles on the I-405 in southern California and sports bettors are left to make sense of this near gridlock situation. At the end of the season, every win and loss is crucial; here is a look-in on the five teams posturing for playoff positions out West.

Utah at San Antonio

For the Jazz and Spurs, so much for making a statement about their readiness to finish the season strong. Utah went into Dallas having lost three of four and was blistered for 130 points by the Mavericks, in defenseless showing, losing by 29 points. It is really simple to determine why the Jazz haven’t been as sturdy as in the past. In their last eight contests, they have managed to keep just two opponents under 50 percent shooting. In that time, Utah has one spread cover.

At least San Antonio (50-28, 38-38-2 ATS) has a letter from the doctor as to why they were defeated at home to Portland 95-83. The Spurs have lost one of the Big Three, Manu Ginobili for the season and Tim Duncan’s knees have been a concern since the All-Star break.

“People don’t realize Timmy’s been playing on one leg for like a month and a half,” Tony Parker said. “We can’t pay attention to that. We just have to take a challenge and play harder.”

San Antonio is neck and neck with Houston for Southwest Division title and many more missteps by the Spurs could see them falling as far as fifth or potentially worse in the West. Bookmaker.com has them three-point favorites with a total of 193. With Parker the clear leader, San Antonio is only 1-7 ATS in recent home games.

Utah (47-31, 38-40 ATS) is tied with Dallas for the final two playoff positions and is 3-11 ATS since Mar. 11. The Jazz are 15-24 (17-22 ATS) on the road, but might have one last trick up their warmup sleeve, being 27-10 and 23-14 ATS with one day off. The unfortunate aspect is they are 1-10 ATS in San Antonio and these two teams have played OVER 10 of 11 times in southwest Texas.

New Orleans at Dallas

Dallas (47-31, 38-40 ATS) could hardly have set up a better scenario than what they have. The Mavericks have clinched a postseason berth and has there sights set on moving out of the No. 8 seed to skirt playing the Lakers. They took the first step in lambasting Utah Wednesday night and go next right after New Orleans (48-30, 34-43-1 ATS), whom they trail by one game.

The Dallas offense has been Mav-olous, averaging 135 points per outing the last two contests and they are 13-5 ATS as home favorite. “If we continue to win, we have a real opportunity to move up,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “So that is the challenge.”

New Orleans has been battling injuries and is .500 (5-9 ATS) since March 14. This is meaningful also for the Hornets, as they only play the Texas teams the rest of the way, suggesting a 4-0 finish could land them as high as a four seed. This matchup begins a home and home with the Mavs.

“It’s like a playoff series with Dallas,” forward David West said. “We have two games with them, with huge implications. We need to try to go down to Dallas and steal one. We just need to try to pick up wins.”

New Orleans has won and covered both meetings this season and dumped Dallas in the playoffs in five games last year. The Hornets are seven-point underdog and are 8-20 ATS in that role. The home team is 8-3 ATS in the Southwest Division series with the UNDER 9-2 in Big D.

L.A. Lakers at Portland

The Portland Trailblazers (50-28, 41-36-1 ATS) probably won’t catch Denver in the Northwest Division; however their hopes are very much alive to nab the fourth seed in the West. The Blazers are setup well to finish with a flourish after upsetting San Antonio. Portland has three home games remaining, where they are 31-7 and 23-14-1 ATS and have one trip to L.A. to face the crestfallen Clippers.

Portland will have the benefit of day off before facing the Lakers tonight, who had to take on Denver last evening and are 29-16 and 24-21-1 ATS with a day of rest. Brandon Roy and Portland are cruising with 9-3 SU and ATS run and are a real irritant to the Lakers, having won seven in a row and 12 of the last 14 against the Lakers at the Rose Garden. Overall, the Blazers are on 14-3 ATS against the Lake-show in the Great Northwest and are a one-point home favorite.

NBA Wild West set for Wild Finish

After taking a complete day off, the NBA regular season resumes with nine days left. With Dallas all but finishing off Phoenix on Sunday, the eight teams that will be in the playoffs are set. However, the order of how the competition will match up is as up for grabs as next year’s Clippers roster. Four teams are legitimately still vying for second position in the Western Conference behind the Los Angeles Lakers. Western teams presently in slots four-thru-eight could be potentially reversed by the end of April 15. If the Kentucky Derby ends up having this sort of a finish in about a month, it should be quite a race.

The Mavericks (46-31, 37-40 ATS) will have a legitimate chance to avoid the Lakers in the first round. Dallas is 28-9 at home (16-21 ATS) and will host Utah and New Orleans in next two contests. The Jazz have been off-key most of the season on the road and the Hornets have injury issues that just won’t go away. The very next contest is return engagement at New Orleans, which is the Mavs last road encounter of the season. With aforementioned teams directly in front of them in the standings, a 3-0 start moves Dallas up with Minnesota and Houston due to come to American Airlines Arena.

Utah (47-30, 38-39 ATS) may have gained some confidence on the road with its win 108-94 win at New Orleans. That was just their second win in last eight road games, who have covered a mere three of last 13. Utah is not out of the woods by any stretch having road encounters with Dallas, San Antonio and the Lakers to close the season. They will have a couple of very winnable home games with Golden State and the Clippers, but how they perform on the road will determine their fate.

New Orleans (47-29, 33-42-1 ATS) has been a bad wager all year and it’s not about to get easier. Center Tyson Chandler hopes his left ankle will allow him to play next week and forward James Posey will be evaluated later for his bad elbow. Peja Stojakovic has been coming off the bench the last couple of games and could return to starting lineup after missing 15 games with bad back. That means Chris Paul and David West are playing 40+ minutes a game, being able to rest by not practicing. The Hornets still have six games left on the regular season docket and trail the division-leading Spurs by just two. They will need wins in next two tilts, at Miami and home to Phoenix. If that works out, they will have home and home with Dallas and road games against Houston and San Antonio. Not a very good situation for a team that is 14-22-1 ATS in the visitor’s uniforms.

The Portland Trailblazers (48-28, 40-35-1 ATS) have clinched their first playoff berth in six years and still could move up, however time is not on there side. Portland is pursuing Denver, trailing them by two games in the loss column. The Blazers have won seven of last 10, covering the spread eight times. Unfortunately, they are chasing Denver, who has won nine of 10. Portland has six games left on the schedule, compared to the Nuggets who have just four. The Blazers can’t make-up those games. Their best hope is to look to surpass Houston and gain the fourth seed, thus assuring home court for the first round. Portland stands at 31-7 and 23-14-1 ATS at the Rose Garden and has three home games and three road games remaining.

This year’s Denver (52-26, 44-33-1 ATS) squad is hardly recognizable. The Nuggets have never merited many points on the toughness scale. Always strong at home and weak to fair on the road, Denver was good enough to make the playoffs and not move forward. After losing five of first six in March, a familiar tone was being set, but quicker than a snow covered Rocky Mountain avalanche, coach George Karl’s club got white hot. The Nuggets have been punishing teams in being victorious 12 of 13 (9-4 ATS) times, winning nine times by 10 or more points. They will have two winnable home games to lock up the second seed, with difficult matches against the Lakers and Portland on the road.

San Antonio (49-27, 37-37-2 ATS) has done remarkably well to stay atop the Southwest Division. Tim Duncan battling achy knees and Manu Ginobili fighting the injury bug all season. Yet somehow coach Greg Popovich and Tony Parker have kept them afloat all season. The Spurs will be playing a great deal of basketball trying to lock up the division and finish no worse than a third seed. They have six games remaining and should either be favored in all six or the slightest of underdogs on the road.

Houston’s quest to find a way to win division continues, with the Rockets (49-28, 37-39-1 ATS) having five contests remaining. They should take down Sacramento and Golden State on the road, but it will be how they play at home against Orlando and New Orleans that will help determined what spot they have in the playoffs.

NBA bettors are going to have to make some very interesting decisions to finish the regular season, in choosing the teams out west.

Betting the Best in the NBA

Recently had a discussion with a fellow NBA sports bettor, touching on the variety of different ways of looking at games and situations to find the best way to show a profit. This is a hard sport to grind out wins anyways and if you are resistant to change, you are doomed for failure betting this sport.

Part of our talk was whether it was really a good idea to bet on the best teams in the NBA. We discussed the number of points oddsmakers would add on popular or winning teams, thus eliminating any value. Though we were both in agreement, when one of these teams is hot, it is ridiculous to be on the sidelines watching a top level club roll up five or more spread covers, waiting for them to lose.

After getting off the phone, the thought occurred, what about tracking the spread records of NBA teams based on opponent’s performance. In looking at the standings, I broke the winning percentages down into three categories:

61 percent or high (Good Teams)
40 to 60 percent (Average Teams)
39 percent or lower (Bad Teams)

What I was looking for is how the best teams in the NBA played against various levels of competition against the spread. Ideally, my first thought was to find the opposing team’s record at the time of game played, to have a static method of reviewing them. Not being able to find such numbers without going game by game, cross-referencing each contest, decided to use current standings, which ultimately is likely a better barometer, since all teams go through hot and cold spells. This does create a moving target of sorts as teams could move from one category to the next, altering records. In the end, based on complete schedule, it would all work out.

The Orlando Magic at the moment have the best spread record in the NBA at 27-12 ATS. Despite having the third-best overall record in the NBA at 31-8, they have not receiving much publicity, with the Lakers, Boston and LeBron James and Cleveland dominating most of the headlines. What is impressive about the Magic’s season is how consistent they have been against teams from all levels against the spread.

6-3 ATS - 61 percent or high
10-6 ATS - 40 to 60 percent
10-4 ATS - 39 percent or lower

The Cleveland Cavaliers have the best record in the league at 30-7 and second best mark versus the number at 26-11. The Cavs have been crushing bad teams with 10-3 ATS record and are 11-7 ATS against average or mid-level teams. What stands out is how few games they have played against the best competition. Cleveland have only had five games against teams with 61 percent or higher win percentage (4-1 ATS) and though they have done very well, it will be intriguing to watch what they do going forward.

The Boston Celtics had a recent dry spell in losing six of eight, yet have not been as domineering as last season as champs. Boston is .500 facing teams from the top two tiers and 8-7 ATS versus the poorer teams in the NBA, hardly a good wager.

The majority of better teams continue to be in the Western Conference, but that also means more wars to have to fight thru. The Los Angeles Lakers have the top record in their conference at 31-7 and continue to have oddsmakers pile numbers on them, which is why they are 18-20 ATS. The Lakers level of interest on nightly basis shows up in this exercise. When facing top competitors that can bring out the best in them, L.A. is 7-4 ATS. When playing ordinary clubs they are 8-7 ATS, however the dullards of the NBA bore the Lakers and it shows with 4-10 spread mark if they take on teams with 39 percent or lower win percentage.

Though San Antonio defeated the Lakers the other night, they at this point of the season are no longer an elite club. Before giving the current results, I’ll throw out the caveat of not having full team together early and Manu Ginobili still doesn’t look like the same player of a few years ago (my guess is he never will be) which has hurt the Spurs. Nevertheless, a 2-8 ATS mark against the best the NBA has to offer is more Memphis-like than San Antonio. Where the Spurs have done their best work is cleaning up on the bottom of the barrel with 10-4 ATS record versus bad teams.

Though Denver and New Orleans are still very solid clubs, they have deficiencies. The Nuggets are 6-8 ATS playing top tier teams and New Orleans is finding being the hunted, rather than the hunter much more challenging at 16-18-1 ATS overall and 7-8 ATS taking on the best.

These figures will change as the season moves along, yet is a good method to follow David Stern’s moneymakers, when taking on NBA teams of all abilities.

Colossal NBA Friday Double-Dipper

Every now and again the scheduling of NBA games to be televised works out to perfection. The best teams come together and the players and the fans really are charged up for a big ball game, instead looking like a half-eaten burrito the next morning, which a lot of NBA games do. With most of the people in the country having to run outside every hour to start their cars because of the frigid weather, tonight might be a great evening to order out a pizza (tip the driver well for driving in this weather), do a little cha-ching business with your man and enjoy a great double-header on the World Wide Leader in Sports.

New Orleans at Cleveland

The Cavaliers lost in overtime to Chicago last night and will be short-handed, literally for tonight’s important contest. Starting guard Delonte West broke his right wrist in a violent collision with Chicago’s Derrick Rose and will be out an undetermined amount of time. The Cavs were already without center Zydrunas Ilgauskas (broken ankle) and Ben Wallace did not play last night due to intestinal flu. LeBron James is fighting a cold and had likely his worst game of the season last night shooting 8 of 28 and committing eight turnovers.

All of these elements are coming together at the wrong time for Cleveland. The Cavs (30-7, 26-11 ATS) have taken full advantage of a soft schedule in the first half of the season, but unlike the Cleveland weather, things are about to heat up for them. After tonight’s matchup with the talented Hornets, they embark on four-game West swing, playing in unfriendly outposts like Portland, Utah and that team in the Gold and Purple uniforms in L.A. Before Ground Hogs Day, LeBron and whoever else is standing also play in Orlando and Detroit. Yikes!

But as all good coaches tell their players, “Focus on tonight”, which is what Cleveland has to do. One edge they have is Quicken Loans Arena, where coach Mike Brown’s team has yet to taste defeat with 19-0 record. Not many squeakers either for the Cavs who are 15-4 ATS at home, winning by gargantuan 16.5 points per game.

The Cavs could use the quickness of West to help slow down Chris Paul, who nearly had a quadruple-double against Dallas in victory two days ago. New Orleans (23-12, 16-18-1 ATS) has alternated wins and losses in last six contests and is 11-7 (8-9 ATS) on the road. The problem here for the Hornets is playing quality competition on the road, as they are only 5-12-1 ATS if opponent has winning home record.

Bookmaker.com has lowered Cleveland down to four-point favorites because of injuries, though the total has remained stable at 185.5. New Orleans is looking to catch fire like this time a year ago, as the Hornets are 16-5 ATS in January the last two campaigns. New Orleans is 17-5 UNDER in a road game where the total is between 180 and 189.5 points and Cleveland is 16-3 UNDER off a loss against a division rival.

This is the opener on ESPN starting just after 8 Eastern, with the Cavs 11-1 ATS off a SU loss.

Orlando at L.A. Lakers

As good as the first matchup appears, it looks like ground chuck to this thick-cut porterhouse between Orlando and the Lakers. The Lakers (31-7, 18-20 ATS) lead the NBA in scoring at 107.8 points a game and have a glittering 20-2 home record (10-12 ATS). Los Angeles has become known to play to the level of competition this season, accounting for lousy spread record, but will have no problem getting up for Superman and his bombardiers.

Dwight Howard was mostly a spectator as Orlando (31-8, 27-12 ATS) drained a NBA record 23 3-pointers in win over Sacramento on the road Tuesday. It’s not magic the Magic lead the NBA is three point shots made, averaging over 10 a game on sharp 40.1 percent accuracy. This opens up the middle for Howard to wreak havoc and Orlando is on 14-2 run, including five in a row. The Magic are the best bet in the NBA and are superb 15-5 SU and ATS on the road.

The Lakers suffered a cruel loss at San Antonio in the final seconds, but got the cover and are 6-2 ATS facing a team with a winning record. The biggest task for Phil Jackson to do is encourage his team to play better defense, since they have allowed 109.6 points a game in last six outings and are 2-11 ATS in home games after allowing 100 points or more three straight games.

Kobe and company are four-point favorites, with total of 213.5. Orlando is 8-1 ATS as a road underdog this season a perfect 10-0 ATS versus offensive teams scoring 99 or more points a game this year. The total could be hard call with Andrew Bynum emerging as a force in recent games and the Lakers 8-0 OVER in home games after allowing 105 points or more. The Magic are 15-6 UNDER after surrendering 100 points or more in their previous game.

This very intriguing East-West encounter will start immediately after the earlier meeting. You should know the Magic are 8-0 ATS playing second game in five days, while the guys from La-La land are 3-11 ATS with one day between contests.