Playoff battles continue in the NBA

There are two games on ABC and one of them doesn’t mean much. That means we’ll pass on the Orlando and Cleveland contest and instead focus on Chicago and Toronto, who are battling for the right to have their season officially ended by the Cavaliers at a later date. The second half of the twin-bill on the American Broadcast Company network has a great deal of meaning to one team, with the other having at least a passing interest for a number of reasons.

Portland at L.A. Lakers 3:30E ABC

The Trailblazers (48-31, 43-34-2 ATS) would prefer to stay away from a rematch against Los Angeles next weekend, finishing either sixth or seventh in the Western Conference and a victory at the Staples Center would go a long way in making that happen.

Portland has been one of the best road teams all season with 23-17 record and 24-14-2 spread mark. The Blazers have chosen the approach of only doing what they can to improve position and let the rest take care of itself.

"But we're not going to worry about any of that stuff.” said Portland’s Juwan Howard. “We'll just go out there and get our wins and see what happens in the end." The Trailblazers are 13-6-1 ATS if opponent has winning home record.

The Lakers (56-23, 34-43-2 ATS) are a shell of the team that won the NBA title a season ago. Andre Bynum has been out for some time and his return is not imminent. Kobe Bryant’s legs are aching and that broken finger is throbbing, accounting for several off-shooting nights, as his team has lost five of their last eight, scoring less than 100 points six times in their last seven defeats.

When coach Phil Jackson was asked when was the last time his team played up to its potential, he uttered “Phoenix” whom the Lakers beat on the road 102-96 on Mar. 12, 14 games ago. Off their win at Minnesota Friday, L.A. is 1-7 ATS after covering the spread.

The Lakers are the home favorites and the home-standing team is on 6-1 ATS run. Los Angeles will come in 7-2 UNDER in last nine off a SU triumph. Portland suffered a disappointing home loss to Dallas two days ago and is 7-2 UNDER after a defeat, yet has covered the number in four of previous five after that circumstance.

Chicago at Toronto 6:00E TSN

The Bulls and Raptors are in a dead heat, making this a must game for each team with just two to play after today. Chicago (38-41, 39-38-2 ATS) is the healthier team at the moment and has won seven of last 11 outings to give themselves a chance.

"We've been through a lot this year. To be in this situation is great," center Joakim Noah said. "We've just got to be focused and understand what's at stake and hopefully play Cleveland in the playoffs." Their 11-point loss at New Jersey in last contest was certainly a blow and Chicago is 13-24 and 14-22-1 ATS following a spread misfortune.

Toronto (38-41, 36-41-2 ATS) is not even close to the same situation as Chicago. The Raptors are trying to manufacture on the run, losing their best player Chris Bosh to facial surgery and a number of Toronto players have various maladies, trying to get by and find a way into postseason.

"(It's) kind of tough right now but everyone's banged up a little bit," said Jose Calderon. "(Jarrett) Jack sprained his ankle a little bit, everybody has something. It's not like we have bodies to go there and practice... We have to be ready for the games and that's what it is." Toronto has fallen four straight times.

Toronto is 2-10-1 ATS in recent contests at the Air Canada Centre and is a 2.5-point underdog at DiamondSportsbook.com with total of 202. The Raptors are 8-2 UNDER as on home underdog of 4.5 or less and are perfect 5-0 ATS against Chicago.

The Bulls will seek to take advantage of Toronto’s defensive shortcomings and are 20-12 ATS versus teams surrendering shooting percentage of 46 percent or higher. Chicago is 8-4 UNDER in last 12 outings.

Tuesday's Top NBA Systems

The professional basketball regular season is rapidly drawing to a close and after an off day, nine games are back on the schedule. Five of these matchups in particular have caught our attention, each with a system that has proven to be a very good winner over time, including a totals system that is 82.1 percent. Sides and totals from Bookmaker.com.

Toronto (+6, 206) at Cleveland

The system for this Eastern Conference matchup is sound, with home favorites having a +7 or more point differential 29-10 ATS against an average team (+/- 3 PPG differential), after a loss by six points or less. The problem is the Cavaliers have wrapped up almost everything they need for the playoffs, with the best record in the league a formality at this juncture. Reports have LeBron James as questionable and the line has fallen three points to present level.

Boston (-7.5, 208.5) at New York

For all the grief the Celtics have taken this year for bring too old, one constant since Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen hit town has been their play on the road within the division. Boston is 21-1 and 17-5 ATS against Atlantic Division opponents and they are in favorable position this evening as well. Play Against home underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points, who allow 99 or points a game on the season, against opponent after allowing 105 points or more two straight games. This system is mouth-watering 50-19 ATS the last 14 years.

Milwaukee (+6, 189) at Chicago

The Bucks suffered a devastating loss when center Andrew Bogut had an ugly and awkward fall on breakaway dunk against Phoenix, in which he suffered a broken hand, dislocated elbow and sprained wrist. Milwaukee will have to press on without him, still trying to move into fifth position in the East. Chicago (37-39 SU) is fighting for its playoff life, trailing Toronto by a game for the last position in the conference, having won six of eight after 10-game losing streak. When the total is between 180 and 189.5 points and the home team has a winning percentage between 40-49 percent on the season, in April games, the OVER is 39-16.

Oklahoma City (+6, 213) at Utah

With just five games left, Utah and Denver are in a dead heat for the Northwest Division lead at 50-27. The Jazz get a tough opponent in Oklahoma City, who has won four in a row and six of seven and is only one game behind in the loss column to Utah and three other teams in the West. However, road underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points, having covered five or six of their last seven against the spread, in a game involving two good teams (60% to 75%) are 27- 63 ATS the past five years, including lamentable 2-9 ATS this season.

San Antonio (-6.5, 193) at Sacramento

The Spurs are playing their best basketball of the season, having won five of six facing a schedule built to cause teams to fail. San Antonio laid out the Lakers on Easter 100-81 and this late-season rush has a more offensive-minded club, ranked 14th at 101.2 points per contest. The Spurs continue their three game Western sojourn in Sacramento, who is 26th in points allowed in the NBA at 104.2. Consider the total when the number is between 190 and 199.5 points and a good offensive team (98-102 PPG) takes on a horrible defensive team (102 or more PPG), after allowing 85 points or less. The play is the OVER, with 32-7 record since 1996.

Sensational Saturday

Came back around with 2-1 day and look to deliver even better results for today. We start with 25-4 ATS system in the NBA and move on to CBB totals trend that matches the taste of both teams. I’ve had a very good start in the tournament and offer my best play for today. Good Luck

What I thought today- Ran out of time, yesterday, hopefully today. (For those that get my email plays, please note I have Butler/MS OVER, but at last night's 128 not today's 132).

3Daily Winners is – No.1 the last 10 days at Cappers Monitor
3Daily Winners is - No.1 in College Basketball for the season (units) at Cappers Monitor
3Daily Winners is – 135-87 (60.8 percent) since Jan. 24 in CBB

I have a guest blogger named Rick who is frequent reader and very knowledgable bettor who is attending the games in Milwaukee and supplies this report.

I was impressed with Xavier...they're a well-coached team...everytime Minneoata made a run at them...they turned it up on both ends of the court and were very focused.

I know a team can look great playing a very low- seed, but Pitt showed the best combination of inside-outside game, coaching, and "going for the kill" when they had to. Jamie Dixon doesn't have a Final 4 on his resume, but he cosistently does a great job.

Georgia Tech raced off to a 6-0 lead...OSU threw a variety of different defenses, and the Yellow Jackets took some time to adjust, and they eventually did.... for the win. I hope they can adjust to these match-ups more quickly. They had the lead and had some insurance, but in a later round game, they might not have that luxury!

Ohio St. ws up 13-3 in no time, but they let UCSB back in the game. They dominated the boards,and had seven blocks at halftime. They have a lot of outside firepower, with a lot of great shooters, but I worry about their lack of consistent inside, offensive play, and some of the starters getting in foul trouble. I see Lauderdale as the key...he had a big spurt in the second half. and needs to keep that intensity, and to stay out of foul trouble. Pitt kept playing intense with an early lead, but Ohio St., in my opinion..kind of let-up...they need to stick to the game plan for 40 minutes.

On Twitter at: http://twitter.com/3dailywinners

Free Basketball System -1) Play On road teams like Toronto scoring 103 or more points game on the season, after trailing in their previous game by 20 or more points at the half. In the previous five years this system is 25-4 ATS, 86.2 percent.

Free Basketball Trend - 2) Double angle from article below - Murray State is 10-0 OVER after making 53 percent or less of their free throws and Butler 10-1 OVER in all neutral court games over the last three seasons.

Free Basketball Pick -3) I’m going as well as anyone in the NCAA’s at 7-1-1 and my best play today is St. Mary’s. (To receive all my plays for FREE signup for mailing list to the right)

Note- If you prefer to have this sent to you daily instead of having to visit the site, sign up for our FREE mailing list on the right.

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.

Note- If you prefer to have this sent to you daily instead of having to visit the site, sign up for our FREE mailing list on the right.

It's the last of January, let's win!

The 1-3 record didn’t make me happy, but what shocked me was Louisiana Tech losing outright at home. Today we’ll take a peek how a Big Ten coach does in a specific situation for Top Trend. The Best System is the NBA and north of the border. My pal Paul Buck continues to shine and has a Big East play as his best. Good Luck

What I thought today- A fair amount of games today, but not a lot to get the juices flowing. I’ll catch a couple while watching a few replays from yesterday that I could view. I will have full commentary about weekend hoops on Monday.

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

Free Basketball System -1) Play On home teams like Toronto who shoot 45.5-47.5 percent range against an average defensive team (43.5-45.5%), being an average rebounding team (+/-3 reb/game) against a poor rebounding team (-3 to -5.5 reb/game). Have to like the fact this system is 29-6 ATS, 82.9 percent the last five seasons.

Free Basketball Trend -2) Coach Matt Painter of Purdue is 14-3 ATS in home games versus poor pressure defensive teams forcing 14 or fewer turnovers game past the midway points of the year.

Free Basketball Pick -3) Paul Buck was 1-1 here yesterday, but was 7-3 in CBB and 2-0 in the NBA and is backing Pittsburgh in Tampa today.

Note- If you prefer to have this sent to you daily instead of having to visit the site, sign up for our FREE mailing list on the right.

NBA Monday Systems

A rather large NBA card in available to start another work week. As has become the custom on this day of the week, we bring you some of the very best professional basketball systems to consider for your wagering pleasure. Numbers from Diamondportsbook.com.

Toronto at Indiana (-1.5, 217)

The Pacers and Raptors are two teams that don’t pay strict attention to defense, ranking 24th and 26th respectively in points allowed. Tonight give the edge to Toronto since home teams averaging 98 to 102 points per game facing a club that allows over 102 PPG, after two straight contests where both teams scored 100 points or more, are 15-39 ATS.

Atlanta at Boston (-3.5, 192)

The Atlanta Hawks defeated Boston at home this past Friday 93-85 as four-point favorites. The next night Atlanta was abysmal in Orlando, losing by 32 points. Though it’s a tough road rematch for the Hawks, visiting teams scoring 103 or more points a game, trailing by 20 or more points in last contest are 24-3 ATS, 88.9 percent in following encounter.

Milwaukee at Phoenix (-8.5, 211)

The Bucks are on a treacherous Western Conference six-game road trip, against the Lakers last night they were mauled 95-77. They play tonight in downtown Phoenix, which will be there third game in four days. Teams in that situation with a win percentage of 40 to 49 percent, facing a club with a winning record and a total of at least 210, are 25-6 OVER the last five seasons.

Miami at Utah (-7.5, 192)

The Utah Jazz is having a mediocre season by their standards at 20-17, yet have managed to cover their last three contests. Miami is actually doing a little worse overall at 18-17, which tonight’s matchup plays into a total system. When a squad has successfully covered the spread in two or more games, in a matchup involving two marginal winning teams (51 to 60 win percentage), with the total between 190 and 199.5, the UNDER is 45-17 since 2005.

Minnesota at Denver (-13, 216)

On Nov. 29, Minnesota marched into Denver and handed the Nuggets a 106-100 loss as 14.5-point underdogs. That is just one of three home losses for Denver, who is off heartbreaking two-point defeat at Sacramento Saturday. Check the total tonight as teams revenging a straight up loss vs. opponent as a favorite of seven or more, off a close road loss of three points or less, are 28-7 UNDER since 1996.

Cleveland at Golden State (+5, 215.5)

The Cavaliers (29-10) are playing their third road game in four nights and are 15-7 and 14-8 ATS as visitors. Though Golden State prefers to score with no semblance of defensive structure, play the UNDER when the total is 200 or higher, with teams like Cleveland playing their third road game in five days or less. with a winning percentage of 60-75 percent. (60-27)