How to Bet on Horse Racing

In the current economic climate, horse players as well as doctors, teachers and bus drivers and the like, are having a hard time keeping their eye on the ball but one thing horse wagering can do is to try to gain momentum by turning over winning bets.

The concept of gambling is, of course, different for all involved and some people just like the action. Others like to feed the ego with winning wagers, whether it be on football, baseball or horses and yet others deep down in their heart of hearts want to lose for some reason.

For horse bettors, the sooner they can resolve the issue of why they are at the track the better off they will be. If they are just sportsmen and love to watch and wager on the equine athlete, that’s one thing. But if the concept is to win money, then players have to approach the game with some guidelines and some strategies that will give them the best chance of winning.

Face it, nobody likes to lose but losing is part of the game. Think of the baseball player who is probably making close to $20 million a year but yet doesn’t get a hit two thirds of the time.

To maintain sanity, horse bettors today more than ever have to have the ability to win as many races as possible. Avoiding losing streaks, but limiting risky wagers, could be the best advice to keep one’s head above water in these times.

As we approach 2009, it’s time to get back to basics. That will mean assessing one’s bankroll and instead of shooting for the moon, the carryover pick six or the Super High Five, the best avenue could be to just start isolating solid bets that will keep one in action daily with the hope that on the rare wager where you ‘take a shot’ that that shot will be rewarded.

The horse players today, between bail outs and take overs and collapsing banks, need to focus on making winning bets no matter the price.

It’s time to manage money like one has never done before and it means to use that bankroll to its fullest potential.

Instead of betting with the idea that this could be the ‘hit’ that changes you forever, a more realistic approach if much better off in this climate.

The way to start the road to momentum is to make win or win and place only bets. Isolate some key runners on any particular card and make the biggest wager on those horses in simple terms.

After two or three wins under the belt, the feel of winning will do wonders for not only the mind but the pocketbook.

Think of the conservative approach the way Tiger Woods would. Umpteen times we have seen him save par from the trees or even from the water and those pars often made the difference in winning and losing a tournament.

For horse bettors, try to dance with whom you brought, and key on the top connections, the top riders, horses in super solid form with speed, and don’t turn your nose up at prices like $5.20 or $6.40.

Those are the types of wins that will keep the boat afloat, give one confidence, and eventually gain the momentum to pile it on a risky wager that looks much more promising since you have built up a solid win record of late.

Horse Pick of the Day at Tampa Bay Downs

Tampa Bay Downs is running again which is good news for online racebook fans.

Sports betting fans that don’t pay attention to horse racing are missing out. Sports betting fans that don’t pay attention to Tampa Bay Downs are really missing out because there are always online horse bet overlays to be found.

Let’s get to it!

Tampa Bay Downs – - Race 8

Allowance $20,200 n1x

For Three Year Olds and Up

1 1/1/6th miles on dirt

Supah Soup – - 15/1 online betting odds

Okay, so on paper this gelding has no chance, but look closer and ask why not? Rosemary Homeister thinks well enough of “da” Soup to take the call and trainer Bruce Alexander is hitting with 33% of his charges. Not only that, but this fella is coming out of an $8,000 claimer so you know that Alexander had options. Some terrific works say the he will make his presence felt.

Claxton – - 6/1 online betting odds

Finished fourth at this level in his last and there’s no doubt that he could have done better. Blinkers off and stretching out which is a 22% winning angle for trainer Vincent Reedy and this field is lacking real talent. He could surprise.

Cooltime – - 6/1 online betting odds

He’s won two in a row attending the pace and jockey Daniel Centeno, who’s about as good as any on the grounds at Tampa, takes the call again. Breaking from the three hole means that he gets the lead. He’s a definite wire to wire threat at big online betting odds.

Wagering Strategy

I’m going to go with Supah Soup to win, place and show at what I hope will be fantastic online horse betting odds. I will also use in a small trifecta and exacta box with Cooltime and Claxton.

Good Luck!

NHL Analysis & Pick Sharks vs Stars

Betting NHL Online – Shark Alert! Enter at Your Own Risk!

Throughout the NHL wagering season when you see or hear San Jose Sharks, there’s most likely a few things that spontaneously come to mind: Hefty money lines, dominance and winning puck bucks. All of which that fits like a glove, until recently. The Sharks (27-4-4) still own the NHL’s best record, but only by one game, and the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Bruins (27-5-4) have caught the Sharks in points with both having 58.

Speaking of the Bruins, it’s quickly worth mentioning, they added to their ATS collection of cash over the weekend. Based on $100 puck line wagers, Boston has reeled in $3,235 thanks to a stout 28-7 ATS mark. That’s slightly 1K more than the Chicago Blackhawks (23-10 ATS) who’s next in line with $2,200 due-in-part to a Blackhawks’ nine-game ML winning streak.

Back to San Jose, who by the way are a mere +$390 with a 16-19 ATS record. The once seemingly unbeatable Sharks have recently been swimming on their backs. More simply put, they are playing their worst hockey of the season. Having lost three of their last five games, scoring just five goals combined in the three L’s, San Jose suddenly looks vulnerable as they skate into the Lone Star State to face the Dallas Stars (15-14-5) on Monday.

—Sharks are 19-7 in their last 26 Monday games.

—Sharks are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. Pacific.

—Sharks are 40-18 in their last 58 vs. Western Conference.

—Sharks are 43-20 in their last 63 games playing on 1 days rest.

—Sharks are 51-19 in their last 70 overall.

San Jose has won six of their last seven visits to Dallas, as they look to rebound after getting upset 3-2 in SO by hosting and lowly St. Louis (14-19-3) on Saturday. While San Jose is suddenly struggling to find the back of the net, the Stars have won four of their last five thanks to a hot offense, totaling 24 goals during the five game span. The Stars continued to shine Saturday at home with a 4-3 overtime win against Anaheim.

—Stars are 3-12 in their last 15 games following a win.

—Stars are 5-1 in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.

—Stars are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Western Conference.

Key head-to-head online NHL betting trends:

—Sharks are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.

—Road team is 15-7 in the last 22 meetings.

—Under is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings.

Analysis: With the Sharks playing more like guppies of late, facing a hot Dallas offense backed by strong net keeping from Marty Turco who’s 5-0-1 in his last six starts, there’s money to be made on the Stars. There’s solid sports betting value on the Dallas, priced at +145 in the BetOnline NHL odds.

—Sharks are 39-16 in their last 55 games as a favorite of -151 to -200.

—Stars are 0-4 in their last 4 games as an underdog of +110 to +150.

As you can see, I’m banking on the obvious because there’s little leverage in terms of trends. If you bet on NHL action, take advantage of San Jose’s struggles now, versus a Stars team that’s won four straight at home, because the Sharks will soon return to their dominating play.

Free NHL Picks: Dallas Stars +145 ML

NFL Sports Betting Jacksonville @ Baltimore

BetOnline NFL betting odds:  BALTIMORE -12.5, Total 36.5

Description:

BetOnline NFL bettors are keyed into the fact that the Baltimore Ravens (10-5 SU, 11-4 ATS) are trying to shut the door on other wild card competitors as they play host to the disappointing Jacksonville Jaguars (5-10 SU, 4-11 ATS) in the regular season finale for both teams, part of NFL pro football betting action that is scheduled to kick off at 4:15 PM ET at M&T Bank Stadium (artificial turf) in Baltimore.

NOTABLE STAT:  Ravens allow 67.3 rushing ypg at home (1st in NFL)

KEY NFL FOOTBALL BETTING TREND:  Baltimore is 6-2 SU & ATS last eight at home

In the BetOnline NFL football betting odds, the Ravens are listed as a 12.5-point favorite, with a posted total of 36.5 points.

Here are some NFL football betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

* JAX has covered one of its last six games

* JAX has lost five of its last six games SU

* JAX has played four of its last six games UNDER the total

* BALT has won and covered four of its last five games

* BALT has played seven of its last ten games OVER the total

* BALT has won and covered six of its last eight home games

Also…

* BALT has won six of the last seven meetings SU

* Twelve of the last 17 meetings have gone OVER the total

* BALT has won four of the last five meetings SU as the home team

* Eight of the last nine meetings in Baltimore have gone OVER the total

There has been a lot of dissatisfaction around the Jacksonville camp this season, and it’s not just about the injuries that devastated the offensive line. The Jags recently said goodbye to personnel director James Harris, the former Rams QB who was behind the drafting of Quentin Groves and Derrick Harvey. They were supposed to revive the Jacksonville pass rush but have produced just four sacks between them this season. Mark Asanovich, the strength and conditioning coach, has also been fired, as some of the injury problems were placed at his feet. Well, speaking of injuries….Fred Taylor will be out of this season finale for Jacksonville, which puts Maurice Jones-Drew in the unenviable position of shouldering the whole load by himself in the backfield – something he’s been spared for most of his brief career. Furthermore, he’s doing it with a bruised knee.

Will he get far? The Ravens have allowed just 3.5 yards a carry, and they have allowed just four rushing touchdowns all year. David Garrard does not lack for an arm, but Jack Del Rio does not necessarily want him using it all the time. Garrard has thrown the ball 510 times this season, and indeed threw for 329 yards last week against Indianapolis, but he’s tossed 11 picks (compared with just three last year) and has been sacked 41 times. His wide receiver crop is limited, although the presence of Dennis Northcutt does offer a little more speed.

Joe Flacco has not burned rubber at home (just 4 TD passes and 7 INT’s), but may find more room against a Jacksonville secondary that has given up 25 TD passes. besides, who needs a passing game when you can run through defenses like that Baltimore running game did against Dallas? Le’Ron McClain, named to the Pro Bowl as a fullback, leads the way with 832 yards, including the 82-yard run against the Cowboys, which followed the 77-yard scamper by Willis McGahee.

Baltimore has allowed only 73 points at home this season (that’s just 10.4 per game) and only 14 first downs per game, and it’s not likely that an attack that is not operating at peak efficiency (the efforts against Green Bay and Indy the last two games notwithstanding) is going to make considerably more headway. The Ravens have seven wins by two touchdowns or more, and when you look at the slate, only the best teams have covered against them (Titans, Colts, Giants, Steelers). With Baltimore still needing to win this game, let’s lay the points with the Ravens, the 12.5-point favorite.

JAY’S PLAY:  BALTIMORE -12.5 **

(Charles Jay of www.ebookies.com is a member of the NFL too – that is, "not for long" if you don’t get results. He is now a regular contributor to the BetOnline.com Locker Room)

NCAA Basketball Betting Temple @ Nova

The Temple Owls (5-5 SU, 4-4 ATS, 4-4 O/U) and Villanova Wildcats (11-1 SU, 4-4 ATS, 1-7 O/U) will both be gunning for a victory tonight when the longtime Philadelphia rivals meet at Villanova Pavilion.

The Wildcats have won three consecutive games in the BetOnline Sportsbook and are looking to go 4-0 in Big Five games for the third time in four seasons.

Villanova is coming off a 78-68 win over Navy on Monday and have won 22 straight home games since suffering a 73-65 loss to DePaul back on Jan. 6, 2007.

Dante Cunningham and Scottie Reynolds scored 24 and 23 points respectively, though the Wildcats allowed Navy to make 14 three-pointers.

"That’s an excuse that we really take pride in not allowing to happen," said coach Jay Wright about the layoff after final exams. "We hear it all the time. We practice to avoid it happening. We’ve seen it happen to other teams."

Temple has dropped two straight games, including a 76-71 loss to Long Beach State on Monday. Team leader Before No. 18 Villanova begins Big East play, it can wrap up an unofficial Big Five title on Monday when it hosts Temple.

Christmas scored a team-high 19 points to lead four Owls in double figures.

Christmas was held scoreless in the first 20 minutes against Long Beach State.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NCAAB Free Pick.

The Owls are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games following a S.U. loss.

The Owls are 12-3 ATS in their last 15 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

The Wildcats are 11-4-1 ATS in their last 16 vs. Atlantic 10.

The Wildcats are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

The Over is 6-1 in Owls last 7 vs. Big East.

The Under is 6-0 in Wildcats last 6 games following a S.U. win.

The Favorite is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.

The Owls are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings.

NCAAB Odds

Temple Owls +9½ -110

Villanova Wildcats -9½ -110

Analysis: I don’t think BetOnline NCAA college basketball sports betting enthusiasts have much guesswork to do with this selection at all. The Wildcats are far and away the better team in this matchup and will win this contest handily over their city rivals.

NCAAB Free Picks: Villanova -9½ Points

NFL Wild Card Playoff Matchups

Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons finished up an improbable 11-5 season last Sunday with a 31-27 win over St. Louis. They’ll march into the postseason after being selected to only win 4.5 games at the beginning of the year. Arizona has had the NFC West locked up for almost a month, and will host its first playoff game since it played in St. Louis.

Atlanta has fared quite well against the Cards in recent history, going 4-1 SU and ATS since 1999. Since December 2007 though, Arizona has been simply dominating at home. It has gone 9-2 SU and 7-4 ATS during that stretch. The Falcons were 7-1 SU at home, but they went just 4-4 SU and ATS on the road.

The winner of this game will likely travel to New York next weekend, unless Philadelphia beats Minnesota. Arizona lost 37-29 to the Giants earlier this season in the Desert. It would be the first meeting between the G-Men and Falcons of the year.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Vikings won the NFC North by virtue of their win over the defending champions on the final week of the season. The Eagles had to be considered huge long-shots just to reach the playoffs, but after losses by Chicago and Tampa Bay, the Eagles reached the second season by demolishing Dallas 44-6.

The Eagles have earned four straight victories both SU and ATS over the Vikings, but have dominated the sports betting proceedings for years. They are 9-1 ATS in the L/10 meetings with Minnesota. Philadelphia went 4-4 ATS this season on the road. Minnesota has won six out of its L/7 games in the Metrodome, but went just 3-5 ATS this season at home.

If the Eagles win this game, they’ll head to the Meadowlands to clash with the Giants after splitting the season series with them. Should Minnesota prove victories, it’ll travel to Carolina to take on a Panthers team it has already beaten once this season.

Miami Dolphins vs. Baltimore Ravens

The turnaround for the Fins is complete. From 1-15 a year ago, they won the AFC East by beating the Jets in the Meadowlands 24-17. Baltimore knew going into Week 17 that it was win and in, and it did just that by stomping the Jags 27-7.

Baltimore beat Miami 27-13 in South Florida earlier this season. The win avenged last year’s 22-16 overtime win for the Fins, the only win they had in 2007. Miami is 10-3 ATS in the L/13 meetings between these squads.

The Ravens have a long road ahead this postseason, as they know that they’ll have to travel to Tennessee next should they beat Miami. The Fish will need to await the winner of the Indianapolis/San Diego game to see whether they’ll take on the Titans or Steelers.

San Diego Chargers vs. Indianapolis Colts

No team in NFL history had ever started 4-8 and made the playoffs, but that’s what San Diego pulled off. After beating Denver in the regular season finale, the Chargers won the AFC West crown, giving them the right to host Indy. The Colts haven’t lost since October 27th. They finished the regular season on a nine-game winning streak, and went 5-3-1 ATS in that stretch.

Though Indy beat San Diego 23-20 this season, the Chargers have owned the sports betting occasions since 2004, going 4-1 ATS since then. Three of the L/4 meetings between these teams have gone ‘under’ the ‘total’.

The winner of this game will head to Tennessee to take on the Titans unless Baltimore upsets Miami, in which case, the winner would go to Pittsburgh.

NBA Analysis & Pick Magic @ Pistons

The Detroit Pistons (17-11 SU, 12-16 ATS, 12-16 O/U) have won three straight games coming into tonight’s matchup against the Orlando Magic (24-6 SU 20-9-1 ATS, 13-17 O/U) but have mostly struggled since acquiring high-scoring shooting guard Allen Iverson from the Denver Nuggets last month.

Detroit will host a Magic team that has won seven straight games and nine of its last 10 overall.

The Pistons beat the Milwaukee Bucks 87-76 on Saturday, covering the spread in the BetOnline Sportsbook for NBA sports betting backers as a 6-point road underdog.

Playing without longtime shooting guard Rip Hamilton, Detroit got a team-high 19 points, along with eight rebounds, from Tayshaun Prince while Iverson added 18 points and Rodney Stuckey and Rasheed Wallace 16 points apiece.

"When we have the bigger lineup, obviously we’re better defensively," said Tayshaun Prince, who scored a game-high 19 points. "It’s kind of pick and choose. Sometimes you are going to need the offensive side, but more importantly you’re going to need the defensive side."

The Magic had an easier time in their last outing, laying an emphatic 118-94 smackdown on the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday to cover the spread for BetOnline NBA Sportsbook backers as a 9.5-point road favorite.

Forwards Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis led the way with 26 points and 24 points respectively, while point guard Jameer Nelson added 20 points with six rebounds and eight assists in the win. The Magic scored a whopping 39 points in the final 12 minutes.

"In order to be a great team, you can’t let up," said center Dwight Howard. "I like the way we came back. We held together and came out with a good win."

In their last four games Orlando has drained a blistering 53-of-113 (46.9 percent) three-pointers, led by Lewis (13-of-26) and Turkoglu (9-of-17).

"(Turkoglu) should be in the 3-point contest," Howard said. "He presents a lot problems for the defense. When he’s hot he’s tough to stop, especially late."

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Pick.

The Magic are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

The Magic are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.

The Pistons are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 Monday games.

The Pistons are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.

The Under is 29-11 in Magic last 40 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

The Under is 6-0 in Pistons last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.

The Over is 10-3 in the last 13 meetings in Detroit.

The Road team is 17-8-3 ATS in the last 28 meetings.

NBA Odds

Orlando Magic -2½ -110

Detroit Pistons +2½ -110

Over 187½ -110

Under 187½ -110

Analysis: I know the Detroit pistons are playing at home in this contest, but the simple fact of the matter is that they are no longer a better team than Orlando. The acquisition of Iverson has thrown the Pistons’ former chemistry completely out the window and the result is what NBA sports betting fanatics are seeing right now. I like the Magic to win this contest despite being on the road.

I also like the Over as well as the Pistons are clearly no longer a defensive juggernaut.

NBA Free Picks: Magic +2½ Points/Over 187½ Total Points

PapaJohns.com Bowl North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

BetOnline NCAA Football Betting Odds: RUTGERS -7, Total 55

Here are some of the NCAA college football betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

* NCS has won its last four games SU

* NCS has covered its last seven games

* NCS has played six of its last nine games OVER the total

* RUT has won its last five games SU

* RUT has covered its last five games

* RUT has played four of its last five games OVER the total

These are two hot teams as far as the point spread is concerned. Rutgers comes into the PapaJohns.com Bowl having covered its last eight games, while N.C. State has covered seven straight. During its surge, Rutgers ran up scores on some teams, beating Pittsburgh by 20 points, South Florida by 33, Army by 27 and Louisville by 49, for example. The Scarlet Knights have looked explosive. Mike Teel, the quarterbacks, overcame a rocky start and finished with 23 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. There aren’t many better combos 1-2 receiver duo he’s throwing to. Kenny Britt had 81 catches and ranked second nationally in receiving yards per game, earning third team All-America mention by the Associated Press. Tiquan Underwood (36 catches, 443 yards) was actually the more highly-regarded receiver at the season’s outset.

The lack of a running game hurt Rutgers at times, and that was understandable, since Ray Rice, who had been perhaps the top workhorse in the country, departed after his junior season and landed with the Baltimore Ravens. No Rutgers back was able to average more than 48 yards per game. So if Teel, who threw more than one interception in four different games, gets erratic, Rutgers has problems on offense.

North Carolina State won its last four games against Duke, Wake Forest, North Carolina and Miami (the latter three being bowl teams) in order to qualify for a bowl with a 6-6 record. The big story for them had to be the emergence of Russell Wilson, a 5’11" redshirt freshman who was banged around in the season opener, a 34-0 shutout loss to South Carolina, came on huge throwing 16 touchdown passes without an interceptions in his last eight games and winning first-team All-ACC honors. Wilson tossed only one pickoff all season. He’s got a hot hand, as does Teel. The Wolfpack knows how to take care of the ball, registering a +9 turnover ratio on the season.

Coach Greg Schiano has demonstrated an ability to prepare for post-season action, covering three of four bowl appearances with the Knights. But Tom O’Brien, previously at Boston College, was a renowned bowl coach, as his teams have won and covered six out of seven outings. Rutgers got some pressure on the passer, with 28 sacks, but will have a harder time doing that with Jamaal Westerman out with an injury. N.C. State doesn’t give opportunities away cheaply, and gave up just 18 points per game over its four-game streak to close the season. They can hang.

We’ll grab the points with the Wolfpack, the seven-point underdog in the BetOnline Sportsbook NCAA college football betting odds.

JAY’S PLAY: N.C. STATE +7 ***

(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)

(Charles Jay of http://www.ebookies.com gives it more than the old college try as a contributor to the BetOnline Locker Room)

Alamo Bowl Sports Betting Missouri Tigers vs. Northwestern Wildcats

The Missouri Tigers had everything going their way at the beginning of the season. They had Chase Daniels back at quarterback, they didn’t lose any key defensive players, and if anything they were going to be better because of the experience they garnered by playing in a BCS Bowl Game in 2007. But something happened once the season started – - the Tigers played below expectations. For online sportsbook betting fans, there might not have been a bigger disappointment this season against the BetOnline online wagering spread than the Missouri Tigers. The reason is that Missouri was expected to do well. They finished the season at 9 and 4 after getting destroyed by the Oklahoma Sooners in the Big-12 Championship. What’s worse is their online betting record against the BetOnline online wagering spread. At 5 and 7 the Tigers found a way to blow a lot of online wagering money.

The Northwestern Wildcats played above expectations all season when securing a 9 and 3 straight-up record after beating Illinois in their finale. It doesn’t mean much because Northwestern doesn’t have an offense that should be able to stick with Missouri. The Wildcats will play hard but college football betting fans are going to have to be very creative if they want to make an online bet on Northwestern.

Here are the BetOnline online sportsbook betting odds for this game.

Northwestern Wildcats + 12 ½ – 110 + 400 O 66 – 110

Missouri Tigers – 12 ½ – 110 – 500 U 66 – 110

Here are a few online wagering trends that might help us find a good online bet in this game.

The Northwestern Wildcats are 1 and 7 against the spread in their last 8 games after an against the spread victory.

The Northwestern Wildcats are 3 and 9 against the spread in their last 12 non-conference games.

The Missouri Tigers are 1 and 4 against the spread versus a team with a winning record.

The Missouri Tigers are 4 and 1 against the spread in their last 5 games at a neutral site as the favorite.

The Missouri Tigers can pretty much score at will against most teams. I don’t see that changing in the Alamo Bowl because Northwestern gave up 45 to Ohio State even though the Buckeyes’ offense isn’t close to Missouri’s.

This should be a lop-sided game with the Tigers scoring at will and the Wildcats desperately trying to keep up. The Wildcats just can’t keep up with the Tigers’ trio of Jeremy Maclin, Derrick Washington and quarterback Chase Daniels.

This one should be over early. I see Missouri winning by at least twenty and maybe closer to thirty points in this game.

I’m going to make an online bet on the Missouri Tigers to cover the 12 ½ point online betting spread.

NBA Sports Betting Bulls @ Nets

BetOnline NBA Betting Odds: NEW JERSEY -5.5, Total 209.5

Here are some of the NBA pro basketball sports betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

* CHI has covered four of its last 13 games

* CHI has lost four of its last five games SU

* CHI has played seven of its last eight games OVER the total

* CHI has covered one of its last seven road games

* CHI has lost its last seven road games SU

* CHI has played four of its last five road games OVER the total

* NJ has played five of its last six games OVER the total

* NJ has covered one of its last seven home games

* NJ has lost six of its last seven home games SU

Also….

* NJ has covered 12 of the last 18 meetings

* NJ has won 13 of the last 18 meetings SU

* The last five meetings have gone OVER the total

* NJ has covered ten of the last 11 meetings as the home team

* NJ has won the last five meetings SU as the home team

* Six of the last seven meetings in East Rutherford have gone OVER the total

* CHI has had the rebounding edge in four of the last six meetings

With the Bulls, it’s either one major problem or another. Look at their last couple of games, for instance. Against Miami on Friday they shoot just 37% from the field and perform decently on defense but they lose a 90-77 decision to the Heat. Then they turnaround on Saturday and shoot over 54% against Atlanta, with Derrick Rose and Ben Gordon combining for 60 points, but they fall flat on defense, surrendering almost 56% from the field and forcing only seven turnovers, as they lose 129-117 to Atlanta.

The Bulls had no inside strength to begin with, as Drew Gooden is out of action for the time being, and Luol Deng has a sprained ankle as well. It’s been tough to keep opponents off the board or to defend up front. Kirk Hinrich and Larry Hughes have been named to NBA All-Defensive teams in the past, but Hinrich is still out with a torn ligament in his thumb and Hughes has been belly-aching about not getting enough playing time.

New Jersey hasn’t been performing well at home. They’ve lost six of seven in the Izod Center. After scoring an impressive 121-97 win over Dallas On December 19, the Nets have been awful in losing to Miami, Houston and Charlotte. To demonstrate their Jekyll-and-Hyde nature however, they beat the Bobcats in Charlotte a couple of days ago.

It is obviously very risky guessing when the Nets’ next winning effort in the Meadowlands in going to be, but New Jersey can at least match Chicago in backcourt firepower, as long as Devin Harris and Vince Carter (almost 47 ppg between them) are in the lineup. The Nets are the healthier team at the moment as well. Last time these teams met, Chicago exploded with 38 points in the fourth quarter in a nine-point win at the United Center. We’ll look for a reversal here, and lay the points with the Nets, the 5.5-point favorite in the BetOnline NBA pro basketball sports betting odds.

JAY’S PLAY: NEW JERSEY -5.5 ***

(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)

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