Bet on Football: Jets – Patriots Rivalry Continues

It doesn’t get much better in NFL betting this weekend than the New York Jets and New England Patriots. Without Randy Moss being an unnecessary distraction in this matchup, the bigger question now becomes whether or not Mark Sanchez can be effective in cold weather. A win for the Jets would mean that they have the tie-breaker going in to the playoffs, but the Patriots can even the score and take a decisive lead in the AFC East with a victory of their own.

This matchup is as even as it gets. The Patriots hold the slight straight-up record at 6-4 SU, but both teams are 5-5 ATS in terms of NFL betting during the past 10 games of this series. It goes without saying that the Patriots are seeking revenge after being blasted by Sanchez in Week 2 by a score of 28-14.

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People have been hard on Mark Sanchez throughout his career, and for good reason. He’s a talented quarterback, but he’s also been surrounded by a stacked team. His physical gifts notwithstanding, Sanchez also leads a team that has Super Bowl champions, Pro Bowlers and former MVP’s. Frankly, if the Jets weren’t playing well, it would be shocking.

NFL Betting Lines

New York Jets             +3

New England Patriots  -3

The biggest hurdle for Sanchez is the fact that he will have to endure cold weather games later in the season, and with winter rearing its ugly head early on this year in the Northeast, all the talk surrounding this game will be how he responds to frostbiting temperatures.

People don’t have that same problem with Tom Brady this late in the season. If he’s proven anything, it’s that he loves beating up on teams he loathes. You saw it in back-to-back games against Indianapolis and Pittsburgh, and the Patriots skewered Detroit on Thanksgiving Day to prove that those weren’t flukes.

Brady may be in store for another huge game this weekend since Darrelle Revis won’t really have anyone to cover. Usually, the Jets deploy Revis on the best receiver that an opponent has to offer. In this game, that would be Wes Welker, but Revis is not a nickel cover guy.

That makes Deion Branch the most logical choice for Revis to cover but the Patriots can win games with or without Branch having a big game.

Revis Island might be lonely for different reasons this weekend.

Of course, what this game eventually comes down to is if Rex Ryan and the Jets can properly game plan against Bill Belichick, who has been at his best this season yet again. While New England is just 4-2 ATS in their past six games, Belichick’s defense has been amazing largely because he’s coached his defense in to a drive-killing machine.

What I continue to hate about the Jets is how they react to losing momentum. New England comes up with big stops when they absolutely need them, but the Jets haven’t been demoralized by an opponent in the first half, and have never been able to overcome a good defense when trailing.

To put this matchup in proper perspective, the Jets have picked up four wins against teams with a collective record of 13-31 SU in the past month. They’re also just 2-2 ATS in their past four contests for those of us who bet on NFL spreads. The Jets’ record is misleading.

The Patriots are undefeated at home this season, coming off big wins against playoff-worthy teams and know how to handle the cold weather. For LaDainian Tomlinson and Mark Sanchez, playing in frigid weather is relatively new territory and Mother Nature could very well be the biggest factor in this game.

NFL Power Rankings Week 13 – Wake Up Tryptophaniacs

The NFL Power Rankings Week 13 will have a definite Top Diggity Dog for next week when the top 2 New teams follow that goose-bumped Hank Williams, Jr. opening for Monday Night Football betting.

Spy-gate travels to Weight-gate, or Rex-a-sore-ass hosts Bel-I-Check-The-Tape in this New England Patriots at New York Jets Division head-game contest to Patriotize the New Meadowlands Shagadium. Was that too much?

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I won’t predict a winner, but I will say the Jets beat a different Pats team earlier in the year. Billy Boy is going to have the whole Brady Bunch pulling tricks on Alice and Sam the Butcher (Rex) this time.

The next few NFL Football Betting weeks are even more crucial for the actual NFL Playoff Teams if you didn’t know. If you don’t know, then you didn’t know and you won’t know, but now you know.

This is the time to stick with the coaches, teams and quarterbacks who have been there. These people are crucial in leading and motivating their team for that extra effort to the NFL Postseason Push.

For those of you that are intelligent (ain’t talkin’ about Mensa peeps), you’ve followed my leads on the Chargers and dumped the Bengals in the past weeks (among others).

Read between the lines and follow my other game articles at Bet US. I’m not trying to say I’m great, but I am honest, consistent and the results are showing if you follow my NFL Betting Advice.

Watch out for the Rams and Texans rising and the Steelers and Eagles falling. You heard it here first. USE IT.

The NFL Power Rankings Week 13 list is based on Power. They don’t take Superstitions, Luck or Karma into consideration.

Each team’s NFL Power Rankings from last week and current won-lost records are in parentheses.

1) (1) New England Patriots (9-2) – Made Turkeys out of Lions-MNF vs. #2 Jets YES!!

2) (2) New York Jets (9-2) – Banged the Bengals like they were stuffing-MNF uh oh

3) (3) Atlanta Falcons (9-2) – Proved they are NFC #1 with game winning drive

4) (6) Baltimore Ravens (8-3) – Not overpowering but using defensive Finesse to Win

5) (9) San Diego Chargers (6-5) – Every week I tell you…upSWIIIING-2 INTs for TDs help

6) (7) Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) – 19-16 Bills in OT Lucky but they are not a strong team

7) (5) Green Bay Packers (7-4) – Can’t win NFC with QB rushing leader on team

(8) New Orleans Saints (8-3) – 30-27 Cowboys win another W until Pierre, Bush back

9) (4) Indy Colts (6-5) – 7 INTs in 2 wks won’t pay bills Peyton, but I say AFC Champ. game

10) (10) New York Giants (7-4) – Comeback win against Cracker Jax helps psyche for NYGee

11) (12) Houston Texans (5-6) – I KILLED w/Texans D in Fantasy FB this week – NOT! but WISH

12) (17) Chicago Bears (8-3) – Took down the current King Michael Vick with Cutler cranking

13) (11) Philadelphia Eagles (7-4) – I guess Vick isn’t greatest QB ever anymore idiots!

14) (13) Kansas City Chiefs (7-4) – Chiefs put on offensive showcase at Sea-Chicken’s coop

15) (14) Minnesota Vikings (4-7) – Firing coaches and winning seem to be catching-on the up

16) (15) Miami Dolphins (6-5) – Henne came back to relieve Pigpen from Peanuts fame

17) (16) Tennessee Titans (5-6) – Downward Spiral getting blanked by worst defense Texans

18) (18)Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-4) – Lost to another good team – they only win vs. scrubs

19) (19) Dallas Cowboys (3-8) – Looking like different team w/new coach but TOO LATE

20) (25) St. Louis Rams (5-6) – FIRST place in NFC West says absolutely nothing

21) (22) Washington Redskins (5-6) – NO penetration on D front vs. Vikings in loss

22) (23) Oakland Raiders (5-6) – Head Coach Cable switches QBs again – Thumb move Tom

23) (27) San Francisco 49ers (4-7) – They finally looked good, but it was against AZ..

24) (20) Arizona Cardinals (3-8) – Def. front looked like season over MNF vs. SF Fools Gold

25) (21) Denver Broncos (3-8) – Josh better start drinking Mack Daniels for coming FIRING

26) (24) Jacksonville Jaguars (6-5) – Let Giants stomp them 4th Qtr in possible upset

27) (26) Cleveland Browns (4-7) – Don’t bet on turnover prone Brownies to win many more

28) (28) Seattle Seahawks (5-6) – ABSOLUTE crap running game

29) (29) Detroit Lions (2-9) – Matthew must’ve taken Michael and Luke with him when injured

30) (30) Cincinnati Bengals (2-9) – “Image” is obviously not “EVERYTHING”

31) (31) Buffalo Bills (2-9) – Steve Johnson dropped upset pass over Pitt, Lost 19-16 OT

32) (32) Carolina Panthers (1-10) – Had their chance but Browns prevail 24-23

The NFL Power Rankings Week 13 can only mean the NFL Playoffs are on the horizon. This is where bad doesn’t mean good, and great only means great.

Check out the latest football game lines in the sportsbook, click here.

NFL Betting Breakdown – Boost the Bankroll With Informative Over/Under Analysis

I’ve done the homework, now, you can reap the benefits BetOnline NFL betting community!

That’s right, pro football gamblers, thanks to my due diligence centered on the best and worst Over/Under teams in the league this season, pro football gamblers everywhere that love to bet on the O/U Total will get the knowledge they need in order to make several bankroll-boosting wagers on this week’s upcoming slate of Week 13 contests.

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NFL Over Leaders

Dallas (9-2 O/U)

Dallas is the hottest ‘Over’ team in all of football, having played Over their set Over/Under Total in a whopping seven straight games as they get set to travel to Indianapolis for their Week 13 road date against Peyton Manning and the Colts.

Jacksonville (9-2 O/U)

The Jaguars have played Over the NFL Betting Total in a whopping five consecutive games and look like a good candidate to do so again in Week 13 at Tennessee.

New England (9-2 O/U)

Just like the Jags, the Patriots have played Over the O/U Total in five straight games heading into Week 13 and they could very well do so again in Week 13 against another team that has played Over the Total at a high rate when they host the New York Jets in their Monday Night Football showdown.

NY Jets (8-3 O/U)

The Jets had their three-game Over streak snapped in their 26-10 win over the Bengals on Thanksgiving Day.

Detroit (8-3 O/U)
The Lions have played Over the Total in two straight – and seven of its last eight games overall for Football betting enthusiasts that like to wager against the Total.

Cleveland (8-3 O/U)

The Browns have played Over the total in six consecutive games with three of those contests having identical 37-point O/U Totals.

Denver (8-3 O/U)

The Broncos have played Over the O/U Total in five of their last seven games, mostly because of their pitiful defense which has allowed at least 24 points in each contest while allowing 35 or more in two straight games, not to mention allowing a jaw-dropping 59 points to the Raiders in Week 7.

NFL Under Leaders

Green Bay (3-8 O/U)

When you’re giving up just 15.1 points per game (first) then it’s no wonder that you’re leading the league in Under outcomes. The Packers have played Under their set O/U Total in two straight games heading into Week 13.

Chicago (3-8 O/U)

Speaking of stingy defense, the Bears are second in points allowed (15.6) – despite snapping their four-game Under streak by beating Philly 31-26 on Sunday.

San Francisco (5-4-1 O/U)

When you average only 16.0 points per game (31st) then I guess it’s only natural that you’d play Under the set O/U Total more often than not. Frisco has alternated Over and Under outcomes over their last eight games.

10 Teams have gone 5-6 in O/U wagers this season, including Tampa Bay, St. Louis, Miami, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Washington, Minnesota and Carolina.

NHL Betting – Atlantic Division Foes on Monday Night – Pens vs. Rangers

Two hot NHL Betting teams square off at Madison Square Garden on Monday night with division leader Philadelphia in each team’s sights. The Pittsburgh Penguins have won six straight games while the New York Rangers are winners of four of their last five.

Pittsburgh Penguins (15-8-2) at NY Rangers (14-10-1)

7:00 PM ET, Monday, November 29, 2010

Madison Square Garden, New York, New York

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Broadcast: FS-P (HD), MSG (HD)

NHL Betting Lines:

Pittsburgh: -1 ½ (+240)

NY Rangers: -1 ½ (-290)

Moneyline: Pittsburgh -120: NY Rangers +100

Total: 5 ½ goals

The Pittsburgh Penguins started slowly this NHL Betting season but a guy named Sidney Crosby has put the team in his back and has carried them. Crosby’s hot play is obviously contagious – goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has started to heat up as well.

The offense has really picked up recently for the Penguins, led of course the one and only Sidney Crosby. Nobody has been able to slow him down – the last team that had any success was the New York Rangers who handed the Penguins their last loss. Since that time, Crosby has recorded 11 points in five games and overall and he has 25 points (12 goals and 13 assists) in his last 12 games!

Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is finally living up to his lofty expectations. He has won his last five starts, compiling a 1.58 goals against average over that span and in his last two outings; he has let in a combined one goal while turning aside 98.6% of the shots directed his way.

The New York Rangers are also an NHL Betting team on the rise. They have won two straight games and four of their last five. They, unlike the Penguins have relied of a balanced scoring attack during their recent play and like Pittsburgh; the Rangers have enjoyed solid play from their starting goaltender.

Marion Gaborik sat out the Rangers last game with the Flu (I hope that he has sick time built into his contract). That hasn’t been much of an issue as the Rangers have spread the scoring wealth around. In their last five games, 11 different players have scored goals!

Henrik Lundqvist has shaken off a slow start and is emerging as an elite backstop once again. In his last two starts, he is 2-0 with a sparkling 0.48 goals against average and a .986 save percentage. However, he has struggled against the Penguins, particularly at home. He did win two weeks ago in Pittsburgh, but at home against the Pens; he has lost his last three starts and has a brutal 3.96 goals against average. Lundqvist has won just two of his last nine starts overall against Pittsburgh.

NHL Betting Outlook:

The Pittsburgh Penguins are 8-0-2 in the last 10 meetings between the two clubs. However, the home team is 22-7 in the last 29 games in the series.

Both teams are coming into Monday’s game playing very well. So who wins between a team that has balanced scoring and a team that boasts the best player on the planet? Consider that Sidney Crosby (the NHL leader in points with 40) has recorded 50 points in his last 25 games against the Broadway Blue Shirts. Also consider that Marc-Andre Fleury has finally found his All-Star caliber form. Finally, consider the fact that the Penguins are 8-3-1 on the road this season while the Rangers are just 5-6-1 at MSG on the year.

I don’t see the Rangers being able to slow the Pens down – Pittsburgh stretches their winning streak to seven.

NHL Betting Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins

NHL Odds – Dallas and Carolina in Overachievers Showdown

NHL betting lines are that most of you didn’t have the Dallas Stars or the Carolina Hurricanes as early contenders for an unlikely playoff spot but guess what?

Both teams are right there, keeping pace and putting pressure on the Big Boys of their respective Divisions. Monday marks an early season litmus test for both teams – are they contenders or are they pretenders?

7:30 PM ET, Monday, November 29, 2010

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Dallas Stars (13-8-1) at Carolina Hurricanes (10-10-2)

RBC Center, Raleigh, North Carolina

Broadcast: VERSUS (HD), TSN2 (HD)

NHL Odds:

Dallas: +1 ½ (-275)

Carolina: -1 ½ (+235)

Moneyline: Dallas +170: Carolina -125

Total: 5 ½ goals

The Dallas Stars are one team that was mentioned as a possible “seller” when the trade deadline comes. But if they keep up their strong play, NHL Odds are that players such as Brad Richards will be with this team for the foreseeable future. Winners of three straight games, the Dallas Stars head to Carolina in attempts to hold off the big hitters of the Pacific Division, San Jose and Los Angeles.

Dallas has been getting strong play from their front line players. Brad Richards, who leads the team in points (28), has tallied nine pints in his last seven games, Jamie Benn has three points in two and Loui Eriksson has 15 points in his last 12 outings. Although Dallas leads the Pacific Division, they are middle of the pack in both goals for and goals against.

It has been goaltending that has the Dallas Stars looking like this year’s Phoenix Coyotes so far. Kari Lehtonen is 11-7-1 so far this season with a 2.70 goals against average. In his last two games, Lehtonen is 2-0 with a 1.50 goals against average.

The Carolina Hurricanes return home after almost defying the NHL Odds and defeating the Washington in the Capitals home arena on Sunday. A goal with less than 10 seconds remaining in the third period tied the score before the Canes lost in a shootout. The Hurricanes are 4-3-3 in their last 10 games and are 5-4-1 at home so far this season.

Eric Staal has been the leader offensively this season for the Canes, but they would be nowhere if not for rookie sensation, 18 year old Jeff Skinner who has 7 goals and 12 assists in 23 games this season. Jussi Jokinen has recorded 10 points in his last 7 games as well.

The Canes, like the Stars have relied on rock solid goaltending from Cam Ward this season. He is 10-7-1 on the season and is 1-0-1 with a 0.97 goals against average in his last two outings.

NHL Odds Outlook:

The Dallas Stars are a different team on the road than the one that plays at home. Combine that with the fact that the home team is 13-1-2 in the last 16 games between the two and this game looks like a win for the Hurricanes. However, I like the depth of the Stars and the hot goaltending of Kari Lehtonen to prevail in this one. Pick the minor upset in this one as the Stars stretch their winning streak to four.

NHL Odds Pick: Dallas Stars +170

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NHL Betting Tips – Stars and Oilers in action

Western Conference sides the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers are making Eastern stops, taking on the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators respectively.

BetOnline NHL betting is in full swing with both fixtures featuring prominently in the hockey betting markets.

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NHL Betting Line:

Dallas Stars +1½ -275 +115 5½ O -115 U -105 2½ O -130 U -110

Carolina Hurricanes -1½ +235 -135 5½ O -115 U -105 2½ O -155 U +115

Match Time: 07:35 PM Eastern Time (04:35 PM Pacific Time) Monday November 29, 2010

NHL Betting Verdict: Dallas Stars take on the Carolina Hurricanes tonight in a game that bookies have the home side the favourites to win outright. The Hurricanes are after a two-game road stint that featured a shootout defeat to Washington Capitals – a commendable account against the league leaders, which followed a convincing 3-0 win over Boston.

Overall, the Hurricanes (10-10-3) are a modest 5-4-1 at home.

Stars (13-8-1) are a so-so road team thus far, boasting a 5-5-0 mark. Crucially, the Stars take a three game winning streak into this clash, which suggests they might be the better bet at +115 to win outright. During this stretch, the Stars beat Ottawa and St. Louis Blues, the latter in back-to-back home and away games.

That said the Stars’ wins were the skin-of-the-teeth sort and that is probably why bookies are rather conservative where they are concerned and favouring the home side at -135 instead.

NHL Free Picks: Hurricanes -135 | Under 5 ½ -105

NHL Betting Line:

Edmonton Oilers +1½ -170 +165 5½ O -125 U +105 2½ O -110 U -130

Ottawa Senators -1½ +150 -200 5½ O -125 U +105 3 O -140 U +100

Match Time: 07:35 PM Eastern Time (04:35 PM Pacific Time) Monday November 29, 2010

NHL Betting Verdict: The Oilers take on Canadian rivals the Senators in the nation’s capital tonight, and in a game that bookies have the Oilers at the serious disadvantage, tipped at +165 to win outright. The Oilers (6-12-4) are a subpar 3-6-3 on the road. Wins are clearly few and far in between so it’s understandable why no confidence precedes them in the market.

The Senators are not without their own struggles on the season. They are an underwhelming 11-12-1 on the season but an encouraging 7-5-0 at home. The Senators are listed at a whopping -200 to protect that positive home record at the expense of the Oilers and seeing that just about every team has had their way with the prevaricating Oilers it’s only natural to assume the Senators will do so as well tonight.

NHL Free Picks: Ottawa Senators -200 | Over 5 ½ -125

Check out the latest hockey game lines in the sportsbook, click here.

NHL Betting Tips – Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers

The Pittsburgh Penguins are on a roll, winning six in a row ahead of their next fixture against divisional rivals the New York Rangers.  The Rangers, at the same time, have totted up a two-game winning streak, from a three-game road trip, and return to the Big Apple looking to extend that run to three in a row against one of the hottest teams going into this week’s round of NHL betting.

BetOnline Sportsbook is taking action on this game between Atlantic Division rivals Penguins and Rangers, offering a whole slew of hockey betting markets for your consideration.

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NHL Betting Line:

Pittsburgh Penguins  -1½  +240   -120   5½  O +105   U -125    2½  O -150   U +110  

New York Rangers  +1½  -290   +100   5½  O +105   U -125    2½  O -135   U -105

Match Time: 07:05 PM Eastern Time (04:05 PM Pacific Time) Monday November 29, 2010

NHL Betting Verdict: Things are finally looking up for the Pittsburgh Penguins after a rather slow start to the season, particularly at the Consol Energy Centre – their new home and the NHL’s newest Arena.

The Penguins struggled to win games at home during the first month of the season but whatever was troubling them now seems to be a thing of the past, as they are winning at home and on the road.

They are winsome in six consecutive games since beating the Vancouver Canucks 3-1 at home on November 17th.  During this run, they’ve outscored the opposition 16-9.

It has to be said that this run is built on lesser sides such as the Carolina, Florida and Buffalo and as recently as Ottawa and Calgary. All these teams are struggling in some way, shape or form, so one could argue that this positive stretch might be a bit deceiving.

Penguins (15-8-2) take a solid 8-3-1 road record to the Big Apple. This is the second meeting between the Penguins and Rangers on the season after the Rangers beat  them at the Consol Centre on November 15 in overtime.  In fact, that was the last defeat that the Penguins were dealt.

The Penguins will be looking to avenge that result at Madison Square Garden tonight and the bookies seem to expect them to accomplish the feat, listing them as the -120 favourites.
Fact is the Rangers are not without home issues of their won this season. While they are an encouraging 14-10-1 on the season, they are a sub-par 5-6-1 at home.

A two-game winning streak ahead of this clash is promising but it’s an extension of their modest road form seeing that both wins came on the away – at Florida and Nashville. The Rangers are yet to impress their fans or even find any consistency. Still with a win over the Penguins on the season to draw inspiration from, this could be the game to impress with their home faithful. At 100 to win outright, they are only mere underdogs and as such, the value bet.

NHL Free Picks: NEW York Rangers +100 | Over 5 ½ +105

NBA Eastern Conference – Chicago, Detroit and New York Top NBA Betting in the East

The Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks are the top NBA betting teams in the Eastern Conference this week.

Sure, the Bulls are the only team out of the three that will probably make the NBA Playoffs, but the Pistons and Knicks have found ways to cover spreads in the basketball betting sportsbook even though they’re not winning games straight up.

What team is the worst of the worst in the Basketball sportsbook?  Those guys from Miami, of course.

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Let’s get to the NBA Eastern Conference Top 5 and Bottom 5!

NBA Eastern Conference Top 5

1. Chicago Bulls 9-6 (10-4-1 ATS) – - When the Bulls take on the Orlando Magic this Wednesday at home, they’ll be looking for their 6th straight cover in the NBA sportsbook.  The Bulls were only 4 and 3 straight up in their recently ended 7 game road trip.  They did lose to the Lakers after holding a lead in the 4th quarter and lost to Denver by a single point, 97 to 98, as a 6-point dog, however.

2. Detroit Pistons 6-11 (11-6 ATS) – - The Pistons have gone 3 and 2 ATS in their last 5 games after losing by 13 points to the Lakers on Nov. 17th.  One of the non-covers was a 116 to 125 loss to the New York Knicks in overtime as 1 ½ point favorites.  That game could have gone either way.

3. New York Knicks 9-9 (11-6-1 ATS)  – - The Knicks have covered the NBA odds in the sportsbook in 7 out of their last 8 games.  NYK is also 6 and 1 straight up in their last 7 games.  New York might challenge for a spot in the playoffs if they can continue to stay at .500 or above for most of this season.

4. New Jersey Nets 6-11 (10-7 ATS) – - New Jersey has covered in 4 out of their last 5 games including covers versus Denver, Boston, and Portland.  That’s not bad.  They actually beat Atlanta 107 to 101 straight up in overtime on Nov. 23rd and Portland 98 to 96 in their last game.  The Nets are obviously a much, much better team this season than they were last season.

5. Indiana Pacers 8-7 (9-6 ATS) – - The Pacers could move up the list quickly if they continue this.  Indiana is 7 and 3 ATS in NBA betting in their last 10 games.  They have victories straight up over Denver, Miami, and the L.A. Lakers in 3 out of those 10 games and covered versus Orlando in another game.  Maybe, the Pacers are just a good team this season.

NBA Eastern Conference Bottom 5

1. Miami Heat 9-8 (5-12 ATS) – - The “awesome” Heat is 1 and 9 ATS in their last 10 games.  They’re also 1 and 4 straight up in their last 5 games.  What’s the problem?  Who cares!  Just stay away from this team to cover NBA odds in the sportsbook.

2. Milwaukee Bucks 6-10 (5-10-1 ATS) – - The Bucks ended a 4 game losing streak in a 104 to 101 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats in their last, but they still didn’t cover the spread because the betting line was Milwaukee -3 ½ over Charlotte.  That sucks.

3. Orlando Magic 12-4 (6-10 ATS) – - The Magic rocked it on the road last season, which is why they were one of the Top 5 NBA Eastern Conference teams.  This season they’re actually 0 and 6 ATS on the road.  The Magic is also only 6 and 4 ATS at home so far this season.

4. Washington Wizards 5-10 (6-9 ATS) – - The good news is that Gilbert Arenas has shut his mouth and is instead scoring points again.  He had 21 two games ago versus the Atlanta Hawks and then 31 versus Orlando in the Wizards’ last game.  Of course, Washington is still a loser in the NBA sportsbook.  They’re 2 and 4 ATS in their last 6 games. 

5. Atlanta Hawks 11-7 (8-10 ATS) – - 3 and 0 both straight up and ATS in their last 3 games means that the Atlanta Hawks might be on their way to getting off of this Bottom 5 list.  Finally being fully healthy is a good thing, too.

Get in on NBA basketball betting action in the sportsbook, click here!

Dallas No NBA Betting Lock Versus Houston

The Dallas Mavericks are no lock against the spread in the NBA sportsbook versus the Houston Rockets on Monday, Nov. 29th.

At 12 and 4, the Mavericks are only 2 games behind the San Antonio Spurs for the top spot in the NBA Southwest Division. The Mavericks are tied with New Orleans in second place in the division and have already established themselves as one of the better teams in the NBA this season.

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But there’s something odd about how Dallas handles itself versus the basketball betting spread. Will that oddity hurt the Mavericks in their game versus the Houston Rockets on Monday night?

Houston Rockets at Dallas Mavericks

Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas

When: Nov. 29th, 2010 at 8:30 pm EST

TV: Fox Southwest

NBA Betting Odds

Houston Rockets +9 -110 O 197 -110

Dallas Mavericks -9 -110 U 197 -110

The betting trends favor the Mavericks in this game.

• The Dallas Mavericks are 4 and 1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
• The Dallas Mavericks are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games versus a team with a winning percentage below .500
• The Houston Rockets are 5 and 17 ATS in their last 22 games playing on 0 days of rest.
• The Houston Rockets are 7 and 20 ATS in their last 27 games following a straight up victory.

Yes, almost all of the trends favor the Dallas Mavericks in this game, but there is one specific trend that makes me question whether or not the Mavs can cover the spread in the NBA odds in the sportsbook in this game.

Dallas is an amazing 7 and 0 ATS on the road this season, but is a terrible 2-5-2 against the spread at home. The Mavericks take on the Rockets at home in this game after cruising to 3 straight covers versus the Oklahoma City Thunder as +4 dogs in a 111 to 103 victory, the San Antonio Spurs as +4 ½ dogs in a 103 to 94 win, and the Miami Heat as -2 ½ favorites at home in a 106 to 95 victory.

Now, the Mavericks take on a team they should squash, the Houston Rockets, but they’re giving up 9 points in order to do it. Houston is only 7 and 9 ATS on the season, but they have gone 2 and 1 ATS in their last 2 games and are coming off of a 99 to 98 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder straight up as 2 ½ point home dogs. Houston might be finding their way with Yao out of action, he isn’t back until early December, because they can concentrate on playing the more fast-paced tempo that guard Kevin Martin and forwards Luis Scola and Shane Battier are used to.

Because the Mavericks usually don’t respond well to their own fans, and are looking for their 4th straight cover, I have to lean towards backing the Houston Rockets in this game. Dallas laid it all out in their victory over the new “most hated team” in sports, the Miami Heat, and might come into tonight’s game flat-footed.

I’m going to go with the Rockets in this game. Yes, they’re injured but the Mavericks tend to have mental lapses on the court and just aren’t as good against the basketball betting spread at home as they are on the road.

Houston +9 is the NBA bet to make in this game.

NBA Betting Pick: Houston Rockets +9 -110

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NBA Western Conference – Best NBA Sportsbook Cover Teams are in the Southwest

The best NBA odds cover teams in the Western Conference reside in the Southwest Division.  The very best team, the Utah Jazz, doesn’t but 3 out of the other 4 teams that rock it against the spread in the West do play in the Southwest Division.

There are only a couple of surprise teams in the Bottom 5 for the NBA Western Conference this week.  One of them, Phoenix, might not even be a surprise to most basketball handicappers.

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Let’s get to the NBA Western Conference Top 5 and Bottom 5!

NBA Western Conference Top 5

1. Utah Jazz 13-5 (11-6-1 ATS) – - 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 including covering 5 spreads in the NBA sportsbook has the Jazz looking mighty salty betting wise right now.  Utah has beaten both New Orleans and the L.A. Lakers straight up in 2 out of their last 3 games. 

2. San Antonio Spurs 14-2 (10-5-1 ATS) – - The Spurs proved that the 94 to 103 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, as -4 ½ point faves on Nov. 26th, was an aberration.  San Antonio thumped New Orleans just a game later 109 to 95 as +1 point road favorites.

3. Dallas Mavericks 12-4 (9-5-2 ATS)  – - The Mavericks are infuriating.  They’re 7 and 0 ATS on the road so far this season and 2-5-2 ATS at home.  That makes it difficult for basketball betting fans because the enigmatic Mavs have 3 out of their next 5 games at home. 

4. New Orleans Hornets 12-4 (9-6-1 ATS) – - Since going nuts against the spread and covering everything in sight to start the season, the Hornets have since gone 3-6-1 ATS in their last 10 games.  That’s not good, friends.  Can New Orleans turn it around against Oklahoma City, Charlotte, New York, San Antonio, and Detroit in their next 5 games?  We shall see.

5. Los Angeles Lakers 13-4 (9-8 ATS) – - The Lakers followed up a 4 and 0 ATS streak with a 0 and 3 ATS streak.  They face Memphis on Nov. 30th in their next game and will no doubt be a 6 to 8 ½ point favorite again.  We’ll see if the Lakers can end their ATS losing streak or if it’ll keep going.

NBA Western Conference Bottom 5

1. Sacramento Kings 4-11 (4-11 ATS) – - 1 and 9 straight up in their last 10 and 2 and 8 against the NBA betting odds in the sportsbook means that the Kings are arguably the worse team in the NBA right now.  Yes, worse than the L.A. Clippers.

2. Phoenix Suns 8-9 (6-10-1 ATS) – - The Suns just don’t cover spreads very often.  At least they pushed in their last against Denver, a 133 to 138 loss as 5-point dogs.  Games versus Golden State, Indiana and Washington in their next 3 means that they could get back on the against the spread cover train.

3. Denver Nuggets 10-6 (5-9-2 ATS) – - The Nuggets have won 4 games in a row.  That’s good news for their fans.  The bad news for sports betting fans is that Denver went 1-2-1 ATS in those 4 games.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves 4-13 (7-10 ATS) – - After covering in 5 straight games, the horrible T’Wolves have gone 1 and 4 against the spread in their last 5 contests.  They play San Antonio and Dallas in their next 2 games.  That might not be good.

5. L.A. Clippers 3-15 (8-10 ATS) – - They keep losing straight up but against the spread the Clippers have actually been solid lately.  They’re 3 and 1 ATS in their last 4 games.  Still, they’ll need to improve even more ATS to stay off of the Bottom 5 list.

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