Knicks-Jazz Lines Preview

The New York Knicks and the Utah Jazz will both be trying to pick up a win on Monday when they battle at EnergySolutions Arena.
Oddsmakers currently have the Jazz listed as 11-point favorites versus the Knicks, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The Knicks were ousted 96-85 by the Bobcats last time out, as 6.5-point road underdogs. The team's played UNDER the game's posted total of 206.
Wilson Chandler led the Knicks with 18 points and nine rebounds.
The Jazz came out in front with a 104-99 OT victory over the Suns to earn a split of the home-and-home set on Saturday. The Jazz failed to cover the 9-point spread, and the 203 points fell UNDER the posted total of 230.
Mehmet Okur had a double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds to lead the way.
Team records:
New York: 29-44 SU, 41-31-1 ATS
Utah: 45-27 SU, 37-35 ATS
New York most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Denver are 1-9
After playing Charlotte are 5-5
After a loss are 3-7

Utah most recently:
When playing on Monday are 5-5
Before playing Portland are 6-4
After playing Phoenix are 9-1
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
New York is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Utah
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of New York's last 9 games
New York is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Utah
New York is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Utah's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Utah's last 6 games
Utah is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Next up:
New York at Denver, Tuesday, March 31
Utah at Portland, Tuesday, March 31

Bucks-Nets Odds Preview

The Milwaukee Bucks and the New Jersey Nets will both be trying to pick up a win on Monday when they battle at Izod Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Bucks were dropped 102-85 by the Heat last time out, as 9-point road underdogs. That game's 187 points fell UNDER the night's posted total of 197.5.
Richard Jefferson poured in a game-high 32 points in the loss.
The Nets lost to Minnesota 108-99 as a 4.5-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (199.5).
Vince Carter scored a game-high 36 points for the Nets and Devin Harris netted 19 points in the loss.
Current streak:
Milwaukee has lost 5 straight games.
New Jersey has lost 4 straight games.
Team records:
Milwaukee: 31-43 SU, 36-36-2 ATS
New Jersey: 30-43 SU, 37-35-1 ATS
Milwaukee most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing LA Lakers are 5-5
After playing Miami are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7

New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Monday are 5-5
Before playing Detroit are 5-5
After playing Minnesota are 9-1
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 6 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
Milwaukee is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing New Jersey
Milwaukee is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
New Jersey is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
New Jersey is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
New Jersey is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
New Jersey is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Milwaukee
Next up:
Milwaukee home to LA Lakers, Wednesday, April 1
New Jersey home to Detroit, Wednesday, April 1

Magic-Heat Lines Preview

The division rival Orlando Magic and Miami Heat are set to renew hostilities on Monday when they meet at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Oddsmakers currently have the Magic listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Heat, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Orlando extended their winning streak to five games by cruising past the Bucks 110-94 on Friday. Orlando covered the 12-point spread, and the game's 204 points made it OVER the posted total of 198.
Rashard Lewis had 19 points and eight rebounds, while Dwight Howard and Hedo Turkoglu each tossed in 18 points in that win.
Dwyane Wade went for 27 points and dished out seven assists as the Heat scorched the Bucks 102-85 on Saturday. The Heat covered the 9-point spread, but the 187 points fell UNDER the night's posted total of 197.5.
Udonis Haslem had 16 points with 12 rebounds for a double-double in the win.
Current streak:
Orlando has won 5 straight games.
Team records:
Orlando: 54-18 SU, 45-26-1 ATS
Miami: 39-34 SU, 35-37-1 ATS
Orlando most recently:
When playing on Monday are 7-3
Before playing Toronto are 9-1
After playing Milwaukee are 5-5
After a win are 8-2

Miami most recently:
When playing on Monday are 3-7
Before playing Dallas are 3-7
After playing Milwaukee are 4-6
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Orlando is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Orlando's last 7 games
Orlando is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Miami
Miami is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Miami is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Miami's last 9 games at home
Next up:
Orlando home to Toronto, Wednesday, April 1
Miami at Dallas, Wednesday, April 1

Villanova-North Caroline Odds: 2009 Final Four Spreads

The odds are out for the 2009 Final 4 battle between Villanova and North Carolina. The Tar Heels are a 6.5 point favorite with a total of 162. One of the sportsbooks has the spread up to seven. BetUs Sportsbook, ranked No. 1 in the world by OffshoreInsiders.com does not yet have a betting line.

Villanova-UNC game tickets, fan gear and more are at Guy Store. Track the latest odds in the college basketball odds of ScoresOddsPicks.com , which also will have the official betting breakdown if that and the Michigan State-U Conn game. As reported earlier, the Huskies are a four-point favorite in that game even though it’s being played in Michigan.

Michigan State-Connecticut Odds: 2009 Final Four Spreads

The odds are out for the 2009 Final 4 battle between Michigan State and Connecticut. The UConn Huskies are -4 at BetUs Sportsbook with a total of 135. In fact, all sportsbooks have the line currently at -4.

Connecticut-Michigan State game tickets, fan gear and more are at Guy Store. Track the latest odds in the college basketball odds of ScoresOddsPicks.com , which also will have the official betting breakdown if that and the Villanova-North Carolina game.

Louisville-Michigan State, Oklahoma-Connecticut Highlight Sunday Viewing

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The NCAA Tournament determines its last two Final Four teams, and the Sprint Cup Series takes to the track at Martinsville.

Final 4 odds…

As soon as it’s available, the college basketball odds for the 2009 Final 4 matchups will be posted.

Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

San Antonio will be in New Orleans on Sunday night in just one of the notable matchups on the NBA schedule. The Spurs and Hornets last met on January 31, with San Antonio rolling to a 106-93 home win as a 7.5-point favorite. Tony Parker had 25 points for the Spurs in that contest, while Manu Ginobili picked up 22 points. Chris Paul had a big game for the Hornets with a game-high 38 points.

The other two marquee contests on the Sunday NBA slate are Dallas at Cleveland and the Lakers at Atlanta, while the Celtics will be gunning for an easy victory when they play host to Oklahoma City. Rounding out the schedule: New Jersey at Minnesota, Philadelphia at Detroit, Phoenix at Sacramento, and Washington at Indiana. The Wizards edged the Pacers 119-117 on February 8.

Today’s best picks against the spread…

It’s a run of historical nature. A service out of Las Vegas is easily the No. 1 in the world in March. Their “Absolute Picks” are now 27-6 overall and 21-3 in NCAAB excluding pushes since Feb. 25. Sunday it was Siena and Oklahoma State. Monday, Oakland cashes in. Thursday it was Xavier and Connecticut. Friday, the Knicks won and Saturday they had none. Michigan State/Louisville side. Click now to purchase sports betting picks from the top sports services or you can get more information and a free sports pick from power of 620 sports services behind every selection.

On the road to the Final Four . . .

It’ll be No. 2 Michigan State vs. No. 1 Louisville at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in the first of two Elite Eight matchups at the NCAA Tournament on Sunday afternoon. The Spartans came back to defeat No. 3 Kansas 67-62 in their Sweet 16 game on Friday night, with Goran Suton picking up 20 points. Top-seeded Louisville had an easier time with No. 12 Arizona, winning 103-64.

Meanwhile, No. 2 Oklahoma will take on No.1 North Carolina at FedExForum in Memphis later on Sunday to complete the Elite Eight. Blake Griffin poured in 30 points and grabbed 14 rebounds on Friday night to lead the Sooners to an 84-71 win over No. 3 Syracuse. The Tar Heels had no trouble with No. 4 Gonzaga, getting 24 points from Tyler Hansbrough as they rolled to a 98-77 victory Friday.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

Two of the Eastern Conference’s top clubs will hit the ice in Philadelphia on Sunday night when the Flyers host the Bruins. Those two teams met in Boston on March 3, with Philly pulling out a 4-2 road win. Simon Gagne scored twice for the Flyers in that victory, while Mike Knuble had a goal and two assists. Patrice Bergeron and Stephane Yelle had the markers for the Bruins in that losing cause.

Nashville will be in Detroit for one of the six other games on the NHL’s schedule for Sunday, with St. Louis at Columbus, Ottawa at Tampa Bay, Vancouver at Chicago, Colorado at Anaheim, and Minnesota at Edmonton. The division rival Wild and Oilers both need to get some points on Sunday to stay in the thick of the Western playoff hunt. Minnesota blanked Edmonton 3-0 back on March 22.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch are the 5/1 co-favorites to win Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series event, the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Johnson has won four of the past five races at Martinsville, including the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 in 2007. Denny Hamlin is the defending champion at the annual spring race at Martinsville, and he’s next at 7/1 odds to win this weekend.

Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon are both sitting at 8/1 odds to visit victory lane at Martinsville. Gordon holds a 76-point lead on Kurt Busch in the current driver standings, and he’s 79 points up on third-place Clint Bowyer. Kurt Busch is back at 15/1 odds to win on Sunday, where he’s tied with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth, and Tony Stewart. Bowyer is farther behind at 30/1 odds to get the win.

 

March Madness: Texas El Paso-Oregon State Odds Preview

The Texas El Paso Miners and the Oregon State Beavers will both be trying to pick up a win on Monday when they battle at Gill Coliseum in the first game of the championship series of the CBI tournament.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Stefon Jackson scored 34 points in leading Texas El Paso to a 81-69 victory over Richmond in the tournament semifinals last week. That game's 150 points made it OVER the posted total of 143.5.
Randy Culpepper added 19 points for Texas El Paso in that win.
Oregon State advanced to the championship with a 65-62 upset over Stanford in OT last week. That game's 127 points went UNDER the night's posted total of 128.
Lathen Wallace tossed in 16 points from 5-for-8 shooting, and Roeland Schaftenaar added 14 points in that win.
Team records:
Texas El Paso: 22-12 SU, 19-11-1 ATS
Oregon State: 16-17 SU, 13-14-1 ATS
Texas El Paso most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
After a win are 6-4

Oregon State most recently:
When playing on Monday are 6-4
After playing Stanford are 5-5
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Texas El Paso is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Texas El Paso is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Oregon State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Next up:
Texas El Paso home to Oregon State, Wednesday, April 1
Oregon State at Texas El Paso, Wednesday, April 1

Elite Eight: Oklahoma-North Carolina Lines Preview

The Oklahoma Sooners and the North Carolina Tar Heels will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at FedExForum in the fourth round of the NCAA Tournament.
Oddsmakers currently have the Tar Heels listed as 7-point favorites versus the Sooners, while the game's total is sitting at 164.
Blake Griffin tossed in a game-high 30 points to lead Oklahoma to a convincing 84-71 victory over Syracuse in the Sweet 16 last time out. Oklahoma won the game as a pick'em, and the 155 points made it OVER the posted total of 150.5.
Griffin grabbed 12 rebounds to complete a double-double performance for the Sooners, and Tony Crocker added 28 in this contest.
North Carolina reached the Elite Eight with a 98-77 victory over Gonzaga on Friday. North Carolina covered the 7.5-point spread, while the combined score made it OVER the posted total of 163.
Tyler Hansbrough had 24 points, and Ty Lawson added 17 in that win for the Tar Heels.
Team records:
Oklahoma: 30-5 SU, 17-13 ATS
North Carolina: 31-4 SU, 15-19 ATS
Oklahoma most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
After a win are 7-3

North Carolina most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
After playing Gonzaga are 1-0
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
Oklahoma is 18-4 SU in its last 22 games
North Carolina is 17-2 SU in its last 19 games

Elite Eight: Michigan State-Louisville Odds Preview

The Michigan State Spartans and the Louisville Cardinals will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Lucas Oil Stadium in the fourth round of the NCAA Tournament.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 7-point favorites versus the Spartans, while the game's total is sitting at 139.
Michigan State defeated reigning champion Kansas 67-62 in the Sweet 16 on Friday. Michigan State covered the 1-point spread, while the 129 points fell UNDER the posted total of 138.
Goran Suton led Michigan State with 20 points and nine rebounds, while Kalin Lucas added 18 in the win.
Louisville jumped out to a 19 point lead at the half, as they cruised past Arizona 103-64 in the Sweet 16 last time out. Louisville easily covered the 9.5-point spread, and the combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 139.
Earl Clark led the way with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Jerry Smith added 16 in the victory for the Cardinals.
Team records:
Michigan State: 29-6 SU, 19-13 ATS
Louisville: 31-5 SU, 22-14 ATS
Michigan State most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
After playing Kansas are 2-1
After a win are 8-2

Louisville most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
After playing Arizona are 1-0
After a win are 10-0
A few trends to consider:
Michigan State is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
Louisville is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

Michigan State-Louisville Official Betting Picks Preview

Here is the official betting preview of Michigan State-Louisville. Much like the Oklahoma-North Carolina game, the sportsbooks don’t seem to anticipate this Elite 8 game will be all that competitive.

BetUs Sportsbook, ranked first in customer satisfaction by OffshoreInsiders.com and ScoresOddsPicks.com, has the Cardinals a 6.5 point favorite. SportsBook has the total at 138.

Michigan State is 29-6 straight up and 18-13 to the number. Louisville is 31-5 outright and 22-14 in the back pocket.

The Spartans make 2.9 percent more of their shots than their opponent normally allow and they hold teams to 4.5 percent from the field below their normal average. The Cardinals shoot 3.5 percent better than their opponent normally allows, while holding teams to 5.1 percent less, an impressive number indeed.

As far as spread betting trends (all records against the spread): the Spartans are 22-8 opponent winning percentage of .600 or greater. They are also a super impressive 20-8 in the NCAA Tournament.

The Cardinals are 2-8 their last 10 nonconference and they are 0-5 to the Big 10. Yet, Rick Pitino’s boys are on a 39-19 overall run.

MSU has gone under 22-6 as an underdog of 6.5 or less, while the Ville has gone under 6-1 after scoring 100 or more points last game.

For winning picks, check out OffshoreInsiders.com