By Ron Jumper
Trends are starting to develop in the NBA that will lead to profits for the rest of the season. No matter how much we look at the new rosters and what happened last year, teams buck the trend and reinvent themselves overnight. The Atlanta Hawks were thought to be a good team coming into the season, but they are playing like the best team in the league at not only 11-3 overall but 11-3 ATS as of the start of this week. The Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings were expected to be bottom feeders in the NBA but, thanks to Brandon Jennings and Tyreke Evans, these teams have combined for a 16-7 ATS mark as of the start of this week. As for totals, most bettors don’t like to take Unders, as rooting for points is a lot more fun. None the less, teams like Chicago, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Portland have combined to go under the total 40 out of 53 games through the start of this week.
In the college ranks, tournaments are starting to crank up. The Maui Invitational, while not having the sexiest field ever, will give us a good look at teams like Gonzaga and Arizona, as both teams have virtually all new rosters. Keep an eye what is happening all through college basketball, as this year’s Drake or Cleveland State could emerge at any moment.
Friday November 27, 2009
Overall Record: 29-35-2
NBA Record: 15-23-1
NCAAB Record: 14-12-1
NBA:
Cavaliers –4.5
Spurs +1
Thunder –5
Kings –4.5
NCAAB:
Siena –4.5
Tennessee –23
Michigan State –4.5
Oklahoma State -6
Wednesday November 25, 2009
Overall Record: 28-33-2
NBA Record: 14-21-1
NCAAB Record: 14-12-1
Boston Celtics (–12.5) cover vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Celtics at home against a Sixers club on a back-to-back road game.
Nuggets/Timberwolves Under 202.5
The T’Wolves don’t score above 90, even at home, making this a solid play.
Cleveland Cavaliers (–5) cover vs. Detroit Pistons
The Cavs should cruise here over a depleted Pistons club.
Tuesday November 24, 2009
Overall Record: 25-31-2
NBA Record: 14-21-1
NCAAB Record: 11-10-1
Rider Broncs (-14) cover vs. Florida A&M Rattlers
This is a tough road game for the Rattlers, expect a rout.
Hofstra Pride (-3) cover vs. Charlotte 49ers
The Pride at home are one of the best kept secrets in college basketball.
Virginia Cavaliers (+3.5) cover vs. Stanford Cardinal
I think Vegas got confused and was thinking about football…
Wichita State Shockers (-1.5) covers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes
The Hawkeyes are a bad basketball team right now.
Cal State Fullerton Titans (-5) cover vs. New Mexico State Aggies
This Titans team upset UCLA, the Aggies are not very good.
Monday November 23, 2009
Overall Record: 25-28-1
NBA Record: 14-19-1
NCAAB Record: 11-9
Milwaukee Bucks (+9.5) cover vs. San Antonio Spurs
The Bucks have been oddly good this season, while the Spurs’ backcourt is all banged up.
Chicago Bulls/Portland Trail Blazers Under 184
These teams play good defense and will battle out a game in the 80s.
Wichita State Shockers (+6) cover vs. Pitt Panthers
The Shockers are on my short list of potential mid-major breakout teams.
Purdue Boilermakers (-1) cover vs. Tennessee Volunteers
Vols have athletes, but lack of point guard play still haunts them in these kinds of game.
Tags: DDOH, Free Picks, Ron