Author Archives: GUILLERMO J.P.

NBA Betting: Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz each sit one game below .500.

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Utah at Minnesota
When: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

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THE STORY: The Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz each sit one game below .500. Only one of them can go into the All-Star break even. The Timberwolves won three straight to reach .500 but were edged 103-101 in overtime at Denver on Monday. The Jazz were once one of the surprise teams in the Western Conference but are now on the verge of falling alone into the Northwest Division basement. Utah is 3-9 in February and has allowed an average of 100.8 points over that span.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Southwest Plus (Jazz), FS North (Timberwolves)

ABOUT THE JAZZ (15-16): Utah beat Minnesota 108-98 on Jan. 21, pushing its record to 10-5. Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson combined for 44 points and 21 rebounds in that one and C.J. Miles poured in 18 points off the bench. Things have fallen off quite a bit since. Millsap and Jefferson have been consistent performers in the frontcourt but the defense has been a problem. The Jazz’s only win in the last five games came at home to the lowly Washington Wizards, who still managed to put up 100 points in the 114-100 decision.


ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (16-17): Kevin Love has only had two games this season in which he did not record a double-double. One was a 15-point, eight-rebound performance at Utah, in which he shot 5 for 21 from the floor and 1 for 7 from 3-point range. Love had another off night on Monday, shooting 7 for 23, as Minnesota had its winning streak snapped. The Timberwolves shot 36 percent and were outrebounded for one of the few times, 57-50 at Denver. Minnesota has not been more than one game over .500 at any point this season and head West for a four-game road trip immediately following the All-Star break.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Utah has taken six of the last seven meetings.

2. Jazz guard Raja Bell (adductor) missed Monday’s game and will be a game-time decision Wednesday.

3. Love has averaged 15.6 points and 11.4 rebounds in 13 career games against Utah.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 110, Jazz 99.  CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$

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NBA Online Gambling: Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks

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Atlanta at New York Betting
When: 7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York

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THE STORY: Jeremy Lin and Carmelo Anthony finally got on the court together Monday. The results weren’t so great. The New York Knicks have some hope for the future with Lin directing the offense, but they still need some work on the defensive end. Lin was torched by Deron Williams in the loss to New Jersey on Monday. The Atlanta Hawks are having the opposite problem, with the offense consistently unable to keep pace. The stumbling Hawks have dropped seven of 10 this month while putting up 86.2 points.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Hawks), MSG (Knicks)

ABOUT THE HAWKS (19-13): Atlanta could use the All-Star break to get its shooting back together. The Hawks have scored more than 90 points twice in the last 10 games and have been held to less than 80 in dropping each of the last two. Atlanta came back from a 20-point deficit in Chicago on Monday to cut the lead to five but then went the final 3:24 without a point in the 90-79 setback. Joe Johnson was injured late Monday and will miss the final two games before the break. No one on the team needs a rest more than the All-Star guard, who is shooting 17.2 percent (5 for 29) from 3-point range in the last five games.

ABOUT THE KNICKS (16-17): New York dropped below .500 again with the 100-92 loss to the Nets and have a trip to Miami looming on Thursday. The star has dimmed around “Linsanity” a bit with losses in two of the last three but the early returns with Anthony are good. The All-Star forward returned to the lineup and had no trouble deferring and distributing, finishing with six assists. The Knicks are also attempting to integrate Baron Davis and J.R. Smith into the rotation.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. The teams split four meetings last season, with New York taking the final two.

2. Knicks guard Iman Shumpert (knee) sat out Monday and is day-to-day.

3. Hawks forward Josh Smith has recorded a double-double in three straight games.

PREDICTION: Knicks 95, Hawks 88. CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$

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NBA Online Betting: Boston Celtics visit Oklahoma City Thunder

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Boston at Oklahoma City
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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THE STORY: The Oklahoma City Thunder have won 10 consecutive home games and the Boston Celtics have lost six of seven games to fall below .500. Oklahoma City’s homecourt success is the franchise’s best streak since the team won 12 straight during the 1997-98 season when known as the Seattle SuperSonics. Boston scored only 73 points in Monday’s loss to Dallas. Forward Kevin Garnett is expected back after missing the past two games for personal reasons.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN, CS New England (Celtics), FS Oklahoma (Thunder)

ABOUT THE CELTICS (15-16): Boston will again be without point guard Rajon Rondo, who is serving a two-game suspension for throwing the ball at an official after being upset with a call during Sunday’s loss to the Detroit Pistons. Rondo missed the Dallas game with Avery Bradley starting and contributing 12 points and two assists. “You’re always disappointed when that happens,” coach Doc Rivers said of Rondo losing his composure. “You should never put yourself in front of the team. But the game is an emotional game.”


ABOUT THE THUNDER (25-7): Serge Ibaka has been a rejection machine this month while averaging 4.8 blocks in 12 games. He has blocked 10 or more shots three times, including a historic performance of 14 points, 15 rebounds and 11 blocks in an overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets. The triple-double involving blocks was the first in the combined history of the SuperSonics/Thunder franchise. Ibaka leads the NBA with 3.3 blocks per game and also averages 8.3 points and 7.6 rebounds.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. The Celtics have won four consecutive road games in the series, but the Thunder won in Boston 97-88 on Jan. 16 in this season’s first meeting.

2. Durant is averaging 26.8 points in eight career games against the Celtics.

3. Boston center Jermaine O’Neal (wrist) and forward Chris Wilcox (groin) were hurt during the Dallas game and are uncertain participants.

PREDICTION: Thunder 105, Celtics 87. CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$

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NBA Basketball Betting: Detroit Pistons at Toronto Raptors on Wednesday

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Detroit at Toronto
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario

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THE STORY: The Detroit Pistons have had their share of struggles on the road. The Toronto Raptors have been almost as bad in their own building. One team will buck the trend as the teams do battle for the first time this season Wednesday night at the Air Canada Centre. The Pistons have just three victories in 16 games away from Detroit, but one of those wins – a 98-88 triumph over Boston – kickstarted a three-game winning streak that ended with a narrow loss Tuesday night in Cleveland. The Pistons will lineup against a Toronto team that sits just 4-11 in its own building so far this season.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Detroit, TSN2

ABOUT THE PISTONS (11-23): Two victories over the undermanned Celtics sandwiched around a shootout victory over the Sacramento Kings gave the Pistons some momentum, but they frittered it all away after blowing a 17-point lead to the Cavaliers. Hard work on the boards has been the club’s signature of late, with Detroit owning a plus-17 rebound differential in its past four games. Center Greg Monroe has been the catalyst for the team’s surprising 7-4 showing so far in February, averaging more than 17 points and 10 rebounds in the month.

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (9-23): Toronto wraps up a seven-game homestand Wednesday night that has provided Raptors fans with few highlights. The Raptors are just 1-5 heading into the finale, though fatigue may have played a role in the team’s recent struggles. Toronto has had four days off since its last game, the first time this season that the Raptors have had consecutive days off at any point. They’ll get five more days of rest thanks to the All-Star break, with their next game set for Tuesday in Houston.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Detroit won three of four meetings between the clubs a season ago.

2. The Pistons will have plenty of time to heal up for a busy conclusion to the season; following Wednesday’s game, they play just four times over the next 15 days.

3. Both teams average fewer than 89 points per game, though the Pistons have been stronger of late – they’ve averaged better than 102 points during their past four outings.

PREDICTION: Pistons 94, Raptors 89. CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$

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NBA Basketball Betting: Golden State Warriors visit Phoenix Suns

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Golden State at Phoenix
When: 9:00 PM ET, Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Where: US Airways Center, Phoenix, Arizona

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THE STORY: Home court has been the deciding factor in each of the first two meetings between the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns. That bodes well for Wednesday’s hosts as the Suns entertain the Warriors in the final game for both teams prior to the All-Star break. Phoenix opened this season’s head-to-head series with a convincing 102-91 triumph on Jan. 2, while the Warriors responded with a 102-96 triumph on Feb. 13. The Suns come in on a two-game winning streak following impressive home victories over the Los Angeles Clippers and Washington Wizards. The Warriors beat the Clippers 104-97 Tuesday to halt a three-game losing skid.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Fox Sports Arizona

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (12-19): Big games from Monta Ellis usually mean bad news for Golden State. Ellis and the Warriors bucked that trend as the hot-shooting guard poured in a team-high 32 points in the narrow win. That improved Golden State to 2-6 in games in which Ellis scores 30 or more points. Ellis has been downright abysmal in two games against the Suns this season, averaging just 17 points – more than five below his season average – while connecting on just 11 of 36 shots from the field.

ABOUT THE SUNS (14-17): Phoenix appears content to ride out the remainder of the season with aging point guard Steve Nash on its roster. That seems to suit Nash just fine, as he continues to post some of the most incredible numbers ever generated by a 38-year-old. Nash leads the NBA at 11 assists per game, and he’s shooting a career-best 54.3 percent from the field. Despite his sensational statistics, Phoenix comes into the night four games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. The winning team has averaged 113.5 points in the last 10 encounters.

2. Nash has recorded double-digit assist totals in 10 straight games.

PREDICTION: Suns 116, Warriors 111. CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package FOR 5$

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Detroit Red Wings visit Chicago Blackhawks: NHL Odds

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Detroit at Chicago
When: 8:00 PM ET, Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois

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THE STORY: The league-leading Detroit Red Wings have won an NHL-record 23 straight at home, but have been average on the road, a fact that bodes well for the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. The Red Wings are only 15-15-1 away from home and have lost two straight and three of five. All-Star Jimmy Howard, who is tied for the league lead in wins, is expected to start after missing eight games with a broken finger.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCSN, TSN2, FS Detroit (Red Wings), CS Chicago (Blackhawks)

ABOUT THE RED WINGS (41-17-2): Ty Conklin was placed on waivers Monday and will be assigned to Grand Rapids of the AHL if he goes unclaimed. “I think Ty Conklin needs to play,” Detroit general manager Ken Holland said. “He hasn’t really got it going. His starts have been sporadic and I think his play has probably been sporadic. He’s played some good games and played some games not so good.” The 35-year-old Conklin is 3-5-0 with one shutout and a 3.40 goals against average. Joey MacDonald’s performance with Howard sidelined led to Conklin’s exit. MacDonald has gone 6-1-1 with a 1.66 goals against average while filling in. Dan Cleary is hoping to return to the lineup Tuesday after having fluid drained from his knee twice last week. Detroit completed a 6-0-0 homestand with a victory over San Jose on Sunday.

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS (32-21-7): Chicago enters with a three-game winning streak that has followed a nine-game slide, and has turned things around despite its struggles on the power play. Chicago has not scored with the man advantage since Jan. 24 against Nashville, going 0 for 29 over its last 10 games. “Maybe we’re thinking too much,” Patrick Kane said. “It comes down to work and getting the puck back. It’s kind of unacceptable to be where we are with the skill we have. I’m sure we’ll turn it around soon.” The Blackhawks are 19th in the league on the power play with a 16.4 percent success rate. Chicago has won six of seven at home.

OVERTIME:

1. Detroit’s defense corps leads the NHL with 35 goals. Niklas Kronwall is tied for second among blueliners with 12 tallies.

2. All three previous meetings between the Central Division rivals have been 3-2 decisions, with the Red Wings winning two – both in overtime.

PREDICTION: Red Wings 4, Blackhawks 3. CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package For 5$    

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Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames: NHL Sports Gambling

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Edmonton at Calgary
When: 9:00 PM ET, Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta

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THE STORY: The Calgary Flames attempt to continue their dominance over the visiting Edmonton Oilers when they continue the Battle of Alberta on Tuesday. Calgary has won nine straight meetings between the Northwest Division rivals and has outscored Edmonton 16-6 in four victories this season. The Flames, who are beginning a four-game homestand, haven’t lost to the Oilers since dropping a 4-0 decision in Edmonton on Oct. 7, 2010.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet West

ABOUT THE OILERS (22-30-6): Magnus Paajarvi has only two goals this season, with both coming in his last four games. The 20-year-old Swede, who recorded 15 tallies in 80 contests as a rookie last campaign, failed to score in his first 34 matches in 2011-12. Coach Tom Renney has missed three games with post-concussion syndrome after being hit in the head with a puck during practice two weeks ago. Associate coach Ralph Krueger still is seeking his first win behind the bench. “It’s a tough league to score your first goal, it’s a tough league to get your first shutout and, for a coach, it’s a tough league to get your first win,” Krueger said. Nikolai Khabibulin is expected to miss 7-to-10 days with a groin injury that forced him to leave Sunday’s loss to Vancouver after one period. The Oilers have dropped three straight overall and eight of nine on the road.

ABOUT THE FLAMES (28-22-9): Calgary has won 10 straight at home against Edmonton, last losing to the Oilers at the Saddledome on Oct. 17, 2008. Miikka Kiprusoff has started 18 of the Flames’ last 20 contests. The 35-year-old has allowed only six goals over his last four matches and has not yielded more than three tallies since surrendering four in a loss at Nashville on Jan. 1. The Flames have earned at least one point in each of their last eight games (5-0-3). The surge has catapulted them into the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, two points behind seventh-place Phoenix.

OVERTIME:

1. Edmonton has won only 15 of its last 53 meetings with the Flames and 6 of 28 at Calgary.

2. The Flames have won three in a row and 11 of 14 at home.

PREDICTION: Flames 4, Oilers 1.  CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package For 5$    

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San Jose Sharks against Columbus Blue Jackets: NHL Betting Predictions

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San Jose at Columbus
When: 7:00 PM ET, Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Where: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio

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THE STORY: The San Jose Sharks‘ season-high nine-game road trip continues Tuesday when they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. San Jose looks to avoid its first four-game losing streak of the campaign as it attempts to complete a sweep of its four-game season series with Columbus. The Sharks, who are 1-3-1 on their trek, outscored the Blue Jackets 10-2 in winning the first three meetings. Columbus has lost four of six overall and three of four at home.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, CS California (Sharks), FS Ohio (Blue Jackets)

ABOUT THE SHARKS (31-19-7): Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic is questionable after being hit in the face with the puck in the third period of Sunday’s loss at Detroit. Vlasic, who received a cut near his nose, left the game and did not return. Fellow blueliner Douglas Murray’s status also is in doubt as he has missed two straight contests with what is being termed a broken Adam’s apple Thursday against Tampa Bay. “What the doctors have told me, they call it prime real estate,” Murray said. “There’s not a lot of room there, so any type of swelling becomes a major thing, though it’s nothing major right now.” San Jose has won four consecutive meetings with Columbus and is 6-1-1 in the last eight.

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (17-35-7): Columbus’ league-worst penalty-killing unit will be put to the test as it faces the third-best power play in the NHL. The Blue Jackets have successfully killed only 75.8 percent of their penalties while the Sharks have converted 21.1 percent of their man-advantage opportunities. Antoine Vermette will be playing in his 600th career game. Defenseman Nikita Nikitin is expected back in the lineup after missing 12 contests with a left knee injury.

OVERTIME:

1. San Jose’s Patrick Marleau has registered two of his seven game-winning goals this season against Columbus.

2. The Blue Jackets have scored three goals or less in each of their last 14 games.

3. The Sharks have lost eight of their last 10 road contests (2-6-2).

PREDICTION: Sharks 5, Blue Jackets 2. CLICK HERE for 500 Handicappers Package For 5$   

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NCAA Odds: New Mexico Lobos against Colorado State Rams

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New Mexico at Colorado St.
When: 10:00 PM ET, Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Where: Moby Arena, Fort Collins, Colorado

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THE STORY: The RPI folks rank the Mountain West Conference fourth in the country behind the Big Ten, Big 12 and Big East. That’s right, Tobacco Road: The MVC is ranked higher than the Atlantic Coast Conference, and teams such as New Mexico are the reason. The Lobos are coming off MWC victories last week over San Diego State and UNLV, who were ranked in the top 13 at the time and also appear to be locks to reach the NCAA Tournament. New Mexico can’t afford a letdown, though, because Colorado State is 12-1 at home.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, The Mtn.

ABOUT COLORADO STATE (16-9, 5-5 MWC): If the selection committee decides to invite four MWC teams to the NCAA Tournament, the Rams will be the fourth. Realistically, though, the lack of a quality road win will probably punch Colorado State’s ticket to the NIT. Included in the Rams’ 2-8 record away from home is an 85-52 loss at New Mexico on Jan. 25. The Rams will get one more chance to prove themselves on the road against No. 25 San Diego State on Saturday. Colorado State crushed the Aztecs 77-60 on Jan. 28.

ABOUT NEW MEXICO (22-4, 8-2): Senior forward Drew Gordon on Monday was named MWC Player of the Week for the third time this season. He had 17 points and 17 rebounds in the Lobos’ 77-67 victory at No. 13 San Diego State and a career-high 27 points and 20 rebounds in their 65-45 win over No. 11 UNLV on Saturday. Gordon is sixth in the country with 11.1 rebounds per game. New Mexico, which has won seven straight and leads the MWC by two games over UNLV and San Diego State, is 7-1 on the road.

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1. New Mexico is ranked 24th in the country in rebounding with 38.6 per game while Colorado State is 300th at 31.1.

2. Colorado State leads the MWC in field goal percentage at .480 while New Mexico is No. 1 in field goal percentage defense at .372.

3. New Mexico is 26th in the RPI; Colorado State 29th.

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NCAA Basketball Lines: Kentucky Wildcats at Mississippi State Bulldogs

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Kentucky at Mississippi St.
When: 9:00 PM ET, Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Where: Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville, Mississippi

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THE STORY: No. 1 Kentucky is aware of the potential trap that awaits it when it visits Mississippi State. The Wildcats are trying to become the third team in 55 years to go undefeated in the Southeastern Conference, but have found the Bulldogs to be a difficult opponent. The two teams have split their last six games and the average margin of victory has been 4.9 points in the last seven meetings. Both teams are known for their stiff defense; opponents are shooting only 36.2 percent against Kentucky and 42.9 against Miss State. But Kentucky, which has won 18 straight games, has the advantage on offense, averaging 77.8 points with five players in double figures, compared to Miss State’s 72.5 points per game.

TV: 9 p.m. ET. ESPN

ABOUT KENTUCKY (26-1, 12-0 SEC): Hard to believe that all-conference forward Terrence Jones just picked up his first double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds against Ole Miss. Freshman Anthony Davis has elevated himself into discussion to become national player of the year; he’s averaging 13.9 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.9 blocks. Point guard Marquis Teague is averaging 8.7 assists over the last three games. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has seen his offensive production drop off, but he’s had seven or more rebounds in six of his last seven games. Doron Lamb is averaging 3.25 3-pointers over the last four games.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (19-8, 6-6 SEC): The Bulldogs have lost three straight and dropped out of the top 25 after an embarrassing 10-point loss at Auburn. Arnett Moultrie continues to be the Bulldogs most consistent player, averaging 16.5 points and an SEC-best 10.8 rebounds; he’s had 15 double-doubles, including 16 points and 11 rebounds against Auburn. Dee Bost will need a good showing against the Wildcats; he’s averaging 15.8 points and 5.0 assists and is now third in school history for 3-pointers and assists. Wendell Lewis started at forward for the first time since Jan. 7 and scored only three points, but had five rebounds, in 29 minutes.

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1. Kentucky is 9-2 against Miss State when ranked No. 1.

2. Teague’s assist-turnover ratio of 2.1, better than the 1.3 mark held by John Wall in 2010 and Brandon Knight in 2011 at the same time.

3. Miss State is 9-0 when Moultrie scores at least 20 points.

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