NBA Handicapping Articles

NBA MVP Stats: Will Curry Lead Golden State to the Title?
by George Monroy - 5/5/2015

On an early Monday afternoon Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry stepped up to the podium in downtown Oakland and accepted his Most Valuable Player award. Curry, the affable, spectacular, humble yet extremely confident superstar, chronicled his journey from son of an NBA star to barely-recruited college player to the face of the NBA and incumbent MVP.

NBA Odds and Predictions: Tuesday, May 5 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 5/4/2015

In what can't be considered surprising, Golden State's Stephen Curry was officially named the NBA's Most Valuable Player on Monday. I personally thought it should have been Houston's James Harden as he had to carry his team more than Curry did is because Rockets center Dwight Howard missed so much time due to injury.

Tracking the Wizards: NBA Picks and Handicapping for Washington Basketball
by Dave Schwab - 5/4/2015

I have been exclusively handicapping the Washington Wizards all season long as part of a NBA betting strategy that relies heavily on specialization. I have also been releasing free picks for their games with the use of Doc’s Sports Unit Betting System to put some money behind my efforts. With the correct 3-Unit play in my last free pick, I have been able to turn the corner with a profitable return on my year-to-date results.

Betting Odds and Free Picks for NBA Player Props for Monday
by Dave Schwab - 5/4/2015

The NBA Playoffs have moved onto the conference semifinals, so every game from here on in can have an impact on which two teams ultimately make it all the way to the 2015 NBA Finals. This is also the time of the year when the top players in the NBA tend to play their best basketball under the pressure of these win-or-go-home, best-of-seven series. Betting the NBA odds that are released for some individual player props is a great way to add some solid value to the games.

NBA Odds: Conference Semifinals Game 1 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 5/1/2015

Two of the four conference semifinals in the NBA begin on Sunday and Monday, and it will be total chalk as West No. 5 Memphis (but had first-round home-court advantage) will visit top-seeded Golden State on Sunday and East No. 3 Chicago is at No. 2 Cleveland on Monday. That Bulls-Cavaliers matchup is probably the most anticipated series of any possible matchup before the NBA Finals.

NBA Odds and Predictions: Thursday, April 30 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 4/29/2015

The NHL gave us two Game 7s in the first round of that league's playoffs. Come on NBA, give us at least one. However, if the sportsbooks are to be believed, both series that resume on Thursday night are going to end in Game 6 in favor of Chicago and San Antonio. It would certainly benefit both to get things completed. Obviously no one wants a Game 7, but both the Bulls' and Spurs' (assuming they win) conference finals opponents already are through and enjoying the extra rest.

NBA Odds and Predictions: Wednesday, April 29 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 4/28/2015

So now that we know what's going on with Cleveland's Kevin Love (out for probably the rest of the playoffs) and J.R. Smith (suspended for the first two games for the conference finals), has that changed the Cavs' futures odds? Slightly. Maybe more if the Bulls didn't look terrible on Monday night and could have closed out Milwaukee instead of having to play a Game 6 back in Wisconsin on Thursday. The Cavs are now 12/5 second favorites to the Warriors for the NBA title and 1/2 favorites to win the East. Do I think the Bulls could beat them without Love? I do. The Bucks can't. Here's a look at Wednesday's action.

NBA Odds and Predictions: Saturday, April 25 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 4/24/2015

The NCAA Tournament the NBA playoffs are not. Remember the first day of the 2015 Big Dance with all those upsets (things were mostly chalk after that)? Well, that can happen in a single-game elimination format but not in a best-of-seven series. Three teams now hold a 3-0 lead in the first round of the NBA playoffs, and four more teams have the chance to grab a 3-0 lead starting Friday. This could be the most lopsided first round since 1983-84, when the NBA moved to a 16-team playoff format.

NBA Odds and Predictions: Friday, April 24 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 4/23/2015

Obviously the Oklahoma City Thunder aren't in the playoffs, but I do want to touch on the team firing Coach Scott Brooks on Wednesday. I'm assuming the Thunder checked with Kevin Durant before doing so because Durant, a free agent after next season, always has backed Brooks. Seems a bit harsh to dump Brooks considering how many injuries he had to deal with, but presumably the Thunder have a plan in place and reports are the team will target either UConn coach Kevin Ollie, a good friend and former teammate of Durant's, or Florida's Billy Donovan.

Tracking the Wizards: NBA Picks and Handicapping for Washington Basketball
by Dave Schwab - 4/23/2015

It’s playoff time in the NBA. Just as I have done all season, I will continue to handicap the Washington Wizards for as long as their run lasts as the No. 5 seed in the East. I have also been releasing free picks for their games with the use of Doc’s Sports Unit Betting System to put some money behind the betting strategy of specialization. The results have been mixed with 12-11-2 record during the regular season, but I am also looking for a strong run in the postseason.

NBA Draft Betting Props: Odds and Predictions for the No. 1 Pick
by Raphael Esparza - 4/23/2015

The NBA Playoffs are in full effect, but half of the teams are thinking about the upcoming NBA Draft.The NBA Draft isn’t until Thursday June 25, but on May 19 the ping-pong balls will be dropped, and that is when we find out who will be picking No. 1 in the 2015 NBA Draft.

NBA Odds and Predictions: Thursday, April 23 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 4/22/2015

The three series that resume action in the underdog's city for Game 3 haven't been all that dramatic yet as the home team never was much in doubt of losing either of the first two games. I think it's fair to say that if the home dogs don't win Game 3 on Thursday night then we probably are looking sweeps -- especially the Celtics and Pelicans need to win Game 3 against the two best teams in the NBA. I do think the Bucks will get one game from Chicago, which just can't seem to keep everyone healthy and is dealing with yet another injury.

NBA Odds and Predictions: Wednesday, April 22 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 4/21/2015

It has not been a good couple of days for the Trail Blazers franchise. First there was a Game 1 loss in Memphis on Sunday, then news came out that the Blazers had what sounds like a racist laminated card in their locker room that included the phrase "We don't lose to Spanish players," presumably referring to Memphis star center Marc Gasol (apparently they do lose to Spanish players).

Betting Odds and Free Picks for NBA Props for Tuesday
by Dave Schwab - 4/21/2015

When it comes to wagering on the NBA, there is nothing better than the playoffs. Each game can be a make-or-break situation as far as advancing to the next round, and one of the best ways to add even more action is betting on individual player props based on their performance in that particular night’s contest.

NBA Odds and Predictions: Tuesday, April 21 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 4/20/2015

I love the NBA playoffs, but I think it's fair to say that the opening weekend of the postseason was a bit of a bore (other than Raptors GM Masai Ujiri dropping another profane bomb in public and earning a hefty fine from the league again). The only road team to win was Washington in overtime at Toronto; otherwise the home teams won pretty comfortably. That's no fun. I only give Washington a shot for a road team to win among Tuesday's three games as well. Here's a look at each with odds from BetOnline.

NBA Odds and Predictions: Sunday, April 19 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 4/16/2015

The eight playoff teams that didn't open their first-round series on Saturday will Sunday. It's fitting that Cleveland opens against Boston as LeBron James' last game with the Cavaliers before leaving for Miami was a Game 6 defeat to the Celtics in the 2010 Eastern Conference semifinals. Had the Cavs won that series, perhaps LeBron stays put.

NBA Odds and Predictions: Saturday, April 18 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 4/16/2015

My favorite playoffs of the year tip off Saturday as the Sweet 16 of the NBA begins. Do I agree that the league should alter the playoff format to a true 1-16 bracket and simply take the best 16 teams regardless of conference? I do. The Celtics (40-42) and Nets (38-44) don't belong in the postseason over Oklahoma City (45-37). But even if you want to the true best 16, there still would be at least one team under .500 this season, so perhaps there's no perfect fix.

NBA Odds and Predictions: Wednesday, April 15 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews - 4/14/2015

Wednesday has to be considered one of the worst days of the year. Why? Well, you have better paid your income taxes by the end of the day. And to make matters worse, it's also the last day of the NBA's regular season. I suppose from a glass half-full perspective that simply means more important basketball is right around the corner with the start of the playoffs this weekend. Some games Wednesday -- only the Clippers and Suns don't play -- have some playoff relevance. Here's a look. Hornets-Raptors and Pacers-Grizzlies will be shown on ESPN. A lot of TBAs because some teams might rest key guys.

NBA Zig-Zag Betting Theory: How to Wager on Playoff Games
by George Monroy - 4/14/2015

NBA betting theories come and go with the changing of the wind. Bettors may find an edge over the sportsbooks, but then the sportsbooks will adjust their lines and that edge will disappear, leaving bettors to look for a new one. The system is that cyclical. However, that does not mean certain theories and ideas cannot be revisited over time and used or at least referenced when handicapping a basketball game. The zig-zag theory happens to be one of those interesting sports betting concepts that played well for a time, earned bettors some money (mainly during the 90s) and flamed out once the theory became too popular.

Golden State Warriors Odds to Win NBA Championship with Betting Picks
by Trevor Whenham - 4/14/2015

It has been, by every measure, a dream season for the Golden State Warriors. They are running away with the race for the top record in the league and will have home-court advantage as long as they want it. They are the favorites to win the NBA title. Their star is all but a lock to win the MVP. They unquestionably hired the right coach in the offseason, and they upgraded dramatically as a result. Everything is coming up roses. Impressive in almost every way.