NBA Handicapping Articles

Free NBA Picks: Magic at Celtics and Lakers at Suns Game 3 Predictions
by Alan Matthews - 5/21/2010

Is there really any reason that Boston won’t win its sixth game in a row? The Magic had won 14 straight before dropping two in a row at home to the rejuvenated Celtics (both Boston covers). Boston is 32-0 all-time when taking a 2-0 lead in a series.

2010 NBA Draft Order – NBA Draft Lottery Results
by T.O. Whenham - 5/19/2010

The NBA Draft Lottery took place yesterday in glorious Secaucus, New Jersey. It was a short drive for the Nets, the team with the best chance of taking the No. 1 pick, to get to the event, but it probably felt like a much longer drive to get home. The Nets fell all the way to third, and kept alive a bizarre streak - Dwight Howard in 2004 was the last first overall pick to be taken by the team with the worst record the previous season. Instead, it was Washington that moved up from fifth to grab the top spot.

NBA Free Picks: Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic Game 2 Predictions
by Alan Matthews - 5/18/2010

The Magic had won 14 games in a row (13-1 ATS) and hadn’t lost at home since March before Boston jumped on them early and held on. Of course that was Boston’s fourth impressive win in a row (all covers) after winning the last three against the Cavs.

Free NBA Picks: Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers Predictions
by Alan Matthews - 5/17/2010

Yes, the Suns and Lakers are still alive in the NBA playoffs – it just seems like their season had been completed with the ridiculous delay before they start the West Finals. To add to the silliness, the two teams play again Wednesday and then not again until Sunday. You just have to love the power of TV …

Los Angeles Lakers Vs. Phoenix Suns Series Odds and Predictions
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 5/15/2010

The defending NBA champions and top-seeded Lakers bounced back from a tight first round against Oklahoma City to sweep the Jazz. Overall Los Angeles has won six straight games after being knotted with the Thunder 2-2. Phoenix has a six-game win streak of its own going after sweeping San Antonio in the second round.

Orlando Magic Vs. Boston Celtics Series Odds and Predictions
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 5/15/2010

The Boston Celtics ousted the favored Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round of the NBA playoffs, but a new favorite has emerged. Even before Cleveland was upset the Eastern Conference playoffs appeared to be Orlando’s to lose. The Magic have opened the playoffs with eight straight wins to sweep the Bobcats and the Hawks. Overall Orlando is now on a 27-3 SU run dating back to late February.

Free NBA Picks: Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics Predictions
by Alan Matthews - 5/13/2010

Let’s go ahead and call tonight’s Cavs-Celtics matchup the most important game in Cleveland franchise history and one that could shape the way the NBA looks for the next decade. That’s because tonight’s game could also be one of the most important in Bulls and Knicks history as well. If the Cavs are dumped before the NBA Finals for a second straight year, then LeBron James could certainly leave for Chicago or New York as a free agent.

Each Team's Chances to Win the NBA Draft Lottery
by Alan Matthews - 5/11/2010

It’s that time of year again where those teams that didn’t make the playoffs – except, as usual, the stupid Knicks who gave away their 2010 first-round pick years ago – can get a lot better a lot more quickly if they are fortunate enough to win the NBA Draft Lottery. This year’s lottery order will be determined on May 18, while the draft is June 24.

Handicapping NBA Teams Off Consecutive Sweeps
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 5/11/2010

If it was possible to play your way into a No. 1 seed during the playoffs then the Orlando Magic would be doing just that. Entering the playoffs as the No. 2 seed, the defending Eastern Conference champions have played like a top seed.

Free NBA Picks and Predictions: Orlando Magic at Atlanta Hawks and L.A. Lakers at Utah Jazz
by Alan Matthews - 5/10/2010

Atlanta clearly isn’t in the Magic’s class, as the Hawks have lost the first three games of this series by an average of 29 points (needless to say, all Magic covers). In fact, Orlando now holds the second-largest point differential through three games of a playoff series ever. Atlanta’s 105-75 Game 3 loss was its worst ever in the playoffs at home.

NBA Predictions: Where Will LeBron James Play Next Season
by Alan Matthews - 5/7/2010

The unique thing about this NBA season is that it seems a majority of teams weren’t or aren’t paying attention to this year but were/are more interested in this summer and recruiting a top free agent in the best available class in NBA history.

Free NBA Picks: Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns at San Antonio Spurs
by Alan Matthews - 5/7/2010

The Celtics stunned nearly everyone by winning in Cleveland on Monday night to even this series at one game apiece. It really wasn’t so much that Boston won but that it dominated in the 104-86 victory. The Cavs simply lacked energy, it appeared, and they were ripped by Coach Mike Brown afterward.

Free NBA Picks: Atlanta Hawks at Orlando Magic, Game 2
by Alan Matthews - 5/6/2010

Anyone who thinks the Atlanta Hawks aren’t a bit of a group mental head case at times obviously had to change their minds after watching Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against Orlando. The Magic, who hadn’t played in more than a week, won 114-71 (we told you here at Doc’s to take Orlando and give the points) for their second-largest margin of victory in a playoff game all-time and the second-largest margin of victory in NBA history in Game 1 of a best-of-seven series.

Value on NBA Championship Futures Odds
by Aaron Smith - 5/5/2010

Now that we’re past the first round of the NBA Playoffs, it’s time to start looking at futures betting and find some solid values. The winners won’t be crowned for quite some time, but the first round of action helps us see who might have what it takes. The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers are the favorites, but there are definitely other teams capable of winning the title.

How To Take Advantage of NBA and NHL Series Odds
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 5/4/2010

Betting on series prices in the NBA and NHL playoffs is an investment. It’s an investment because even with the best results you are going to have to wait over a week for a payout. However, this can be a great investment because with the right strategy you can protect yourself or increase the payout as the series goes on.

Free NBA Picks: Atlanta Hawks vs. Orlando Magic and Utah vs. LA Lakers
by Matt Severance - 5/4/2010

You may want to give the points here because, as noted in a series preview posted on Doc’s yesterday (I will keep this preview short as you can check that out), 16 of the Hawks’ past 18 playoff games have been decided by double digits. Orlando crushed Atlanta three times this season but lost the most recent meeting on a Josh Smith dunk at the buzzer. Hawks coach Mike Woodson called that 86-84 victory "huge" for his team's confidence because Orlando has dominated this series of late.

NBA Series Preview: Atlanta Hawks vs. Orlando Magic
by Alan Matthews - 5/3/2010

Are you in the rust or rest camp? You know, is it better for a playoff team to have a bunch of time off before a series or can too much time away cause said team to play inconsistent in the first game of a series? That is what is facing the Orlando Magic when they open their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night in central Florida.

NBA Playoffs Betting: Teams Coming Off Best-of-Seven Series
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 5/3/2010

The NBA Playoff schedule is fan friendly, with games every night. However, this scheduling is far from player friendly. The NBA’s desire to keep its playoffs in the forefront has players playing second round series while first round series are still going on. Game 7s are the highlight of the playoffs, but teams playing in them have a steep hill to climb to continue to move on in the playoffs.

NBA: Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Series Odds and Predictions
by Alan Matthews - 4/30/2010

Obviously oddsmakers expect a fully healthy LeBron James, who reportedly has won the NBA’s MVP award for the second year in a row. Of course LeBron memorably shot a free throw left-handed in the series-clinching win over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night because his right elbow was bothering him. An MRI revealed a strain and a bone bruise.

NBA Playoffs Totals Betting
by Aaron Smith - 4/23/2010

The National Basketball Association’s playoffs are here, and that means it’s time to adjust your betting strategies to align yourself with the typical playoff trends. The NBA regular season is such a long grind that some regular season games lose importance to teams. However, now that we are in the playoffs, everyone will be motivated to play their best. The most noticeable difference in the playoffs is probably the lower scoring games.