NBA: Who wants to bet that the Jazz will beat the Spurs in the playoffs

April 26th, 2012 Posted in NBA betting | No Comments »

Look at the Jazz’ starting lineup

PG: Devin Harris
SG: Alec Burks
SF: Paul Milsap
PF: Derrick Favors
C: Al Jeferson

Jazz has a HUGE front court and what did the Spurs struggle with last year? Sure I’m a Spurs fan but I see them getting upset.
How am I a bandwagoner, who’s bandwagon am I jumping on? The real bandwagoners are the one’s who think the Spurs will win it all this year.

lol ill do it

Spurs are sweeping them

Bruh im the next BJB, WTF!!!

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Au58lzkpnofdzL3QXubfA6Psy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20120425142914AAjk9nA look at all those accounts already created.

Spurs will sweep the Jazz

Sorry, even though the Spurs weakness is big men, I’ll take them over the Jazz

Grizzles had a better front line. Jazz will be lucky to win one or two games.

There were many reasons in which the Spurs were crushed by the Griz last season and I’ll list them:
1. Manu Ginobli was not at peak performance
2. Duncan and Parker were to heavily relied on
3. Coach Pop failed to rest his starters going into the series
4. Randolph and Gasol were too much for Duncan alone

-Devin Harris lacks the control of Parker
-Burks won’t come within 30 of Ginobli
-Milsap will win his position battle, but there’s only so much he can do
-Favors has a lot to learn before he steps up in the playoffs
-Jefferson panicks under good defenses such as San Antontio’s

Here are my series predictions:
Game 1: Spurs, 99-84
Game 2: Spurs, 107-89
Game 3: Jazz, 94-91 OT
Game 4: Spurs, 88-72
Game 5: Spurs, 110-104

4-1, Spurs take it. And they take it all the way to the Conference Finals.

And you are a bandwagoner if you predict your OWN TEAM getting beat in the playoffs. I am a Hornet fan. I have been to every game for the past month this season, and the streak would have been longer had it not been for work complications. I NEVER predict my home team’s loss.

The jazz had to claw, scratch, bite, and do everything they could to beat SA without the big 3 IN UTAH in the last meeting. Any true Spurs fan would KNOW the Jazz are no match for them this year. Memphis last years was a lot tougher than this years Utah Jazz. Spurs are a lot better, have more depth, better 3 point shooting, better paint playing than last year. You’re a true dumbass FYI.

i do think theres a slight chance that SAS would become first 1 seed to get beaten in first round two years in a row.

Knicks Hawks Betting – Knicks And Hawks Offer A Clash Of Familiar Faces

April 21st, 2012 Posted in NBA betting | No Comments »

The New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks will not have a very difficult time studying film or formulating their game plans for this Sundays contest. Their coaches know each other very well.

New York Knicks @ Atlanta Hawks – Sunday, April 22 
Sports betting line: No line

Why New York Will Win

The professional basketball analysts who will be assessing this contest will tell you that in a late-season push, the NBA betting calculus shifts in favor of the team thats playing for outright survival as opposed to a higher seed in the playoffs. The Knicks are that team, not the Hawks, due to the fact that theyre tied for seventh place in the Eastern Conference, just two games ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks at the present moment. New York was in a more precarious position a week and a half ago, but the steady downfall of the Philadelphia 76ers, combined with a New York win over Milwaukee last week, has considerably brightened the Knicks outlook.

Nevertheless, New York still has work to do in its attempt to lock down a playoff spot, and that should give the Knicks a strong jolt of intensity and energy as they head down to the state of Georgia for a Sunday afternoon tip-off. One other reason to go with the Knicks in this game is that their star player is acting like one. With Jeremy Lin and Amare Stoudemire out of the lineup, Carmelo Anthony is answering the call for head coach Mike Woodson. Anthony is scoring in the mid-30s to the low 40s on several occasions, taking this team on his back and asking for the ball in crunch time.

It might not be elegant basketball, but in the star system of the NBA and a culture which demands that the best-paid players take the majority of the shots in big situations, Anthony is doing enough to bring the Knicks to the postseason. He should play well against Atlanta and give New York a very good chance to win in the fourth quarter.

Why Atlanta Will Win

When you do your homework and assess your best best sportsbook on this game, one thing to keep in mind is that the two coaches in this game know each other well. New York bench boss Mike Woodson was Atlantas coach for a few years before getting fired after the 2010 season. The man who stepped in to fill the void as the Hawks new head coach was Woodsons right-hand man, assistant coach Larry Drew. When this season began, Woodson was a New York assistant under head man Mike DAntoni, but when DAntoni got fired this past winter, Woodson became the interim head coach.

When these two teams play, theyll know that their coaches are acutely aware of each other. The thought process here is that this will favor the Hawks. Atlantas players will want to show that they can defeat their former coach. The Knicks wont experience that same emotional dynamic on Sunday. It will make a difference.

Who Will Win

It’s a small and nuanced element of this contest, but it could very well mean something. Atlanta will want to win this game for Drew against Woodson. The Hawks will feel more motivated; theyll view Sundays contest in a more personal way, and that matters to a professional athlete. Take Atlanta in this contest.

NBA Basketball Betting Pick: Atlanta

Thunder Lakers Betting – Lakers Try To Make A Final Statement Before The Playoffs

April 20th, 2012 Posted in NBA betting | No Comments »

The Los Angeles Lakers are a proud franchise, one of the biggest brand names in the NBA. They will get a final chance to go toe-to-toe with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday in L.A.

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Los Angeles Lakers – Sunday, April 22 
Sports betting line: No line

Why Oklahoma City Will Win

The professional basketball analysts poring over data and historical context will find it hard to cut against Oklahoma City in this game. The NBA betting wisdom suggests that the Thunder will be able to take charge on the final Sunday of the NBA regular season and put the Lakers in their place. Oklahoma City is better, deeper, younger, and fresher. Los Angeles superstar Kobe Bryant has missed the past week with nagging injuries that have relegated him to an informal but real coaching role on the Lakers bench. Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum still give the Lakers a substantial low-post presence and shot-blocking ability near the basket, but Kobes diminished physical health gives Oklahoma State an undeniably large advantage on the perimeter in this contest. Theres simply no place outside the lane or near the three-point line where the Lakers can match up favorably.

The Thunder might get tested in this game, but theyll still have the guys who should be trusted to make huge plays in the final minutes of regulation. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are two quick, lethal scorers with the ability to knock down pressure shots, and if they get stopped, James Harden can hit threes off kickouts. Oklahoma City can also counter Los Angeles interior presence with Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka, two men who have worked well together all season long. Oklahoma City has assembled the mixture of speed and power needed to become a complete NBA team, and this late in the season, one shouldnt expect the Thunder to lose their edge against an older and less formidable Laker squad that has really missed Lamar Odom in 2012.

Why Los Angeles Will Win

When you do your homework and assess your best best sportsbook on this game, you will be pointed to the fact that the Lakers have not just been performing, but competing, over the past week without Kobe Bryant in the lineup. The Lakers won four games in a five-game stretch, defending better and getting more out of their big men, especially Pau Gasol. With Bryant out of the lineup, Gasol has once again stepped to the forefront. He hit two three-pointers this past Sunday to carry the Lakers past Dallas. Hes asking for the ball more and is leading by example. With this kind of presence on the court, Los Angeles can attack Oklahoma Citys defense by feeding the post and forcing the Thunder to clog the lane. If Oklahoma City succeeds in that counter-maneuver, Gasol has the ability to step out and hit a long jumper to make the Thunders big men play him away from the basket. This is how the Lakers can pry open opportunities on Sunday and eventually win.

Who Will Win

It would be one thing if Kobe Bryant could play this game at or near optimum health, but hes not going to be in very good playing shape. Common sense suggests that Oklahoma City has more – and better – weapons than the Lakers do. The Thunder will be hard to stop this weekend at Staples Center. Take Oklahoma City to win this contest.

NBA Basketball Betting Pick: Oklahoma City

Clippers Suns Betting – Clippers And Suns Have Their Own Goals As They Meet

April 19th, 2012 Posted in NBA betting | No Comments »

The Los Angeles Clippers are trying to climb their way up the seeding ladder in the Western Conference. The Phoenix Suns are simply attempting to have any kind of playoff future.

Los Angeles Clippers @ Phoenix Suns – Thursday, April 19 
Sports betting line: No line

Why Los Angeles Will Win

The professional basketball community would probably say that the NBA betting percentages work in favor of the Clippers here. Los Angeles is coming off an exhilarating win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night, a game that should boost the Clippers confidence and catapult them into the final week of regular-season competition. The talent on the Clippers roster has meshed at an appreciably high level. This team muddled along in late February and early March, as head coach Vinny Del Negro struggled to get his players to buy into his system, but those worries were somewhat oversold from all appearances. The ability to win games certainly reduces heat on the head coachs shoulders and gets everyone in the lineup to paddle in the same direction.

The Clippers have played with more urgency, passion and commitment in recent weeks, and they displayed all of those qualities and more in their win over the Thunder on Monday. This is a team that is aware of what it can do. It will be a contender for the Western Conference title, and it is beginning to act like it. Thats very encouraging news for a franchise that has had so little to cheer about over the longer march of time and the broader sweep of the history of professional basketball. Phoenix is not a particularly strong defensive team, allowing an average of 98 points per game. The Clippers can definitely attack the Suns and get to the rim on a regular basis in this contest, pulling away for a victory that would give them an even better chance of overtaking the Los Angeles Lakers for the third seed in the Western Conference.

Why Phoenix Will Win

When you do your homework and assess your best best sportsbook on this game, you will obviously be cognizant of the fact that the Suns are playing for their playoff lives. Phoenix has slipped into eighth place in the West for the moment, thanks to a four-game losing streak from the reeling Houston Rockets. Phoenix knows just how much of an opportunity it has been given in this situation, so the Suns will be playing with the enthusiasm of a group that has seen its playoff prospects increase dramatically in a very short time frame.

Steve Nash has been sensational at age 39, distributing the ball with signature virtuosity and getting all of his teammates involved in the offense. The Suns, playing at home, should have a raucous crowd in their corner. Momentum and confidence will work in their favor and give them every possible chance to fend off the Clippers.

Who Will Win

It’s a toss-up, in all candor, but in the tension between a team thats playing for seeding and the team thats playing for outright survival, the team playing for survival is generally the better pick if the talent levels are appreciably comparable (they are) and the team playing for survival is at home (it is). Give the ever-so-slight nod to Phoenix in this game.

NBA Basketball Betting Pick: Phoenix

Bulls Heat Betting – Bulls Try To Hold Off Heat For Top Spot In The East

April 18th, 2012 Posted in NBA betting | No Comments »

The Chicago Bulls are still more likely than not to gain the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, but recent struggles have prevented them from closing the door against the Miami Heat.

Chicago Bulls @ Miami Heat – Thursday, April 19 
Sports betting line: No line

Why Chicago Will Win

The professional basketball pundit class has been divided on the matter of whether Chicago has the stuff to beat Miami if the two teams meet in the playoffs. Some commentators would claim that the ranks of online betting analysts are giving too much credence to the Heat and their reputation, based on what happened in last years postseason, when Miami beat Chicago in five games to win the Eastern Conference finals. Other pundits are very much of the opinion that the Heat will indeed be able to flip the switch and play the level of ball they exhibited last May, when they did indeed outfox the Bulls in a best-of-seven postseason series. Which way will the pendulum swing in this game, the final regular-season meeting between the two teams? Chicago has the better collection of ten players.

Yes, Miami has the two best players on the court – LeBron James and Dwyane Wade – but this is a team game, and Chicago has the deeper team of skilled basketball players. The Bulls bench has towered over the Heats bench… it did so last week when Chicago scored an overtime win over Miami in the Windy City. Chicago, down by three points in the final seconds, received a tying triple from reserve C.J. Watson with 2.2 seconds left on the clock. The Bulls took that momentum and ran with it in the overtime to lock down the victory.

Chicagos bench scored almost as many points and grabbed almost as many rebounds as its starting five did on that night. Guys like Taj Gibson, Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer, and Omer Asik provide a great deal of energy on defense and on the glass while contributing enough jump shooting to give the Bulls scoring punch at the offensive end of the floor. Miamis bench has not been able to come close to Chicagos all season long, and with Miamis starters logging so many minutes, Chicago can stay fresher over the course of a game, putting more active bodies on the floor. This is the blueprint for a Chicago win.

Why Miami Will Win

When you do your homework and assess your best best sportsbook on this specific game, you will likely come to the realization that the Bulls limitations might catch up with them. Derrick Rose has barely played over the past three weeks due to lingering back injuries plus an injured ankle, while Luol Deng missed Chicagos game this past Monday against Washington due to ongoing issues with his left (non-shooting) wrist. Chicago is in a position where it is trying to get healthy for the playoffs, and its hard to see the Bulls winning on the road in Miami under these conditions.

Who Will Win

It’s not as though Miami is a lot better than Chicago – it isnt – but the Bulls are banged up, and the Heat had to feel stung by their inability to beat the Bulls on the road a week ago. Expect Miami to play with more passion and urgency. The Heat know that they need to send a message to the Bulls before the playoffs begin; they will take this game seriously and not let up. Take Miami on Thursday.

NBA Basketball Betting Pick: Miami

Spurs Lakers Betting – Spurs And Lakers Joust For Seeding Slots In The West

April 18th, 2012 Posted in NBA betting | No Comments »

The San Antonio Spurs are fighting hard for the top seed in the NBAs Western Conference. The Los Angeles Lakers are fighting just as hard for the third seed in the West. They meet Tuesday.

San Antonio Spurs @ Los Angeles Lakers – Tuesday, April 17 

Sports betting line: No line

Why San Antonio Will Win

The professional basketball analysts who will be assessing this NBA contest will calmly point out that even though the Lakers have won four out of five games without Kobe Bryant over the past week and a half, this is the kind of game in which the Lakers need their star to be healthy and whole. San Antonio has surprised NBA experts throughout the season, showing levels of resilience and durability that have catapulted a relatively old team to the top tier of the Western Conference. Yes, the Spurs flamed out in the playoffs last year, but the Memphis Grizzlies were a terrible match up for them.

If the Spurs can get the number one seed in the West this year, they could have a very favorable draw in the first round and a manageable draw in the second round. This is a team that – due to the retirement of Phil Jackson last year – has the best active coach in the league, Gregg Popovich, a master at plugging holes and getting role players to meet the needs of a given situation at a given point in time. San Antonio has had answers throughout the course of this season. With Kobe far from 100 percent for this game, the Spurs should be able to defend the Lakers without too much difficulty, and they should be able to get scoring from enough complementary parts to outmaneuver and outflank the Lake Show in this contest.

Why Los Angeles Will Win

When you do your homework and assess your best best sportsbook on this game, youll note that the Lakers have not suffered in the absence of Kobe Bryant. Andrew Bynum is still a beast in the low post, a load for any big man – including San Antonios Tim Duncan – to deal with. Pau Gasol is taking it upon himself to carry more of the scoring load, specifically by shooting three-pointers to extend defenses and draw other pivot players out of the lane.

The Lakers are working to pry open opportunities at the offensive end of the court and play a more elastic and flexible kind of basketball. Kobe Bryant, though not in the lineup the past week and a half, was seen exhorting his teammates from the bench in civilian clothes this past Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks. Knowing that their teammate is emotionally invested in their success will keep the Lakers, to a man, motivated to play as well as possible against San Antonio. Los Angeles, with supreme defensive energy, will be in very good position to win this clash.

Who Will Win

It’s San Antonios offense versus Los Angeles defense. Its important to remember that Kobe Bryant is a high-level defender, not just a really good scorer. That component of the puzzle should give the Spurs the best sportsbook edge they need on the road.

NBA Basketball Betting Pick: San Antonio

Who will win the NBA championship

April 17th, 2012 Posted in NBA betting | No Comments »

I was thinking that the Boston Celtics would be a good value bet
Add reasons for your picks please

I say Spurs at the moment.

Spurs. Even though I am a spurs fan I still truly believe they can win it. They have the right pieces to win a championship as long as they’re all healthy.

The Knicks if they have a healthy Amare Stoudemire and Lin joins them in round two.

Grizzlies, they have great depth on the roster at all positions. As well as a great closer in Rudy Gay, they also have dominant big men in Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. They were also able to get to the Western Conference Finals without Rudy Gay, imagine what they can do with Rudy Gay being healthy thoughout the playoffs.

NBA: Rose isnt clutch

April 16th, 2012 Posted in NBA betting | No Comments »

i bet no ones gunna say anything so i will. Rodney Stuckey just choked. made 1 of 2 free throws to go up only 3 instead of 4 and Rose goes down and drains a 3 to send game into overtime. how bout that for supposedly not being clutch. i know its only regular season, but that proves he can be clutch when all you are saying he suck, doesnt deserve MVP, isnt clutch, etc.
i made this cause after 1 game when Rose missed 1 free throw people were all over him about being not clutch at all and that he is a cancer to the team, so im making this to prove he is clutch cause he can hit that 3. i know its 1 game i even stated it in the details that i know its a regular season game. was just calling all them D Rose haters out that say he aint clutch cause of that 1 game
great 47 minute player? is that y he hit that 3 to tie it with 6 seconds left?
@super bowl, thats exactly what im talking about, 1 game means the Knicks are the best team in history and Rose is the Biggest choker, but when the pistons miss free throws Bulls got lucky. your right, that does sound logical. lol

rose is clutch k

it is only one game, Chris Paul has won around ten games for the clippers in the fourth quarter this season.

sad if you need to be clutch against the pistons

He’s clutch and nobody cares if they choke cuz their not popular… Idk why

On the clutch meter he is like a 5/10, were kobe is 10, pierce at 8, and carmelo at 7. Rose doesn’t deserve MVP this year either though. Not quite sure why you made this question.

When did 1 game performance change the whole concept of a player??

CJ watson hits a huge 3 against the heat, and now he is an aamzing player, and very clutch? Please, people need to wait a few games before making assumptions.

this is a game, one game and one game don’t mean anything. i seen seen jordan, magic and dr j miss free throws and last seconds shots. in the end it will be your body of work, not a game.

Playoffs…what has he done there?

Oh yeah and he sucks, doesnt deserve MVP, isnt clutch, etc.

EDIT: And “BJB LOVES CAN’T STOP THE HEAT” owned you.

Wtf are you trying to argue about?

Bulls have been blowing contenders out without rose, and now rose is back and they almost lost to Pistons. You have nothing to brag about….

Just wait till he gets to the free throw line, then you’ll understand why they say he isn’t clutch.

Stuckeys clutch too

He isn’t clutch, free throw line being his greatest fear. Great 47 minute player. And that’s way better then the great 36 minute player, Lebron.

Why, Why, WHY is it every time the Pistons are up by 2 and have a chance to put the game away at the line, they blow the free throws? Every time they do that I swear the other team comes down and pops a 3.

You watch, after practically having the game sealed they’ll lose it now in OT.

EDIT: Yup, I was right they blew it..

He’s clutch… if he doesn’t go to the freethrow line

Bulls miss 4 strait free throws, Carmelo is clutch and the knicks are contenders.

Pistions miss ONE free through, D Rose isn’t clutch and the Bulls are lucky.

Not very logical if you ask me.

I don’t understand your logic.

I wouldn’t call Rose especially clutch. Though, I wouldn’t say he’s a choker either.

Both the terms “clutch” and “choker” are way overused. Not to mention, there are not statistics to measure these concepts (at least readily available ones).

Bet On Mavericks Lakers – Lakers Complete Season Sweep Of Defending Champions

April 15th, 2012 Posted in NBA betting | No Comments »

NBA Betting players would do well to find a television on Sunday afternoon, because they could see a potential preview of a first-round series from the Western Conference as the Lakers host Dallas in Los Angeles. The Mavericks rolled over the Lakers en route to last year’s championship, but the Lakers have gained a small measure of revenge with three victories over Dallas so far. Look for them to wrap up a fourth in the second half of an ABC doubleheader.

What: NBA Betting
When: Sunday, April 15th, 3:30 PM ET
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
Pick: Los Angeles Lakers

Why Bet On Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks sit in sixth place in the West after a 112-103 win in Golden State on Wednesday, even though they were up by 14 at halftime and shot 50% from the field overall. Dirk Nowitzki led the way with 27 points, while Jason Kidd chipped in with nine points, 10 boards and 12 assists for the Mavericks, who also got a huge game from a bench that outscored their Golden State counterparts 57-33. Brandon Wright continued his strong play with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Jason Terry also scored 16 points for the Mavericks, who also turned the ball over 10 times to 15 for the Warriors. It was an uneven performance and the Mavericks let the Warriors get a little closer than they should have, but they still pulled out the win and that’s really all that counts at this point in the season. Any team that can get 57 points from their bench will be a threat, and Wright figures to get even more playing time since the Mavericks parted ways with former Laker Lamar Odom for the rest of the season.

Dallas is as healthy as they have been all season and that bodes well for their NBA betting chances down the stretch, and the Mavericks definitely have what it takes to defend their Western and NBA title. They’re a veteran group empowered by last year’s experience and they have gotten rid of Odom, who for all intents and purposes, was a distraction in the locker room. Their defense hasn’t fallen off much without Tyson Chandler, who signed to New York, so don’t overlook the Mavericks, who are in Portland on Friday.

Why Bet On Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers are also in action on Friday as they host Denver, and they may sit Kobe Bryant for another game as they were missing their future Hall of Famer for a crucial trip to San Antonio on Wednesday. However, the Lakers were powered by their big men in a 98-84 stroll to a victory as Andrew Bynum put up 16 points and 30 boards, while Pau Gasol was next with 21 points and 11 rebounds and Metta World Peace poured in 26 points for the Lakers, who absolutely owned the Spurs in the paint with a 60-33 edge on the glass. It was a phenomenal performance for a Bryant-less Lakers squad and if you still don’t think that Bynum is one of the top two centers in the league, this effort should have changed your mind. Bynum is showing that he is finally healthy (although an injury is never far away for him) and when he is, he has the ability to dominate on both ends of the court. However, he has acted out a few times this year, shooting three-pointers and mouthing off to the media and the Lakers need Bynum to have his head right to make a title push.

Meanwhile, Bryant (shin) is day-to-day and the Lakers can afford to rest him if they’re going to play like they did in San Antonio, but he also has to be willing to defer a little when he gets back because Los Angeles’ NBA betting hopes rest on the shoulders of Bynum and Gasol more than they do on Bryant, and that’s not a knock on his skills. It’s just that there aren’t many teams who can deal with two talented seven-footers on the same squad, and it’s more efficient than Bryant shooting long-range turn-around jumpers. Bryant has to realize that if he wants another ring.

How It Will Play Out

Los Angeles should be favored at home in this NBA betting matchup, and they’ve come out on top in three of their last five meetings with the Mavericks at the Staples Center, but they’ve failed to cover the spread in the last three home games against Dallas. The Lakers have also won all three-regular-season meetings with the Mavericks, covering the spread in two.

The Lakers were swept in convincing fashion by the Mavericks in last season’s playoffs and they’ve carried that with them in all three games this season, so you can bet that they’ll want to step up again. It also doesn’t hurt that the Lakers and Mavericks may end up facing off in the first round of the playoffs as Los Angeles is in third in the West, so there is a lot on the line in this late-season contest. Lean towards the Lakers at home in your sports betting picks.

Mavericks Lakers Betting Pick: Los Angeles Lakers 

Heat Knicks Betting – Knicks Surprise Heat In MSG Showdown

April 15th, 2012 Posted in NBA betting | No Comments »

NBA Betting sharps are getting ready for the playoffs, which is right around the corner as the shortened regular season winds to a close and New York is on the edge of the playoff picture. They’ll welcome Miami to town in a star-studded affair in the first game of ABC’s doubleheader, and they’ll take advantage of a slumping Miami club.

What: NBA Betting
When: Sunday, April 15th,1:00 PM ET
Where:Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Pick:New York Knicks
Why Bet On Miami Heat (40-16 SU, 27-29 ATS)

A Thursday night showdown in Chicago begins a stretch of three road games in four overall for the Heat, who host Charlotte on Friday and after the New York game, they’ll head to New Jersey on Monday. But the Heat finished an uneven five-game home stand with a 3-2 record after a 115-107 loss to Boston on Tuesday, and their defense couldn’t slow down the Celtics to shoot a blistering 60.6% from the field. LeBron James had 36 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Dwyane Wade added 20 points for the Heat, who got down by 10 after the first quarter and had to play catch-up for the rest of the game, which was their second loss in three games at American Airlines Arena after winning 17 in a row on their own floor. This is a strange time of year to hit a snag for the Heat, especially at home, and this is a good chance to snap out of it with a handful of games left in the regular season.

Wade (ankle) is back and the Heat have everyone healthy again, and you can expect the stars to shine at Madison Square Garden, especially James. The NBA betting favorite to win his third Most Valuable Player award, James has averages 27.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists in 29 games against the Knicks and some of his best performances have come in the famous building; in December 2010 in his first game with the Heat after snubbing the Knicks in free agency, James hit the home team up for 32 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. A triple-double for James is in play on Sunday, especially on national television.

Why Bet On New York Knicks (30-28 SU, 30-28 ATS)

The Knicks only have to play on Friday at home against Washington to tip off a three-game home stand which also features a meeting with the Celtics on Tuesday, and on Wednesday they won their third game in four outings in a 111-107 victory in Milwaukee. Carmelo Anthony poured in a game-high 32 points and added 10 rebounds, while Tyson Chandler was next with 19 points and 11 boards, but the Knicks also got production out of the bench from Steve Novak (10 points) and J.R. Smith (14 points) as New York had six players in double figures. The Knicks shot 51.3% from the field and outscored the Bucks by eight points at the foul line in a game they really needed to have as Milwaukee is only two points behind New York for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks are also a game behind seventh-place Philadelphia, who have been floundering for the past month and they would love to leapfrog the 76ers to give themselves some breathing room.

The Knicks have been without Jeremy Lin (knee) and Amare Stoudemire (back) and will be for the rest of the season, but Anthony has stepped up and shown why he is arguably the best pure scorer in the league with 28.5 points and 7.0 rebounds over his last 10 games. It has been a strange season for Anthony as the Knicks started to win when he was hurt due to Lin, then he came back and the team couldn’t buy a basket, which resulted in the firing of Mike D’Antoni. Now Lin and Stoudemire are out and Anthony is doing what he does best. It’s going to be an interesting off season in New York when it comes to making decisions about Anthony and other player personnel.

How It Will Play Out

Miami has only been an NBA betting underdog twice this season, so they’ll probably be the road favorites in this contest with records of 3-2 SU and 1-4 ATS in their last five meetings with the Knicks, and the last four meetings have come in under the posted total. In New York, the Heat are 3-2 SU and ATS in their last five trips to the Big Apple.

This should be a very entertaining game, and there is plenty of star power on the floor for both teams, but the Knicks are rolling right now and they have a little more motivation as they’re trying to ensure their playoff status. The Heat are three games behind first-place Chicago in the East, but that spot is safe and they’re cruising towards the postseason, and they’ve had their struggles on the road. Take New York for the sports betting upset on Sunday.

Heat Knicks Betting Pick: New York Knicks