Bukomir Betting Blog. NFL Betting. English Premier League Betting. NBA, NHL and MLB predictions.

NHL Betting: Phoenix Coyotes Notable Offseason Moves

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 05:54:00 +0000

The Phoenix Coyotes came up just short in their bid to reach the NHL playoffs for a third-straight year in 2012-13, finishing 10^th in the Western Conference with 51 points in the lockout-shortened 48-game season. The Coyotes finally found a new owner in the offseason that will keep the team in Glendale and establish a level of stability, and that along with a couple of notable offseason additions has helped make this team a much better team and a legitimate contender to get back to the postseason in 2013-14.

2013 Stanley Cup Odds: + 4,500

Notable Change #1: New Ownership Establishes Level Of Stability

Phoenix has spent the last few seasons under ownership of the NHL, and while that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing there was always questions about when the team will be moved and where it would go. The Coyotes finally found new ownership when the IceArizona group came in to end the four-year run and purchase the team, and that will provide a level of stability that will benefit the team. The players no longer have to worry about any ownership issues or the constant threat of being moved either via trade or as a team to a new city. That should help the team’s veterans feel more comfortable and remove a distraction for some of its young stars.

Notable Change #2: Ribeiro Brought In To Center The Top Line

One of the biggest issues for the Coyotes was the lack of a No. 1 center that could consistently produce points both on the powerplay and at even-strength. The addition of veteran center Mike Ribeiro will fill that void, as he is a talented playmaking center that has the ability to anchor the top line both at even strength and on the powerplay. Ribeiro’s presence instantly makes the top line better not just for the production he brings on his own, but for the way he will help his new linemates produce with a good chance that he will get some time with young winger Mikkel Boedker in order to maximize his scoring potential on the top line.

Notable Change #3: Forward Depth Gets A Much Needed Spark

Phoenix held on to Kyle Chipchura and Rob Klinkhammer for the leadership and versatility they bring to the team, but they also added a couple of key sparks to their forward depth with the additions of Brandon Yip and Tim Kennedy. Both are solid young players that bring a little bit of everything and can also provide some secondary scoring playing anywhere from the second line to the fourth, and that will tremendously benefit a Coyotes’ team that was lacking two-way depth players when it missed the playoffs last season. Phoenixalready has a strong defense core and a quality goaltender in Mike Smith, so the addition of some scoring up front will be key.

Click here to get a full list of NHL futures for the 2013-14 NHL season.

NHL Betting: Dallas Stars Notable Offseason Moves

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 06:07:00 +0000

The Dallas Stars have missed the playoffs five consecutive seasons. That is not the kind of trend that any NHL team wants to establish. The last time that the Stars did make the playoffs, the team went all the way to the Conference Finals before being eliminated. The Stars finished with a lackluster 22-22-4 in the 2012-13 shortened season and dropped to last place in their division. The good news is that there is nowhere for Dallas to go but up. The bad news is that the team will have to make some pretty drastic offseason moves to start making that upward climb. This will be a very important offseason for the Dallas Stars.

2014 Stanley Cup Odds: 40/1

Notable Change #1: Trading for Tyler Seguin.

Tyler Seguin was not the most hated athlete in Boston, but he was close. When the persistent rumors of Seguin’s bad attitude and poor work ethic would not go away, the Bruins decided to trade Seguin to the Dallas Stars. The change in teams could be just the jolt that Tyler Seguin needs to turn his game around. He was labeled as lazy when he played in Boston, and he earned that label. But when Seguin really pushed himself, he showed that he has tremendous talent. He will take the spot as the center on the team’s top line. This is Seguin’s chance to show the league that he is not who they think he is. The Stars hope that Seguin takes advantage of that opportunity.

Notable Change #2: Losing Loui Eriksson.

Every trade has two sides, and the other side of the Seguin trade was young forward Loui Eriksson. He was not only a hard-working player, he was a fan favorite as well. Now the Stars are replacing a fan favorite with a guy that has a reputation for not working hard. The stakes for Dallas in this deal are huge. If Seguin bombs, then Dallas just gave up the best young forward it had for nothing. But if Seguin is a star, then Loui Eriksson will be a footnote in the history of the Dallas Stars.

Notable Change #3: Firing Joe Nieuwendyk.

When the 2012-13 season ended, the Dallas Stars fired general manager Joe Nieuwendyk and brought in no-nonsense general manager Jim Nill. Nieuwendyk was a popular guy, but he would not have the vision to make a trade like the Seguin deal. The Stars need to build a championship team and build it in a hurry. Nill understands that an NHL playoff team is built from the ground up, which is why he was so quick to bring in a talented youngster like Seguin. This is a move that will determine the Dallas Stars’ fate for many years to come. The Stars just hope that it was the right move to make.

Click here to get a full list of NHL futures for the 2013-14 NHL season.

NHL Betting: New Jersey Devils Notable Offseason Moves

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 05:42:00 +0000

The New Jersey Devils are big believers in tradition and loyalty. It is that belief in loyalty that prompted the Devils to draft the son of Martin Brodeur in the 2013 NHL draft. The Decils also have a long tradition of playing defensive hockey with players who can skate, but not necessarily score. The Devils had problems scoring goals last season and that was one of the reasons why New Jersey had such bad results during the season and missed the playoffs. The hope is that the moves made by New Jersey in the 2013 offseason will help solve the problems the team had last season. The reality may be a little different.

2013 Stanley Cup Odds: 40/1

Notable Change #1: Signing Ryane Clowe.

The fans of the New Jersey Devils do not mind having a former New York Ranger on their team, just so long as the former Ranger has something to offer. When the Devils lost David Clarkson to the Toronto Maple Leafs, there was a huge need for a scoring forward who could also play the physical game. The Devils went out and signed Clowe to take the place of Clarkson. While Clowe is definitely a better hitter than Clarkson, he is not the goal scorer that David Clarkson is. That means that the New Jersey Devils have taken yet another step backwards in the goal scoring department, which is a step the team cannot afford to take.

Notable Change #2: Signing Jaromir Jagr.

This will be a very interesting situation to watch for Devils’ fans and all hockey fans. When the Devils lost their top scorer Ilya Kovalchuk to a pseudo-retirement, the team panicked. There was no one on the New Jersey roster who was even close to being able to produce points at the same pace that Kovalchuk could. To fill that void, the Devils have turned to the ageless Jaromir Jagr. It is a temporary solution at best, but it could work in New Jersey’s favor. Jagr proved last season that he can still play the game and that he can still offer value to an NHL team. But he will have a lot of work to do in New Jersey that his 41-year-old body may not be able to handle.

Notable Change #3: Trading for Cory Schneider.

When the New Jersey Devils traded with the Vancouver Canucks for goaltender Cory Schneider, it answered a lot of questions. The Devils gave up their first round draft pick to get the goalie that will step in when Martin Brodeur retires. The Canucks are still pinned to the ground by Roberto Luongo’s contract, which worked in New Jersey’s favor. Schneider will get plenty of work this season as the transition is made from a future Hall of Famer to a goalie with a lot of promise. The Devils are hoping that Schneider can deliver on that promise and be the goalie of the future.

Click here to get a full list of NHL futures for the 2013-14 NHL season.

NHL Betting: Buffalo Sabres Notable Offseason Moves

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 05:48:00 +0000

If you want to find a disgruntled and disenfranchised fan base, then you only need to go as far as Buffalo, New York and talk to some of the fans of the Buffalo Sabres. When team owner Terry Pegula took over the team two years ago, he promised a Stanley Cup in Buffalo in three years. Instead of developing a winning team, Pegula tried to buy one. But he soon learned that offering outrageous contracts to fringe players like Ville Leino will not win his team a championship. The Sabres have changed gears and the fans have been told that there will be “pain” to experience before a Stanley Cup win. If there is a fan base that knows about pain, it is the fan base of the Buffalo Sabres.

2013 Stanley Cup Odds: 50/1

Notable Change #1: The hiring of Ron Rolston.

When the Buffalo Sabres announced that the team was turning interim head coach Ron Rolston into the full-time head coach, there was a collective groan heard in Buffalo. The Sabres promised an extensive head coaching search that would involve every potential candidate the team could find. Instead, the team wound up hiring Rolston after only a couple of weeks of looking. The fans may not like the move, but it could be the first step towards building a winner in Buffalo. Rolston spent time coaching the Sabres’ minor league affiliate in Rochester and he has been praised over and over again for his ability to coach young players. Since the Sabres are making a move towards youth, Rolston is the perfect fit. He also has a winning record as an NHL coach, which is a good foundation to build on.

Notable Change #2: Darcy Regier retained as general manager.

One of the biggest headlines generated by the Sabres was a change that the team did not make. Despite firing long-time head coach Lindy Ruff, the team has refused to send general manager Darcy Regier packing. Instead, team owner Terry Pegula and President Ted Black have thrown their full support behind Darcy Regier. The team management feels that Regier is still able to put together a championship team as he did in 2005. The Sabres have given Regier significant financial and tactical resources to build the Stanley Cup champion in Buffalo that he has been unable to build in 16 years.

Notable Change #3: Twin Towers drafted in the first round.

In the first round of the 2013 NHL draft, the Buffalo Sabres chose defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen with the eighth pick and defenseman Nikita Zadrov with the 16^th pick. The Sabres got the 16^thpick from the Minnesota Wild in the trade that sent former Sabres captain Jason Pominville to Minnesota. Ristolainen is 6’4” tall and Zadrov is 6’5” tall. These are the model examples of what general manager Darcy Regier means when he says the team is going to get younger and bigger. Both picks will start off in Rochester, but many fans think that both players could be on the Sabres by the midway point of the season.

Click here to get a full list of NHL futures for the 2013-14 NFL season.

NCAAF Betting: Louisville Cardinals 2014 NFL Draft Prospects

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 06:02:00 +0000

When Louisville Cardinals’ head coach Charlie Strong came out and said that he wouldn’t trade junior quarterback Teddy Bridgewater for any other passer in college football, it was as much a statement as it was an acknowledgement of how far his quarterback has come. The Cardinals didn’t have a single player drafted in 2013, but they are loaded heading in to a new year and there are three notable prospects that could go early on in the 2014 NFL Draft with Bridgewater at the top of that list.

BCS Championship Odds: + 2,200

Notable Prospect #1: QB Teddy Bridgwater - Junior

Bridgewater only completed 68.5-percent of his passes for 3,716 yards and 27 touchdowns while leading Louisville to a Big East Championship in 2012, forcing his self in to the national spotlight as one of the top quarterbacking prospects in the entire nation. Bridgewater is a dual-threat quarterback that can make plays with both his arm and legs, but unlike some of the other passers from a similar mold that have failed in the past, he has the natural instinct to stay in the pocket and move through his progressions rather than bolt downfield too early. Bridgewater has a strong and accurate arm, and his instincts certainly improved as he gained more experience during his sophomore season. That has set the bar particularly high for Bridgewater heading in to his junior season, and the sky is the limit for the Cardinals if their quarterback can play to his potential in what will likely be his final college football season.

Notable Prospect #2: WR DeVonte Parker - Junior

There are a couple of notable prospects that could be plugged in to this spot, but Parker will have the opportunity to have a massive year playing with Bridgewater in this Louisville offense. A big, strong receiver with quick feet and excellent straight-line speed, Parker earned first-team All-Big East honors as a sophomore last year after registering 744 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, and will have a chance to build on those numbers in 2013. Parker is a student of the game and still learning how to break off the line and use his size and strength for positioning, and if he can continue to progress then there is no reason to think he can’t be an elite receiver option heading in to the 2014 NFL Draft.

Notable Prospect #3: S Hakeem Smith - Senior

As impressive as linebacker Preston Brown was earning second-team All-Big East honors a year ago, Smith may be the more intriguing prospect heading in to 2014 because of his versatility and ball skills. A three-time All-Big East safety, Smith is a little light for the position but could end up playing cornerback at the NFL level. Already a top-1o safety prospect heading in to this season, Smith will have the chance to grow in to his body and put on some serious size in his senior year. If he can build his frame without compromising his speed and explosiveness, Smith could be selected within the first four rounds of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Click here to get a full list of NCAAF futures for the 2013-14 NCAAF season.

NCAAF Betting: Louisville Cardinals 2014 NFL Draft Prospects

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 06:01:00 +0000

BCS Championship Odds: + 2,200

Notable Prospect #1: QB Teddy Bridgwater - Junior

Notable Prospect #2: WR DeVonte Parker - Junior

Notable Prospect #3: S Hakeem Smith - Senior

Click here to get a full list of NCAAF futures for the 2013-14 NCAAF season.

College Football Betting: 3 Best Pro Prospects For The LSU Tigers

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 04:45:00 +0000

Betting sports is challenging, and in the 2013 college football season, the LSU Tigers will face a daunting task: With less skill-position talent than in past years, they will try to fight past the Texas A&M Aggies and (more centrally) the Alabama Crimson Tide for the SEC West Division championship and a shot at the SEC title. LSU is being picked third in the division, which represents genuine slippage for head coach Les Miles’ program. The key to LSU’s season is for backups and players who are lower on the depth chart to answer the call. However, that point of emphasis does not change the fact that there are plenty of intriguing NFL prospects on this team. Let’s look at three of them in particular.

The best NFL prospect on this team, by quite a considerable margin, is defensive tackle Anthony Johnson. It is impossible to avoid noticing when one player is all over the field, making tackles and penetrating the line of scrimmage at will. Johnson was this kind of player for LSU last season. While teammates such as Sam Montgomery (at linebacker) openly admitted to taking plays off and going at half-speed on some occasions, Johnson played all-out on every snap, and it showed. A very SEC-like combination of brute strength and lethal quickness enabled Johnson to consistently blow up plays in opposing teams’ backfields. He was a disruptive force who will demand attention from offensive lines and, more fundamentally, from opposing offensive coordinators who are going to design their blocking schemes in order to make him as minimally involved as one can possibly allow. Being a defensive tackle, though, puts Johnson in the middle of the action to begin with. There’s only so much an opposing coordinator can do with those blocking schemes. Johnson is poised for a huge year and, if he stays away from injury, a very fat NFL paycheck following a first-round draft selection in 2014.

Safety Craig Loston is another strong NFL prospect on the LSU defense. The Tigers regularly butter their bread on the defensive side of the ball; this has been the program’s point of strength throughout Miles’ tenure in Baton Rouge. LSU is a defense-first team, and one of the cornerstones of an elite defense is a safety who can handle run and pass responsibilities with equal levels of skill and aptitude. Loston is precisely this kind of player. A physical hitter in both run support and in pass defense, Loston could very reasonably be viewed as the Bayou Bengals’ most important player in 2013, precisely because Texas A&M and Alabama are going to throw the ball a lot this season.

The third NFL prospect worth mentioning on the LSU roster is an offensive player, wide receiver Odell Beckham. His hands still need work (yes, that’s pretty important for a receiver), but there are no questions about Beckham’s speed and his ability to get open. Beckham is precisely the kind of player who needs to get many touches a game, sometimes on handoffs in the backfield or on bubble screens. Getting him the ball in open space, and in situations when he has a full head of steam before he touches the ball, can give him the momentum and angle with which to burst by defenders at the point of contact.

Click here to get a full list of futures for the 2013 college football season.

NFL Betting: Ranking The AFC North Teams

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 06:11:00 +0000

The AFC North has produced to of the past five Super Bowl winners, and at least two playoff teams in each of those last five years. There isn’t another division that can compete with those numbers, and that is why the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravnes won’t be able to take anything for granted heading in to this season. The Ravens are listed at +2,000 to win the Super Bowl, and the biggest part of the problem could be getting out of their own division.

2013 Super Bowl Odds: BaltimoreRavens +2,000

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens cleaned house following their Super Bowl win by saying goodbye to Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Dannell Elerbe, and Anquan Boldin among others. Baltimorelocked up Joe Flacco with one of the richest contracts in NFL history, and he will need to step up as the new face of the franchise. Elvis Dumervil and Michael Huff were brought in on the defensive side of the ball to fill the voids left by Ellerbe and Reed, while the line received upgrades with Chris Canty and Marcus Spears. However, it will now be Flacco and an offense that features Ray Rice, Torrey Smith, and Jacoby Jones to lead the way, and the Ravens could have a tough time getting out of the AFC North.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals are intent on being the team that knocks Baltimoreoff and wins the division, which is the next step after reaching the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time in franchise history. The offense took a major step forward last season with quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver AJ Green leading the way, and should be even better with the addition of the top-ranked tight end from the 2013 NFL Draft in Tyler Eifert and running back Giovani Bernard. Cincinnati didn’t stand pat on the defensive side of the ball either despite putting up solid numbers, as they brought in James Harrison to continue his reign of terror in the AFC North only with a new look.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh is another team that feels it can contend for a division title this coming year, as it looks to put last season’s disappointment behind it. The Steelers finished 8-8 last year and missed the postseason, but they will benefit from a healthy roster and last year’s adversity in the long run. The loss of wide receiver Mike Wallace and cornerback Keenan Lewis due to cap constraints doesn’t help though, and neither does losing Harrisonto a division rival.

ClevelandBrowns

The Browns are hoping that coach Rob Chudzinski and offensive coordinator Norv Turner can take quarterback Brandon Weeden and the offense to the next level, and both coaches have reiterated their belief in the talent that is there. Cleveland brought in Davone Bess to solidify a receiving core that it feels will be very good with Josh Gordon and Travis Benjamin both set to take another step forward, and running back Trent Richardson showed flashes of dominance in his rookie season. The Browns also upgraded on defense with first-round pick linebacker Barkevious Mingo and third-round pick cornerback Leon McFadden, so they may be closer to contention than some people think.

Click here to get a full list of NFL futures for the 2013-14 NFL season.

NFL Betting: Philadelphia Eagles Notable Offseason Moves

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 05:49:00 +0000

The Philadelphia Eagles are entering a new era. After more than a decade under the leadership of former coach Andy Reid, the franchise will have a new boss, former Oregon coach Chip Kelly.

2013 Super Bowl Odds: +2900

Notable Change #1:

The major change for the Eagles has to be their head coach, not a player. Andy Reid led the Eagles to four straight NFC Championship Game appearances from the 2001 through 2004 seasons. The Eagles lost the first three of those games but then finally broke through in their fourth try, making the second Super Bowl in franchise history, Super Bowl XXXIX in the winter of 2005. Philadelphia lost to the New England Patriots and never did get back to the big game. Reid led the Eagles to a fifth NFC title game in the 2008 season, but the Arizona Cardinals foiled his last best attempt to make and win the Super Bowl. Reid’s final seasons in Philadelphia dissolved into failure, and he reached the end of the road. He’s now in Kansas City as the head coach of the Chiefs, and into this breach stepped one of the hottest coaches in college football, Oregon Duck architect Chip Kelly, who is trying to do in many ways what former USC head coach Pete Carroll is trying to do with the Seattle Seahawks. Kelly promises a fresh approach – not just to offense, but to creating a unique organizational subculture. He is not going to do things the way most NFL organizations currently do. His attitude – how he relates to players and pries open opportunities for them with his X-and-O prowess – will determine how successful he is in the realm of professional football. One can’t expect Kelly to turn everything around in his first season. All Eagle fans want is a strong sense that the franchise is moving steadily in the right direction, enough to suggest that a playoff appearance will be likely in the following season, the 2014 campaign.

Notable Change #2:

The Eagles picked up Patrick Chung in the secondary while discarding cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, who landed with the San Francisco 49ers. Here’s an excerpt from the story filed by Adam Schefter of ESPN on March 13 of this year: “Asomugha was scheduled to make $15 million in 2013, $4 million guaranteed. A three-time Pro Bowler with the Raiders from 2003-10, Asomugha has been a major disappointment with the Eagles since signing a five-year, $60 million contract in 2011. Now, after spending recent seasons with Oakland and Philadelphia and being the most sought-after free agent in the 2011 offseason, the 31-year-old Asomugha wants to find a winning team…”

Getting rid of Asomugha could be the very thing that will enable the Eagles to move forward on defense, especially in the secondary.

Notable Change #3:

The Eagles signed running back Felix Jones, who used to play in the NFC East as a member of the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles have a woefully underequipped offensive line, so getting Jones won’t mean much unless the offensive front is shored up in due time.

Click here to get a full list of NFL futures for the 2013-14 NFL season.

NFL Betting: Cincinnati Bengals Notable Offseason Moves

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 06:11:00 +0000

The Cincinnati Bengals are coming off back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in 30 years, and will be looking to take the next step this season by getting that elusive postseason win and making a run through the AFC. The Bengals haven’t won a playoff game in 22 seasons, but that drought could come to an end thanks to three notable changes that should take Cincinnatito that next level in 2013-14.

2013 Super Bowl Odds: +3,300

Notable Change #1: Pressure To Succeed Even Higher For Coaching Staff

Head coach Marvin Lewis understands what is at stake heading in to this season, as the pressure on him is greater than ever before with a real sense of urgency that this team must succeed now. Lewis will pass Jim Mora Sr. for the most games coached with one team without winning a single playoff game if the Bengals don’t finally break through. Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden has done an excellent job with a young offense, and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has even more weapons to work with on defense, so the sense of urgency will be there for a coaching staff that must win now.

Notable Change #2: Dalton Set To Break Out In Third NFL Season

Quarterback Andy Dalton is just the sixth quarterback in the Super Bowl era to lead his team to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons, and he is ready to break out in his third year. Dalton needs to do a better job of getting the ball off cleanly under pressure and hitting his targets on deep throws, and this could be the year he finally puts it all together. Daltonhas worked hard on his footwork and refined his release point during offseason workouts, and he has a ton of weapons at his disposal led by Pro Bowl wide receiver AJ Green. Daltonis a hard-working leader that understands the offense’s success revolves around his play, and will look to take another step forward after finishing with the seventh-best passer rating in the AFC a year ago.

Notable Change #3: Defense Poised To Take Another Step Forward With Harrison, Kirkpatrick

The defense has been a strength of the Bengals for some time now, and should be even better with the addition of linebackers James Harrison, Aaron Maybin, and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick played just five games last season after a concussion and knee injury kept him out, and Cincinnati’s first-round pick from last year’s draft is ready to challenge for more time with Leon Hall and Terence Newman holding down the starting corner jobs. Harrison has never played in a 4-3 but is smarter than some people give him credit for and should provide a pass-rush spark along with Maybin. The heart of the defense is a strength with tackles Geno Atkins and Domata Peko at tackle and middle linebacker Rey Maualuga, while Zimmer is one of the best coordinators in the NFL. The defense is poised for a big year in 2013-14, with everything it needs to break through.

Click here to get a full list of NFL futures for the 2013-14 NFL season.

Home Favorites Hard To Stay Away From Heading In To Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 07:39:00 +0000

One of the first rules that new online sports betting players learn when they first start wagering on baseball is that it usually doesn’t make sense to bet too heavily on the home favorites. Laying down $600 on a heavy home favorite for the chance to win $300 means that for every two wrong choices you make, you have to get two more right just to break even, and that could lead to a slippery slope where you are losing more money than you are making. However, there are certain instances when it makes to much sense not to bet on a home favorite, especially when you consider the percentages that some teams are hitting at. The home favorites are hitting just under 59-percent of the time so far this season, and there are a couple of home teams in particular to keep an eye on heading in to the weekend.

The Boston Red Sox will head the list of live betting home favorites worth investing in this weekend when they host the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels have been one of the best teams to bet against through the first couple of months of the season thanks to their strong reputation and inability to win games, and they have lost seven of their previous 10 games heading in to this weekend series. The Red Sox meanwhile have benefited from the highest-scoring offense in the majors, something that few would have predicted we would see from this team this season. Bostonwill also benefit from the red-hot Clay Buchholz being on the mound for Saturday’s contest, and with the Angels forced to counter with Jerome Williams a Red Sox win will be as close to a lock as there can be.

Another team that has really heated up of late and could be an excellent bet at home is the Tampa Bay Rays, which have closed in on the second-place Baltimore Orioles ahead of their weekend sports betting series with eight wins in their previous 10 games. The Rays are streaking right now, and they will be playing with a sense of urgency against one of the teams they are chasing in the standings. Playing Baltimore should mean that Tampa Bay is available at some solid value, and the Sunday match up looks particularly favorable with the 8-1 Matt Moore getting the call opposite Chris Tillman for the Orioles.

While the home team has hit at close to 59-percent this online bettingseason, they have struggled against the spread at just 46-percent. It may not make sense to bet on the home favorites the majority of the time, and the ATS numbers suggest it’s a bad idea to bet them on anything more than the money line, but this weekend features a couple of streaking home teams that are available at good value and might be worth investing in. For all of the latest MLB news and betting odds, be sure to check out the best sports betting sites.

Can the Pacers Really Beat the Heat?

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 30 May 2013 03:59:00 +0000

The online sports book experts gave the Indiana Pacers more than a slight chance to win the Eastern Conference finals over the Miami Heat and for good reason. There were two teams that the Miami Heat had problems with during the regular season; the Chicago Bulls and the Indiana Pacers. Miami shook the problems with Chicago by beating the Bulls 4-1 in the second round of the playoffs. But the Bulls were, once again, hobbled by injuries and the Heat did not look as dominating as it should have. Even though Miami won the series, doubts about the Heat’s chances of repeating were raised.

The betting sites expected a much different series between the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers, mostly because the Pacers are completely healthy heading into the Eastern Conference finals. Whenever the playoffs get started, most people go back to Lebron James’ promise of several world titles for the Miami Heat now that the “big three” was in town. A lot of the NBA veterans dismissed James’ hype because, at that point, Lebron James had never won an NBA title. Now that the Heat and James have a title under their collective belts, it is time to see if the promise of multiple titles can come true.

There is a real concern among the best sports betting sites is that if the Heat loses these Eastern Conference finals, then the team could start a downward spiral. In this day and age of a salary cap in basketball, having three incredibly expensive players on a roster does not leave a lot of room for good role players. While the Heat has been dominating over the past few years, the holes in their roster has caused some problems as well.

Now here comes a team like the Indiana Pacers that is young and extremely talented. It is a team that has had the Heat’s number all season long when it comes to shutting down Miami’s defense. If there was any team who found a way to slow down and even stop the great Miami machine, it is the Indiana Pacers. But that was the regular season. The Pacers could never pull that off in the playoffs, right?

The sportsbook experts cannot help but notice that the Pacers have been able to maintain its defensive dominance over Miami in the playoffs. Yes, the Heat has been able to pull out two wins and score points. But that is to be expected in the playoffs when Miami has pushed its game to the next level.

But if the next level for Miami is still not enough to dominate the Pacers, then what happens in these playoffs? The NBA Eastern Conference finals should go at least six, if not seven, games. The only thing left to determine is whether Indiana can actually win this series. The answer to that question, as the Miami Heat will tell you, is yes.

Click here for more information on the NBA Eastern Conference finals.

Dodgers Could Make Run If They Manage To Add A Couple More Pieces And Get Healthy

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 09 May 2013 05:42:00 +0000

The Los Angeles Dodgers have invested a lot of money in to their online sports betting roster over the last two years. It hasn’t helped them very much at all so far. The Dodgers aren’t even in the conversation for the National League West playoff race, sitting two games back of the San Diego Padres for the worst record in the division. However, there is too much talent on this Los Angeles roster for them to continue to struggle, especially if they can add a couple of key pieces. Injuries certainly haven’t helped the Dodgers so far, but if they can add a couple more bats to the lineup this team could make a run.

A six-game sports betting losing streak is the reason Los Angelesis in the NL West basement, but the numbers paint the picture of what is really happening. Despite an offense that includes Matt Kemp, Adrian Gonzalez, and Corey Crawford, the Dodgers rank just 28^th in runs scored. The presence of a perennial Cy Young award winner in Clayton Kershaw hasn’t made a significant difference in terms of the pitching numbers either, as the Dodgers have combined for the 24^th-ranked ERA in the majors. However, all of the names listed above will need to be key pieces if Los Angeles is going to turn things around, and it would certainly help if they could get healthy.

Gonzalez had an MRI for a strained trapezius, while Ramirez was just put back on the DL after aggravating a groin injury. Mark Ellis is already on the DL, raising the total salary for players on that list to more than $60 million. Having those three players back healthy would really help, as there aren’t many teams around the league that have had that kind of bad luck. Factor in that Chris Capuano and Ted Lilly have both spent time on the DL and that Zack Greinke is out indefinitely following a broken collarbone, and it’s easy to understand why the Dodgers’ live betting fans are so frustrated.

However, there will be some opportunities for Los Angelesto add to its roster and really upgrade the talent. Rodriguez and Ramirez are both expected to be back, while Chase Headley and Jose Altuve are a couple of the names that have been mentioned in trade rumors and could become available. The Dodgers can afford to add a veteran arm before the trade deadline, and there should be some quality names available. Kershaw has pitched well early on and both Lilly and Capuano are healthy again, so one more arm could make the difference in the rotation. Los Angeles will need a little more luck on the injury front and may need to add an arm or two with Greinke out, but if they can do those things it wouldn’t be a shock at all to see the Dodgers make a run at some point this bet sports onlineseason. For all of the latest MLB news and betting odds, be sure to check out the best sports betting sites.

Dodgers Could Make Run If They Manage To Add A Couple More Pieces And Get Healthy

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 09 May 2013 05:41:00 +0000

NBA Teams to Watch for in the 2013-14 Season

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 02 May 2013 05:02:00 +0000

The online sports books are occupied with the NBA playoffs, but that does not mean that there cannot be discussion about the 2013-14 NBA season. This most recent campaign saw some teams undergo some major changes. Teams that we had not heard from in a while were suddenly making headlines again. As the 2012-13 playoffs roll along, let’s take a look at the teams that the sports betting experts are keeping an eye on for next season.

Toronto Raptors

When the Toronto Raptors acquired Rudy Gay at the trade deadline, it almost seemed like there was a switch turned on in the locker room that ignited the team. The sports betting sites never expected the Raptors to make a late playoff run, but that is exactly what Toronto did. The late run showed that Toronto does have some good young talent and it took a veteran like Gay to start to galvanize the team together. To try an capitalize on its latest success, the Raptors have asked Phil Jackson to be the team president. When Jackson didn’t say no, that turned a lot of heads in the NBA world. With Jackson in charge, the Raptors could be a team to watch next season.

Golden State Warriors

The one thing that could kill the Warriors is free agency. As Golden State works its way through this season’s playoffs, there are a couple of key contracts that the team will need to deal with when the playoffs are over. The sportsbook experts think that Golden State could be a team to watch in the Western Conference if the front office can keep the team together and bring in just a little more strength under the offensive boards.

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets are close to being done in this postseason, but Brooklyn is far from done developing its winning team. The Nets are a relative young team with a lot of players that still need to gain critical experience. This playoff season is just what a team like Brooklyn needs to be the kind of team that can challenge the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference. This playoff appearance for Brooklyn is just the first of many successful playoff runs to come.

Utah Jazz

The Jazz just missed out on the playoffs this season, but that will probably not be the case next year. The Jazz have been working on developing young talent for a while and this season was a major step forward for the team in becoming a playoff contender. The fans in Utah feel a bit dejected now because the team just missed out on the postseason. But Utah fans need to stay tuned because the Jazz will be making moves in the offseason that will help to strengthen this already potent lineup. Next season should see the Jazz in the playoffs and making more steps towards becoming an NBA contender.

Click here for more previews for the next NBA season.

Celtics and Knicks Face Off in Physical Battle

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:26:00 +0000

The online sports books have been watching the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics go at it all season long. There is always something about Boston-New York sports rivalries that bring out the nasty streak in everyone. Earlier this season, the NYPD needed to be called to stop Kevin Garnett and Carmelo Anthony from getting into a physical brawl after a game had ended. The people of Boston have suffered a great tragedy and the people of New York support the Boston residents in this time of crisis. But when these two teams take the court, all bets are off and the niceties stop immediately.

The sports betting experts know that this will be a physical matchup, but it will also be an exciting series to watch. The Celtics have recovered nicely from the loss of Rajon Rondo for the season and managed to stay in playoff contention. Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce have been playing at a very high level since the Rondo injury and that has helped Boston to get to this point. The Knicks come into this series with a relatively healthy roster, which includes a Carmelo Anthony who has been on fire. This will be a very fun series to watch.

New York Knicks

The best sports betting siteswere wondering how the Knicks would fill the role left open by the departure of Jeremy Lin. Knicks fans were curious when the team brought in Jason Kidd, but the veteran has proven to be a valuable point guard for this team. Carmelo Anthony is having the season of his career and the team simply cannot win without him. As long as Anthony is in the lineup, the Knicks remain a threat to go all the way to the NBA finals.

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have had an up and down year to say the least. Just when the betting sites thought that Boston had everything under control, Rajon Rondo is lost for the season. There is still a chance that Rondo could come back, but it would be in the second round of the playoffs at the very earliest. The team has sustained a few other injuries to players, but it has remained resilient and has kept itself in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt. Now Boston gets to face off against a New York Knicks team that has been antagonizing the Celtics all season long.

The Bottom Line

The problem for the Celtics in this series is that Boston struggled to make the playoffs while the Knicks are on a roll right now. The team with the early momentum in this series is definitely the Knicks and that could be all New York needs to win this one. The Celtics will win some games in this series, but the speed and power of the Knicks will be way too much for Boston to handle.

Click here to read more about the New York Knicks and their regular season success.

Pick: New York in six

Lakers Try to Hold on Against Grizzlies

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 04:26:00 +0000

Memphis Grizzlies @ Los Angeles Lakers – Friday April 5, 2013 10:30PM EST

The online sports book experts spent more time discussing how poorly the Los Angeles Lakers were playing earlier in the season than they did talking about the rise of the Memphis Grizzlies. The world could almost hear the collect sigh of relief from NBA fans when the Lakers finally moved into a playoff spot in the Western Conference. For some reason, a basketball fan’s life seems off balance if the Lakers are not in the playoffs. Now that Los Angeles has clawed its way into a playoff spot, it needs to make sure it stays there by winning big games.

For the most part, the betting websites have almost completely ignored the fact that the Memphis Grizzlies have a stranglehold on the fifth spot in the Western Conference standings. There are eight games separating the fifth place Grizzlies from the sixth place Golden State Warriors. With only eight games remaining in the season, it is unlikely that the Grizzlies will drop any lower than fifth. While Memphis will probably not catch the Southwest Division leading San Antonio Spurs, the Grizzlies could move up to fourth in the conference if it can reel off a few more wins before the season ends.

Los Angeles Lakers

The legal online sports bettingexperts know that the situation is far from stable with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers are actually tied with the Utah Jazz in the standings, but Utah has the eighth and final playoff spot based on tie-breakers. The Lakers have a precious few games left to try and make up enough ground to grab back the eighth spot and possibly move into seventh place in the conference as well. The Lakers have put together a two-game winning streak that it will need to extend to reach its playoff goals.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies have a three-game winning streak going, but the online bettingexperts know that the Grizzlies are not as confident on the road as they are at home. The Grizzlies are looking to gain some badly needed momentum heading into the playoffs and a good stretch of wins heading into these final games of the season will give Memphis what it needs to gain confidence. The Grizzlies are still a developing team and it would be a great confidence booster if Memphis could go into Los Angeles and beat the Lakers.

The Bottom Line

The Lakers have been hit with injuries lately and that seems to be the story all season long. Just when Los Angeles gets rolling, a key player gets injured. Dwight Howard and Steve Nash are both hobbled with injuries and it is unknown whether either of them will play in this game. The Lakers need all hands on deck to win this game, which means that injuries will play a factor in the final outcome.

Read more about the Los Angeles Lakers and its roller coaster season.

Pick: Memphis Grizzlies

NBA Preview: Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 07:14:00 +0000

The Miami Heat are continuing to dominate the NBA as they look for their 28^th win in a row tonight in Chicago. The Bulls who are also fighting for a playoff spot will have a full arena tonight as fans flock to see the great LeBron James.

Miami Heat

Now they are 56-14, and it is for sure that they would want those 14 losses back. They are running over the NBA both at home and on the road. James leads the team in points with 26 per game, rebounds with 7 and assists with 7. Although they are playing outside of Miami, they do boast a 24-11 road record. However, the Bulls will be fighting to make a stand to beat out Atlanta for a playoff spot.

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls are near the Hawks in the standings but have been unable to surpass them. On the bright side they have won their last two games, but on the bad side Derrick Rose is listed as out on the injured list. They are ok at home, with a 19-16 record, but will have to play their absolute best in order to take down the mighty Heat.

Many sports books and betting sites favor the Heat to win this game. If they do win, it will be the longest winning streak in NBA history since the Bucks’ 84-85 season. It was the Bulls who finally took down the mighty Bucks, and Michael Jordan during his rookie year was a part of that team. Many sports bettingfans do not think that these Bulls will be able to stop the Heat, but in sports never say never. This could be an interesting bet for those who follow the NBA closely.

Read more here for more odds and news on other NBA games.

The Spurs Try To Sing the Right Tune Against the Jazz

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 06:47:00 +0000

Utah Jazz @ San Antonio Spurs – Friday March 22, 2013 8:30PM EST

The bettingworld watched as the Utah Jazz got passed by the Los Angeles Lakers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The goal for Utah, ever since it lost its playoff status, was to win enough games to get back in the playoff hunt. But in its last 10 games, the Jazz has lost seven and the playoffs are drifting further and further away. To make things worse for the Jazz, the Dallas Mavericks have found their groove and are starting to catch up to Utah and enter the fight for that last playoff spot.

The San Antonio Spurs are in a different kind of battle, but it is just as heated. The online casino players are watching to see if the Oklahoma City Thunder can catch the Spurs in time to take over the top spot in the Western Conference standings before the playoffs begin. The Spurs and the Thunder are both strong teams on the road, but playing at home would definitely have an advantage for both teams. As San Antonio enters this game against Utah, the Spurs hold a slim one and a half game lead over the charging Oklahoma City Thunder.

Utah Jazz

The sports betting experts place half the blame on the Jazz for losing its eighth spot in the conference and give half the credit to the Los Angeles Lakers. While the Lakers were finally putting together wins, the Jazz starting ripping off consecutive losses. The Jazz need to start responding to the pressure or it will find itself completely out of the Western Conference playoff picture before they know it. The Spurs are a tall order for a struggling team like Utah, but this is also the perfect opportunity for the Jazz to determine if they want to contend for a playoff spot or not.

San Antonio Spurs

The betting sites thought that the Spurs would be happy just to make the playoffs based on how San Antonio was resting key veterans so early in the season. But the Spurs are just such a good basketball team that winning is second nature for them. The team will suffer with the loss of Tony Parker to injury, but a deep bench will help San Antonio get past the Parker injury and maintain its winning pace. This is a deep and veteran team that does not let things like injuries slow it down. The Jazz will have its hands full in this game.

The Bottom Line

The Utah Jazz will come into this game with a heightened sense of desperation, but it may not be enough to get the Jazz the win it so desperately needs. The Spurs will be systematic in this game when dismantling the Jazz and leave no question as to which was the better team.

Click here for more information about the San Antonio Spurs and its championship run.

Pick: San Antonio Spurs

NBA Preview: Golden State Warriors vs. New York Knicks

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 07:58:00 +0000

The once unstoppable New York Knicks are starting to show some team flaws and should have their hands full against the Warriors. It is a battle of one of the East’s best against the West. At home, the Knicks are fantastic, but at the same time, the Warriors have been dominant on the road. This should be an exciting betfor sports betting fans as it is sure to be a close game.

New York Knicks

The Knicks are battered by injury with Felton, Wallace and Camby out. They won their last game against Philadelphia, but have had a disappointing last ten games only winning five. Luckily, the Knicks are 20-8, so don’t expect them to go down in this matchup easily. Carmelo Anthony leads the team in points per game with 28.4 points per game, with Tyson Chandler leading in rebounds and blocks.

Golden State Warriors

The Warriors have a great record as well going 33-23. They have won their last three games, but have only gone 4-6 in their last ten games. Stephan Curry leads the team in points, Assists and steals per game. As long as he can get around the Knick’s subpar defense, he should be able to make an impact.

Many online sports books and betting sites have the Knicks listed as the favorites by 6.5 points. It is hard to see how there could be such a point differential, especially with all the Knick injuries. The over/under is set at 206.5 which does make sense as each team on average scores over 100 points.

Read more here for the latest on the NBA.

MLB Betting – 2013 World Series Odds Review

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:47:00 +0000

If the 2013 MLB season is anything like 2012, then the online sports bookexperts are going to lose their minds trying to keep up with the World Series futures. The Detroit Tigers were expected to perform well in the playoffs, but the San Francisco Giants kind of came out of nowhere and really upset the apple cart. Can the Giants repeat? Sports betting experts love to make the defending champ the favorite for the coming season, but 2013 is a little different.

Los Angeles Angels (World Series Odds: 17-2)

The betting sites are really expecting this superstar-packed Angels’ lineup to deliver in 2013. The Angels had flashes of brilliance last season but, aside from the extremely impressive names on the Los Angeles roster, there was nothing to indicate that this team will be able to compete for a world championship.

Los Angeles Dodgers (World Series Odds: 17-2)

While the Los Angeles Dodgers also have a power-packed roster, there is still enough instability in the bullpen to think that the Dodgers will not be a World Series champion this season. But as sports betting goes, the Dodgers would be a better pick to win the World Series in 2013 than the Los Angeles Angels.

Toronto Blue Jays (World Series Odds: 15-2)

The Blue Jays is like that NFL rookie that everyone wants to pay all the money to before he ever accomplishes anything. The Toronto Blue Jays has put together a stellar lineup that should be exciting for fans to watch, but there were more holes in the Blue Jays roster than were filled this offseason. Toronto still lacks middle relief and the infield is still in transition. The Blue Jays will be better in 2013, but it won’t be a World Series contender.

Washington Nationals (World Series Odds: 9-1)

If you had to choose one early NL favorite to make it to the World Series, then it would be the Washington Nationals. With a few offseason moves, the Nationals made a good bullpen even better. This is still one of the best starting rotations in baseball, and Stephen Strasburg will pitch in the playoffs in 2013. If the Nats can keep its hitting together, then this should be your odds-on favorite to win the World Series.

Detroit Tigers (World Series Odds: 10-1)

A lot of things can happen to a good ball team between spring training and the playoffs. But if the Detroit Tigers can keep its act together, then this will be the team that faces the Washington Nationals in the World Series. Detroit has all of the hitting, pitching and fielding it needs to dominate the AL again in 2013. The problem with Detroit is that ace pitcher Justin Verlander chokes in the World Series, and that trend does not look like it will be ending any time soon.

Click here to read more about the Washington Nationals and its chances for winning a World Series title in 2013.

NBA Betting – Clippers and Heat Give Potential Finals Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 06:53:00 +0000

Los Angeles Clippers @ Miami Heat – Friday February 8, 2013 8:00PM EST

The online sports bettingexperts agree that this game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Miami Heat could be a preview of the upcoming NBA Finals, but there is a slight problem. The Clippers may still be without superstars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin as it enters this game and that puts the Clippers at a serious disadvantage. The return of Paul and Griffin is something that all Clippers fans are waiting for eagerly. But as long as those two are unavailable to the team, the Clippers are simply not competitive at an elite level.

The online casino players love putting down bets on the Miami Heat because the Heat used to be guaranteed money in the bank. This season, at times, the Heat’s play could be almost described as lazy. Miami has shown little intensity on the road and it tends to coast through home games, even against some of the best opponents that the NBA has to offer. Still, the Heat has managed to compile an impressive 19-3 home record, which makes the team extremely dangerous at home. Lebron James is having a career season and the rest of the Heat seem able to step in and help win games when needed.

Los Angeles Clippers

If you bet on sports, then you know how critical a team’s top player is to it. Last season, the Chicago Bulls could not be competitive in the playoffs when the team had lost both Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose to injuries. The Clippers now find itself in a similar situation with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin on the sidelines. The severity of each player’s injury and the timetable for their return is not known. But as long as the team has to compete without Griffin and Paul, it will find it difficult to play at an elite level.

Miami Heat

The online sportsbook experts have voiced concerns about the Heat’s ability to defend its title this season. Miami may very well have a next level that it can push itself to when the playoffs start, but finding that extra gear can be extremely difficult. In the meantime, it appears as though the Heat is satisfied to play very strong at home and avoid putting in too much effort on the road. As long as the strategy does not backfire on the team in the playoffs, then it appears to be a great idea.

The Bottom Line

The Miami Heat catch a break in this game because of the injuries to Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. The Clippers get a chance to get some serious work in for its bench in preparation for their playoff run after the All-Star break. Things do not look good for the Los Angeles Clippers in this game.

Read more about the Los Angeles Clippers and its up and down season.

Pick: Miami Heat

NBA Preview: Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 08:13:00 +0000

Two of the best teams in the NBA East will be facing off tonight in a showdown in Brooklyn. These two teams are similar in the standings so it may be tricky trying to figure out who to bet your money on. Every sports book in the country will have their opinion but here are a few points to keep in mind.

Miami Heat

Former NBA champions, the Miami Hear are currently 28-13 and do not look to be slowing down. They lost their last game, and with no significant injuries on their team they need to bounce back. LeBron James is having a season for the record books as he leads the team in points, rebounds, assists and steals. Quite a feat for a player on arguably the most talented team in the league. On the road Miami has struggled going 10-10, but they have won six of their last ten games so expect this one to be close.

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets prove every game that they are the team to beat in the East. With a 27-18 record, the Nets are fantastic at home with a 17-7 record. They won their last against Orlando by a convincing 20 points. Brooks Lopez still leads the team in points per game with 18.6, but the rest of the team has been contributing similar numbers. They do not have any significant injuries to report, so the best will be out to play tonight.

Many online sports books and betting sites have the Heat listed as the favorites by only two points. The over/under is set at 190 points which is pretty level with the amount of points each team allows. The heat on average allow 97 points per game, while the Nets allow 94. This will be one of the most exciting and close scoring games of the year that is sure to be a playoff preview.

Read more here for the latest odds for this and many more NBA games.

NBA Betting – Who Will Win the Atlantic Division?

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 05:50:00 +0000

Almost no one would have bet that the Brooklyn Nets would be in contention for a playoff spot after the mid-point of the season. After all, this is still almost the same Nets team that was laughed out of New Jersey last season. There have been a few additions to the roster, but people did not expect those additions to have any real effects. It turns out that players like Joe Johnson were exactly what the Brooklyn Nets needed to be successful. A late-season coaching change seems to have helped the Nets as well, which is another surprise. P.J. Carlesimo is 11-2 since replacing Avery Johnson.

The online sports bettingexperts are completely shocked with the New York Knicks as well. The loss of Jeremy Lin to the Houston Rockets was offset by the addition of Jason Kidd. But people still wondered if Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony would be able to co-exist on the same team. When the season started, Stoudemire was injured and had to watch as Anthony led the Knicks to one of the best records in the NBA. The fear was that Stoudemire would upset the team chemistry by coming back into the starting lineup. Much to everyone’s surprise, Stoudemire took a bench position when he returned and he has been there ever since.

With Boston fading from the picture, the legal online sports bettingexperts now have to consider which team will rise to the top of the Atlantic Division. At this point, the Nets and Knicks are only separated by a single loss on the Nets’ side. But these are two teams headed in different directions. The Nets ran a 9-1 record in its last 10 games where the Knicks were only able to muster four wins in its last 10 games. Even with Anthony in the lineup, the Knicks seem to be struggling. Most teams would start experimenting with lineup changes to try and get out of a losing situation. If the Knicks start messing with its starting lineup, then that could cause a lot of problems.

The Knicks is waiting for key players such as Raymond Felton to return from injury, and that will help New York to get back on the winning path. But the betting sites online wonder if the Knicks’ issues are deeper than that. All of the drama that has been surrounding Carmelo Anthony lately has acted as a distraction and that indicates that it may be easier to distract the Knicks than originally suspected.

A well-known sports caster was quoted as saying, back in December, that the Nets will have to start “playing like the Nets” at some point. But Brooklyn just keeps on forging ahead and extending its honeymoon with its new home city. There is a very good chance that the Nets will be the team that can sustain its winning ways as the season comes to an end.

Click here to read more about the new Brooklyn Nets.

Pick: Brooklyn Nets

NBA Preview: Chicago Bulls vs. Orlando Magic

noreply@blogger.com (Aiven) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 07:07:00 +0000

As the NBA season is kicked into high gear with the New Year, many teams are hoping to secure a playoff spot. The Chicago Bulls have had an up and down year so far, and are hoping to bounce back after a couple of rough games. Meanwhile, the Magic have had a hard year as well, as their roster gets shorter and shorter thanks to injuries. If you are looking to bet on this game, look for an early bettingline as this game will probably be listed as very close.

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls are looking for their fifth straight win against the Magic tonight. Currently sitting at 16-13, they lost a very disappointing game to the Charlotte Bobcats. The Bulls need to break out of this current funk they are in, in order to keep their prospects of the playoffs alive. On the road they are 7-5 which is promising against the Magic who only boast a 7-10 home record.

Orlando Magic

The Magic are looking to break a funk of their own. They have lost their last six games and have fallen to a 12-19 record. They currently have four important players on their injured list, making substitutions very difficult. Arron Affalo leads the team in points per game with only 17. The problems involving the Magic include only being able to score 93 points per game on average. Luckily for them, the Bulls only score on average 92 points so it should be a close, yet low scoring game.

Many sports books have the game listed as even. Expect a low scoring affair if you are looking to bet on the over/under on a betting site. This is a game that both teams have to win in order to get their season back on track. We may see the losing team begin to disintegrate after this game, while the winner makes a turnaround. Check out the best sports betting sites to find the best odds available for this game.

Read more here for the latest news on the NBA.