Friday Service Plays

James Patrick Sports

Mavericks vs. Grizzlies

The Dallas Mavericks hit the road to Memphis for a match-up with the Bears and the Mavs have enjoyed their past visits here with ATS wins in 9 of 11 games in Memphis and 17 of 23 overall against the Grizz. Our Friday NBA complimentary selection is Dallas Mavericks in NBA action.

Cajun Sports

Atlanta Hawks @ Boston Celtics
Selection: 2* Atlanta Hawks +6

TD Banknorth Garden will be the site between Eastern Conference rivals the Atlanta Hawks and the host Boston Celtics. The Hawks come into this contest having just lost at Philadelphia back on March 31st 98 to 85 as a 2-point road underdog. Atlanta was riding a seven game win streak during the middle part of March with wins over Detroit, New Orleans, Utah, Portland and Dallas but has since lost four of their last six overall. Although one of their two recent wins came against the West leading LA Lakers at home. Even with their recent losing skid it appears that the Hawks will get home-court advantage during the first round of the playoffs and will likely face either Philly or Miami. Atlanta is 43-32 SU and 42-32 ATS overall this season including 14-23 SU and 19-17 ATS on the road averaging 97.0 points per game while allowing 99.7 points per game. The Hawks have done well ATS when facing teams with a winning record going 22-13 ATS this season in that situation and they are 15-6 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points during the 2008-09 campaign. The defending champs enter tonights contest off a double overtime win at home versus Charlotte on Wednesday night winning 111 to 109 as a 7.5 point home favorite. Their ATS results in that contest, failing to cover, have become commonplace of late with them posting a record of only 2-10 ATS in their last 12 games at home. The win over Charlotte on Wednesday night triggers a few technical situations that are bad news for Celtics backers in tonights contest. First we see that Boston is 17-42 ATS in home games after a game where both teams scored 105 points or more, 59-86 ATS in home games after allowing 105 points or more and 30-56 ATS after a close win by 3 points or less since 1996. These teams have met three times this season with the last two being played in Atlanta with final scores of 99 to 93 and 88 to 85 all in favor of the Celtics while splitting against the spread. The first meeting this season took place here with Boston winning 103 to 102 as an 11 point home favorite. The Hawks are 0-3 SU against the Celtics this season but 2-1 ATS and we expect another close one tonight. Our TPR (Team Performance Ratings) Index projects the Celtics with a 2.97 point advantage over the Hawks and our Math Model Ratings Index also signals a Boston win but not a cover with an edge of only 3.4 points over Atlanta. Take the points as the boys from ATL take the Celtics right down to the wire and cash the winning ticket for us on Friday night.

Graded Selection: 2* Atlanta Hawks 87 Boston Celtics 90

Marc Lawrence

Play On: Houston Rockets

The Rockets take on the Lakers in Los Angeles with same season triple revenge on their minds at the Staples Center this evening. With Houston a stellar 21-5 SU and 17-9 ATS in games off a loss this season, including 5-0 ATS when taking 3 or more points, look for the Lakers to fall to 3-7 ATS at home on Friday nights here tonight.

Dave Cokin

Heat @ Bobcats
Play: Bobcats -4'

The Bobcats have a really tough schedule to close the season, and that probably will keep them out of the playoffs. But they're definitely still in the hunt, and tonight's home game with Miami is absolutely crucial for Charlotte. They're in better form than the Heat right now, and with the line reasonably short, I have to lean the Bobcats way tonight.

Tom Freese

Cleveland at Orlando

Cleveland laid an egg last night at Washington losing 109-101 to the lowly Wizards ending their 13 game winning streak. We expect a much better performance tonight at Orlando. The Magic have won 13 of their last 16 games and they are 8-1 ATS their last 9 games vs. Lebron and company. Despite the recent success the Magic have had with the Cavaliers we like Lebron and company to make a statement tonight. PLAY ON CLEVELAND +

Big Al Mcmordie

San Antonio Spurs at Indiana Pacers
Prediction: San Antonio Spurs

At 7:05 pm, our complimentary selection is on the San Antonio Spurs minus the points over Indiana. San Antonio was rocked in its last game by the Oklahoma City Thunder, and that was the 2nd time this season OKC has upset the Spurs. That's given those in the Alamo City much cause for alarm, so the team needs to come out with a supreme effort tonight to quell such concerns. I believe it will. San Antonio comes into Friday night's game off two days' of rest, which has been a huge benefit to the Spurs over the last few years (85-52 ATS). Also, the Pacers are a poor 15-26 ATS off a home win (Indy defeated the Bulls 107-105 in its last game). Take San Antonio.

Jimmy The Moose

Calgary Flames at Minnesota Wild
Prediction: Calgary Flames

Calgary got back on the winning side last night in Dallas and tonight they face a Wild team that they've owned. The Flames have won all 5 meetings between the clubs this season and are 22-6 in the last 28 meetings between the teams. Calgary has won 4 of their last 5 trips to Minnesota. The Wild are 6-13 in their last 19 overall. In their last 26 games vs. a team with a winning record they are 7-19. The Flames are 9-3 in their last 13 vs. a Western Conference opponent. Play on the Calgary Flames -.

Jeff Benton

For Friday we’ll play the Kings-Suns game OVER the posted total.

We’re dealing with a massive total in this game, no doubt about it. But we’re also dealing with two teams that haven’t played defense all season long, and I can’t envision that changing tonight when neither squad has much to play for (the Kings were out of the playoff hunt, well, back in November; Phoenix’s playoff hopes are dwindling by the day).

Just take a look at the final score when these teams faced off just five days ago in Sacramento: Phoenix prevailed 126-118, and the game jumped over the 237 ½-point total even though the squads combined for a paltry 43 points in the fourth quarter (they combined for 68 in the first, 66 in the second and 67 in the third). What’s more, since that contest on Saturday, Sacramento has played two games with final scores of 111-110 (against defensive-minded New Orleans) and 143-141 in overtime (against up-tempo Golden State).

Meanwhile, Phoenix has been a freakin’ scoring machine since the All-Star break (when the team switched coaches). In fact, since that time, the Suns have scored 140 or more four times; 125 or more seven times and 114 or more 14 times – and we’re talking in a total of 24 games!

Finally, over just the last five games, look at these numbers: Sacramento is averaging 114.4 ppg on 47 percent shooting and Phoenix is averaging 111.6 ppg on 48.6 percent shooting, but defensively, the Kings are allowing 119.4 ppg on 53.6 percent shooting during this five-game stretch while the Suns are surrendering 116.4 ppg on 50 percent shooting.

This scoreboard is going light up in a big way in the desert tonight, folks. In fact, I predict that both teams (who have gone over the total in five of their last seven meetings in Phoenix!) will score in the 130s – at least! Play it OVER the total.

4♦ Kings-Suns OVER

Matt Rivers

For Friday take the points with the Kings.

Talk about a game with no defense, wow!?!??! That certainly doesn't bode well backing a dog as a big number like this is probably easier to cover when the scoreboard is about to go through the roof but the Suns cannot be laying such a gaudy price as they really are not that good.

Sacramento is finishing up a horrific and nighmarish season but they have been a lot more competitive of late as evidenced by just beating these same Suns a few short days ago and then covering at Golden State in that overtime game on Wednesday where Kevin Martin poured in 50 points.

The Kings may have one of the worst records in the league but they are somewhat capable with Martin, Spencer Hawes, Andres Nocioni and a few others. I'm not at all implying they should once again beat Steve Nash, Shaq and the home Suns but in a pace that is faster than fast Sac-Town should feel somewhat comfortable and stay in this thing.

Phoenix definitely has no room for error and has to win every game they have remaining in order to have any chance at making the playoffs but the Suns really are not a very good team anymore and being up against an improving team that has zero to lose is not conducive, in my opinion, to coverr a dozen or so points.

Phoenix does have a measure of revenge and is obviously the superior team but the Kings know they just beat these same Suns and will be loose and ready to run.

121-115 Suns!

Chris Jordan

Oregon State +9' at UTEP

The Beavers will have no choice but to play a stingy defense on the road for the second straight game in this best-of-three series, if they want a shot at winning the tournament title.

Though UTEP won Game 2 by seven, I was more impressed with how the tempo was slowed in that contest, as opposed to how fast-paced these two played in the first game up in Corvallis. Tells me the team with the better defense could take control in this deciding game. And that team is Oregon State. The Miners have more offensive prowess, but that won't matter against an overachieving bunch of Beavers.

I wouldn't be surprised if this one comes down to a buzzer beater, or even goes to overtime ... one thing for sure it will be much closer than the linemakers think.

1♦ OREGON STATE

Karl Garrett

Sacramento at PHOENIX -13

Winner for free from the G-Man on Denver last night, now 8-2 my last 10 comp play selections.

G-Man expecting the Suns to return the favor at home tonight against the visiting Kings.

Sacto just handed Phoenix a crippling loss at the Arco Arena on Sunday, 126-118, as the Suns can ill-afford any more losses if they wish to make the playoffs this year.

Phoenix still owns a positive 7-3 spread mark their last 10 games, and they have been able to go 6-1 straight up the last 7 meetings against Sacramento, while covering in 4 of the last 6.

Sacramento is a dismal 2-9 straight up their last 11, and while they have covered their last 3 games plus the points, G-Man sees the Suns getting redemption for that Sunday clunker in onion-land with a blowout win tonight in the valley of the sun.

Lay the points.

5♦ PHOENIX

Bobby Maxwell

Cleveland at ORLANDO -3'

Scored you a FREE winner on the NBA hardwood Thursday night with the Nuggets and we'll get you another one tonight with the Magic as they host the Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers were bound to have a letdown here late in the season as they've been going with a hard push to the playoffs to get the top seed in the Eastern Conference. So the loss in Washington on Thursday was surprising and them not being so motivated tonight isn't going to surprise us either. We'll lay the relatively small chalk with a much more focused Magic team.

Cleveland had won 13 straight before losing to the Wizards 109-101 as a 9 1/2-point favorite Thursday. The Cavs defense forgot to show up to the party and don't be surprised when it doesn't show up tonight.

Orlando had won six straight before losing 99-95 at home to the Raptors on Wednesday as a 10-point favorite. The Magic forgot to rebound against Toronto and you know coach Stan Van Gundy let them hear about on Thursday. Look for Dwight Howard to come out and grab 20 boards tonight by himself.

The Magic have owned this rivalry lately, going 9-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings, including a 99-88 home win back on Jan. 29 as a five-point chalk. They are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings with the Cavs in Orlando and we love them in this situation tonight.

The Magic is on ATS runs of 20-8 against winning times and 7-3 on Fridays. Let's play Orlando in this one to get the win and cover.

2♦ ORLANDO

Sports Gambling Hotline

Atlanta at BOSTON -6

Tonight, budding rivals Atlanta and Boston have at it in Beantown tonight, and while the Hawks have been close to kocking off the defending NBA champions, they haven't quite been able to get over the hump.

After knocking off the Hawks in a thrilling 7-game playoff series last year, Boston has bested Atlanta is ALL 3 meetings this year, most recently besting the baby birds 99-93 at Atlanta on March 27th.

The home team in this series is on an 8-2 spread run - playoffs included.

Atlanta has lost their last 4 road games, and they are just 1-3 against the spread in those roadies, while Boston has won 3 in a row, and 7 of their last 8, and they have also covered in 5 of their last 7.

We are backing the C's to dispose of the Hawks.

Play on Boston.

2♦ BOSTON

MyDreamBet

Miami Heat @ Charlotte Bobcats
Pick: Over 183

Tonight the Miami Heat visit the team of Charlotte Bobcats. In this important game for the Bobcats they are given as favorites by Spread of -4. The line of total points in the meeting is situated on 183 points.

Miami Heat was one of the best surprises this season and so his 6th place in Division is well deserved. This team has a good record of 39-36 in East conference and is just behind the Philadelphia 76ers team that have a record of 39-35 in the 5th place of the conference, so the Miami Heat should be applied so that they can conquer the 5th place in this conference and also to get close access to the playoffs as soon as possible.

The team of the Miami Heat still have D. Wade in great shape and increasingly it is stated as the player with highest average of points in the NBA, in addition the entry of Jermaine O'Neal and J. Moon were two good hires for this team. A team of Miami Heat gives an average 98.1 PPG and has an average of 98.2 which shows that over the game tonight could be easily achieved, especially if D. Wade to play their best level.

The team of Charlotte Bobcats continues to surprise the best teams in the league and its fight for playoffs is more tight than ever. At this time the Bobcats stay in the 9th position of East Conference with a record of 34-41 and saw their opponents gain a direct advantage in recent games, they are the Chicago Bulls holding the 8th position with a record of 36-40. This is a game in which the Bobcats could not facilitate because of the important meaning in their fight for a place in the playoffs, so they have been his last game seen as real and final proof was his victory against the LA Lakers and able to go to Boston to take the game longer and were defeated in final by only 2 points.

These two teams have already faced over 3 times this season and finished with the following results:

01/11/2008 – Charlotte Bobcats – 100 @ Miami Heat – 87 – 187 pontos

08/12/2008 – Miami Heat – 100 @ Charlotte Bobcats – 92 – Total – 192 pontos

08/02/2009 – Miami Heat – 96 @ Charlotte Bobcats – 92 – Total 188 pontos

A total of line points in the meeting is located on 183 points, and we can see in 3 games in this season, all passed this total.

Tonight is a game faced as a final for the Bobcats so we can expect a maximum application of this team, on the other hand we have the Miami Heat team that has been a nice surprise this season and certainly will strive for achieving 5th place in the division. Both teams have great scorers and the over will be easily beaten.