Went 2-2 yesterday for a 0.2 unit loss. Four games on tap tonight 2 in the NBA and 2 in College.

NCAAB:

Maryland at Virginia Tech (-4) for 2 units. Overall talent and strength of schedule goes to the Hokies, but Maryland is still a solid team. Hokies play very well at home and should make the difference tonight as Maryland is playing their second game on the road after playing poorly at Boston College last out. My line for the game was VT -9, so -4 seems lift a gift.

St. Johns (+6.5) at Marquette for 1 unit. I had St. John last out over Cincinnati and expect them to remain competitive tonight as they seem to get better each time out. This could be a let down spot for them as they are coming off two very solid wins and this team is young and continuing to win on the road in the Big East is not an easy task for any team. Marquette just doesn’t seem to be that sharp at this point in the season. My line for the game was Marquette -1 so there seems to be good value with St. Johns.

NBA:

New Orleans +2 at Golden State for 2 units: When NO decides to play they actually can compete with pretty much any team out there. If you catch NO in the right spot they are great value. CP needs to control the tempo of this game and his defense should cause havoc at the other end of the court.

Utah +4.5 at Phoenix for 1 unit.

Glad to see King posting on The Triple Double. I have not been posting lately because I simply have not been on target. After a much needed break and some extra research I feel like I am back on track and ready to post again. I should have picks everyday this week, if there is something worth playing, but the following week I will not likely be posting as my schedule will not allow for any free time.

2/14/2011:

College Basketball:

Kansas -5.5 at Kansas State for 1 unit. After I went through all the stats I had Kansas -13, even after factoring in KSt’s home court advantage. SOS and overall play strongly weighs in favor of KU. I wouldn’t be shocked to see KSt get a late cover as this is a rivalry game, but KSt will have to play way better than they have played all year long.

Nevada +4 at Hawaii for 1 unit.

NBA Plays:

San Antonio -8 at New Jersey for 1 unit

LA Lakers -5 at Charlotte for 1 unit: I actually like this pick better if Kobe does not play and the number drops down to -1 or -2. Lakers have been dominant against the East on this road stretch going 4-1 SU and 4-1 ATS. Charlotte is 23-31 overall and clearly one the weaker teams in the East and even though the Lakers are old and tired, but they are still better in every aspect of the game than Charlotte and you only have to lay 5 points. If this game was in LA the Lakers would be favored by 12 or 13. I don’t play the Lakers often, but seems like a small number when comparing the talent and quality of play between the two teams. (Can’t help, but disagree with you King).

Nice day on Friday and only one  game we can take advantage of Saturday.

San Diego State vs Long Beach State (+6) for 1 unit.

Will post others when more lines are released.

Sorry no time for write-ups today, just the plays.

College:

1. William and Mary at Virginia (-10) for 1 unit

2. UC Riverside at UNLV (-21.5) for 1 unit

NBA:

1. Sacramento/Phoenix OVER 216

2. Charlotte/Washington UNDER 189

3. Houston (+3.5) at Indiana

4. Detroit (+1) at Clippers

The Chicago Bulls might be in desperate need of a victory Thursday night as they host the Cleveland Cavaliers, but if the talent differential is substantial enough, the urgency of a given situation is not enough to make a sportsbook tilt the betting odds in favor of an underdog. If you value your NBA betting sanity, you won’t want to out-think yourself.

Cleveland @ Chicago

Thursday, April 8

Bookmaker Odds: No line (as of yet)

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a complete novice at sports betting, you need to do some basic homework when researching a given matchup. The Chicago Bulls might need to win a lot more than the Cavs do in this nationally-televised tilt (on TNT), but that reality can only do so much for coach Vinny Del Negro’s team when it steps on its home court at the United Center. The Bulls are a banged-up team. They’re getting healthier, but they’re still in poor shape. Center Joakim Noah is playing with a foot injury. Guard Kirk Hinrich sprained his ankle in a March 30 loss to Phoenix. Luol Deng is recovering from a calf strain and has said that his body is still very sore. Superstar guard Derrick Rose is in the lineup and playing reasonably extended minutes, but he’s missed chunks of the season with injuries and has been a magnet for physical punishment all season long. This is just not a team that’s blessed with a fresh tank of energy for a grueling NBA home stretch. Chicago got two days off on Sunday and Monday of this week, but the Bulls – after dealing with Milwaukee on Tuesday – get only one day off before this game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers don’t figure to be very merciful.

LeBron James and his teammates are steaming mad after losing at Boston on Sunday afternoon, and coach Mike Brown wants his team to be sharp heading into the playoffs. The Cavs have not been ravaged by injuries the way the Bulls have, so it’s hard to expect the team with the NBA’s best record to leave Chicago with a loss. One thing that could have helped the Bulls in this game was the schedule; perhaps Cleveland could have entered this game playing the second half of a back-to-back set. However, that’s not the case. The Cavs took on Toronto on Tuesday and then got a break on Wednesday. If the Bulls had added rest, the scales could have evened out for this Eastern Conference clash, but with equal amounts of recuperation time, Cleveland has to be considered the favorite.

Just as the Masters odds aren’t going to favor an obscure golfer, so it also stands that basketball bettors shouldn’t be thinking about an upset on Thursday night. LeBron should be able to get to the rim at will, and the Cavs should be able to get a high-quality look at the basket on most of their possessions as a result. Chicago’s injuries have certainly hurt, but the loss of John Salmons to Milwaukee has also detracted from the ballclub that extended the Boston Celtics to seven games in last year’s epic NBA Playoff series.

Online basketball betting pick: Cleveland

On Thursday night, the Dallas Mavericks will host the Orlando Magic at American Airlines Center, in Dallas, Texas. For fans of basketball betting, the matchup pits the number one team in the Southeast against the number one team in the Southwest, and is expected to be a tough test for the road-weary Magic, who have been struggling with injuries as of late. Could Thursday’s game be a preview of our 2010 NBA Championship?

The good news for the Magic, is that SF Mickael Pietrus is expected to be back in the lineup. Pietrus missed the last two games for Orlando, after spraining his left ankle in a game against the Atlanta Hawks last Wednesday. Stan Van Gundy, head coach for the Magic, indicated to reporters that Pietrus will be back, and is healthy to play the Mavericks.

Vince Carter, veteran SG for Orlando, has also indicated he is hopeful for a return against the Mavericks. Carter jammed the big toe on his right foot on Sunday, while playing against the Denver Nuggets. The injury forced Carter from the game after just one and a half minutes. Carter told reporters that the toe is still bothering him, but that he would “try to make an appearance” against the formidable Mavericks.

Carter has plenty of motivation to play for his team on Thursday. Fans of NBA betting know that the Mavs present a tough matchup for Orlando, a team looking more and more road-weary and banged up. It is unknown whether or not PG Anthony Johnson, who was out of practice earlier this week with flu-like symptoms will be in the lineup. Point guards Jason Williams and Jameer Nelson are also question marks, with foot and thumb injuries, respectively. Orlando’s age is starting to show – three of their starters are more than 30 years old. Williams and Johnson off the bench are also in their mid-thirties. With the rest of the season hanging in the balance, coach Van Gundy doesn’t believe his more aged players will be getting any more rest than usual.

The Mavericks, for their part, will look to capitalize on the Magic’s perhaps fragile state. In fact, even a 100% healthy Orlando team could still have a great deal of trouble with the surging Mavericks.

In looking at NBA odds, Dallas has what it takes to win the championship this season. They can beat the dynamic Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. They can also beat the sportsbook favorites from the Eastern Conference, notably the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers – and yes, possibly the Orlando Magic in the NBA Finals. Will we see a potential championship preview on Thursday night? Regardless of how the playoffs actually unfold, the Magic will have to be on their game and not give up an inch to Dallas.

Online betting isn’t as simple as a straight line, at least not when the Final Four is concerned. In only three of the past 10 Final Fours have all three games been won by the higher-seeded team. This year, Michigan State enters college basketball’s showcase event with a number of weaknesses, while a healthier Butler team will be playing not only in its home state, but its home city. This scenario is tailor-made for a Butler victory, but will the hometown Bulldogs survive this national semifinal?

What: NCAA Basketball Betting

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN

The Story

If a sportsbook indicated that one of these teams was likely to win by anything more than five points, a federal investigation would be necessary. If one outcome is particularly likely in the Final Four’s first game, it’s that Butler and Michigan State will play a very close contest over the course of 40 minutes (and maybe overtime).

The Bulldogs and Spartans own a blue-collar identity and have maintained a lasting commitment to the no-glory aspects of basketball. Coach Brad Stevens demands lock-down defense for a Butler team making its first appearance in the Final Four, while Michigan State coach Tom Izzo insists on effort and toughness from his Spartans, who are making their sixth Final Four trip in the past 12 seasons.

Offensive Edge

Sports betting experts would certainly say that Michigan State has a better offense than Butler does. MSU sharpshooter Durrell Summers has once again elevated his game in March. The potent perimeter performer scored 21 points on just 10 shots in Sunday’s 70-69 win over Tennessee. Summers – along with teammates Raymar Morgan and Delvon Roe – can play above the rim and dunk the ball in traffic. Only Butler swingman Gordon Hayward can do the same for the Bulldogs.

Defensive Edge

Michigan State’s defense is terrific, but Butler’s defense is unquestionably better. The Bulldogs took on the top two seeds in the West Region over the past weekend, and throttled both of them thanks to suffocating on-ball pressure that clogged passing lanes and restricted good ball movement. Against top-seeded Syracuse and No. 2 Kansas State, Butler held a pair of high-octane offenses to fewer than 60 points.

Injuries

Michigan State point guard Kalin Lucas is out (torn Achilles). Michigan State forward Delvon Roe (torn meniscus) will play. Michian State shooting guard Chris Allen (strained arch in his foot) will play.

Prediction

Expect this game to come down to the final 30 seconds. Why pick Michigan State? Tom Izzo very rarely loses as a favorite at the Final Four. In his previous five semifinals, Izzo has a 2-3 record. Only once – in 2001 against Arizona – did Izzo’s MSU team fail to uphold its status as a semifinal favorite. (MSU was a semifinal underdog in 1999, 2005 and 2009; it was a favorite when it defeated Wisconsin in 2000.)

Those checking out March Madness odds should be scouts for two teams that could be in the lottery for next year’s draft, as Houston will welcome the Los Angeles Clippers to Texas on Thursday night. The Clippers have pretty much sewn up their spot in the lottery, but the Rockets still have an outside chance if they can go on a hot streak.

Clippers vs Rockets odds – Thursday, March 25, 8:30 PM ET

The Clippers’ 106-96 loss in Dallas on Tuesday was their ninth in 10 games, and their starters held their own, but the bench was simply awful. Drew Gooden had a huge 26-point, 20-rebound night, and he’s played well since he was traded from the Mavericks, but the Clippers’ bench were outscored 43-5. They also allowed Jason Kidd to run wild from the perimeter, as he nailed six three-pointers on his 37^th birthday. Kidd is still a good player and all, but the Los Angeles guards should be ashamed of themselves. Look for them to check out the March Madness favorites for next year’s draft pick, although players should be warned when looking at last year’s pick, Blake Griffin, and the rest of the Clippers’ draft history.

The Rockets fell 98-88 in Chicago on Monday, shooting a miserable 33.7% from the field. Luis Scolla had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets, who are five games behind Portland as of Wednesday, and the Trailblazers are holding onto the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. However, they’ll need more production from Aaron Brooks, who was 3-of-17 for nine points against the Bulls, and he’s cooled off after a pair of 31-point games last week. The Rockets still have play in Oklahoma City on Wednesday night.

The Rockets should be favored at home by sportsbook odds (sportsbook reviews) as the Clippers have lost eight of their last 10 in Houston, including five in a row. The Rockets have won both meetings so far this season by an average margin of 13 points, but their leading scorer against the Clippers, Carl Landry, is now in Sacramento. They’ll need the backcourt duo of Brooks and Kevin Martin to step up and lead the way, and they should feel encouraged by the way that the Clippers handed Kidd on Tuesday. The Rockets have more incentive to play in this game as well, while it looks like the Clippers are just playing out the season so they can roll the dice in the lottery. They’re also a putrid 7-29 away from home, and even though the Rockets are playing on Wednesday night, it’ll take a collapse to lose to the Clippers. Take the Rockets before making your March Madness betting picks on Thursday.

When the king calls, all golfers answer. Well, all golfers except for the best in the world who is waiting for the Masters to make his not-so-triumphant comeback. The sports betting on the Arnold Palmer Invitational always revolves around fan favorites, and this year is no different.

When you are researching your March madness odds, spend some time looking at how many times Phil Mickelson has been favored to win a tournament in 2010. The answer is once, and that is this year’s Arnold Palmer Invitational. The online super casino experts have been shying away from Lefty this season because of his ongoing personal distractions with his wife’s health. But in this tournament he is a 10 to 1 favorite, and it is highly doubtful that he is ready to live up to that just yet.

When you bet March madness you pick the teams that you think will win based on factual information, but the Arnold Palmer Invitation seems to avoid that. Looking at the top five favorites to win you have Mickelson at 10 to 1, Steve Stricker at 16 to 1, Ernie Els at 18 to 1, and Vijay Singh and Jim Furyk at 20 to 1.

You can eliminate Vijay Singh. Until Vijay learns how to putt again, he will not be contending for any tournament. Steve Stricker has a habit of getting close but then fading away in the final round. Ernie Els is always a fan favorite, but he has had trouble putting tournaments away and his driving has been erratic lately.

Of these top favorites the best pick would be Jim Furyk. He is coming off of a win last week at the Transitions Championship, and he beat a very good golfer in South Korean K.J. Choi. Furyk has the most unconventional swing in all of golf, and his backwards putting grip makes him an unlikely PGA winner. But he knows how to use the gifts he has, and he is starting to establish himself as a regular winner on the tour.

Two more names to keep an eye on for this tournament are the aforementioned K.J. Choi and Retief Goosen. K.J. Choi has 25 to 1 odds, but his performance in the Transitions Championship last week was no fluke. His driving failed him on the final nine, but if Choi can maintain his swing he will give anyone a run for their money.

Retief Goosen is a 25 to 1 favorite as well, and it just feels like Goosen is on the cusp of having a great season. He has four top ten finishes this season in only six tournaments played. He hasn’t won yet, but look for Goosen to start making waves in 2010.

The long shot pick for the Arnold Palmer Invitational is Bubba Watson. He is a 66 to 1 pick to win this tournament, and that would normally scare any betting person away. But Bubba has a second and third place finish this year, and he is 18^th on the Fedex Cup points list. His scoring average is below 70 and he has yet to win a tournament. It is highly unlikely that Bubba Watson will start tearing up the PGA tour, but he is definitely due for at least one win and that win could be in this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational.