NBA Handicapping Articles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Free NBA Picks: Cavaliers at Bulls and Lakers at Thunder
by Matt Severance - 4/22/2010

It’s our initial TNT playoff doubleheader preview here at Doc’s, although one difference tonight is the games start an hour earlier. In addition, both road teams are desperate for a win or their first-round series is all but over.

NHL Playoffs Vs. NBA Playoffs
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 4/20/2010

The NBA and NHL Playoffs both start in mid-April and end in early June. Sixteen teams make each postseason and all series are decided by a best-of-seven format. The similarities end there. If you followed the first round of the NHL Playoffs you noticed that the lower-seeded road team went 5-3 in Game 1 of each series. If you followed that up by thinking, ‘hey it is one of those years, let’s see if the NBA lower-seeded road teams can have the same luck’, well then you are pretty far in the hole.

Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz Series Odds and Predictions
by Nolan Sinclair (with Robert Ferringo) - 4/17/2010

The Nuggets need Karl as much as he needs them and unfortunately they have not played to their capabilities without their fearless leader. This series is by far the most intriguing of any and I, for one, cannot wait for it to start. Both of these teams are nearly unbeatable at home and a bit suspect on the road. Both of these teams have numerous options in crunch time and both have true point guards that can lead their teams deep into the playoffs. If Andrei Kirilenko returns to form and Carlos Boozer can shake his injury baggage then Utah has a great shot to pull the upset.

Orlando Magic vs. Charlotte Bobcats Series Odds and Predictions
by Nolan Sinclair (with Robert Ferringo) - 4/16/2010

Out of all the possible playoff matchups this is probably the most lopsided. Take a close look at this series and can you honestly come up with any reason that the Bobcats come out on top? The Magic are the reigning Eastern Conference Champions and Charlotte is a team that many people did not expect to see in the playoffs, but rode some savvy moves by the front office into the seventh seed.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Series Odds and Predictions
by Nolan Sinclair (with Robert Ferringo) - 4/16/2010

This series is going to be viewed by the common fan as Kobe vs. KD, but there is much more going on under the surface. The Lakers are playing absolutely terrible basketball and they may be without Andrew Bynum. The Thunder and young and energetic and their fans are chomping at the bit for some playoff games in Oklahoma City. L.A. has won three of four versus the Thunder this season but one was a three-point win and another went to overtime. The defending champions look like they could have their hands full and this one looks like it could be Dallas vs. Golden State all over again.

Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs Series Odds and Predictions
by Nolan Sinclair (with Robert Ferringo) - 4/16/2010

The Mavericks are the one team out West that the Spurs did not want to see in the first round. The Mavs have had San Antonio’s number as of late and I would be surprised if this series is any different. Dallas has added some weapons this season to go along with the uber-talented Dirk Nowitzki. Dallas went 3-1 versus San Antonio this season with all of their wins in closely contested fashion. But they proved they could outlast the wily vets of San Antonio.

Phoenix Suns vs. Portland Trail Blazers Series Odds and Predictions
by Nolan Sinclair (with Robert Ferringo) - 4/16/2010

The Turtle versus the Hare is a story that many of us grew up on. We were taught at young ages that slow and steady wins the race. If that is true than Portland has a great shot at winning this series. That is if, and this is a big if, Brandon Roy suits up for the Blazers. Games in Phoenix should feature run-and-gun tempos and the exact opposite when the teams meet in the Rose Garden.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls Series Odds and Predictions
by Nolan Sinclair with Robert Ferringo - 4/15/2010

The Cavaliers wants to make amends for not getting to the finals last year and they know that their window for having King James bring them a title is starting to close. Cleveland made some solid moves that have clearly made them the best team in the league. And the addition of Antwan Jamison was expressly done for this time of year. Time for ‘Twan to earn his money.

NBA Playoff Scenarios
by Matt Severance - 4/14/2010

Give major kudos to Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown – unless you are a Chicago Bulls fan that is. Because the NBA’s final open playoff spot will be decided Wednesday night depending on what Chicago does at Charlotte and Toronto does at home against New York, Brown said that he would be playing his guys to beat the Bulls despite the fact the Bobcats are locked in as the East’s seventh seed. He rested his guys Monday against the Nets.