Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Free Pick: Houston Rockets +10.0 (-110)
Wed May 6th 2009 10:35p – NBA Odds
Visit Touthouse.com for more NBA predictions and NBA betting picks from Mike Rose

Yao Ming may have put up the best statistical game for the Rockets on Monday night (28 points, 10 boards, and a pair of blocks), but the engine that made the team go was that of G Ron Artest. Artest was considered a risky endeavor for Houston at the outset of the season, but not only has he kept his off-the-court antics in check, he is providing sparks on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court to replace the injured G Tracy McGrady. He went 8/15 from the field in Game 1, accounting for 21 points and seven assists in the process. Perhaps his greatest contribution was on the defensive end of the floor. Even though Kobe Bryant scored his points, he only shot 14/31 from the field in doing so. For the Rockets to win this series, it won’t be a matter of trying to stop Kobe, it’ll just be a matter of containing him.

Bryant still scored 32 points in spite of a marginal shooting performance, but the brunt of the Lakers’ demise in Game 1 can be attributed to the fact that he never got his teammates involved in the game. F Pau Gasol scored 14 points and brought in 13 boards, but it was his second lowest scoring game of the playoffs. For a team that averaged scoring 106.9 points per game this season, only managing 40 points in the first half was embarrassing and absolutely must improve if the boys from La La Land are going to be a serious threat for the NBA Title.

Why not Houston, and why not now? There may not be a team in the playoffs left standing that plays defense as well as the Rockets do. This series is starting to look a lot like the NBA Finals where the Pistons shocked the Lakers back in 2004. LA is just 1-4 ATS in its L/5 playoff games. The Rockets appear to have something going right now. Take any points you’re given as a bonus, as this series very well could be 2-0 by the end of the night.

Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Free Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers -11.5 (-110)
Tue May 5 2009 8:05p – NBA Odds
Visit Touthouse.com for more NBA Picks and NBA Betting predictions from Mike Rose

The Hawks defeated the Miami Heat 4-3 in Round 1 of the playoffs by winning Game 7 at home 91-78 on Sunday. Atlanta has a habit of showing up just for their home games in the playoffs and have won just one road playoff contest in the L/10 years (81-71 at Miami Game 4). The Hawks will find themselves in trouble again on Tuesday if they don’t get a solid performance from G Joe Johnson who averaged 17.1 PPG in Round 1 against Miami. Johnson is coming off a Game 7 where he scored a team-high 27 points to help the Hawks advance to the second round. The Hawks are 12-2 ATS in their L/14 contests against teams from the Central Division.

The Cavaliers are at high-speed cruise control right now after decimating the Detroit Pistons 4-0 in their opening round series. Cleveland came out victorious in all four games of that series by an average margin of 15.5 PPG. Cavs F LeBron James showed why he is the MVP in that series averaging near a triple-double scoring 32 PPG, 7.5 APG, and 11.3 RPG. “King James” will be expected to reign supreme again in this series as he is Cleveland’s PTP’er. The Cavs are 8-0 ATS in their L/8 contests overall.

Being such a lofty ‘favorite’ in a playoff game shows you how good oddsmakers think the Cavaliers are this season. In Game 1, expect to see Cleveland cover that tall-spread using the power of James to fuel their offensive engine. Atlanta will play this game obviously hung over from their series with the Heat and will continue the trend of losing playoff road games by an average of 32.5 PPG this year. They might hang early with adrenaline playing a role, but once it wears off, expect Lebron and company to cruise to the comfy home win and cover.

Orlando Magic vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Free Pick: Philadelphia 76ers -5.5 (-110)
Thu April 30th 2009 7:35p – NBA Odds
Visit Touthouse.com for more NBA Basketball Betting Picks and NBA predictions from Mike Rose

The Magic are in deep trouble before the ball is even tossed in the air for Game 6 without Howard and starting G Courtney Lee (fractured sinus). Howard’s right elbow has cost the Magic any chance they will have in this contest. Magic F Rashard Lewis will have to pick up the slack if Orlando is to have any chance in this game. Lewis is averaging 17.2 PPG in this series and must step up even more for the Magic in Game 6. Orlando managed to win Game 5 91-78 to cover their first spread in this series and improve to 1-4 ATS. The Magic are just 2-9 ATS in their L/11 games overall and have not scored over 100 points in their L/12 contests.

The Sixers were lucky Howard threw that elbow, without that Game 6 may be a formality in the other direction. Philadelphia was doing fine in the first three games of this series, but has fizzled in the L/2 contests. Sixers G Andre Iguodala has made his squad a formidable challenge for the Magic in these NBA playoffs. “The other AI” has averaged 21.8 PPG in this series including his series high 29 points in a Game 3 win over the Magic. The Sixers are 4-10-1 ATS in their L/15 games played on a Thursday.

In Game 6 NBA bettors can expect to see the Sixers cover another spread in this series as the Magic simply will not have enough fire power to compete. Orlando will be forced to start either Tony Battie or Marcin Gortat at center and Mickael Pietrus or J.J. Redick at the off-guard position. Philadelphia will hold serve on Thursday night and expect to see Howard and Lee back in Game 7.

New Orleans Hornets vs. Denver Nuggets
Free Playoff Betting Pick: Denver Nuggets -10.5 (-110)
Wed April 29 2009 10:35p – NBA Playoffs Odds
Visit Touthouse.com for more NBA Playoffs Betting Picks from Mike Rose

The Hornets appear to be a squad dead in the water and ready for the off-season. New Orleans has been taken out to the woodshed in three of the four games played so far in this series. Hornets G Chris Paul is their only chance to win tonight and possibly move on to round two. Paul has averaged 17.8 PPG which is five below his regular season average of 22.8 PPG. The Hornets are 1-3 ATS in the series and they weren?t even close to covering the spreads in the three losses. New Orleans lost Games 1 and 2 in Denver by an average score of 111-88.

The Nuggets are in cake walk mode after another spanking of the Hornets in Game 4. The only setback Denver has suffered in this series was a narrow 95-93 loss in Game 3 at New Orleans. Denver G Chauncey Billups has been the difference maker since joining the Nuggets in a blockbuster trade which involved Allen Iverson going to the Detroit Pistons. Billups has averaged 25 PPG, 6.5 APG, and 3.8 RPG in this series and has shown no signs of slowing down at the ripe age of 32.

There really aren?t anymore stats or ATS figures needed to predict that the Nuggets are going to dominate this contest. People say 10.5-points are a lot to cover and they?re right, but not tonight. Expect to see ?Mr. Big Shot? take Denver into the second round in a rout of the hapless Hornets.

Atlanta Hawks vs. Miami Heat
Free Pick: Miami Heat -4.0 (-110)
Sat April 25 2009 6:30p – NBA Playoffs Odds
Visit Touthouse.com for more NBA Picks and NBA Playoffs Betting Info from Mike Rose

Absolutely everything went right for the Hawks in Game 1 of this series. All five starters scored in double figures (as did Zaza Pachulia off the bench), and the defense was simply stifling; particularly in the second half. Six players reached double digits again in Game 2 of the series, but the defense which held Miami to 36.6% shooting in Game 1 was awful and gave up 55.6% from the floor in Game 2. Don’t blame F Josh Smith, though. Smith has excelled in this series, recording double-doubles in both outings. He also leads the team for the series in steals (five) and blocks (three). For a team that held its opponents to 96.5 points per game in the regular season, Atlanta should be getting better defensive efforts from guard’s Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson.

Though he wasn’t the only reason the Heat lost Game 1, G Dwayne Wade was a huge part of the problem. He only shot 8/21 from the floor and turned the ball over eight times. He still led Miami in scoring with 19 points, but that’s not saying much for a team that only mustered 25 total points in the second half. Game 2 was a completely different story for the former Marquette star though. He shot 11/20 from the field and 6/10 from beyond the arc for 33 points. He also dished out seven dimes and hauled in five boards. Keep an eye on both G Daequan Cook and F Michael Beasley, both of which are contributing solid minutes to the Heat off the bench. The duo combined for 32 points and 11 boards in Game 2 and can be counted on for more good minutes in the remainder of this series.

It’s hard not to like Miami’s chances in this series from here. In Game 2, the Heat had the swagger of the team that won the NBA Championship just a few years ago. Miami went 28-13 at American Airlines Arena this season, while Atlanta went just 16-25 away from Phillips Arena. The Hawks are only 6-15 ATS in their L/21 games with Miami, and an even worse 3-12 ATS away from home. Expect the hosts to go ahead in this series on Saturday night.

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Houston Rockets u184.5 (-110)
Fri April 24th 2009 9:35p – NBA Odds
Visit Touthouse.com for more NBA Betting Picks from Fairway Jay

The opening two games went ‘over’ the total in Portland and the series returns to Houston tied 1-1. Tonight will count on more defensive presence and contested shots. Portland totals have gone ‘under’ in five of their last six road games, as they ranked no. 30 in pace and should find fewer open shots against a Houston team that ranked no. 4 in defensive efficiency- an overall rank of the team’s defense. The Rockets are also a more methodical offensive team, and the late season regular season contest between these two teams in Houston showed the type of pace we can expect tonight with playoff pressure making it a lower scoring game.

Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls u201.0 (-110)
Thu April 23rd 2009 8:05p – NBA Basketball Odds
Visit Touthouse.com for more NBA Picks and Basketball Betting Analysis from Mike Rose

Boston really has to feel fortunate that it was able to come out of Game 2 with the victory. If not for Ray Allen’s second half efforts, theyd be venturing into hostile waters in a big hole. It really has been unbelievable how easily the Bulls have been able to carve their defense up throughout the first two games of this series. I know KG is the defensive court general, but come on! They’ve given up a total of 220 points throughout the first two games, and that’s something that shouldn’t have sat well with HC Doc Rivers. Everything in the papers has stated how Boston plans to be more physical with the Bulls in the UC. Boston’s defense really stepped it up on the road this season evidenced by the fact that the ‘under’ went a $$$-making 26-15 ATS in their 41 lined games.

As for Chicago, it has to be feeling really good about itself right about now. They were a clutch shot from Allen away from shocking the defending champs, and now get to play the next two in their own house. Chicago went a solid 28-13 SU & 22-19 ATS at home throughout the regular season, so the chance of them securing the win in Game 3 looks really good. The guard tandem of Ben Gordon and Derrick Rose has been sensational thus far, with Rose tallying 36 points in Game 1 and Gordon exploding for 42 in Game 2. The Bulls will need another solid outing from at least one of those two to keep the pressure on what’s been a very porous Boston defense.

Boston knows it’s not going to win this series if it continues to falter on the defensive end of the court. While the over is 4-0 ATS in each of the L/4 meetings between these teams, the under is 5-1 ATS the L/6 times they’ve squared off in the United Center. These clubs have both stated they’ll look to be more physical now; ok then, show me!

Orlando Magic vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Free Pick: Philadelphia 76ers +10.5
Wed April 22nd 2009 7:05p – NBA Basketball Odds
Visit Touthouse.com for more NBA Picks and Basketball Betting Info from Mike Rose

The Sixers enter Wednesdays Game 2 once again an undeservedly heavy underdog to the Magic. After Sundays 100-98 victory, the oddsmakers still gave the Sixers no love for their efforts. F Andre Iguodala led the Sixers to a win in Game 1 with his 20 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. His 20 foot jump shot with two seconds remaining propelled Philadelphia to the narrow victory. The good news for Sixers bettors is that ?underdogs are 24-11 ATS in the L/35 meetings of this series.

The Magic were stunned after blowing an 18-point third quarter lead in Game 1. If Orlando is to cover this gargantuan spread in this spot, itll need a better performance from its top three players. F Hedo Turkoglu was completely irrelevant in Game 1 scoring just six points, and he lofted a massive brick while taking Orlandos last shot of the contest. Also of note is the eye injury to Magic C Dwight Howard who is listed as probable for Game 2. No doubt he?ll play, but it could hamper his production. Orlando has reached 100 points just once in its L/10 overall after averaging 101.3 PPG during the regular season.

The Sixers will cover this spread once again and could possibly walk away with another narrow victory come Wednesday night. The Magic are a team in complete disarray after Sundays loss and with Turkoglu not at full strength theyre in deep trouble. Orlando has every reason to come out angry and cover this spread, but Phillys game and will fight the Magic tooth and nail. Grab the heaping load of points with confidence!

Detroit Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavaliers u175.0 (-110)
Sat April 18th 2009 3:05p – Click here for NBA odds
Visit Touthouse.com for more NBA Basketball Betting Picks from LT Profits

The Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers have a history of playing low scoring games against each other, and that should be even further amplified here in the playoffs.

First looking strictly at this season, these teams hooked up four times during the regular season, when teams play looser and thus games are generally higher scoring than playoff games. Despite this, the Under was a perfect 4-0 in those games, and an average combined total score of 171.1 points, which is already nearly four full points less than this posted total.

Secondly, remember that these teams met in a seven-game playoff series two years ago where the home team won every game. Besides the home dominance, the other thing that stood out in those games was defense, and beginning with that series, the last 14 meetings between these teams have averaged 171.2 points with the Under going 11-3.

The personalities of these teams have not changed in the last two years, as evidenced by the four meetings this season, so look for yet another slugfest today with the teams struggling to score more than 170 points again.

NBA Free Pick: Pistons, Cavaliers Under 175 (-110)

Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks (-3, 191) – April 15th 2009
Basketball betting preview courtesy of Ted Sevransky, If you are betting on NBA basketball be sure to visit Touthouse.com and buy Teddy Cover’s expert NBA basketball picks

Who Plays Who Next?
The final night of the NBA regular season brings a conclusion to the playoff races. The Rockets can finish anywhere from the #2 seed in the Western Conference to the #5 seed. Dallas can finish ranked sixth, seventh or eighth in the West. The Western Conference playoff matchups will not be finalized until we know the results from this game.

Dallas is looking to avoid the dreaded #8 seed and avoid a first round matchup with the #1 seed Lakers. Houston is looking to host the first two games, and potentially an all-important Game 7, as long as they finish with the fourth seed or higher.

This game will also determine the Southwest Division title, as Houston and San Antonio enter the final game of the regular season tied for first place in the divisional race. Both the Rockets and Spurs have the same overall record (53-28), the same divisional record (9-6) and the same conference record (35-16) heading into the last game.

No Sitting Starters Here:
On the final day of the regular season, many teams rest starters. Playoff squads want to get their key players a bit of extra rest. Lottery bound squads want to give their younger players some extra court time to encourage their development. This is one of the few games on the schedule that won’t have either team resting key players during crunch time – not with playoff seeding issues for both squads on the line.

Healthy Howard?
Josh Howard has been in and out of the lineup for the Mavs, suffering from a variety of ailments. His latest injury, a sprained right ankle, kept him out of the lineup when the Mavs snuck past Minnesota 96-94 on Monday. The Mavs are 10-17 ATS without Howard (17.7 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game) in the lineup this year; 29-25 ATS with him in the lineup.

While Josh Howard has a bigger public reputation from his off court antics than he does from his on court play, the numbers clearly show that Dallas is affected against the spread when Howard is not healthy enough to suit up. Howard’s status been upgraded to probable for Wednesday Night’s game.

Road Rules:
There hasn’t been much of a home court edge in this series, and that’s putting it mildly. The road team has won six of the last eight meetings between these two teams in straight up fashion, as well as ATS. The underdog has cashed five times in the last six meetings.

In three previous meetings this year, Houston has won and covered twice. But the Rockets and Mavericks have only played once since Thanksgiving, a 93-86 Houston win and cover just after the All Star break. Long term, it’s been Dallas controlling the series; 10-4 ATS in the last 14 meetings.

Trending Under:
Each of the last two meetings between these two squads has been a low scoring contest, combining to stay Under the total by an average of 13 points per game. The Rockets are 8-3 to the Under in their last eleven road games and 43-21-1 to the Under in their last 65 games against Southwest Division opponents.