17 Dec 2009

NBA Bets

Back the road dog and the home favorite

The Betting Advantage looks at a pair of NBA games to get some betting value.

I have a couple of picks for tonight's NBA action. The games are similar with respect to the fact that they each involve home favorites. I'm going with the road team in one and the home team in the other.


New York Knicks @ Chicago Bulls

I'm seeing good value with the Knicks here. I know it's the Knicks, but believe it or not the Knicks are 5-2 so far in the month of December. Even Tuesday night's 94-87 loss in Charlotte was closer than the score would indicate. New York carried an eight point lead into the fourth quarter as they outplayed the Bobcats. The Knicks suddenly couldn't hit anything and blew the lead.

Lately I'm seeing a different Knicks team than what we are used to seeing. They are showing some hustle and outworking opponents.

The Bulls have lost six of their past seven. Included in that streak is a home loss to the dreadful New Jersey Nets.

I think this is a good opportunity to get some value with the New York Knicks. You can back the Knicks for 2.28 (+128).


Phoenix Suns @ Portland Trailblazers

I'm going with the home side in this one. Portland play very well at home (9-4). The Phoenix Suns have cooled off since their hot start. They are just 3-5 so far this month, with all five losses coming on the road. If they lose tonight it will mark the Suns' longest road losing streak in over five years.

Presently, the Trailblazers can be backed for 1.87 (-115) to win the game. I think Portland have at least a 60% chance of pulling out a win here, making this a good value play.