NBA Handicapping: Golden State Warriors on the upswing defensively

Sports Betting Podcast 12-7-2012 NFL Every Game on the Board

Tags: NFL Erin Rynning Alf Musketa

College Basketball Handicapping: UCLA unable to commit to man-to-man defense

UCLA has been forced to play a lot more zone defense in order to mask?the teams' deficiencies. Head coach Ben Howland has always been a supporter of man-to-man defense but for a second straight year he?s reluctant to commit to it on a full time basis. In UCLA's three losses it allowed 1.09 points per possession or more and well above 50% effective FG%. The Bruins face Texas in Houston on Saturday. "I think we can (be a good man defense), but I think we've got a lot of work to do," Howland said after the 83-60 victory. "I think we've got to be able to mix it up and keep people off balance by changing defenses with this group. But we've got to continue to evolve defensively in our man. ... We've got to be able to switch up and play man on teams that shoot the ball well." "We've got a little ways to go," senior forward David Wear said. "We need to stop the lapses on defense. ... Especially in games coming up like Texas or Missouri. And once we start getting into conference play too, we know we're not going to be able to rely on zone at all. I think it's really important that we definitely work on our man, work out the kinks, so that can be our first option." Tags: College Basketball UCLA Bruins

NBA Handicapping: Golden State Warriors on the upswing defensively

Golden State at Brooklyn -6 O/U 194 Article on the improvements the Golden State Warriors have made defensively since last season. The Warriors currently rank 13th in defensive efficiency after ranking 26th in 2011. "What I will say is that probably had some truth to it in the past," Jackson said. "We've certainly addressed that via the draft, via trades, via free agents. And also through experience. We're a different basketball team today." "We have the ability to play both brands of basketball," Jackson said. "So we're a good mix of East and West. ... We want to be physical. When we're hurt is when teams are more physical than us ... But when teams have the ability to be both versatile and physical, it's a tough matchup." ?Tags: NBA Golden State Warriors Brooklyn Nets

PokerStars looking to buy Atlantic City casino

Reports are out the PokerStars is looking to purchase an Atlantic City casino. Back in July, PokerStars settled with the DOJ for $731 million. PokerStars? reputation among the online poker playing community was enhanced because the company quickly repaid all its players after the feds shut its U.S.-facing web site down, paid back all of Full Tilt?s foreign players, and made enough money available to the Department of Justice to repay Full Tilt?s U.S. players, who have been left in the lurch. ?Tags: Poker

College Basketball Gambling: Plenty of points expected in Iowa-Iowa State matchup

Iowa State at Iowa -2 O/U 151.5 The annual Cy-Hawk rivalry goes tonight with Iowa State traveling to Iowa City. The Cyclones have won three straight in the series. The betting markets are expecting another up-tempo affair with the total now 151.5 after opening 147.5. ISU won last year's meeting in Ames, 86-76 (71 possessions). "Every day," Lucious said, "Football, basketball ? no matter what the sport is ? everyone talks about Iowa State wanting to beat Iowa or Iowa wanting to beat Iowa State, so it?s going to be intense." ?We?ve got to cut that down, especially if we want to compete on Friday,? Hoiberg said of his team giving the ball away. ?If we want to have a chance, we can?t turn the ball over 20 times. We?ll get blown out if we do that. We have to be selective with it, but certainly we?ll try to get out and get some shots in transition.? ?Tags: College Basketball Iowa State Cyclones Iowa Hawkeyes

College Basketball Handicapping: Defending the three-point shot

Good read from Ken Pomeroy on how teams' three-point percentage defense is essentially a random stat. Pomeroy feels that not allowing opponents to shoot three-pointers is a far better indication of defensive prowess on the perimeter.? Tags: College Basketball

Thursday Night Football Betting Odds: Will double-digit home dog trend continue?

Denver -10 at Oakland O/U 48.5 If there is one positive for the Oakland Raiders tonight it's that they're a double-digit home underdog. Historically, it's been a very profitable profile with 56% winners (35-28 ATS) dating back to 2000. Of late, it has been even stronger with nine straight cashes and a 19-8 ATS mark since 2009. That trend however hasn't deterred a majority of bettors from supporting the Denver Broncos for tonight?s Thursday night contest. According to Bookmaker, 71% of side bets have been placed on the chalk.? Tags: NFL Oakland Raiders Denver Broncos

NFL Betting Alert: Roethlisberger to start vs. San Diego

San Diego at Pittsburgh -7.5 O/U 42 The Steelers announced that Ben Roethlisberger will start Sunday's game against the Chargers. About 20 minutes ago CRIS posted Pittsburgh -7 and within 30 seconds it moved to -7.5. "Really, the only question we can't answer is taking a hit," Tomlin said after practice. "Obviously that will be answered in the stadium on Sunday. "I am extremely comfortable with his ability to work the field both vertically and horizontally. He has great velocity on his ball. We're ready to go." Tags: NFL Pittsburgh Steelers San Diego Chargers

College Basketball Gambling Free Pick: Santa Barbara Gauchos at San Diego State Aztecs

Submitted by ICCCal-Santa Barbara at San Diego State -15? Recommendation: San Diego State I have enjoyed a few winners betting against UC Santa Barbara this season and I was also able to cash a ticket betting on San Diego State in their win in Anaheim against UCLA on Saturday. I think tonight?s road game at San Diego offers another great opportunity to fade the Gauchos. Don?t be fooled by UCSB?s last and only road win of the season against Santa Clara, 83-80 in OT. The Broncos were terrible in that game. Santa Clara shot only 36% from the floor and were plagued by turnovers and foul trouble. UCSB had a rare hot shooting night pouring in the basketball at a 45.3% clip from the floor but that?s been the exception, not the rule for the Gauchos this season. In their other games, they failed to score more than 72 points against Division I competition. UCSB has been annihilated in every other road game besides the Santa Clara game losing by margins of 14, 28 and 16 points (0-3 ATS). Note that none of those teams are as good as the one they?ll face tonight. The Gauchos are a very young and inexperienced team that lacks depth, scoring and defensive aptitude. That?s quite the bad combination of issues when you have to go on the road and take on a strong San Diego State team that I sense will be focused. San Diego State slipped by a much better UCSB squad last year with a 76-75 OT win on the road. The Aztecs were also very lackadaisical in their last win at home against Texas Southern, winning 74-62 but only pulling away in the latter part of the second half. Those two games should have the Aztecs focused on the task at hand as I expect they will not take the Gauchos lightly this time around. San Diego State has great inside, outside balance with Jamaal Franklin and a now healthy Chase Tapley in the backcourt. DeShawn Stephens also returned from injury for the Aztecs against UCLA and has the presence inside to neutralize UCSB?s one and maybe only consistent scoring threat, Alan Williams. San Diego State has a major depth edge over the limited UCSB rotation as the Aztecs can put in very capable bench reserves such as guard James Rahon and forwards Dwayne Polee II, Skylar Spencer and Winston Shepard. The Aztecs play stifling defense holding foes to just 56.7 points per game on 36.4% shooting. I expect points to be few and far between for UCSB tonight on the road against a terrific defensive squad. The last time these teams faced off on this court, San Diego State blasted UCSB 90-64 in 2010. It was the same story in 2008 with the Aztecs cruising to a 68-51 home win over the Gauchos. I don?t lay -15 or more unless I see a complete and utter mismatch in the making. I think we have that here. Lay the points with the far superior San Diego State Aztecs as they should hand UCSB another blowout road loss. Tags: College Basketball UC Santa Barbara Gauchos San Diego State Aztecs Ian Cameron

NFL Handicapping: Carolina fired up for another shot at Atlanta

Atlanta -3.5 at Carolina O/U 48 Carolina doesn't have a lot to play for the rest of the season but it's had Sunday's game against Atlanta circled after the Falcons won on a last second field goal back in Week 4. "I think we marked this day down since (then)," Johnson said. "He had all due respect to say that. Hey, you got to come in our house now." "I'm trying to mess up their whole playoff experience. I want them to go home sick in the stomach, mad about life, a couple depression issues, all types of things," Hardy said. "It's going to be a long day from my point of view. I'm coming." ? Tags: NFL Carolina Panthers Atlanta Falcons

College Basketball Handicapping: Providence down to six players vs. Rhode Island

Rhode Island at Providence -7 Providence is expected to be without the services of leading scorer Bryce Cotton for tonight's game against rival Rhode Island. Assuming Cotton doesn't play, the Friars will have one bench player. ?Obviously, I?m not concerned with the guys that are not playing,? Providence coach Ed Cooley told SNY.tv. ?I think those guys have a chance to be good. I?m more focused in on the guys that are playing.? ?The MRI was good, now he?s just really, really sore,? Cooley said. ?He?ll be doubtful, he probably won?t play.? ?Think about it, I got one sub right now,? Cooley said. ?Tags: College Football Providence Friars Rhode Island Rams

Sports Betting Podcast 12-6-2012 with Handicapper Rob Veno

Thursday's Sportsmemo Podcast featured handicapper Rob Veno.?Rob broke down the first half of the college football bowl card from a betting perspective. Today's segments? Rob Veno - College Football Bowl Games To listen to past shows, be sure to visit our Sportsmemo Podcast Homepage. ITunes users can subscribe to the show by searching "Sportsmemo" in the podcast directory. Tags: College Football Rob Veno

NFL Gambling Notes: Arizona goes with Skelton vs. Seattle

Arizona at Seattle -10 O/U 35.5 No team in the NFL ? including the New York Jets ? has it as bad as Arizona when it comes to quarterback play. Kevin Kolb was serviceable (86.1 QB rating) before getting hurt in Week 6. Since then, it's been Ryan Lindley and John Skelton. After starting the season 4-0, the Cardinals have lost eight straight and averaged 11.8 ppg during that span. Note that they've scored six points in their last six quarters. Skelton was named the starter for Sunday's game at Seattle.? Tags: NFL Arizona Cardinals Seattle Seahawks

NBA Handicapping: New York Knicks travel to Miami to take on the Heat

New York at Miami -7.5 O/U 201 Big showdown on TNT tonight as the Knicks travel to South Beach to take on the Heat. Carmelo Anthony is listed as questionable with a finger injury to his non-shooting hand. The Knicks defeated Miami 104-84 at home in the season opener as 6-point underdogs. The Heat beat the Knicks 4-1 in last year's Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Ten of the last 13 games in the series have gone UNDER the total (one push). How good it will feel Thursday remains to be seen. Anthony received five stitches for the laceration, though the injury is on his non-shooting hand. "Right now it's numb, so I don't know," Anthony, averaging 28.4 points in his last 13 regular-season matchups with Miami, said of his chances to play against the Heat. ?Tags: NBA New York Knicks Miami Heat

College Basketball Betting Free Play: Vanderbilt Commodores at Xavier Musketeers

Submitted by Andrew LangeVanderbilt at Xavier -11 O/U 129? Recommendation: Under Vanderbilt is in an obvious rebuilding year and as a result we've seen a dramatic change in style. The Commodores have really struggled to score and have no choice but to try and slow down the pace of their games. Their last four contests have featured 62, 60, 62, and 62 possessions. Bottom line is Vanderbilt is not going to win any games by outscoring the competition. Xavier too went through a lot of offseason transformation and as a result isn't comfortable playing at the pace of previous editions. The Musketeers played a few moderate scoring affairs on neutral courts but I looked to home games against Butler and Robert Morris as a better indication of how this team will play tonight. Against the Bulldogs, Xavier grinded out a 62-47 win with only 57 possessions. Against Robert Morris, a similar result with a 61-59 win and only 59 possessions. Last time out against Purdue, it was another ugly affair with only 120 points. Even with all the offensive weapons both teams had last year, there were only 132 points at the end of regulation (Xavier won in OT, 82-70). Play this one UNDER the total. ? Tags: College Basketball Vanderbilt Commodores Xavier Musketeers Andrew Lange

College Football Handicapping: Coaching changes for bowl-bound squads

Some updates and links to all of the college football coaching changes to bowl-bound teams. Arkansas State - Gus Malzahn will not coach in the GoDaddy.com Bowl after accepting the head gig at Auburn. ASU named defensive coordinator John Thompson interim head coach. The Red Wolves will have plenty of time to get over their loss with game day not until January 6. Cincinnati - Butch Jones will make an announcement later today about his future. Plenty of rumors circulating that he is headed to Colorado. Kent State - Darrell Hazell accepted the head job at Purdue but will stick around for Kent's bowl game against Arkansas State. Purdue - Wide receiver coach Patrick Higgins will coach the Boilermakers in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. Northern Illinois - Offensive coordinator Rod Carey was promoted to head coach. Dave Dorean, who left for NC State, will not be involved. NC State - Dorean won't coach the team in the Music City Bowl. Offensive coordinator Dana Bible has been placed in charge. Wisconsin - Rumors are out there that Wisconsin AD Barry Alvarez may coach the Badgers in the Rose Bowl. An announcement will be made later today. Tags: College Football

NFL Handicapping: Injury concerns for New England Patriots and Houston Texans

Houston at New England -3 O/U 51.5 Two good breakdowns on all of the offensive injuries for New England and defensive injuries for Houston heading into Monday night's showdown in Foxboro. Most of the money this week has come in on the underdog. The Patriots opened -4.5 but you can currently find as cheap as -3 (-120) offshore. Tags: NFL New England Patriots Houston Texans

NBA Handicapper Free Pick: Toronto Raptors at Sacramento Kings

Submitted by Alf MusketaToronto at Sacramento -2.5 O/U 197? Recommendation: Sacramento -2.5 Sacramento hosts the Raptors tonight in what looks to be a very competitive game. Toronto has guard Kyle Lowry back in the line-up and coupled with a healthy Andrea Bargnani at power forward can hang with any of the bottom half of the NBA ranked teams. But, in this particular instance, I see a few reasons to support the home side. The Kings are 4-12, but all four wins have come at home. They are on a three-game losing streak but in the last two games they were without perhaps their best player Tyreke Evans who was sidelined with a knee injury. King's head coach Keith Smart says he expects Evans to play on Wednesday. Evans practiced on Monday and on Tuesday was performing sprints and shooting drills. The urgency of Tuesday's practice for Sacramento was defense due to surrendering a season high 55% shooting to the L.A. Clippers. The Kings only managed 81 points in that game. With Evans back in the line-up and against Toronto's 27th ranked defense (101.9 ppg, 102.8 on the road) we see Sacramento scoring close to the century mark tonight. The Raptors also have just four wins. They are 1-10 on the road this season and have lost seven straight away from home. The line on this game of -2.5 is dead; it has not moved and that seems to be the case with many point spreads involving Sacramento. They are not a very sexy team and play in a small market. Also, bettors are not standing in line to bet them, which equals more value for us. I envision a solid effort here by the Kings to get back on track with a win and cover at home. Tags: NBA Toronto Raptors Sacramento Kings Alf Musketa

College Basketball Betting Free Play: Boise State Broncos at Utah Utes

Submitted by ICCBoise State -6 at Utah? Recommendation: Boise State Boise State has been an ATS machine in recent games. The Broncos are 6-1 SU, 4-2 ATS and all those old problems of not being able to win games and cover pointspreads on the highway may just be a thing of the past. Boise State took Michigan State down to the wire in East Lansing in a 74-70 loss, easily covering as 15-point road underdogs. In an early season shocker, Boise State took down Creighton in Omaha by 13 points as 13-point road dogs. And in their last game, there was no letdown for the Broncos who demolished Seattle on the road 87-64 as?9-point road chalk. Boise State is led by the backcourt duo of Anthony Drmic and Derrick Marks who have combined for 34.6 ppg this season on a Broncos team that can flat out score at will. Boise State has scored no less than 70 points in all but one of those games including topping the 80-point mark four times including in that whopping upset at Creighton. Utah's defensive numbers look good at 34% FG defense but look at the schedule which has been littered with nothing but patsies and weak offensive squads: Willamette, Sacramento State, Idaho State, Central Michigan, Wright State, SMU and Texas State. That is a laundry list of teams that struggle to score and this will be a major step up in class for the Utes to hold down this potent Boise State scoring machine. Tags: College Basketball Boise State Broncos Utah Utes Ian Cameron

Sports Betting Podcast 12-5-2012 with Handicappers Brent Crow and Erin Rynning

Tags: College Basketball NBA Brent Crow Erin Rynning

NBA Gambling: Houston's announcers talk poop about the Lakers

If you bet the Lakers last night, you probably won't appreciate the video below. If you bet the Rockets, sit back and enjoy the pooptastic outcome. Tags: NBA Houston Rockets Los Angeles Lakers

William Hill sportsbook offers $20 College Football Bowl contest

For those of you living in Las Vegas be sure to check out William Hill's College Football Bowl Challenge. The contest costs $20 as players select 20 games against the spread. No limit on the amount of entries per person. Winner takes home $10,000. ?This bowl contest, it?s something we?ve thought about for a while,? William Hill Director of Public Relations Jimmy Vaccaro said. ?It should be a fun contest, and it will be exciting if someone hits the $50,000 bonus to cap off what?s already been an outstanding college football season. ?This contest is not just one-of-a-kind, but it will be fun, because bowl season is just so unpredictable. Plus, a $20 bill gets you action for more than three weeks, which is hard to top.? ?Tags: College Football

College Basketball Gambling Free Play: San Jose State Spartans at UC Davis Aggies

Submitted by Rob VenoSan Jose State at UC Davis -3.5? Recommendation: UC Davis We alerted the listening audience to the improvement of UC Davis during last Wednesday?s Sportsmemo podcast. Later that night, they went into the Lawlor Events Center as +11.5 point underdogs and easily covered in their 84-83 near upset of Nevada. Three days later they opened as 9.5-point underdogs at Idaho and were pounded by the betting market down to +6.5 and finally closed at +8.5. The result was a ticket cashing for almost all of their backers as the Aggies came within seven, 73-66. The 1-4 SU record and 4-1 ATS mark are a clear indication that UC Davis has been undervalued in the early going.? The team?s -1.6 point differential after five games also signals value. The reasons for the swift change from last season?s debacle to the eye opening start of this campaign are multiple. For starters, the team has a much better grasp of second year head coach Jim Les? system. Secondly, the team went through a depletion of the roster last year where all of their core senior leadership departed and left them with little to no game experience. They are now playing far more like a veteran squad. The presence of Arizona transfer Corey Hawkins (son of ex- Bradley and NBA shooting great Hersey Hawkins). After sitting out last season, the 6-3 sophomore has given the squad a go-to player and he currently leads UCD with 21.7 points per game. Their smallish four guard lineup has found stability with seniors Ryan Sypkens (17.4 ppg), Ryan Howley (11.2 rpg) and PG Paolo Mancasola (24 assists, 10 turnovers last 4 games). Tonight they face a near carbon copy of themselves philosophy wise as San Jose State (75.1 possessions per game) loves to push the pace as much as Davis (74.4). However, prefer the sharing multi-pronged home squad which has six players who have between 25-72 shot attempts while SJSU top gun James Kinney has more than twice as many as the next player (117-55). UC Davis is hitting 55% of their two-point field goals (16th in the nation) and 48.6% overall which are extremely strong numbers. In total, they rank in the top 20 nationally in five offensive shooting efficiency categories. Each team has played about the same strength of schedule and they covered against their toughest opponent but I?m going to side with the rapidly improving UC-Davis side which should make the home floor work tonight.????? Tags: College Basketball San Jose State Spartans UC Davis Aggies Rob Veno

College Basketball Gambling: Florida State tries to bounce back against rival Florida

Florida -5.5 at Florida State Florida State limps into tonight rivalry tilt against Florida off a home loss to Mercer. The Seminoles have wins over BYU and St. Joe's but also lost at home to South Alabama to start the year. FSU is a young team and as head coach Leonard Hamilton pointed out, still trying to find consistency. Florida comes in a perfect 6-0. This will mark the Gators' first true road game of the season. ?That energy, that intensity, that junkyard dog mentality that?s been characteristic of our teams over the last several years seems to be missing from this team,? FSU coach Leonard Hamilton said following his team?s 61-56 loss to Mercer on Sunday. ?It?s easy to hide behind the fact that we have so many inexperienced young players and so many new players. But even when we?re not necessarily executing defensively or offensively, that mentality that we need, that gives you that energy burst that?s necessary to play at this level, has been inconsistent with this team.? ?Tags: College Basketball Florida State Seminoles Florida Gators

College Basketball Betting Free Play: Colorado State Rams at Colorado Buffaloes

Submitted by Andrew LangeColorado State at Colorado -5? Recommendation: Colorado I don?t see a lot of difference between these two teams but I do feel that the situation favors the home side. Last time out, Colorado had a two-point halftime lead at Wyoming before falling apart in the second half. The Cowboys are a solid team (see: last night?s win at Illinois State) but everything went their way including some favorable calls and a few bailout threes. Head coach Tad Boyle on his team?s effort against Wyoming: "And we've got five Colorado Buffaloes bending over, standing at the waist trying to get it. He just out scrapped us," Boyle lamented. "That was the epitome of why the Wyoming Cowboys won, and why the Colorado Buffaloes lost." I?ve watched enough of Colorado to know that Boulder is a special venue and I expect their best effort of the season. CSU has done no wrong this season including a road win at Washington. Like Wyoming, this is a tough team that isn't going to be completely overwhelmed by the venue. The key to this game could come down to rebounding. Colorado State has been amazing on the glass and Colorado will need to avoid giving up second chances. In the end, we have the home side off a road loss returning home for a revenge spot (CSU won by 1 in Fort Collins; Colorado shot 13-of-29 from the free throw line). I?ll end up splitting the game with a half unit on the first half and a half unit on the game. ? ? Tags: College Basketball Colorado Buffaloes Colorado State Rams Andrew Lange

Source: http://www.sportsmemo.com/blogs/view/?name=NBA-Handicapping:-Golden-State-Warriors-on-the-upswing-defensively&blog_id=11610

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