NBA Playoff Betting Preview
Los Angeles Lakers at Utah Jazz (Lakers lead 3-2)
Friday, 10:35 pm Eastern – ESPN

SBG Global Opening Line: Jazz  - 4 , Total  211.5

The Utah Jazz will look to use the NBA’s best home court edge to even their best of seven series against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. The Lakers won 111-104 on Wednesday and could clinch if they can win at Utah.  The Jazz had a good chance to win Game Five at Los Angeles but let their chance slip away and now must win on Friday to force a Game Seven. “If we lose, we go home,” Utah forward Matt Harpring said. “We certainly don’t want to lose on our home court the last game of the year. No way.”
SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Lakers on the Road.

The Lakers are hurting a little bit entering Friday’s game.  Kobe Bryant is nursing a sore back while other starters are banged up.  Bryant and three other starters sat out Thursday’s practice.  The Lakers would like to win on Friday and give Kobe some extra rest. “The message is being under control. It’s about execution at this point. It’s about winning the game,” Lakers’ head coach Phil Jackson said. “There’s a lot of intensity. We probably have to play 10 points better than we did last night (Wednesday) to win it.”

Kobe led the Lakers on Wednesday with 26 points, seven assists and six rebounds. “Incredible, as always,” Lamar Odom said. “Kobe made plays for us when he needed to.”  The Jazz had a number of excellent chances to win Wednesday’s game but couldn’t control rebounds and that cost them the game. “You watch the tape of the game, you wish you could jump in the screen and play it all over again,” said Utah’s Carlos Boozer, “I thought we had the opportunity to take the lead a few times, and looking back on it, it’s definitely frustrating. You put the pressure on the home team if you get the lead.”

SBG Global Current Line: Jazz  - 2, Total  213

About the only positive for the Jazz was that the game gave them confidence that they could win a Game 7 in Los Angeles.  To force that game the Jazz must win on Friday night.  “We’ve got two left with them,” Boozer said. “We’ve got to win tomorrow night to have the second one.” The Jazz are 1-1 when hosting a Game 6 and trailing 3-2 in the series over the past decade.  The loss was in the 1998 NBA Finals when Michael Jordan hit one of his most memorable shots in his career to eliminate the Jazz. “I think it’s exciting myself. I always have loved to be in those situations. If you like to play, what better position could you be in?” Utah head coach Jerry Sloan said. “They have to come and beat us, and we hope we don’t beat ourselves.”

The Jazz are getting excellent play in the series from point guard Deron Williams.  He is averaging almost 23 points and 11 assists in this series. He had 27 points and 10 assists on Wednesday and was the best player for the Jazz.

Here are the NBA betting stats for Friday’s game.  The Lakers are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 games as a road underdog. The Lakers are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 1 day of rest. The Lakers are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 games overall. The Lakers are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 Conference Semifinals games. The Lakers are 21-8-2 ATS in their last 31 games as an underdog. The Lakers are 35-17-2 ATS in their last 54 road games. The Lakers are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 Friday games. The Lakers are 3-7-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings in Utah.

The Jazz are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 Friday games. The Jazz are 7-2-2 ATS in their last 11 playoff games as a favorite. The Jazz are 38-13-2 ATS in their last 53 games as a home favorite. The Jazz are 39-15-2 ATS in their last 56 home games. The Jazz are 12-5-1 ATS in their last 18 games playing on 1 day of rest. The home team is 10-3-1 ATS in the last 14 meetings between the two teams.

The Under is 4-0 in the Lakers last 4 games as a road underdog. The Over is 10-4 in the Lakers last 14 Friday games.

The Under is 4-1 in Utah’s last 5 games playing on 1 day of rest. The Over is 23-8 in Utah’s last 31 vs. the Pacific. The Over is 13-6 in the last 19 meetings between the two teams.

Pick: There is no other way to go then to take the home team! Jazz 4 units. Home teams are 20-1 this year, with the lone loss coming from Magic.

NBA Playoff Betting Preview
Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers (Series tied 2-2)
Wednesday, 10:35 pm Eastern – TNT

SBG Global Opening Line: Lakers  - 8.5, Total  214

The Los Angeles Lakers have hit a roadblock in their quest to reach the NBA finals as the Utah Jazz decided it won’t be a cakewalk for the Lakers.  Utah won both of their home games to even the best of seven series at two games each.  They now head to Los Angeles to face a Lakers team that may not have league MVP Kobe Bryant at full strength.  He injured his back in Game Four and was still sore. “Quite a bit (of pain), but it’s a lot better than it was yesterday,” Bryant said, “It’ll be fine.”  Kobe had 33 points in the Game Five overtime loss. SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Jazz on the Road.

The Lakers head home where they have owned the Jazz in the past. “We know we have homecourt advantage. We earned it,” Los Angeles head coach Phil Jackson said. “We feel very confident in our building.” Los Angeles is 16-3 at home against the Jazz since Staples Center opened in 1999. “To win the series, we have to win on the road,” Utah’s Matt Harpring said, “So we haven’t gotten anywhere yet. The series is basically 0-0 and now it’s the best two-out-of-three.”  Teams in the 2008 NBA playoffs just haven’t been able to win on the road.  Entering Tuesday night the home teams were 15-1 in the playoffs.  The Jazz know they must win a game on the road and they want it to be on Wednesday.  They know they can’t start out slow and expect to recover. “This is a big game. It’s a momentum game and it puts a lot of pressure on whoever doesn’t win,” Utah’s Deron Williams said. “You can always expect a couple guys to be the same at home and away. I think I have to be one of those guys. You’ve got to be maybe even more aggressive on the road and try to pick up some of the slack. That’s what I’m trying to do.”

SBG Global Current Line: Lakers  - 8.5, Total  213.5

Here are the NBA betting stats for Wednesday’s game. The Jazz are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 playoff games as an underdog. The Jazz are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall. The Jazz are 0-6 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Los Angeles

The Lakers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games as a home favorite. The Lakers are 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The Lakers are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 Conference Semifinals games. The home team is 6-1-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings between the two teams.

The Over is 4-0 in Utah’s last 4 Wednesday games. The Under is 4-1 in Utah’s last 5 games as a road underdog. The Over is 22-8 in Utah’s last 30 vs. the Pacific.

The Under is 5-2 in the Lakers last 7 overall. The Under is 7-3 in the Lakers last 10 Wednesday games. The Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Los Angeles between the two teams.

Pick: Jazz +8.5 4units - Kobe is banged up without him 100% the Jazz will keep it close!

NBA Playoff Betting Preview
Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
Wednesday, 10:35 pm Eastern – TNT

SBG Global Opening Line: Lakers  - 7, Total  209

The Los Angeles Lakers will look to continue their perfect record in the 2008 NBA playoffs as they host the Utah Jazz in game two of their best of seven series on Wednesday. The Lakers dispatched of the Denver Nuggets in round one in a four game sweep and took the first game against the Jazz in this series.  The key for the Lakers was their 16-point advantage at the free throw line in the 109-98 game one victory. SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Lakers at Home.

The Lakers actually blew most of a 19 point lead before hitting their last eight free throws to win by 11 points.  The Lakers went 38-46 from the line while the Jazz went 20-32.  The Jazz were physical in game one and the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, who won the league MVP award on Tuesday, said he expects that to continue. “I’m sure it will; it’s playoff basketball,” he said. “Utah plays physical anyway. Those guys, they play hard. They’re not talking, they just play hard. We’ve just got to do a better job getting to their bodies.”  The referees called a lot of fouls in game one and that definitely helped Los Angeles.  “They play a very physical game, let the referees make a decision on what’s a foul and what isn’t,” Los Angeles head coach Phil Jackson said. “They scrum, they get in the lane, they’re after the ball, they’re pushing and shoving. It’s not our style. We are going to play the kind of game we have to play. Just be more resilient, that’s all.” Kobe hit 21 of 23 free throws in the series opener.

SBG Global Current Line: Lakers  - 6.5, Total  209.5

Utah will try and do a better job of getting the ball inside. “I think we can do a good job of getting the ball inside a little bit more,” Utah’s Carlos Boozer said, “I think we settled for jump shots at times. We’re stronger than them. They’re longer than we are, but we have some guys that like to get in there and bang around a little big and move some bodies and try to get the ball, which is going to be the key for us in this series. We need to continue to go inside and make them work inside.”

The Jazz may have been a bit weary in game one on Sunday but now will have had the same rest as the Lakers for game two on Wednesday. The Lakers are the only unbeaten team in the playoffs. “Every game is Game 7. That’s been our approach,” Kobe Bryant said. “I think with each win, we get more confident. Utah is a much bigger challenge for us than the first round. I think Game 3 in Denver, we played well. Other than that, we’ve been playing in spurts. We haven’t put together a complete game. I think that’s good news.”

The Jazz don’t intend to panic after one loss. “It’s a seven-game series,” Utah’s Deron Williams said. “We’ve lost one game. We’ve just got to stay poised and try to get this next one. We want to try to get back to where we were. We don’t want to go back to Salt Lake down 0-2. We’ve been in that situation before and it’s not pretty.”

Here are the NBA betting stats for Wednesday’s game. The Jazz are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Wednesday games. The Jazz are 8-17 ATS in their last 25 games playing on 2 days of rest. The Jazz are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 playoff games as an underdog. The Jazz are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Jazz are 0-5 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Los Angeles.

The Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 Conference Semifinals games. The Lakers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite. The Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 vs. the Northwest. The Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 playoff games as a favorite. The Lakers are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as a home favorite. The Lakers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games playing on 2 days of rest. The home team is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings between the two teams and the favorite is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.

The Under is 4-0 in Utah’s last 4 playoff games as an underdog. The Over is 4-1 in Utah’s last 5 Wednesday games. The Over is 20-7 in Utah’s last 27 vs. the  Pacific. The Under is 5-2 in Utah’s last 7 overall.

The Under is 4-0 in the Lakers last 4 vs. the Northwest. The Under is 7-0 in the Lakers last 7 games playing on 2 days of rest. The Under is 4-0 in the Lakers last 4 overall. The Under is 7-2 in the Lakers last 9 Wednesday games. The Under is 5-2 in the Lakers last 7 playoff games as a favorite. The Over is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings in Los Angeles between the two teams.

Pick: Jazz +7 3units.. To many points here.

NBA Playoff Betting Preview
Houston Rockets at Utah Jazz (Jazz lead 3-2)
Friday, 10:35 pm Eastern – ESPN

SBG Global Opening Line: Jazz  - 7.5, Total  180.5

The Utah Jazz realize that they had better take care of business and close out the Houston Rockets on Friday or they will face a game 7 back in Houston on Sunday.  The Jazz seemed to have the series totally in hand after winning the first two games in Houston but have now lost two of the past three games.  “We have home-court advantage right now and we don’t want to lose it. We need to treat it really like Game 7,” Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko said. SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Jazz at Home.

The Rockets routed the Jazz in Game five 95-69 and now it is Houston that has the confidence. “They’re just playing better and better every game. That’s where we’ve got to be concerned,” Utah guard Deron Williams said. “After those first two losses, it seems like they’re a different team - a more determined team.”  The Jazz were horrible on Tuesday, committing 18 turnovers and they scored the fewest points they have all season.

SBG Global Current Line: Jazz  - 7.5, Total  180

Utah was 37-4 during the regular season at home but one of those losses was to Houston and they also lost game three at home to the Rockets. Utah knows they must win on Friday. “This is going to be their best shot. They really think they have to win this game,” Houston coach Rick Adelman said.  The Rockets will look for another big effort from Tracy McGrady who had 29 points on Tuesday. “We’ve stayed confident. When we were down 3-1, we were confident. We never lose our confidence. We feel that we can win in that building,” McGrady said.

Here are the NBA betting stats for Friday’s game.  The Rockets are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games. The Rockets are 35-17 ATS in their last 52 Friday games. The Rockets are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 Conference Quarterfinals games. The Rockets are 4-9 ATS in the last 13 meetings between the two teams. The underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

The Jazz are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Friday games. The Jazz are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 playoff games as a favorite. The Jazz are 37-15-1 ATS in their last 53 home games. The Jazz are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 Conference Quarterfinals games. The Jazz are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games overall.

The Under is 5-1 in the Rockets last 6 overall. The Under is 13-3 in the Rockets last 16 vs. the Northwest. The Under is 4-1 in the Rockets last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games.

The Under is 4-1 in Utah’s last 5 vs. the Southwest. The Under is 4-1 in Utah’s last 5 overall. The Over is 7-3 in Utah’s last 10 games as a favorite. The Under is 11-5 in the last 16 meetings in Utah between the two teams.

Pick Utah -7.5 3units.. Jazz get it done at home

NBA Playoff Betting Preview
Houston Rockets at Utah Jazz (Jazz lead 2-0)
Thursday, 10:35 pm Eastern – TNT

SBG Global Opening Line: Jazz  - 5.5, Total 181

A series that looked to be competitive could end very quickly if the Utah Jazz does as expected and win at home.  The Jazz won both road games at Houston and now come home where they had the NBA’s best home record.

“We go into the game knowing that both teams have seen a great deal of each other,” Utah forward Carlos Boozer said. “Game 3 should be a dandy.” SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Jazz at Home.

The Jazz are now expected to sweep away the Rockets in four straight.  The Jazz were 37-4 at home this season.  Utah will try and avoid having a letdown on Thursday.  “It’s two different scenarios - night and day,” Boozer said. “We’re already intense. It’s the playoffs.” It is obviously a must game for the Rockets. “We know we can play up there, we know we can win up there,” McGrady said. “The playoffs are a totally different game. We can’t rely on what we did in what, November or October. It’s a totally different team, playing with a different confidence.”  Teams just don’t recover from being down 0-3 so Thursday night will be a very intense game.  “I think these guys are all intelligent enough to know that we have to come and play. There’s not going to be anybody that’s going to give us anything,” Utah head coach Jerry Sloan said. “They were ready to play the other night. They came at us.”  The Jazz will again try and stop Tracy McGrady who has averaged 21.5 points per game but has done nothing in the fourth quarters.  McGrady has been a playoff bust, losing in the first round his last six tries.  He has not gotten much help either. “We have to find ways to help him out in the fourth quarter, get him better opportunities. They turned their defense up on him in the fourth quarter and extended it out and tried to make other people make plays,” Houston coach Rick Adelman said. “Right now, we’re at a disadvantage.”

SBG Global Current Line: Jazz  - 8.5, Total 182

Houston could be getting back guard Rafer Alston back for Thursday. They could use all the help they can get.  Utah doesn’t want the Rockets to get any momentum. “We wanted to take as much away from Mac as possible because he’s such a great scorer and everything goes through him,” Utah guard Deron Williams said. “To get that one (win) is crucial - and that’s what we’ve got to try to avoid with them - allowing them to get that first win.”  Williams is leading the Jazz in scoring in the playoffs at 21 points per game.  He also has averaged 7.5 assists per game.

Here are the NBA betting stats for Thursday’s game.  The Rockets are 23-8-3 ATS in their last 34 Thursday games. The Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog. The Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. The Rockets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 playoff games as an underdog. The Rockets are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 Conference Quarterfinals games. The Rockets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. the Northwest. The underdog is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings between the two teams. The road team is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings but the Rockets are 1-6 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Utah.

The Jazz are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 Conference Quarterfinals games. The

Jazz are 6-0-1 ATS in their last 7 playoff games as a favorite. The Jazz are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The Jazz are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 vs. the Southwest. The Jazz are 24-8 ATS in their last 32 vs. the Western Conference. The Jazz are 37-14-1 ATS in their last 52 games as a home favorite. The Jazz are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 Thursday games.

The Under is 4-0 in the Rockets last 4 playoff games as an underdog. The Under is 6-1 in the Rockets last 7 overall. The Under is 11-2 in the Rockets last 13 vs. the Northwest. The Over is 4-1 in the Rockets last 5 games as a road underdog. The Over is 4-1 in the Rockets last 5 Thursday games. The Under is 8-3 in the Rockets last 11 Conference Quarterfinals games. The Under is 15-7 in the Rockets last 22 vs. a team with a winning record.

The Under is 11-3-1 in Utah’s last 15 vs. the Southwest. The Under is 6-2 in Utah’s last 8 Thursday games. The Over is 6-2 in Utah’s last 8 games as a favorite. The Under is 6-2 in Utah’s last 8 overall. The Over is 5-2 in Utah’s last 7 games as a home favorite. The Under is 15-6 in Utah’s last 21 Conference Quarterfinals games. The Under is 10-4 in the last 14 meetings in Utah between the two teams.

Take the Jazz at home for all the Marbles 5 out of 5 units

NBA Playoff Betting Preview
Utah Jazz at Houston Rockets (Jazz Lead 1-0)
Monday, 9:35 pm Eastern – TNT

SBG Global Opening Line: Rockets  - 1, Total 184

The Utah Jazz will look to take a commanding lead tonight in their Western Conference playoff series against the Houston Rockets.  The Jazz won game one on Saturday 93-82 and if they win tonight in Houston the series will be effectively over considering the Jazz would be returning home where they have the NBA’s best record.  Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 16 rebounds for the Jazz in the opener and Houston played very soft. “You can’t avoid contact at the basket area, and we did that,” coach Rick Adelman said. “We were trying to get the shot up and avoid contact. I’m hoping we can get better shots, maybe the same shots, but not under the duress they were under.” SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Jazz at Home.

Tracy McGrady continues to play poorly in the playoffs.  He had 20 points in game one but none in the fourth quarter. “I can be as aggressive as I want to be,” McGrady said, “but if they double-team me, get the ball out of my hands and we’re not making shots, we’re in for a long night.” The Rockets are still without guard Rafer Alston and his replacement, Bobby Jackson was awful in game one.  It does not look good for Houston in this series.  There only chance would be if Utah starts looking ahead. “We don’t want to just come here and be happy to win one game,” said Utah’s Deron Williams, “We want to try to put a little more pressure on them and give ourselves a cushion.” McGrady has said that the Rockets must win on Monday or the series is pretty much over.

SBG Global Current Line: Rockets  - 1, Total 183.5

Here are the NBA betting stats for Monday’s game.  The Jazz are 9-0 ATS in their last 9 Monday games. The Jazz are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 Conference Quarterfinals games. The Jazz are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games overall. The Jazz are 12-2 ATS in their last 14 vs. the Southwest. The Jazz are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a road underdog. The Jazz are 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings in Houston. The underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings between the two teams and the road team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

The Rockets are 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 games as a home favorite. The Rockets are 25-11-1 ATS in their last 37 games overall. The Rockets are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 Conference Quarterfinals games.

The Under is 4-1 in Utah’s last 5 games as a road underdog. The Under is 10-3-1 in Utah’s last 14 vs. the Southwest. The Under is 5-2 in Utah’s last 7 overall. The Under is 14-6 in Utah’s last 20 Conference Quarterfinals games.

The Under is 4-0 in the Rockets last 4 games as a home favorite. The Under is 10-2 in the Rockets last 12 vs. the NBA Northwest. The Under is 5-1 in the Rockets last 6 overall. The Under is 7-3 in the Rockets last 10 Conference Quarterfinals games.

Pick Jazz +1

NBA Betting Preview
Utah Jazz (54-27) at San Antonio Spurs (55-26)
Wednesday, 9:35 pm Eastern – ESPN

SBG Global Opening Line: Spurs - 4, Total 182

The Utah Jazz will try and clinch home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs as they travel to San Antonio on Wednesday. The Jazz have not had much success at San Antonio in the past though. The game means a lot to the Jazz since getting home court advantage in the first round would be huge. The Jazz have the best record in the NBA at home but they are just 17-23 on the road. “Somewhere along the line, we’re going to have to learn how to win on the road some way,” Utah coach Jerry Sloan said. SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Spurs at Home.

The Jazz have not won in San Antonio in almost 10 years, having lost their last 20 games in San Antonio. The Jazz have won the last two meetings with San Antonio this season but both of those games were at home. If Utah wins this game they would tie the Spurs for the third-best record in the West and clinch the season series. If San Antonio wins they would take the third seed. The Spurs are coming off a 101-98 win at Sacramento on Monday. Tony Parker tied his season high with 32 points and added 11 assists for the Spurs.

SBG Global Current Line: Spurs - 4, Total 182

Here are the NBA betting stats for Wednesday’s game. The Jazz are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Jazz are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Wednesday games. The Jazz are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 vs. the Southwest. The Jazz are 0-7 ATS in the last 7 meetings in San Antonio.

The Spurs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games. The Spurs are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 vs. the Northwest. The Spurs are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The favorite is 12-2 ATS in the last 14 meetings between the two teams and the home team is 13-3 ATS in the last 16 meetings.

The Under is 9-2-1 in Utah’s last 12 vs. the Southwest. The Under is 4-1 in Utah’s last 5 overall. The Under is 4-1 in Utah’s last 5 vs. the Western Conference.

The Under is 4-0 in the Spurs last 4 vs. the Northwest. The Under is 7-2 in the Spurs last 9 Wednesday games. The Over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings in San Antonio between the two teams.

Pick Jazz +4 4units, they need it!

NBA Betting Preview
Houston Rockets (54-26) at Utah Jazz (53-27)
Monday, 9:05 pm Eastern – NBA-TV

SBG Global Opening Line: Jazz  - 8.5, Total  192

 

A possible first round playoff preview will take place on Monday night as the Utah Jazz host the Houston Rockets. The seeding in the Western Conference is very tight though and each team is trying to improve their position.  The Jazz have a chance to tie Houston in the standings with a win tonight and that is a good possibility considering the Jazz have the best home record in the NBA at 36-4.  One of those four losses though was against the Rockets back in November as Tracy McGrady had 47 points to lead Houston. McGrady has been great against Utah in the regular season, averaging 30.9 points in his last eight games against the Jazz. The win in November at Utah was a rare one for the Rockets.  They have lost 26 of their last 30 games in Utah. SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Jazz at Home.

 

The Rockets were routed at Denver on Sunday 111-94 and could face a similar result tonight in Utah. Houston was missing Shane Battier and Bobby Jackson against the Nuggets, and Rafer Alston left in the third quarter with a hamstring injury.

SBG Global Current Line: Jazz  - 9, Total  190

 

The Jazz are coming off a 124-97 rout of Denver on Saturday. “It was a big win. We can still get home-court advantage if we win out,” said point guard Deron Williams. Center Mehmet Okur is averaging 19.5 points and 15.5 rebounds over his last four games.

 

Here are the NBA betting stats for Monday’s game. The Rockets are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. the Northwest. The Rockets are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games playing on no rest. The Rockets are 16-7 ATS in their last 23 road games. The Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog. The road team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings between the two teams. The Rockets are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Utah.

 

The Jazz are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 Monday games. The Jazz are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The Jazz are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 vs. the Southwest. The Jazz are 36-15-1 ATS in their last 52 games as a home favorite.

 

The Under is 9-1 in the Rockets last 10 vs. the Northwest. The Under is 4-1 in the Rockets last 5 overall. The Under is 15-7 in the Rockets last 22 games playing on no rest.

 

The Under is 4-0 in Utah’s last 4 overall. The Under is 9-1-1 in Utah’s last 11 vs. the Southwest. The Over is 5-2 in Utah’s last 7 games as a favorite. The Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Utah.

 

Pick Utah -8.5 4units

NBA Betting Preview
Utah Jazz (51-26) at New Orleans Hornets (54-22)
Tuesday, 8:05 pm Eastern – NBA-TV

SBG Global Opening Line: Hornets - 4, Total 212

Two of the best teams in the NBA meet on Tuesday in New Orleans as the Hornets host the Jazz. The Jazz lead the season series 2-1 with two blowout wins in Salt Lake and a 12-point loss in New Orleans. Both teams lead their respective divisions and are fighting for playoff positioning. SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Hornets at Home.

Utah and New Orleans have two of the best point guards in the league. The Jazz have Deron Williams while the Hornets have Chris Paul. Last season it was Williams getting more of the press as the Jazz went to the Western Conference Finals while this season Paul is being mentioned as an MVP candidate. Both players are in the top three in assists in the league and both are among the top three scoring point guards. Both teams have excellent power forwards in Carlos Boozer and David West while the centers can also score in Mehmet Okur and Tyson Chandler. Both teams also have outside shooters in Kyle Korver and Peja Stojakovic. The two teams are very evenly matched and the home court has proven the difference this season.

SBG Global Current Line: Hornets - 4.5, Total 210

Here are the NBA betting stats for Tuesday’s game. The Jazz are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 3 or more days of rest. The Jazz are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 vs. the Southwest. The Jazz are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The Jazz are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog. The Jazz are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 vs. the Western Conference.

The Hornets are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 Tuesday games. The Hornets are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. the Northwest. The Hornets are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 games as a home favorite. The Hornets are 36-16-1 ATS in their last 53 games overall. The favorite is 4-0-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings between the two teams. The home team is 6-1-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.

The Under is 7-1-1 in Utah’s last 9 vs. the Southwest. The Over is 5-1 in Utah’s last 6 overall. The Over is 13-6-1 in Utah’s last 20 games as a road underdog.

The Over is 9-3-2 in the Hornets last 14 Tuesday games. The Over is 14-5-2 in the Hornets last 21 games as a home favorite. The Under is 10-4-1 in the Hornets last 15 vs. the Northwest. The Under is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings between the two teams.

Pick Under 210 3units

San Antonio Spurs (52-23) at Utah Jazz (50-26)
Friday April 4, 2008 , 8:05 pm Eastern – ESPN

SBG Global Opening Line: Jazz - 3, Total 197

The best home team in the NBA, the Utah Jazz play host to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night. The Spurs have won eight straight and are looking like a serious threat to defend their NBA title. San Antonio is just a half game back of New Orleans for the top spot in the Western Conference. “Games mean a lot these days,” Tim Duncan said. “Obviously everyone’s record is really close and everyone is playing for positioning. Every game down the stretch means a lot and has that playoff intensity.” SBG Global reports that early NBA betting has the public taking Jazz at Home.

The Spurs are playing great during their winning streak, holding opponents to 87.4 points per game. The Spurs will be challenged on Friday though as the Jazz are 34-4 at home this year. The Jazz have won five of six overall including Wednesday’s 117-100 win over Minnesota. Utah leads the Northwest Division by 3.5 games but they finish the season playing a tough schedule including two games against the Spurs. “It’s going to be a tough schedule for us,” Mehmet Okur said, “but at the same time it’s a good challenge. We just want to finish the season strong.”

SBG Global Current Line: Jazz - 3, Total 197

Here are the NBA betting stats for Friday’s game. The home team has won the last seven games between the two teams. The Spurs are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall. The Spurs are 36-17-1 ATS in their last 54 vs. the Northwest. The Spurs are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Friday games. The Spurs are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games as a road underdog.

The Jazz are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. the Southwest. The Jazz are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite. The Jazz are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Jazz are 34-13-1 ATS in their last 48 home games. The favorite is 7-0 ATS in the last 7 meetings between the two teams and the home team is 11-1 ATS in the last 12 meetings.

The Over is 4-1 in the Spurs last 5 overall. The Under is 9-3 in the Spurs last 12 games as an underdog. The Under is 5-2 in the Spurs last 7 road games.

The Over is 4-0 in Utah’s last 4 games as a home favorite. The Over is 5-0 in Utah’s last 5 overall. The Under is 6-1-1 in Utah’s last 8 vs. the Southwest. The Over is 4-1-1 in Utah’s last 6 Friday games. The Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Utah between the two teams.

Pick: Take the Jazz -3 for 3units. For more NBA Discussion visit the NBA Betting Forum.