Free NBA Picks – Thursday April 8, 2010
Here are your two free NBA Picks for Thursday April 8, 2010 courtesy of PreGame.com. Visit them here for more free picks and outstanding game analyses.
The Sacramento Kings host the Los Angeles Clippers in a battle amongst 2 of the worst teams in the NBA. Both teams are finishing up this season with an eye to the future. The Kings are 5.5 favorites, with a total of 199.5 tonight. This game starts at 10:00 EDT.
Sacramento has lost their past 8 games SU, yet they are still battling to end the season. Sacramento is such a young team, and they are clearly building for future seasons. Surprisingly, this team has been pretty competitive this year, going 37-37-4 ATS this season. The Kings are 24-54 SU, the 4th worst record in the NBA. However, that record doesn't tell the whole truth about this team. The Kings have played opponents tough for the first 3 quarters before repeatedly laying down late in the 4th quarter. A lack of experience seems to be the culprit for this young, athletic team. Sacramento is 17-21 SU and 16-21-1 ATS in home games this season. The Kings are 8-8 ATS as the listed favorite, including 4-2 ATS as a home favorite between 3.5 and 6 PTS this season. The Kings are a profitable 17-13 ATS when playing against teams with a losing record this year. The Kings have been struggling to score of late, scoring less than 100 PTS in
8 consecutive games. Rookie of the Year favorite G Tyreke Evans leads the Kings with 20 PPG and 5.8 APG this year.
The Kings are 7-18-1 ATS in their last 26 home games. The under is 8-1 in their last 9 games as the listed favorite. The Kings recently lost starting Center Spencer Hawes for the season due to an knee injury.
Los Angeles has lost their past 5 games SU, as they are struggling mightily on defense of late. The Clippers have allowed 4 of their past 5 opponents to score at least 107 PTS. Los Angeles has been playing on the road quite often of late, struggling along the way. The Clippers are only 8-32 SU and 15-24-1 ATS on the road this season. The Clippers are only 24-33 ATS as the listed underdog this season. However, they are actually 6-3 ATS as a road favorite between 3.5 and 6 PTS this year. The Clippers are 10-19 ATS in the 2nd half of the regular season heading into tonight's matchup. The Clippers are 27-50 SU this season, the 8th worst record in the NBA this year. Los Angeles has 3 different players scoring at least 15 PPG this season, led by C Chris Kaman. When healthy, Kaman is one of the most dynamic centers in basketball. Kaman is averaging a team high 18.4 PPG along with 9.4 RPG this season. PG Baron Davis is averaging 15.3 PPG and a team high 8 APG
for the Clippers this year. The Clippers other guard, 2nd year player Eric Gordon, is averaging 16.9 PPG with 114 made 3 pointers this season.
The Clippers are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games against a team with a losing SU record. The under is 6-0 in the Clippers last 6 games against a team with a losing SU record. The Clippers have had a host of injuries this season, and Forward Travis Outlaw is the latest casualty. Outlaw is listed as out tonight with an injured groin.
Pregame.com projects the final score to be 105-102 in favor of the Sacramento Kings. The Over 199.5 is the Total of the Day!
The Denver Nuggets host the Los Angeles Lakers in a duel with major playoff implications. Both teams have struggled of late, but this is a crucial game for both teams. The Nuggets are 2 point favorites, with a total of 203.5 points expected tonight. TNT will broadcast the game starting at 10:30 EDT.
Denver is right in the thick of the action in the Western Conference playoff chase. Denver is amongst 3 other teams fighting for the 2nd seed in the Western Conference. Denver recently lost 5 of 6 games SU, yet have showed some grit in their previous 3 games. The Nuggets have responded with 3 consecutive wins, with their previous two against playoff teams in Portland and Oklahoma City. Denver is 51-27 SU and 33-39-6 ATS overall this season. The Nuggets are 33-6 SU and 18-19-2 ATS at home this season. Denver isn't accustomed to playing at home as a small favorite, as this is their 1st game as the listed home favorite of 3 PTS or less. The Nuggets haven't played their sharpest basketball during the 2nd half of the season, going 11-16 ATS. Denver has struggled of late on offense, scoring less than 100 PTS in 6 of their past 7 games. Defensively, the Nuggets have held their previous 3 opponents under 100 PTS. All 5 starters average
double digits in PTS this season, led by F Carmelo Anthony. Anthony is 3rd in the entire NBA in scoring, averaging 28.4 PPG this season.
The Nuggets are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games as the listed favorite. The Over is 6-0 in the Nuggets last 6 home games against a team with a winning road record. Denver is still missing Forward Kenyon Martin, which is a critical blow to this Nuggets team based on his defensive presence.
All is not right in Hollywood, as the defending NBA Champions have lost 4 of their last 6 games SU. Typically the Lakers are in their finest form when the playoffs approach, but clearly that's not the case this season. Los Angeles needs to focus in on their defense, as they've allowed 4 of their past 5 opponents to score 100 PTS or more. The Lakers need to show more effort on defense, as they are giving up far too many uncontested shots. Despite everything, the Lakers are still 55-22 SU and 32-42-3 ATS overall this season. The Lakers still have a solid 4 game lead in the Western Conference, and barring a colossal collapse will finish with home court advantage in the West. The Lakers still have the 2nd best record in the entire NBA heading into tonight. The Lakers are 22-16 SU and 16-21-1 ATS on the road this season. Its a rare occurrence when the Lakers are the listed underdog, as they are 4-7 ATS this year. G Kobe Bryant continues to amaze, as he's hit
buzzer beater after buzzer beater this season. Bryant is 4th in the NBA in scoring, averaging 27.1 PPG this year.
The Lakers are 7-15-1 ATS in their last 23 games overall. The Under is 10-2 in the last 12 games the Lakers were listed as the road underdog. Center Andrew Bynum is expected to miss a few more games as he recovers from an achilles injury.
Pregame.com projects the final score to be 103-98 in favor of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers +2 is the Play of the Day!
Johnny Detroit, Gambling911.com
