NBA Free Picks – Wednesday April 14, 2010
Johnny Detroit has two NBA Free picks for today. Be sure to place your bets at Hollywood Sportsbook and claim your FREE CASH BONUS HERE
The Charlotte Bobcats host the Chicago Bulls in a game that means everything to the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls can clinch a playoff berth with a win tonight on the final day of the season. The Bulls are 2 point favorites, with a total of 189.5 tonight. This Eastern Conference clash tips at 8:00 EDT tonight.
While Charlotte has nothing to gain by winning tonight, Coach Brown has already stated he will play this game like it means something. That's because Brown believes he owes it to the NBA to play this game all out. Charlotte is sitting in 7th place in the Eastern Conference, while the Bulls and Raptors fight for the 8th and final playoff spot. The Bobcats are 44-37 SU and 44-36-1 ATS overall this season. The Bobcats have been stellar at home this season, going 31-9 SU and 23-17 ATS this season. The Bobcats are 23-17 ATS as the listed underdog this season, including 4-1 ATS as a home underdog of 3 PTS or fewer. Charlotte is 11-9 ATS after a double digit win this season. The Bobcats have struggled with the Bulls this season, losing 2 of the 3 meetings this year. Charlotte's lone win against the Bulls this year was at home by 5 PTS as a 7 point favorite. Charlotte has scored 99 PTS or more in 4 of their past 5 games heading into their regular season finale
tonight. F Stephen Jackson leads the Bobcats in scoring, averaging 21.2 PPG this season. F Gerald Wallace is averaging a double double this season, 18.3 PPG and a team high 10.2 RPG.
The Bobcats are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games against the NBA Central. The Over is 6-2 in their last 8 home games against a team with a losing road record. Forward Gerald Wallace is listed as probable today due to an injured shoulder.
It all comes down to 1 game, as Chicago simply needs to win tonight to punch their playoff ticket. Chicago is 40-41 SU and 41-38-2 ATS overall this season. Chicago has gone 5-2 SU in their 7 April games this season. The Bulls played clutch yesterday, as they were able to beat the Boston Celtics in a must win situation. PG Derrick Rose has really stepped up for the Bulls of late, as he's carried the team in the most critical of times. Rose had 39 PTS, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists last night against the Celtics. The Bulls are 16-24 SU and 21-19 ATS on the road this season. Chicago is 3-2 ATS as a road favorite of 3 PTS or fewer this year. Chicago is only 19-22 ATS against opponents with a winning SU record this season. The Bulls offense is playing well right now, as they've scored more than 100 PTS in 4 consecutive games. Defensively, the Bulls have held 5 of their past 7 opponents to 93 PTS or fewer. Center Joakim Noah is rounding into form, after missing time due to injuries. For the season, Noah has averaged 10.6 PPG and 10.9 RPG this season.
The Bulls are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 road games against a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600%. The Over is 11-5 in the Bulls last 16 games playing on no days rest.
The St. Louis Cardinals host the Houston Astros in an NL Central game tonight. The Cardinals are one of the best teams in baseball, while the Astros are the very worst team in MLB. The Cardinals are -203 favorites, with a total of 8.5 runs expected tonight. ESPN2 will broadcast the game at 8:15 EDT.
St. Louis is expected to be a challenger for the NL crown this year, and they are off to a fast 5-2 start. The Cardinals are known for their 1-2 punch of Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright, but their offense is no slouch either. The Cardinals have scored at least 5 runs in 6 of their 7 games this season. Today represents only the 2nd time during this young season that St. Louis is a favorite of -200 or more. Both times they have been listed at this high of a favorite they have faced the Astros. Brad Penny will look to get his 1st win of the season today, with hopefully a bit more offensive help. Penny was unlucky in that he was the starter for the only game the Cardinals scored less than 5 runs this season. The Cardinals are 10-2 at home the past 12 times they've hosted the Astros.
The Cardinals are 22-5 in their last 27 home games against a team with a road winning percentage less than .400%. The Under is 9-4 in the Cardinals last 13 games against a team with a winning percentage below .400%. Catcher Jason LaRue is listed as Doubtful with an injured hamstring.
Houston is off to an embarrassing start, as they are the only winless team in the majors at 0-7. This Astros offense is anemic, as they have been shut out in 3 of their 7 games thus far. Not only is Houston without a win, but they are losing badly. The Astros have been outscored by 29 runs in their 7 games this season. Brett Myers will look to rebound from a poor 1st start, as he gave up 12 hits over 6 innings to the Giants. The Astros have struggled on the road in the past year, as they are only 16-35 in their last 51 road games. If you combine Myers bad form with the Astros poor road play, it appears highly unlikely that Houston will pick up their 1st win of the season today. The Astros are 8-24 in their last 32 games against a right-handed starter. The Astros have struggled following an off day, going 7-19 in their last 26 games in this specific role.
The Astros are 0-6 in their last 6 games against a team with a winning record. The Under is 17-5 in the Astros last 22 games against a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15. 1B Lance Berkman is battling an injury to his knee, and is listed as Out tonight.
Johnny Detroit, Gambling911.com
