Sports Handicapping Central - NBA Picks December 13

Today we are looking at the Rockets, who opened as a -7 home favorite against Memphis, and the Knicks, who opened at -6.5 on the road versus the Jazz.

Here's what we like from the onset:  Favorites of 6 to 7.5 are 26-7 Against The Spread over the last four weeks while favorites of 6 to 7.5 where there is an Underlay detected over last four weeks have gone 9-0.

With the Rockets we do get a number of 10.05, indicating an underlay. This one is a little scary in that the Grizzlies have gone 8-2 against Houston over the last ten meetings.  The Rockets did beat Memphis in the last meeting a few weeks ago, also at home.

Since then, Memphis is starting to get its act together perhaps as they've gone 3-3 over the last six.  Houston will come into this game having won three straight.

Houston's record Against The Spread is third best in the NBA.  One can also look at this and think "they are due".  They're also looking for their 11th straight home victory.  Each of their last four home wins were by more than the current spread.

Al Grant of the G911 Sports Hub is 6-1 with his last seven NBA plays and is backing Houston.  That's a confidence boost.  He somehow managed to get them at -5.5.  We got them at -8.5.

A few of the top cappers are on the Knicks.  The Jazz play again tomorrow night in Portland and they've been losing by more than 8 in all but one game and you'll get them as a +3 or lower dog.

- Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com