Like any All-Star game, the NBA All-Star game is a tough nut for bettors to crack. With the rosters changing every season, it’s hard to find rhyme or reason to your picks.
All we can do is study trends and hope the rosters haven’t changed too much from last season.
NBA betting fans sure are getting their money’s worth from the free nba basketball picks we give out here at Capperspicks.com.
Team records:
Houston: 23-18 SU, 21-20 ATS
San Antonio: 25-16 SU, 21-19-1 ATS
Tonight, 8:30 p.m. ET
Sportsbook favorite: Spurs -6
Just when we thought the Spurs had caught fire and wouldn’t look back, they’ve dropped three of four. They haven’t shot the ball well of late – they shot just 39.3 per cent at home on Wednesday – and their defense has even sagged. Usually, the only time we see San Antonio struggle is when injuries mount, but no one is particularly nicked up save for Michael Finley.
The plucky Houston Rockets refuse to fade out of the West playoff hunt without Yao and Tracy McGrady, at least managing to beat up on weaker teams like New York, Minnesota and Milwaukee this month. 
A major part of their success – and a symbol of their ability to defy the odds – is speedy, small guard Aaron Brooks. He’s blossomed into a scorer in his third NBA season and is averaging 21.3 points per game this month.
Call me crazy, but I sense an upset tonight. The Spurs under Gregg Popovich are just so calm; losses at this point in the season don’t faze them or motivate them to bounce back. They know they’ll make the playoffs and they won’t expend too much energy before they have to. The Rockets, meanwhile, are fighting tooth and nail, treating every night like it’s the last day of the season. I think they’ll be the more inspired team tonight in this cross-state battle.
NBA Betting Trends:
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Houston’s last 9 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Houston’s last 13 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston’s last 6 games
Houston is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of San Antonio’s last 9 games when playing at home against Houston
San Antonio is 20-3 SU in its last 23 games when playing at home against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of San Antonio’s last 13 games when playing Houston
San Antonio is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games at home
Pick: Rockets +6
Shea Matthews lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national newspapers. He now applies his knowledge to sports betting and handicapping every day, and shares his winning picks with the world.
NBA betting fans sure are getting their money’s worth from the free nba basketball picks we give out here at Capperspicks.com.
Team records:
Portland: 26-17 SU, 23-19-1 ATS
Boston: 27-13 SU, 17-23 ATS
Tonight, 7:30 p.m. ET
Sportsbook favorite: Celtics -10.5
Hmm. You have to wonder if sportsbooks are overvaluing the Celtics by making them 10.5-point favorites at home tonight. After all, they’ve lost three straight games and two of those defeats came against lackluster Chicago and Detroit. In fact, they’ve lost five of seven, including three straight at home.
Kevin Garnett expects to return from his hyperextended knee for tonight’s game but he’s approaching his injury differently this time, waiting until he’s confident that it’s healed. That means he may not play after all and should be limited if he does. The Celtics simply aren’t themselves of late, having blown multiple leads and struggled in the second half during their current skid.
The Blazers are riding high, having won four of five and beaten the mighty Lakers and Magic this month. However, they’re a long shot to win tonight after Brandon Roy went down to a strained hamstring and was ruled out for the rest of Portland’s current road trip.
Expect the proud Celtics to treat this like a playoff game and win on their home court. That said, the Blazers are a deep team, even without Roy, and could keep the margin at 10 points or less. And by the way – pick the under. The Celtics and Blazers rank second and third in the NBA in scoring defense, respectively.
NBA Betting Trends:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Portland’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Portland’s last 13 games
Portland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Portland is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Portland
Boston is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Portland
Boston is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Portland
Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Portland
Pick: Celtics straight up; Trail Blazers +10.5 to cover
Shea Matthews lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national newspapers. He now applies his knowledge to sports betting and handicapping every day, and shares his winning picks with the world.
