Friday, March 31, 2006

Godspicks For April Fool's Day

Saturday, April 1, 2006

 

Our Million Dollar March extends to early April as the Dream Team of Godspicks.com is 21-10 with CBB Wise Guy plays including South Carolina in the NIT Final. We have both Final 4 sides and a total and two Final 4 Wise Guys among them. The ENTIRE card is just $17 at www.godspicks.com.  We now take virtually every credit card, PayPal and eCheck.      

Don’t fret college coming to an end, because the news is getting better: Check out our phenomenal offer for baseball season, every play, every day, and every sport for $7.29 per day.

NBA

SAN ANTONIO -10’ Washington

It’s a very tough spot for the Wizards playing their sixth consecutive road game including their fourth in six nights. Remember that quality teams take out their frustrations, not just a game after a defeat but several.  The Spurs are off of consecutive double digit road wins since losing at Seattle.

Over their last 10 home games the Spurs are outscoring teams 101-88.  While Washington is admittedly playing better ball on the road lately, they’ve been suspect for the year overall.  Tired and playing a Spurs team that is angry off their loss a few games ago, we see yet another Spurs home blowout.

Saturday Trends, News and Notes

Saturday, April 1, 2006

 

South Carolina Thursday made it 21-10 with college Wise Guy plays.  Though it’s pedestrian by our standards, yet again the Center of the Handicapping Universe Godspicks.com, led by Mr. March Joe Duffy, is the Industry Standard.

We have both Final Four sides, including a Wise Guy and a Wise Guy total.  That’s just to start!  We may have the other total and we are working on the NBA to send late morning.  The ENTIRE card is just $17 at www.godspicks.com.  We now take virtually every credit card, PayPal and eCheck.     

Don’t fret college coming to an end, because the news is getting better: Check out our phenomenal offer for baseball season, every play, every day, every sport for $7.29 per day.

CBB

·        Showing the different paces they play, UCLA averages 7.7 fewer FG attempts against on defense but Memphis attempts 7.7 more per game

·        Florida makes 2.0 percent more of their shots per game, but George Mason holds foes to 1.2 less

·        George Mason is a perfect 7-0 this year against teams called for less than 17 fouls per game

·        Florida is 9-1 this year when allowing 65 points or less in consecutive games

·        Florida is 10-1 in all tournament games this year

·        UCLA has gone under 12-2 this year if they are 4-1 in their last five SU

 

UCLA-LSU

Mercury News

Unfortunately for the Bruins, they might not be at full strength up front. Friday morning, starting center Ryan Hollins incurred a bruise above his right knee during the morning practice at the RCA Dome. He has swelling and was expected to spend much of Friday night and this morning getting ice and stimulation treatments. Thursday, reserve center Lorenzo Mata broke his nose in practice. Trainer Tony Spino snapped the cartilage back into place, and Mata will play wearing a protective mask.

 

Friday Godspicks

Friday, March 31, 2006

Darn, only three games left in college basketball. We hit our only hoop Wise Guy play last night on the ‘Cocks in a rout.  At this point it looks like at least one Wise Guy side for tomorrow’s Final Four and a Major on the other.  We still have some research on the totals.  But tonight we have three NBA Major plays. 

The ENTIRE card is just $17 at www.godspicks.com.  We now take virtually every credit card, PayPal and eCheck.  THE FOUR-DAY pass takes you through Monday’s national championship game and perhaps get a taste of our small favorite and dog baseball prowess.

Don’t fret college coming to an end, because the news is getting better: Check out our phenomenal offer for baseball season, every play, every day, every sport for $7.29 per day.

NBA

DALLAS -5 Orlando

A five point or more road favorite of a SU loss as an away dog is more than a 60 percent play since 1983. For a team to be more than a five-point road favorite, you are almost always talking about a superior team against a greatly inferior.  For that superior team to have been a dog the previous game, they likely were playing another top-notch team.  So it says that a superior team loses to another superior team and takes out their frustrations on the inferior team.

Dallas has lost two straight but never have they lost three in a row under Avery Johnson.  They are a much better team with Josh Howard in the line-up and he is expected to return tonight.  As we mention at JoeDuffy.net Their record since he went out with a strained left hamstring is 8-6. He came back for 13 minutes in one game. But since that false start nine games ago, they’re 5-4.

 

Friday News and Notest

Friday, March 31, 2006

Darn, only three games left in college basketball. We hit our only hoop Wise Guy play last night on the ‘Cocks in a rout.  At this point it looks like at least one Wise Guy side for tomorrow’s Final Four and a Major on the other.  We still have some research on the totals.  But tonight we have three NBA Major plays. 

The ENTIRE card is just $17 at www.godspicks.com.  We now take virtually every credit card, PayPal and eCheck.  THE FOUR-DAY pass takes you through Monday’s national championship game and perhaps get a taste of our small favorite and dog baseball prowess.

Don’t fret college coming to an end, because the news is getting better: Check out our phenomenal offer for baseball season, every play, every day, every sport for $7.29 per day.

NBA

Grizzlies-Hornets

New Orleans Times Picayune

New Orleans is after a 4-14 showing since the All-Star break outside the playoff teams. Yes, the swooning, slapdash Hornets (33-37) remain in the hunt for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Entering tonight’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies (41-31) at Ford Center, the Hornets are two games out—with 12 to go. In the conference, six teams are established in playoff position, while four others vie for the final two spots. The Los Angeles Lakers (38-34) played the late game Thursday, but entered that day in the seventh spot and two games ahead of the Sacramento Kings (36-36). They returned to Oklahoma City from a 1-3 road trip after stealing an 86-85 victory from Golden State late Wednesday night, despite missing four key players in the final minutes. Entering tonight’s game, forward Desmond Mason (knee) is doubtful, and center P.J. Brown (ankle), guard Speedy Claxton (toe) and forward David West (ankle) are questionable.

Mavericks-Magic

Dallas Morning News

The Mavericks put up a good fight. But it’s clear now that they can’t get it done in the NBA’s high-rent district without Josh Howard. Their record since he went out with a strained left hamstring is 8-6. He came back for 13 minutes in one game. But since that false start nine games ago, they’re 5-4. Avery Johnson hasn’t lost three games in a row in his coaching career, and he doesn’t want to change that now. The Orlando Magic may be headed to the lottery. But at this point, with the Mavericks on a downturn, nothing can be taken for granted. None of the Mavericks believe their recent mediocrity is reason to fret.

Howard will be back, presumably healthy and rested. Adrian Griffin isn’t far behind. Devin Harris is due back next week, perhaps. Each absence cannot be overstated. Harris has missed 10 consecutive games and the Mavericks are 5-5. Harris, Griffin and Howard are the Mavericks’ three best perimeter defenders. Getting them all back soon ensures the future isn’t bleak.

Nuggets-Timberwolves

Daily Camera

Despite being third in the Northwest Division, Minnesota is dangerously close to being eliminated from playoff contention.  The T-wolves got their second win in a row on Wednesday, beating Orlando 103-91.  Kevin Garnett scored 27 points and grabbed 19 rebounds.  Minnesota is 0-8 on the road this month and 8-27 for the season, including 0-1 in Denver. With 10 games to go, Denver’s magic number for clinching the Northwest Division is 61/2.  The Nuggets fell at home to second-place Utah 115-104 on Wednesday.

Wizards-Rockets

Washington Times

The Wizards had put the finishing touches on preparations for tonight’s game against the Houston Rockets, and the light mood was understandable considering what the Wizards have endured on this six-game road trip, which has thus far produced three wins in four games.     Most recently, the Wizards beat the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night without the league’s fourth-leading scorer, Gilbert Arenas, who had flu-like symptoms, and reserve center Brendan Haywood (back).     It was a remarkable win, considering the Wizards have relied on Arenas (fifth in the league in minutes a game) perhaps as much as any team in the league has relied on one player. And the Wizards hadn’t won in Sacramento since 1996. The Wizards (37-33) have won three games in six days, a showing that belies their struggles on the road: It took them four months just to win 10 road games before this Western Conference road trip began.

Thursday, March 30, 2006

Thursday Godspicks

Thursday, March 30, 2006

 

America’s greatest sports service the Dream Team at Godspicks.com is in the home stretch of another great Million Dollar March, but still plenty of money to be made.  Actually our 20-10 Wise Guy CBB mark is well below our normal standards, though well above what just about everyone else is doing.  So will you accept a NIT sweet tonight including a Wise Guy as an apology?  It’s 3-0 overall. The ENTIRE card is just $17 at www.godspicks.com.  We now take virtually every credit card, PayPal and eCheck.  Also we now have yearly and other packages available via Western Union. Every play, every sport for a year is $2,450.  Email us at the contact form at Godspicks.com to make arrangements or for Neteller payments. Updated and advance news and notes FREE at JoeDuffy.net—a MUST for March Madness.

NBA

Phoenix-Indiana UNDER 206’

There are a few systems favoring the under, including if one team is playing at least their 9th game in 14 days and the other is playing at least their third road game in five days, it’s gone under 42-12.

Phoenix has admitted tonight begins their quest to turn their defense around. “Hopefully, this will be a memorable part of our season because it helped us get better,” guard Steve Nash said. “If we play to our potential, we have the talent to beat anyone, but now we’ll have to prove to ourselves that we’re a championship caliber team. And that starts with better defense.”  

Thursday News and Notes

Thursday, March 30, 2006

 

20-10 with Wise Guy plays in college hoops, we have the NIT final Wise Guy side and a Major total, plus an NBA Major.  You know because of our domination of small favorites and underdogs, we are even happier to see baseball then we are distraught to see another remarkable CBB season come to an end. 

Go 3-0 tonight including another Wise Guy CBB winner. The ENTIRE card is just $17 at www.godspicks.com.  We now take virtually every credit card, PayPal and eCheck.  Also we now have yearly and other packages available via Western Union. Every play, every sport for a year is $2,450.  Email us at the contact form at Godspicks.com to make arrangements or for Neteller payments. Updated and advance news and notes FREE at JoeDuffy.net—a MUST for March Madness.

NBA

All trends ATS

·        Indiana 21-10 this year against teams with a winning record

·        Indiana is 28-12 in revenge

·        Indiana is 6-0 at home in the series

 

CBB

Here are news and notes from Godspicks.com private clipboard.  They are compiled from hometown newspapers and the team’s own press releases. Get advanced news and notes ready for opening lines at blog on our home page. 

South Carolina-Michigan

Press Notes

The Gamecocks have trailed in two of the four NIT games at the half. In the second half, USC has outscored its opponents 151-130. In the first half, USC has outscored its opponents 124-107. Carolina led WKU by 15 and Louisville by 10 at the break while trailing FSU by three and Cincinnati by six. USC is making its 10th appearance in the NIT and second consecutive. Last season, USC took home the trophy after defeating five teams: Miami, UNLV, Georgetown, Maryland and St. Joe’s. The Gamecocks are seeking their second consecutive NIT trophy; the only other team to ever win back-to-back post-season NIT titles is St. John’s in 1943 and 1944. The Gamecocks are 20-8 overall in the NIT and are 13-1 under head coach Dave Odom.

 

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Bad Conclusions About Fixing Need To Get Fixed

Bad Conclusions about Fixing Need to Get Fixed

Joe Duffy (JoeDuffy.net)

 

University of Pennsylvania, not to be confused with my alma mater California University of Pennsylvania, economist Justin Wolfers wrote a paper in which he used “forensic economics” to find alleged patterns of cheating in college basketball.

 

Wolfers asserts that point shaving is occurring in about five percent of games that involve large pointspreads. If only the good professor read any of our sports gaming articles such as “It is Good to Pick Bad” he wouldn’t have come up with such preposterous conclusions, knowing there is a very logical reason large underdogs cover more than 50 percent of the time.

 

To the surprise of no sharp sports handicapper, Mr. Wolfers found that big underdogs cover a disproportionate percentage of close spread outcomes. Wolfers’ statistical “big dog” is a team getting 12 or more points.  As the NY Times puts it “There is a strange dearth of games in which 12-point favorites win by, say, 13 or 16 points. And there are a lot of games that they win by 11 points or slightly less. There is just no good explanation for this.”

 

Poppycock. While I am sure the Ivy League lecturer is a competent economist, he needs to take Professor Joe Duffy’s “Sports Handicapping for Dummies” class, ah I guess whenever I offer one.

 

Without question the first factoid, on the first day of class will be that the point spread is not and will never be a prediction on the outcome of the game.  It is a “prediction” on what the spread needs to be to get as close to an equal amount of money on each side.  Second factoid in my lecture will be that the public loves betting superior against bottom shelf squads and this of great magnitude and indisputable fact is accounted for in the line.   

 

Professor Wolfers research paper claims the spread is “a market-based forecast of home team's winning margin”.  Don’t get caught up in semantics as the “winning margin” could also be a negative number. Damn numbers crunchers.   However his misconception of what the spread actually is proves fatal to his conclusions.  The “market based forecast” is predicting perception, not eventual reality.   

 

Let me give you an analogy.  Let’s say Professor Wolfers wanted to do a study on which movie critics are the most and least accurate at predicting the Academy Award winners.  He studied 20 critics’ lists from the last 15 years.  But as an example, 14 of the critics were listing who they felt should win, while six were actually predicting who they think would win.  In many cases there is a huge differentiation.  But if the professors’ study were oblivious to this, it makes his entire paper greatly flawed if not totally irrelevant.

 

As we mention in the above “It is Good to Pick Bad” article, I have flat out had gamblers tell me, “If I am going to lose, I’d rather lose betting (the vastly superior team) than betting on (the grossly inferior team).” Never in my life have I heard a more self-fulfilling prophecy.  

 

Quite cognizant of the betting patterns of the gambler, the oddsmakers adjust accordingly. If Duke is playing Eastern Michigan and the spread “should be” without public betting tendencies taken into consideration, 14 points, the spread will be posted at say 16.  If it “should” be 24, the line will open at 27 or even higher.

 

We exploit that indisputable fact on a regular basis with our “official outlaw line”.  Premium customers are told several times a week that many plays are based on the deviation and that “The official outlaw line is what the odds would be if there was no consideration given to public perception and balancing the action.  It is the more accurate line from the standpoint of the bettor.” 

 

Well Professor, if you only asked I could have told you with large pointspreads there is an unbalanced digression when it comes to “off lines”.  It is because of public betting inclinations that big dogs get too many points more often than any subset. Here is gambling economics—if big favorites covered 50 percent of the time, the books would lose money because square players love betting big favorites.  As a result one has to pay retail not wholesale often when betting big favorites by laying an extra point or two.

 

So “off lines” will involve what should be a 14 point spread instead being 16 much more often than four being six or two points.  The difference between 14 and 16 points means a lot of big dogs will cover close spread games.

 

Nothing, I mean nothing in the professor’s paper should surprise any sharp player except his defective supposition. Furthermore I strongly doubt that most fixed games will involve a team covering by only one or two points.  Too much is left to chance if that happened. 

 

In my educated opinion, most fixed games would involve covering by large margins, a pattern the Quaker educator admits to not finding with his fallacious forensics.

 

I’m not claiming in any way that there is no chicanery involved in the outcome of games.  But I am saying the only thing Wolfers proved is he has no idea what a point spread is based on.

 

Ironically my highly unscientific study tells me that most gamblers and handicappers suspect just the opposite in college sports—if anything too often coaches run up the score for no reason.

 

I know nothing about fixing games, but I suspect those who could, would be wealthy alum who have a lot of influence with the coaching staff.  We already know about the improprieties of alumni and boosters in recruiting.  I can’t help but highly doubt no booster has asked for any favors in return for those thousand dollar handshakes.

 

A simple don’t ask, don’t tell conversation could go along the lines of “coach, I am going to make a donation to the athletic program on Monday.  I sure will be feeling much more generous though if you guys win this Saturday by 15 or more points.  Can you help me feel charitable coach?” Wink.

 

Do I have any substantiation of my suspicions?  No, nothing that rises above the water cooler burden of proof, but I’d argue it’s a notch above what the professor’s so easily refuted evidence presents us.

 

The biggest irony of his paper is that he may not realize he may have uncovered something even more significant: forensic handicapping.

 

While a lot of handicappers take off baseball season, some literally many just figuratively, The Center of the Handicapping Universe Godspicks.com is looking forward to another long year of baseball dog and small favorite winners.  Joe Duffy’s baseball prowess goes back to his “JD of the ACC” Cadillac Club scorephone days.

 

Wednesday News and Notes

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

 

Baseball is almost here, but we are winding up another great college hoop season with a 2-1 NIT last night and with all plays are latest run is 28-14 with Wise Guy plays.  Often we can go 5-6 days or more without an NBA Wise Guy play but tonight we have three in one night.  It includes our NBA Twosome Side and Total of the Month.  We also have an NBA Major.

The ENTIRE card is just $17 at www.godspicks.com.  We now take virtually every credit card, PayPal and eCheck.  Also we now have yearly and other packages available via Western Union. Every play, every sport for a year is $2,450.  Email us at the contact form at Godspicks.com to make arrangements or for Neteller payments. Updated and advance news and notes FREE at JoeDuffy.net—a MUST for March Madness.

NBA

Pacers-Hawks

Indy Star

The Pacers are 0-3 this season against the Hawks, who have the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference. A loss tonight would make the Pacers the only team Atlanta will sweep this season.

Mavericks-Cavaliers

Cleveland Plain Dealer

The Cavaliers (41-29) have not lost since spitting up a 53-34 halftime lead at American Airlines Arena, winning five straight to set up tonight’s rematch against the Mavericks (54-16) at The Q. The third quarter in Dallas was the worst of the season and arguably one of the worst in the 36-year history of the Cleveland franchise. In being outscored, 27-8, the Cavaliers shot 19 percent (3-of-16) from the field.

Celtics-Knicks

Boston Globe

The Knicks are 4-12 since acquiring Francis from Orlando Feb. 22 and have lost their last five.  New York’s last victory came against Eastern Conference-leading Detroit March 17.

Grizzlies-Nets

Sports Ticker

The hottest team in the NBA, the Nets have won nine in a row, with the last two among their best victories all season. They went on the road to knock off Eastern Conference-leading Detroit on Sunday before dominating Pacific Division-leading Phoenix on Monday. The Grizzlies carried a seven-game winning streak into a 98-97 loss to Seattle on Tuesday.

 

Wednesday Godspicks

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Yes we did go 2-1 in the NIT again last night led by Wise Guy South Carolina and we sure hate to see college hoops with only a few games left.  But remember baseball, the sport thanks to underdogs you can hit higher than 100 percent has us licking our chops. But tons of money are to be made between now and first pitch.

Like we said anyone and everyone who cares about long term domination is already a permanent client of The Center of the Handicapping Universe Godspicks.com.  For those who want to hop on the hot hand before beginning the rest of your gambling life with us, we are 28-14 our last 42 Wise Guy plays and have THREE in the NBA tonight including our NBA Side and Total Twosome of the Month.

The ENTIRE card is just $17 at www.godspicks.com.  We now take virtually every credit card, PayPal and eCheck.  Also we now have yearly and other packages available via Western Union. Every play, every sport for a year is $2,450.  Email us at the contact form at Godspicks.com to make arrangements or for Neteller payments. Updated and advance news and notes FREE at JoeDuffy.net—a MUST for March Madness.

NBA

TORONTO +7 Miami

This is a top dichotomous ATS and SU game.  We discount 98 percent of trends, but this has proven to be the exception to the rule. Explained in our articles around the Net, basically if a team has a great SU record but horrid ATS record or visa versa, you ride for that to continue as it is the sign of which teams are most under or overvalued.

Even though Miami is 17-3 their last 20 SU, they are 4-12 their last 16.  It’s tough to get a good price on Miami.  Yes we know Toronto will be without Chris Bosh which is a big reason this does not rise to the level of premium play.  That is yet another reason for Miami to sleep walk as with 12 games remaining and a big lead on second-place Washington, Miami may only have to win two more games to clinch the division.

After a nightmare start, Toronto has been competitive over the last few months.  It’s just too many points at home against a team looking ahead to the postseason.

 

 

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Tuesday ATS Trends

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

 

Godspicks is 27-12 with Wise Guy plays including New Jersey covering by 40-plus last night. Eight winners go Tuesday including two NIT and an NBA Wise Guy play.

To those who chose to be on the outside looking in, how much money have you lost on your own during March Madness?  I don’t want to rub salt in the wound, but add to that the money you would have won if you were part of yet another successful Million Dollar March at The Center of the Handicapping Universe Godspicks.com.

It’s never too late to begin the rest of your gambling life.  The ENTIRE card is just $17 at www.godspicks.com.  We now take virtually every credit card, PayPal and eCheck.  Also we now have yearly and other packages available via Western Union. Every play, every sport for a year is $2,450.  Email us at the contact form at Godspicks.com to make arrangements or for Neteller payments. Updated and advance news and notes FREE at JoeDuffy.net—a MUST for March Madness.

NBA

All trends are ATS

·        Dallas is 6-16 this year off a double digit win

·        Dallas has gone under 23-6 this year following a road game

·        Charlotte has gone over 20-5 after having lost 3-of-4

·        Seattle is 8-22 this year after scoring 105 or more points

·        Memphis has gone under 25-7 this year as a favorite of 3’-9’ points

·        Orlando is 7-23 against the Central Division the last two years

 

Tuesday Godspicks

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Last night we improved to 27-12 our last 39 Wise Guy plays when underdog New Jersey won outright by 38 points. We have Wise Guy plays on both NIT sides and we have an NIT Total. We also have an NBA Wise Guy and four NBA Majors.  That’s eight gifts for Tuesday in all including us going to 30-12 with Wise Guy plays. 

The ENTIRE card is just $17 at www.godspicks.com.  We now take virtually every credit card, PayPal and eCheck.  Also we now have yearly and other packages available via Western Union. Every play, every sport for a year is $2,450.  Email us at the contact form at Godspicks.com to make arrangements or for Neteller payments. Updated and advance news and notes FREE at JoeDuffy.net—a MUST for March Madness.

NBA

PHOENIX -6’ Milwaukee

True the system is even stronger if the loss was as a road dog, but it still applies as a road favorite.

A five point or more road favorite of a SU loss as on the road is more than a 60 percent play since 1983. For a team to be more than a five-point road favorite, you are almost always talking about a superior team against a greatly inferior. 

Also even though Phoenix was a favorite to NJ, the principle behind the system still applies, so we will look outside the box.

For that superior team to have been a dog the previous game, they likely were playing another top-notch team.  So it says that a superior team loses to another superior team and takes out their frustrations on the inferior team. Even though Phoenix was the chalk at NJ, as we said the premise still applies.

 

Monday, March 27, 2006

Monday News and Notes

Monday, March 27, 2006

Sunday we won again led by Wise Guy on George Mason outright.  Not even the brutal loser on the Florida total prevented yet another winning night from The Center of the Handicapping Universe Godspicks.com.

Our first NBA Wise Guy since Wednesday goes tonight as we improve to 26-12 with our latest Wise Guy run. The ENTIRE card is just $17 at www.godspicks.com.  We now take virtually every credit card, PayPal and eCheck.  Also we now have yearly and other packages available via Western Union. Every play, every sport for a year is $2,450.  Email us at the contact form at Godspicks.com to make arrangements or for Neteller payments. Updated and advance news and notes FREE at JoeDuffy.net—a MUST for March Madness.

NBA

Pacers-Heat

Miami Herald

They lost their best player for two months, their point guard for half of the season and endured the Ron Artest ordeal, yet regardless of the state of their team, the Indiana Pacers get good results when they play the Miami Heat. The Pacers have won 14 of the past 15 games against the Heat as they enter tonight’s game at AmericanAirlines Arena. Indiana finally got its starting lineup back in Sunday’s 92-79 win over Philadelphia. All-Star forward/center Jermaine O’Neal made his first start after missing the past two months with a torn right groin. Point guard Jamaal Tinsley, who missed 34 of the Pacers’ 68 games with an elbow injury, also returned to the starting lineup after coming off the bench the past 10 games. And after getting rid of Artest in a trade to Sacramento for sharpshooting Peja Stojakovic, the Pacers have found some harmony. “They are a different team,” Heat coach Pat Riley said. “They’re still solid defensively. They’re right up there with all the best defensive teams as far as the numbers go. Indiana has won both meetings with Miami this season: a 105-102 victory on Nov. 3 in Miami and 95-90 in Indianapolis six nights later. The Heat has struggled against some of the better teams in the NBA this season, and there is still the possibility the Pacers might drop to the seventh spot in the East, meaning a likely first-round series with Miami.

Suns-Nets

East Valley Tribune

Over the last two years, D’Antoni’s Suns haven’t wasted many games, especially against Eastern Conference foes. With their final five games starting tonight against the surging New Jersey Nets, the Suns are 20-5 against the East and could better last year’s impressive 24-6 mark with a sweep. It won’t be easy. It starts with the Nets, who have won 15 of their last 18 at home. But for a team that has won 44 of the last 55 against the East — the 11 losses include a triple-overtime loss in New York to the lowly Knicks and blowing a 17-point lead in Cleveland — no game will be sacrificed. Why are the Suns so good against the other conference? The lack of quality teams certainly helps. Phoenix’s runand-gun, long-distance style of offense is a big departure from the normal fare and difficult for Eastern teams to adapt to for one game. And when the East comes to sunny Arizona, where Phoenix has won 27 of 30 games over two seasons, an early show of firepower can lead to a quick surrender.

Hornets-Jazz

Times Picayune

For those who like betting halftime and quarter lines: For an entire month, the Hornets virtually have given the same performance. They can’t put together a complete effort for the entire 48 minutes. They mostly have started out good, hitting shots and defending well. But by the second or third quarters they go into their unshakable cycle of playing miserably. With 14 games remaining, they are running out of time. Entering Sunday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Hornets had lost 10 of 11 games.

Now, instead of trying to make a push to surpass the Sacramento Kings for the eighth and final playoff spot, the Hornets are concerned about seeing the Utah Jazz possibly overtake them for the ninth spot. A loss to the Lakers would give the Hornets only a half-game lead over the Jazz, who they play tonight at the Delta Center. Since the All-Star break the Hornets have lost 12 of 15 games. When they trail at halftime, they are 4-20. And they have lost 15 of 16 games when they allow an opponent to score a 100 or more points.

Wizards-Warriors

USA Today

Coming off an important win, the Golden State Warriors seek their fifth victory in six games when they host the Washington Wizards in the opener of a three-game homestand at The Arena in Oakland. Golden State, which has won six of its last nine home games, is seeded 11th in the Western Conference, four games behind the Kings for the eighth and final playoff spot. The Warriors haven’t been to the postseason since 1993-94 and showed promise this year after a 12-6 start. However, they are just 18-32 since and haven’t won three consecutive games since the end of December.

 

Monday Godspicks; Another Wise Guy 26-12 Recent Run

Monday, March 27, 2006

 

Yet another Wise Guy winner on George Mason outright to improve our latest run to 26-12 with Wise Guy plays, led us to yet another winning day at The Center of the Handicapping Universe Godspicks.com. 

We have an NBA Wise Guy play tonight, our first NBA Wise Guy since Wednesday. Wise Guy plays from Godspicks are widely accepted by high rollers, bookmakers, linesmakers, and fellow handicappers as the biggest play in the handicapping abyss. This is just fact.

The ENTIRE card is just $17 at www.godspicks.com.  We now take virtually every credit card, PayPal and eCheck.  Also we now have yearly and other packages available via Western Union. Every play, every sport for a year is $2,450.  Email us at the contact form at Godspicks.com to make arrangements or for Neteller payments. Updated and advance news and notes FREE at JoeDuffy.net—a MUST for March Madness.

NBA

GOLDEN STATE +1 Washington

Sorry folks, an eastern team with an 11-20 road SU record a favorite to a western team with an 18-16 SU home mark jumps out at us.

Golden State is thriving in the roll of spoiler. The Warriors have won four of five, including victories at Sacramento and at Dallas in their last two games.

“Those are the kinds of dangerous teams you have to worry about, teams that are out of it,” said Wiz star Gilbert Arenas, who played for the Warriors for two seasons before signing as a free agent with the Wizards in 2003. “They just play the way they want to play. They’re basically spoilers right now.”

Washington has given up 110 or more points in 6-of-12 games heading into tonight.

 

Sunday, March 26, 2006

News and Notes

Sunday, March 26, 2006

25-12 is the latest Wise Guy run and we have another today in the NCAA.  It’s our first Wise Guy in any sport since Wednesday. We will likely add steam, but we already have NBA. The ENTIRE card is just $17 at www.godspicks.com.  We now take virtually every credit card, PayPal and eCheck.  Also we now have yearly and other packages available via Western Union. Every play, every sport for a year is $2,450.  Email us at the contact form at Godspicks.com to make arrangements or for Neteller payments. Updated and advance news and notes FREE at JoeDuffy.net—a MUST for March Madness.

Get at least the three day pass and get the NIT semis. Today is the last day that we will extend the monthly package to 35 days, so we can show off our underdog and small favorite prowess in baseball in addition to all the NBA, NIT and taking you through the Final 4.

The ENTIRE card is just $17 at www.godspicks.com.  We now take virtually every credit card, PayPal and eCheck.  Also we now have yearly and other packages available via Western Union. Every play, every sport for a year is $2,450.  Email us at the contact form at Godspicks.com to make arrangements or for Neteller payments. Updated and advance news and notes FREE at JoeDuffy.net—a MUST for March Madness.

NBA

Sixers-Pacers

Philadelphia Inquirer

The Sixers, as they continue to swim upstream to maintain a berth in the Eastern Conference playoffs, have lost four games in 11 days to teams that will not qualify for the postseason, a stretch that concluded Friday night with a 102-86 loss to the Orlando Magic. Defeats to Toronto, Seattle and Golden State, in addition to the Magic, have left the Sixers in a precarious state, standing at 32-36 heading into today’s game against the Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse. Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks said he isn’t bothered by a loss to a non-contender any more than to a contender, but he is not happy getting “outworked” by the Magic.

Cavaliers-Rockets

Houston Chronicle

In the past month, Yao has elevated his game as he tries to help compensate for the absence of leading scorer Tracy McGrady. Yao averaged 26.7 points a game and shot 52.3 percent from the field in March. In 12 games, he has scored 30 percent of the Rockets’ points. James, meanwhile, is trying to do all he can to ensure the Cavaliers a place in the playoffs for the first time since 1997-98. He is averaging 31.5 points in March, which accounts for 33 percent of his team’s scoring.

Nets-Pistons

Newsday

The Nets are 2-1 against Miami and 1-2 against Detroit. Their two losses to the Pistons, however, both were by double digits, with the most recent being an ugly blowout at The Palace on Valentine’s Day. The Nets carry a seven-game winning streak into tonight’s game. And though many of those wins have been against subpar teams, they still might be playing their best basketball of the season - even better than when they went on a 10-game winning streak in December and January.

Knicks-Timberwolves

Pioneer Press

The Timberwolves had a bit of good news come their way Saturday with injured starter Trenton Hassell’s recovery moving ahead of schedule, coach Dwane Casey said. Hassell, who suffered sprains last week to his left knee and left ankle, was on the court shooting jump shots at the end of practice. He still has his knee and ankle wrapped for support and is doubtful for today’s game against the New York Knicks at Target Center. But with Minnesota’s next game not until Wednesday against visiting Orlando, the best-case scenario is he could practice Tuesday and return against the Magic, though the Wolves won’t take any chances rushing him into action.

 

 

Sunday Godspicks

Sunday, March 26, 2006

America’s greatest sports service the Dream Team at Godspicks.com goes 2-1 in the Big Dance but today is our first Wise Guy play in any sport since Wednesday.  We are 25-12 our last 37 Wise Guy plays. Wise Guy plays from Godspicks are widely accepted by high rollers, bookmakers, linesmakers, and fellow handicappers as the biggest play in the handicapping abyss. This is just fact.

Note, in the conference tournaments and the Big Dance, we will update with steam throughout the day inclusive in all purchases. Check JoeDuffy.net for info on updates. 

The ENTIRE card is just $17 at www.godspicks.com.  We now take virtually every credit card, PayPal and eCheck.  Also we now have yearly and other packages available via Western Union. Every play, every sport for a year is $2,450.  Email us at the contact form at Godspicks.com to make arrangements or for Neteller payments. Updated and advance news and notes FREE at JoeDuffy.net—a MUST for March Madness.

NBA

Chicago-Boston OVER 194

Our official outlaw line is 200. The official outlaw line is what the odds would be if there was no consideration given to public perception and balancing the action.  It is the more accurate line from the standpoint of the bettor.

A six point deviation with totals in the 190s is very big and we must exercise this weapon.

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Saturday News, Notes and Trends

Saturday, March 25, 2006

 

The latest short term run in a quarter century of winning is 11 winning days in the last 15.  We go 5-2 on Friday as our 16 hour days pay off AGAIN for Mr. March.  Start out with at least three NCAA and NBA winners for Saturday. The ENTIRE card is just $17 at www.godspicks.com.  We now take virtually every credit card, PayPal and eCheck.  Also we now have yearly and other packages available via Western Union. Every play, every sport for a year is $2,450.  Email us at the contact form at Godspicks.com to make arrangements or for Neteller payments. Updated and advance news and notes FREE at JoeDuffy.net—a MUST for March Madness.

LSU-Texas

KRT Wire

LSU leads the series with Texas, 18-10.  LSU’s John Brady is 2-0 against Rick Barnes and is 2-1 against Texas. Texas leads the nation in rebounding margin (plus-10.9); LSU is fifth (plus-8.6).

·        LSU is 12-3 pick ‘em games (+/- three points or less either way) ATS last two years

·        LSU has gone under 11-2 this year if they won 4-of-5 SU

·        Texas has a 1.8 field goal percentage advantage on defense

 

 

Memphis-UCLA

Associated Press

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute was a nervous freshman playing his first college game away from Pauley Pavilion. John Calipari’s crew had yet to discover its chemistry. Even though Memphis and UCLA met once already this season, it was so long ago there’s not much either side can glean from that November game as they prepare to play again Saturday with a trip to the Final Four at stake. The Tigers (33-3) won that first meeting 88-80. UCLA has won 10 straight games, including the triumph Thursday already considered one of the best comebacks in tournament history. Memphis, featuring four freshmen and three sophomores playing regularly, is riding a seven-game winning streak and has 22 victories in its last 23 games. The Bruins haven’t faced another team as athletic as Memphis, which loves to run and spread the floor for leading scorer Rodney Carney.

·        Memphis has gone under 7-0 in the second half of this year against teams outscoring their foes by 8 or more ppg

·        UCLA is 19-6 as an underdog this year

·        UCLA is 0-9 off of eight or more consecutive wins since 1997

·        UCLA has a 2.6 field goal percentage edge on offense

·        Memphis has a 3.8 field goal percentage edge on defense

 

 

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