Oscar Awards Odds: The King's Speech, Colin Firth, and Natalie Portman Academy Awards Picks

The Las Vegas odds are out for the 2011 Academy Awards at BetUs. The King's Speech is the overwhelming favorite on the sportsbooks odds to win Best Picture, with only The Social Network given a chance at the upset.

The Oscars Awards betting line also has Colin Firth a virtual lock for Best Actor and Natalie Portman was the sure pick for best actress. Here are the odds on all the major awards.

Rot	Oscars Best Supporting Actress	Moneyline
301	Melissa Leo (The Fighter)	-600
302	Helena Bonham Carter (The Kings Speech)	+400
303	Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit)	+300
304	Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom)	+2000
306	Amy Adams (The Fighter)	+2000
Any wagers after event becomes public knowledge will be no action.
Rot	Oscars Best Supporting Actor	Moneyline
310	Christian Bale (The Fighter)	-1500
311	Geoffrey Rush (The Kings Speech)	+350
312	Mark Ruffalo (The Kids Are All Right)	+4000
313	John Hawkes (Winters Bone)	+4000
315	Jeremy Renner (The Town)	+4000
Any wagers after event becomes public knowledge will be no action.
Rot	Oscars Best Actress	Moneyline
321	Natalie Portman (Black Swan)	-2000
322	Annette Bening (The Kids Are All Right)	+400
323	Jennifer Lawrence (Winters Bone)	+2000
324	Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole)	+3000
326	Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine)	+5000
Any wagers after event becomes public knowledge will be no action.
Rot	Oscars Best Actor	Moneyline
330	Colin Firth (The Kings Speech)	-10000
331	James Franco (127 Hours)	+1200
332	Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network)	+1400
333	Jeff Bridges (True Grit)	+2000
336	Javier Bardem (Biutiful)	+3000
Any wagers after event becomes public knowledge will be no action.
Rot	Oscars Best Director	Moneyline
340	David Fincher (The Social Network)	-180
341	Tom Hooper (The Kings Speech)	-200
343	Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan)	+1200
345	Ethan and Joel Coen (True Grit)	+3000
347	David O. Russell (The Fighter)	+3000
Any wagers after event becomes public knowledge will be no action.
Rot	Oscars Best Picture	Moneyline
350	The Social Network	+150
351	The King's Speech	-800
352	The Fighter	+2000
353	Toy Story 3	+5000
354	Black Swan	+2500
355	Inception	+2000
356	127 Hours	+5000
357	True Grit	+1000
358	The Kids Are All Right	+4000
359	Winter's Bone	+2500
Any wagers after event becomes public knowledge will be no action.
Rot	Oscars Best Costume Design	Moneyline
370	Alice in Wonderland	+110
371	I Am Love	+1500
372	The King's Speech	-200
373	The Tempest	+600
374	True Grit	+500
Rot	Best Foreign Language Film	Moneyline
360	Biutiful (Mexico)	-200
361	Dogtooth (Greece)	+700
362	In a Better World (Denmark)	+200
363	Incendies (Canada)	+250
364	Outside the Law (Algeria)	+1000

The founder of forensic sports handicapping, Stevie Vincent has been a professional gambler since 2002. His plays are now public and a must for totals bettors as mastering over/under is his specialty.

 

College Basketball Betting: Who To Bet On Off Wins and Losses

Yesterday, we were four letters off. We stated that ESPN's Chad Millman has renamed to long-standing sports handicapping tool of Margin of Cover as the "sweat meter." He in fact refers to it as the "sweat barometer."  By any name, the "Margin of Cover" (+/- how much they did or did not cover by) continues to be a betting weapon.

Now that sports betting experts know the top MOC teams in NCAAB to bet on or against, how about analyzing which teams in college basketball are best and worst off straight up wins and losses?
Cal Poly has been the top "predictably unpredictable" squad as they are 1-7 against the spread off a straight up win, but 8-1 to the number off a straight up loss.
Here are the best teams off an outright win:
Team Against the spread record
Hawaii                          8-1
George Mason            13-3
Texas                          12-3
Cleveland State         11-3
However, the following teams can't stand prosperity. These are the best teams to bet against off a straight up win:
Team Against the spread record
Miss State                   1-8
Ohio                            1-7
Miami Ohio                1-7
Southern Illinois        1-7
Cal Poly                      1-7
Michigan State           2-9
Who are the best bounce back teams? Only two teams have been particular impressive against the sportsbook odds off a straight up setback:
Team Against the spread record
Cal Poly                      8-1
San Francisco             7-1
Conversely, losing is quite contagious for these spread disasters. Here are the worst teams to bet on—or the best teams to bet against off a straight up loss.
Team Against the spread record
Fordham                    1-8
Texas Tech                 1-7
Florida Intl.                1-7
Arkansas State           1-7
San Diego                   3-13
For more information: Get today's top sports picks and the video preview of Super Bowl 2011 on the OffshoreInsiders.com Network.

Miami vs. Georgia Tech Predictions to Vegas Odds and Preview

OffshoreInsiders.com Senior Sports Handicapper Matt Rivers has a pick Thursday on the Miami Hurricanes (-5.5) to Georgia Tech.

Reasoning: The very young Yellow Jackets have been half a disgrace at times this season and especially away from Hotlanta. Miami is not much better than mediocre but they do have quality guard play and being in South Beach should be too much for G Tech. In fact just being anywhere outside of their home element should be too much for G Tech.

Paul Hewitt has not coached his team up very well and right now the Jackets are a lower echelon ACC squad that has been awful. They have shown some glimpses at the Thrillerdome as Iman Shumpert, Daniel Miller, Glen Rice and a few others have manned up to beat North Carolina and play better at times against others but the road has been a different story and until they show anything really should lose by double digits against any opponent that has anything at all.

Tech is a perfect or imperfect 0-6 on the road and none of the games have even been that competitive. They lost to a dreadful team in Kennesaw State earlier in the season and were also downed by five by a regressing Siena program. The Saints are far from being the class of the MAAC anymore and all in all Tech has been brutally bad away and just cannot in any way, shape of form be trusted in such a spot.

Miami is 12-9 and if a few extremely tight games went their way it would be more like 15-6. This team has played a plethora of games that have come down to the last possession and they have been snakebitten with the results. But they have quality guard play led by Malcolm Grant and today is the game that they should get well with.

There is the potential for a blowout but in the end blowout or not I don't see these visitors being able to compete. They haven't yet so why tonight?

Top expert pick on this game: Miami Florida

For more information: Get today's best sports picks, betting tips videos and more on the OffshoreInsiders.com Network.

Michigan vs Ohio State NCAA Basketball Odds

 

Courtesy of OddsShark.com

The Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Value City Arena.

Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.

Michigan was an 87-73 winner in their most recent outing at home against Iowa. They covered the 7.5?point spread as favorites.

Ohio State won its last outing, a 58-57 result against Northwestern on January 29. They failed to cover in that game as a 10-point favorite.

Michigan:
Team record: 13-9 SU, 9-7 ATS
Current streak: won 2 straight games.

The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 6 games on the road
is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games on the road
is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Ohio State

When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Penn State are 3-7
After playing Iowa are 2-8
After a win are 7-3

Ohio State:
Team record: 22-0 SU, 10-9 ATS
Current streak: won 22 straight games.

is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Michigan
is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games when playing Michigan

When playing on Thursday are 8-2
Before playing Minnesota are 9-1
After playing Northwestern are 7-3
After a win are 10-0

Next up:
Michigan at Penn State, Sunday, February 6
Ohio State at Minnesota, Sunday, February 6

Spurs vs Lakers NBA Betting

 

Courtesy of OddsShark.com

The San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at STAPLES Center.

Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.

The Spurs were a 99-86 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Trail Blazers. They failed to cover the 5?point spread as favorites, while the total score (185) made winners of UNDER bettors.

Last time out for Los Angeles, they were a 114-106 winner as they battled the Rockets at home. The Lakers failed to cover in the match as an 8.5-point favorite, while 220 combined points moved the game OVER for totals bettors.

San Antonio:
Team record: 40-8 SU, 28-18-2 ATS

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers

When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Sacramento are 6-4
After playing Portland are 7-3
After a loss are 6-4

Los Angeles:
Team record: 34-15 SU, 21-28 ATS

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 5 games when playing San Antonio
LA Lakers are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing at home against San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 6 games when playing at home against San Antonio
LA Lakers are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games at home

When playing on Thursday are 10-0
Before playing New Orleans are 9-1
After playing Houston are 7-3
After a win are 7-3

Next up:
San Antonio at Sacramento, Friday, February 4
LA Lakers at New Orleans, Saturday, February 5

Bucks vs Warriors NBA Handicapping

 

Courtesy of OddsShark.com

The Milwaukee Bucks and the Golden State Warriors will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Oracle Arena.

Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.

Milwaukee lost its last outing, a 92-77 result against the Suns on February 2. The Bucks failed to cover in that game as a 6-point underdog, while the 169 combined points took the game UNDER the total.

In their last action, Golden State was a 96-81 winner at home against the Jazz. They covered the 4.5?point spread as favorites, while the combined score (177) was profitable news for UNDER bettors.

Milwaukee:
Team record: 19-28 SU, 22-24-1 ATS
Current streak: lost 2 straight games.

is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games when playing on the road against Golden State
is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games when playing on the road against Golden State
is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games on the road

When playing on Thursday are 4-6
Before playing Detroit are 4-6
After playing Phoenix are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6

Golden State:
Team record: 20-27 SU, 26-21 ATS

The total has gone OVER in 12 of last 13 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 9 of last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games at home

When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing Chicago are 5-5
After playing Utah are 7-3
After a win are 6-4

Next up:
Milwaukee home to Detroit, Saturday, February 5
Golden State home to Chicago, Saturday, February 5

Heat vs Magic NBA Odds

 

Courtesy of OddsShark.com

The Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Amway Center.

Oddsmakers currently have the Magic listed as 1-point favorites versus the Heat, while the game's total has not yet been posted.

Miami won its last outing, a 117-90 result against the Cavaliers on January 31. The Heat covered in that game as a 17.5-point favorite, while the 207 combined points took the game OVER the total.

Orlando lost its last outing, a 100-97 result against the Grizzlies on January 31. The Magic failed to cover in that game as a 1.5-point favorite, while the 197 combined points took the game UNDER the total.

Miami:
Team record: 34-14 SU, 22-25-1 ATS
Current streak: won 3 straight games.

The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 7 games on the road
is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
is 14-4 SU in its last 18 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 9 of last 12 games

When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Charlotte are 6-4
After playing Cleveland are 6-4
After a win are 8-2

Orlando:
Team record: 31-18 SU, 20-27-2 ATS

is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home
is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of last 7 games at home
is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games when playing Miami

When playing on Thursday are 8-2
Before playing Washington are 8-2
After playing Memphis are 6-4
After a loss are 6-4

Next up:
Miami at Charlotte, Friday, February 4
Orlando at Washington, Friday, February 4

Chad Millman ESPN "Sweat Meter" Update and NBA Rest Report

The margin-of-cover standings have some clear-cut undervalued and overvalued teams. The top sports betting service in the world has another Wise Guy winner and today's NBA schedule features some rested versus unrested matchups including one of the NBATV games.

Now to the NBA rest report:

Pacers vs. Cavaliers

Cleveland is playing their third game in four nights.

Hornets vs. Thunder

New Orleans is playing their third game in four nights, fourth in five nights and playing back-to-back nights.

Blazers vs. Nuggets

Portland is playing back-to-back nights while Denver is playing their third game in four nights.

Rockets vs. Jazz

Houston is playing back-to-back nights, while Utah is playing their third game in four nights.

Here is a Margin of Cover (MOC) breakdown for NCAA basketball. Renamed "sweat meter" in Chad Millman of ESPN's column, MOC is similar to scoring margin, but it is measured by how much a team covers or fails to cover the point spread.

Many sports handicappers believe MOC is invaluable in isolating under and overvalued teams.

At 11-2-1 against the spread, Duquesne has the best MOC in the nation at (+7.5).  The Longhorns of Texas have been kind to bettors at 14-3 to the number and a (+6.9) MOC.

The only other team with at least 10 lined games and a MOC of 5.0 or better is Connecticut, which has exactly a (+5.0) margin at 10-4 in the back pocket.

Texas Tech has the worst MOC at (-5.6) and a terrible 5-13 record according to the sportsbooks. With a 5-9 point spread record, Central Florida is second worst with a (-5.4) deficit.

No other regular rotation team has a negative 5.0 or worse, but Ohio at (-4.8) and Michigan State at (-4.7) are next on the Vegas shame list.

Top expert pick on tonight's card:  The greatest just keeps winning. A push on Florida, but a huge moneyline winner on Portland (+186) on the moneyline wins for GodsTips. That's 57-34 overall, which includes several moneyline underdogs.

Now get six winners including yet another Wise Guy as Wise Guy plays from GodsTips are widely accepted by virtually every bookmaker, Vegas runner, pro bettor, Vegas insider, oddsmaker, and fellow handicappers alike as the strongest pick in sports gambling. GodsTips Wise Guy and entire card is up.

USC vs UCLA NCAA Basketball Odds

 

Courtesy of OddsShark.com

The USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins will both be gunning for a victory on Wednesday when they meet at Pauley Pavilion.

Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.

USC was an 82-73 loser in their most recent outing on the road against Arizona. They failed to cover the 6.5?point spread as underdogs.

UCLA won its last outing, a 73-72 result against Arizona State on January 29. They failed to cover in that game as a 2-point favorite.

USC:
Team record: 12-10 SU, 8-9-2 ATS

The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 7 games on the road
is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games when playing on the road against UCLA
is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games on the road

When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Oregon State are 7-3
After playing Arizona are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4

UCLA:
Team record: 14-7 SU, 7-12-1 ATS

is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of last 8 games when playing USC
is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games when playing at home against USC

When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing St. John's are 0-2
After playing Arizona State are 8-2
After a win are 8-2

Next up:
USC home to Oregon State, Thursday, February 10
UCLA home to St. John's, Saturday, February 5

Nevada vs Utah State NCAA Basketball Odds

 

Courtesy of OddsShark.com

The fans at Dee Glen Smith Spectrum will be treated to a game between the Nevada Wolf Pack and the Utah State Aggies when they take their seats on Wednesday.

Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.

Nevada was a 79-76 winner in its last match at home against Fresno State. They failed to cover the 5?point spread as favorites.

Last time out for Utah State, they were an 89-84 winner as they battled Hawaii on the road. They failed to cover in the match as a 9.5-point favorite.

Nevada:
Team record: 8-13 SU, 8-11 ATS
Current streak: won 4 straight games.

The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games when playing on the road against Utah State
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 6 games on the road
is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Utah State
is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Utah State

When playing on Wednesday are 4-5
Before playing San Jose State are 7-3
After playing Fresno State are 5-5
After a win are 4-6

Utah State:
Team record: 20-2 SU, 10-8 ATS
Current streak: won 15 straight games.

is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Nevada
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Nevada

When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing Boise State are 10-0
After playing Hawaii are 8-2
After a win are 10-0

Next up:
Nevada home to San Jose State, Saturday, February 5
Utah State home to Boise State, Saturday, February 5

Missouri vs Oklahoma State NCAA Basketball Betting

 

Courtesy of OddsShark.com

The Missouri Tigers and the Oklahoma State Cowboys will both be gunning for a victory on Wednesday when they meet at Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.

Missouri lost its last outing, a 71-58 result against Texas on January 29. They failed to cover in that game as a 7.5-point underdog.

Oklahoma State was a 75-74 loser in its last match on the road against Texas Tech. They failed to cover the 2.5?point spread as favorites.

Missouri:
Team record: 17-4 SU, 7-7 ATS

The total has gone UNDER in 8 of last 12 games on the road
is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games on the road

When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing Colorado are 3-7
After playing Texas are 5-5
After a loss are 9-1

Oklahoma State:
Team record: 14-7 SU, 10-6 ATS
Current streak: lost 3 straight games.

is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games at home
is 14-7 SU in its last 21 games
is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games

When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Oklahoma are 6-4
After playing Texas Tech are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4

Next up:
Missouri home to Colorado, Saturday, February 5
Oklahoma State home to Oklahoma, Saturday, February 5

Duke vs Maryland NCAA Basketball Handicapping

 

Courtesy of OddsShark.com

The Duke Blue Devils and the Maryland Terrapins will both be trying to pick up a win on Wednesday when they battle at Comcast Center.

Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.

Duke lost its last outing, a 93-78 result against St. John's on January 30. They failed to cover in that game as an 8.5-point favorite.

In their last action, Maryland was a 74-63 winner on the road against Georgia Tech. They covered the 2?point spread as favorites.

Duke:
Team record: 19-2 SU, 9-10 ATS

is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 6 games when playing on the road against Maryland

When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing North Carolina State are 9-1
After playing St. John's are 8-2
After a loss are 9-1

Maryland:
Team record: 14-7 SU, 8-7 ATS
Current streak: won 3 straight games.

The total has gone UNDER in 6 of last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of last 7 games when playing Duke
is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games

When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing Wake Forest are 4-6
After playing Georgia Tech are 4-6
After a win are 6-4

Next up:
Duke home to North Carolina State, Saturday, February 5
Maryland home to Wake Forest, Saturday, February 5

Clemson vs Virginia NCAA Basketball Odds

 

Courtesy of OddsShark.com

The Clemson Tigers and the Virginia Cavaliers will both be trying to pick up a win on Wednesday when they battle at John Paul Jones Arena.

Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.

Last time out for Clemson, they were a 62-44 winner as they battled Florida State at home. They covered in the match as a 2.5-point favorite.

Last time out for Virginia, they were a 76-71 loser as they battled Wake Forest on the road. They failed to cover in the match as a 4-point favorite.

Clemson:
Team record: 15-6 SU, 8-8-1 ATS
Current streak: won 2 straight games.

is 4-9-1 ATS in its last 14 games on the road
is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Virginia

When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Georgia Tech are 6-4
After playing Florida State are 9-1
After a win are 8-2

Virginia:
Team record: 11-10 SU, 9-6 ATS
Current streak: lost 2 straight games.

is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Clemson
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Clemson
is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Clemson

When playing on Wednesday are 3-7
Before playing Miami are 5-4
After playing Wake Forest are 2-8
After a loss are 5-5

Next up:
Clemson at Georgia Tech, Saturday, February 5
Virginia at Miami, Saturday, February 5

Drake vs Southern Illinois NCAA Basketball Odds

 

Courtesy of OddsShark.com

The fans at SIU Arena will be treated to a game between the Drake Bulldogs and the Southern Illinois Salukis when they take their seats on Wednesday.

Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.

In their last action, Drake was a 77-75 loser on the road against Illinois State. They covered the 6.5?point spread as underdogs.

Southern Illinois was a 66-49 loser in their most recent outing on the road against Evansville. They failed to cover the 3.5?point spread as underdogs.

Drake:
Team record: 8-14 SU, 9-6 ATS
Current streak: lost 3 straight games.

is 2-13 SU in its last 15 games when playing on the road against Southern Illinois
is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road

When playing on Wednesday are 3-7
Before playing Northern Iowa are 4-6
After playing Illinois State are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6

Southern Illinois:
Team record: 10-12 SU, 4-13 ATS
Current streak: lost 3 straight games.

is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Drake
is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games when playing Drake
is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of last 15 games when playing Drake

When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing Bradley are 8-2
After playing Evansville are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3

Next up:
Drake home to Northern Iowa, Saturday, February 5
Southern Illinois home to Bradley, Saturday, February 5