Spurs, Wolves square off in Twin Cities

Basketball Betting Lines

03/12/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Antonio Spurs will try to continue their mastery of the Minnesota Timberwolves when the two Western Conference inhabitants get together tonight at the Target Center.

San Antonio has won 10 straight and 15 of the past 16 meetings with the Timberwolves, who have lost five in a row as the host in this series. Minnesota's last win over the Spurs was a 103-101 overtime triumph back on January 3, 2007 in the Twin Cities.

The Spurs have won five of their last six games overall, including Wednesday's 97-87 triumph versus the New York Knicks in the Alamo City. Manu Ginobili scored a game-high 28 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out five assists to lead the way. Ginobili has scored in double figures 10 times and has posted 20-plus points on six different occasions in 11 games since the All-Star break, averaging 20.9 ppg in that period.

Tim Duncan added 18 points and nine rebounds for the Spurs, who sit seventh in the conference standings. Keith Bogans donated 13 points, while George Hill registered 12 in a winning cause. Hill has started the last 23 games and is posting 16.0 ppg.

"We held them to 18 less than they usually score. I'm pretty happy with that," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said after beating the Knickerbockers.

San Antonio will try to push its road record of 14-15 to the .500 mark Friday.

The Timberwolves have seen better days and are playing out the string this evening. They have lost seven straight and 13 of their last 14 games, and are coming off Wednesday's 110-102 loss versus the Denver Nuggets. Nuggets forward J.R. Smith put the game away with a trio of threes late in the game.

"Those three (three-pointers) gave them the momentum. A team like that, you have to put them away. They're a great team," said Minnesota guard Ramon Sessions, who had nine points.

Corey Brewer had 21 points and Al Jefferson posted 17 and 10 rebounds for Minnesota, which is 0-3 on a four-game homestand and winless in its last seven contests in the Twin Cities.

Kevin Love notched 15 points and 11 boards in defeat. Minnesota is 9-24 as the host this season.

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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

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