Today’s Top Line Moves and Top Trends
Today’s Top Line Moves and Top Trends
By Doug Upstone
A rather full day in the NBA and in college basketball postseason has the betting odds churning. The line moves we found are significant and despite just three hockey contests, one favorite is no more. Like we say every day, understanding line moves can build your bankroll. (432-384 L152D)
NBA – (611) INDIANA at (612) CHICAGO 8:05 ET FS-IN, CSN-CH
Cleveland has surpassed Chicago in the Central Division and the injury-plagued Bulls are now in danger of falling to the fifth slot in the East, having lost five of six (1-5 ATS). Indiana was surging, but two shocking home losses to Toronto and Boston has curtailed their turnaround, at least for now. Those making NBA picks at sportsbook either prefer the Pacers or have distain for Chicago and altered Indiana from +2 to a Pick. The Bulls have having issues scoring and defending and they are 9-24 ATS after being on the road. Indiana is 18-13-1 ATS in away outings and is 13-5 ATS as a visitor coming off one or more setbacks. Doug’s Choice – Lean Indiana
NBA – (615) BOSTON at (616) OKLAHOMA CITY 8:05 ET CSN-NE, FS-OK
For Oklahoma City, no Kevin Durant and no Serge Ibaka signifies no cover for those placing sports picks. At least this appears to be the case against the battling team from Boston who is on a marvelous 5-0 SU and ATS move. Hoops bettors have struck down the Thunder from -9 to -7 home favorites, contemplating just how much longer can Russell Westbrook can keep up the Superman routine to carry this team. Despite the great numbers, Westbrook is averaging a league-worst 5.8 turnovers since the break and 7.6 in his last five games and suddenly defensive-minded Boston is scoring an average of 20.3 points off turnovers since the All-Star break for one of the NBA’s best marks. Hard not to prefer the Celtics who are 20-10 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points this season. Doug’s Choice – Boston covers
CBB – (655) EASTERN MICHIGAN at (656) UL-MONROE 8:00 ET
In CBI tourney action, a pair of 21-win teams collides and for those thinking nobody pays attention to these lower tournament contests, pull up a chair and pay attention. Eastern Michigan opened as a 1.5-point road underdog and has since been shifted to a single digit favorite. As many college basketball handicappers can see, the reasoning for such a move is murky considering the Eagles are 6-10 and 5-9 ATS away from home and UL-Monroe is 12-3 (5-5 ATS) at home. Both are good defensive teams and while my original preference was the Warhawks, I’m a bit leery since they are 0-6 ATS as a home underdog of three points or less. Doug’s Choice – Lean UL- Monroe
CBB – (675) KENT STATE at (676) MID. TENN. STATE 7:00 ET
Middle Tennessee State is getting the call, up from -2.5 to -4 over Kent State in this CIT tilt. The Golden Flashes are 21-11 this season, but had a terrible shooting game against Akron (34.5 percent) and were quickly dismissed from their league tournament. This follows a pattern for Kent State who is 3-12 ATS in the opening game of any tournament the past 18 years. The Blue Raiders had won and covered four straight before falling to eventual C-USA champion UAB. Mid. Tenn. State is 12-3 and 7-5 ATS at home while Kent State is solid 8-5 ATS on the road. M.T.S. has better athletes and if they execute in the half court, they win and cover. Kent State is the better defensive squad and if they baffle the Blue Raiders and make them take contested shots with the shot clock winding down, they will pull the upset. Doug’s Choice – Slight lean Kent State
NHL – (55) LOS ANGELES at (16) ANAHEIM 10:35 ET NBCSN
The way the season is playing out in the Western Conference, Pacific Division rivals Los Angeles and Anaheim could meet in the first round of the playoffs. This is the final meeting of the regular season in the Freeway Faceoff and the Ducks hold a 3-1 edge, winning twice on home ice. Goalie Jonathan Quick has been nearly impregnable, with a 1.67 goals against average in past 17 starts, but the NHL odds on the Kings have gone from +115 to -105. After being horrendous start on the road at 9-20, the Kings have won three in a row away from L.A. First place Anaheim has won nine of 13, including the last two and with the total at Un5; the Ducks are 10-1 at home game when the total is 5 or less this season. Doug’s Choice – Anaheim wins
Vegas Pro Insiders Daily Trends
NBA ATS Trend
Miami is 0-12 ATS off an upset win as an underdog this season.
NBA Totals Trend
Brooklyn is 10-0 UNDER as a road underdog of 6.5 to 12 points this season.
CBB ATS Trend
Oral Roberts is 1-10 ATS versus teams forcing 14 or fewer turnovers a game, 15 or more contests into the season.
NHL Totals Trend
N.Y. Rangers are 18-4 after playing a game when four or fewer total goals were scored this season.
Follow Doug Upstone at www.vegasproinsidersdaily.com and on Twitter @VegasProInsider
