NBA Betting – Start Off March with Madness in the Pro League on the First

Sports book basketball betting fans should start off March with betting in the pro league on the first.  Although March is the month for college hoops, the NBA isn’t a bad place to be to find betting profits.

March first starts it off with 8 games on the NBA schedule.  Check out a preview below for San Antonio vs. Memphis, the Lakers vs. Minnesota, and tonight’s night cap, the Houston Rockets taking on the Portland Trailblazers.

03/01/2011 – NBA Games

San Antonio Spurs (49-10) at Memphis Grizzlies (33-28)

Where:  FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tennessee

When:  8:00 pm EST

NBA Odds:  Under 193                 

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Analysis:  Tough to handicap regarding the against the spread NBA odds in this contest because these two teams just knocked heads on Feb. 27.  The Spurs won that game 95 to 88, but Memphis covered the 8 ½ point spread.  Now, the Grizzlies are the actual favorites on Tuesday night.  That will probably change, but it doesn’t really matter to me because there is a very strong trend for this game going under the total of 193.  That trend, that the under is 5 and 0 in the last 5 meetings in Memphis, is supported by the trend that the under is 4 and 1 in the Spurs’ last 5 games playing on a day of rest.  I just don’t see either team scoring a lot in this game.  Yes, there are over trends aplenty, but I’m gong under. 

Los Angeles Lakers (42-19) at Minnesota Timberwolves (14-46)

Where:  Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 

When:  8:00 pm EST

NBA Odds:  Lakers -9             

Analysis:  I’ve banged on the Lakers many times in the past, but I can’t deny that the hot sports betting trends favor Kobe and Co. in this game.  L.A. is 5 and 1 against the spread in the last 6 meetings in Minnesota as well as being 7 and 1 ATS in their last 8 games versus a team with a home winning percentage of less than .400.  Kobe’s squad is also 4 and 0 against the spread in its last 4 games overall.  That’s not too shabby.  The T’Wolves?  1 and 7 against the spread in their last 8 home games and 1 and 6 against the spread in their last 7 versus a team with a winning straight up record means that the Lakers should have an easy one tonight.

Houston Rockets (30-31) at Portland Trailblazers (33-26)

Where:  Rose Garden, Portland, Oregon

When:  10:00 pm EST

Fair NBA Odds:  Houston +5 ½  

Analysis:  The pro basketball odds makers haven’t set the line for this contest just yet because they’re waiting to see if any more information can come down the wires regarding Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge.  Aldridge is listed as probable in tonight’s game.  If Aldridge, who is averaging over 22 points and 9 boards per game, doesn’t suit up, then the ‘Blazers could be -1 point faves or even +1 point dogs in this contest.  If Aldridge does play, and I believe that he will, then the ‘Blazers should be around a -5 ½ to -6 point home favorite.  I like Houston either way because the man that replaced Shane Battier in the starting line up, Chase Budinger, can light it up given the chance.  In any case, he’s going to force one of the ‘Blazers defenders to guard him, leaving open Luis Scola who is also listed as “probable” for this contest.  

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Sources:  espn.com, covers.com