NBA Betting – Friday Basketball Picks

Sure, NFL betting will grab the headlines during Thanksgiving weekend, but there’s plenty of NBA to bet on too. Here are some intriguing matchups to consider for Friday.

San Antonio Spurs @ Houston Rockets
Friday, November 27, 8:30 p.m. ET

It’s been an odd start for the Spurs, considered serious championship contenders by many sports betting sharps entering the season. They’ve sputtered to a 7-6 record despite boasting one of the NBA’s deepest rosters. A big reason for their slow start is injuries, as it seems one of Tim Duncan or Manu Ginobli always has some kind of malady. Another reason is their relaxed approach; they’re confident enough in their playoff chances that Gregg Popovich isn’t pushing his starters too hard early on.

While the Spurs have won three straight, those wins all came at home. Strangely enough, San Antonio is 0-4 on the road this year. I do, however, think they end that slump in Houston on Friday. The Rockets are playing well enough without Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming – Trevor Ariza is earning his keep so far – but they aren’t beating anyone important aside from their one victory over the Lakers. Usually, the Dallases and San Antonios of the world handle the depleted Rockets. Shane Battier can’t cover everyone so I like the Spurs to wake up and win on Friday.

NBA betting pick: Spurs

New Jersey Nets @ Sacramento Kings
Friday, November 27, 10:00 p.m. ET

The sports betting world is a funny place in that it ignores bad teams but suddenly becomes interested in really bad teams. Take the New Jersey Nets. They’re 0-15, two losses away from tying the NBA record for worst-ever start to a season. That makes for exciting betting as we sit their wondering if “this is the game” the finally win or if they have a date with dubious history.

It’s safe to say New Jersey’s trip to Sacramento is the last chance to avoid humiliation. If the Nets lose, they go to Los Angeles for Game 16 (loss) and host Dallas for Game 17 (probably a loss). They probably know this and will thus give their best effort of the season on Friday night.

There’s plenty to like about Sacramento’s start, as Kevin Martin is exploding into stardom and Tyreke Evans looks like a player too (though he turns over the ball a ton). But the Kings can be had. They allow 105.4 points per game, the sixth-worst mark in the league. With Devin Harris likely starting and Courtney Lee’s minutes coming back up, the Nets are getting healthier. Look for them to end the misery and win a hard-fought road game this Friday. Make them your sports picks.

NBA betting pick: Nets

How to Manage Your Betting Bankroll

Responsible gambling is all about control. Regardless of the remarkable tales of hot streaks, the wide belief in luck or especially strategies to "beat" the game that you've learned, the only true way to come out ahead when gambling is to be responsible and maintain complete control over your emotions, your decisions and your bankroll.

Your bankroll is, basically, the amount of money you bring to any poker or casino table or some bookmakers room when betting on UEFA Champions League games. It can even be the overall amount you have in your account. The amount of money you have will dictate your choices, and by following this as a rule, you will maximize reward while minimizing risk.

How do you effectively manage your bankroll and use percentages in your favor? Well, it's an easy process to learn; you'll just have to implement it.

Tips to Bankroll Management


1: Figure out a budget and stick to it. With most online gaming venues, you're going to receive some bonus money to start out. For instance, if you deposit $100, you may receive $200 to play with. Don't go crazy putting money into any casino or poker room. Play with only what you can afford.

2: Stick to what you know. If you're a fan of roulette, then select one of the best roulette casinos to play at. This goes for poker or any other game. Bankroll management is about winning. We're not just running around blindly trying to press our luck.

3: Play only at tables that have limits less than 20% of your bankroll. For example, if you're playing a ring game in poker and want to play with $100, make sure you go to a $5 max table. Anything else is too risky. You could lose it all in one hand. Remember, bankroll management is about minimizing your risk.

4: Determine a time to get out. This goes for either winning or losing. If you're having a bad day and your particular strategies aren't panning out, run for cover. You can use the 50/50 rule for this. If you're down half of your bankroll, get out of the game. And if you're winning 50% of your bankroll, get out while you're ahead. Hopefully, you'll be ahead far more often than behind.

5: Always bet conservatively. You may run into some good luck and start doing well, but never bet more than 20% of your bankroll at the table. You want to chip away at winnings in small increments. Yes, this may be slow and painful, but you have two options when gambling: lose quickly or win slowly.

If you follow these five tips to manage your bankroll, then you should always be able to keep your risk at a minimum and chip away at some winnings. These rules apply from the top blackjack games to the lowest-stakes poker tables. Just always remember that protecting your bankroll is of vital importance. You cannot play without money.

NHL Betting – Blue Jackets, Canadiens in lone Tuesday NHL matchup

While you’re looking over the NFL betting odds for the Thanksgiving matchups, cool off for a minute and check out the action on the ice on Tuesday, when Columbus will visit Montreal in a clash of two teams with playoff aspirations.

Blue Jackets vs Canadiens odds – Tuesday, November 24, 7:30 PM ET

Ahead of Tuesday’s game in New York against the Rangers, Columbus is 1-0-1 on a five-game road trip. They showed some heart by bouncing back from a 9-1 humiliation in Detroit with a three-game win streak that was broken with a 4-3 shootout loss in Nashville on Saturday. In their lone meeting with Montreal last year, the Blue Jackets got two assists each from Rick Nash and Jan Hejda in a 4-3 overtime win. Steve Mason, the Calder winner who NHL betting players have seen go through a bit of a sophomore slump to begin this year, had 34 saves in the win.

The Canadiens have gotten resurgence from their own young goaltender as Carey Price was named the second star of the week. Price hasn’t given up more than two goals in five straight starts, and seven of his last 10. If the Canadiens are going to be an NHL betting player this year, they need Price to fulfill the potential that we all see. However, he struggles in front of the home fans, which is a testament to how tough it is to play in Montreal. Price is 1-4-1 at home this year with a .888 save percentage. Their goalscorers from last year’s game against Columbus are no longer with the team: Patrice Brisebois, Sergei Kostitsyn and Alex Tanguay.

NHL betting odds in your sportsbook will be close for this game, but they should favor the Canadiens for a few reasons. One, they’re at home, even though the Blue Jackets are decent on the road and have lost just one of their last five in Montreal. Two, the Blue Jackets play on Monday night, while the Canadiens have been off since Saturday, a 3-2 shootout loss at home to Detroit. Three, Price has been playing extremely well as of late, and he needs a win to get the home fans off of his back.

Hockey Picks: Montreal

Rep of Ireland vs France

World Cup Q Play Off
14 November, Saturday

Ireland vs France
20:00 BST
Watch Live Football Online


It will be a great night tonight as we finally have real international battles on the table with big pots to be decided. I picked the game in Ireland which will be crowded with Premier League stars, in both teams, and will certainly produce one of these 90 minutes that will serve your beer cold and tasty.
Ireland will be desperate to take something into the second leg in Paris on Wednesday and looking at their home record it is likely to steal a point at least from the mighty guests. Italy were the last to suffer on this not so healthy soil and France should learn from this game a lot - luck was it that kept the Italians alive. Ireland were one of only five sides to come through qualifying unbeaten and I expect Keane and company to give France a severe battle tonight.
Looking at the line ups it is obvious for everyone France has more quality, specially up front with the likes of Anelka, Henry, Benzema. It is a long list of stars which should be a monster on paper.
However the upset is written all over here as the home side are motivated and ready to leave their last drop of blood on the pitch in the name of the victory. France won't like it as they will receive a good portion of strong physical battle.
I will take a safety strategy again and search for a half time draw as both teams should be careful in the opening minutes with a mind on not to loose everything right from the start.

Bet Selection:
Draw at HT

Top Price:
2.00 in bet365

NBA Basketball Betting – Friday Night Picks

The sports betting attention will be shifted to the boxing odds this weekend as the pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto but before we get to the Saturday events, we’ll have some Friday night basketball. Here’s a preview of a couple of key games:

Portland Trail Blazers @ New Orleans Hornets

Sportsbook Odds: Trail Blazers -1

The New Orleans Hornets have had a very ugly start to the season, which cost their head coach his job. Byron Scott is now looking for work as the Hornets decided to fire him after a 3-6 start.

On some levels, the move was completely premature as the Hornets had somewhat of a roster overhaul. The Hornets have two new starters (Devin Brown and Emeka Okafor) and it clearly takes some time for the new members to gel. But for the Hornets, only three wins in their first nine games is not good enough.

The biggest problem for the Hornets is that they have been rebounding very poorly this season – again. In seven of the first nine games, the Hornets have been outrebounded. They thought they may have addressed that problem when they picked up Okafor in the offseason but that hasn’t been enough.

On Friday night, the Hornets host the Trail Blazers, who are heading in the opposite direction. Portland is 6-3 to start that season and has won four straight.

While many people will want to pick the Hornets to bounce back after the firing of their coach, the reality is that they will get outrebounded once again and that will be the difference.

Pick: Trail Blazers -1

Los Angeles Lakers @ Denver Nuggets

Internet Gambling Odds: Nuggets -1

In another key matchup on Friday night, we’ll see a rematch of the Western Conference Finals from last year as the Denver Nuggets host the Los Angeles Lakers.

This will be a different Lakers squad on the floor on Friday as they are without their two big men: Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol.

The Nuggets have been hot to start the year and considering they are 6-3 after playing just two home games, that’s a good sign. The Nuggets will want to get some revenge from last year, even as minimal as that will be considering this is a regular season game and they lost in the playoffs.

Everyone knows that if the Lakers are healthy and this is a playoff matchup, the Nuggets would again get smoked but in a regular season affair, look for the Nuggets to be a little more motivated to win this contest.

Pick: Nuggets -1

Nigeria U17 vs Spain U17

World Cup Under 17
12 November, Thursday

Nigeria vs Spain
18:00 BST
Watch Live Football Online


Football fans have no choice today but to choose between a very few games in the coupon. Under 17 games are risky business for the punters but I will have a shot at a price looks worthy and safe enough.
Nigeria vs Spain is a battle with long story on that level and a revenge will be on the table today when both sides meet each other in what should be a final before the final. Spain are desperate to rebuild some pride after loosing 2007 final in Korea from the same opponent after a shootout. Speaking of penalties Spain were lucky enough to win the roulette on the quarters but over 90 minutes efforts may produce some tricks with the legs at that stage. Nigeria are improving with every game here and I will expect them to put Spain under serious physical pressure. Home fans are completely mad and this support will play a role too.
I was considering the 90 minutes draw here but then changed my opinion as Nigeria looks too dangerous in front of the fans, being in top form and able to produce smashing press all over the pitch which will emphasize Spain fatigued after a nerve-shredding 1/4 final.
We can find a relatively safe exit of this game and look for the draw on the HT as both teams will take it easy from the start with a mind on not conceding rather than scoring an early goal.

Bet Selection:
Draw at HT

Top Price:
2.10 in bet365