Free Picks for All Major Sports - November 21, 2007

Scooter

Dallas (8-2) at Houston (6-5)
Wed, Nov 21, 2007 7:30 PM ET
Dallas +2
Bet this NBA game at Sportsbook.com

The Houston Rockets will host the Dallas Mavericks, at the Toyota Center, for Divisional NBA action. These two met on Nov 5, 2007, in Dallas, with the Mavs winning 107-98. The Dallas Mavericks will be looking for their fifth win in a row. Their last win was a 105-99 beating to the Toronto Raptors, at home. Big man Dirk Nowitzki had 32pts on the night and Jason Terry came off the bench to contribute 19pts. The Mavs are averaging 103pts a game with the majority of them coming from inside the paint.  They’re shooting 82% from the free throw line and their just average from the 3-point line, so far. Defensively the Mavs allow an average of 96pts a game and they’re great at stopping their opponents in the paint. The top producer for the Mavs is Josh Howard averaging 22pts a game while DeSagana Diop leads in rebounds, blocks and scoring in the paint. Set up man Devin Harris is good for 5 assists a 3 steals a game. The Mavs are currently 2-2 on the road and they’re in 2nd place in the Southwest Standings. The Mavs are (5-5 ATS, 4-2H, 1-3A).

The Houston Rockets are currently riding a four game losing skid. Their most recent loss was to the Phoenix Suns, 105-115. Yao Ming contributed a low 12pts on the night and Louis Scola was the main producer with 20pts. The Rockets gave up way too many fast break points that night and Tracy McGrady didn’t play. The Rockets offense is in a slump, averaging only 94pts a game. They aren’t getting help from their 3-point shooters or the big guy under the hoop. Defense is the best part of the Rockets game right now. They allow a low 93pts a game, but the majority of their opponents points are scored in the paint or from the perimeter. They’re the pits at defensive rebounding. The top producer for the Rockets is Tracy McGrady, who averages 26pts and 5 assists per game. He is questionable for tonight’s game due to a sprained elbow. Yao Ming is good for 10 rebounds and 2 blocks a game. The Rockets are currently 3-2 at home and they sit in 4th place in the Southwest Standings. The Rockets are (4-7 ATS, 2-3H, 2-4A).

Recent Trends
Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a home favorite.
Rockets are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite.
Mavericks are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
Mavericks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Wednesday games.
Mavericks are 12-4 ATS in their last 16 games as a road underdog.

Bottom Line:   The Mavs are burning up the court with their starting five and the players off the bench. Yao Ming has been struggling, and depending on Tracy McGrady’s situation at game time.

I like the Mavs to get their fifth win in a row.

Vince Armstrong

Hawaii at New Mexico
Tuesday November 20 7:05 PM EST
Hawaii +13
Bet on the College basketball at Bodog Life

Wac vs Mtn west matchup tonight at The Pit in Albuquerque, NM when visiting 1-2 hawaii takes on the 5-0 undefeated lobos. Lobos have a new head coach in Steve Alford, the former Iowa coach who took over for the fired Rich Mckay after another dismal year in 2006-7. Alford is the "new sheriff in town" and things have gone good so far. However, when you look inside those 5 wins, you see that they were over a bad colorado team, and even worse teams in eastern washington , presbyterian, st, bonaventure & loyola marymount. Can you say, "cupcake city"! New Mexico is led by senoir guard J.R. Gidden who comes in averaging 13 pts per game. He has a nice senoir laden bunch around him in guard/forward Tony Dandridge & guard Darren Prentice. Alford likes to employ a 3-5 guard rotation. They also have a nice junior guard in Chad Toppert who averages 12 pts per game. They are very athletic and like to run an uptempo offe nse when possible, but can also work well in the half court. On the other side, you have a new head coach in Bob Nash Sr., who took over for Riley Wallace who retired after last year. Hawaii is led by Bobby Nash Jr.(the coaches son), who is their leading scorer averaging 22.3 points per game. He has a silky smooth shot, and can also penetrate & pass very well. Senior guard/forward Riley Luettgerodt is also a nice complement to Nash, he averages 15.7 per game and is good at running the floor and shooting from the perimiter. Another name to remember is Jared Dillinger (no relation to John), a senior guard/forward averages 11.3 per game and is the same kind of player they used to have in the now graduated Matt Gipson. Senior guard Matt Gibson has been struggling with a knee injury, but he could be back tonight? The wild card tonight could be rainbow forward P.J. Owsley, who is a good low post threat, but can also go outside and drain a 3ptr when need be.

Bottom Line: There is no doubt that New Mexico will be facing their toughest test tonight vs a team that matches up well with them in size, quickness and shooting ability. Hawaii has had their first test already this past friday night when they lost a heartbreaker 79-77 at home to a very good Illiois club. They actually had a double-digit lead with 6:00 minutes left. I think this game will go down to the perverbial wire. I see alot of value with the visitor plus double digits tonight. I will grab them pts, and I reccomend you do the same.

Final: New Mexico 84 Hawaii 78

For a list of all the other Sportsbook odds go to Totalodds.com

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