NBA Sports Marketwatch: Feb. 22

Sports Marketwatch
NBA Edition
2/22/2008 4:15 PM EST
By The Team at SportsInsights.com

Welcome to this week's edition of the Sports Marketwatch — NBA Edition, where the Team at SportsInsights gives sports fans unprecedented insight into the NBA point-spread marketplace.

If you ever wanted to know what was really happening on the sportsbook side, you now have an all-access pass with Sports Marketplace! The NBA Edition of the Sports Marketwatch will be a weekly column published on Friday, normally by around 5 p.m., eastern time.  

The staff at SportsInsights.com speaks directly with the line managers at some of the sports betting industry’s largest sportsbooks about which games the public is chasing and the Sharps are pounding. 

We’ll take a look at what’s in store for today’s NBA games.

Sports Marketplace – NBA Edition

Recapping Last Week’s Action:

Due to the NBA’s All-Star Break last Friday, The Sports MarketWatch posted plays in two other sports to show our readers that SportsInsights’ philosophy can be applied to other sports like hockey and college basketball. 

Our selections went a nice 2-0 with the Florida Panthers (NHL) and Marquette (College Hoops) both posting victories. 

Please visit www.SportsInsights.com for more information on how seeking value using sports marketplace indicators can improve your results.

2007-08 NBA Games to Watch: 6-9-0 = 40%
(2-0 in special non-NBA plays last week)

*Source: SportsInsights.com

Sports Marketwatch 2/22/08 – Games to Watch

Charlotte Bobcats (+1) over Sacramento Kings

Our contacts at the sportsbooks circled this game.  Early “sharp money” has moved this line from Charlotte +2 to Charlotte +1.  Public money is pouring in on the once-mighty Kings — but “smart money” actually moved the line the other way.

Both teams are below .500 with the Kings playing a horrible 8-18 on the road.  Charlotte is almost .500 at home — and looks like a “live home dog.”  Add the fact that Charlotte is just 2-8 in their last 10 (and recently got blown out by the Spurs) — and we believe there is good value on the Bobcats (buy Bobcats at a “low!”). Take the point and go with the “smart money” and the side of the sportsbooks.

Charlotte Bobcats +1

Chicago Bulls (+5) over Denver Nuggets

With a huge 90% of the bets at the time of this writing, the line moved from an early open of Chicago +2.5 (at CRIS) to Chicago +5. This is a good 2.5 point value on a Chicago team that has been competitive (almost .500) at home.  

Although Denver is within striking distance of first place, they are below .500 on the road. We like “Betting Against the Public” in this match-up and taking the side of the sportsbooks. We love getting the “good line movement value” of 2.5 points.

Chicago Bulls +5

Philadelphia 76ers (+7.5) over Orlando Magic

With just one-third of the bets landing on the 76ers, the line actually decreased from Philadelphia +7.5 to Philly +7. There are still some +7.5’s available that we would grab.

The Orlando Magic is a first place club — but is barely playing .600 ball. The 76ers have been a doormat for the league over the past few years — but has picked it up as of late.  They have won seven of their last 10 and are climbing back towards the .500 level.  “Smart money” is on the 76ers – and we’ll join them with the points.

Philadelphia 76ers +7.5

Games to Watch: 6-9-0 = 40%
Charlotte Bobcats +1
Chicago Bulls +5
Philadelphia 76ers +7.5

It should be another exciting weekend in the sports marketplace. Keep Sports Marketwatch picks handy and your browser pointed to SportsInsights.com for the latest real-time updates, using our exclusive Sports Investing tools.

We’ll be back next Friday with the new edition of the Sports Marketwatch — NBA Edition.

Enjoy the games!

The Team at SportsInsights.com