Betting Late NBA Underdogs Takes Courage

Marc Lawrence
Betting Late NBA Underdogs Takes Courage
By
Mar 10, 2008, 10:56

The majority of NBA teams are heading into last 25 percent of the NBA schedule and for many; they are once again just playing out the string, showing they deserve paycheck and have pride and dignity of note. While most of these teams have individuals that will show that they have heart and will play all 82 games, each of these same clubs have selfish players, only interested in stats or playing when they are in the mood. For those betting NBA basketball and prefer teams in the underdog role, this time of year the number of points by volume, often seems ample, but does your possible wager include a team interested in showing up other then to be the Washington Generals, going thru the motions. This Monday, two distinct NBA games fit the bill.

The Los Angeles Clippers (20-41, 26-35 ATS) are in South Beach to face the Miami Heat. The crass Clippers have lost eight of last nine, as they start five game road trip, which is probably as welcome as the foot or more of snow that fell in Ohio. Fresh on the minds of the L.A. players is how they blew 13-point third quarter lead and fell 99-96 at home to Minnesota on Saturday night, one of the few teams that have a record worse then they have. Maybe Corey Maggette has the right attitude about being a woeful club at this juncture of the season. â€œWe just have to try and play hard, forget about wins and losses and just concentrate on playing hard,â€ said Maggette, who scored 29 points in losing effort. The Clippers are 8-19 ATS after failing to cover four of their last five against the spread over the last two seasons.

When most NBA teams hit the road, they usually focus on winning first game to start the trip on a positive note and L.A. could not have handpicked a better opponent for this reason alone. The Miami Heat (11-50, 21-39-1 ATS), you remember them, NBA champs two years ago. Maybe itâ€™s in the water in Florida, because just like the Marlins, Miami went from the penthouse to the outhouse in record time. The Heat is so bad, even there coach Pat Riley, has said he will miss a game or two scouting the NCAA Tournament. He just might want to watch two good teams compete in a basketball contest, compared to what he has to watch.

Miami has lost four in a row and 16 of last 18 (5-12-1 ATS), which has played into them being 8-22 ATS after playing a road game this season. Its sad Dwayne Wade, once thought of as one of the best young players in the NBA, is now more famous for being in Charles Barkleyâ€™s Fab Five.

The leagueâ€™s worst team is a 3.5-point favorite at home against the Clips, with 191 total according to BetOnLine.com. To further enhance uncertainty for bettors, Los Angeles is 33-52 ATS as an underdog, with the Heat 2-12 ATS as a home favorite this season.

The New York Knicks (18-45, 30-32-1 ATS) are headed for yet another sorry season under the bogus leadership of President and CEO James Dolan and head coach Isiah Thomas. The Knicks latest losing skid is six straight (2-4 ATS), as they are anthropomorphic in the basketball sense. This is New Yorkâ€™s fourth losing streak of five or more games and they are 1-5 ATS taking on a team like Dallas that has a winning record.

The Knicks roster is compromised for this encounter with center Eddy Curry having torn cartilage in his right knee and will rest for a few days before a decision on surgery is made. Jamal Crawford has injured shooting hand and is listed as questionable, after missing Portland game. Finally, forward Zach Randolph is out with sore right knee.

The Knicks are like many Americans, having the Monday blues, as 6-23 ATS record proves. If all this wasnâ€™t bad enough, the Knickerbockers are 3-9 ATS versus the Mavericks.

Receiving points does present two opportunities to win, if the underdog cares to play.