NBA Picks: April 18th 2012
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns
Pick: Phoenix Suns +4
CLICK HERE FOR TODAY’S EXPERT NBA PICKS

While the Oklahoma City Thunder have been at or near the top of the West all season, Phoenix (32-29) had the conference’s third-worst record two months ago. The Suns have one of the worst records since the All-Star Break, going 18-9 in their last 27 games. That includes an 11-2 home record.

“People had us for dead beginning of the season, middle of the season, All-Star break,” forward Jared Dudley said. “And we’ve worked our butts off, we’ve played through it, guys have learned their roles and I think we’re ready to do it.”

Phoenix would be the No. 8 seed in the West if the season were to end today, but they are far from in. I believe the Suns have shown that they have the mental toughness to play well in this circumstance, and they have the leadership behind Steve Nash to finish strong.

Oklahoma City has proven to be vulnerable down the stretch as they try and earn that No. 1 seed in the West. The Thunder have lost five of their last nine, going 3-6 ATS during that stretch. Their only wins have come against non-playoff teams in the Timberwolves, Kings, Raptors and Bucks.

The Thunder are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record. The Suns are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 home games, including 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a home underdog. Phoenix is 19-8 ATS in their last 27 games overall. Bet the Suns Wednesday.

No. 2 Ranked Overall Handicapper L60 Days! Jack Jones has owned the books to the tune of a MASSIVE 99-62 Premium Picks Run L56 Days! If you are looking to cash in tonight, then sign up for Jack’s Wednesday 3-Pack of Profits for $49.95! On the pro hardwood he releases his 20* NBA Undervalued Underdog and his 15* NBA No-Doubt Rout! He caps off the night in black numbers with his 15* MLB PLAY OF THE DAY on the bases! You are GUARANTEED PROFITS or Thursday’s card is ON JACK!

DOMINANT 63-41 & 30-17 NBA Runs! Jack Jones has just LOWERED THE PRICE of one of his most popular packages! You can now purchase Jack’s 2011-12 NBA Season Pass for $299.95 (previously $349.95)! Come take advantage of this special $50.00 DISCOUNT and cash in on the pro hardwood through the NBA Finals in June!

NBA Picks: April 17th 2012
Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks
Pick: Boston Celtics +3
CLICK HERE FOR TODAY’S EXPERT NBA PICKS

The Boston Celtics have been playing their best basketball of the season of late. Boston has also had New York’s number in recent years. The Celtics should not be an underdog in this contest tonight because of both reasons.

Boston has won 13 of their last 17 overall, including six of their last seven here recently. They have impressive road wins over the Indiana Pacers (86-72) and Miami Heat (115-107) in their last seven contests. This is a team that is showing they’re not going to be an easy out come playoff time.

The Celtics have won 14 of their last 16 meetings with the Knicks. Boston’s Big 3 of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen all sat out last game, but each is expected to return tonight and should be fresh after getting some much-needed rest. Meanwhile, the Knicks are still playing without two of their best players in Amar’e Stoudemire (back) and Jeremy Lin (knee).

The Celtics are 18-7-2 ATS in their last 27 games overall. Boston is 8-0-1 ATS in their last 9 games following a SU win of more than 10 points. The Celtics are 6-0-1 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog of 0.5-4.5. The road team is 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings, and the Celtics are 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings in New York. Bet Boston Tuesday.

No. 2 Ranked Overall Handicapper L60 Days! Jack Jones has put together a HUGE 98-60 Premium Picks Run L55 Days to really put a hurting on the books! After a few losing cards in a row, he’s ready to bounce back in a big way tonight! Get Jack’s Tuesday 3-Play Power Pack for $49.95 and cash in! Leading the charge is his 25* Spurs/Lakers TNT TOTAL OF THE YEAR on National TV (63-39 NBA Run)! As always, you are GUARANTEED PROFITS or Wednesday’s card is ON JACK!

DOMINANT 63-39 & 30-15 NBA Runs! Jack Jones has just LOWERED THE PRICE of one of his most popular packages! You can now purchase Jack’s 2011-12 NBA Season Pass for $299.95 (previously $349.95)! Come take advantage of this special $50.00 DISCOUNT and cash in on the pro hardwood through the NBA Finals in June!

MLB Picks: April 17th 2012
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Pick: Toronto Blue Jays -138
CLICK HERE FOR TODAY’S EXPERT MLB PICKS

Tampa Bay has had a brutal start to their season getting the Yankees, Red Sox, and Tigers to begin. Jeff Niemann gets his second start of the year after giving up 3 runs and four hits to the Tigers in five innings. He has had his troubles historically with the Blue Jays going 4-3 with a 5.23 ERA in 11 career starts. Adam Lind (11-26) has had his way with the Rays’ starter. As a whole, the team is hitting .267 against Niemann. Toronto is scoring over 5 runs per game despite hitting just .231 as a unit. They are 3-3 at home in six games. Tampa Bay’s bullpen has been awful as a unit as their ERA is still above 10.00.

Ricky Romero is coming off his best effort against the Red Sox his last time out. He gave up 1 run and three hits in 8.3 innings of work in a 3-1 victory. Boston is a team that he has traditionally struggled with so it was a good sign for Romero that he pitched so well in that game. Romero is 5-4 with a 3.18 ERA in 10 career starts against Tampa Bay. Rays’ hitters are 23 for 141 all-time against the lefty. Struggling the most are Matt Joyce (0-12), Evan Longoria (5-20), Carlos Pena (1-10), Sean Rodriguez (1-15), Luke Scott (1-12) and BJ Upton (5-25). Tampa Bay’s offense has scored only 20 runs so far on their current 7-game road trip. They are hitting just over .220 in their last eight games. Toronto’s bullpen has been a question mark this year going 2-3 with a 3.77 ERA and four blown saves in five chances. But we expect Romero will go long enough in this game and limit the bullpen’s work. We recommend laying the price with the Blue Jays in this game tonight. -Steve Merril

NBA Picks: April 16th 2012
New Orleans Hornets vs. Charlotte Bobcats
Pick: New Orleans -6
CLICK HERE FOR TODAY’S EXPERT NBA PICKS

New Orleans has been one of the best teams in the league to bet on while the Bobcats have been one of the worst. New Orleans doesn’t have a lot of top-end talent but they play good team basketball and they fight hard every night. This is the opposite of the Bobcats, a team that has thrown in the towel on this campaign long ago. We did take the Bobcats last night against a Boston team not known for success in back-to-backs and on its third game in three nights and Charlotte is so bad they managed to blow the cover in the fourth quarter, but this is another great opportunity to go against Charlotte. New Orleans is 5-0 against the spread in their last five games. They are 13-5 in their last 18 on the road and this team continually gets underestimated by the oddsmakers and the general public. The Bobcats got a rare win and cover against this Hornets club here in March, but overall New Orleans has covered in five of the last six meetings and seven of nine overall. The Bobcats are the most untrustworthy team in the league for bettors at home at 9-19 ATS and New Orleans has been great to backers at 18-10 ATS on the road. New Orleans is also a respectable 9-7 ATS in back-to-backs this season while the Bobcats are 6-14 ATS. New Orleans also has played well on the road against sub-.500 teams at 9-5 ATS. Most of all, New Orleans just seems hungry to finish the season strong and the Bobcats just seem to be playing out the string. -Doc’s Sports