McNeal helps Marquette upend Villanova
NCAA Basketball Betting Lines
01/01/2009 - Milwaukee, WI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jerel McNeal logged 24 points and seven assists, as the Marquette Golden Eagles dropped the 15th-ranked Villanova Wildcats, 79-72, in the first Big East Conference tilt for both clubs.
McNeal and Dominic James each hit four of Marquette's 10 three-pointers with James netting 17 points. Wesley Matthews and Lazar Hayward contributed 19 and 15 points, respectively, for the Eagles (12-2, 1-0 Big East), who won their fourth straight game and moved to 10-0 at home this season.
Corey Fisher led four Wildcats in double figures with 21 points, while Dante Cunningham posted 16 points and eight rebounds for Villanova (12-2, 0-1), which had a four-game winning streak snapped.
Corey Stokes and Scottie Reynolds got the 'Cats off on the right foot by each hitting three-balls to open the game's scoring. Marquette chipped away at the deficit, and James' trifecta gave the Eagles their first lead, 16-13, midway through the opening 20 minutes.
With the score tied 30-all late in the first half, McNeal scored five of the Marquette's last six points, and the hosts took a 36-32 edge into the locker room.
The Eagles pushed the lead to nine more than four minutes into the second half, but 'Nova's subsequent 13-3 run, capped by Reynolds' layup off a Cunningham steal, gave the Wildcats a 47-46 edge with 11:08 to play.
The game was nip-and-tuck until Marquette went on a mini 9-2 spurt between the seven and four-minute marks. Matthews scored six straight Eagles points and McNeal drilled a three for a 66-58 advantage.
The difference never dipped below six the rest of the way, as Matthews' free throw with 1:28 remaining started a string of nine straight makes at the stripe, allowing Marquette to seal the win.
Game Notes
The all-time series between the teams is now tied, 6-6, with the Golden Eagles taking the last three meetings...Reynolds finished with 15 points for Villanova, which also got 10 points from Stokes...Marquette, which shot 46.0 percent from the field, overcame committing 19 turnovers and a 24-5 deficit in second-chance points.
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Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends
We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS. Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned. For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go. As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190). Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”. By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet. For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction. On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later. Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick. Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com
New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors
Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season.
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls
Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times.
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons
Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season.
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers
In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS.
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”. With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit. Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.
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