By Scott Pritchard
Posted 02/09/2015 at 11:07 AM

The Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks have been simply sensational this year, very impressive to say the least. Golden State is the best in the West and the Hawks own the best record in the East by a mile.

Let’s talk about which teams have been lights out vs the number ATS (against the spread).

The Atlanta Hawks not only own the second best overall record in the league they also own the BEST ATS record as they have been a cash cow at the bet window. I love how this team plays and they have an outstanding bench. Often times in this league it isn’t who starts it is who do you have coming off the bench.

On the other side of the equation the Denver Nuggets and Washington Wizards have been money burners with very bad ATS records.

Let’s look at totals. The Indiana Pacers have been a dead OVER team while no less than four teams have been cashing a ton of tickets to the UNDER. The Cleveland Cavs and Miami Heat lead the pack in this area followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder and Milwaukee Bucks.

I love betting totals.

There is a reason why the sports books limit how much you can bet on a total. It is because it is a beatable play and you will find disparity in the number if you do your homework and shop for the best number.

Until next week in the words of my friend and mentor Lem Banker “bet with your head, not over it”.

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By Scott Pritchard
Posted 02/02/2015 at 11:18 AM

Now that the Super Bowl is over and done with let’s hone in on the countless opportunities betting college and pro baskets with sides and totals.

What is it that you look for when handicapping totals?

I focus on field goal attempts for both teams among other things. I also look at average number of times a team gets to the free throw line. Shooting percentages go up and down but to me one of the constants is “opportunities” to score.

Up to this point in the season the Indiana Pacers have been a very good OVER team while the Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat have been dead UNDER teams.

I also like betting halftime totals for basketball. Understand that the second half total is shaded a bit high on occasion because of the possibility a game could go overtime and of course late in games a team often times will foul which obviously stops the clock and allows more free points to be scored.

My rule of thumb is if I like the UNDER overall for a game I will shop for the best LOW number for the first half knowing that overtime is not an option and a team is not going to ever randomly start fouling giving up free points.

Conversely, if I like the OVER in a contest I will generally hammer it for the game for the reasons mentioned earlier. This is an exciting time of year with so many options to bet every day because of college and pro basketball and NHL hockey.

Before you BET it make sure you GET it. I am talking about being very selective and finding real value. Until next week “bet with your head not over it”.

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