NBA Betting – Bucks wrap up West Coast swing in Denver

Online betting players have been stunned by Milwaukee’s emergence in the Eastern Conference, and even though they probably won’t get homecourt advantage, they’re hanging on to the fifth seed very tight. The Bucks will be out west this weekend and on Saturday, they’ll head to Denver, who will be rested and waiting.

Bucks vs Nuggets odds – Saturday, March 20, 9:00 PM ET

The Bucks had a six-game winning streak snapped in Los Angeles on Wednesday when they fell 101-93 to the Clippers, and Brandon Jennings led the way with 21 points and five assists, although he had five of Milwaukee’s 13 turnovers. Andrew Bogut had another solid game in the post with 18 points, 11 boards and four blocks, and he really has come into his own this season. The former No.1 pick has always been good defensively and on the boards, but he’s showing an ability to put the ball in the hoop this year, and having a point guard like Jennings has to help. Chances are Bogut won’t be looking at how to bet March Madness this year, as his Utah Utes won’t be dancing, but we’re sure Bogut will take a playoff trip instead.

The Nuggets recovered from a disappointing loss in Houston with a 97-87 win over Washington on Tuesday, and Carmelo Anthony followed up a 45-point performance against the Rockets with another 29 points on the Wizards. Anthony also added 12 rebounds for the Nuggets, who shot 50.7% from the floor, although they were terrible from the three-point line, going 3-of-18. J.R. Smith provided a spark off the bench with 17 points for the Nuggets, who had coach George Karl back on the bench after he missed four games due to his cancer treatments.

You would probably get better odds in a super casino than on Milwaukee to beat the Nuggets in Denver, as they’ve lost three in a row and eight of their last 10 trips to the high altitude of the Pepsi Center. The Bucks beat the Nuggets 108-102 on Remembrance Day in Milwaukee, with Jennings and Anthony scoring 32 points apiece for their respective teams. The Bucks outrebounded the Nuggets 46-37 and held Denver to 39.8% from the field, but it’s doubtful they’ll be able to do that in Denver, especially as they’ll be coming off a game in Sacramento on Friday night, while the Nuggets will be waiting after hosting New Orleans on Thursday night. The altitude will start to wear on the Bucks in the second half, while the Nuggets will use it to their advantage. Go with the Denver Nuggets on Friday before you head to your March Madness bracket contest.

NASCAR Odds – Harvick is “Happy” At Bristol

Online betting players watched Kevin Harvick go through the worst year of his career last year, and there were rumors of the driver they sarcastically call “Happy” being ready to leave Richard Childress Racing, where he’s been since replacing Dale Earnhardt in 2001. But Harvick is on a roll to start the 2010 season, and the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway is the perfect place for him to officially signal his return to the title chase.

NASCAR Betting – Sunday, March 21, 2:00 PM ET

Harvick isn’t the favorite for this race because that honor goes to Kyle Busch at +600, and with good reason: the younger Busch brother has won this race in two of the last three years, and he swept the Bristol races last year. Busch routed the field last year, leading 378 laps along the way, and he’ll need some good memories as he has yet to notch a top-10 this year. But sportsbook players shouldn’t worry about Busch, as he can rattle off a winning streak faster than anyone in the series.

Busch’s teammate at JGR, Denny Hamlin, is right behind him at +700, and that’s fitting because he finished second to Busch in this race last year. Hamlin also needs something good to happen, as he’s struggled badly this year after being tipped as the next challenger to Jimmie Johnson’s throne. With some bad luck, Hamlin is 22nd in the standings right now and with Martinsville, one of his best tracks, coming up next week, Hamlin would like to get on a roll.

Kurt Busch will also be a factor at +1200 after winning last week at Atlanta, but at the spring race at Bristol, the No.2 driver has been doing his best Jekyll and Hyde impression. In nine spring races, Busch has four wins (every year between 2002 and 2006, except for 2005), but those are his only top-10s. He just missed last year, coming in 11th, so he’ll be looking for a return.

Keep an eye on Greg Biffle’s sportsbook odds at +1600, as the No.16 driver is one of three drivers, with Harvick and Roush-Fenway teammate Matt Kenseth, to finish in the top 10 in all four races so far this year. He has five top-10s in seven spring races at Bristol, and although he finished 39th last year, he did bounce back nicely to finish fourth in the summer race.

Still, we’re going with Harvick at +1000, as he broke Kurt Busch’s hold on this race with a win in 2005, and he has a 9.2 finishing average in nine spring races, which includes seven top-10s. He didn’t crack the top 30 in either race last year, but that will change. Take Kevin Harvick before checking out your college basketball odds.

NCAA Basketball Betting – The best of the first-round matchups

2010 March Madness odds are the first sign of spring, and with the NCAA Tournament on the horizon, there’ll be a lot of action in your online sportsbook. Here’s a peek at the best matchups to watch during the first two days (roughly 24 hours of basketball).

Houston vs Maryland odds – Friday, 9:40 PM ET

The No.4 Terrapins are favored by nine points in this Midwest region matchup against No.13 Houston, who upset UTEP in the Conference USA championship game for their first trip to the big dance in 18 years. This will be an explosive clash between top individual players as Maryland’s Greivis Vazquez will go against Houston’s Aubrey Coleman, so it’ll be a matter of which supporting cast steps up more.

Florida vs BYU odds – Thursday, 12:20 PM ET

The No.7 Cougars are a 4.5-point favorite in this West region clash against the No.10 Gators, who are back in the Tournament for the first time since winning back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007. BYU is powered by Jimmer Fredette, who scored 75 points in two games during the MWC tournament. The Gators are balanced and tough defensively, and they have a great coach in Billy Donovan. This has upset written all over it, especially when you consider that the Cougars have gone out in the first round of the dance three straight years and haven’t won a Tournament game since 1993.

Washington vs Marquette odds – Thursday, 7:20 PM ET

NCAA March Madness odds have No.6 Marquette as a 2-point favorite in this East region contest between two teams that went out in the second round of last year’s big dance, and the Golden Eagles are a much better team than the one that was belted by Georgetown in the Big East semifinals. No.11 Washington won the Pac-10 tournament to get here, and they’ve gotten hot at the right time of year with seven straight wins. This could turn out to be the best game of the whole first round.

Siena vs Purdue odds – Friday, 2:30 PM ET

No.4 Purdue is a 4-point favorite in this South region contest, but some are calling for Siena to be favored after winning their third MAAC tournament in a row. The Boilermakers were rolled by Minnesota in the Big Ten semifinals, scoring 11 points in the first half. Purdue lost their leader, Robbie Hummel, to an ACL injury and he was the glue that kept this team together, and they looked all out of sorts against Minnesota. Siena, led by Alex Franklin, is balanced and they’re very disciplined, ranking first in fouls with 12.2 turnovers. Don’t be afraid to take the Saints’ March Madness odds.