Over the next two weeks, Bankroll Sports will provide you an in-depth look on the NFL Draft, examining the top prospects at each position. Today, we look at the top ten wide receivers for the 2011 NFL Draft.

1. AJ Green (Georgia) – Despite failing to record a 1,000 yard season during his time in Athens, AJ Green is at the top of our list for best wide receivers in the 2011 NFL Draft. Green caught 57 passes for 848 yards with nine touchdowns despite being the constant target of double coverage. Green’s 6’4 207 lb frame has scouts drooling over him along with his feather-soft hands and fantastic route running ability. Green is a lock for a Top 10 pick and even though he didn’t put up fantastic numbers in college, is easily the best receiver in the draft.

2. Julio Jones (Alabama) – Coming into the NFL Draft Combine, Jones was seen as the second best wide receiver in the class and solidified that position with his awesome workout. Jones ran a blazing fast 4.34 40 and put up a 38 ½ inch vertical jump in Indianapolis to ensure his position as a first round selection and should be drafted in the top half of the first round. Like Green, Jones didn’t put up numbers befitting his ability at Alabama but was burdened by playing in Head Coach Nick Saban’s pro-style set. During the 2010 college football betting season, Jones caught 78 passes for 1,133 yards and seven touchdowns as Greg McElroy’s go-to wide out.

3. Leonard Hankerson (Miami) – Hankerson has the size and speed befitting of an NFL prospect, but his lack of upper body strength and questionable hands make him less of a talent than Green and Jones. Hankerson was the leader of one of the best wide receiving corps in college football last season and put up great numbers in his senior season in Offensive Coordinator Mark Whipple’s pro-style passing offense. Hankerson hauled in 72 passes for 1,156 yards and 13 touchdowns in one of the best seasons by a wide receiver in Hurricanes’ history. He is seen as an early second-round pick by most scouts.

4. Torrey Smith (Maryland) – The most versatile wide receiver in the draft might be Torrey Smith of the Terrapins. Smith set the ACC record for kickoff return yardage in a career with almost 3,000 return yards and was one of the most productive wide outs in the ACC with 67 receptions for 1,055 yards and 12 touchdowns. Smith made the Terrapins’ passing attack respectable virtually by himself, with no other Terrapin recording more than 350 receiving yards on the season. His 4.41 40 time wasn’t amazing, but was respectable and should make him a late first to early second round pick.

5. Jerrel Jernigan (Troy) – At Troy State, Jernigan was not only a three-time 1st team All-Conference selection, but also the Sun Belt’s all-time leader in all-purpose yards, receptions, and receiving yards. Jernigan caught 84 passes for 822 yards and six touchdowns in his senior year, and also impressed out of the Wildcat formation, carrying the ball 45 times for 322 yards and three touchdowns. Jernigan also had a punt return touchdown and a kickoff return touchdown this past NCAA football betting season and will probably be asked to be both a wide out and returner at the professional level. Jernigan is one of the most elusive wide receivers in the draft and should be a second to third round pick.

6. Randall Cobb (Kentucky) – Cobb came to Kentucky as a quarterback but after a respectable freshman season, was asked to become the quarterback of Kentucky’s Wildcat offense and learn the wide receiver position. Cobb quickly impressed in his new dual role and led one of the most successful Wildcat schemes in the country. He totaled 1313 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground during his three seasons in Lexington and had a breakout campaign as a wide out in 2010, catching 84 balls for 1,017 yards and seven touchdowns. Cobb is projected as a second to third round pick.

7. Jonathan Baldwin (Pittsburgh) – Despite having substandard quarterback play during most of his time as a Panther, Baldwin established himself as one of the best deep threats in the country. Baldwin averaged close to 20 yards per reception over his career as a Pitt Panther with 128 receptions for 2,337 yards and 16 touchdowns. Baldwin lacks elite speed and clocked in with a 4.49 40 at the Combine, but his 6’4 228 lb frame allows him to leap over smaller defenders in jump ball situations. Baldwin is seen as a second to third round pick and has fantastic potential with the right scheme.

8. Titus Young (Boise State) – Young was a three time All-WAC first team selection during his time at Boise State and dazzled opposing teams and fans alike with some of his amazing plays. Young had two straight 1,000 yard seasons with the Broncos and didn’t disappoint as a returner either with 56 kick returns for 1,449 yards and two touchdowns in his career as a Bronco. His lack of size will hurt him at the next level, but Young is quick and versatile enough to make a place for himself in the NFL. He is seen as a mid-round selection in the upcoming draft.

9. Greg Little (North Carolina) – Little is one of the North Carolina products whose draft stock plummeted after being suspended for the entire 2010 season due to inappropriate contact with an agent. Little played both running back and wide receiver during his time as a Tar Heel, but it is likely that he will be used as a wide out in the pros. In 2009, Little hauled in 62 passes for 724 yards and five touchdowns despite the limitations of learning a new position and having to catch passes from the subpar TJ Yates. He is projected as a mid-round pick.

10. Greg Salas (Hawaii) – No wide receiver put up the numbers that Salas did over the past two seasons. In 2009, Salas caught 106 passes for 1,590 yards and eight touchdowns to be one of the top wide outs in the country. Last season, Salas outdid himself and snared 119 balls for 1,889 yards and 14 touchdowns and led all of college football in receiving yards. However, Salas was the beneficiary of Hawaii’s wide-open spread and probably will fail to make a dent as a professional. Salas is predicted to be a mid-round selection.

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Over the next two weeks, Bankroll Sports will provide you an in-depth look on the NFL Draft, examining the top prospects at each position. Today, we look at the top ten running backs for the 2011 NFL Draft.

1. Mark Ingram (Alabama) – 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram tops the list as the best running back in a very weak crop. In other years, Ingram might have been a questionable first round pick, but the position is so scarce in the 2011 NFL Draft that the pride of the Crimson Tide should be a mid-first round pick this season. In 2010, Ingram didn’t put up the same numbers that won him the Heisman just one year earlier, but still got it done in the toughest conference in all of college football. Ingram lacks breakaway speed, running a 4.62 40 at the combine, but scouts love his balance and how well he protects the football. In three years at Alabama, Ingram only fumbled the ball three times and only lost two of the fumbles.

2. Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech) – Williams had a monster campaign during the 2009 college football betting season, racking up 1655 yards and 21 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman but failed to come close to matching that production this season. Williams was bothered by a hamstring injury most of the year and only managed to carry the ball 110 times for 477 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2010. Like Ingram, Williams is not a speedster, clocking a 4.59 40 at the NFL Combine and does have durability concerns due to the injury. Williams is projected as a mid to late second-round pick and has the talent to succeed but must stay healthy and be able to stay on the field in passing downs.

3. Mikel LeShoure (Illinois) – Mikel LeShoure had a breakout 2010 campaign despite being the only offensive option on a 7-6 Illinois Fighting Illini team. LeShoure became a workhorse back for HC Ron Zook, carrying the ball 281 times for 1697 yards and 17 touchdowns during the 2010 NCAA football wagering season. Although he lacks that extra burst of speed, LeShoure reminds some scouts of former Illini RB Rashard Mendenhall and is great at running between the tackles. LeShoure is considered to be a mid to late second-round pick.

4. Daniel Thomas (Kansas State) – Only two running backs carried the rock more than Daniel Thomas did in 2010, but it’s arguable whether or not any running back was more responsible for his team’s offensive production. Kansas State ran the ball on 65% of their plays and Thomas carried the bulk of the load for the Wildcats. Thomas picked up 1585 yards and 19 touchdowns on 298 carries this past season and has paced the offense since coming to Manhattan as a JUCO transfer. If there is a question about Thomas, it’s his ability to protect the football, fumbling 11 times over the past two seasons. Thomas is projected as a mid to late second-round pick.

5. Kendall Hunter (Oklahoma State) – Despite playing in a spread offense, Hunter amassed over 4000 yards in a productive career with the Cowboys. Unlike the previous four backs on this list, Hunter is a speedster that draws comparisons to Darren Sproles. Hunter’s diminutive frame (5’7, 199 lbs) means that he probably won’t be able to last as an every down back in the NFL, but Hunter could make an excellent third down back and is always a threat to take it to the house. Hunter is seen as a mid-round pick and may be used as a kick or punt returner as well.

6. DeMarco Murray (Oklahoma) – No running back in the draft has the upside that Murray has provided he can stay healthy. The fifth-year senior suffered at least a moderate injury in every season he was with the Sooners, and missed games in three seasons due to various injuries. When Murray is healthy, he is electrifying. He has blazing speed (4.37 40) despite being 6’0 210 lbs and is a powerful inside runner with a devastating first cut. Murray is projected as a mid-round pick, but don’t be surprised if a team takes a reach on him due to his potential.

7. Shane Vereen (California) – Vereen had a shot to be an early round pick, but disappointed scouts with a 4.49 40 despite his size. Vereen carried the Golden Bears down the stretch after an injury to starting quarterback Kevin Riley neutered Jeff Tedford’s passing attack, tallying three straight 100-yard games to end the season despite rushing into seven and eight man fronts loaded to stop the run. Vereen’s probable role in the NFL is as a hybrid Eric Metcalf type and he has never missed a game due to injury. Vereen is seen as a mid-round pick.

8. Jordan Todman (Connecticut) – Todman was the most used running back in major college football in 2010, receiving an average of 28 carries per game on Randy Edsall’s Huskies. Todman was the nation’s fourth leading rusher and won Big East Offensive Player of the Year honors after carrying the ball 334 times for 1695 yards and 14 touchdowns en route to a Big East championship. There will be injury concerns with Todman due to his heavy workload in college, but he has the ability to be a solid pro and is seen as a mid-round pick.

9. Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon State) – Rodgers is this year’s prime example of how you can hurt yourself at the Combine. ‘Quizz showed incredible speed in college and scouts were looking for a 40 time at least in the low 4.4’s to cement his spot as a top running back in this class. Instead, Rodgers ran an embarrassingly slow 4.74 40 and watched his stock freefall in the following weeks. Although he ran a respectable 4.47 at the Beavers’ Pro Day, Rodgers is seen as a mid-round pick at best now.

10. Roy Helu (Nebraska) – Despite opponents keying on stopping Helu and Cornhuskers QB Taylor Martinez, Helu was one of the most efficient running backs in the country in 2010. Helu carried the ball just 188 times, but averaged 6.6 yards per carry and reached pay dirt 11 times. Helu’s breakout game came against division rival Missouri, where he ran for 307 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries. Helu is seen as a mid to late-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Over the next two weeks, Bankroll Sports will provide you an in-depth look on the NFL Draft, examining the top prospects at each position. Today, we look at the top ten quarterbacks for the 2011 NFL Draft.

1. Cameron Newton (Auburn) – This year’s Heisman Trophy winner tops the list as the best quarterback in the draft despite the questions about his accuracy and his mentality heading into the pros. No one doubts that Newton is the most athletically gifted quarterback in this draft, but questions surround his ability to pick up new schemes and whether or not he will ever mature into a team leader. Many mock drafts have Newton going in the Top 5 and there is a lot of speculation that he could go No. 1 overall to Carolina. Newton threw for 30 touchdowns and ran for 20 touchdowns during the 2010 college football season and accounted for over 4,000 yards of offense for the Tigers.

2. Blaine Gabbert (Missouri) – Gabbert is seen by many as the best pure passer in this class and is projected to be a Top 10 pick by many mock draft experts. Gabbert completed over 60% of his passes for 3,186 yards with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions and also ran for 232 yards and five touchdowns for the Tigers. His dual-threat versatility along with his rocket arm has helped him move up the draft board despite college stats that fail to overwhelm you. Arizona seems like a likely possible destination for Gabbert with its need for a pro-style quarterback.

3. Christian Ponder (Florida State) – Despite Mel Kiper’s insistence that Ponder is nothing more than a poor man’s Chad Pennington, no quarterback has moved up the draft boards as much as Ponder over the last few months. The former Seminole was injured during the regular season and there have been questions about his durability in the professional ranks. Ponder has the mind to run an NFL offense, having already earned his Master’s Degree, and he greatly benefited from the tutelage of Jimbo Fisher. He is expected to be a late first to early second round draft pick and can be a solid starter if he stays healthy.

4. Jake Locker (Washington) – If Locker came out during the 2010 NFL Draft, he would’ve been a definite Top 10 pick. However, his decision to return to school for his senior year hurt his draft stock after a subpar 2010 NCAA football season. Locker completed less than 60% of his passes for only 2,265 yards with 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Locker look absolutely flustered at times during the season, and while there’s no doubt that he has immense raw talent, there is a question of whether or not he’ll be able to put it all together. Locker is expected to be a late first to early second round pick.

5. Ryan Mallett (Arkansas) – Mallett’s stock has fallen off considerably after a questionable media interview at the NFL Combine. Mallett has been compared to gunslingers like Jeff George, quarterbacks with a cannon arm but shaky leadership skills, and this has been the main reason behind his fall down the draft board. However, no quarterback has a stronger arm than Mallett in the draft and the Razorback has shredded some of the best defenses in the country over the last two seasons. Mallett is projected as a second round pick.

6. Andy Dalton (TCU) – Dalton is another quarterback who has seen his stock rise as we have crept closer to the draft. Dalton is one of the few four-year starters in the draft and this has contributed to his rise up the draft board. Despite not having the pure talent that some of the other prospects on the board have, Dalton has the ability to be a solid game manager at the pro level. The Horned Frog QB is seen as a second to third round pick.

7. Ricky Stanzi (Iowa) – Not many quarterbacks put together records than Stanzi did during his time at Iowa. Stanzi went 18-4 during his time as a Hawkeye despite not having fantastic statistics until last season. Last year, Stanzi completed 66% of his passes for 3004 yards with 25 touchdowns and six interceptions. Much like Dalton, Stanzi is seen as being a solid game manager and has the best shot of all the quarterbacks not taken in the first two rounds to become a solid pro. Stanzi is projected as a middle round pick.

8. Colin Kaepernick (Nevada) – Every year a project quarterback pick impresses scouts with his athletic ability and wows his way into an earlier round than he would normally go. We’ve seen it with Pat White, Tim Tebow, Brad Smith, and others with mixed success. This year’s prospect that falls into this category is Kaepernick. Kaepernick showed blazing speed running the Wolfpack’s offense and over his career developed into an adequate, but raw, passer. Kaepernick will probably see some time in wildcat type formations but whichever team drafts him and may switch positions down the line. He is projected as a middle round pick.

9. Pat Devlin (Delaware) – Devlin originally played for two years at Penn State before transferring to FCS Delaware to become a starter. Devlin shined in the lower level of competition, completing 67% of his passes for 3032 yards with 22 touchdowns against just three interceptions last year, but the question will be whether or not he can make the quantum leap to the NFL. Devlin has the build of a quarterback and draws many comparison to former Blue Hen QB Joe Flacco, both for his build and path to the pros. He is considered a mid to late round pick.

10. Nathan Enderle (Idaho) – Enderle didn’t put up particularly great numbers and played in a weak conference, but led the Vandals to respectability after years of being in the dungeon. Enderle threw for 3314 yards and 22 touchdowns against 16 interceptions in 2010 with the Vandals and at 6’4″ 240 lbs has the prototypical build of an NFL quarterback. He is projected as a late round pick but is one of the biggest sleepers in the draft.

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It’s that time of year again, as the playoff rev up to give us some great NBA betting action. With 16 teams still standing in the field, it’s going to be awfully hard to figure out just one player to make NBA Finals MVP picks with, but here at Bankroll Sports, we’re going to give it our best shot and pick out the best prices.

There are co-favorites on the odds to win NBA Finals MVP, and they both very, very predictable. Kobe Bryant (2.50 to 1 @ BetUS Sportsbook) is the easy choice to make, because he always seems to take over come playoff time. The Lakers have won back to back NBA titles, and though they are going to be hard pressed to figure out how to win a third in a row, we know that Kobe will be the MVP if they get the job done in all likelihood. This is a man that is scored at least 21 points in every single playoff game last year from the second round forward, something that he has done in the past as well. If LA is really amongst the favorites to win it all, Bryant has to be considered the favorite to win this award.

The next in line is Derrick Rose (2.50 to 1 @ BetUS Sportsbook). Rose is going to win the MVP award of the regular season, and he is playing on the team with the best record in the league, but the Bulls aren’t even the favorites to win the Eastern Conference this year, let alone the NBA title. Odds have it, Chicago would be a dog against at least one or two other teams in the West even knowing that it does have home court advantage through the postseason, and that makes these odds on Rose easy to pass on, especially since both Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer could win the award as well.

If there is a man that is going to win this award on the Dallas Mavericks, it is Dirk Nowitzki (20 to 1 @ BetUS Sportsbook). Nowitzki has never been able to get over that hump of getting his team a championship, but it is clear that he is the man that has to get the job done for Dallas to win it all. Nowitzki was the difference in the lineup this year for the Mavericks, as the team was absolutely awful when he missed time in the middle of the year. Dallas has reasonable odds to win the NBA title, and this gives Dirk a better than 20 to 1 chance to win this honor.

Another option that might be worth considering is The Field (15 to 1 @ BetUS Sportsbook). You get names like Tim Duncan, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer, Jameer Nelson, and a host of others that are potential candidates to win this honor. Obviously, if you take the field, you’re betting against the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat to win it all, as there really are no NBA Finals MVP candidates out there that aren’t listed at BetUS from those two teams. However, we have seen one player come out of nowhere to take over a series before, and though generally it’s the big star on the big team that ends up winning the trophy, we could definitely see one of these names that we listed above getting the job done when push comes to shove.

2011 NBA Finals MVP Odds @ BetUS Sportsbook (as of 4/14/11):
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Amare Stoudemire 40 to 1
Carmelo Anthony 40 to 1
Chris Paul 200 to 1
Derrick Rose 2.50 to 1
Dirk Nowitzki 20 to 1
Dwight Howard 15 to 1
Dwyane Wade 5.50 to 1
Joe Johnson 200 to 1
Josh Smith 200 to 1
Kevin Durant 12 to 1
Kobe Bryant 2.50 to 1
LaMarcus Aldridge 75 to 1
LeBron James 5 to 1
Manu Ginobili 8 to 1
Nene Hilario 50 to 1
Pau Gasol 5 to 1
Paul Pierce 8 to 1
Rajon Rondo 8 to 1
Ray Allen 8 to 1
Russell Westbrook 25 to 1
Tony Parker 8 to 1
Zach Randolph 200 to 1
Field 15 to 1

The dance is finally here for the men of the pro hardwood, and here at Bankroll Sports, we’ve got all of the ins and outs covered for the race to beat the NBA Finals odds! Check out the series prices, along with the trends and history that you need to know for all of these teams as we make our NBA Finals picks!

#8 Indiana Pacers vs. #1 Chicago Bulls
NBA Series Prices
Chicago -4000 vs. Indiana +2000 @ Oddsmaker Sportsbook
Chicago -3500 vs. Indiana +1750 @ SportBet Sportsbook
Chicago -5000 vs. Indiana +1200 @ BetUS Sportsbook

Series Trends and History
This is the first time that the Pacers have been in a playoff game since 2006, and they haven’t won a playoff series since 2005. Indiana has never won an NBA Championship, and it will be making its 19th appearance in the second season this year. It has an 81-80 record in these games. Obviously, Chicago has had a team rich in tradition and history thanks to the play of Michael Jordan, who brought the franchise six titles. However, none of those have come since 1998, and there is only one playoff series victory in that stretch.

The Bulls are 8-4 ATS against Indiana over the course of the last three series, and more importantly, they are 5-1 ATS and 6-0 SU at the United Center in that stretch. That’s terrible news for an Indiana team that didn’t even come close to finishing .500 this year, especially knowing that there has to be at least one huge upset in the Windy City to win this series.

#7 Philadelphia 76ers vs. #2 Miami Heat
NBA Series Prices
Miami -2000 vs. Philadelphia +1200 @ Oddsmaker Sportsbook
Miami -2000 vs. Philadelphia +1250 @ SportBet Sportsbook
Miami -2500 vs. Philadelphia +900 @ BetUS Sportsbook

Series Trends and History
It’s been quite awhile since the 76ers were in the NBA Finals in 2001, and this doesn’t look to be the year that anything changes. The last time they won a playoff series was in 2003, and for proof of just how long ago that was, New Orleans was still playing in the Eastern Conference! This is the third straight playoff appearance in four years for Philly, but both previous times, it bowed out with 4-2 series defeats. Miami hasn’t won a playoff series since winning the 2006 NBA Championship. This is its 14th playoff appearance in team history, and none have ever been considered as important as this one. This is where LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh will be measured, and even one game’s worth of a slip in this series would bring up a ton of questions.

The Sixers really haven’t stood in there against Miami in these last three seasons, going just 5-6 ATS and 2-9 SU over the course of the 11 meetings in the last three seasons. This year, the series was absolutely all in favor of the Heat, as it went 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS in this series, winning all three games by at least nine points. Over the last three years, Miami is a perfect 6-0 SU against the Sixers when playing at home at the American Airlines Arena.

#6 New York Knicks vs. #3 Boston Celtics
NBA Series Prices
Boston -400 vs. New York +320 @ Oddsmaker Sportsbook
Boston -360 vs. New York +300 @ SportBet Sportsbook
Boston -500 vs. New York +350 @ BetUS Sportsbook

Series Trends and History
You have to go back to 2000 to find the last time the Knicks won a playoff series, but the hype at Madison Square Garden is as high as it has ever been thanks to the assembly of the trio of Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, and Amare Stoudemire. There’s a lot of history hanging in those rafters in Beantown, though. The C’s have 48 playoff appearances, 321 lifetime postseason wins, and 17 NBA Championships to their credit, and many think that this is yet another year in which they can shine.

The Knicks have tried their best against the Celtics, but they just haven’t been able to get over the hump. They were swept in the season series this year season, and they are just 2-10 against the C’s over the last three years. If you like higher scoring series, this might be the one for you, as five of the last six have gone past the ‘total’ in this series in games played at the Garden.

#5 Atlanta Hawks vs. #4 Orlando Magic
NBA Series Prices
Orlando -600 vs. Atlanta +450 @ Oddsmaker Sportsbook
Orlando -600 vs. Atlanta +450 @ SportBet Sportsbook
Orlando -600 vs. Atlanta +400 @ BetUS Sportsbook

Series Trends and History
If the Hawks are making a run this season in the NBA playoffs, they are going to have to overcome a tremendously dull history that hasn’t seen a title since 1958. That was also the last time that the team won more than one series in a postseason. Last year they won a series, only to get run out by these Magic. Orlando knows that it has a lot of work to do to get to its third NBA Finals in team history, and it really doesn’t seem like a task that is all that possible. Dwight Howard and company have had a great run over these last few seasons, but this might be the least equipped team to get the job done.

It’s almost like we can throw the season series out between these two teams. Both squads made significant changes since playing each other in games that meant anything, as we put absolutely no stock in Atlanta’s win right at the end of March against an Orlando team that was resting players. One of the wins for the Hawks in this series also came the day after the huge trades that left the Magic with just eight healthy bodies and virtually no stars to rely on. What we do have to remember is that last year’s romp by Orlando in these playoffs was the most lopsided beating in the history of the postseason in terms of margin of victory.

#8 Memphis Grizzlies vs. #1 San Antonio Spurs
NBA Series Prices
San Antonio -360 vs. Memphis +300 @ Oddsmaker Sportsbook
San Antonio -360 vs. Memphis +300 @ SportBet Sportsbook
San Antonio -500 vs. Memphis +350 @ BetUS Sportsbook

Series Trends and History
The bad news for the Grizzlies is that they have never won a game in the history of the franchise. This team has only made three previous postseason appearances, and it is just 0-12 in 12 games to show for its work. We tend to believe that at least one game will go Memphis’ way in this one, but more than that would probably be considered a bit of a triumph. This is the 31st playoff appearance for the men in black and silver, and it is the 14th straight year in which the team was in the playoffs. The only year that the Spurs weren’t in the dance was in 1997, dating all the way back to 1990, and the team has made a number of Western Conference Finals in this run.

The regular season series was actually split between these two teams, as the Grizz really came on strong at the end of the year. We know that Memphis had the best NBA betting record in terms of ATS this season of any team, and as a result, many are on its bandwagon. San Antonio might be without Manu Ginobili for some or all of this series, and if that’s the case, the door might really swing open for the Rudy Gay-less Grizzlies.

#7 New Orleans Hornets vs. #2 Los Angeles Lakers
NBA Series Prices
Los Angeles -2000 vs. New Orleans +1200 @ Oddsmaker Sportsbook
Los Angeles -2100 vs. New Orleans +1280 @ SportBet Sportsbook
Los Angeles -2500 vs. New Orleans +900 @ BetUS Sportsbook

Series Trends and History
Since moving to the Crescent City, the Hornets have only won one playoff series, that coming when they were the No. 1 seed in the West in 2008. Aside from that though, the majority of the series have been quite ugly, including that awful 4-1 loss to the Denver Nuggets in 2009 with a ton of lopsided games. There’s no team that has the marks of the Lakers in the Western Conference. They have 429 lifetime playoff wins in 58 appears prior to this year, and they have a whopping 16 titles in the rafters, including championships in back to back seasons.

If the Lakers can stay out of their own way, they have no reason that they shouldn’t be winning this series with ease, especially with David West out of the fold for the Hornets. Kobe Bryant has a sparkling playoff record, and the Lakers are 9-2 SU and 6-5 ATS over the course of the 11 meetings in this series over the course of the last three seasons. LA is also 29-11 SU since 1996 against the Hornets, though some of those games came against the franchise when it was in Charlotte.

#6 Portland Trail Blazers vs. #3 Dallas Mavericks
NBA Series Prices
Dallas -230 vs. Portland +190 @ Oddsmaker Sportsbook
Dallas -210 vs. Portland +175 @ SportBet Sportsbook
Dallas -240 vs. Portland +190 @ BetUS Sportsbook

Series Trends and History
Dallas’ playoff history is definitely marred, especially during the tenure of Dirk Nowitzki. He has always been looked at as the player that just can’t win the big one, and he has only taken the Mavericks to one NBA Finals appearance, the only one in the history of the team. Portland hasn’t really been relevant since 2000, which marks the last time that it won a playoff series.

These two did meet up in the 2003 playoffs, with Dallas taking the series in seven games. This is a potentially wicked matchup for the Mavs, who split the season series with the Blazers. Portland hasn’t lost to Dallas since the acquisition of Gerald Wallace, winning 104-101 and 104-96 at the Rose Garden. The Blazers are 37-27 ATS against Dallas since 1996, but the Mavs own the 35-29 SU edge. Still, this could be a series that comes down to the wire, especially if Portland can flip home court advantage in these first two games.

#5 Denver Nuggets vs. #4 Oklahoma City Thunder
NBA Series Prices
Oklahoma City -210 vs. Denver +170 @ Oddsmaker Sportsbook
Oklahoma City -210 vs. Denver +175 @ SportBet Sportsbook
Oklahoma City -210 vs. Denver +165 @ BetUS Sportsbook

Series Trends and History
Denver really hasn’t had a great time in the playoffs in team history, as it only has two series victories since 1994, both of which came in 2009. These defeats have been ugly as well in that stretch, as the two games won against the Utah Jazz last year only gave the team eight wins in seven losing series since 1995. Oklahoma City made the playoffs for the first time since moving from Seattle last year, losing out four games to two to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers.

This is probably going to be the best series of the bunch in the first round of the playoffs because both of these teams love to get out and run, and they are certainly going to be keeping the scoreboard operators both at the Ford Center and Pepsi Arena occupied. Sure, three of the four meetings stayed ‘under’ the ‘total’ this year, but it really isn’t likely that the Nuggets are going to be held to a total of 183 points in any two games in this series. OKC won the regular season series 3-1, and it went 3-1 ATS to show for its work as well.

NASCAR betting fans: We’re back with another fantastic race this weekend at infamous Talladega Motor Speedway, as 43 of the best drivers in the world look to make for great Aaron’s 499 picks!

The fastest race in the history of NASCAR was run on this track in 1997, as the average speed of the Talladega 500 was a whopping 188.354 MPH. Since then, restrictor plates have been put into the fold, and if the running at the Daytona 500 was any indicator, this should be an absolutely fantastic race.

Chevrolets have really dominated here on the high banks of Alabama, as those drivers have won every race but one here since 1999. In fact, a Ford hasn’t won a race here since 1997, and there isn’t an active Ford driver that has won a race here aside from Mark Martin. That being said, we tend to believe that Chevy’s will continue to dominate. Last year’s winner, Kevin Harvick (Current Aaron’s 499 Odds: 7 to 1 at Hollywood Sportsbook) is the relatively hefty favorite to win this event. He has been absolutely fantastic all season long, finishing in the Top 10 five times, including posting two wins at the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 and the Auto Club 400.

However, we know that it is only a matter of time until Jimmie Johnson (Aaron’s 499 Lines: 15.50 to 1 at Hollywood Sportsbook) really kicks it into gear and becomes a tremendous contender again. Now, it’s true that Johnson hasn’t finished worse than 16th in a race since the Daytona 500, and he does have three Top 3 finishes since the first race of the season, but he has yet to take a checkered flag. Johnson knows that he should really do well in this race, having won it in 2006, the first year in which he won a Sprint Cup Championship.

In fact, Johnson and his teammate, Jeff Gordon (Odds to Win the Aaron’s 499: 15.50 to 1 at Hollywood Sportsbook) combined to win four straight Talladega 500s from 2004 to 2007. Gordon has already taken care of his winless streak, winning at the Subway Fresh Fit 500, but since that point, he really hasn’t done all that well. The Rainbow Warrior knows that he can turn it on at any moment though, and that fifth place finish at the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 might be just what he needs to start to turn the corner again. Qualifying well would help, and he hasn’t started in the Top 20 since March 20th.

One man really hasn’t snapped his horrendous losing streak at this point, and that is Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Current Aaron’s 499 Odds: 11.50 to 1 at Hollywood Sportsbook). Both Little E and his daddy have a great history here on the high banks of Talladega Motor Speedway. Earnhardt Sr. won this race in 1990, 1994, and 1999, and Earnhardt Jr. took down the title in 2002 and 2003 in back to back seasons, making him one of the few back to back champs of this race. Don’t be surprised if Little E has something up his sleeve for his losing streak that dates back to 2008.

Aaron’s 499 Odds @ Hollywood Sportsbook (as of 4/12/11):
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Kevin Harvick 7 to 1
Tony Stewart 10.50 to 1
Kyle Busch 10.50 to 1
Kurt Busch 11.50 to 1
Dale Earnhardt Jr. 11.50 to 1
Carl Edwards 15.50 to 1
Jamie McMurray 15.50 to 1
Clint Bowyer 15.50 to 1
Jimmie Johnson 15.50 to 1
Jeff Gordon 15.50 to 1
Denny Hamlin 15.50 to 1
Jeff Burton 22 to 1
Juan Pablo Montoya 27 to 1
Matt Kenseth 27 to 1
Greg Biffle 28 to 1
Brian Vickers 33 to 1
Ryan Newman 33 to 1
David Ragan 33 to 1
Kasey Kahne 33 to 1
Joey Logano 33 to 1
Mark Martin 37.50 to 1
Trevor Bayne 43 to 1
Martin Truex Jr. 43 to 1
Brad Keselowski 43 to 1
David Reutimann 43 to 1
Paul Menard 43 to 1