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You will see and do a lot of strange things during your journey of betting on sports, but sometimes it can be as simple as entering a new month that can make all the difference between winning and losing. Today is February 1st, 2012, which means we have officially turned the page on January. Some bettors, I am sure are sad this month is ending, while others are happy for a fresh start so to speak.

I for one started out the month of January like a machine – rattling off twelve straight winners in the NBA. Every play I predicted during that stretch turned out to be a “cigar piece” (see betting terms) and I started to believe I was invincible. Then reality struck and I lost the next three plays in a row, only to bounce back with two winners and then flip flop between winners and losers for the rest of the month, ultimately losing my last three plays in a row to end January. Not good!

All and all, January was a profitable month for me and the most important factor in this business is to make money, but I am not going to be sad that January is gone. In fact, I am happy and look forward to tackling February with winners.

As I mentioned earlier it is like a new beginning. A new month brings a new array of confidence. As it stands, yes I lost my last three plays, but that streak is over because January is over. It is the intangibles that make differences in our lives and the same can be said for gambling on sports.

If you have been reading my column, then you know I preach proper research and analysis is a must to give yourself a shot a turing a profit in this business, but you also need a little luck and the confidence to know you have what it takes to pick winners. Collectively, all those things together will help you produce a profitable outcome betting on sports.

So before you give up playing on these games, realize where you are at (especially in the month) and take a step back and reevaluate your recent performances. The Kenny Rogers song says it best – “you gotta know when to hold them, you gotta know when to fold them”!

Everyone has a bad month or two in this business, but its knowing when you’re in a good month and how to take advantage of it, so it offsets the stretches of losing.

For me, If I start February in the way I started January, then I have a lot to look forward too – mainly winners and money! But, I need to carry it though to the last day and deem myself invincible for that month!

Hopefully, for all of you, February will be your invincible month too…

PJ Laferla is a practicing freelance writer, professional handicapper, and the founder of SportsInput.com. If you are interested in hiring PJ Laferla for freelance writing or for winning picks against the spread, please submit all inquires to PJ@sportsinput.com.

Betting Line:
Denver Nuggets (+1)
Memphis Grizzles (-1)
Over/Under 202
Game Time 8:05 EST

Tuesday evening, my feature game comes out of “Elvis Town”, as the Memphis Grizzles play host to the visiting Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets are clearly the hot-team, winning six of their last seven, covering five of those games against the spread. The Grizzles on the other hand, have lost their last four games, consecutively, straight up and against the spread. However, three of the four losses were suffered on the road and tonight’s game is being played at the FedEx Forum – where the Grizzles boast a 6-3 overall won/loss record and a 5-4 record against the spread.

GAME ANALYSIS:
The Nuggets enter this game with a robust 7-3 road record and an even more staggering 8-2 record against the spread. Obviously there is no fear for Denver when playing away from the Pepsi Center. Actually, if it wasn’t for the quick start by the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Nuggets would be more front page news. They average 105.8 points a game on the offensive end and produce even better on the road notching 108 and change. Defensively they would like to lower their numbers (surrendering just about 100 points per game), but let’s face it – Denver comes into every game prepared for a shoot-out, run-and-gun style of play. Tonight will be no different.

The Grizzles (10-10) have backed themselves into the .500 mark – losing four in a row. This is a second game of a back-to-back for Memphis, who suffered a 10 point loss to the San Antonio Spurs last night – only tallying 73 points in the matchup. The Grizzles were actually a 6 point favorite in the game…losing outright. They have beat a couple good teams, but for the most part, all their wins have come against teams with losing records. If this trend continues, this could be a long night and season for the Grizzles.

WHO TO BET ON?
Even though it is clear Memphis is sliding as of late, anything can happen when a team is playing at home. It is hard to overlook the production and effort the Grizzles show on their home floor, but I have taken that and other factors into consideration, and the bottom line is, the Nuggets are the better team and will come away with a win tonight. I believe the oddsmakers are way ofF on this line, as Denver should be about a 4 point favorite and yet they are getting points. Denver is a gift in this matchup.

Make your play on the Denver Nuggets money line! They will win this game outright!

SOME OTHER INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THIS GAME:
~ The Grizzles are 2-5 straight up in its last 7 games when playing at home against the Nuggets.
~ The Nuggets are 12-2 straight up in its last 14 games when playing the Grizzles.
~ The total has gone OVER in 7 of the Grizzles last 9 games at home.

PREDICTION:
Nuggets 118, Grizzles 101

PJ Laferla is a practicing freelance writer, professional handicapper, and the founder of SportsInput.com. If you are interested in hiring PJ Laferla for freelance writing or for winning picks against the spread, please submit all inquires to PJ@sportsinput.com.