Yankee Capper
Philadelphia/New York Under 9
Denver Nuggets -10
Lakers/Rockets Over 202
Washington Capitals +125
San Jose Sharks -115
LT Profits
Phoenix at Colorado
The Colorado Avalanche have been the biggest surprise in the NHL with their 10-3-2 start, but their recent inability to score goals is a major liability tonight vs. one of the best defensive teams in the league in the Phoenix Coyotes.
Sure, the Avalanche have ridden their own much improved defense and the goaltending of Craig Anderson to achieve their great start. Anderson tied an NHL record with his 10 wins in the month of October, and he owns a nice 2.11 GAA.
The problem here though is that this is one of the rare times when Anderson will not be the hottest goalie on the ice, and when you compound that with the fact that Colorado has scored a total of one goal in regulation time over their last two games, and the Avs should have an uphill battle tonight.
This is because the Coyotes are going back to Ilya Bryzgalov in goal tonight after resting him last game, and all that Bryzgalov has done is posted a miniscule 1.78 GAA with three shutouts in 11 games. It is also worth noting that a much weaker Phoenix team managed to go 3-0-1 vs. the Avalanche last season, holding Colorado to one goal or less on all three victories.
Do not be shocked if tonight is a carbon copy of those contests.
Pick: Coyotes +100
SPORTS WAGERS
Memphis +2.15 over Golden State
Not all is well in Golden State and regardless of what happens in this game the Grizzlies chances of winning are just as good, if not better than the Warriors chances. Golden State is once again the most dysfunctional family in the NBA. Don Nelson would rather prove a point than win a game. Stephen Jackson wants out and was booed every time he touched the rock in the Warriors last game. They have some very good shooters but they have no defense and no true point-guard. It’s only a matter of time until the Grizzlies start winning consistently because they’re loaded. The defense hasn’t been sharp but they’ll fix that. The Grizz have just one win but watching this team play, with all that talent, you know there onto something good. They also seem determined and they play hard and that is going to pay off. Memphis has to feel that is a winnable game and there is no denying that they’re the better team. There isn’t an easier building in the league to emerge victorious than the one the Grizzlies will visit here. Play: Memphis +2.15 (Risking 2 units).
Indiana +1.90 over NEW YORK
The Pacers are winless and they might remain winless but at this price against this team they’re worth a bet. The problem with the Knicks is that they do not play defense and when you allow the opposition to score with ease you’re in danger of losing every time. The Knickerbockers have allowed an average of an alarming 117 points a game thus far and when that happens it means you have to score a ton to win. They’ve been falling behind by huge margins and although they’ve been able to make some big runs of their own and make it close, those huge comebacks are draining indeed, especially when you’re asked to do it every night. The Pacers have lost to three very good teams in Atlanta, Miami and Denver and will take a big step down in class when facing the Knicks. Again, they may not win but they most definitely have a chance against this defenseless host. Play: Indiana +1.90 (Risking 2 units).
Larry Ness
Phoenix Suns @ Orlando Magic
PICK: Orlando Magic
The Suns have had their share of winning in recent years but the last time Phoenix opened an NBA season 5-0 was way back in the 1984-85 season. John MacLeod was the team's head coach and a young Larry Nance led the way. Phoenix outscored Miami 29-15 in the fourth quarter last night, handing Miami its first loss of the season in a 104-96 Suns win. Steve Nash (21.5-12.5 APG) scored 30 points and handed out eight assists for Phoenix which shot 50.6 percent for the game. Shaq's in Cleveland with LeBron but the Suns seem pretty happy theses days, as Nash leads a group of six players who are averaging at least 15.7 PPG. Stoudemire (17.8-7.2), Hill (17.5-10.2) and Frye (17.0-4.8) make up an impressive frontcourt in the early going. Orlando made it to the NBA Finals last year (lost to the Lakers) and are surely capable of returning this year. Turkoglu's in Toronto but Carter (15.3-2.3-2.7) will fill his spot for a team which goes 10-deep. Howard (18.2-13.2) is the league's best center and Van Gundy likely needs only to "let his guys play" for this team to be successful. The Pistons, playing without Prince and Hamilton, upset the Magic last night 85-80, handing Orlando its first loss of the young season (had opened 3-0). The Pistons went right after Howard and he an awful game, re-aggravating a shoulder injury sustained in Sunday's 125-116 win at Toronto while finishing with just eight points and five rebounds. Howard wound up playing just 17 minutes and fouling out. Expect a MUCH better effort from him here and for the Magic to hand the Suns their first loss of the season. Lay it with the Magic.
Doc's Sports
Indiana Pacers @ New York Knicks
PICK: Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have covered six of the last seven in this series and although both of these teams are bad we feel that the Knicks don’t really deserve to be this big of a favorite over any team right now. Indiana is 0-3 ATS thus far this season but they have had a pretty tough schedule so far with all games against likely playoff clubs (Atlanta, Miami and Denver). We really think this one is anyone’s game so we just can’t pass up getting points on a team that we think has an even chance to win straight up.
Dennis Macklin
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers
Play: Over 5
Take the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers over 5.5 goals. Not interested in the side here as the Canes are 16-5 over the L21 in the series but has lost L9 including getting outscored 16-4 in L3. Florida has won two straight putting the biscuit in the basket ten times. Florida on four straight overs with three plus days rest and looking for revenge for 7-2 thumping administered by Canes back on October 9th. Play the Over.
Craig Trapp
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets
Play: Los Angeles Lakers -1½
A rematch from the Western Conference Finals will feature two teams that are both 3-1 so far. Lakers went to OT to beat a very good OKC last night and are looking to once again beat a depleted HOU team. Injuries to McGrady and Yao has this Rockets team playing shorthanded once again. That has not stopped the Rockets as they have played great all season. Trouble is tonight they go against former Rocket Artest who when motivated can be a moster. Tonight I see the Lakers letting Artest get his 20 pts and 10 rebounds showing why they should have broke the bank on him. The only issue with the Lakers is trying to guard PG Brooks who gave them fits in the playoffs last year. But in the end the Lakers are too big and fast for a depleted Rockets team. Lakers win by a minimum of 8 pts here.
Jr Tips
Celtics at Timberwolves
The Boston Celtics are coming off a hot-shooting performance as the crushed the sixers last night and tonight the Celtics will play at the Target Center and look to extend their unbeaten start when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves. Boston is one of three remaining unbeaten teams along with Denver and Phoenix as they have the NBA's best scoring defense, holding opponents to 79.8 points per game while coming off one of its best defensive efforts against Philadelphia who they held to 36.3 percent shooting and was 1 of 16 from 3-point range. Paul Pierce had a led the team with 21 points, Ray Allen scored five and Garnett went 1 of 7 from the floor to finish with three and they still won by double digits. The Celtics are shooting 51.4 percent from the field to tie the Suns for the league lead and received a big game from Rasheed Wallace who connected on six of the Celtics' season-high 14 3-pointers and finished with 20 points. Boston is averaging 101.4 points this season through five games while holding opponents to 38.5 percent shooting, including 25.6 from 3-point range.Boston has won five straight over Minnesota who is coming off a 93-90 loss to the Clippers on Monday night for is third straight loss as Al Jefferson scored 24 for the Timberwolves while Corey Brewer had 14. The Timberwolves are led by new head coach Kurt Rambis who is taking over a young team with no stars. This is just a bad matchup for the Wolves as the Celtics defense alone will allow them to win by double digits and they have too many weapons on offense to have a bad night. Boston will beat up on bad teams all season because of their swarming team defense.
TAKE BOSTON -10.5
Glenn McGrew
Mavericks at Hornets
That embarrassing opening night loss to Washington seems like years ago. Dallas has won 3 in a row, including a win at the Lakers and a double-digit thumping of Utah last night. And they didn’t even play that well, but went wild in a 44-18 fourth quarter. The Mavericks are playing good defense and 19-0 when holding opponents below 90 points over their last two seasons. New Orleans is struggling at 1-3 giving up 104 ppg. They limp home after a loss at the NY Knicks despite shooting .488%. They won’t shoot that well against Dallas. Play the Mavericks.