Buster Sports
Wisc Milwaukee at Northern Kentucky
Play: Under 133.5
Two teams that no one would ever think could make the final of the Horizon League have done just that. The Milwaukee Panthers and the Northern Kentucky Norse will battle for the title tonight in Detroit. We believe the legs will be a little tired for both these clubs and this will be a real grind them out match. The total is set at 133 1/2 and we will be going with the UNDER here. In the regular season these two teams played to totals of 126 and 132 respectively. Milwaukee comes into this game as a big underdog to win the game and the only way they do is to play solid defense. Similar to the 43-41 win against Valpo. We believe they will do just that.
Jack Brayman
On the heels of my free winner on Albany last night, my money is on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets plus the points against the Pittsburgh Panthers, as the two open ACC Tournament action.
Though G-Tech suffered through a rough time toward the end of the season, there is an outside shot this team could be dancing later this month. If the Jackets could make an improbable run to the title game of this event, don't be surprised to see them burst a mid-major's bubble.
Georgia Tech did upset Florida State and regular-season champion North Carolina this season, so it is not unthinkable that a team with a 17-14 mark can go on a run here.
And make note Georgia Tech just beat the Panthers 61-52 last week on Senior Night. In fact, the Jackets have won the last two games in the series after losing the first three.
I'm taking the Yellow Jackets here, as they'll roll past Pittsburgh.
2* GEORGIA TECH
Brad Wilton
With the Mavericks still trying to nail down the 8th playoff spot in the West, no choice on Tuesday at American Airlines Arena but to lay the wood with Dallas as they take on the dysfunctional Los Angeles Lakers.
LA has dropped 7 straight games - 5 of those games at home! - and they are 1-5-1 against the spread in those 7 losses. The Lakers have also lost 18 of their last 22 overall, and another loss to this Dallas team who they have not beaten in forever - 13 straight series losses! - seems eminent.
The Mavericks handed the Lakers their worse loss in franchise history the last time these teams met on January 22, in a 122-73 joke-of-a-game, and Dallas has covered in all 3 series meetings this year. They are also 6-1 against the spread in the last 7 series wins, and 5-1 against the spread the last 6 times the teams have played in Big "D".
I could go on and on, but isn't that enough?
Dallas to name it on Tuesday.
5* DALLAS
STEVE JANUS
South Dakota State vs. Nebraska-Omaha
Play: South Dakota State -2½
10* S Dakota St/Nebraska-Omaha Blue Chip Premium Play
Play Against - Neutral court teams as an underdog (NEBRASKA-OMAHA) - in a game involving two poor defensive teams (45-47.5%), good ball handling team (14.5 or less TO's) against a poor pressure defense (14.5 or less TO's) after 15+ games. This system is 33-10 (77%) against the spread since 1997.
JOHN MARTIN
Lakers vs. Mavs
Play: Mavs -9½
The Dallas Mavericks are making a playoff push, while the Los Angeles Lakers appear trying to get a Top 3 pick in the draft so they don't lose their first-round pick. The Mavericks are a sensational 13-1 ATS in their last 14 home games. The Lakers are 0-7 SU & 0-6-1 ATS in their last seven games overall. In their two road games during this streak, the Lakers lost by 36 at Phoenix and by 17 at Oklahoma City. I don't believe they'll stay within double-digits of the Mavs tonight. The Mavericks are 13-0 SU in their last 13 meetings with the Lakers with a whopping nine of those victories coming by 10 points or more.
BRANDON LEE
Wizards vs. Suns Suns
Play: Suns +5
Phoenix comes into this one having won 3 straight with wins over the likes of the Thunder and Celtics. All 3 have come at home and I don't think it's out of the question they add another victory to the list tonight. Washington hasn't been the same team out of the All-Star break and I just don't trust them on the road in this spot. The Wizards are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 against a team that's won fewer than 40% of their games and 0-6 ATS in their last 6 road games against a team with a losing home record. Phoenix is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games against a team with a losing road record and 19-7 ATS in their last 26 against the Eastern Conference.
ANDREW GOLD
Wizards vs. Suns
Play: Suns +5
This young Suns team has all of the sudden found some life. Watson has went with all the young guys and you are now seeing a terrific effort out of this group. Suns have won 3 straight as home underdogs and I believe are live here for a 4th straight. Wizards are not a team I am looking to back on the road with a SU 11-15 record. Suns are 16-6 ATS against the Eastern Conference this year. This is the Wizards first game of a 5 game west coast trip.
DAVE PRICE
Wizards vs. Suns
Play: Suns +5
The Phoenix Suns are playing with new life since the All-Star Break. They are 3-0 SU & 3-0 ATS in their last 3 games overall, pulling outright upsets at home over Charlotte (120-103), Oklahoma City (118-111) and Boston (109-106). Now they take their shot at the Washington Wizards, who haven't played well since the break. The Wizards are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games overall. They are just 11-15 on the road this season and shouldn't be 5-point favorites tonight. The Wizards are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. The Suns are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games. Phoenix is 8-0 ATS in its last 8 vs. NBA Southeast Division opponents. The Suns are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 vs. Eastern Conference. The Wizards are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
JIMMY BOYD
Lakers +10
I really like the value here with the Lakers as a double-digit underdog against the Mavericks. I believe this line has been inflated too much based on how these two teams come in. Dallas is 4-1 SU and 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games, while the Los Angeles is 0-6 SU and 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6. As bad as it looks for the Lakers, there's more than enough talent for them to keep this within single-digits. They are still playing with a lot of fight and could be catching Dallas at the right time, as a lot of the attention going into this game is on Nowitzki and him reaching the 30K mark (needs 20 points). As much as they say they won't, I think the Mavs get away from their offense trying to get Dirk points.
Lakers are a solid 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games against a team with a winning home record and I'll note that bad teams that have won between 25% and 40% of their games, who are a road underdog of 10 or more are 209-139 (60%) against the spread since 1996.
JACK JONES
Wisc-Milwaukee vs. Northern Kentucky
Play: Northern Kentucky -5.5
The Northern Kentucky Norse (23-10) have a shot to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. They will take on the 10th-seeded Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers (11-23) in the Horizon League Championship tonight.
Northern Kentucky is playing its best basketball of the season, going 11-2 SU & 9-3-1 ATS in its last 13 games overall. The Norse have shot at least 50% from the floor in each of their last three games while going 3-0 ATS in the process.
Milwaukee has won three in a row as well, but this team is getting too much respect from oddsmakers as they beat terrible Detroit and Illinois-Chicago teams, while escaping with an ugly 43-41 win over a Valpo team that was playing without their best player in Alec Peters.
The Panthers had lost nine straight games prior to this winning streak. The Norse are 4-0-1 ATS in their last five games overall. Northern Kentucky is 10-4-1 ATS in its last 15 games as a favorite.
SPORTS WAGERS
BUFFALO -101 over Philadelphia
OT included. Philadelphia is favored here because why? We have faded the Sabres a few times over the past week or two and that’s because they were getting a little too much credit after winning four of five games just prior to their bye week. However, after their bye, the Sabres have lost five of six with only victory over that span occurring against the Coyotes. Now that the market has done a 180 on them, we’re buyers again because too much emphasis is put on results and not performance and in that regard, the Sabres are playing better now than they were when they were winning.
Buffalo had a 3-0 lead on Pittsburgh last game but ended up losing 4-3. They had a 1-0 lead on TB the game prior before losing in in s shootout. Against Pittsburgh, the Sabres fired away 49 shots on net and subsequently played nose to nose with the Bolts. When Buffalo defeated Arizona 6-3, they dominated that game from start to finish. When they lost to Nashville last week, 5-4, also in OT, the Sabres had a 4-2 lead in the third. Over their last four games against Nashville, Arizona, Tampa and Pittsburgh, the Sabres are 1-3 but could easily be 4-0 and probably should be 4-0 because they had a one-goal lead, a two-goal lead and a three-goal lead. Buffalo was not outplayed in any of those games and now take a step down in class when facing the Flyers.
Philadelphia has scored fewer goals than Buffalo and has allowed more. The Flyers have some wins lately because Steve Mason has caught fire but we’ve all seen this movie before. As soon as some accolades are thrown his way, Mason craps the bed by getting yanked in 30% of his next 10 starts. Mason is getting some press this week after posting a 0.96 GAA and a .969 save percentage in his last three starts. We all know what’s coming next. If Mason has another great game, good for him but it’s something we cannot worry about. Philadelphia has been inconsistent all season long. The Flyers have a mere 13 wins in 35 games against top-16 competition and they are 11-20 on the road. The Sabres have better goaltending, a much better record against top-10 and top-16 teams and they’re wrongly being billed as the dog here.
Detroit +165 over TORONTO
Barring a miracle run, the Red Wings are going to miss the playoffs for the first time in 25 years. Detroit sits dead last in the East but the pressure is off, as they finish up the season. For the first time in a long time, the Red Wings have the chance to play the enjoyable role of the spoiler. It's been a trying season for Detroit off the ice with the deaths of Gordie Howe and Mike Ilitch, but the Wings have come through those trying times to play some decent hockey. Detroit has wins over the Capitals and Penguins in back-to-back games recently and while they've gone just 1-2 on this recent road trip, they took the hottest team in the league to overtime in Calgary last Friday night and then lost a hard fought 4-3 decision to the Oilers the next night. After a couple of days off to regroup, the Wings now have a chance to make life miserable for former head coach Mike Babcock and his young Maple Leafs. A strong effort is likely.
Toronto is feeling the pressure of expectations in a hockey hotbed. Not expected to do much of anything with such a young and inexperienced team, Toronto snuck up on a lot of clubs this year but with less than five weeks left in the season, the Maple Leafs are not sneaking up on anyone anymore. Toronto’s chances to make the playoffs took a big hit after five straight losses, which included a brutal 0-3 trip to California. Despite their recent struggles, the Leafs are not priced like a team in the middle of a slide, instead, Toronto is laying it's third biggest price of the season and that cannot be. When the Leafs left for California, they were in a Wild Card spot with their sights set on finishing in the top-3 of the Atlantic Division. Now, the Leafs are 9th in the East with both Florida and Tampa nipping at their heels. The Buds were not in good form out West either, giving up 37, 35 and 36 shots against the Sharks, Kings and Ducks respectively. That leads us to goaltender Fredrik Anderson, who is capable of stealing the show, but consistency has been his issue. Anderson can stop 33 of 35 shots as he did in L.A., or he can just as easily allow five goals in on 20 shots, as he did against the Jets a few weeks ago. Every game the Leafs play from now until their playoff fate is decided will be over-analyzed by pundits from coast to coast but the bottom line is that the Leafs defense is melting down because they are simply not good enough to hold up under the pressure that comes from being in a playoff fight this time of year. Yeah, Toronto can win but they are a 50/50 proposition right now, which makes them a great fade at these prices.
FLORIDA -½ +136 over N.Y. Rangers
Regulation only. The Rangers decision to go with goaltender Antti Raanta cost us a bet yesterday, as Raanta and the Rags went on to defeat the Lightning 1-0 in OT. Raanta was spectacular but it doesn’t change the fact that the Rangers once again pulled a rabbit out of their hat. The Rangers were under siege the entire night. Tampa had 27 scoring chances to the Rangers 11. The Bolts held a significant edge in time of possession and in every other category too. The Rangers came out hitting and trying to be physical after getting outplayed badly in four straight games. It didn’t work and now they’ve been outplayed badly in five straight games but have two lucky victories to show for it. Going back-to-back after chasing the Bolts around all night is not a great situation for the Rangers and we’ll continue to insist that this is the NHL’s most overrated, overvalued and luckiest team by a wide margin.
Speaking of luck, the Panthers have had very little lately. Here’s a team that scored one goal on 42 shots against Dallas in their last game and scored one goal on 40 shots the game prior. Florida has fired away 42, 40, 38, 38 in four of its last five games and has five lousy goals to show for it. There is no explantation for luck, be it good or bad in this sport. One team can fire away 65 shots towards the net and four will deflect and go in while the other team will fire away 65 shots towards the net and only one will go in. That’s hockey.
The Dallas Stars looked like they were killing a 60-minute penalty last night in Washington and won 4-2. Dallas’ shooting percentage was 18.2% while Washington’s was 4.5%. We’re merely drawing the fine line between winning and losing in this league and in that regard, the Rangers are winning games at an incredibly high clip considering they get outplayed so badly so often. The Panthers are definitely on the verge of an offensive breakout, as they have been creating a slew of high quality chances lately. The Rangers will very likely get outplayed again here, that is almost a guarantee and if they beat us again, so be it.
Otto Sports
St. Mary's vs. Gonzaga
Play: Gonzaga -5
Gonzaga and St. Mary's hook up tonight for the West Coast Conference Championship at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Both teams had an easy go of it en route to the finals, particularly the Gaels who won by margins of 23 and 31. Tonight serves as a far tougher task however as Gonzaga's size, length, and athleticism gave St. Mary's a ton of problems in the two regular season meetings. The Zags won and covered both games by simply owning the paint. Combined, Gonzaga shot 49-of-77, 64% from 2-point range compared to 37-of-86, 43% for St. Mary's. The Zags also unsurprisingly shot 14 more free throws. And the one advantage St. Mary's was supposed to have -- 3-point shooting -- never panned out as Gonzaga shot a combined 10-of-21, 48% while St. Mary's hit on only 10-of-31, 32%. All told, Gonzaga scored 153 points on 124 possessions which comes out to 1.23 points per possession; a mark that is actually higher than their season average in WCC play. And while it looks impressive that the Gaels have routinely held teams in the 50's, note that Gonzaga's stop unit is over 5 ppg better based on a 65 possession game in league play compared to St. Mary's. The only way the Gaels neutralize Gonzaga's advantage in the paint is get hot from the outside which they are obviously capable of doing with a team average of nearly 40%. But over the course of 40 minutes, I'm much for inclined to take the team that can not only get but connect on high percentage shots. Gonzaga proved that in the first two meetings and should be able to do so again tonight.
Stephen Nover
Blazers / Thunder Under 223.5
Thunder coach Billy Donovan is really stressing defense in this game, the Thunder's first game back from an 0-3 road trip. Oklahoma City lost all three games by playing poor defense.
Look for the Thunder to step up defensively now that they're back at home where they've held their past three opponents to an average of 103 points.
Oklahoma City upgraded its backcourt defense by recently signing veteran Norris Cole. He could see more minutes than usual because of Portland's high-scoring backcourt tandem of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.
Oklahoma City hosted Portland on Feb. 5 and won, 105-99.
The teams last played against each other this past Thursday in Portland. The Trail Blazers won, 114-109. That total opened a tick lower at 221. Portland shot nearly 50 percent from the floor in that game and the teams combined to shoot 68 free throws making 81.3 percent from the line.
Now the total opened higher and it's doubtful the teams will shoot that many free throws again. There were 49 free throws attempted during the Feb. 5 game. That 81.3 percent free throw percentage is high, too. Portland shoots 77.9 percent from the free throw line on the season while the Thunder are a bottom-six free throw shooting club at 74.8 percent.
PORT PORT SPORTS
UW MILWAUKEE PANTHERS (+5.5)
This Panthers squad has picked up their play at just the right time and is playing like they could win this tournament outright. After a disappointing close to the regular season that saw them drop them final 7 games of conference play, this UWM squad has responded with 3 straight wins and covers in the conference tournament, including a surprise 43-41 win over heavy favorite Valparaiso. The Panthers did also split their two meetings with Northern Kentucky this season, beating the Norse in their first meeting, 68-58, at home, while losing by a 69-63 final when they two squared off in Kentucky. Milwaukee has posted a 3-2 ML record in the L5 meetings between the two schools dating back to January of last year, while the Panthers have picked up the cash at a 3-0 ATS clip in the L3 meetings between the two schools. Northern Kentucky does appear on their way to the Big Dance as they come into today having won 5 in a row on the ML overall, while also toting a perfect 4-0-1 ATS mark in that stretch. The Norse have gone 3-1 ML and ATS in their 4 neutral court games this season, although 2-of-their-L3 wins have come by 5 points or less and 6-of-their-L9 wins have also been decided by 6 points or less. Only one of the Norse's L9 wins has come by more than 8 points. Milwaukee is 6-2 ATS in their L8 games played on a Tuesday.
NEBRASKA OMAHA MAVERICKS (+3)
Not sure why this spread keeps rising in the Mavericks favor, but this team is our pick to win the Summit League tournament and move onto the Big Dance. Both of these teams are currently rolling and it seems a shame that one of them has to suffer the loss, as South Dakota State has put together a perfect 5-0 ML run in their L5 games and a even more perfect 6-0 ATS record in their L6 overall. The Jackrabbits are now 8-2 ML and 9-1 ATS in their L10 games. They have also covered in 5 straight games when playing as the listed favorite and this team is now 10-2 ML and 8-4 ATS when laying the points this season. Nebraska Omaha also comes into this one having won 5 straight on the ML, while holding a 7-2 ML and 7-1-1 ATS mark over their L9 games overall. The Mavericks have been equally as money when getting the points this season, as they have now won and covered in 4 straight games when playing as the underdog and hold an equally impressive 7-1-1 ATS mark in their L9 as the dog. They are 11-6-1 ATS in their L18 as the underdog and have posted a bookie-busting 12-3-1 ATS mark in their L16 overall. The Mavericks are also on a 12-3-1 ATS run against the Summit conference, while the underdog has come through at a 6-2 ATS clip in the L8 meetings between the two schools. Nebraska Omaha has taken the outright win in 2-of-the-L3 against South Dakota State, with 2-of-the-L3 meetings (1-1 ML) also being decided by an even 4 points each.
NORTHERN ARIZONA LUMBERJACKS (+6)
NAU could pull off the outright upset in this one as they have owned the series between these two schools in recent meetings and seem to be playing the better ball currently as well. The Lumberjacks are now 7-1-1 ATS in the L9 meetings between the two schools, while also putting together a 6-2 ML record in the L8 against Portland State. NAU is 5-1-1 ATS in the L7 meetings in which they played as the listed underdog. The Lumberjacks also come into tonight with a nice ML win as a +8 underdog against Eastern Washington and they have now covered at a 3-1 ATS clip in their L4 games overall. They are 2-2 ML in that 4-game stretch, with one of those losses coming by a mere 2 points. NAU is rolling on an 8-3 ATS run over their L11 contests and they are now 7-3 ATS in their L10 when playing as an underdog of less than +10 points. Portland State has dropped 2 straight on the ML coming into today, while also posting a 2-5 ML record over their L7 games. They are also 1-2-1 ATS in their L4 contests overall and have put forth a paltry 1-5 ATS record in their L6 games when playing as the listed favorite. NAU is also 8-3 ATS in their L11 against all Big Sky foes.
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE DELTA DEVILS (+9)
This one just seems like way too many points for a small conference tournament game that should end up being pretty close in the end. The two schools split their two meetings this season, much like they did last season, before Mississippi Valley State pulled off the outright upset as a +6 point underdog to knock Alcorn State out of the conference tournament. The Delta Devils have rolled off 3 consecutive wins on the ML heading into today, while Alcorn State has now dropped 2 straight on the ML. The Braves could also be without one of their starters, as DeAndre Davis (9.3 PPG / 5 RPG) is listed as questionable due to a hand injury, but it does appear he should be good to go.
SACRAMENTO STATE HORNETS (-4.5)
It's been about a year since we last made a play on a Sacramento State game, but can't pass up a good opportunity for the cash here today. This is a bit of a head-scratcher as the Hornets are clearly the better team here and are coming in off a 3-point loss at Northern Colorado in their last game. They did cover the spread as a +3.5 point underdog in that one and this Sacramento State team has continued to be money for their backers, posting 3 consecutive wins against the spread and putting together a 7-1 ATS mark over their L8 games overall. Sacramento State is also 10-2 ATS in their L12 games and 13-3 ATS over their L16 contests heading into tonight. Idaho State has been the exact opposite lately, compiling 8 straight losses prior to tonight, while also holding a 2-5 ATS record in their L7 contests. The Hornets have posted the ATS win in 3-of-their-L4 when playing as the favorite and are 4-2 ATS in their L6 when laying the points. Idaho State has had each of their L3 losses decided by double-digits and it has actually been just shy of a month since they last lost a game by less than today's spread. The Bengals have only had 3 losses -- they have 25 for the season -- that have been decided by less than today's spread and 2 of those came around Thanksgiving time. Idaho State is now 7-19 ATS in their L26 overall, while also toting a pathetic 5-15 ATS mark in their L20 against the Big Sky. Sacramento State is now 13-3 ATS in their L16 against the Big Sky.
PORT PORT SPORTS
PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS (+6.5)
The Blazers had a break last night as their game with the Timberwolves ended up getting postponed due to a slippery floor, so they should be well-rested and be able to keep this one within a TD spread here. Portland comes into tonight having won 2 straight on the ML and ATS and has posted a 3-2 ATS mark in their L5 overall. They just beat the Thunder in Portland two games ago, 114-109, marking their 3rd win in their L4 meetings with the Thunder. Oklahoma City has won and covered 4 straight meetings played in the OKC, although their lone meeting played there this season was decided by 6 points about a month ago. Portland has struggled mightily on the road lately too, as they are now a mere 2-5 ML in their L7 away from home with an even more disappointing 1-6 ATS mark to go with it. That is somewhat misleading though, as they have been playing tough on the road, with 6-of-their-L8 games (3-5 ML) being decided by 7 points or less. Only two of those losses came by more than today's spread, and one of those was a 7-point loss at Detroit in their last road affair. Portland has been bad when playing as a road underdog lately though too, coming into tonight with a 1-6 ATS mark in their L7 games played as the road underdog. Oklahoma City is having some troubles of their own lately, holding an 0-3 ML and ATS mark over their L3 games, although each of those losses came on the road and they do come into tonight having posted 4 straight wins and cashes on their home court. The Thunder are now 5-1 ML and ATS in their L6 when laying the points as the favorite in any capacity and they are on a 7-1 ML and ATS run on their own home court. The home team has a perfect 9-0 ML record in the L10 meetings between the two teams, but 6 of the L10 meetings have been decided by 6 points or less.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS @ DALLAS MAVERICKS DALLAS MAVERICKS (-8.5) & UNDER 207
Can't believe we are laying near double-digits on this Mavericks team here, but they have owned the Lakers in recent years and already have posted a 3-0 ML and ATS mark in their prior 3 meetings against Los Angeles this season. Dallas has completely owned the Lakers in recent meetings, as the Mavericks have rolled off 13 consecutive wins in this series and now owns a commanding 10-3 ATS record in that span. Nine of those 13 wins for the Mavericks in that span have come by double-digits and you have to go all the way back to the 2012-13 season to find the last time the Lakers beat the Mavericks in Dallas, while the Mavericks have posted a perfect 6-0 ML record in their L6 at Dallas, they also hold a 5-1 ATS record as well, with 4 of those 6 wins coming by 13 points or more. The Lakers have been brutal lately as well, as they are currently mired in a dismal 7-game losing streak and have compiled an equally pathetic 0-6-1 ATS mark in those games. Dallas has won 2 straight on the ML and is 4-1 ML over their L5 games, while sweeping the cash for their backers in that span, hitting for a perfect 5-0 ATS mark over their L5 contests. The Mavericks have also won and covered 4 straight contests on their home court and have posted a 6-1 ML record in their L7 in Dallas. They have been even more money on the spread though, as the Mavs now hold a 12-1 ATS mark in their L13 at home. Dallas has been money when playing as the favorite lately as well, hitting for a perfect 7-0 ML and ATS mark in their L7 games in which they were laying the points. Dallas is 10-1 ML and ATS in their 11 games this season playing as the favorite. They are 8-1 ML and ATS in the 9 games in which they played as the home favorite, with none of those wins coming by less than 8 points and 7 of those wins coming by 11 points or more and the Mavericks winning by an average margin of victory of 23+ points in those wins. The Lakers are currently 0-5-1 ATS in their L6 after allowing 100+ points in their previous game and 0-3-1 ATS in their L4 against a team with a losing record. Dallas is 4-0 ATS in their L4 when coming off an ATS win and is also 4-0 ATS in their L4 playing on a single days rest. And this one just screams an under as the Mavericks have seen a renewed sense of play lately behind a rejuvenated defense, having not allowed any of their L7 opponents to hit for 101 points, while the Under has cashed at a 7-1-1 clip in their L9 overall. They have held 3-of-their-4 opponents and 4-of-their-L6 on their home court to less than 90 points. The Lakers have only topped the 100+ point mark two times in their L7 overall as they too have stayed Under the total in 3 straight contests and at a 4-1 clip over their L5 overall. The two franchises have also played to the Under at a 5-1 clip over their L6 meetings and at a 7-2 tally in their L9 match-ups between the teams.
PHOENIX SUNS (+6)
We have been rolling with Washington for some time now -- and they have rewarded us nicely -- but we have to go with this currently red hot Phoenix squad that has been playing lights out on their home court as of late. Phoenix should have a little momentum for this one as they came away with a thrilling, buzzer-beating, 109-106 win over the Celtics two nights ago and have been on fire on their home turf recently. The Suns have now won and covered in 4 straight on their home court and at a 5-1 ML and ATS clip in their L6 played in Phoenix. In fact, the only loss in that stretch came in a 2-point heartbreaker against New Orleans. They have now posted a 3-1 ML and 4-0 ATS record in their L4 playing as the underdog overall, while also holding a perfect 4-0 ML and ATS mark in their L4 when getting the points in their home arena. Phoenix has absolutely owned the Eastern conference when playing on their home court recently as well, posting 3 straight wins and covers there against the opposing conference, while also holding a staggering 7-2 ML and 8-1 ATS record in their L9 at home against the East. Should also point out that Cleveland was one of those losses and it came by a mere 4 points. Washington escaped with a home win over lowly Orlando last time out, 115-114, and they have now failed to cover in two straight and at a 2-4 ATS clip over their L6 contests. They have been even worse when playing as the favorite lately, as they have now failed to cover in 4 straight contests in which they were laying the points and they are 3-7 ATS in their L10 in that same situation. They have dropped 2-of-their-L3 ATS on the road as the favorite, failing to pick up the cash against Philadelphia and Brooklyn in that stretch. Washington has won 3 straight meetings with the Suns since last season, although each of those games were decided by 7 points or less, with two of them being decided by 5 or less. Phoenix is 3-3 ML and 5-1 ATS in the L6 meetings between the two clubs. Washington is also now 0-6 ATS in their L6 games against an opponent with a losing record at home.