Kelso
Chairman 10 units Western Ky +11.5 v. Vandy
Best Bets
5 units Iowa State -12 v. Iowa
3 units Idaho State +11.5 @ USC
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
Detroit -170
For a number of different reasons I believe the value in this matchup is on the large home favorite:
Anaheim has been struggling defensively lately, allowing at least three goals in each game while losing five of six. The conference-worst Ducks have also been outscored 29-16 during their franchise-record eight-game road losing streak (0-5-3) - a bad omen for a club opening a four game road trip that will play 10 of its next 12 games away from home.
It comes as no surprise to learn that Anaheim is 0-5 its last five on the road. It's also 1-4 its last five vs. the Wings and 1-6 its last seven at Joe Louis.
On the other side of the rink: The Red Wings enter Friday night’s home game trying to avoid their fourth loss in five games; however, Detroit enjoyed one of its best performances this season against the Ducks on Nov. 14 at Joe Louis Arena.
Henrik Zetterberg, who has a team-leading 30 points, had a hat trick and two assists in the 7-4 victory, and Cleary added a goal and two assists. It stands as both the Red Wings’ second-best scoring output of the season and the most goals allowed by the Ducks in 2009-10.
Detroit is 4-2 this season after a division game.
Bottom line: This is a very big opportunity for the WINGS to start to their season around; look for the Ducks to get overwhelmed in this one!
9* RED WINGS.
Tony George
Phoenix -2.5
I lost out on the Magic on TNT last night, blowing a big lead...and off a previous nights game, in the altitude wears you down, and playing the Suns rested at home, I like the Suns here big time at home in this scheduling spot.
Play 1 Unit on Phoenix.
Ron Raymond
Portland/Cleveland Under 183.5
When ANY NBA Team Played as Home team as a Favorite - with 1 day off - Last 5 years - Total is between 180 to 185 - Allowed 91 - 95 AGAINST in their last game; the UNDER is 43-26-1 for the Home Fave (CLE) in this spot the L5Y. Take the Under.
Marc Lawrence
Toronto +4
The Raptors return home to host the Hawks with same season revenge on their minds tonight. When Toronto takes the floor they will do so knowing the Raptors are 4-0 ATS off a loss of 30 or more points versus an opponent off a SU and ATS win. On the flip side, Atlanta is 0-7 ATS in its last seven games when playing off a win of 30 or more points. With NBA home favorites of seven or less points 10-2 SU and 9-3 ATS off a loss of 30 or more points, including 3-0 SU and ATS during the regular season, we'll stay at home with the Raptors this evening. We recommend a 3-unit play on Toronto.
Opposite Action Plays
Cleveland -9
Evan Altemus
Phoenix -3
Orlando is coming off of a very disappointing 2nd half in last night's game against Utah. The Magic held a huge lead at halftime, only to get dominated by the Jazz in the 2nd half. Now Orlando has to go on the road again the very next night and play a Phoenix team that will be very motivated for this game. The Suns have lost four out of their last five games, with their four losses coming on the road. Phoenix is well rested coming into this game as well. They had played seven of their last ten games on the road, but they have had two days off since their last game. This game will also be nationally televised on ESPN, so the Suns will be up for this game. Look for Phoenix to come out and get a big home win against a road weary Magic team.
3 UNIT SELECTION SUNS
Bob Balfe
Cleveland -9
Rocketman
Golden State
Golden State is 7-1 ATS this year in non-conference games. Chicago is 5-14 ATS this year in all games. Chicago is 1-5 ATS this year as a favorite. Chicago is 1-5 ATS this year after allowing 105 points or more. Chicago is 1-7 ATS this year after a loss by 10 points or more. Chicago is 1-9 SU their last 10 games. Warriors are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest. Warriors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a losing SU record. Warriors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Central. Warriors are 20-6-1 ATS in their last 27 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Warriors are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Friday games. Warriors are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Warriors are 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 vs. Eastern Conference. Warriors are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Warriors are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games overall. Bulls are 5-16-1 ATS in their last 22 games overall. Bulls are 2-12-2 ATS in their last 16 games following a SU loss. Bulls are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss. Bulls are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points. Bulls are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Bulls are 1-9-2 ATS in their last 12 games as a favorite. Bulls are 1-9-1 ATS in their last 11 games playing on 1 days rest. Bulls are 0-7-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Bulls are 0-7-1 ATS in their last 8 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Bulls are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 home games. Bulls are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a losing SU record. Bulls are 0-7-1 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite of 5.0-10.5. Bulls are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Bulls are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. Western Conference. Bulls are 0-9-2 ATS in their last 11 games as a home favorite. Bulls are 0-7-1 ATS in their last 8 games as a home favorite of 5.0-10.5. Bulls are 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. We'll play Golden State for 5 units tonight!
Lenny Del Genio
Charlotte vs. San Antonio
We'd like to believe in the Bobcats here, but when we took them 10 days ago at home vs. Boston, they really let us down by getting blown out 108-90. Sure, we came back and cashed them as our Underdog of the Week this past Tuesday, winning outright against the Nuggets, but they were catching Denver in a favorable situation that night (3rd road game in four nights). The Spurs have owned this head to head series, winning nine of 10 meetings, covering the spread in eight of them. That includes a 14-point home win last season. As we've noted before, Charlotte is an excellent defensive club, but they simply lack the scoring punch to compete at a high level. They are also 1-8 SU on the road this season, mainly because they average just 83.2 PPG away from home this season. The Spurs are also scoring more than usual this year, averaging 104.8 PPG at home. Take San Antonio.
Donnie Black
Black Magic: Pacers Over 200
St Louis Blues Under 5.5
Dominic Fazzini
15 Dime - Vanderbilt
The Commodores return all five starters from last season's 19-12 team, and have started the season 6-2, losing 67-58 to No. 19 Cincinnati in Hawaii on Nov. 23 and 79-68 at Illinois on Tuesday. They also have quality victories over Arizona, Missouri and DePaul this season, so they have been well-tested so far.
Vanderbilt is averaging 75.1 ppg, and has three players scoring at least 13 points per game. Sophomore swingman Jeffery Taylor averages 15 ppg to lead the team, while senior guard Jermaine Beal is averaging 13.4 ppg and has provided consistent outside scoring.
Where the Commodores really have the advantage, however, is with junior center A.J. Ogilvy. The 6-foot-11 Ogilvy started slowly this season after averaging 17 and 15.4 ppg, respectively, his first two seasons, but he has averaged 18 points over his last four games to push his season average up to 13.3 ppg. The Hilltoppers don't have anyone of his size or talent level to contain him in the paint.
Western Kentucky is 1-6 ATS this season, and depends greatly on senior guard A.J. Slaughter, who leads the team in scoring at 14.9 ppg. If Slaughter, who likely will be defended by the tough-nosed Beal, doesn't have a huge game, the Hilltoppers probably will get crushed.
Tonight's game is in Nashville, which greatly benefits Vanderbilt, but it is technically on a neutral court. The Commodores are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games at neutral sites and 8-3 ATS when favored on a neutral court. Vanderbilt also has beaten the Hilltoppers 10 consecutive times, dating to the 1962-63 season. Look for the beat to go on tonight. Take the Commodores to cover the points.
The Booooj
10* Western Kentucky
Kyle Bales
15* Suns
10* Western Kentucky
5* Middle Tennessee State
Eric Degarde
2* Philadelphia +3
2* Oklahoma City +2.5
2* Cleveland -9.5
2* Phoenix -3
1* Western Kentucky +12