Underground Sports Connection
100* Detroit Mercy -9.5
Triple Threat Sports Guaranteed Selections
2* Phoenix (-6) over Miami
Interesting stat about the Heat came up during the research for this game: In the last dozen occurennces, Miami is 2-10 SU & 3-9 ATS in the first road game of a two or more game trip. Also, these two teams come into this going in different directions, with Phoenix winning four of their last five both SU and ATS, including wins over the Lakers, Boston, Houston, and the Kings in Sacramento while Miami is 1-4 SU and ATS in their last five games. Suns get the job done here.
BONUS TV PLAY, Not Part of Guarantee: Boston (+) over Atlanta
Even without Garnett, Celtics are the side here, as this team has a lot more depth than they did last year, when they played a big part of the season without The Big Ticket. Atlanta comes in off a blowout win over New Jersey, and the Hawks played about as well as a team can play in that game, hitting 57% from the field, 95% from the line, and 59% from long range. Tough to see that type of shooting prowess happening here against a very solid Boston defense. Numbers show that Boston is 14-5 ATS as away dogs of this price, 17-6 ATS after winning outright as a dog, and an impressive 55-16 SU when playing with revenge, 18-5 SU when revenging a home loss. Take the points here.
Kelso
25 units Lakers -4
25 units Pacific -5.5
10 units Montana -15
10 units St. Marys -10.5
3 units Washinton +4
Eric Degarde
2* Dallas +4
2* Denver +2
LARRY NESS
8* Western Conference Wipeout - Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies had been rolling along playing their best basketball of the season. Then they ran into the Jazz in Utah on Wednesday and got rolled by 23 points. That was a real tough spot for Memphis as they had gotten a big win at Portland the night before so it was a tough back to back with having to face teams like the Blazers and the Jazz on the road on back to back nights. Making the spot even tougher for Memphis was that Utah was off of a home loss to New Orleans on Monday and they had Tuesday to recuperate both mentally and physically before taking on the Grizzlies. As it turned out, Memphis was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and they 'played the victim' for the Jazz as Utah rolled. Now, after such a tough scheduling situation for the Grizzlies, they are the ones positioned much better for the rematch. The Grizzlies now get the Jazz at home and Memphis is putting a lot of extra importance on this game. It's not only because it's a chance for the Grizzlies to get some immediate payback against Utah, it's also because the Grizzlies have another road game on deck. With this being a 'stand alone' home game, Memphis wants to make sure they defend their home floor. The Grizzlies are 10-5 at home this season while Utah is 6-10 on the road. Memphis is dealing with some nagging injuries right now but that's a normal situation at this point in the NBA season and the most significant injury as these teams prepare for Friday's rematch is actually with Utah. The Jazz were without Deron Williams against Memphis on Wednesday. They got the big win thanks to a big game from CJ Miles but, if Williams is still bothered by the injury here (if he plays he's not 100%), don't expect Utah to get such a big game from Miles again. The Grizzlies are seeking revenge at home and Utah had lost three straight games before their 117-94 win over Memphis. The Jazz have now beaten the Grizzlies 11 straight times and this included a 27 point win over Memphis on November 30th. However, the Grizzlies truly are a different team now. Once they got the Allen Iverson saga behind them it seemed to turn their season around. Before losing to Utah on Wednesday, the Grizzlies had won 7 of their last 8 games. In fact, between their embarrassing losses to Utah on November 30th and January 6th, the Grizzlies played 15 games and won 11 of them. They are capable of again bouncing back here. Since mid-November, there have only been two times where Memphis has lost back to back games. The Grizzlies have won 9 of their last 12 home games and the Jazz have lost 6 of their last 9 road games. For the first time this season the Grizzlies get the Jazz in Memphis and they will absolutely take advantage of the situation. The long winning streak the Jazz have against the Grizzlies is due to many recent seasons being marked by a big disparity in the talent level of these teams. The Grizzlies have closed the gap and will put an end to a streak they are well aware of. It's payback time. 8* Western Conference Wipeout
Computer Crushers Guaranteed Selections
HUGE 500,000 UNIT NBA COMPUTER CRUSHER WINNER
Atlanta -3.5
Wise Guy Insider Guaranteed Selections
QUADRUPLE COLLEGE HOOPS BLOWOUT WINNER
Arizona St -3.5
Kikki Sports
2* Lock GOM Lakers
1* BB Cavs
Executive
300 Arizona
Street Rosenthal
*200 Cleveland Cavs -4
*200 Atlanta Hawks -3
*200 Philadelphia 76'ers -2
Trey Scott
*200 St. Peter's +2
Chris Jordan
600♦ NEW ORLEANS HORNETS
This about as ugly as they come, quite honestly.
I don't think I've seen a game, situation, matchup, scenario ... nothing. I don't think I've see one time this season where I believed there was a team that was going to get annihilated like the Nets will be tonight.
The Hornets are 13-3 at home this season and will be hosting the worst road team in the NBA, as New Jersey is 1-17 with a suitcase in hand. The Nets have lost five straight on the highway, where they began a three-game road trip Wednesday night in Atlanta, losing 119-89 - a 30-point loss just might be duplicated tonight.
New Jersey's paltry shooting saw Atlanta open up a 32-15 lead after the first quarter, as the Nets missed their first 11 shots from the field, a trait that has plagues this team on the road frequently. They've trailed after 12 minutes in each game of this road slide, allowing an average of 31.8 points in the first quarter and losing by an average 20.4 points.
And since New Orleans has owned this team in their most recent meetings, and all-star point guard Chris Paul has averaged 23.8 points and 10 assists during a four-game win streak against the hapless Nets, I don't see how this one stays close at all.
The Hornets are 4-0 SU and ATS after sweeping a two-game road trip to Utah and Oklahoma City - catching points in both. It's Friday night, and the party will be on down Bourbon Street after this blowout win tonight.
The Hammer Guaranteed Selections
PRIVATE INVESTORS CLUB SLAM DUNK NBA WINNER
Cleveland -3
Jamie Tursini
Magic at Wizards
Pick: Magic -7
This number seems awfully low. My "Power Ratings" have Orlando as a 10 point favorite.Now the Magic have lost 3 straight and are reeling. They need some confidence, and Washington is the perfect opponent. The Wizards are going through all that crap with G.Arenas (suspended) and just are so distracted I can't see them staying within this number.Look for the Magic to take a big lead and coast. They do have Atlanta at home the next day, but they are desperate for a dominating win.
Bobby Flanagan
3* Celtics +3.5
The Hawks started out as the hottest team in the Eastern Conference and now we are seeing what could be their true colors. They are on a 3-6 slide which includes two home losses to the Knicks and the Cavaliers. The other night they looked terrible losing by 17 to the Heat who didn't even have Jermaine O'neal.
I think I've finally figured out Atlanta, when they are hot they are a profitable team to back but when they start a slide like this they can't seem to get out of their own way.
Rasheed Wallace has stepped up in Kevin Garnett's absence and has 16 points in each of the last two games. The addition of Wallace was the smartest move Boston could have made this summer. Garnett is a more focused and disciplined player but as far their skill sets they are basically equal.
Big Baby Davis is back from his injury and is playing at the highest level of his career. Guys off the bench you don't usually hear from like Tony Allen and J.R. Giddens are giving quality minutes. If Boston could get everyone healthy at the same time this could be the best team in the East.
I think Boston is still better than Atlanta no matter where the game is being played at and with the Hawks on a slide I'm going to back Boston and the points here. Boston is 14-4 in road games . The past couple of years the Celtics as a road dog have helped me clean up at the sportsbooks and it's no different this year.
3* Washington +4
This is a poorly set line because Arizona State is getting too much respect here. I expect a very motivated Washington team to come out with a strong showing after collapsing too Oregon in their last game.
Arizona State has lost back to back games to USC and UCLA who frankly aren't that good this year. The Sun Devils will be l=playing in the N.I.T. come March and they are laying points to a team that will be a top four seed in the NCAA Tournament bracket in March.
The last time the Huskies lost back to back games was November 2008 in a tough stretch against Kansas and Florida. They aren't going to lose this game tonight to Arizona State. Isaiah Thomas averaged 21 PPG last year in the two meetings against the Sun Devils and they don't have any answer for arguably the best Point Guard in the country.
Washington is +7.5 in rebounds this year and should take advantage of an Arizona State team that doesn't have reliable force at forward or center. The Huskies are 6-0 ATS in the last 6 meetings when visiting here and they are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 road games overall.
We are backing a dog getting points that is better than their opponent tonight. This line is a overreaction from the poor showing against Oregon and tonight the Huskies get things back to normal and we'll take the four.
The Duke's Sports
Wright State (pick) for 2 Units
Wright State is an underrated team in the Horizon League that has a good shot at climbing to the top of the standings tonight. The Raiders are seeking to avenge last year's embarrassing 69-51 loss in that game, their backcourt combined for 0- 22 from the field this season, however, the Raiders are better at creating separation, shot selection, and shooting. WSU is averaging a healthy 46% and knocking down free throws at a 76% clip. The Raiders are 5-1 ATS at home, 10-4 ATS at home vs a team with a winning road record. WSU can match the Bulldogs' defensive intensity after all, they allow a league low 48.2 ppg. The Bulldogs, which have been given too much credit by the linesmakers this season, are a mere 0-5 ATS off a SU win and just 1-5 ATS in the Horizon League. And with the Bulldogs at 1-7 ATS at Wright State, we'll look for WSU to regain their mojo on this floor vs Butler.