OC Dooley
2 Units NJ Nets +3
Tonight marks the first HOME appearance for newly acquired All-Star guard Deron Williams who has refused to commit to New Jersey past the 2012 campaign when he becomes a free-agent. With a billionaire owner who is not afraid to pay for top-notch free agents and a 1-Billion dollar home facility in Brooklyn which will open next campaign, the Nets desperately wanted to land a big name at the recently completed trade deadline. After failing to land Carmelo Anthony, New Jersey settled on Williams and would like to end this season on an up-tick so as to impress the now former Utah Jazz player who was accused of literally running veteran coach Jerry Sloan out of town. To make a long story short New Jersey has been unable to hold a practice session since acquiring Williams which resulted in a pair of blowout road losses. After tonight’s game New Jersey will be boarding a flight to LONDON where they will take on Toronto both Friday and Saturday in a two-game set, so tonight is a rare opportunity for the team to play in a friendly environment with Williams leading the way. It is easy to see why Phoenix has been a popular choice in this contest where the Suns opened up in some circles as low as a 1’ point favorite. On paper Phoenix is the sizzling hot team riding a 10-3 tear as they are getting close to the fringes of the Western Conference playoff chase. But the fact of the matter is that Phoenix is playing “unrested” on the road after barely escaping a one-point triumph yesterday at Indiana. For a team like the Suns who play up-tempo to be playing without rest during a lengthy road trip is a negative, especially since the roster is dotted with aging veterans like Steve Nash and Grant Hill. In the entire career of current New Jersey head coach Avery Johnson, his teams have gone an excellent 13-3 ATS/HOME after losing 5 times in a seven-game span. For this entire season to date New Jersey just happens to be an incredible 9-1 ATS/HOME against “non” conference competition, so the location of tonight’s game is critical
Billy Coleman
5* Phoenix Suns
Sports Bank
400 Hawks
Lenny Del Genio
Texas -9
The Longhorns have lost twice over the last nine days. Both times were on the road. They led Colorado by 22 on Saturday before taking their foot off the pedal and blowing the game. This game is in Austin, where they have not lost a game in regulation all year and are 7-0 vs. the Big XII, winning by an average margin of 17.1 PPG. They are 6-0 ATS off an Over this season. The oddsmakers clearly aren't buying Kansas State's four game win streak and neither are we. Three of the wins came at home. On the road, they are averaging just 64.2 PPG. Texas has revenge for a nine-point loss in Manhattan last year. The reason for the Wildcats' recent surge has been the strong play of G Pullen, who is averaging 29 PPG during the four-game win streak, but tonight he faces one of the best defenders in the country in G Balbay. What we're saying is that Pullen will not score 29 tonight.
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
6* Red Wings / Kings Under 5.5
For a number of different reasons I believe the value in this contest is on the "under":
The Red Wings have seen the total go "under" the number in 29 of 62 this year, including in 17 of 31 on the road; on Saturday they beat Buffalo 3-2 in a shootout.
On the other side of the rink: The Kings have seen the total go "under" the number in 38 of 61 this year (with one "push"), including in 18 of 28 in front of the home town crowd; on Saturday they beat Colorado 4-3.
Note that the Kings have in fact seen the total go "under" the number in 13 of 21 this year after scoring 4-goals or more in their previous game.
Bottom line: Also important to note that the total has gone "under" the number in four of these teams last five vs. each other.
The Wings are gunning for their sixth consecutive road victory here while looking to avoid a fifth straight loss to the Kings.
Johnathan Quick has a 1.95 GAA while winning nine of 11 vs. Detroit; he has a 1.72 GAA in a four-game win streak vs. Detroit.
6* WESTERN CONFERENCE TOTAL ROUT on the UNDER!