Don Wallace
New York +11
Jeff Benton
10 Dime Hornets
Matt Fargo
10* New Orleans +6
VEGAS SPORTS MASTERS CONSENSUS
JAZZ (-11) KNICKS 4 OF 6 CAPPERS PICK THE JAZZ
Seabass
100* DALLAS
50* VCU
50* FLA
50* ATL CAR UNDER
200* Steam NY Knicks
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
8* Lakers/New Orleans Under 201.5
For a number of different reasons I believe the value in this contest is on the "under"
The Lakers lost 91-75 in Oklahoma City on Friday night; they shot just 39.2% for the game; that snapped a seven-game win streak.
They came back with a 109-101 victory against undermanned Houston the following night.
LA needs just four wins in its remaining nine games to pencil themselves in as the West's top seed this season.
“We have to continue to tighten things up,” Pau Gasol said. “We’re in good position. We’re in the same position as we were last year, and I like the ending we had last year.”
The total has gone "under" the number in five of LA's last six overall; also in six of its last eight on the road.
On the other side of the court: The Hornets were officially eliminated from playoff contention in their 112-101 loss to Portland on Saturday.
Chris Paul has looked shaky since his return from knee surgery, averaging just 7.7 points.
It's interesting to note that New Orleans has seen the total go "under" the posted number in six of seven as a home dog of 3 1/2 to 6 points.
Bottom line: Important to point out that in six of these teams last nine games vs. each other, regardless of location, the total has gone "under" the number.
I look for LA to slow the tempo of this game down and to take control of it in the fourth quarter; when taking all of the above into account, the sharp money in this one is indeed on the UNDER!
Mike Lineback
San Antonio/New Jersey Under 193
Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has no intention of getting in an up-and-down game with New Jersey on Monday. It is very obvious Popovich is committed to given Duncan & his aging veterans as much rest as possible down the stretch. Last night vs. the Celtics, San Antonio milked every possession possible in the 4th quarter, after they secured a 10+ lead. Duncan & McDyess didn't play the 4th quarter (Duncan < 30 min. L2). I was a little surprised Ginobili played 35 minutes, but look for Popovich to give him some rest tonight. Hence, I'm looking for San Antonio to come out strong and build a lead vs. New Jersey, so Popovich can implement his 'slow down, rest his key players' plan again in the second half. And it's not like New Jersey are an offensive juggernaut. The Nets are last in league in scoring at 91.3 ppg, and more often than not, play a very deliberate style of basketball. They scored 83 vs. Chicago on Saturday, and have consistently had problems scoring against quality competition. Teams' are Under this total in 9 of L10 meetings, including only meeting this season. Nets scored 85 vs. SA in January, have scored less than 93 in L10 meetings, less than 83 points in 6 of those meetings. New Jersey 6-1 Under in 190-194.5 lined totals this season. Spurs 20-14 Under in road games, 7-2 Under vs. Atlantic division & 9-4 Under in back-to-back situations this season. Take the Under.
Marc Lawrence
New Jersey +8
When the Nets host the Spurts in New Jersey this evening they will do so knowing San Antonio arrives off back-to-back SU underdog revenge wins over Boston and Cleveland in its last two games, with a double revenge affair up next with Houston. With that we note the Spurs are 2-5 SU and 1-6 ATS on the road in games off a win over the Celtics, including 0-5 ATS when playing off back-to-back wins. Look for the Nets to improve to 4-1-1 ATS in this series in games in which San Antonio played the night before. We recommend a 3-unit play on New Jersey.
Bob Balfe
Toronto/Charlotte Under 196.5
The Raptors do not boast a huge defensive game, however they have shown glimpses of improvement over the last six games (with the exception of one) and will have the luxury of going against a Charlotte offense that have young guys who are starting to tire towards the end of the season. In addition, the Bobcats play solid defense at home (actually lights-out defense the past two games). Look for a low-scoring affair tonight and both teams to operate deep into the shotclock on the majority of possessions. Take the Under.
Lenny Del Genio
VCU -9.5
The Billikens of St. Louis are a dreadful road team, so it certainly is no plus for Rick Majerus' team that VCU has the home court advantage in this best of three series to determine the CBI Tournament Championship. SLU has gone a dreadful 0-9 ATS on the non-conference road the past two seasons and this year's squad is averaging less than one point per possession, not to mention only 58.5 points per game on the road. They have been fortunate to draw three home games in the tournament thus far against the likes of Indiana State, WI-Green Bay and Princeton. Virginia Commonwealth comes in averaging nearly 80 PPG at home this season and was the highest scoring team in the CAA this year, where they were our favorite play on team in one of our very favorite leagues. Remember that they took Old Dominion to OT in the CAA Tournament Final and led that game much of the way against a team that beat Notre Dame in the 1st Round of the NCAA Tournament. That's why the number is where it is. It should be higher. The Rams have an average margin of victory by greater than 15 PPG at home this season. Virginia Commonwealth is our CBI Game One WINNER.
WAYNE ROOT
4* Millionaire - Charlotte Bobcats
Billionaire - VCU
No Limit - Utah Jazz
DB Sports Consultants, Inc.
3* Dallas -5
2* New Orleans +5.5
2* New Jersey +8
CHARLIE
500* St louis +10
500* St Louis @ VCU Over 128.5
500* Lakers @ New Orleans Over 201
30* Nets +8
20* Utah -11
20* Spurs @ Nets Under 193
10* Lakers -6
Dallas -5 Free Play
C-Stars Sports
50 Units NY/Utah Over the total
50 units San Antonio minus the points over New Jersey
50 units NHL Los Angeles at Minnesota under the total
Sal Devito
5* Charlotte
3* Dallas Over
3* Dallas
Tony Taylor
3* Nuggets Over
Clayton Rice
3* Dallas Mavericks
3* New York Knicks
3* New Jersey Nets
3* St. Louis