ATS Lock Club
3 Units Denver -5
Fantasy Sports Gametime
1000* Play Dayton (-3) over North Carolina
Dayton has won and covered the spread in 4 consecutive games and they have also won and covered the spread in 6 of the last 7 NIT Tournament Games. Dayton has won 15 of the last 18 non-conference games and they are only allowing 62 points a game on defense this season.
50* Play Portland (+4.5) over Denver
Denver has lost 9 consecutive games against the spread and they have also lost 9 of the last 10 games against the spread coming off three or more road games. Denver has lost 18 of the last 24 games against the spread when playing 6 or more games in 10 days and they are allowing over 106 points a game on defense over the last 5 games.
Chip Chirimbes
Blazers at Nuggets
Pick: Nuggets -4.5
The Denver Nuggets (48-27) are in need of a win in the worst way as they have gone 3-6 straight-up in their last nine and 0-8-1 against the points. Without George Karl they just don't seem to be the same club. After their last loss at Dallas Carmelo Anthony stated that there is not a problem and that they will straighten themselves out at home. Well, they are at home now and I expect a big win. Take NUGGETS!
Jimmy Boyd
5* Wiseguy NBA on TNT Game of the Month on Nuggets -5
It's gut check time for the Nuggets tonight. They return home after a 5-game road trip where they were brutal and I fully expect them to make a statement. The Nuggets are 30-6 at home on the season where they are winning by 9.4 points on average. The home team has dominated this matchup to the tune of 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings. Plus, the Trail Blazers are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Denver and 10-25-1 ATS in the last 36 meetings overall. The Nuggets are 52-25-3 ATS in their last 80 games as a favorite of 5.0-10.5 points, 38-15-2 ATS in their last 55 games as a home favorite of 5.0-10.5 points and 6-0 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Lay the points.
3* NBA on TNT SMASH on Magic -1
I'll take the rested Magic in this revenge spot against a Mavs team feeling the effects of a tough overtime game in Memphis last night. After losing to the Mavs at home in the last meeting, the Magic will be ready to return the favor here. The Magic are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 3 or more days rest and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a road favorite of 4.5 or fewer points. The Mavericks are an atrocious 5-23 ATS in their last 28 Thursday games and a pathetic 5-26-1 ATS in their last 32 home games. The road team is 7-0 ATS in the last 7 meetings and the Magic are 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Dallas. Take Orlando.
3* NIT Championship SMASH (ESPN) on Dayton -2.5
The Flyers are the more experienced team and that is huge this time of year. They are also the better defensive team, and playing solid defense is another must if you're going to win any type of championship. It is certainly worth noting that UNC is only 1-7 ATS versus good defensive teams allowing 64 or less points per game after, 15+ games this season, losing to these teams by an average score of 62 to 72.9. When odds makers have put Carolina in the underdog role, it's usually for a reason as the Heels command so much betting attention. In fact, the Tar Heels are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games as an underdog and only 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games as an underdog of 6.5 or fewer points. In addition, the Flyers are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 non-conference games. Dayton has taken this tournament very seriously and I look for its experience and defense to be the difference.
Wunderdog
3 Units St. Louis/Nashville UNDER 5.5
BIG AL
5* Dayton
The Duke's Sports
North Carolina (+3) for 2 Units
The incumbent NCAA National Champion may have lost many starters to the NBA but still have a talented athletic contingent that is reloading after a mid-season slump.The Tar Heels reeled off 4 strong wins since getting bounced int he 1st Round of the ACC Tourney. One of the reasons NC is showing improvement is that they're playing more relaxed and having fun consequently, chemistry has developed. On the other hand, Dayton continues to play at a high level as well; however, North Carolina is a team that can match their athleticism and when push come to shove on a neutral floor, we'll take the trey after all, UNC is 4-1 ATS vs the Atlantic 10 and 8-3 ATS on a neutral floor. Furthermore, we like the Tar Heels' rebounding and the fact that they've been in some highly competitive early season battles with the likes of OSU, Mich State, KY, WF and can draw on those experiences when times grow tough tonight. With Dayton just 1-4 ATS on a neutral floor and 3-9 ATS on Thursdays, we'll fade the Flyers at MSG tonight.
R&R Totals
ORLANDO/DALLAS UNDER 197.5
Charlie
500* Orlando/Dallas Under 199
500* Portland/Denver Over 198
500* North Carolina +2.5
500* Dayton/North Carolina Over 137
Power Play Wins
Nuggets
Jeff Benton
10 Dime Portland
Craig Davis
40 Dime Portland Trail Blazers
Bobby Maxwell
400 Units Denver Nuggets
Marc Lawrence
3 Units UNC
KELSO
50 Units Dayton -2.5
5 Units Mavs +2
5 Units Blazers +5