Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
San Jose -160
For a number of different reasons I believe the value in this game is on the Sharks:
The Western Conference leaders look for a seventh consecutive road victory when they open the second of three six-game trips Thursday night against the Blues.
San Jose (36-11-9) has the fewest road losses in the NHL with a 17-6-2 record away from home, and it hasn’t lost outside of HP Pavilion since falling 2-1 at Phoenix on Dec. 12. San Jose went 4-2-0 on a six-game swing from Oct. 15-25, and still has another trip of the same length March 14-23.
They are outscoring opponents 20-9 during their six-game winning streak. San Jose has also won eight of 10 at St. Louis, including a 3-1 victory Nov. 14. The Sharks are 2-0-1 this season against the Blues, who are 9-14-5 at home.
San Jose allowed four unanswered goals in a 4-2 loss to Detroit on Tuesday to conclude a 3-1-1 homestand.
Evgeni Nabokov made 33 saves against Detroit, but he allowed four goals for the second time in three starts. Nabokov, however, has a 1.86 goals-against average during his personal eight-game road winning streak and is 5-2-1 with a 2.60 GAA at St. Louis.
On the other side of the ice: St. Louis (25-22-9) returns home to face the top team in the West after a 3-2 win Wednesday at Chicago - the second-best club in the conference. The Blues are 8-5-3 since Davis Payne replaced the fired Andy Murray as coach on Jan. 2.
St. Louis's goaltenders have been hot, but I believe the emotional and hard fought victory less then 24 hours previous will be the Blues biggest enemy tonight as this is definitely a "letdown" spot.
Keep in mind though that the Blues actually struggle at the Scottrade Center as well; 4-11 their last 15 in front of the home town crowd.
Bottom line: No need to overanalyze this one; San Jose is well rested and looking to start off its long road trip with a concerted effort and catch a Blues team that struggles to get victories in front of the home town crowd and which is coming off a big road victory the night before; expect SAN JOSE to take advantage of this tired team and improve to a perfect 8-0 (+8 units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in its previous contest and for St. Louis to drop too 15-15 (-1.2 units) revenging a loss vs. an opponent!
8* SHARKS
Tony George
Georgia Tech +12.5
Has to be a set up line right? 2 ranked teams, GT already beating Duke, why the line? I have NO idea but GT plays better defense, at least in their last 5 games, and can keep pace on offense here, even on the road. GT a solid road team covering 8 out of their last 10 on the road, I like the to keep this interesting, Duke is not a blowout type cover team at home this year like in years past.Play 1.5 Units on Georgia Tech.
Marc Lawrence
Washington St +2.5
The Cougars host the Sun Devils in a PAC 10 showdown at Friel Court with strong edges in their favor tonight. For openers, WSU is 10-5 SU and ATS at home in this series, including 9-0 SU and ATS when the Cougars own a .500 or greater record provided ASU did not lose to the spread by more than seven points in its last game. In addition, the Cougars are 6-0 ATS as home dogs off back-to-back losses versus an opponent off back-to-back wins if State's last loss was by more than six points against the spread. With Arizona State in off an 18-point win over Washington and the Devils 0-4 ATS in this series when playing off back-to-back victories when WSU has three or more days of rest, look for the Cougars to avenge a 25-point loss they suffered in Tempe earlier this season. We recommend a 4-unit play on Washington State.
Rocketman
LSU +6.5
LSU is 37-12 SU at home the past 3 years including 9-4 SU at home this year. LSU allows only 62.5 points per game at home this year. Volunteers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games as a road favorite. Volunteers are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss. Volunteers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite. Volunteers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite of 0.5-6.5. Volunteers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games as a road favorite of 0.5-6.5. Volunteers are 0-5 ATS in the last 5 meetings. Underdog is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings. We'll play LSU for 3 units tonight!
Lenny Del Genio
Western Michigan +4.5
We cashed the Miami (OH) RedHawks in game #2 of the season when they easily stayed with the 17-point number, and almost won outright, at Kentucky, a feat that continues to look pretty impressive considering what the Wildcats have done all season long. You would think that losing to a team like Kentucky by just two points would bode well for a team like Miami's fortunes down the line, but the reality of the matter is that the RedHawks would go on to lose 11 of its first 14 games before winning five of their last seven (all MAC games). Winning on the road has been a major issue with this team as they are just 1-11 away from Oxford, meaning its very difficult to take them with such a short number. They are 0-10 in "true" road games and taking just four points tonight playing at Western Michigan, who is coming off back to back covers on the road as an underdog. Only one player on the RedHawks roster (G Hayes) is averaging double-digits in scoring. The Broncos have revenge for a 64-46 road loss last year where they had an off-shooting night. Over its last five games, WMU is shooting 46.6% as a team. Compare that to 39.9% for Miami. Take Western Michigan.
Sal Devito
4* NCAA GOW - KENT ST GOLDEN FLASHES
For my 4* NCAA Basketball GOW I am playing on the Kent St. Golden Flashes. In all games played AT Eastern Michigan since 1997 Kent State is perfect 12-0 100% (6-0 ATS and 6-0 SU) Vs. Eastern Michigan. These numbers speak for themselves. The last time these 2 teams met at Kent St, They won by 22 pts as a 13pt fav on 1/27/09, prior to that Kent St won by 11 as a 6pt fav ont the road AT E Michigan. In their last 5 games including a 30pt rout of Northern Illinois Kent St has gone 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS. Now they are going to play a team that is definitely on the decline in Eastern Michigan. In Eastern Michigans Last 5 games they are only 2-3 SU and 1-4 ATS (The exact opposite of Kent St.). What we have here is a Locomotive traveling at full-steam about ready to meet that cute little Hyundai head on. This game has Blowout written all over it.
Tom Freese
10* No- Brainer
San Antonio allows 96.5 points a game and they won't have point guard Tony Parker who is injured. Manu Ginobili isn't the same player who was winning NBA Titles. Tim Duncan is showing his age as well. The Spurs are 11-6 UNDER their last 17 games. San Antonio is 10-4 UNDER after scoring 100 or more points in their last game and they are 18-7-1 UNDER when playing with no rest. playing with no rest. Portland allows 95.3 points a game. They will be without leading score Brandon Roy who out with an injury. The Trailblazers are 57-27-1 UNDER their last 85 games after scoring 100 or more points in their last. Portland is 22-9 UNDER off a game where both teams scored over 100 points. NBA "BRAINER" 'TOTAL' PLAY ON 'UNDER'
3G SPORTS
Maryland vs. Florida State
Pick: Maryland +3
I see Maryland learning from their last away game at Clemson on Sunday. They will clean it up and hopefully get another ACC win. If FSU tries to go uptempo UMD will come out on top. Maryland didn't score in the final 4 minutes of the game on Sunday and had a season high 26 turnovers and was in foul trouble.
Thursday night they will play solid defense, and stick on their backcourt (Hayes and Vasquez) to limit their perimeter/three-point game unlike the previous contest. MARYLAND has the superior frontcourt in this matchup and the Terps have a deeper guard rotation that doesn't have to go "lights out" to light it up. The Terps will come in with a little more confidence after beating FSU once, so as long as they can start out strong I'll say that they will get a solid win. 10* Underdog Game of the Month MARYLAND +3
Charlie
Cleveland St -5 & UCLA -4' (500* 2 team parlay)
30* Western Michigan -4
20* Georgia Tech -12'
20* Eastern Michigan +4'
10* Ball St -2'
Alabama -2 Free Play
ST BERNADINE SPORTS
1* Ball st/Bowling Green Over 112.5
Wow just in the time it took me to write the email to my customers and write this the total has steamed to 114 we still should be fine though as this one should get to 120. - Ball st has picked up the pace the last few games as they have scored 65 or higher in 5 of the last 6 games. Their posessions per game has risen by 10 over that span and that has made all the difference as the oddsmakers have been slow to adjust to this .Sometimes this upswing in tempo can be accounted for by the competiton played, but Ball st hung 71 on Toledo who is a notoriously slow pace team.
2* Gonzaga -8.5 over Portland
1* Samford/Citadel over 107
Bob Balfe
Heat +9.5
Ron Raymond
5* Nashville
The Preds have no momentum heading into this game, but the Avs have never played well in this building and they are coming off a 5-1 blowout win over the Blue Jackets, so they are in a prime letdown spot. The public will most likely be betting on the Avs. But the bookmakers are telling who to take with the price. When NASHVILLE team played as Home team as a Favorite - playing on Thursday - After a non division game - Coming off vs Pacific division opponent; the Preds are 12-3-1 SU in this role. Take the Predators.
Mike Lineback
4* San Antonio Spurs -2
Tough to back Spurs in a back-to-back but team off tomorrow & were off two days' prior to game in Sacramento last night. Plus, this is only their 2nd road game after playing 6 straight at home. In addition, and key IMO, the Spurs really need this game, considering most of their games are on the road the 2nd part of season, and team looking at three straight on road vs. Clippers, Lakers & Denver. In other words, they have to win vs. a banged up Porland squad. Portland are playing a very tired schedule. They are playing b2b, 3 in 4 & their 5th game in 7 nights, with a short bench & players playing in unfamiliar roles. Not coincidently, their defense has suffered lately (62.7 fg% allowed Lnight vs. Utah). Spurs have struggled on the defense end as well, but believe they get enough stops tonight. Yes, San Antonio are getting old but Portland's Miller & Howard, not exactly spring chickens, are playing heavy minutes. SA also playing with revenge after losing first two meetings vs. Portland. T-Blazers have lost 4 of 6; Spurs have won 2 of L3. Desperation vs. a banged up, tired Blazers team gets the nod tonight. Take the Spurs.
Opposite Action Plays
USC +1
Anthony Redd
15-Dime - Georgia Tech
15-Dime - Florida
15-Dime - North Carolina