JB Sports
3* Bulls
Jimmy Boyd
5* Utah Jazz +1.5
5* Evansville +9.5 MVC GOY
3* Penn St +13
Mike Anthony
TNT Game of the Month - Lakers -5
ASSAULT - Boise State -9.5
Ohio -8
Pittsburgh -11
Rocketman
3* Nashville -130
Bob Akmens
New Mexico State +6.5 POD
Penn State +13
Atlanta -140
Bob Balfe
Grizzlies +5.5 over Bulls
Arizona -4.5 over UCLA
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
10* Lakers/Miami Under 189.5
For a number of different reasons I believe the value in this contest is on the "under"
Kobe Bryant is struggling to put the rock in the hole, but his team is winning; Bryant had eight assists in a victory over Philadelphia on Friday, contributed 12 more to offset a 3-for-17 shooting effort in a Sunday win against Denver, and made 14 of 15 free throws Tuesday in a 122-99 win over Indiana.
Bryant’s recent shooting woes have paled in comparison to the season-long troubles of Derek Fisher, who’s shooting just 37.8 percent from the field; Jordan Farmar has stepped up in his place.
Remember though, LA has seen the total go "under" the posted number eight of its last ten overall and in six of its last seven on the road.
On the other side of the court: Miami may be hovering right around .500 this season, but it always plays the Lakers tough; the Heat beat visiting Los Angeles 89-87 on Dec. 19, 2008, behind 35 from Wade, then stayed close throughout in a 108-105 loss at Staples Center on Jan. 11, 2009.
Miami seemed to have a win within reach in L.A. this season, leading 107-105 on Dec. 4 with 3.2 seconds left, but Bryant banked in a desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer, the last of his 33 points, to lift the Lakers to a 108-107 victory.
Miami had lost four straight heading into Tuesday’s meeting with Golden State, but Wade delivered one of his finest performances of the season. He scored 35 points on 15-of-23 shooting to go along with 12 assists and four steals in a 110-106 win.
Second leading scorer Michael Beasley has been struggling though; Beasley has averaged 10.4 points on 31.1 percent shooting in his last five contests.
Keep in mind that Miami has seen the total go "under" the number in nine of its last eleven overall and in seven of its last eight at home.
Bottom line: Whenever these teams tangle, they play to tightly contested affairs; seven of these teams last ten games against each other, regardless of location, have gone "under" the posted number.
I believe this game will follow the same pattern as the Lakers try to slow this one down, control the tempo and win it in the fourth quarter when taking all of the above into account, the sharp money in this one is indeed on the UNDER!
Rocketman
3* Nashville -130
Nashville is 7-2 SU and ATS overall vs Los Angeles last 3 years. Kings are 6-14 in their last 20 vs. Central. Predators are 7-1 in their last 8 Thursday games. Predators are 6-2 in their last 8 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game. Predators are 20-7 in their last 27 games playing on 1 days rest. Kings are 2-6 in the last 8 meetings in Nashville. Kings are 0-5 in the last 5 meetings. We'll play Nashville for 3 units tonight!
Marc Lawrence
Richmond -3.5
The Spiders head down the stretch dueling Temple and Xavier for Atlantic 10 honors (one game back), starting tonight. Not only are Chris Mooney’s arachnids a potent 13-1 SU at home in 2009-10, they would love to put the bite on the Flyers for knocking Richmond out of last year’s conference tourney. That’s a distinct possibility since they have woven a 6-3-1 ATS web of late when playing with LTKO (League Tournament Knock Out) revenge. And this venomous bunch of Spiders has not been one of Dayton’s favorite menu items: the visitors are just 1-4 ATS in regular season matchups if Richmond owns a .400 or greater win percentage. The Flyboys enter this fray off a quadruple-revenge win over Massachusetts (Dayton 0-3 ATS after the Minutemen) with a double-revenger with resurgent Saint Louis on tap. With Richmond 11-4 ATS against .600 or greater opposition this season (5-0 ATS the last five), and off a 2-point loss to Xavier last Sunday, we'll bite with the hungry hosts in this showdown between the Spider and the Fly in their home finale here tonight. We recommend a 4-unit play on Richmond.
Mike Lineback
Phoenix Suns -1.5
Ron Raymond
Rangers +110
When ANY NHL Team played as a home team - Vs Atlantic opponent - During the month of March - Total is 5.5 - Coming off a Road win as a Underdog; the Home Team (NYR) is 11-6-4 SU in this role. Take the Rangers.
Tony George
Phoenix -1.5
Phoenix is 5-0 SU and ATS their last 5 at home. They are off a huge win against the Clips and are scoring lights out. I know the Jazz have done well in here but a team that plays no defense is no match for the Suns on their home court and the Suns front line is stepping it up big time. PHOENIX IS ON FIRE AT 14-2 ATS THEIR LAST 16 GAMES!!! I am not bucking that trend with a short number with a team playing with DOUBLE revenge tonight who are hot. Play 1 Unit on the Suns.
Lenny Del Genio
Rutgers +4
These teams just met on February 23rd with the Scarlet Knights covering as 12-point underdogs in Seton Hall's 76-70 home win. Really that should come as no surprise considering the way the teams have been performing against the spread over the last several months. Starting with a 74-73 home upset of Notre Dame on January 30th, Rutgers has gone on to cover seven of their last eight lined games. That includes a 71-68 upset of Georgetown as 10.5 pt underdogs. They have actually won six of their last nine games outright. Meanwhile, Seton Hall is going the other way. As we tend to see with a Bobby Gonzalez coached team, the Pirates started strong and are finishing with a whimper. They opened the year with eight straight wins, including a win for us against Cornell as four-point underdogs. Since that time, little has gone right. The Pirates have covered just four of their last 18 games. They have heated up a bit recently, winning four of six, but they are 2-9 ATS when favored and 1-7 ATS after allowing 80+ points this season. The Scarlet Knights have the edge both defensively and on the boards in this game. They allow 11 PPG less at home than Seton Hall does on the road. Upset likely. Rutgers is our ESPN Winner.
Opposite Action Plays
Mississippi -12.5
The Duke's Sports
UCLA (+5) for 2 Units
UCLA doesn't have the talent they've had in the past, but Howland is doing a nice job keeping them competitive in the PAC 10. And the good news for the Bruins is that Reeves Nelson -their inside presence - should return tonight. Moreover, Dragovic had 4 days to recover from his sprained ankle. Technically, we like how UCLA responds off SU losses at 5-0 ATS and a sweet 9-2 ATS off an ATS loss. And the Bruins are solid as a road dog under Howland at 24-10-1 ATS. And throw in revenge from the Bruins 77-63 loss at Pauley Pavilion back on January 2nd, and we have a decent play on UCLA tonight.