Tony Taylor
5* Utah State -10.5 (WAC GOY)
3* Milwaukee Bucks -5
3* Western Michigan -9
3* Wichita State -17
3* Tennessee -11
3* Nevada -8.5
3* Cal-state Northridge -8.5
Don Wallace Sports
Memphis +7
Utah -4
Atlanta -6
Phoenix +4.5
RAS
Buffalo Un 138.5
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
UMass / George Washington Under 146
For a number of different reasons I believe the value in this contest is on the "under"
Ricky Harris scored 27 points, including seven during an 18-0 run, and Massachusetts defeated Saint Joseph’s 70-62 on Sunday.
The Minutemen (10-15, 4-7 Atlantic 10 Conference) trailed 19-14 with 10:49 left in the first half, and held the Hawks (9-16, 3-8) scoreless until 35 seconds into the second half; I expect a similar defensive effort from this team today.
On the other side of the court: Damian Hollis scored 26 points and George Washington defeated Fordham 78-53 on Saturday.
The Colonials (13-10, 3-7 Atlantic 10 Conference) scored 36 points in the paint and converted 16 Fordham turnovers into 18 points.
George Washington, which shot 41.8 percent from the field (28 of 67), held the Rams (2-21, 0-11) to 29.6 percent shooting (16 of 54).
Keep in mind that the total has gone "under" the number in seven of George Washington's last eight overall.
Bottom line: The Colonials have also seen the total go "under" the number in seven of ten vs. conference opponents; when taking all of the above into account, the sharp money in this one is indeed on the UNDER!
8* UNDER
Marc Lawrence
Miami +7
When Miami hosts Duke in a key ACC showdown at the Bank United Center they will do so knowing the Canes are 11-1 straight up on this floor this season, with the sole loss by four points. Under head coach Frank Haith, Miami is rock solid against .769 or greater opposition, going 33-22-1 ATS - including 8-0-1 ATS when they own a win percentage of .570 or greater and are a dog of 5.5 or more points. With the Blue Devils 2-8 ATS away off a SU and ATS win in its last 10 games, including 0-5 ATS this season, look for the Hurricanes to pull off the upset here tonight. We recommend a 3-unit play on Miami Florida.
Lenny Del Genio
Dallas -4.5
The Suns certainly caught us by surprise last night, winning at Memphis, 109-95, as one-point favorites. It was their sixth win and cover in the last seven games. Meanwhile, Dallas, the host city for the All Star festivities, was possibly suffering from a hangover as they lost to Oklahoma City 99-86 as 4.5-point road dogs. Still, the All Star Break cannot be blamed for the Mavs pointspread woes prior to the break. The team has now failed to cover in 14 of its previous 17 games! Even worse is that they've been terrible at home (against the spread) going 5-19 ATS, a league worst. That includes 4-19 when favored and 0-7 laying between 3.5 to 6 points. While the last several sentences would seem to dictate a play on the Suns, guess what? This is an "Oddsmaker Mismatch." The pointspread has often been referred to as "the great equalizer" in sports and this is going to be a case of that. Head to head, Dallas has held a distinct advantage over Phoenix in recent years, taking six of the last nine meetings straight up, including all four here in Dallas. While two of those wins were "narrow escapes" (one and three pts), the other two came by 15 and 24 and one of those saw the Mavs score 140 points! Phoenix still has a losing record on the road where they are allowing an average of nearly 109 PPG. Dallas is our ESPN Oddsmaker Mismatch.
Tony George
Utah -3
Utah pounded Houston last night and I like the fact they have a game under the belt after the all star break while New Orleans has not played a game in a week. Without Chris Paul, the Hornets simply do have the punch they had earlier in the season and Utah’s frontcourt should dominate this game, not to mention the Jazz are the hottest team in the NBA at 7-0-1 ATS their last 8 road games and the Hornets are 5-13 ATS their last 18 games against the Pacific NW division. For the Jazz Millsap and Kouver providing quality p[points off the bench as well and the Jazz own the 7th best offense in the NBA right now. Play 1 Unit on Utah.
Rocketman
Phoenix +4.5
We played against Dallas last night with success as I said that Dallas would have trouble with team chemistry after the big trade with Washington where they got Butler, Stephenson and Haywood. All three played but the were beaten by the Thunder by 13 points. I feel like the same will happen again tonight. Phoenix comes in off their 5th straight road win as they crushed the Grizzlies last night by 14 points. Phoenix is 5-0 ATS this year as a road underdog of 3 1/2 to 6 points. Phoenix is 6-1 ATS this year against good offensive teams scoring 99 points per game or more in the 2nd half of the season. Dallas is 1-5 ATS this year when the total is 210 or better. Dallas is 0-7 ATS this year as a home favorite of 3 1/2 to 6 points. Dallas is 5-19 ATS at home this year. Phoenix has won 6 of their last 7 games overall. Dallas has lost 6 of their last 8 games overall. We'll play Phoenix for 4 units tonight!
The Duke's Sports
Temple (-6) for 2.5 Units
The Owls are a more well rounded team than the Bonnies and they should maintain focus after an impressive win vs Rhode Island last Saturday. Although the Bonnies have a dominant post player in Nicholson who significantly contributes to the team's high shooting percentage, the Bonnies don't scare anyone on the perimeter (31%); consequently, we'll look for the Owls' big man - Allen to neutralize Nicholson while the Owls' do what they do best: lock you down defensively, create turnovers and work transition with the strong back-court of Brooks and Fernandez. Temple has dominated this series at 7-1 ATS and sport a 4-1 ATS mark as a road favorite in this spread range. The Bonnies, however, are 0-5 ATS at home vs a team with a road winning % above .600. Temple it is.
RAS
St John's Un 146.5
Bob Balfe
Nets +7 over Heat
With the exception of last night against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Miami Heat remain the league's worst "average" team. They played arguably their best game of the season on the road last night and it is highly doubtful they will put on a display like that again tonight, even if it is against the worst basketball team in the league. The last meeting between these two was an extremely close matchup with the Heat walking away with only a one-point victory at home. The key to this game will be the battle between Brook Lopez and Udonis Haslem and Lopez should walk away victorious tonight and limit second chance opportunities for Miami. Miami in 6-1 ATS on the road this season against teams with a sub .400 winning percentage and that should start to equal out as the second half of the season winds down. Look for the Nets to battle this one out all the way to the end. Take NJ +7.
Ohio State -3 over Purdue
Ohio State is extremely dominant at home (15-0) and should remain undefeated for the rest of the season. It is with a high conviction rate that the Buckeyes will win tonight and the 3 point spread should not deter you at all. Shots simply were not falling down for Ohio State in their previous matchup against Purdue and they easily won the game (despite the fact that they only won by 4-it was definitely a convincing win). There is a reason why they are ranked in the top 5 in offensive field goal percentage. Purdue is an impressive basketball team, but their winning streak will end tonight because they will not be able to keep up with the scoring attack of the Buckeyes. Ohio State wins at home by an average of 24 points per game. It won't be that much of a whooping but it will be convincing enough to easily cover the spread. Take the Buckeyes -3. Please note this game starts at 6:30pm, so get your bets in soon!
SCOTT SPREITZER
GOY - UNLV -3.5
GREAT LAKES
5* Dallas -4.5 GOM
4* Miami -6.5
3* Atlanta -6
4* Virginia 1.5
3* Tennessee -12
3* Texas +2.5
Teddy Covers
Bucks
Valpariso
Colorado
UNLV
Tim Trushel
20* Ball St
Virginia
S Miss
Clippers Over