Lenny Del Genio
Indiana +9
We went against the Pacers last night and recorded an easy 22-point victory with the Lakers, so it's a no brainer to go against them again right? Wrong. Yes, this losing team is playing in the second night of back to backs, but Portland is returning home for the first time since a road trip of five or more games. This is one of our favorite situations. We ignore the Spurs annual return from the rodeo trip (they get extended rest), so the last time we played this situation was last Tuesday and we won twice cashing the underdog Knicks against the Celtics and also Milwaukee outright over Miami! Portland was in this spot one time prior earlier in the year and they failed to cover against Detroit on November 18th, winning only by a score of 87-81 as 10.5-point chalk. Indiana can score (104.3 PPG), which always makes them a dangerous dog. The Blazers only average 98 PPG, so after returning home and scoring 100+ in five straight games, they are due for an 'off-night' at the offensive end. Take Indiana.
Tony George
Kansas St +9
Way too many points here as one of the best road teams in the Big 12, and a formidable foe for Kansas steps up to knock off might big brother KU in Fog Allen with the nation’s longest winning streak at home in tact. K State plays solid defense, 4 ppg better last 5 games than Kansas and also the stats in the last 5 games are even. Kansas only 6-8 ATS at home while homecourt is a 5 point advantage, K State NOT intimidated and lost a thriller in OT at home against KU earlier this season. K State can knock down shots and at times this season, especially recently, they have played better on the road than at home. K State 6-17 ATS the last 23 in this series, but they have a far better team than in years past, even without Beasley who is a star in the NBA this year. This will be a 4 or 5 point game, I will take the points. Play 1 Unit on K State.
Ron Raymond
Buffalo +120
When BUFFALO team played as a home team - Before a conference game - playing on Wednesday - Allowed 3 goals AGAINST in their last game; the Sabres are 8-2-2 SU in this role since 1996. Take Buffalo.
CLE / NJN Under 195.5
When ANY NBA Team played as a Road team - playing on Wednesday - After a conference game - Coming off a 20 or more point win - Allowed 91 - 95 AGAINST in their last game; the UNDER is 11-3-1 for the Road Team (CLE) in this role. When CLEVELAND team played as a Road team - with 1 day off - Last 5 years - Coming off a 20 or more point win; the UNDER is 9-3-0 for the Cavs in this spot.
Mike Lineback
Phoenix -3
Have to bet against the dysfunctional Los Angeles Clippers laying a short number. You never know which team is going to show up, but rest assured, you can count on the Clippers not playing the full 48 minutes. And this will not be good enough vs. a Phoenix team playing at a high level. Phoenix have won all three meetings this season, 7 straight in series, and 6 of last 7 by 6 or more points. In addition, the Suns are on 7-0 & 13-2 ATS runs, and have won 12 of their L15 games overall. And not coincidently, Phoenix's winning ways started when they decided to commit to the defense side of the ball. On the flip-side, the Clippers rarely play defense (seem disinterested). Suns are an impressive 20-10 ATS, 9-1 L10 & 35-15 L3 yrs vs. poor defensive teams' allowing 99+ points. And most important IMO, the Clippers lack heart, direction and motivation. They are a losing franchise, and at this time of year, they are often just going thru the motions, as their playoff aspirations have long since waned. LA are 3-6 ATS, 15-38 ATS L3 yrs when playing vs. a winning team in the second half of season; they are 3-7 ATS, 18-33 ATS L3 yrs when playing against a good offensive team scoring 99+ in the second half of season. Matchups, current level of play & probabilities are definitely on our side tonight. Take the Suns.
Marc Lawrence
New York -4
The Knicks return home off Monday's 31-point blowout loss at Cleveland to host the Pistons in a nice scheduling situation this evening. That's because Detroit takes to the road off a home game last night against Boston after having just completed a 4-game west coast road trip. With that we note the Pistons are 0-6 SU and ATS on the road without rest off a home game the last two seasons. Meanwhile, New York is 16-3 ATS in this series when they are playing off back-to-back losses, including 14-0 ATS as a favorite or dog of 10 or less points if they managed to score 80 or more points the loss. With Detroit just 4-12-1 ATS in games without rest this season, and the Knicks 9-2 ATS in games off a loss of 14 or more points this season, look for fatigue and humiliation to do in the Pistons tonight. We recommend a 4-unit play on New York.
Rocketman
Atlanta -8.5
Atlanta is 10-2 ATS this year against Atlantic Division opponents. Atlanta is 23-7 SU at home this year and scoring 104.6 points per game. 76ers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5. 76ers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Wednesday games. 76ers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. Eastern Conference. 76ers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Southeast. Hawks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Atlantic. Hawks are 15-6 ATS in their last 21 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Hawks are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. We'll play Atlanta for 3 units tonight!
Bob Balfe
Pacers +9
Opposite Action Plays
Maryland +1.5
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
8* Washington / Buffalo Under 6
For a number of different reasons I believe the value in this contest is on the "under"
The Capitals lost their final three games before the break after a 14-game winning streak, but they’re still 17-2-2 in their last 21.
There are few concerns about Washington’s league-leading offense, which averages nearly four goals per game, but the Capitals may have some doubts defensively after allowing a total of 16 goals in their three losses before the break, all on the road; expect the Caps to create offense through their defense tonight.
It's also very interesting to note that Washington has seen the total go "under" the posted number in all four games this year after 3 or more consecutive losses.
On the other side of the rink: Ryan Miller went 5-1 with a 1.35 goals-against average in Vancouver, earning tournament MVP honors even after Crosby beat him in overtime Sunday to give Canada a 3-2 victory.
The Sabres (33-19-9) also need to get back to winning after going 1-5-2 since the start of February and 3-8-3 in their last 14 games. They’ve slipped one point behind Ottawa for the top spot in the Northeast Division; I expect them to do so behind a concerted effort on the defensive end.
Keep in mind that Buffalo has in fact seen the total go "under" the posted number in 18 of 29 when revenging a loss vs. an opponent.
Bottom line: No need to overanalyze this one; when taking into account these strong "under" trends these teams exhibit in this position, along with these other factors, the sharp money in this one is indeed on the UNDER!
The Duke's Sports
NC State (+8') for 3.5 Units
NC State has a recent history of some late season and conference tourney runs at this standpoint, it appears that the Wolfpack is poised to do it again. NC State, which is coming off a solid win at Miami Florida, should put forth another strong effort here. NC state is a strong 8-1 ATS in its last 9 meetings vs V Tech and looking to avenge its February 10th embarrassing 72-52 defeat at home. This time around, the Wolfpack should deliver after all, they're 10-2-1 ATS as a road dog in this spread range, 13-5-1 ATS vs a team with a home winning % above .600, and 7-3 ATS on Wednesdays. On the other hand, VT is in danger of losing an at-large big and ripe to getting their bubble popped. Tech has dropped 3 straight games overall and has not covered their last 3 ACC home games. Tech struggles as a home favorite at 5-11 ATS and we'll fade them here.
Bob Balfe
Pacers +9 over Trailblazers
Kansas -8.5 over Kansas St.
Eric Degarde
2* Texas A&M Under 136
RAS
Notre Dame Un 143
KB Hoops
5* New Orleans Hornets -1.5 *POD*
5* Maryland +1 *POD*
4* Notre Dame -1
Gold Medal Club
25* Memphis Tigers