SPORTS ADVISORS
NBA
Utah (15-10, 14-11 ATS) at Atlanta (18-6, 18-6 ATS)
The Hawks return to Philips Arena in search of their sixth straight win and spread-cover when they host the surging Jazz.
Utah improved to 12-5 SU and ATS in its last 17 games with Wednesday’s 108-92 rout of the hapless Nets, cashing as an 8½-point road chalk. The Jazz have won three of their last four, averaging 109.5 ppg, but despite Wednesday’s drubbing in New Jersey, Jerry Sloan’s squad is just 2-3 SU and 3-2 ATS in its last five roadies. For the season, Utah is 4-6 SU and ATS as a visitor.
Atlanta dumped the Grizzlies 110-97 on Wednesday, easily covering as a 9½-point home chalk. The Hawks have scored 118, 111, 130 and 110 points in their last four games, and they’re outscoring their opponents by nearly 20 points per game during their five-game win streak (109.8-90.2). Additionally, Atlanta is 11-2 SU and 10-3 ATS on its home floor, averaging a whopping 112.5 ppg while surrendering 99.5 ppg.
The host has taken five straight meetings in this rivalry (4-1 ATS), with the Hawks rolling 100-93 as a 1½-point favorite in last season’s lone clash at Philips Arena. Atlanta has covered in three of the last four meetings, following an 0-9 ATS funk against the Jazz. The favorite is 12-2 ATS in the past 14 series clashes.
The Jazz are all over the pointspread map. They’re on positive streaks of 8-3 overall, 6-2 when playing on one day of rest, 7-1 against Eastern Conference opponents, 5-1 against winning teams, 5-0 after a double-digit win, 11-4 on Friday and 4-1 as an underdog. On the flip side, they’re in ATS ruts of 8-16 on the highway, 6-18 as a road underdog, 3-13 as a road ‘dog of 5 to 10½ points, 6-14 after a SU win and 1-4 against the Southeast Division.
Atlanta carries nothing but positive pointspread trends, including 5-0 overall, 10-3-1 at home, 20-7-1 as a home chalk, 10-4 when favored by 5 to 10½ points, 15-4-1 versus the Western Conference, 6-0-1 against the Northwest Division, 12-5 after a victory and 9-3 following a double-digit win.
Utah is riding “over” streaks of 14-5-1 on the road, 29-11-1 as an underdog, 23-7-1 as a road ‘dog, 4-1 on Friday, 14-6 after a victory and 7-3-1 when playing after one day of rest. Similarly, the Hawks are on “over “ runs of 5-0 at home (all as a favorite), 6-2 against the Western Conference and 12-4 after a SU win. Conversely, four of the last five meetings between these squads have stayed under the total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ATLANTA and OVER
Denver (19-7, 14-12 ATS) at New Orleans (11-13, 11-13 ATS)
The Nuggets go after their fourth straight victory when they battle the Hornets in a rematch of last year’s opening-round playoff series.
Denver capped a perfect three-game homestand with Wednesday’s 111-101 thumping of the Rockets, barely cashing as a nine-point favorite to halt an 0-4 ATS drought. The Nuggets are 7-2 SU in their last nine games (5-4 ATS), but both losses came in their last two road games at Detroit (101-99 as a 7½-point favorite) and at Charlotte (107-95 as a three-point choice). George Karl’s squad is just 7-6 on the highway (6-7 ATS), averaging 102 ppg but giving up 100.5 ppg.
The Nuggets will be without starting point guard Chauncey Billups tonight.
New Orleans carries a rare 4-2 SU run into this contest, following Tuesday’s 95-87 win over Detroit as a six-point home favorite. The Hornets, who have cashed in consecutive games following an 0-4 ATS downturn, have scored between 90 and 99 points in eight consecutive outings, but they’ve held five of their last six foes to 96 points or less. Chris Paul and Co. have won seven of eight on their home floor (5-3 ATS).
The Nuggets annihilated New Orleans in the playoffs last year, taking the best-of-7 series in five games (5-0 ATS). Denver’s four wins in the series came by margins of 29, 15, 58, and 21 points, and it is 5-1 SU and 6-0 ATS in the last six clashes overall and 7-3 ATS in its last 10 trips to the Big Easy. Additionally, including the playoffs, the SU winner is 17-2 ATS in the last 19 battles in between these clubs.
Denver has failed to cover in seven of its last 10 on the highway and four of five on Friday, but it is on positive ATS stretches of 28-11 against Western Conference foes and 28-10 against Southwest Division opponents. New Orleans has cashed in six straight games against teams with a winning record, but is otherwise in pointspread ruts of 2-4 overall, 6-20 against the Northwest Division and 0-8 on Friday.
Aside from a 5-1 “over” stretch against Southwest Division foes, the Nuggets are riding “under” streaks of 5-2 after a SU win and 5-2 after one day of rest. New Orleans carries “under” trends of 5-1 overall, 20-7 at home, 21-5 on Friday, 4-0 against the Western Conference and 6-0 versus the Northwest Division. Finally, this series has seen the “under” go 5-2 in the last seven meetings overall and 4-0 in the last four tussles in New Orleans.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DENVER and UNDER
Houston (14-11, 15-10 ATS) at Dallas (19-7, 14-12 ATS)
The Mavericks look to make it six in a row overall and three in a row over the Rockets this season when these Southwest Division rivals square off at American Airlines Center.
Houston tonight concludes a brief two-game road trip, which started on a sour note with Wednesday’s 111-101 loss in Denver as a nine-point underdog. Although the Rockets have alternated wins and losses over the last four contests, they’re still on a 6-3 SU and ATS roll, and the winner has covered the spread in 20 of the team’s 25 games this season. Houston has scored 101 and 107 points in its last two contests after being held to 96 or fewer in four straight games.
Dallas rallied past Oklahoma City 100-86 as a two-point road favorite on Thursday, and during their five-game winning streak, the Mavs are outscoring opponents by an average of nearly seven points per game (100-93.4). Since a shocking nine-point home loss to Washington to begin the season, Rick Carlisle’s club is 9-2 SU at American Airlines Center, but on the downside the Mavs have failed to cover in six straight home contests.
The Mavericks have destroyed Houston twice already this year, rolling 121-103 as a 6½-point home favorite and 130-99 as a four-point road ‘dog, with both games played two weeks apart in November. The Mavs are 10-3 SU and ATS in the last 13 meetings (3-0 SU and ATS last three) and 6-2 SU and ATS in the last eight clashes in Dallas. Also, the ‘dog has barked in seven of the past nine in this rivalry.
Houston carries into this contest ATS runs of 4-2 overall, 7-3 on the highway, 5-1 as an underdog, 4-1 as a road pup, 5-1 when catching 5 to 10½ points, and 42-20 after an outright defeat, but it has failed to cover in four of five divisional showdowns. Dallas is in ATS slumps of 2-5 overall, 0-7 at home (all as a favorite) and 2-5 against the Western Conference, but the Mavericks have cashed in five of seven on Friday.
The Rockets are riding a plethora of “under” streaks, including 8-2 overall, 6-1 on the highway, 4-2 as an underdog, 5-1 against the Western Conference, 35-17 against divisional opponents and 6-2 after a SU loss, and the under is also 4-1 in Dallas’ last five Northwest Division games. However, four of the last five Rockets-Mavericks battles in Dallas have topped the posted price.
ATS ADVANTAGE:DALLAS and UNDER
Frank Jordan
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Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Play: Cleveland Cavaliers -10
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Milwaukee after that hot start has dropped off of late losing 7 of their last 10 games to drop under .500 at 11-12. Cleveland on the other hand has been hot winning 4 in a row and 8 of 10. That winning has put them at 19-7 and given them a lead over 6 in the division. Look for Cleveland to continue to play well at home, 10-2, as they increase their division lead over Milwaukee. Play Cleveland
John Ryan
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Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Play: Cleveland Cavaliers -10
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Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Cleveland as they take on Milwaukee set to start at 8:00 EST. AiS shows a 73% probability that Cleveland will win this game by 10 or more points. Supporting this graded play is a system that has produced a record of 79-41 ATS for 66% winners since 1996. Play on home teams after 4 or more consecutive wins and is a good team winning 60% to 75% of their games playing a marginal losing team winning 40% to 49% of their games. AiS shows an 85% probability that Cleveland will score between 99 to 104 points. Note that Cleveland is a rock solid 22-6 ATS (+15.4 Units) when they score 99 to 104 points in a game over the last 2 seasons. Take the Cavs.
Marc Lawrence
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New Mexico St. at Pepperdine
Prediction: New Mexico St.
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The Aggies take on the Wave Friday night in Pepperdine in a non-conference clash of two disappointing teams. The boys from Malibu are just 2-5 ATS this season, including 0-4 ATS when playing off a loss. On the flip side, NMSU was expected to improve off last year's 17-win season behind five returning starts but that hasn't materialized as they enter tonight's fray off a 32-point loss against the struggling Bruins at UCLA. With Pepperdine 1-3 ATS against WAC teams and New Mexico State 4-1 ATS in games versus WCC competition, we'll back the visiting Aggies here tonight.
Jim Feist
Utah Jazz vs. Atlanta Hawks
Play: Utah Jazz+7
Utah isn't getting much respect with this betting numbers, but the team is playing well on a 4-2 SU/ATS run. The offense has topped 100 points in four straight games. They are one of the better rebounding and scoring teams in the NBA. This is the final home game for Atlanta before a 4-game road trip that starts tomorrow night. The visitors have more than enough offense to keep this close. Play the Utah Jazz.
Jeff Benton
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Indiana at MEMPHIS -5
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Rare NFL freebie loser Thursday as I missed badly on the Colts-Jags UNDER the total. For Friday’s free play, we’ll head to the NBA and back the Grizzlies at home against Indiana.
Granted, Memphis has dropped three of its last four after winning three in a row, but the Grizzlies are still a very respectable 6-5 on their home floor, going 7-4 ATS. That includes a pair of upset wins over the Cavaliers (111-109) and Mavericks (98-82) this month, plus a Monday’s narrow loss to the Celtics (110-105 as a 7½-point home underdog).
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As for the Pacers, they’ve followed up a 1-10 SU and ATS slump by winning three of thier last four both SU and ATS, but two of those wins came at home (a three-point victory over Charlotte and a 16-point rout of lowly New Jersey) and the other was a one-point nail-biter at Washington on Saturday. Prior to the win over the woeful Wizards, Indiana had dropped six straight road games, failing to cash in all six (all as an underdog). The average margin of defeat in those six road losses? 12.7 points per game!
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Memphis is 4-1 ATS in its last five at home, 4-1 ATS in its last five overall, 16-5 ATS in its last 21 against the Eastern Conference and 8-1 ATS in its last nine home games versus teams with a losing road record. Also, the Grizzlies have cashed in three straight meetings with the Pacers, who have failed to cover in six straight against the Western Conference and four straight against Southwest Division squads.
3♦ MEMPHIS
Bobby Maxwell
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Pacific at ST. MARY'S -11'
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Improved to 6-1 with my last seven FREE selections and I'm 29-14 with my last 43 comp plays after the Bulls made it look easy at home against the Knicks on Thursday night. Today I've got another easy call coming on the college hardwood as I go with St. Mary's to win and cover at home against Pacific.
Both these programs have had success in recent years but this one is going to be all St. Mary’s as the Gaels clobber Pacific in this West Coast matchup of mid-majors.
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St. Mary’s has just one loss this season and that was a two-point defeat at the hands of Vanderbilt, a top-five SEC school this season. At home, the Gaels are just destroying opponents, winning by almost 20 points a game. They average 88.6 points a game on the home court and give up 69. They like that home floor, shooting 51.4 percent in front of the home fans and they get that tiny gym rocking with a full house.
Omar Samhan is going to be the best player on the court, as he had 31 points and 17 rebounds last time out in a blowout of Portland State. But St. Mary’s has other talent as well, including Clint Steindl and Mickey McConnell. These guys can all light it up and I expect St. Mary’s to jump out to big lead and carry it through the second half.
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The Gaels are on ATS runs of 6-0 overall, 5-0 at home, 14-3-1 in non-conference games and 5-0 as a home favorite. On the other side, Pacific is on ATS slides of 1-4 on the road, 5-15-2 as a road ‘dog and 7-18-2 as a ‘dog anywhere.
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This game is going to be all St. Mary’s early as the Gaels score win it by 18. Play St. Mary’s.
4♦ ST. MARY'S
Chris Jordan
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Milwaukee at CLEVELAND -10
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You can't go to the well one too often with a team like the Bucks; so after seeing them contend with the Lakers the other night, they'll get drilled tonight in Cleveland.
After all, the Cavaliers just blasted this team earlier this month in Milwaukee ... no reason to believe the Cavs can't do it again at home. Especially on national television, where King James loves to shine most.
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James ranks second in the league with 28.9 points per game, and comes in after another big performance in Wednesday’s 108-101 victory at Philadelphia. Now he should have no trouble leading his Cavs to their sixth straight win over the Bucks.
Milwaukee felt the heat of this Cleveland defense on Dec. 6, when the Cavs used a 29-0 first-half run to coast to a 101-86 victory.
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Cleveland ranks second in the league in field goal defense (43.5 percent) and fourth in defensive scoring (94.4 points), and again, with this one being on ESPN, I think we're going to see the Cavaliers bring their absolute best to annihilate a mediocre Bucks team that was deflated by Kobe and the Lakers on Wednesday in a 107-106 loss.
4♦ CAVALIERS
Dominic Fazzini
Milwaukee +10 at CLEVELAND
I dropped the ball Thursday with my complimentary selection on the Magic, but I'm still way ahead of things with my free plays, going 42-27 over the past 69 days, including 25-14 over the last 39. And I'm going with the underdog Bucks to get me back in the win column today!
Milwaukee gave the Lakers all they could handle before losing in overtime Wednesday on Kobe Bryant's shot at the buzzer. But rather than being discouraged by the loss, I think the Bucks gained some encouragement from their showing.
Guard Michael Redd has looked good in two games back after missing seven with left knee soreness, and had a season-high 25 points against the Lakers. And 6-foot-9-inch forward Ersan Ilyasova had a career-high 24 points in that game, and is averaging 17.8 points over his last four games, giving Milwaukee another big man to join Andrew Bogut (15.9 ppg, 9.5 rebounds) in the Bucks' offensive scheme.
And I don't expect rookie guard Brandon Jennings, who leads the Bucks with 20.7 points and six assists per game, to go 4-for-11 from the field again today, as he did against Los Angeles. Redd's return takes some of the pressure off of Jennings and gives Milwaukee a top-notch scorer coming off the bench.
The Bucks are 4-0 ATS in their last four games, and 4-1 ATS in their last five games in Cleveland. And the road team in this series is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings. Take Milwaukee to cover the points tonight.
2♦ MILWAUKEE
Stephen Nover
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Houston at DALLAS -5
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With the ability to have any of their five players hit open outside shots, the Mavericks are a tough matchup for the Rockets, who like to double-team and chase the ball.
The teams have met twice and Dallas has won by 31 and 18 points, respectively.
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The Mavericks have their full rotation now with Josh Howard back playing. Howard has showed signs lately of getting back into rhythm averaging 14.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in his last two games.
Dallas has reeled off five consecutive victories. Jason Kidd is averaging 10.4 assists per game during this span. Dirk Nowitzki continues to play at a high level ranking fifth in scoring averaging 26.9 points per game.
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The Rockets are a tired team in transition right now. They are trying to break Tracy McGrady back into the lineup. This will be his third game this season. He had missed the entire season following microfracture surgery. Rockets coach Rick Adelman is bringing McGrady all along very slowly as he monitors his condition.
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This is Houston's third game in four days and fourth in six days. Dallas has covered six of the past eight times it has hosted Houston.
3♦ ROCKETS
DUNKEL
Utah at Atlanta
The Jazz are coming off a 108-92 win at New Jersey and look to build on their 5-0 ATS record in the last 5 games following a SU win by more than 10 points. Utah is the pick (+7) according to Dunkel, which has the Hawks favored by only 4 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Utah (+7)
Game 501-502: New Jersey at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 106.568; Toronto 117.731
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 11; 192
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 503-504: Philadelphia at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 114.016; Boston 128.149
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 14; 198
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 12; 196 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-12); Over
Game 505-506: Milwaukee at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee 113.169; Cleveland 125.685
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 12 1/2; 197
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 9 1/2; 194
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-9 1/2); Over
Game 507-508: Utah at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 122.893; Atlanta 127.273
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 4 1/2; 206 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 7; 202
Dunkel Pick: Utah (+7); Under
Game 509-510: Sacramento at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 115.827; Minnesota 113.717
Dunkel Line & Total: Sacramento by 2; 205
Vegas Line & Total: Sacramento by 1 1/2; 210
Dunkel Pick: Sacramento (-1 1/2); Under
Game 511-512: Denver at New Orleans
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 118.966; New Orleans 119.778
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 1; 199
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 1; 202 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (+1); Under
Game 513-514: LA Clippers at New York
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 115.625; New York 119.897
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 4 1/2; 205
Vegas Line & Total: New York by 2; 200
Dunkel Pick: New York (-2); Over
Game 515-516: Indiana at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 113.113; Memphis 122.719
Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 9 1/2; 218
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 517-518: Detroit at Oklahoma City
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 114.252; Oklahoma City 122.318
Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 8; 194
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 5189-520: Houston at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 117.538; Dallas 124.775
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 7; 192
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas by 5; 195
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-5); Under
Game 521-522: Washington at Golden State
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 113.102; Golden State 116.179
Dunkel Line & Total: Golden State by 3; 224
Vegas Line & Total: Golden State by 2; 219
Dunkel Pick: Golden State (-2); Over
NCAAB
NC Greensboro at Akron
The Spartans look to take advantage of an Akron team that is 0-4-1 ATS in its last 5 games as a favorite between 7 and 12 1/2 points. NC Greensboro is the pick (+11 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Zips favored by only 6. Dunkel Pick: NC Greensboro (+11 1/2)
Game 523-524: Utah State at Long Beach State
Dunkel Ratings: Utah State 66.032; Long Beach State 60.969
Dunkel Line: Utah State by 5
Vegas Line: Utah State by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Utah State (-3 1/2)
Game 525-526: Pacific at St. Mary's (CA)
Dunkel Ratings: Pacific 58.390; St. Mary's (CA) 70.816
Dunkel Line: St. Mary's (CA) by 12 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Mary's (CA) by 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Mary's (CA) (-11 1/2)
Game 527-528: Drexel at CS-Northridge
Dunkel Ratings: Drexel 54.100; CS-Northridge 59.462
Dunkel Line: CS-Northridge by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: CS-Northridge by 3
Dunkel Pick: CS-Northridge (-3)
Game 529-530: San Jose State at UC-Irvine
Dunkel Ratings: San Jose State 51.449; UC-Irvine 54.336
Dunkel Line: UC-Irvine by 3
Vegas Line: UC-Irvine by 2
Dunkel Pick: UC-Irvine (-2)
Game 531-532: New Mexico State at Pepperdine
Dunkel Ratings: New Mexico State 51.605; Pepperdine 51.199
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Pepperdine by 3
Dunkel Pick: New Mexico State (+3)
Game 533-534: NC Greensboro at Akron
Dunkel Ratings: NC Greensboro 51.171; Akron 57.097
Dunkel Line: Akron by 6
Vegas Line: Akron by 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NC Greensboro (+11 1/2)
Game 535-536: UC-Santa Barbara at Montana State
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Santa Barbara 51.767; Montana State 56.234
Dunkel Line: Montana State by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Montana State by 3
Dunkel Pick: Montana State (-3)
NHL
Carolina at Florida
The Hurricanes are coming off a 5-3 win over Dallas and look to build on their 6-2 record in their last 8 games after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game. Carolina is the pick (+135) according to Dunkel, which has the Hurricanes favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+135)
Game 1-2: Ottawa at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Ottawa 11,798; New Jersey 12.439
Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-170); 5
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (-170); Under
Game 3-4: Carolina at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 12.274; Florida 11.741
Dunkel Line & Total: Carolina by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Florida (-145); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+135); Over
Game 5-6: Toronto at Buffalo
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 12.126; Buffalo 11.450
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Buffalo (-175); 6
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+165); Under
Game 7-8: Tampa Bay at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 10.144; St. Louis 11.033
Dunkel Line & Total: St. Louis by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: St. Louis (-170); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-170); Under
Game 9-10: Boston at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 11.725; Chicago 12.153
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-175); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-175); Under
Game 11-12: Washington at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 12.418; Vancouver 12.820
Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-120); 6
Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (-120); Under
Karl Garrett
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Milwaukee +11 at CLEVELAND
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Blazers another comp play winner on Thursday, as the G-Man makes it 4 straight comp play winners heading into Friday night.
For Friday in the NBA, grab the double-digits and the Milwaukee Bucks as they take on a Cleveland team that just hasn't been kind to their backers at home this season, sporting a 4-8 spread mark in their dozen home games this year.
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Milwaukee comes to town having lost the last 5 series meetings, but the Bucks have been on a season uptick, winning 2 of their last 3, while covering in 4 in a row.
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These teams just met on December 6th, Cleveland securing a rather easy 101-86 win at Milwaukee, but with the Cavs just 2-4 against the spread their last 6 games, the G-Man questions whethor or not Cleveland is going to be able to cover this double-digit impost?
I don't feel they can.
Take the Bucks plus the points.
1♦ MILWAUKEE
Jeff Benton
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Indiana at MEMPHIS -5
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Rare NFL freebie loser Thursday as I missed badly on the Colts-Jags UNDER the total. For Friday’s free play, we’ll head to the NBA and back the Grizzlies at home against Indiana.
Granted, Memphis has dropped three of its last four after winning three in a row, but the Grizzlies are still a very respectable 6-5 on their home floor, going 7-4 ATS. That includes a pair of upset wins over the Cavaliers (111-109) and Mavericks (98-82) this month, plus a Monday’s narrow loss to the Celtics (110-105 as a 7½-point home underdog).
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As for the Pacers, they’ve followed up a 1-10 SU and ATS slump by winning three of thier last four both SU and ATS, but two of those wins came at home (a three-point victory over Charlotte and a 16-point rout of lowly New Jersey) and the other was a one-point nail-biter at Washington on Saturday. Prior to the win over the woeful Wizards, Indiana had dropped six straight road games, failing to cash in all six (all as an underdog). The average margin of defeat in those six road losses? 12.7 points per game!
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Memphis is 4-1 ATS in its last five at home, 4-1 ATS in its last five overall, 16-5 ATS in its last 21 against the Eastern Conference and 8-1 ATS in its last nine home games versus teams with a losing road record. Also, the Grizzlies have cashed in three straight meetings with the Pacers, who have failed to cover in six straight against the Western Conference and four straight against Southwest Division squads.
3♦ MEMPHIS
Scott Delaney
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Villanova vs. Montana, Div I-AA Football Championship
It's been a long, hard climb back to this game, but the Grizzlies made it.
And this year they plan on winning it.
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Montana, which has won the title twice and has finished runner-up two other times since the mid-1990s, lost in last year's final to Richmond.
I've enjoyed this year's Division I-AA playoffs, as you always get to see some sleepers that might make noise in the NFL combine. It's always interesting to see some of the players emerge, just as Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has done.
The top-seeded Grizzlies are in the title game thanks to a 24-17 home win over Appalachian State, the three-time champion from 2005-07. The Grizzles, who are known for their explosive offense, showed their true mettle by making a goal-line stand at the end of last week's semi-final to avoid overtime.
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The Grizzlies are putting up an average of 36.9 points a game, and outscore opponents by an average of 18.2 points per win. I know the 13-1 Wildcats are a dangerous team, but I'm not so sure it has seen a team like this just yet.
There are weapons Villanova won't know how to deal with ...
Quarterback Andrew Selle has connected for 197 completions on 321 attempts for 2,692 yards. He has an impressive touchdown-to-interception ratio of 25-to-6.
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Mr. Everything - Chase Reynolds - has rushed for 1,439 yards and 22 touchdowns, while he's hauled in 33 passes for two additional TD strikes.
All-American senior wideout Marc Mariani hauled in 72 passes for 1,317 yards and 12 scores and has reached the end of one of the most accomplished careers in Montana football history. yet despite everything he's done, he still doesn't have a title.
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Villanova is a good football team, but the Grizzlies are destined for this national championship.
3♦ MONTANA
Jeff Alexander
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1 Unit on Golden State Warriors -2
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Washington is just 3-9 on the road this season and has dropped 6 straight games. I don't see it ending the skid tonight against a Warriors team with home court and that is just as hungry for a "W". Washington has not been the team to side with when the odds makers have projected a close game this season as it is 0-8 ATS when the line is +3 to -3 this season. The Wizards are also just 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games at Golden State and a poor 3-12-1 ATS in their last 16 games as a road underdog of 4.5 points or less. We'll take the Warriors.