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Washington Wizards +6.5FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Memphis traded away one of their best players in Rudy Gay in a move that seemed to be more about creating cap space than improving the team to make a run at a Championship. That can't sit well with the rest of the players and it showed in last night's 89-106 loss to the Thunder. A game in which Memphis never had a chance in after the first quarter. With the new pieces they traded for not likely to suit up and the Grizzlies playing on short rest, not only do I think Memphis will struggle to cover the spread, they might lose this game outright. Washington has been playing much better basketball since they got back John Wall.
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Rider +8.5FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Off back-to-back double-digit defeats at home and having suffered a 13-point home loss to Faifield in the season's first meeting, Rider will be lacking no motivation here. Fairfield has won two in a row since losing five straight but home favorites or pickems that check in off two straight victories against conference opponents and are matched up against a team that checks in off two straight double-digit home losses are 13-44 ATS since 1997. Also, Rider is a terrific 10-2 ATS the last three seasons when looking for revenge for a same-season loss to an opponent. It has won by an average score of 77.1 to 69.5 in these contests. The Broncs are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games overall and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games. The Stags, meanwhile, are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Broncs are 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings at Fairfield, and the underdog is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings. Take the points.
Jeff AlexanderFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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LA Lakers -2.5FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Lakers have lost eight straight on the road, but I expect them to dig down deep and end their skid in impressive fashion against a Minnesota team they have defeated 19 consecutive times. The short-on-talent T-Wolves, who are without star Kevin Love, have lost five in a row and 10 of 11. The road team is 19-7-1 ATS in the last 27 meetings, and the Lakers are 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Minnesota.
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Wis.-Milwaukee vs. Valparaiso
Pick: ValparaisoFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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This season hasn't progressed as expected in Milwaukee, as the Panthers' program has continued its recent slide toward the abyss. And we are really wondering if Milwaukee HC Rob Jeter is regretting having turned away some potential suitors a few years ago when his Panthers were flying high. They’re not these days, especailly with shooting numbers ebtter suited to Antarctica (37% from the floor and 29% beyond the arc), which have helped buried UWM in the Horizon basement and provided Valpo with an opportunity to romp to a 76-52 win in the first meeting back on Jan. 12. Don't expect the Crusaders to go through the motions in the rematch, either, with their lead atop the Horizon in jeopardy follwoing Wednesday's loss at Youngstown State. And in this league, the regular-season title carries a real postseason bonus, allowing the top finisher to host the conference tourney. Milwaukee had no answer for Crusader F Ryan Broekhoff in the first meeting when the Aussie poured in 26 points. More of the same tonight.
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Hornets / Nuggets Over 203.5FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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New Orleans an extremely good 3 pt shooting club & their offense has been clicking, mainly due to the fact that they have gotten Eric Gordon back. He still is not playing the 2nd games of a back to back spot, but he is playing tonight, as he sat out their last game. This is not a good spot for the Hornets however, as this is their 4th game in 6 nights, and it's also magnified some due to altitude tonight as well. Of course the Nuggs love to push pace, and especially tonight here at home, knowing the Hornets are in a difficult spot scheduling wise here. Denver also yields over 100ppg and we will probably see some tired Hornets leg on defense in the 2nd H tonight. I have this game landing on 207 and I am on the OVER tonight.
Joe Gavazzi
Cornell vs. Princeton
Play: Cornell
Under 2nd year Princeton alum HC Henderson, the Tigers go for their 4th consecutive 20 win season. Standing 8-7 SU they will most likely need to win the League title to achieve that goal. They were lethargic in their League opener vs. Penn on 1/12/13 in allowing the Quakers to come through the backdoor to cover the 15 point impost. That may be the norm for a Tiger team who is 1-4 ATS HF (but 4-1 ATS away). Under 3rd year HC Courtney, the Big Red upgraded their strength of schedule in pre-con. They look to translate that into February success after splitting a pair of early games with travel partner Columbia. The second of those was a Big Red victory at Levien last Saturday when Cornell upset Columbia (widely considered the No. 3 team in the loop) by a score of 66-63. It sets up a situation that finds sub .500 double-digit road dogs to be 67-31 ATS (68%) following a straight up road dog win. With road dogs of 13 or more points entering February with a 90-58 ATS mark in January, we comfortably line up with a Big Red team as double-digit dog. Their greater athleticism this season and the fact that they average (7) 3s per game should hold them well at this price point. For the next 5 Friday Nights your Prince of the Ivies, Joe Gavazzi, will be authoring his winning selections on the Ancient Eight League. Using his usual array of methods from his CBKB handicapping tool kit, Joe will churn out consistent winners for you through the beginning of March. Weekend Warriors Unite!! Begin your winning early Friday evening with plenty of time to celebrate after the 9 pm Eastern Finals!! Tonight these 4 Brain Chain winners are joined by both ESPNU winners from the Horizon and MAAC Leagues. Don’t Miss a Single WINNER as YOU get off on the WINNING track this Super Bowl weekend!!
Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers
Play: Indiana Pacers
It’s offense vs. defense when the Heat and Pacers lineup for your ESPN Lid Lifter tonight! Miami is the best offensive team in the League averaging 103 PPG on 49% from the field committing fewer than 14 TOs/game. Indiana counters with an outstanding defense that allows 86 PPG on this floor, the best home mark in the NBA. The Heat are far from a dominant road team at 11-10 SU away. That mark includes a record of 7-11 ATS as road chalk. The Pacers have played 7/9 previous games away. Now they play on a court where they have won 12 consecutive games going 9-3 ATS. In the lone meeting between these 2 this season, the Pacers prevailed on this court 87-77. The combination of the strong home court and the best home defense in the League repeat that victory. Your 4 game NBA card today features both of your ESPN winners as well as your Top Rated 10* NBA ESPN Shocker of The Night! It is joined by a 2nd Top Rated Play with your NBA 10* Dog of the Day! Another game that will Shock your man and build your bank roll!
Spartan
LA Lakers -1.5
What would you have said if someone had told you a couple of months ago that the Lakers would be only a point and a half favorite over the Wolves? You likely would have called for the person to be taken away asap in a padded wagon. But, it's the NBA and anything can and usually does happen. I cannot help but believe the Lakers summon up what it takes to get the road win tonight, a much, much needed road win. Sure, Kobe & company are getting ripped to shreds for the melt down in Phoenix last time out but let's take a deep breath and remember, this is still a Lakers club that has prevailed in three of the last four games. On the flip side the Timberwolves have now dropped a dismal ten of their last eleven games. If you thought the fall out was bad after the debacle in the desert that will pale in comparison to what this club will face if they step in a big pile here tonight. I don't think Kobe will let that happen guys. Free release on the Lakers laying the small number against the Timberwolves.
Jeff Scott Sports
3 UNIT PLAYS
Detroit/ Youngstown State Under 154.5: Youngstown State does play at at a pretty fast paced as they are ranked 42nd in tempo according to KenPom, but their games are not all that high scoring, because they don't shoot well and teams don't shoot well against them. YSU's games have averaged 137.5 ppg on the year and they are 204th in shooting (42.6%) and 82nd in defensive FG% (40.4%). On the road their numbers are even more in our favor, as their road games have a averaged just 128.7 ppg, with their offensive FG% being 40.9%, while their defensive FG% is 39%. Detroit is 20th in the nation in tempo and they do score 81.6 ppg at home, but I do expect a much better defensive performance from YSU, after allowing the Titans to hang 101 points on them in an earlier meeting this year. That earlier meeting saw 161 points scored, but I see this one in the 140's or lower. YSU will look to slow the pace some or they will run the risk of getting blownout again. 79-67 sounds about right for this one.
Siena/ Manhattan Over 119.5: Both teams play at a ver slow pace but I feel we can still get almost 130 points out of this one. The Saints have played some higher scoring games of late and that is mainly due to their defense that has allowed 79 ppg in their last 4 games. The Saints have had allot of injury and suspension woes, but this is the most at full strength the have been and it has helped offensively of late as they have averaged 74 ppg in their last 2 games, which is 15 points higher than their seasonal average of 59.3 ppg. Through their first 14 games they notched 60+ points just 6 times, but have now done it in 4 of their last 5 games. The Jaspers are the 305 slowest team in the nation and they average just 57.5 ppg on the road, but they should be good for at least the mid 60's vs a weak Saints defense. I expect both teams to be in the 60's for this one.
Jeff Scott Sports
3 UNIT PLAYS
Miami -2 over INDIANA: Watching the Heat vs Brooklyn the other night it looks as they are playing a bit more focused these days. Playing a good Pacers squad on ESPN should keep them focused and this team is a very good team when they are focused. The Pacer do play great defense and they did hold Miami to just 77 points when they played played here earlier in the year, but that will only motivated this Heat team all the more. They are a team that scores 102.7 ppg overall and 98.6 ppg on the road, so they will not take to kindly to being held to just 77 points in the last meeting. Miami has also clamped it down defensive of late, allowing just 91 .7 ppg (regulation) in their last 10 games, including allowing just 87 ppg (Reg) in their last 3 games. The Pacers might not get much ff this Miami defense as they come in averaging just 91.8 ppg on the year, including averaging just 92 ppg in their last 8 during regulation. Miami will look for revenge from that earlier bad loss and I fell this will pull away in the 4th quarter and win by 8+.
Lakers/ Minnesota Under 197.5: I've done well with taking Laker Unders of late and I will do so again tonight. The Lakers have struggled to score on the road late as they have averaged just 87.3 ppg in their last 3 games away from home. Tonight they face a Minnesota teams that has played really god defense at home, allowing just 92.7 ppg here overall, including just 89 ppg in their last 4 on their home floor. Their last 4 at home hasn't all been vs mediocre offenses as two of the games were vs the Clippers and 1 was vs Houston and they held the Rockets to just 79 points in that game. The T-Wolves have been hit hard by injuries and it has really affected their offense, as they come in averaging just 91.8 ppg in their last 10 games overall and just 85.5 pg in their last 4 games at home. Now Minnesota home games have averaged just 187.7 ppg on the year, including just 174.5 ppg in their last 4 games here. I expect a slower paced game, with Minnesota playing at home and that should keep this one in the 180's at best.
Denver/ New Orleans Over 204: The Nuggets are in high gear offensively right now as they come in averaging 108.3 ppg in their last 9 games overall (Regulation). The Nuggets also average 108 ppg at home, including 110.4 ppg (Regulation) in their last 6 at home. They now take on a New Orleans team that has allowed 103.4 ppg in their last 7 games, while allowing 104 points or more in 5 of those games. This is also New Orleans 4th in a row on the road and 2nd in high altitude, so they may be a bit tired and that should show on the defensive end. New Orleans is not a great offensive team, but they have put up 102.3 in their last 2 games and Denver has allowed 104.1 ppg in their last 7 games at home. No defense from either team here should lead to about 210 points.
John Martin
Dallas Mavericks +3.5
The Dallas Mavericks know they need to kick it into gear now if they want to have any shot of making the playoffs come season's end. This team has been showing its best value of the season over the past month due to their slow start, and that is the case once again tonight. Dallas is a sensational 10-1 ATS in its last 11 games overall, and it should not be an underdog to the lowly Phoenix Suns tonight. Phoenix is 5-15 in its last 20 games overall and it has no business being favored. The Mavericks are 10-1 SU & 10-1 ATS in their last 11 meetings with the Suns.
Harry Bondi
UTAH (-5) over Portland
Simply put, we have a team that is very strong at home, taking on a team that struggles on the road. Portland has lost three-straight road games and is just 7-14 straight up this year on the highway. Overall it has won just three of its last 10 games. The Jazz, meanwhile, are 15-4 at home and 13-6 ATS. Utah has also played well against Portland, winning the last four meetings straight up, while going 3-1 ATS. Lay the short number at home!
Bob Balfe
Lakers/Twolves Over 197.5
No Kevin Love and probably no Dwight Howard means both teams will have easy lanes to the bucket. When Howard went out the other night the Suns made the Lakers look silly. Even if Howard does some how play his minutes will be limited. Both teams are going to have to up the pace tonight because low scoring defense will not get it done. Take the Over
Suns -3.5 over Mavs
Dallas has played a couple of games in the last few nights. No Dirk means this team really has no go to solid player and I just don’t see this team being competitive tonight against a Suns team that can play well at home. If the Suns could win on the road they wouldn’t be half bad. Take Phoenix at home.
Charlie Sports
New Orleans Hornets at Denver Nuggets
Play:Denver Nuggets
The (15-31) New Orleans Hornets of the NBA Western Conference Southwest division will take on the (29-18) Denver Nuggets of the Western Conference Northwest in 2013 NBA action. Denver won the first meeting between the teams this season 102-84. The under is 4-1 the last 5 meetings between the teams. The Hornets have lost 4 of their last 5 straight up but have covered 5 of their last 6 Against The Spread. Denver are currently on a 5 game winning streak. Denver gets the home cover.
NHL Predictions
Senators / Hurricanes Under 5.5
The Senators have played 7 games so far this season, and although they've had no problems scoring goals the UNDER is 5-2 due to some great defensive play and goaltending. Craig Anderson has been getting some early "MVP" chants in Ottawa and they are well deserved so far. Anderson is 5-0-1 with a 0.99 GAA and .967 SV% so far this year. He is the expected starter tonight with Ottawa not playing in a back to back. The Hurricanes are on the front of a back to back and will go with back up Dan Ellis who is 1-0 to start the year with a 1.20 GAA and .963 SV%. I'm actually glad he is between the pipes tonight as Canes starter Cam Ward has looked awful to start the year with a 4.50 GAA and .861 SV%. With the Ducks last year Ellis had a good 2.72 GAA and .911 SV%. In their 4 meetings last year we saw the Sens and Canes play to totals of 3, 3, 7, and 5. The UNDER is 8-2-3 in the Senators last 13 overall and 7-2 in their last 9 when they've been playing their 3rd game in 4 days. The UNDER is also 8-2-2 in these two teams last 12 meetings in Carolina. I like the UNDER tonight.
Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5
The Jets have dropped two straight including last night's loss in Florida to fall to 3-3-1 on the year. Winnipeg has allowed 14 goals against in their last three games. Tampa Bay has surprised many with a very hot 5-1 start to the year. Not only have they won games, but they've been piling up the goals. The Lightning have scored 29 goals in their 6 games for an average of 4.8 goals per game. They've won 4 straight games coming into tonight, and all of those wins were by 2+ goals. These two teams split their meetings last season, but this Lightning team is much improved on last year. Tampa Bay is top 5 right now in both power play and penalty kill percentages, 1st in goals per game and 11th in goals against per game. The Jets are dead last in PK%, 25th in goals against per game, and middle of the pack for goals scored and power play %. Dating back the Lightning have owned this match up winning 14 of their last 17 meetings, and going 8-1 in their last 9 meetings in Tampa Bay. Also note that Dustin Byfuglien is questionable for the Jets, and although I am making this play assuming he is in the line up it would only help to have him out. I'm taking the LIGHTNING to roll and win by 2 or more with a nice price.