Free Picks: Service Plays for Friday January, 18

Marc LawrenceFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Golden State vs. San AntonioFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: San AntonioFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
There’s no reason to sway from the dominating hosts n this series, not with San Antonio 15-3 SU and 11-6-1 ATS in the AT&T Center this season and 27-0 SU and 19-8 ATS at home in this series since 2006. It also doesn’t hurt that the Warriors arrive off a tussle with the defending champs and are 0-6 SUATS after dealing with the Heat. And while Friday night’s been alright for fighting for the Spurs (9-0 SU and 7-2 ATS dating back to last season), there haven’t been very many happy hours for the Warriors as they are just 4-12 SU and 6-10 ATS on this day of the week dating back to last year. And with this line one the shortest in this building since 1997 where the Spurs have been double-digit favorites in 22 of the last 27 home games in this series, the value clearly rides with the hosts. We recommend a 1-unit play on San Antonio.

David ChanFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Washington vs. DenverFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: WashingtonFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Washington is 7-29 SU and 20-14-2 ATS; it's coming off a 95-94 loss at Sacramento as a 4.5 point dog on the 16th. The loss snapped a three-game win streak. The Wizards had beaten OKC, Atlanta and Orlando previous to the setback.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
The Wizards will be plenty motivated here as they look to break out of an eight-game road slide, and to also atone for a 108-104 loss to Denver last January 20th.

You'll want to keep your eyes on John Wall who had 14 points and ten assists vs. the Kings.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Note that over their last two games, the Wizards have shot over 50% from the floor, and gone 15 of 28 from 3-point range.

That doesn't bode well for the home side, which has allowed the opposition to shoot over 50% over its last three contests, including almost 43% from behind the arc.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
And note that not only is Washington 10-6 ATS on the road this year, but it's also a perfect 5-0 ATS as a road dog in the 9.5 to 12 points range.

Denver is 24-17 SU and 23-18 ATS; it's coming off a 117-97 loss at OKC as a 9 point dog on the 16th.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
The loss snapped a six-game win streak, and I'm fully expecting this team to have another letdown here.

Denver is 15-2 SU at home this season, but I believe will "look past" this much improved Washington team.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Danilo Gallinari had just 11 points vs. OKC, down from his 21.7 average over his previous six games.

Ty Lawson was held to a miserable two points.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Note that Denver is just 5-8 ATS in non-conference games this year.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Here's a perfect opportunity for the visitors to keep the momentum rolling; I won't call for an outright upset, but the oddsmakers are slow in adjusting here, as I expect the Wizards to at the very least sneak in through the back door with the large spread they've been afforded in this matchup!

Rob VincilettiFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Stony Brook vs. VermontFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Play: VermontFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Vermont has owned this series here in this building winning 10 of the last 11. Vermont is taking a couple of points here. However they do have some nice numbers as they are 34-7 off a conference game and have won 29 of the last 37 here at home. In games vs teams who play good defense and allow 65 or less points per game they have covered 4 of the last 5. Stony Brook is improved this season but still struggles vs winning teams and they have dropped 14 of the last 22 vs winning teams. Look for Vermont to get the cash tonight.

Dave CokinFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Fairfield at IonaFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: FairfieldFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
It's the ultimate contrast in styles when Fairfield and Iona get together. Patience is the main virtue for the Stags. Iona wants to play racehorse and let outstanding guard Lamont Jones do his thing. So this figures to be the usual battle of wills, and whichever team gets the pace their way is probably going to win. If the Gaels are able to get into sprint mode, they're going to win comfortably. Iona might just be good enough to win at Fairfield's speed, but covering gets a lot dicier in that case. The Stags have to contain Jones, and they absolutely must not allow Sean Armand to get open looks from long range. Iona doesn't guard the three well at all, but that won't matter if Fairfield doesn't pick it up from deep. The Stags are a pathetic 20/81 on treys over their last five games. On paper, this looks like an Iona win. But Fairfield really needs this game coming off three straight MAAC losses, and we should get their best effort here. This is absolutely NOT a strong opinion, but on a night with little to choose from in college, I'm leaning to Fairfield to hang tough enough to steal a cover.

Jim FeistFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Sacramento Kings at Memphis GrizzliesFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: Memphis GrizzliesFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Sacramento is 3,000 miles from home and an awful road team, 3-14. The Kings are 10-22-1 ATS in their last 33 vs. the Western Conference and 6-22-2 ATS in their last 30 games following a spread loss! Memphis had a showdown game with the Spurs Wednesday night and got clocked, a 103-82 defeat and home court has been huge in this series, with the home team 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings. And the Kings are 3-7 ATS in the last 10 meetings, including 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Memphis. Play the Grizzlies!

Jimmy BoydFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Brooklyn Nets -6FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
These two teams played on Wednesday night and we were on the Hawks, but I'm going with the Nets to get the quick revenge here tonight on their home floor. Atlanta bounced back from that horrific 58 point outing against the Chicago Bulls, scoring 109 points Wednesday on 57.7% shooting. However, this team is scoring about eight ppg less on the road than they are at home, so I wouldn't expect a repeat showing. Brooklyn has played well since making the coaching change, winning nine of their 11 games. At home they are a perfect 6-0 and have won the last four games by seven or more points. I think the Nets are going to have something to prove tonight after losing to a fellow playoff contender by double digits. They get out early and try to blow out Atlanta tonight.

SPORTS WAGERSFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
PHILADELPHIA -4 over TorontoFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
The 76ers are in a free-fall with 14 losses in their past 18 games. However, they've had a gruelling schedule that's seen them play 12 of those on the road, including recent eight-games in 13 days trip that took them through three time zones. Of course they were exhausted. Upon returning home, they were whacked by the Nets and subsequently had to travel the very next day to Toronto. The Raps put an 18-point beat down on them. That was nine days ago and the 76ers haven't forgotten it. A healthy, rested and prepared Philly team will respond.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Toronto recently went on a streak of 10 wins in 14 games but 10 of those games were on its home court. On the road, the Raps are a dismal 4-16. They've now lost three straight and exerted a lot of energy in their last game against Chicago in which they rallied from 17 down, forced OT and then lost by a bucket. Games like that are hard to bounce back from and with Philly still stinging from that last loss to this enemy, Toronto's chances don't look good.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Golden State +12 over SAN ANTONIOFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Spurs are coming off back-to-back, 18 and 21 point victories over the T-Wolves and Grizzlies. The Warriors are coming off back-to-back, 11 and 17 point defeats to the Nuggets and Heat. Combine those events together and throw in Stephen Curry's injury and the result is an inflated number on the visitor. Mark Jackson's club will respond. Golden State is 23-14 this season and have reached that mark by working hard, staying focused, playing good defense and crashing the boards.
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
The Spurs have a key injury in Manu Ginobili. After this contest, they will travel to the East Coast for two games beginning tomorrow. After two easy wins, a little complacency could set in, especially when you consider they've defeated these Warriors an incredible 28 straight times on its home floor, a span that dates back 16 years. Teams like Charlotte, Washington, Sacramento and Cleveland receive this many points in mismatch games. This is simply too many points to be spotting a talented guest.

WunderdogFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Golden State at San AntonioFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: San Antonio -12FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
At 23-14 the Golden State Warriors have been the surprise team in the NBA this season. Once a team that only ran helter-skelter up and down the court, can still get out and run, but have become a more conventional NBA team. The start has been nice, but their recent play has left a bit to be desired, as they are just 1-4 in their last five games - the four losses have been by an average of more than 15 points per game. San Antonio is now the offensive king. They are only a half-point per game shy of being the highest-scoring team in the NBA. They have also been the best cover team in the NBA at home where they are 37-13-2 ATS in their last 52. Lay the points here and play on San Antonio.

Charlie Sports

Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers
Play: Toronto Raptors

The (14-25) Toronto Raptors of the Eastern Conference Atlantic division will take on the (16-23) Philadelphia 76ers also of the Eastern Conference Atlantic division in 2013 NBA action. Toronto beat Philadelphia 90-72 earlier this month. The Raptors are 6-3-1 Against The Spread their last 10 overall and 2-0-1 ATS their last 3 on the road. Philadelphia 3-1 ATS their last 4 vs. Toronto, but are just 2-8 ATS their last 10 overall. Toronto gets the road cover.

Bruce Marshall

Stony Brook at Vermont
Pick: Stony Brook

Barring a surprise run by an outsider in the conference tournament, the America East race looks like it is going to come down to three teams (Stony Brook, Vermont, and Albany) for the loop's Big Dance bid. And at the moment, it's the Long Island-based Seawolves of Stony Brook look to be the in-form side. Note very competitive non-conference efforts vs. UConn, Maryland, and Seton Hall, and current five-game SU win streak featured airtight defense allolwing just 47 ppg. The Seawolves also baost of the top newcomer in the America East, frosh F Jameel Warney (13 ppg). Vermont scrappy as usual, but Catamounts still recovering from unexpected departures of all-name Gs Brandon Bald (decided not to play senior season) and Four McGlynn (transferred to Towson), with Illinois State transfer Trey Blue having to pick up most of the pieces. Play Stony Brook

John Ryan

Warriors at Spurs
Prediction: Under

The simulator shows a high probability that fewer than 200 points will be scored in this game. Supporting this graded play is a proven system posting a 88-47 mark for 65.2% winners since 1996. Play under with any team after going under the total by more than 30 points in their previous game and in a game involving two good teams posting win percentages ranging between 60% to 75%. San Antonio is a double digit favorite and the only way they lose this game is through a ton of mental mistakes. The Spurs have a decided edge in rebounding and will do a great job minimizing Golden State second chance scoring opportunities. Sim shows a high probability that Spurs will have between 48 and 52 boards in this game. In past games, Spurs are 7-0 UNDER (+7.0 Units) in home games when they grab 48 to 52 rebounds in a game this season.

Steve Janus

Indiana Pacers -4.5

The Pacers are showing some solid value tonight against the Rockets. Houston comes in having lost five straight and are clearly not playing well. The Rockets have to beat teams with their offense, as they simply aren't very good defensively. That isn't a good recipe for success against the Pacers. Indiana is allowing just 86.7 ppg at home, where they are 15-3 this season. Adding even more value to this play, is the fact that the Pacers are coming off an embarrassing 86-97 loss at Orlando on Wednesday. Look for Indiana to bring the defensive intensity and separate themselves from the Rockets early in this one.

John Martin

Philadelphia 76ers -3.5

The Philadelphia 76ers are very hungry for a win tonight at home against the Toronto Raptors. They have lost six of their last seven games heading in, which clearly has them undervalued as only a 3.5-point favorite tonight. Toronto is just 4-16 on the road this season where it is giving up 103.0 points/game. The Raptors are 1-9 ATS in road games after a combined score of 205 points or more over the last 2 seasons. They are losing in this spot by 15.0 points/game.

Brandon Lee

Orlando Magic -7

This might seem like a lot of points to lay on Orlando, but they are more than capable of beat Charlotte by double-digits. The Magic are coming off an impressive 97-86 win at home over a very good Indiana team and have already went on the road and beat the Bobcats by 9-points earlier this season. Charlotte is just 4-14 on the road getting outscored by 12 ppg. Definitely some value on the Magic tonight. Lay the Points!