DUNKEL INDEX
Denver at New Orleans
The Nuggets look to take advantage of a New Orleans team that is coming off a 98-83 loss to OKC and is 0-4 ATS in its last 4 games following an ATS loss. Denver is the pick (-4 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Nuggets favored by 6. Dunkel Pick: Denver (-4 1/2)
Game 801-802: LA Clippers at Charlotte
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 110.271; Charlotte 115.883
Dunkel Line & Total: Charlotte by 5 1/2; 182
Vegas Line & Total: Charlotte by 10; 188 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Clippers (+10); Under
Game 803-804: Cleveland at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 125.791; Philadelphia 115.418
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 10 1/2; 195
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 7 1/2; 197 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-7 1/2); Under
Game 805-806: Indiana at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 114.206; Boston 122.703
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 8 1/2; 204
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 9 1/2; 202
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (+9 1/2); Over
Game 807-808: Chicago at Miami
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 111.256; Miami 121.705
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 10 1/2; 185
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 11 1/2; 189
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+11 1/2); Under
Game 809-810: New York at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: New York 112.295; Memphis 120.215
Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 8; 205
Vegas Line & Total: Memphis by 7 1/2; 210 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Memphis (-7 1/2); Under
Game 811-812: New Jersey at Oklahoma City
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 114.421; Oklahoma City 121.670
Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 7; 198
Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 11 1/2; 195
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (+11 1/2); Over
Game 813-814: Washington at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 111.662; Detroit 115.759
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 4; 185
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit by 6; 191 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+6); Under
Game 815-816: Denver at New Orleans
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 123.591; New Orleans 117.514
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 6; 213
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 4 1/2; 210
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-4 1/2); Over
Game 817-818: San Antonio at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 121.414; Minnesota 114.301
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 7; 202
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 4 1/2; 203
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-4 1/2); Under
Game 819-820: Utah at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 124.298; Milwaukee 125.971
Dunkel Line & Total: Milwaukee by 1 1/2; 194
Vegas Line & Total: Pick; 195 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee; Under
Game 821-822: LA Lakers at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 124.657; Phoenix 124.499
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 210
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 2; 214
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+2); Under
Game 823-824: Portland at Sacramento
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 122.715; Sacramento 116.836
Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 6; 198
Vegas Line & Total: Pick; 194
Dunkel Pick: Portland; Over
NCAAB
Tennessee vs. Mississippi
The Volunteers look to take advantage of an Ole Miss team that is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games against teams with a winning SU record. Tennessee is the pick (-1) according to Dunkel, which has the Volunteers favored by 4. Dunkel Pick: Tennessee (-1)
Game 825-826: Virginia vs. Duke
Dunkel Ratings: Virginia 62.673; Duke 75.778
Dunkel Line: Duke by 13
Vegas Line: Duke by 17
Dunkel Pick: Virginia (+17)
Game 827-828: Miami (FL) vs. Virginia Tech
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (FL) 63.149; Virginia Tech 68.981
Dunkel Line: Virginia Tech by 6
Vegas Line: Virginia Tech by 4
Dunkel Pick: Virginia Tech (-4)
Game 829-830: Georgia Tech vs. Maryland
Dunkel Ratings: Georgia Tech 66.647; Maryland 74.471
Dunkel Line: Maryland by 8
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 831-832: NC State vs. Florida State
Dunkel Ratings: NC State 64.371; Florida State 69.982
Dunkel Line: Florida State by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 833-834: St. Bonaventure vs. Temple
Dunkel Ratings: St. Bonaventure 57.607; Temple 65.546
Dunkel Line: Temple by 8
Vegas Line: Temple by 10
Dunkel Pick: St. Bonaventure (+10)
Game 835-836: Rhode Island vs. St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Rhode Island 57.427; St. Louis 63.442
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 6
Vegas Line: Rhode Island by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+3 1/2)
Game 837-838: Dayton vs. Xavier
Dunkel Ratings: Dayton 63.803; Xavier 69.314
Dunkel Line: Xavier by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Xavier by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Xavier (-2 1/2)
Game 839-840: Massachusetts vs. Richmond
Dunkel Ratings: Massachusetts 53.656; Richmond 64.591
Dunkel Line: Richmond by 11
Vegas Line: Richmond by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Richmond (-9 1/2)
Game 841-842: Michigan vs. Ohio State
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan 63.887; Ohio State 75.213
Dunkel Line: Ohio State by 11 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 843-844: Illinois vs. Wisconsin
Dunkel Ratings: Illinois 66.063; Wisconsin 74.587
Dunkel Line: Wisconsin by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Wisconsin by 8
Dunkel Pick: Wisconsin (-8)
Game 845-846: Northwestern vs. Purdue
Dunkel Ratings: Northwestern 62.278; Purdue 71.035
Dunkel Line: Purdue by 9
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 847-848: Minnesota vs. Michigan State
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 64.739; Michigan State 72.127
Dunkel Line: Michigan State by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 849-850: Alabama vs. Kentucky
Dunkel Ratings: Alabama 65.336; Kentucky 72.136
Dunkel Line: Kentucky by 7
Vegas Line: Kentucky by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Alabama (+9 1/2)
Game 851-852: Tennessee vs. Mississippi
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee 68.852; Mississippi 64.647
Dunkel Line: Tennessee by 4
Vegas Line: Tennessee by 1
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee (-1)
Game 853-854: Florida vs. Mississippi State
Dunkel Ratings: Florida 66.643; Mississippi State 62.962
Dunkel Line: Florida by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 855-856: Georgia vs. Vanderbilt
Dunkel Ratings: Georgia 62.672; Vanderbilt 69.695
Dunkel Line: Vanderbilt by 7
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 857-858: Houston vs. Southern Mississippi
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 56.841; Southern Mississippi 61.445
Dunkel Line: Southern Mississippi by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Houston by 3
Dunkel Pick: Southern Mississippi (+3)
Game 859-860: Tulsa vs. UTEP
Dunkel Ratings: Tulsa 58.403; UTEP 67.578
Dunkel Line: UTEP by 9
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 861-862: Georgetown vs. Marquette
Dunkel Ratings: Georgetown 71.191; Marquette 70.449
Dunkel Line: Georgetown by 1
Vegas Line: Georgetown by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Marquette (+3 1/2)
Game 863-864: Notre Dame vs. West Virginia
Dunkel Ratings: Notre Dame 72.632; West Virginia 70.312
Dunkel Line: Notre Dame by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 865-866: Texas A&M vs. Kansas
Dunkel Ratings: Texas A&M 71.879; Kansas 78.961
Dunkel Line: Kansas by 7
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 867-868: Baylor vs. Kansas State
Dunkel Ratings: Baylor 73.884; Kansas State 72.600
Dunkel Line: Baylor by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 869-870: Western Michigan vs. Akron
Dunkel Ratings: Western Michigan 50.049; Akron 57.085
Dunkel Line: Akron by 7
Vegas Line: Akron by 4
Dunkel Pick: Akron (-4)
Game 871-872: Ohio vs. Miami (OH)
Dunkel Ratings: Ohio 60.816; Miami (OH) 53.532
Dunkel Line: Ohio by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 873-874: UCLA vs. California
Dunkel Ratings: UCLA 61.844; California 69.340
Dunkel Line: California by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 875-876: Stanford vs. Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Stanford 62.915; Washington 70.296
Dunkel Line: Washington by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 877-878: San Diego State vs. New Mexico
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego State 65.888; New Mexico 68.033
Dunkel Line: New Mexico by 2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 879-880: BYU vs. UNLV
Dunkel Ratings: BYU 73.735; UNLV 66.151
Dunkel Line: BYU by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 881-882: LouiSIAna Tech vs. Utah State
Dunkel Ratings: LouiSIAna Tech 56.409; Utah State 66.973
Dunkel Line: Utah State by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 883-884: New Mexico State vs. Nevada
Dunkel Ratings: New Mexico State 59.254; Nevada 59.891
Dunkel Line: Nevada by 1
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 885-886: UC Davis vs. UC Santa Barbara
Dunkel Ratings: UC Davis 52.590; UC Santa Barbara 56.900
Dunkel Line: UC Santa Barbara by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 887-888: Long Beach State vs. Pacific
Dunkel Ratings: Long Beach State 52.845; Pacific 56.753
Dunkel Line: Pacific by 4
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 889-890: Lafayette at Lehigh
Dunkel Ratings: Lafayette 52.272; Lehigh 56.186
Dunkel Line: Lehigh by 4
Vegas Line: Lehigh by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Lafayette (+7 1/2)
Game 891-892: Hampton vs. Morgan State
Dunkel Ratings: Hampton 48.192; Morgan State 52.701
Dunkel Line: Morgan State by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 893-894: South Carolina State vs. Delaware State
Dunkel Ratings: South Carolina State 40.953; Delaware State 45.993
Dunkel Line: Delaware State by 5
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 895-896: Alabama State vs. AR-Pine Bluff
Dunkel Ratings: Alabama State 41.764; AR-Pine Bluff 43.140
Dunkel Line: AR-Pine Bluff by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 897-898: Grambling vs. Texas Southern
Dunkel Ratings: Grambling 33.283; Texas Southern 41.709
Dunkel Line: Texas Southern by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
NHL
Pittsburgh at New Jersey
The Penguins look to take advantage of a New Jersey team that is coming off a win over the Rangers and is 0-8 in its last 8 games following a win. Pittsburgh is the pick (+110) according to Dunkel, which has the Penguins favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+110)
Game 1-2: Pittsburgh at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 12.511; New Jersey 11.343
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+110); Over
Game 3-4: Tampa Bay at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 10.995; Washington 12.787
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-330); 7
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-330); Under
Game 5-6: NY Rangers at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 10.569; Atlanta 11.248
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: NY Rangers (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+100); Under
Game 7-8: Minnesota at Buffalo
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 10.596; Buffalo 12.536
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Buffalo (-200); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (-200); Under
Game 9-10: Los Angeles at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 11.738; Dallas 11.878
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas (-110); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-110); Over
Game 11-12: Nashville at Anaheim
Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 10.582; Anaheim 10.893
Dunkel Line & Total: Anaheim by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Anaheim (-145); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Anaheim (-145); Under
Jorge Gonzalez
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns
Play: Los Angeles Lakers -2
The Los Angeles Lakers are in a funk over the last week of action. They lost lost all three games on their last road trip and Kobe Bryant5 had to hit his seventh game winning shot of he season in the 109-107 victory over the Toronto Raptors. Prior to the win the Lakers lost three straight games on a road trip back east. The Lakers are only 2 ½ game ahead of the Dallas Maverick and will be focused to stop the red-hot Phoenix suns with an easy stretch of game on the game after tonight's action. The Lakers will be facing the Golden State , Minnesota, Sacramento and Washington. The Suns have not played for five days and may lack some chemistry when they get back on the court. The Suns have won 14 of their last 18 games but the four loses were to the top eight teams in the Western Conference. Take the Lakers to come with a big effort to avoid losing their fifth straight road game.
Tony George
Miami Florida vs. Virginia Tech
Play: Virginia Tech -3.5
Off a bye and a convincing win over power Georgia Tech, I like the Hokies here to get it done by 6-8 points against a Hurricane team who caught Wake Forest asleep at the wheel in a huge upset win. Not sure they can muster 51% from the floor and 47% from 3 point land again, that’s a tough back to back and what is needed to beat a good Hokie team here. These 2 teams split this year but VT avenging the last 5 point loss, they will be ready for this one. Tough to pull off back to back upsets with an average team at best.
LARRY NESS
Utah @ Milwaukee
PICK: Milwaukee
The Jazz opened a four-game road trip on Tuesday at Chicago and scored 132 points. They visited Detroit on Wednesday and won 115-104 and now come to Milwaukee before ending the trip on Sunday at Oklahoma City. That makes this game with the Bucks Utah's third game in four nights. Milwaukee's only previous game this week came at home vs the Celtics on Tuesday (Bucks won 86-84), leaving this suddenly hot team well-rested. John Salmons was averaging 12.7 PPG in 51 games for the Bulls (down from last year's career-high average of 18.3) but has found a 'new life' in Milwaukee, averaging 18.9 PPG in 11 games. The Bucks have won 10 of those 11 games, going a perfect 11-0 ATS. While Salmons has clearly been the 'spark,' Milwaukee's received outstanding play from rookie PG Jennings (15.8-6.1 APG) and center Bogut (16.2-10.4), who has stayed healthy enough to play in 57 of Milwaukee's first 63 games. The Jazz are led by the duo of Boozer (19.3-11.2) and Williams (18.4-4.0-10.3) and after winning the first two games of this road trip, are 17-14 SU (19-11-1 ATS) on the road on the season. The Jazz are just one game back of the Nuggets in the Northwest and in the overall West playoff picture, are fourth (two games behind No. 2 seed Dallas). Milwaukee's current hot streak has moved the Bucks into the No. 5 seed in the East, two games of three teams (Raptors, Bobcats and Heat). The travel situation makes this a tough spot for Utah and I'm riding the red-hot Bucks.
Tom Stryker
Minnesota vs. Michigan State
Play: Michigan State -3
Minnesota can't be happy about seeing Michigan State in the Big 10 Tournament. The Golden Gophers are 0-8 SU and 1-7 ATS in their last eight meetings against the Spartans and they obviously struggle in this series. It won't help Minny either that Big 10 favorites in the Quarterfinals hold a powerful 7-1 ATS record provided they're matched up against a foe that enters off back-to-back SU and ATS wins.
The Gophers enter this contest off a pair of blowout victories over Iowa and Penn St. Minnesota beat the Hawkeyes by 35 points and the Nittany Lions by 21 points. Unfortunately, the Golden Gophers have folded when matched up against an opponent that enters with momentum their own off a straight up win of 10 points or more posting a dismal 67-101 ATS record including a dismal 35-61 ATS in this role in Big 10 play!
In post season play matched up against a foe that arrives off a SU and ATS win, State has been lights out posting a tremendous 30-13 SU and 31-11-1 ATS record including 19-3-1 ATS in this role checking in off a blowout victory of 10 points or more. The Spartans made it all the way to the NCAA Championship Game last season and they know how to crank things up a notch in March. Lay the lumber here men. Take Michigan State.
Joseph D'Amico
Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics
Play: Indiana Pacers +9½
Indiana has Boston's number, covering 4 straight over the Celtic's. The Pacer's don't have the best SU record, but are covering games lately ATS. They come into this matchup covering 3 straight. Overall, Indiana ranks one notch higher than Boston on offensive scoring at # 18 in the NBA. Tha Pacer's get back their top scorer in Forward Danny Granger (23.1 PPG) from suspension. They face a Boston team that is slumping. The Celtic's have lost 2 straight and are a dismal 3-6-1 ATS their L10. When laying 9 or more points, Boston has failed to cover 7 games in a row. The Pacer's are 4-0 ATS their L4 vs. the Celtic's, while the 'dog in this series is 20-7 their L27 meetings. Too many points to give Danny Granger and the Pacer's. Take Indiana.
Matt Rivers
Could Duke win this game going away 90-60? I guess they could, as the Cavaliers really do not have all that much going for them today against Coach K’s boys. But with that said Tony Bennett’s team did just have a solid upset victory yesterday over a decent enough Boston College team and will want some revenge today for the recent whacking they just took at Charlottesville against the Blue Devils.
In that last meeting between these teams UVA was doomed from the start when they learned an hour or so before tipoff that star Sylvan Landesberg was going to miss. That was devastating news and you can tell how the homeboys were just ill prepared to compete without their stud. It may be the same personnel today as Landesberg is not expected to play but things are totally different now as this fact is now the norm and not the exception.
The preparation showed yesterday in the Cavs far better overall performance.
Stopping Jon Scheyer is an almost impossible task and if Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith are on then we could have a lopsided result. But two touchdowns and a field goal is an absolute ton to lay and after seeing what happened yesterday on this Greensboro court how can one not take a stab on such a gargantuan number?
Virginia, Miami and NC State shocked BC, Wake Forest and Clemson respectively and North Carolina even almost pulled out a rare victory and fourth outright on the day. We could be seeing a developing trend here. Maybe not but when getting about 17 points back, maybe.
We will need heroic performances from Sammy Zeglinski, Mike Scott and maybe a few others but even if this thing is somewhat lopsided we could always potentially see that backdoor open up late.
Pick: Virginia
Nelly
Akron - over Western Michigan
Many will be quick to go against Akron after surviving a wild double-overtime affair on Thursday but the Zips, along with Kent State have been the clear top two teams in the MAC all season. Akron led by eight at halftime and was in control of this game but had a big deficiency on the foul line in regulation. Four starters fouled out of the game yesterday including arguably the team’s best player Chris McKnight, who played just nine minutes. Very few players on Akron were pushed to the limit more than a normal game based on the depth of this team and fouls forcing limited playing time. Eastern Michigan got a heroic performance from Carlos Medlock yesterday with 42-points to stay in the game and it should serve as the wake-up call that the Zips need to play their best basketball tonight and tomorrow. Western Michigan went 12-3 at home this season but just 3-10 in road games. Yesterday Western won against rival Central Michigan as the Chippewas shot very poorly yesterday. Akron has covered in seven of the last eight meetings in this series including a nine-point win in the regular season on a very tough home court for Western Michigan. Look for Akron to be ready to play a sharp game today even after the marathon affair yesterday.
Milwaukee – over Utah
The Jazz are playing great ball right now but this could be a tricky spot Friday night, facing a fifth road game in the past five contests. Utah has won four straight games but it has been mainly weak competition, with a win in Phoenix as the only quality opponent in the win streak. In the past ten games the Jazz have lost at the Clippers and at the Kings so this is still a team with the occasional suspect road outing despite a solid 17-14 S/U road mark. This is a battle between two of the best ATS teams in the NBA as Milwaukee has covered in eleven straight games, while winning ten of eleven games S/U with the lone loss coming in OT. Milwaukee is 21-9 S/U at home this season including 12-2 in the last 14 with an ATS mark of 19-10-1 at home. For the season Utah looks like the superior statistical team but Milwaukee has become an impressive defensive team in the last month, averaging just 87 points per game allowed over the past five games. The Jazz allow over 45 percent shooting in road games and Utah was fortunate to shoot over 56 percent in the first meeting between these teams. Milwaukee is coming off two huge home wins over Cleveland and Boston but the letdown factor has been absorbed with two full days between these games. The Jazz have been unreliable on the road for most of the season and this looks like a very tough situation for Utah to go against a very good defense.
SPORTS WAGERS
Nashville +1.39 over ANAHEIM
The good news for the Preds after that third period meltdown last night is that they get to return to the ice immediately tonight. Let’s not forget that they dominated the Sharks for two periods, had a 4-2 lead and were outshooting the Sharks 31-10 going into that third period. Dan Ellis couldn’t stop anything in the third period because and the Sharks scored an incredible six goals en route to an 8-5 win. It happens. Big deal. Now this even more inspired visitor will take to the ice against a team that has shown no heart, no guts and certainly no glory. Will their playoff lives at stake and in a position to make a run, the Ducks came out of the break with four straight losses. They allowed four goals or more in all four losses and it’s not like they were playing the Penguins and the Caps of the world. No, they allowed four or more to Colorado, Montreal, Phoenix and Columbus. The Ducks are sure as hell not taking a step down in class tonight against these very tough Predators that will be feeling absolutely no sympathy for the Ducks. This is a definite overlay. Play: Nashville +1.39 (Risking 2 units).
Pittsburgh/NEW JERSEY over 5½ +1.12
When you think of the Devils you always think great defense and goaltending but this is not that team anymore. The goaltending is below average these days, as is the Devils defense and the offense has had to pick it up in a big way. In fact, in six of the Devils last seven games the combined score has been seven goals or more including Wednesdays 6-3 win over the Rangers. The Devils offense is a lot better and what we have here is a complete reverse of form from the Devils squad were used to seeing. Instead of winning games 2-1 and 3-2, the Devils now have to score goals to win and it’s a different mindset. We all know what the Pens can do offensively and scoring three or four here on Brodeur is very likely to occur. However, they can also allow that many against, as Marc Andre Fleury is a fraction of the goalie he was in the past. This guy is fighting practically every puck that comes his way and cannot be trusted to come up with a good game. Lastly, for some reason or other there has been an abundance of scoring over the past week and it could be due to the fatigue factor. The NHL schedule has been shortened meaning the same number of games in a lot less days and it seems to have resulted in a lot more goals. Whatever the reason, this one has as good a chance and probably better of going over 5½ as any of them. Play: Pittsburgh/New Jersey over 5½ +1.12 (Risking 2 units).
Stan Lisowski
UTEP
Miners have covered 15 of their last 20 tournament games. In Conference USA, the chalk is on a 67% run in semi-final affairs. While the site is favorable to Tulsa, UTEP is 10-3 straight up in road/road neutral games this season and a perfect 5-0 when laying points away from home.
Tom Freese
UCLA vs. California
UCLA is 15-17 this year. Guard Michael Roll scores 13.6 points a game. Guard Malcom Lee is 12.3 points a a game. Forward Nikola Dragovic scores 12 points a game. Center Drew Gordon scores 11.2 points a game. Forward Reeves Nelson scores 11 points a game. The Bruins score 66.4 points a game. UCLA is 2-10 ATS off an ATS win and they are 2-6 their last 8 neutral site games. California is 21-9 this year. Guard Jerome Randall scores 18.7 points a game while shooting 40.7% from behind the arc. Guard Patrick Christopher scores 16 points a game. Forward Jamal Boykin scores 11.7 points a game. The Golden Bears score 77.4 points a game and they shoot 74.8% from the foul line. California is 5-0 ATS their last 5 games overall and they are 4-0 ATS off a straight up win. PLAY ON CALIFORNIA -
Derek Mancini
Washington (+6) at DETROIT
2-0 Free Play sweep Thursday - NC State and the Magic - to go along with the 30 Dimes Net Profit I delivered with my paid plays! Enjoy this Freebie, but don't forget to get my 20 Dime Conference Tourney Burial tonight!
Let's agree that this is a bad situation for the Wizards, who played last night (in a makeup game) against the Hawks, and then take on Orlando tomorrow. Very rare 3 games in 3 nights scenario, but this is still only the second game, so I don't expect fatigue to be as much of an issue as people are making it.
If we know this is a bad situation, obviously so does Vegas, and I question whether the Pistons can cover in this spot. I'm seeing a ton of public action on Detroit, and that's a little worrisome, because you know gamblers everywhere are touting the "fatigue angle." Don't get caught with blinders on, as there's a lot more to consider than just fatigue.
With Wallace out and Stuckey likely out, we're talking about a severly short-handed Pistons team tonight. That's good news for a Wizards team with a short bench, and even better news for Detroit's frontline, who'll have a better match up with defensive-minded Wallace out. Thornton, Blatche, and McGee should own this match up, tired or not, they're still playing against two former bench riders (Jerebko and Maxiell).
Grab the points with Wizards, as the fatigue factor is being way overplayed in this match up. Detroit is a bad team, who's dealing with some key injuries, and laying this much is simply out of the question. Washington plus the points here.
1♦ WASHINGTON
Miami-Florida (+4) vs Virginia Tech at Greensboro, N.C.
2-0 Free Play sweep Thursday - NC State and the Magic - to go along with the 30 Dimes Net Profit I delivered with my paid plays! Enjoy this Freebie, but don't forget to get my 20 Dime Conference Tourney Burial tonight!
Welcome to the ACC Tourney Reggie Johnson! The 'Canes redshirt freshman center exploded onto the scene with a 22 point (8 for 8 shooting) performance vs Wake Forest in their opener. If you haven't been following Miami, then you're probably fading them based on the Dwayne Collins injury. Was he there top scorer? Yes. But Reggie Johnson is the 'Canes future at the position, and the more minutes he plays, the more I like him over the inconsistent Collins.
These two schools split their regular season meetings, each winning on their home floor. But given a neutral court, I just don't see that much difference between these two programs. Delaney is obviously the best player on the court, but with James Dews finally regaining some confidence, the edge in the backcourt isn't a big as you think for the Hokies.
I got to be honest with you, I really expect Johnson to own his match up in the paint. Whereas Collins was 6'8 and 240+ pounds, Johnson is 6'10 and 295 lbs - a true center, and a load for a Hokies frontline without a true center. Allen is as close as they come to a center, and he's 6'7 and 230 lbs! More importantly, look at their match ups this season, Johnson was able to force a multitude of fouls in limited action (shot 15 free throws in 31 combined minutes), and the foul prone Hokies frontline will only see more of him this afternoon. Close game expected here, so let's take Miami-Florida plus the points in this contest.
3♦ MIAMI-FLORIDA
Stephen Nover
Denver at NEW ORLEANS
Denver has a history of playing flat against sub .500 teams and also scores less on the road.
In three of their last five road contests, the Nuggets have scored 85 against the Suns, 89 against the Lakers and 97 versus the Lakers. They've only had good scoring games versus Minnesota and Golden State during this recent span.
The Nuggets also will be without injured backup point guard Ty Lawson, a speedster who sets a fast tempo.
Rookie point guard Darren Collison has played well filling in for injured Chris Paul. But the Hornets are falling out of playoff contention. This is a huge game for them, so an intense defensive effort should be forthcoming.
The Hornets lost wingman Peja Stojakovic in their last game. He's out with a lower abdominal strain. This really hurts New Orleans' offense.
Stojakovic is the team's most dangerous 3-point shooter. His absence limits the Hornets' ability to spread the floor and create room for Collison. It's bad news for David West and Marcus Thornton.
If you discount the Hornets' 135 points scored against Golden State, the worst defensive team by far in the NBA, New Orleans is averaging 94.5 points in its last eight games.
The under has cashed the past five times the two teams have met in New Orleans.
2♦ UNDER
Karl Garrett
LA Clippers (+11) at CHARLOTTE
For Friday night in the NBA, have to take the bushelful of points the Clippers are getting in Charlotte.
Yes, LA has lost 5 in a row both straight up, and against the spread, but this is an awfully big impost to ask the Bobcats to cover considering they have a big Sunday game in Orlando up next.
Charlotte has won and covered 4 straight, but my feeling is this line is inflated by a few baskets.
The Clippers did win and cover this year's first meeting, and the road team is on an overall 8-2-1 spread run the last 11 times these teams have played each other.
Look for the Clippers slide to continue, but look for them to at least be inside of this very roomy impost in Charlotte on Friday night.
Take the points.
3♦ LA CLIPPERS
Dayton vs. XAVIER (-2') - at Atlantic City, NJ
College buckets Friday night on the famed boardwalk in Atlantic City, and revenge is the order of the day for the Musketeers as they take on the Flyers.
Dayton absolutely bludgeoned Xavier, 90-65 on February 6th at Dayton, but since that win, the Flyers haven't been anything special as evidenced by their 4-5 straight up mark, and their 2-6-1 spread mark in that span.
The Flyers 10-point win over George Washington on Tuesday was a little misleading, as that was a tight game for the better part of that 40-minute session.
Xavier comes into this meeting having rattled off 7 straight wins, while covering in 5 of those 7. Their last loss was that whitewashing at Dayton, and if you ask me they are on a mission in this game to ground the Flyers.
The "X"-Men are 8-2 straight up the last 10 in the series, and the favorite is on a 13-4 spread run the last 17 in the series.
G-Man on Xavier here.
5♦ XAVIER
Chris Jordan
Miami, Fla vs. Va Tech, at Greensboro, NC
I like Seth Greenberg, always have ever since he coached against UNLV annually in the Big West Conference.
And with the ACC having a somewhat down year, I think he's going to have his troops motivated for any opponent, and prepared to make a run through this event.
Since Miami basically lives and dies by the three, I think it'll play into Virginia Tech's hands. There is no real frontcourt threat with the Hurricanes, especialy since Dwayne Collins has been hampered by a leg injury.
Collins averaged a team-leading 11.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in ACC action.
I'll look for Virginia Tech junior guard Malcolm Delaney, the ACC's scoring leader, to have a big game for me today. Delaney has scored 20 or more points in each of his past four games, and this is the most important game the team will have played, as the run to the Big Dance begins today.
3♦ VIRGINIA TECH
W Michigan vs. Akron (-4), at Cleveland
Akron (23-9) has shot the heck out of ball in most of its meetings with Western Michigan (18-14) over the last five years, and this just might be the best version of Zips basketball the Broncos have seen in quite some time.
And with a chip on its shoulder, after losing the regular-season title to arch-rival Kent, which bowed out yesterday, Akron is going to be on fire to win this game.
And win it big!
I know there may be concerns about Akron possibty spending all of its energy in its 97-89 double-overtime win over Eastern Michigan yesterday, but make note the Zips were in foul trouble in that game, so several key personnel didn’t necessarily play that much.
The Zips are energized, believe that. And with Kent out of the way, they're going to want this even more now.
1♦ AKRON