Steve Janus
Iowa State Cyclones +5.5
There's no team in the country that Iowa State wants to beat more than the Jayhawks. Kansas escaped with a 97-89 win at home thanks to a fluke 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. They then received a very controversial call at Iowa State that allowed them to once again steal a win in overtime. The Cyclones match up extremely well with Kansas, which is why the Jayhawks have had so much trouble against this team. Not only do I think Iowa State will cover the spread, I expect them to win this game outright.
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Dallas Mavericks -7.5FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Dallas is starting to play much better and will be facing a shorthanded Cavs team tonight. Cleveland is a bad basketball team to begin with and Dallas needs a big easy win to make a playoff run. With Kobe injured for the Lakers that last spot is within reach for this team. Take Dallas.
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Georgetown -2FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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I am shocked Syracuse won yesterday, but then again it was against Pitt who always chokes in big games. Georgetown is a much more complete team and I believe this line is set low because people are going to back Cuse mainly due to history. Georgetown had not problem with this team a few days ago. What has changed? Take Georgetown.
Wunderdog
Memphis at Denver
Pick: Denver -5
It is hard to ignore what is happening in Denver, as the Nuggets have been playing at a blistering pace. The Nuggets are now on a 10-game winning streak, and at the same time are 9-0-1 ATS. Denver has just three home losses on the season, and have scored 100+ in 24 of their last 25 games. Memphis has played well themselves, but are simply running into a team that is even hotter, and overall more talented, with a huge home-court advantage. The Nuggets have been especially focused against a team with a winning road record as they are 12-0 ATS in their last 12 against them. This has never been a comfortable place for Memphis who is 6-14 ATS in their last 20 trips here. Take the home team to extend their streak.
Harry Bondi
SYRACUSE (+2) over Georgetown
The Hoyas absolutely embarrassed Syracuse just six days ago, laying down a 61-39 whooping on Senior Day. In that game, the Orange shot a dismal 1-for-11 from three-point land and just 31% overall from the field, a full 14 percentage points lower than their season average. Playing with double revenge, we don't expect Syracuse to shoot that poorly again, especially since they will be extra motivated to make a title run in what will their final appearance in the Big East Conference Tournament. Jim Boeheim is 9-2 ATS the last 10 years when revenging a loss of 20 points or more to an opponent and that trend rings true again today. Take the points!
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Chicago at Golden StateFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Play: Golden StateFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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It is almost impossible to invest in a team that is in a slump like the Chicago Bulls. They have lost four of their last five games and the Golden State Warriors look to make it six straight road losses for the Bulls. Sure, you may declare that most of those road losses were due to their strength of schedule and a run versus top teams like Oklahoma City, Indiana, San Antonio and the L.A. Lakers. However their last loss was embarrassing.
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Losing to the Sacramento Kings is one thing, but 121-79 is ridiculous and might be saying that their team simply didn't put out an effort that night or took a night off. But the Bulls have been sliding down the Eastern Conference ladder for many weeks losing seven of their last 11 games. They are one more loss from falling to seventh place in the conference.
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If I could point to one stat that determines the outcome of an NBA game, I'll take shooting percentage almost every time. And Chicago has been horrendous at putting the ball in the basket. They shot 38 percent from the field against the Kings and under 40 percent in each of those five road loses. Not having Kirk Hinrich (questionable for tonight's game), Rip Hamilton or Taj Gibson in the line-up, all of whom are injured, is not helping the Bulls put points on the board and perhaps also the anticipation of Derrick Rose returning is hindering the team's focus.
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Golden State is 2-0 versus Chicago at home in the last two years, and they have won 10 of their last 13 home games. I made the line Warriors -7 and would lay -6 or less in this contest.
Andrew Lange
Missouri vs. Mississippi
Play: Mississippi
When people think Ole Miss they think an underachieving squad that recently did the unthinkable and lost to woeful Mississippi State. But this is a squad that still won 23 games and went a respectable 12-6 in SEC play. Are there flaws? Absolutely. But I like the fact that rather than pack it in the Rebels beat Alabama and went on the road and roughed up LSU following the embarrassing lost to rival MSU. Missouri played a tougher SEC slate than Ole Miss but at 11-7 in league play, the Tigers also have flaws most notably performing well away from home against quality competition. I'm whipping the slate clean with the underdog and giving them a shot to stick around and potentially pull off the upset.
Teddy Covers
Cleveland at Dallas
Play: Cleveland
Dallas is in a very tough scheduling spot this evening. They played their guts out last night against San Antonio but came up a single point short, a hard fought defeat for a shorthanded team right now.
It doesn’t look like the Mavericks are going to have starting forward Shawn Marion on the floor again this evening, and starting center Chris Kaman is a major question mark after twisting his ankle last night. Last night’s loss dropped the Mavs into a tie with Portland in the West, both teams three games out of the final playoff spot.
For a sub .500 team like Dallas, it’s hard to picture them coming with maximum intensity here on the second night of back-to-backs. And we certainly shouldn’t forget that the Mavs have lost two of their last three at home in SU fashion, while the lone home win during that span came by only four points.
Cleveland notched a victory without injured point guard Kyrie Irving against Washington earlier this week. And the Cavs have been cashing winning bet after winning bet as a road underdog, including SU wins at Portland, Toronto, Orlando and Chicago, as well as a pair of pointspread covering losses in four point defeats at the hands of the Heat and Raptors in their last seven tries on the highway. The Cavs lost by only three on their lone visit to Dallas last year and a similarly tight game tonight would be no surprise for this bettor!
Tony Karpinski
Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State
Play: Oklahoma State
Neither team has an amazing big man to crush the boards, but OSU rebounds the ball slightly better, which will keep things moving. Which they have to do, as well as they need to stay aggressive. Oklahoma State has a bigger squad on the floor most times; they bring some beef, especially with their solid guard, Le'Bryan Nash. And with Nash playing how he has been, I anticipate big things from him and the defense and rebounding to be the difference.
Jeff Scott Sports
3 UNIT PLAYS
Miami -7.5 over Boston College: The Eagles have played very hard this year and have pulled some upsets along the way and they are off a big 20 point win over Georgia Tech, after trailing 15-0 in the game, but this is a Miami that is rested and should be rejuvenated after slumping a bit down the stretch. For Boston College it was a one player show for them yesterday, and Hanlan not poured in 41 points then Boston College would probably not be in this game. You can't expect the Kid to have the same kind of performance vs a much tougher Miami defense in this one and they will need the whole team to keep it close. In the two meetings this year Miami held BC to just 54.5 ppg on 41.1% shooting and they should keep them in that range again here. Miami is not a deep team, but they got the rest they needed and should come out and try to make a statement here with a huge win over a team that may be just a bit flat after their big come from behind win yesterday. Yes
Ohio State -13.5 over Nebraska: The Cornhuskers played well at home this year, but away from their friendly confines they were just 4-11 and were outscored by 12.1 ppg. In their 7 Big 10 road losses this year they were outscored by 19.1 ppg, and hey did lose to the Buckeyes by 26 on the road. The Huskers are off a big upset win over Purdue yesterday. while the Buckeyes come in rested and ready to make a run at the Big 10/11/12 tournament Title. The Buckeyes have been dominant down the stretch, especially defensively, allowing just 54.2 ppg in their last 5 games and that is not good news for a Husker squad that has averaged just 55.6 ppg away from home this year. The Buckeye offense has not been great this year, bu they have averaged 67.4 ppg in their last 5 games and Nebraska's defense has been erratic, allowing 70+ points in 5 of their last 8 games. he Huskers just won't nearly put up enough points to keep his one close. I smell a blowout here.
Tulsa/ Memphis Over 137.5: Tempo will be key here and both teams do play an uptempo style. Memphis check in averaging 75.1 ppg on the year, including averaging 78.4 ppg in their last 10 games. Memphis is 24th in the nation in pace and 76th in offensive efficiency. This very good offense will take on a Tulsa defense that has not played well of late, allowing 70+ points in 8 of their last 9 games, giving up 73.9 ppg (Reg) over that stretch. In the lone meeting between these teams, Tulsa allowed 94 points to the Tigers. Offensively the Golden Hurricanes have been very solid down the stretch, putting up 74.8 ppg in their last 5 games. They are also an uptempo team, ranking 84th in the nation in tempo. Memphis is a good defensive squad, but in a high tempo game they can give up some points and I expect this to be a high tempo game. Tulsa has more than enough offense to hit the high 60's while Memphis should be good for 75+ of their own. I look for this one to be played in the mid 140's.
Oklahoma State/ Kansas State Over 133: These teams played twice this year with 146 and 140 points being scored in those games. Oklahoma State has put up 70+ points in 5 of their last 6 games and they have averaged 76 ppg in their last 4 games. Oklahoma State on defense has not been great of late as they have allowed 68.2 ppg in their last 5 games and Kansas State did score 73 and 70 points vs them in the two meetings this year. In winning 8 of their last 7 games Kansas State has averaged 73.4 ppg and they have scored at least 66 points in 9 of their last 11 games. They should be good for at least that much vs this struggling OSU defense. Kasnas State has played great defense this year, but have struggled vs good offenses this year, allowing 67+ points to OSU twice, Iowa state and Kansas, and they can be inconsistent as well, allowing 68 to TCU and 69 to Texas, which are not good offensive teams. Should be a good game, and maybe a foul fest at the end as well. I look for each team to put up at least 67 points in this one.
Don Best Consensus
Magic at Thunder
Pick: Over
Over is 13-3 in Orlando's last 16 vs. Western Conference. Over is 5-0 in Orlando's last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Both teams allow about 100 ppg so we like it over .
Nelly
North Carolina - over Florida State
North Carolina should be motivated for a better showing after being humiliated in the hyped finale with Duke last weekend. That loss snapped an excellent six-game win streak where North Carolina had won each game by at least nine points, including a 21-point win over Florida State at home. North Carolina was favored by 12 in that game yet despite a still favorable venue the Tar Heels are priced four points cheaper in tonight's match-up. Florida State had to play the late game last night barely sneaking by Clemson and coming back from a five-point halftime deficit. The Seminoles shot 49 percent last night while getting sent to the line 32 times but still barely won against a 13-18 Clemson squad. Florida State did pick up nice late season win over Virginia and NC State at home but the Seminoles have lost six of the last seven road games including losing by double-digits in all six of those games. This will feel like a road game with a Carolina crowd in Greensboro. The rebounding edge should be substantial for North Carolina in this match-up and the Tar Heels should also have superior outside shooting. Florida State beat North Carolina in the ACC Tournament last season, something this Tar Heels squad certainly remembers and Florida State should be out-manned for a third time this season in this match-up.
NHL Predictions
Calgary Flames -133
The Nashville Predators are 11-10-6 on the season and 5-8-2 on the road. Calgary is 10-11-4 on the year and 7-5-2 at home. Nashville is coming off a 7-4 loss in Vancouver last night, which was their 7th loss in their last 10 games. The Predators have just one win in their last 7 road games. The Flames are coming off a big 5-2 win at home on Wednesday vs Detroit night that broke up a 3 game losing streak. Calgary has now won 5 straight home games, scoring 21 goals over those 5 games (just over 4 per game). The Flames are playing well at home lately, while the Predators have been struggling on the road and are playing in the second of a back to back. I like Calgary risking a bit of chalk at -133.