Wunderdog Sports
Toronto Raptors vs. New Jersey Nets
Play: New Jersey Nets -3
The New Jersey Nets are certainly an improved team, but there was nowhere else to go but up for this team, and they are currently in the thralls of a six-game losing streak. Toronto has fallen hard when Chris Bosh opted to take his game to Miami. This is a team that owns just five road wins the entire season, and owns just a single road win since the new year, and that was against a team in the midst of dropping 25 games in a row, the Cleveland Cavaliers. The points haven't helped either as the Raptors are now 0-7 ATS in their last seven on the road. I’m playing New Jersey here.
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Loyola Marymount +7
Motivated by 3 straight defeats and out to avenge an embarrassing 71-48 home loss to Portland last month, expect Loyola Marymount to rise to the occasion to give the Pilots a game. The history books tell us that this is a great spot for the Lions. In fact, plays on neutral court teams looking to avenge a home loss to an opponent, and coming off 2 straight losses to conference rivals, are an impressive 34-10 ATS the last 5 seasons. It is also worth noting that this system has gone 21-3 ATS the last 3 seasons. The Lions are coming off losses at Santa Clara and at San Francisco, but they managed to play the Broncos and Dons to 6 and 2-point games respectively to cover the number in each. In fact, Loyola Marymount is 12-4 ATS when playing away from home and matched up against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. We also can't overlook Portland's poor tournament history. That's because the Pilots are 0-7 ATS when playing away from home in their last 7 first round tournament games. They are actually losing these contests by an average score of 71.0 to 66.4. Take the points.
Steve Janus
2* Bulls +2
You have to be impressed with Orlando's comeback win over the Heat last night, but I believe that huge second half run really took a lot out of the Magic, leaving them with little in tank for their game against the Bulls tonight. Chicago will be more than ready to play, especially Derrick Rose, after their collapse in Atlanta Wednesday night. Orlando is just 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games when their starting 5 players combine for more than 160 minutes of the previous day, while the Bulls are 21-7-1 ATS in their last 29 games following a S.U. loss, and a perfect 7-0-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600! Bet Chicago!
Info Plays
3* Indiana Pacers +8.5
1) While the Mavericks are playing outstanding basketball right now. We believe Dallas will struggle against Indiana without Tyson Chandler in the lineup. Chandler might not seem like a big loss, but it is really going to hurt their defense and rebounding. Not to mention the Pacers beat the Mavs 102-89 earlier this season.
2) Dallas is just 7-20 ATS in home games vs the Eastern Conference over the last 2 seasons.
3) Indiana is 8-1 ATS after allowing 100 points or more 2 straight games this season, and are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Scott Spreitzer
Creighton @ Northern Iowa
PICK: Creighton -1
I had a big play on the Blue Jays last Saturday on these pages. Creighton cashed, but almost blew it late in the game. The Jays led by double-digits in the second half, displaying a mismatch at both ends of the floor. But the Jays, who make roughly 72% of their free throws, made just 9 of 20 and let the Panthers back in the game. Creighton has superior talent and I expect it to be on display again. The Jays have a lot of young players and they may be the frontrunner to win the MVC next season. They own a strong inside-out game with three go-to-players on the blocks, and Doug McDermott and Antoine Young making teams pay from the perimeter. UNI meanwhile, has been in a slide since losing defensive specialist Lucas O'Rear. But the forward was more to this team than rebounds and defense. Very few in the league were better at high picks and screens, freeing up other players to take open shots. UNI enters on a 1-6 SU, 1-7 ATS slide, while the Jays are 13-5 ATS in Mo-Valley action this season. While Creighton may be a season away from a top-25 run, I do believe they're ready to make a mini-run in MVC tourney action. I'm backing the Blue Jays on Friday afternoon.
Telly
1 of 2 free plays tonight.
Penn-Harvard under 132
MTi Sports
Chicago Bulls at Orlando Magic
Prediction: Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are the road Warriors of the league, as they are a perfect 14-0 ATS (+7.7 ppg) as a dog when they are playing in at least their third straight road game. Also, Chicago is 7-0 ATS (+11.3 ppg) after a game in which more than 75% of their baskets were assisted and 8-0 ATS (+7.8 ppg) on the road after a loss in which Joakim Noah had a double double. Orlando is 0-7 ATS (-9.6 ppg) with no rest after a game in which they shot at least ten three-pointers and made at least half of them and 0-7 ATS (-7.9 ppg) at home after a game on the road in which more than 70% of their baskets were assisted. If the Magic win convincingly here, we?ll be very impressed. The Bulls are the side on which to be.
Michael Alexander
Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs
Play: San Antonio Spurs -2
MIAMI is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) after having lost 3 of their last 4 games this season
SAN ANTONIO is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) after 5 straight games forcing opponent to commit 14 or less turnovers over the last 2 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) versus good teams - outscoring their opponents by 3+ points/game this season
Rocketman Sports
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Play: Philadelphia 76ers -9
Minnesota is 4-18 ATS this year after a non-conference game. Philadelphia is 6-0 ATS this year against Northwest Division opponents. Minnesota is 5-25 SU on the road this year allowing 109.6 points per game. Minnesota has lost 8 of their last 10 games overall. Philadelphia has won 4 of their last 5 games overall. Minnesota is 6-15 ATS last 21 games as an underdog. Minnesota is 1-8 ATS last 9 after an ATS win. Philadelphia is 19-7 ATS last 27 after a SU loss. We'll recommend a small play on Philadelphia tonight!
Ray Monohan
Phoenix Suns vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Play: Milwaukee Bucks +3
Tonight in the NBA we get the Suns vs. Bucks. I think the Suns will want to get back on track but just not sure it can happen tonight. The Bucks are 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 Friday games. The Bucks D continues to improve this season as they rank 3rd in points allowed (92.8), 7th in defensive field goal percentage (44.5) and 5th in opponents’ 3-point percentage (33.5). The line value is decent as well I think as the PUBLIC appears to be backing the Suns. Yes I know the Bucks have lost 10 of 14 and are being hit hard by injuries, but they are coming off a Tuesday win against Detroit. PG Brandon Jennings, who was benched in the 4th qtr vs. the Bulls on Saturday and complained publicly about his lack of involvement on the offensive end, scored 21, and is playing his best ball of the season. Steve Nash on the other hand is starting to show is age and looked VERY tired against the Celts. Check injury status as well for Frye and Carter who collided the other night, they may BOTH be out tonight. Trends I like for tonight include, Suns are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest and are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Bucks are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games following a ATS loss. I expect the Bucks to keep this one close and possibly win straight up.
Black Widow
1* on Los Angeles Lakers -11.5
Sure, the Charlotte Bobcats have been a bigger thorn in the Lakers' side over the last few seasons than any other team in the league. That being said, they are well aware of that fact and will look to put a serious beat down on the Bobcats while continuing to play their best basketball of the season. The Lakers are 5-0 SU & 5-0 ATS in five games since the All-Star Break. Having everyone back and fully healthy has made a huge difference, especially inside where Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom are having their way with the oppositions. The Lakers are allowing just 88.4 points/game during this 5-game winning streak. With these contests being a lot more meaningful this time of year, it's clear that the Lakers have picked up their play. Charlotte made a terrible move trading away Gerald Wallace, and it's already backfired. The Bobcats have lost back-to-back games by 14 points at Orlando and by 40 points at Denver. They stand no chance of keeping this game close tonight against an even better team in the Lakers who will be looking for revenge. The Bobcats are 5-18 ATS (-14.8 Units) in road games when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 70%) - 2nd half of the season since 1996. Charlotte is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Take the Lakers and lay the points.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Los Angeles Lakers -11.5
This game is all about revenge for the Lakers, as last month's 20-point loss at Charlotte isn't sitting well. LA should have their revenge at home this evening against a Bobcats squad that hasn't looked good since trading Gerald Wallace to Portland. Without Wallace, Charlotte has lost its last two games to Orlando and Denver by 14 and 40 points respectively. Plus, the Lakers enter this contest in good current form. They are a perfect 5-0 SU and ATS since the All-Star break. Charlotte is 5-18 ATS in its last 23 road games in the 2nd half of the season when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 70%). It is losing these contests by an average of 13.6 points. Take the Lakers.
Jack Jones
Phoenix Suns -2
The Phoenix Suns are showing solid value Friday night as just a 2-point road favorite over the lowly Milwaukee Bucks. Phoenix is playing some of their best basketball of the season right now despite a road loss to the Boston Celtics last time out. The Suns are 11-4 in their last 15 games overall and are making yet another late-season push as the playoffs draw closer. The Milwaukee Bucks have gone the other way, going 4-10 in their last 14 games overall to essentially fall out of the Eastern Conference playoff race as they sit at 23-36 on the season.
Milwaukee is depleted right now due to injuries. The Bucks are without starters Andrew Bogut and Drew Gooden, as well as key role players Chris Douglas-Roberts and Ersan Ilyasova. Phoenix is 8-1 SU in their last 9 meetings with Milwaukee overall. All eight of those victories came by 4 points or more, and six came by 8 or more points. The favorite is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings. The Bucks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games. Milwaukee is 9-18 ATS against Western Conference foes this year. The Suns are 30-13 ATS when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons. Roll with Phoenix Friday.
Dave Price
1 Unit on San Antonio Spurs -2
It will be extremely difficult for the Heat to bring the necessary energy and passion to defeat the Spurs in San Antonio following such a devastating loss to the Magic last night. The Spurs may be without Tony Parker, but they found ways to win without him in the past. Plus, they are 28-2 on their home floor this season. Miami is 0-7 ATS after having lost 3 of its last 4 games this season. San Antonio is 8-0 ATS in home games against Southeast division opponents over the last 2 seasons. Take the Spurs.
Larry Ness
Wright State @ Cleveland State
PICK: Cleveland State -3
The second round of Horizon League tournament moves to U.S. Cellular Arena in Milwaukee, as Cleveland State meets Wright State. The Vikings (No. 3 seed) took care of Illinois-Chicago 73-61 on Tuesday night with the Raiders (No. 6 seed) beating Green Bay 60-50. The Vikings swept the season series this year for the first time since 1997-98 and it’s never easy to win three in a row over an opponent. However, Cleveland St knows its at-large chances are not great (despite a 25-6 record), so anything less than advancing to the Horizon championship game would leave the Viking with not a shred of hope come Selection Sunday (truth is, the Vikings almost HAVE to win this tourney). Anyway, the good news in this game is, the Vikings really match up well with the Raiders, who rely almost entirely on their backcourt. The 6-8 Cooper Land (8.9-3.0) is the team's lone big man and CSU’s 6-9 Pogue (8.2-6.) and the 6-6 Kamczyc (5.7-3.6) should be just fine. By the way, Pogue tallied 33 points in CSU’s two wins over WSU during the season. Duggins (18.2-3.9), Evans (14.1-4.0-3.3) and Tabler (10.9) make for an excellent Wright St backcourt but Tabler has just returned from an injury, scoring six points in his first game back and then going scoreless in 28 minutes of his second game (not a positive sign). Even when 100 percent, the WSU backcourt still has the challenge facing the Horizon’s League’s sure-to-be MVP, guard Cole (21.8-6.0-5.4), who is joined by two excellent partners, Harmon (13.4-4.1) and Montgomery (12.1). I typically don’t play on a team to beat another three times in the same season but there are exceptions to every rule . Take Cleveland St to complete the trifecta.