SPORTS WAGERS
Los Angeles +138 over DETROIT
The Kings are undervalued here for a number of reasons. Last night, as a small favorite in Columbus, they lost 3-1 and that puts a bad taste in the mouths of bettors. The Kings will now play the tail end of back-to-backs here and their third game in four days. That would be somewhat of a concern but one could argue that the Kings took the Jackets lightly and were looking slightly ahead to this one. How could they not be after the Red Wings went into Los Angeles a week before Christmas and clobbered the Kings, 8-2? When you’re on the cusp of a playoff spot, every point is crucial from here on out and last night's loss was a good reminder that you can't have suffer lapses. The Red Wings might be in “relax mode”, as they buried this intruder twice already this year and they have an important game in Nashville tomorrow night. The Red Wings are four points up on Nashville. The two teams sit in fourth and fifth place in the West, meaning there's a very good chance that they'll meet in the first round of the playoffs with the team finishing fourth earning home ice for that series. With Pavel Datsyk, Nicklaus Lindstrom, Jimmy Howard, Todd Betuzzi and a few others on the rack, the Red Wings' focus could be off here in anticipation of tomorrow. Kings need to wake up from last night's loss and the opportunity couldn’t be better. Play: Los Angeles +138 (Risking 2 units).
SPORTS WAGERS
SACRAMENTO +110 over Dallas
The Champs are five games over .500. The Mavericks have just two wins in their past eight games. The two wins came against the 4-13 traveling Jazz and a highly anticipated home date with the Knicks. They played in Phoenix last night and lost by a bucket. They have recent losses to New Jersey as a 10½-point favorite and another in New Orleans. Dallas plays its third game in four days, tail end of back-to-backs and they'll play in Golden State tomorrow for its third game in three days. As a result of the three games in three days, expect minutes to be rationed tonight. The Kings are 9-6 at home. They're an erratic bunch but they do possess talent and they are improving. They have a pair of super-talented building blocks in Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins. Sac has won four of its past six home games which include wins over Oklahoma City and Portland. They're rested and ready to go, as home crowd should have the place rockin’ with the champion Mavs' in town. Play: Sacramento +113 (Risking 2 units).
PHILADELPHIA -6½ over Utah
One might believe the 76ers are satisfied with their 30-point win over the Celtics but with eight losses over their previous 10 games, they're not. Philly also lost in Salt Lake in late December and that should have them paying attention to this assignment. The Jazz are getting way too much credit. They're so tough at home but on the road they have five wins in 18 tries. Two of those wins came on this current trip but they occurred in Cleveland and Charlotte. Aside from winning two straight on the road, the Jazz have a recent home win over the Heat. Overall, they've won four of five with only loss coming at Dallas over that span. That has them overvalued in this spot, playing their fourth consecutive on the road against one of the best teams in the East that just snapped a mini-funk. No setback or mercy will be shown here. Play: Philadelphia -6½ +100 (Risking 2.1 units to win 2)
Jeff Scott Sports
3 UNIT PLAY
Temple/ UMass Over 151: The last couple of years have shown that these are not the same Temple Owls that were a grind it out, game in the 50s-60s kind of squad. No this team likes to run and they will certainly get a chance today vs a UMass team that also likes to push the ball. The Owls come in averaging a solid 76.2 ppg on the year and they have averaged 77.3 ppg (Reg) in their last 10 games, plus they have averaged 77.4 ppg in the A-10 this year. Now this how scoring offense gets to face a UMass team that has been pretty bad at the defensive end this year. UMass actually allows just 40.5% shooting on the year, but because of their pace teams do get a lot of shots, so they have allowed 71.5 ppg overall. In the A-10 they have allowed 75 ppg, but on just 41.5% shooting, but again that's due to the pace. Temple's defense has not been the best as they come in allowing 69.7 ppg both overall and within the A-10 and will be facing a high octane UMass team that has averaged 76.6 ppg overall and 76.2 ppg in the A-10, while also ranking in the top 10 in the nation in shots per game. This will be an up and down game with a lot of offense and very little defense. The last 2 in this series has also gone to OT, so it should be a close game as well, which should get us some FT's at the end and both teams are above average in shooting FT's. I expect this one to be played in the 160's.
2 UNIT PLAY
Florida -4 over Alabama: (Added) Two teams that are headed in opposite directions, but I still feel the Gators are the right side. Alabama's defense will need to be in top form today if it wants to slow down the potent Florida shooting attack. Despite its recent struggles, the Gators will buckle down and find a way to advance after having several days to prepare.
1 UNIT PLAY
Michigan State -10.5 over Iowa: The Hawkeyes will look for revenge for a 34 point beatdown the Spartans gave them during the regular season, but it just won't happen. Iowa's offense has been down as they have averaged just 62.6 ppg in their last 5 games and that may not improve here as the Spartans have allowed just 59.8 ppg in their last 5 games.Iowa has played better defense of late (63 ppg last 5), but they still allow 76 ppg on the road. Michigan State just has too much at both ends of the floor for the Hawkeyes to overcome here. Michigan State is my pick to win the Big 10 tourney and they will get off to a strong start here.
AccuScore
Charlotte Bobcat vs. New Jersey Nets Under 192.5 Points
Over the past week AccuScore has gone 8-5, 61.5 percent, picking totals when the betting line is between 190.5 to 195 points. The under occurs in 52 percent of simulations and is a four-star Advisor play. AccuScore’s record picking totals in New Jersey games is 13-8, 61.9 percent.
Boston Celtics vs. Portland Trail Blazers Under 188 Points
The AccuScore computer projects the over at 188 points, but I’m going to fade the pick. Portland has gone over the posted total just 41.2 percent of the time on the road. Boston has gone over the posted total just 39.1 percent of the time at home. The computer has correctly picked Celtics totals just 8 of 23 times, a rate of 34.8 percent.
Sacramento Kings vs. Dallas Mavericks Under 196 Points
The computer pick is actually the over, but it is just a one-star Advisor play. Dallas has gone under more often than over on the road. AccuScore has gone just 5-11 picking totals for Dallas games.
Free NBA Release for 3/9: Utah Jazz +6.5 over Philadelphia. We successfully played on the 76ers two nights ago as our "Play Of The Day" against a tired Boston Celtics club. But we like the Jazz to keep it within the numbers tonight. Utah enters this game a solid 4-1 at the window in their last five, including wins over Miami and Houston. In fact their only loss ATS was in their last game against the Bobcats, where they won by 6 but failed to cover the 7 point spread. Philadelphia has not been the same since losing Spencer Hawes. They owned the NBA in the first half of the season, but now find themselves just 3-8 SU and ATS in their last eleven games. Utah is 4-1 SU and ATS vs. the 76ers over the last three years, and a perfect 3-0 ATS when catching 6.5 to 9 points vs anyone this year. Philadelphia is just 8-10 ATS this year coming off a SU win of 10 or greater. We'll gladly invest in the hotter team to simply keep it close tonight. Take the road dog, Utah +6.5. Our free plays are now 175-93-1 all-time, 5-0 in their last five. Sign up today at www.iseewinners.com to receive all of the best free basketball picks via email. Thank you, and best of luck!
Jimmy Boyd
Boston Celtics -3
We'll fade the Trail Blazers tonight considering their poor performance on the road, as an underdog and against Boston.
The Blazers have almost been a dead fade on the road where they are just 6-16 ATS in their last 22. They are 3-14 ATS in their last 17 games as an underdog and 3-11 ATS in their last 14 games as a road underdog. They are even 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog of 4.5 points or less.
Boston has won 4 in a row and 11 of the last 12 in this series. It has done the majority of the winning against the spread as well, covering the number in 10 of the last 13 meetings.
Motivated by Wednesday's embarrassing loss at Philly which snapped a 5-game win streak, expect the Celtics to bounce back strong against a team it has owned.
Wunderdog
Miami Hurricanes vs. Florida State Seminoles
Pick: Miami Hurricanes +3
This is a huge in-state rivalry game in ACC action, pitting Miami, Fla. against the Florida State Seminoles. The Hurricanes are the team in need here, as many have them dangerously on the bubble. While they lost by just 5 points at Florida State, they blew out the Seminoles at home, and should be hungry and confident for this one. A win over a ranked team should put them on the better side of the bubble. Miami has been tough on the defensive end allowing opponents to shoot an average of less than 40% for the season, and a good sign was their lackluster 33% shooting effort that still resulted in an 18-point win vs. Georgia Tech last night. Play on Miami.
NHLPredictions
Pittsburgh Penguins -½ -140
The Panthers were in Philadelphia last night and lost 5-0, making them losers in 3 of their last 4 games. The Panthers beat Ottawa at home on Sunday, but previous losses included a 3-1 home loss to Nashville and a 7-0 loss in Winnipeg. Florida still sits a top of the Southeast division with their 31-23-12 record and 15-14-4 road record. The Penguins are looking for their 8th straight win tonight, after a Wednesday night victory over Toronto gave them 7 straight wins. Other wins have come against the Rangers, Lightning, Blue Jackets, Stars, Avs, and Coyotes. Take note that 6 of the 7 victories were in regulation. The Penguins are 40-21-5 on the season and a solid 22-8-2 at home. These two teams have met 3 times this season, with Pittsburgh winning 2 of the three which includes a 4-2 home victory (the road win was a 4-1 win). Florida has gone 0-6 in their last 6 games in Pittsburgh. Note that the Panthers have won just 5 of their last 17 road games, and only 8 of their last 26 games as an underdog. The Penguins have won 21 of their last 29 home games and 19 of their last 26 overall. Also note that Pittsburgh is 11-1 in their last 12 vs the weaker Southeast division. Pittsburgh should continue their run with Marc-Andre Fleury back in net tonight. I like the Pens to win in regulation.
Jeff Alexander
Sacramento Kings +1.5
This is a tough spot for the struggling Mavs, who will be playing their 2nd game in as many nights and 4th in 5 days. They will draw maximum effort from the rested Kings, who will be out to avenge an embarrassing 99-60 loss in the season's first meeting. The Mavericks are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite. The Kings are 14-6 ATS in their last 20 games overall and 12-4 ATS in their last 16 games as an underdog. Also, the home team is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings. Bet the Kings.
Dave Price
New York Knicks -1.5
Off 3 straight losses to Boston, Dallas and San Antonio, expect the Knicks to get back in the win column against a less talented Milwaukee team tonight. The Knicks check in off back-to-back double-digit defeats but are 20-5 ATS in their last 25 games off 2 consecutive road losses by 10 points or more. They are winning by an average of 3.4 points in this situation. We'll bet New York.
Bryan Power
New Orleans @ Denver
PICK: Over 193.5
At first blush, it may seem to be a risky proposition betting the Hornets Over the total, but take note that they did go Over in their previous game, a 99-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings Wednesday night. It was actually the third time in the last four games that a New Orleans game saw the Over cash. Denver is also off a one-point loss, theirs coming as 10-point home favorites against Cleveland. That game did not go Over the total, but the number was also much higher. This in fact has opened as the third lowest total for a Nuggets game all season. The only two lower, wouldn't you guess it, also came against the Hornets. Now while both of those games saw the Under cash, the third time will be the charm! Denver is 8-2 Over off a SU loss as a double-digit home favorite, including a perfect 2-0 this season.
Teddy Covers
New Mexico @ UNLV
Pick: New Mexico +4
This is a true home game for UNLV, and the betting markets are definitely respecting the Rebels strong home court. We’ve seen money pour in on UNLV in early betting action on Friday, respecting UNLV’s perfect 18-0 mark at the Thomas & Mack Center.
But we must remember three things right off the bat. First, the Lobos are very familiar with this venue, playing their third game on this court in the last two months. Second, the Lobos travel extremely well, with thousands of their own fans making the trip to Las Vegas – New Mexico will enjoy plenty of crowd support tonight, even on this hostile floor. And third, right now, New Mexico is the better of these two teams!
The Rebels were nothing short of outstanding in non-conference play, including upset wins over North Carolina and what was a good Illinois team at the time. The Rebels were excellent on their first pass through their Mountain West conference schedule. But once teams got another look at Dave Rice’s squad on their second pass through the conference, the Rebels came up short – very short – repeatedly. The results don’t lie. UNLV is on a 3-9 ATS run, winning and covering only against weaker Mountain West entrants Wyoming (on senior day), Boise and Colorado State. UNLV has been a pointspread nightmare down the stretch, consistently overvalued by the betting markets.
Meanwhile, New Mexico has just gotten better and better as the season has progressed. Unlike UNLV, the Lobos have been an undervalued commodity ever since their very early season struggles against the likes of New Mexico State and Santa Clara. Since those two November losses, the Lobos are on a 20-6 ATS run. They beat UNLV by twenty when these two teams met just three weeks ago, controlling the glass and relegating the Rebels to a steady stream of contested perimeter jumpers. Don’t expect a 25+ point turnaround from that recent meeting in tonight’s rematch! Take New Mexico.
JEFF SCOTT SPORTS
4 UNIT PLAYS
Notre Dame/ Louisville Over 118: Gotta really like the over in this one. I know that Notre Dame will try and slow the game down, but I believe that the Cardinals can speed up the Irish just enough for this game to go Over. 5 of the last 6 in this series has gone to OT and each one of the last 9 in this series has hit at least 132 points. Last night Louisville showed how effective they can when they press and push the ball and you can expect the same game plan here. The problem is that when you press Notre Dame they can take advantage in the open spots of the defense cause they have such good ball handlers. Notre Dame does use the Burn offense, but this team does shoot very well and should be able to get their points in this one. This pace will be more of an uptempo game than the Irish are used to, plus this game should be close and that means either OT or FT's at the end. I'm looking at a game where about 130 points are scored.
Missouri -5.5 over Texas: (Added) Missouri is a very experienced team that will will put a lot of pressure on this young Texas team and I don't expect the Longhorns to hold up. They are off a huge win last night vs Iowa State that may have gotten them in the Big Dance and they may not be ready for a big effort here. Missouri would love to win the Big 12 tournament, but more importantly they would like to improve their seeding in the Big dance as well. I look for a Missouri rout here.
3 UNIT PLAYS
Temple/ UMass Over 151: The last couple of years have shown that these are not the same Temple Owls that were a grind it out, game in the 50s-60s kind of squad. No this team likes to run and they will certainly get a chance today vs a UMass team that also likes to push the ball. The Owls come in averaging a solid 76.2 ppg on the year and they have averaged 77.3 ppg (Reg) in their last 10 games, plus they have averaged 77.4 ppg in the A-10 this year. Now this how scoring offense gets to face a UMass team that has been pretty bad at the defensive end this year. UMass actually allows just 40.5% shooting on the year, but because of their pace teams do get a lot of shots, so they have allowed 71.5 ppg overall. In the A-10 they have allowed 75 ppg, but on just 41.5% shooting, but again that's due to the pace. Temple's defense has not been the best as they come in allowing 69.7 ppg both overall and within the A-10 and will be facing a high octane UMass team that has averaged 76.6 ppg overall and 76.2 ppg in the A-10, while also ranking in the top 10 in the nation in shots per game. This will be an up and down game with a lot of offense and very little defense. The last 2 in this series has also gone to OT, so it should be a close game as well, which should get us some FT's at the end and both teams are above average in shooting FT's. I expect this one to be played in the 160's.No
New Mexico +4 over UNLV: (Added) The Lobo's are 25-6 on the year and they are playing very well right now. New Mexico has played good defense this year as they have allowed just 59.4 ppg and UNLV had problems with a tough Wyoming defense last night. UNLV is at home in this game, but they are really not playing with a lot of fire and determination and I feel that give a motivated Lobo team a big edge here. I look for New Mexico to win this one outright.
Colorado State/ San Diego State Over 133.5: (Added) Both of these teams like to play the uptempo game and both games this year put up 137+ points. CSU''s last 5 games have averaged 136 ppg, while SDSU's last 5 have averaged 140.2 ppg. Both teams have averaged over 70 ppg on the year, while both defenses have been average at bets. In an uptempo game I see about 140 points in this one.
2 UNIT PLAYS
Florida -4 over Alabama: Two teams that are headed in opposite directions, but I still feel the Gators are the right side. Alabama's defense will need to be in top form today if it wants to slow down the potent Florida shooting attack. Despite its recent struggles, the Gators will buckle down and find a way to advance after having several days to prepare.
Tennessee -3.5 over Ole Miss: I like the way the Vols are playing down the stretch and after starting the year playing horrible defense they have shored up that part of their game. In their first 9 games they allowed 70+ point in 5 of those games, but in their last 8 games they have allowed more than 64 points twice and 1 of those games was in OT. I feel the Vols are a sleeper team in the SEC and shold start of with a solid win here.
1 UNIT PLAYS
Michigan State -10.5 over Iowa: The Hawkeyes will look for revenge for a 34 point beatdown the Spartans gave them during the regular season, but it just won't happen. Iowa's offense has been down as they have averaged just 62.6 ppg in their last 5 games and that may not improve here as the Spartans have allowed just 59.8 ppg in their last 5 games.Iowa has played better defense of late (63 ppg last 5), but they still allow 76 ppg on the road. Michigan State just has too much at both ends of the floor for the Hawkeyes to overcome here. Michigan State is my pick to win the Big 10 tourney and they will get off to a strong start here. Yes
Xavier -2.5 Over Dayton: (Added) Xavier just the better team here. They were ranked in the top 10 at one point this year and they really need to grab some wins to get in the Tourney. I feel they start tonight.