Jimmy Boyd
Dallas Mavericks -4
The Clippers have rattled off 5 straight wins, but I expect their winning streak to come an end on the road, where they have lost 3 in a row and 5 of 6. Their last 3 road losses have come by an average of 14.3 points. The Clippers have especially struggled in Dallas, where they have lost 10 in a row by an average of 10.7 points. Dallas has won 6 of its last 7 at home with all 6 of those wins coming by at least 5 points. We'll lay the number here.
Black Widow
Portland Trail Blazers -2
Getting the Portland Trail Blazers as this small of a home favorite tonight is an absolute gift from oddsmakers. While the Utah Jazz have been playing a lot better of late, they have no business getting this kind of respect. This is a very important game for both teams as they are each on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs. Home-court advantage has proven to be huge in this series. The home team is 14-6 ATS in the last 20 meetings. Portland is 18-9 at home this season, while the Jazz are just 8-19 on the road this year. The Jazz are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Take the Blazers and lay the points.
Jeff Alexander
Rockets/Bulls OVER 186
Off a lackluster offensive performance, I expect the Bulls to get their offense going against a Houston squad that is giving up 100.8 ppg on the road this season. Playing the "Over" on all teams when the total is between 180 and 189.5 points (CHICAGO) after going under the total by 30 or more points combined in their last three games, in April games, has produced a 36-11 (77%) mark the last 5 seasons. We have seen an average posted total of 185.3 points in these games and the team fitting into this situation has combined with its opponent to score 194.1 points on average. This system is 12-4 the last 3 seasons. Take the Over.
Steve Janus
Memphis Grizzlies +8
The Thunder played with some serious intensity in their showdown with the Bulls on Sunday afternoon. Oklahoma City jumped out to an early lead and cruised to 92-78 win. Prior to that game, the Thunder played a big game on the road against the Lakers.
It's going to be extremely hard for this team to bring that same intensity against Memphis. The Thunder have already beat the Grizzlies 3 times this season. This is a prime let down spot.
At the same time. Memphis will be extremely motivated in a huge revenge spot. I think the Grizzlies are a team to watch out for down the stretch. Memphis just recently got back All-Star power forward Zach Randolph, and its only a matter of time before he really gets going.
The Grizzlies come in having won 3 of 4, which includes a 102-96 win at the Lakers and a 99-95 win at Milwaukee. Another thing to keep in mind, all three of the Thunder's wins in this series have come by 7-points or less. Memphis is 32-13-1 ATS in their last 46 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Jeff Scott Sports
3 UNIT PLAYS
Memphis +8 over Oklahoma City: Get out the bread because then Thunder may be in one of the biggest sandwich spots all season long. Not only are they off a HUGE game vs the Bulls, but they really walloped them in that game and then up next for this team is a road game at Miami. This is a real tough scheduling spot for them here. The Thunder are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 homes games in a BB situation and 0-7 ATS in their last 7 vs. NBA Southwest., while the Grizzlies are 32-13-1 ATS in their last 46 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Memphis has been a solid team this year and they have won 3 of their last 4 games, including road wins over the Lakers and Milwaukee. OKC is 3-0 SU this year vs Memphis but all three have been decided by 7 points or less and the Grizzlies have been dogs of 8 or more just once this year and that was on this floor, in a game in which the Thunder won by just 7 points. the Lakers, Miami and Chicago have made up 3 of the Thunder's last 4 games and they have Miami on deck. Great spot for a Grizzlies team to keep this one close.
Minnesota/ Sacramento Under 217: These teams have met 3 times this year and while 214 points were scored in the first game, the two teams did put up just 170 and 185 points in the other two games this year. Minnesota is missing some offense as Beasly (11.2 ppg) and Barea (9.6 ppg) are both out, while Peklovic (13.5 ppg) is listed as questionable. The team has already been struggling to score of late as they have averaged just 95.2 ppg in their last 5 games. The Kings have not played great defense as they have allowed 105.3 ppg in their last 9 games, but with all the offense lost for the T-Wolves, I really don't expect them to hit 100 points in this one. The Kings have been scoring a lot of points of late, but Minnesota has allowed 100 points or less in 4 of their last 4 games and will need to play great defense in this one if they hope to win. This game will feature just enough defense for this one to stay Under the total.
2 UNIT PLAY
Dallas/ Clippers Over 189.5: The Clippers have increased their scoring of late, as they have averaged 100.8 ppg on 51.2% shooting in their last 5 games. Dalas has played good defense this year (93.4 ppg), but they may be tiring a bit as they have allowed 95 points or more in 8 of their last 10 games, while in their last 5 games (regulation) they have allowed 98.1 ppg. Dallas has struggled to score of late as they have averaged 92.6 ppg in their last 5 games, but 4 of those games were on the road and they have averaged 99.1 popg in their last 7 games at home and they shold be able to score here, even vs a Clippers team that has allowed 89.8 ppg in their last 5 games. . Both teams are more than capable of hitting 95+ points in this one.
NHL Predictions
Los Angeles Kings -1.5 +127
These two teams met again after their Friday night meeting in Edmonton. The Kings outshot the Oilers 32-14 on their way to a 4-1 win (which was a game of the week pick). The Kings have moved into 3rd place in the Western Conference as division leaders, but they know they need to continue to win to ensure they make the playoffs. Los Angeles is just 2 points up on 9th place Dallas. The Kings are 21-14-4 on home ice this season, and have won 8 of their last 11 games. The Oilers have managed just 15 and 14 shots in their last two games, being out shot at a 2:1 rate. Edmonton is just 14-21-4 at home this season, and are just 6-18 in their last 24 games following a win. Nikolai Khabibulin is an expected starter (not confirmed) and he gave up the 4 goals on Friday night to the Kings. After the night off on Saturday Quick should be back in net for the Kings. Quick has allowed just 5 goals against over his last 5 starts to improve his season record to 34-21-11 with a 1.92 GAA and .930 SV%. The Kings have won 6 of their last 7 home games, and I look for their hot play to continue tonight. Note that 5 of those 6 home wins came by 2+ goals against much stronger opponents (San Jose, Nashville, Detroit, Anaheim, and Chicago). I think the Kings win pretty easily here again against the Oilers - take the Kings on the puck line at a generous price.
Lenny Del Genio
Timberwolves at Kings
Play: Under
Before last night's loss to Portland, Minnesota had failed to crack 88 points in their previous three games. These teams have played three times previously this season, two of those games going Under. The T'wolves are 8-2 Under this season with a total of 200 to 209.5. This number is way too high considering Sacramento scored just 99 points in its last game.
Tony George
Memphis +8
Take the points here. OK City off a huge win yesterday (free play right here) and they are not good in back to back games, just 2-5 ATS at home their last 7 in back to back games, and bear in mind they have Miami on deck. To easy to lay the big number after what they did to Chicago yesterday. Great scheduling spot for a dog in this scenario and 8 points is a TON in the NBA.