James Patrick Sports
Syracuse vs. Notre Dame
Play: Notre Dame
This Big East series has gone to the underdog in (9) of (13) contests and the Fighting Irish are a much more dangerous opponent at home in South Bend. When Notre Dame takes the floor off a prior home loss they respond with winning ATS tickets at a perfect (4-0) rate. enjoy all the fast paced action of the NHL with the Big Man. Your wealth depends on this selection from the Blue Line
Marc Lawrence
Philadelphia 76ers at Minnesota Timberwolves
Prediction: Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves host the 76ers in a MLK matinee game at the Target Center knowing they are 4-0 ATS against teams off au upset win this season. On the flip side, Philadelphia is just 5-10 ATS as a favorites this campaign. Look for the underdog to improve to 11-1-1 ATS in this series here today. Stay at home with Minnesota.
Cajun Sports
Orlando Magic +6
The Magic will be playing their fourth and final game of a west coast road swing which has seen them lose their last two games after defeating Sacramento 109 to 88 to open the trip. Orlando is 15-4 ATS after playing three consecutive road games. The Lakers are coming off a revenge game versus their in-city rivals the Clippers winning 126 to 86 as a 10.5 point favorite. The Clippers had defeated the Lakers back on January 6th in their first meeting 102 to 91 as a five-point underdog. LA has been .500 both SU and ATS over their last six games using back-to-back wins over Dallas and the aforementioned Clippers to reach the .500 mark. This will be the first meeting between these two teams since meeting last summer in the NBA Finals. Everyone remembers who won the championship but many may not realize that Orlando took both of the regular season meetings between these clubs. The Magic have been solid when installed as an underdog going 39-18 ATS and 20-9 ATS when facing teams from the Pacific Division. Orlando also plays well against solid offensive units who average 99 or more points per game going 63-38 ATS the last three seasons. Finally Orlando is active in a league-wide system that tells us to play on NBA road teams after a road game in which they shot less than 61 percent from the foul line, these teams rebound with a record of 30-6-1 ATS in their next game. Take the points
SPORTS ADVISORS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
(5) Syracuse (17-1, 11-3 ATS) at Notre Dame (14-4, 7-4-1 ATS)
The Orangemen will try to make it five straight wins when they travel to South Bend, Ind., to take on Notre Dame in a Big East matchup.
Syracuse lost its first game of the season back on Jan. 2 at home against Pitt, but has since rallied to win four in a row (SU and ATS), including Saturday’s 72-71 upset win at West Virginia as a five-point underdog. The Orange are a perfect 6-0 (SU and ATS) on the road this season as their defense has dominated, allowing just 69.7 points per game on 36.9 percent shooting.
The Irish fell at Cincinnati on Saturday 60-58 but cashed as five-point underdogs. Even with that loss, Notre Dame has won five of seven overall (4-1-1 ATS) and last time it was at home was Jan. 9 when it edged West Virginia 70-68 as a 4½-point pup. The Irish are 12-1 in front of the home fans (5-2 ATS) where they put up 86.9 ppg, shooting 52.6 percent from the floor.
Notre Dame has won three of the last four meetings between these two (SU and ATS), including two straight at home in 2007 and 2008. The road team is on a 10-3 ATS roll, with Syracuse going 5-2 ATS in its last seven trips to South Bend. Also, the underdog is 9-4 ATS in those 13 meetings.
The Orangemen are on ATS runs of 21-6 overall, 11-2 in Big East play, 5-0 on the road, 16-5 after a straight-up win and 5-0 on the road against teams with winning home records. Notre Dame is on ATS surges of 4-1-1 overall, 4-1 at home, 4-0-1 after a straight-up loss and 3-1-1 against Big East teams, but it is just 1-7-1 ATS in its last nine on Monday.
Syracuse has topped the total in 10 of 13 games after a spread-cover, seven of 10 conference games and 19 of 26 after a straight-up win. The Irish have gone over the posted price in five of six at home and seven of nine overall, but they’re also on “under” runs of 8-3 in Big East action, 8-2 following a spread-cover and 12-2 at home against teams with winning road records. In this rivalry, the “over” has hit in five straight contests.
ATS ADVANTAGE: SYRACUSE
(1) Texas (17-0, 7-6 ATS) at (13) Kansas State (15-2, 8-3-1 ATS)
After narrowly preserving their perfect season Saturday, the Longhorns will try to extend their season-long winning streak when they visit Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kan., to take on Big 12 rival Kansas State.
Texas needed overtime Saturday to edge Texas A&M 72-67, coming nowhere near covering as a 14½-point home favorite. Damion James had 28 points and 12 rebounds for the Longhorns, but no other starter managed more than five points or three rebounds. Texas has failed to cover in four consecutive games, including trips to Arkansas on Jan. 5 (winning 96-85 as 14-point favorites) and at Iowa State on Wednesday (90-83 as eight-point favorites).
Kansas State went to Colorado on Saturday and prevailed 87-81 but pushed as a six-point favorite. In their last home contest, the Wildcats blew out Texas A&M 88-65, easily cashing as nine-point favorites to improve to 10-0 at Bramlage Coliseum this season. K-State puts up 83.9 ppg at home and limits the opposition to 61.3 points a game and 37 percent shooting.
The road team has won four straight in this rivalry, but Texas scored a 61-58 win in the Big 12 Conference tournament last March, pushing as a three-point favorite. Kansas State won the regular-season matchup last season, scoring an 85-81 road win in overtime, cashing as a 10½-point underdog. The Wildcats have cashed in seven of the last nine meetings, and the underdog is on an 8-0-1 ATS run in those nine contests.
The Longhorns are 22-8 ATS in their last 30 Monday contests, but otherwise they are on pointspread slides of 0-4 overall, 2-8-1 on the road, 6-20-2 in Big 12 action and 1-8-1 on the road against teams with a winning home record. Kansas State is on ATS surges of 7-1-1 overall, 4-0 at home and 5-1-1 after a straight-up win, but the Wildcats have failed to cover in five straight Monday outings and are 6-18-3 ATS in their last 27 conference games.
Texas has stayed below the total in 11 of 15 on Monday, but it has gone “over” the total in four straight on the road, five of seven overall and 15 of 21 after a straight-up win. Kansas State is on “over” runs of 8-3 overall, 8-3 at home and 4-0 at home against teams with winning road records. Conversely, the “under” is 3-0-1 in the last four series meetings played in Manhattan.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
NBA
Dallas (26-14, 18-22 ATS) at Boston (27-11, 17-21 ATS)
The slumping Mavericks make their way to TD Banknorth Garden in Boston for a matchup with the Celtics in the second game of their five-game road trip.
Dallas opened its trek in Toronto on Sunday and got stomped 110-88 as a one-point road favorite. The Mavs have dropped three of four overall (0-4 ATS) and they are having trouble stopping teams lately, giving up 103 points a game and 48.7 percent shooting in their last five games. On the highway, Dallas is 13-7 SU and ATS but just 2-3 SU and ATS in its last five.
Boston has alternated wins and losses in its last six games and most recently dropped a 96-83 decision at home to the Bulls on Thursday, failing as a 6½-point favorite. The Celtics have lost two straight at home (SU and ATS) and they are just 11-6 (6-11 ATS) in Beantown, where they are giving up 94.1 points a game and allowing the opposition to shoot 44.5 percent shooting.
The Celtics have won four in a row (SU and ATS) against the Mavericks, including a 124-100 blowout at home last January, easily cashing as a nine-point favorite. Boston is 7-1 ATS in the last eight series clashes dating back to the 2005 season.
Dallas is 11-5 ATS in its last 16 road games, but otherwise is on ATS slides of 1-6 overall, 1-5 on the second day of a back-to-back and 1-6 on Mondays. The Celtics have cashed in 15 of 21 against Southwest Division teams, but they are on ATS skids of 3-9 at home, 1-4 against the Western Conference, 0-6 on Monday and 0-4 at home against teams with winning road records.
For the Mavericks, the “over” is on runs of 5-2 overall, 5-1 against Atlantic Division teams, 21-9 against the Eastern Conference and 6-2 on the second day of a back-to-back. Boston has topped the total in six of eight overall, but the under is 23-10-1 in its last 34 on Monday. In this series, the “over” has been the play in four of the past five matchups in Beantown.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON
Orlando (26-14, 20-20 ATS) at L.A. Lakers (31-9, 18-22 ATS)
The Magic conclude their four-game West Coast road trip with a stop at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for an NBA Finals rematch with the Lakers.
Orlando, just 2-6 SU and ATS in its last eight overall, is 1-2 SU and ATS on this trip, beating Sacramento 109-88 on Tuesday as a four-point chalk, but falling in Denver (115-97 as a 5½-point pup) and losing in Portland on Friday (102-87 as a 5½-point favorite). The Magic have dropped four of their last five on the road (SU and ATS) and manage just 98.3 points a game on the highway.
After losing three of four SU and ATS, the Lakers have rallied to win back-to-back games, beating the Mavericks 100-95 on Wednesday as six-point ‘dogs, then crushing the Clippers 126-86 on Friday night as 10½-point favorites. In Friday’s victory, Kobe Bryant poured in 30 points, with Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol chipping in with 20 points each and a combined 13 rebounds. Los Angeles is 22-3 at home this season, but a mediocre 12-12-1 ATS.
In last season’s NBA Finals, the Lakers needed just five games (4-1 ATS) to dispatch the Magic, including two wins in Los Angeles (1-1 ATS). The underdog brings a 10-1 ATS mark into this matchup, and Orlando is on a 4-1 ATS run in its last four trips to Staples Center to face the Lakers (playoffs included)..
The Magic are on ATS slides of 2-6 overall, 1-5 on the road, 2-8 on Monday and 3-8 against winning teams, but they have cashed in 15 of 21 against Pacific Division teams and 60 of 90 following a straight-up loss. Los Angeles is 0-5 ATS in its last five Monday contests and just 6-13 ATS in its last 19 against Southeast Division teams, but the Lakers have covered in four straight at home.
Orlando is on a plethora of “under” streaks, including 4-1 overall, 4-0 when it gets two days off, 4-1 against the Western Conference, 24-8 after a non-cover, 8-3 against Pacific Division teams and 9-4 on Monday. The Lakers are on “under” runs of 18-7-1 against Eastern Conference squads, 16-5 after getting two days off, 7-3 against the Southeast Division, 14-6-1 following a spread-cover and 5-1 against winning clubs. In this series, the under is on streaks of 5-1 overall and 4-0 in Los Angeles.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
COL -200 vs EDM
It's extremely rare that I'd ever recommend a favorite of this size, but sometimes a favorite is a favorite for a reasons and I expect a lop-sided blowout in this one:
Colorado takes on an Edmonton team trying to avoid a season-high eighth straight defeat and season-worst sixth consecutive road loss Monday night.
Not only is Edmonton 0-5 its last five overall, its also 0-5 its last five away from friendly confines.
On the other side of the ice: Colorado (27-15-6) has moved atop the tightly bunched Northwest Division with a pair of shootout victories and Saturday's 3-1 win over Atlantic Division-leading New Jersey.
Colorado is 4-2 its last six overall.
Bottom line: Edmonton has allowed at least three goals in six straight games and at least four on 10 occasions during a 1-13-1 stretch. The Oilers are on the verge of their longest overall losing streak and longest on the road in three seasons; look for COLORADO to improve to 8-3 (+6.6 units) after a win by 2 goals or more and for Edmonton to fall to 6-15 (-7.5 units) after allowing 4 goals or more in its previous contest.
BIG AL
San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Hornets
Prediction: New Orleans Hornets
The Spurs have dropped back to back games in their four game road trip, which concludes this afternoon in New Orleans. And don't be surprised if the Hornets hand the Spurs their 3rd straight loss. In Saturday's six-point defeat to the Grizzlies, San Antonio was outrebounded 51-44, and committed an unsightly 16 turnovers. The Spurs also shot just 41% from the floor, including an 0-for-6 effort from Richard Jefferson -- his first game without a field goal in nearly four years! This will be another tough game for the road-weary Spurs to win, as New Orleans has been victorious in 13 of its last 14 home games, including the last seven in a row. With revenge from a 17-point defeat on Opening Night, take the Hornets on this MLK Day.
VEGAS EXPERTS
Chicago Bulls at Golden State Warriors
Let's take advantage of a relatively low total (by Warriors standards) as they host the Bulls Monday afternoon. Golden State is 19-9 Over in the home favorite role, including 16-6 when laying six points or less. They are also 53-34 Over at home when the total is 210 or higher. Chicago's scoring average has gone way up with 110+ points in three of their last four outings.
Play on: Over
Rob Vinciletti
Western Kentucky vs. Middle Tenn St
Play: Western Kentucky -1.5
The Wildcats will be ultra competitive here at home tonight. They are undefeated at home this year and are winning by an average 22 points per game. When they play winning teams this year they are 8-1 straight up and against the spread. After allowing 80 or more points in their previous game they have won 11 of 14 times that past 3 seasons. Last year these two teams split the series and Kansas State had a nice win in Texas. The Longhorns are the #1 ranked team and are playing with a bulls eye on their back in every game. They narrowly escaped Texas A@M on Saturday, a game which they won in overtime after never having the lead in regulation. Texas has lost 3 of the last 4 times the total has been posted at 160 to 170 and are just 10-9 in the second half the past few years vs teams who average 77 or more points per game. In a game where the line is basically a pick. Take the Kansas State Wildcats.
Jack Jones
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Houston Rockets
Play: Houston Rockets -6
The Bucks have been awful on the road this year, going 5-15 while scoring just 93.2 ppg and shooting 41.5% against teams who allow 99.4 ppg and 45.6% from the floor. Defensively it doesn't get any better as they give up 46.6% from the field.
The Rockets have done a good job of kicking their offense up a notch on their home floor, scoring 103.8 ppg against teams who normally allow just 99.8 ppg. This is a big reason why they are carrying a 12-5 record in Houston.
Third game in four days for Milwaukee and they just played last night in Golden State. Not sure they are going to be ready for this early start today against a Houston team that is well rested. I'll lay the points as I'm expecting a blowout.
EZWINNERS
Charlotte Bobcats -6
Charlotte is hot and Sacramento is not. The Bobcats have won eight out of their last ten games that include wins over the Spurs, Suns and Rockets. The Kings have lost eight out of their last ten games and I expect them to struggle against one of the best defensive teams in the league. The Kings are 0-5 against the spread in their last five trips to Charlotte and they are 0-6-1 against the spread in their last seven games overall. Lay the points.
JIM FEIST
SACRAMENTO KINGS / CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
TAKE UNDER
The Sacramento Kings are riding a three game losing streak after Saturday's setback to Washington, 96-86. The Kings are now 1-8 SU and 207 ATS in their last nine games. Moreover, the Kings have seen their last 7 games go UNDER the total. The Charlotte Bobcats are playing their best ball of the season, riding a four game winning streak and also having won seven of their last 10 games. The defense has played well, holding five straight opponents to under 100 points. In fact, the Bobcats have the best scoring defense in the league with a 92.7 points allowed average. They also allow the fewest points at home (90.45 ppg). The Bobcats need the stingy defense since their offense ranks a very poor 28th in the league (93.71 ppg). While this is the first meeting of the season between these clubs, the series has seen three of the last four meetings go UNDER the total including each of the two meetings from last season. We don't expect a lot of scoring in this one with the stingy Charlotte defense and an offense that won't exactly light up the scoreboard. Take the UNDER here on Monday.
Karl Garrett
San Antonio -1 at NEW ORLEANS
St. John's a Sunday winner for the G-Man, now 6-1 the last 7 days with my free plays.
For Monday afternoon, I am going with the Hornets to gain some revenge on the Spurs.
The Spurs routed the Hornets 113-96 on opening night this season, as the home-oriented trend in this series continued. That makes 5 straight wins by the home team, and 9 wins in the last 10 meetings overall.
San Antone is finishing up a 4-game road swing that has seen them lost their last pair both straight up and against the spread, while New Orleans is definitely on an upswing, winning 8 of their last 10, while covering in 7 of those 10 games.
New Orleans gets revenge on the road-weary Spurs.
Take the Hornets here.
2♦ NEW ORLEANS
Stephen Nover
Phoenix at MEMPHIS -2'
Memphis continues to fly under the radar screen. The Grizzlies are 20-10 in their last 30 games and actually is in serious playoff contention. That's playing in the much tougher Western Conference.
The Grizzlies are going for their ninth straight home victory. They certainly won't lack for motivation as this is a rare nationally televised game for the Grizzlies. It's a chance for the country to see just how improved the Grizzlies are.
Phoenix has been terrible on the road, winning once since the end of November. The Suns are 1-10 away from home in their last 11 road contests, surrendering an average of 113 points during this road span.
The Grizzlies buried the Suns, 128-103, earlier this month as an 8-point road underdog. The Suns had trouble containing Zach Randolph, O.J. Mayo and Marc Gasol. They combined to shoot 27-of-42 from the floor.
Now the Grizzlies catch Phoenix at the tail end of a road trip playing its fourth road game in six days.
The Suns are not playing well, having lost and failed to cover four of their last five games. They were blown out by Charlotte in their last game, 125-99, on Saturday.
Right now the Grizzlies have the confidence and are playing well. The Suns are at low ebb. This is the Grizzlies' opportunity to show themselves to the country. The Grizzlies have gotten good enough to take advantage of this situation.
5♦ MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Bobby Maxwell
Dallas +5' at BOSTON
Scored the FREE winner Sunday with Villanova over Georgetown and improve my red-hot free streak to 52-22, including 29-8 over the last 37 days. Today, I've got a comp winner for you on the Mavericks as they visit Boston to take on the Celtics.
Just too many injuries for Boston as the Celtics have Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce listed as doubtful for this one. Dallas obviously didn’t show up Sunday in Toronto so they will want to put out a little more effort in today’s big game against the Celtics.
The Mavericks are 13-7 SU and ATS on the road, including 11-5 in their last 16. And other than the last two seasons, Dallas has normally owned the Celtics.
Boston has been alternating wins and losses lately, losing 96-83 at home to the Bulls on Thursday as a 6 ½-point favorite. They’ve lost two straight at home and they are just 6-11 ATS at TD Banknorth Garden and they are scoring just 94.1 points a game at home.
Dallas has the ability to light up the scoreboard and I expect them to tonight in this marquee matchup. Boston will have trouble keeping up.
Grab the points and play the Mavericks in this one.
4♦ DALLAS
Dominic Fazzini
Orlando at L.A. LAKERS -6'
I scored another victory with my complimentary selection Sunday, taking the under in the Cowboys-Vikings game. That improved my record to 59-38-2 over the past 99 days, including 42-25-2 over the last 69!
I've got an NBA winner lined up for today, taking the Lakers to cover in a rematch of last year's NBA Finals.
The Magic has been struggling lately, going 2-6 SU and ATS in their last eight games. They are on the final leg of a four-game road trip, and have lost at Denver and Portland in their last two games.
The Lakers went 4-1 SU and ATS against Orlando in the NBA Finals, and they have won two straight games after losing three of their previous four.
Forward Pau Gasol is back in Los Angeles' lineup, and his return will help take much of the scoring load off of Kobe Bryant.
Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter have been struggling for Orlando, which is 1-4 SU and ATS in its last five road games.
The Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last four home games, and 4-0 ATS in their last four as a home favorite. Take Los Angeles to roll to an easy victory tonight.
3♦ L.A. LAKERS