Jeff Scott Sports
3 UNIT PLAY
Georgia State +6 over TOWSON STATE: Just think this is too many points here. Sure Georgia State has struggle with an 8-11 mark and Towson is sitting at 10-9 overall, but the Panthers have not been all that bad as I will show you. Georgia State actually comes in off a couple of blowout wins, but let's look at some of their losses of late. At the beginning of the year the Panthers played Duke and BYU on the road and both were bad losses, but that was expected. Since then they have played a road schedule more compatible to their own talent level and while they are 2-4 in those games, not one of the 4 lasses were by more than 5 points. In fact just 1 of their last 7 losses overall have been by more than 5 points. For Towson State we note that they are just 2-3 at home, with 4 of their last 6 wins overall being by 5 points or less. Towson needed OT on this floor to beat William & Mary, while the Panther crushed them by 21 points at home. I feel the Panthers are starting to come around and with the way they have played on the road of late, I fully expect this game to go down to the wire.
Jeff Benton
Monday's freebie is the underdog Texas Longhorns plus the points at Oklahoma.
Texas is just 8-9 on the season, and they have lost their last four games as they head to Norman in desperate search of a victory. The Longhorns battled hard over the weekend in a home loss to Kansas, but the Horns did pick up the underdog cover catching the +8 points in that contest.
Look for Texas to be close again tonight, as Oklahoma may be 12-4, but the Sooners do come back home off a Saturday loss at Kansas State, and OU has really struggled in this rivalry with Texas.
The Longhorns have been the outright winner in each of the last six series meetings, and while that streak is in definite jeopardy tonight, I do not see Oklahoma being able to pull away from Texas in this conference showdown.
Take the points as Texas stays inside of this number.
2* TEXAS
Frank Jordan
Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Hornets
Play: New Orleans Hornets
Sacramento is 5-5 in their last 10 games, but that puts them at only 16-25 on the year as they head to New Orleans. the road has not been kind to the Kings this year with 19 road games played and only four wins. New Orleans has gone 6-4 in their last 10 games but that only puts them at 13-27 on the season. Look for the Hornets to protect their hive and dethrone the Kings as they win on this holiday. Play New Orleans
Bruce Marshall
L.A. Lakers vs. Chicago
Pick: Chicago
Nothing is coming easy for the Lakers, now 5-14 straight up on the road after their latest disappointment on Sunday at Toronto. And now even Kobe Bryant might be feeling the strain, missing 22 of 32 shots at Air Canada Centre and just 18 of 57 from the floor in his last two games. With return of Derrick Rose still down the road, this matchup isn’t quite as appealing as the folks at TNT might have originally wished. And Rose’s absence has a lot to do with Bulls dropping 14 of their first 18 vs. spread as United Center chalk this season. But at likely reduced price vs. overvalued Lakers, some of those pointspread shortcomings are less likely to surface for Chicago in this spot. And, for what it’s worth, Lake Show was only 2-7 as road dog before embarking upon road trip which began yesterday in Toronto. Tom Thibodeau’s defensive concepts for Chicago remain very sound, and the return of Pau Gasol to active duty after recent concussion doesn’t suggest any panacea for Lake Show, which was having trouble fitting the big Catalan into Mike D’Antoni’s new offensive schemes. And Thibodeau hoping Carlos Boozer’s recent 36-point explosion on Jan. 16 at Toronto suggests a continued upturn in his production.
Jesse Schule
L.A. Lakers vs. Chicago
Pick: Chicago
Still an AMAZING 11-1 with complimentary hoops plays in 2013, I will test that run with another free play on Chicago tonight! After winning three in a row, and back to back road games, the Bulls lost at home to Memphis on Saturday, 85-82 in overtime. Chicago is still just .500 at the United Center this year, with a better record on the road than at home.
The Bulls will host the Lakers Monday night, and L.A. is coming off a loss north of the border yesterday, falling to Toronto by a score of 108-103. Kobe Bryant's struggles continued, as he hit just 10-of-32 from the field for 26 points. Kobe is shooting just 31.6 percent over the Lakers last two losses to Toronto and Miami. The 34 year old Kobe commented on his poor play: "I've just got to rest my legs," said Bryant. "My legs are a little tired. My shots are just short."
With Kobe admitting he has tired legs, and the Lakers struggling mightily offensively, playing their second game in as many days, the Lakers aren't in a good spot here in Chicago. The Bulls own one of the NBA's stingiest defenses, allowing an average of just 91.7 points per game.
The Bulls have won their last two meetings with the Lakers, and they are in a good spot to extend that streak here at home tonight.
Joe Gavazzi
Brooklyn +4
Lets see how the Knicks do after their victory in London. Fully apprised of their 14-5 SU home mark and ATS record of 7-1 home to -6. This is the final of 4 meetings this season between these division rivals in a series that NY leads 2 games to 1. But those all came before PJ replaced Avery and led Brooklyn on their recent 10-2 SU streak. Lets play the Nets as dog to even the series and pull a game closer to the division leading Knicks.
Oklahoma -7
By the time this analysis is playing out, you will have most probably swept the college board with a 5-0 ATS mark. To ensure those are your results, it is imperative to make the small investment on my previous winners today that will ensure you go to bed tonight with all the cash stuffed under your mattress. In this ESPN nightcap, I favor one of my Mission Teams, Oklahoma. They are led by savvy 2nd year HC Kruger whose Sooners authored a 15-16 SU losing season in their first tango. This year, it has been a moneymaking 12-4 SU, 9-3 ATS. They have bounced from each of those first 3 losses with a 3-0 SU, ATS mark. That is a good omen considering the 69-60 loss at Kansas State on Saturday. That superior record following a loss combined with 5X revenge to what were superior Texas teams sets up an intense showing by the Sooners on a home court where they are 4-0 ATS HF winning every game by 9 or more points. The lost season continues for the Longhorns (at least until the return of Kabongo on February 13th). A microcosm of their failures is their road record which finds them 0-3 SU with every loss by 7 or more points. In those 3 games, they have allowed 78 PPG. Play the Sooners Home/Road dichotomy, with revenge, off a loss.
Black Widow
Washington Wizards +6
The Washington Wizards are one of the most underrated teams in the league right now. Due to the recent return of John Wall, this team has been a covering machine. The Wizards are 4-2 SU & 6-0 ATS in their last six games overall, which includes outright wins over the Thunder, Nuggets and Hawks. They were even competitive in their two losses, falling 94-95 at Sacramento as a 5-point dog, and 87-94 at LAC as a 13-point dog. The Blazers are really struggling right now having lost five straight coming in, and they should not be a 6-point favorite over this hot Washington team tonight. Take the Wizards and the points.
Dave Price
Oklahoma -7
This is a game the Sooners want badly. Not only will they be motivated by Saturday's nine-point loss at Kansas State, they will be motivated by eight and 11-point losses in last season's meetings with Texas. The Longhorns will have a tough time getting up for this game on such short preparation time following a heartbreaking loss to Kansas in a game they led by 11 points late. Texas is 0-6 ATS when playing a 2nd game in three days over the last 2 seasons. The Longhorns are also 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games and 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 Monday games. The Sooners are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall, 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a loss and 7-0 ATS in their last 7 home games. Lay the points.
Jeff Alexander
Brooklyn Nets +4.5
The Nets have been playing some very good basketball. They have won 8 of 9 and will be lacking no motivation here as they look to avenge last month's 2 losses to the Knicks. The Knicks are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games vs. a team with a winning record, 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record, 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following a SU win and 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games following an ATS win. Bet the Nets.
Nelly
Minnesota + over Atlanta
The Hawks have dropped eight of the last 10 games and this could be a tough situation facing a third game in four days after big games with the Nets and Spurs Friday and Saturday. Minnesota snapped a losing streak with a nice win over Houston on Saturday and the Wolves beat Atlanta two weeks ago 108-103 in Minneapolis. The Wolves have covered in four of the last five meetings between these teams and Minnesota is 7-5 ATS this season facings winning teams on the road. The Wolves have also been an excellent heavy underdog, going 6-2 ATS when dogged by more than six but less than 10. Atlanta has struggled as a heavy favorite, going 1-7 when favored by six or more points. Both teams are severely banged up right now with thin rosters but that is a situation Minnesota has dealt with all season long and has still found ways to be competitive. Statistically these teams have pretty similar numbers and the Minnesota has the ability to compete defensively and on the boards in this match-up. This is a lot of points for a struggling team to lay against anyone.
Wunderdog
Indiana at Memphis
Pick: Under 172
This should fully resemble a playoff game as both teams have been limited offensively, like to play in the halfcourt and impose their defensive will on their opponent. They rank one & two in points allowed on the season, with both squads yielding less than 90 points per game. Mempis has really struggled on the offensive end in their last five games, failing to get past 85 in any of them. The Pacers have been forced to play defensive in the absence of Danny Granger and they have actually held seven opponents in the 70s on the season. Lately those efforts have returned a 9-2 mak to the UNDER over their last 11 games. Memphis has been the most profitable under team oer their last 65 games at 44-20-1 to the UNDER, which includes an amazing 39-14 mark to the UNDER in their last 53 on one day rest. Play the UNDER.
James Patrick
Clippers vs. Warriors
Play: Warriors
The Clippers will be playing their fifth game in eight nights and fourth on the road. To make matters worse, the conference-leading Thunder are waiting for them tomorrow. The Warriors are looking for payback from a (115-89) thrashing that took place just over two weeks ago in the Staples Center. Big Game James Patrick�s Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday selection is Golden State Warriors in NBA action.
NHL Predictions
Boston Bruins -1.5 +155
I'm going to be really quick with this write up since the game starts in under 3 hours. The Winnipeg Jets started off the year with a 4-1 loss at home to Ottawa where they were out played for most of the game. The Bruins won their season opener at home vs the Rangers 3-1 and out played them throughout. Boston is always solid at home going 24-14-3 in front of their home crowd last year. The Jets who placed 11th in the Eastern Conference were 14-22-5 on the road. Although these teams split their 4 meetings last year, the Bruins won both home games by 2 goals. Including when the Jets franchise was in Atlanta the Bruins are 14-4 in their last 18 meetings with Winnipeg. The Bruins are a better team and I think they come out this afternoon and beat Winnipeg by a few goals. Take Boston on the puck line at +155.
Charlie Sports
Houston Rockets at Charlotte Bobcats
Play: Houston Rockets
The (21-21) Houston Rockets of the NBA Western Conference Southwest division will take on the (10-30) Charlotte Bobcats of the Eastern Conference Southwest in 2013 NBA action. This is the first of two meetings between the teams this seasons. Houston is only 3-7 their last 10 Against The Spread and Straight up, inclding dropping their last 7 in a row straight up and ATS. Charlotte hasn't been much better 1-6 their last 7 stragit up and 2-4-1 ATS their last 7. The Bobcats are also 0-4 ATS their last 4 at home. Houston gets the road cover.
David Banks
Lakers / Bulls Under 194.5
In the nightcap of a special Martin Luther King Day NBA on TNT doubleheader on Monday night, the disappointing Los Angeles Lakers (17-22, 16-22-1 ATS) travel east to take on the Chicago Bulls (23-16, 15-24 ATS) at the United Center in Chicago at 9:35 ET. The Lakers are playing the second half of a back-to-back after facing the Toronto Raptors in Canada on Sunday afternoon, while the Bulls are coming off of yet another home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night.
The Bulls' unorthodox home/away splits remain a mystery, as Chicago has one of the best road records in the NBA at 12-5, but it is now 11-11 here in its own building. One thing that has been constant about the Bulls home and away though has been defense, as they are third in the NBA in points allowed at just 91.7 per game and fourth in field goal percentage against at 42.9 percent. That scoring average drops to a microscopic 89.1 points here at home, but that has resulted in less wins that it should have because, for whatever reason, Chicago cannot score in its own building this year. Sure, the Bulls have trouble scoring anywhere as they rank 25th in points scored with 93.8 per game overall, but while most teams shoot better at home, the Bulls are only averaging 91.5 points here on 42.4 percent shooting. That combined scoring average of only 180.6 points has allowed the 'under' to go a lucrative 16-6 in all Chicago home games this season, and Saturday's loss to the Grizzlies was a microcosm for how the season has gone in the Windy City as the final score was 85-82in overtime!
Many experts were predicting that the Lakers would just cruise to the NBA Finals this season with new additions Dwight Howard and Steve Nash joining Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, but a combination of a lack of chemistry on the court and some injuries have the Lake Show at five games under .500. The Big Four are all back now although Gasol came off the bench vs. the Miami Heat Friday in his first game back following a concussion. The Lakers are on a 5-0 'under' streak of their own as they held their opponents to 44.6 percent shooting in those five games including 29.3 percent from beyond the three-point arc. Yes, Los Angeles is still allowing 101.4 points per game overall, but at least the Lakers seem to be making a concerted effort to improve that recently, and besides, the Bulls may not be equipped to take advantage if the Laker defense that was present before the last five games resurfaces given the way Chicago shoots the ball at home.
The 'under' is an amazing 46-19-2 in the last 67 Lakers' non-conference games and 6-0 in the last six Laker games vs. the Central Division. The 'under' is also 22-8 in the last 30 Chicago home games.