Chuck O'Brien
My free play tonight is on the Southwest Division-leading San Antonio Spurs, laying points on the road in Philadelphia, against the struggling 76ers, who are a disappointing 1-5 in their last six games against teams with at least a .500 record. And as much respect as I have for Sixers coach Doug Collins, I don't think his team is going to be ready to make a push in the Eastern Conference until mid-February, when injured center Andrew Bynum is due back.
This matchup doesn't fit for the Spurs, who currently rank third in the Western Conference, and who will stick a rested Tim Duncan back in the lineup - right in the middle of the paint, where the Sixers are starving. It could be part of the reason they've dropped 17 of their last 24, including a 23-point beatdown the time these two met, on Jan. 5.
The Sixers have lost have lost three straight and 13 of the last 20 meetings, and even though San Antonio has lost five of seven contests in south Philly, this is actually a good spot for the Spurs.
Lay the road chalk.
2♦ SAN ANTONIO
Matt Rivers
Monday's free play will be to take Baylor at home over Oklahoma State.
The Bears have gone 8-2 straight up at home this season, and they have also taken the last pair in this Big Twelve rivalry. Overall, Baylor is on a 4-2 straight up roll the past six series meetings against Oklahoma State.
The Cowboys have lost ALL three of their true road games both straight up and against the spread, and with the host in this series riding a 15-5-1 spread mark the last 21 times the schools have played, I expect the Cowboys road woes to continue in this late day affair in Waco.
The favorite in this series is a phenomenal 12-3-1 the past 16 series meetings, so side with the small home chalk in this one, as Baylor drops Oklahoma State to 0-4 both straight up and against the spread on the road this year.
1♦ BAYLOR
Rocketman
Ottawa -138
The Florida Panthers travel to Ottawa to take on the Senators on Monday night. Both teams won their opening game easily as Ottawa won 4-1 over Winnipeg and Florida won 5-1 over Carolina. Ottawa is 7-1 last 8 meetings past 3 years overall vs Florida including a perfect 4-0 at home during that time. Florida is 8-20 last 28 road games. Florida is 1-4 last 5 games after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Florida is 1-5 last 6 games after a win. Ottawa is 6-2 last 8 games against the Southeast. Florida is 16-39 last 55 meetings overall in this series and have lost five in a row in Ottawa. We'll recommend a small play on Ottawa tonight!
Jeff Scott Sports
3 UNIT PLAYS
Indiana/ Memphis Under 173: Those that know me had to know this one as coming. LOL I love the stat that Sig gave. 6 of the 7 games with an OU line in the 170's this year have gone under the total and I hit 2 of those, including Memphis' last game (At Chicago) where the OU line was 176 and even with OT the teams combined for just 167 points. They can't seem to make Memphis totals low enough as the Grizzlies are 12-26-1 to the under this year. Their home games have averaged 179 ppg, with the Under going 6-14 in those games. Pace and defense are a big reason for that as the Grizzlies play at a very slow pace, while also holding teams to just 87 ppg on their home floor. Indiana is another slow paced team that also relies on their defense to win games. The Pacers have the top defense in the league, allowing just 89.3 ppg n 41.3% shooting, while also checking it at 29th in scoring (91.5 ppg). Should be a low scoring slow paced game that could be played in the 150's.
PHILADELPHIA +6 over San Antonio: Good spot for the Sixers here, playing at home on MLK day and vs a team that hasn't been that dominant on the road. Philly has played good at home this year, going 11-9 and have confidence building wins over Toronto and Houston on this current home stand. Philly has also take 4 of the last 5 meetings at home with the Spurs. San Antonio does have the better talent, but will not be able to pull away from this pesky and rejuvenated Sixers squad in this one.
Portland/ Washington Under 194.5: The Wizards don't score well on the road as hey have averaged just 86 ppg away from home on the year, including just 83.1 pg in their last 11 away from home. Defensively the Wizards have not been that bad, allowing just 96.2 ppg on the road and 94.2 ppg in their last 5 overall. Portland also come is struggling some on offense as they have averaged just 94.2 ppg (regulation) in their last 5 games overall. Overall Portland does average 98.9 ppg at home while they allow 97 ppg, but with a weak Washington offense and an improving Washington defense, vs a struggling Portland offense I just don't see this one hitting 190 points.
Brandon Lee
Washington Wizards +6
The Wizards have been one of the best teams to back of late. Washington has covered the spread in six straight and eight of nine overall. The return of John Wall has really helped Washington become a much more competitive team and I don't believe the public has caught up to their strong play just yet. Have to like the Wizards chances of at least keeping this game close. Portland has lost five straight with back-to-back home losses against the Cavaliers and Bucks. Take the Points!