SPORTS ADVISORS
NBA
Cleveland (34-11, 21-23-1 ATS) at Miami (23-20, 22-21 ATS)
The Cavaliers shoot for their fifth straight victory when they visit American Airlines Arena in Miami for an Eastern Conference showdown with the Heat.
Cleveland has rattled off four straight wins (1-3 ATS), including Saturday’s narrow 100-99 victory over the Thunder, coming up well short as an eight-point home favorite. LeBron James just missed a triple-double with 37 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds in the win. The Cavs are 17-8 on the road this season (14-10-1 ATS), scoring 101 points a game while allowing just 96.1.
Miami has won two straight (SU and ATS), including Saturday’s 115-84 drubbing of the Kings in Florida, easily cashing as a seven-point favorite. Dwyane Wade had 27 points and eight assists and second-year forward Michael Beasley had 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead the way for the Heat. They are just 13-10 (11-12 ATS) in front of the home fans, averaging 97.8 points a game while giving up 93.2 per home contest.
The Cavs have won and covered in three straight series clashes, including a 111-104 win in Miami on Nov. 12, cashing as one-point underdogs. They are 7-1 (5-3 ATS) in the last eight head-to-head meetings and 5-2 ATS in the last seven clashes in South Beach.
Cleveland comes into this one on ATS slides of 1-4-1 on the road, 1-4-1 overall, and 1-7-1 after a straight up win, but it is 36-15-1 ATS in its last 52 Monday outings. Miami is on positive ATS runs of 5-2 at home, 6-1 against Central Division teams and 7-3 against the Eastern Conference, but they are on ATS skids of 4-11 on Mondays and 2-5 after a spread-cover.
For the Cavaliers, the “over” is 5-2 in their last seven overall and their last seven against teams with winning records. The Heat are on “under” runs of 4-1 overall, 5-2 at home, 21-7 after a straight-up win and 4-1 against Central Division teams. In this rivalry, the “over” has been the play in each of the last four.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
Atlanta (28-14 SU and ATS) at Houston (24-19, 22-21 ATS)
The Hawks begin a stretch of 10 of 14 road games when they visit the Toyota Center for a matchup against the Rockets.
Atlanta wrapped up a 4-1 (3-2 ATS) homestand on Friday with a 103-89 win over the Bobcats, cashing as a 6 ½-point favorite. Four of their five starters reached double-digits in points with center Al Horford leading the way with 23 points and nine rebounds. The Hawks are just 10-9 (12-7 ATS) on the road this season where they averaged 98.1 points a game and allow 97.9 per contest.
Houston has won just four of its last 10 overall, but managed to cash in just two of those 10. Friday, the Rockets fell 104-97 at home to the Bulls as six-point favorites. They have lost two of four at home and failed to cash in any of those four, but for the season they are 13-6 (11-8 ATS) in front of the home fans.
The Hawks won the earlier matchup this season between these two, taking a 105-103 win at home on Nov. 20, coming up short as a seven-point chalk. The Rockets have cashed in five straight and eight of the last 10 series meetings. The home team is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 clashes and the chalk has gotten the cash in seven of the last 10.
Atlanta is on positive ATS streaks of 18-7-1 against Western Conference teams and 6-2 as a road ‘dog. Houston is on ATS runs of 34-16-1 against Southeast Division teams and 7-3 after getting a day off, but it is on ATS slides of 0-4 at home, 1-5 overall, 2-5 after a non-cover and 3-7 as a favorite of up to 4 ½ points.
The Hawks are on “under” streaks of 9-3 on Mondays, 12-5 as pups, 4-1 after two days off and 6-1 after a straight-up win. Meanwhile, the Rockets are on “over” runs of 6-0 overall, 4-0 at home, 4-0 after a non-cover and 4-0 as a chalk. These two teams have topped the total in four of their last six meetings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
Phoenix (26-19, 23-22 ATS) at Utah (25-18, 25-16-2 ATS)
The slumping Suns head to EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City to take on the red-hot Jazz in a matchup of Western Conference playoff contenders.
Phoenix has dropped five of its last seven overall and failed to cash in seven of its last nine, including Saturday’s 112-103 home win over Golden State, narrowly missing as an 11 ½-point chalk. The Suns are just 9-14 on the road (11-12 ATS) where they give up a whopping 109.8 points a game and 46.8 percent shooting.
Utah has won six of seven overall and gone 7-0-2 ATS in its last nine overall. The Jazz clobbered the Nets 116-83 at home on Saturday, covering as 16 ½-point favorites and led offensively by Mehmet Okur (20 points and 11 rebounds) and Carlos Boozer (22 points and nine rebounds). They are 17-6 (15-7-1 ATS) in front of the home fans this season and average 105.2 points a game at home and shoot an amazing 51.2 percent from the floor.
The home team has won four straight (2-2 ATS) in this rivalry and six of the last seven (3-4 ATS) overall. The two teams split last season’s four games with the host getting the win each night, however the road team is 11-4 ATS in the last 15 clashes. Utah is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings with the underdog cashing in 16 of the last 23.
Phoenix is on several ATS slides, including 1-4 overall, 2-5 on the road and 6-13-1 as a road ‘dog of 5 to 10 1/2 points. Utah is on nothing but positive ATS runs, including 12-3-1 at home, 22-8 on Mondays, 4-0 after getting a day off, 4-0-1 against the Western conference, 4-0-1 as a favorite and 5-0-2 after a straight-up win.
The Suns have topped the total in five of seven on the road, four of five as ‘dogs and nine of 11 against the Western Conference, but they have stayed “under” the total in 16 of 23 after a non-cover and nine of 12 on the road against teams with winning home records. Meanwhile, the Jazz are on “over” streaks of 5-2 overall, 5-1 on Mondays and 4-1 against Western Conference foes. In this rivalry, the “over” has been the play in four of the last five.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UTAH
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
(12) Georgetown (15-3, 8-6 ATS) at (5) Syracuse (19-1, 12-4 ATS)
The Orange are looking for their seventh straight win as they welcome their longtime rival Georgetown to the Carrier Dome in this Big East confrontation.
The Hoyas have won two straight, including an 88-63 home blowout of Rutgers on Saturday, cashing as whopping 19½-point favorites. Four of five starters reached double digits in scoring, with Greg Monroe leading the way with 21 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. Georgetown is 7-2 in games away from home (5-2 ATS), where they crank up the defensive pressure, allowing just 60.3 points per game on 39.1 percent shooting.
Syracuse had won and cashed in five straight until Saturday when the Orange beat Marquette 76-71 at home but fell short as 8½-point favorites, getting 22 points and 15 rebounds from Wesley Johnson. The Orange average 84.4 ppg at home and shoot a stellar 54.1 percent from the floor while holding the opposition to 62.1 ppg and 36.9 percent shooting.
The home team has won five straight (4-1 ATS) and seven of eight (5-3 ATS) in this rivalry with Syracuse cashing in five of the last six. The Orange scored a 98-94 OT win at home last season, cashing as 3½-point favorites. Syracuse is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings in New York.
Georgetown is 5-2 ATS in the last seven road games, but it is on negative ATS streaks of 7-19 in Big East play, 4-10 on Mondays and 6-21-1 after a spread-cover. Syracuse is on a plethora of positive ATS runs, including 21-6 overall, 12-4 at home, 12-3 in Big East action and 4-0 after a non-cover.
The Hoyas have stayed “under” the total in six of seven on Mondays and six of eight after a spread-cover, but they’ve topped the total in five straight overall and five straight conference games. The Orangemen have stayed below the number in eight of 11 on Mondays and five of six after a non-cover, but they are on “over” runs of 4-1 at home and 19-7 after a straight-up win. Finally, the “over” has been the play in each of the last three head-to-head meetings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: SYRACUSE
Missouri (15-4, 8-5 ATS) at (3) Kansas (18-1, 8-7-1 ATS)
Two of the top three teams in the Big 12 square off inside Allen Fieldhouse at Lawrence, Kan., as Missouri meets the Jayhawks.
The Tigers had their nine-game winning streak (4-1 ATS) snapped on Jan. 16 at Oklahoma, falling 66-61 as 3½-point road favorites. But they rebounded and clubbed Nebraska 70-53 at home on Saturday, getting the cash as a 13-point chalk. Missouri is just 2-4 (2-3 ATS) on the road this season and give up a whopping 76 points a game while managing just 74.2 with the offense on 38.4 percent shooting.
Kansas has won four straight (2-1-1 ATS) since losing their only game this season at Tennessee on Jan. 10. Saturday the Jayhawks went to Iowa State and got an 84-61 win as 11 ½-point favorites, led by Cole Aldrich’s 19 points and 11 rebounds. Kansas shoots 50.4 percent from the floor inside Allen Fieldhouse and puts up 89.5 points a game while allowing just 60.5 points and limiting the opposition to 36 percent shooting.
The Jayhawks have won six of the last seven series clashes (5-2 ATS), including a 90-65 home win as a 4 ½-point favorite last season.
Missouri has cashed in six of seven conference games and four of five overall, but the Tigers are on ATS slides of 16-35 on the road, 8-22 on the road against teams with winning home records and 1-4 on Mondays. Kansas has failed to cover in four straight after a spread-cover, but it is on several ATS streaks, including 34-16-2 overall, 35-17-1 at home, 10-1 on Mondays and 19-6-2 in Big 12 action.
The Tigers have stayed below the total in six of seven Big 12 games but they’ve gone “over” the number in six of eight road games, seven of eight Monday outings and six of eight on the road against teams with winning home records. Kansas is on several “under” runs, including 7-3 overall, 20-6 after a straight-up win, 5-1 at home, 8-2 following a spread-cover and 11-1 at home against teams with a losing road record. Finally, in this rivalry, the “over” has been the play in six of the last nine clashes dating to 2005.
ATS ADVANTAGE: KANSAS and OVER
DUNKEL
Cleveland at Miami
The Cavaliers look to build on their 5-2 ATS record in their last 7 meetings in Miami. Cleveland is the pick (-1 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Cavaliers favored by 5. Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-1 1/2)
Game 701-702: Indiana at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 112.765; Philadelphia 118.318
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 5 1/2; 208
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia by 4 1/2; 206
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-4 1/2); Over
Game 703-704: Cleveland at Miami
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 124.858; Miami 119.664
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 5; 194
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 1 1/2; 190
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-1 1/2); Over
Game 705-706: LA Clippers at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 116.562; Boston 123.636
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 7; 191
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 707-708: Orlando at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 122.324; Memphis 125.175
Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 3; 206
Vegas Line & Total: Memphis by 1; 204
Dunkel Pick: Memphis (-1); Over
Game 709-710: Chicago at San Antonio
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 118.238; San Antonio 123.214
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 5; 194
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 711-712: Atlanta at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 121.646; Houston 119.264
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 2 1/2; 203
Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 1 1/2; 196 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+1 1/2); Over
Game 713-714: Phoenix at Utah
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 117.088; Utah 127.516
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 10 1/2; 227
Vegas Line & Total: Utah by 6 1/2; 219 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Utah (-6 1/2); Over
Game 715-716: Charlotte at Denver
Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 123.543; Denver 124.563
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 1; 210
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 717-718: New Orleans at Portland
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 115.350; Portland 123.671
Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 8 1/2; 190
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
NCAAB
Georgetown at Syracuse
The Orange look to build on their 5-0 ATS record in their last 5 games as a favorite from 1 to 6 1/2 points. Syracuse is the pick (-5 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Orange favored by 8 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Syracuse (-5 1/2)
Game 719-720: Georgetown at Syracuse
Dunkel Ratings: Georgetown 70.315; Syracuse 78.733
Dunkel Line: Syracuse by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Syracuse by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Syracuse (-5 1/2)
Game 721-722: St. Joseph's at Pennsylvania
Dunkel Ratings: St. Joseph's 52.410; Pennsylvania 40.966
Dunkel Line: St. Joseph's by 11 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Joseph's by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Joseph's (-6 1/2)
Game 723-724: Western Kentucky at Southern Illinois
Dunkel Ratings: Western Kentucky 52.752; Southern Illinois 60.523
Dunkel Line: Southern Illinois by 8
Vegas Line: Southern Illinois by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Southern Illinois (-5 1/2)
Game 725-726: Missouri at Kansas
Dunkel Ratings: Missouri 70.784; Kansas 82.021
Dunkel Line: Kansas by 11
Vegas Line: Kansas by 12
Dunkel Pick: Missouri (+12)
Game 727-728: Boise State at Idaho
Dunkel Ratings: Boise State 53.159; Idaho 58.057
Dunkel Line: Idaho by 5
Vegas Line: Idaho by 7
Dunkel Pick: Boise State (+7)
Game 729-730: Chattanooga at Wofford
Dunkel Ratings: Chattanooga 50.290; Wofford 60.507
Dunkel Line: Wofford by 10
Vegas Line: Wofford by 13 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chattanooga (+13 1/2)
Game 731-732: College of Charleston at Western Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: College of Charleston 55.960; Western Carolina 58.710
Dunkel Line: Western Carolina by 3
Vegas Line: Western Carolina by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: College of Charleston (+6 1/2)
Game 733-734: Samford at Furman
Dunkel Ratings: Samford 46.969; Furman 51.148
Dunkel Line: Furman by 4
Vegas Line: Furman by 2
Dunkel Pick: Furman (-2)
Game 735-736: Delaware State at Coppin State
Dunkel Ratings: Delaware State 43.521; Coppin State 43.279
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 737-738: Alabama State at Southern
Dunkel Ratings: Alabama State 40.708; Southern 36.762
Dunkel Line: Alabama State by 4
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
NHL
Pittsburgh at NY Rangers
The Rangers look to take advantage of a Pittsburgh team that is coming off a 2-1 victory in Philadelphia and is 1-6 in its last 7 games following a win. New York is the pick (+110) according to Dunkel, which has the Rangers favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (+110)
Game 1-2: Pittsburgh at NY Rangers
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 11.796; NY Rangers 12.278
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (+110); Under
Game 3-4: St. Louis at Calgary
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 11.416; Calgary 12.177
Dunkel Line & Total: Calgary by 1/2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: Calgary (-160); 5
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (-160); Under
Game 5-6: Buffalo at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 13.741; Vancouver 12.517
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-145); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (+125); Over
BIG AL
Cleveland Cavaliers at Miami Heat
Prediction: Miami Heat
The Cavaliers won, perhaps, their season's biggest victory last week with a six-point win over the Lakers. Then, LeBron James & Co. followed up that triumph with a 1-point squeaker at home over Oklahoma City. But that's the good news. The bad news is that guards Mo Williams and Delonte West will be out for a while with injuries. Cleveland, obviously, has the league's best record, but it is on a poor 1-4-1 ATS streak away from home, while Miami's last two home games have been 31 and 30-point blowout wins. Finally, it's worth noting that the Cavaliers are a poor 1-8 ATS off four or more wins. Take the home dog Heat.
Frank Jordan
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat
Play: Cleveland Cavaliers -1.5
Miami has won two in a row, but Cleveland has played better with four straight wins. Miami has 13 wins at home while Cleveland has 17 road wins. Miami has won six of 10 however in those same 10 games Cleveland has won 7. Dwyane Wade scores 27 points a game and has 6 assists LeBron James is just under 30 points and 8 assists. Look for LeBron and the Cavaliers to cool off the Heat in Miami. Play Cleveland
Cajun Sports
Atlanta Hawks vs. Houston Rockets
Play: Atlanta Hawks +1.5
The Hawks head west for a Texas two-step with visits to Houston and San Antonio on a mini road swing before returning home to face Boston.
Atlanta has won five of their last six games cashing the winning ticket in four of the six matchups. The Hawks have led the way against the spread this season with a 28-14 ATS mark including a solid 12-7 ATS on the highway and 6-2 ATS when installed as an underdog.
Houston has not been as fortunate posting a 2-8 ATS record their last ten games overall including their most recent game which was a home loss versus the Bulls losing 104 to 97 as 6 point home favorites. Home may be where the heart is but for Houston backers they have been unable to stack any paper as the Rockets are 0-4 against the spread their last 4 at the Toyota Center.
Atlanta has averaged 98.1 points per game on the road this season and allowed 97.9 points per game to teams that would normally average 99.5 points per game.
Houston averages 103.3 points per game at home this season and they have allowed 100.7 points per game to teams that normally score 100.2 points per game. The Hawks are 13-6 ATS versus teams that allow 99 or more points per game.
The Hawks are 18-7-1 ATS when facing teams from the Western Conference. Houston is 0-4 ATS their last 4 versus teams from the Eastern Conference. The Rockets are 0-4 ATS following a game in which they allowed their opponent to score 100 or more points and 0-4 ATS their last 4 when installed as home chalk.
The most recent series history in Houston (2008) would tell us to play the host but that was built by two different teams and that is the reason the Rockets are barely favored in this game. We will back the visitor here as the Hawks take down the Rockets on their home floor on Monday night.
PROJECTED FORECAST: 2* Atlanta Hawks 104 Houston Rockets 99
LT Profits
Phoenix Suns @ Utah Jazz
Now we get that the Phoenix Suns always play at a fast pace with defense being an afterthought and that the Utah Jazz offense is, well, Suns-like when they play at home. That said, this total still seems inflated, as those facts are very well known and the books expect Over action on this game almost regardless of the total they post.
You may be surprised to learn that the Under is actually 24-19-2 in all Phoenix games this season, including 13-9-1, 59.1 percent on the road, This is obviously not because the Sins are suddenly playing defense, but rather because their totals are always inflated. Phoenix road games are still averaging 216.1 points combined, but even that figure has been good enough for a 59.1 percent Under rate, and it is about four points less than this posted total.
The Suns have gone Under in three straight games overall, with all of them being at home, and as frenetic as their pace is, it is interesting that they have been unable to solve the Jazz defense in their last three trips to Utah. In those last three visits, Phoenix managed just 99 (in overtime no less), 97 and 86 points respectively, well below Suns standards and figures that would make it virtually impossible to go Over this bloated total.
Now the Jazz do average 105.2 points per game at home, but they are simultaneously allowing 96.0 points on 44.5 percent shooting, and while that combined total of 201.2 points would be good enough to go Over many times, as the Over is 13-10 in Utah home games, that total is still about 19 points less than this posted number!
So despite the offensive prowess that both of these teams obviously possess, this total is set so high because of that that the Under actually has value.
Pick: Suns/Jazz Under 220.5
Nick “The BookieKiller” Parsons
Buffalo Sabres @ Vancouver Canucks
PICK: Under 5.5
For a number of different reasons I believe we're getting excellent value on the "under" in this situation:
While their lead in the Northeast Division remains secure, the Sabres (30-13-7) have stumbled during the second half of their seven-game trip, losing three straight games in California at Anaheim, Los Angeles and San Jose.
Standout goalie Ryan Miller, who will lead the United States’ Olympic team in Vancouver next month, stopped 19 of 23 shots, allowing four or more goals for just the second time in his last 27 appearances as the Sabres lost 5-2 in San Jose on Saturday night.
On the other side of the rink: The Canucks go for a fifth straight win Monday night against the Sabres, who have dropped three straight overall and have not won in Vancouver in more than 10 years.
In their 5-1 win over Chicago on Saturday night, Roberto Luongo made a season-high 43 saves to help out a banged-up defensive corps that was lacking injured regulars Sami Salo, Willie Mitchell and Kevin Bieksa.
It's interesting to point out that Vancouver has in fact seen the total go "under" the posted number in four of its last six after a three game unbeaten streak and in 16 of its last 27 when playing against a team with a winning record.
Bottom line: Four out of the last six times these teams have played against each other in Vancouver, the total has gone "under" the posted number.
I believe when you take this strong trend into account and couple it with the rest of these factors, that UNDER is worth a second look in this game.
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Dallas Mavericks -3
The Knicks really fought hard against the Lakers Friday only to come up 10 points short. After expending so much energy in that game, it will be extremely difficult for them to bounce back today against a Mavs team that will be hungry for a win after a poor showing in Philly. Over the last 3 seasons, Dallas has won all 4 meetings with New York, posting a 2-0 SU & ATS record at MSG during this time. The Mavs are one of the better road teams in the NBA at 15-8. Plus, they are an impressive 12-1 ATS in road games off an upset loss over the last 2 seasons, 10-2 ATS in road games after a game where they failed to cover the spread this season, and 17-5 ATS in road games after 1 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons. We'll take Dallas for 1 Unit this afternoon.
Dominic Fazzini
Atlanta at HOUSTON -1
Well, the Colts' and Jets' offenses were both more successful than I thought they were going to be Sunday, and their ability to put up points pushed the total over and stuck me with a loss with my complimentary selection. That dropped my record to 61-42-3 over the last 106 days, but I've got an NBA winner tonight that will get me back on track.
The Rockets have been quite successful against the Hawks, especially in Houston. Atlanta is 0-5 ATS in the teams' last five games overall, and 0-5 in the last five meetings in Houston.
The home team also has rolled in this series, going 8-3 ATS, while the favorite is 7-3 ATS in the teams' last 10 meetings.
Houston is 13-6 SU at home this season, while Atlanta, despite being an excellent team, is essentially a .500 team on the road, going 10-9.
The Rockets can get scoring from a variety of players, with any of them capable of stepping up and taking the lead on a given night. Forward Luis Scola has really had a lot of success in Houston's last three games against the Hawks, recording double-doubles in every game.
Guard Joe Johnson leads Atlanta in scoring at 21.1 ppg, but he has struggled against the Rockets, averaging just 14.5 points on 34.4 percent shooting in his last four games in Houston.
The Rockets have struggled a bit lately, losing six of their last 10 games, but I think they'll get the job done tonight against the Hawks, who just ended a five-game homestand. Take Houston to cover the points and get the victory.
3♦ HOUSTON
Karl Garrett
New Orleans at PORTLAND
Sunday comp play winner on Minnesota-New Orleans OVER the total.
New Orleans is playing their 3rd straight on the road, and after opening this road swing with a win at Minnesota, they did pick up a cover at Denver in an overtime loss. I will take the points with the Hornets once again, as Portland comes back home off a 4-game east coast road swing, and I expect the Blazers to be a little fatigued in the later stages of this game.
Portland has won the last pair, and 3 of the last 4 series meetings, including a road win and cover in this year's first meeting.
With wins in 10 of their last 14 games straight up, it appears the Hornets are gaining some momentum. Look for them to fight hard once again tonight, and notch another underdog cover.
Take the points.
1♦ NEW ORLEANS
Bobby Maxwell
Georgetown at SYRACUSE -6
Easy FREE winner Sunday with the Mavericks blowing out the Knicks and I improved my amazing run to 58-24, including 35-10 with comp selections. Tonight I'm on the college hoops court with a freebie on Syracuse as they host Georgetown in Big East action.
Syracuse has rattled off six straight wins and gotten the cash in five of those six. The one game the Orange didn’t cash in was Saturday when they beat Marquette 76-71 at home but came up just short as an 8 ½-point favorite.
These guys shoot lights out at home, hitting 54.1 percent of their shots and averaging 84.4 points a game. They also get the job done on defense, limiting the opposition to 36.9 percent shooting inside the Carrier Dome and allowing just 62.1 points per contest.
They’ve got a budding star in Wesley Johnson who lit up Marquette for 22 points and 15 rebounds.
In this rivalry, the home team has won five in a row and cashed in four of the five. Last year, the Orangemen needed overtime to dispose of the Hoyas, but scored a 98-94 win as a 3 ½-point home favorite. In fact, Syracuse is 5-1 ATS in the last six clashes with Georgetown inside the Carrier Dome.
Georgetown is on ATS slides of 7-19 in conference play and 4-10 on Mondays. On the opposite side, Syracuse is on ATS runs of 12-3 in Big East play, 21-6 overall and 12-4 at home. Love the Orangemen to take care of Georgetown tonight. Lay the chalk with Syracuse.
3♦ SYRACUSE
EZWINNERS
Utah Jazz -7
The Suns are slumping, especially on the road. Phoenix has dropped five of its last seven games overall and are only 6-13-1 as a road underdog of 5 to 10.5 points. The Jazz have been excellent at home this season. Utah is 17-6 straight up and 15-7-1 against the spread in Salt Lake City this season. Utah averages 105.2 points a game at home and shoot 51.2 percent from the floor. This will be too much for the slumping Suns to overcome as Amare trade talks begin to swirl once again. Lay the points.
James Patrick Sports
Tennessee Chattanooga vs. Wofford
The Wofford Terriers were a (16) win team a year ago and they return their top (9) scorers and that has the fans in Spartanburg buzzing. The Mocs are just (3-7) ATS in road action and our Monday College Basketball selection is Wofford Terriers.
Tom Freese
Georgetown at Syracuse
Prediction: Syracuse
Syracuse is 19-1 overall and 6-1 in Conference Play. Forward Wesley Johnson scores 17.3 points a night while shooting 44% from beyond the arc and he grabs 9.1 rebounds a night. Guard Andy Rautins scores 10.1 points a game while shooting 41% from three point land. Center Arinze Onuaku scores 10.2 points a night. Guard Brandon Triche scores 10.2 points a game while shooting 41% from beyond the arc. Forward Kris Joseph scores 10 points a night. Forward Rich Jackson score 9.6 points a game. The Orange average 84.1 points a game. George.town is 15-3 overall and 6-2 in league play. The Hoyas are led in scoring by guard Austin Freeman and his 15.6 points a game. Freeman shoots 46% from beyond the arc. Center Greg Monroe scores 15.2 points and 10.4 rebounds a game. Guard Chris Wright scores 13.1 points a game while shooting just under 42% from behind the line. Guard Jason Clark scores 10.6 points a night while shooting just under 43% from three point land. PLAY ON GEORGETOWN
Scott Spreitzer
Phoenix Suns at Utah Jazz
Utah won both meetings at this venue a season ago, and they're 17-6 SU at home this season, including five straight wins. This is a mismatch of units in this one with Utah scoring in bunches during the home winning streak, around 112 ppg, while the Suns are not only losing on the road, but allowing close to 120 ppg in their last four. Utah should have little trouble with Phoenix, especially Carlos Boozer who goes unmatched in the paint in this one. The winning run has coincided with the return of Andrei Kirilenko to the starting lineup. "AK-47" has made 32 of his last 54 shots, making opponents defend yet another offensive threat. It also gives the Jazz an added shot-blocker, or at least a shot "adjuster" on the defensive end. This is a bad matchup for a struggling Phoenix team, and I'm laying the points with Utah.
Play on: Utah