Free Picks: Service Plays for Monday, January 27

DUNKEL INDEX

NCAAB

Duke at Pittsburgh
The Blue Devils head to Pittsburgh tonight to face a Panthers team that is coming off an 83-79 win at Maryland and is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games after scoring 80 points or more in the previous game. Duke is the pick (+3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Blue Devils favored by 2. Dunkel Pick: Duke (+3 1/2)

Game 713-714: Duke at Pittsburgh (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Duke 76.524; Pittsburgh 74.557
Dunkel Line: Duke by 2; 145
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh by 3 1/2; 140 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Duke (+3 1/2); Over

Game 715-716: College of Charleston at William & Mary (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: College of Charleston 53.584; William & Mary 55.838
Dunkel Line: William & Mary by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: William & Mary by 5
Dunkel Pick: College of Charleston (+5)

Game 717-718: Hofstra at Towson (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Hofstra 46.057; Towson 59.765
Dunkel Line: Towson by 13 1/2
Vegas Line: Towson by 10
Dunkel Pick: Towson (-10)

Game 719-720: Villanova at Georgetown (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Villanova 68.099; Georgetown 67.823
Dunkel Line: Even; 150
Vegas Line: Villanova by 5 1/2; 141 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Georgetown (+5 1/2); Over

Game 721-722: Oklahoma State at Oklahoma (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma State 73.551; Oklahoma 66.210
Dunkel Line: Oklahoma State by 7 1/2; 159
Vegas Line: Oklahoma State by 4; 154
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma State (-4); Over

Game 723-724: Eastern Washington at Portland State (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Washington 44.352; Portland State 49.826
Dunkel Line: Portland State by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Portland State by 2
Dunkel Pick: Portland State (-2)

Game 731-732: Norfolk State at Savannah State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Norfolk State 45.608; Savannah State 46.281
Dunkel Line: Savannah State by 1
Vegas Line: Savannah State by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Norfolk State (+2 1/2)

Game 733-734: Colgate at Lafayette (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colgate 46.802; Lafayette 49.593
Dunkel Line: Lafayette by 3
Vegas Line: Lafayette by 1
Dunkel Pick: Lafayette (-1)

Game 735-736: AR-Pine Bluff at Texas Southern (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: AR-Pine Bluff 35.031; Texas Southern 50.128
Dunkel Line: Texas Southern by 15
Vegas Line: Texas Southern by 13 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas Southern (-13 1/2)

Art Aronson

Boston Bruins vs. NY Islanders
Play: Boston Bruins -128

The Bruins got embarrassed in a 3-5 loss to the Islanders on its’ home ice the last time these two teams met and I bet this game will spell revenge for a strong like Boston. The Bruins are 9-6 in games where they are revenging a loss. Boston is coming off back-to-back wins so you it is playing some hockey at this point. After a nice winning streak the Islanders have come back down to earth after back-to-back losses to good teams in the Penguins and the Blues. The Bruins are another good team and this should be a tough win, even at home. New York is 9-13 in games where it is facing a team with a losing record. Boston is 3-1 SU in road games at the Islanders the past three seasons despite losing three straight overall to New York. This looks like a perfect spot for revenge for Boston. Keep an eye out for Bruins forward Brad Marchand who is red hot and has eight points in the last eight games versus the Islanders. Lay a fair price to get Boston here.

Doug Upstone

Buffalo Sabres vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Play: Pittsburgh Penguins -1½ +104

Pittsburgh has won 14 of their last 15 home games and according to the numbers I see, they statistically are 1.7 goals better than Buffalo on neutral ice. They are getting healthier and look to bounce back after a poor outing in Dallas Saturday. Pens win by at least two at home on Monday night.

Jim Feist

Los Angeles Clippers at Milwaukee Bucks
Pick: Los Angeles Clippers

The LA Clippers are first in the Western Conference Pacific Division and fourth overall in the conference. The Clippers have been playing great ball, winning eight of their last 10 games. The have accomplished this without the services of guard Chris Paul, arguably their best player. In the nine games since Paul has been gone the Clippers have won six of nine and are outscoring opponents by over five points per game. The Clippers wrap up this long, seven-game road trip tonight in Milwaukee. The Trip has been a good one with wins at New York, Detroit, Chicago and Toronto. The Clippers have the third best scoring offense in the NBA (106 ppg) led by forward Blake Griffin (22.8 ppg). Griffin has really stepped-up his game with Paul out, averaging 24.8 ppg and five assists since without his star guard in the lineup. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks have been horrible. The Bucks have lost two straight games and 11 of the last 12. And bettors have done just as bad, as the Bucks are just 3-9 ATS their last 12 games. Milwaukee is the only team in the NBA to not have at least 10 wins this season (8-35). In addition, the Bucks are just 4-16 S/U at home this season. The Clippers have also owned this series of late, going 13-5-1 ATS in the last 19 meetings. Don't look for much to change here on Monday as the Clippers will bag the bucks for the easy cover.

Marc Lawrence

Atlanta Hawks at Oklahoma City Thunder
Pick: Atlanta Hawks

When the Hawks take on the Thunder Monday night in in Oklahoma CIty, they will look to avenge a 101-92 loss suffered in Atlanta on December 10 this season. With OKC just 1-8 ATS at home with one day of rest versus an opponent also playing with one day of rest and eyeing up a bigger game with the Heat on Wednesday, look for the Thunder to fall to 0-6 SUATS in games before Miami here tonight. We recommend a 1-unit play on Atlanta.

Larry Ness

Oklahoma State at Oklahoma
Pick: Oklahoma

The Bedlam rivalry (Okla/Okla St) understandably gets more attention on the gridiron but the hardwood edition is not 'chopped liver.' The Cowboys visit Norman ranked No. 11 at 16-3 (4-2 in Big 12 play) with the Sooners checking in at 16-4 (5-2) and ranked No. 25. In fact, it's been nearly nine years since BOTH Oklahoma's and Oklahoma State's basketball squads have tipped off as ranked teams!

Oklahoma has gotten the best of it in the Bedlam series lately, winning 11 of the last 18 meetings and has DOMINATED here in Norman, winning NINE in a row (since a 65-52 loss on Feb 16, 2004). The Sooners come in having won three straight games, limiting the opposition to 66.0 points per game in that span, more than 10 fewer than their season average for points allowed. Oklahoma never trailed and limited Texas Tech to 28.6 percent shooting from long range in a 74-65 victory Saturday.

"This group is growing," Sooners coach Lon Kruger said. "We're still learning. We're still growing. But we've done a good job finishing ball games." All five starters are averaging in double figures, with FOUR of the five being guards. Clark (17.0-5.8) leads the way, followed by Hield (16.6-4.4) PG Woodard (11.0-4.6 APG) and Cousins (10.4-4.2). The 6-8 Spangler (11.1-9.8) doesn't get much help up front, as only the 6-7 Neal (5.9-3.3) contributes much off the bench. Booker and Hornbeak combine for about 9.5 PPG off the bench in the backcourt.

Okla St features arguably the Big 12's best player in 6-4 guard Marcus Smart (17.1-5.7-4.4). Like the Sooners, the Cowboys are a perimeter-based team as well. Behind Smart, OSU's next four top scorers are all guards. The group includes Brown (16.5-5.4), Nash (14.1-6.1), Forte (12.6) and Williams (8.2). With the 6-8 Cobbins (4.5-4.3) lost for the season (since Dec 30), the lone big man of note is the 6-8 Murphy (5.9-5.4).

"It's Bedlam," Nash said after Saturday's win over West Va. "It don't get no better than this. It's two good teams. We're going into their house. We really want to win. We've got to give it to Oklahoma, they've got some good wins, and it's going to be tough." The last time the schools faced off with both teams ranked was on Feb 7, 2005, when then-No. 10 Oklahoma State beat the No. 16 Sooners 79-67.

However, considering Oklahoma has won NINE is a row here in Norman, why wouldn't I take the Sooners plus points at home?

Jimmy Boyd

College of Charleston +5

College of Charleston is the better team in this game. William & Mary has played some pretty soft defense this season, so I like the Cougars chances to put a big number on the scoreboard. The Tribe have surrendered 70.7 points per game this season against opponents whose offensive scoring average is under 70 points per game. The Cougars on the other hand have played some incredible defense this season. They are surrendering a mere 60.8 points per game on the road, and I don't expect them to have any trouble slowing the Tribe down.

Charleston may not have a great record, but several of their losses have come in close games. In fact, they have a total of three losses in Colonial Athletic play this season, and two of those three losses have been decided by four points or less. William & Mary is coming off a mere two point win over Drexel in their last outing, and I think it will be hard for them to get things back on track at home after having just played on the road on Saturday. Charleston is 61-30 ATS as a road underdog or pick and that trend will continue today.

David Glisan

Columbus +100

Both teams are playing well but in my opinion Columbus is the more legit of the two. Blue Jackets' starting goalie Sergie Bobrovsky is back from injury and has regained his elite level form. Columbus had their eight game losing streak broken by Buffalo last time out in one of their worst games of the past couple of months. Expect them to rebound nicely from that setback against a Carolina team they had no trouble with at home on January 10 (won 3-0). Jackets have won three straight in the series and should make it four in a row with a victory here.

Cajun Sports

Phoenix vs. Philadelphia
Play: Under 213.5

Monday’s complimentary selection comes from the NBA and its backed by a system that tells us to Play UNDER in the Suns – 76ers match-up. We want to Play Under with a home team seeking revenge where their opponent blistered them for at least 110 points with a current game total of 210 or more and a tired team playing at least eight games over the last couple weeks. These games have seen the Under post a record of 23-40 Under the last five seasons. Play Under

Rob Vinciletti

Edmonton Oilers vs. Vancouver Canucks
Play: Vancouver Canucks

The Cancuks are a two to one favorite here tonight which is too high to unit rate but for a free play will do just fine as they have a solid chance to win this one tonight. They have won 11 of the last 12 here vs the Oilers, the last 3 by 4 goals. The Canucks have won 17 of 23 vs losing teams. Edmonton has lost 11 of the last 12 road games and 7 straight. In division games they are 2-14 and 8-20 when they play with revenge. The Oilers have the leagues worst road defense and had better stay out of the penalty box here as Vancouver has the 4th best home power play. Look for Vancouver to get the win.

SPORTS WAGERS

Los Angeles +147 over SAN JOSE

Regulation only. The Kings’ stock hasn’t been this low in at least a couple of years but it’s not warranted. Win or lose, we’re going with the best of it here because Los Angeles is too good to keep losing at this pace and too good to be offered up a price like this one. The Kings have lost five in a row and back-to-back games against the Ducks on this past weekend, capped by that outdoor game at Dodger Stadium. They managed to score just one time in two games but they created a ton more scoring chances than the Ducks in both contests, outshooting Anaheim by a combined 67-42. The Kings defense held the high powered Ducks offense to just 21 shots on net in both games. L.A.’s outstanding defense is in great form and it’s only a matter of time before those scoring opportunities start finding the back of the net.

The Sharks are hot again with five wins in a row but they have had it rather easy with wins over Florida, Tampa Bay, Calgary Winnipeg and Minnesota. With the exception of a 3-0 win in Florida, all other games were decided by one goal and two of those four (against Minny and Tampa) were decided in extra time. Against Tampa, they allowed four goals but scored five against Ben Bishop, who had a rare bad start. The Sharks still have at least five regulars on the rack, they’ve had an easy schedule recently and they are absolutely overpriced here against one if the best teams in the NHL that is on the verge of snapping out of this. Overlay.

DALLAS -½ +135 over Colorado

Regulation only. Something has finally clicked in for the Stars. Having lost 10 of 12 games and allowing far too many scoring chances and goals, Dallas went back to the drawing board, regrouped under some intense practices and responded with three straight wins. During their current winning streak, the Stars have outscored Nashville, Toronto and Pittsburgh by a combined 14-1 and did not allow more than 25 shots on net in any of those games. Dallas is a loaded outfit that could move within four points of a playoff spot with a victory tonight. Winning is contagious and Dallas has the formula right now to make a serious playoff push.

Make no mistake about it, the Avalanche are solid too. They have won nine of their past 13 games and have also won four out of their past five on the road. However, this game comes after a two-game trip in Florida against the Panthers and Bolts. It will also be the eighth straight game in which the Avs have had to travel to their next destination. Teams that come from cold weather cities are very often flat after their two games in the state of Florida for whatever reason and Colorado is in danger of that happening here. The Avs have allowed four goals or more in three of their past four games while scoring two goals or less (in regulation) in four of their past six. Looking closely, we’re seeing a downward trend for the Avs while the opposite holds true for the Stars. This is a tough spot for Colorado against a rejuvenated Dallas team that is in peak form.

Carolina Sports

Sacramento Kings vs. Utah Jazz
Play: Utah Jazz -6

Sacramento falls into a negative system tonight that allows to play against road underdogs (SACRAMENTO), revenging a home loss vs opponent, off 2 or more consecutive home losses 62-29 (68.1%) over the last 5 seasons.

Tony Stoffo

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Play: Los Angeles Clippers -9.5

This may be the last game of a long road trip for the Clippers and they may be looking to get back hone - however I just can't see the Bucks being competitive in this spot tonight making for a solid release on the Clippers here. Last time the Clippers played in Milwaukee they came away with a 26 point win - I definitely look for more of the same here this evening. Los Angeles the play here.

Rob Veno

Charleston at William & Mary
Play: Charleston +5.5

Extreme contrast in styles here as College of Charleston’s tenacious defense tries to limit William & Mary’s extremely efficient offense. Each side is off a dramatic finish on Saturday with C of C losing a 58-56 heartbreaker at James Madison while W&M rode a 3-pointer at the buzzer to win at Drexel 68-66. Although the overall numbers show head coach Doug Wojcik’s Cougars to be the best defensive team in the Colonial, recent dents in the armor have been noticeable from beyond the arc. In each of their last three games Charleston has allowed 50% shooting from long distance and their 45% yielded in league play is by far the conference’s worst. With the three pointer being such an important piece of William & Mary’s offense (42.2% in CAA games), Charleston must tighten up that portion of their defense. Aside from that, Charleston seems to be able to negate Tribe assets and even hold some advantages of its own. William & Mary has been tremendous at home going 3-1 ATS and outscoring opponents by 11.7 ppg but C of C has played well on the road posting a 4-3 ATS mark while holding a +3.4 scoring margin. The Cougars defense has traveled very well as home opponents have shot a meager 39.1% against them and averaged only 58.3 points. Offensively, Charleston has been a poor shooting team this season but their three point accuracy in CAA games is a league best 42.3% just ahead of William & Mary. Fundamentally this figures to be a grinding, half court style of game which makes it impossible to ignore William & Mary’s solid offensive execution from a straight up perspective but C of C has enough tools to stay within the number.