SPORTS ADVISORS
Denver (45-21, 31-30-5 ATS) at Houston (33-31, 29-35 ATS)
The Nuggets take aim at their seventh straight win as they make a stop inside the Toyota Center for a matchup with the Rockets.
Denver is looking to wrap up a four-game road trip with a spotless record and it enters this one on a six-game winning streak (4-1-1 ATS) after going to Memphis and blowing out the Grizzlies 125-108 on Saturday, easily cashing as 1½-point favorites. They broke the game open by outscoring the Grizzlies 40-23 in the fourth quarter as J.R. Smith led the way with 30 points. Denver has averaged 115.4 points a game in its last five contests and shot 51.6 percent from the field.
Houston has won two straight (1-1 ATS), including Saturday’s 116-108 home win over the Nets, coming up just short as a 9½-point favorite. Luis Scola had the best game of his career, shooting 20-for-25 from the field for 44 points and 12 rebounds. The Rockets are looking for a third straight win, something they haven’t done since Dec. 22.
The Nuggets have won both matchups with Houston this season (2-0 ATS), including a 97-92 victory inside the Toyota Center back on Jan. 27, cashing as a 2½-point pup and making them 5-2 ATS in the last seven head-to-head matchups overall.
Denver is on ATS slides of 1-5 on Mondays, 1-10 as a road chalk of less than five points and 3-11-4 after a spread-cover, but it is on positive ATS runs of 6-2-3 on the road, 3-0-1 overall and 39-19-3 against teams with a winning record. The Rockets are 7-2 ATS in their last nine as a home ‘dog and 6-2 ATS in their last eight Monday games, but they are on ATS skids of 9-22 overall, 5-11 against the Western Conference, 3-14 at home and 3-13 after a straight-up win.
For the Nuggets, the under is 4-1 in the last five overall and 7-3 in their last 10 against Southwest Division teams, but otherwise they’re on “over” runs of 7-2 as a favorite, 15-7 against winning teams and 4-1 as a chalk of less than five points. Houston has topped the total in 10 of 12 after a straight-up win, but it is on “under” streaks of 6-2 on Mondays, 4-1 as a home ‘dog, 7-3 after a non-cover and 5-0 at home against teams with a winning road mark.
In this series, the “over” has cashed in four of the last six overall.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DENVER
New Orleans (32-35, 30-36-1 ATS) at L.A. Clippers (25-42, 29-37-1 ATS)
The Clippers will try to snap a seven-game losing streak when they welcome the equally struggling Hornets into the Staples Center.
New Orleans got smoked in Phoenix last night, losing 120-106 and failing to cash as 10-point underdogs. The Hornets have now dropped three in a row and seven of their last eight (0-7-1 ATS), and they haven’t won a road game since Feb. 6 in Charlotte, a nosedive spanning seven games (2-4-1 ATS).
Los Angeles ended a winless five-game road trip (1-4 ATS) with Saturday’s 118-88 loss in San Antonio as an 11½-point underdog. The Clippers, who are 1-6 ATS during their seven-game slide, have failed to score in triple digits in six straight games, tallying 88 or fewer four times. During their just-completed road trip, they got outscored by an average of 18.6 ppg (110.4-91) and allowed those five opponents to shoot a combined 50.5 percent from the field.
The Hornets are on an astounding 12-0 SU and ATS run against the Clippers, including three victories this season. In November, New Orleans went to Los Angeles and scored a 112-84 win as a two-point chalk, and followed it up with home wins in November (110-102 as a two-point ‘dog) and January (108-94 as a 7½-point chalk). The Hornets have won and covered six straight on the Clippers’ home floor, and they’re 17-4 ATS in the last 21 clashes overall.
New Orleans has struggled at the betting window lately, currently on ATS skids of 1-9-1 against Western conference teams, 2-5 on Mondays and 6-15 against teams with a losing record. Meanwhile, the Clippers have cashed in 12 of 18 at home and 11 of 17 against teams with losing records, but in addition to their current 1-6 ATS drought, they are on pointspread skids of 7-20-1 on Monday, 16-44 against the Western Conference and 16-38 against Southwest Division teams.
The Hornets are on several “over” streaks, including 9-3 on the road, 4-1 on Mondays, 5-0 on the second night of a back-to-back and 5-0 against teams with a losing record. Los Angeles has stayed below the posted total in 35 of 52 Monday contests, but it is on “over” runs of 3-0-1 overall, 6-1 against losing teams and 15-7 against Western Conference teams.
In this series, the “over” has been the play in each of the last five meetings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NEW ORLEANS and OVER
DUNKEL INDEX
Denver at Houston
The Nuggets look to take advantage of a Houston team that is 3-14 ATS in its last 17 home games. Denver is the pick (-3) according to Dunkel, which has the Nuggets favored by 4 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Denver (-3).
Game 501-502: New York at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: New York 107.939; Philadelphia 117.686
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 9 1/2; 213
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia by 3 1/2; 210 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-3 1/2); Over
Game 503-504: Detroit at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 113.149; Boston 119.079
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 6; 194
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 9 1/2; 196
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+9 1/2); Under
Game 505-506: Denver at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 124.495; Houston 119.687
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 4 1/2; 217
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 3; 215 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-3); Over
Game 507-508: Washington at Utah
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 112.013; Utah 125.800
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 14; 195
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 509-510: New Orleans at LA Clippers
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 114.593; LA Clippers 110.027
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 4 1/2; 191
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 511-512: LA Lakers at Golden State
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 123.049; Golden State 116.289
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 7; 220
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 7 1/2; 222
Dunkel Pick: Golden State (+7 1/2); Under
NHL
Detroit at Calgary
The Flames look to take advantage of a Detroit team that is 1-4 in the last 5 meetings between the two teams. Calgary is the pick (-110) according to Dunkel, which has the Flames favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Calgary (-110)
Game 51-52: Edmonton at Columbus
Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 10.173; Columbus 11.792
Dunkel Line & Total: Columbus by 1 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 53-54: Boston at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 11.772; New Jersey 11.029
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-165); 5
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+145); Under
Game 55-56: Detroit at Calgary
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 12.156; Calgary 13.268
Dunkel Line & Total: Calgary by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Calgary (-110); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (-110); Under
Red Dog Sports
Red Wings at Flames
Play Under 5.5
Look for a 3-2 score on Monday night as these teams have played their share of unders this year. Our free play for 1 unit is to play under 5.5 in the Detroit vs. Calgary game.
Frank Jordan
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors
Play: Los Angeles Lakers -7.5
This used to be a great rivalry to see if Golden State can run and gun their way to outscore LA, but Golden State has lost many of those players. LA on the other hand is retooling for another run at a championship as they are defending champs. Look for Kobe and company to walk all over and through the weakened Warriors. Play LA Lakers
DAVID CHAN
Boston Bruins @ New Jersey Devils
PICK: New Jersey Devils
Neither team has looked great since the Olympic break. The Devils are 3-3 since the NHL resumed, and the Bruins are 3-4. What the Devils do seem to have is Boston’s number. The Devils have won both prior meetings the season, both 2-1, both in Boston. Going back to last season, the Devils took two out of three then as well.
Since returning from a West Coast trip, the Devils have been able to sleep in their own beds for a week. This is the sixth consecutive game on the road for the Bruins, and in four of the first five they’ve been outshot. The Bruins are tired and the Devils will take advantage.
Nick “The BookieKiller” Parsons
Boston @ New Jersey
PICK: Boston +1.5
On Saturday I recommend a "puck-line" wager on the Buffalo Sabres against the Detroit Red Wings and said: "In a tightly contested affair, which could very well see OT, I'll lay the wood for the 1 1/2 here."
The end result was a 3-2 Red Wings OT victory.
That was my fifth "free play" winner in a row.
Tonight the Bruins travel to New Jersey to take on the Devils at 7:00 ET, and for a number of different reasons I believe the value in this contest is Boston on the "puck-line".
The best word to describe New Jerseys run since the break would be: inconsistent.
In fact, since January 12th, the Devils have gone 8-13-2 to hand back the Atlantic Division lead to Pittsburgh.
New Jersey is coming off a listless 4-2 defeat to the last place Islanders on Saturday.
The Devils power play has been brutal of late; 0-4, including a 5-on-3 vs. New York.
And although it has the advantage of playing at home tonight, and is undeniably anxious to notch one in the "win column", things won't get any easier on this team as the Bruins rank right near the top of the league on the penalty kill at nearly 86%.
New Jersey has already beaten the Bruins twice this year by tight 2-1 scores in each affair, with the last Nov. 27th contest seeing overtime.
Marty Brodeur has been excellent against the Bruins over the last five years, but his play, like his teams, has been inconsistent of late.
Boston blew a chance to solidify its position in eighth spot in the East, and even move up the ladder, with a frustrating 3-2 setback in Montreal on Saturday; however I believe the Bruins will come out tonight extremely focused as they will also be playing with the "double-revenge" factor.
I expect another tightly contested affair; each is looking to bounce-back after sub-par efforts; each is trying desperately to garner as many points as possible down the stretch and into the Playoffs.
When taking all of the above into consideration, I'll lay the wood for the 1 1/2 here.
BIG AL
Washington @ Utah
PICK: Washington
Utah is mired in a small losing streak, but things won't get any easier tonight at home, as Utah looks to be without its 3rd and 4th leading scorers (Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko). Its opponent will be the Washington Wizards, who will be determined to snap their 7-game losing streak. And, according to my database, there's an excellent chance they will get at least the pointspread win tonight. Consider that, over the past 20 seasons, rested NBA road underdogs of +9.5 (or more) points, on 6-game (or worse) losing streaks are a super 129-90 ATS, provided their win percentage is not less than .100. Take Washington + the points.
Rob Vinciletti
New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Play: New York Knicks +3½
What we want to do in this game is play o road teams with 1 or more days rest if they were a road dog +10 or more and scored 120 or more,vs an opponent who scored 90 or more. These road teams have won every times since 1995 and failed to cover just one. While its very rare that road dogs of 10 or more score 120 or more its interesting that they carry that effort over in their very next road game. The Knicks ended the Mavericks 13 game win streak and now go into Philly to take on a Sixers team taht is unrested and off a road loss down in Miami. Philadelphia is 1-9 straight up and ats at home with no rest if they scored 90 or more the night before. Look for the Knicks to cover tonight.
JIM FEIST
DENVER NUGGETS / HOUSTON ROCKETS
TAKE: HOUSTON ROCKETS
The Denver Nuggets have rattled off six straight wins after Friday's victory over Memphis, 125-108. Denver is still holding the second spot in the West with a short lead over Dallas. The Rockets find themselves in 10th position in the West, about five games out of a playoff spot. The Rockets have won two straight games with victories over New Jersey and Washington. The Nuggets find themselves a 3-point road favorite here and that's why I will be taking the home dog with the Rockets. The Nuggets haven't performed well in this spot, having a 1-8 ATS mark the last nine times they have been installed as a 3 point road favorite. Conversely, the Rockets do perform well in this spot, posting a 9-2-1 ATS record the last 12 times they have been 3-point home dogs. The Rockets need the win to keep their chances of a playoff spot alive and well take them here on Monday.
James Patrick Sports
Wizards vs. Jazz
Utah is back in Salt Lake City after a tour of the eastern conference and tonight's opponent, the Washington Wizards have fared well here with a (5-1) ATS record and this series has seen the road team cash at a (8-2-1) ATS clip and the underdog is also a solid (9-2-1) ATS the past (12) battles.Big Game James NBA selection for Monday is Washington Wizards.
VEGAS EXPERTS
New Orleans Hornets at LA Clippers
You'd have to look pretty hard to find a more lopsided history than the one between these two teams as the Hornets have beaten the Clippers 12 straight times, covering on 11 occasions, including 10 straight. Therefore, this looks like a good spot for New Orleans to snap its current eight-game ATS losing streak, particularly because the Clippers have lost seven straight games. LA quit a long time ago and is already making its summer golf plans. Like LeBron would want to play here?
Play on: New Orleans
Karl Garrett
Denver (-3) at HOUSTON
My comp play run is 17-9-1 my last 27 free play selections.
For Monday night in the NBA, lay the small road impost with Denver as they take on a Houston team that is on a 3-14 home spread slide coming into tonight's action.
The Rockets have been able to win their last pair of games, and 4 of their last 6 overall, but wins over the league's doormats in New Jersey, Washington, Minnesota, and Toronto hardly qualifies as a "buy sign" tonight for the host.
Denver has won 6 in a row, inlcuding all 3 on this road trip, and the Nuggets have also been able to win and cover both season series meetings against Houston this year.
G-Man riding the red-hot Nuggets to head back home with another road win and cover.
Lay it.
4♦ DENVER
Bobby Maxwell
L.A. Lakers (-8) at GOLDEN STATE
I'm moving to the NBA hardwood for a FREE selection today and still carrying that amazing 67-37-3 streak with my comp selections. Today, I'm playing the Lakers on the road, laying the chalk with them to clobber Golden State.
The Lakers have beaten the Warriors eight straight times, including all three matchups this season. Ironically, the only time Los Angeles covered the number was in their trip to Oakland when they spanked Golden State 130-97 as an 8 ½-point favorite.
The two games in Los Angeles were closer and Golden State was able to sneak inside the number. The Lakers have cashed in their last two trips to Golden State and four of their last five.
The Lakers showed some good patience in a 102-96 win at Phoenix on Friday night, cashing as a two-point favorite. The Lakers were 40-of-81 from the field and hit every key shot down the stretch.
When Los Angeles, and Kobe Bryant, decide to distribute the ball, this team is damn good. Against the Suns all five starters were in double-digits with Kobe leading the way with 21 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. But when he gets Ron Artest, Pau Gasol and Derek Fisher coming with 15 points apiece and Andrew Bynum scoring 18 and pulling down 9 rebounds, this team is tough to stop.
Los Angeles is 21-6 ATS in their last 27 roadies against a team with a losing home record. They know how to go on the road and take care of bad teams.
The Lakers are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 trips to Golden State and I don’t see that trend changing tonight. Los Angeles will lock down in the second half and pull away from the Warriors for at least a 13-point win. Play the Lakers.
4♦ L.A. LAKERS
Brett Atkins
I'm coming with an NBA free winner tonight as we take a little break with college hoops for a few days as the teams prepare for the Big Dance to get under way on Thursday. Tonight, I'm laying the chalk with Denver as the Nuggets go to Houston to take on the Rockets.
Denver has looked like the best team in the NBA lately, just blowing out teams over the last few weeks. They are riding a six-game winning streak and have gone 4-1-1 ATS in those six games.
The Nuggets are scoring 115.4 points a game and shooting 51.6 percent from the floor. Houston can’t keep up that pace and go with Denver in this one.
The Nuggets have already beaten the Rockets twice this season, including in Houston back on Jan. 27 when they strolled in there and won 97-92 as a 2 ½-point underdog.
The Rockets have had their struggles at home lately, going 3-14 ATS in their last 17 in Houston while the Nuggets are 6-2-3 ATS in their last 11 roadies. Lay the small chalk and play Denver tonight!
3♦ DENVER
Joel Tyson
14-6 comp play run the last 20 days as the Suns cash in on Sunday night!
Philly has been struggling big time lately, but they are catching the Knicks playing their 4th of 5 in a row on the road, and the Knicks are of a road rout of Dallas on Saturday, so New York could be in a little bit of a letdown spot here tonight.
Philadelphia is a dominant 6-1 the last 7 series meetings, and 8-2 the last 10, covering in 7 of those 10.
Philly ends their 4 game slide with the win and cover tonight.
3♦ PHILADELPHIA