Brad Wilton
My comp play for Monday will be Utah over Minnesota in the NBA.
The Timberwolves stopped a 3 game series losing streak with the overtime win at Salt Lake City a week ago, but I expect the Jazzmen to get back on track tonight in this road contest, as Utah comes into this one off a nice home upset win over Oklahoma City their last time out.
Minny's last win comes against Utah, as the T-Wolves have dropped 3 in a row since that upset win in Utah, and the Wolves are only 3-14 straight up their last 17 games, and just 4-8 against the spread in their last dozen games.
Utah resumes their winning with the road cover tonight at Minnesota.
Lay it.
1* UTAH
Chris Jordan
My free play tonight is on the Memphis Grizzlies, laying points against the visiting Sacramento Kings.
Sometimes the bully comes out in all of us. You simply have had enough with other things going on, and so you take your frustrations out on someone that doesn't necessarily deserve it. Happens all the time, especially in the workplace.
Well, enter these Grizzlies, who have taken on some of the league's elite, and as a result could match their longest losing streak of the season. Enter the Kings, who will now be on the receiving end of the frustration-
Memphis (50-24) has failed to score 90 points in its current run of three straight losses, and has lost those games to Cleveland, Golden State and San Antonio by a combined 59 points - an average of almost 20 points per setback.
Tonight the tables turn, and the Grizzlies will get it done by double digits in a win over Sacramento.
2* MEMPHIS
OC Dooley
Grizzlies -8
Even though having the second-best overall record in the hellacious Western Conference the Grizzlies of Memphis are coming off three consecutive losses versus top-notch competition (Spurs, Warriors and Cavs) where they were humiliated by a combined 56 points on the scoreboard. After tonight the Grizzlies face three more stern tests (Thunder, Wizards, Pelicans) so they will welcome Sacramento's visit tonight. The Grizzlies who had won the prior 9 series meetings actually lost to the Kings in the most recent clash which brings up the matter of "revenge". The good news for tonight's ailing host is that Sacramento is on a current 0-7 ATS skid versus quality sides (win percentage from 60-to-70)
Harry Bondi
PHOENIX (+8) over Portland
Another winner in the NBA last night runs our free pick record to 16-4 the last 20 days! This line looks to be a bit inflated and is an overreaction to the Suns' upset loss to Oklahoma City last night. We'll call for Phoenix to refocus and come out with its best effort tonight against a Portland team that's covered just three of the last 10 meetings in this series and is 2-8 ATS overall in its last 10 games. Take the generous points!