Steve Janus
Indiana Pacers -4
If it wasn't for this being a home-and-home set for these two teams, Indiana would have easily made my premium card for Saturday. While I still really like the Pacers to cover this small spread, I'm not going to be betting quite as much as my other plays.
The Pacers have looked like a legit contender since returning from the All-Star break, as they followed up a 34-point win over New York on Wednesday with a 32-point blowout over the Pistons last night. Throw in their 101-77 win over Charlotte before the break and they have won three straight by 20+ points.
With such a low number, it's unlikely the Pacers don't cover if they win this game and I can't see Detroit pulling off the upset. You don't just win three games by 20+ and decide took take the next night off. Indiana is out to make a statement and the Pistons aren't going to get in their way. These two teams have now played 3 times this season and all three times the Pacers have won by double-digits.
Jeff Alexander
Texas +3
The Longhorns are a more-than-respectable 10-3 at home and will be out for some serious revenge here as they were humiliated 83-57 at Kansas State earlier this season. The Wildcats haven't been trustworthy in the small road chalk role as they are on a 4-15 ATS slide as a road favorite of 3 points or less or pickem. They are also 5-15 ATS in Saturday road games the last 3 seasons. Take Texas.
Dave Price
Philadelphia 76ers +7.5
This is a solid situational spot for Philly as it has had two days off and has played just one game in the past nine days. It will be fresher than a Miami squad that will be playing its third game in four days. The 76ers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games when playing on two days' rest. Philly has also shown that it can play with Miami. It has won or kept the score within six points in each of the past two and five of the past seven matchups. The 76ers suffered a bad loss at Minnesota last time out but are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following an ATS loss. They are also a rock solid 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games. Take the points.
Nelly
Villanova - over Marquette
This should be a tricky spot for Marquette, facing a second straight road game and now facing real pressure in a three-way tie with Syracuse and Georgetown on top of the Big East. One of those teams will lose today spelling an opportunity for the Golden Eagles but this is a team with only three road wins on the season. Marquette is just 1-3 in the last four road games in Big East play and Villanova owns home wins over some of the best teams in the conference. The Wildcats are just 10-4 S/U at home but this is a team that rises up against the best competition and after losing at home to Marquette last season this will be a big game for Villanova. Marquette has lousy offensive numbers in road games, shooting just 41 percent and barely scoring 60 points per game and Villanova continues to be undervalued with a 12-5 ATS record in the last 17 games.
NHL Predictions
Montreal Canadiens -127
The Rangers have lost two straight games dropping their record to 8-6-2 on the season and 2-3-1 on the road. They've lost 3 of their last 4 games, with their lone win coming against a struggling Washington team. The Canadiens are coming off a 4-3 overtime loss against the Islanders in a game where they outplayed New York but couldn't finish them off. Before that the Canadiens had won 5 straight and they now sit 11-4-2 on the year and 7-3-1 at home. In their first meeting of the season on Tuesday the Canadiens won 3-1 in New York. That win makes Montreal 8-3 in these two teams last 11 meetings. They are also 6-0 in their last 6 home games vs the Rangers. When these two teams meet the home team is 19-7 in their last 26 meetings. The Canadiens are 7-3 in their last 10 home games while the Rangers have won just twice in 6 tries on the road this year. This is a big game for Montreal and I have them beating the Rangers tonight.